The Rapture?

Ok first off, I want to say I am by no means an authority on the Bible, I've studied some on my own and this question is just to find some scripture that I can not find. And also, its been awhile since I;ve done much reading so, go easy on me....my question is...
Will "the rapture" occur as most Christians believe? From what I understand, most Christians believe that Jesus will return BEFORE tribulations, and take Christians from the earth. Now from what I have read in the Bible, the way it reads to me is that Jesus will return AFTER tribulations but Christians will be protected during that time. I can find no mention of the word "Rapture" and no mention of where Christ will return BEFORE...where am i missing this?

You are right the word "Rapture" is not mentioned in the bible. The word "Caught Up" is. Scripture of this is quoted in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

With the tribualtion, I may not be 100% correct but this is what I understand the scripture to mean. The tribulation will last 7 years. How tribulation starts is when the the Anti-Christ comes into power through peace offerings to the nations. Now as long as the Holy Ghost is here on earth then the Anti-Christ can't come into full power. The scripture says that after 3 1/2 years that peace will stop and the Anti-Christ will then demand for a one world order and that all man should take the number (666) of the beast or they can not buy,sell,or trade. Therefore I think that for the first 3 1/2 years christians will go through the tribulations. But once the christians are "caught up" then the Holy Ghost will be also, therefore then the Anti-Christ can step in cause there will be so much chaos around the world over this event and he will have full power with the beast. I don't think that the Anti-Christ can come into such power as with the tribulation as long as the Holy Ghost and the children of God are still here on earth.

I hope that makes sense, I need to read more on these scriptures myself. As bad as the world may seem right now with sickness,disease and famine it will be so much worse in the end times"the tribulation". If the Anti-Christ could come into full power right now he would, that is what he wants and has been waiting for, full control. But he can't and I believe it is because of God and the Holy Ghost is still trying to win the lost. But when the last lost soul is converted and only God knows when and who then the trials and tribulations will start.

Christians will not be here for the tribulation. When Christ first appears, He will appear in the clouds ("just as He left"). The dead in Christ shall rise first to meet Him, then all living Christians will be "caught-up", immediately transformed to their new heavenly bodies, and return with Christ to Heaven. That is when the tribulation period will start on earth. Could there be anything but tribulation, turmoil, and anxiety after what those on earth have just witnessed??? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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But once the christians are "caught up" then the Holy Ghost will be also

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Ok heres one of the main problems I got with that. If the Holy Ghost is withdrawn from the earth...then how will anyone be saved? If theres no Holy Ghost, theres nothing to convict your heart.
Also, Matthew 24:29-30...."Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened"..."And THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory"

Now, that reads to me like he will come after.

Matthew 24:22 "And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the ELECT'S sake those days shall be shortened"

The elect will be here. Shortened...not taken away. I just can't see it. I don't want you folks to get me wrong...I hope there is a "rapture"...who wants to be here for that...but I just can't see the Lord taking me out of here, when all throughout history Christians have been persecuted and tortured. He didnt grab them up...he protected them.

You may be right, I really don't know.

People will be saved during the tribulation period. There will also be people who are martyred for their belief during this period. (Revelation 7) Many people from various racial and ethnic groups will be redeemed during the Tribulation, finding Christ as their Savior. One big difference between pre-Rapture and post-Rapture is that people will actually BELIEVE that the end of the world is at hand. That will come about because of all the different things that will happen on and to the earth during that time period.

Revelation is an interesting read. Confusing and frustrating at times, true, but a must-read for all Christians. I recommend a Bible with commentaries and footnotes from Schofield or Ryrie.

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The elect will be here. Shortened...not taken away. I just can't see it. I don't want you folks to get me wrong...I hope there is a "rapture"...who wants to be here for that...but I just can't see the Lord taking me out of here, when all throughout history Christians have been persecuted and tortured. He didnt grab them up...he protected them.

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Ah, my friend, but many died as martyrs. We tend to put too much importance on our physical lives here in this world. Remember, once we're saved we are no longer citizens of the world, but of Heaven. Our physical bodies are just visiting here for now, open to all Satan can throw at us. He can destroy our physical bodies, but he can't "touch one hair on the head" of our souls.

I agree. I tend to be more post-trib as well.

There are 3 common belives on this issue: Pre- Tribulation which means the church will be raptured before the tribulation time.... Tri- Tribulation which means the Tribulation lasts 7 years and the church will be raptured 3 and a half years into it which is half of the 7... or post tribulation which means after the tribulation time... I hope it is Pre- Tribulation.

Good... Amen!!!

I purchased a book years ago that has really helped me to understand Revelation a whole lot better.. it is called The book of Revelation for the Biblically inept... great book... should be at your local book store.

I hope that you are right on this one.