I’m grieved whenever I hear a dear brother or sister in the Lord start talking about the pre-tribulation rapture. I’m grieved because there is no pre-tribulation rapture, and I know that the expectation of such is going to cause a tremendous amount of pain for my Godly siblings. If we are expecting to be spared and find that we aren’t, it can shake the faith of the believer to it’s core and because there was an expectation of escape, the majority of my fellow Christians who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture are going to be unprepared for the great tribulation. I think of the parable of the 10 virgins and how 5 of them got ready for when the time came for the bridegroom’s arrival by getting extra oil for their lamps, and 5 of the virgins didn’t get oil and ended up in outer darkness. If you remember the story, the 5 foolish virgins asked the 5 wise virgins for some of their oil and were told no because it would leave the wise virgins without enough oil. So why didn’t the 5 foolish virgins get oil while they could? I’m guessing because they didn’t think they would need it. Kind of like people who are expecting the pre-tribulation rapture don’t look into end time events with a mind toward preparing for it, they don’t think it applies to them.

The entire doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture started less than 300 years ago, prior to that there is no documentation that talks about it. Additionally, it’s mostly an American belief. I say that knowing that some are going to point to a couple of scriptures in the bible that they believe speak about the rapture, but these verses are being given a time frame as happening prior to the 7 years tribulation without scriptural evidence that the timing is before the tribulation. For example, let’s look at the verse 1 Corinthians 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.
There is a word in there that gets swept over… the word “LAST”. This sets a timeline for this event and if you look at the word itself that timeline starts becoming clear. The word LAST is the Greek word “escath” eschatE and it means the very end. There is only one “last” when it comes to placement of events. Also, in this verse in 1 Corinthians the mention of a last trumpet with no other trumpets before it means that this is a specific last trumpet as in THE VERY LAST ONE EVER in this dispensation or age. And if you place this alongside of the verse in Revelation where the 7th trumpet sounds, and it ends this age, it lends true meaning to the word Last because right after that something vital changes, Jesus reclaims the world, this means the Tribulation has ended and now the wrath of God is about to rain down on the last people on earth who are in rebellion against God. And, because we aren’t appointed unto wrath, we are caught up to Jesus before the 7 vial or bowl judgments are poured out… this is the end of grace and the start of judgment.
Rev 11:15-19
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Now I know there are Christians who believe that the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets are also the wrath of God, but trust me, it’s not…. God’s wrath does not pour out on people that God is still trying to get to come to repentance, they are still living in grace and mercy. No, the 7 seals and 7 Trumpets are trials and testings meant to bring people to repentance… and the seven vials are wrath that happens once it is too late for repentance. The word tribulation means trial, it doesn’t mean Judgment and Trials are not the same as experiencing the wrath of God. Trials happen first…. then after the trial, the judgment. It’s at this point that those who are exhonorated by the Blood of Jesus are taken out so that those who are condemned are left for the wrath that will rain down when the bowls are poured out.

I know there are a lot of Christians who don’t deeply study the book of Revelation because they don’t think they need it… even if they won’t admit that as bluntly as I just said it. So let me clear this up so that no matter where you stand, pre-trib or post-trib or any of the variations you can see the true reason to study this book deeply. BECAUSE IT’S THE REVELATION OF JESUS… this book explains the events that occur when our Lord and Savior takes his throne on Earth after ridding the earth of sinfulness…. this is what we were saved for… to be with Jesus , living in peace and love…. this is the conclusion of the sinfulness of mankind that plagued us since the garden of Eden and this is the beginning of our life with Jesus face to face…. but also look at the reasons in these verses from Revelation.
Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
For those of us who are looking for Jesus to reveal himself, look no further… here it is, the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Let me frame this up for you. John was shown the TESTIMONY of JESUS CHRIST and was told to write it down for us to read. DON’T gloss over this…THIS IS JESUS’S TESTIMONY… it’s the most important testimony you will ever hear…EVER.While this is Jesus’s testimony, it’s all of ours too.
Revelations 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
1-BLESSED is he the READETH
2-Keep what is written (remember)
3-Time is at hand

Revelation is not hard to understand, approach it like a child… FAI (Frontier Alliance International) has the BEST teaching series I have ever read on this subject…. I am so blessed of God to have found it. They have a Youtube Channel with their teachings on it… I suggest this study to anyone who is looking to do a deep study into Revelation
https://www.youtube.com/@FAISTUDIOS

Another belief people will express as to why we aren’t going through tribulation is the notion that Jesus would not beat up his Bride. Basically the pre-tribulation believers who say this are telling Jesus if he leaves us here, he’s a spousal abuser… so you need to stop with this saying and repent for it. I get it, the pre-tribs who say stuff like this really believe they are being raptured out. Let me say this, you are wrong and with you seeding the minds of baby believers with this kind of garbage you are setting them up for a wound that could cause them to lose hope completely… when they find themselves in the middle of the tribulation what thoughts will go through their mind because of that saying? Because they were left here unprepared, having been told they didn’t need to prepare for the tribulation. I personally feel like many will find themselves angry with God and their love will grow cold because they were led to believe a lie that caused them to arrive at the hardest time in the history of mankind unprepared and without oil in their lamps.

So now what should we be preparing for…

Read Revelation like a travel itinerary where you can see where the journey will take you, so you can pack accordingly. For example… you know that us Christians will be killed for our beliefs, so…. begin building the kind of faith that you can draw from in a time like that. Like, make sure you have a firm foundation in the word of God and you are convinced of the promises God has given us. Do you know what makes a strong tree? The wind. The wind hits the tree causing its roots to break so then the tree develops scars and the roots grow back bigger, longer, deeper and stronger. The roots grow to keep the tree upright, but something else happens as well… the deeper , larger , longer roots tap into a bigger source of water and this means that the tree can grow even bigger and stronger. Our little trials hit us to cause us to be like the tree…the wind test our root strength and allow us to grow roots deeper so we can tap into the living water in an even greater way. This is why we thank God for the trials we are taken in to… because these trials are his way of preparing us for an even bigger trial.

Staying with the analogy of the tree… what happens to a shallow rooted tree that grow big without ever having a trial of it’s root structure? The tree falls down. Trials are how God gets us ready. Right now, because of the situations that are going on in the world, Christians are being tried in their roots. The result of this is that some are departing to follow false prophets who teach them doctrine that soothe their itching ears, but doesn’t give them roots in Jesus, instead the roots are diverted away from the living water. The others who are experiencing these trials are digging deeper… they are getting in to the word and being filled with the Holy Spirit… they are spending time in prayer, they are getting rooted deeply in God and Jesus. Right now we need to be leaning into the trials that come at us and learn from them… let them take us into a deeper walk than ever before. We need to stop waiting for an escape from the trials that are coming on the earth. NOW is the time to get ready.

Please, say this prayer from your heart.

Lord Jesus, I want to know the truth reguarding the tribulation and the rapture of the church. I ask you to show me and to help me to see the truth. Guard my heart against all false doctrine. Thank you Father God, in Jesus’s name,
Amen

Side note: While I was writing this blog 2 ladies from the Jehovah’s Witness religion came to the door to share what they believe with me. While I disagree with their beliefs, Jesus died for them and wants them to come to repentance too. I shared my beliefs with them ,but respectfully rejected their material. I stood my ground with love. I hope we all do, our job is to bring the Gospel to people and to walk in love. You don’t have to agree with someone to love them.