What is the rapture?

This view maintains the rapture occurs when Jesus comes secretly to gather the church  prior a seven-year Great Tribulation that precedes the return of Christ to earth. 

Rapture comes from the Latin word "Rapturo/Rapturus" and old discovered biblical text in Greek translation is "Harpazo," meaning to be "caught up." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Matthew 24:36-41.

What scripture supports this belief? Well, see eleven (11) supporting reasons below:

1. The tribulation is called "Jacobs" Trouble, not the "Churches" Trouble.

• Jeremiah 30:7 states, "Alas, For the day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it."
• "Jacob" is referring to Israel, not the church. Jacobs trouble encompasses Israel, not the believing church.
• For information on Jacobs trouble, go here: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jacobs-trouble.html

2. The tribulation is for unbelieving Israel, not the church. Hence the term "Jacobs trouble", not the churches trouble. The church has the "blessed hope."

• Daniel 9:24 states, "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city.
•  Titus 2: 12-13 says that the grace of God teaches us “to live self-controlled, upright  and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed  hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus  Christ.” This passage identifies the “blessed hope” as the glorious  appearing of Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior.  See https://www.gotquestions.org/blessed-hope.html for more.

3. Scripture says the church will be "kept out", not "kept in."

• Revelation 3:10 states, "Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth." Remember, we are not of this world and are not earth dwellers. Earth dwellers are unbelievers, we (the church) are citizens of heaven.

4. The church is not included nor referenced in Revelation after Chapter 3.

• Revelation 4:1 states, "After these things, I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Remember John, who the voice was talking to, is symbolic to the church (Christian) was raptured to "Come up here."
• After Chapter 3 the church is not referenced again and saints are referred to, not the church. According to scripture, you have old testament saints, then the church (Acts to Revelation 3), then tribulation saints (After Revelation 3).

5. We are not appointed to God's wrath.

•  1 Thessalonians 5:9 states, "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," wrath begins after Jesus breaks the 1st seal as described in Revelation 6. 

6. The Rapture is imminent.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 states, For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." Mid tribulation and post tribulation believers would be able to predict the exact time.

7. We (the church) are told to look "up", not "out" for our redemption draws near.

• Luke 21:28 states, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near." Why look up? Because we are going to meet the Lord in the air.

8. Meeting the Lord in the clouds/air compared to when the Lord returns on Mount Olives are different occurrences.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:17 states, "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
• Zechariah 14:4, states, "And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives," speaking on when Jesus returns in the end.

9. The Rapture is comfort for those who are in the body of Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:18 states, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."
• 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 states, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) 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: (17) then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the  Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

10. Ambassadors Called Home during War.

• 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) states, "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  

11. The Restrainer must be removed, so the evil can worsen.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 states, "And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. (7) For  this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret  until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. (8) Then  the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay  him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his  coming."

Based on the overwhelming evidence of the rapture, I lean towards the pre-tribulation rapture.

Overall, if you still do not believe in the pre-tribulation rapture, it's okay! In the end Jesus wins and that is all that matters. He is the only one that can save you from eternal death. If the rapture happens or not within the time you believe, do not lose faith. God will prevail through all! Here is four little clips to help you understand further. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you to the truth. As you can see, we believe in the pre-tribulation rapture and we'll still use this author's illustrated content, even though they lean towards the post-tribulation rapture. We are both one body in Christ, regardless. Enjoy the 4 part illustration found on TikTok.