Is There A Rapture?

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (NKJV)

The Rapture! Many movies have been made in Hollywood with regards to people disappearing and others being left behind. All throughout the country, Christians are being taught that there will be a PRE-TRIBULATION rapture. This means that the Saints of God will not have to endure persecution during end times or otherwise known as the GREAT TRIBULATION. However, is this sound doctrine, or is this a myth to make people relax about events that will befall our nation? Let’s see if this belief lines up with the Word of God.

Matthew 24:29-31 “Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (NKJV) 

Now who are these “elect” that the angels will gather AFTER the tribulation? Well, first let’s see who the “elect” are.

1.)  Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2.)  Mark 13:22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible even the elect.

3.)  Romans 9:11 For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.

I would say that the “elect” are those who have chosen to follow God. So if the elect are those who follow God, then Matthew 24:29-31 is speaking of God’s people being gathered together AFTER the tribulation. So why is it that so many Christians are being taught pre-tribulation rapture? Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (NKJV) 

          Some have taken this text to mean that Christians will not have to endure the Great Tribulation. However, this scripture was addressed ONLY to the church of Philadelphia. Due to Laodicea being the last church to be addressed in this chapter, and the state of the current condition for many within the body of Christ, it is safe to say that this particular verse is not saying that we will bypass the Great Tribulation. The body of Christ during John's time was experiencing great persecution and many were being martyred for the sake of Christ. Therefore, God was addressing the persecution that was taking place during that time. However, we must still understand the scripture in the proper context for what it means for us today. 

            As a matter of fact, other countries are going through persecution every day, but somehow we within the United States seem to think that we will have the Big Escape. Many Christians do not want to go through tribulation involving persecution. However, the Bible says that it will happen and must expect to encounter it for Christ sake. 2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…(NIV) Is this supposed to be a time of fear? Of course not! However, we do need to be prepared because there will be a time when it will be illegal to worship God within this country and your family and friends may be the very ones who will turn you in to the local authorities for detention. Mark 13:11-13 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (NIV)

            Therefore, if there will be a pre-tribulation rapture, who is the Bible speaking of that will be persecuted? Mark 13:18-20 Pray that this will not take place in the winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. (NIV) God is not saying that we will not go through tribulation, but He did promise to shorten the days so that we will be saved. The days that He was speaking of was not during John's time, but during the time prior to His return, which is now.

            One thing for certain, we should not live in fear for the days that will be coming ahead. Our faith is in God and knowing that He will take care of His elect (chosen people).  1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) This scripture lets us know that when the wicked suffers the wrath of God that will be poured on on the face of the earth, it is not Him pouring it out on the righteous even if some die during that time. The difference is that those who are saved will receive an Eternal Reward, but those who are wicked will go to Eternal Damnation. Let us always watch and stay prayerful during the times that are sure to come ahead, but know that even in the midst of persecution, our Salvation is sure.