Most Christians do not seem to understand the biblical necessity of a Pretribulation Rapture. But a proper study of the whole Bible confirms that it is a divine necessity. Here are the reasons why it is necessary for the Church (the children of God on earth, Jews and Gentiles in one Body) to be taken out, and taken up to Heaven, before the reign of the Antichrist, and the Tribulation and Great Tribulation which are connected to his reign.
1. The Antichrist cannot take TOTAL CONTROL of the earth until and unless the Church (indwelt by the Holy Spirit) and the Holy Spirit Himself are “taken out of the way”. The Holy Spirit is the Divine Restrainer of Satan and the Antichrist. See 2 Thessalonians 2.
While it is true that this verse says that the Day of the Lord will not come until the Man of Lawlessness is revealed, it does not specifiy that the Holy Spirit is the restrainer. Nor does it state that it is, specifically, the Holy Spirit within the Church, which must be removed. This, unfortunately, is a bit of a 'leap-frog' conclusion. "It
has to be the HS, which means it
has to be the HS in the Church". Well, no...it doesn't say that.
Find me somewhere else...anywhere else, that gives leave to think the HS is this restrainer that is talked about. The fact that most theologians (even Dispensationalist ones if they're honest, and many of them are) will say that no one can be sure who the Restrainer is.
That makes this an assumption. At best.
2. The Tribulation is primarily an expression of the wrath of Satan against the Jews, and particularly against the believing remnant of Jews (Daniel 12 and Revelation 12). This is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” and has nothing to do with the Church. At the same time, God begins to pour out His judgments upon the earth. There are seven trumpet judgments, and the first six belong to this period. Revelation 8-13.
Is there some reason Satan cannot rage against the Jews while the Church is still here? He did it just fine in Germany. We can even say that the judgement that came against the Jews (be it ultimately from God) in 70AD was also seen while the Church was here. In fact, there is not really a time in history when the Jews have not been 'troubled'. So why must we believe that the Church "has to" be gone? Where does it say, specifically, that this can only take place once the Church has "left the building", so to speak?
3. It is the Antichrist who sets up the Abomination of Desolation in the future temple at Jerusalem. This is called “the image of the Beast” in Revelation 13. And all those who refuse to worship this image are beheaded. These are the Tribulation saints (primarily Jews), since the whole Church is certainly not beheaded.
No...certainly not the whole Church. But what of all the Church members today that have been? Do they not count? Does it only count when the Church leaves, then the name changes to 'Saints' for this to have special, "Revelation" meaning?
Of course not. Believers who are killed for their faith, beheaded...martyred, because they loved their Lord more than food, or commerce, or popularity, or bending knee to worldly government, all have the same status in heaven. The insistance on a line of demarcation that separates is both confusing, and not found in scripture.
One people, One second coming. If you want to see my cards, I've laid them out (with biblical verses) in the thread "Amillennialism". Which I fully recognise might give you an eye twitch to have to wade through, but it's there if you want to torment yourself!
4. It is the Abomination of Desolation which triggers the Great Tribulation on earth (see Matthew 24). The seventh trumpet judgment belongs to this period (Revelation 14-18). While that is happening on earth, the saints are all in Heaven for two reasons: (1) attendance at the Judgment Seat of Christ, in order to have their works judged, and to receive their rewards (2 Corinthians 5:10 and other passages) and (2) attendance at the Marriage of the Lamb as the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19). The Church is not only the Body and Building of Christ, but also the Bride of Christ, and unless the Marriage of the Lamb is accomplished, the Lord will not return to earth with His saints and angels (Revelation 19).
I'm not sure how you manage to connect, timewise, the 7th trumpet with Matt 24, although I'm sure you'll tell me.
Also...where does it say that the Judgement seat is happening
at the same time that everything else is playing out on earth? The passages I read tell me that Judgement comes when Christ does, for that is when he sits on his throne in judgement, but any call on what is happening in the background is pure speculation, and again, assumption.
And as far as "having to be in heaven for the Marriage Supper, or else Christ can't come back (Rev19)"...there's a bit of a problem, because as we see he's already been described as coming back in Rev 6:15–17, Rev 11:15-18 and Rev 16:17–20 as well as in Chapter 19. Chapter 19 is, indeed the "Grand Hurrah!" The full detail, what we would like to call the full picture. But all those other occasions have also described his return. His triumph over his enemies and his wrath upon them at his coming, his Kingdom beginning as he sets up his perfect reign. These are undoubtably details of his 2nd Coming.
So that puts just a little bit different look on how we think about the story of Revelation, and what must be taking place where.
Indeed, I don't think your timeline can be proven.
5. The Tribulation is during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week (3 ½ years) while the Great Tribulation (also called the Day of the Lord) is during the second half of this week of years (3 ½ years, less some months). This entire period has nothing to do with the Church, and corresponds to Revelation 6-18. And it is significant that in these chapters of Revelation there is no mention of “church” “the church” or “churches”.
Why is it significant? Is it significant that the word Saint is also used throughout the NT multiple times? You would think that if it held special meaning to the time of the end, and the believers then, they would have reserved the word for then, and kept using 'Church' in the NT.
I think it more likely that while the bulk of the NT is talking to the body, corporately, and therefore the word 'Church' is appropriate, in Revelation the message and picture being painted is very personal. It talks to us individualy as Christians, and we are, in our walk, to persevere throughout whatever life throws at us. Yes we have responsibilites as Church members, but we also have responsibilities as Saints. We stand against the evil that comes against our very souls. And we, ourselves, will stand before the throne.
Revelation is a personal book, timely for each and every 'Saint' as we struggle against this present darkness.
I don't think the absence of a word proves the presence of the Pre-Trib Rapture. I think it proves that God see us all individually. Each and every Saint who struggles. And I suggest that that is the more natural reading.
