Today I thought I would write a blog about the doctrine of the immanence for the Rapture and why it’s important for you, as a man of God, to understand it. While we have had a lot of teaching and reads about about the Rapture of the Church, this blog is a brief on the immanency of it.
The word immanence means ‘the state of being imminent; which means, ‘about to happen, threatening, or impending.’ J.D. Farag says that immanence means ‘at any minute.’ Dr. Barry Awe says that the doctrine of immanence is ‘random at best.’ While I would agree with these brothers, I should like to share some relevant thoughts with you about what immanence means for a pre-tribulation rapture believer and why you need to understand it properly as it pertains to the Day of the Lord, which includes the seven-year tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth with His Church, and the millennial reign of Christ.
Speaking of the ‘Day of the Lord’ Paul wrote: ‘For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.’(1 Thessalonians 5:9). It seems clear that he meant the deliverance of believers from the judgments of the Day of the Lord, including the tribulation. Christians are told repeatedly in the NT to be watchful for the Lord’s appearing. Never are they taught to watch for the tribulation or the appearance of the antichrist. To expect that such things must happen before the Rapture destroys the teaching of imminence which is replete in the NT.
Believers are told to wait ‘for His Son from heaven,’ not the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10). When the signs of the end of the age are evident, they (we) are to look up and lift up our heads in expectation of our redemption, not the tribulation (Luke 21:28). The signs of the Lord’s coming will be fulfilled before His public appearing, but they do not have to be fulfilled before the Rapture. Any teaching that certain events must transpire before the Rapture is out of harmony with the doctrine of imminence.
It is consistent that God’s dealings with His people in the OT to believe that the Church will be removed from the world before the tribulation. God did not send the global flood until Noah and his family were safe in the ark. He did not destroy Sodom until Lot was taken out. The weight of scripture supports a pre-tribulation Rapture. Wherever teaching about the Second Coming occurs in the NT, imminence is underscored. To interpose other events before the Rapture does damage to the doctrine of imminence.
Source: ag.org/Position Papers/Rapture of the Church
In April, 2001, in the prelude to a paper written by Wayne A. Brinale, Professor of Biblical Studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, Brinale writes:
“In 1973, Robert Gundry, a post-tribulationist, wrote that ‘by common consent imminence means that so far as we know, no predicted event will necessarily precede the coming of Christ.’ 1 John Sproule, a pre-tribulationist, countered in 1974 that ‘imminence’ is better defined as the belief that ‘Christ can return for His Church at any moment and that no predicted event will intervene before that return.’ 2 Both definitions are acceptable. Some post-tribulationists have responded to the doctrine of imminence by claiming that all the intervening signs have already occurred, and thus the final parousia (Second Coming) can occur at any time. Others deny that the Bible teaches imminence in any sense. Most post-tribulationists prefer to redefine ‘imminence’ along the lines adopted by Douglas Moo, who objects that the term does not necessarily mean ‘at any moment,’ but rather that it simply means the return of Christ ‘could take place within any limited period of time.’ 3 This blog follows the more strict definition of imminence as being ‘at any moment’ and reveals Bible passages that teach or strongly imply that Christ’s return for His Church can occur at any time without any predicted intervening signs or events.” wabrindl@liberty.edu
1 Robert H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, pp.29 c.1973) Wayne Grudem has said ‘imminent’ means that ‘Christ could come and might come at any time.’ Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, p.7&1096 c.1994) 2 John Sproule, In Defense of Pretribulationism (Winona Lake, IN: BMH, p.12 c.1980) John F. Walvoord has also said Gundry’s definition is untenable for pretribulationists The Blessed Hope and the Tribulation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, p.71 c.1976). 3 Douglas J. Moo, The Case for the Post tribulation Rapture Position, Three Views on the Rapture, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, p.208 c.1996)
If you want to read this paper in its entirety, here’s the link.
In this blog I wanted to express that the doctrine of imminence pertaining to the Rapture means that nothing has to happen before the Rapture can occur. Israel is a nation again as of May 14, 1948 and the ‘fig tree generation’ is active and almost fully matured. The above quotes are from scholars who wrote their findings after 1948, which once again, reminds us that we are the terminal generation.
My late father in law, Neil Short, was a gifted Bible scholar and musician. He had walked with Jesus since the late 1920’s and lived through some of the best years this nation had to offer. He passed away in 2017 at age 98.
I had the privilege of being his caregiver for the last five years of his life. Neil told me one time when he was in his 20’s that he was in a Bible study where the teacher taught on the doctrine of immanence pertaining to the Rapture. Neil argued that immanence could not be relevant because Israel was not a nation; this was in the late 30’s or early 40’s. He was ridiculed as being a back-slidden Christian because of his beliefs.
When Israel became a nation in May of 1948, the clock started ticking on the fig tree generation. There are older people alive today who were younglings in 1948, but alive on that monumental day in Israel. They are leaving us each day, but many are still with us and have life in them to last another seven-years from today. We are so close to the Lord’s return for His Church, and yet, I still plan for a retirement, I prepare for the coming months and years like we will still be here. However, in my heart, I can sense the imminency of the Lord’s return even more so that there is a escalating war taking place on Israeli soil even as I write this blog.
A lot of my blogs have a theme of imminency within them. I write them as if today (or tonight) could be the moment the Master returns for His Church. I know that a lot of the YouTube watchers are also imminently aware of the nearness of the Lord’s return for us and they too challenge their viewers to be a people who are watching, working, and waiting for the Lord, as He could be here ‘at any moment!’
I want to challenge and encourage you my brother to be aware of the times and season in which we are living. Be watchful and mindful of the many distractions the enemy may throw at you to keep you off your main aim of faithfully serving the Lord in these last moments of these last days. Whatever it is that you are called to do and whoever it is that you are called to serve; do so with a fervency and intention that is consistent with a person who could be living out their last day, yet, planning for a long and drawn out future that is no more sustainable than it is reliable. While this may discourage many brothers, especially fathers (and mothers), I challenge you to keep your eye on the prize and be focused ahead. While we wait and work, we must plan and forge forward, doing and being all that the Lord has called us to do and be.
While I agree that no one knows the day or hour of the Rapture, I would also agree that we can know the season, particularly as it relates to the ominous shadow of the tribulation being cast upon the earth right now. All of the shenanigans of the COP 28 that are going on in Dubai and such are a strong indication that a ‘peace accord’ of sorts is being formed. Ricardo Garcia, a reputable YouTube vlogger just posted an intriguing video about the time we are living in right now and the imminency of the Lord’s return as it relates to a pre-tribulation Rapture. I encourage you to check out his vlog sight.
If tonight were the night when the Lord returns for us, would you be satisfied with how you are currently serving Him and those He has entrusted to your care? Are you planning long term for a future that may or may not be, yet looking for the Lord to retrieve us from this dumpster fire of a world? I know it can be difficult to live this way, but if imminency is part of the doctrine that we have embraced, it’s going to show up in how we live and plan to live in the coming weeks and months (should the Lord tarry).
I close this blog with the words of encouragement from God’s Word:
Peter reminds us that we… “who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved (distressed) by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 1:5-7
Peter also said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” – 2 Peter 3:10-13
The Apostle John said that, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:15-19
We have a lot to look forward to brothers, and a lot of work to do in the here and now. Let’s not lose sight of what really matters and what (or who) it is that God has placed on our heart in these last days. I encourage you my brother, be faithful to all that Christ has laid hold for you and may you serve Him well; we’re almost home.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 34-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 