The number one reason why there is a question to the timing of the rapture is because we read about the Tribulation Saints.
One thing I have to address right out of the gate is – What would you call someone who has accepted Christ during the Tribulation?
A Tribulation Saint.
When the fifth seal is opened up we see a group that has been slain for the Word of God. They are also asking for revenge. They are told to wait a little longer until more of their brothers are to be killed.
Revelation 6:9-11 – 9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
So clearly this is either people that have accepted Christ after the rapture, or the Church. One thing is clear is they are not referred to as the Church. These are saints that have come out of the Tribulation. In chapter 7 we revisit the group in verse 9.
Revelation 7:9-12 – 9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Palm branches, slain for the Word of God, washed in the Blood of the Lamb. These are definitely people that have accepted Christ. Once again no mention of the word Church and we couldn’t get enough of the Church in the first three chapters of Revelation.
Revelation 7:13-17 – 13Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14I answered, “Sir, you know.”
First I want to address that Elders in a biblical sense are usually symbolic of an older wiser person in the Church. John isn’t talking to an Angel, he’s talking to an Elder. Without a rapture already, I’m not sure who the Elder would be?
14I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore, “they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Also a very interesting note: God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Why? Did they miss their first opportunity? If you believe in a Pre-Trib rapture, you believe that those who died for Jesus during the Tribulation missed their first opportunity. It says a multitude to numerous to count from every tribe tongue and nation was slain. I believe missing the rapture will be a second chance to many of those not accepting God right now. Millions of people disappearing may be written off by a lot of those left behind, but many will know immediately after it happened that they’re in trouble and know exactly what they’ve missed. They will tell and reach others.
I believe that’s why we all need to keep sharing. Even if some of those you are witnessing to now still reject the Lord, they may accept Him after the rapture.