Sound The Trumpet : Margaret Macdonald Who?

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“Margaret Macdonald Who?”
by Todd Strandberg
November 30th, 2012

I have visited just about every anti-rapture web site on the internet. One common point used on nearly every one of these sites to oppose the pre-tribulation doctrine is the claim that the rapture theory was started by a Scottish girl named Margaret MacDonald. Many critics of the rapture declare that MacDonald received her vision from demonic origins, and that she then passed on the message of that vision to infect the church. Being a staunch pre-tribulationist, I'm at a loss to explain the connection between Margaret MacDonald and my beliefs in the rapture. I cannot recall ever hearing pre-tribulation prophetic speakers say, "I believe in the rapture because Margaret MacDonald told me so."

After reading and listening to a number of web sites, books, and radio programs that promote the idea that Margaret MacDonald started pre-tribulationism, I decided to look into the matter.

To be certain that I made no oversight, I searched through my library of prophecy books for references citing Margaret MacDonald as the founder of the rapture teaching. My hunt turned out to be in vain. It was like looking for the cartoon character "Where's Waldo" -- only in this case, no Waldo was to be found.

If MacDonald was the founder of the pre-tribulation rapture, as most anti-rapture proponents say, then someone needs to explain why rapturists have failed to give her credit. You would expect to find dozens of books that expound upon her every word.

When one closely examines MacDonald's vision, it becomes clear that her vision could not have been a pre-tribulational one. MacDonald looked for a "fiery trial which is to try us," and she foresaw the church being purged by the Antichrist....John Bray, an anti-rapturist, said himself that Margaret MacDonald was teaching a single coming of our Lord Jesus. This contradicts current rapture doctrine, which teaches a two-staged event -- first, Christ coming for His church and second, seven years later His return to earth.

With so many contradictions between MacDonald's vision and today's pre-tribulationism, it is difficult to see any linkage.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13