Prewrath Rapture of the Church

by Marvin J. Rosenthal

Back in print from Marvin Rosenthal

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Christian

317 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

Reviews

[Jason Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually made me stop believing what everyone else says about the bible and actually read and study it for myself. So in that sense it changed my life. If you can find a copy of it, I would highly recommend it. There is too much opinion out there passing itself off as authentic in our Christian book stores. 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 is very clear. My friends can contact me for any questions. ;-)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, most of you don't care with a passion, but this topic is for some reason very interesting to me. I don't totally buy all of Rosenthal's arguments. Also, he admittedly says much of the 'misinterpretation' of Revelation is based on whether the "day of the Lord" is the whole 7-year period of Daniel or only a small amount of time over half of the way into that. And then the rest of the book is based on having proven the latter. A very small pillar (one argument) to base an entire thesis/book on, unless, of course, it is true. Again, I know you don't care. And I don't see why dispensationalism can't be true along with the seven churches also representing the church as a whole at any time. Biblical prophecy is usually, if not always, short- and long-term. I think I'll rest on the belief that if most people believe something, it is probably wrong, and that if you refuse to talk about something, you're just afraid to be wrong. So on that note, I'll just stop babbling and go to bed..

[D.R. Roquemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that changed my mind about the timing of the Rapture. It is also what inspired me to write The Wrath Trilogy. I highly recommend this scholarly book to anyone who is interested in the timing of the Rapture.

[David Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my view on the timing of rapture

[Keith White · Rating 5 out of 5]

much better, healthier perspective. spoiler: Rapture comes before God's wrath is poured out and Christians endure at least part of the Tribulation.

[Steven H · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE MOST FAMOUS EXPOSITION OF THE PRE-WRATH VIEW

Marvin J. Rosenthal is executive director of Zion's Mission, and has also written books such as 'Not Without Design,'' A Jew Twice Born,', etc.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1990 book, "I have not written so much as an academician as I have as a preacher; not so much as a scholar ... as I have as a servant of the Lord with a crucial message from God's Word. Did I not believe passionately in the thesis of this book... I would not have followed the path I now tread. The anguish that accompanies reversing a theological position tenaciously held for more than thirty years can only be fully fathomed by those who have traveled that road..." (Pg. xii) He relates how he was basically (reluctantly) fired by the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry Mission because his non-pretribulational views no longer fit their doctrinal statement. (Pg. 18, 32-33)

He explains, "The basic theses of this book are simple: 1. The Rapture of the church will occur immediately prior to the beginning of the Day of the Lord. 2. The Day of the Lord commences sometime within the second half of the seventieth week. 3. The cosmic disturbances associated with the sixth seal will signal the approach of the Day of the Lord. 4. The Day of the Lord will begin with the opening of the seventh seal (Rev. 8:1). Everything else will be presented as confirmation of those theses." (Pg. 60)

He says, "But now another crucial issue arises: Does the Word of God teach that the Great Tribulation is three and one-half years in duration, as pretribulation rapturism insists?... The Lord spoke of the coming of the Great Tribulation which would begin in the middle of Daniel's seventieth week (Matt 24:21). In the next verse He declared, 'And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' (Matt 24;22) A normative understanding of the Lord's teaching is quite clear. The only possible antecedent to 'except those days be shortened' is the Great Tribulation. The Lord's teaching is that the Great Tribulation will be cut short... It is beyond refutation that the seventieth week of Daniel is not shortened... The seventieth week is a last seven-year period of Daniel's prophecy. It is clear that the last three-and-one-half years are not shortened... This, then, is clear. The entire seventieth week is not shortened. The last three and one-half years of that seventieth week are not shortened. What the Lord Himself teaches is shortened is the Great Tribulation. It is less than three and one-half years in duration. It begins in the middle of the seventieth week, but it does not run until the end of the seventieth week." (Pg. 108-109)

Interpreting 2 Thess 2:3, he asserts, "In clear, unmistakable, nondebatable terms, the apostle Paul identified two events which MUST precede the Day of the Lord. First, the great apostasy (the falling away) must occur. And second, the man of sin (the Antichrist) must be revealed. If, as pretribulational rapturism maintains, the Day of the Lord starts at the beginning of the seventieth week and if... the Rapture begins the seventieth week, then it must be concluded that these two events (the apostasy and the revealing of the man of sin) occur BEFORE the Rapture of the church. That reality cannot be denied." (Pg. 196)

