Top 10 Reasons for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture

I believe the Bible is clear that we will be raptured before the Tribulation. Here are the TOP TEN reasons that the rapture will happen before the tribulation.

#10 Christians are not appointed for wrath.

The wrath of God is to be greatly feared. The wrath of God abides on all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). It is the reason I accepted Jesus as my savior as a teenager. I wanted forgiveness of my sins and not the wrath of God in Hell. I remember the verse from that day… Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Only because of Jesus, I HAVE His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Him.” Jesus took our judgment and gave us righteousness. The tribulation is God’s wrath poured out on this earth for all the unrighteousness. All believers in Jesus are NOT appointed for this wrath. Do I sin? Yes. Does God discipline us as children? Yes. Is God’s wrath on me for my sins? NO!!! God’s wrath is coming for the unbelieving world… not for Christians. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” Can that be any more clear? Another verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2nd Peter 2:4-9 confirms God wrath on ungodliness and He will rescue us.The Tribulation is the judgment on earth for sins. God’s great wrath will be poured out (Revelation 6:17). Jesus rescues us from the tribulation by the rapture.

#9 There are millions of Christians on earth and not just 10.

God would not judge Sodom and Gomorrah with any righteous people in it (Genesis 19). God agreed NOT to judge the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah if there were only 10 righteous people in them. Unfortunately, there were only 4. God had to actually rapture Lot and his family out of the city, holding their hands, as they did not want to leave. Lot was so messed up in the world, he was willing to give his virgin daughters to a mob! How sad to not be living for the Lord. God says Lot had been vexed by the sinners in the world. Was he still righteous? YES, because he had believed in the Lord before!God did not allow Lot and his family to feel His wrath. I believe this is a fore warning to Christians who are not ready for the Rapture. These Christians are righteous because they have accepted the payment of Jesus’ blood for their sins, but their lives are focused on the world. Just like Lot, they have been vexed by the world. How many Christians will be looking back to earth instead of looking up to see their Savior’s face? Where will you be looking?If God would not judge the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to protect just 10 righteous people, why would he cause millions of believers to go through any part of the horrible tribulation?

#8 The Bible confirms that 4 of the 5 other judgements there is an escape for believers.

The Flood (Genesis 6-8)- the Ark was the escape for Noah and his family and Enoch was raptured before the flood (He never even saw a raindrop). Both Enoch and Noah were said to “walk with God.” God said he was “sorry” for creating man because man’s intents and thoughts of his heart were continuously evil and filled with violence. (sound familiar to today?) God said Noah alone was righteous. God judged the sin with the flood. Enoch did not have to go through the flood and Noah was preserved through it. Enoch is a type of Christian and Noah is a type of Israel. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)- God took Lot and his family by the hand. Even though Lot was not living for the Lord, he was still righteous and God did not allow him to be a part of His judgment. I believe Lot is a type of worldly Christian that will be raptured before the Tribulation.The Final Battle (Revelation 20:7-10)– All in Jerusalem will be saved. Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15)- If your name is in the Book of Life through believing in Jesus’ death for your sins, you will not be judged according to your works and sins. Our sins were judged already when Jesus hung on the cross. Once again, we are protected from the ultimate judgment of being thrown into the Lake of Fire. The Tribulation– Our escape is the Rapture! God gives an escape for all the believers before His judgments, why would he allow millions of Christians and the Holy Spirit to be a part of His wrath?

#7 Pentacost and the purpose of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said it was better for Him to leave, because then the Holy Spirit would come. This had never happened before! The Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin and to redeem a bride for Jesus (the church). The Holy Spirit began indwelling every believer. In the past the Holy Spirit was not on earth fully, but came and went. After Pentecost, we have the entire being of the Holy Spirit on this earth. Genesis 24 (one of my favorite chapters) is a great example of the Father sending the Spirit (head servant in charge of all) to find a bride for His son. The woman is given a choice to marry a man she has never seen. The Spirit (servant) brings the woman and meets the Son out in the fields (in the air). It is a beautiful and powerful example of the Trinity at work for the church age. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to convert sinners into the church and empower the Church. If something has a beginning (Pentacost), it must also have an end. The end is called “the fullness of the Gentiles” which means complete. It would seem impossible and out of the character of God the Father to bring judgment onto this earth while the Holy Spirit is dwelling here with the believers. The Antichrist is being restrained by the Holy Spirit and will not be revealed until the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way. Once the Holy Spirit is taken off the earth, Satan will begin his wicked campaign and then the Father can and will judge the world. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 / Luke 21:24 / John 16:7-11 / Romans 11:25 / 2 Corinthians 11:2 / Revelation 21:2 / Revelation 19:7God the Father would not bring His wrath upon the world while the Holy Spirit dwells on it.

