At 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, the Apostle Paul wrote that it is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
“9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
Early believers were admonished to wait in anticipation of the heavenly coming of Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. The Apostle Paul also wrote at 1 Thessalonians 5:9, that God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Many proponents of the pre-tribulation rapture quote the above verses as evidence, that the wrath that we as Christians are to be delivered from is man’s wrath. Supporters of this doctrine maintain that the church will be raptured prior to the great tribulation and will not be subject to man’s wrath or persecution, during this time period. Is this an accurate understanding of what the Apostle Paul wrote?
If we read carefully 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, the Apostle Paul cautions believers not to be in darkness, but to be to be sons of light; not to be drunk or sleeping, but to stay sober and awake, so that the “day of the Lord” might not overtake them like a thief in the night. The day of the Lord would denote the time of Jesus’ second coming. Destruction would then come upon unbelievers suddenly like labor pangs on a pregnant woman and they would by no means escape.
“1 Now as to the times and the epochs (seasons) brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety (Peace an security)!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”
Jesus’ own words at Matthew 24:36-37 confirm that the “day of the Lord” is synonymous with the coming of the Son of Man.
“36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.”
That the day of the Lord is synonymous with the second coming of Christ and is identified with the outpouring of God’s wrath, is confirmed at Revelation 6:15-17.
“15 The kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”
The wrath that we as believers are destined to be delivered from is God’s wrath, not man’s wrath. This occurs when Jesus comes like a thief in the night and catches most people off guard, asleep, drunk, and weighed down with the anxieties of life. With the outpouring of God’s wrath on that great day, the question is raised, “Who will be able to escape all of these things and succeed in standing before the Son of Man?”
Jesus confirmed this in His own words to His disciples at Luke 21:34-36: “34 Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap (snare); 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand (succeed in standing) before the Son of Man.”
Note Jesus’ words to His disciples at Matthew 24:37-44: “37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand (took no note), until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
Note also Jesus’ words at Mark 13:35-37: “35 Therefore, be on the alert — for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 What I say to you I say to all, Be on the alert!”
Jesus warned His followers that they should stay awake, stay alert, stay sober, and not being weighed down with the anxieties of life, so that the coming of the Son of Man might not overtake them as a snare. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, upon all who dwell on the face of the earth. Escaping all of these things that are destined to occur, refers to escaping God’s wrath. To stand before the Son of Man, signifies that a believer would be in good standing, before the Lord when He arrives.
In the book of Romans 5:8-9, the Apostle Paul refers to believers being saved from the wrath of God, through Christ Jesus.
“8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (Refer also to 1 Thessalonians 5:9, previously cited)
Romans 1:18 speaks of God’s wrath being revealed against all ungodly and unrighteous men.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
Romans 2:5-8 tells us that those who are stubborn and unrepentant are storing up wrath for themselves on the day of judgment. Each person will have to render an account for their deeds. Those who persevere in doing good seek eternal life. Those who do not obey the truth and obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation.
“5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”
Hebrews 10:31 tells us that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
“It is a terrifying (fearful) thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Revelation 11:18 refers to the nations becoming wrathful and as a consequence, the coming of the wrath of God. This would mark the time for God to judge the dead, to reward His servants, the prophets and the saints, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.
“And the nations were enraged, (wrathful) but Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants, the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy (bring to ruin) those who destroy (are ruining) the earth.”
Note that the dead, the servants, the prophets, and the saints are rewarded at the time of God’s wrath, not before! This is on the Day of the Lord, the second coming of Christ. God’s wrath is brought on as a result of the nations being wrathful. This would also mark the destruction of those who are destroying the earth. (Refer also to Psalms: Ch. 2 & Ch. 110)
That faithful Christians will still be present on earth during the great tribulation and not escape the wrath of the nations, is evident from scripture! It is on account of Jesus’ name and for the sake of Jesus’ name, that true believers will persecuted during this time period. Those who are persecuted for Christ’s name’s are Christians, not unbelieving Jews! They are called from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. (See Revelation 5:9-10) This fact is confirmed in the following verses. The one who endures to the end shall be saved. The good news of the kingdom must be preached to all the nations and then the end will come. True believers everywhere are to fulfill the divine commission, to preach the gospel and endure to the end!
At Matthew 24:9-14 Jesus told his disciples: “9 Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
At Mark 13:9-13 Jesus said: “9 But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
Jesus said at Matthew 10:16-32: “16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me (because of my name), but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Greek, Gehenna). 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
The Apostle Peter wrote at 1 Peter 4:16: “Yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.”