He argues, "No amount of rationalizing can explain away the fact that if the coming of the Lord is imminent and pretribulational, He will, of an absolute necessity, return as 'a thief in the night' even for the believers. The Pauline admonition to 'watchfulness' ... would be the ultimate exercise in futility. If, on the other hand, Christ's coming and the Rapture occur after the events of Matthew 24:4-28... then the Lord's words make perfect sense... That day need not overtake a believer like 'a thief in the night' precisely because events of the seventieth week will announce its approach---not the very hour, but the general time period---exactly as the Lord taught." (Pg. 224) He summarizes his entire position on pages 293-295.

Rosenthal's book will be "must reading" for anyone interested in biblical prophecy.

[Jacob Sabin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of the book which I appreciated, but as a whole, I don't think Rosenthal is successful at defending his position. I realize I come into this book with a pretribulation view. Like Rosenthal, I believe what is more important than a specific rapture view is the fact Jesus is coming back and I don't believe it is something to attack others over. However, some of the arguments he makes against pretribulation goes against his own theory as well. On page 54 he gives a long list of people of faith who did not support pretribulation. I am fine with this, he is simply stating fact, but if that disqualifies pretribulation from being true, it would disqualify his theory from being true as well. On 278, he says: "No rapture view is ancient and can, therefore, summon antiquity for its support." Again, works against your theory as well. He criticizes Charles Ryrie on 280 saying refuting post-tribulation doesn't make pre-tribulation correct. While this is true, Mr. Rosenthal, refuting pre-tribulation doesn't make pre-wrath theory correct.

Rosenthal could be correct. We are going to know when the events play out. I think most important and Rosenthal would agree, is Christ is coming back. I also agree it is not worth tearing each other apart over (I am honestly not trying to do that here. But he spent a whole chapter about all the flak he took and then I feel at times he is trying to give back the flak to others, particularly the pre-tribulation theory. He chastises the pre-tribulation theory but he fails in proving his own. I did not get into how has rapture theory has some different interpretations about the events of Revelation which others have pointed out. At the very least, what I can say, he does try to support his view using the Bible and even if I think differently, he is trying to make a Biblical case for it. 2.5. stars.

[Elizabeth Cressell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellent. I feel like Marv's presentation of the pre-wrath position was logical, systematic, and easy to follow. I've been a little 'gun-shy' about studying eschatology because I was worried it would be over my head; this book removed some of the 'mystique' from this topic and made the end-times discussion much clearer to me. His tone is earnest and sincere, and not at all dogmatic or condescending.

[Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Rosenthal has set forth one of the best defenses out there of the Christian end-times theory of a mid-tribulation rapture position (when Jesus instantaneously transports Christians on earth to heaven), allowing believers to escape the worst of an end-times seven year time of trouble. A bit quirky, but informative.

[Brian Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent material and well researched.

Marvin's thought processes would sometimes change to look at different eschatological views which could at times be difficult to keep up with. You have to pay close attention to if he is discussing why a particular view is preferred or why a particular view violates scripture.

[Georg Sagittarius · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Entrückung vor dem Zorn Gottes"! Nahe an der WAHRHEIT (Berth Dudde!): Nur Stunden vor der Totalvernichtung durch Eigenschuld: Gerd Gutemann "2020-2028 [m.E. 2025-33!]"!
http://www.j-lorber.de/jl/0/endzeit/e...
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https://handbuch.bibel-glaube.de/Pre_...

[Honeybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about Marvin Rosenthal back in the 90's when I was reading his Messianic magazine, Zion's Fire. I had been raised a pre-tribulation rapturist, but when I read an article where he posed evidence supporting a mid-tribulation rapture, it made a lot more sense. When I saw this book in a used bookstore, I had to get it, so I could learn more about this fairly new interpretation of end-times scripture.

I appreciate the author's introductory chapter, where he tells about how he reluctantly came to change his view on eschatology (the study of end-times prophecy). A friend who was not a Bible scholar, but a businessman, started asking questions about the timing of the rapture (removal of Christians from the earth) and pointed to verses that contradicted the pre-tribulational view. This started Rosenthal on a journey of research and study that ended up costing him his job as a prominent leader in a missions organization that required its members to adhere to a pre-trib view.

