…if it feels like the Rapture, if it smells like the Rapture, it probably is the Rapture.
“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. (31) And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Matt 24:29-31 ESV
Preterists interpret this passage as already fulfilled in AD 70 referring to God’s judgment on the nation of Israel. Pretribulationalists interpret this passage as being fulfilled in the future at the battle of Armageddon. And neither of these positions believe that it has any application to the Church.
Both preterists and pretribulationists are in error. This passage does apply to the Church, and is a reference to the rapture at the Second Coming of Christ.
If we compare Scripture with Scripture, particularly with Paul’s teaching of the Second Coming and the rapture, we can be confident that they are not talking about two different events.
Click here to see a comparison of parallels between Jesus and Paul.
