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THE BLESSED HOPE a Biblical study of the Second Advent and the Rapture
This is a work of exceeding timeliness and should help stabilize the thinking of many Christians on the subject of the second Advent. Dr. Ladd's position is lucid, evangelical, premillennial and sound. It is based squarley on the Word of God.
Unknown Binding
First published November 30, 1955
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About the author
George Eldon Ladd
59 books57 followersGeorge Eldon Ladd (1911–1982) was a Baptist minister and professor of New Testament exegesis and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Ladd was ordained in 1933 and pastored in New England from 1936 to 1945. He served as an instructor at Gordon College of Theology and Missions (now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Wenham, Massachusetts from 1942–45. He was an associate professor of New Testament and Greek from 1946–50, and head of the department of New Testament from 1946–49. In 1950–52 he was an associate professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif, becoming professor of biblical theology in 1952.
Ladd's best-known work, A Theology of the New Testament, has been used by thousands of seminary students since its publication in 1974. This work was enhanced and updated by Donald A. Hagner in 1993.
Ladd was a notable, modern proponent of Historic Premillennialism, and often criticized dispensationalist views. His writings regarding the Kingdom of God (especially his view of inaugurated eschatology) have become a cornerstone of Kingdom theology. His perspective is expressed in The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, R. G. Clouse, editor (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977) and the shorter and more accessible The Gospel of the Kingdom (Paternoster, 1959).
Ladd was ordained in 1933 and pastored in New England from 1936 to 1945. He served as an instructor at Gordon College of Theology and Missions (now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Wenham, Massachusetts from 1942–45. He was an associate professor of New Testament and Greek from 1946–50, and head of the department of New Testament from 1946–49. In 1950–52 he was an associate professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif, becoming professor of biblical theology in 1952.
Ladd's best-known work, A Theology of the New Testament, has been used by thousands of seminary students since its publication in 1974. This work was enhanced and updated by Donald A. Hagner in 1993.
Ladd was a notable, modern proponent of Historic Premillennialism, and often criticized dispensationalist views. His writings regarding the Kingdom of God (especially his view of inaugurated eschatology) have become a cornerstone of Kingdom theology. His perspective is expressed in The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, R. G. Clouse, editor (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977) and the shorter and more accessible The Gospel of the Kingdom (Paternoster, 1959).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 10, 2017
Although the Pretribulation Rapture version of Premillennialism is no longer dominant in the academic world of evangelicalism, there is no doubt that it is still the assumed position of orthodoxy among many a man in the pew - particularly in Baptist and Bible churches. Ladd's aim in this book is to show that one can be a premillenialist without holding to a pretribulation rapture and yet still be a conservative and faithful student of Scripture. The fact that the last part of that sentence seems a little ridiculous today shows just how much fruit has come from Ladd's labors in this area.
This is a short work that is easy to read and charitable towards those whose position it challenges. Ladd does not set out to "destroy" the pretribulation position - he is content for faithful men to hold it if they must. But he does set out to destroy the idea that pretribulationism is the only faithful position. As he examines church history and the Scripture he shows how abundantly clear it is that a rapture before the Great Tribulation is not explicitly taught in Scripture and was not even taught in the church until the 1800s.
If you've ever wondered if the pretrib rapture position is biblical, or if you can be premill without being pretrib, pick up a copy of this book. It will be well worth your time.
This is a short work that is easy to read and charitable towards those whose position it challenges. Ladd does not set out to "destroy" the pretribulation position - he is content for faithful men to hold it if they must. But he does set out to destroy the idea that pretribulationism is the only faithful position. As he examines church history and the Scripture he shows how abundantly clear it is that a rapture before the Great Tribulation is not explicitly taught in Scripture and was not even taught in the church until the 1800s.
If you've ever wondered if the pretrib rapture position is biblical, or if you can be premill without being pretrib, pick up a copy of this book. It will be well worth your time.
