When do believers go to heaven, before or after the appearance of the anti-Christ?
2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 4
NASB - 1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him. 2 That you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
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Asked April 10 2018
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Robert Broyles
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Derrol PORTER
You are asking when does the gathering together of the church and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ happen in regards to the Antichrist. As answered in previous questions about the timing of the "Rapture" of the church, there are three views.
{1} Pre Tribulation- Church snatched away, that is the Greek word for gathered, in the beginning, to meet Jesus in the air, or Jesus coming for His Bride, the Church.
{2} Mid Tribulation- Church snatched away after three and a half years into the Antichrist appearance and rule.
{3} At the end of seven years of Antichrist and Tribulation.
I believe in the Pre Tribulation view as there are many Scriptures that back this view up. I will cite just one, the one I believe solidifies this view. 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Some say this is talking about the wrath of Hell, but the context of verses before and after Paul is talking about Tribulation period and some were saying Jesus already appeared and these believers were left behind. Paul was reassuring them that it was not true, and the man of sin had not appeared yet.
We may have troubled times as believers, but the events of the Tribulation will be multitudes times worst. When the man of sin appears the Restrainer will be taken away, the church in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.
Jackuline Ragan
It is my belief (Ecc. 12:6-7) that the soul departs the body when the silver cord (death) happens, returns to our Creator at that very moment. That is the only 'rapture' that happens as I believe that as HIS child, I will be protected from any wrath that may exist until or even after the 2nd coming. The saints that are spoken of that return with HIM are indeed the souls that died to the flesh, we who remain, our flesh will melt, our celestial body will step out to forever reign with the LORD as written in the book of Zechariah.
Harry Gates
I don't know for sure! I'm praying it's before the tribulation. I do pray for strength to make it through the tribulation if we have to endure it, resisting the mark of the beast unto death! Either way we will not remember the suffering we had to go through once we greet Jesus in the clouds/sky in His great glory and multitude of angels. Keep the faith either way and God bless!
Edwin Lawson
I have been a pre-trib believer all my life. But although I wish this were true I see no evidence in scripture anywhere that says that Jesus will come and take his church before tribulation, then come again for a final judgment. I see evidence of Jesus Christ returning only once, so I fear that the church must get ready, and understand that you may have to go through persecution and tribulation. I see no evidence anywhere in scripture where God kept us from persecution or tribulation, but I do see evidence of him helping us go through it with grace and faith.
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