Since its inception in the early nineteenth century, the basic tenet of dispensationalism (a school of Protestant theology which holds that God deals with humankind in different ways in different periods of time called dispensations) has been that the church and Israel are two sharply distinct peoples of God. The distinction is theological in nature; specifically, anthropological (pertaining to humanity), soteriological (pertaining to salvation), and eschatological (pertaining to last things). The tenet of theological distinctiveness has always been the cornerstone for the dispensationalist's belief in the pretribulation rapture of the church: the belief that at the first stage of Christ's two-stage second advent he will endue all who comprise the true church with a resurrected body like his own, and transport; i.e., rapture, all to heaven before the seven year period of turmoil known as the Tribulation begins on earth. The rapture marks the end of one dispensation when God focused his attention primarily on the church, and the start of another when God will focus his attention primarily on Israel. Today, almost two centuries later, progressive dispensationalists have rejected the view of a sharp theological distinction. From their study of Scripture they observe a soft non-theological distinction. They describe the church and Israel as different redemptive dimensions of the same humanity that share in a holistic and unified eternal salvation. An already and not yet eschatological framework is the cornerstone of their system. This thesis will argue that progressive dispensationalism cannot integrate the pretribulation rapture doctrine into its reconstructed dispensational system on any basis of theological distinctiveness between the church and Israel. This will be accomplished by first setting forth the theological systems of the three major forms of dispensationalism that have existed during its history, namely, classical, revised, and progressive dispensationalism, and second, by showing that each of three kinds of theological distinctiveness, namely, anthropological, soteriological, and eschatological distinctiveness, are present in the classical and revised systems and therefore these systems can support the rapture's integration, but are not present in the progressive system and therefore this system cannot support the rapture's integration. The thesis closes with an explanation as to why progressive dispensationalism is more compatible with amillennialism than with premillennialism.

The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited reviews and critiques a confusing array of popular theories that address the return of Jesus Christ and the churchs rapture. It proposes that a clarifying approach rests in letting Scripture interpret Scripture, which yields a simpler, more natural, and consistent explanation of the pretribulation rapture and dispensationalism. Drawing upon thousands of hours of Bible study, J. Mike Byrd presents an analysis and a related proposal that avoid both unthinking conformity to popular notions and oversimplification for the sake of palatability. The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited addresses methods of interpretation, defines dispensationalism and the Dispensational Principle, examines the scriptural testimony surrounding the day of the Lord and the day of Gods wrath, surveys the issues regarding imminence, and discusses the rapture, the resurrection, and Christs second coming. If you wonder what Scripture clearly teaches about the this worlds demise, the end of human existence, and the onset of Gods sure and certain work to establish his reign, then The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited should offer you the scripturally grounded review, analysis, and explanation you need to understand the Scriptures teachings on these ultimate issues.

What is the secret to the pretribulaition rapture? Were you taught that dispensationalism and the pretribulation rapture are based on a literal interpretation of the Bible? Were you taught that the Bible makes a distinction between spiritual Israel and the Church? So was I. I invite you to read the story of my journey. Dispensationalism and the pretribulation rapture are exposed as theologies which are based on extra biblical criteria and philosophies, not on a plain, normal interpretation of the Bible.Gordon Fee – Since Dispensationalism was a nineteenth century invention that doesn't have a single biblical leg to stand on -- if by "biblical" one is referring to what the Bible itself actually teaches -- then this book by one who has had to work his own way out of the system by way of a better reading of the biblical text is well worth the time to read and make available to others.Stephen P. Sammons graduated from Gordon-Conwell with a Doctor of Ministry. He is an EFCA ordained pastor of Lake Murray Community Church.

For years, critics of premillennialism have argued that John Nelson Darby was the source for the doctrine of the rapture and dispensationalism. Building upon years of research in seventeenthcentury and eighteenth-century English theological writings, William Watson argues that dispensationalism and the ideas associated with it were long part of British theological discourse. Drawing upon hundreds of early printed English books and years of archival study in primary sources and British libraries, Watson demonstrates that Darby's thought was neither aberrant nor original. To the contrary, he was following a long line of British clergy who anticipated the restoration of Jews to a national homeland and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

The rapture--or the belief that Jesus' living followers will, at some point, join him forever while others do not--is an important but contested doctrine among evangelicals. Scholars generally hold one of three perspectives on the timing and circumstances of the rapture, all of which are presented in this important volume of the Counterpoints series, Three Views on the Rapture: Alan D. Hultberg (PhD, Trinity International University and professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology) explains the Pre-Wrath view. Craig Blaising (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary and president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) defends the Pre-Tribulation view. Douglas Moo (PhD, University of St. Andrews and professor of New Testament at Wheaton College) sets forth the Post-Tribulation view. Each author provides a substantive explanation of his position, which is critiqued by the other two authors. A thorough introduction gives a historical overview of the doctrine of the rapture and its effects on the church. The interactive and fair-minded format of the Counterpoints series allows readers to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions.

This book explores the subject of the tribulation from a dispensationalists' point of view. They believe that Christians will be spared from going through the great tribulation, as outlined in the book of Revelation. The tribulation period is one of 7-years duration with the last three and a half years being the most significant. During this event it will be a difficult time to be a Christian as the Antichrist will have been revealed to the world and he will be persecuting those who refuse to take the mark of the beast. They will not be able to trade and will be forced underground if they are to survive. The Antichrist will seek to kill all Christians who refuse to bow down to him and thus the final persecution will begin.The Bible does make it clear that there will be a rapture of Christians during this period before Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth. Some posit, like dispensationalists, that the rapture will take place before the tribulation, others that it will be afterwards and yet more still that it will be around the mid-point. There is no doubt there will be a rapture, that is well established in the biblical accounts. Beatty, however, refutes this when he says:'No doubt the twentieth chapter of Revelation validates the teachings of Jesus that only two resurrections will occur. The third resurrection theory does not stand up to scriptural scrutiny. Since this is the case and we have established that the rapture is a resurrection, then we must conclude that the rapture is the first resurrection found in Revelation 20.' However, there does not have to be three resurrections, but two. There is a rapture of the saints part-way through the tribulation. These are heaven-bound after their being raptured and remain so until Christ descends to earth with them, and the resurrected saints in tow, to conquer His foes in the battle of Armageddon. The second resurrection is that of the reprobates to face judgment at the Great White Throne before their banishment to the fiery pits of hell. Thus the rapture is not a resurrection per se. The Church is raptured to heaven and then resurrected in their new imperishable bodies, with the rest of the dead saints, to follow Christ back to earth.The question this book addresses is whether dispensationalists have the correct view in that the rapture of the church will precede the 7-year tribulation. This will be done, essentially, through an exegesis of the texts they cite in favour of this view.

Evangelism and making disciples of Christ go together and make up the most important work on earth. Why? Because the eternal destiny of people depends upon hearing the gospel of Christ. But many Christians lack basic training to be able to do soul-winning work, defend the faith, and refute false teachings. Evangelism and Christian Apologetics contains vital information that can give any Christian the knowledge and confidence to effectively explain the gospel, one-on-one, and gives clear answers to questions most commonly asked by skeptics and truth-seekers alike. Whether you are an older Christian, or a new believer, this powerful book will give you the “nuts and bolts” of evangelism training needed to equip and motivate you to go out and labor in the great harvest of souls while there is still time.