Post Tribulation Rapture

 I'm going to share with you some of the reasons why I believe that Christians (born again believers) who are alive and on the earth at the time of the tribulation will go through the "Great Tribulation". The reason I'm doing this is because, if you are here and you don't believe in your heart that you're supposed to go through it, you may feel condemned, confused or even guilty for being alive during the worst time in earth's history. 

It's better to be prepared and not need the preparation than to need it and not have it. Remember also, "God's grace is sufficient." 

Now, if you have your Bible open to the book of Revelation, you'll see that the first three chapters are letters to the churches. The fourth chapter is about God's throne. Chapter five is where Jesus opens "the book" that is sealed with seven seals.

Chapter six is "setting the scene" for the prophecies about the last seven years of man's existence on earth. Jesus (the Lamb) has opened five of the seals and released five horsemen.

Revelations 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

These people were already dead and the seals are being opened. That's the time frame.

In Revelations 6:10 and 11 it says: 

"And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

"dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" signifies that they believe the righteous God is going to avenge their enemies. In fact, that's exactly what the wrath of God is going to do! And when is God going to avenge them?

after "their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."

Their fellowservants being killed before the Wrath of God means they are killed during the Tribulation. (There are 7 final years which is during the reign of the world dictator or the Antichrist, 31/2 of which will be called the Tribulation. More on this later.)

We are NOT going to suffer the wrath of God! Don't worry about that, if you are truly saved!

When Jesus opens the SIXTH SEAL, the WRATH OF GOD begins. Remember that: In Revelation 6, the 6th seal begins the wrath of God. We believers will not be here for that. That is for the unbelievers! So, verses 12 -17 describe the wrath of God. Not a pretty sight. (This is covered in more detail later in Revelations.)

We will not be in the wrath of God.

 I Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

(Some people are confused about the difference between the Tribulation and the Wrath of God and I think you really should get it sorted out because there's a difference. The Tribulation is when the Antichrist and his ilk persecute people who don't receive the "Mark of the Beast". The Wrath of God is when God takes vengeance on the wicked as the Bible has prophesied from the beginning.)

Even during part of the Tribulation, God's servants will be protected with a mark in their foreheads.

Revelation 7

3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

We Christians are spiritual children of Israel. The dispute down through history has always been, “Who are the hundred and forty-four thousand?” Most people believe they are actual physical Jews of the children of Israel. It’s possible. Any of us alive on the earth today could have any of the twelve sons of Israel as our forefather because the Jews have been dispersed throughout the world for generations, mixing their blood with other nationalities of people.

On the other hand, Jesus was of the tribe of Judah (assuming that Mary was of the same tribe of Israel as her husband, Joseph). So, if our actual physical blood has no trace of Israel in it, our spiritual blood does. 

Here's another verse that, to me, indicates we will go through the Tribulation:

13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?

14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears form their eyes.

Imagine that! "He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them!" What an honour! What a reward! Wouldn't you be willing to do just about anything to win that kind of a reward of having Jesus dwell with you?

Here's another verse:

Rev. 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 

It says that the "Gentiles" or non-believers will tread the "holy city" or believers under foot 42 months. How many years is that? Three and a half years. That's the length of time that the Tribulation will last for. 

Please don't worry that I've taken verses "out of context" because you can easily have your Bible on your lap as I point out these verses. Each verse stands on its own for the purpose I'm using it and that is to encourage you that, if you DO happen to find yourself in the middle of the Tribulation, you are not out of God's will! In fact, you will be among those blessed people that Jesus "dwells among"! And, whatever your calling or destiny is, God will give you so much of his grace that it will be a joy to you to suffer for his sake!

to be continued . . .