October 11, 2019
Ladd has written a clear and concise book about the Second Coming of Christ, The Blessed Hope of Titus 2:13. This book is very easy to read and painstakingly thorough. I can not recommend it enough. I normally do not read any books on Biblical prophecy because they end up leaving me even more confused, but this book is different. He solidified some thoughts that I already was sure about and clarified some others that I was unsure about. Excellent all round.
August 31, 2021
Un excelente estudio de la segunda venida por uno de los más grandes teólogos de los últimos tiempos. Vale la pena leerlo detenidamente.
April 4, 2022
Great book on the topic of the second coming of Christ. Debunks the notion of a secret rapture of the church, instead the blessed hope is our physical union with Christ at his coming. Only when the mission of the church is complete, in evangelising the nations, will the end come.
March 9, 2013
George Ladd at his best. Although not comprehensive, this is an excellent study. Provides a solid biblical basis for our real hope, with sound historical information, good exegesis and word studies. Argues well against Scofield Dispensationalism without attempting to make their adherents look like idiots.
March 10, 2022
One of my all-time favorite eschatological books!
August 15, 2018
In this book, Ladd presents a solid, thorough, and irenic critique of the pretribulation rapture position.
Ladd skillfully and competently demonstrates that the second coming is a single event that shall follow the tribulation, and not the two stage event that dispensationalists hold. The strength of this book is the complete focus on the rapture question. All aspects of the debate are covered, including numerous passages of Scripture, various Greek words, the position of the early church, the history of the Plymouth Brethren and Darby, and various arguments used by its proponents.
Its strength can also be considered its weakness, as the book does not explain or explore the historic premillennial view, a position Ladd holds, in which the post-tribulation rapture that he argues for would fit. Interested readers will need to seek another book to understand the full scope of the position.
The hope of the Church throughout the early centuries was the second coming of Christ, not a pretribulation rapture. If the Blessed Hope is in fact a pretribulation rapture, then the Church has never known that hope through most of its history, for the idea of a pretribulation rapture did not appear in prophetic interpretation until the nineteenth century.
Ladd skillfully and competently demonstrates that the second coming is a single event that shall follow the tribulation, and not the two stage event that dispensationalists hold. The strength of this book is the complete focus on the rapture question. All aspects of the debate are covered, including numerous passages of Scripture, various Greek words, the position of the early church, the history of the Plymouth Brethren and Darby, and various arguments used by its proponents.
Its strength can also be considered its weakness, as the book does not explain or explore the historic premillennial view, a position Ladd holds, in which the post-tribulation rapture that he argues for would fit. Interested readers will need to seek another book to understand the full scope of the position.
March 6, 2011
One of the best critiques of the pretribulational rapture available. Sound, reasonable and irenic.
June 5, 2017
Holds to a post-tribulation rapture position, aka historic premillennialism.
September 10, 2024
A FORCEFUL STATEMENT OF THE POSTTRIBULATION POSITION
George Eldon Ladd (1911-1982) was a Baptist minister and professor of New Testament exegesis and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary; he wrote many other books such as 'The Last Things: An Eschatology for Laymen,' 'The Presence of the Future,' 'I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1956 book, "The present book has been written because a number of Christian leaders have expressed the need for a fresh statement ... which would consider both points of view [about the Rapture]. There are many Christians... who ... wish to hear what can be said for the other side for they are not satisfied with the usual pretribulationism.
