Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 21:62 (Spring 2017)
Article: The Timing Of The Day Of The Lord In 1 Thessalonians 5, Part I
Author: Nicholas James Claxton

JODT 21:62 (Spring 2017) p. 77

The Timing Of The Day Of The Lord In 1 Thessalonians 5, Part I

Nicholas James Claxton

* Nicholas James Claxton, B.A., M.Div., Ph.D. student and teaching assistant, Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Few aspects of dispensational theology have been more ridiculed than the pretribulational rapture.1 Opponents of dispensationalism often sneer at the notion of a “secret rapture” that could snatch believers at any moment. R. C. Sproul’s comments reflect this unfortunate trend.

I once spoke with one of the leading representatives of this school of thought, a man who teaches the “pretribulation” rapture. I said to him, “I do not know a single verse anywhere in the Bible that teaches a pretribulation rapture. Can you tell me where to find that?” I’ll never forget what he said to me: “No, I can’t. But that’s what I was taught from the time I was a little child.” I told him, “Let’s get our theology

JODT 21:62 (Spring 2017) p. 78

from the Bible rather than from Sunday school lessons we heard years and years ago.”2

Sproul alleged that the pretribulational view is built upon nothing more than junior Sunday school curriculum. If this analysis is correct, then pretribulational adherents have little hope of cogently defending their position. Dispensationalists would be better advised to abandon their doctrine of the “secret” rapture and embrace another eschatological scheme instead.

Admittedly, the biblical arguments for the pretribulational rapture are not as strong as those undergirding the deity of Christ or his bodily resurrection. Even the timing and nature of the millennium are easier to discern in Scripture than the timing of the rapture. Nevertheless, contrary to Sproul’s claims, the argumentation in favor of the pretribulational rapture goes well beyond childhood Sunday school lessons. In recent years, several dispensational theologians have offered compelling, scholarly arguments in defense of the pretribulational rapture.3 Critics of pretribulationism do their audiences a tremendous disservice by failing to interact with such treatments.4

One component of the rapture debate with which pretribulational critics must wrestle is the timing of the Day of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11. Pretribulational adherents admit, “No single verse specifically states, ‘Christ will come before the Tribulation.’”