As with most things, timing is everything. The same is true for the Rapture. There are conditions in scripture that people overlook when they're talking about anything other than a pre-Tribulation Rapture. Let's look at some of these conditions:
- In Luke 17:26-27, Jesus says, "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man; 27they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." So Jesus, Himself, tells us that they were living a normal life, blissfully unaware that the judgment of God was about to be unleashed upon them.
- In Luke 17:28-29, Jesus says, "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed." Again, living a normal life, oblivious to what was to come.
- 1Thessalonians 5:1-3 says, "Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3While they are saying "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape."
Just looking at these few scriptures alone, it's difficult to believe that anyone could honestly say that this will be an accurate description of the condition of the world during, or toward the end of, the Tribulation. Destruction has been coming down all around them throughout the Tribulation (Seal Judgments, Trumpet Judgments, Vial/Bowl Judgments), so it's impossible to believe that the words, "While they are saying 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly..." is referring to what occurs during the Tribulation. Just like it was in the days of Noah and Lot, everyone will be living their normal lives before God rains down His judgment upon the earth. That's exactly the scenario that Jesus said would occur at His coming. Just like Noah and Lot, God will exact His judgment when everyone least expects it... when they're lulled into a sense of security, saying, "peace and safety."
From the first judgment of God when the Tribulation begins, to the last, there will be worldwide suffering and devastation, the likes of which have never been experienced in the history of the world until now, so how can the population of the world be blissfully and blindly declaring "peace and safety" and feel at ease when they'll be in the midst of worldwide earthquakes, drought, poisoned water, famine, economic chaos, disease, war, death in the streets, pestilence, 300 pound hale, locusts from the pit, etc... It just doesn't fit the narrative that Jesus and the Apostles share, does it? There's no way that just these few scripture I've shared can describe life at any time during the Tribulation. So, if scripture doesn't fit the narrative of other Rapture theories, then those other Rapture theories must be incorrect.
"Peace and safety" are the words spoken BEFORE the Rapture, not after.
Another timing issue is that the letters to the Corinthians were written before John wrote Revelation, so in 1Corinthians 15:52 Paul couldn't have been referring to the seventh trumpet spoken of in Revelation 11, since he hadn't been given that revelation yet. He was clearly speaking of another trumpet. If you're thinking that this scripture could be referencing the Feast of Trumpets, then that can't be the case, because the day and time can be predicted on a yearly basis, and Jesus said that He will return unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, so not even born again believers will be expecting His return on any particular day. If you wish to hear what I have to say about the "last trump," then click HERE and read about what I believe to be the ultimate trumpet blast that no one will expect!
To conclude, scripture doesn't contradict itself. If people are going to be living as they are today and declaring "peace and safety," then it must be BEFORE the Tribulation, because once the Tribulation begins, God pours out His judgments upon the earth, and the devastating results won't lead anyone to be joyfully living a normal life. The Tribulation is God's "great reset," a reset that the world system will think benefits them, but in the end, will mean their destruction and eternal separation from God's glorious presence.
I encourage discussion in the comment section below. God bless!!!
LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS SERIES
REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!
BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!
TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET
