MID TRIBULATION RAPTURE

The preponderance of information given in the Bible, shows that the rapture will happen in the middle of the last 7 years and every eye will see Jesus when He comes for His church. This mid tribulation view of the rapture, while not the most popular view, is true and if one will consider the Scripture involved and trust the Lord for discernment and wisdom, can be clearly seen. We believe it will stand; not only because it is the truth of God's Word but it works together with all the Scripture unlike the pre-tribulation rapture view and so many others.

In the last hundred years or so, a pre-tribulation rapture concept has been well-circulated and well-received, as it has been much more pleasant to any Christian's ears; but it is incorrect, because it fails to correlate with the rest of the Bible. While portions of some rapture concepts may seem logical in some of the different rapture views; we must consider all the Bible verses in regard to the rapture, to find and know the real truth.

This article deals with the concept of the rapture; and its timing & visibility. The companion article, Mid Tribulation, Why 3 1/2 Years?, explains why it will be in the middle of the last seven years of this age. And the article, Can The Rapture Really Happen Today?, explains how there are some events that must happen before others. Our Lord is a God of order. For example, there are two extremely important events, foretold of in 2 Thessalonians that must be fulfilled before the rapture can happen. These verses cannot be ignored.

Please read these verses and notice how clearly they are referring to the rapture.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless ¹the falling away comes first, and ²the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (emphasis added).

In this case, we can see that (1) the apostasy, the falling away must happen "first" and (2) the man of sin, the son of perdition will be revealed. These are two huge and important events. All the Scripture about any given matter, must be applied to learn the whole truth. To do anything less is dangerous.

What will happen if a person believes in "pre-tribulation rapture" and events do not unfold as expected?

The Lord urges us through teachings like the parable of the 10 betrothed virgins, five foolish and five wise, to be prepared, for we do not know what hour He will come. Jesus warns us many times in His Word, not to be caught off-guard. What would happen, if like the five foolish virgins, we become overwhelmed waiting for His return and our oil runs out? When critical events do not go as expected, many will fall and many will doubt, because they did not know the real truth given in the Bible.

Please read all Scripture presented here, fresh. All are presented in the New King James Version. If you prefer a different version, please get your Bible out and read it along with the article! Mid tribulation rapture view events can be hard to behold. Even Daniel when he saw these things in the future, found it difficult. But difficult things are better faced squarely, than to be naive and overcome by them.

Please read this section of Revelation and commentary will follow.

• Revelation 13:3-8 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Commentary: This beast is the Antichrist. He will be allowed to blaspheme God for 42 months. During this time, he will have authority over the whole earth because God will allow it. Does God like allowing it? Certainly not. But just like before the Flood in Noah's day, the majority of people will have become utterly evil and giving birth to more evil. People in large numbers will be rejecting God and His commands, and the Lord will literally give the world over to their bad choices. Those whose names who have been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb, will not bow to this son of perdition. All during this time of apostasy, this global falling away from the truth and fear of God, persecution will increase for Christians. If we look back in history, we will see that anytime the majority of a group of people chose evil over God, evil would flourish, society would suffer terribly and good people would be persecuted (and even killed). People that are “turned away” or “turning away from God,” never want to hear from “the people of God,” about Him or what is right.

There is "one week of years left" to be fulfilled from Daniel's prophecy.

In the beginning, the first seal is opened, and the Antichrist is given his authority and begins his assignment. Also, the Two Witnesses who have the testimony of the real Jesus Christ, will minister almost simultaneously (both have terms of 42 months, but one term may start a little earlier than the other). As the 7 seals unfold, they conclude with the rapture in the middle of this 7-year period. After the rapture and the amazement of all that happens with it, the Lord's judgment and wrath will begin to come upon the earth and all who are left, with the trumpets and bowls of the Lord’s wrath. This will conclude at Armageddon and the final eradication of all evil mankind who would be left. This is the end of the age. Praise God, the end of one age makes way for the beginning of a new one, which is most often called the Millennium. If one is new to some of these terms and it seems overwhelming, just take it in small thoughts and prayerfully read and study, and a clear understanding will develop. If one has a grasp on these terms already, please pray and consider how this rapture mindset is the only one that is truly pre-wrath and is truly confirmed within the rest of Scripture.

All 3 sections of Scripture following, refer to the rapture and elements of it that are often missed or ignored.

The first, shows its visibility to all. The second, shows that there will be tribulation for believers and then the rapture. The third, also verifies the rapture after a time of tribulation and I believe reveals what the sign of His coming will be.

• Luke 21:25-28 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Commentary: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming,” these are the evil ones, being referenced first, who's hearts will be failing them for fear. When they “see” the whole earth and heavens go dark (sun, moon and stars fail) and then Jesus illuminating the sky, they will be consumed by fear. They will have chosen “evil over good” and when they see “the real Christ” coming for His people; they will realize how much trouble they will be in (Luke 23:30, Revelation 6:16). And then the Lord says for His people to, “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” These verses show both the lost and Christians, experiencing the coming of the Lord.

• Mark 13:21-27 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven."

