The pre-wrath view of the rapture is one interpretation of biblical end times prophecy that places the rapture of believers closer to the middle of the tribulation period rather than at its beginning (as in the pre-tribulation view) or its end (as in the post-tribulation view). The pre-wrath view holds that the rapture will occur sometime during the second half of the seven-year tribulation period, after the Great Tribulation begins but before God’s final wrath is poured out. This view was developed in the 1990s by Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthal.
Some of the key strengths cited by pre-wrath advocates include:
- It allows for a more literal interpretation of Revelation 3:10, which promises to keep believers from the “hour of trial” coming on the whole earth.
- It fits the sequence of end times events in Revelation and other prophetic passages, with the Great Tribulation preceding final judgments.
- It explains the difference between Satan’s wrath against believers, God’s wrath against unbelievers, and God’s wrath in final judgments.
- It accounts for passages describing the imminent return of Christ and the need to remain watchful.
Some of the potential weaknesses or critiques of the pre-wrath view include:
- The exact timing of the rapture in this view is imprecise and difficult to determine from Scripture alone.
- It requires an unconventional interpretation of the 70th “week” in Daniel’s prophecy being cut short.
- Some key passages used to support a pre-wrath rapture timing could also lend support to other views.
- It is a relatively newer view without as much historical theological support.
- The concept of “God’s wrath” vs. “Satan’s wrath” in the tribulation period may not be as clearly defined in Scripture.
Overall, the pre-wrath view on the rapture attempts to harmonize various passages about end times events in Revelation, the Olivet Discourse, and other prophetic Scriptures. It shares some similarities with both pre-tribulation and post-tribulation perspectives, while attempting to explain details the other views do not address as clearly. The relatively newer and more complex conceptual framework of the pre-wrath view has been criticized by some as overly speculative, yet it continues to gain wider attention among prophecy scholars and remains a subject of ongoing biblical study and debate.
Key Passages Examined in the Pre-Wrath View
Several key biblical passages shape the pre-wrath perspective on the timing of end times events including the rapture. Examining the interpretation and use of these passages provides greater insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this view.
Revelation 3:10
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
This verse is part of Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia. Pre-wrath advocates believe it refers to a future global time of testing, and Jesus’ promise to keep faithful believers from this period supports a rapture before God’s final wrath is poured out in the tribulation period.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
This passage highlights that believers are destined for salvation, not wrath. Pre-wrath supporters see God’s wrath being poured out in the trumpet and bowl judgments at the end of the tribulation, from which believers will be delivered by the rapture.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us…Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)
For pre-wrath advocates, this passage teaches the rapture will not occur until after the Antichrist is revealed in the middle of the tribulation, as he launches the ultimate rebellion against God’s people.
Matthew 24:29-31
“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened…then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven…And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect.” (Matthew 24:29-31)
Jesus’ teaching here places the coming of the Son of Man to gather the elect after the cosmic signs and disturbances that occur later in the tribulation period. Pre-wrath supporters see this as evidence for a rapture around this time.
Revelation 7:9-14
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches…Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’ I answered, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation.'” (Revelation 7:9-14)
Pre-wrath advocates see this vision as depicting the raptured church standing in heaven after emerging from the great tribulation but before final judgments, supporting a rapture around this time.
Revelation 20:4-6
“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4-6)
This passage refers to tribulation martyrs resurrected after Christ’s second coming, which pre-wrath supporters see as evidence believers will still be on earth during the tribulation to face the Antichrist’s persecution.
Key Distinctives of the Pre-Wrath View
In addition to interpreting the timing of the rapture differently, the pre-wrath perspective also makes some other key assertions that distinguish it from the pre-tribulation and post-tribulation views. These include:
- A distinction between Satan’s wrath against believers, allowed by God, versus God’s direct wrathful judgments on unbelievers.
- The tribulation is cut short with the rapture occurring shortly before the day of the Lord’s wrath.
- Only the last quarter or third of the tribulation period constitutes the “Great Tribulation.”
- The 7th seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments represent God’s final wrath after the Great Tribulation.
By distinguishing categories of wrath and defining the Great Tribulation more narrowly, pre-wrath supporters argue Scripture reveals a clear sequence of end times events with the rapture following soon after the Great Tribulation begins.
Strengths of the Pre-Wrath View on the Rapture
There are several strengths that attract many Bible scholars and prophecy teachers to the pre-wrath perspective:
It Allows a More Literal Interpretation of Key Passages
A core strength of the pre-wrath view is it takes a consistently literal approach to passages about the tribulation, rapture, and second coming. This includes Revelation 3:10 which refers to keeping believers from the actual time period of testing coming on the earth. A non-literal spiritualized interpretation is not required, as with some pre-tribulation explanations of this verse.
It Fits the Sequence of Revelation More Consistently
Many acknowledge the pre-wrath sequence of end times events provides a more straightforward, chronological reading of Revelation’s account. It does not require reshuffling various passages to place the rapture earlier as in the pre-trib view.
It Explains Categorical Differences in Types of Wrath
Pre-wrath advocates believe they provide a compelling framework for distinguishing the persecution believers will endure under Antichrist vs. God’s direct judgmental wrath poured out later in the tribulation period. This helps resolve confusion over passages about resisting or enduring tribulation vs. promises of deliverance from wrath.
It Highlights the Need for Watchfulness
Since the rapture’s timing is unknown until the Great Tribulation begins, pre-wrath supporters argue it encourages watchfulness and readiness for Christ’s return better than the any-moment imminence of the pre-tribulation view.
Potential Weaknesses and Critiques
Despite its strengths, there are also some potential weaknesses or limitations to the pre-wrath perspective:
The Exact Timing is Imprecise
While placing the rapture in the latter half of the tribulation period, pre-wrath advocates admit the precise timing is difficult to determine. This uncertainty regarding the exact day or hour could conflict with passages suggesting true imminence.
Unconventional Interpretations Required
The pre-wrath view relies on some innovative interpretations that many scholars dispute, such as seeing the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy divided or the tribulation cut short. It abandons some more straightforward understandings of prophetic details found in other rapture views.
Passages Could Support Other Views
Some key rapture passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 do not contain specific tribulation timing indicators. While compatible with the pre-wrath view, they could lend equal support to pre-trib or post-trib perspectives.
Lacks Historical Theological Support
Unlike other rapture views, there is very little historical theological support for the pre-wrath position over the centuries. It relies solely on a modern reinterpretation of prophetic Scriptures rather than standing on traditional doctrinal reflections.
Unclear Wrath Distinctions
Categorizing wrath in the tribulation as either from Satan or God based on type of judgment may impose an artificial construct not made explicit in Scripture. Not all agree on the validity of these proposed wrath distinctions.
Conclusion
The pre-wrath rapture view offers a unique perspective on end times prophecy that attempts to harmonize various passages and chronological details in Revelation, Daniel, and teachings of Jesus. It combines aspects of the pre-tribulation and post-tribulation views, arguing for a rapture shortly after the mid-point of the tribulation when the most intense persecution begins. Strengths of the view include taking a consistently literal approach to prophecy and adhering closely to Revelation’s sequence of events. Weaknesses center around uncertainty over the precise timing, reliance on distinctive new interpretations, and lack of historical theological backing. While the pre-wrath view remains controversial and less widely held, continues to gain interest among prophecy scholars as an alternative rapture perspective with strengths and weaknesses that merit consideration.