John Frederick Strombeck (1881-1959) was born in Moline, Illinois, of a pioneer Swedish family. Coming to the Lord early, he always sought God's leading in his personal and business decisions. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1911, he founded the Strombeck-Becker Manufacturing Company specializing in wood products. Though a. successful entrepreneur, Strombeck spent much of his life in speaking and teaching at various conferences nationwide and in publishing. As well, he gave generously to various Christian organizations such as Dallas Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute. Though not formally trained, Strombeck was a self-taught Bible scholar who could make deep truths plain and down to earth for the laity. Many beginning their Christian walk in the 1950s and before were greatly influenced by his books Disciplined by Grace, So Great Salvation, and Shall Never Perish.
But it was Strombeck's book First the Rapture that helped thousands of new Christians truly comprehend all the issues of Christ's return. Answering posttribulational views with biblical insight and simplicity, he helped many understand the difference between the body of Christ and the Jewish nation. He wrote, "It is of the greatest importance to recognize the difference between the church and Israel. Both worship the One and only true and living God, but the church has a heavenly, while Israel has an earthly, calling. The two must not be confused. Christianity, the church, does not come out of Judaism. . . Christianity is a new thing, entirely distinct from Judaism. The church is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor.5: 17)." Strombeck lamented the poor quality of Bible teaching in this century. "What do the Scriptures say?" was his guiding rule of thumb whether teaching Bible prophecy or any other truth from the Word of God.
But it was Strombeck's book First the Rapture that helped thousands of new Christians truly comprehend all the issues of Christ's return. Answering posttribulational views with biblical insight and simplicity, he helped many understand the difference between the body of Christ and the Jewish nation. He wrote, "It is of the greatest importance to recognize the difference between the church and Israel. Both worship the One and only true and living God, but the church has a heavenly, while Israel has an earthly, calling. The two must not be confused. Christianity, the church, does not come out of Judaism. . . Christianity is a new thing, entirely distinct from Judaism. The church is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor.5: 17)." Strombeck lamented the poor quality of Bible teaching in this century. "What do the Scriptures say?" was his guiding rule of thumb whether teaching Bible prophecy or any other truth from the Word of God.
