Just trying to figure out the justification that we will not have to endure hardships of a tribulation period or any discomfort before our Lord and Savior returns. (not to anger anyone)
There are several reasons given in the Bible ...
First of all, we don't choose, ourselves, how God will deal with us -- but God chooses how He carries out His plan of the ages. I would go back up on this thread to the post on Dispensations and what Pastor Mark Hitchcock has preached on the subject. He's not the only one, but he's convenient, because he's got an excellent sermon series online. (that's Post #205)
And continuing..., there is a time that is allocated to Israel to complete certain prophecies that Daniel was given. There is seven years remaining in that prophecy of Daniel, in regards to Israel. It was interrupted by the refusal of Israel to accept Jesus as the Messiah, and the "times of the Gentiles" began.
When the times of the Gentiles are up (by God's determination, and we don't know exactly when that is going to be), then God finishes the time remaining for Israel, from Daniel's prophecy, that last seven years. There are several things that God has to accomplish with Israel's time (remaining) and also for the dispensing of the "wrath of God".
With the wrath of God, that's wrath that God has not dispensed and has saved up from the beginning of sin in mankind, all the way to the present. God fully dispenses all His wrath, at that special time, those last 7 years remaining for Israel.
Now, one must realize, in understanding this, that any "tribulation" that Christians have suffered before or presently today, is not the wrath of God. There is the wrath of man and the wrath of Satan. Christians have suffered that, and continue to suffer that.
But, God has promised that Christians will not suffer the wrath of God, and will be taken out of that, so to not suffer the wrath of God. That's the rapture.
There's not a promise to Christians to not suffer the wrath of man or the wrath of Satan, but there is a promise to Christians to not suffer the wrath of God -- and that is the one and only time that God fully dispenses His wrath against the entire world, until it's all fully dispensed and none remains, from all that has been saved up from the beginning of sin in mankind.
So, you're right that Christians will suffer the wrath of man and the wrath of Satan, but they are not going to suffer the "wrath of God" (by God's specific word on the matter) and that's what is specifically happening and coming down at that particular time -- "the Tribulation" -- that last seven years allocated to Israel, by Daniel's prophecy, which was interrupted by Israel's refusal to accept Jesus as Messiah at the time He came. It's also referred to as Jacob's trouble and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
Also, it's part of God's plan for evil to become as predominant as possible so He will justly dispense His wrath upon a deserving and evil world. Christians, presently, prevent the world from cascading into the fullness of evil that is possible, by the Holy Spirit residing in each one of us, who give resistance to evil and the power of God to resist and the will and power to implement the plan of God in the world. With Christians gone, it allows evil to run rampant, something that would be limited by the presence of Christians. With them gone from the planet earth, the Antichrist can now be exposed and he can now take full control over the entire earth. Prior to that Rapture, Christians would resist and refuse any obedience to the plans of the Antichrist and this would thwart the fullness of evil and Satan's plan from coming forward and to full fruition.
God wants the fullness of evil to be exposed, without any resistance and in full compliance with Satan's will and with fallen mankind's cooperation in the same -- so it can be judged and God's Wrath be fully dispensed at that time. This would not happen with the presence of millions upon millions of Christians all over the world.
During that remaining time that is allocated to Israel, God will also purify Israel, so that all who remain, will fulfill the prophecy given, that "all Israel will be saved".
And also, during that time, is when the "bride of Christ" is "made ready" for the wedding and the marriage supper of the Lamb. It's during that time that Christians will appear before the Bema Seat and judgment will be rendered for each and every one, as to what they have done, will last (or not) and what will be burned up in the fire of judgment. All that is done "in Christ" will last and will receive reward, at that time, of the Bema Seat judgment of Christ -- and all that was not done in Christ -- will be burned up as the fire burns wood, hay and stubble, and it will be worthless.
When Jesus returns, at the end of the Tribulation to set up His kingdom on earth, He returns "with His bride" already perfected and ready to "present to the world" without blemish and perfect and ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, at that time. And it's this Bride of Christ, who will rule and reign, with Him, over all who remain alive (after the Tribulation time) and "go into the Kingdom" that Christ sets up at that time. And as all those who remain from the Tribulation go into the 1,000 year Kingdom on this earth, they will have families and billions of billions of people will live on this planet. The Bride of Christ will be part of the ruling and reigning over this globe, over all the nations of the World, with Christ seated on the Throne of David, in Jerusalem.
There are many things written on this and I've only given a quick overview, and if you want to get more into it, you can see the "Rapture Caucus" thread -- where we post only about the Pre-Trib Rapture, the Mid-Trib Rapture or the Pre-Wrath Rapture and discuss those particular things there.
You can either read the material -- or if you want -- and if you support one of those three positions -- then you may also post there.
Thank you so much for all you have posted on this thread and for your efforts on the Rapture Caucus threads. I’m sorry I haven’t participated in those threads up until now and if you have a ping list for those postings, please ping me. I am just not here as much as previously but will look forward to any postings on the Rapture that you can ping me to.
I am glad to have this thread “open” because I am certain that the Lord Jesus is pulling out all the stops to reach as many as possible with this great good news - before he returns for His beloveds - in the Rapture - which is so very near.
And won’t all those who do not yet accept the Rapture - either that it is going to happen at all or that it will happen before the onset of the Great Tribulation be surprised when they - with us - are caught up to meet Jesus in the air!!!
Because we know that all it takes to be in that great “snatch” - is to call upon the Name of Jesus - and they will be saved!
That CALL means they have turned to Jesus - believing He is who He says He is and He will save them!
I heard it said this week about how it can be as simple as saying, Ok, Jesus. And that person who said this was saved and transformed - life changed - immediately!
We know the Thief on the Cross simply said - Remember me when you come into your Kingdom and Jesus said Today you shall be with me in Paradise.
Jesus would that ALL be saved and be in that great Rapture of the church (if they don’t go to be with Lord through death first).
So, all you posted - awesome, awesome, awesome - so thank you!
And God bless you richly.