Commentary: This verifies the time of apostasy and that the deception will be so strong that, if possible, even the elect could be deceived. This also verifies that after the tribulation all will go dark and then the very visible rapture will happen as the Lord comes to gather His own.

• Matthew 24:23-31 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Commentary: These verses verify all commentary before and add how bright His coming will be; as it will be like lightning, lighting up everything. Once again, this verifies that His coming will be “after the tribulation.” How long will that tribulation be? It will be for 42 months. What is “the sign” of the Son of Man coming? I believe the sign will be when the whole earth goes dark and the sky rolls back like a scroll (see Revelation 6:14), as this dimension opens up into the next. The powers of the heavens will be shaken, and the Lord in His glory will make His entrance. There will be a heavenly trumpet blast. The evil ones will quickly know their doom and God's persecuted children will have both great joy and relief.

There are no verses in the Bible that say the rapture will be invisible. 

The “invisible rapture concept” is totally unfounded. For example, Hollywood and erroneous teaching, take the verses that say, “One will be taken, and one left behind,” and imply that it will happen “invisibly.” Please read about it in Mathew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36.

There are verses that show the rapture being visible.

• Matthew 26:63-64 Then the high priest said to Him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (this also shows He will be enthroned and next to Father God and even those in hell will see)

 

• Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.



• Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

There will be a time of tribulation on the whole earth for Christians and the lost for 3 ½ years and then the rapture will come, and it will be visible. Jesus will not be eloping with His bride; the whole world will see.

• Mark 13:26-27 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven."

 

• Luke 21:25-28 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

• Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

The 7th seal is the rapture and “there is silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1), while they come to get us, so to say this lightning flash is the speed of the entire rapture would be ludicrous; just the trumpet blast alone will be something, the shout of an archangel, the rising up of the bodies of those who died in Christ and the catching up of living Christians, etc., there is much to happen!

How could the earth have stars falling, be darkened by the sun going black, the moon going dark like blood and the sky (the atmosphere of earth) recede like a scroll, so that people want to hide from Him because they see Him (like lightning, lighting it up from the East to the West) and this be an invisible departure of the saints? Did any of these Scriptures say that "only the saved" or "only the lost" will see the Lord? Of course not because it involves everyone. And for the record, when Jesus comes, He does not set one foot on this earth. He is "with the clouds of heaven" and calls His people up! The time after that, He will be "riding a white horse" and it will be at the end of the 7 years (Revelation 16:16,19:11) at Armageddon followed by a 1000 years (commonly called the Millennium) with Jesus ruling on earth.

At this "catching away unto Him," the earth will quake and graves will open giving up the remains of the saints all over the earth. This will be a very visible event!

• 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

* Those who are "sleeping in Christ" - the "dead in Christ" are with Him when He comes, they (in spirit form) are coming to exchange their former remains for their new immortal bodies.

The saints and angels are the clouds that come with Jesus! To die for a believer is to be present with the Lord - "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Jesus was the first to receive a resurrected body. At the rapture, the catching away unto Him, the saints in heaven will have "their remains" caught up to them as resurrected/immortal bodies. Then, those alive will become like Him also with new immortal bodies. For now, those in heaven are in spirit form.

• 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

 

• 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be "changed," in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Notice it does not say “the entire rapture” happens in the twinkling of an eye at all. It says that we shall all be "changed," in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” This is how long it takes for the "change" of the bodies from mortal to immortal!!!

The evil ones will want to hide from the Lamb of God as He returns in great power and will fear for their brazen rejection and disobedience to Him, the One and only real God and for their persecution of God's true children.

• Luke 23:30 "Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!'"

 

• Revelation 6:12-17 and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

This is not the Great White Throne of Judgment or Armageddon. This can only happen at one time and this is the rapture.

OTHER "MID TRIBULATION RAPTURE" ARTICLES

MID TRIBULATION, WHY 3 1/2 YEARS?
The Bible actually says how long the terms of the Antichrist and Two Witnesses are, which confirms what the people of earth will go through also.
MID TRIBULATION RAPTURE BIBLE VERSES
The mid tribulation rapture as shown with Bible verses listed chronologically and with commentary.
MID TRIBULATION RAPTURE TIMELINE
An easy to understand timeline with important events from the beginning of the 7 years through the Millennium.

BASIC RAPTURE ARTICLES

WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? 
Understanding the concept of biblical rapture.
IS THE WORD "RAPTURE" IN THE BIBLE?
Understanding "harpázō" - the word "rapture" comes from & where it's seen in the Bible.
MYSTERY OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF YEARS
A prophecy in Daniel foretold the coming of Christ & also the concept of the "last week of years" is derived; sometimes called "the 7 year tribulation."
RAPTURE VIEWS
Understanding pre, mid & post tribulation, millennial views, preterism & more.
THE TRIBULATION & THE WRATH OF GOD
Understanding what really happens during the last 7 years of this age.
TRIBULATION & WRATH, BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS & USAGE
A study taking a deeper look at original context.
​THE BEST BIBLICAL MINDSET FOR LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS
As shown in 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

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Copyright 2014, revised Sept 2016 E. Cockrell May be copied for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.