#6 Daniel’s 70th week, Israel’s final 7 years

Daniel predicted that there were 70 weeks left for the people of Israel (Daniel 9:24-27). In 7 weeks, the order would be given to rebuild Jerusalem and then after 62 weeks the Messiah would be cut off. 49 years after Daniel received the prophecy, the order was given to rebuild Jerusalem. 483 years later, Jesus was crucified. This is another incredible proof of the accuracy of the Bible. Looking backwards, we can see that a week was equal to 7 years (7 x 7 is 49 years and 69 times 7 is 483 years). There is one week of 7 years remaining. The last week will not start until the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. The tribulation will last 7 years and after 3 and a half years, the Antichrist will desecrate the Temple and proclaim himself God. Then the Great Tribulation begins. Jesus specifically mentions Daniel’s prophecy (Matthew 24:15-21). Noah is an example of Israel being protected safely through the tribulation. The people of Israel were protected when God brought judgment on Egypt. Israel will be protected from God’s wrath in the tribulation just like they were in Egypt. Then God destroyed Egypt’s army completely in the Red Sea. Jesus will destroy Satan and his armies completely at the battle of Armageddon. The church is comprised of neither Jew nor Greek. We are all one in Christ. How can we be one in Christ but God then deals with Israel? Would a Jew be given a choice to be a part of the church or be Jewish? No. The times of the Gentiles must be completed and finished (Luke 21:24). Then the last week (7 years) for the people of Israel can be completed. The church on earth must come to an end with the rapture, and then the 70th week of Daniel can begin.

#5 Feasts of the Lord

There are 7 feasts for Israel. These feasts are prophetic and point us to Christ. The Feast of unleavened bread and the Passover are usually celebrated together. Jesus died on the day of the Passover and the week of unleavened bread is for us to live without sin. On the day after that Sabbath is the feast of first fruits. Jesus rose from the grave on this day. 50 days from that Sabbath (the day after passover) is the wave offering or Pentecost. As predicted by the feasts, 50 days after that sabbath, Pentacost and the giving of the Holy Spirit came that Sunday in church. 3 feasts fulfilled by God on the exact days in the calender. 3 feasts remain. The feast of Trumpets or Shouts comes first, usually in September. Followed 10 days later by the Day of Atonement feast. Last is the feast of booths where Israel lives in primitive tents for 7 days. If God fulfilled the first 3 feasts in order, I believe the last 3 feasts will be in order as well. The feast of trumpets would be the rapture. The Day of Atonement is the tribulation. The feast of booths is the millenial reign of Jesus. God is not a God of confusion. Why would half the feasts be in order and on exact days and the next 3 feasts mean nothing or be in a different order? The pattern for the the passover is in Exodus 12 and the pattern for the Feast of Trumpets is given in Exodus 19. This is another example of the Rapture. The order begins with the Lord descending. The trumpet sound grows louder. The Lord descends to Mt Sinai (a middle point in the clouds) and calls Moses to come up to Him. The Jewish tradition of the Feast of trumpets has multipe trumpet blasts and shouts. Then there is a final trumpet blast ending the feast. 1st Thessalonians 4:16 states at the last trump that Jesus will come. The last trumpet blast of the Trumpet of Feasts could be the last trump of 1st Thessalonians.Exodus 23:14-19 / Exodus 34:22-23 / All feasts in order - Leviticus 23The feast representing the rapture is before the feast for the Tribulation, and ends with a long trumpet blast.

