The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven to take unto Himself His "purchased possession." He will come with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. (1 Thess. 4:16).

A fearful, indescribable, calamitous, unprecedented holocaust will befall this sinful world. It is termed the "tribulation periods" or "70th week of Daniel." Some believe the Church will pass through it. Others hold that the Church will go half way through. Still others maintain that the Church will not so much as enter it. These are referred to, respectively, as Post-tribulationists, Mid-tribulationist, and Pre-tribulationists.

We suggest the simplest approach to this profound matter - just three terse questions: (1) What is the tribulation? (2) Why the controversy? (3) How may one determine the truth of the matter?

WHAT IS THE TRIBULATION?

Definition: The Tribulation periods are the final seven years of Jehovah's determined dealings with Daniel's people, to finish (Israel's) transgression, to end (Israel's) sins, to make re - conciliation for (Israel's) iniquity (Dan. 9:24).

Designations: Such expressive terms are given as "the day of the Lord" (Amos 5:18), the "day of Jacob's trouble"(Jer.30:7), "Thy wrath is come" (1 Thess. 2:16), "a day of great wrath" (Rev. 6:17), "wrath of God Almighty" (Rev. 19:15), "the in - dignation" (Isa. 34:2), the hour of temptation" (Rev. 3:10), etc.

Descriptions: "Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?" (Amos 5:18- 20;also Zech.14:12; Rev.16:18-20)

Concerning the imponderable woes which will characterize this time of outpoured wrath, exclamations such as the folloeing have echoed down the corridors of time: What an experience for man is bound up in their awful brevity! What plagues descend with that sharp sickle! What agonies it brings to them who bear the mark of the beast! What powers and systems fall before it! What cries, and thunders, lightnings, earthquakes, hailstones and trembling of nations (unsaved gentiles) it arouses! It includes all the disasters manifested in the bowls of wrath! It sinks all the riches and glories of a godless world into one common ruin never to be brought up again! It is the sorrowful sweeoing away forever of that which the Scriptures describe as the termination of the whole present order of things.

Duration: The chronometric measurement is irrefutable. It is mathematically calculated. Jehovah determined seventy weeks (of years) in His dealings with Israel (Dan.9:24) These were divided into three catagories, namely, seven weeks (of years) until the walls were built about Jerusalem, sixty-two weeks (of years) until Messiah was cut off (killed). These add up to sixty-nine, and sixty-nine subtracted from seventy leaves one week (of yrs).

This is what is in view. This one week is divided into two equal parts, and each of these two parts is described as forty-two months, twelve hundred and sixty days, or tome, times, and half time. The first half week is termed "the tribulation"; the second half, "the great tribulation."

The division is pinpointed. It takes place when the beast, the Antichrist, breaks his covenant with Israel (Dan.9:27) and sets up his image in the temple, which is "the abomination of desolation" (Matt. 24:15). This marks the middle of the week.

Referring to the second half of the week, or the great Tribulation, Jesus said, "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matt. 24:22). Because of this assertion, some are of the impression that there will be fewer days in the second half of the week than in the first. This cannot be. It would not only contradict a definite statement of scripture, but would render incorrect the period of ministry for the two witnesses, about whom it is said, "and they shall prophesy a thousand two-hundred and three score days" (Rev. 11:3). And this: "Power was given unto him (the beast) to continue forty and two months" (Rev. 13:5).

How may we understand what Jesus meant by "except those days were shortened"? Simply by inquiring about the meaning of the word "days." "And God called the light Day, and the darkness, he called Night" (Gen. 1:5). Thus, what will be shortened is the light periods. Here, we may ask, Why? How?

The reason is clear. The fourth angel will pour out his vial on the sun and men will be scorched (Rev. 16:8,9). That is, the sun will become a nova. A nova is a star (or heavenly body) that suddenly increases its light output tremendously. The resultant misery will be unspeakable, so the light period will be shortened during those days.

