The case for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture- These are reasons that people believe in a pre Tribulation Rapture. I personally do not think that there will be a pre Tribulation Rapture.
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Born again Christians are not "appointed to wrath"; but, instead will be delivered before the beginning of the tribulation. God, the Father, waited until the prophecies concerning Jesus were fulfilled before he took His Son out of the world and the same will be true concerning the Rapture. When the prophecies are fulfilled, then Jesus will “deliver us from the wrath to come.”
"But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:" (Mark 13:14).
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22).
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21).
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:22)..
In the above passages, the "Elect" is referring to the tribulation saints. These are the Christians who have not accepted the mark of the beast and have accepted Jesus as their Lord during the tribulation. This is not referring to the Church age, which was raptured before the beginning of the tribulation.
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36).
We are told to pray always so that we might be accounted as worthy to escape all things, but what are we trying to escape? We are escaping the wrath of God or the tribulation because Born again Christians will be accounted "worthy to escape ALL these things" that will come to pass.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
The hour of temptation that will encompass “all the world” is a direct reference to the tribulation. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be “kept from the hour of temptation”. Revelation 3:10 is very specific when it says it will "try them that dwell upon the earth" because that is what the tribulation will be. The tribulation is the refining of the Jews and lost Christians so that they will turn back to The creator, God.
"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (Isaiah 26:20).
For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, [6] and shall no more cover her slain." (Isaiah 26:21).
Isaiah is speaking to the Church about the Rapture and "In that Day" we shall be hidden while the earth is punished for its iniquity. Jesus has made it very clear that we will not face the punishment of his wrath, for as Noah and Lott etc... were spared, so will the Church. The indignation is the wrath of God (tribulation) and the people who have accepted the blood of Christ will be hidden until it is past.
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Notice that in the above verses the “mystery of iniquity" (anti-Christ) is already at work and then notice that “taken out of the way” occurs (Rapture) “and then shall that wicked be revealed”. Born again Christians will see the works of the anti Christ but will not be around when he is revealed (A.K.A the beginning of the tribulation.)
"Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger." (Zephaniah 2:3)
Revelation chapter 1-4 speaks of the 7 churches (Church Ages) and describes the characteristics of these 7 churches. However, after chapter 4, John is transported to heaven (Rapture) and the churches are never mentioned until the second coming of Jesus. We are to be seeking righteousness so that Jesus will hide us from His anger (tribulation). There is undeniable proof in the bible that the church will be hid or taken out of the way before the tribulation begins. Please accept Jesus into your life before it is too late. God Bless!
