Biblical last days prophecy features an event when Christians will be removed from the earth and join Jesus Christ in the air. In route they are changed into their immortal new bodies. All the Christians who have died before will be there also. Scripture tells us that they will then forever be with the Lord. The Apostle Paul informs us about this event in the books of 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians. This is the event that is called the rapture of the church.
Christian eschatology also refers to a time of great tribulation on the earth which will happen during the last three and a half years before the second advent of Jesus Christ. These troubles are the fury of the Lord being let loose on to a God-rejecting world. They include incredible natural disasters, plagues, and wars. This era is revealed in the book of Revelation, the final book of the new Testament. It is not pleasant. But we are assured that it will take place, and most likely very soon.
So the glaring question is, will the the rapture happen before the tribulation time in Revelation. Believers share several viewpoints over this point. Those who think that the rapture will take place in advance of the last seven years are referred to as maintaining the pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint. Some maintain a mid-tribulation doctrine where believers are raptured only prior to the last three and a half years to avoid the judgments. Finally there are people that deny the rapture occurring at all, and/or hold to a post-tribulation viewpoint, which is in reality the same thing.
The really good Bible teachers, however, teach either the pre-trib or mid-trib viewpoint. This is by no coincidence because they are the ones who have better studied scripture, and are trained in Greek and Hebrew. There are 2 different accounts of the return of Jesus in the Bible. Also, we are informed that it will occur at an unknown date and time. But scripture also gives us the exact timing of the second timing. The only way that this makes sense is if the rapture of the Church occurs first on an unknown date.
Scripture tells us in no uncertain terms that the faithful are not appointed to wrath. There are a multitude of passages which explain Christians will not experience the tribulation. These include both Old Testament and New Testament stories. In the Old Testament, Enoch was removed before the Noah’s ark flood due to the fact that he walked with God. Also, Lot was removed of Sodom before the destruction that city. Interestingly when Abraham bargained with God for Sodom and Gomorrah he said far be it from the God of the world to judge the righteous along with the wicked, and God did not argue that statement. So it stands in the Bible as truth.
In the New Testament there are many references that assure us that Christians will not be included in God’s wrath against a wicked Christ-rejecting earth. Prominently among these verses is 1 Thess 5:19 where the faithful are promised that we are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Christ Himself informs us in the gospels to pray always that we would be considered worthy to escape the coming tribulation. In His letter to the church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:10 He informs them that because they were faithful they would be saved from the hour of tribulation. I could continue, however at this juncture you should be enlightened already.
It is not crucial to believe the idea of the rapture. It is crucial to get and respond to the message of the gospel. Which is, the message that Jesus is the savior who was willingly tortured to death for our sins as the one and only sacrifice that can vanquish them and gain us entry into everlasting life with God. To hear and reject this gift is an eternal rejection God and unfortunately there is no other place for your everlasting soul to go than the eternal lake of fire. You can say a 3-word prayer right this instance to prevent that. Jesus, forgive me.
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For more information about the rapture please visit http://www.incaseoftherapture.com
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