"The central thesis of this book is that the Blessed Hope is the second coming of Jesus Christ and not a pretribulation rapture... Many who hold a pretribulation rapture feel that the coming of Christ cannot be a Blessed Hope if the Church must go through the Great Tribulation... The question is not, what do we want, but, what does the Word of God teach? No one WANTS to take the Church through the Tribulation." (Pg. 11) He adds, "the Blessed Hope is the coming of the Lord, whether that glorious event occurs before or after the Tribulation." (Pg. 12)
He points out, "For the most part, the Word of God is not explicit about the order of events. Matthew 24 says nothing about the resurrection; the book of Revelation says nothing about the Rapture of the Church; Paul's epistles say nothing about the resurrection of the unrighteous. Our problems arise when we begin to ask questions which were not in the minds of the authors.' (Pg. 13)
He states, "All of these promises [1 Pet 1:7, 1:13, 4:13] direct our hope of the fulness of our salvation not to the Rapture but to the Revelation of Christ. If these two events are one and the same, these verses are full of meaning. If, however, these blessings are not received at the Revelation but at an earlier Rapture, these verses are quite perplexing and difficult. It is difficult to see how a distinction can be made between these two events. The Revelation is continually made the object of our hope; the Rapture must therefore occur at the Revelation of Christ. The Scripture nowhere asserts that there is a Rapture which will take place before the Revelation." (Pg. 67)
He adds, "Such things as the apostasy and the appearance of the Man of Lawlessness could only have an academic interest for the Thessalonians if they were to be caught up from the earth before these events took place." (Pg. 74) He argues, "Surely Paul's warning to believers [1 Thess 5] to be prepared for the day of the Lord means that they will SEE that day but will not be surprised and dismayed by it. The warning is without point unless believers are to see that day; and if so, the day of Christ and the day of the Lord are synonymous." (Pg. 93)
He says, "It is frequently said that since the saints must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for the things done in the body before they come to earth with Him, there must of necessity be an interval of time between the Rapture and the Revelation for this judgment to take place... if a period of time must intervene for this judgment to take place, will seven years be enough? It is estimated that there are two hundred million living Christians. In seven years, there are just over two hundred million SECONDS. How much of a fraction of a second is necessary for the judgment of each believer? If an interval of time is needed, then far more than seven years will be required." (Pg. 102-103)
He acknowledges, "Let us admit at the outset that if we take these verses [Mk 13:33-37, Mt 24:42-44, Lk 12:37-39] out of their setting and read them superficially, they give the impression that the event described is to take place without any warnings or signs to indicate that it is near... We must, however, study every command in the Word of God within its own context. When this is done, it becomes immediately apparent that no teaching of an any-moment rapture ... can be built upon these exhortations. For the fact is, all of these exhortations have reference to the glorious appearing of the Son of man at the end of the Tribulation." (Pg. 112)
Whether one agrees with all of his viewpoints or not, Ladd's book is one of the finest statements of the postribulation position, and should be studied by all those studying biblical prophecy.
George Eldon Ladd (1911-1982) was a Baptist minister and professor of New Testament exegesis and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary; he wrote many other books such as 'The Last Things: An Eschatology for Laymen,' 'The Presence of the Future,' 'I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1956 book, "The present book has been written because a number of Christian leaders have expressed the need for a fresh statement ... which would consider both points of view [about the Rapture]. There are many Christians... who ... wish to hear what can be said for the other side for they are not satisfied with the usual pretribulationism.
"The central thesis of this book is that the Blessed Hope is the second coming of Jesus Christ and not a pretribulation rapture... Many who hold a pretribulation rapture feel that the coming of Christ cannot be a Blessed Hope if the Church must go through the Great Tribulation... The question is not, what do we want, but, what does the Word of God teach? No one WANTS to take the Church through the Tribulation." (Pg. 11) He adds, "the Blessed Hope is the coming of the Lord, whether that glorious event occurs before or after the Tribulation." (Pg. 12)
He points out, "For the most part, the Word of God is not explicit about the order of events. Matthew 24 says nothing about the resurrection; the book of Revelation says nothing about the Rapture of the Church; Paul's epistles say nothing about the resurrection of the unrighteous. Our problems arise when we begin to ask questions which were not in the minds of the authors.' (Pg. 13)
