7 Reasons the church does not go through the great tribulation

civic

civic

Active Member
Reason #1: The Tribulation is Jewish in Context
Everything Scripture says about the tribulation is Jewish in context, teaching, words and symbols. The body of believers is not mentioned in context of experiencing the tribulation…only Jews. For example, consider Matthew 24:15-22:

  • The “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel” is clearly a reference to the Jewish prophet Daniel who prophesied the 7 year tribulation. At the mid-point of the 7 years, the Antichrist will enter the temple and demand to be worshiped for the remaining 3.5 years of the tribulation. That is what Daniel refers to as the “abomination of desolation.” (Daniel 9:24-27) Would you say that passage is Jewish in context?
  • Matthew 24:16 references those who flee from Judea during the tribulation. Where is Judea? Would you say this is Jewish in context?
  • In verse 20 of that chapter there is concern about having to flee on the Sabbath. Would you say that is Jewish in context?
Jeremiah 30:7, 11 reference the tribulation. Do you find Jewish context in those verses? Verse 7 hint: Jacob was the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, and his name was changed. Do you know the new name he was given? (Genesis 32:28) The tribulation is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” because God will deal solely with Israel, to bring them to repentance. Verse 11 hint: who will the Lord save after having been scattered?

Read Joel 3:12-17 and Isaiah 26:19-21carefully.

  • Who is the Lord protecting in these verses?
  • Are you aware of any verses in the Bible that indicate the Lord protects the church (Christians) during the tribulation?
  • If you do not know of any such verses, why do you believe there is no reason for the Lord to protect the church during that time?
Though the Jewish people once rejected Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 23:37-39), the day will come when the veil is lifted from their eyes and all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26). That is the tribulation. The context is always Jewish and the church is never mentioned in regard to the tribulation.


Reason #2: There are other Historical, Biblical Parallels in which God Removed People from Judgment
1 Thessalonians 1:10 tells us that Jesus will rescue us from the day of wrath. But why would God do that? Has He ever done it before?

The answer is yes, He has rescued others from wrath because of His righteousness and favor. Consider these examples:

  • Enoch. Enoch lived during the time leading up to Noah. He saw the sin on the earth and understood the ungodliness happening. Still, Jude 1:14-15indicates that Enoch prophesied of the Lord’s coming with ten thousand of His saints! He knew Jesus was coming back, and he sounded the alarm! What happened to Enoch because of his faithfulness and God’s goodness? (Genesis 5:24) What do you think it means when the verse says, “God took him?”
  • Noah. You know the account of Noah…what did he do, and why did he do it? Yet, God removed Noah and his family from judgment. See Genesis 7:16. Luke 17:26-27 tell us that, just as in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man (last days).
  • Lot. While you’re in Luke 17, move on to verses 28-29. Lot was also in the midst of great evil in Sodom and Gomorrah, but again, God spared Lot from judgment.
  • Rahab. The gentile harlot was redeemed by the scarlet red cord. Read Joshua 6:15-18. You may recognize this as Joshua’s conquest of Jericho, but did you know a prostitute and her family were saved from judgment?
You see, it is not unusual for God to save from judgment those who belong to Him! There is no need for the body of Christ to go through the tribulation. Why would any Bridegroom put His bride through that? He will save us from the day of wrath! That is the second reason the church will not go through the tribulation!

You’ve done good work today as we uncovered 2 of the 7 reasons the church will not go through the tribulation! Bible study friends, I want you to know there is plenty of evidence in God’s Word assuring us we will not go through the tribulation.
 
Reason #3: Specific Promises to the Church Alone
You should be familiar with 1 Thessalonians 1:10 by now, so please review it.

  • Stop for a moment and consider to whom Paul is writing. Are they believers or non-believers? What do we know about the Thessalonians and their relationship to Paul? Why is he writing them?
  • In that verse, who is to “wait for His Son from heaven?”
  • What are they waiting for?
  • What will Jesus do?
Paul is speaking to a bunch of brand new believers in Thessalonica to teach them about the rapture. They are the “church” (the body of Christ) and they are waiting for the return of Jesus to deliver them from the wrath that is to come! To whom is the promise made?