The saints will be suffering persecution and undergoing tribulation when Christ arrives with His angels. This is clearly evident from scripture. Christ and His angels will inflict punishment on those who are afflicting His saints, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This will occur when Christ comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, the day of His coming.
At 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 it states: “5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction (recompense tribulation, inflict suffering upon) those who afflict you (those who trouble you, those who are inflicting suffering upon you), 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted (are troubled, are suffering) and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to (inflicting punishment, inflicting vengeance on all) those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed.”
Christ will gather His chosen saints (the elect) to heavenly glory at His coming. The rapture of the saints occurs immediately after the tribulation, not before!
Note Jesus’ own words at Matthew 24:29-31: “29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect (His chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
At Mark 13:24-27 Jesus said: “24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect (His chosen ones) from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.”
Jesus will gather His elect or chosen after the great tribulation, not before. It is for the sake of the elect or chosen (the saints) that the tribulation days will be cut short, otherwise no flesh would be saved!
Matthew 24:21-22 states: “21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be cut short.”
Mark 13:19-20 states: “19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
Christ cuts short the days of the great tribulation on account of His elect or chosen (the church). Christ then gathers His saints from one end of the earth and the sky to the other. The following verses identify God’s chosen or elect as the church.
Romans 8:29-33 states: “29 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called; And those whom He called He also justified; And those whom He justified He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also give us all things with Him? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect (chosen)? It is God who justifies.”
Ephesians 1:11 states: “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
2 Timothy 2:10 states: “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect (chosen), that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.”
The divine commission to make disciples of all nations must be fulfilled by faithful Christians, until the end of the world or age.
At Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commanded His followers: “18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (world).‘”
In these end times, it is important not to be deluded or deceived into believing that we as Christians will not be persecuted or undergo tribulation. We are not privileged or unique to other Christians throughout history! It is important that we not let the fear of man influence our integrity, in accurately interpreting and defining scripture. It is God’s wrath that we are to fear, not man’s! It is God’s wrath that we need to be saved from, not man’s! While man can destroy our body, it is God who can ultimately destroy both our soul and body in the lake of fire (Greek, Gehenna). Note what the following verses have to say in this regard.
The Apostle Paul wrote at 2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
At Acts 14:22, the Apostle Paul said: ” Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
At Matthew 10:28, Jesus stated: “And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Greek, Gehenna).”
Jesus also said at Matthew 16:25: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
If believers were to be raptured, prior to the great tribulation, neither Jesus, nor the Apostle Paul would have given us such strong and urgent admonition concerning our need to be sober, alert, vigilant, awake, and in good standing on the day of our Lord’s return. That the church will still be present on the earth, during the great tribulation, is evident from scripture. We are to stay awake and keep on the watch, for we do not know the day or hour of our Lord’s coming. As Christians, we need to be vigilant as to our Lord’s return, so as not to be caught off guard!
Jesus told His disciples at Matthew 24:41-42: “41 . . . one will be taken, one will be left.” 42 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
This is the exact scenario, concerning the coming of the Lord, that the Apostle Paul spoke of at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17:
“15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord (who are living, who survive to the appearing of the Lord) will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
The sleeping saints, the dead in Christ, shall rise first! Afterward, the believers who are still alive and remain at the coming of the Lord will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall always be with the Lord. The rapture takes place at Christ’s second coming, not before!
Hebrews 9:28 states: “So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
The many signs that we have already read from scripture all point to one and the same event. That event is the second coming of Christ or the Day of the Lord. The following is a list of the many signs that mark that event.
1. The persecution of Christians will occur worldwide.
2. The gospel message will be preached to all nations and then the end will come.
3. Only those who endure to the end will be saved.
4. The coming of the Son of Man will occur, immediately after the tribulation of those days (the great tribulation).
5. On account of the chosen or elect (the saints), the tribulation of those days will be cut short; otherwise, no flesh would be saved.
