While this has been a topic of heated debate on here since the beginning of the forum, and there are many threads that discuss this very issue between pre-mid-post, (just do a search with rapture, and you’ll find a few topics pop up that are still around). I will say, that as we all know, the reason 2 Thessalonians was written was because someone was passing off fake news…in form of counterfeit letters by Paul the Apostle as saying the Rapture had already happened. So, he had to quickly get to work on yet another letter calming the masses down.
There’s a lot of wordplay via understanding what certain words mean and sadly, sometimes, depends on what translation you read to help you understand better what is said. A reminder for me is the ability to read scripture more sharply, correctly if you will, is the 20/20 rule.
This is where you read 20 verses before and after the desired scripture you’re referencing and often times, a clearer picture is visible to answer your question. What this sounds like is an argument for a mid tribulation rapture. But that can’t happen, nor can a post tribulation rapture. I’m set on this now as before I was having struggle abound on the issue. IF this was a mid or post, you WOULD know the day (not necessarily the hour) of the rapture. Why? Because you could see when the tribulation starts, and count half way through and BOOM, you’re outta here. Or if it’s post, you wait till the announcing of the AntiChrist and POW, you know when the end is. While many try to figure out the day and the hour, I have my doubts we’ll ever know (before the rapture happens, that is). It’s just as the Servant waiting for his master to arrive. While one worked diligently while the master was gone, the other gave way to drinking and being mean to the other servants and was caught off guard when the master returned.
We are to be busy with our lives (not in the world living) to keep us from worrying about such things. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 reads
Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of the lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
What is restraining the revelation of he who is the lawless one? The Holy Spirit. He is still working on this Earth today holding back the ability for that day to come. Once the Holy Spirit is “out of the way” which even on this forum has many interpretations based on who answers you, the opinion I have reached was simply, that the Holy Spirit will remove His protection across the world for the AntiChrist to come on the scene. He will then bring forth a peace treaty that will bring peace I think in the Middle East, but I think it could also be the world. As everyone rejoices at this time. So, if the Holy Spirit is holding this back now, what is the determining factor between NOW and when He removes His protection? The church is still here.
So, if you think about it, once the Church is no longer here, the Holy Spirit will remove his protection from the rest of the world that did not have faith and believe in Christ and that’s when the AntiChrist will begin his inevitable doom.
So, for two reasons you can’t have mid or post (in my opinion and I refuse to debate the issue, sorry)
- Holy Spirit must first remove protection upon the Earth
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- Hasn’t done so yet because the Church is still here
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- Rapture occurs and the protection is moved out of the way
- We don’t know when the Tribulation starts at this time.
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- We would know the day if we were here to start the Tribulation for
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- Easy to calculate day at that point. Perhaps even time. I’m not savvy on calculations though.
I have had many people on this forum alike that have tried to convince me of a mid or post tribulation rapture and while I don’t agree with many things certain pastors have said from different churches, the logical aspect of my second point listed above (time frame) made far more sense based on what we are continually arguing about on here and elsewhere regarding, “No one knows the day or the hour”. Whether that’s the rapture of Christ coming back to Earth…well, I think once you find out who the AntiChrist is and he claims to be God…you know the day Christ will be coming back.
I am of a simple mind though, Patrick. I know there are many that love to debate this topic and will do so any time it pops up. You will get a ton of back and forth over this. Perhaps a fight or two will emerge. You may find your topic closed temporarily or forever at some point. I don’t know. What I do know is that you will get more than you probably bargained for with a second opinion, followed by a third, fourth and so on. I wish you well, Patrick and may God bless you with a calm and peace in your heart and mind as you travel ahead in your findings and discoveries and may he settle any concerns you may have on this, soon.
Peace, Grace, and blessings from God above to you, Sir,
Jon
[EDIT=Annotation needed for another argument that pops up on this issue]
Many say the Holy Spirit being taken out of the way means He will leave the Earth, but I don’t think that’s true because how would the Martyrs become such who will be beheaded if they do not have that Holy Spirit to guide them to redemption? I think what it is saying that all the evil that is at the gate and fence waiting to overpower the world (Tribulation) is frothing at the mouth and wanting out. Scaling the fence they cannot reach the top to, or break the grip the Holy Spirit has on the latch. Isn’t going to happen and when He releases His protection, that’s when like a tidal wave, evil and lawlessness will abound. Perhaps in ways we imagine, perhaps not. I don’t know. I had to throw this in as I know that issue too is part of this debate that goes on.
And with that, I will take my armor and go forth to my safe space and crayons and coloring book
