You may know by now that I’m writing a study on Revelation. I plan to teach it in the fall of 2020. If you have studied end-time prophesy, you know the sequence of major events: the Rapture of the Church, the 7-year tribulation period, the 2nd coming of Jesus, and the thousand year reign on the earth. One question that seems to have believers scratching their heads is: “When is Jesus coming back for the Church” (the Rapture)?

The viewpoints are… Pre-tribulation, Mid-tribulation, post-tribulation. What does the Bible say? Will Jesus return before the tribulation, during the tribulation, or at the conclusion of the tribulation?

Now, let me say this: our views on this have nothing to do with salvation. Our entrance into heaven is based on God’s grace, nothing else. But since this is such a hot topic and I love studying end-time things, I wanted to address it. While some would argue there is biblical evidence for all three, I believe there is greater substantial evidence for the pre-tribulation viewpoint. So, what are they? Well, here are some of the evidences (**you may want to click on the verses as you go along):

1. The Church (the Holy Spirit) is holding Satan back from unleashing his full fervor! (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

If you think you’ve seen evil at its worse, then think again. The 7 years of tribulation on this earth will be unleashed with GREAT fervor. The wide-spread evil and destruction will be greater than our world has ever known. But right now, the Holy Spirit (who lives in the hearts of all God’s people) is holding Satan back. But the Holy Spirit will be removed when the Church is removed.

2. We DO NOT know when Jesus will return for His Church! (Matthew 24:36)

In the Bible, there are two specific end-time events (which are different): the Rapture of the Church (when God’s people meet Jesus in the clouds – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) and the 2nd coming of Jesus (when He comes back to the earth and stands on the Mount of Olives – Zechariah 14:3-4). According to Scripture, Jesus could return for His Church at any time. We simply do not know when. The tribulation period begins with the peace treaty the Antichrist will make with Israel and other nations, followed by 7 years of tribulation. If the Rapture takes place after this, then we have a time-frame.

3. The Church isn’t mentioned in Revelation after Chapter 3!

Revelation 4 is focused around the throne of God, and Revelation 5 is about Jesus opening the scroll to begin judgment. If the Church is present during the Tribulation, I’m sure we would have instruction on the roll of the Church during the Tribulation. But there is NO mention of the Church at all during this time.

4. There is NO mention of the church going through the tribulation in the Epistles!

Throughout the epistles, the writers issue several warnings to the Church (warnings about false prophets and ungodly living); but never do they warn the Church about the coming GREAT TRIBULATION or how the Church needs to act during this time. 

5. The elders in heaven have crowns! (Revelation 4:4)

In Revelation 4, John gets a vision of the throne. Around the throne are 24 elders, and they have crowns on their heads. Scholars agree that the elders represent the Church and the crowns are the rewards they’ve received for good works when they were on the earth. This vision is just before the Tribulation begins. And the rewards will be given shortly after the Rapture. In this case, the Rapture takes place before the Tribulation.

6. Believers will be kept from the hour of trial (the Tribulation)! Revelation 3:10

This verse is a strong reference that the Church will not go through the Tribulation. 

7. Believers (the armies of heaven) are with Jesus at the 2nd Coming! (Revelation 19:11-14)

If the Church is with Jesus at the 2nd Coming, then that means that we have already been taken up to heaven in the Rapture.

At the conclusion of his “Rapture” message to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul said, “So encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). I don’t think the Rapture message would be very encouraging if we knew we had to go through the Tribulation first. Do you? 

I hope this has given you some food for thought. And I hope you’ll join me in the winter of 2020 for our Bride of Christ Bible study (which covers a lot of end-time things) and in the fall of 2020 for Revelation. Stay tuned for more information. All my Bible studies are offered ONLINE, and FREE of charge.

Blessings,

Our fall Bible study starts in one week. Sign up today…