Recently this question is being asked by many ministries thru-out the nation and world. Naturally the every day bad news headlines trigger such speculation.

There are many difference in the theology of Christians in the country and worldwide There are many doctrines associated with denominations and some of them are a uniting force and some cause separation. There is one doctrinal teaching with many opinions and it is 'the timing of Christ's return for the saints in relation to the seven year tribulation' .

I believe and know that if one is in Christ and has their faith in the shed blood of Jesus then be of good cheer for your Lord has not destined you for his wrath. We will be in the first resurrection (Raptured) and with our Lord taking part in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb during this time period.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (Thessalonians 4:16)

The Church is clearly mentioned and addressed in the book of Revelation prior to the tribulation (chapter 1-3). Jesus addresses the then current churches in Asia specifically, having them representative of all the churches throughout the ages. Immediately the next chapter (4) switches to the a door standing open a voice like a trumpet and the lord saying to John the apostle “ come up here “and I will show you things which must take place after this. The message of Jesus to the Philadelphia church, who are the faithful and true remnant in the last days will be kept from the hour of trial coming upon the whole earth. He said, ' and I have set before you an open door which no man can shut.” Now this door is opened in Heaven, and the voice is as a trumpet, “Come up here. “ This appears to be the Rapture of the Church in the Book of Revelation or at least in type. The trumpet in I Corinthians 15:52 also gives the last call to the Church also saying, “Come up here.” I’m not saying this is definitely it, but very well could be.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” ( I Corinthians 15:52)

The anti-christ will only be revealed or made known after the Rapture of the Church. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 tells of the Church being taken out of the world or Raptured.

"And now ye know what withholds (this speaks of the Church) that he (the Antichrist) might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he (the Church) who now letteth will let, until he (the Church) be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

One may get confused by referring to the Church as a he but the True Church is referred to “the Body of Christ” in Romans 12:5, “one body” in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “the body of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Some say that the he is referring to the Holy Spirit but if the Holy Spirit is taken out who is it that convicts of sin and saves during the tribulation? There are those that are saved during that time consider the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14.

The true church could not be present through the persecutions of the seventieth week and be lukewarm. The true church seems to be concluded with the Philadelphia church, which is removed from the earth before the tribulation begins according to the promise of Revelation 3:10.The false church which is left behind will become part of the one world religious system she is separated by the rapture.

1 Thess.1:9 mentions the wrath to come in the future. The believers are delivered from the future wrath against the world, just as in Noah's day.

Jesus promises assurance to the church of Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. This testing will include “all power” and lying signs, wonders and miracles to deceive all who dwell on the earth."

After the tribulation runs its course the Church is mentioned again in chapters 19-22. But through chapters 6-18, which describe the tribulation period, the Church is not even mentioned once, as if she does not any longer exist. This begs an answer of where is the Church? Since in the chapters dealing with events prior to and after the tribulation she is mentioned and addressed. Outside the book of Revelation the scripture shows that any passage dealing with the tribulation the church is not mentioned. Those who find the church as a participant in the tribulation can only argue from silence. The book of Revelation shows Israel and the saints outside the church as participants in the judgments on earth. it is impossible for anyone to find a tribulation passage and to show that the church is a present along with Israel. Nowhere does the Book of Revelation speak about any divine preservation for the Church. The only divine preservation is for Israel and the 144,000 who are sealed with a mission. The saints mentioned are not church saints.

Praise God – it is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.