Page 40 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

The Rapture Question: Revised and Enlarged Edition

discipline of believers. Rather, it deals in broad terms with
both Gentiles and Israel in anticipation of the collapse of Gen­
tile power and the restoration of Israel as the nation. Even a
brief examination of the major tribulation passages will sus­
tain these conclusions.

Old Testament Doctrine of the Tribulation
One of the first references to the Tribulation is found in
Deuteronomy 4:29-30: "But if from there you seek the Lord
your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your
heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all
these things have happened to you, then in later days you will
return to the Lord your God and obey him.” This first refer­
ence to the Tribulation brings out the special relationship of
this period to Israel. It predicts that in the tribulation struggle
some in Israel will be turned to the Lord and will listen to
His voice. The obvious purpose of this spiritual awakening
is one of preparation of Israel for the coming millennial
kingdom.
One of the major Old Testament Scripture references is
found in Jeremiah 30:4-11. After picturing the abject fear of
those who will be in that period, Jeremiah described it in the
following words: “How awful that day will be! None will be
like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be
saved out of it” (Jer. 30:7). In the verses that follow, it is
predicted that the Jews will break the yoke of Gentile bondage
off their necks (Jer. 30:8) and will enjoy the rule of the Lord
as their God and David as their king (Jer. 30:9). Israel is
therefore exhorted not to fear but rather to anticipate the
salvation of God, which will cause them to return from their
captivities and be brought to a place of quiet and peace where
“no one will make him afraid” (Jer. 30:10).
In the Jeremiah passage the main elements of the Tribu­
lation are clearly stated. The coming time of trouble is de-
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