The fourth reason why verses 36–44 refer to the immediate context of the coming in verses 30–31 is found in the use of the term parousia. The term is used only four times in the gospels and are all found in Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39. Hart argues the parousia mentioned in verses 37 and […]
Prewrath
Part 4 – Why the “Coming” in Matthew 24:36–44 Refers Back to Verses 30–31
The third reason why verses 36–44 refer to the immediate context of the coming in verses 30–31 is recognizing Jesus’ audience. Hart argues verses 4–35 are intended for a Jewish audience and verses 36–44 are for the church. However, both passages have the same audience of disciples. The second person plural “you” is found in […]
Part 3 – Why the “Coming” in Matthew 24:36–44 Refers Back to Verses 30–31
The second reason why verses 36–44 refer to the immediate context of the coming in verses 30–31 is found in the natural antecedent. Verse 36 reads, “But as for that day and hour no one knows it—not even the angels in heaven—except the Father alone” (Matt 24:36). The immediate and natural antecedent of “that” day […]
Part 2 – Why the “Coming” in Matthew 24:36–44 Refers Back to Verses 30–31
As mentioned in the first part, Hart views these two passages as incompatible because he construes verses 4–35 teaching signs before Christ’s coming, while verses 36–44 teaching no signs before his coming. Therefore, he claims verses 36–44 must not be referring back to the coming in verses 30–31, instead must refer to a pretribulational rapture […]
Part 1 – Why the “Coming” in Matthew 24:36–44 Refers Back to Verses 30–31
Pretribs have three big proof texts: James 5:7–9, Titus 2:11–14, and Matthew 24:36. It is the latter proof text that I will split up in a six part series. This first part is the introduction explaining the argumentation for their interpretation. In the next five parts I will give five reasons why the “Coming” in […]
Three Quick Tips for New Prewrathers
Recently, I have received a spate of emails from new prewrathers who were previously prettribbers—that is a good thing! In their excitement they (rightly) tell their believing pretrib friends at church about the prewrath position. A very common objection they encounter by their pretrib friends is, “But it denies imminence.” This is expected since that […]
Tenets of Prewrath
There is a future seven-year period, and at the midpoint the Antichrist will be revealed and commit the abomination of desolation, initiating his great tribulation against the Church and Israel. There is a biblical distinction between the Antichrist’s great tribulation against the Church and Israel and the day of the Lord’s wrath against the ungodly. […]
Prewrath Defined in One Sentence
I am not a fan of sound-bite or twitter-size theology because sometimes it generates more questions than answers. Nevertheless, I understand that there are contexts that you may only have a narrow window of time to succinctly state your position. So here is my summary: The church will first experience the Antichrist’s great tribulation, which […]
Imminency versus Prophecy
Doug Eigsti has written an extensive article refuting pretribulational imminency entitled, “Imminency versus Prophecy.” You can download the article as a PDF here. See page 4–5 for the contents and purpose of the article.
Will the Church Be Persecuted by Antichrist for Three and One-Half Years Before the Rapture?
John Accomando writes, [D]oes Scripture teach that we’ll be here for the full 3.5 years? Yes: Daniel 7:25- “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a […]
Revelation 16:15 “Look! I will come like a thief! . . .”
“(Look! I will come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays alert and does not lose his clothes so that he will not have to walk around naked and his shameful condition be seen.)” (Rev 16:15 NET) Posttribulationists frequently use Revelation 16:15 to support their position. They argue that Rev 16:14–16 indicates that […]