Unmasking Pre-Trib Fallacies

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Based on the analysis of the previous 13 arguments, we have learned that much of what pre- Tribbers believe is based, not on what the Bible says, but on what it doesn't say. In other words, arguments from silence. But that should come as no surprise. Since the Bible never directly attests to their views, pre-Tribulationists have no other option. The final argument, as you will see, is but another example of this approach.

Reason # 14 for being a pre-Tribulationist

"It explains why there is no Bible instruction on preparation for the Tribulation." 1

LaHaye writes, "Doesn't it seem strange that although the Bible advises Christians how to face ordinary, everyday troubles, it submits absolutely no instructions related to the worst time the world will ever face, a period filled with frightening events that have never even come close to being fulfilled? Pre-Tribs have a simple answer. We won't be there!" 2

This is what as known as an a priori demonstration. It is a lesser to the greater argument. Because God provides advice for dealing with our lesser (everyday) problems, it is evident and certain that He also provides advice for the most serious trials we face. But, we are told, no instructions are provided for the coming Tribulation—the period which is supposed to constitute the greatest trial of human history. The question arises, why this glaring omission? Pre-Tribbers believe there is only one explanation. That is, God never intended for the church to face the Tribulation. Rather, it was always His plan to remove the church (by means of the rapture) before the Tribulation begins. Here is their formal argument:

Part 1.

Part 2.

Clearly, this entire argument turns on the validity of the Second Premise (of Part 1)—the statement that the Bible contains no instructions related to the Tribulation. The fact of the matter is, this claim can be shown to be false on two counts. First, there are countless Biblical principles which, being timeless in nature, can be applied to any period of persecution or affliction—including the Tribulation. Second, despite pre-Trib claims to the contrary, the Bible offers a number of detailed instructions which are specifically directed to believers of that period.

A Sampling of Principles for dealing with periods of affliction (tribulation)

It is self-evident that the Bible doesn't cover every specific problem we will face (i.e., there are no instructions for when the car won't start.) It does, however, provide general principles for dealing with a wide range of troubles in life. Following are just a few of the Biblical principles which could well apply to the particular trials of the Tribulation.

The reality of tribulation in this life

  1. Tribulation is to be expected in the life of a Christian. "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). And again, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22). In fact, afflictions are a believer's destiny. "...for you yourselves know we have been destined for this." (I Thessalonians 3:3).
  2. Persecution is also to be expected. "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (II Timothy 3:12).
  3. All periods of calamity come from the hand of the Lord. "The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." (Isaiah 45:7).
  4. But, God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted (tried) beyond what we are able to handle. (I Corinthians 10:13). Though sin is definitely in view here, there is also an implication that God will limit the amount of adversity that comes to us.

How we are to react to tribulation in life

  1. We are not to be surprised at the presence of affliction. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." (I Peter 4:12).
  2. We must never think the presence of affliction suggests the Lord has abandoned us. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, 'For thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35-37).
  3. We should keep a proper perspective, weighing present trials against eternal blessings. "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." (II Corinthians 4:17).
  4. We should count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations (See James 1:2-4). And also, "But we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out with in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5).

Some specific instructions for periods of intense affliction

  1. We are not to fear death at the hands of our persecutors. "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28).
  2. We must entrust ourselves entirely to the Lord. "Let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." (I Peter 4:19).
  3. We should trust the Lord to see us through all our trials. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalms 34:19). And also, the Lord is "my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress." (Jeremiah 16:19).
  4. We must make prayer and love toward the brethren our top priorities. "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all keep fervent in your love for one another." (I Peter 4:7-8).
  5. We must persevere during times of tribulation. (See Romans 12:12). "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 'For yet in a little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in Him.' But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:36-39). And again, "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal Glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." (I Peter 5:10).

Biblical instructions specifically for believers during the great Tribulation

Beyond these general Biblical principles, there are a host of passages which can only apply to believers of the Tribulation period.

