1 Second After The Rapture

[Margery]

We know the world will change dramatically after the rapture. What about just before the rapture. Before we hear the call to come up there, will there be any kind of warning its coming? I have read arguments for yes and no on this, but scripture does not indicate any warnings, or feelings we have inside we are about to go Home. But if there is a “2 minute warning” what would you do for those moments?

Hmm, first no warning from my understanding. If there was I'd text a number of family members to explain where I was and what to do next.

Why is is that people associate the verse about peace and security being about the rapture and what is people's reasoning for it ?

I thought this verse was applying to Israel when they thought that they finally had peace through the covenant of death with the Antichrist, then the sudden destruction would fall on them ?

It's the context it's in. Looking at the verses before and after, the whole context is the Rapture. Paul is contrasting the "you" meaning he's talking to Christians and the "them" who shall not escape the destruction. It may tie in with that covenant that starts the Trib that Daniel mentions as well as Isaiah or it may not depending on whether or not there is a gap of time after the Rapture and before the Tribulation. What is certain is that there is talk of peace and safety or security going on. An expectation of peace and security if the contrast is sudden destruction. It's implied by that contrast between them, that the "them" are expecting peace and safety but get sudden destruction and it's linked to our Rapture. Which suggests that when the Restrainer doesn't restrain (taken up out of the way) that whatever He's been holding back cuts loose on an unsuspecting world which would tie into Jesus's comparison to Lot and Noah- a normal day in Sodom, a normal day beside the Ark.


Start here with the chapter before it, because the thought begins here in 1 Thess 4: 13-18 and you can see it's the Rapture.


13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.


14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.


15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.


16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:


17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

and continues right on into the next chapter where the passage you mention is there in v 3

1 Thess 5: 1-10
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.


2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.


3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.


4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.


5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.


6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.


7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.


8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.


9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,


10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 

[spartan sprinter]

Hmm, first no warning from my understanding. If there was I'd text a number of family members to explain where I was and what to do next.


It's the context it's in. Looking at the verses before and after, the whole context is the Rapture. Paul is contrasting the "you" meaning he's talking to Christians and the "them" who shall not escape the destruction. It may tie in with that covenant that starts the Trib that Daniel mentions as well as Isaiah or it may not depending on whether or not there is a gap of time after the Rapture and before the Tribulation. What is certain is that there is talk of peace and safety or security going on. An expectation of peace and security if the contrast is sudden destruction. It's implied by that contrast between them, that the "them" are expecting peace and safety but get sudden destruction and it's linked to our Rapture. Which suggests that when the Restrainer doesn't restrain (taken up out of the way) that whatever He's been holding back cuts loose on an unsuspecting world which would tie into Jesus's comparison to Lot and Noah- a normal day in Sodom, a normal day beside the Ark.


Start here with the chapter before it, because the thought begins here in 1 Thess 4: 13-18 and you can see it's the Rapture.


13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.


14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.


15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.


16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:


17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

and continues right on into the next chapter where the passage you mention is there in v 3

1 Thess 5: 1-10
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.


2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.


3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.


4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.


5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.


6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.


7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.


8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.


9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,


10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

You're a gem Margery !!

 

[Andy C]

Its always a little sad for me on the days I dont feel like were as close to going Home as I hope for. Happily, the timing of the rapture is not based on how I feel. Still, I will keep my eyes on Israel, and my actions here on trying to help the lost see the Light.

 

[Work4Peanuts]

I believe at the BEMA, most people will be surprised at the rewards they received. Some of the actions in our life we think were good, may not be seen in the same way through His eyes. On the flip side, some of the actions in our life we may not even remember doing, will be seen in a very positive Light in His eyes. Motive is everything, and who, or for what reason were we doing them for.

Those actions that were good will only be those actions where we submitted to God and let Him use us for His work. I think that the reason for the casting down of crowns before Him will be because in heaven, we will truly recognize that any rewards we receive will be solely because of His work in us. From our heavenly point of view, we will know that only He is worthy to receive glory and honor.

I feel like the rewards at the Bema seat are more for us now, to look forward to and to help us remain focused on why we are about His work on this earth. It would be nice to win a crown to have something to offer back. Everything we give to God first comes from Him anyway and everything we offer back He ends up making better.

