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Incredible Cover Up

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This is an excellent book on the fascinating origin of the pre-tribulational rapture view of eschatology, also called dispensationalism. The author has done some fine historical research and his skill as an investigative reporter shows. If Baptists knew that their pet eschatological doctrine originated with a 15-year-old charismatic, tongues-speaking, woman "prophet" in 1830, they would probably drop their dispensational views like a hotcake! The book is not very flattering of John Nelson Darby, who is often attributed with originating dispensationalism. One explanation for Darby's glaring omission of mentioning Margaret MacDonald's rapture "prophecy" is that he probably did not want to be associated with the charismaticism of the day. Although the author holds to a premillennial post-trib rapture (chiliast) view, the book is still a valuable resource for reformed Christians holding either an amillennial or postmillennial view. Both in America in the early 1900s and in Scotland in 1830, the primary and possibly sole justification for the revival of the charismatic gifts of tongues and prophecy was the eminent return of Christ. And how did they know His return was eminent? Because they prophesied it!

The author shows the MacDonald clan of two older brothers and three sisters to have a reputation of leading godly and humble lives, in spite of their charismatic errors. One explanation for this inconsistency is that several years prior to the 1830 charismatic experience, the twin elder brothers, acting as heads of the household (their parents had died), began leading the family in twice-daily family worship. As members of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), they were probably familiar with the Directory of Family Worship, written and adopted by the Church of Scotland in 1647, which threatens excommunication for failure to keep daily family worship. However, the Directory also discourages unsanctioned private prayer meetings between "divers families." In spite of apparent warnings from their pastor, the MacDonalds continued to hold such meetings, from which sprang up the charismatic errors. Interestingly, family worship is practically nonexistent among charismatics and other dispensationalists today because it doesn't make much sense under an eminent return paradigm; children's church, youth group, and public schools are more pragmatic under modern self-absorbed Christianity. Family worship is far more strongly motivated under covenantal or reformed theology, which understands the principles of Ps 78:1-8.

The covenantalist reading this magnificent little book will quickly realize the amazing fact that all the errors, false prophecies, and end times hype of dispensationalism that is so rampant in American Christianity today, can all be traced back to a seemingly small error of an otherwise godly family living 170 years ago on the other side of the Atlantic!

Dan Brown, ruling elder, Redeemer Presbyterian

In the foreward, Dr. James McKeever, referring to the author, states that "some of his anger shows through this book." I am a reader who is normally very sensitive to the attitude of the author as he expresses himself through his writing. But as I read through the book, I did not find it as irreverent as I had expected. In fact, I did not even find it as disrespectful as some other fervently argued theological works. Of course there are several things the author could have done to make the book sound more like objective reporting. For instance, he might have simply titled the book "The Origin Of The Pretribulation Rapture" to sound less aggressive, etc. We should keep in mind however that the author is not known primarily as a theologian, and he does not write or sound like one, so we should not judge the book as though it were written by one. He sounds more like a regular guy writing his thoughts down. This may be either refeshing or unbearable depending on your mind set.

One of the things that we should also keep in mind is that the book, which is comprised of two of his earlier works which were published in 1973 and 1974, is somewhat outdated so far as the "cover-up" theme goes. Today in the year 2000, I don't think that there are many who have seriously studied the pretribulation rapture who have not heard of Margaret Macdonald. It is not something that is kept as a secret. My initial thought was, what real difference does this information make to the theory, since we have the facts of the theory and we need to check them out against the authority of the scriptures anyway. I do not hold to the pretrib theory, and yet, I wonder why it is so important to know about an alledged cover-up that took place 170 years ago. Whatever the origin, we have the theory, and we can judge it against scripture. Paul says that some people preach for money, but he thanks God that the Gospel is preached in every way. In other words, even if a not-so-honest person preaches the Word, it does not negate the veracity of the Word. Whether he is a sinner or a saint, his moral or spiritual condition has no bearing on the actual information that he is disseminating. The same thing can be said of the pretribulation rapture theory. We need only judge the theoretical information that is presented, not the presenter.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the origin of the pretrib rapture theory (or the cover-up), while the second part has most of the biblical argumentation. For me, it is the second part that is the most relevant and the most informative. The author actually covers a great deal of important and critical theology dealing with the pretrib and posttrib positions from a posttrib perspective. Some of the points are really excellent, but I wish he would have expounded a bit more because he virtually covers some very important points with single sentences. Because of this I am sure that some readers will miss the great significance of some of those arguments.

In summary, I think the theological arguments presented in the second part of the book stand on their own and make the first cover-up part unnecessary. The only reason I can see to include the first part is to try to discredit the pretrib theory by virtue of its origin, or to discredit its proponents by virtue of association. I have no doubt that the vast majority of the proponents of the theory are godly men and women. We should strive to keep our arguments to the theological issues and not aimed at the personalities involved.

