Up until now, most of my posts have been apologetic in nature, tackling the false assertions of pre-tribulationism point by point. However in this case I have decided to share a warning from Corrie Ten Boom about the dangers associated with the false pretrib rapture teaching.
For those who are not familiar with Corrie’s ministry and life experiences, here is a brief summary. Corrie was born in the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands in 1892. Her and her father and her siblings lived in a house built on top of her father’s watch-making shop. Before the outbreak of World War II, Corrie was actively serving the Lord in a youth ministry for girls and mentally disabled children. She was also known for her many charitable contributions.
Corrie endured and witnessed unspeakable brutality at Ravensbruck, including seeing her sister die. Her ability to forgive her captors and to show honest and sincere love for God, her fellow inmates, and her persecutors is a testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit. One of her most well-known quotes is this, “No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”
Corrie was released from prison based on a “clerical error” when women her age were normally being put to death if they did not die from the exposure, rigorous work and malnutrition. She dedicated the remaining years of her life traveling the world telling her story and exalting the one who carried her through all of it. Her testimony of the love and power of God has touched countless lives all over the world.
Corrie was well aware of pre-tribulation rapture teaching and vigorously opposed it because she had lived through her own tribulation. She did not have hope of escape, she held onto the promise that despite all of her suffering, God was in control. It was the His love and the power of the Holy Spirit that enabled her to endure.
Here is a letter written by Corrie in 1974 warning Christians about the consequences of believing the the false doctrine of pre-tribulationism:
The world is deathly ill. It is dying. The Great Physician has already signed the death certificate. Yet there is still a great work for Christians to do. They are to be streams of living water, channels of mercy to those who are still in the world. It is possible for them to do this because they are overcomers. Christians are ambassadors for Christ. They are representatives from Heaven to this dying world. And because of our presence here, things will change.
My sister, Betsy, and I were in the Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck because we committed the crime of loving Jews. Seven hundred of us from Holland, France, Russia, Poland and Belgium were herded into a room built for two hundred. As far as I knew, Betsy and I were the only two representatives of Heaven in that room.
We may have been the Lord’s only representatives in that place of hatred, yet because of our presence there, things changed. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We too, are to be overcomers – bringing the light of Jesus into a world filled with darkness and hate.
Sometimes I get frightened as I read the Bible, and as I look in this world and see all of the tribulation and persecution promised by the Bible coming true. Now I can tell you, though, if you too are afraid, that I have just read the last pages. I can now come to shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” for I have found where it is written that Jesus said, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be His God, and he shall be My son.”
This is the future and hope of this world. Not that the world will survive – but that we shall be overcomers in the midst of a dying world. Betsy and I, in the concentration camp, prayed that God would heal Betsy who was so weak and sick. “Yes, the Lord will heal me,”, Betsy said with confidence. She died the next day and I could not understand it. They laid her thin body on the concrete floor along with all the other corpses of the women who died that day.
It was hard for me to understand, to believe that God had a purpose for all that. Yet because of Betsy’s death, today I am traveling all over the world telling people about Jesus.
There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution.
In China, the Christians were told, “Don’t worry, before the tribulation comes you will be translated – raptured.” Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a Bishop from China say, sadly, “We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution, rather than telling them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes, – to stand and not faint.”
I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it. We are next. Since I have already gone through prison for Jesus’ sake, and since I met the Bishop in China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think, “Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.” Then I write it down and learn it by heart.
When I was in the concentration camp, a camp where only twenty percent of the women came out alive, we tried to cheer each other up by saying, “Nothing could be any worse than today.” But we would find the next day was even worse. During this time a Bible verse that I had committed to memory gave me great hope and joy. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part evil is spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” (I Peter 3:14) I found myself saying, “Hallelujah! Because I am suffering, Jesus is glorified!”
In America, the churches sing, “Let the congregation escape tribulation”, but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation.
Several years ago I was in Africa in a nation where a new government had come into power. The first night I was there some of the Christians were commanded to come to the police station to register. When they arrived they were arrested and that same night they were executed. The next day the same thing happened with other Christians. The third day it was the same. All the Christians in the district were being systematically murdered. The fourth day I was to speak in a little church. The people came, but they were filled with fear and tension. All during the service they were looking at each other, their eyes asking, “Will this one I am sitting beside be the next one killed? Will I be the next one?” The room was hot and stuffy with insects that came through the screenless windows and swirled around the naked bulbs over the bare wooden benches. I told them a story out of my childhood.
When I was a little girl, I said, I went to my father and said, “Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.” “Tell me,” said Father, “When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?” “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.” “That is right,” my father said, “and so it is with God’s strength.
Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need – just in time…”My African friends were nodding and smiling. Suddenly a spirit of joy descended upon that church and the people began singing,
“In the sweet, by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.” Later that week, half the congregation of that church was executed. I heard later that the other half was killed some months ago. But I must tell you something. I was so happy that the Lord used me to encourage these people, for unlike many of their leaders, I had the word of God. I had been to the Bible and discovered that Jesus said He had not only overcome the world, but to all those who remained faithful to the end, He would give a crown of life.How can we get ready for the persecution?
