Truthinlove wrote:I am trying to understand this, but it doesn't seem to make sense from a pre-wrath perspective where we will be here going through the great tribulation prior to the rapture.
Hi Truthinlove,
I think it would be helpful to remember that the tribulation of those days are shortened for the sake of the elect (Matt.24:21-22). Then as you read on, Christ warns His followers that they need to be ready, because the Son of man will be coming when they won't be expecting Him, at a time that even He didn't know, nor the angels, but His Father only. It will also happen before God pours out His wrath, like it was in the days of Noah.
Matt. 24:40-41 "Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left."Again....this doesn't seem to fit with the prewrath scenario of a rapture out of great tribulation. Why would believers be right there will unbelievers?? Unbelievers will be killing believers. I think believers will either be in hiding, or they will be killed. It doesn't seem like they will be out in the open doing normal things during the great tribulation. And....are they working in those verses?? How will believers be able to work without the mark of the beast, there will be no buying and selling for those who refuse the mark so how would they be paid?
I am confused.

What to think about all of these different rapture views? The rapture has been a profound mystery and very controversial since the 1st century. There are several different theories. Pre-trib and post-trib are the most popular rapture theories, but that does not mean that they are correct. I prefer the timing of the pre-wrath theory, but it still has it's own set of problems. So I kept studying this mystery until I accidently designed my own rapture theory, as crazy as that may sound.
This mystery reminds me of that old Prudential commercial. Everyone owns a piece of the rock. But what does the entire rock look like?
It's kind of funny, when you consider all of these different theories: [A.] Some Christians believe we will be going all the way through the tribulation and meet Christ at the second coming. [B.] Many believe they will escape or be rescued from the wrath to come.
[C.] Some Christians don't believe in the rapture at all.
[D.] But many believe they will be martyred or killed for refusing the mark of the beast.
[E.] All of the above.
So now comes the $64,000.00 question; which one of these beliefs above is correct?
The answer will almost certainly shock you, but would you believe the correct answer is [E.] All of the above.
No wonder this mystery has become so controversial! But it all depends on which reward you will receive when our Lord returns. When He comes, He'll be coming with power to judge, and judgment begins with the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17). He warned us to be ready, and only those who heed His commands will escape the hour of trial that will come upon the world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Rev. 3:10-11).
Revelation 22:11 - "
And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
1 Corinthians 3:10-15By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using (gold, silver), (costly stones), (wood, hay or straw), 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (emphasis mine)
Basically, there are three (3) different rewards that believers can receive. Those who are ready [costly stones] will go in the rapture and rule over all the Kings goods (greatest in the kingdom). Then many others will not be ready [gold & silver] and die as martyrs (least in the kingdom). Both of these two groups are the saints that will return to reign with Christ. But there is one more group of believers [wood, hay & straw]. This final group of believers got saved, but later fall away. These will be saved (protected) through God's wrath. Unlike the martyrs, they will want to die, but death will flee from them (Rev.9:6). They are severely punished and lose all their rewards. And not only will they miss the rapture, but they will also miss the first resurrection as well, which ended when the last martyr was killed. And they (sheep separated from goats) will be subjects in the millennium and re-populate the earth along with the remnant of Jews that flee to the mountains.
This is why the church is not mentioned after Revelation chapter 3, not because of the mythical pre-trib rapture, but because the house was broken up (Matt.24:43). Those who are ready will escape (wedding supper), but the lazy servant will be cut asunder (cut in two-Matt.24:48-51). This is why many saints will be overcome by the beast in Revelation 13, not because they get saved after the rapture. And this is why we see the sheep being separated from the goats at the second coming, when Christ judges the nations, because this is the end of the age and the beginning of the millennium.
2 Timothy 4:1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
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