The Rapture Part VII

The fifth view of the rapture that we will be looking at is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory.

Those who hold to this view believe that the rapture will happen before the seven-year tribulation. This view sees Israel and the church as two separate entities. This is the view that I hold and adhere to.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.                                                                                                                                             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.                                                                                1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.                                                                                                                                Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The church is kept form a time and an hour that will affect the whole earth. For the church to be protected from the hour of testing it would have to be removed completely from the earth. 

As Charles Ryrie observes, “If the church will not be raptured before the hour begins, then the promise will not be fulfilled because many saints simply will not be preserved in the tribulation but will suffer and die along with unsaved people” (Revelation, 1996, 34).

1Thessalonians 4:16-17 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:
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.

Now, the rapture is never mentioned in the Bible but look at the word for caught up in verse 17. The Greek word for “shall be caught” is ἁρπάζω. The word means To seize (in various applications), catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

We will be snatched, plucked, taken by force in the rapture by Jesus when he comes back for us before the seven-year tribulation.

I tell Christians that we are not looking for the antichrist, but Jesus Christ! 

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jesus went to prepare a place for us and very soon he is going to return for us. Will you be ready and are you working for Christ and looking for His return? It is imminent, it could happen at any time and when it does, will you be ready?

I said it through this rapture series, and I will say it again, if you are lost and have never put your trust in Christ, you will not be raptured out and you will go through the tribulation. Please call me or Heritage Baptist Church so that we can show you how you can know Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Christian, I have said this over and over also, are you working, are you fulfilling the great commission? Time is short, and there are loved ones, neighbors, coworkers, friends, etc., that are on their way to hell. Have you told Them about Jesus Christ?

Stay tuned for next upcoming blog.