DOES REV 3:10 SPEAK OF THE RAPTURE?

PMT 2015-132 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In Rev 3:10 we read of Christ’s statement the church at Philadelphia (not the church in Cleveland or Detroit!): Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (3:10).

Because they are enduring for Christ—against all opposition, but especially from the Jews (3:9a)—he promises: “I also will keep you from the hour of testing” (3:10b). Since they kept (eteresas) his word, he will keep (tereso ) them becaus he blesses those who honor him. He will keep them from an hour of testing.

But how does he keep them from this dreaded hour? Does he take them out before the testing period, so that they might escape it altogether? Dispensationalists see this as an allusion to their pretribulational rapture (John F. Walvoord; Charles C. Ryrie; Robert L. Thomas). Or does he promise to uphold them through that period of testing? Though grammatically both interpretations are possible, the second one has more merit, for the following reasons.

First, it fits the context of the oracle which praises their past perseverance under trial: “you have kept the word of My perseverance.” Thus, the meaning appears to be: “You have endured thus far; I will carry you the rest of the way.”

Second, elsewhere in Revelation, the saints are called to endure through the storms they face (1:3, 9; 2:2–3, 10, 17, 19, 25–26; 3:3, 5, 8, 12, 21 12:11; 13:10; 14:4–5; 16:16; 17:14; 21:7). Why would they be promised escape from the trials here? In 7:14 we see the saints coming through “the great tribulation” with their robes washed in the Lamb’s blood. In 12:6, 14–17 we see them personally fleeing the wrath of Satan.

Charismatic Gift of Prophecy

(by Kenneth Gentry)

A rebuttal to charismatic arguments for the gift of prophecy continuing in the church today. Demonstrates that all revelatory gifts have ceased as of the conclusion of the Apostolic era.

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

Third, we might expect a clearer statement here to assure them that he meant something different from the whole movement of Revelation. For instance, we might expect a promise that he would “catch” them up (haparzo) from the world, such as in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. After all, Revelation uses this word for Christ who is taken out of the world at his ascension (12:5). Or he could have used the word “take up” (hupolamban ) as in Acts 1:9.

Fourth, the rapture view undermines the reason for their blessing. Just two verses later in 3:12, Christ promises certain blessings to “he who overcomes.” But according to the rapture view, they do not need to overcome, for they will escape the coming trial.

Fifth, in the next verse he declares that he is “coming quickly” and urges them to “hold fast what you have” (3:11b). This strongly suggests that they will have to endure the “hour of testing,” so that they not lose what they have.

Four Views on the Book of Revelation

(ed. by Marvin Pate)

Helpful presentation of four approaches to Revelation. Ken Gentry writes the chapter on the preterist approach to Revelation, which provides a 50 page survey of Revelation .

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

Six, throughout Revelation, Christ commands the saints to endure (see point 1). Significantly, in his high priestly prayer Jesus uses the same words when praying for his saints—to remain in the world. “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from [teres . . . ek tou ponerou] the evil one” (Jn 17:15; cp. terseo ek tes horas). Indeed, this was Christ’s own personal practice, as he prays before his death: “My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour” (Jn 12:27).

Of course, this whole encouragement and promise is not limited to the Philadelphia Christians. It will apply to all those in the churches if they remain faithful: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (3:13).

Thus, there seems to be no reason to assume a pre-tribulation rapture in Rev 3:10. Just as there seem to be no reasons for dispensationalism at all.

Special offer: For a free, downloadable, mp3 sermon on why we worship on the first day of the week rather than the seventh day, see: Why We Worship on the First Day