Rapture Before Tribulation

Question: Why do you believe the rapture will be before the Tribulation?

Answer: The Lord Jesus said in Revelation: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." -Rev 3:10-11

There are many different views regarding matters of eschatology. None of us know exactly the place in time when the rapture will take place but there is a 99.9% chance that the Rapture will occur right before the Tribulation begins because we   are to watch and look for the Lord's appearing.

Titus 2:13 says "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;"

The Early New Testament church used the greeting "Maranatha!" to greet one another. Maranatha is comprised of three Aramaic words: "Mar" ("Lord"), "ana" ("our"), and "tha" ("come"), meaning "our Lord, come." Such a greeting supports the pre-trib view because "Maranatha" only makes sense if at any moment the Lord Jesus could return.

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
-1Th 4:17

The Bible teaches us that the major purpose of the seven year Tribulation Period is to bring about the resoration of Israel. (Deut. 4:29-30; Jer. 30:4-11).   The Church has experienced tribulations and persecutions over the centuries and is experiencing it even during this present age (John 16:33), but the Church is never mentioned in the Old or New Testaments as participating in Israel's time of trouble (the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord, Jacob's Trouble, Wrath of God, etc.) In Scripture, regarding the Great Tribulation, the Church is never mentioned. While Israel is
found throughout the passages regarding the Tribulation period.

"The Tribulation does not deal with the Church at all, but with the purification of Israel. It is not the "time of the Church's trouble," but the "time of Jacob's trouble." The emphasis of the Tribulation is primarily Jewish. This fact is borne out by Old Testament Scriptures (Deut. 4: 30; Jer. 30: 7; Ezek. 20: 37; Dan. 12:1; Zech. 13:8-9), by the Olivet Discourse of Christ (Matt. 24:9-26), and by the book of Revelation itself (Rev. 7:4-8; 12:1-2; 17, etc.). It concerns "Daniel's people," the coming of "false Messiah," the preaching of the "gospel of the kingdom," flight on the "sabbath," the temple and the "holy place," the land of Judea, the city of Jerusalem, the twelve "tribes of the children of Israel," the "son of Moses," "signs" in the heavens, the "covenant" with the Beast, the "sanctuary," the "sacrifice and the oblation" of the temple ritual. These all speak of Israel and clearly demonstrate that the Tribulation is largely a time when God deals with His ancient people prior to their entrance into the promised kingdom. The many Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled for Israel further indicate a future time when God will deal with this nation (Deut. 30:1-6; Jer. 30:8-10, etc.)." ~Gerald B. Stanton, Kept From The Hour: Biblical Evidence for the Pretribulational Return of Christ, 4th edition (Miami Springs, FL: Schoettle Publishing Company, 1991), pp. 35-36.

Let's look at the Pretribulation position:

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." -Rev 3:10-11

Hour of temptation which shall come upon ALL THE WORLD is definitely the Tribulation Period. And the Lord Jesus promises to keep us from the hour of temptation which shall come upon ALL THE WORLD. We are to be ready for at any moment the Lord can appear...The imminency of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If the Rapture is to take place mid-trib or post-trib, as some believe, then we would be looking for the antichrist's appearing first and not for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the antichrist is to be revealed first before the Rapture, then it would be obvious to the Christians that the Lord Jesus will soon return... but Jesus will come in hour when we think not. The Bible says to watch and look for Jesus' appearing.

Let's take a look at some more verses:

"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.   Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
-Rev 3:8.10-11

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ," -1 Thessalonians 5:9

Christians are to watch and look for the Lord's appearing for Jesus can appear at any time. There is nothing that has to take place first in order for Him to return. This is Biblical. The saints, for over 1900 years, have been looking for the return
of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been expectantly awaiting His return. They have not been looking for antichrist but instead have been looking for the Lord
Jesus Christ and waiting for Him with anticipation.

The book of Revelation records a very unique event that takes place in Heaven in chapters 4 and 5. It is the opening of the book with seven seals:

"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.   And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?   And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.   And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." -Rev 5:1-5

No one is found worthy to open the seals and to reveal the contents of the book until Jesus steps forward for HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS WORTHY:
"And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.   And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
- Rev 5:7-10

This is a very special event that takes place in heaven. It precedes the judgment of the whole earth...The Great Tribulation. It would make perfect sense that the church, the Bride of Christ, is among the ten thousands of ten thousands in Heaven singin this song. For such a Special event ...The Opening of the Scrolls...to occur in Heaven without the present Church of faithful believers (that dwell upon the earth now) would make the total count in attendance incomplete. True Christians love the Lord and eagerly awaiting His appearing. I repeat, for us to be excluded from such
a special event in Heaven would make the attendance of those present in Heaven incomplete. We too are the Bride of Christ. The Tribulation period is a time of judgment and wrath and we are not appointed to wrath. Jesus will keep us from the hour of temptation that will try the earth...this, He promised.

Imminency:

The Bible has numerous passages which refer to the fact that Jesus could come at any moment. Many Bible scholars refer to this as "Imminency" (which strongly argues the pre-trib position...consistant with the New Testament) which means that other things may happen before the imminent event, but nothing else must take place before it happens.

"The fact that the glorified, holy Son of God could step through the door of heaven at any-moment is intended by God to be the most pressing, incessant motivation for holy living and aggressive ministry (including missions, evangelism and Bible teaching) and the greatest cure for lethargy and apathy. It should make a major difference in every Christian's values, actions, priorities and goals." ~Dr. Renald Showers

Let's take a look at the Mid-Trib theory:

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. -Rev 6:9-11

The Bible states in Daniel that the antichrist will make war with the Saints and prevail against them. Daniel 7:21 "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; "

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

The Mid-Tribulation theory states that Christians will be raptured sometime in the middle of the Tribulation period.

