The Reasons That The Rapture of the Church Must Take Place Before the Tribulation Period There currently exists a handful of viewpoints in regards to the event in the Bible known as
the rapture. However only the pre-trib viewpoint doesn’t have contradictions with some of the scriptures.
Biblical eschatology refers to an event when Christians will be removed from earth and join Jesus in the air. Along the way they are transformed into their glorified new bodies. All the believers who have died before will be there as well. The Bible informs us that we will then forever be with the Lord. Paul writes about this event in the books of 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians. This is the event that is referred to the rapture of the church.
Biblical end times prophecy also features an event of tribulation in the world which will occur during the last 3.5 years before the second coming of Christ. These troubles are the fury of the Lord being unleashed on to a Christ-rejecting world. They include incredible natural disasters, plagues, and wars. This time is described in the book of Revelation, the final book of the new Testament. It isn’t a happy scene. However we are told that it will occur, and most likely soon.
So the glaring question is, will the the rapture occur before the trouble time in Revelation. Believers share several opinions over this topic. Those who expect that the rapture will happen prior to the final 7 years are said to be holding the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. Some maintain a mid-tribulation viewpoint wherein the churches are removed only before the final 3.5 years to avoid the really bad stuff. Of course there are people that deny the rapture happening at all, and/or hold fast to a post-tribulation doctrine, which is really the same thing.
The better Bible teachers, however, hold either the pre-trib or mid-trib doctrine. This is by no coincidence a result of the fact they are the ones who have more thoroughly studied scripture, and are trained in Greek and Hebrew. There are 2 different accounts of the return of Jesus in the Bible. Also, we are told that it will happen at an unknown date and time. However the Bible also gives us the exact timing of the return of Christ. The only way that this makes sense is if the rapture takes place first on an unknown date.
The Bible informs us in no uncertain terms that believers are not appointed to wrath. There are a lot passages which let us know the church will not have to endure the great tribulation. These include both Old Testament and New Testament references. In the Old Testament, Enoch was raptured before the Noah’s ark flood because he walked with God. Also, Lot was removed of Sodom before the judgment upon that city. As a matter of fact when Abraham bargained with God for Sodom he said far be it from the God of the world to judge the righteous along with the wicked, and God did not argue that statement. So it remains in the Bible as truth.
In the New Testament there are plenty of references that state that believers will not be partakers in God’s wrath on a wicked Messiah-rejecting world. Most significantly among these passages is First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 19 where Christians are promised that we are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Christ Himself tells us in the gospels to pray always that we would be considered worthy to escape the coming tribulation. In His letter to the church of Philadelphia in Revelation chapter 3 verse 10 He advises them that because they were true they would be saved from the hour of tribulation. I could go on, however at this juncture you should be enlightened already.
It is not crucial to believe the doctrine of the rapture. It is critical to understand and respond to the message of the gospel. That is of course, the understanding that Jesus is the savior who died on the cross for our sins as the one and only sacrifice that can remove them and open us entry into heaven with God. To refuse this gift is an eternal rebellion against God and unfortunately there is no other place for your everlasting spirit to go than hell. You can speak a short prayer right this second to stop that. Jesus, forgive me.