Evidence for the Rapture of the Church Before the Tribulation
When discussing the timing of the Rapture or the removal of the Church from the earth, it is important to understand the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. To understand this distinction, we can look at the following definitions based on biblical teaching:
- The Rapture: Christ will return in the atmosphere and will rapture or catch up to be with Him forever all those who believe in Him during the church age.
- The Second Coming of Christ: After seven years of tribulation on the whole world, Christ will return to earth with His church, to set up and rule His Kingdom for 1000 years.
Differing Views on the Timing of the Rapture
Many godly, serious students of the Bible have different views about the timing of the Rapture of the church. Some believe that the Rapture will happen either before (pretribulationism), at the middle (midtribulationism), or at the end of the 7 years of Tribulation (posttribulationism). The reason for differing views is because no single Bible verse says precisely when the Rapture will take place in relation to the Tribulation or the Second Coming in a way that would settle the issue to everyone’s satisfaction.
However, this does not mean that the Bible does not teach a clear position on this matter, for I believe it does. Many important biblical doctrines are not derived from a single verse, but are the result of harmonizing many passages into systematic conclusions (e.g. the Trinity or the God-Man nature of Christ). I believe that a systematic, literal interpretation of all New Testament passages relating to the Rapture will lead to the pretribulational viewpoint: that, at the Rapture, all living believers will be caught up into heaven at least seven years before Christ’s Second Coming.
Jesus as the Original Teacher of the Pretribulation Rapture
The biblical evidence points to the Rapture or removal of the Church taking place before the Tribulation period. Jesus is the Original Teacher of the Pretribulation Rapture. In Matthew 24 Jesus answers His disciples’ questions in verse 3, “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” He answers the second question first in Matt. 24:4-35. This is designated by the words “the sign” (to semeion) used only in verses 3 and 30.
In Matthew 24:4-14, the Lord Jesus surveys the entire 7-year tribulation. Matthew 24:5-8 describe the first half of the tribulation period consisting of judgments depicting the 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 thseal judgments of Revelation 6:3-8 which take place in the first half of the 7-year tribulation. Matthew 24:9-14 then describes the second half of the 7-year tribulation period. The words “and then the end will come” (v. 14b) refer to the end of the 7-year tribulation period.
Analyzing the Midpoint and the Second Half of the Tribulation
Then beginning in Matthew 24:15, Jesus returns to the midpoint of the Tribulation period to focus on more details during the last half of the 7-year tribulation period. The words “abomination of desolation” (v. 15a) are taken from Daniel 9:27. Jesus is telling His disciples that Daniel 9:27 is the key to understanding the prophetic events He is describing. Christ then describes in detail the second half of the 7-year tribulation in Matthew 24:15-28.
In verse 29 Jesus uses the phrase, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…” to introduce His description of His Second Coming described in Matthews 24:29-31. Christ explains in Matthew 24:32-35 how the events of the 7-year tribulation He just described are like the springtime budding of the fig tree. Just as the budding of the fig tree in the spring signals the nearness of summer, so the events that take place during the 70 thweek of Daniel provide clear evidence of the nearness of Christ’s Second Coming.
Observable Signs versus Imminent Coming
Throughout Matthew 24:5-31 there are many observable “signs” or “warnings” that signal Christ’s future return to earth. In Matthew 24:32-35 Jesus commands His disciples to “learn this parable from the fig tree” and “When you see all these things, know that it [His return to earth] is near.” But when we come to Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows.”
Now Jesus is talking about His coming without any preceding observable signs that signal His return. Jesus is talking about two different aspects of His Second Coming – one that involves observable signs (Matthew 24:4-31) and one that involves no observable signs (Matthew 24:36-44). This distinction is vital for a systematic interpretation. Matthew 24:36-44 provides clear evidence of the imminent, unpredictable nature of the Rapture.