He states, "All of these promises [1 Pet 1:7, 1:13, 4:13] direct our hope of the fulness of our salvation not to the Rapture but to the Revelation of Christ. If these two events are one and the same, these verses are full of meaning. If, however, these blessings are not received at the Revelation but at an earlier Rapture, these verses are quite perplexing and difficult. It is difficult to see how a distinction can be made between these two events. The Revelation is continually made the object of our hope; the Rapture must therefore occur at the Revelation of Christ. The Scripture nowhere asserts that there is a Rapture which will take place before the Revelation." (Pg. 67)
He adds, "Such things as the apostasy and the appearance of the Man of Lawlessness could only have an academic interest for the Thessalonians if they were to be caught up from the earth before these events took place." (Pg. 74) He argues, "Surely Paul's warning to believers [1 Thess 5] to be prepared for the day of the Lord means that they will SEE that day but will not be surprised and dismayed by it. The warning is without point unless believers are to see that day; and if so, the day of Christ and the day of the Lord are synonymous." (Pg. 93)
He says, "It is frequently said that since the saints must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for the things done in the body before they come to earth with Him, there must of necessity be an interval of time between the Rapture and the Revelation for this judgment to take place... if a period of time must intervene for this judgment to take place, will seven years be enough? It is estimated that there are two hundred million living Christians. In seven years, there are just over two hundred million SECONDS. How much of a fraction of a second is necessary for the judgment of each believer? If an interval of time is needed, then far more than seven years will be required." (Pg. 102-103)
He acknowledges, "Let us admit at the outset that if we take these verses [Mk 13:33-37, Mt 24:42-44, Lk 12:37-39] out of their setting and read them superficially, they give the impression that the event described is to take place without any warnings or signs to indicate that it is near... We must, however, study every command in the Word of God within its own context. When this is done, it becomes immediately apparent that no teaching of an any-moment rapture ... can be built upon these exhortations. For the fact is, all of these exhortations have reference to the glorious appearing of the Son of man at the end of the Tribulation." (Pg. 112)
Whether one agrees with all of his viewpoints or not, Ladd's book is one of the finest statements of the postribulation position, and should be studied by all those studying biblical prophecy.
February 19, 2023
I have been reading a lot about eschatology, trying to understand the MANY different views on the topic. For a primer, I generally consider myself premillennial, but I was raised in a dispensational premillennial home. However, the more I read the Scriptures, the more I began to note problems with the idea of a Rapture. The biggest issues for me were how dispensationalists ignore the similarities between Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and how they try to say that the "Day of the Lord" is not just a day, but a period of 7+ years. The first seems to ignore context, vital to any interpretation of the Word, and the second seems to ignore the basic meaning of language. It astounds me that the same people that say "1000 years" must mean 1000 years will say in the next breath that Day of the Lord can mean 7+ years worth of days.
In short, Ladd wrote my own thoughts back to me. He picked up on the many weaknesses of defenses of dispensationalism rooted in church history and the so-called doctrine of immanency. The basic thrust of his argument was that Jesus is our Blessed Hope, not being called away from suffering in a pre-tribulation Rapture. The Rapture, to him, is not a Biblical doctrine. At best, it is an inference derived from the text, and why should we believe in an inference before the far simpler plain meaning of the text?
Moreover, I give this book 5 stars because I think that Ladd navigated a difficult topic with grace. He makes it very clear that he loves brothers with whom he disagrees on this, which I think is very important, but he does it quickly and without apologizing for having an opinion that differs from such brothers. The book is also highly accessible. There isn't a lot of technical jargon that someone unfamiliar with eschatology couldn't understand. For that reason, I think it is a great primer on historical premillennialism.
I intend to follow up by reading Ladd's other book, The Presence of the Future, which I understand to be the more technical, in-depth, scholarly version of this book. I hope that he will answer in that book some of my lingering questions. Chief among these is: If all believers are transfigured at the return of Christ and given immortal bodies, a la 1 Cor. 15, then who is it that populates the 1000-year reign of Christ?
In short, Ladd wrote my own thoughts back to me. He picked up on the many weaknesses of defenses of dispensationalism rooted in church history and the so-called doctrine of immanency. The basic thrust of his argument was that Jesus is our Blessed Hope, not being called away from suffering in a pre-tribulation Rapture. The Rapture, to him, is not a Biblical doctrine. At best, it is an inference derived from the text, and why should we believe in an inference before the far simpler plain meaning of the text?