 

[Goodboy]

Its always a little sad for me on the days I dont feel like were as close to going Home as I hope for. Happily, the timing of the rapture is not based on how I feel. Still, I will keep my eyes on Israel, and my actions here on trying to help the lost see the Light.

Andy,

Well I got saved at 28 and then started going to church. That was 42 years ago. In the first few months I learned about the Rapture and longed for it. As I wanted it so bad, my emotions made me feel as if it was only a few years away. So while I never stopped expecting it, I was disappointed many times that it had not happened yet. Well I just recently realized that I should not have expected it all those years ago, as I did not have let's call it the full counsel of God regarding the rapture.

You see I was told that the Rapture could happen at any time. But wait, doesn't the Bible teach that the Rapture is basically rescuing us from the Tribulation? So if that is true, then knowing when the Tribulation is about to begin tells us the season of when the Rapture is close at hand. So then when can the tribulation happen? Not all those years ago that I was waiting for the Rapture. Why? Because the world had to be ready to receive the Antichrist, meaning the infrastructure had to be in place.

As an example, look at the Bible verses below.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This could not have been implemented 42 years ago. The complete infrastructure required was not available until the last ten years or so.

Here are some things required that are available now.
1) Satellite communications
2) Computers
3) The Internet
4) Ability to have a cashless society
5) Technological advancements constantly getting smaller and less expensive.
(Required so even a vendor on the street can afford the technology to buy and sell)
6) The whole world being in lock step with each other. (This was shown to be possible with Covid, as the whole world was dealing with it in the same way)
7) Fear of the future causing men to accept a solution (the Antichrist) that they would not necessarily have accepted when the future looks good.
(Again Covid and Global warming)

So what is my point? When I was first saved my emotions said the Rapture is very soon, but I was not using my logic along with what the Bible teaches. What has changed? While there are many more, the seven things that I have mentioned show that the infrastructure is currently ready to support the arrival of the Antichrist. So now the Rapture (escape) and ushering in of the Antichrist could easily happen any day now!

So now both my emotions and logic agree that the Rapture is very, very soon!!!

God Bless!

 

[Andy C]

Andy,

Well I got saved at 28 and then started going to church. That was 42 years ago. In the first few months I learned about the Rapture and longed for it. As I wanted it so bad, my emotions made me feel as if it was only a few years away. So while I never stopped expecting it, I was disappointed many times that it had not happened yet. Well I just recently realized that I should not have expected it all those years ago, as I did not have let's call it the full counsel of God regarding the rapture.

You see I was told that the Rapture could happen at any time. But wait, doesn't the Bible teach that the Rapture is basically rescuing us from the Tribulation? So if that is true, then knowing when the Tribulation is about to begin tells us the season of when the Rapture is close at hand. So then when can the tribulation happen? Not all those years ago that I was waiting for the Rapture. Why? Because the world had to be ready to receive the Antichrist, meaning the infrastructure had to be in place.

As an example, look at the Bible verses below.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This could not have been implemented 42 years ago. The complete infrastructure required was not available until the last ten years or so.

Here are some things required that are available now.
1) Satellite communications
2) Computers
3) The Internet
4) Ability to have a cashless society
5) Technological advancements constantly getting smaller and less expensive.
(Required so even a vendor on the street can afford the technology to buy and sell)
6) The whole world being in lock step with each other. (This was shown to be possible with Covid, as the whole world was dealing with it in the same way)
7) Fear of the future causing men to accept a solution (the Antichrist) that they would not necessarily have accepted when the future looks good.
(Again Covid and Global warming)

So what is my point? When I was first saved my emotions said the Rapture is very soon, but I was not using my logic along with what the Bible teaches. What has changed? While there are many more, the seven things that I have mentioned show that the infrastructure is currently ready to support the arrival of the Antichrist. So now the Rapture (escape) and ushering in of the Antichrist could easily happen any day now!

So now both my emotions and logic agree that the Rapture is very, very soon!!!

God Bless!

Yes, mostly agree, the closer the tribulation appears, the closer the rapture is - unless there is a lengthy time in between the rapture and the start of the tribulation. Only thing we know for sure is there is no prophecy that must be fulfilled prior to the rapture.

