Rapture: Does this occur before The Tribulation?
There are many people today who don’t even know about The Rapture, let alone believe in it. What do YOU know about it? You’ll find articles and videos on this website that explain it. Here are the names of two of them—
Rapture: How is this different from the Second Coming?
Rapture: What is the meaning of this term?
Just type a key word or two in the search box and tap your enter key to find what you’re looking for. A selection of options will then pop up.
The Rapture is the occasion when all of us as believers will gain our resurrection body with all the wonderful features the one Jesus Christ now has.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
The occasion in which this will occur was once a secret held in the mind of God.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery [MUSTERION = a secret]; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
It is called “a mystery” because this was totally unknown to the prophets before the apostle Paul’s revelation of it. We are “changed” in that we’re then given a new and perfect resurrection body in which to dwell.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [Emphasis added]
The Rapture is the final act of God in this current Dispensation of the Grace of God of which we are a part today. This event is immediately FOLLOWED by a seven-year period of tribulation like the world has never seen before. This event does not occur in the middle of that period of tribulation as some claim. We know that because, unlike the time of the Tribulation, as noted above, The Rapture was “a mystery” unknown to the Old Testament prophets. This includes people who lived in the time frame of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. No one before Paul knew or wrote anything about it. This includes a passage in Matthew that sometimes causes people to think otherwise—
Matthew 24:40-42
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Here it is the unbeliever who will be taken, not the believer. The believer will then go into what we speak of as the thousand-year Millennial Kingdom.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [Emphasis added]
This Matthew passage is about an event called the Baptism of Fire that occurs at what is typically called the Second Coming of Christ. You’ll find an article about the “Baptism of Fire” and all the other baptisms mentioned in Scripture on this website—
Baptism: What are we to believe about it?
I know that when people hear or see the word baptism they usually think of water. But, as you’ll see in that article, there are many other baptisms in Scripture that have nothing to do with water.
The coming period of history called the Tribulation is mentioned in numerous places in what we typically speak of as the Old Testament.
Daniel 12:1
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. [Emphasis added]
If you’ve accepted by faith God’s prescribed means for your salvation, you don’t have to be concerned about being here when that time of extreme suffering comes. As a member of what is called the church, which is the Body of Christ, you’ll already be in Heaven enjoying all the wonderful benefits thereof. Here’s the passage of Scripture that is most often referred to in conversations about The Rapture—
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [a reference to believers who have passed away], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [a reference to our gospel today], even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord [indicating that this was special revelation that was given to Paul], that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep [believers of our time who have passed away].
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
When he says we’re “caught up” he’s speaking of The Rapture, our time of resurrection.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. [Emphasis added]
Yes, it is quite comforting to know that this event is coming. It is also comforting to know that we won’t be here for the seven harsh years of tribulation that then follow. We are told that we’ll all be delivered from God’s wrath in that period.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. [Emphasis added]
As believers we are the objects of God’s blessing. We are assured that we’ll be delivered from His wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, [Emphasis added]
God’s wrath will be a part of the beginning, middle, and end of that time, including the time of His actual appearance on the Earth.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [Emphasis added]
However, we’ll be delivered from all of this.
Romans 5:9
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [Emphasis added]
Scripture clearly tells us the suffering experienced in that time of the Tribulation will be like nothing ever experienced by mankind in all history.
Matthew 24:21-22
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. [Emphasis added]
Are you prepared for this event called The Rapture? It is imminent, meaning it could occur at any moment. The fact of the matter is that it has been imminent since the time Paul uttered these words. In all that time there’s not been ANY prophecy that needed to be fulfilled for it to occur. You’ll find a whole article about this one thing on this website—
Prophecy: Is any being fulfilled today?
Even Paul’s words about the times leading up to The Rapture are simply trends in ALL history, not prophecy.
1 Timothy 4:1-5
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times [the times leading up to The Rapture] some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils [DIAMONION = demons];
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats [BROMA = foods], which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified [HAGIAZO = set apart] by the word of God and prayer. [Emphasis added]
All prophecy is associated with regenerated Israel, not us as members of the Body of Christ. For more information about all this, please see my other articles about it—
Prophecy: Is any being fulfilled today?
Prophecy: Will believers of our time go through The Tribulation?
Isn’t it comforting to know that as believers we all have so much to look forward to enjoying forever? We may be caused to suffer terribly in this life but we’re always only a breath away from it all.
If you’re not confident about where you’ll spend eternity, please make your preparation now. There will be no second opportunity after death, as false teaching wants people to believe. When you take that “last breath” your place in eternity will be your “home” FOREVER. So, I hope and pray you’ll accept the Savior God provided for you as the sole basis for your salvation. It is as the apostle Paul and some others once told a Philippian jailor.
Acts 16:31
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [Emphasis added]
Yes, he was told that he and his whole family could be saved if they would each accept the provision God made for them through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Christ died, paying the full penalty for all your sins. Put your faith in Him and you’ll be saved forever.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