Moreover, I give this book 5 stars because I think that Ladd navigated a difficult topic with grace. He makes it very clear that he loves brothers with whom he disagrees on this, which I think is very important, but he does it quickly and without apologizing for having an opinion that differs from such brothers. The book is also highly accessible. There isn't a lot of technical jargon that someone unfamiliar with eschatology couldn't understand. For that reason, I think it is a great primer on historical premillennialism.
I intend to follow up by reading Ladd's other book, The Presence of the Future, which I understand to be the more technical, in-depth, scholarly version of this book. I hope that he will answer in that book some of my lingering questions. Chief among these is: If all believers are transfigured at the return of Christ and given immortal bodies, a la 1 Cor. 15, then who is it that populates the 1000-year reign of Christ?
September 29, 2021
"The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture" by George Eldon Ladd is an excellent work for anyone who is interested in the relationship between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation, just before Christ sets up His Kingdom. Ladd is a Historic Premillenialist, who believes that the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ occur at the same time (i.e. at the end of the Tribulation).
Using a gentle, but firm, approach, Dr. Ladd argues why, in his opinion, Scripture supports a post-tribulation view. His approach is sound and one could not fault him for his winsome tone. One may disagree with Ladd's thesis, but one will be challenged to wrestle with the exegetical arguments made in this very approachable work, that is useful for Pastor and layman alike. One will also be challenged to hope for the appearing of Christ--the believer's Blessed Hope and to live in light of that very real event that is certain to occur when the Gospel of the kingdom had been spread throughout the world.
Oftentimes individuals live in an echo chamber of thought, which fails to account for other theological perspectives that are within the bounds of historic Christianity, as reflected in the historic creeds of the Church . Even if you might designee with Dr. Ladd, you would be well served to consider his arguments in light of Scripture and to allow the word of Christ to dwell in you richly. Happy reading!
Using a gentle, but firm, approach, Dr. Ladd argues why, in his opinion, Scripture supports a post-tribulation view. His approach is sound and one could not fault him for his winsome tone. One may disagree with Ladd's thesis, but one will be challenged to wrestle with the exegetical arguments made in this very approachable work, that is useful for Pastor and layman alike. One will also be challenged to hope for the appearing of Christ--the believer's Blessed Hope and to live in light of that very real event that is certain to occur when the Gospel of the kingdom had been spread throughout the world.
Oftentimes individuals live in an echo chamber of thought, which fails to account for other theological perspectives that are within the bounds of historic Christianity, as reflected in the historic creeds of the Church . Even if you might designee with Dr. Ladd, you would be well served to consider his arguments in light of Scripture and to allow the word of Christ to dwell in you richly. Happy reading!
September 1, 2024
George Eldon Ladd, a historic premillenialist, concludes that The Blessed Hope is the second coming of Jesus Christ. This view contrasts with a pretribulational premillenialist view that places its hope in a secret coming of Jesus for believers before the tribulation.
I found this book to be enlightening and irenic, that is peaceful and unifying. The content is accessible to lay readers, though I think the more familiar you are with end time views the better prepared you will be to understand the comparisons and contrasts presented.
As I have studied scripture, I’ve questioned the end time view I had been taught and have been on a journey to discover what I really believe instead of accepting what I’ve been told to believe. That is a journey that I think is common to all Christians as they grow in their faith. This is my latest read on that journey ☺️
“The Blessed Hope is not deliverance from the Tribulation; it is union with the Lord at His coming.”
“The one question ultimately must be, What does the Word of God actually teach? and not, What have men taught?”
I found this book to be enlightening and irenic, that is peaceful and unifying. The content is accessible to lay readers, though I think the more familiar you are with end time views the better prepared you will be to understand the comparisons and contrasts presented.
