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Rapture - Before the Tribulation or After?

Do Christians have to go through the time of tribulation? When will the Lord Jesus come to take His own to Himself? Before the tribulation or after the tribulation? We want to explore this important question and be motivated anew to await our Savior from heaven every day!

Before we get into the subject, I would like to mention two truths from Scripture that I would like to assume are well-known:

  • Christ will come. Even if it is doubted in the world (2 Peter 3:1-7), it is a fact: Christ will come again. He said it himself: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again" (Jn 14:3). One of the last words in the Bible is our Lord's promise: "Surely I am coming quickly" (Rev 22:20).
  • The tribulation will come. A tribulation will come upon Israel and the whole earth such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now and will never be again (Jer 30:6.7; Dan 12:1; Mt 24:21; Rev 3:10; 7:14). This time of tribulation will last seven years, with the second three and a half years being particularly bad (Dan 9:27; Rev 11:2; 13:5).

Christ is coming, and the tribulation is coming. But what comes first? Christ or the tribulation? It is Christ! He will come and take His own into heaven before the tribulation.

What does Scripture say?

I would like to use the following arguments to explain why I believe this is the only possible conclusion:

  • First, it is important that we distinguish between the rapture and the appearing: The Lord will rapture the believers to Himself in heaven (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Thes 4:17; 2 Thes 2:1), and then appear with them in power and glory on earth (1 Thes 3:13; 4:14; Jude 14; Zech 14:4, 5). If we see this difference clearly, it will be easier to understand the other considerations.
  • Christians wait daily for the Lord to return and cry out: "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Lk 12:36; Rev 22:20). This call would not make sense if we first had to experience the time of tribulation. Christians are waiting for Christ – and not for the tribulation period associated with the revelation of the Antichrist!
  • When the rapture is described, the tribulation is not mentioned (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Thes 4:13-17), and only encouragement is spoken of. Apparently, the rapture is an event, that we can await with untroubled joy. If we had to experience the time of tribulation, would we even be able to sleep peacefully? Wouldn't the joy of the rapture be mixed with fear of the tribulations?
  • In the time of tribulation, the wrath of God and of the Lamb will be poured out on the earth (Rev 6:16.17). However, we, the redeemed Christians, are not set for wrath but for the attainment of salvation (1 Thes 5:9). We will not experience the coming wrath but will be delivered when the Lord raptures us to heaven (1 Thes 1:10; Rom 5:9). After the rapture, destruction will come upon the unbelievers (1 Thes 5:3).
  • In the present time – before the revelation of the Antichrist, the "man of sin" – there is still something "that restrains" and a person who restrains evil (2 Thes 2:3, 5, 7). This person is the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, who dwells in every Christian and the assembly (church). This Spirit calls out today with the bride of Christ: "Come!" (Rev 22:17). Only when the Spirit and the bride are no longer on earth will the time of tribulation begin, in which the Antichrist will reveal himself.
  • In the New Testament letters, Christians are warned of many evil developments and dangers (1 Tim 4:1, etc.). Why is there no warning about the coming time of tribulation?
  • In the passages that speak of the time of tribulation, the assembly (church) is not mentioned (Mt 24:3-29; Mk 13:4-24, Rev 7:14-17; cf. also Dt 4:30, 31; Jer 30:4-7; Dan 12:1). There is talk of tribulation for Jacob and of nations coming out of the great tribulation – but not of the assembly or Christians. Although the assembly is mentioned at the same time as the tribulation in Revelation 3:10, this very passage makes it clear that Christians will not experience the "hour of temptation" because they will be protected from this hour.
  • The prophet Daniel spoke of 70 weeks of years (one week = 7 years) being determined for the Israelites until they could receive the blessing of the kingdom. After 69 weeks of years, God's people rejected their Messiah and the "clock of Israel" was stopped (Dan 9:24-27). Now God is gathering a people for His name from all nations (Acts 15:14). When the full number of nations has come in (Rom 11:25), God will start up again with His people. The "clock of Israel" will tick again, and the last week of Daniel (= 7 years of tribulation) will be fulfilled. After that, the people of Israel will be introduced to the blessings of the new covenant (Rom 11:26.27). Only when the assembly is in heaven will come true what the prophets have spoken about Israel's tribulation and blessing.
  • An antitype from the Old Testament impressively illustrates the rapture: Enoch was raptured before the flood, while Noah was preserved through the flood (Gen 5-8; Heb 11:5-7). Enoch is a picture of Christians, while Noah is a picture of the Jewish remnant in the time of tribulation.
  • One symbol illustrates the rapture before the tribulation: Christ is described as the morning star that appears before the sun rises (Rev 2:28; 22:16). Since the sun represents the appearance of Christ in glory (Mal 4:1-2), we recognize in the morning star a reference to Christ, who takes us to Himself beforehand in the "night of His rejection."