#4 John’s rapture in Revelation 4:1 -2

The first three chapters in Revelation are about the churches. In the letters to 4 of the 7 churches, Jesus mentions His return. Revelation 4 begins with the rapture of John into heaven. John’s rapture is similar to 1st Thessalonians and 1st Corinthians. A shout like a trumpet and immediately in the spirit. We do not see the church on earth until chapter 19 when we follow Jesus in battle at Armageddon. Jesus said in Revelation 3:3 that if the church is not awake, He will come like a thief in the night for them! (see reason #3). Why would he spend the beginning of Revelation on the church… have a rapture in Revelation 4, and then not mention the church being on earth until Revelation 19 with the Lord Jesus? John’s rapture and lack of any other mention of the church on earth or rapture until the Second coming would lead to the conclusion that the rapture is before the tribulation which is described in Revelation 6 through Revelation 19.John’s rapture is before the tribulation, there is no mention of another rapture during the tribulation.

#3 Jesus will return like a thief in the night

Jesus, and both Paul and Peter mention Jesus coming like a thief in the night. When can this be? We know at the battle of Armageddon Jesus will return in glory for all to see (The Second coming). He will be very visible and His army of Christians riding White horses behind Him. His return at the Second coming to reign for 1000 years is not like a thief in the night. There must be another time when Jesus returns like a thief. Jesus said we need to be on the alert. If you know something is about to happen, it wouldn’t be like a thief in the night. Once the tribulation begins (signing of the peace treaty to start the sacrifices), we would definitely be on the aIert if the return happens after that. Jewish tradition for a marriage was to betroth your bride to be (Holy Spirit is our betrothment). Then prepare the home they would live in. Jesus is building New Jerusalem right now (John 14:1-3). Sometimes it would be at his father’s house and the father would give the permission when he thought the dwelling was ready (Only God the Father knows the day). The groom would surprise his bride (sometimes at midnight) and they would have a great feast and He would whisk her away to their new home (Jesus will rapture us and eventually bring us to New Jerusalem).Matthew 24:42-44 / Luke 12:35-40 / 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 / 2 Peter 3:10 / Revelation 3:3If the rapture is at any point during or after the tribulation, Jesus cannot fulfil coming like a Thief in the night.

#2 Comfort

Paul says the rapture is comforting to us (1Thessalonians 4:18). We are to comfort one another about the rapture. If the rapture is anytime during the tribulation or after… that is not comforting.What part of the tribulation do you want to go through before Jesus returns? 2 billion killed? Famine? Wars? How about the 5th seal when the anti-christ kills the new believers? If the Lord is coming at the middle of the tribulation or after the 7th trumpet or at the end of the tribulation… I would not say “come quickly Lord Jesus.” No thanks. I have a great cushy life in America… why would I want that to end to be hunted by the anti-christ? God is love (1 John 4:8). Would God taunt us to be comforted by an event that is after even one of the judgments of Revelation? There is no comfort or longing for Jesus if we have to go through any part of the tribulation. Jesus said to not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus is going to prepare a place for us. He will come back to take us to be with Him (John 14:1-6). We see over and over in the Bible that we are to be excited, ready and to be comforted with Jesus return, which can only be before the tribulation.Jesus’ return must be before the tribulation to be comforted.

#1 Jesus didn’t know the day He would return

Jesus said no one but God the Father knows the day when He will return. Jesus said He didn’t know the day (Matthew 24:36). Incredible! Some claim that day was hidden from Jesus because He was in human form. That is definitely a possibility. I can also imagine God the Father wanting His Son to be surprised. Jesus even asked a question to the Father when He died on the cross. Jesus is so in tune with the Father’s will, that He could easily agree not to know the day to experience the excitement along with us. Either way, Jesus did say He didn’t know the day which means it could only be a pre-tribulation rapture. Why?Jesus knows what will happen during the tribulation. He spoke about it on earth and was specific about the events and the order of events. Even in human form, if the rapture were to happen during the tribulation… how could Jesus not know the day? If it were to happen after the 7th trumpet, any of us can predict the day since the 6th trumpet has 2 billion people dying for the 2nd time during the tribulation. If it is in the middle of the tribulation, Jesus saw the abomination of desolation, how could He not predict the day? There is no possibility the rapture could be at the end of the tribulation. Jesus spoke about the battle of Armageddon and his second coming in detail. The build up to Armageddon is easy to see for the world and the day is easy to predict. If we can predict that day, so can Jesus. The rapture must happen before the tribulation for Jesus not to the day.

