A Most Excellent Teacher
by
Marc S. Handelsman
Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
Blog: http://mhandels.blogspot.com
When I was a student at the Friends of Israel: Institute of Biblical Studies (now Institute of Jewish Studies), Marvin Rosenthal was one of my professors. I respected his excellent teaching and genuine interest in his students. In the Spring of 1989, I learned that both Marv Rosenthal and Kevin Howard were leaving the Friends of Israel. My reaction was to fast and pray because I admired these men, and was distressed about the school’s future.
In June 1989, I graduated from the Institute of Biblical Studies, and Marv Rosenthal gave his final commencement address. I had no idea why Marv Rosenthal and Kevin Howard were leaving the Friends of Israel. After graduation, I learned the reason why Marv Rosenthal left the Friends of Israel.
Around May 1990, one of the parishioners at my church gave me a recently published book called, The Prewrath Rapture of the Church. I discovered the book was written by my former professor, Marvin Rosenthal. I was unsettled about reading it, so I decided to fast and pray. When I began to read the book, I learned why Marv and Kevin left the Friends of Israel. As I read through it, the Lord gave me wisdom to understand the Prewrath Rapture thesis. After reading it, I realized the Church would eventually face Antichrist’s persecution.
My interest in the Prewrath Rapture grew, and I read all the books written by the late Bob Van Kampen soon after he published them. I also read, The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming by the 19th Century author, S.P. Tregelles, LL.D. Thankfully, God gave me wisdom to use a face-value hermeneutic to interpret the Scriptures. And my prayer is that the Body of Christ will be spiritually prepared to face Satan’s Antichrist.
