Our Prophecy Q/A Series continues with this question from a Prophecy Pros podcast listener.

Q: Why are you Pre-Trib?

A:  There are many reasons why I believe the rapture will occur before the tribulation. Here are seven of those reasons.

1. We are not appointed to Wrath (1Thessalonians 5:9)

This and many other verses clearly say we are not appointed to wrath or that we will escape the coming wrath. The entire tribulation period is God’s wrath. Jesus is opening the seals at the beginning and by the 6th seal judgment, the inhabitants of earth clearly state they know that it is God’s wrath (Revelation 6:15-17).

2. The Tribulation Period IS Daniel’s 70th Week (7 years/focus is on Israel, not the Church)

3. Jewish Wedding Traditions

All of the symbolism related to end-time events mirrors ancient Jewish wedding traditions. Jesus used that tradition in his teachings. In ancient Jewish wedding traditions, the groom would leave the father’s house, travel to the desired bride’s home, pay a great price for the bride, have his offer accepted or rejected, become legal bound if accepted, and go back to the father’s house to prepare a place for his bride.

At a specific time known only to the father he would send the son to fetch the bride. The groomsmen would announce the grooms arrival, then the bride would be lifted up on a seat to be carried away with the groom. The two would enter the wedding chamber for 7 days then there would be a great wedding feast after the marriage was consummated.

Space does not allow, but every single one of those details lines up with the order of key first-coming and second-coming events. Here is one key passage: John 14:2-3—In My Father’s house are many mansions (ie. custom-built living spaces); if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

4. Imminency

The clearly taught doctrine that the Lord could return at anytime without any preconditions. This can only be true of the Pre-trib view.

5. Our Blessed Hope

Titus 2:13 calls the rapture our “blessed hope.” It is what we’re looking forward to. Nowhere does scripture tell us to prepare to endure Hell on earth. Every instance of the Lord’s return is painted as something we look forward to with joyous anticipation. Most believers in the tribulation period will be martyred. That is not a “blessed hope”.

6. Old Testament Types

Two judgments clearly prefigure the final time of God’s wrath on earth: the flood of Noah’s day, and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. In both cases, God removed the believers prior to judgment. There are many other types and figures that point to this pattern as well.

7. Rapture Designed to Encourage

In the main text on the rapture (1 Thessalonians 13-18), Paul concludes by saying, “Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18)”.

I also have a couple of chapters in my book The Non-Prophet’s Guide to the End-Times about support for pre-trib. Also, here’s another book I highly recommend: Can We Still Believe in the Rapture?

And here’s a ministry with some amazing articles on all things pre-trib: pre-trib.org

Have a question related to your study in Bible prophecy? Email me and I may feature it here.