Introduction
This brief article provides you with a starting point to explore the various theories as to the origin of the pretribulational rapture doctrine. We believe that this is almost a moot point, since it’s who popularized the doctrine that counts even more. There is little doubt that John Nelson Darby was responsible for the spread of pretrib and its underlying theology called dispensationalism. Scofield was responsible for making it so popular that is now accepted as orthodox by so many. It is ironic that in order to refute the charges that the Darbyists took the idea from the Irvingites that they essentially had to claim originality. So either Darby originated it, or Irving, or someone else. In recent years, pretrib theologians have found a couple of pre-Irving sources to try to justify pretrib’s origins.
Who Started Pretrib? Pseudo-Ephraem?
The amazing “discovery” of the writings of Pseudo-Ephraem is discussed in this article entitled Pseudo-Ephraem’s Sermon.
Morgan Edwards?
Tim Warner discusses the belief that Morgan Edwards originated pretrib at his website in an article Morgan Edwards and the Pre-trib Rapture. See also his History of Pre-Trib Development.
Margaret MacDonald?
Tim Warner also discusses the belief that Margaret MacDonald originated pretrib in his article Margaret MacDonald’s Letter. Again, be sure to check out his History of Pre-Trib Development.
Edward Irving?
Steven Sizer discusses Edward Irving at length in this extensive discussion called Edward Irving, The Rapture and the Rupture Between Israel and the Church, which is posted here by permission.
John Nelson Darby?
PBS ran a show recently which is discussed elsewhere at this site at our article named Even PBS Knows Who Started Dispensationalism. That show attributed the pretrib “rapture” doctrine to John Nelson Darby. Steven Sizer discusses John Nelson Darby at length in John Nelson Darby, The Father of Premillennial Dispensationalism.
Conclusion
We belief the truth of the matter is to be found in some books we do not own, nor have ever seen. Clarence Larkin admits in his book Dispensational Truth that the source of current futurism can be traced back to a Jesuit priest named Ribera. Likewise, preterism can be traced back to a Jesuit priest named Alcazar. Both schools of interpretation were articulated as a rebuttal to the historicist view that the papacy was the antichrist. Once we get ahold of these books, we will be more conclusive about whom we believe started the pretrib rapture doctrine. Until then, we credit Darby for its spread, and Irving and others for finding the Jesuit writings. Please note that we are essentially futurist, but we also believe that there have been antichrists before as well as a spirit of antichrist. But we believe a final antichrist is yet to be revealed.