Introduction This is an extension of our previous article, where the differences between the rapture and the Second Coming was explained. According to a comprehensive survey conducted by Lifeway Research, there is a growing trend amongst Christians now believed to be as high as 25% of all believers, who completely reject the doctrine of the rapture. It is of extreme concern and many suggest it is reflective of the lukewarm age which will eventually lead to a great falling away from the faith. This danger is emphasized in the parable of the ten virgins regardless of viewpoints regarding to whom it refers or when it occurs. In its simplicity there were five virgins who were watching, waiting and were ready, while the other five went about their own business, unconcerned about the season or the warnings of the return of the Bridegroom. For the remainder of us who believe in the “blessed hope”, there are three main groups of interpretation which carry the majority of viewpoints concerning its timing. Sadly the discussion of the timing of the rapture, unlike in times past, sparks aggressive debate amongst Christians, where doctrine takes a back seat and ego’s flourish. While we unmask the basis of each view, together with what we believe are its merits or short-comings, it is the journey of all believers to ultimately make sense of it for themselves. In my opinion, the pre-tribulation rapture theory stands out amongst the others. If you disagree, just maybe this article will change your mind. If not, at least we know on what we choose to disagree and can debate in love and with expectation of the coming of our Lord.

The view of the Post Tribulation Rapture Those who believe in the Post Tribulation Rapture Theory, believe it basically occurs at the same time as the Second Coming of Christ. It is either at the time Christ is on His way to the earth, where He reunites with all believers in mid-air, or it occurs a little earlier, either before or after the bowl judgments. According to the same research paper, almost 24% of those who believe in the rapture, accept this as truth.

Main claims The basis of their belief concerns their opinion on the interpretation of other eschatological events. Since Revelation describes the “ first resurrection ” as occurring after the tribulation, (Rv. 20:5-6) , it is believed that this is referring to the the resurrection of all believers, including both Jews and Christians as described by Paul, (1 Thes. 4:16) . Another argument raised in defense of this view, is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. To this end they conclude that Christ was implying that the wheat and tares, “ believers and unbelievers ”, will remain together, “ until the harvest ”, (Mt. 13:30) . Naturally, they associate this harvest with that of “the first resurrection” as explained above. Another point raised in defense is that Christians are taught that they will endure the tribulation, not escape it, (Jn. 16:1-2 & Rm. 12:12) . While amongst Post Tribulationists there is debate around this, the majority concur that God’s wrath is only fully realized with the release of the bowl judgments. Most accept that it would be incomprehensible for believers to incur the wrath of God. To this end some believe that God’s wrath only occurs with the bowl judgments at the conclusion of the seven year tribulation. The last main differentiation from all other views is that they do not believe in the doctrine of imminence, nor accept that the scriptures teach it.

Possible Short Commings Those who do not accept nor believe the Post Tribulation view identify the following short-comings in their main claims they use to support their view. The “first resurrection” described in Revelation can never be classified as the first in its own right, since Jesus was the first of all resurrections who remained alive. The most natural understanding of this resurrection is to understand that it distinguishes itself from the final resurrection, where the unbelieving dead are resurrected at the Great White Throne Judgment, before eternity. These two resurrections are separated by the millennium reign of Christ. In other words, it is better understood as the first of two resurrections which are separated by Christ’s reign. The second short coming is in their use of the parable of the wheat an tares. Paul’s resurrection of believers in Christ refers to the church and not to the Jews. This is why Daniel was told he would rest and raised up in the last days. As a Jew, he certainly will be raised up during this first resurrection. While Christians are taught they will endure all kinds of tribulation and trouble, it is a far cry from the persecution revealed during the Great Tribulation, described by many Old Testament prophets also as the Day of the Lord. The duration is three and a half years which commences at the mid-point of the seven year tribulation, the same time where the reign of the Antichrist begins over the entire world. It is always described as the day of wrath and vengeance where the human race gets awfully close to extinction. The wrath of God is not limited to the bowl judgments but is acknowledged by the whole world with the release of the sixth seal. Simply for a Christian to incur the wrath of God, this would render the scriptures false, as the church is promised to not incur His wrath, (1 Thes. 1:10 & 5:9) . As indicated in the rapture article, it would serve no purpose for Christ to be crucified with the wrath of God resting on Him as our substitute, for us to incur it anyway. Finally, the view that the doctrine of imminence is not Biblical, goes directly against many teachings by the Apostles themselves. They all believed that Christ could return at any moment. Jesus also taught that He comes at an unknown hour and constantly calls for His believers to be both watchful and ready. To suggest that the tribulation was always imminent but the rapture not, simply contradicts itself.

