Is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church true?

Plenty of people say God won’t let believers off the hook that easily, and I actually think such a statement has a good chunk of truth. Specifically, those who are not truly following Him, but are still part of the church, will be left behind, in my opinion.

Then again, most agree that the Church of Smyrna was the other church out of the seven that didn’t receive any rebuke. Maybe people belonging to this church are destined for martyrdom, have not been waiting as patiently as the Church of Philadelphia in order to be kept from the “hour of trial,” and/or need more refining. I’ve even heard people say they won’t overcome the Synagogue of Satan, as the Church of Philadelphia does, until death.

We all could speculate all day long so whatever it may be, God is just so it will all work out in the end. Look at how Noah–who was a righteous, obedient man–and his family were spared from the global flood. He wasn’t perfect, but He did closely follow God.

Why does the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church make the most sense? There are many reasons as to why I think it is the truth, but I will provide only a few brief points out of many:

1. The Rapture is described as a signless event

Matthew 24:36
New International Version

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

and

Matthew 24:44
New International Version

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

The imminency of the Rapture means it could happen at any time. Sure, other stances could say that it happens any day around events during the Tribulation (for example, around the mid-point of the Tribulation), but the most unpredictable, signless time of the Rapture would have to occur before the Tribulation. It would happen when people least expect it. It would catch many off guard so they cannot plan for it. If they knew the exact day or even months ahead of time, they could come to God and be as obedient to God as possible for this short duration in order to be Raptured. What will happen when the Rapture happens?:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
New International Version

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

2. The entire Tribulation is God’s Wrath on Earth

Who was able to open the scroll and its Seven Seals? Nobody in Heaven, nobody on Earth, and nobody under Earth was able to. The only person that is able to open the scroll is none other than Jesus Christ.

Revelation 5:1-5
New International Version

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.'”

The creatures of God are interacting with the Seals as they are opened. Further into Revelation when the Seven Trumpets take place, Revelation 8:6 specifically says, “[t]hen the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.” Finally, during the Bowl Judgements it particularly says, “[g]o, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”

Now, some claim why does it specifically say “God’s wrath on the earth” in the Bowl Judgements but not in the Seal and Trumpet Judgements?

In Revelation 6:16 (right after the opening of the Sixth Seal) it says, “[t]hey called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?’”

So it does mention the “wrath of the Lamb” (God) not only during the Bowl Judgements, but during the Seal Judgements as well. When the Trumpets are sounded it really seems like the Scriptures are also telling us about God’s Wrath being poured out onto the Earth for these Seven Judgements. For example, Scripture says (though this is around the time of a pre-wrath view):

Revelation 11:18
New International Version

“The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Not to mention, God uses angels to accomplish His Will. If these points are true, the Wrath of God covers the whole Tribulation. 

But, the problem here is that church is exempt from God’s Wrath as stated:

1 Thessalonians 5:9
New International Version

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So how can God’s church still be here during any part of the Tribulation, where God’s Wrath is poured out, when His people are not appointed to suffer wrath? This eliminates Rapture timing views that happen during the Tribulation.

Regardless of who gets Raptured, it seems like a Rapture must take place before the Tribulation. However, the Pre-Trib Rapture helps negate the fact that we are all part of the Laodicean age because God probably won’t Rapture a church He entirely rebukes and “spits out of His mouth.” To find out why I believe the “Church of Philadelphia” will be the only Raptured church: