A pre-trib vs. post-trib discussion. Are you up to it? Am I up to it?
Dunno. I'm ready to relax on a Saturday night with a glass of merlot.
Do I dare say anything? I think if I knew there was a listening ear on the other end, regardless of pre-formed opinions, I might enter in. I only want to do this kind of stuff if I feel like I've really helped someone.
When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, who were obviously interested and concerned and not quite sure of the end times, Paul's main theme to them was that of comfort and reassurance. Among other things, he said, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath" (1 Thess 5:9). Whatever else the seven-year period of the Tribulation (the "beginning of sorrows" Matt 24:8) and the Great Tribulation ("the end" Matt 24:14) is, it is a time of "the wrath of the Lamb" (Rev 6:16) and "the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture" (Rev 14:10).
If you have questions about reconciling that with the Lord's return, I can help if you want.
• Matthew 24:37-42, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man.”
“…Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
Christ seems to be referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as he warned “…this generation will not pass away till all these things take place”. Also, notice the people taken away in Noah’s time were the unrighteous, not the righteous, which is the opposite of rapture theory.
In Matthew 24:13 Christ promises “…the one who endures to the end will be saved”. This includes Christians who will endure the Tribulation.
That glass of Merlot tastes great on a Saturday night! No sense arguing with the post-trib folks! Either they have really accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and will be surprised to standing on the Glassy Sea watching Jesus open the First Seal, or they will be left behind so that they can get their wish to experience the Tribulation.
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
This also refers to the Second Coming of Christ, in that “the twinkling of an eye” refers to the instantaneous change from a mortal body to a glorified body, NOT to the speed of the rapture. Its connection to the blast of the “last trumpet”, heralds Christ’s Second Coming. The Catholic Church has consistently interpreted this passage as such for the last 2000 years.
No “help” needed, Thank You!
1 Thessalonians 1:10
...and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who RESCUES US FROM THE WRATH TO COME.
You either believe the Holy Spirit or you do not. Those who deny Scripture deny Jesus Christ and will not be part of the "rescue", as the Holy Spirit puts it.
Keep looking up and don't let the mockers get you down. God will give them exactly what they want.