General conditions during the Tribulation

  1. Expect deception. Antichrist will come in accordance with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders. (II Thessalonians 2:9) In addition, "many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." (Matthew 24:11).
  2. God will cause unbelievers to accept Satan's deceptions. "And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false." (II Thessalonians 2:11).
  3. Know that believers will be hated among all peoples because of the name of Jesus. (Matthew 24:9)
  4. Many who call themselves Christians will fall away when persecution starts. (II Thessalonians 2:3). And from the parable of the sower, "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." (Matthew 13:20-21).
  5. Even friends and family will betray Christians to avoid persecution. (Matthew 24:10, Luke 21:16)
  6. Some believers (but not all) will be put to death. (Luke 21:16).
  7. Believers will be sealed with a mark on their foreheads. This mark will enable them to avoid the judgments from God which will soon come upon the earth. (Revelation 7:3, 9:4).
  8. There will be great signs in the heavens, and men will be perplexed at the roaring of the sea and the waves. There will be a great earthquake in which all the mountains and islands will be moved out of their places. Because of all this, men will be "fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world." (Luke 21:26 and Revelation 6:12-13).

Specific instructions for the period

  1. Pray for strength to escape all the things that are about to take place. (Luke 21:36).
  2. "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap." (Luke 21:34).
  3. Take heed and be on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. (Mark 13:33).
  4. Do not be concerned over material possessions. The earth itself is being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (II Peter 3:7).
  5. When you are arrested, do not be anxious about what you should say, "but say whatever is given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit." (Mark 13:11).
  6. Do not worship the beast or take his mark. Though doing so might save your life in the short run, it would cause you to become subject to "the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger." (Revelation 14:9).
  7. Your victory over Satan is to be accomplished by spiritual means. (A) The blood of Christ; realizing that the final victory was secured at the cross. (B) The word of your testimony; your witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ. (C) Not loving your life even unto death; your willingness to lay down your life rather than deny Christ. (See Revelation 12:11).

Encouragement to believers during the Tribulation

  1. Despite what some teach, the Holy Spirit is not removed and will be there to assist you during the Tribulation. (Mark 13:11).
  2. The Bible testifies that Tribulation believers do, indeed, keep the commandments of God and faith in Jesus. (Revelation 12:17, 14:12).
  3. God will cause people to minister to your needs during the Tribulation. (Matthew 26:34-46).
  4. "By your endurance you will gain your lives." (Luke 21:19). Though some of you will die, "not a hair on your head will perish." (Luke 21:18).
  5. Even if you are killed, your deeds will follow you. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.'" (Revelation 14:13).
  6. Everyone whose name is written in the book, will be rescued. (Daniel 12:1).
  7. Regarding those days, Daniel writes, "And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3).

Seeing this extensive list, you might wonder, how is it that pre-Tribbers claim there are no instructions for the Tribulation? Clearly, the evidence seems to indicate otherwise. They would respond by saying these instructions are not for Christians; they are for the "Tribulation saints." You will remember from Chapter 4 that pre-Tribulationism has its own peculiar definition of the church—one which excludes everyone before Pentecost and after the rapture. Granted, using that definition, it is nonsense to think that any of these Tribulation instructions are for the church. After all, the church has no need for them because it won't be here during the Tribulation. (The only way the church could use them is if the church was still here—then, by definition, it would no longer be the church.) This is, of course, a circular argument.

Conclusion

There are clearly numerous instructions to prepare believers for the coming Tribulation. Pre- Tribbers, however, do not recognize them as being directed at the church, since, by definition, no members of the church will experience the Tribulation. In other words, the Second Premise begs the question as whether the saints of the Tribulation are excluded from the church. That renders Reason # 14 unsound, making it of no use in the case for pre-Tribulationism.

But beyond the logical fallacy of this Reason, there is a practical aspect to be considered. Some say pre-Tribulationism does no harm, but they are wrong. Considering what is at stake, holding that the Bible provides no instructions for the Tribulation is courting disaster. Because of this position, the passages listed above are seldom taken seriously by pre-Tribulationists. And why should they be? It's like the child who doesn't study his algebra because he thinks he'll never use it again. My friend, this ought not be the case concerning passages which, to at least one generation, are matters of life and death. To those who live to see the Lord's return, these passages provide crucial guidance. Unfortunately, when that day does come, the legacy of pre- Tribulationism will be that many of them saw fit to ignore that guidance and were thereby forced to suffer the consequences.

Notes on Chapter 14.

  1. Tim LaHaye, No Fear of the Storm, p. 224.
  2. Ibid., p. 224.

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    Last Updated November 24, 1997 by Larry Simmons