Home > Why The Rapture is a Pre-Tribulation Event
Why The Rapture is a Pre-Tribulation Event
There has long been a debate of whether the rapture is a Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib or Post-Trib event, but what does the Bible actually state? Before we look at some specific Bible verses regarding God's coming wrath, and who it's reserved for, let’s first consider the following questions regarding the Tribulation itself as this will add much clarity to the topic.What is the Tribulation?
The Tribulation is a 7-year period of time on earth in which God takes out his wrath and judgement on an unbelieving world. During this time, God has declared that He will bring a time of hardship, persecution, disasters, famine, war, pain, and suffering to affect all His creation such that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.Who is the Tribulation for?
The Tribulation is for all people on earth who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This includes both Jewish and Gentile (ie. non-Jewish) persons alike.Why does the Tribulation take place?
The Tribulation takes place for the salvation of the Jewish nation, and to bring an end to sin and wickedness on the earth, once and for all.When does the Tribulation start and end?
The Tribulation begins when the coming Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel for one week (meaning 7 years). This period of time is also known as Daniel’s 70th week. At the end of these 7 years, when Israel repents and finally recognizes that Christ is in fact their true Messiah, they will cry out to Him and Christ will then return to Jerusalem as the "King of Kings" to save and redeem Israel, at His 2nd coming. At that time, Christ will also make an atonement to forgive Israel of their sins before bringing in everlasting righteousness to the earth.How does one get saved during the Tribulation?
During the Tribulation, the Bible states that many will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but will have to give their life through martyrdom, in order to be saved. These persons are called Tribulation Saints and will be resurrected in the 1st Resurrection. This is in very sharp contrast to the current Church Age that we’re in (also called the “Age of Grace”), whereby Christ gave His life to pay for our sins, and we simply need to trust in His finished work at the Cross in order to be saved.What does the Bible say about God's Wrath?
Let's now take a look at some commonly-referenced Bible verses discussing God's wrath and judgement, in terms of who it's intended for, and who is kept from it. As high-lighted below, these Bible verses state a very clear message that those who place their faith in Christ are not appointed to the wrath and judgement that God will bring upon the whole world.
Romans 5:9
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
I Thessalonians 5: 9
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev 3:10
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
John 5:24
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Isaiah 26 : 20-21
20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. 21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place, To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.
20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. 21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place, To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.
Is the "Bride of Christ" Exposed to God's Wrath?
Throughout scripture, Jesus commonly uses marriage language where he presents himself as the bridegroom (Mark 2:19), the church as the bride (Eph 5:25–32) and God as the Father of the bridegroom (Matt 22). In Revelation 19:7-9, we read that a wedding ceremony will take place in Heaven whereby the bride of Christ finally becomes the wife of Christ, followed by rejoicing and celebration at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.As a side note, for those not aware, the marriage process that is depicted in the Bible -- from choosing a bride, paying a price for the bride, the betrothal, going back to the father's house to prepare a place, coming back to get one's bride, the wedding ceremony and concluding with 7 days of feasting and celebration, directly mirrors ancient Jewish Galilean wedding tradition.
So what exactly does the Bride of Christ have to do with the timing of the rapture of the Church you ask? Great question! As Christ loves His church (meaning his bride), and gave His life for it (her), it would not make any sense at all that Christ would allow His beloved bride to be exposed to His wrath and "beaten up" so-to-speak before calling her up to heaven for a grand wedding ceremony. If this were the case, how could believers "comfort one another with these words" as we are told to do so in scripture? Obviously, Christ is going to remove (ie. rapture) His bride to heaven before starting the 7 year tribulation here on earth.
Summary
Summarizing the above, the Tribulation is a 7 year period of time on earth when God pours out his wrath and judgment on an unbelieving world, for those who have rejected him. During this time of severe global hardship, persecution and suffering, people will have to be martyred for their faith in Christ in order to be saved. As Christ loves his church, referring to His bride and the ones who have placed their faith in Him, they will not be exposed to God’s wrath as they will be called up (ie. raptured) into heaven just prior to the start of the 7 year tribulation on earth.At the end of the 7 year tribulation, when Israel repents and finally recognizes that Christ is in fact their true Messiah, they will cry out to Him and Christ will then return to Jerusalem as the "King of Kings" to save and redeem Israel, at His 2nd coming. The bride of Christ, who has now become the wife of Christ at the wedding ceremony in heaven, also returns to the earth alongside Him. At that time, Christ will also make an atonement to forgive Israel of their sins before bringing in everlasting righteousness to the earth.
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