Will Believers Go Through the Tribulation Period?

I Thessalonians 4:13-16

Tonight I want to spend some more time on a subject that we have discussed briefly in prior lessons. It is very important that we understand the concept and doctrine of the Rapture and the Tribulation Period.

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" (1 Th 4:13-16)

"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Cor 15:51-52) These two passages are discussing an event that has yet to happen, but that is as sure as if it had happened a hundred years ago. Do not confuse them with similar passages that speak of judgment when Jesus returns.

These passages clearly do not refer to the event that we refer to as the Rapture! These events take place during the tribulation, and those taken are taken to a place of judgment!

Why I believe the Bible teaches that the believer will not go through the tribulation period:

1. The tribulation period is the 70th week of Daniel. cf Da. 9:24-27

2. The tribulation period is a time when the wrath of God is poured out upon an unbelieving world.

3. We are promised that we will be "delivered from the wrath to come"

4. The picture of the Jewish wedding.

From my understanding of the Scriptures, I can see no way that we, as believers, will go through the tribulation. Everything points to a pre-tribulation rapture.