The Bible’s teachings on the end times have always been a subject of deep interest and intense debate among believers. One of the most contested topics is the timing of the rapture of the church in relation to the great tribulation. Contrary to the popular pre-tribulation rapture theory, a careful reading of Matthew 24 shows quite clearly that the coming of the Lord and the rapture of the church occur after the great tribulation, not before.
[Matthew 24:21-42] For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. … Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. … But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. … Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Pretribulation adherents are quick to recognize that “concerning that day and hour no one knows,” “as were the days of Noah,” and “one will be taken and one left” refer to the rapture, yet they seem to overlook the surrounding context. The reason behind this selective interpretation escapes me.
From the context, it’s evident that the event whose day and hour no one knows is “the Son of Man coming on the clouds,” which happens “immediately after the tribulation of those days.” This shouldn’t be debatable at all. In the same context, the angels “gathering the elect from the four winds” is a clear reference to the rapture. These believers are caught up in the air by the angels. They don’t remain on the earth.
If you believe in a “great escape” before the great tribulation, you have believed one of the biggest lies of the Laodicean church. It’s time to ditch the “hopium” pipe, face the reality that you’re not flying away anytime soon, and start preparing for the hard times ahead, or else you will be one of the many who will fall away during the coming tribulation.