It may have seemed surprising to some that according to Jesus in Matthew’s gospel that the rapture will not take place until after the great tribulation (post-trib rapture).  Many books and movies portray the rapture as before the tribulation (pre-trib).  But nowhere in the Bible does it teach that the rapture will take place before the tribulation.  Most of the places that talk about the rapture connect it with Jesus’ second coming which is always placed after the tribulation.  And the few other places that talk about the rapture have no mention about the timing.  Just because the rapture is said to be immanent (close at hand) does not make it immediate or next on the end time timeline.  And, to link it to last week’s sermon, just because the rapture/return is unknown does not mean that we do not have any signs leading up to it that are known (especially to those in the light and to those who the thief will not catch unawares.)  So having a 7 year tribulation time (3 1/2 of which will be the “great tribulation”) does not negate the unknowable nature of the rapture/return.

Unfortunately, do to scheduling issues, I will not be able to preach about our readiness for the rapture/return for two more weeks (guest speaker on 12th and Father’s day on 19th).  So hopefully, you will tune back in on the 26th, to hear about the tribulation and how we can be ready to face it (and the consequences of teaching a pre-trib rapture.