They note that the former verse appears in the Olivet Discourse in context to Jesus’ coming at the end of the tribulation. Non-pretribbers like to point out that the thief expression occurs in Matthew 24:43 and Revelation 16:15 (and elsewhere). Interestingly, Rev 14:6has an angel preaching the Everlasting Gospel to those who dwell on the earth. That’s rather convenient timing! One gets the feeling that all sorts of excuses have been formulated to keep the church on earth right up until the last moment. 14:4), not saved until the rapture occurs – which is why they will not be raptured with the saints…” ~ The Rapture Question Answered p 155 (Emphasis mine) “These 144,000 will become the firstfruits of unsaved Israel (Rev. God will not leave Himself without a people on the earth.” ~ The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church page 185 The 144,000 must be sealed for protection to go through the Day of the Lord before the church can be caught up to the throne in heaven. “It is almost like a baton being passed between runners. In other words the church must be still around to fulfill it. His colleagues often insist that the 144,000 in Revelation chapter 7 aren’t evangelists. But he added that there was no such revelation.Īnother problem cited by Egsti is the fulfillment of the Great Commission. How could the rapture then be imminent?Īlva McClain (who agrees with Fruchtenbaum regarding 70 AD) preempted this objection by pointing out that if these Historical Church Eras were a direct revelation, then the rapture couldn’t occur at any time. Then he takes issue with the fact that Fruchtenbaum entertained the possibility that the seven churches of Revelation represented historical eras. In one example, Egsti notes Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s teaching that imminence is applicable only after 70 AD. He insists that some events need to occur before the rapture, although he doesn’t get into the heart of the imminence verses. Ladd and Robert Gundry.ĭoug Egsti’s 36 page essay attempts responses to Stanton and other pretribulationists. The idea of expectancy in the place of imminence has been promoted by posttribulationists such as George E. They argue for “expectancy” rather than imminence. Non-pretribbers naturally disagree with Stanton’s view that the rapture is imminent. One of the champions of imminence was Gerald Stanton (Kept from the Hour). It’s the idea that Christ could come any time for His church. The thief in the night axiom is also linked to the pretribulational rapture and its imminent quality. The Apostle Paul used the term in context to the Day of the Lord in 1 Thess 5:2. But the idea is that he comes unexpectedly. You might eventually end up hearing or even seeing the thief if he makes too much noise. People are asleep or not paying close attention. That sounds just about right to me as well.Īfter all, why do thieves break into houses at night? Well, they’re unlikely to be spotted at that time. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the expression, like a thief in the night means: “secretly or unexpectedly and without being seen.”
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