The idea of a pre-tribulation rapture has been a popular idea
for some time. I'll expound on it in light of certain Bible passages,
but first I'll say something out of my own reasoning. If we were to
assume one way or another, the safe assumption would be to assume that a
pre-tribulation rapture will not happen. If we assume that it will and
it doesn't, then we are left unprepared for the tribulation. If we
assume that it won't and it does, then we are either taken to be with
Christ, or we are prepared to be left behind. But I never understood
why some people are so afraid of being left behind to deal with the
tribulation. Is persecution to be unexpected as a Christian? So what
is so bad about being left behind? Its not as if that person has no way
to heaven. Its as simple as deciding to die for Christ, and after the
brief time of suffering, there is eternal life. So being left behind
isn't so bad. It might even be better than that, which I will explain
later.
Now that I've given my own personal disclaimer on the rapture, I will
point out that there are some verses in Scripture that allude to it
happening. There is nothing that plainly states that there will be a
pre-tribulation rapture, but there are some verses that give us that
hint. Below are listed those verses.
Matthew 24:40-41
1Corinthians 15:51-52
1Thessalonians 4:15-17
Revelation 3:10
Now I won't get into pre/post/mid tribulation. That can get sticky
and pointless. Point is, there is some indication that a rapture will
happen. And Jesus' words to the angel of the church in Philadelphia do
indicate that there will be a pre-tribulation rapture, at least for the
church in Philadelphia. I personally believe it will only be for the
church in Philadelphia. If you want to know what the church in
Philadelphia is, I have written a blog about it. As for other of the
seven churches, particularly the church in Laodicea, the tribulation is a
time of testing. This is when Jesus "vomits" the Laodicean church out
of His mouth. Not all of the church, I imagine, but the great majority
of it.
The Great Apostasy
It would help the describe how the world will be leading up to the
tribulation of the last days. In three different places Paul mentions a
great apostasy of the last days (2Thessalonians 2:1-12, 1Timothy 4:1-3,
2Timothy 3:1-9). The antichrist is the culmination of the great
apostasy. But for the world to allow the antichrist to gain power,
there must be a great apostasy that precedes the tribulation itself.
The last days will be dark days, make no mistake about it. And Paul
writes that we should not be worried about missing the coming of Christ,
because we know that the great apostasy will happen before it. Paul
expressly writes that (2Thessalonians 2:3). It is simply wrong to say
that Christ could return at any moment; there are things that must
happen first. Christ Himself says that the gospel will be preached in
all the world before the end, and He says that His coming will be such
that all people over the world will see it (Matthew 24:23-27). Its not
something that could possibly be missed. You've probably heard that His
coming will be like a thief in the night, meaning that most people will
not expect it. And no one knows the day or hour. He says that His
coming will be like the flood of Noah (Matthew 24:26-27). But here's
something a lot people do not realize: We can know when His coming is
soon. He does not come like a thief in the night for everyone; that's
only for the ones that pay no attention, do not read Scripture and are
ignorant. Paul writes to the Thessalonians and says that His coming
will not be like a thief in the night for them, because they are not in
darkness. They are "sons of the day" (1Thessalonians 5:1-5). So keep
that in mind. You might not know the day or the hour of Christ's
return, but He did specifically say "day or hour", not ruling out the
possibility of knowing the year; and He does say that we will see the
signs. The second coming, as well as the events that precede it, cannot
take you off guard if you know what to look for.
The second advent
As already mentioned, there will be a tribulation period in which the
antichrist will rule over the world. There will be some sort of global
governing body headed by the first beast of Revelation. This kingdom,
as I'll call it, is the fourth beast in Daniel 7. Somehow it will be
connected to the ancient Roman Empire, just as the iron of Daniel 2
relates to the iron of Daniel 7. The city, which is figuratively called
Babylon in Revelation, and where the antichrist will establish his
throne, is Rome itself. Rome is known as the "city on seven hills"
(Revelation 17:9). Through deception the antichrist will gain power
(2Thessalonians 2:9-10). The tribulation period is seven years, but
that is split into two halves. The middle of the seven year period is
signified by the antichrist setting up an abomination in the temple (a
third temple, which, I believe, will be built in the coming decades),
and ending the sacrifices made (Daniel 9:27). Its also signified by the
antichrist killing the two witnesses (Revelation 11:7-10). And then
there are plagues, which are written of in Revelation. At the end of
the seven year tribulation, after the antichrist has killed almost all
the saints on earth, and after God has poured out plagues on the world
in retribution, Christ will return. He comes as a conqueror, and to
kill His enemies. All of the saints who were martyred, as well as the
few who survived the tribulation, are riding behind Him. Along with the
saints and I suppose many angels, Christ conquers the world and
establishes His own rule of it. The greatness and glory of this event
is something that is beyond imagination. I won't even try to put it
into words.
The millennial reign
The thousand year rule of Christ is written of in Revelation 20:4-6.
It makes sense, because of the prophecies, particularly in Isaiah,
which speak of a kind of heaven on earth. Where there is complete peace
and at least some of the effects of the curse are reversed. As well as
an everlasting kingdom. Though a thousand years is not forever, the
kingdom itself lives on with the new earth, new heaven, and New
Jerusalem. Now its quite interesting, the Scripture in Revelation
actually says that its the martyrs of the tribulation, who did not
receive the mark of the beast, who will rule with Christ during the
thousand years. I always wondered how that would work, because I always
worked under the assumption that everyone that did receive the mark was
killed at the coming of Christ. Yet Revelation does not say that
everyone is killed. Many people are killed, certainly, with all the
plagues and bloodshed. But it says that Christ rules the nations with a
iron rod (Revelation 12:5), and the saints rule with Christ (Revelation
20:4). So if Christ and the saints rule together, who are they ruling
over? I suppose there are survivors from the tribulation period, and
these survivors repopulate the earth. As for the saints that rule with
Christ - get this - they have already died and been brought back to
life. That means they have already received their immortal bodies. So
there are, in Jerusalem the capital, Christ and His immortal saints
ruling over the entire world. The city Jerusalem, as I imagine it, will
be a remarkable place. And I would suppose, though its not written
anywhere, that only the saints will be allowed inside Jerusalem. All of
the mortal humans will not be allowed inside. But the immortal saints
will have the freedom to go and do as they please, for they will rule
the world, with Christ of course. Some of that is my own speculation,
but much of it is based on what is written in Revelation. We are told
that the rest of the dead do not rise until the end of the thousand
years. That is the great day of judgement. The thousand year reign is
only for the martyrs of the tribulation, as well as the few survivors -
those saints who go through the tribulation. So getting back to the
rapture question, I told you I would explain why being left behind might
not be so bad afterall. This is why. If a saint is taken in the
rapture, I am not sure if that saint will partake of the millennial
reign. I cannot say either way. I am pretty certain, however, that
those saints who go through the tribulation will partake of the
millennial reign. At the end of it all, there is a new earth, a new
heaven, and a New Jerusalem. Everything is made new, and the saints
live forever. What happens in the meantime can be a wonderful mystery
unfolding.
For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not
been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever
shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be
saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Then if
anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not
believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show
great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I
have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is
in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do
not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to
the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever
the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately
after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the
moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man
will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,
and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound
of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four
winds, from one end of heaven to the other. -Jesus in Matthew 24:21-31
(NKJV)
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