Now, move on to 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9.

  • Verses 5-7 contrast two groups of people. Who are they?
  • What do you think it means to be “children of light?” Who are those people?
  • What is God’s instruction in verse 8?
  • What is His promise in verse 9?
  • To whom did God make that promise? Do you see why the promise is to the church?
In Revelation 2-3, Jesus sends personal instruction to 7 churches. One of those churches is the church at Philadelphia, (Revelation 3:7-13). In verse 10, Jesus is specific in stating, “I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” He is speaking of that which comes in the following chapters: the tribulation.

These are clear examples of specific promises made to the church alone. This is reason #3 why the church will not go through the tribulation.

Reason #4: Jesus’s Location with His Church
Revelation 2:1 and Revelation 3:20provide perspective of where Jesus was historically in relation to His church (the body of Christ). Read those two verses to determine where Jesus has been, in relation to His church. (Hint: in Revelation 2:1, the reference to “seven golden lampstands” represents the 7 churches.)

Likewise, Jesus is talking to His disciples in Matthew 28:20, just before He ascends to heaven, and says, “Lo, I am with you always.” Prior to that, Jesus stated in Matthew 18:20that where two or more are gathered in His name (the church!), He will be in their midst. Based on those passages, with whom does Jesus dwell?

There came a time, though, when Jesus departed. Read John 14:1-3.

Now, let’s consider what the Bible says about our future during the tribulation. In Revelation 4:1 to Revelation 19, Jesus is in heaven, and according to Revelation 19:7-8:

  • Who is with Him?
  • What is the church called in that passage?
  • What is the church (body of Christ) wearing?
  • What does the fine linen represent?
  • Who are the saints?
Friends, where are we during the tribulation?
 
Reason #5: The Gentile Believers at the Second Coming
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 is familiar, but read it once again. Who are the “dead in Christ?” In verse 17, when Paul says, “we,” to whom is he referring? These are Gentiles, citizens of Thessalonica, and children of God!

At the time of the rapture, believers in Christ who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and to live with Him forever. However, the Bible indicates there will be believers here on earth during the tribulation. It will not be that some get left behind, but that some Gentiles will place their faith in Jesus Christ. That is a very unlikely thing, though, as 2 Thessalonians 2:11 tells us there will be strong delusion, causing most to believe the lies of the Antichrist. (Perhaps it is this delusion that causes Jews to fall into the deceptive trap of the Antichrist.)

Thus, raptured saints will escape physical death, but tribulational saints will be brutally murdered (beheaded) for their faith. (See Revelation 13:15and Revelation 20:4.) Every single one of them. All Gentiles who refuse the mark of the beast and turn to Jesus Christ instead will die for their faith! This means, without a pre-tribulation rapture, every believer will be beheaded.

The last verse of 1 Thessalonians 4 says, “Therefore, encourage (comfort) one another with these words.” How is beheading a comfort or an encouragement to anyone? The church must avoid the tribulation by rapture in order for that encouragement to be reliable!

Are you beginning to see the picture? Those who hold to a post-tribulational rapture have significant theological problems! The Bible indeed teaches that the Lord will rescue us from the wrath that is to come! Though He promises to be with us IN the storms of this life, His promise is to rescue us FROM the wrath that is to come. There is no greater wrath than the tribulation! Take heart, believers…He will come for us, just as He said He would! Maranatha!

We have now covered 5 of the 7 reasons the church will not go through the tribulation.
 
Reason #6: The Ministry of the 24 Elders in Heaven
Revelation 4-19 clearly describe the tribulation time period. Following the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3, the church is not heard of again until Revelation 19. Where did the church go? If it is still on the earth, why don’t we hear anything about it during the tribulation? The ministry of the 24 elders may give us a clue.

