Why Hasn’t the Tribulation Started?

Some believe that the rapture has already happened. Others believe there will not be a rapture of the church. Yet others believe that we are already in the tribulation. Some even believe there will not be a tribulation. I believe a careful reading of the Bible reveals a pre-tribulation rapture of the church and a coming tribulation. So, why haven’t we been raptured, and why hasn’t the tribulation started? What is the Lord waiting for? What still needs to happen?

Why Haven’t We Been Raptured?

There are a couple of theories concerning why we’re still here. First is the theory that God is waiting on the last person to accept Christ before He raptures the church. I was taught this stance and believed it for most of my Christian walk. Is God waiting on that last pre-tribulation saint to accept Christ? Some say yes, and others say no. Secondly, some say no because many accept Christ during the tribulation and many others during the millennial reign of Christ. I think it’s just an exercise in semantics. God has His plan, and He’s running it in His own time and for His purpose. So, whether God is waiting or just following His plan, His purpose will be done either way. The fact is that nothing else needs to happen before the rapture of the church. This fact was true 2,000 years ago, and it will be true tomorrow.

Why Hasn’t the Tribulation Started?

There are many reasons, but those reasons are diminishing quickly. First, you must remove the restrainer. So, what do I mean by restrainer? The restrainer is the Holy Spirit of God that dwells within His saints (Christians). After the rapture takes place, all the Spirit-filled Christians will be gone. This departure will temporarily render the Holy Spirit a non-player in the game of life on earth. That will be short-lived, but during that lull, Satan will deceive the masses, give rise to the false prophet, and install the Antichrist. Therefore, the restrainer must be removed before the tribulation. Second, All the end-time players must be in place. That has not quite occurred. Ezekiel 38 defines the end times players. The modern countries described include Russia, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Iran. All of these end-times players are in place and capable of sending a standing army against Israel except Libya. I and many others believe Russia will play a role in stabilizing Libya, which is in a two-party civil war. When they are stabilized and can mount an attack, the Ezekiel war will commence.

Will this happen before or after the peace treaty that allows the third temple to be built? The Bible doesn’t say. But, the third temple treaty must also be in place before the tribulation.

So, Why Hasn’t the Tribulation Started?

God is running His time clock. But we are close. Just a couple of things need to fall into place before the tribulation happens. I thank God that I will not be here. I will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. I will be in Heaven when the tribulation breaks loose. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says,

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” So, all true believers – Born-again Christians will not be subject to God’s wrath. That’s one of the reasons I write. I want to share with everyone that you don’t have to face God’s wrath. You can have eternal life, eternal peace, eternal comfort, complete fulfillment, and glorious eternal service to our Lord Jesus. All you have to do is accept the free gift of salvation that Christ offers. See my Salvation page for more information.

Trust in God’s plan. Be patient – I’m sharing that for my own sake as well. I want the rapture to happen today! But I’m more than willing to wait and let God fulfill His perfect plans in His own good time. If I have to die before the rapture, that’s fine too. I know that if the rapture happens tomorrow or 20 years after I’ve died of old age, I can trust that I’m ready. Are you ready? If not, you can be. If you’re not saved, visit my Salvation page today!

Final Thoughts

I don’t wish the tribulation on anyone. About half of the population of the earth will die horrible deaths. So, even if you enter the tribulation, you only have about a 50 percent chance of surviving it, and those are horrible odds. The deaths will come from various plagues and pestilences, wars, and a vast array of “natural disasters.” In other words, God’s wrath. The tribulation will be a seven-year period when the rulers prosper, and everyone else experiences hunger, thirst, illness, pain, and death. Don’t be there!!! Be in Heaven instead!!!