The rest of the book is a careful, systematic study of both Old and New Testament prophecy that indicate that Christians are to go through the "birth pangs" described in Matthew 24 and Revelation, but not the "wrath of God" that follows the opening of the 6th seal in Revelation chapter 6. One super-helpful part of the book for visual learners like me are the 25 illustrated charts throughout the book that explain at-a-glance what the author is talking about. He quotes extensively from the writings of prominent pre-trib apologists and shows how poorly their ideas stand up to careful study and reason.

While I disagree with his application of certain verses from Daniel 7-11 to end times--especially those obviously fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes--for the most part I agree with a good portion of what Rosenthal has to say. Although, at first the author had me convinced otherwise, I don't believe that raptured saints are depicted in Revelation 7:9-17. On the contrary, I think the multitudes from every nation, tribe, people and tongue worshiping the Lamb are actually the "great cloud of witnesses" from Hebrews 12:1--Christians that have died by this time and are celebrating in heaven. The Church is not taken up until the harvest described in Revelation 14:14-16, which coincides with Matthew 24:31

I think this book is especially relevant now, since current events and conditions are lining up with prophecy more rapidly and perfectly than ever before. Christians need to stop having the escapist view that we are not going to go through any of the Great Tribulation described in the Gospels. Moreover, we need to recognize that Jesus is coming soon, so our time is short to tell others about them. God is removing His saints from the earth before the outpouring of His wrath against sin and rebellion. However, we do not want to leave any of our loved ones untold about Christ, so that they are left behind to suffer the horrors described in Revelation 15-17!

If you are a Christian who is confused about end-times teaching, or if the book of Revelation intimidates you, then this would be a great resource. If you already think you know what the Bible teaches, I challenge you to read this book and prayerfully consider the scriptures this man of God examines. Better to rethink what you have been told is true than to believe a lie, and therefore doubt God's word when prophecy doesn't play out the way you were taught! If you plan to teach on this subject, then this should be included in your research. You don't want to mislead others and set them up for apostasy when times get rough.

[Joelendil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marv Rosenthal brings up some interesting arguments in support of his pre-wrath rapture view, but most of them hinge on accepting his argument that "The Day of the Lord," "Beginning of Birth Pangs," and "Great Tribulation" are technical terms that do not overlap. I for one am not convinced since "Day of the Lord" appears to be a fairly flexible term that can refer to either the whole end times scenario or a specific facet thereof based on context. I take issue with some of his other interpretations as well, but this is a book review not a rebuttal.

There was one facet of the book that I found particularly disturbing, doctrinal differences aside. Despite repeated statements that he did not want to be adversarial, Rosenthal made repeated comments that called into question the integrity of those who would disagree with him. Several times in the opening chapter and in a few other places throughout the book he emphasizes that he is basing his view on his understanding of Scripture (which is great!). He then implies, or even says outright, that those who disagree with him are doing so primarily out of "defensiveness" and "fear" regarding their "entrenched" "dogmatic" position as pre-tribulationists (e.g. top of p. 21, last paragraph of p. 30). Statements of this sort do nothing to enhance his position and lend an unnecessarily adversarial tone to an already emotionally-charged issue. A Bible scholar should present his interpretation / position on its own merits without slandering the motives of those who disagree with him. Scholars holding the pre-tribulational rapture views base their positions on their understanding of Scripture too, using many of the same passages employed in this book. This is an issue of differing interpretation of Scripture, not of Scripture vs. Tradition.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading most anything I could get my hands on by Hal Lindsey. I always loved reading his books but it seemed like something was missing with the Pre-Trib view. I had never really heard much about any other view. Later in life I learned a little about Mid and Post Trib views. When this book came out I bought it and was blown away by it. I had never read a book that took a topic like this and support it to such a degree with the bible. This was one of the few times I have been forced to change my views based on new information! Highly recommend this book!

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an excellent amount of scripture to back up his thoughts on the timing of the rapture. This is my second time to read it so that I could study it a little better. I love that it has given me an increased zeal for Jesus, and studying eschatology. If you want further commentary, Zion’s Hope on YT and anything by Alan Kurschner is good. Maranatha!

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book for years...love the reference and cross-walk of various beliefs for end time and the rapture of the church.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

!!!

[Dean Akin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible exegesis but at the time I was looking for answers to an equally horrible doctrinal belief. Can you say 'Left Behind' ?