6. The nations will be wrathful at the time of His coming.
7. Jesus will come with the clouds.
8. Jesus will come as a thief in the night and catch all those who dwell on earth, off guard.
9. When they are saying, “peace and security.” then destruction will be instantly upon them like the pangs of distress on a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. This is the final sign, prior to the second coming. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
10. The blowing of a trumpet will announce Christ’s arrival.
11. The sleeping saints, the dead in Christ, are resurrected first at Christs’ coming. This will be followed by the rapture of the surviving saints, who will meet the Lord in the air. (Rd. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
12. After being raised to glory, the resurrected saints who constitute the first resurrection, will ride with Christ to rescue the remaining saints; those who are still alive on earth and undergoing persecution. (Rd. Revelation 17:14 & 19:11-16)
13. Christ will send forth His angels to gather His elect or chosen (the church).
14. Christ and His angels will deal out tribulation to those who make tribulation for His saints.
15. Christ will send forth His angels to execute the ungodly and all those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
16. The outpouring of God’s wrath will be upon the nations.
17. True believers will escape the wrath of God and succeed in standing before the Son of Man.
18. This will mark the time for the dead to be judged. God will reward His prophets, servants, and saints, and all of those fearing His name. (Revelation 11:17-18)
19. God will destroy those who destroy the earth.
Jesus only came once the first time and He is only coming once a second time. All of the above signs converge on one single event, the second coming of Christ or the Day of the Lord! It is incumbent that true believers stay awake, stay sober, and be alert, during these last days. It is not the wrath of man or the wrath of the nations that we need to fear, but rather the outpouring of God’s wrath at our Lord’s appearing. If we do this, we will escape all of these things that are destined to occur and succeed in standing before the Son of Man.
*Print in red intended for clarification and/or various renderings from other translations.
In attempting to prove that the saints will be raptured prior to the tribulation, there are two passages in scripture that proponents of the pre-tribulation rapture often refer to.
1. In His seven letters sent to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation Ch 2 & 3), Christ Jesus gives both commendation and praise, along with condemnation and reproof, to the believers in each of the seven churches. The only church that is given praise, without receiving any reproof, is the church of Philadelphia. Because of their faithful endurance in keeping Christ’s word and not proving false to His name, the Philadelphian church is promised exemption from the hour of testing, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth.
Note Jesus’ words at Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance (endurance), I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
This prophetic promise was given exclusively to the Philadelphian church, as a reward for their faithfulness and endurance. While Christians today can certainly benefit from reading Christ’s words to the seven churches, this does not give them the right to award themselves exemption from the hour of testing, the great tribulation. Only Christ has the authority to grant such a reward to faithful believers!
This honor, of being kept from the hour of testing, was awarded exclusively to the church of Philadelphia. They were awarded this because they had already passed the hour of testing in their day. This was a result of their endurance and refusal to deny the Lord. To transfer a promise that was clearly intended for the church of Philadelphia, and apply it to the church today, is both presumptuous and dangerous theology. Most contemporary Christians have never been seriously tested. Present day saints must faithfully endure to the end, even if it means enduring persecution and the great tribulation! Here is where the faith and endurance of the holy ones comes in! (See Matthew 24:13)
Revelation 13:10 states: “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints (the holy ones).”
True to Jesus’ words, the saints of the church of Philadelphia will be kept from the hour of testing that will come upon the whole inhabited earth, the great tribulation. They will be among the first sleeping saints (the dead in Christ) to rise at the trumpet blast, announcing Christ’s return (the second coming). Afterwards, the saints who have faithfully endured and are still alive, will be caught up to forever be with the Lord. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)
2. The other passage that is often used to promote a pre-tribulation rapture is found in Revelation Chapter 4. In this passage, John of Patmos is taken up in the power of the Spirit to God’s throne room in heaven. Proponents of the pre-tribulation rapture maintain that what John experienced (being caught up in the Spirit), pictures the saints being raptured prior to the great tribulation.
Revelation 4:1-2 states: “1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.’ 2 Immediately I (John) was in the Spirit; (I was caught up in the Spirit, I was in the power of the Spirit) and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.”
In this account, John was caught up in the Spirit to record for us a vision of God’s throne room; something that John (alone) at that time was privileged to witness. What John experienced, may have been what is commonly referred to as an outer body experience.
John’s experience was very similar to what the Apostle Paul had experienced years earlier, when he was caught up to the third heaven or Paradise (God’s throne room), and given a vision or revelation from God in words inexpressible.
Paul describes his experience at 2 Corinthians 12:1-4: “1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows — 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”
Similar to that of the Apostle Paul, John had a super natural experience in the Spirit, at the time that he received the Revelation from Jesus Christ.
Note, what is stated at Revelation 1:1-3 & 10: “1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He (Christ) sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond–servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. 10 I (John) was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet. . . “
In conclusion, being “caught up in the Spirit,” or being “in the Spirit,” was a spiritual status that John, alone, experienced for the purpose of receiving and recording the Revelation of Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no reference or correlation to the future rapture of the saints in the above scriptural passages. It would be a deliberate distortion of scripture to draw such a conclusion!