16 Signs That Debunk Pre-Trib Rapture

Yes, scripture specifically says “harpazo” or “caught up” also known as the Rapture. Photo by Andrew Spencer on Unsplash

I am 100% NOT a believer in pre-tribulation rapture.

Jesus straight up says that He won’t return until after the tribulation, so no matter how many calculations and whiteboards and timelines pre-trib people make up — Jesus’ Words supersedes them all. Let’s look at Jesus’ words.

Rapture Timeline According to Matthew 24

Whatever happens is going to be much worse than a temporary solar eclipse. Photo: Geronimo Giqueaux

“29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” — Matthew 24:29–30 ESV

What does this verse tell us?

There are at minimum 7 qualifiers that must happen prior to the return of Jesus.

1. The tribulation happens first.
2. The sun is darkened.
3. The moon does not give (reflect) its light.
4. Stars will fall from Heaven (dual meaning, but that’s a lesson for another day.)
5. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. (This is talking about Satan, the Prince of the Air, kingdom. Ephesians 2:2)
6. The sign of the Son of Man will appear.
7. All the nations of the earth will mourn.
8. Jesus, the Son of Man will come on the clouds.

Rapture Timeline According to Luke 21

Whatever comes out of the ocean is going to be way worse than a winter storm or a tsunami. Photo: Torsten Dederichs

Let’s see what Luke recorded about the same speech that Jesus gave:

“25 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” — Luke 21:25–28 ESV

What does this verse tell us?

There are at minimum 5 qualifiers that must happen prior to the return of Jesus.

1. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.
2. There will be distress on the earth.
3. Something will go on with the moon, which means something strange with the gravitational pull of the moon happens, which controls tides and waves. That goes off-kilter so some issue exists between the sea and the waves.
4. People, en-masse, will faint.
5. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.
6. Only THEN will Jesus come in His glory on the clouds.

Rapture Timeline According to 2 Thessalonians 2

The armies under the Beast System will be worse than any government today. Photo: Hasan Almasi

What is this tribulation that must happen first? Paul gives us some clues and like Jesus, tells us that these things must happen first before Jesus returns.

“3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 ESV

What does this verse tell us?

There are at minimum 6 qualifiers that must happen prior to the return of Jesus.

1. The great rebellion / falling away (Christians leaving the faith)
2. The man of lawlessness is revealed.
3. The man of lawlessness exalts himself.
4. The man of lawlessness takes his seat in the Temple.
5. The Temple must be rebuilt for the man of lawlessness to take his seat within it.
6. The man of lawlessness must declare himself to be God.

The 16 Signs Prior To Jesus’ Second Coming

Imagine seeing a ring of fire appear in your yard! Photo: Marc Szeglat

To refresh, what must happen, according to Scripture, before Jesus returns?

Accounting for and discarding duplicate signs, there are at minimum 16 signs that must happen prior to Jesus’ return. (Not accounting for all the other signs in verses about more prior signs that I left out for brevity.)

1. The great rebellion / falling away (Christians leaving the faith)
2. The man of lawlessness is revealed.
3. The man of lawlessness exalts himself.
4. The man of lawlessness takes his seat in the Temple.
5. The Temple must be rebuilt for the man of lawlessness to take his seat within it.
6. The man of lawlessness must declare himself to be God.
7. The tribulation happens first.
8. The sun is darkened.
9. The moon does not give (reflect) its light.
10. Something will go on with the moon, which means something strange with the gravitational pull of the moon happens, which controls tides and waves. That goes off-kilter so some issue exists between the sea and the waves.
11. There will be distress on the earth.
12. People, en-masse, will faint.
13. Stars will fall from Heaven
14. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.
15. The sign of the Son of Man will appear.
16. All the nations of the earth will mourn.
17. Jesus, the Son of Man will come on the clouds.

Jesus Promised Believers Tribulation

Whatever happens is going to be much worse than simply being behind bars — but Jesus will be with believers through the tribulation. Photo: Denis Oliveira

Suit up, because Jesus promised us TRIBULATION, but He also promised life to the ones who overcome.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 ESV

“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” — Revelation 3:21 ESV

Rapture position is also available on the Crack Your Bible Beliefs Page.