The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple

This is both an essential study and an excellent read on a subject which has attracted much controversy and disagreement. Some time ago I read another book with an identical approach to that of this writer which was entitled "The Pre-Wrath Rapture Of The Church" by Marvyn Rosenthal. In my review on the latter book at that time, I stated that this distinctive, particular interpretation of Scripture in relation to the Rapture & what the Bible identifies as `The Day of the Lord', clarified a number of Scriptural issues which were causing me some difficulties in my own understanding of the sequence of events pertaining to the end times and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.The approach also adopted by Robert Van Kampen in this study further clarifies matters for me personally. I can see where other Bible experts are coming from in relation to their understandings of the Rapture being either pre-Tribulation, mid-Tribulation or even post-Tribulation, but if I had to hold to only one understanding of Scripture then it would be the one excellently documented here by Robert Van Kampen.I personally feel that the revelations in this book are so significant that they should not be ignored by any student of the Bible, even if such hold to differing views. Most strongly of all, I feel that the matters covered in this excellent work are of such importance that they should only be dealt with & discussed within an attitude of love, sensitivity and compassion, that does not cause any dissension, conflict or bitterness amongst Believers. The latter can only cause strife and play into the hands of the Enemy from the very outset.Essentially this is a study that covers the seven year Tribulation period of the end times and how significant chronological events play their part. Thoroughly dealt with are matters pertaining to whether or not the Church will be Raptured before, during, or after this period, together with the revealing of the Antichrist and the Satanic persecution/tribulation which the latter will direct upon those remaining during his temporary rule. Equally if not more significant is the part played by the Wrath of God, which the writer clearly shows through specific Scriptural references, the Church will definitely avoid via the Rapture.If there is the slightest possibility that Christian Believers may have to endure even the slightest period of the coming Tribulation, then it is surely absolute folly to "bury one's head in the sand" & avoid studying just what this might entail.Throughout his extensive reference to the Bible, the writer strictly adheres to the principle of a `face-value' hermeneutic' of understanding Scripture through it's most natural, normal, customary sense, letting Scripture interpret Scripture & allowing Scripture itself to determine the meaning of the comparative language being used by the Biblical writers. At all times using every reference in it's correct and entire context, both in it's immediate application and in relat

When trying to put together a puzzle, I have often been confused by thinking that a group of pieces belonged in one section of the picutre rather than the correct one. I would struggle for hours until I realized that the group of pieces was in the wrong part of the puzzle. Oftentimes, fixing that little group would lead to a rapid solving of the remainder of the puzzle.This has been the case with my understanding of the rapture of the church. Since becoming a Christian, I had always been taught, by some very great men of God, that the rapture would come before the last seven years of the current age. I would worry about those who were "left behind," but felt that the tribulation period held no consequence for me.In trying to explain the pre-trib position to others, I often found myself struggling with certain portions of scripture that just did not seem to fit into the puzzle. It led me to read countless numbers of books on prophecy, many of which only served to make the puzzle seem more complicated.A few months ago, I read The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple. In a matter of the few hours it took to read this book, the proverbial light went on, and the puzzle was solved. The rapture does not belong at the beginning of a seven-year tribulation!While there is definitely a period of 7 years, as described by Daniel, there are actually three phases to it: 1)The beginning of sorrows; 2)The Great Tribulation; and 3)The Wrath of God. The Rapture (or better, "Gathering") of the elect FOLLOWS the Great Tribulation, but PRECEDES the Wrath of God. Matthew 24, I Thessalonians 4, and Revelation 6-7 all describe the SAME thing, namely, the Rapture.One must read this book with an open mind, and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit teach the truth of the Word of God. One who does will never be deceived by a false doctrine (the Pretribulational Rapture) that tells us to ignore portions of Scripture in order to justify a position. In reading this book, the light will come on, the confusion will clear, and a clear understanding of a plain and simple truth will emerge.

The Rapture Question Answered Plain And Simple is a great place to start for your endtimes studies. This work focuses on the rapture question alone, whereas an earlier work - "The Sign" was a much broader study in eschatology. Using a face-value hermeneutic (allowing scripture to interpret scripture) Van Kampen shows how the chronology of endtime events is clearly revealed in key prophetic passages. He shows how the placement of the rapture within the sequence of endtime events can be determined, and how all related prophetic accounts are in total agreement. The material is distilled into easily digestible study units and is a pleasure to read. An even easier read is Van Kampen's "The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained Plain And Simple" which is a 93 page excerpt from this book. You should also read "The Sign" by the same author, and "The Prewrath Rapture Of The Church" by Marvin Rosenthal. Together, they will give you a comprehensive understanding of endtimes theology.

I have been raised in a God fearing, God loving, bible teaching church. In this church I have been taught the theory of a pre-tribulation rapture. This doctrine was pleasing to me as a Christian, as the idea of having to deal with the tribulation of the world was a thought I cherished not. Thankfully, my church also taught me not to accept the teachings of man on face value, but to check them against scripture. As I am not a student of theology or the end times I am, at times, confused by the different end time theories and the scriptures that are taken out of context and/or twisted to validate those theories. I am blessed and thankful that Mr. Van Kampen is a man who follows God's Word and not mans theories. The Rapture Question is answered PLAIN & SIMPLE through the Word of God. It's all there in black and white for every man to see, USING SCRIPTURE TO TEST SCRIPTURE! We simply need to read it for ourselves without the influence of any other teachings. Mr. Van Kamp does not offer 'his' theories or doctrinal values, but simply let's God's Word speak for itself. This book not only changed my view on the rapture, but significantly changed my postion on the importance of being about my Fathers, Great Comission. I highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to know his Lord's will for his life and the lives around him.