We know from the book of Revelation that Christians are martyred during the Fifth Seal. So how can there be a rapture in the middle of the Tribulation period if most Christians in this period of time are already murdered? The Bible says that the Christians on the earth will be persecuted and will be put to death (beheaded)
during the Tribulation period. Since Jesus promised to keep us from the "hour of temptation" that will try all those on the face of the earth, the reasonable literal interpretation is that these martyred saints, spoken of in this passage, are those who were converted after the Church was raptured. They appear in Heaven as souls...souls without a physical body. If you look in your concordance, souls is mentioned (Rev.6:9 and Rev 20:4) twice in Revelation...both referring to the martyrs and once in Rev. 18:13--referring to the Whore of Revelation...Mystery Babylon and the merchandise of souls. The word "souls" appears only three times
in Revelation.

We must remember one thing, why would the Lord need the 144,000 Jews to be preaching the Gospel in the earth if the Church was still present on the earth? Has it not always been the commission of the Church to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? The only reason would be that the Church is not present on the earth during the Tribulation period and therefore, God anoints the 144,000 to preach the Gospel in the earth.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. -Rev 20:4

So the martyred Christians will be a light and witness of Jesus and will hold and defend the Word of God. They will refuse the mark and will refuse to worship the beast.

So how can the rapture take place in the middle of the Tribulation if Christians will already be martyred? The mid-trib theory makes no sense. Again, the Lord will come at a time when we think not. The Lord Jesus will keep us from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole earth.

Let's take the Post-Trib theory:

The Post-Tribulation theory states that there will be no Rapture until the end of the Tribulation. My question to them would be, "Who is left?" The Christians are martyred at the 5th seal. The Bible is clear that there will be two appearings of the Lord Jesus Christ. One meeting takes place in the air and then there is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in which He will come back with His Saints and will destroy the antichrist and all of Israel's armies. Jesus will rule and reign on this earth... Two distinct appearings.

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
-1Th 4:17

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," -Jude 1:14

The Bible states that we are coming back with the Lord Jesus. How is it then, that we will all be left upon the earth until the end? Either we are coming with Him or we are still left upon this earth. The Post-Trib theory is not even a valid argument
in the light of the Scriptures. The answer from Scripture is that we will be coming back with Jesus on white horses at Armageddon. The Rapture took place in the beginning of Revelation, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb already took place and Jesus will be coming back with His Saints to execute judgment.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.   And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.   And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." -Rev 19:11-18

"Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty." -Isaiah 13:6

"And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" - Joel 2:11

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." -John 14:1-3

If the Post-Trib theory is correct, then Christians would be the counting days until the Lord's appearing for we know that the antichrist has but three and a half years of total control on this earth [though he will be conquering and winning the approval of this world for the first 3 and 1/2 years of the Seven Year Tribulation.]

We know from Scripture that the entire Tribulation is seven years long and that the antichrist's rule of absolute power is only 3 and 1/2 years long. There would be no point for Christians to be ready "at such an hour when ye think not" if the Lord was to rapture us at the end. We know at the end of the Tribulation, Armageddon takes place and the Bible says that the Lord Jesus will come against the antichrist and the false prophet and the armies of this world and will destroy them. The Lord Jesus will come with His saints right behind him. How can all His saints follow Him on white horses if they are still on the earth?

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. -Isaiah 24:21

Conclusion:

The only answer, taken from the Bible, is that ALL of us will already be raptured before the tribulation period and taken to heaven, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will then take place and then the saints shall return with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Rapture must take place before the Tribulation and definitely before Armageddon. This is why the Post-Trib theory has even more holes than the Mid-Tribulational theory. It does not hold water in light of what Scripture says.

The Lord Jesus is coming back to earth with His Saints at the end of the Tribulation period to execute judgment upon all of Israel's enemies:

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." -Zech 12:9-10

Tommy Ice, Executive Director of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Washington, D.C. states: "The Rapture is characterized in the New Testament as a "translation coming" (1 Corinthians 15:51- 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) in which the Lord comes for His church, taking her to His Father's House (John 14:3). However, at Christ's Second Coming with His saints, He descends from heaven to set up His Messianic Kingdom on earth (Zechariah 14:4-5; Matthew 24:27-31). The differences between the two events are harmonized naturally by the "pre-trib" position, while other views are not able to account comfortably for such differences."

Many people confuse the rapture with the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

From the above chart, one can see that there are two distinct appearings of the Lord. One is the rapture of the church, in which the Lord Jesus will not touch the earth but will call His Bride to meet Him in the air. And then there is the Second Coming, in which the Lord Jesus will come down to earth and destroy all of Israel's enemies and will rule and reign from Jerusalem. These are two separate appearings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are called to be ready at all times for we do not know when Jesus will return for us. What is known is that He promised to return. The Lord keeps His promises. May we be ever ready to meet the Lord Jesus in the air. May we expectantly await to meet the Lord in the air. May we pray fervently from our hearts, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."

Titus 2:13 says "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;"

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." Luke 12:40

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Babel - The Center of Unity
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Children In The Rapture?
Partial Rapture of the Saints?
The Ten Virgins - Commentary on Matthew 25
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