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THE POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE VIEW
Posted : 22 Jul, 2011 02:27 PM
*** I�ve been doing some research & studies on the topic of Pre-Post-Trib and found this on the Jews For Jesus Site�a Messianic Perspective and Absolutely Fascinating�Apologize for the length but its worth the read if you are a Post-Triber..Enjoy�xo
THE POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE VIEW
The Post-Tribulation Rapture View holds that the timing of the rapture coincides with Christ's Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation, i.e. Daniel's Seventieth Week. Those holding to the Post-Tribulation Rapture view believe Christians will go through the Tribulation. Those holding the Post-Tribulation Rapture view understand the real implications Biblical prophecy concerning the Tribulation has upon their lives. As opposed to the Pre-Tribulation view, which in essence offers an "escape" to Christians from the sufferings and persecutions to take place during the Tribulation; the Post-Tribulation view acknowledges the Church's part in the events of the Tribulation, suffering not withstanding.
Do the Scriptures show there to be a Post-Tribulation Rapture? Let's look at the main verse on the Rapture and see:
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (i.e., the resurrection): then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (i.e., the rapture), to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
In addition to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, One also must look at 1 Corinthian 15: 52 to understanding the scriptural backing of the Post-Tribulation Rapture view. The passage reads,
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Those accepting the Post-Tribulation Rapture view notice the similarity of the three things mentioned in each book: (1) the trumpet sounds; (2) the resurrection of the dead in Christ; (3) the living saints are changed (which all agree, is when this mortal puts on immortality and believers rise to meet the Lord in the air). Whereas 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 identifies the time of this as "the trump of God," 1 Corinthians 15: 52 further specifies it as the last trump.
Even more positive evidence of a Post-Tribulation Rapture is found in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. In his first epistle, he had explained to them about the resurrection and the catching up of believers to meet the Lord in the air. (I Thessalonians 4: 16-17) Later, some confusion had apparently developed in the minds of the people concerning this glorious event, so Paul wrote his second epistle to them in which he clarified the matter. In his remarks, he clearly shows there to be a Post-Tribulation Rapture.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by (concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by (concerning) our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed (Antichrist), the son of perdition." (2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3)
In support of a Post-Tribulation Rapture, there is mention of two things Christians would clearly witness before the day of Christ's coming to gather believers unto Himself. There would be a falling away and the man of sin would be revealed. Concerning these very things, the inspired apostle said, "Let no man deceive you." These two points, particularly the last point, are only compatible with a Post-Tribulation Rapture.
Even Christ's own words point to a Post-Tribulation Rapture. Shortly before His death, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples: "In the world ye shall have tribulation ..." (John 16:33) The verses that follow the prayer in which Jesus prayed for His disciples record what He prayed to the Heavenly Father. He said, "I pray not that thou take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." (John 17:15)
Though it would be no easy task to take a stand for Jesus Christ, though they would be persecuted, though in the world they would have tribulation, Jesus did not pray that the Church would be taken out of the world. The Church was to remain in the world, but it would not be of the world. This is in harmony with the Post-Tribulation Rapture view.
Those opposed to the Post-Tribulation Rapture might object, however, that Jesus was praying only for His immediate disciples of that time. This is not the case. "Neither pray I for these alone," He said, "but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" (verse 20). Does this not include us today?
Those believing in a Post-Tribulation Rapture accept that instead of the Church being taken out of the world, Jesus taught that it would remain in the world to accomplish a definite purpose: to preach the Gospel. Jesus commissioned His disciples to "go ... and teach all nations" and in connection with this commission He promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age)." (Matthew 28:19-20) this passage also proves the Post-Tribulation Rapture view in its belief the Church is to remain in the world until the end.
If the Rapture is not to be a Post-Tribulation Rapture, then surely His promise to be with the Church until the end of the age would be strange if it is His plan to remove the Church seven years before that time (or even three and a half years before, as those who subscribe to the Mid-Tribulation Rapture Theory suggest). If, when the end of the age comes, the Church would no longer be on the earth, a promise such as this would be meaningless and a Post-Tribulation Rapture view would be incorrect.
Among the Parables of Christ there is also evidence of a Post-Tribulation Rapture. In the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus said that "both" (the wheat and the tares, i.e. true and false believers) would grow "together" until the "end of the world" - and then the harvest would occur, producing the great separation. The harvest occurs at the end of the age, and it is at the time of the harvest that the rapture will occur - and the tares will then be gathered up and burned. The Post-Tribulation Rapture view fits neatly with this parable.
Those believing in a Post-Tribulation Rapture also make special note of Christ's words in the Gospel of John:
"And this is the will of Him that sent me," Jesus said, "that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up "at the last day." (John 6:40, 44)
Again and in further support of the Post-Tribulation Rapture view, He repeated the words in verse 54: "I will raise him up at the last day."
With this evidence in mind, certain conclusions are apparent that point to a Post-Tribulation Rapture. Since the "catching up" or Rapture occurs at the same time as the Resurrection of the dead in Christ (I Thessalonians 4:16, 17), it is plain to see that the Rapture is to be a Post-Tribulation Rapture and will take place at the last day and not seven years (or 3 1/2 years) before the last day.
Sourced ~ http://forums.jewsforjesus.org/posttrib
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