Honorable Mentions:

The 5th seal of Revelation (6:9-11)

A large number of believers in Jesus are martyred. These martyrs are told to wait as there would be more martyrs. Many (potentially all) Christians are destined to be martyred during the tribulation. If the rapture is at the middle or after the 7th trumpet or anytime after this seal, who would be left for the rapture? How would this be comforting to us? There would be no purpose for a rapture if most Christians are martyred.Who are the Christians of the 5th seal? They are people who accept the Lord Jesus after the rapture. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, everyone who heard the gospel and refused the free gift, will not have another chance. There are many people around the world who have not heard the clear gospel. Some will seek out Bibles and believe in the Lord Jesus. Unfortunately, it would seem from Revelation many will die during the 5th seal and the rest soon after.

If the rapture happens anytime after the 5th seal, there will be few left and no purpose.

Joseph gains a Gentile bride before the 7 years of famine – Genesis 41:38-57

Joseph is a fabulous example of a “Christ type”. Rejected by his brothers. Becomes equal with Pharoah, except in the throne. There are many applications. Although the rapture is not prominent, Joseph does receive a gentile bride before the 7 years of famine. Joseph has his wife and then takes care of his brothers and family (Israel- the Jews) during a 7 year period similar to the tribulation. Jesus will already have His bride (the church) and will take care of all Israel during the tribulation.

Jesus said he would rapture to himself - John 14:1-3

Jesus said not to be troubled (I would be troubled if I have to go through any of the tribulation). Jesus said He is coming to receive us and we will be with him where He is. He is at the right hand of the Father and dwelling in heaven. Why would He rapture us to the sky to immediately put us back on earth? We must be raptured before the tribulation to be with Him in heaven.

We must be in heaven to be following Jesus at Armageddon - Revelation 19:14

The army that follows Jesus on white horses from heaven are clothed in white linen. Angels and any other beings are never clothed with white linen. We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus and He clothes us in white linen (Jesus is in a white robe dipped in blood and we are in white clothes to be identified with Him). There are no other beings who have been forgiven and clothed by the Lord. The armies clothed in white linen must be those of us who have been forgiven. There is no place or time to be raptured to the skies to be given clothes and sitting on horses following Him as He wins the war.

We must already be in heaven to follow Him at Armageddon.

Paul was ready for the rapture

Paul knew the rapture could happen at any time, and he was ready for it. If the rapture is during the tribulation or after, he would not have been waiting for it. He would have been waiting for the signing of the peace treaty, or world war or maybe the abomination of desolation. Every chapter in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians mentions the Second Coming of Jesus or the rapture.

Are you ready like Paul for the rapture?

CONCLUSION:

We are not appointed to wrath.
God wouldn’t destroy wicked cities if there were just 10 righteous people. (The earth has millions of Christians!)
He has given an escape for believers in the other judgments, and even saved a vexed Lot from His wrath.
The Holy Spirit is dwelling on earth. He restrains Satan. God would not send His wrath while the Holy Spirit remains on earth. Satan cannot reign while the Holy Spirit is here.
The church must be gone for the 70th week of Daniel to begin.
The feasts of the Lord have been fulfilled in order… it would seem logical the last 3 will be also.
The rapture of John is before the tribulation and the church is not seen on earth until the 2nd coming.
Jesus will come like a Thief in the night. Once the tribulation begins, the end is near and Jesus cannot come “quietly”.
I am comforted, excited and waiting to see Jesus in the clouds! I am not comforted thinking about having to be in any part of the tribulation.
Whether Jesus was veiled in His humanity or not, the rapture must come before the tribulation for Him not to know the day.
The 5th Seal is the death of Christians. There would be few if any raptured if the rapture happens after the 5th seal.
Joseph gains a gentile bride and then takes care of his family (Israel).
Jesus will rapture us to His home.
We will follow Jesus on white horses from heaven, not meet in air to be put on horses.
Paul was ready for the rapture, not the signing of the peace treaty.

Any verses that could be interpreted differently are surpassed by the abundance of passages showing Jesus’ love for us to miss the tribulation judgment.

2nd Peter 2:4-9

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example of what is coming for the ungodly; and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the perverted conduct of unscrupulous people (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from a trial, and to keep them unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion, and despise authority.

Jesus can come at any time to take those who have truly believed in Him. He will come like a thief in the night. Are you ready?