I came across a study by Matthew McGee which brought me to a very clear understanding today. It is even more proof of a pre-tribulation rapture. This will not take long but I wanted to point out a couple of things in 1 Thessalonians that are very clear.

 

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

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.

 

Notice that Paul is telling these believers that they do not need to worry. Paul knows that a Great tribulation is coming.He tells them that we have hope. What is our hope based on? verse 14 tells us. If we BELIEVE that Jesus died and rose again!! Compare these verses above when you have time with the ones in Revelation. There is a BIG difference. The people saved AFTER the rapture must endure till the end to be saved. Paul is telling the believers not to be concerned because we will be raptured ahead of time. And better than that is that our loved ones who have already died will be raised first. Comfort each other and tell them we are going to go through the worst time on earth?  NO NO NO he did not say that. How is that going to comfort you.

 

Now let us move on to the next chapter.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

1But 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.

 

Now closely read above what Paul is saying.

1-I do not need to write you about the time and seasons. Because you will not be here!

2-THEY say peace and safety. THEN sudden destruction cometh upon THEM!! The wrath is going to be poured on THEM not US!

3-We are children of the light and will not be overtaken by that day, which is the coming tribulation.

4-WE are NOT of that night or of that darkness.

5-Then Paul goes on to tell us not to sleep but to be sober and put on our helmet, the hope of salvation.

6-WHY WHY is Paul telling the believers this. He is telling us in verse 9 that God has not appointed us(The Body of Christ who are saved under the Gospel of Grace) to go through this 7 year time of trouble which is way worse than what is going on now. It is for THEM not for US. That day will NOT overtake the believers. He made it clear in Chapter 4 who that day(7 year Time of Jacobs trouble) will not harm. The ones during the dispensation of Grace who Believe that Jesus died and rose again to take the place for their sins.He appointed that time of wrath for the nation of Israel and the ones who did not accept the free gift of today.

 

People are being BRAINWASHED today to think they are going to have to go through a 7 year tribulation. Remember Jesus said it is a time of GREATER horror than the World has ever seen and will not see again. If a person thinks we are in the last days(final 7 years) all you have to do is look at history and there has been far worse times than the present. BUT the time is approaching soon and if we do want to escape then Paul says it is the ones who believe in Jesus death and resurrection that will escape. If you believe in anything else whether it be mohammed or budda or thinking you need works to endure till the end or water baptism to "help" Jesus than you may very well be going through the greatest time of horror ever.

 

Believe in the wonderful Gospel of Grace and avoid the 7 year tribulation.

 

thanks

Mike W