What is posttribulationism? Will the church be raptured after the tribulation?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Posttribulationism differentiates the "Great Tribulation," the last three-and-a-half years of the tribulation, from the wrath of God. It says the Great Tribulation is actually the persecution of the saints by the Antichrist. The wrath of God is the same as the day of the Lord and will occur at the very end, after the tribulation. The rapture is not literal; that is, believers will not be removed from the world and given new, incorruptible bodies. Instead, believers will be kept or protected—either in the sky or on earth—from God's judgment. They will then return to earth and populate the millennial kingdom. Posttribulationism is held by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholics, and many Protestants. Regardless of our views on the timing of God’s wrath, it’s essential to live with urgency and faithfulness, staying focused on living on mission, reflecting Christ and sharing the gospel, and preparing for Christ’s return regardless of the timing.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Passages for posttribulationism are not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Posttribulationists believe that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation and that Jesus will return after it to gather His people. They get this thinking from various Scriptures. For example, Matthew 24:29–31 describes Jesus’s return occurring "immediately after the tribulation," when He will gather His elect with a loud trumpet, thereby combining the rapture and the second coming.
• Posttribulationism also sees the Church as not being spared from tribulation. In John 16:33, Jesus tells His followers, "In the world you will have tribulation," reinforcing the idea that believers should expect suffering, rather than escape from it. Posttribulationists take this verse to mean that God will allow believers to go through the Great Tribulation.
• Revelation does not specifically mention Jesus coming before the end of the tribulation (Revelation 19:20), so posttribulationists set 1 Thessalonians 4:16 at about the same time.
• In 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4, Paul talks about Christ’s coming and our gathering to Him. Posttribulationists see this verse as referring to one event, not two, which will not happen until after the Antichrist is revealed.
• Revelation 13:7 and 20:9 assert that there will be believers during the tribulation. Posttribulationism explains that this is not just those who came to faith during the tribulation but the Church, or believers who had already believed and were alive.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The biggest problem with posttribulationism is the timing. How will God fit all the trumpet and bowl judgments in such a short period of time? It also denies the imminence of the rapture. By its nature, posttribulationism declares exactly when the rapture will happen, contrary to Jesus's insistence that no one knows. Another issue is that of the seal judgments. Revelation 6:1 is clear that the seal judgments are ordained by God, even if they do take the form of natural disasters. But 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Posttribulationism is consistent with some Scripture passages but contradicts others. Jesus Himself said He did not know when He would return (Matthew 24:36), and we shouldn't make more of an issue out of the question than necessary. What He did say in the Parable of the Ten Minas is that we are to "Engage in business until I come" (Luke 19:13)—that is, spread the gospel and bring others to Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Posttribulationism teaches that the rapture and second coming of Christ occur at the same time.
• Posttribulationism teaches the Church will endure the Great Tribulation and be gathered to God at the end.
• Posttribulationism teaches that believers will be protected from God’s wrath, which occurs after the tribulation.

REFLECT

• How does a posttribulational view challenge or encourage you?
• What role does personal faithfulness in sharing the gospel play in your understanding of Christ’s return and the end times?
• How are you currently preparing for Christ’s return, and how can you stay more focused on living on mission despite uncertainties about timing?

ENGAGE

• What aspects of God’s character does posttribulationism emphasize?
• What are essential doctrines regarding the end times that believers can unite on?
• How can we remain faithful and focused on the gospel even when faced with the tension of differing views on when and how Christ will return?