For Christians who believe in a literal rapture of the church, are you pre-trib, mid-trib, pre-wrath, or post?

Question

I grew up in the pre-trib school, but, for reasons I couldn't quite nail down, was never entirely comfortable with it. Recently, I've re-read the New Testament and compared what Jesus and the apostles taught with the events described in Revelation, and I am now heavily leaning toward the pre-wrath view.

The reason for this change is that I do not believe that the entire seven year Tribulation period is the wrath of God (from which the church is exempt). I think that scripture teaches that the wrath of God begins with what is termed "the Day of the Lord," which, if you compare what Jesus taught to what we see in Revelation, seems to come with the opening of the 7th seal. And, not coincidentally I think, just prior to that we read of "a great number, which no man could number of all nations" standing before God. I think this may very well picture what follows the rapture.

The following site really helps explain this view: http://members.aol.com/chursey/prewrath.htm

Answer 1

I was also puzzled with this question and didn't quite come to the solution of it.

For public, I'm pre-trib, but I'm open to all three. I think that we have to be ready to suffer for Christ if it's mid- or post-trib.

But, during my research, I found out that in the beggining of the last century, guys who held to pre-trib view didn't quite like and were actually persecuting (by kicking them out of schools, churches etc.) post-trib's. I don't know why, since it's not a hearesy or something.

Good question!

Answer 2

I am a Seventh-Day Adventist. We do not believe the popular theology presented by the "Left Behind" books (which are not scriptural) or pre-trib churches today. We are post-trib. We see the 7-year period of prophecy as the 70th "week" of Daniel's prophecy, which ended around the time of Christ. People who are pre-trib end the prophecy at 69 weeks, then "chop off" that last week and place it at the end of time. Not so! The 70th week follows the 69th week chronologically. There is no need to split it up. The "seven years" of that "70th week" begin at Christ's baptism (the beginning of His ministry) and ends with the stoning of Stephen, when the Gospel is sent out to the Gentiles. In the middle of this "week" (at 3-1/2 years) the Messiah is to be "cut off", but not for Himself. That is, He is crucified, but not for His own sins (because He has none.) Then the other 3-1/2 years are from His crucifixion/resurrection until the stoning of Stephen. Jesus wanted the Apostles to spread the Gospel to the Jews first, for 3-1/2 more years, then to go to the Gentiles. Then the Jews were given a 40 year probation until their city would be destroyed in 70 AD.

The "Great Tribulation" was actually the period known as the Dark Ages, when over 50 million Christians were slaughtered for their faith.
There will be another period of "tribulation" just before Christ returns, but it will be "shorted, for the sake of the elect" - which proves that the "elect" [the saved] will be IN the tribuation, not taken out before. (This period may only last a few months.) We see examples that foreshadow this in the OT - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were saved "through" the fiery furnace, not "from" it. Daniel was saved "through" the lion's den, not "from" it. God's people have always had to go "through" tribulation before they are saved.

We look at the story Jesus told in Mat 24:39 "And knew not until the flood came, and TOOK them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be TAKEN, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be TAKEN, and the other left."


Take a look at the verb "took/take" in the above verses. Look at the first verse about Noah. Where were all those people "taken"? They were taken in death! The same verb is used the same way in the next two verses. Where are those people "taken"? In death! The ones "left behind" are the saved ones!

As far as the 144,000, there are some people who think that this is all the people who will be in Heaven! Not true! As you stated, immediately after that, you see the phrase about a great number, which no man could number" of all the nations. Obviously, 144,000 does not fit that description. It is believed that these people are an elite group of people who are historically significant to the spreading of the Gospel. We don't know for sure. But it definitely isn't "all believers of all time."

If you want a more detailed explanation of the post-trib theory, visit your local 7th-Day Adventist church; even the lay people are often quite well-versed in the Bible and would be happy to explain it to you.

Answer 3

I believe in the mid-trib or post-rapture, but not pre-trib rapture! The Great tribulation is the wrath of Satan, not God! Although the wrath of God will follow!

Go to www.endtime.com & listen live or to recently broadcast programs and see if you agree with Irvin Baxter. It is an AWESOME program!

God Bless You!

Sandra P.

Answer 4

Do your homework and discover that "rapture" is a word not in English translations of the Bible. The idea was planted among evangelicals, primarily, by interpretational notes in the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909. The bottom line is that Paul and John were preaching the same resurrection (i.e., "the first"), there is none before the first. The Bible does not contradict itself.

If you want scriptural and historical truth regarding rapture teaching read the book, Jew and Non-Jew Israelites. You can read the introduction and "see inside" on amazon.com.

Answer 5

The term "Day of the Lord" can refer to a 1000 year period(PS 90:4, 2Pet 3;8) or it can refer to an actual day(probably Yom Kippur, Joel 2:15-17 is definitely Yom Kippur).

Answer 6

Pre-Tribulation

Answer 7

I believe "being raptured" is when you are taken up, in the spirit, to observe the happenings in another dimension....like the Twilight Zone. You can see into the other dimension where the battle between the armies of heaven and hell are fought.
There is no physical rapture.

Answer 8

You offer a site to help with your view, and I would like to offer Ezekiel 13:18-23, as a good source on those who
"hunt souls". Verse 20, God "...will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt TO MAKE THEM FLY".

KJV BIBLE

Answer 9

I really Believe we have to Exit, cause the Power of GOD comning out of us keeps Evil and Wickedness at Bay.

Plus, GOD always takes HIS People out befor HE lets loose The Reaping what you have been Sowing---GOD's Mercy Holds that Stuff back at Times.

Answer 10

LOL...I'm sorry, but this type of thing always makes me laugh. All this intense analysis of the Apocalypse, as if it's actually going to happen. It's just insane. (You know, in my opinion or whatever.)

The Apocalypse refers to events contemporary with its author. It's simply written in a sort of code because the early Christians were being persecuted by the Romans. "Babylon" is a euphemism for Rome with her seven hills. The "Beast 666" is the Emperor Nero, whose name adds to that number in the Greek convention. And it's only because the End of the World DIDN'T occur as the author expected it to, within his lifetime, that every generation of "Christians" since has believed it was imminent within THEIR lifetimes.

Sorry to disappoint you, but the End of the World is NOT at hand - or at least if it is, it's not because Jesus is coming back to waste everything.