Daniel 12: 4, “knowledge shall be increased”

By Christine Darg

Jerusalem Channel

Dr. Ken Johnson, a biblical scholar and author specializing in ancient manuscripts, church history, and End-time prophecy, has recently published a book titled Paul’s Ancient Hebrew Thessalonian Epistles: Proof of a Pre-Trib Rapture.

For the first time in almost 2,000 years he claims the Hebrew version of the Apostle Paul’s epistles of 1 and 2 Thessalonians are available. This version is quoted by two ancient Church fathers, dating it to at least AD 180! Commentary from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient church fathers is included in this new book.

I first became acquainted with Ken Johnson when I purchased his 2012 book The Rapture proving that the doctrine of the pretribulational Rapture was not a modern man-made doctrine but that it is supported not only by the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament but also by early Church fathers.

I also enjoy his postings at his website BibleFacts.org

Therefore Dr. Johnson presents what he describes as a groundbreaking discovery: an ancient Hebrew translation of the Apostle Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians (1 and 2 Thessalonians), quoted by early Church fathers dating back to at least AD 180.

This Hebrew version, according to Johnson, includes additional phrases and sentences not found in the standard Greek manuscripts or modern English translations like the KJV or NIV. These additions, he argues, provide explicit evidence for a pre-tribulational Rapture—the belief that born-again believers will be “caught up” to heaven before the seven-year Great Tribulation. He also agues that the texts specify that the event will occur on one of the biblical Hebrew festivals, known as moedim(appointed times or feasts outlined in Leviticus 23).

The concept of the Rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 where Paul describes believers being “caught up” (from the Greek harpazo, meaning “to snatch away”) to meet the Lord in the air. Debates among Christians center on when this happens—pre-trib (before the Tribulation), mid-trib (midway through), or post-trib (after). Johnson is a strong advocate for the pre-trib view, as seen in his earlier works such as The Rapture, where he ties it to fulfilled prophecies about Israel’s restoration. In standard translations, 1 Thessalonians doesn’t explicitly mention a Hebrew festival. However, Johnson connects the Rapture’s trumpet imagery (1 Thessalonians 4:16) to the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the first of the fall moedim, which involves shofar blasts and themes of awakening and concealment—paralleling resurrection and being hidden from wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). He argues this festival prophetically foreshadows the Rapture as a “hidden” event for believers before judgment.

The “Newly Discovered” Hebrew Version of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is the first such version made publicly available in nearly 2,000 years. It was preserved through quotations in early Christian writings and aligns with insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Key differences Dr. Johnson highlights include:

  • The Hebrew word natsal: This replaces the Greek harpazo and means “to snatch away” or “deliver.” In Messianic Jewish contexts, natsal (or natza) is the term used for the Rapture, emphasizing deliverance from danger. Johnson says this reinforces the pre-trib timing, as natsal implies rescue before calamity hits.
  • Extra phrases in 1 Thessalonians: The Hebrew adds details that “clearly define” the rapture occurring on a moed (festival). Specifically, it ties the resurrection/rapture to one of the appointed times, with hints pointing to Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah). This festival falls on the first day of the seventh Hebrew month (Tishri), known as the “day and hour no one knows” due to its dependence on the new moon sighting—echoing Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:36 about His return.
  • Clarification in 2 Thessalonians 2:7: This Hebrew version differs from the standard Greek text in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, where the “restrainer” is described. In the Greek (as in most English translations like the KJV), the verse reads: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [restrains] will let, until he be taken out of the way.” The pronoun is ambiguous (“he”), leading to various interpretations of the restrainer (e.g., the Holy Spirit, the Church, human government, or the Archangel Michael). However, Johnson argues that the Hebrew version uses “it” (a neuter pronoun) to refer to the restrainer, and it explicitly identifies this “it” by name as the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew). This identification aligns with Johnson’s pre-tribulation Rapture view, where the removal of the Holy Spirit (via the Rapture of the Church, which He indwells) allows the Antichrist to be revealed. The Hebrew text clarifies the ambiguity, providing Dr. Johnson with proof of a pre-trib Rapture in his analysis, including ties to the Hebrew word natsal (meaning “snatch away,” akin to the Greek harpazo for Rapture).
  • Apostasy defined: Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16, Johnson interprets “apostasy” (Greek apostasia, often meaning “falling away”) as a physical departure—the Rapture itself—and not only the connotation of a spiritual rebellion.

Johnson includes commentary from ancient sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls to substantiate the text’s authenticity, arguing it predates later Greek manuscripts and resolves long-standing debates. He presents this as proof that early Christians understood the Rapture as pre-trib and festival-timed, countering post-trib views.

Johnson frequently teaches on YouTube and podcasts (e.g., Prophecy Watchers) about how the moedim (Levitical festivals) prophetically outline God’s plan: the spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost) were fulfilled in Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit’s arrival. Then the fall feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) await fulfillment in the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming.

In videos such as “The Timing of the Rapture” (2022) and recent 2025 discussions on “Hidden Proof of the Pretrib Rapture,” Dr. Johnson elaborates that the Hebrew Thessalonians aligns with this pattern, making the Rapture imminent but festival-specific. Critics might note that such variant manuscripts are rare and debated among scholars, and Johnson’s interpretation leans heavily on his pre-trib framework. However, he substantiates it with historical quotes and linguistic analysis, encouraging readers to study ancient texts for ourselves. For more, Johnson’s book is available on Amazon, and he discusses it in recent Prophecy Watchers episodes. This discovery, if verified, could significantly influence Rapture theology among pre-trib believers.

To contact Christine Darg, visit www.JerusalemChannel.tv