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.
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.
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.
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).
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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”.