Before we delve into the scriptures, I would like to lay a foundation that will help us examine the scriptures more clearly.
Believing in a pre-trib, pre-wrath, or post-trib does not directly affect your salvation, but it could give you false hope and make you compromise your faith.
Having a good understanding of eschatology (end times) will help you prepare yourself.
Jesus asked us to discern and study the end times (Matt 16:2-3, Matt 24:32-33).
While many of us might differ on the rapture views, I believe it should not be a topic of division. We should all diligently seek the Lord about the doctrine so we can find ourselves approved and not fall into deception. While we can disagree on some points with the arguments that will be made, every Christian should agree on these basic doctrines:
We need to use these unifying doctrines to inspire hope. If you do not believe in these basic doctrines, which are part of the foundations of our faith, then you must seek the Lord immediately because you are in error.
I hope and pray that the points made will stir up a hunger for you to seek the Lord and His truth.
Pre-tribulation: The pre-tribulation position advocates that the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, while the second coming will occur at the end of it. Pre-tribulationists often describe the rapture as Jesus coming for the church and the second coming as Jesus coming with the church.
<aside> 💡 Side note… As you go through the scriptures later in this article, note that the Bible doesn’t separate “rapture” from the second coming as pre-tribulationists do.
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Tribulation: The tribulation period lasts for a total of 7 years and is divided into two sections: "The Beginning of Birth Pains" and "The Great Tribulation". The Great Tribulation is closely associated with the abomination of desolation, an act performed by the Antichrist. In Daniel 9:26-27, it is revealed that the Antichrist will establish a covenant or peace agreement with the world that will last for seven years. However, halfway through this seven-year period, the Antichrist will break the covenant. This period will be marked by intense persecution and suffering for believers which Jesus has promised will come to His disciples. It is important to note that the tribulation period is separate from the wrath of God, which occurs at the return of Jesus Christ.