When is the Rapture?

The Rapture is the Christian belief that Jesus will return, coming from the clouds, and will lift up the chosen children of God into the sky with Him to live as part of the Millennial Kingdom and the Eternal Kingdom in heaven. The term “rapture” is never used in the Bible, but the concept is clearly laid out in the scriptures. The major point of contention among Christians is when it will happen.

The Bible is clear that prior to Jesus’ return and God’s judgment of the world there will be a seven-year period of tribulation, which is split into two distinct 3 1/2 year increments with a major shift that occurs in the world right in the middle of them. The Bible tells us that the Rapture will happen during the Tribulation, but when?

The Three Beliefs About the Timing of the Rapture

Some Christians believe in pre-Tribulation Rapture, in which the Christians are raptured and then Tribulation begins for everyone left behind. Others believe in mid-Tribulation Rapture, in which the Christians are taken right as the Antichrist breaks his peace treaty with Israel. Still others believe that the Rapture won’t occur until right at the end of the Tribulation as Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth and begins His 1,000-year reign before the judgment. Henry and I believe that either mid-Trib or post-Trib Rapture is the most likely because it should resemble the events of the plagues of Egypt during Moses’ time, which the Jews had to live through but were protected from by God.

Signs of the Tribulation and Rapture

The Bible tells us we cannot know the day or hour of the Rapture, but what we do know is that there will be many signs to let us know the season of Tribulation and the Rapture. The signs that God has made us aware of are so numerable that I won’t try to address all of them here, but here are a few with their applicable verses:

1. One-World Currency (Revelation 13:16-18)
2. One-World Government (Revelation 13:1-10)
3. One-World Religion (Revelation 13:11-15)
4. Wars and Rumors of Wars (Matthew 24:6)
5. God’s Children Having Dreams and Visions (Acts 2:17)
6. The Construction of the Third Temple (Daniel 9:27)
7. The Re-Establishment of the Sacrifice (Daniel 9:27)
8. A Peace Agreement Between the Antichrist and Israel (Daniel 9:27)
9. A Changing Climate (Isaiah 24:5-6, Revelation 16:8-9)
10. Rivers Turning to Blood (Revelation 16:4)

Many of these signs have occurred and others are occurring as we speak. We have seen wars in the world and heard of rumors of potential wars. We have heard discussions about a worldwide currency and a worldwide government. We have also heard talk of the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. And we have seen the Pope speak blasphemies against God. We cannot be certain exactly when the Tribulation or Rapture will occur, but we can know the season by the signs God has told us about.

This is Not a Salvation Issue

Whether you believe in pre-Trib, mid-Trib, or post-Trib Rapture, it will not affect your salvation so long as you believe in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. So, take heart! Salvation has come and eternity is at the doorstep. It may not come in our lifetimes (or it may), but Jesus has promised us that He will return and we should be happy knowing that He is a man of His Word!

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