Why is the timing of the Rapture such a divisive topic? While the disagreement among Christians is discouraging, the Word of God offers a verse so clear it settles the heart. It’s one of my favorites, and it points directly to a pre-Tribulation departure. The key is in the promise to ‘escape all these things.’ You don’t ‘escape’ something you have already lived through; you are delivered from it before it arrives. To see the ‘things’ Jesus is referring to—the signs, the terrors, and the judgments—take a look at Luke 21:6-35. Let’s listen closely to the Lord’s own words on the matter.
Luke 21:6-35 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (7) And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? ( 8 ) And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. (9) But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. (10) Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (11) And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. (13) And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: (15) For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (16) And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. (18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish. (19) In your patience possess ye your souls. (20) And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (21) Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. (22) For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26) Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
By the time the Tribulation reaches its conclusion, every judgment and trial mentioned by Christ has already unfolded. If the Rapture were to occur then, the concept of ‘escaping’ would be meaningless—there would simply be nothing left to escape. Furthermore, Jesus specifically instructs us to pray for the worthiness to avoid these coming terrors. Why would we pray for an escape from events that have already passed? The only event following the Tribulation is the glorious inauguration of the Millennial reign of our Savior and King. To understand why this must be the case, we must look at the unique promises God has made to the Church and why He would never subject His own Bride to the hour of His wrath.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 5:29-30 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Revelation 6:16 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:
It is a fundamental biblical truth that the Church is the Body of Christ, with Jesus Himself as the Head. The Apostle Paul illustrates this by comparing us to the members of a physical body—unified and inseparable. This raises a vital question: why would Christ pour out wrath upon His own Body? In Revelation 6:16, we see those on earth pleading for the mountains to fall on them to hide them from ‘the wrath of the Lamb.’ If the Church were present during this time, it would imply that the Savior is at war with His own members. Why would the redeemed cry out to hide from the face of their own Savior and King?
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
If we are indeed the body of Christ, why would Christ allow His own body to go through the Father’s wrath? (Ephesians 5:29) Jesus Christ is God and, therefore, won’t bring wrath upon Himself. It makes perfect sense! We must understand this teaching in order to believe in the promise of a pre-Tribulation Rapture. As we learned in the study on the Book of Revelation, the Church at Philadelphia was promised that she would be kept from a time of trial to come upon all the earth.
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.
Not since Noah’s flood has a trial come upon the entire world. This verse must, therefore, refer to the Tribulation period. Furthermore, that same verse says: “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.” The Greek for the word “from” is “ek” which means “out of”!
Who will the Lord keep from the hour of temptation? The Church is the only logical answer! The word “church(es)” is not found at all after chapter 3:22 of Revelation. It reappears in Revelation 22:16-17 when it is also referred to as the Bride! What husband would allow his wife to be tortured, possibly beheaded, as well as allow her to suffer the wrath of God? None would, especially our Lord, our Groom!!
Do you see how when all the verses are put together, they form the pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint? Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
