DOUG STAUFFER: RAPTURE UNDER ATTACK

The Rapture Under Attack | Why Scoffers Are Increasing | Doug Stauffer | Repost 2015

Prophecy Watchers: "What happens when people begin mocking the promise of Christ's return? According to the apostle Peter, it's one of the signs of the last days. Originally recorded in 2015, Gary Stearman and Doug Stauffer examine one of the most debated subjects in Bible prophecy—the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. Together they explore why the rapture has become increasingly controversial, the rise of end-time scoffers, and what Scripture teaches about Christ's imminent return."

The pretribulation rapture remains controversial for one simple reason: it lacks biblical foundation. The fictional “Left Behind” model is associated with theological immaturity and credulity. Its advocates have undermined sober evaluation of the rapture, disrupted substantive eschatological discourse, and blurred interpretive clarity—creating conditions in which alternative frameworks such as amillennialism and postmillennialism gain comparative traction. It is unsurprising that the pretribulation error attracts legitimate scoffers. In scripture, this term is directed toward those who dismiss “the promise of his coming” (2 Peter 3:3-4), not toward critics of false constructs.

Beyond this, Prophecy Watchers has accumulated substantial criticism for its heavy commercialisation, its constant product‑driven framing, its acquisition of a former TBN studio, and its self‑promotion through associations with networks like TBN, Daystar, CTN, and Cornerstone. Prophecy Watchers itself highlights these network connections as ministry “breakthroughs", presenting the TBN building purchase and Daystar acceptance as divine endorsements rather than routine media expansion. The platform is also widely perceived as excessively commercial, with nearly every teaching segment tied to DVDs, books, bundles, subscriptions, or “ministry support” packages, creating a closed loop where theological claims feed product sales. External observers echo this perception, describing the ministry as a money‑making scheme with paywall‑adjacent practices.1 In addition, Prophecy Watchers regularly features teachers whose doctrines are considered highly questionable in many conservative theological circles. 

The phrase "blessed hope" points directly to the appearing of Jesus Christ "in the clouds of heaven". (Matthew 24:30). This event is also referred to as His parousia (coming): Matthew 24:3,27,37,39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:13,4:15,5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8-9; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16,3:4; 1 John 2:28). The the bible does not attach the term to an imminent pretribulation rapture model; its referent in Titus 2:13-14 denotes the believer’s confident anticipation of His glorious appearing, the final act of redemption and purification. While the scriptures exhort believers to watch and to be expectant, certain definitive signs will precede the rapture.  

..waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:13-14 cf. Matthew 24:30).  

The motivation for godly living is the desire of genuine, Spirit‑filled believers to pursue a life consistent with God’s character and teaching. It is a relational response to the gospel’s revelation of divine love, not a reaction to an invented doctrine of imminency. 1 John 3:2 refers to “his appearing”. The hope of believers is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)—their final conformity to Christ > we will be like him… we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2). The ultimate dissolution of the elements is a further incentive to live a holy life. 2 Peter 3:11-13 refers to "the day of God, the period of final judgment and the inauguration of God’s eternal kingdom, reflected in Revelation 21:1–4. Merging the blessed hope with a false pre-trib imminent construct is a direct violation of the imperative not to add to God's word. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19).

Stauffer misrepresents the prewrath view in a number of key respects. Firstly he claims that prewrath espouses replacement theology. This is entirely fallacious. Prewrath holds to the foundational position that "all Israel will be saved" during the 70th week of Daniel based on Daniel 9:24, Zechariah 12:10;  Romans 11:26-27 and other passages. The key difference is that prewrath interpreters teach that the 70th week of Daniel is a period in which God will work with both Israel and the church simultaneously. The pretrib assertion that the church cannot be present during the 70th week is an unverified assumption. 

Guns?!!!

Stauffer: "What do you need to be preparing? Your heart or your guns? Well, go ahead and I have guns. I know how to shoot. I know how to protect my family. It's not for the tribulation.."

Stauffer’s allegation that prewrath preparation for the tribulation requires physical weaponization is completely off base. The New Testament expectation is not armed resistance but faithful endurance. (Matthew 26:52). Believers are not depicted as fighting during that period; they are depicted as being overcome. (Revelation 13:7; Matthew 24:9; Daniel 7:25). Perseverance — even unto death — is the consistent scriptural pattern. (Matthew 10:22,24:13; Revelation 2:10). 

The scriptures never speak of a seven year tribulation. Rather they tell us repeatedly, in no uncertain terms, that the great tribulation will last for 3.5 years "cut short". (Matthew 24:22):

Daniel 7:25 He (the Antichrist) shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (3.5 years).
Revelation 11:2 ..but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
Revelation 13:5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
Revelation 12:5-6 ..and the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. This period coincides with what is also known as "Jacob's Trouble". (Daniel 12:1, Jeremiah 30:7).
Matthew 24:15-21 ..when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. The abomination of desolation will occur halfway through the final seven year period, often referred to as Daniel’s 70th week.2

The scriptures make a clear distinction between thlipsis (tribulation) and orgē (wrath), as reflected in Malachi 4:1; Zephaniah 1:7–18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11; and 2 Peter 3:8–13. The Day of the Lord is identified throughout scripture as God's specific wrath beginning with the trumpet judgements in Revelation 8 which are sounded after the seventh seal is broken. The ungodly anticipate God's wrath following the cosmic disturbances after the sixth seal:  

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17).

A responsible interpreter who prioritizes accuracy over theological bias will not impose the doctrine of imminence onto texts that provide no indication of it.

Luke 21:25–33 shows that specific, identifiable signs must occur before the rapture

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:25-33).

Doug Stauffer debated Joe Schimmel in 2016.3 Although Schimmel raised several pertinent points, his post‑tribulation position is defective. No comprehensive resolution can be achieved when both participants hold substantive errors. The aim of such exchanges is to confront error with accurate doctrine; however, Schimmel has consistently resisted correction. In addition, Schimmel and his family are now facing serious allegations concerning their ministry, and several troubling facts have emerged.4 

 

In the same year (2016), Alan Kurschner invited Stauffer to a formal debate. Stauffer declined, offering an inconsistent rationale by asserting that such debates are “condemned by Scripture". A more plausible explanation is that he was unwilling—or unable—to engage a competent prewrath interpreter in a structured, exegetical exchange.5 

1. Prophecy watchers-cult? : r/cults
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY
3. (145) The Great Rapture Debate - YouTube
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOE SCHIMMEL BLESSED HOPE CHAPEL ALLEGATIONS: JUNE 15 UPDATE
5. Why is Doug Stauffer Participating in His Self-Described Condemnation of an Upcoming Rapture Debate? | Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

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