reply to post by truejew
I think the confusion lies in assuming we disagree, when it may just be a matter of semantics...???
When I refer to THE GREAT Tribulation, I am referring to the latter half of Daniel's 70th week (AKA The 7 year tribulation period), I am speaking
specifically of the wrath of God pouring out His judgments. This is NOT the same as those tribulations/persecutions that occur all over the world
throughout history... and will occur, even more - much more so, as we near the 7 year period.
I'm not saying that we escape all trials and tribulations, it would be laughable to think so. We are warned several times about the fact that we will
suffer for our faith. There will also be earthquakes, famines, pestilence, wars and rumors of wars. The signs will increase like a mother with birth
pangs... increasing in frequency and magnitude as we near the end.
What I believe is that The Lord does not set His feet on earth until the second coming, and that the rapture is not His second coming, since He meets
us in the clouds. I'm certain they are separate events. As described in 1 Cor. 15:51-54, we are changed in the twinkling of an eye at the rapture and
meet him in the clouds. At the second coming, every eye shall see Him coming on the clouds and every nation shall mourn. Why would Christians mourn?
Perhaps, you believe the rapture occurs at His second coming? But, why would we need to be transformed if we were coming straight back to earth?
Just curious... Have you read about the wedding traditions of Jews in Biblical times? It perfectly pictures God the Father, Jesus the Son and
Bridegroom, and us - the Bride of Christ. The parable of the bridesmaids in Matthew is also a great picture of the rapture. In both the tradition and
the parable, the bridesmaid is to be ready because the groom may call for her at any time. The groom does not come all the way to the bridesmaid,
where she lives. He receives word from His father that it is time to bring her to his home. He travels, but only part way, close enough to call out to
her (he blows his trumpet), then the bridesmaid goes to meet him. They leave together - immediately - to go to the father's house. In other words,
the groom (Jesus) doesn't call his bride (us) to himself, then immediately return to her residence with her. Jesus will take us to His Father's
house for the wedding banquet... just like the parable and the Jewish tradition.
Another thought... if no man knows the day or the hour and we are repeatedly warned to keep watch, how would a Post-Trib (after the Great Tribulation)
rapture be any kind of surprise to us. We would know exactly when He is coming by the events going on in the world. It wouldn't be difficult, so why
all the warnings?
The elect that are gathered at His second coming could be those that are saved during the Great Tribulation. Probably many who have heard the Gospel
already and warned about the end times, but still declined to accept... until they see it unfolding before their eyes. Some say it's only the Jews. I
don't believe that for a moment. All God's people are the elect.
The Trumpet sounds are an entirely different issue. There is a difference between angels sounding trumpets and the trump of God, which is His voice.
All through scripture trumpets are blown by angels, but the trump of God is only blown twice... once in the OT, and once on the NT (at the
rapture).
Anyway, food for thought. I enjoy reading other views and appreciate the time and thought everyone has put into their opinions. Because really, we
could all have it wrong. But that's where faith comes in, doesn't it?