First, as I’ve been saying a few times, I do not believe that present-day Christians will go through the 7 year Tribulation, but will be raptured before that. There is, I believe, ample evidence in Scripture to support this belief, otherwise known as Pre-Tribulation. I have heard some people say that it doesn’t really matter when Jesus returns, but I beg to differ. It’s like saying that it doesn’t really matter what you believe, just as long as you’re a Christian. But if you’ll recall yesterday’s blog, Paul warns the Thessalonians:2Thes. 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means:
There are many reasons to know what we believe, not the least being what Paul was saying, not to be shaken in mind or troubled that Jesus was about to return (the Second Coming). And secondly, if we don’t know what we believe, we can more easily be deceived and then be led astray (verse 3 above). And if we’re led astray, it will definitely affect our relationship with Jesus, not to mention hinder any use we might be for the sake of His Kingdom. Sometimes whole churches are brought down because of errancy in belief.
One of the distinguishing features of the Rapture is that it is at this time that Christians will receive resurrected bodies (all Scripture taken from the NIV):
Php 3:21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
1Jn 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
I Cor. 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
1Cor. 15:52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1Cor. 15:53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
It is very important to note that in these verses the dead will also be raised at the same time to meet Jesus in the air. This does not occur at the Second Coming of Jesus (at the end of the Tribulation).
In the Scriptures below, we notice a definite sequence of events:
1Cor. 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Cor. 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
1Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
1Cor. 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
1Cor. 15:24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. NIV
Notice that Jesus death and resurrection is the first, then in verse 23, all those who belong to Him (the Rapture), and then notice verse 24, Then the end will come.
Finally, the last Scriptures we will look at that mention the Rapture are below and they also mention the resurrection of the dead:
1Thes. 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
1Thes. 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1Thes. 4:15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Thes. 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
1Thes. 4:18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. NIV
If we know anything about the 7 Year Tribulation (where God pours out his wrath on the world) and the Second Coming of Jesus, the above Scriptures simply do not fit that time period. There is every indication that the Rapture can happen at any time. None of these verses are surrounded by talk of the coming wrath or judgement of God on the world, or the 7 Year Tribulation period! In fact just the opposite is true, these verses are given to encourage present-day believers and to give us consolation and great hope that He is coming soon; and also that our saved loved ones who have died are also going up to meet Him at the same time! What blessed hope and consolation. Only Jesus could give us such an incredible gift!
One of the most comforting passages of Scripture is found in John where Jesus promises His disciples:
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. NIV
Notice the last verse, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Where is He taking us? Well, look at verse 2, my Father’s house. Clearly, this will not happen at the end of the Tribulation period since Christ does not go back to heaven with the saints at that time. Rather, He then begins his 1000 year reign (the dispensation of His Kingdom on earth), or another term for it, the millennium.
Much has been written concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture, and there is much debate over the order of events. Again, I’d like to stress the importance of doing whatever we can to gain some understanding of what’s coming! It’s important, not only for our own peace of mind, but especially to comfort present day believers and to warn unbelievers of what is to come. I’d like to recommend a really good and scripturally sound book called The Rapture Question, by John F. Walvoord. It’s worth reading through. It has an excellent index and thorough Bibliography giving lists of books on the subject!
This ends the Order of Events series in this blog. Stay tuned for more blogs to come!
Thanks for reading and may God Bless You!
Excellent blog. So good to see someone holding on to the Truth of Scripture. Maranatha!
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