Oh, my bad... you didn’t say “waiting,” but “ready.” I did assume that by “ready” for an event means they’re “waiting.” Thanks for clearing that up. It was a nice distraction from the topic, though.
I’m sincerely trying to get you to show any sound evidence that the scripture teaches a pre-trib rapture, but you want to argue semantics and avoid answering any questions directly. Please, are there any verses that state we will be gone before the tribulation?
I in no way try to avoid answering questions. If you have questions, ask.
First, we don't look for "a verse" that states anything. We compare ALL the end times scriptures and form doctrine from all of these scriptures. (One writer wanted a scripture passage that showed a pretrib rapture, then the 7 years of "tribulation," then Jesus coming. No such passage exists.)
We we need to ascertain, after studying ALL the end times scriptures, is what the Author's intention is in each verse.
For example, Paul's rapture passage in 1 thes. 4 & 5: WHAT was both Paul's and the Holy Spirit's intention in that passage? Did the Holy Spirit expect this passage to fit hand in glove, for example, with the Olivet Discourse? Or was the intention that the rapture come at a different time?
In my years of study I have determined that the intent of Paul was that HIS rapture / gathering comes a moment before wrath and as the trigger for wrath. How do I come to that conclusion?
Paul's event begins suddenly, when without prior warning the dead in Christ fly up out of their graves. I don't know if they will be visible to the lost. This raising from the dead is going to cause a worldwide earthquake, because the dead in Christ were buried around the world.
A moment (probably a very small moment) later two groups of people get two different results:
1. Those alive and in Christ are suddenly caught up - just as they begin to feel the ground shake - and get to "live together with Him." (So shall they ever be with the Lord."
2. Those alive and NOT in Christ are left behind and face the "sudden destruction" earthquake.
Next, Paul wrote that God will not set any appointments for us with His wrath. I take that to mean that the "sudden destruction" earthquake will be the start of God's wrath. AFter all, just three verses after His classic rapture verse (verse 17) Paul mentions the Day of the Lord - just as if that day is somehow connected with the rapture! Well, I think it IS connected: the moment after the rapture it is the Day of the Lord. The church age will end and the Day of the Lord will begin.
Where then do we find the start of God's wrath - or the start of the DAY of His wrath - in Revelation? Of course at the 6th seal. Notice that it comes after the 5th seal? The 5th seal are the martyrs of the church age. They are told that judgment is not coming until the very last church age martyr is killed. In other words, judgment is not coming until the church age ends. In other words, judgment is not coming until after the rapture of the church.
So the very next event after the 5th seal will be the rapture. However, John was not show the rapture so did not write it. It is going to come a split second before the great earthquake at the 6th seal. Further proof of this timing is that John then SAW the raptured church in chapter 7, shortly after the 6th seal events, as that great crowd too large to number. Did you ever wonder how many people will be included in the rapture? It is going to be billions! Perhaps 50 generations of the dead in Christ will be caught up. Add to that all the children of the world under the age of accountability.
I am further convinced that in 2 Thes. 2, the rapture is hidden in the word "apostasia." the first translation into English rendered that word as the (significant) departing. There is proof in the context that is the Author's intent. I am therefore convince that Paul believed the rapture to come before any part of the tribulation or the 70th week,
