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Pre Tribulation Rapture: The Bible clearly teaches us that the church will be raptured before the great tribulation. Below are some Biblical arguments that confirm the pre- tribulation rapture: 1. In Revelation 20:4, only the martyrs are raised from the great tribulation ('they came back to life'). The resurrection of the other believers must therefore have already taken place at an earlier time. 2. Revelation 3:10 teaches us that He wants to keep the church 'from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell on the earth.' 3. In Revelation 6:16 the great tribulation is called the 'Wrath of the Lamb'. The hope for the church is not the wrath of the Lamb, but the loving Bridegroom who will take His Bride to Himself. 4. In 1 Peter 4:17 we read that judgment begins with the house of God, so that we will not be judged with the world. 5. In Luke 21:28 we read: 'When these things begin to come to pass, stand up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near. How could we rejoice in the great tribulation? It is our salvation that gives us this joy. 6. In Luke 21:36 we are called to watch and pray to escape these terrible things. 7. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 we read that the coming of the antichrist is being stopped. The context clearly shows that Paul is talking here about the Holy Spirit who works and lives on earth through the church. When the church will be raptured, the temple of the Holy Spirit will also be removed from the earth and the antichrist will have every opportunity to reveal himself. Then the salt of the earth will be gone and destruction will strike, then the light of the world will be taken away and the prince of darkness will be revealed. 8. We read in Zechariah 14:4-5 and Colossians 3:4 that the Lord Jesus will return to earth with all His saints at the end of the great tribulation. This is only possible if we are raptured before the great tribulation, so that we will also return with Him. 9. Before the resurrection of the martyrs from the great tribulation, we already read about the thrones in heaven where the saints sit in judgment (Revelation 20:4a). In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 we read that the saints will judge the world. So this also takes place before the resurrection of these martyrs! 10. The rapture of the church is several times associated with the time of Lot in Sodom and Noah. Both Lot and Noah were first brought to safety before judgment broke out. In the same way, the church will first be evacuated before the great tribulation begins. In the same way Enoch was taken away before the Lord judged the earth. 11. The calling and election of the church is a mystery (Ephesians 3:3-10) an 'interim period' in God's plan for the world. This interim ends with the mystery of the rapture of the church, after which the Lord God picks up and completes the thread with His covenant people Israel. 12. The great tribulation is also called 'a time of Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30:4-7). A period that God has determined to lead His people Israel to conversion and rebirth. From these 'birth pangs' Israel will emerge as a new nation. 13. In Daniel 9:27 the seven-year great tribulation is described as the last week that the Lord God has determined for His covenant people Israel. This week will ultimately lead to the putting away of sin and the bringing of everlasting righteousness to Israel (verse 24). For example, we should not confuse God's plan for His covenant people Israel with His plan for the church and distance ourselves from the widespread replacement doctrine, in which Israel must make way for the church. 14. It is striking that no part of the Bible prepares or warns the church about the great tribulation. This shows that the great tribulation is not intended for the church. 15. As long as the church exists, the church is oppressed ('In the world you suffer tribulation...'John 16:33).