Page 121 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

Midtribulationism
gram is not inherent in scriptural revelation but only a neces-
sary adjunct of midtribulational interpretation.

Is the Emphasis in Scripture on the
Forty-Two Months Preceding the Second Coming of
Christ an Indication of a Midtribulational Rapture?
A recent addition to the usual arguments in favor of mid­
tribulationism has been offered by Gleason Archer.33 Archer
called attention to the fact that in both the Old and New
Testaments, the last three and one-half years prior to the
Battle of Armageddon and the second coming of Christ are
emphasized. He stated, “In the first place, it is significant that
chapters 7, 9 and 12 of Daniel, as well as chapters 11 and 12 of
Revelation, attach importance to SVz years (or forty-two
months) as the time when some great event will mark the
midpoint of the final seven years of pre-Kingdom history. It is
reasonable to suppose that this event will be nothing less than
the fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, the sudden removal
of the Church from the world scene. Many passages relate to
this point.”34 Archer then cited Daniel 7:25; 9:27; and 12:7,
11. That the Scriptures emphasize that the Great Tribulation
will be three and one-half years is, of course, admitted. That
this automatically places the Rapture immediately before the
final three and one-half years is the question in point.
Archer found additional support in the Olivet Discourse
as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. He ar­
gued, “There is no explicit reference to welcoming the Church
into the presence of Christ prior to the final doom of Ar­
mageddon, and most advocates of the any-moment rapture
question whether it is even alluded to in this prophetic mes­
sage of Christ during Passion Week. Nevertheless it is highly
significant that the same term for the coming of the Lord is
employed in the Olivet discourse as is used in the rapture
passage of 1 Thessalonians 4. Compare Matthew 24:27 . . .
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