Tags: Second Coming of Christ, Great Tribulation, Resurrection of the Saints, Post-Tribulation Rapture, Rapture Bible Verses
From the days of the early Church until now, believers have faced persecution, suffering, and trials. These ongoing afflictions are not strange—they are part of what the Bible calls tribulation. Yet Scripture also speaks of a climax—a time of intensified suffering for the faithful, known as the Great Tribulation, just before the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
This blog explores the Post-Tribulation Rapture as the true biblical pattern: that the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the saints, and the gathering of believers all occur after the tribulation reaches its peak. This is not a new doctrine, but a clear truth from the Bible.
1. Tribulation Has Always Been With Us
Many Christians wrongly assume that tribulation is something only coming in the future. Yet the Bible teaches that the Church has always endured it.
John 16:33 KJV – “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:22 KJV – “…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
When John wrote Revelation, he identified himself as our “companion in tribulation” (Revelation 1:9 KJV). The first-century Church was already suffering—tribulation had begun.
2. The Great Tribulation: A Culmination of Suffering
While tribulation is ongoing, the Bible does teach a culminating period of unparalleled trouble known as the Great Tribulation:
Matthew 24:21 KJV –
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
This “great tribulation” is not disconnected from history—it is the intensified persecution and suffering that caps the long story of Church affliction. It climaxes with the revealing of the Antichrist and global hostility toward God’s people.
But even in that time, God’s people are not abandoned. They are called to endure, not escape.
3. Christ Returns After the Tribulation
The Bible leaves no doubt that Christ comes after the tribulation. Jesus Himself said:
Matthew 24:29–31 KJV –
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days… shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven… And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect…”
This is clear, plain, and undeniable. The order is:
- Tribulation
- The visible return of Christ
- The trumpet sounds
- The saints are gathered
This is the rapture—not a secret event years earlier, but part of Christ’s victorious return.
4. The Resurrection and Rapture Happen Together
Paul describes the rapture in the same way Jesus did: at Christ’s coming, with a shout and a trumpet, visible and loud.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 KJV –
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them…”
There is no room here for a two-stage coming or a secret gathering. The rapture is the resurrection, and it happens when Jesus comes again in glory—after the Great Tribulation.
5. The Resurrection Is at the Last Day
Jesus taught that the resurrection of the righteous takes place at the last day:
John 6:40 KJV – “…every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him… I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 11:24 KJV – “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
This contradicts the idea of a rapture seven years before the end. There is one resurrection of the just, and it happens at the end of the age—not before.
6. The Elect Are Gathered When Christ Returns
The elect (God’s chosen people) are gathered when Christ visibly returns. This gathering is the rapture:
Mark 13:26–27 KJV –
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming… And then shall he send his angels… and gather together his elect from the four winds…”
This is the rapture. It follows the tribulation and is part of the Second Coming.
7. The Day of Christ Follows the Man of Sin
In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul warns believers not to think the coming of the Lord and our gathering to Him was “at hand.” Why? Because certain events must happen first:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV –
“That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed…”
The Antichrist will be revealed. Great deception will take place. The saints will suffer. Only after these things will Christ come.
8. The First Resurrection Happens at Christ’s Return
The Book of Revelation affirms that the resurrection of the righteous happens when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom:
Revelation 20:4–6 KJV –
“…they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years… This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection…”
This happens after the Great Tribulation, after the final judgment of the beast and false prophet (Revelation 19:20), and at the beginning of the millennial reign.
9. Enduring to the End: The Calling of the Saints
In light of ongoing and intensifying tribulation, what should the Church do? Endure in faith.
Matthew 24:13 KJV – “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Revelation 14:12 KJV –
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
God’s people are not promised escape from suffering—but strength to endure and glory at Christ’s appearing.
10. A Glorious Hope: His Return and Our Reward
Our hope is not in escaping tribulation but in meeting Christ when He comes in power. This is the blessed hope:
Titus 2:13 KJV – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
At His return:
- The trumpet will sound
- The dead will rise
- The living will be changed
- We shall meet the Lord in the air
- And we shall ever be with Him
1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV – “…at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
There is one trumpet, one coming, one gathering, and one hope—and it comes after the tribulation has reached its peak.
Conclusion: Be Ready, Stay Faithful, Endure to the End
The Bible is not vague about the return of Christ—it is rich with clarity and hope. From the tribulation of the early Church to the intensifying trials of our time, God calls His people to patience, watchfulness, and readiness.
There is ongoing tribulation today, and the Bible reveals a culminating season of distress—the Great Tribulation. But we do not fear it. We know our Redeemer lives, and when He appears, we will rise to meet Him.
Let us not look for a secret escape, but for the glorious appearing of our Savior.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 KJV)
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