1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
After reading today’s verses, is the spirit within you excited! Anyone born-again Christian having an ounce of Bible prophecy knowledge knows they will not be here when the Tribulation begins! We see that the Tribulation period begins with the Antichrist signing a covenant with Israel. (Daniel 9:27) Some say this covenant is a peace treaty while others say it is a covenant to rebuild the temple. Regardless of its specific nature, the significance of this event cannot be overstated. It marks the beginning of a time filled with turmoil and suffering never seen before for those who will be present on Earth. But the fact of the matter is that if the Church is to live through the Tribulation, it would mean that it would have to endure through the most horrible and difficult time to come upon the whole earth. This thought can be horrifying, as the events described in the scriptures unfold – wars, famines, and natural disasters, all combined with spiritual deception that will sweep over humanity. When I first heard of the Tribulation, it frightened me in a way I had never been frightened before, and there was an overwhelming sense of urgency to deepen my understanding of these prophecies and prepare my heart for what is to come. Those who become born again after the Rapture will have to engage with Scripture during this tumultuous time.
Notice how verse 18 says to comfort one another with these words? Come on, Paul! How can one be comforted when there’s about to be seven years of horrible events coming to the earth? How can we be comforted when in fact, one fourth of the earth’s population will die at the beginning of the Tribulation during the fourth and fifth seals in Revelation 6? Christians will be martyred during these times as we see in Revelation 6:9-11. In fact, so much so, that we see in Revelation 11:7 and Revelation 13:7 that the Antichrist will overcome the Tribulation saints! This cannot be a reference to the Church because Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. That means that Satan would not be able to overcome the Church. Therefore, it explains why we don’t see the church after chapter 3 of Revelation. Besides, what comfort is there if the Church is to go through the wrath of God??? So why is Paul telling us to comfort one another? To what is this comfort referring to? The topic of these verses is the coming of the Lord. This is not referring to His coming to earth: Christ’s return to earth will be at the end of the Tribulation. This coming of the Lord refers to Christ meeting born-again believers in the air. It can be viewed that His Second Coming is in two parts: one in the air to meet the Church at the Rapture, and then the second part is when Christ actually steps foot on the earth with His church!
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
So let’s think about this for a moment: if we are to go through the Tribulation, as proponents of Mid-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation Rapture believe, what comfort is there in that? How can we comfort one another as Paul tells us to do in 1 Thessalonians 4:18? I certainly would not be comforted knowing that with each judgment in the seals, trumpets and bowls as written in the Book of Revelation were ahead of me. There’s no comfort or solace in that – there is only fear and apprehension! Where is your next meal coming from because you didn’t take the mark of the beast? Where can you hide without being caught? Where do you sleep? All this apprehension lies within the hearts of Tribulation saints. The Church is Christ’s Bride, reader! What groom would subject his wife to go through such torment? NONE! Our Groom is awaiting to be told by His Father to go get His Bride, the Church! Jesus spoke of this in the verses below! Why would Jesus prepare a house for His Bride and then she wouldn’t go there to be with Him? The post-Tribulation viewpoint doesn’t take that into consideration. They claim that the Millennial Kingdom is the Father’s house with many rooms. But that is not scriptural. Jesus doesn’t enter the Millennium until after the Tribulation. It’s common sense!
John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jesus left earth to go prepare a place for the Church. So this place cannot be the Millennial Kingdom as that doesn’t come until after the Tribulation period. Jesus, on the other hand, went to Heaven to go prepare a place there so the Bride can be safe with Him during the Tribulation period. Just as Noah and his family were safe within the ark while the earth was destroyed, so will the Bridge be with her Groom in Heaven while the Tribulation period occurs. We can only comfort ourselves IF we believe that we will be kept from those coming judgments! The snatching of the church and taking her to the clouds to meet Christ “in the air” is going to be an event like no other. If you’re a Bible reader, you’ll remember that Enoch and Elijah never died. They were taken up by God. So this is no new occurrence.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
2 Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
Jesus spoke of this in:
Matthew 24:36-42 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Many Bible scholars claim that the Book of Matthew was written to the Jews and for the Jews. They also claim that it is not meant for the Church. However, the books of the New Testament were written by Jews, for Jews, and about a Jewish Messiah. To say that the Book of Matthew is not for the Church is ludicrous. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine! The entire Old Testament deals with Jews, Jewish history and Jewish prophecy. So does the Church discard those books as well? Every Scripture is meant for every person. Granted, the Gentile Christian does not participate in Jewish festivals and celebrations out of requirement. If the Gentile Christians wishes to partake for the purpose of seeing the Lord revealed through them, then go for it. OK, so back on point.
Paul was taken to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Also we see Philip, in Acts 8:39, removed from speaking with the Ethiopian eunuch and was gone, vanishing in a miraculous manner. Both were taken or caught away, illustrating a “Rapture” that is both mysterious and awe-inspiring, and both Greek terms used in the original texts were “harpazo,” signifying a sudden seizing or snatching away! This is where the word Rapture comes from and evokes hope and anticipation among believers. Friend, God is able and He will protect His church from the coming wrath on the children of disobedience, a promise that reassures the faithful amidst uncertain times like today. This term is used three times in the New Testament, and all refer to God’s wrath! (Ephesians 2:2, 5:6; and Colossians 3:6)! It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion against His will. The assurance of protection and the hope for redemption are central themes in the message of the Gospel, calling each of us to remain steadfast in faith and vigilant in prayer as we see end-time prophecies unfold.
If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
