Comments on: A Question about the Imminency of the Pretribulation Rapture?

By: Karleigh Benedict

Karleigh Benedict — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:48:18 +0000

Chris, I appreciated your comment. Thank you for sharing your research results with us. It is helpful to get a well-rounded view on an issue. It’s interesting when to hear that posttribulationists and pretribulationists agree oh soothing somewhere.

By: Karleigh Benedict

Karleigh Benedict — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:45:41 +0000

I found this post to be helpful as it defined what these Scriptures pertain to in terms of eschatological events. It also defined what “watch” is to mean. I had a different idea of these Scriptures before reading this post, so I am thankful for it being discussed. It definitely makes sense that to “watch” is to keep being faithful.

By: Chris Wittlinger

Chris Wittlinger — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:24:47 +0000

Good point James. Although I’ve read pretribulational theologians that say this is in reference to the Rapture, some pretribulational theologians use contextual support to say that this is in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. While there is a defined time table before the Second coming and events are specified before this event, imminence is still the idea. Jesus doesn’t say exactly when He’s coming back (if He is referring to His second coming), therefore the Jews need still be watchful. Good point with looking into the context to find the interpretation of this verse!

By: Chris Wittlinger

Chris Wittlinger — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:21:37 +0000

In writing my research paper for Sys Theo IV, I came across this verse and had to do some study on it. It is not only posttribulationists that believe this view is talking about the Second coming of Christ. Rolland McCune, a prettribulationist professor at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary also relates this to the Second Coming. He says that just because there is a time table of 7 years (the Tribulation) it does not necessarily negate the idea of imminency. Although the Second Coming of Christ has scriptural chronology, the exact date is not mentioned. Therefore, one must be watchful and alert for His return.

By: James Kinder

James Kinder — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:28:10 +0000

I think the issue here is that we cannot let our theology answer the question before thinking through it. Jesus was talking to the Jews there, and so it is natural to take him literally that he was telling the Jewish remnant to be watching for the return of their King. It is useful to look at other passages regarding the rapture to obtain doctrine concerning the rapture, such as 1 Thessalonians 4. Even in 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul teaches that a crown of righteousness is given to those who “love his appearing.” It is still good to look forward to Christ’s returning.

By: Krystle Matthews

Krystle Matthews — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:47:45 +0000

To be honest i have always struggled with what this passage was referring to. A long time ago I thought it was speaking on the rapture and that the Christian would be taken up and that the other would be left to endure the Tribulation period. Now it makes more sense that these verses are referring to the second coming and to those who will be saved during the tribulation will be left and those who aren’t will be taken away.

By: Brett Kitko

Brett Kitko — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:10:49 +0000

Intersting question and even more interesting answer. I never really looked at it the way that the student addressed it. I am just ever-so-saddened though by the differences in theology for Christians. I know that I have mentioned this numerous times in out blogs over the semesters, but how can Christians truly ever teach non-believers when there are so many different views and teachings amongst ourselves? The Bible is truly not a book that is open to multiple interpretations, yet Christians do it every day. We destroy the very foundation of the Bible and I believe that there are those who will have to answer for it one day.

By: Brett Kitko

Brett Kitko — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:36:41 +0000

Theresa, I enjoyed your response. I see what you are saying about hoping that they will see that the one coming is Christ. My fear is that most of the world missed His coming the first time and continue to miss Him still. Hope may not be enough for those who have turned a blind eye to Him. Are warnings ever enough for those whom choose to ignore?

By: Ethan Meadows

Ethan Meadows — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:47:46 +0000

this is a very interesting post according to that scripture reference. I had never thought to ask that question. This is something that is very helpful as I continue to learn and develop my knowledge on end times events and the meaning of certain portions of scripture pertaining to those subjects. I believe in a pretribulation rapture and this definitely helps understand the specific details of the times.

By: Mike Dorsey

Mike Dorsey — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:43:18 +0000

I agree. The second coming is the picture in the latter verses. The parable of the servant demonstrates exactly what the Jewish remnant should be doing in the tribu;lation as they look forward to the coming of Christ. Watch is an action word and would include the actions of those that anticipate Christ.