Counter Considerations Besides from the short comings mentioned above, the Post Tribulation Rapture carries a huge number of red herrings difficult to resolve. If all Christians are resurrected at the same time of the Second Coming, where does the Bema Judgment throne, (1 Cor. 3:10-15 & 2 Cor 5:10) , occur? There is simply no time for Jesus to judge our good works as He returns “ immediately after the tribulation ”, (Mt. 24:30) , with all His Saints. Likewise, His promise of us returning with Him to His Father’s house, “ heaven ” will make no sense, because at His Second Coming all the saints return with Him with the earth as their destination point, (Jn. 4:1-4) . The ultimate red herring is that it goes against the promise that the faithful will escape “ the hour of trial ”, (Rv. 3:10) and the call recorded in Luke by Jesus at the conclusion in describing events at the end of the age: “ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen , and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man ”, (Lk. 21:36) . The Bible does teach an escape. This very escape is the blessed hope. It is for this very reason Paul concluded his explanation of the “ mysterious translation ” with the words: “ Therefore comfort one another with these words ”, (1 Thes. 4:18) . There is surely no comfort knowing that we will incur the events of the Great Tribulation.

The view of the Mid Tribulation Rapture and Pre-Wrath According to recent research by Lifeway Research, those who believe in the mid-tribulation rapture theory, accounts for about 5% of all believers who believe in the rapture. Since there are other views including the views of pre-wrath which is related to a certain extent and account for another 17%, these are all grouped together. This is seen as a mediating view between Pre and Post Tribulationism. Notably there is a difference between mid-point and various pre- wrath views, they differ rather as to the understanding as to exactly when God’s wrath commences. In certain interpretations, God’s wrath is accepted at being at the mid- point, others suggest a slight difference, either just before the half way mark, in the middle of the first half, or up to the mid-point of the second half of the tribulation. The differing views are best illustrated in the illustration below.

T H E S E V E N Y E A R T R I B U L A T I O N

Main claims The essence of these views is that the church will incur “man’s wrath” which is generally believed to be most of the first half of the tribulation, but before God’s wrath is revealed upon the entire world. They believe that the faithful church, promised to escape the “ hour of trial ”, (Rv. 3:10) is describing its escape of God’s wrath during the seven year tribulation. Naturally, those who believe in the mid-point associate this wrath to God’s response to the “ Abomination of desolation ” established by the Antichrist in the temple of the Jews. While the majority believe it is associated with the seventh trumpet judgment, the positioning of this judgment ranges between scholars. Since Paul speaks of the rapture occurring at the last trumpet call, they believe this speaks of the seventh trumpet, (Rv. 11:15-19) . Since this seventh trumpet is associated with the resurrection of the two witnesses, some suggest that the two witnesses represents the church.

Possible Short Commings While certainly this view does attract some following as on the surface it satisfies the prophetic scriptures in respect of Christians escaping the wrath of God, there are certainly certain flaws in this assumption. Since it is Jesus who opens the seals, releasing judgments upon the earth, the entire seven years is seen as God’s judgment and subduing of the nations. With the release of the sixth seal, there is a general acknowledgement by everyone on the earth that the great day of God’s wrath, (The Day of the Lord) has arrived. Yet, it is Jesus who actually begins the process of which only at the six seal is there full realization from humanity. From a pre-tribulation perspective this would still amount to the wrath of Jesus being poured on the church. The second claim that it is associated with the seventh trumpet in Revelation is also very contentious. Scriptures differ in the manner trumpets were used. They were used in praise to God, the assembly of His people or the call to judgment or warfare. The trumpet concerning the rapture is a last call to the church, not a call to earth’s judgment. There is no hint of anything remotely judgmental in the scriptures relating to Christians meeting in the air and receiving their immortal bodies. Yet, the seventh trumpet judgment is exactly that. It is associated with the Ark of the Covenant, a Jewish symbol of the Law and the Prophets, but with it comes catastrophe for the human race. It announces that Christ is about to commence His reign and revealed with “ flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm ”, (Rv. 11:19) . In addition, it announces the impending judgment and destruction to those: “ who destroy the earth ”, (Rv. 11:18) . The seventh trumpet is also not the last trumpet as before Christ begins His reign on earth, there is another call of the trumpet, which occurs after the bowl judgments, (Mt. 24:30) .

Counter Considerations Since we know that the seven year tribulation consists of exactly two halves, (Dn. 9:27, Mt. 24:15 & Rv. 12:14) , each consisting of exactly ,1260 days, (Rv. 11:3 & 12:6) or 42 months, (Rv. 13:5) , the duration is certain. God, in His wisdom limited this final period of judgment to seven years. He knew if He did not shorten the days, the entire human race would be completely obliterated. The promise to the church to “ escape the hour of trial ”, (Rv. 3:10) and that all Christians should: “ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen , and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man ”, (Lk. 21:36) , does not refer to events just around the mid-point of the tribulation or to just escaping the wrath of God, ( (1 Thes. 1:10 & 5:9). Certainly it does not meet any requirements regarding imminence because if the rapture occurs anytime in the tribulation, it will certainly then be expected, especially since its exact duration is emphasized.

