What the Church Today Teaches. However, in contrast to the pre-tribulation rapture position espoused by many, other Bible students contend that the post-tribulation rapture view is the correct one. They assert that there is no scripture in the entire Bible that definitively states that Christians will escape the tribulation by means of a secret advent of Christ in a pretribulation rapture of the church. This view would require two future comings of Christ- a view which, they say, is not supported at all in scripture, and that neither Jesus nor his disciples taught.
I did a study to determine the differing influences with regard to the timing of the rapture. Below are two tables, one listing the pretribulation adherents and the other showing the post-tribulation advocates.
Pretribulation Rapture Proponents
| Name | Role / Affiliation | Certainty of View | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Evans | Pastor, author | Ambiguous | Imminent return language; pretrib inference debated |
| David Jeremiah | Pastor, author | Moderate | Teaches rapture prior to tribulation in prophecy series |
| Jack Hibbs | Pastor / evangelist | Moderate | Preaches removal of church before tribulation |
| Jan Markell | Evangelist, broadcaster | Moderate | Hosts prophecy conferences promoting pretrib view |
| Ron Rhodes | Apologist, author | Moderate | Defends pretrib in works like 'Reasoning from the Scriptures' |
| Michael Rydelnik | Scholar / professor | Moderate | Prophetic teaching aligned with pretrib framework |
| J. D. Farag | Pastor, prophecy speaker | Moderate | Speaks in updates as though rapture precedes tribulation |
| Greg Laurie | Pastor, evangelist | Moderate | Often uses imminent rapture language consistent with pretrib |
| Perry Stone | Evangelist, prophecy speaker | Moderate | End‑times teaching includes church removal before tribulation |
| David Hawking | Founder & President of Hope for Today Ministries, Bible teacher, Pastor | Strong | Clearly teaches that The Church will be raptured before the tribulation begins. |
| Nathan Jones | Writer, prophecy blogger | Moderate | Comments with a pretrib interpretive framework |
| Tom Hughes | Evangelist / prophecy teacher | Moderate | Promotes removal before tribulation in his teachings |
| Benny Hinn | Televangelist, author | Moderate | Has publicly affirmed rapture prior to tribulation in ministry |
| Paul Crouch | Christian broadcaster / TV pioneer | Moderate | Associated with charismatic prophecy circles that adopt pretrib views |
| John Hagee | Pastor, author | Moderate to strong | Teaches church will be removed before Antichrist |
| Amir Tsarfati | Evangelist, prophecy teacher | Moderate to strong | Uses “removed before wrath” language |
| Andy Woods | Pastor, prophecy teacher | Moderate to strong | Associated with churches teaching pretrib perspective |
| Paul Benware | Theologian, author | Moderate to strong | Provides arguments for pretribulationalism |
| J. Vernon McGee | Pastor, author, broadcaster | Moderate to strong | In Thru the Bible and his sermons he affirms pretrib rapture |
| Jack Hayford | Founder and pastor of Church On The Way | Strong | Taught pretrib doctrine |
| J. Randall Price | Biblical scholar, lecturer | Strong | Regular speaker/writer promoting pretrib rapture |
| Mark Hitchcock | Pastor, author | Strong | Often cited among dispensational pretrib teachers |
| Arnold Fruchtenbaum | Theologian, Ariel Ministries | Strong | Classic dispensational pretrib position |
| David Reagan | Evangelist, Lamb & Lion | Strong | Regularly teaches pretribulation rapture |
| Thomas Ice | Theologian, Pre‑Trib Research Center | Very strong | Co‑founder; primary defender of pretrib |
Posttribulation Rapture Proponents
| Name | Role / Affiliation | Certainty of View | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Grudem | Systematic theologian | Moderate | Leans posttrib in some writings |
| Albert Mohler | President, Southern Seminary | Moderate | Views tribulation as something church may endure |
| Malcolm Smith | Bible teacher | Moderate | Taught posttrib position |
| N. T. Wright | Theologian, historian | Moderate | Rejects rapture theology |
| Andrew Wommack | Bible teacher | Moderate | Rejected pretrib views |
| Ben Witherington III | New Testament scholar | Moderate | Leans posttrib |
| John Piper | Pastor, theologian | Moderate to strong | Teaches church will go through tribulation |
| R.C. Sproul | Founder, Ligonier Ministries | Moderate to strong | Rejected pretrib as novelty |
| Derek Prince | Bible teacher | Moderate to strong | Endurance emphasis |
| Cotton Mather | Puritan minister | Moderate to strong | Held believers endure tribulation |
| Craig S. Keener | Scholar | Strong | Supports posttrib |
| Michael L. Brown | Apologist | Strong | Critiques pretrib |
| Sam Storms | Theologian | Strong | Posttrib advocate |
| Greg Boyd | Pastor | Strong | Posttrib theology |
| David Bercot | Historian | Strong | Early Christian emphasis |
| Brian Zahnd | Pastor | Strong | Rejects dispensationalism |
| David Pawson | Bible teacher (UK) | Strong | Posttrib teaching |
| Joel Richardson | Author | Strong | Against pretrib |
| Robert Gundry | Scholar | Strong | Defended posttrib |
| C.S. Lewis | Author | Strong | Single return view |
| G.K. Chesterton | Author | Strong | Rejected pretrib |
| Dean Davis | Pastor | Strong | Posttrib articulation |
| Walter Martin | Apologist | Strong | Criticized pretrib |
| Oswald J. Smith | Pastor | Strong | Rejected pretrib |
| George Eldon Ladd | Theologian | Very strong | Historic premillennialism |
So what we have is a smorgasbord of differing views within the body of Christ. It is no wonder Christians are confused regarding these matters. It seems like a lot to tackle when attempting to unpack all the scriptures regarding these things. Some people just throw up their hands and give up. I have one friend who holds a masters in theology who avoids discussing eschatological issues altogether.
No doubt, you may have been influenced one way or another by one or more of the teachers included in the tables. I’m sure you can see a name or two that concur with your belief on this topic. I, on the other hand might present my guy as the authority. For example, present your arguments backed up by pronouncements of J. Vernon McGee and I will counter with those of Dr. Walter Martin. Both these men are greatly respected in the body of Christ, yet they each hold diametrically opposed views on the timing of the rapture. Give me your David Jeremiah and I will give you my R.C. Sproul. We could spar like this endlessly.
The lists above are by no means exhaustive. Many teachers can be found on both sides of this issue. I could include many more names, but I think I’ve made my point clear, namely to show the wide dichotomy between eschatological views within the church today.
And yet, on this subject of the timing of the rapture in relation to the great tribulation one thing is clear; the views are mutually exclusive. One side of this discussion is clearly wrong and one side is right. This division has resulted in much strife, division, name-calling and a lot of non-Christian behavior within the body of Christ.
Since the current eschatological climate is one of uncertainty with much debate on the subject of the timing of the rapture, I almost hesitate to proceed with this book and become just another contentious voice in the rabble. But I hold out the hope that my small voice might add at least some clarity to someone who might stumble across these writings.