Reasons Why The Rapture of the Church Has to Happen Prior to the Tribulation Period

Christian last days prophecy refers to an event when the faithful will be removed from the world and meet Jesus Christ in the clouds. In route they are changed into their glorified new bodies. All the saints who have died previously will be there with Christ. Scripture informs us that they will then forever be with the Lord. The Apostle Paul informs us about this event in the books of 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians. This is the event that is called the rapture. Christian last days prophecy also refers to an event of trouble in the world which will happen during the final 7 years before the final return of the Son of God. These times are the wrath of God being let loose on to a God-rejecting earth. They include huge natural disasters, plagues, and wars. This era is explained in the book of Revelation, the last book of the new Testament. It isn’t pretty. But we are told that it will happen, and probably very soon. Therefore the obvious question is, will the the rapture of the church happen in advance of the great tribulation period in Revelation. Christians share different viewpoints about this point. Those that think that the rapture will happen prior to the last 7 years are said to be holding the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. Some hold a mid-tribulation doctrine wherein Christians are removed only prior to the final 3.5 years to avoid the judgments. Certainly there are folks that deny the event occurring at all, and/or maintain to a post-tribulation doctrine, which is really the same thing. The better Bible teachers, however, maintain either the pre-trib or mid-trib doctrine. This is certainly a result of the fact they are the ones who have better studied scripture, and are learned in Greek and Hebrew. There are a couple of different descriptions of the second coming of Christ in scripture. Also, we are told that it will take place at an unknown date and time. But scripture also provides the exact timing of the second timing. The only way that this can be reconciled is if the rapture happens first on an unknown date. The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that Christians are not appointed to wrath. There are plenty of passages which explain the faithful will not experience the tribulation. These include both Old Testament and New Testament stories. In the Old Testament, Enoch was pulled out before the Noah’s ark flood due to the fact that he walked with God. Also, Lot was raptured of Sodom before the judgment upon that city. As a matter of fact when Abraham bargained with God for Sodom and Gomorrah he said far be it from the God of the world to judge the righteous along with the wicked, and God did not argue that statement. So it stands in the Bible as truth. In the New Testament there are many passages that assure us that the faithful will not be subject to God’s judgments against an evil Jesus-rejecting earth. Foremost among these passages is 1 Thess chapter 5 verse 19 where believers are promised that we are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself advises us in the gospels to pray always that we will be considered worthy to escape the coming tribulation. In His letter to the church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:10 He informs them that because they were true they would get to avoid the hour of tribulation. I could continue, however at this point you should understand already. It is not critical to understand the concept of the rapture. It is crucial to grasp and respond to the message of the gospel. That is, the knowledge that Jesus is the messiah who died on the cross for our sins as the one and only sacrifice that can remove them and open us entry into eternal life with God. To hear and reject this gift is an eternal rejection God and unfortunately there is no other place for your eternal spirit to go than the place created for Satan and his demons. You can speak a 3-word prayer right this second to prevent that. Jesus, forgive me.

For more information about the rapture please visit http://www.incaseoftherapture.com