Page 188 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

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THE RAPTURE IN 1 THESSALONIANS 4

In contrast to the brief introduction of the Rapture
in John 14:2-3, 1 Thessalonians, probably the first epistle
that Paul wrote, contributes more to the doctrine of the
Rapture than any other book of the New Testament. It is
most significant that this truth is given such prominence in
teaching a young church that is being introduced to basic
truth. The Rapture is mentioned in one way or another
in every chapter of this book (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18;
5:1-11, 23).
Because of the frequent reference and extensive revelation
relating to the subject of the Rapture, most pretribulationists
find basic proof for their position in 1 Thessalonians.
By contrast, posttribulationists are faced with the problem of
what to do with the evidence for the Rapture presented in this
epistle. While posttribulationists like Gundry argue at length
in attempting to relate the revelation of this epistle to post-
tribulationism, most posttribulationists tend to ignore the de­
tails given here. Obviously, if the Great Tribulation is going to
precede the Rapture, it would be natural to state this in a book
dedicated to the exposition of the doctrine of the Rapture. The
problem for posttribulationists is that this book presents the
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