~ This is the view held by Catholics, some mainline denominations, and a small percentage of evangelicals.
~ Their theories tend to be vague, their interpretations inconsistent, and their theology seriously flawed.
~ Because of the great diversity of theological concepts within Posttribulationism, there is no ‘standardized’ doctrinal position.
~ Postribulationalists imagine their millennial stance has been the dominate one throughout the Church Age – but this not validated by actual Church history.
~ Most Posttribulationists are either Postmillennialists or Amillennialists.
~ Posttribulationalists have a rather hazy concept of the Millennium, wondering if “a thousand years” may actually be emblematic of a more extensive period (Rev. 20:4)
~ There is much dissension among Posttribulationists concerning what is literal and what is figurative within the book of Revelation.
~ Some Posttribulationists feel the Tribulation already took place during the first century, while others think the “tribulation period” is simply the struggles of the Church throughout the past 2,000 years.
~ As they debate theological issues, they have a tendency to blur the distinctions between Israel and the Church.
~ Posttribulationists argue among themselves concerning WHAT the Rapture really is and WHEN or IF it actually will occur.
Postribulaionists believe:
“Since the word “Rapture” isn’t in the Bible, Pretribulationism is therefore erroneous. The Rapture and the Second Coming are not two separate events, but rather take place concurrently. There is no seven year interlude between the Rapture and the Second Coming because the Second Coming IS the Rapture. If the Church is “raptured” at the end of the Tribulation, it will then descend immediately with Christ to earth, for the Rapture and the Second Coming are one and the same event. Therefore, the return of Christ cannot be “imminent” because 2,000 years have elapsed since His first advent (the Incarnation). The Tribulation could actually last longer than seven years and many not be an era of horrific and severe wrath. However, if it is, God will take care of His people during this time. The Church will be present during the Tribulation. Christians will have to trust God as they suffer under the Antichrist. During this time, thousands will be martyred for their faith in Christ. Although God will not SPARE Believers from it, He will PRESERVE them throughout it. The New Testament does not promise Believers will escape hardship and suffering because the Church has been in “tribulation” since its inception on the Day of Pentecost. In His prayer to the Father, Jesus said, “My prayer is not that you take them OUT of the world, but that You keep them from the evil” (Jn. 17:5). The Great Tribulation is a time of severe persecution of Christians by the Antichrist, but after this period of testing, Jesus will arrive.”
~ Posttribulationists avoid the use of the term “Rapture” because this word suggests that the Church will escape the Tribulation – which contradicts their theology.
~ For Pre and Midtribulationists, the Rapture and Second Coming are separate events, while Posttribulationists claim these events are simultaneous.
~ However, no Posttribulationist can answer the question….“Why go UP to meet Him in the air only to instantly come right back DOWN again”. What would be the point?
~ Since many signs precede the Second Coming, the Posttribulationist has no hope of His imminent return.
~ They speak of the Second Coming as IMPENDING rather than IMMINENT, for they expect God to shelter them as they endure the Tribulation.
~ Posttribulationists argue the only WRATH the Church will escape is the Lake of Fire (I Thess. 5:9).
~ They also believe that since ‘tribulations’ have been the norm for Christians for centuries, they should not differentiate between daily tribulations and the Great Tribulation.
~ Such reasoning is dangerous and damaging to the Church because it minimizes God’s purpose behind the Great Tribulation: to warn of literal impending wrath against sin.
~ It is true there is only one Greek word for ‘tribulation’ (thlipsis) in the New Testament. This term is used to refer to the daily troubles, anguish, persecutions, stress, pressures, and trials which all Christians endure. However, in the context in which it is used in Revelation, it refers to THE GREAT TRIBULATION when the wrath of God will be out-poured.
~ The danger embedded within any false doctrine is that, while it may sound logical, it can dissuade Believers from preparing their hearts for the Rapture. Prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, and study are fundamental and essential to finding the truth.
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This view is not only unscriptural, it is depressing. While Posttribulationalists fight to the death to defend their theories, Pretribulationalists search the skies for Jesus to come and rescue His Church.