The Rapture and the Great Tribulation

   There are those who believe that we are now living in the End Times, the times talked about in the book of Revelation, and there are others who scoff at the idea and prefer to have their heads in the sand. The Bible states that in the last days scoffers will come and will say, "where is the promise of his coming?" No one knows the day, nor the hour, of the return of the Lord, but we have been told that we would know the season, due to the signs of the times. Many believe we are now living in the time of the return of the Lord, the rapture of the church, and the great tribulation for those left behind.
   The rapture of the church, is believed to be, when Christ comes for His bride, to take her home, prior to the tribulation on earth. Many believe this to be imminent. That it may occur any day now. All churches believe in the Second Coming of Christ, but all do not believe in the rapture. The Catholic church does not believe in the rapture. Those who do believe in it, think that it will include, all children under age 12, and faithful believers who are watching for the return of the Lord.
   In the book of Revelation, seven churches are discussed. These churches are prototypes for the churches of today. To the church of Philadelphia it is said,"since you have endured patiently, I will keep you from the hour of trial coming upon the whole world." Also the church of Philadelphia is said to have kept God's word and not to have denied His name. To the church of Smyrna God says, "be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life." Also it is said that the devil will test the church of Smyrna and imprison them for a short time. Other churches were said to have fallen away due to, forsaking their first love,  following false gospels, tolerating immorality, falling asleep, becoming lukewarm, and trusting in riches. The church of today is often referred to as the Laodicean church or the lukewarm church.
   The rapture is also discussed in I Corinthians 15:51 where it says, "we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet."
   Many Christians do believe in the rapture, most think it will be pre-tribulation, while others believe it will be mid or post trib. 
   Those who believe in the rapture also believe, that after the faithful church remnant is removed, that the great tribulation will begin. It is said in the Bible that the tribulation will be cut short or no flesh would survive. The Bible says there will be great distress, not seen since the beginning of time, and never to be seen again. There is much speculation on what the distress will entail, but it is speculated to include, World War Three, takeover by the Antichrist, the mark of the beast (RFID), an EMP attack resulting in major power loss, food and water shortages, martial law, fires, riots, a shift of the earth's axis, earthquakes, and FEMA death camps.
   There is a question as to why God would allow such suffering and the destruction of the world? But it is clear in the book of Revelation, that evil will only prevail for a season, and then God wins in the end. "And God shall wipe away all tears, there will be no more death or mourning, crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."
   In the end Satan will be bound for a thousand years and God will set up his kingdom in the new Jerusalem, on the new earth. There will also be a new heaven. God will rule and all will worship and honor Him. 
   It is promised that a great multitude will overcome in the tribulation, wash their robes, and make them white, by the blood of the lamb. God will prevail, even in the darkness. He will never leave us nor forsake us.