Escape or Endure?
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The Pretribulational Rapture is the natural conclusion of rightly dividing the Word, knowing the character of God, understanding Israel and the Church, and taking prophecy literally.
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1. God Rescues the Righteous Before Wrath
Enoch – “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24) — Raptured before the flood.
Noah – “Then the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:16)
Lot – “I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” (Genesis 19:22) — God’s judgment was restrained until…
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2. The Church Is Not Appointed to Wrath
1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 – “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him.”
Revelation 3:10 – “Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”
John 14:2–3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Isaiah 26:20–21 – “Come, My people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the LORD is coming out from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity…”
These are not metaphors. They are covenant promises of rescue before judgment.
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3. The Church Disappears From Revelation 6–18
Revelation 4:1 – “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice… said, ‘Come up here,
The Church is already in heaven, represented by the 24 elders, clothed in white and crowned (Rev 4:4).
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4. Typology: The Bridegroom Comes Before Wrath
Jewish Wedding Tradition:
1.Betrothal – Legally binding (like the Church Age)
2.Groom builds a home – John 14:2
3.Surprise return – “At midnight, a cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom!’” (Matt 25:6)
4.7-day celebration – Parallel to 7-year Tribulation
5.Return with bride – Rev 19:14
The Bride of Christ is taken to the Father’s house, not left on earth to face wrath.
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5. Israel ≠ the Church
Daniel 9:24 – “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city…”
This 70th Week (the Tribulation) is about:
•Israel’s discipline
•Jerusalem’s purification
•The finishing of transgression
Jeremiah 30:7 – “Alas! That day is great; it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, yet he shall be saved out of it.”
The Church is not the subject of this judgment — Israel is.
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6. Imminency = Pretribulation
Titus 2:13 – “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”
James 5:9 – “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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7. Early Church Voices Echo Escape
Ephraim the Syrian (AD 373):
“For all the saints and the elect of God are gathered prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord, lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world.”
Shepherd of Hermas (c. AD 140)
Speaks of those who “escaped the great tribulation.”
Irenaeus (AD 180) – Against Heresies 5.29:
“When in the end the Church shall suddenly be caught up from this, it is said, ‘There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning…’”
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Dr. Mark Hitchcock:
“If the Church is to go through any part of the Tribulation, then why is there not one instruction for preparation? Not one command to stockpile, resist, or endure?”
Dr. John MacArthur:
“The rapture is the next event on God’s calendar. No prophecies remain to be fulfilled before it happens. Christ could come at any moment.”
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1 Thessalonians 1:10 – “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”