rapture and tribulation books

[retired firefighter]

can anyone recommend a book available that explains the rapture and tribulation, would prefer an author with a Pentecostal background

 

[Richard T]

I like this minister/teacher. It is a dispensational view, with a pre-tribulation rapture. I admit that I have not read this book, but I have listened to the 20 or so lessons from this teacher (former pastor) on the end times. He also is one of the few who have written a book on simplified theology from a Pentecostal view. I believe his views mirror the Assembly of God in most things and particularly the end times. Here is the free google preview.

Understanding the End Times

A Last Days Play-by-Play for the ChristianCountless books have been written that link current events to end-time scriptures predicting the soon return of Jesus. But too often Christians have devalued the Bible message by predicting an Antichrist who dies, or by predicting dates that come and go...

www.google.com.ph

 

[rocknanchor]

I like this minister/teacher. It is a dispensational view, with a pre-tribulation rapture. I admit that I have not read this book, but I have listened to the 20 or so lessons from this teacher (former pastor) on the end times. He also is one of the few who have written a book on simplified theology from a Pentecostal view. I believe his views mirror the Assembly of God in most things and particularly the end times. Here is the free google preview.

Understanding the End Times

A Last Days Play-by-Play for the ChristianCountless books have been written that link current events to end-time scriptures predicting the soon return of Jesus. But too often Christians have devalued the Bible message by predicting an Antichrist who dies, or by predicting dates that come and go...

www.google.com.ph

Very nice tip Richard, top-shelf! I'll be securing one! Hoping he offers a little more than others who, ''cautioned against obsessing over news headlines'', yet, advises us to correctly "look up" when they see the prophetic signs of the end times'', one critical and heavy watch? That old, rather amusing fine-line.

 

[1Tonne]

People who believe in an early rapture, that is, the snatching up of believers either before, during or straight after the Tribulation, often point to 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18. They read it as teaching that the dead in Christ rise first to meet with Christ, and then immediately afterwards, those who are alive are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So, a rapture for all believers who are both dead and alive and they meet with the Lord in the air.

But Jesus Himself taught something different. Several times, He said believers are raised on the last day and not before. This is the end of earthly time, when He judges the world at the Great White Throne judgment.
John 6:39 – And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day.
John 6:40 – For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44 – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:54 – The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 11:24 – Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

So, when does anyone rise before the last day? Only in the case of the martyrs. Revelation 20:4-6 speaks of an early resurrection for those who are killed for their faith. They are given white robes (Rev 6:9-11) and are raised and reign with Christ for 1,000 years, but the rest of the dead are not raised until the last day of time.
With this in mind, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 makes sense: “the dead in Christ” are raised first (the martyrs), and then at the last day of time, those who are left alive (and anyone in the grave) are caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds and all go to judgment at the GWT judgement.

It is clear, then, that all believers are raised on the last day, while only martyrs are raised early.
On the last day, the dead, both believers and unbelievers alike, are raised and judged.
Acts 24:15 confirms this when it says "a" resurrection: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” This points to a single resurrection of all the dead, not two separate resurrections.

And Jesus also said that there will be a time when all believers and non-believers are raised and judged. In John 5:28–29 He says: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

 

[Richard T]

People who believe in an early rapture, that is, the snatching up of believers either before, during or straight after the Tribulation, often point to 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18. They read it as teaching that the dead in Christ rise first to meet with Christ, and then immediately afterwards, those who are alive are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So, a rapture for all believers who are both dead and alive and they meet with the Lord in the air.

But Jesus Himself taught something different. Several times, He said believers are raised on the last day and not before. This is the end of earthly time, when He judges the world at the Great White Throne judgment.
John 6:39 – And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day.
John 6:40 – For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44 – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:54 – The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 11:24 – Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

So, when does anyone rise before the last day? Only in the case of the martyrs. Revelation 20:4-6 speaks of an early resurrection for those who are killed for their faith. They are given white robes (Rev 6:9-11) and are raised and reign with Christ for 1,000 years, but the rest of the dead are not raised until the last day of time.
With this in mind, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 makes sense: “the dead in Christ” are raised first (the martyrs), and then at the last day of time, those who are left alive (and anyone in the grave) are caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds and all go to judgment at the GWT judgement.

It is clear, then, that all believers are raised on the last day, while only martyrs are raised early.
On the last day, the dead, both believers and unbelievers alike, are raised and judged.
Acts 24:15 confirms this when it says "a" resurrection: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” This points to a single resurrection of all the dead, not two separate resurrections.

And Jesus also said that there will be a time when all believers and non-believers are raised and judged. In John 5:28–29 He says: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

I do like your point as it is something I have never considered. In asking google ai, about John 6, I got this response which seems correct from what I also looked up.

"Attempts to reconcile John 6 with the rapture often propose that "the last day" represents an extended period rather than a literal 24-hour day. Some argue that "the last day" encompasses the entire end-times period from the rapture to Christ's return, while others suggest the rapture itself marks "the last day" of the Church Age. Another interpretation posits that the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the rapture of living believers occur simultaneously on the "last day," meaning all believers are raised together at the end of the age."

