Pre, Mid, Post or Partial

Pre, Mid, Post or Partial

(Note:  This is a huge subject and I am only giving minimum information.  I am merely throwing information out there for you to consider.  I presume you understand the basics of saints meeting Jesus in the clouds and the end times being filled with 7 years of turmoil.) 

For people who believe in the Christian faith, we look forward to an event called the Rapture.  It is the moment when believers who died and those still alive will be caught up together in the clouds to meet Jesus.  When will this event take place?  Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour.  On this point, I believe all Christians agree.  However, there is something called the Tribulation and most Christians believe the Rapture will happen and then the Tribulation will begin.  I wish to highlight some food for thought on the subject of when the Rapture occurs in relation to the Tribulation. 

Pretribulation:  The Rapture will take place before the Tribulation begins

This means the Rapture of the church, which is the Lord coming for believers in the air, will take place prior to the seven years of tribulation.  Therefore, the church will not experience the events that are prophesied in the bible.  These happenings are discussed primarily in books of Revelations and Daniel but there are mentions throughout the bible.  Why do people believe this in pretribulation?

1.    Revelations 3:10 says “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”  Based on this verse, the saints will not have to endure the Tribulation.  Also, the Tribulation is God’s wrath brought upon mankind on earth and the church does not endure it.  

1 Thessalonians 1:10 

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Based on this line of thought, some Christians believe the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation. 

Midtribulation:  The Rapture will occur at the midpoint of the 7 year Tribulation

One proof given for the midtribulation stand comes from 1 Corinthians 15:52. 

in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

This is the same trumpet noted in Rev 11:15
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
    and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Another reason given for the midtrib view is the Great Tribulation is only the second half of the 70 weeks mentioned in the book of Daniel.  The church is only promised to be saved from it.  

Rev 12:6
The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

Also, the two witnesses noted in Rev 11 rose from the dead at the middle period. Since they were dead in Christ, it is presumed they rose at the last trumpet with the rest of the saints.  

Posttribulation:  The Rapture will happen after the Tribulation

People who subscribe to this view use the example of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.  They lived through the plagues with the Egyptians but were protected.  Also, Jesus says in Matthew 24:22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” 

Partialtribulation:  Only those who are worthy are raptured

Finally, there is a line of thought that says only those worthy and prepared will be raptured prior to the Tribulation. A reason for this is Hebrew 9:28

“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

So which one is it?  If it is pretrib then Christians can continue in their ways.  If it is mid or post or partial, we need to get serious.