Page 169 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

The Rapture Question: Revised and Enlarged Edition
translation of the church, the day of the Lord begins at once.
This interpretation gives a sound explanation of the multi­
plied Scriptures which relate the day of the Lord to the tribu­
lation period and at the same time solves all the problems
raised by the posttribulationist view of the day of the Lord.
Further study of this important problem will be under­
taken in the exposition of references to the day of the Lord in
the Thessalonian Epistles.
The Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2
Both posttribulationists and pretribulationists discuss at
length 2 Thessalonians 2 with its reference to the coming law­
less one and the restrainer of sin. Both claim this passage as
supporting their viewpoint.
In view of later discussion of this subject in connection
with posttribulationism. it will be reserved on this important
passage as it relates to posttribulationism.
Doctrine of the End
Reese in his argument for the posttribulational position
cited the doctrine of the end as evidence.44 His argument is
that the term the end is always used in Scripture for the end of
the age. viz., the second coming of Christ to the earth. He
claimed to hat e agreement of the early Brethren writers on
this score. As the term is used of the church, his claim is that
this proves that the hope of the church is not translation before
the Tribulation but deliverance at its end. Reese cited five
texts in support of his argument (1 Cor. 1:7-8; Heb. 3:6, 14;
6:11; Rev. 2:26). After claiming that the Brethren concede his
position and agree with him. Reese then chided them for say­
ing nothing at all on most of these passages—which it would
seem would contradict his claim of their agreement.
The answer to Reese is quite simple. The end in view in
each passage has to be determined by the context. Not one of
the five texts cited can be positively linked with the posttribu­
lational coming of the Lord. Only one mentions the coming of
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