 

[Goodboy]

Yes, mostly agree, the closer the tribulation appears, the closer the rapture is - unless there is a lengthy time in between the rapture and the start of the tribulation. Only thing we know for sure is there is no prophecy that must be fulfilled prior to the rapture.

Just to be clear as to why I believe that the Rapture is right before the Tribulation, with no gap.

I believe that the purpose of the Rapture is to rescue us from the Tribulation. If the Tribulation is not about to start, then what would the Rapture be rescuing us from??? Kind of like how the Angles had to quickly get Lot out of Sodom at the last second just before the destruction took place.

My thinking anyway.

 

[Andy C]

I think OWG will be formally established because of the chaos and shut down commerce systems that'll happen because of the Rapture. The plans and procedures for a quick stand-up are probably written and just waiting for "some calamity." The world banks/UN, central banks, regular banks, and cc companies won't restart the system until they're protected. The longer people go hungry, and the longer things aren't open for business, the more scared people will become, and the more likely violent resistance. The smoother and quicker this goes, the more likely people will be to get with the program (sheeple). When the systems are up and running now, everything's connected already.

Agree. The rapture could easily be the event that finally allows the OWG to become fully functional. And yes, the OWG could possibly be up and fully functional before the rapture, although like most end times teachers believe, it is less likely.

For those who dont believe there is any time between the rapture and the start of the trib, my question to you would be if the rapture happened this minute, is the OWG ready right now to step in and divide into ten nation governing body? I think clearly the answer is no, although they are probably farther along than I want to believe, because they could be making secret deals behind our backs. Still, I think many countries would have a hard time now giving up complete sovereignty and allow another body to rule over them.

The OWG/ten kingdoms has to be fully functional before the start of the tribulation, because the bible clearly states out of the ten kingdoms, the AC will rise. He has to rise, and be in a position of leadership that allows him to affirm the 7 year treaty, thus kicking off the start of the tribulation.

 

[Goodboy]

Agree. The rapture could easily be the event that finally allows the OWG to become fully functional. And yes, the OWG could possibly be up and fully functional before the rapture, although like most end times teachers believe, it is less likely.

For those who dont believe there is any time between the rapture and the start of the trib, my question to you would be if the rapture happened this minute, is the OWG ready right now to step in and divide into ten nation governing body? I think clearly the answer is no, although they are probably farther along than I want to believe, because they could be making secret deals behind our backs. Still, I think many countries would have a hard time now giving up complete sovereignty and allow another body to rule over them.

The OWG/ten kingdoms has to be fully functional before the start of the tribulation, because the bible clearly states out of the ten kingdoms, the AC will rise. He has to rise, and be in a position of leadership that allows him to affirm the 7 year treaty, thus kicking off the start of the tribulation.

I basically agree with what you stated, which is why I don't believe that the Rapture will happen this minute. I believe the Rapture will not happen until everything that needs to be in place is in place. So next minute? No! But it could happen very soon like next year or maybe even next month depending on what goes down as a result of the Israeli war with Hamas.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

The UN already has a 10-region plan with the functionaries and etc. in place.
If nothing else, the UN is a well-funded, well-organized bureaucracy.
World Court, UN blue helmets, Interpol, various UN social and political entities, etc. International laws that get enforced and arbitrated via economic, political, and military means, generally meaning a UN entity or something that answers at least indirectly.
Europe is only one region. Every member country of the UN, at least to a certain extent, gives up some sovereignty. In a dire emergency, such as the Rapture, heads of state would be a lot more willing (and able politically) to cede more authority to the UN, and thus, whoever the head of the UN (officially or otherwise, if someone had grabbed/amassed a bunch of power or whose ideas were so brilliant . . .

 

[Andy C]

The UN already has a 10-region plan with the functionaries and etc. in place.
If nothing else, the UN is a well-funded, well-organized bureaucracy.
World Court, UN blue helmets, Interpol, various UN social and political entities, etc. International laws that get enforced and arbitrated via economic, political, and military means, generally meaning a UN entity or something that answers at least indirectly.
Europe is only one region. Every member country of the UN, at least to a certain extent, gives up some sovereignty. In a dire emergency, such as the Rapture, heads of state would be a lot more willing (and able politically) to cede more authority to the UN, and thus, whoever the head of the UN (officially or otherwise, if someone had grabbed/amassed a bunch of power or whose ideas were so brilliant . . .