I can't say exactly how a Pentecostal church such as the Assembly of God responds as far as John 6. However, here is there statement of beliefs concerning their affirmation of a pre-tribulation rapture. Premillennial Eschatology | Assemblies of God (USA)

If one considers some of the newer charismatic churches as Pentecostal, then I am sure that some do not agree with the pre-trib rapture view. Some I believe think the rapture already occurred. I asked google ai if any Pentecostals believed the rapture already occurred here is that answer.

"Most Pentecostals do not believe the rapture has already occurred.
The mainstream Pentecostal position follows the dispensationalist view that the rapture is a future, imminent event that will precede the seven-year Tribulation period. However, fringe or heterodox groups—including some with Pentecostal backgrounds—do hold a variant of hyperdispensationalism that claims the rapture is a past event."

 

[1Tonne]

I do like your point as it is something I have never considered. In asking google ai, about John 6, I got this response which seems correct from what I also looked up.

"Attempts to reconcile John 6 with the rapture often propose that "the last day" represents an extended period rather than a literal 24-hour day. Some argue that "the last day" encompasses the entire end-times period from the rapture to Christ's return, while others suggest the rapture itself marks "the last day" of the Church Age. Another interpretation posits that the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the rapture of living believers occur simultaneously on the "last day," meaning all believers are raised together at the end of the age."

Thanks.
Most people have not considered what Jesus or the disciples believed. They choose to make their own views of what is to come.
I prefer to take Jesus at His word. I read His words as literal and so the last day is the last day. Jesus did not say that He would raise up His people over a period of time near the end. He said, 'the last day".
It also looks like the disciples also took this matter of the last day as literal too. They believed His word without twisting it.

 

[bèlla]

@Richard T

Are you familiar with Rick Renner? If so, what are your thoughts?

~bella

 

[Richard T]

Yes, I have seen him a couple of times in person. He associates with many of the Tulsa greats who attended or served at Rhema or ORU. I have heard others quote his Greek explanations. I don't know much of his other doctrine but he is pre-trib rapture believer along with Bob Yandian of Tulsa. So I think in that area they are the best you can probably find for teaching pre-trib. I would imagine he is solid in everything else too, at least from my perspective.

 

[bèlla]

Yes, I have seen him a couple of times in person. He associates with many of the Tulsa greats who attended or served at Rhema or ORU. I have heard others quote his Greek explanations. I don't know much of his other doctrine but he is pre-trib rapture believer along with Bob Yandian of Tulsa. So I think in that area they are the best you can probably find for teaching pre-trib. I would imagine he is solid in everything else too, at least from my perspective.

I was going to mention him but I don’t follow his teachings. He’s pretty informative and I discovered him long ago and have a couple of his books. If you’re interested in Greek check out Spiros Zodhiates. We learned about him during our precept bible study. The instructor who partnered with Kay Arthur was taught by him. Wayne was really good and brought the word to life.

~bella

 

[Richard T]

Yes, I remember you mentioned Spiros before when I recommended his book on divorce to someone. Spiros "Complete NT Word Study Dictionary is fantastic. I have it on my pc and use it all the time. If you like Renner his pastor /teacher was Bob Yandian at one time. Yandian taught too at Rhema before he was pastor. I also like the late Dave Roberson for teaching on the gifts or how to draw revelation from the word. Dave Roberson Ministries Over a hundred free teachings on his website. Roberson pastored in Tulsa too for much of his life but was also known for his healing meetings.

 

[Richard T]

Thanks.
Most people have not considered what Jesus or the disciples believed. They choose to make their own views of what is to come.
I prefer to take Jesus at His word. I read His words as literal and so the last day is the last day. Jesus did not say that He would raise up His people over a period of time near the end. He said, 'the last day".
It also looks like the disciples also took this matter of the last day as literal too. They believed His word without twisting it.

I am glad that the issue is settled for you. I am pretty solid believing on a pre-trib rapture but I will take a deeper look at john 6 sometime. I first need to study Daniel more than just superficially.

 

[bèlla]

Yes, I remember you mentioned Spiros before when I recommended his book on divorce to someone. Spiros "Complete NT Word Study Dictionary is fantastic. I have it on my pc and use it all the time. If you like Renner his pastor /teacher was Bob Yandian at one time. Yandian taught too at Rhema before he was pastor. I also like the late Dave Roberson for teaching on the gifts or how to draw revelation from the word. Dave Roberson Ministries Over a hundred free teachings on his website. Roberson pastored in Tulsa too for much of his life but was also known for his healing meetings.

I’d forgotten that and I’m glad it helped! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check him out.

~bella

 

[Richard T]

I’d forgotten that and I’m glad it helped! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check him out.

~bella

That divorce book was very detailed on all scripture concerning divorce. I learned a lot about God and scripture in ways that I never would have thought of.