Yep. This is why it’s all opinion. But some opinions have more “literal” support in the bible than others. E.g. pre-trib sees the ascending of John in Revelation 4 as a “symbol” of the rapture before the Great Tribulation. Mid-tribbers see it as Revelation 7, where it actually describes vast numbers of people who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
Regarding the “two” returns of Jesus, there are two, sort of. The first is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. But it is not really the “first”. The important thing to note is that Jesus has not really returned to earth yet. When, after we are caught up with him, do we set food with him again on earth? That is debatable.
I used to really get into this subject with people back in the 80’s and 90’s. I really do take the “pan-trib” position now. If I was a betting man I’d bet on Mid-trib, but I wouldn’t bet the house.
The important thing is that it is clear that there WILL be a “rapture” and He WILL return. And the REALLY important thing is that He died and was resurrected as the perfect sacrifice that made my salvation possible.
But the thing is, there is so much
“Yep. This is why it’s all opinion. But some opinions have more “literal” support in the bible than others.”
No, only one has literal support. We know from 1 Thes. 4 that the living can’t precede the “dead in Christ”, so there can’t be a rapture before the resurrection, and Revelation 20 places that resurrection after the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation. It’s right there, in no uncertain terms. If we ignore these certain statements of the Bible and instead try to focus on vaguer passages that might be construed in other ways, then we are not trying to interpret the Bible, but rather change the message of the Bible to suit our own wants.
“Regarding the “two” returns of Jesus, there are two, sort of. The first is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “
Okay, we know this event happens after the tribulation, because, as I said above, it can’t precede the first resurrection described in Rev. 20.
“But it is not really the “first”. The important thing to note is that Jesus has not really returned to earth yet. When, after we are caught up with him, do we set food with him again on earth? That is debatable.”
Yes, of course he has returned, because the events of Rev 19 directly precede these events, and in those verses, Jesus descends from heaven and destroys the armies of the beast.