When does rapture occur

Not at all. The Septuagint , LXX reference translates the Hebrew text of Jeremiah , Hebrew and English reference with the verb and preposition combination sozo apo in regard to Israel.

They will actually be saved through the judgment and emerge out of it as the people of God over whom Christ will reign as promised to David 2 Sam.

However, that does not mean the church is invisible. There are at least two distinct appearances of the church in heaven. First, the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4 — 5 symbolize the church. So, what rapture scenario best accounts for the church being in heaven in these texts at this time? A pretribulational rapture. Take an introduction to Eschatology in an online, self-paced format. God frequently warned Israel in the OT of impending judgment, even though the generation who received the prophecy would not experience it.

As mentioned in the previous answer to Question 2, both Paul 1 Thess. The same pattern was followed by John in Revelation.

Second, the grammar of 1 Thessalonians argues against a close chronological sequence with 1 Thessalonians —18 by the use of peri de 18 times in the NT. In all but four cases, an obvious change in time or topic is implied see Matt. This prepositional phrase is used by Paul 8 times. Every other Pauline use indicates a change in topic.

This is consistent with his earlier use of peri de in this epistle cf. In 1 Thessalonians —18, Paul has answered the question concerning the experience of dead loved ones when the rapture comes.

But in and following, Paul shifts to the Day of the Lord and the subsequent judgment upon unbelievers. This is a totally different topic than the rapture and an event that will occur at a different time than the rapture. However, if peri de is to be explained, it is best interpreted as a major shift in thought within the broad topic of eschatology. Only a pretribulational rapture would account for this. For example, there is the trumpet used for warning Jer.

After looking at the texts in question, it appears that each trumpet is used for a purpose that is unique and different from the other three. The trumpet of Joel is a trumpet of warning that the Day of the Lord is near cf. The trumpet of Matthew is a trumpet call to assembly cf.

The trumpet of Revelation is the seventh in a series of seven and is a trumpet that announces victory cf. There is no compelling reason to equate the rapture trumpet with any of these other three trumpets.

Therefore, these texts cannot be used to determine the time of the rapture. Like OT prophets cf. The apostle is plainly assuring the Thessalonians that there will certainly be a coming day of retribution for their persecutors.

This text really has no bearing on determining the time of the rapture. While the language certainly refers to Christ, the context is of judgment, similar to Revelation — The context of the rapture is one of blessing for the saints. Thus no, Revelation does not refer to a midtribulational rapture. These include: 1 Christ the first fruits 1 Cor.

Every rapture position has its overzealous defenders who have employed unacceptable reasoning or flawed methodology to prove the point. Some of the less-than-satisfactory approaches that I have observed in the rapture debate include:. Request Info. About Why TMS? Why a Pretribulational Rapture? Richard Mayhue Volume 13, Number 2 Fall The Rapture Is Rendered Inconsequential if it is Posttribulational First, if God miraculously preserves the church through the tribulation, why have a rapture?

First Thessalonians —18 Demands a Pretribulational Rapture Suppose, hypothetically, that some other rapture timing besides pretribulational is true. Learn More. At the rapture, Christ comes in the air and returns to heaven 1 , but at the final event of the second coming, Christ comes to the earth to dwell and reign Matt.

At the rapture, Christ gathers His own 1 —17 , but at the final event of the second coming, angels gather the elect Matt. At the rapture, Christ comes to reward 1 , but at the final event of the second coming, Christ comes to judge Matt. At the rapture, resurrection is prominent 1 —16 , but at the final event of the second coming, resurrection is not mentioned. At the rapture, believers depart the earth 1 —17 , but at the final event of the second coming, unbelievers are taken away from the earth Matt.

At the rapture, unbelievers remain on earth, but at the final event of the second coming, believers remain on earth M At the rapture, believers will receive glorified bodies cf. We believe in the second coming of Christ. His return from heaven will be personal, visible and glorious, a blessed hope for which we should constantly watch and pray. Before He establishes His kingdom on earth, Jesus will come for His Church, an event commonly referred to as the "Rapture.

Christians living at the time of this event will not die, but will be changed to be like Christ. After the Rapture of the Church, Christians will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ. He will reward them on the basis of the works they have accomplished. Its purpose will be to prepare Israel for her Messiah. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return with the hosts of heaven as well as the Church to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth.

Rather, katheudo refers to one who is not being watchful or alert. This view divides the body of Christ. It is unthinkable that the unity of the body of Christ, so emphatically taught in the New Testament, could be severed.

The Midtribulational Rapture View A second view is the Midtribulational Rapture View, which argues that the rapture will occur at the midpoint of the seven years of tribulation. Like the pretribulationists, midtribulationists distinguish between the rapture and second coming and insist on a removal of the church to heaven prior to the time of the wrath of God. Among scholars espousing this position are G.

Lang, Norman B. Harrison, J. Oliver Buswell, Jr. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, , Adherents to the Midtribulational view rely on two so-called proofs. First, both Daniel and the book of Revelation portray the last half of the 70th Week of Daniel as being a time of tribulation and terror, with the Antichrist ruling over the world from Jerusalem and the severest judgments poured out upon the earth cf. Dan ; ; , 11; Rev ; , 14; Second, some significant event at the midpoint of the 70th Week has drastic consequences for this planet.

This view teaches that the believer must endure the wrath of man but is exempt from the wrath of God. It is impossible to espouse a midtribulational view of the rapture and hold to the concept of imminency. According to this view, the appearance of the Antichrist, his covenant with Israel, and the destruction caused by the four horsemen must occur before Christ can return. Therefore, the rapture cannot happen today.