Originally posted by Odo:
Watching TV just now, come across Jack Van Impe's program and found him quoting the Church Fathers. Did St. Ephrim declare a pre trib rapture? Did any of the Fathers or latter Catholic/Orthodox believe in pre trib rapture?
Odo
I doubt it.
Millenarism (a second coming of Christ into human history initiating a temporal rule of Christ) was condemned a long time ago - before even the schism of East/West. I dare say that most Christians believe in it - in a Protestant way - even Catholics and Orthodox.
As early as Pseudo-Dionysius it is clear that is had been a problem because Dionysius makes strong his own opposition to such thoughts and the historian Eusebius makes very persuasive arguments against it - so it is clear it had become a problem by then. The earliest records of the church are entirely absent of this type of view - although it is certain some must have held it.
The earliest heresy of milleniarism were argued from the letter of John (the Book of Revelations to us) which brought into doubt the authenticity of the work. This letter of John was almost condemned and almost did not make it into the cannon. This was about the 3rd century.
However, millemiarism was condemned in Ecumenical Council as the issue was finally forced regarding Byzantium and its capital of Constantinople. In as much as Constantinople was soundly joined to the Church - then - if - Christ was to come in a historical way again and all governments (being corrupted) would be removed and a New Jerusalem come down - then Byzantium and Constantinople and the Church (so tightly joined to it) would also be replaced as corrupt - leading to the logic that the earthy church was evil and corrupt. Along with that - if Christ were to come again in this historical way - it would also mean that the first revelation of Christ (his historical birth, death and resurrection) was an incomplete revelation of Jesus Christ because a further revelation would be made.
Milleniarism had a resurgence during the Reformation - naturally - the concept of Rome being the Church of Rome - as being the harlot - was very convenient as many tore themselves away from it and built their own church.
Throughout history, many cults have grasped onto it and have taken it to be their main item of faith - just to have the supposed date - slip by. Jehovah�s Witnesses come to my mind but there are many others. Jones Town� one could compile a long list.
No thanks.
