"The Rapture" is the name given to the event which Jesus referred to in his prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, which is recorded in Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Paul also referred to it in 1 Thessalonians 4 v13-18. It also figures, by implication in the book of Revelation – John’s divine insight into future events – the spiritual outworking of God’s purposes.
Put simply, this world is not going to continue on its present course until the Sun becomes a red giant and swallows it up in a few million years time. This world as we know it is here for only a short time to fulfill God’s eternal purposes. As His plan draws towards its conclusion there will be a great Tribulation, Jerusalem will be besieged by the nations, the Messiah will come and save Israel (Jesus will come again) and Jesus will take his redeemed people away from earth to be with him (though not necessarily in this order). This collecting up of the redeemed is called the Rapture (dictionary definitions - 1 ecstatic delight - 2 the act of transporting a person from one place to another) as it is our transport to the promised wedding of the Lamb and his bride. This obviously means the trials of our earthly pilgrimage will all be over, but opinions differ as to whether the Rapture will be before, during or after the "Tribulation".
Jesus told us that nobody knows the date of his return. However we have many clues to the approximate time in the signs of the times. Jesus was in his parable of the bridesmaids in Matthew 25, advising us to watch and be ready. ( see also the page on weddings) Five were alert enough to be prepared and five were not. (see also End Times Prophecies ) Jesus and Paul both referred to "The times of the Gentiles" having to be completed. That time nearly ended in 1967 when Jerusalem was recaptured from the Gentiles, but we were granted a little more time when General Dyan handed Temple Mount back to the Muslims.
Surely, events should remind us of the words of Jeremiah 8 v20, "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved." Where do you stand and where do your loved ones and neighbours stand?
Matthew 24 and 25 - v 36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.,
Mark 13 - v22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. "But in those days, following that distress, " `the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
and Luke 21 - v 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
1 Thesalonians 4 v13-18. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Zechariah 14 v4 -5. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
The "holy ones" - ( kedoshim in the Hebrew) appear to be the redeemed believers, who have been caught up with Him. This interpretation appears to need to be set against the one above from Thessalonians. If we are caught up when Jesus returns, and that is to save Israel when she is under attack by all the nations, it suggests this will occur during the tribulation rather than before. Think on these things but do not become obsessed by them - just be ready.
In Matthew 24 v22 Jesus seems to make it fairly clear that the believers will be around for the Tribulation .... "Indeed, if the length of this time had not been limited, no one would survive; but for the sake of those who have been chosen, its length will be limited." (CJB)
Click for an outline of The Book of Revelation
If the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation
The implications of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture for those who have rejected Jesus’ offer are frightening, although not necessarily final. Suddenly, millions of people will be found to have just have disappeared without trace. Imagine the consternation this would cause, the speculation in the media, and the shock for the religious people who find they have not been taken. Jim Bramlett has thoughtfully provided a web page for use in this circumstance. See www.geocities.com/bramlett2000/urgent.htm If you find yourself in the position of being left behind, do not panic, and do not accept the mark from any world authority, but go to Beginners guide to the Christian Faith and Becoming a Follower of Jesus, without delay.
If the rapture occurs during or after the Tribulation
It can be argued that much of the book of Revelation deals with events after the start of the Tribulation, and God would not have spent so much of the teaching explaining events in which no Christian would be involved.
David Pawson explored these issues in his 2003 and 2004 teaching at the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles, and concluded that we will not be raptured before the Tribulation starts. He also pointed out the shallowness of declaring to Israel that, "We stand with you" if we expect to be whisked away before the big troubles start. For a thorough discussion of these issues you are urged to contact I.C.E.J. for Rev Pawson's tapes. (see also Revelation )
We Christians await the return of Jesus to come for us, and the Jews await the coming of the Messiah to deliver Israel from all the attacking enemies. If we believe Jesus / Yeshua is the Messiah, then these two must one and the same glorious occasion - the revelation of Yeshua as God's anointed king and ruler of the world who will defeat all His enemies. This sounds like the end of the Tribulation !
Thus it seems wise that the believer should prepare himself to be involved in the Tribulation! Whether we are to be raptured or involved in the Tribulation, it is clear that the believer should be ready and walking in faith and understanding. Ignoring these difficult teachings will not prevent the Tribulation happening.