Church HistoryImminencePreterismPretribulationismPrewrath

Tertullian (c.145–c.220)

by Alan Kurschner
written by Alan Kurschner

Tertullian (c.145–c.220)

Heresies, at the present time, will no less rend the church by their perversion of doctrine, than will Antichrist persecute her at that day by the cruelty of his attacks, except that persecution make seven martyrs, (but) heresy only apostates. (The Prescription Against Heretics, IV)

[A]nd that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God. (On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 25)

Now the privilege of this favour [be alive when Christ comes back] awaits those who shall at the coming of the Lord be found in the flesh, and who shall, owing to the oppressions of the time of Antichrist, deserve by an instantaneous death [i.e., raptured/translation], which is accomplished by a sudden change, to become qualified to join the rising saints; as he writes to the Thessalonians [1 Thess 4:15–17]. (On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 41)

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Church HistoryHistoricismImminencePreterismPretribulationismPrewrath

Irenaeus (c.120–c.202)

by Alan Kurschner
written by Alan Kurschner

Irenaeus (c.120–c.202)

And they [the ten kings who shall arise] shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the Church to flight. (Against Heresies, V, 26, 1)

And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.”For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. (Against Heresies, V, 29, 1)

It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous, to await the fulfillment of the prophecy [Antichrist], than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. . . . But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man [Antichrist] comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is­­. (Against Heresies, V, 30, 3, 4)

For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist . . . . [A]nd [with respect to] those whom the Lord shall find in the flesh, awaiting Him from heaven, and who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one. (Against Heresies, V, 35, 1)

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Church HistoryPreterismPretribulationismPrewrath

The Shepherd of Hermas (c.95–c.150)

by Alan Kurschner
written by Alan Kurschner

The Shepherd of Hermas (c.95–c.150)

[Blessed are] you who endure the great tribulation that is coming on, and [blessed are] they who shall not deny their own life. (Vision 2:2)

Those, therefore, who continue steadfast, and are put through the fire, will be purified by means of it. . . . But the white part is the age that is to come, in which the elect of God will dwell, since those elected by God to eternal life will be spotless and pure…This then is the type of the great tribulation that is to come. (Vision 4:3)

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Church HistoryImminencePreterismPretribulationismPrewrath

Epistle of Barnabas (c.80–c.100)

by Alan Kurschner
written by Alan Kurschner

Epistle of Barnabas (c.80–c.100)

In this epistle, the church is exhorted to persevere in this evil present time so it can stand firm when it encounters the future Antichrist.

The final stumbling-block (or source of danger) approaches . . . We take earnestheed in these last days; for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becometh the sons of God. That the Black One [Antichrist] may find no means of entrance, let us flee from every vanity, let us utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness. Do not, by retiring apart, live a solitary life, as if you were already [fully] justified . . . Take heed, lest resting at our ease, as those who are the called [of God], we should fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince, acquiring power over us, should thrust us away from the kingdom of the Lord (Epistle of Barnabas, 4).

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