Tribulation
QUESTION
The day the Son of Man is revealed will be just like in the days of Noah and Lot. God's people were taken before the judgment fell. So isn't it true that rapture is true? The bible also says God did not appoint us to suffer wrath. Or could it be possible there is post trib pre wrath? We will go through the tribulation, but before God pours out his 7 bowls of wrath, we will be raptured? (Anonymous)
ANSWER
There are several things to address in this question. I will take them one by one:
The day the Son of Man is revealed will be just like in the days of Noah and Lot.
This is true that things will be the same in MANY respects but we should resist the temptation to conclude that they will be the same in EVERY respect. (Luke 17:27)
God's people were taken before the judgment fell. So, isn't it true that rapture is true?
I don’t think this is the parallel that is drawn here. The text explicitly calls out the “things” that are the same: eating, drinking, and marrying. I think this has respect to the societal affairs of life. The implication is that things are going to continue in society, just as they have for a long time, and in this context there will exist a broad lack of awareness that an impending judgment from God will change all of that.
The bible also says God did not appoint us to suffer wrath.
What text are you referring to? It’s helpful to provide the text you have in mind rather than making a generalized statement that could be very misunderstood without context. There are many places in the scripture where God’s people suffer God’s wrath (Numbers 11:33). God’s wrath is also threatened against the Lord’s people who persist in disobedience (Deuteronomy 11:17, 32:35, Hebrews 10:30). While it is true that none of God’s covenant people are appointed to suffer his eternally abiding wrath, it is explicitly revealed in scripture that many of God’s people suffer the wrath of chastisement and temporal judgments during their natural lives (Hebrews 12:6-8).
Or could it be possible there is post trib pre wrath? We will go through the tribulation, but before God pours out his 7 bowls of wrath, we will be raptured?
I don’t believe in a “rapture” as a distinct event separate from the second coming of Christ. As to whether or not God’s people will suffer “the tribulation,” I can only say that the Lord promised, “in this world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33) Many Christians have suffered HORRIBLE tribulations during their natural lives (Hebrews 11). I am certain that in the midst of such tribulation if you told them, “Hey, look on the bright side, at least you won’t have to live through THE TRIBULATION,” it would prove very little comfort. To my way of thinking, whether “tribulation” or “the tribulation” God’s people have already experienced some horrible instances of it and we are told that we’re going to experience some of it and the Lord’s admonition applies in either circumstance: “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” I know that answer does not have a lot of sizzle. It won’t sell books, t-shirts, or tickets to an end-times prophecy seminar, but it is my sincere take on the matter.
- Elder Daniel Samons