Bible Question: I am a long-time Believer in the rapture. Recently, I have been challenged with the idea that believers would endure some if not all of the tribulation. I have researched this extensively and am looking for comprehensive understanding not the usual 'pat' answers. (My own arguments: 1. The last trumpet is toward the end of the trib. 2. Noah was protected from destruction. 3. God is cyclical so where in the Word does it show that God's people escaped from past cataclysmic world destruction other than Noah. 4. Christ's second coming is to pour out His wrath on the world. 5. We are not appointed to wrath.) Any input? |
Bible Answer: Greetings SuQ and welcome to the forum, It’s quite obvious and most all students of the Bible will agree with the following. 1 Thes. 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, The saving of ones soul isn’t the issue here but a rescue out from under the wrath of God, which as scripture states is fire. 2 Thes. 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: The problem for the believer will be trying to endure the tribulation that Satan’s man will be dishing out to the members of God’s family. Those that are able to exercise the trying of their faith will be removed just before the Lord decides it’s enough and strikes back. Rev. 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. We know that the salvation of the soul is dependent on faith in Christ “not endurance”; so the previous verse is again speaking about rescue out from trouble: the same circumstance is further taught by Paul. Tribulation can be from different sources biblically speaking. Satan can inflect tribulation through his world system and the Lord can inflect tribulation as well in response to those that have been troubling God’s loved ones. Paul is speaking here, 2 Thes. 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Believers in God’s Messiah have never, collectively, had to endure what they will have to endure in the coming years when Satan’s man of sin will be calling the shots in the world system. 2 Thes. 2:7-9 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Jesus warned about this event. Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. That warning is for believers only; the “unbelievers” on the side of Satan’s man are going to be saying, “peace and safety” and believing all of his lies. 1 Thes. 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. They are sure that they have the bull by the tail and every thing is going in their favor; then a situation transpires and the objects of their persecution, believers, are miraculously snatched away, “the rapture”. It happens so fast that they won’t even have time to catch a second breath. No left behind luster when this happens, Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. The word “They” represents the unbeliever, “Noe” represents the believer who was raised in the ark just as we will be raised at the rapture before God’s wrath is poured out. Have a great day, CDBJ |