When will Christians be raptured?
We know that Christians will be raptured, but when?
There are basically 4 theories...
- Pretribulational
This theory puts the rapture before any of the Tribulation.
Probably the best verse to uphold this theory is Revelation 3:3, "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If
therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."
- Midtribulational
So far the only instance we have found favoring the Midtribulation
theory is Revelation 12. Notice in verse 6 where "The Woman" is protected for 1260 days, equaling nearly exactly 3.5 years (half the 7-year Tribulation).
- Post Tribulational
This is the idea that Christians will go through the entire Tribulation. That kind of idea seems quite ridiculous, because that would mean that God is not merciful, and we know that He is. "(for the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." - Deuteronomy 4:31.
- Prewrath
Before the Wrath of God. This theory seems to have nothing against it, and also seems a little more accurate than the Midtribulational theory. All of the evidence we have found for the Midtribulational theory also fits nicely with the Prewrath theory and quite often even better.
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