Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/23/2005

Question
HI,

do you think we are getting close to the start of the tribulation period? What is your view on the timing of the rapture?  I have found myself wanting to return to the bible, after quite a few years studying more new age thought. I just want to make sure I know the TRUTH!!

Thank you for your time.  Susan.

Answer
Hi Susan,

These are great questions.  I believe that Jesus could come back at any second and rapture the believers out of here.  I think that Jesus was clear when he told us to expect the unexpected.  Christians are to live their lives as if Jesus might snatch them away at any time, no matter what they are doing.

Matthew 24:36-42
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Now as to the timing of the Tribulation or Daniel's 70th week, I believe that the Bible teaches that it will begin after the rapture.  This is a time when God's wrath will be poured out upon the earth.  God has not appointed us to that kind of wrath.  Notice especially verse 9 of the following passage:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9


But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this is of some help to you.

In CHrist,
Pastor Don