Let’s review the different views of the Rapture. All but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. Why is timing so important? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals.
Different views:
- Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
- Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
- Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
- Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)
Today we are going to cover the viewpoint that says the Rapture will occur in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period.
Mid Tribulation
The Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint believes that the rapture will occur at the last trumpet of the 7 trumpet judgments of Revelation 11. This belief says that the Church will live through the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.
Why do you think they believe that? They interpret Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “the last trump” to be the last trumpet of the judgment.
1Co 15:52 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.
However, the trumpets of Revelation are judgment trumpets. There is nothing good about any of the seven trumpets. There is no blessed hope in them as they all involve judgment. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:
- Trumpet #1 – Revelation 8:2 says that these trumpets were given to angels. Verse 6 tells us that it is the angels who will sound these trumpets. However we see here: 1Th 4:16-18 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.
- The Lord Himself is the one who shouts and the Lord has the trump OF GOD. The Word says that “the trump of God,” which is a call of grace, calling the Church home. It is not a trump of judgment. This is the only time we see the phrase, “trump of God,” used in the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. It is not one of judgment. The first trumpet judgment brings hail and fire mingled with blood and one third of the trees and grass are destroyed.
- The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
- The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
- The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
- The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
- The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
- The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.
Lastly, the seven trumpet judgments do not contain the last trumpet in Revelation. The last trumpet was spoken of by Jesus and is actually found in Matthew 24:31 where Jesus sends his angels out to gather his elect “from one end of HEAVEN to the other” at his Second Coming.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
This verse refers to Christ’s Second Coming to earth with His Bride. This trumpet is used to sound a call to the Bride to gather together with Him for the final battle.
So we can see that there is no comfort in this viewpoint as pointed out in Paul’s writings about the Rapture:
1Thess 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Thess 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
The comfort for the Bride, the Church, is knowing that we will be spared the Trumpet Judgments. Judgment is for those who have not received Christ as their Saviour. Judgment is for those who disobeyed God’s Word:
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Luk 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Notice that NO ONE knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return for His Bride. When the Father tells His Son to go get His Bride, it will be like the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five had oil (the Holy Spirit) and five did not. The five who were sealed unto the day of redemption went into the marriage and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) This privilege was for the Church as shown us in Revelation 3:7:
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
The door to Heaven is the Shepherd’s door for His sheep; the sheep who knew His voice. The sheep that He knew by name. (John 10:3, 27) Once we are raptured, that door is shut by Christ alone, the Bridegroom. No man can open that door after it is shut. This privilege is given to the Church (the Philadelphia Church). They will witness from Heaven all the judgments which will come upon the earth.
Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
We will cover the next viewpoint in the next post. Are you ready for the Rapture? You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
