Thursday, December 20, 2007

Will Christians Remain on Earth During the Tribulation?

Some of the questions that we hear discussed regarding eschatology, or the study of the end times, may not seem relevant to many people. However, there is certainly one question that will affect Christians some day. That question is: Will Christians remain on earth during the tribulation?

I hold to a Historic Pre-millenialist position. That's a fancy way of saying that I believe Christians will remain on earth during the tribulation. I believe the bible indicates that Jesus Christ's return will occur all at once, after the tribulation, when He comes to rule literally for 1000 years on earth.

My view is certainly not the dominant one in evangelicalism today. I have found that most Christians in the USA, whether they know the term or not, hold to a Pre-tribulation Pre-millenialist position. This position states that Jesus' return will occur in two parts. First, He will return just before the tribulation to rapture (catch-up) all Christians. Then, seven years later, at the end of the tribulation, Christ will come to earth to set up His millennial reign.

I encourage you to click here to read an excellent discussion of this topic. Although we can't be certain about this particular issue, we should at least be able to support our positions with scripture. Read and enjoy the discussion - and also read the comments (the views vary quite a bit).

4 comments:

Brian said...

I am also historic premil though teetering on the edge of the amil position. I would posit that Christmas would probably still exist just perhaps apart from the religious aspects.

Eric said...

Brian,

Eschatology interests me, but it is not something that I get dogmatic about. In fact, there have been many great minds that have differed on this. For example, I love Jonathan Edwards, but I think he actually held a post-mil position. Oh well, I guess we'll all find out in the end, and we will be thrilled when it happens no matter how it turns out.

Anonymous said...

You would enjoy Googling "Pretrib Rapture Diehards," and "Pretrib Rapture Desperados" - both written by the historian who wrote the bestselling book "The Rapture Plot" (Armageddon Books). Bruce

Eric said...

Bruce,

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to check that out.

Eric