Does the Rapture Occur Before the Tribulation Period?

Does the rapture occur before the tribulation period? Bible Question: Revelation 6:10-11; 7:3-4, 13-14 would seem to indicate that the rapture does not occur before the tribulation. To understand this, we must look at the biblical overview of the end times.

Overview of the Tribulation

The tribulation is a well-defined period of time. Daniel 9:27 states that it is a seven year period. Daniel 9:27 indicates that the seven year tribulation period starts with a peace treaty, but after 3.5 years an abomination of desolation occurs (Daniel 12:11). The abomination of desolation occurs in the middle of the tribulation period when the antichrist enters the temple in Jerusalem and declares that he is God. Jesus confirms that this will occur when he states that the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place of the temple (Matthew 24:15). 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 echoes the same truth; in the process it gives us more details – adding that the antichrist or lawless one will exalt himself as God when he sits down in the temple “displaying himself as God”.

When the antichrist declares that he is God, Bible students throughout the world will know that there will be only 3.5 years left until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ occurs and the armies of the nations of the world will be defeated at the Battle of Armageddon. This period of time is called the Great Tribulation by Christ (Matthew 24:21). Jeremiah 30:7 calls it Jacob’s Trouble because this is the climax of the punishment on Israel for their rejection of Jesus Christ. During this last 3.5 year period, all of the events in Revelation 6 to 19 will occur. The end of the tribulation period is also the end of the Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25-26).

When the Rapture Will Occur

The rapture occurs unexpectedly prior to the tribulation period. That is the message of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, we are told that Jesus will descend from heaven and the dead Christians will rise up first. Then those Christians who are alive when Christ comes in the air will rise next and both groups will go up together. Now it is important to remember that when Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, there were no chapter divisions and no verses. That means 1 Thessalonians 5:1 does not start a new subject; it is a continuation of Paul’s thought from 1 Thessalonians 4:18. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, he explains the events that will follow what he has just described in chapter 4. He says that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. That is the Day of the Lord will follow the rapture.

Contrast: The Rapture vs. The Second Coming

1 Thessalonians 5:3-6 tells us that the start of the tribulation period will occur unexpectedly like a thief in the night. That is an accurate description of how the tribulation or the period of “Peace and safety” will start since no one will know when the covenant of Daniel 9:27 will begin. In sharp contrast, the Second Coming of Christ will occur like an alarm clock. As soon as the peace treaty is made, the world will know. Any Bible student can then start counting; after seven years, Jesus Christ will come. In Matthew 24:29 Jesus says that the Second Coming of Christ will come after the seven year tribulation period has ended. He says, “Immediately after the tribulation.” The end of the tribulation will not occur like a thief in the night; neither will the Second Coming of Christ be a surprise. Therefore, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 cannot refer to the Second Coming of Christ since it cannot occur like a thief in the night. It refers to the rapture.

Comparison of End Times Events

The following table summarizes the timing and nature of these prophetic events based on the biblical text:

Event	Biblical Timing	Nature of Arrival
The Rapture	Prior to the tribulation period	Like a thief in the night (Unexpected)
The Tribulation	Seven year period (Daniel 9:27)	Starts with a peace treaty
The Second Coming	Immediately after the tribulation	Like an alarm clock (Expected)