The Book of Revelation

In the Book of Revelation, the seven-year tribulation period is described in detail (Rev 6-19). We can certainly expect to receive clear indications here as to whether Christians will experience this time or not:

  • In Revelation 1-3, the word assembly (or assemblies) occurs 17 times. In chapters 6-19, in which the judgments are shown, the word assembly does not occur at all. That speaks for itself.
  • In Revelation 2 and 3, we find the call in each of the seven epistles: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (assemblies)." Revelation 13:9 again speaks of an ear to hear. But here, during the judgments, we do not read that the Spirit says anything to the assemblies. This again indicates that the church is no longer on earth.
  • In Revelation 3:10, Christians are promised that they will be kept from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world. To be saved from an hour that affects the whole earth, one must have left the earth beforehand. This is exactly what will happen to the redeemed Christians.
  • Revelation 2 and 3 give an outline of the history of the assembly. Then, a time is described that is still in the future today. What could be more obvious than the words "Come up here!" (Rev 4:1), an allusion to the rapture?
  • From Revelation 4 onwards, we find 24 elders in heaven who are a symbol of the believers (Rev 4:10; 5:5.6, etc.). They do not represent angels, for they are distinguished from them (Rev 4:8, 11). They are glorified, redeemed ones who know God's thoughts, worship the Lamb, and intercede for praying saints on earth before God (Rev 5:8). So before the judgments come (Rev 6:1ff.), glorified believers are in heaven, not just souls in paradise. The number of the 24 elders remains constant, so they cannot be a picture of those who perish in the tribulation [1].
  • There will certainly be believers on earth during the "hour of temptation," but they are not Christians. What is said about these believers does not fit the position and calling of Christians:         
    • Revelation 6:9-11 speaks of martyrs who were killed in the first half of the tribulation period. They call for vengeance and use phrases that we know from the Psalms (Rev 6:10; 94:1-3; 119:84). This call for vengeance does not suit Christians (Acts 7:60; Mt 5:44).
    • In Revelation, there are several references to the Spirit of God working in John or speaking to assemblies. However, we do not read about the work of the Spirit in the saints described from chapter 6 onwards. They are not Christians - the Spirit of God does not dwell in these saints.
    • Revelation 7 speaks of sealed ones from each tribe of the sons of Israel as well as a multitude from the nations. These believers going through the tribulation (Rev 7:14) do not belong to the assembly, as the assembly is distinguished from "Jews" and "nations" as such (Eph 2:16; Col 3:11; 1 Cor 10:32).
    • In Revelation 11:1-13, we read about two prophets of God whose ministry is reminiscent of Moses and Elijah and who bring many plagues upon the earth and torment ungodly people. Christians, however, are to love their enemies and do them good (Rom 12:14, 19; 1 Cor 4:11-13).
    • Revelation 12 speaks of a woman who has a crown with twelve stars on her head, giving birth to a son, and is persecuted by the devil. This is a symbol for Israel.
    • Revelation 13:8 speaks of those who will not worship the beast, the coming Roman ruler. Their names are written in the Book of Life of the slain Lamb from the foundation of the world. Christians, however, are said to have been chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).
    • Revelation 14:1 shows believers standing on Mount Zion after experiencing tribulation. They are not told that God is their Father, although Christians are allowed to know this (Jn 20:17; 1 Jn 3:1). The literal Mount Zion has its special meaning for the earthly people of God and not for Christians (Ps 14:7; 69:35). In this scene, Christians are again seen. The 24 elders are the Old Testament saints together with the Christians (Rev 14:3).
    • In Revelation 15:2-5, the overcomers over the "beast" are shown. They sing the song of Moses, which praises the victory of God's judgments over the power of evil. The song recalls the liberation of the Israelites from the power of Egypt (cf. Ex 15).
  • Only in Revelation 12:5 is a rapture explicitly mentioned. The son of a woman is raptured. The woman is a symbol for the people of Israel, from whom the Lord Jesus - that is, the Son - came in the flesh (Mt 1; Rom 1:3; 9:5; 2 Tim 2:8; Rev 22:16). Christ was raptured out of Satan's sphere of power after his death and resurrection (both of which, significantly, are not mentioned here). He will shepherd all nations with a rod of iron (Rev 12:5). Christians will also do this, as Revelation 2:27 explicitly states - together with Christ. This suggests that Christians, like Christ, with whom they are closely connected, will be caught up before the tribulation and not preserved like the woman in the tribulation (Rev 12:6).
  • Revelation 12:7-12 describes the devil being thrown out of heaven in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period. A voice is heard in heaven calling Satan the "accuser of our brethren" and testifying that these brothers have overcome Satan (Rev 12:10.11). These must be believers in heaven who call the persecuted ones on earth their brothers. Angels will not speak this way because they know us as fellow servants but not as brothers (Rev 22:9).
  • In Revelation 13:6, we find that the "beast from the sea" (the Roman emperor) blasphemes the name of God and those who dwell in heaven [2]. Those who live in heaven are the "saints of the highest places" who will receive the kingdom with Christ from heaven (Dan 7:18).
  • Revelation 19:6-10 describes the marriage of the Lamb. The bride is the assembly (church in heaven). The wedding takes place before the Lord appears in power and glory to establish His kingdom.
  • When the Lord appears in power, He will be accompanied by those wearing fine linen, which is also said of the bride (Rev 19:11-16). So, there are saints in heaven before Christ appears on earth to deliver the faithful (cf. Zech 14:4.5).
  • In Revelation 20:4, we are introduced to three different groups of saints. The first group sits on thrones to hold judgment, so they are already resurrected and glorified. Then, two groups of saints are shown who are called souls and who, after Satan is bound, come to life to reign with Christ. These are people who died in the first and second half of the tribulation period. The first group, therefore, shows saints who have already been resurrected beforehand and have not gone through the tribulation period. These are the saints who are represented by the 24 elders and who have already been seen sitting on thrones in the Book of Revelation.

