Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Explain one of this position, what you think is their strength and what is their weakness?
Mid Tribulation Premillenial.


Premillenial is a system of beliefs concerning the second coming of Christ happening before a millennium (1000 years) in which he will supposedly reign on earth.

The issues of the relationship of Christ’s return to the complex of events are known as the great tribulation. In theory, all premillennialists hold that there will be a great disturbance of seven years’ duration prior to Christ’s coming. There are two common view point that is whether there will be a separate coming to remove the Church from the world prior to the great tribulation, which is called as the “pre-tribulation” or whether the Church will go through the tribulation and be united with the Lord afterward, which is called the post-tribulation. The mediation between this two tribulation is known as the Mid-tribulation. “Erickson, Christian Theology, p.1217

Definition: "The Mid-Tribulational Rapture view holds that the Rapture of the church will occur at the midpoint of the seven years of Tribulation. In this view, only the last half of Daniel's seventieth week is Tribulation." Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 497.

The Mid-Tribulation position is created due to difficulties in attaching the pre and post tribulation. There is three views about Mid-tribulation.

1. Midtribulationists believe that Christ will come for His people in the midpoint of the tribulation, exactly 3 1/2 years after it begins and 3 1/2 years before it ends when the Lord returns with His saints to set up the millenial kingdom.
Support for this position argues that--


i. The last trumpet of 1 COR.15:52 is the same as the 7th trumpet of REV.11:15, which sounds at the middle of the tribulation.

ii. The great tribulation is only the last half of Daniel's 70th 7-year period, and the Church is promised deliverance only from that in REV.11:2 and 12:6.

iii. The resurrection of the two great evangelists during the tribulation in REV.11:11 pictures the rapture of the church, with their resurrection at the middle of the tribulation after 1260 days (11:3).


2. The second position is on the partial-rapture view, there will be a series of raptures. Whenever a portion of believers are ready, they will be removed from earth.

3. The third mediating position is imminent post-tribulationism. It is said that while the return of Christ will not take place until after the tribulation, it can be expected at any moment, for the tribulation may already be occurring.

Overall, I personally find the Mid-Tribulation to be weak.

17 comments:

DonnyTanTW said...

Yeah, how exactly do we know is the mid-point of the tribulation anyway? When does it even begin?

I like the second position even less. Are there any scriptures to back this position up? And the third one just sounds too general.

Joe Iyathurai said...

dear sister, as you have stated it si weak, can you please give your position on this subject matter. GB

jeromeliew said...

Hi Eunice,
The position of mid tribulation seem weak and you do agreed upon that.
How about the ammillineal view which you didn't discuss. Thanks.
By the way which views you seem to agreed upon and why... can you share it.

Freddie Ong said...

Hi Eunice,
Thanks for your explanation on the mid-tribulation issue. I agreed that the scripture support for Mid-Tribulation is rather weak. I got your point on the reference that the last half of Daniel's seventieth week is considered the Great Tribulation." Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 497). Could you able to help explain on Rev.7:14 - those in white robes coming out of the Great Tribulation? Do you consider yourself a post-tribulationist?

Jonathan Tan said...

Thank you for explaining the points about mid-tribulational position so well and in addition you also explain the other two mediating positions concerning tribulation. However, you said this mid-tribulational position is weak, pls elaborate with evidences from the Scriptures and also pls explain the strengths of this viewpoint. Thanks.

Eunicelaw said...

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all comments and questions. There is not much article on mid-tribulation compare to pre and post tribulation. Give me sometime to do some findings.
In the meantime if anyone out there have good understanding of the topic you are welcome to help me.

Thank you.

Raymond Marsden said...

Hie Eunice,
You wrote about the pre tribulation, Mid- Tribulation and the Post -Tribulation but you did not state your stand on which tribulation you subscibe to.

ndru_c said...

Hi Eunice... Thanks for your posting concerning mid tribulation premillennial view in details.

Eunicelaw said...

Dear Bro Raymond,

Please read my posting again, it is all about Mid-Tribulation.

Thank you.

