When
is the Rapture going to occur in relation to the Tribulation?
The timing of the rapture in relation to the
tribulation is one of the most controversial issues in the church today.
The
three primary views are
- pre-tribulational (the rapture occurs before the
tribulation),
- mid-tribulational (the rapture occurs at or near the
mid-point of the tribulation), and
- post-tribulational (the rapture occurs at the end of the
tribulation).
- A fourth view, commonly known as pre-wrath, is a slight
modification of the mid-tribulational position.
First, it is important to recognize the purpose
of the tribulation.
According
to Daniel 9:27, there is a
seventieth “seven” (seven years) that is still yet to come.
Daniel’s
entire prophecy of the seventy sevens (Daniel 9:20-27) is speaking of the
nation of Israel.
It
is a time period in which God focuses His attention especially on Israel. The
seventieth seven, the tribulation, must also be a time when God deals
specifically with Israel.
While
this does not necessarily indicate that the church could not also be present,
it does bring into question
The
primary Scripture passage on the rapture is 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18.
It
states that all living believers, along with all believers who have died, will
meet the Lord Jesus in the air and will be with Him forever.
The
rapture is God’s removing His people from the earth.
A
few verses later, in 1 Thessalonians 5:9,
Paul says, “For God did not appoint us to
suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The
book of Revelation, which deals primarily with the time period of the
tribulation, is a prophetic message
It
seems inconsistent for God to promise believers that they will not suffer wrath
and then leave them on the earth to suffer through the wrath of the
tribulation.
The
fact that God promises to deliver Christians from wrath shortly after promising
to remove His people from the earth seems to link those two events together.
Another
crucial passage on the timing of the rapture is Revelation 3:10, in which Christ
promises to deliver believers from the “hour of trial” that is going to come
upon the earth.
This
could mean two things.
- Either Christ will protect believers in the midst of the
trials, or
- He will deliver believers out of the trials.
Both
are valid meanings of the Greek word translated “from.”
However,
it is important to recognize what believers are promised to be kept from. It is
not just the trial, but the “hour” of trial.
Christ
is promising to keep believers from the very time period that contains the
trials, namely the tribulation.
The
purpose of the tribulation, the purpose of the rapture, the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:9, and the
interpretation of Revelation 3:10 all
give clear support to the pre-tribulational position.
If
the Bible is interpreted literally and consistently, the pre-tribulational
position is the most biblically-based interpretation.
Are you struggling with a big
decision or wondering how your eternal future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the
universe and let Him work in your behalf?
He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will
counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do.
Pray the following prayer:
“Heavenly
Father,
I
admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please
forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my
Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and
rose from the dead.
I
want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your
Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I
believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and
no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord
Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I
thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am
born again.
Heavenly
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I
surrender my life to You. . I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus Name. Amen.”
Related
Posts:
“Be It Unto Me”
lyrics
Chorus: Be
it unto me
According to your Word
According to your promises
I can stand secure
Carve upon my heart
The truth that sets me free
According to your Word O Lord
Be it unto me
You promised your blood will deliver
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised us joy like a river
Lord we receive it from you
These things you have spoken
And you're bringing to pass
This world's disappearing
But your word will last
Chorus
You promised to carry our sorrows
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised unending tomorrows
Lord we receive them from you
You be our provider
In your word it's revealed
And by the stripes that you bore
Lord we have been healed
Chorus
According to your Word
According to your promises
I can stand secure
Carve upon my heart
The truth that sets me free
According to your Word O Lord
Be it unto me
You promised your blood will deliver
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised us joy like a river
Lord we receive it from you
These things you have spoken
And you're bringing to pass
This world's disappearing
But your word will last
Chorus
You promised to carry our sorrows
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised unending tomorrows
Lord we receive them from you
You be our provider
In your word it's revealed
And by the stripes that you bore
Lord we have been healed
Chorus
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