What is considered an attack on the belief in a rapture?

My understanding is that the purpose of this forum is to discuss these issues. To discuss and disagree is not the same as "attack." If you name-call, make personal accusations, use curse words, that is attacking. It is possible to discuss these issues without getting disrespectful and personal.

I believe strongly in the pre-trib rapture. I have studied the Bible for over 45 years. I have examined the various positions and read many books. I still believe in the pre-trib position. However, I have no problem with discussing the issue with those who disagree. I am open to hearing opposing positions. I am not, however, open to being insulted and personally attacked, especially by those who claim to be fellow believers in Jesus Christ.

I have to admit that there are some things in Matthew 24 that are difficult to understand and interpret, especially as to the timing of when all these things take place. This passage (specifically verses 30-31) is used by virtually all post-trib people to support their position. First, I have to say that however one interprets this passage, it must be interpreted not only within the immediate context, but the interpretation must agree with all other patterns and principles found throughout the Bible. As I stated before, the Bible clearly teaches that we are NOT appointed to wrath. If we are to go through the Tribulation Period, then we would have to conclude that God did not mean what He said when he said that we are not appointed to wrath, making Him a liar, since the Tribulation period is the wrath of God. With that in mind, any interpretation of the Matt. 24:30-31 must take that into account as well as many other things.

To interpret this Matthew passage, we have to ask several questions. First, what does Jesus mean by "the tribulation of those days" and what days is He referring to? In the verses immediately before this, He warns of many false prophets and false Christs. This is obviously talking about the time we are in right now. From the time of Jesus to now there have been many false Christs. This has dramatically increased in recent times. It cannot be talking about the Tribulation Period because there will only be ONE false Christ at that time, i.e., the antichrist (the beast) and one false prophet, The False Prophet (the second beast). The word "tribulation" here does not necessarily refer to the 7-year Tribulation period. It just refers to a time of trouble. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus refers to a time he calls the "beginning of sorrows" and that at that time there would be much persecution. We are living in that time right now.

Another thing to consider is that in verse 31 it speaks of the angels coming with a sound of a great trumpet. The angels "gather His elect from the four winds and from one end of heaven to another." Those of the post-trib position assume this verse refers to the rapture. However, there are some things in this verse that are inconsistent with the rapture. First, there is no mention of the resurrection. Second, it says that the elect are gathered from "one end of heaven to another." This indicates that these "elect" are already in heaven or the heavens, and they are being gathered from there. This definitely does not fit in with the rapture.

There are a number of interpretations and explanations of these two verses, but all in all, this passage cannot be used as a "proof" passage for a post-trib rapture. You must not base a doctrine on one passage. There are many passages in the Bible that relate to the issue of the rapture. They must all be taken together when gathering an understanding of the rapture. I believe that when you take all the related passages and biblical principles and put them together, the Bible clearly teaches that God will remove His people, the church, before the Day of the Lord (Tribulation Period).

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