The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

/ 1 1 9

T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

a. Phase one occurs first at the resurrection of the believing dead and translation of Christians who are alive at the “rapture,” which occurs before the “great tribulation” of Matthew 24, a period of unparalleled terror and judgment on the earth. (1) The world will experience God’s wrath and judgment during the tribulation. (2) The Church will be judged and issued rewards in the heavenlies for its faithfulness.

b. Phase two occurs at the end of this 7 years; Christ will return with a resurrection of those saints who died during the tribulation.

c. The heart of this view is Christ’s intent to deliver the Church from the great tribulation, 1 Thess. 5.10.

2. Posttribulationists hold that the coming of Christ for his people takes place at the end of the tribulation.

4

a. They reject any kind of “rapture” notion of Christ’s coming.

b. The Church will be present through the great tribulation.

c. This view also makes a difference between God’s wrath and the tribulation.

(1) God’s wrath is God’s judgment on the wicked, John 3.36.

(2) Tribulation, on the other hand, is a distinct element in the faith of the saints, John 16.33.