Eunicelaw said...

Hi Bro Joe,
As for my position on the subject matter, all the pre, mid and post tribulation are some thing that John have written to prepare us. As for me I believe that every trial that we go through is a way of going thru a tribulation. Which tribulation is not an issue for me. The thing is am I ready for it or as I go thru the trial in life what is my attitude.

Dear Bro Jerome,
Ammilenial is the topic covered by Bro Andrew, thats why I did not talk about it in my blog, my topic in on mid-tribulation.

Dear Bro. Freddie,
As For Rev 7:14, the question posed toJohn is to bring his attention to a special group. We know that the white robe is given to those that are overcomers. Each of them have overcome sin by the grace of God, they have obtained the victory. They would not violate one of the commandments of God, which is explressed by having the Father's name/character in their foreheads (Rev 14:1). Each of them have had their life washed in the blood of Christ. "The life of all flesh is in the blood" Lev 17:11,14 and thus they have washed their lives in the life of Chris and it is Christ's life that is being revealed in them, a life filled with righteoness.

As said in Acts 14:22, All Christians must "through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God". Ya, you can say that I consider myself as post tribulation even though we have not gone true the real tribulation yet.

Dear Bro Andrew and Donny,

Thanks for the comment.

Jonathan Tan said...

Hi there, I also blog about the mid-tribulation rapture, the arguments for it is basically the same as Pre-tribulation rapture except that it occurs at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, (if you understand the Daniel 70 weeks that is, I have a book by Mauro.) This is its strength and its weakness as well. As for the other views, the Bible does not support concretely. it is hard to say except I really believe we must go through the tribulation, and that God will cut short the time we are in the tribulation, therefore I believe mid-way as a compromise lah!

Freddie Ong said...

Hi Eunice,
Thanks for your reply. I believed you must have your basis of understanding of the scripture to be firmed as a post-tribulationist. Anyway, many bible scholars today also stand on this. Would you able to enlighten me why do you believed of it and how is your interpretation of the supportive scripture(s)?

ndru_c said...

Hi Eunice... I just want share some thoughts on tribulation. I believe Christians should not aspire a life of convenience. Jesus Himself said in this world we will have tribulation and we are to learn from our Master on how to overcome it. He has overcame the world and sat at the right hand of Glory. Without tribulation to overcome, there will be no victory to savor, no glory or crown. The excitement and adventure is in overcoming the challenges and emerged victorious through God's grace. In regards to portion of tribulation that is meant to discipline us as sons and daughters of God, all of us have to go through. But we are to escape the portion of tribulation that is meant for God's wrath to be poured out on hardcore, persistent, unbelieving rebels.

DonnyTanTW said...

Hi Eunice!
I must admit I am surprised to hear you say that you would support the post-trib view. In a way, I suppose that could be good because you are more prepared to go through hardship and suffering for your faith.

On the other hand tho, I agree with Andrew that the "trials" we face to train us is not the same thing as THE tribulation that we're discussing.

Eunicelaw said...

Hi bro Johnathan, Andrew, Freddie and Donny,

I know my stand on post-tribulation shock most of you. From what i undestand and heard many people would chose pre-tri. due to hear or not ready to go through it. As for me as long as you have faith in Christ there should be no problem in which tribulation you believe in. I believe that God will see us through it all.

Thank you.

jeromeliew said...

Dear sis Eunice,
So when does the post tribulation going to happen, do you consider we're now living in the time of suffering.
Andrew do give a encouraging comment in highlighting to us the suffering of Christ as our strength to persevere and waiting for the day to come.

Jonathan Tan said...

Dear all, where do we get the idea that the tribulation is seven years and that the mid-tribuation is the middle of the seven years?
As for those in the white robes are those slain throughout this church age. It means those in white robes coming out of the great tribulation Literally, "ones coming out", a present participle, expressing a continuous, repeated action, not a once-for-all acton. Therefor, tribulation is taking place throughout the whole church age; Rev. 1:9;2:9,22;Matt.13:21; John16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:35; 36; 12:12.