How? From the human viewpoint, it could only result from God's causing the earth to revolve more rapidly on its axis, or moving the earth out of its present position. The former suggestion is untenable, for then no flesh could survive. The latter is not only likely, but the divinely revealed one. "Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, in the day of his fierceanger" (Isa. 13:13). And, of course, this moving would be nearer the sun, thus curtailing the daylight period.

DEVASTION. The cosmic upheavals will be so terrifyingly horrendous as to place them beyond human comprehension. They will consist of seven seal judgments, seven trumpet judgments and seven vial or bowl judgments. These are not exactly concurrant in development; neither are they exactly consecutive. Someone has aptly said, "Imagine yourself looking through a telescope which has three adjustments. You look as far as you can through the first adjustment, then you move it to the second, then to the third. In each instance you are looking in the same direction but seeing farther and more clearly with each adjustment." And so it is with these judgments. Each one is a further magnification of the fierceness of divine wrath.

With the breaking of the first seal, the terrifying beast (Antichrist) makes a mad dash to conquer the world and with no regard for human life (Rev. 6:2). Peace is taken from the earth (Rev. 6:8). famine ensues (Rev. 6:6), and Death and Hell hold sway (Rev. 6:8). Matters grow progressively worse as the world's worst dictator seeks to consolidate and to further his position; and, when he does, the earth will writhe in misery and woe. But it is not only a reign of human terror, it is also a time of divine wrath outpoured (Rev. 6:17). These judgments will drape this sin-sick earth with the blackest, fiercest, bitterest plagues ever known. There will be a total revocation of civil rights. And this is but an intimation of what it's all about. The descriptions and devastations pertain largely to the second half of the week.

Were we to seek basic reasons for the prevailing unhealthy division among God's people in this most critical of all hours and on this most blessed of all doctrines - the glorious appearing of our Lord - we would be forced sooner or later to concede that dispensational misunderstanding heads the list.

Augustine (354-430) said, "Distinguish the ages and the Scriptures harmonize." This presupposes that God has order and arrangement in His "purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth" (Isa. 14:26). Thus, we are bound to admit to a number of irrefutable Bible facts:
___ 1. That God Himself divided or departmentalized the human family (Gen. 10:32); that He chose Israel in a special sense (Deut. 7:6); that He is calling out a distinct company known as the Church (Acts 15:14); that He in this present age recognizes the divisions He has made (1 Corinth. 10:32)).
___ 2. That God, having so differentiated among men, has different and distinct dealings with them; that He made covenants with Israel to which the Gentiles are strangers (Eph. 2:12); that He makes promises to the Church which others cannot claim (Rom.8:17).
___ 3. That differences of divine dealing presage differences of destination and reward; that the Church will appear "with Him in Glory" (Col.3:4); that saved Israel will appear with Him in the land promised to Abraham (Ezek. 37:12,21).
___ 4. That the God who made the nations both appointed the bounds of their habitation and determined their times (Acts 17:26).
___ 5. That the differences of divine covenants and decrees are characterized by the time element in application and administration. there is initiation and termination, inception and conclusion, beginning and ending. As an illustration in point, we note that the "times of the Gentiles" had a definite starting point (Dan. 2:37), and will have a specific cessation (Dan. 2:34).
___ 6. That there must follow the fact that the Church, likewise, had a specific commencement (Acts 2) and will have a specific consummation (1 Thess. 4:16,17).
___ 7. That the Church is separate and distinct from Israel in position, privilege and prospect; that the time-period of God's dealings with it does not coincide with nor overlap the period of Hid dealings with Israel; that, therefore, it must follow that we cannot exegete the Church either into Daniel's 69th week past or into Daniel's 70th week future.

Then there is the problem of exegesis, the area of critical analysis. In presenting a clear, accurate picture of the rapture (as indeed would hold true for any doctrine), important but simple laws of interpretive procedure must be respected. PERTINENCE is perhaps the most basic. Are the references cited applicable? Is the subject at hand unquestionably in view in the context?

Those who keep on the right side of the cross will be more nearly correct in their conclusions and concepts regarding the Church, both as to its present and its future. To wander into the inapplicable cannot but precipitate confusion.