As I have studied scripture, I’ve questioned the end time view I had been taught and have been on a journey to discover what I really believe instead of accepting what I’ve been told to believe. That is a journey that I think is common to all Christians as they grow in their faith. This is my latest read on that journey ☺️
“The Blessed Hope is not deliverance from the Tribulation; it is union with the Lord at His coming.”
“The one question ultimately must be, What does the Word of God actually teach? and not, What have men taught?”
January 13, 2022
I read this book because it is reportedly something of a classic (1950s) defense of historic pre-millennialism contra dispensational pre-tribulationism. It did not disappoint. I’ve read many books and many views refuting pre-tribulationism and I see now where many of these authors got their ideas. Such arguments are, within this book, already fully formed or there in seed form. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to have a proper of understanding of what the church, for the first several centuries of its existence, believed about the return of Christ.
May 12, 2017
As a critique of dispensationalism, it performs fairly well. As a defense of historic premillennialism, it falls short. I think he accomplished his goal of establishing that the blessed hope of the Christian is the second coming of Christ and not a secret rapture. I was hoping for more of a biblical defense of the historic premillennial position, and that wasn't his main objective, so my disappointment is not entirely the author's fault.
August 3, 2021
A very thorough study of Rapture events
This book was suggested to me by a family member when we expressed differing view points on Rapture scenarios. A great resource for either camp, pre or post, which you may aspire too. Although Ladd holds to the post-trib view he does bring into account that the bible is not totally clear on either view. Wordy at times, and a bit confusing at least to me, but overall comprehensive.
This book was suggested to me by a family member when we expressed differing view points on Rapture scenarios. A great resource for either camp, pre or post, which you may aspire too. Although Ladd holds to the post-trib view he does bring into account that the bible is not totally clear on either view. Wordy at times, and a bit confusing at least to me, but overall comprehensive.
April 2, 2020
Ladd absolutely takes down Pretribulational Premillennialism in this book. He also argues against a secret rapture and argues for a Pre-Wrath understanding. The content is good, but it is dated in the examples given. Not much is changed in the Pretrib Premill belief, but you probably won't recognize many (or any in my case) names of those he quotes from.
August 8, 2021
A clear and concise explanation and refutation of the Doctrine of Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Ladd explains the origins of this false doctrine and guides the reader to the correct understanding of Daniel and John of Patmos.
Brothers and Sisters, I truly wish that the Church would be spared the seven years of Tribulation, but it's not going to happen.
Brothers and Sisters, I truly wish that the Church would be spared the seven years of Tribulation, but it's not going to happen.
October 25, 2022
A critical assessment of pretribulational premillennialism from a historic premillennial perspective, while at the same time arguing that this issue should not be a test of orthodoxy. The fact that the latter seems laughably obvious shows how influential Ladd has been on this issue for the latter half of the 20th century and beyond.
February 6, 2023
A wonderful, well researched book on the origin of the "pre-trib" rapture doctrine and what the Bible says and doesn't say about it. I appreciate Ladd's fairness and gentleness in his objection to this belief. His is an exhortation to all Christians to be vigilant and to research this out for themselves. A must-read for all Believers.
January 9, 2019
Everyone who holds to a pre or post tribulation rapture view should read this. Ladd does point out some poor defenses for the pre-trib rapture and he has the correct view of the importance of charity to those who disagree with him.
October 1, 2023
George Eldon Ladd ably defends historic premillennialism (with post-tribulationism) against dispensational, pre-tribulational premillennialism. It's a rare example of a scholarly (but accessible) book espousing historic premillennialism. Ironically, throughout the book Ladd makes many arguments that amillennialists borrow from him (with credit) to support amillennialism—mostly along the lines of the idea that when Christ comes he initiates the everlasting kingdom (the new heavens and new earth), obviating anything like the Millennium as conceived by premillennialists like Ladd.
May 10, 2017
Clear, Biblical and historical exposition on several topics surrounding the rapture, tribulation, and end times. Ladd is to be trusted.
February 16, 2018
Best book on the end times and rapture of the church I have come across. I recommend it to everyone who feels at least a little confused on the subject.
