I mentioned previously, there are those that believe in either a pre, mid, or post Tribulation Rapture. As I pointed out, what is really important is that we live our utmost for the Lord and that He finds us working diligently in His fields whenever He does come back. No matter what, the Lord does not want us to ever live out our lives in fear. But this does not leave me without my interpretation of what I believe the Bible actually teaches.
The word Rapture does not actually appear in the Bible. It says this about the Rapture on Wikipedia: The Rapture is a reference to the catching up of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 when Christians will be gathered together in the air to meet Christ. The event is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where the Latin Vulgate has ‘rapiemur’, which may be translated as ‘we shall be raptured’ or ‘we shall be caught up’. Along with the Rapture it is said that Christians will be gathered together in the air to meet Christ. However, the Rapture’s relationship to other eschatological events is a matter of hot dispute. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 actually says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
In order to get a proper perspective of the ‘Rapture’, I believe that we must also take a proper look at ‘God’s Wrath’. First of all John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” In short, God’s wrath already abides on those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior. But now we must go on and look at a time that is coming on the earth that is described as the great day of God’s wrath, which is referred to as the seven year ‘Tribulation’ period, or last week of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. The next three Scriptures I believe refer to this time on earth:
Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We are already living during the time of Satan’s wrath against those that are true Christians. But there is a time coming when the great day of the Lord’s wrath will be poured out on the earth. If my interpretation of Scripture is correct, the true Christians were not meant to have to go thru this darkest period for Mark 13:19 declares, “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.”
Some Christians will argue for a Mid-Tribulation Rapture, because the first 3 ½ years will be a relative time of order until the Anti-Christ breaks the peace treaty and desecrates the Temple known as the Abomination of Desolation (see Daniel 9:27) and plunges the earth into what is referred to as the Great Tribulation (Mark 13:14). But I have a problem with that view because we are told that no one knows the time of Jesus Second Coming except the Father. But once the Tribulation Period begins at the signing of the peace treaty, time calculations can be accurately made. I believe the Second coming of Christ begins with His Rapture of the Saints, which no one can accurately calculate, and culminates with His setting foot 7 years later on Mount Olivet. That way His warning of always being ready and no one knowing the time will be accurately fulfilled.
In conclusion, Revelation 3:10 says, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18 encourages us, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Annointing 
Hi there,
Thank you so much for this post. You really explained it well, and I agree, being ready when the Lord calls us up and sharing His message with others is first and foremost. I am a firm Pre-Tribber and I do not believe, nor see from scripture how anyone can think we are going to face the final wrath of God. And yet, Post-tribbers in particular really seem to want shove this view down folks throats and just put so much fear in them.
Yet, no one can explain how all the Christians would live during the Trib? Where do they think they would be when 1/3 of mankind is killed, 1/3 of the waters and earth destroyed, the sun and moon blackened, 100 lbs hail stones plummeting to earth, start falling from the sky, etc., etc.? 1/4 of the world afflicted with hunger, I mean what do they think we will eat? And how do they think the NWO and OWR would be ushered in with so many Christians still on earth? Or, how do they think Christians would survive without taking the MOB? Do they really think the Church, the Bride of Christ– will be here to see the Antichrist? There is no one that can stand before us True Believers and fool us into thinking they can bring peace…we already know what is going to happen. We would never fall for that…never. And honestly, just where do they think we will be during the battle of Armageddon?
It’s as if they skip right over all of Revelation and other prophecies and want to endure God’s wrath… I just don’t understand why Pastors are teaching their congregations that? I would prefer they not teach on the Rapture at all. How can they study God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and come to “think” we are appointed to God’s wrath when it says the exact opposite? Not to mention, the purpose for the Tribulation is to turn Israel back to God, and cause all her enemies to know that He is God!
Anyway, sorry for getting so long on this. I should really write a piece on my own blog. That’s fine to hold a different matter of opinion, a guess, speculation– but to twist the scripture and be dogmatic about it–is entirely a different matter.
I enjoyed this post very much and thank you for pointing out that we are not appointed to God’s wrath!
Blessings!
Cocopea, I appreciate your encouragement because I always want to hear people’s comments and weigh them out to see if I am on the right path or not.
2 Timothy 4:3 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” We see this happening in our day with so many teachers of the Word who promote sensational doctrine. Then, back when Jesus walked the earth, He spoke out about the Jewish leaders who loved to promote their harsh doctrines. Both harsh and sensational teachings are a stench to the Lord’s nostrils. I take this very seriously. That is why I entitled the theme for my blog site ‘Sound Doctrine for the End Times’.
You mentioned that you do not understand why some Pastors teach what they do. They are either deceived themselves or they love to stir things up in order to make a name for themselves. In either case, I would not want to be in their shoes because the Word of God is clear that those who teach will come under greater judgment. That is why I encourage all Believers to check out everything they are taught by meticulously and rightly dividing the Scriptures.