Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 12/31/2011

Question
Dear Cooper,
Following John Darbies (1800-1882) rapture theory would entail Christ returning a 3rd time. St.Paul in 1 Thes 4:16 restates exactly what our Blessed Lord stated in Matt 25:31-45 about His own return,neither place in Sacred Scripture does it say anyone is exempt from suffering before his return or judgement after. Why would people follow or teach something that contradicts Christ's own words?
         God Bless,
         Glen

Answer
Hi Glen,
   Thank you for you question, but I am not sure I understand what you are saying.   Certainly, God never promised believers they would not suffer for their belief and testimony for Christ. In the seven year Tribulation with you are referencing that is plainly stated in Rev. 6:9-11  ;7:9-14.
These are people who lived in the seven year Tribulation, who were not saved at the rapture and thus went into the Tribulation.  However, during the first part of the seven years they believed were saved and were killed by the Antichrist and the false prophet.  John reveals they are in heaven with the Lord awaiting His Second Coming.

    However, 1 Thess. 4:16 (verses 13-18) is addressing believers in this the Church Age, meaning those saved, dead and alive, since Christ instituted the church as Acts 2 records. They are not in the Tribulation having being rapture before it begins.  Matthew 25 and 1 Thess are addressing two different groups of believers.

     Matthew 25:31-45 is part of the Olivet Discourse where Jesus described the judgment of nations at the end of the seven year Tribulation which occurs at His Second Coming in which He physically returns to earth and completes the purging, or judgment of the unsaved.  He is speaking of the judgment of nations who lived during the seven year Tribulation and is not addressing Church Age saints because they, being raptured,  are in heaven with the Lord, and  He brings them back with Him as He returns.      

     I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/OlivetDiscourse.html which explains this titled “Is the Church Age Saints in the Olivet Discourse?”   

  I am not sure I properly addressed your question, but if you have further comments or questions please write (cpabrams3@gmail.com) .
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2