Introduction
The Post-Tribulation rapture theory suggests that the rapture of believers will occur after the Tribulation period. Post-Tribulationists believe the rapture and the return of Jesus are essentially a single event, with the rapture occurring simultaneously with the end of the tribulation. However, believers will not be exempt from God’s wrath prior to the rapture.
Like most theological theories the Post-Tribulation point of view has several proposed variations, too many to list. There are two primary premises, the first being that all Christians alive during the time of the Tribulation period will face God’s wrath. The second premise is that the kingdom of God begins when all His people come together at the end of the Tribulation.
Bible verses like Revelation 13:7 that speak of the beast (aka Antichrist) prevailing over the saints are often used to justify why believers will enter and experience the events of the Tribulation. Plus, Post-Tribulationists note that the resurrection of the dead in Revelation 20:5 is called the “first resurrection,” and that since this ‘first’ resurrection is to take place after the Tribulation, the resurrection associated with the rapture that Paul wrote about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 cannot occur until then.
Counterargument
The Bible teaches that judgments from God typically have two elements, punishment and final consequences. Prior to final judgment God will punish all living unbelievers as identified in the Tribulation period. Believers will be spared from the wrath as promised:
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:9, ESV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, ESV)
“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, ESV)
We also see that the wrath of God is reserved for unbelievers.
“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36, NET)
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18, ESV)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6, ESV)
Regarding Revelation 13:7, some manuscripts omit the sentence about the saints and the conquering of them. But even it was true by the time the events of Revelation 13:1-10 occurred there would still be those that accepted Jesus after the rapture and those saints would face the wrath.
Wrath and Persecution Are Not the Same
There is a difference between “persecution” and “wrath.” There is no question that Christians will face persecution, as Jesus Himself warned (see Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; 16:33), and Paul wrote that it was inevitable (see 1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:12, see also Acts 14:22). The Greek noun ‘diōgmos’ and verb ‘diōkō’ are the primary words most often translated as ‘persecution’ in the New Testament, they imply the application of pressure, or to pursue. In like manner, the Greek words, ’thlipsis’ (noun) and ’thlibō’ (verb) are often their synonyms as they also imply a pressure, to compress, squeeze, crush, etc. These are most often translated as ‘tribulation’ and ‘affliction’. Many believe that whenever ’thlipsis’ is used that the writer is referring to the affliction or tribulation a Christian face due to persecution as a believer. But often fail to see that the difference in the affliction and tribulation due to judgment of non-believers (namely, God’s wrath, like that sent by God during the Tribulation period), which is not to be shared with believers. We see that there are several examples from the Bible that show God removing His people before His wrath. God has not and will not destine His believers for His wrath and will remove them in the coming rapture before the Tribulation begins.
Conclusion
Just like Noah and his family being saved from the effects of the worldwide flood (see Genesis chapters 6-9) and Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom (see Genesis 19:1-29), God will remove His people prior to the Tribulation period. Many Post-Trib adherents fail to see the difference between a time of persecution and a time of punishment as the words selected by the publishers can be confusing. However, believers are promised that they will not be subjected to God’s wrath.