Exactly who are these elders, spoken of from Revelation 4-19? They are obviously heavenly beings during the tribulation, as they are always put in the context of worshiping God during that period. Some say they are angels, which is debunked when you consider Revelation 7:11, which tells us “…the angels stood around the throne and the elders…” If the elders are angels, did they stand around themselves?

Others say the 24 elders are the 12 tribes of Israel plus the 12 disciples. Perhaps that could be, but I am unaware of any clear Biblical evidence of that, thus it seems like a convenience of numbers.

However, take a look at 1 Chronicles 24:1,4-5. It is important to understand context here. Verse 1 indicates creation of divisions of the descendants of Aaron for service in the temple. This passage indicates 24 divisions of officers in the sanctuary and before God. Aaron and his descendants were of the tribe of Levi…the priestly tribe. They were priests! Now read 1 Peter 2:1-2, 9-10.

  • Based on verses 1-2, who do you think Peter is writing to?
  • How does he describe these believers in Christ in verses 9-10?
  • In light of our discussion so far, does the phrase “royal priesthood” catch your attention? If so, why?
Yes! As believers, we have been brought into the “divisions” of priests! We are royal priests because we belong to Him! Might the elders represent believers?

Now, to make sure we get the setting correct, where are the elders in every one of these verses…on earth or in heaven? (Use this link to scroll to each of the verses below.)

  • Revelation 4:4, 10
  • Revelation 5:6, 8
  • Revelation 7:11, 13
  • Revelation 11:16
  • Revelation 14:3
  • Revelation 19:4
If they are in heaven during the tribulation, it is obviously logical they are not on earth during the tribulation!

So, who are these guys? They are not angels (Revelation 5:11). They are not living creatures (Revelation 5:8). They are not multitudes of Gentiles (Revelation 7:9, 11, 13). They are not the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. The elders represent the New Testament church, confirming that the church will not go through the tribulation, but will be raptured BEFORE it!

Reason #7: Location of the Church’s Meeting with Jesus
This one is a no-brainer! Read 1 Thessalonians 4:17 again. Where does Paul say we will meet Jesus?

Remember: the rapture and the Second Coming are not the same! In the rapture, we get caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. At Jesus’s Second Coming, Zechariah 14:3-4 tells us His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. That is no rapture at all! Besides, remember that bride in fine linen? That’s the church at the wedding feast in heaven. Couple that with Revelation 19:11-4, and we find those in fine linen (us!) following Jesus on white horses as He returns to end the tribulation! How can we return with Him if the rapture doesn’t happen until after this?

There you have it…7 iron-clad, Bible-based reasons the church will not go through the tribulation! Believe it or not, the prophet Isaiah prophesied this in a very unusual, but now recognizable, way in Isaiah 26:19. There is way too much to unpack in that passage now, but consider these nuances:

  • The dead in Christ will rise, just as Jesus did!
  • The earth will cast out the dead in Christ at the rapture.
  • We, His people, will “enter our chamber,” the wedding feast of the Lamb in heaven, and the door will be shut to all others.
  • We will “hide there” as tribulation rages on earth.
  • The Lord will “come out of His place,” will return to earth in His Second Coming, and will put a stop to the raging battle, ending the tribulation.
John 14:1-3 is such a precious promise. The Bridegroom left this earth to go to His Father’s place to prepare a home for His bride…the church. He promises to return for us, and He promises to rescue us from the wrath that is to come. We have discovered at least 7 reasons why we can be absolutely certain of it! https://looking4theblessedhope.com/...h-will-not-go-through-the-tribulation-part-3/

hope this helps !!!
 
I'll get into this tomorrow. Looks real good. I'm a pre-trib rapture kind of guy.
 
Hey hey hey…I believe that everyone who is still alive when the AC arrives will go through the great tribulation. The Bible never says that anyone will be flying away anywhere at this time. Some of us will even be delivered up to the synagogues of Satan during the hour of trial (temptation) when he (Satan) is claiming to be Jesus, but no worries; the Holy Spirit will speak through us as a witness and testimony to the whole world.

