Page 194 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

The Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4
tribulationists in the exposition of 1 Thessalonians 4. The
posttribulational argument on 1 Thessalonians 4 has been
discussed at length in the author’s Blessed Hope and the Tribu­
lation, pages 96-107, and can be summarized briefly here.
Posttribulational Explanation of 1 Thessalonians 4
Why did the Thessalonians fear a delay in the resurrec­
tion of their fellow believers? Pretribulationists have a simple
explanation for this problem. The Thessalonians had been
taught concerning the coming Tribulation and had under­
stood that they would be raptured before this time of wrath
overtook the world. What they feared was that at the transla­
tion of the church, they might not immediately see their loved
ones who had died and that their resurrection would be de­
layed until after the Tribulation.
Gundry, representing the posttribulational view, dis­
carded this prctribulational argument because it is based on
an assumption and offered in its place his idea, also based on
an assumption, that what they feared was that their loved ones
would not be resurrected until after the millennial kingdom.
This is a new interpretation even for posttribulationism and is
not supported by any factual evidence.
While the Thessalonians had careful instructions on the
subject of the Tribulation, there is no evidence in the epistles
that they had been taught the facts about the Millennium. It
seems quite clear that Gundry’s point of view is motivated
more by delivering posttribulationism from a problem than by
any factual basis in the Bible. It should also be obvious that if
the Thessalonians would have to pass through the Great
Tribulation before the Rapture, this would be a matter of
greater concern to them than the possible problem of a de­
layed resurrection of the loved ones in Christ. It is the immi-
nency of the Rapture that brings into focus their problem
concerning the dead in Christ.
Paul had stated that the revelation of the Rapture was by
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