54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential, thorough, captivating study on the Rapture., December 24, 2002
This review is from: The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple (Paperback)
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 relation to other Scriptural passages.
The author maintains that the First Coming of Jesus Christ can be interpreted correctly through Scripture by using these principles and is adamant that the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture can equally be similarly understood.
I am no expert on Scripture and I would not dare condemn or criticise the learned interpretations of any such expert with slightly differing opinions, but I do feel most strongly that this book should be studied by all and it's interpretation carefully considered. This book has certainly removed much personal confusion and misunderstandings that some Biblical passages have held for me.
A highly recommended book which will certainly hold your attention from the first page to the end.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every Christian should read this book -- truth revealed!!!, September 3, 2001
This review is from: The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple (Paperback)
I recently wrote a review of Tim LaHaye's book "Rapture Under Attack" in which I expressed my uncertainty about the scriptural validity of the pretribulation timing of the rapture. Some helpful Amazon-ers who read that review pointed me to Robert van Kampen's book "The Rapture Question Answered."
Before I picked up this book, though, I read some reviews of it and learned that its basic premise was to place the timing of the rapture after the sixth seal of Revelation, but before the "wrath of God." Without knowing any more detail than this, I began a renewed study and analysis of Revelation, Daniel, the Thessalonian epistles and the Olivet discourse to see if this interpretation could be valid. I mean, it wasn't pretrib, it wasn't posttrib, or even traditional midtrib. This was a completely different take on the subject... but it all seemed to fit. All of the "difficult" passages that I couldn't reconcile before suddenly began to drop neatly into place. I began to realize that I may have found the answer I had been looking for about the timing of the rapture!
THEN I ordered this book and read it, and to my profound pleasure, I found that it not only validated my own conclusions, but explained them at a level of detail and thoroughness that is to be expected from any exegete who wants to be taken seriously. Robert van Kampen definitely rises to the occasion in "The Rapture Question Answered", and needs to be given real consideration even by the most devoted adherents to the pretrib position. The compelling scripture-based analysis presented in this book simply cannot be dismissed out-of-hand by critics as a "false teaching," which, unfortunately and disturbingly, is all too common of a reaction from many who purport to be serious bible scholars.
One of the fundamental misconceptions that Mr. van Kampen clears up is that the entire tribulation period is NOT the "wrath of God." Rather, the "wrath of God" only begins after the seal judgments, and only after the severe persecution which arises under the "wrath of Satan." Another fallacy of the pretrib position is debunked, namely, that the church will escape all of the tribulation. Additionally, van Kampen shows conclusively that the doctrine of "imminency" is the classical pretrib sense lacks scriptural foundation. Although the author occasionally takes pretribbers to task for some of their inconsistencies and logical lapses, he does it without adopting the condescending and antagonistic tone that was so evident in "Rapture Under Attack."
This book is a must-read for every serious student of eschatology, even those who may disagree with its conclusions. If nothing else, it will force proponents of competing views to take a second look at the scriptural and analytical bases for their conclusions. I also recommend this book for every Christian who wants to have a clearer view of what scripture teaches on the timing of the rapture. Most of us have received a steady diet of pretrib throughout our Christian experience, but for me at least, that ended when I read this book. I now have little doubt that the pre-wrath position is by far the most convincing both scripturally and intellectually.
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45 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Rapture? -- God's Answer!, January 2, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple (Paperback)
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.
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