Those who insist that Matthew 24:27-31 is identical in meaning with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, would do well to set the two portions down in juxtaposition. In this way, the contrast becomes evident, and, this being true, the Matthew context cannot be used as proof that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation.

MATTHEW 24:27 - 31 ......................... 1 THESS. 4:16 - 17

1) Signs in the skies (27) .................... No such signs mentioned.
2) Armageddon in view (28) .................. Armageddon not in view.
3) Disruptions in the heavens (29) ..........Tribulation not indicated.
4) Signs of 2nd Advent (30) .................. A reunion in the heavens.
5) People on earth mourn (30) .............. Joy in meeting the Lord.
6) Son of man comes in clouds (30) ......Saints go up in clouds.
7) Christ sends His angels (31) ............ Christ Himself descends.
8) Angels sound trumpets (31) ............. Christ descends with trump.
9) Angels gather His elect (31) ............. Christ catches up His saints.

No resurrection mentioned ............... Dead in Christ are raised.

CONFUSION OF TERMINOLOGY AND TYPE: We are fettered with religious cliches, meaningless colloquialisms and traditional axioms. In the province of prophecy this is very apparent. For instance, what is meant by the oft-heard expression, "looking for the second coming of Christ?" The first coming was His descent to earth at Bethlehem. The second coming will be His descent to the Mt. of Olives after the Great Tribulation.

To state that the second coming is in two phases - coming for His saints, then later coming with His saints - is not a satisfactory explanation. Christ came the first time in one stage. He will come the second time in one stage. And please observe, this is distinctly the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Observe further that, while the Old Testament prophets saw two towering mountain peaks, they did not see the valley of the Church age in between, a matter "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is NOW revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (EPH. 3:5).

There are certain Church exclusives, and one of these is the fact that he Lord, the Head of the body (Col 1:18), will appear in the heavens (not come to the earth) to catch up the members of His Body (1 Thess. 4:16). Then, He will turn to His prophesied dealings with Daniel's people (Dan. 9:24). When He was dealing with Israel as a people, He was not dealing with the Church. When He resumes His dealings with Israel, He will have completed His earthly dealings with His Church.

And when it comes to types, some Post-tribulationists refer to Daniel in the lion's den and to the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace as illustrative of the Church being "kept" in the fierceness of the Great Tribulation. These references, of course, are not applicable; therefore they are useless in this connection. These experiences were the vented animosity of the enemy against God's people. The tribulation plagues are the wrath of God against His enemies. And those who cite the Church martyrs to support post-tribulation contention should know that they were victims of satanic vengeance. The Great Tribulation will be the fearful judgment of God in unprecedented measure upon a world that rejected His Son.

On the other hand, the accounts of the flood and the destruction of Sodom are quite apropos. simply because in each instance it was the judgment of God. Noah was spared from the deluge (taken from the earth while the flood persisted) as all others outside the ark perished. Lot had to be brought out of Sodom before the judgment could come, for Jehovah said, "I cannot do anything till thou come hither" (Gen. 19:22). "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire" (Gen. 19:24). It is difficult to believe the Lord will be less mindful of and less compassionate for His own in this future time of His poured out judgment.

In our day, when a nation declers war, it is customary to recall its ambassadors before hostilities begin, The tribulation judgments are a declared war on this sinful and rebellous earth, and the Lord wil recall His ambassadors first (ll Cor. 5:20).

With Noah, it was "Come in" (Gen. 7:1).

with Lot, it was "Come out" (Gen. 19:22).

with the Church, it will be "Come up" (l Thess. 4:16).

In each instance, God delivers His own from the judgment which He Himself imposes, while unbelievers must experience what they are now laying up for themselves - "wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Rom. 2:5).

Some attempt to explain the rapture as a going out of the bride to meet the Bridegroom, then to return at once with Him. They believe the "five wise virgins" (Matt. 25:2) support this view.

Here again is obvious misapplication. Citing a plural figure of virgins as applicable to the Church not only puts the Church where it is not found, but it fails to harmonize with Paul's careful statement, "I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin (singular) to Christ" (ll Corin. 11:2).

