Product Description

An authoritative biblical critique of the recent pre-wrath rapture theory popularized by Rosenthal and Van Kampen. (20040603)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124680 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780825436987
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
. . . Outstanding book. Showers dismantles this most recent suggestion as to the timing of the rapture . . . Very thorough work. . . (Conservative Theological Journal )

From the Back Cover

In the late 1980s Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthal popularized the "pre-wrath rapture" view, a new understanding of the time of God's rescue of His church from the worldwide time of Tribulation. Positioned between the traditional "mid-tribulation" and "post-tribulation" views of Christ's return, the “pre-wrath rapture” places the rapture after most of the seven-year Tribulation but before God unleashes His final wrath.

Dr. Renald Showers, a longtime friend of Van Kampen and Rosenthal, has interacted extensively with the pre-wrath rapture theory since its inception and now offers an authoritative and biblical critique of this recent addition to the prophetic landscape.

In this volume the author explores such topics as the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, the significance of the seals and the sealed scroll, the great multitude, Matthew 24, and the Second Coming. Pastors, teachers, students, and lay people will find a helpful and evenhanded treatment as they evaluate the theory and guide others through the interpretative challenges of the "pre-wrath rapture" view.

Renald E. Showers (Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary; Th.D., Grace Theological Seminary) serves on the staff of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in Pennsylvania. He has served as a pastor; as a member of the faculties of Lancaster School of the Bible, Moody Bible Institute, and Philadelphia College of the Bible; and as a visiting lecturer. His other works include The Most High God, Maranatha: Our Lord Come! and What on Earth Is God Doing?

About the Author
Renald E. Showers (diploma in Bible, Philadelphia Bible Institute; B.A., Wheaton College; Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary; Th.D., Grace Theological Seminary) serves on the staff of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in New Jersey. He has served as a pastor; as a member of the faculties of Lancaster School of the bible, Moody Bible Institute, and Philadelphia College of Bible; and as a visiting lecturer. His other works include The Most High God, Maranatha: Our Lord Come! and What on Earth Is God Doing?

Customer Reviews

Does Not Accurately Represent the Prewrath Position
Although I believe Renald Showers to be a godly man with sincere intentions, this book does not accurately represent the prewrath position. This is unfortunate, since as a friend of Marvin Rosenthal and Robert Van Kampen, Showers was involved in development of the prewrath position from the beginning. Rather than analyzing the foundations and framework of the position, however, Showers "deconstructs" the prewrath position by relying on tangential points that have little or no bearing on the position itself. His proofs also rely heavily, not on the plain meaning of the scriptural text, but on large deductive leaps whose conclusions are stated as fact. Even the title of this book is inaccurate since Showers does not, in fact, analyze the prewrath position. Rather, he analyzes the tangential points of these three books, written about a decade ago, even though the position has been refined and defended considerably since then. As the author of Before God's Wrath: The Bible's Answer to the Timing of the Rapture, a defense of the prewrath view, I am disappointed to see a criticism from a man as well-known and well-respected as Renald Showers so inaccurately represent this view. I give this book two stars only because his discussions about the person, mission, and work of Jesus are tender and insightful.

Incisive analysis of this view
I had been aware of this book when I first began seriously studying the pre-wrath rapture. However, one somewhat negative review deterred me from buying it until recently. Later, during my studies I happened across various articles written by Dr Showers and found his scholarship impressive. Dr Showers is objective, analytical and exhaustive with his Scriptural and scholastic referencing. I bought his book "Maranatha - Our Lord, come" and was not disappointed. Having finished that, I bit the bullet and bought "The Pre-Wrath Rapture View".

Contrary to the above-mentioned negative review, he has done an exemplary job in his examination of the pre-wrath rapture view. His Biblical exegesis and logic are impeccable and his subject focus is always relevant. He addresses the foundational beliefs of the system - the tribulation; the Great Tribulation and the concept of its shortening; the day of the Lord; the seals; the cosmic signs; Matthew 24; the great multitude and more - all vital tenets of the pre-wrath view. His methodology is to first present the pre-wrath understanding of a particular point by referencing where it is stated (page number etc), and then he introduces his critique in a step by step manner, comparing Scripture context with Scripture context and without indulging in any deductive leaps or assertions. Dr Showers' mannerism is dispassionate in analyzing a subject that is usually divisive - in stark contrast with some other writers I have come across.

I've seen some attempts at different levels to answer his points but I believe those efforts have only succeeded to demonstrate just how far someone will go to argue for an untenable belief.

One final observation is that the essential basics of the pre-wrath rapture view haven't been refined to any great degree since its introduction, so Dr Showers' arguments are all still relevant. I strongly recommend this book.

A lot of smoke to go through but worth the reading
I recommend Dr. Renald Showers' book, "The Pre-Wrath Rapture View." I will admit the book demands a close examination and I highly recommend having a Bible close at hand to verify what Dr. Showers wrote in his book. There's a lot of smoke to go through to clear up the confusion the Pre-Wrath Rapture has caused but it's well worth it.

I highly commend the author for not being so arrogant and hostile toward the Pre-Wrath view and its authors. I have a big problem with Pre-Wrath Rapture and the authors. They're arrogant and vicious toward those of us who believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. While some have blindly fallen for this new view, I'm not one of them. Pre-Wrath is too contradictory and I'm glad to see Dr. Showers is one of the many authors who has stepped forward to clear up the confusion without being arrogant and hostile. Good Reading! I recommend it! After 1900 years of the church's belief in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, there's no reason for the Pre-Wrath view to rob anyone of the "blessed hope" that Christ could return at any moment and call the church home.

Let me just say one final comment concerning the Pre-Wrath Rapture: Pre-Wrath Rapture is a misnomer. It isn't Pre, for many authors of that teaching locate the Rapture well into the Tribulation; and it isn't Wrath because the authors refuse to acknowledge it as Tribulation wrath until five and a half (more or less) years of the Tribulation have passed. Pre-Wrath calls for the church to look for the signs of the Tribulation, the Antichrist, and the wrath of God - hardly positive motivators! The Pre-Tribulation view calls the church to live a holy and passionate life while waiting for the Lord to return. And it's time for Pre-Wrath followers to admit their error and go back to the Pre-Tribulation view. It may take time to search the Scriptures to disprove the Pre-Wrath Rapture view but it's well worth it!