Many of the misconceptions regarding the timing of the rapture stem from confusing the Biblical terms Tribulation and Wrath. In Christian circles, both terms have been used synonymously as a label for the last seven year period of the present age. So when the Bible uses such terms, readers immediately identify with the Christian labels rather than the Scripture’s intended meaning. This has created some doctrinal confusion on the topic of the rapture for some people. The Scriptural word for Tribulation is Thlipsis and it literally denotes trouble, hardship, distress, or suffering. At the end of the age, scripture says this hardship will climax to a level that has not been seen from the beginning of the world. As long as Christians live in the present age, they will experience some form of hardship and suffering for their faith. As long as evil operates within the world, Christians will be persecuted for their choices. Tribulation is inflicted by the Devil to pressure men to do bad things. Men suffer tribulation in order to test the quality of their righteousness. Once men endure these trials they will receive the crown of life. Those who succumb to temptation may not suffer tribulation in the present moment but they will experience God’s wrath in the end. The Greek word for wrath is orge and it denotes God’s anger and punishment. Wrath is the punishment inflicted on those for the evil they have performed. Wrath is always inflicted by God as a consequence for the evil men have done. Given their natural roles, one should understand why tribulation always precedes wrath. Making this distinction between the church labels and what scripture implicitly means will help clarify the rapture issue.
Misconception 1: Because Believers will not see God’s wrath, Pre-Tribulationists reason believers will not see the tribulation.
Pre-Tribulationist believes that the rapture will occur before the start of the seven year covenant period with the Anti-Christ. They reason this because of the many scriptural passages that explicitly state how God did not appoint believers to suffer God’s wrath (I Thess 1:10, I Thess 5:9). The righteous are in fact hidden on the day of God’s wrath (Isa 26:20-21, Zeph 2:3). Because believers will not see God’s wrath, they reason believers will not see the tribulation. They think this because they fail to distinguish between the time of tribulation and the day of God’s wrath. The tribulation period and God’s wrath are not the same thing. Believers will not have to endure God’s wrath because their sins were forgiven at Calvary. But Forgiveness of sins does not mean believers will never experience tribulation or hardship at all. You may not suffer his God’s wrath, but you will experience tribulation. In Fact, Jesus specifically stated that in this world, believers would experience tribulation (John 16:33, I Thess 3:4). Scripture clearly states that anyone wishing to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted (II Tim 3:12). Paul exhorted the believers that many tribulations must be endured to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Moreover, the Scripture clearly states that the saints will have to patiently endure persecution during the great tribulation (Rev 13:10). God shortens the days of the great tribulation for the elect’s sake (Mt 24:22, Mrk 13:20). Would this not suggest that the elect are in the very midst of this terrible time? Pre-Tribulationists are correct in the sense they will not have to endure God’s wrath, but this does not mean they will not have to endure tribulation for their choice from the unbelievers that surround them. Doctrines must be shaped by all of Scripture and not just parts of it. Why does God tarry so long to deliver his people? One reason is because his people will not sincerely call for Him to return until life on earth gets too inhospitable for them to live comfortably.
Misconception 2: Because God will not gather his elect until after the tribulation of those days, Post Tribulationists reason believers must endure God’s wrath.
Classical Post-Tribulationists who believe the rapture will occur after the end of the seven year tribulation make a similar mistake in reasoning. Scripture clearly teaches that God will not gather his elect until after the son of perdition is revealed (II Thess 2:1-3). Immediately after the tribulation of those days will the Son of Man send his angels to gather his elect from the four winds of Heaven (Matthew 24:29-31, Mrk 13:24). Because God will not gather his elect until after the tribulation, Post-Tribulationists reason they will not be delivered until after the end of the seven year period. They assume this because they do not distinguish between the time of tribulation and the time of God’s wrath. Deliverance may come near the end, but it is not after the end of the seven year period (as the prefix Post implies to some). The scripture specifically outlines the last seven year period as the time of the AntiChrist’s reign. The time of the beast’s reign will continue even until the consummation, which is determined is poured out on the desolate (Dan 9:27). The Anti-Christ’s rule will only be broken without human means (Dan 8:25) after the battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:20) that initiates after the sixth bowl of wrath is poured upon the earth (Rev 16:16). This implies the seven year period includes both the time of tribulation for believers before their deliverance and the time of God’s wrath on unbelievers after they leave. Post-Tribulationists are correct only in the literal sense that once Believers are raptured, there tribulation is over (II Thess 1:7). They are not correct if they assume this to mean believers must endure the time of God’s wrath. Revelation clearly outlines How the Son of Man will reap the Earth’s Harvest before the vine is thrown into the great wine press of God’s wrath (Rev 14:14-19). As I said previously, doctrines must be shaped by all of Scripture and not just parts of it.
The Rapture of the Church occurs sometime between the time of the Great Tribulation and the subsequent time of God’s wrath
A post-tribulation/ pre-wrath time frame for the rapture appears to be the biblical position. All of these passages become clear once a believer differentiates between the time of great tribulation and the time of God’s wrath; both of which are to transpire in sequence within a seven year time frame. This sets the timing of the rapture to occur sometime toward the end of a 42 month window of time labeled collectively as the great tribulation within Christian circles. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give it’s light, and the stars will fall from heaven (Mt 24:29, Mrk 13:24). At the sixth seal, these same cosmic signs will denote that the great day of God’s wrath has come and many will hide themselves in the rocks (Rev 6:12-17). Christians will await Christ’s return through all of the trumpets but will not be around to endure the bowls of God’s wrath. Scripture does say no man may know the exact day or hour of these events, but this does not mean that a person cannot know and recognize the season as it develops. Jesus himself said that when Believers see all these prophetic events transpiring, they can know that the time of their deliverance is near (Mt 24:32, Luke 21:28). How else does a believer know when to go on their rooftop and wait for their redeemer to get them?
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