Revelation 3:7-10 (NKJV) 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 “Indeed I will make [those] of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 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.

Matthew 10:16-20 (NKJV) 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

selah
 
Selah said:
Hey hey hey…I believe that everyone who is still alive when the AC arrives will go through the great tribulation. The Bible never says that anyone will be flying away anywhere at this time. Some of us will even be delivered up to the synagogues of Satan during the hour of trial (temptation) when he (Satan) is claiming to be Jesus, but no worries; the Holy Spirit will speak through us as a witness and testimony to the whole world.

Revelation 3:7-10 (NKJV) 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 “Indeed I will make [those] of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 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.

Matthew 10:16-20 (NKJV) 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

selah
Click to expand...
The differences between general tribulation, the great tribulation and Gods wrath which is poured out in the great tribulation.

The wrath of God is a fearsome and terrifying thing. Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, shed for us on the cross, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them. “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:9).

Here's why I believe in a pretrib rapture is the biblical model for the church

God's wrath is the Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:1 "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” Many will say God's wrath only comes after the tribulation which doesn't agree with scripture.

Also 1 thessalonians 5:9 says the church is not appointed to wrath. "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ"

Revelation 3:10 “I will keep you from the hour of trial”: the hour of trial refers to the great tribulation

Luke 21:36 "Be always on the watch,and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”: This verse tells us to be watchful before the tribulation so that we may be ready to escape it. If the church was going to endure the tribulation anyway I think Jesus would tell us how to prepare and survive it without taking the mark instead of just being watchful.

Also if the church is still on the earth then they're would be no need for the two witnesses and 144,000 to boldly preach the Gospel.

I believe the tribulation is referred as Jacob's Trouble for a reason; which is unbelieving Israel otherwise it would be called the Church's Trouble.

Jeremiah 30:7
It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;
but he will be saved out of it.

Daniel 12:1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Since many believe Jesus bore Gods wrath ( a heresy ) then for the church to suffer Gods wrath and go through it during the ( great tribulation ) makes Jesus on the cross bearing it the first time nothing but nonsense. If He bore Gods wrath for the church on the cross , then the church cannot be under Gods wrath a 2nd time during the 7 year great tribulation

hope this helps !!!
 
civic said:
God's wrath is the Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:1 "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” Many will say God's wrath only comes after the tribulation which doesn't agree with scripture.
Click to expand...
…but God ain’t mad at His saints (elect).

later, gotta go walk my dog.

selah
 
Here is one reference to the time of the great tribulation in the book of Daniel:

Daniel 12:1 (NKJV) “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands [watch] over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, [Even] to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

The great tribulation is fast approaching and at the end of it, Satan will meet his demise. At that moment, Jesus Christ will deliver His people, including every one whose name is written in the Book of Life and who has the seal of God in their forehead. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life and who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads will be deceived and will undoubtedly stumble, fall and end up worshiping the Antichrist. This is the great apostacy of the end times..

It is written:

Revelation 13:8 (NKJV) All who dwell on the earth will worship worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

selah
 
Selah said:
Here is one reference to the time of the great tribulation in the book of Daniel:

Daniel 12:1 (NKJV) “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands [watch] over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, [Even] to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

The great tribulation is fast approaching and at the end of it, Satan will meet his demise. At that moment, Jesus Christ will deliver His people, including every one whose name is written in the Book of Life and who has the seal of God in their forehead. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life and who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads will be deceived and will undoubtedly stumble, fall and end up worshiping the Antichrist. This is the great apostacy of the end times..

It is written:

Revelation 13:8 (NKJV) All who dwell on the earth will worship worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

selah
Click to expand...
Yep "your people " the Jews/ Israel in the context.

Thanks for the passage in Daniel.

AMEN !!!
 

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