First we need to feed on the Word of God, digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives.
Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still alive
and sitting at the right hand of God.We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible, it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it.
In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage each other. But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting. The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian’s life.
Many are fearful of the coming tribulation, they want to run. I, too, am a little bit afraid when I think that after all my eighty years, including the horrible Nazi concentration camp, that I might have to go through the tribulation also. But then I read the Bible and I am glad.
When I am weak, then I shall be strong, the Bible says. Betsy and I were prisoners for the Lord, we were so weak, but we got power because the Holy Spirit was on us. That mighty inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit helped us through. No, you will not be strong in yourself when the tribulation comes. Rather, you will be strong in the power of Him who will not forsake you. For seventy-six years I have known the Lord Jesus and not once has He ever left me, or let me down.
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”, (Job 13:15) for I know that to all who overcome, He shall give the crown of life. Hallelujah!”
– Corrie Ten Boom – 1974
On one of her speaking engagements, there was a man in the audience listening to her speak. It was one of her German prison guards. He came forward, told Corrie who he was and what he had done, and asked for her forgiveness. She knew that in her own strength she could not forgive him. But she prayed and asked God for the power of His love to overcome her hurt. She embraced the man who had caused her so much suffering discovering that he himself had repented and given his life to Jesus. They were able to love one another through the power of Christ!
As I write this, I am moved to tears as I recount her story. My motivation is not academic. God is looking for a people who will stand in the face of adversity. The consummation of the ages is upon us. Are we prepared to stand like Corrie Ten Boom, or in our present state of comfort are we looking to be removed? It is my prayer that all who read this will examine themselves realizing that as Mordecai said to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Can you provide the original source of that letter?
The website where I originally sourced the letter is no longer live. However a Google search will point to many corroborating sources.
I love Corrie ten Boom. The Hiding Place is one of my favorite books. Yet, it shouldn’t take a post-trib rapture belief to make us ready to be persecuted. I’m not sure when the rapture will happen but I know God continually tells me to keep my eyes on Him. Where does my help come from? I think we can be wrong on the timing and still be committed Christians. Right now we see in part. I don’t think the pre-trib teachers are false teachers in the sense that they aren’t even Christ followers. Corrie’s letter seems to assert that. Also, I sense that from her experiences there is probably some bias. For me, no matter when the rapture occurs, I need to be ready. That means focusing on God and His Kingdom… and as Corrie has spoken about.. learning to hold loosely the things of this world.
Very good, true information!
You’re wrong to drag Corrie ten Boom’s belief that tribulation (or persecution) which IS practically unending on this planet equals her agreeing with you that the End Times rapture cannot precede that End Times 7-year period of tribulation (a last chance for the ungodly to repent). Ongoing tribulation IS for the strengthening of the believers for service following it, but it makes no sense to make believers suffer then rapture them away the moment it’s completed.
Ron, Corrie Ten Boom was not a pretribber and she was not speaking of those who deny the idea of Christian suffering generally. She was speaking of those that were teaching pre-tribulationism. Particularly by missionaries that taught pre-tribulationism to the Chinese and in Africa. Their expectation of imminent rapture led to many falling away. If you have evidence to the contrary, please produce it.
Wrong? Like it or not the Word of God teaches that When the Anti-Christ comes, the whole world will worship him. And followers of Jesus Christ will be hated, tortured and killed. Read Rev 20 to see when the Rapture takes place.
20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Notice in verse 5 and in verse 6 we will be given a choice. The over-comers are those who choose to stay loyal to Jesus Christ.
God couldn’t save his apostles cause God would have to save all.All prophesies must come to pass.We also must face tribulations and if we indure it to the end and die in his name we shall receive everlasting life.
Good job Scott Pruitt!!!
Ive known for awhile now there is no pretrib rapture,but didnt really know why,but God is faithful, and still speaks to His servants,and illumintes His Word.
But just like the Gospel, or belief in Jesus resurrection, I believe its knowledge that can only be granted by God,because it is a great deception, and useful to the enemy.
For those claiming they’re looking for Jesus and not the Antichrist,its those very same ones that I believe will be fooled by the evil one when he is revealed…
Thank you so much for sharing this story and I was lucky that i read this article.it moved my heart,opened more my mind….as a christian you can uderstand this. a lot of signs and warings….really the world is not getting better but it is getting worst.come on must wake up, be prepared and get ready. goodluck and Godbless!
Matt24:29,30 immediately after the tribulation of those days Jesus will return and we will be gathered together by His angels this is the raputure immediately after the tribulation of those days not before.Here is proof of when it will occur,no pre-trib,pre-trib is a lie,these are Jesus own words.
I have been an admirer of Corrie ten Boom since the 70’s, and have read several of her books. She certainly speaks the truth! However, based on this excerpt alone, the question comes to mind as to the distinction between persecution and “the Great Tribulation.” Jesus teaches in John 15:20, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” In that passage and context, He is not teaching of the ‘Great Tribulation, ” but about our relation to the world as Christians. If we truly are disciples of Christ, we will experience persecution, whether or not it is a part of ‘the tribulation.’
