There are many reasons I think a pre tribulation rapture of the church is likely. I am not dogmatic about this issue. Use wisdom and don’t expect to be spared persecution but here are a few questions I don’t think a post trib person can answer adequately.

1. How could a post trib rapture sneak up on anyone?

In Mark 13 Jesus is talking about the tribulation period. This period gets so bad that if Jesus didn’t come back no flesh would be saved (Matt 24:22). We know it starts with the rise of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:3). We know the antichrist sets up a mandatory “mark of the beast” that involves the right hand and/or the forehead required for purchases (Rev 13:16-18). We know 1/3 of humanity will die in wars (Rev 9:12-21). Demonic locusts that can sting like scorpions will be attacking humans at one point (Rev 9:1-11). ALL SEA CREATURES will die at one point (Rev 16:3). Rivers will turn into blood (Rev 16:4-7). The Euphrates river will dry up. I mean this is BAD. And it is also remarkable and noticeable. There is nothing discreet about the great tribulation.

Considering how obviously devastating the tribulation is, consider these words Jesus says in Matthew 24 when talking about the last days:

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming… be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

How could a post trib rapture be unexpected or sneak up on anyone? Especially considering that once Antichrist is in control we will know there is 3.5 years left until Jesus returns! You would think that once every sea creature dies anyone at all familiar with the Bible will know that His return is just about to happen. There is no way that a post trib return can sneak up on anyone. It just can’t. It will be very clear that humanity is in the tribulation and that He is about to crush the antichrist. I mean you will have had to resist the mark of the beast and find other ways to get your food even! You won’t notice that?! So a very significant problem for post trib proponents. See also Mark 13:33-37, Luke 21:34-36

2. How can the Millennial Reign have people in glorified bodies and fleshly bodies?

When Jesus returns He sets up His kingdom for 1000 years on earth. During this period there are people that have glorified/ heavenly bodies living with people who are still in regularly bodies and are capable of sin (Isaiah 65:20, Rev 2-:7-10). If the rapture and glorified bodies are given after the tribulation when Jesus returns how are there any believers in fleshly bodies to populate the Millennium Kingdom? It just doesn’t seem to fit.

3. How can we explain Luke 21:36 (must be KJV or NKJV which use the more accurate “received text”) and Revelation 3:10?

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

The bulk of the evidence indicates there is a pretrib rapture coming AT ANY TIME. But that doesn’t mean persecution couldn’t increase beforehand. Christians are being persecuted around the world everyday and we should all pray that we may be counted worthy to escape in the rapture and walk with Him daily! His return is imminent!