Pre-Tribulation

The pre-tribulation view may be summarized thus,

"It was held that the return of Christ would take place in two stages. First there would be a quiet appearance of Christ when all true Christians would be taken from the earth -- the 'rapture' of the saints. After this, Antichrist's reign would continue but be brought to an end by the appearing of Christ in glory and the introduction of a 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth from Jerusalem" (Humphreys & Ward, 1995, p. 128-29).

If the book of Revelation is to be taken as a chronological work, which most futurists would agree, there is great significance in the similarities between 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 above and Revelation 4:1-2 -- again a voice like a trumpet is heard and John is transported instantly through a door in heaven to the very throne-room of God.

There is great significance in the fact that John is told to "Come up hither" (Revelation 4:1) -- the very same words spoken to the two witnesses before they too are raptured (Revelation 11:12). Further, the Church is remarkably absent from any of the events from Revelation 4:1 to 19:11 when Christ returns -- indeed, the Church surely has no part in the tribulation.

Not only so, but the tribulation period is the final "week" of years in Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27), specifically designated for the Jewish people. The times of the Gentiles are complete, and God again turns His hand to His ancient people, the end result is that at His Second Coming the Jews will look on Him whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10) and all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26) -- the Messiah they expected at Jesus' first coming will finally arrive.

Conclusion

One can do nothing less than assimilate the data of revelation provided in the Scriptures and draw from this one's theology and framework of belief. To do otherwise is wrong, and one must not be persuaded by purely emotional arguments, or seek to manipulate Scripture to conform to a preconceived world-view.

When one examines the conflicting views of the rapture in the pre-millennial framework, it becomes apparent that the only one, which consistently fits the facts of Biblical data, is the pre-tribulation view. Certainly as Christians we look not for tribulation, but for "His Son from heaven who has delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The early Church expected the coming of the Lord imminently and did not expect any intervening events, especially the Thessalonians (Matthew 24:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Just as Noah and his family were saved from God's wrath (Genesis 7:6-7), as was Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19:14), and indeed the Children of Israel were saved from the plagues on Pharaoh (Exodus 7:18; 8:3, 21-22; 9:3-4; 10:22-23; 11:6-7), so too the Church shall be saved from the coming great tribulation by the rapture.

The Christian is commanded to look up -- for their redemption draws near (Luke 21:28)! What can be said but "Amen. Come Lord Jesus”. Revelation 22 v 20.

Are you ready to meet him? That is a personal question each person must ask themselves. One can pretend …seeing the events that are coming upon the world, all of which have been clearly shown to us in the word of God, these events would precede his coming see Matthew 24. We just need to look in our daily newspaper. If you are not ready to meet him, here is a simple prayer.

Lord Jesus, I realize I have fallen short of your standards, I ask you to forgive me, come into my heart and create in me a new person. I believe that you died for my sins and I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Help me Lord to live for you from this day. I want to be ready to meet you if you were to come today.

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