March 29, 2020
Vision post-tribulations excellent ouvrage
May 25, 2020
Classic statement of the historic Pre-Millennialist position.
July 28, 2020
Excellent book! The only drawback is that it’s dated and doesn’t interact with contemporary arguments and people.
January 6, 2021
Superior Exegesis!
A thorough and logical exposition of Bible truth. Ladd covers the truth as presented in the Biblical Text with accuracy.
A thorough and logical exposition of Bible truth. Ladd covers the truth as presented in the Biblical Text with accuracy.
January 4, 2024
A helpful, short discussion on the topic.
October 12, 2011
"The Blessed Hope" carefully studies the Bible to see if a pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church is clearly taught there or if it is equally or even more clearly taught that Christians will go through the Tribulation and be "raptured" only at the end when Jesus returns in glory.
He starts with quotes of what early Christians wrote about Revelation in this regard. He also chronicles how the pre-Tribulation idea first appeared and was promoted around 1831. The author then looked at the verses referring to the blessed hope, Jesus' glorious return, and the rapture as well as the verses pre-Tribulationists use to support their views. He showed that a pre-Tribulation Rapture is, at best, an inference and how the verses used to support it can be understood to support a post-Tribulation view if read in context.
Personally, I've never been able to see a pre-Tribulation Rapture in the Bible despite being taught that by my church since I was a child. I found it interesting that this author used many of the same arguments that I had seen in my study of the Bible.
My mother also read this book. She couldn't see a pre-Tribulation Rapture taught in the Bible, either, but wanted to understand the arguments for it in case she was missing something. She liked that this book explained the pre-Tribulation Rapture argument, but it also pointed out the things she had noticed against it. She now feels confident that she's not missing some truth that she'd been overlooking that would compel belief in a pre-Tribulation Rapture.
The last chapter is somewhat dated as he referred to "current" views, and the book was written in 1956. Also, while I agree that sharing the gospel with the entire world is important, I believe this because that's what Jesus told us to. I don't agree with the author's view that Jesus is prevented from returning until Christians get their act together and have achieved a certain goal as to the number of nations that have heard the gospel. It is God that brings people to belief, and everything is coming about in His timing, not ours.
I think the book presented a very clear explanation about how a pre-Tribulation Rapture came to be taught and why a post-Tribulation "rapture" more solidly fits what the Bibles teaches about the end times. I'd recommend this book to everyone interested in the Rapture.
He starts with quotes of what early Christians wrote about Revelation in this regard. He also chronicles how the pre-Tribulation idea first appeared and was promoted around 1831. The author then looked at the verses referring to the blessed hope, Jesus' glorious return, and the rapture as well as the verses pre-Tribulationists use to support their views. He showed that a pre-Tribulation Rapture is, at best, an inference and how the verses used to support it can be understood to support a post-Tribulation view if read in context.
Personally, I've never been able to see a pre-Tribulation Rapture in the Bible despite being taught that by my church since I was a child. I found it interesting that this author used many of the same arguments that I had seen in my study of the Bible.
My mother also read this book. She couldn't see a pre-Tribulation Rapture taught in the Bible, either, but wanted to understand the arguments for it in case she was missing something. She liked that this book explained the pre-Tribulation Rapture argument, but it also pointed out the things she had noticed against it. She now feels confident that she's not missing some truth that she'd been overlooking that would compel belief in a pre-Tribulation Rapture.
The last chapter is somewhat dated as he referred to "current" views, and the book was written in 1956. Also, while I agree that sharing the gospel with the entire world is important, I believe this because that's what Jesus told us to. I don't agree with the author's view that Jesus is prevented from returning until Christians get their act together and have achieved a certain goal as to the number of nations that have heard the gospel. It is God that brings people to belief, and everything is coming about in His timing, not ours.
I think the book presented a very clear explanation about how a pre-Tribulation Rapture came to be taught and why a post-Tribulation "rapture" more solidly fits what the Bibles teaches about the end times. I'd recommend this book to everyone interested in the Rapture.
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