The view of the Pre Tribulation Rapture The theory that the rapture occurs sometime, whether its months or years before the seven year tribulation is extremely popular. According to Lifeway Research out of all those who believe in the rapture, 48% of these Christians, believe it is pre-tribulation. Having said this the numbers have declined in recent years. The position of the rapture occurring before the onset of the seven year tribulation was made very popular by the “Left behind Series” as well as the works of Hal Lindsey and the late Jack van Impe. Naturally, these best selling books by influential teachers has contributed to knowledge concerning its timing.

Main claims The most natural interpretation of any Biblical prophecy, let alone events set aside for the very last days of human rule, is to accept it as literal. It is only when the context suggests otherwise, especially with repeated phrases such as “like” or “as”, does it warrant an alternative explanation. The litmus test of interpreting future prophecies, is the manner in which previous prophecies were fulfilled. They always had a literal understanding just from the plain reading of the text such as Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Babylon invading Israel or Daniel’s and Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the killing of the Messiah. Due to the enormous amount of information concerning the Second Coming, other positions have to turn their backs on a literal interpretation at certain key points. If they don’t do this, their view will not make sense. Many of the reasons discussed above are explained with congruency when the pre- tribulation view is accepted. There is a clear distinction between prophecies relating to the church and those relating to Israel. The Post Tribulation view abounds with confusion on this separation. Jewish salvation is dependent upon the rapture of the church. Paul describes the event beckoning Christians to not be ignorant: “ I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in , and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins’ ”, (Rom. 11:25-27) . Paul repeatedly distinguishes and separates Jewish salvation from that of the church. While the pre- tribulation view accepts that Christians will face persecution in their lives, the rapture remains the “blessed hope”. Incurring parts of the seven year tribulation, depletes this message of hope, as believers will be so concerned with the world and the Antichrist and surviving the period, rather than enjoying their promise and their hope. The tribulation is specifically designed and decreed for Jerusalem’s desolations and the Jewish race, (Dn. 9:24) . A careful study of Revelation further reveals that the church is not present in any scene involving judgment or wrath. While it is mentioned numerous times at the start of Revelation, it is never mentioned again from the heavenly vision of chapter four until the Second Coming in Revelation, chapter nineteen, where it is described as being “the bride” in heaven. All the Apostles taught and believed themselves that Christ could return for the church at any time, (Jn. 14:1-3, Acts 1:11, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Phl. 3:20 & Col. 3:4) . Placing the rapture anywhere during the tribulation or at its end, eliminates that Christ can occur at any time. Believers in the Mid and Post Tribulation rapture look forward to the Antichrist and his revealing as opposed to the Lord returning for His own. It fulfills the promise given by Jesus that He will return for us and take us back to His Father’s home in heaven, (Jn. 14:3) . As indicated above, while the mid- tribulation perspective satisfies this promise, the Post Tribulation position falls way short as there is no time to return to heaven. Not only is the church not present, but the faithful are promised to “ be kept from ” and to “ escape all the events ”, (Rv. 3:10 & Lk. 21:36) . Positioning the rapture around the tribulation simply does not fulfill any of these promises. Jesus informed us that in the very last days it will be like the days of Noah as well as the days of Lot. Just as Noah was delivered before God passed judgment on the world and Lot escaped Sodom, before it was consumed and obliterated, so is the pattern of the rapture.

Concluding comments Interestingly in debates with regards to the timing of the pre- tribulation rapture all other views tend to join forces against the pre- tribulation perspective. People who believe in the pre-tribulation theory are told that it is a recent view. To the contrary there is written evidence to the early parts of Christianity which counter this claim. Not that a recent view automatically disqualifies it. Pre- Tribs are also informed that they will be unprepared for the tribulation to come, as they won’t be focused on their lives. There is plenty of evidence that the Apostles and the early Church Fathers all believed in the rapture. Other than these objections, there is very little counter for a pre- tribulation perspective, only technical debates concerning words and their possible meanings. While it has become a point of division amongst Christians, it is certainly not a doctrine that should effect salvation, nor our love for one another. We are all called to be watchful, to pray and to be accounted worthy. When the Lord returns for His bride, He certainly wants her to be excited. The pre- tribulation rapture in my opinion has always created this excitement forcing many in all generations to examine their lifestyles and to: ” work out their salvation with fear and trembling ”, (Phil. 2:13-13) .