The Anti-"Left Behind." Learning the history of where the pre-trib idea really came from was a BIG help to me. If you're at all open to considering that this idea is not at all Scriptural, I highly recommend this book about the truth of the historical birth of the pre-trib rapture theory.

As a Catholic I had never really lent much creedence to the Pretribulation Rapture theory knowing that it did not exist prior to the time of John N Darby in the 19th century. However, in discussing these matters with a number of Protestants who adhere to this view, I came to the realization that there were people who really took this view seriously and even seemed to allow it to (in some manner) permeate their worldview. After all, if the saints are all going to be "raptured" up before the Tribulation, than this could indeed have perilous consequences if this belief was a false one (which it indeed it). Knowing that there are actually Fundamentalists involved with Israel who are actively working to help re-establish the old Mosaic sacrificial system over there (in the hopes that the Anti Christ will then come), this is dangerous indeed because these people believe that they will somehow be spared of the problems and sufferings that will come in that day and age. It can also lead (indirectly) to irresponsibility in civic functions, etc. because, the worse things get (or so the theory goes), the closer we are to the Tribulation period of which "we shall be spared." This is a VERY dangerous mindset to have.

Because of this, I decided to obtain some books to better understand the origins of this theory both for my own education and hopefully to better explain these matters to others who adhere to this view. David MacPherson has assembled a remarkable amount of work here and while I reject the Protestant pre-suppositions that are both explicit and implicit throughout the work; nevertheless this book is still one I recommend wholeheartedly to all Christians because it demonstrates the following key points that solidly undermine the credibility of the pre-trib theory including the following:

a.) The Pretribulation Rapture is REJECTED by the bulk of pre-millennial Bible scholars.

b.) It did not exist in any way, shape, matter, or form prior to the 1830's.

c.) The theory is tied up with the unbiblical and unhistorical Dispensational Premillennialist system founded by John N. Darby of the Plymouth Brethren.

d.) The questionable psychological profile of the originator of this theory (which was not Darby btw).

If ever there was an textbook example of an idea with no historical foundations in the theology of the Church in ANY time period of the first 19 centuries, it is this idea. All Christians should read this book and reject the notion that somehow they will escape the Tribulations of the last day (should they come in our lifetime) because it is important to be prepared. Those that believe in the pre-trib theory inevitably will NOT be prepared and as a result will pay dearly for their miscalculations.

With everyone wondering what's ahead and if Y2K will be Y2OK, everyone should learn about the greatest and most disgusting cover-up in religion during the past two centuries. This book has caused leaders like Falwell and Lindsey to have permanent sunburns. MacPherson's adventures in person in Scotland and England to find the hidden roots of evangelicalism's biggest money-raising doctrine of the End makes for thrilling reading - and it's reasonably priced also!

This book proves what i have been saying for God knows how long, The Rapture is a bunch of hot air. It is a bunch of hot air blown around by dispensatiolist and Christian Zionist who need to read their bibles and stop listening to little kid fairy tales! Good book, recommend it to anybody

This book is some of the best christian research I have ever read. It tends to be a little dry at times but hey its not fiction afterall. The way Dave MacPherson researched the issue of the Rapture historicaly reads like he left no stone unturned. This book has given me a new way to look at my life and a new defense of my feelings that the "Rapture" is not part of God's word. The Incredible Cover-Up needs to be in every curch library and every christian should read it.

Have you seen bumper stickers saying, "In case of Rapture, this car will be unmanned?" Or maybe the amazingly popular sci fi book series Left Behind, by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye? Or maybe the wave of movies the last few years dealing with the removal of Christians from the world before the Antichrist comes? These all reflect or propound a novel and comparatively recent teaching that has swept a segment of evangelical Christianity in the latter 20th century.

Premillennialism
These are expressions of one version of an End-Time teaching called Premillenialism. The basic focus of millennialism is that at the end of time, Jesus will come and establish a literal kingdom on the earth to rule literally as an earthly king for 1000 years. Premillennialism is a specialized version of a general belief among Christians that in the end of time, Jesus will return, the resurrection will occur and the final judgement of the world will occur.

Split Rapture
This book deals with the historical origin of an even more specialized conception of Premillennialism is called the Split Rapture. This fascinating modern apocalyptic theory of the Split Rapture teaching specifies that Christians will be removed from the world for a period, during which the Antichrist will literally establish his rule over the entire earth. There are various fiction scenarios about how this might happen.

The idea is that the Christians alone (or some say only a faithful group of them) will be taken out of the world during the Great Tribulation of the Antichrist's reign of terror. The theory claims that these "early risers" will be brought back with Jesus when he returns to defeat the Antichrist. Then the dead Christians will be resurrected and enjoy the 1000-year reign of Jesus before the final judgement. Thus the "rapture" (change) of the Christian believers into their holy resurrection bodies will be split into two stages, according to this theory.