The UN is not the ten kingdoms, and they barely represent the countries currently aligned with them. No, something much more sinister will come about.

 

[Tall Timbers]

The UN is not the ten kingdoms, and thet barely represent the countries currently aligned with them. No, something much more sinister will come about.

I used to think that the UN was too inept and corrupt to be what morphs into the end times govmint. Now that we're farther along it appears to me that the prince of the air may well use the UN as well as the other existing international govmint entities to bring about the end times govmint... and it appears to me that we're well on our way.

I've liaised with the UN on behalf of NATO Southern Command. My impression: the UN is quite sinister.

 

[Margery]

I believe the Rapture will not happen until everything that needs to be in place is in place. So next minute? No! But it could happen very soon

I like that idea, and I'd agree with it except that you touch on the very reason I think we need to consider a possible gap.

That is the doctrine of imminence. (I always spell it wrong but it is IMMINENCE with an I not an A) meaning coming at any time

Because when you must see that all the Tribulation furniture is in place, the curtain is ready to go up and the show is ready to start so to speak, you've just set a condition for the Rapture. It can't really happen "until"

And that isn't what Paul taught. He was eagerly waiting for the Rapture along with the Apostles. It was one of the earliest doctrines- the return of Christ for His bride at any time. Paul speaks of it as the hope that purifies. He says to comfort each other with that hope. The blessed hope.


Dr Thomas Ice has a very good PDF explaining it Imminence and the Rapture–Part 2 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center at his Pre Trib Research Centre -it will come up if you search for Doctrine of Imminency but I hope I've managed to get the link to the PDF correctly in here. Part 1 is here: Imminence and the Rapture–Part 1 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center

there's another one over at Scholar's Crossing at Liberty University from 2009 but I haven't a clue how to link it here. Do a search, it comes up "Dr Ice Doctrine of Imminency"

Chuck Missler's teaches on it here: The Doctrine of Imminence - Chuck Missler (under 12 minutes)

The scriptures he teaches on show this doctrine is foundational from the earliest days of the church. Bonus- the last part of that video Chuck explains the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

 

[Work4Peanuts]

I like that idea, and I'd agree with it except that you touch on the very reason I think we need to consider a possible gap.

That is the doctrine of imminence. (I always spell it wrong but it is IMMINENCE with an I not an A) meaning coming at any time

Because when you must see that all the Tribulation furniture is in place, the curtain is ready to go up and the show is ready to start so to speak, you've just set a condition for the Rapture. It can't really happen "until"

And that isn't what Paul taught. He was eagerly waiting for the Rapture along with the Apostles. It was one of the earliest doctrines- the return of Christ for His bride at any time. Paul speaks of it as the hope that purifies. He says to comfort each other with that hope. The blessed hope.


Dr Thomas Ice has a very good PDF explaining it Imminence and the Rapture–Part 2 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center at his Pre Trib Research Centre -it will come up if you search for Doctrine of Imminency but I hope I've managed to get the link to the PDF correctly in here. Part 1 is here: Imminence and the Rapture–Part 1 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center

there's another one over at Scholar's Crossing at Liberty University from 2009 but I haven't a clue how to link it here. Do a search, it comes up "Dr Ice Doctrine of Imminency"

Chuck Missler's teaches on it here: The Doctrine of Imminence - Chuck Missler (under 12 minutes)

The scriptures he teaches on show this doctrine is foundational from the earliest days of the church. Bonus- the last part of that video Chuck explains the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

Well, there is a condition set before the rapture can happen. It's just not one that we're privy to knowing before-hand (fullness of the gentiles.)

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I used to think that the UN was too inept and corrupt to be what morphs into the end times govmint. Now that we're farther along it appears to me that the prince of the air may well use the UN as well as the other existing international govmint entities to bring about the end times govmint... and it appears to me that we're well on our way.

I've liaised with the UN on behalf of NATO Southern Command. My impression: the UN is quite sinister.

I ran into some blue helmets while overseas. There was going to be a major problem, but they backed off when they found out I was U.S. Army assigned to the (not UN) Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO).

