Gino,

 

On the contrary, what you said could certainly happen, WE have NO guarantees as Christians that we won't go through tribulations in this life. Jesus assured us that we would have tribulations. I believe our only guarantee (unless we see the undertaker first) is to be kept from the GREAT Tribulation which is God's wrath poured out on the earth AFTER we are caught up (the time of Jacob's trouble).  In the meantime (back at the ranch!) we could go through all sorts of earthquakes, tsunamis, economic collapses, plagues in the US and other countries BEFORE (YES, BEFORE) the rapture happens! Thousands of Christians in other countries right now are going through great persecutions, earthquakes, floods, famines, volcano eruptions, hurricanes and so on! Look at all the Christians in China being jailed for naming the name of Jesus and muslims turning to Christ who are beheaded by zealots of their religion! I believe our blessed hope is that Jesus comes for us before the WORST outpouring of God's wrath on this world is going to take place and BEFORE we are faced with either taking the mark or starving!

 

Rene

 

P.S.  hopefully our time for going UP - is not far now!