PUBLISHER'S FORWARD

The origins and teachings of the pretribulation rapture view are under much debate. Pretribulationists hold that theirs is the view of the early church, that this interpretation goes back to the apostolic fathers. Critics of pretribulationism, on the other hand, feel that the view’s origins are relatively recent, originating in Great Britain in the early 1800s, either with the Irvingites or the Darbyites from 1827–1830.

It’s a feisty debate, so when I was handed a copy of The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming, written by S. P. Tregelles in 1964, I was riveted. Here was a well-respected theologian reacting to the pretribulation rapture view, not 200 years after it first gained popularity, but in the very moments it was taking hold. A biblical scholar and theologian who lived from 1813–1875, S. P. Tregelles was well acquainted with the centuries of Christian scholarship and recognized the “secret rapture” as a new interpretation of scripture, about which he was sufficiently alarmed to write this response in 1864.

Samuel Prideaux Tregelles was born in Wodehouse Place near Falmouth in 1813 and died in Plymouth on April 24th 1875. He was known both as a biblical scholar and a hymnist. His chief critical works include Hebrew Reading Lessons; Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel; Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon; The Original Language of St. Matthew’s Gospel; The Jansenists; Hebrew Psalter; Defence of the Book of Daniel; Hebrew Grammar; Collation of the Text of Griesbach and Others; Fragments of St. Luke (Codex Zacynthius); and The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming.

S. P. Tregelles was also a respected textual critic of the ancient biblical manuscripts. Among his recognized works are An Account of the Printed Text of the Greek New Testament, with Remarks on Its Revision Upon Critical Principles, published in 1854; An Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament, published in 1856; and The Greek New Testament, Edited From Ancient Authorities, published in 1857.

Particularly relevant to the rapture debate is that Tregelles did not view the rise of the “secret rapture” teaching from afar. Having been born and raised in Great Britain, he watched the rise of this view in his own backyard. Thus, his view on its origins, theology, and rise to popularity provide a particularly poignant and relevant addition to the debate that rages to this day.

In most cases, this current edition maintains the original punctuation and grammar as used by S. P. Tregelles in order to preserve the distinctive nineteenth century tone and style. However, minor edits have been made as necessary to maintain accuracy and consistency in punctuation and formatting.

H. L. Nigro
March, 2006

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Other recommended reading on the rapture debate