 

[Andy C]

Well, there is a condition set before the rapture can happen. It's just not one that we're privy to knowing before-hand (fullness of the gentiles.)

Yes, I agree with the below verse meaning when the final person is saved in accordance with Gods final tote board total, we are out of here.

Romans 11
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

 

[Goodboy]

I like that idea, and I'd agree with it except that you touch on the very reason I think we need to consider a possible gap.

That is the doctrine of imminence. (I always spell it wrong but it is IMMINENCE with an I not an A) meaning coming at any time

Because when you must see that all the Tribulation furniture is in place, the curtain is ready to go up and the show is ready to start so to speak, you've just set a condition for the Rapture. It can't really happen "until"

And that isn't what Paul taught. He was eagerly waiting for the Rapture along with the Apostles. It was one of the earliest doctrines- the return of Christ for His bride at any time. Paul speaks of it as the hope that purifies. He says to comfort each other with that hope. The blessed hope.


Dr Thomas Ice has a very good PDF explaining it Imminence and the Rapture–Part 2 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center at his Pre Trib Research Centre -it will come up if you search for Doctrine of Imminency but I hope I've managed to get the link to the PDF correctly in here. Part 1 is here: Imminence and the Rapture–Part 1 - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center

there's another one over at Scholar's Crossing at Liberty University from 2009 but I haven't a clue how to link it here. Do a search, it comes up "Dr Ice Doctrine of Imminency"

Chuck Missler's teaches on it here: The Doctrine of Imminence - Chuck Missler (under 12 minutes)

The scriptures he teaches on show this doctrine is foundational from the earliest days of the church. Bonus- the last part of that video Chuck explains the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

When I said "I believe the Rapture will not happen until everything that needs to be in place is in place." I meant that from God's perspective not mans. All we can do is to know what we believe is the season. So I may have not worded that correctly. God may think that everything is in place right now. I was just saying that from my perspective which certainly could be wrong, things that I believe need to be in place.

Is your understanding that the Rapture could have happened 200 years ago and has no connection to the Tribulation?

I understand your point, but we don't know when the Tribulation will start either, as that also could start at any time. So saying the Rapture will happen right before the Tribulation does not set conditions regarding when the Rapture will be. It just lets us know the season. If there is no connection between the Rapture and the Tribulation, how would we ever know the season?

My point again is what is the purpose of the Rapture? If the Rapture is not an escape from the Tribulation for Christians, then what is the point of it? I am a logical thinker and not saying I am right, but I can't understand why God would Rapture us as an escape if there is nothing to fear so to speak?

If you or someone can explain that, it might help me change my thinking.

God Bless!

 

[Goodboy]

What I believe about the Rapture

1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We are supposed to watch for Jesus return for us as we see the day approaching. If the Tribulation has no connection to the Rapture, then what is it we should be watching for? I believe we are to actually watch for the Tribulation and just know Jesus will return right before that. I also believe that we along with the Holy Spirit are restraining what the Antichrist can do, so right after we are Raptured the tribulation will start.

That is what I believe anyway.

 

[Andy C]

That is the doctrine of imminence. (I always spell it wrong but it is IMMINENCE with an I not an A) meaning coming at any time

Because when you must see that all the Tribulation furniture is in place, the curtain is ready to go up and the show is ready to start so to speak, you've just set a condition for the Rapture. It can't really happen "until"

Yes, nothing has to happen before the rapture, and numerous prophecies must happen before the tribulation, and both events are separate.

There is no need for anyone to defend the so called “gap” theory, because its not a theory. Since they are separate events, its a theory to say there is no gap.

 

[Goodboy]

Yes, nothing has to happen before the rapture, and numerous prophecies must happen before the tribulation, and both events are separate.

There is no need for anyone to defend the so called “gap” theory, because its not a theory. Since they are separate events, its a theory to say there is no gap.

I agree that nothing must happen before the Rapture, but I believe the Bible states we will have clues that we are in the season of the Rapture.
I have two questions I would like someone to answer that might help me understand how there is no connection between the Rapture and Tribulation?

1) What is the purpose of the rapture?
2) How are we supposed to watch for it, if there are no signs?

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.