There is also the problem of word meanings. We must differentiate between "wrath" and "condemnation" in Bible doctrine. When Paul wrote "who hath delivered us (believers) from the wrath to come" (l Thess. 1:10), he was not referring to the condemnation of an eternal hell, but the fierceness of the Great Tribulation. The same is true in 1 Thessalonians 5:9: "for God hath not appointed us (Paul and all believers) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." What salvation shall those already saved from eternal condemnation receive? Salvation from the wrath of the Great Tribulation. Thus, the true believer is saved both from wrath and condemnation, for Jesus said, "I will keep thee from the hour of temptation," which is the Great Tribulation (Rev.3:10).

It is said that Saul of Tarsus, by mistreating the Church, was actually persecuting the Savior (Acts 9:5), for believers are one with Him - "members of His body, flesh of His flesh, bone of His bones" (Eph. 5:30). For the Lamb to pour out His wrath on His Church (which is His body) in the Great Tribulation would be, by the same token, a chastening of Himself. This is not conceivable.

You may ask why Jesus Said, "For the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matt. 24:22), if the Church will not go through the tribulation periods. First, let it be said that it is difficult to comprehend how one can discover the Church in the context where this verse appears. Second, the word "elect" has a variety of applications. That which is elect has been divinely chosen. Priests were chosen of God (Deut. 21:5). Judges were chosen (Judg. 2:18). Kings were chosen (1 Sam. 10:24). Prophets were chosen (Isa. 43:10). Jerusalem was chosen (Zech.3:2). Israel was chosen (Deut. 7:6). The Church is chosen (11 Thess. 2:13).

The tribulation saints likewise will be chosen of God, the initial converts being termed the "firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" (Rev. 14:4). It therefore seems unwise for people to augur for the Church's presence in Daniel's 70th week on the strength of this statement in Matthew 24:22 where Jesus speaks of the elect of a future time.

Perhaps a comment should be made concerning the last trump. "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump" (1 Cor. 15:52).

The trump is the sound or the blast. It is not the instrument itself. And the word "last" is connected with the sound, not the instrument. When the apostle refers to the trumpet, he very noticeably does not term it the last. Yet one prominent post-tribulationist writer says, "The last trump means the last and is, therefoe, the last of the seven trumpets of the tribulation." Reason could not be delt a more severe blow! Even if it were in 1 Corinthians 15:52 the last trump of the last trumpet, that would not make it the seventh trumpet judgment, for the wrath period is not remotely associated with the context.

Trumpets in the Bible days had various forms and a variety of uses. The trumpet concerning Israel had its own peculiar connotations. The trumpet regarding the Church has its own special meanings. And the trumpet in the Tribulation will have a seperate importance. When our blessed Lord descends in the air, the significance of the trumpet is that of the gathering His own people (the Church) unto Himself. The reason it is termed the "last trump" is that it is the final signal of the Captain of the Lord's hosts for this age. It terminates the Church's activities and heralds the glad day of meeting Christ. It is not right to carry the thought beyond this and locate it in another area of unrelated Scripture.

The last trump of 1 Corinthians 15:52 is identical with the "trump of God" in 1 Thess. 4:16, and absolutely not synonymous with the Seventh Trumpet judgment of Revelation 11:15-19. In the former, the Lord receives His Church; in the latter, the kingdoms of the world. In the former, the Church is caught up; in the latter, the four and twenty elders fall on their faces. in the former, there is joy unspeakable; in the latter, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

In the tribulation context of the Revelation, we note the Jew and his temple, but never the Church and its leaders; the covenant of Antichrist with Israel made and broken, but no such official dealings of Antichrist with the Church. Noteworthy too is the fact that the seven lampstands of the Church (Rev.1:13) give way to the two lampstands of the extraordinary witnesses (Rev. 11:4), both of whom are of Old Testament vintage.

Thus, by statement and symbol, by figure and fact, the Church is not discovered in the 70th week of Daniel, especially the Great Tribulation - the coming period of unprecedented divine judgment poured out upon this earth that rejected Jesus Christ.