Preface
Preface
F
or several years now, we have thought it would be a real joy to write a book together, but in the midst of our very full writing and ministry schedules, it seemed more like a dream than anything else. Then Jane Campbell, Chosen’s zealous and intrepid editor, asked us if we would like to team up on this subject for this book. Immediately, we said yes.
Even though it has been decades since either of us has believed in the “Left Behind” (escape before the final Tribulation) idea, we never divide from others over the subject. Plus, in our earliest days as believers, we were both in churches that taught that idea, and to this day we have friends and colleagues who hold to it.
At the same time, we are convinced that this teaching is not found in Scripture, and we believe it is important for God’s people to have a right understanding of what the future holds. Also, since we have both ministered in parts of the world where it is very dangerous to be a Christian—in some places, your faith will cost you your life—we felt it is important to emphasize the scriptural message of courage and perseverance in the midst of suffering. In Jesus, we overcome!
This short book, then, is meant to educate
and
encourage, to inform
and
inspire. The chapters that follow are based on years of intensive study of the biblical texts in their original languages; in fact, except where otherwise noted, Scripture is referenced in our own translation. Despite this, the style is not academic. Accordingly, the endnotes are few and far between, and esoteric theological terms are kept to a minimum. At the same time, we welcome scholars to dissect our arguments to see if what we are saying is accurate. May the simple and clear truth of God’s Word prevail in everyone’s hearts and minds!
What if you change your beliefs because of this book? Holding the “right view” does not put us in a position spiritually superior to those who differ, nor does it give us license to put them down. Our dispensationalist, pre-Tribulational friends also love the Lord and His Word, and where we differ, we do so as brothers and sisters. Moreover, we also resist a fear-based theology that would try to scare anyone with tales of the coming Antichrist. The same promises that helped believers endure fiery trials in centuries past will help us endure fiery trials right until the end of this age. The Lord knows how to keep His people.
To give you a brief overview of the pages that follow, after an important introduction (penned mainly by Craig), we each tell our own stories: Why is it that we changed our views about Christians escaping the final Tribulation? Next, we review the history of end-time speculation, including dispensational beliefs in which the Left Behind idea originated. Then Michael reviews the relevant Old Testament material, looks at the key New Testament vocabulary and emphasizes the biblical teaching that there is only one Second Coming (rather than a Rapture and a Second Coming). Craig then tackles the most common pre-Trib arguments and lays out the strongest post-Trib arguments. (These arguments hold whether there is a Tribulation limited to
seven years or a more general, lengthy time of tribulation.) Finally, we both weigh in with words of encouragement and hope as we give practical application to the texts we have discussed. There are minor variations in how each of us approaches some passages or arguments, but overall we independently came to basically the same conclusions by studying Scripture.
It is our heartfelt prayer that you will be strengthened in faith and enlightened in mind as you read the pages that follow, that Jesus will become all the more precious in your eyes and that, together with Him (indeed, in Him!) you will rise up as an overcomer.