Reading through Mark 13 multiple times this week reignites my interest in eschatology. That’s just a big word meaning the theology and doctrines of the last days. As a follower of Jesus, I believe the Bible is clear that God has a plan for humanity that had a beginning and an end, and that this earth we live on will not last forever. Despite what humanism teaches, we are not going to evolve and improve and save the world.

If you care to read and believe, the Bible has lots to say about the end times. Not all of it is crystal clear, and there are different interpretations of how the end times will play out. One often-debated topic is the rapture of the church. Theologians don’t agree on when it will happen, but I don’t think there’s any question from a straightforward, literal read of scripture that there will be a rapture. God will rescue His bride, the body of Christ, and take us to heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.  

In his commentary on 1 Thessalonians, John MacArthur presents several arguments in favor of a pre-Tribulation rapture. I’m sharing some excerpts (some paraphrased) with you today. I hope it whets your appetite to know more about what the Bible teaches on how our world will conclude, what that means for you, and the urgency of answering the call of God when you recognize the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your heart!

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#1 – The earthly kingdom of Christ promised in Revelation 6-18 does not mention the church as being on earth. Because Revelation 1-3 uses the Greek word for church nineteen times, one would reasonably assume that if the church were on earth rather than in heaven in chapters 6-18, they would use “church” with similar frequency, but such is not the case. Therefore, one can assume that the church is not present on the earth during the period of tribulation described in Revelation 6-18 and that the Lord has removed it from the earth and relocated it to heaven by means of the Rapture.

#2 – Revelation 19 does not mention a Rapture, even though that is where a post-tribulation Rapture (if true) would logically occur. Thus, one can conclude that the Rapture would already have occurred.

#3 – A post-tribulation Rapture renders the rapture concept itself inconsequential. If God preserves the church during the Tribulation, then why have a Rapture at all? It makes no sense to rapture believers from earth to heaven for no apparent purpose other than to return them immediately with Christ to earth.

#4 – If God raptures and glorifies all believers just prior to the millennial kingdom, no one would be left to populate and propagate the earthly kingdom of Christ promised to Israel. Those the Lord saves during the Tribulation will enter the millennial kingdom in earthly form.

#5 – The New Testament does not warn of an impending tribulation, such as experienced during Daniel’s seventieth week, for church-age believers. It does warn of error and false prophets, against ungodly living, and of present tribulation. Thus it is incongruous that the NT would be silent concerning such a traumatic change as Daniel’s seventieth week if post-tribulationism were true.

#6 – Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians demand a pretribulation Rapture because, if Paul were teaching them a post-tribulation view, one would expect them to rejoice that loved ones were home with the Lord and spared the horrors of the Tribulation. But, in actuality, the Thessalonians grieved. In addition, with post-tribulation teaching, one would expect them to sorrow over their own impending trial and inquire about their future doom; however, they expressed no such dread or questioning. Further, one might expect Paul to instruct and exhort them concerning such a supreme test as the Tribulation, but Paul wrote only about the hope of the Rapture.

#7 – The sequence of events at Christ’s coming following the Tribulation demands a pretribulation Rapture. For example:

• At the Rapture, Christ gathers His own, but at the Second Coming, angels gather the elect
• At the Rapture, Christ comes to reward believers, but at the Second Coming, Christ comes to judge the earth.
• At the Rapture, the Lord snatches away true believers from the earth, but at the Second Coming, He takes away unbelievers.
• At the Rapture, unbelievers remain on the earth, whereas at the Second Coming, believers remain on the earth.
• Concerning the Rapture, Scripture does not mention the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, but at His second coming, He sets up His kingdom.
• At the Rapture, believers will receive glorified bodies, whereas, at the Second Coming, no one will receive glorified bodies.

MacArthur also quoted Thomas R. Edgar, who noted, “Deliverance from the tribulation before it starts agrees with God’s previous dealings with Noah and Lot.”

Will we ever know for sure when the Rapture will take place? Well, yes! When it happens! Until then, we ought to heed the words of Jesus as He warns us about the end-times events and how our world will conclude in Mark 13.

But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance (v. 23).

Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door (v. 29).

Take heed, keep on the alert, for you do not know when the appointed time will come. … Therefore, be on the alert – for you do not know when the master of the house is coming … in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, “Be on the alert!” (v. 33-37)

Jesus is coming for all who have received the gift of salvation by grace, through faith. It could be today!

Have you received this gift? Have you repented of your sin and asked God’s forgiveness, surrendering your life to His Lordship? Are you walking with Him in fellowship with the Holy Spirit who comes to indwell all who are saved?

May we keep our eyes on Jesus, our blessed Hope, as we continue to warn all who have not yet believed.