Since its development, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory has been taught in many churches as a fundamental and basic building block of faith in Christ. The second coming of Christ is fundamental to Christian faith, but to dictate when and how it happens is not. As we move further and further into times of hardship and tribulation, there is a real danger that many Christians may lose their faith.

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Show Notes:

There are three basic teachings about the rapture. All of them are connected to the tribulation. One problem is that the Scriptures that point to what we call the rapture do not connect the event of Christ’s return to the tribulation.

Traditionally, the Christian faith has been founded upon the second coming of Christ, where Yeshua returns to earth from the right hand of the Father to establish His Kingdom on this earth. For a pre-tribulation rapture to work, He would have to return twice—once to rapture up the saints to Himself into the heavens to avoid the tribulation on the earth, then return a second time to set up His Kingdom on the earth following the tribulation.

What if there is not a pre-tribulation rapture of the church? We have lost nothing by striving to grow and mature in God and have a deep relationship with Him—a relationship of faith can carry us through those difficult days and may even allow us to be vessels of Christ who preach the gospel of the Kingdom unto the end. This will not damage our walk with God. But the people who have not prepared are the ones who should be concerned.

We live in an age that is prone to persecution, to tribulation, to martyrdom. It is estimated that 70 million Christians have died as martyrs since the ascension of Christ, and that thousands of Christians are martyred every year. So, for us to not prepare ourselves spiritually to survive during these days is folly.

Since we know that we are facing these last days in which tribulations will come, we should pray. “Lord, if it’s Your will, save me from going through these things; yet not my will, but Your will for my life be done.”

Key Verses:

• Luke 19:11-13. “That the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven.”
• John 14:23. “We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
• Revelation 21:3. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. “But we will all be changed.”
• Revelation 11:15. “He will reign forever and ever.”
• Matthew 25:1-13. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day.”
• Luke 22:42. “Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:17. “And so we shall always be with the Lord.”

Quotes:

• “The rapture doctrine has always been a great concern to me because I’m worried that so many Christians who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture have built their faith in Jesus and His return on this doctrine—and not on a biblical foundation.”
• “One flaw of much of the rapture teaching—and a major concern that I have personally—is that it removes the need for Christians to grow up and mature in their faith. Once you’re saved, you will just be raptured out from the tribulation and be with Jesus. The truth is that as we move deeper and deeper into the last days, the maturity of each saint is paramount, for, if possible, even the very elect will be deceived.”
• “We must be solid on this idea that Christ at His return establishes His Kingdom on this earth. He does not dwell forever in heaven. He is not bringing the saints up into heaven to be with Him in heaven forever. That is not our eternal dwelling place. Our eternal dwelling place is with Him in this realm, on this earth.”

Takeaways:

1. Our focus should be on God through His prophecies and promises.
2. Christ has planted us in this earth to grow up in God and mature into His vessels.
3. When Christ comes again, we will be caught up and gathered to Him.
4. The Father and Son are coming to make their abode with us in Messiah’s Kingdom on this earth. We shall be with the Lord forever.
5. We must be prepared for whatever we will face. It may not be easy, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.