What was the view of the early (first 3 centuries) Church?
The view of the early church fathers (ante-Nicene) was relatively unanimous concerning certain subjects. One, that Christ would return physically. Two, that He would return to set up His Kingdom on this earth. Three, that when He did, He would be accompanied by His saints…the believers from all the ages. Four, that He would defeat satan, and rule this earth with absolute authority, fairness and justice according to the will of God. Five, that the saints of God, both alive and dead, would be resurrected, clothed with new and incorruptible bodies, and forevermore be with the Lord, where ever He was, this point being the “rapture” aspect. All of these points were drawn from the Prophets of the Old Testament and the writings of Paul, Peter, Jude, James, and of course the Evangelists of the Gospels. As to when the rapture would occur, there was an approximately even division, with the possible majority leaning towards a pre-tribulation rapture. Some of the early church leaders who held th