Do we expect Him?

We do not know on which day the Lord Jesus will come, but we know that He is coming (Mt 25:12). However, just knowing this is not enough – we should also expect Him daily (Rom 8:23; Gal 5:5; Phil 3:20; 1 Thes 1:10; Tit 2:13; Heb 9:28; Jude 21; cf. 1 Cor 1:7). If we do not expect Him, then we give up our separation from the world and become negligent in our work for Christ (cf. Mt 24:48, 49). But the daily expectation of the Lord ...

    ... motivates us to be faithful witnesses and servants (Lk 12:35-40)

    ... makes us courageous when we are dismayed (Jn 14:1-3).

    ... comforts us when we suffer physically (Rom 8:23).

    ... makes us spiritually alert (Rom 13:11).

    ... motivates us in our service for the Lord (1 Cor 15:51-58).

    ... directs our gaze upwards (Phil 3:20: 21).

    ... encourages us (1 Thes 4:15-18).

    ... prevents us from being shaken (2 Thes 2:1).

    ... brings us happiness today (Tit 2:13).

    ... leads to inner purification (1 Jn 3:3)

Footnotes:

[1] The 24 (2x12) elders represent the believers of the Old and New Testaments; it is a complete priesthood. In Revelation 19:6-9, at the marriage of the Lamb, there is no longer talk of 24 elders, but of a bride (that is the assembly) and wedding guests (the believers who do not belong to the bride; see Jn 3:29).

[2] This expression makes it clear that we are not talking about saints who have fallen asleep but about glorified saints.

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