It would seem safe to say most people would prefer not to experience these situations! Something to note is that there is no particular verse to point to for this teaching as it is built upon a few key ideas.
First of all, those who believe this view often note that Revelation talks about the church, but the church is not mentioned again after Revelation 3. Revelation 4 talks about the Apostle John being brought into heaven — could this be a symbol and sign that the church will be removed before these events take place?
However, others who hold to this seven-year period would say that the Bible does not teach that Christians would be raptured or removed before these events. A variant of this argument is that the first three and a half years of the tribulation are the wrath of Satan, while the last three and a half are the wrath of God, so it is at that mark that Christians are removed.
Those who believe Christians would be removed at the middle or the end of the seven year period would note that Revelation does not mean that one has to be removed from the situation. In fact, Jesus prays in John for believers not to be taken out of the world but to be kept from the evil one. Therefore, there is division among those who teach this idea of a rapture and a seven year tribulation period when these events will take place hence the question!
The impact will be catastrophic. Consider, too, the emotional devastation for people who suddenly and irretrievably lose a spouse, children, parents, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and other loved ones. There will be no long illnesses during which one can get prepared, no dead bodies to identify, no human way to find closure. Consider the horror that will be experienced by millions of people who long described themselves as Christians but suddenly realize that they were not included in the Rapture, people who realize that they never actually received for themselves the free gift of forgiveness and salvation offered by Jesus Christ.
Consider, too, the terror felt by atheists and agnostics and people of other religions when they see their country and their world imploding and realize that their family members and friends who had been followers of Jesus Christ were right, and thus are gone, but that they themselves were left to face the wrath to come.
Absolutely, and they should. If they do, the Bible teaches that their sins will be instantly forgiven and their souls saved forever. They can know without the shadow of a doubt that they are going to heaven when they die and will spend eternity with Christ Jesus, not in the lake of fire with no way of escape.
But as wonderful and real and true as all that redemption will be, such people who receive Christ as their Savior and Lord after the Rapture will also be struck by the daunting realization that they and their remaining family members and friends and neighbors will have to endure previously unimaginable suffering in a country that will neither be nor seem like anything they have ever known, a country that has neither the strength nor the will to oppose the Antichrist or the persecution that is coming.
Imagine, too, the economic implications of the Rapture. If you think U. What will happen when millions of business owners are suddenly no longer around to pay their bills?
Or pay their employees? Or continue delivering vital goods and services? What will happen to the federal government when millions of taxpayers are no longer providing Washington much-needed revenues? What will happen to state governments?
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