Why I Believe In A Pre-tribulational
Departure Of The Church
By Fred Handschumacher
Rather than only listing my articles--I have
included commentary by other Bible teachers
to illustrate that my beliefs are not an isolated
viewpoint. When someone else teaches exactly
what I believe--I'll let them.
Eschatology
The following articles discuss my position on Bible Eschatology
and explains why I'm alarmed at the widespread apathy
among Christians. A believer's endtime view should never be treated as some
"divisive topic" to be avoided in order to preserve unity.
Our beliefs about when and how Jesus returns--and the Christian's
relationship to that event--is directly tied to the same faith that
secures our redemption. When I hear Christians dismiss
this topic by saying, "I'm a 'pan-millenialist'--I believe everything
will 'pan out' in the end"--I get rightfully concerned. Jesus is not
a "pan-millenialist" and this attitude is totally foreign to the one
He commanded us to have.
One imperative that Saint Paul mentions in order to be saved is
the belief (in one's heart) that Jesus was resurrected from the
dead (Rom. 10:9-10). You cannot get saved without holding to
this belief because the purification (complete destruction) of our
sin is directly tied to this truth.
"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor 15:12-23)
If we take Christ's resurrection from the dead seriously--then we will actively and eagerly watch for his return--just as He commanded us to do. . .
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; AND UNTO
THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation." (Heb 9:28 KJV)
I've listened as certain preachers contend that Christians have suffered persecution
and anguish since the days of the early church. It is common knowledge that first century belivers in Christ were literally torn apart by lions for sport before cheering crowds of Roman citizens. Others were burned at the stake. These preachers have convinced themselves, "if it's Biblical that Christians suffer persecution for their faith, then it's completely in line with God's Word to expect them to also suffer the horrible ravages of the Tribulation. I've heard this
argument many times and it continues to represent a disastrous violation of
the context of God's Word. There's a big difference between the persecution
Christians suffer for their faith and being forced to endure the
Tribulation period, which is an intense time of Divine wrath that is poured
out on those people and nations remaining on earth who hate God and His
Son Jesus Christ. Persecution and God's wrath are two totally different things in the Scriptures. Yet, most of these Christian leaders subtly suggest that our salvation is somehow not complete unless we suffer through the Tribulation. When you take this kind of theology to its logical conclusion, these preachers believe that Jesus didn't really provide us with a complete salvation and this is why we must be "purged and cleansed" from sin during this horrible future time in human history. I continue to be amazed at the popularity of this false mindset among professing Christians who claim to "trust Christ". If the blood of Jesus didn't eternally take care of the sin problem and our sins require more "purging and cleansing", then I'm not sure what they're "trusting Jesus" to do for them.
While I believe that anyone's salvation is not necessarily dependent
on their view of eschatology--it can reveal serious flaws in our
spiritual foundation. In extreme situations (such as trusting in a
works-merited salvation) this error could be something that will
prevent a person from receiving God's free gift of eternal life, while
at the same time fooling them into believing they're an authentic
Christian. The most alarming problem I see today is the subtle denial
of the sufficiency of Christ's blood to take away all sin. It is for this
reason that I oppose post-tribulational theology. Most of the
defenders of "post-trib" theology will insist that they believe in
the sufficiency of Christ's blood and will preach it from the pulpit. Yet,
they turn around and deny His blood that bought them by insisting
that Christians will endure the judgments of the Tribulation -- an
event that has but one purpose: It's God's judgment manifested as wrath
against the sin of those remaining on the earth. Those who teach
such things are in a subtle form of denial concerning the inconsistencies and contradictions found in their theology. God's wrath is turned loose on these people during the Tribulation because they refused to receive and trust in Christ's
redeeming blood as payment for their sin. True believers are exempt
from this judgment because they trusted completely in Christ's blood. Yet, in
spite of this fact the false teaching continues and is eagerly received by
many Christians world-wide.
Personal "theories" and false theologies have no value in this discussion. Either you believe the blood of Jesus fully dealt with your sin as the New Testament Scriptures teach--or you don't. This is one of the worst cases of double-mindedness that exists in the institutional church. It deceives a lot of professing Christians--and leaders. I consider the popular "post-trib" belief system
to be a subtle and dangerous attack on the New Testament Gospel of Christ.
Four Views Of End Time
Prophecy by Matthew McGee
View Article
100 Million Church Members
Have No Knowledge About Biblical
Prophecy" by Bill Koenig
View Article
An overview of my beliefs
concerning end time events:
View Article
Problems With Post-tribulationalism
by Ron Rhodes
View Article
"Myths On The Origin Of
Pretribulationalism"
by Thomas Ice
View Article (PDF File)
I hold the same beliefs as the Greek
Scholar, Kenneth Wuest who
authored the series, "Wuest's Word
Studies In The Greek New Testament".
His writings played an important role
in turning me away from my previously
held "post-tribulation" beliefs.
Author and Bible teacher Thomas Ice
accurately and clearly explains Wuest's
position in this article.
View Article
My statement here is not meant to
suggest that I agree with everything
Tyndale Seminary teaches -- Yet,
I do agree with their pretribulational
position and their "64 reasons as to
why the "Rapture of the Church is
not the Second Coming of Christ" and
why both Jesus and the New Testament
treats them as separate events.
View Article
"Why God's Purpose For
The Tribulation Excludes The
Church" by Thomas Ice
View Article
"Why Do Some Teach that
the Church will Endure the
Tribulation?" by Grant Jeffery
View Article
"Pretribulation Or Prewrath?"
by Ron Graff
View Article
"End Time Events"
by Charles Capps
View Article
"Characteristics Of A Watcher"
by Fred Handschumacher
View Article
Articles Concerning My General Beliefs
On New Testament Salvation
"Jesus Is Lord"
by Fred Handschumacher
View Article
"The Battle For God's Grace"
by Fred Handschumacher
View Article
"Our Position On Covenant Theology"
by Fred Handschumacher
View Article
"Israel And The Church: The Differences"
by Thomas S. McCall, Th.D. This article
gives the reason why most modern day
Bible teaching and evangelism contains
a serious flaw.
View Article
Self Evaluation For End-Time Believers
View Article
"Dangerous Beliefs And Movements"
by Fred Handschumacher
View Article
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