The split rapture idea further teaches that the removal of the living Christians will be secret. Thus the unbelievers will be confused and surprised when all these people suddenly disappear. Scenarios of the event commonly depict cars or planes crashing and trains running amok because Christian pilots, drivers and traffic controllers have been suddenly taken! Because they church is "raptured" (removed) before the Great Tribulation, this Split Rapture scenario is also referred to as a "Pre-tribulation" event.

Historical Origin
Author MacPherson tracks down and fully documents the recent historical origins of the Pre-tribulation "Rapture" belief to the ecstatic prophetic utterance of a 15-year-old Mary McDonald in Glasgow in 1830. He documents the specific place, time and situation that this prophecy first was uttered. He traces this idea from Mary's home prayer cell though the stages of its spread through certain communities of "evangelical" Christianity.

MacPherson definitively shows that no one every proposed this split-rapture theory before this time, and that the teaching began from this source, not from any indications in scripture. The doctrine was modified slightly from Mary's original prophecy, and then propagated as a new teaching in the Brethren (Plymouth Brethren) Church of J. N. Darby in London, against some serious opposition.

Other sources have reported that an earlier version of this doctrine started with a Jesuit Teacher named Manuel Lacunza in Spain in 1792 (English translation 1827).

Minority
MacPherson also indicates that this "Pre-Trib" doctrine, despite very vocal and visible presence right now, is a small minority view among Bible teachers and scholars. MacPherson also gives a brief introduction and summary of other, non-premillennial views that are held by considerable constituencies. He comments that 90% of the discussion and resulting dissension over millennial theories occurs over variations of this Pre-Trib concept.

Analyzing the various theological and other problems with this theory is not our task here. Let it suffice to say that this theory began to spread through certain circles of the Christian movement in UK and America called "evangelical" in the 1800s. It has split several congregations and denominations or created ongoing dissension.

This vocal minority are also the most adamant and judgemental about others who do not hold their same exact view, breaking fellowship over even minor matters. I myself have seen since my days in high school how true this is. One characteristic of the idea is that no two advocates of a Split Rapture agree on more than a couple of the details. But in some denominations, not only the Premillennial view but the Split-Rapture version has actually become a required belief for membership!

Baptists
Even some branches of the Baptist movement, who traditionally oppose non-scriptural innovations in doctrine, amazingly accepted this new movement, and developed their own variations of it. They even claim this was the original biblical teaching of the end time. Further, many advocates of this doctrine commonly promote it as the only correct biblical view of the end time! They assume that those who do not believe this, or even don't know about this minority view, are immature.

But the theory has been hotly disputed for decades by various orthodox and liberal branches of the church in the West. (Eastern churches are not plagued with these individualistic and idiosyncratic speculations.) The acceptance of this doctrine has grown in the USA since world War I and even faster since WWII.

Historical Perspective
Readers interested in this concept of popular theology and the great visual and written literature that has recently arisen from it will also enjoy getting a valid historical perspective on this novel idea from MacPherson's writing. This title appears to be available in limited supply right now. A related larger volume by MacPherson on this subject has recently been reprinted.

I am grateful to the author of this book, Dave MacPherson, for his hard work and honest efforts in gathering this information to provide a picture of the events which led John Nelson Darby to start a movement which seems to feed the tendency toward complacency in Christians.

The God of The Bible is a Living God. His followers are commanded to meditate on His Word day and night, to Hide It in their hearts that they might not sin against Him. To seek Him and love Him with all their heart. If a Believer does this, there has to be spiritual growth.

The MacDonald brothers, once they found Jesus, desired a pure teaching of The Word and refused all books except the Holy Bible. They waited for the Spirit of God to lead them in their study and lived Holy lives seeking to Hear God and to know His will, fasting and honoring Him in all things. The entire family opened their home and hearts to their town and people from other parts of the world.

Their sister Margaret, a Godly woman, followed in their walk and she had a vision. This lady saw a lifting up of people into the heavenlies. But as she stated, it was not something one could see with their physical eyes. The lifting up is the spiritual elevation of an earthly vessel into a heavenly place with Christ. It is necessary for believers to put off the "old man" (old sinful nature) and put on Christ. "I felt that the revelation of Jesus Christ had yet to be opened up--it is not knowledge about God that it contains, but it is an entering into God." by those who have the Light of God within she remarked further down. This lady wasn't talking about a Hal Lindsey Rapture but of Christ-filled believers clothed in White Linen and entering into The Wedding Feast of The Lamb of God.

The book was excellent and should encourage readers to do the same as the MacDonald family which is to love God, read His Word and obey it, and seek him with all their heart, and He will reveal Himself, it's a promise.

The speculation over end times prophecy runs rampant. This book gives good information about the beginning of the teachings in the early 1800s on the rapture with the secret coming of Jesus in the clouds and the church disappearing before the tribulation starts. It also gives some good information about the start of pentecostalism.