Question

dear brother.keith sharp first of all i appreciate your wisdom that Holy Spirit has given you.i read your mails.i have a question.will the rapture of the church take place before the seven yrs tribulation period or after three and half yrs of tribulation or at the end.i am hoping for a answer from you. with much respect. india

Answer

Thank you for writing.

The Bible uses the words "caught up" ("harpazo," "Rapture"), "coming" ("parousia") and "appearance" ("epiphaneia") interchangeably to describe the second coming of Christ. The Lord will destroy the lawless one "with the brightness" ("epiphaneia") of His coming ("parousia") (2 Thessalonians 2:8). This "coming" ("parousia") is at the same time he catches up ("raptures") the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:15,17). Jesus won't return a third and fourth time; there's just one second coming. These events, Christians being "caught up" and the second coming of Christ, are not separated by 1007 years (7 year "Great Tribulation" followed by 1000 year kingdom), as premillennialists contend, but they will happen at the same time.

When He comes for His saints, it won't be secretive. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

There won't be a period of 1007 years between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked. All the dead will be raised at the same time.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:28-29)

Christians aren't going to go to be with the Lord and then come back to the earth for a thousand years. We're going to leave this earth forever when He returns.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The word "thus" is an adverb meaning "in this manner" (Arndt & Gingrich. 602). In this manner, in the air, "we shall always be with the Lord," not for seven years be with the Lord.

At His coming ("parousia") the earth, even the universe, will be deestroyed (1 Corinthians 15:20-24,50-54; 2 Peter 3:1-12).

There will be no second chance to be saved then, for at His coming all shall be judged and receive eternity in either heaven or in hell (Matthew 25:31-46).

The Bible does not teach the premillenial doctrine of "The Rapture". This doctrine holds forth the false hope of a second chance after Jesus' return. It is an integral part of the false, materialistic system of premillennialism. When Christ returns, this world will come to an end, we will all be judged and eternity will begin.

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:11-12)

Cordially,
Keith Sharp