The Question From Silence

 

"Where does Scripture say that the rapture comes before the tribulation?" That question, that argument from silence, is where many inquisitive students of Scripture start and where many surface students stop.

But let us delve deeper.

Do you realize that Old Testament scholars could have asked a similar question? "Where does Scripture say that Christ will come twice, and the two comings will be at least 2000 years apart?" Would such a question have led to the correct conclusion?

Do you balance the first question by asking the companion question? "Where does Scripture say that the rapture comes after the tribulation?" Silence in answer to this question becomes especially significant in light of two key passages about the coming of Christ after the tribulation. First, Matthew 24:31 mentions a "gathering" after the tribulation. Parallel passages in Isaiah reveal that this refers to the gathering of Israel to Jerusalem. So why would Matthew mention this gathering and omit the catching up into the clouds if there were a catching up at this time? Second, Revelation 19 describes the coming of Christ after the tribulation. Why does this passage mention those who come down with Christ but omit any who are caught up to meet Christ? And why does the following chapter mention a resurrection, well after the coming of Christ, and omit mention of the dead in Christ who rise first? Silence sounds more deafening in these two cases (Matthew 24 and Revelation 19), because these are the very spots where you would expect some mention of it. That makes it more compelling to ask, "Where does Scripture say that the rapture comes after the tribulation?

These questions still argue from silence. So we can delve even deeper. A deeper question would be, "Does Scripture allow a rapture after the tribulation?" No, Scripture reveals at least seven reasons why the rapture cannot happen after the tribulation. No silent answer here. This question's answer shouts seven-fold, ""No, no, no, no, no, no, no!"

Too many students of Scripture stick to a question from silence, because somehow they feel safer there. But deeper questions bring deeper convictions.