Hello James, your point is well taken in that John 15:20 is speaking of how Jesus’ disciples will be hated by and persecuted by by the world in a general sense. If there were no other instructions in this regard, I would tend to agree with you, but that is not the case. First of all we have the words of Jesus with regards to His disciples and what we refer to as the “Great Tribulation.” He said that before the great tribulation begins, we must first and foremost be on guard against spiritual deception with regards to His return, expect to see wars, natural disasters, and famines on unprecedented level. Those things Jesus said are birth pangs, a mere prelude to what is coming, Matt 24:1-8. Corrie Ten Boom was in the crucible of one of those birth pangs, as were the Chinese during the Cultural Revolution, as were the Russians and much of Eastern Europe during Stalin’s purges, should I go on? Was what Corrie experienced tribulation? Yes. Was it the great tribulation? No. After this in verse 9 there is a clear delineation from birth pangs to great tribulation and the identifying factor is “The Abomination of Desolation,” spoken of by Daniel, followed by His glorious return.
So in this context you can understand Corrie’s concern which I share. There is no clear verse in scripture that teaches rapture before the tribulation. Therefore as believers, we need to be even more ready for tribulation than she was. Corrie recognized this and I believe this was the reason she wrote the letter that she did. Consider Jer 12:5
“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out,
Then how can you compete with horses?
If you fall down in a land of peace,
How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?”
Please consider the implications about being wrong in this area.
See Matt.24:19,30, 2Thess.2:1-6. These are only a few verses but they make it very clear as to when the gathering together of the saints to Jesus will take place. I believed for near 35 years the false doctrine of a pre trib that is until the Holy Spirit through scripture opened my eyes. The rapture will take place sometime between thopening of the 6th and 7th seal. A great book on this is a Til Eternity study guide by Paul Bortolazzo.
When looking at God’s word it’s Check the GREEK for the “article” -THE. If we are “teaching” God’s word we need to check our cross-references as well as the original language for important details. There are “tribulations” (plural) which are hardships and indeed in this world we will have suffering and persecution, however God’s word says, “He has not destined you for wrath.” There are differences in the text between times of Tribulation or tribulations we face and The Great Tribulation. We MUST seek the the whole of scripture. We need to make sure we’re looking at the whole council of God studying His word closely. Not only this, but check out 1 and second Thessalonians in regard to the “catching” up of God’s people. You can’t throw those 2 books of the Bible out. There is a reason they are there. All that said, whatever a person believes about the “rapture timing” This is not a salvation issue here. Those who have a differing opinion of the “timing” aren’t lost. The most important truth is Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord who is the Son of God and lives His life in and through us as we surrender up under His Lordship every moment of everyday. I may not understand correctly, so correct me if I’m wrong that the author is saying that “all” pre-trib teachers are “false teachers.” If that is that case, could that statement be a unfair statement to make of all people who are pre-trib? Just a question to carefully consider our statements of “all” people.
I didn’t read the entire article. But just have to say … that whether the Christians will be here during the tribulation is somewhat irrelevent due to the fact that for some now (like Corrie) this earth has plenty of tribulation and sorrow and danger and trouble —- as Jesus told us it would. And He Is our strength our song and our salvation in good times and in bad. He Is our everything! I don’t think we will be here due to the different nature of the tribulation final 7 years before the millenium — i am a pre trib pre millenialist ….. but no matter what — we will all have trouble — our bodies will die — except those that do remain and are caught up to the Lord whenever that is ….. we will all leave this place and go to be with the Lord at some point in our life and we are all completely dependent upon His Grace and Mercy and Lovingkindness to keep and protect us in good times and bad ……. so what is the argument? Christians have always experienced persecution and trouble and always will until God finally destroys all evil. God knows and we trust God …
I suggest you read the rest of her letter for a better understanding of why I believe this is such a serious matter. It’s about spiritual deception. Something that Jesus and the Apostles specifically warned us about particularly as it relates to the last days. Consider the warnings in Matt 24. The pretrib position say that those warnings only apply to the Jews. That in and of itself makes it a dangerous teaching because it nullifies warnings that are specifically for Jesus’ disciples.
If it were here nor there when the rapture takes place Jesus would not have told us to be watching. Nor would He have warned over and again to not be deceived. Read read Matthew 24 that chapter is for us. Blood bought saints.
I am convinced that the pre-trib rapture is false and for many years have been trying to warn of the tribulation that is to come. As Corrie Ten Boom said, disaster could strike believers at any moment. For most of the Middle East it is now. Worse is to come and we need to prepare ourselves.
When Samson was at his weakest, he was given strength to destroy the Philistines who were making sport with him. When Jesus seemed to have failed in His ministry, the crucifixion turned out to be His moment of greatest power. When the Church like-wise will appear to have been completely defeated, it will be their moment of supreme triumph.
The last trumpet (1Cor 15:52) will be where Revelation puts it – when the seventh angel sounds. After the cross, it is the moment of incredible victory. Revelation 14 says to me, that the Rapture is real, and it will take place there!