Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
Countering Post-Trib Rapture: Two Different Events
The two most common positions on the rapture by a large margin is the Post-Tribulation and the Pre-Tribulation. Logically, only one of them can be right. As I am positive the Pre-Tribulation stance is right, as well as articles supporting that, I am writing articles that discredit some of the Post-Tribulation arguments. This is one of those articles.
Post-Tribulationists believe the Bible is not the true Word of God. They may not realize they believe that, but they do. God is perfect. God is all knowing and all powerful. If the Bible is truly His Word, then His words would never have a true contradiction. So if the Bible has any real contradictions, we can no longer believe it to be the true Word of God. It is basic logic, but it is true logic.
There are some distinct differences from the Rapture to the Second Coming. Yet Post-Tribulationists insist that all of those scriptures are of the same event. If two scriptures of the same event contradict each other, it allows for two possibilities. 1) They are two different events. 2) The Bible contradicts itself and therefore is not the true and trusted Word of God. Since Post-Tribulationists insist that there is no separate rapture and they are of the same event, they are by default saying that the contradictions are real and the Bible is not the true Word of God.
Of course, this is all pending on my claim there are distinct differences in the two events. So first, let's look at two scriptures that are about the Rapture.
Post-Tribulationists believe the Bible is not the true Word of God. They may not realize they believe that, but they do. God is perfect. God is all knowing and all powerful. If the Bible is truly His Word, then His words would never have a true contradiction. So if the Bible has any real contradictions, we can no longer believe it to be the true Word of God. It is basic logic, but it is true logic.
There are some distinct differences from the Rapture to the Second Coming. Yet Post-Tribulationists insist that all of those scriptures are of the same event. If two scriptures of the same event contradict each other, it allows for two possibilities. 1) They are two different events. 2) The Bible contradicts itself and therefore is not the true and trusted Word of God. Since Post-Tribulationists insist that there is no separate rapture and they are of the same event, they are by default saying that the contradictions are real and the Bible is not the true Word of God.
Of course, this is all pending on my claim there are distinct differences in the two events. So first, let's look at two scriptures that are about the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NASB)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NASB)
50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
When reading those two scriptures, there are some particular points I want you to notice.
Now let's look at a scripture about the Second Coming.
- Jesus calls us up to Him in the clouds. He doesnt send any angels to gather us but calls us up Himself.
- It happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Which is very quickly.
- It has everyone being changed to have imperishable bodies.
- Nobody sees Jesus descending. After all, if everyone could have the time to look up and see Jesus coming, it couldnt possibly happen in the twinkling of an eye, now could it?
Now let's look at a scripture about the Second Coming.
Mark 13:24-27 (NASB)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
To be clear, we know for certain this one is of the Second Coming because of its timing. It says right at the start that it takes place "after" the Tribulation. Now notice some differences.
Now one might argue that we are only changed in the twinkling of an eye and everything else could happen slowly. But the Greek Word used to say we are caught up in the Rapture verse is "harpazo". Its definition is to be snatched up quickly. Not a slow gathering.
Even logically we would all be caught up instantly. If we were gather from all over the world at a pace, some would get their before others. Some would be with Jesus before others. Though it would be a very small one, some would be able to boast that they were with him longer than others. This is why we will be snatched up quickly. In the twinkling of an eye. We will all be with Jesus at the same moment.
If you never compare the scriptures, it is easy to understand why one would not recognize the differences. When you separate the scriptures, you begin to see there are indeed real distinct differences in the events. They simply do not fit together as the same events.
Return to Pre-Trib Rapture Articles
- Jesus doesn't call us up to Him. He sends His angels to gather the Elect.
- It is accompanied by great signs like the Sun darkening, the moon not reflecting light, there is great lightning. Which means it cannot happen in the twinkling of an eye.
- There is no mention of anyone being changed.
- Every eye sees Him coming. Which again, would mean there must be time for people to go to windows, come out of their homes, pull over and look behind them. This cannot possibly happen in a twinkling of an eye.
Now one might argue that we are only changed in the twinkling of an eye and everything else could happen slowly. But the Greek Word used to say we are caught up in the Rapture verse is "harpazo". Its definition is to be snatched up quickly. Not a slow gathering.
Even logically we would all be caught up instantly. If we were gather from all over the world at a pace, some would get their before others. Some would be with Jesus before others. Though it would be a very small one, some would be able to boast that they were with him longer than others. This is why we will be snatched up quickly. In the twinkling of an eye. We will all be with Jesus at the same moment.
If you never compare the scriptures, it is easy to understand why one would not recognize the differences. When you separate the scriptures, you begin to see there are indeed real distinct differences in the events. They simply do not fit together as the same events.
Return to Pre-Trib Rapture Articles
