Epoch Cinema Documentary Review: ‘Before the Wrath’

New insights on the how, when and why of Christ's return

Shayan Ardalan as Jesus Christ in “Before the Wrath.” (Ingenuity Films)

Commentary

I’ve written about a number of End Times narrative films, including the excellent 2019 thriller “The End of Days: Global Catastrophe,” and 2013’s “Final: The Rapture.” However, I haven’t covered any documentary films based on this subject, so I was excited to watch and review director Brent Miller Jr.’s recent 2020 film, “Before the Wrath,” (available on Epoch Cinema), and boy, am I glad I did.

This fascinating documentary features new information about when, why, and how the rapture—Christ’s return for his followers—will occur in the final days of our earthly existence.

Although some Christian productions have suffered when it comes to production values, many faith-based films (including this one) have strong production values and surprisingly better-than-average acting. The film is capably narrated by Christian actor and filmmaker Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” “God’s Not Dead”).

The film jumps back and forth through time—from the first-century life of the Galileans to interviews with modern-day scholars, theologians, and pastors who share their views on The End Times and the current state of Christianity. We’re treated to a wide range of perspectives, such as those of theologian and pastor Jack Hibbs; Behold Israel founder and president Amir Tsarfati, and Jan Markell, Founder of Olive Tree Ministries.

Pastor Jack Hibbs talks about the increasing divide between Christians in “Before the Wrath” (Ingenuity Films)

Almost every Christian, at one time or another, has been told that the Messiah Jesus Christ will return in his second coming. This is part of Christian eschatology (the theological study of the end times) and is based on certain messianic prophecies. However, as the film points out, in recent times, Christians are divided more than ever, and this has led many Christians to skepticism about Christ’s return.

For many Christians and biblical scholars, there is a big debate about the manner and timing of the second coming. As Kevin Sorbo explains, there are some deeper levels to important biblical events that we seem to have lost sight of over the last couple of centuries.

Many people no longer believe that Jesus is even coming back one day. Biblical prophecy is a very important facet of Christianity, yet many churches don’t teach it to their flocks.

As we look at the question today, we have to ask whether the ancient Galileans had the inside scoop on Jesus’s second coming. New anthropological findings from the first century reveal long-lost evidence that the second coming is indeed real, as is the wrath of God.

Gemma Rizzuto as the bride in “Before the Wrath” (Ingenuity Films)

In an interesting twist, “Before the Wrath” exposes the deeper meaning behind the most important event in first-century Galilean lives—the traditional Jewish wedding—and its correlation to Jesus’s promise to return one day.

Just as Galilean bridegrooms took time to prepare a place for their new brides, Christ told his disciples (or bride, if you will) that he, the bridegroom, had to go away to prepare a place for them (the kingdom of heaven).

There are many other similarities between the cultural practices surrounding Galilean weddings and the second coming of Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus and all of his disciples were Galilean (from northern Israel).

For instance, the bridegroom had to wait a lengthy period of time—sometimes up to a year—before he could go and get his bride.

However, the only person who knew the exact time that the wedding would take place was the groom’s father. Therefore, the film posits that Jesus may have chosen not to know when he will return, although his father does.

As Amir Tsarfati points out, the most important thing isn’t when Christ will return, but how to properly prepare for that crucial event.

Pastor and author Jay McCarl talks about the ancient Galileans in “Before the Wrath” (Ingenuity Films)

Just as the first-century bridegroom waited with bated breath for his father to announce, “Go get your bride,” so too, Jesus will eventually return to claim every member of his flock—every repentant Christian and true believer—and take them to the kingdom of light.

I would definitely recommend “Before the Wrath” for both believers and non-believers alike. It contains historical data and biblical information that present a fresh way to look at the second coming and may help viewers to understand it better. I would encourage people to watch the film with their families as well. The documentary is available to watch on Epoch Cinema.

Watch “Before the Wrath” on Epoch Cinema here.

‘Before the Wrath’

Directors: Brent Miller Jr. Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes MPAA Rating: Not Rated Release Date: Mar. 3, 2020 Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.