Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
Justification for the Rapture occurring ahead of
the Tribulation
By Pastor Ron Shortt
The timetabling of the Rapture in conjunction with the
Tribulation is one of the most contentious and debated issues among Christians
of all denominations. The three primary assessments are:
- Pre-tribulation (the Rapture happens before the
Tribulation).
- Mid-tribulation (the Rapture occurs somewhere close to
the mid-point of the Tribulation).
- Post-tribulation (the Rapture will take place at the
end of the Tribulation).
A fourth assessment, generally known as pre-wrath, is a slight
alteration of the mid-tribulation standpoint.
Christ Jesus bought and paid for our freedom on the Cross of
Calvary; consequently, we are free to believe what we choose. With that said,
the book of Revelation is filled with symbolism and hyperbolism, and we must be
cautious that we do not allow Satan to lead us into missing the truth of God’s
Word. Unfortunately, Satan will use
people to attempt to convince Christians that we should live our lives in fear
when God’s Word is clear that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a
spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (1 Timothy 1:7).
First of all, we must acknowledge the objective of the
Tribulation. We read Daniel 9:27, there is a seventieth “seven” (seven years)
that is still yet to come. Daniel’s complete prophecy of the seventy sevens
(Daniel 9:20-27) talks about Israel as a Nation. It is a period that God
focuses His attention, especially on Israel. Therefore, the seventh seven, the
Tribulation must be a period that God deals explicitly with Israel. Indeed,
this evidence does not point to the fact that the church could not also be
present; however, it begs the question: why would the church need to be on the
earth during that time?
The principal Bible scripture concerning the Rapture is in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15. It articulates that all living human beings in Christ Jesus and all followers of Christ Jesus who have passed away will meet Christ Jesus in the air and be with Him forever. The Rapture is God’s method of extracting His children from the earth. Later on, in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” One other vital scripture concerning the timetable of the Rapture and the Tribulation is Revelation 3:10. Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
We could read this scripture out of context to indicate that
Christ Jesus will protect His children that are forced to go through even a
part of the Tribulation. On the other hand, it could mean that He will deliver
us out of even a single heartbeat of the Tribulation. Both of these scenarios
are compelling with the Greek word: tero Strongs 5083, which
in English means “to keep.” Nonetheless, we must not miss the promise of Christ
Jesus in that scripture Revelation 3:10 to keep His children
not only from the Tribulation itself but the hour of the terrible time of the
Tribulation.
The aim and intention of the Tribulation, God’s objective of the
Rapture, the truth and connotation of 1 Thessalonians 5:9, and the
interpretation of Revelation 3:10 all offer clear and persistent support to a
pre-tribulation position. As long as we do not attempt to misinterpret the truth of the entirety of God’s Word, the most biblically based exposition clearly
supports a Pre-tribulation interpretation.
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