Cyprian was a prominent bishop and martyr. In his writings during a time of intense Roman persecution and plague, he encouraged believers by stating that the righteous would be taken away before the ultimate, ruinous world-tribulation arrived.

“We who see that terrible things have begun, and know that still more terrible things are imminent, may consider it the greatest advantage to depart from it as quickly as possible… The kingdom of God, beloved brethren, is beginning to be at hand; the reward of life, and the joy of eternal salvation, and perpetual gladness and possession lately lost of paradise, are coming even as the world passes away… the righteous are removed that they may not be ruined by the impending shipwreck of the world.” (Treatises of Cyprian, XXI, De Mortalitate, Section 2-3) Cyprian of Carthage