Page 42 - The Rapture Question by John F. Walvoord

The Rapture Question: Revised and Enlarged Edition

One of the major themes of the Minor Prophets is the subject
of Israel’s trials and troubles because of her sin. Frequently
these passages go beyond the general tribulation that charac­
terized the history of Israel to the final climactic time of
tribulation that will be followed by restoration (cf. Joel 2:1-11,
28-32; Zeph. 1:14-18; Zech. 13:8-14:2). It should be clear
from the passages cited, as well as from the general content of
the Old Testament revelation, that a consistent pattern of
teaching has been established, that a future time of unprece­
dented trouble is in prospect for Israel in the world, and that
this will be followed by the millennial kingdom of Christ.
It is significant that most contemporary posttribula-
tionists admit that the Tribulation is a specific time of future
trouble, in contrast to the position that the Tribulation is to be
spiritualized and that the church is already in it. The tendency
among recent posttribulationists to hold to a specific time of
future tribulation sharpens the contrast between the pre-
tribulational and the posttribulational positions and also
brings out in greater contrast the difference between the pre-
tribulational concept of imminency, that is, that the Rapture
could occur any time, and the posttribulational teaching of a
postponed Rapture, which can only occur after this specific
time of trouble.
New Testament Doctrine of the Tribulation
In the New Testament the theme of the Tribulation is
continued and enlarged. A notable prophecy came from the
lips of Christ Himself in Matthew 24:15-30. This major pas­
sage of Scripture describes specific details of the Tribulation,
beginning with the abomination of desolation of which Daniel
spoke (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15), and gives instructions
to Israel to flee when these signs appear. The reason for the
flight is stated plainly in Matthew 24:21: “For then there will
be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world
until now—and never to be equaled again.” Like the Old
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