Q296 : The Tribulation Period is Not for the Church

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Q296 : The Tribulation Period is Not for the Church

In studying the book of Galatians the Spirit of God made it quite clear to me the importance of Paul's special one on one teaching from the Lord Himself (Gal.1:11-12,16), The Spirit of God revealed to me the importance of Paul's commission to the Gentiles was to reveal several mysteries; "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power" (Ephesians 3:6-7). The other mystery; 'the blessed hope' according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: the Rapture.

This teaching was given to Paul by the Lord! And that blows my mind for two reasons! Number one; why is there so much controversy concerning the Rapture? Wasn't this doctrine handed directly to Paul from Christ Himself and many in the Church (the world, we expect it from them) have rejected this doctrine that came directly from God? This also blows my mind! The church is rejecting orders directly from the Head!

The second mind blowing thing is; Paul was the only Apostle who taught this doctrine and (besides John with the Apocalypse). God commissioned him to the Gentiles, don't get me wrong, I understand he taught his people too. (To the Jew first.)

Because we know our God does not arbitrarily make decisions, period, but because of the 70th week, the time of Jacob's trouble, and the already established knowledge the Jewish believers were privy too, the Lord was further establishing that block of time will be for the sake of Israel, not the Church by teaching us of that 'blessed hope!' Wasn't the doctrine of the rapture given to the Church to help us disassociate from the wrath of God on the unbelieving world, unbelieving Israel and the Church?

We are not subject to God's wrath but for the sake of His irrevocable promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He must heavily pressure Israel to cleanse them? Then why are so many Christians believing we must suffer God's wrath because of our disobedience?

After all, doesn't God state in His word that He is our Father and He chastises His children on a daily basis( Hebrews 12:5-11)? I hope I am being clear, it all boils down to God's infinite grace and mercy in not allowing us to experience His wrath, for Jesus is our only way out.

A296 : by Tony Garland

I think I understand the general point you are getting at: the rapture applies specifically to the body of Christ, which is by definition, the Church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). The Church was not revealed (or createda) until the gospel focus shifted from Israel out to the Gentile world (Acts 1:8).

Yes, this supports a pretribulational timingb for the Rapture in that the purpose of God for the Church is quite different than for Israel during that final 70th week which is Israel's (Dan. 9:24-27; 12:1).

The Church does not need to experience God's wrath because we have already turned to Him in faith. His wrath is reserved for unbelievers: to turn those Jews who will to accept Jesus as Messiah (Mat. 23:39) and for a rejecting world who, it will be shown, refuse to repent in the midst of intense judgment (Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9-11).

May God bless you as you continue to study His Word.


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