The Pre-Wrath Rapture Explained (KJV-Based)
Chapter 1: What Is the Pre-Wrath Rapture?
Introduction: Why Rapture Timing Matters
For centuries, Christians have eagerly anticipated the "Blessed Hope" — the return of Jesus Christ.
However, the exact timing of His return remains a subject of intense debate.
Key Questions:
Will Jesus come before the Tribulation?
Will He come in the middle of it?
Or will He come after the worst part of the Tribulation, but before God’s wrath?
Misunderstanding God's timing can lead to significant consequences, such as:
Being unprepared for persecution
Misrepresenting Scripture
Giving false comfort or creating undue fear
Misidentifying the Day of the Lord
The Pre-Wrath Rapture view provides a clear answer based on the King James Bible and Textus Receptus Greek.
This view teaches that the Church will endure tribulation at the hands of the world and Antichrist but will be raptured just before God's wrath is poured out.
Core Definition
The Pre-Wrath Rapture asserts that the Church will be raptured after the Great Tribulation, but before the Day of the Lord (God's wrath) begins.
This position does not teach that the rapture occurs before the seven-year Tribulation or at the very end of it.
Full KJV Scriptures
Revelation 6:17 (Wrath Begins)
“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
This is the first time God's wrath is explicitly mentioned as having arrived.
Matthew 24:29–31 (Rapture Timing)
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days... he shall send his angels... they shall gather together his elect...”
Here, Jesus provides a clear sequence:
Tribulation (persecution)
Cosmic signs (sun & moon darkened)
Visible return of Christ
Gathering of the elect (rapture)
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (The Catching Up)
“For the Lord himself shall descend... and the dead in Christ shall rise first...”
This passage corresponds with Matthew 24, as it includes the trumpet, return, and gathering of the elect.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (Two Signs First)
“That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed...”
The Antichrist's appearance must precede the Rapture.
Revised Timeline Summary
Sequence
Description
Scripture
1. Beginning Sorrows
Matthew 24:4–8; Revelation 6:1–4
2. Tribulation Begins — Persecution of Saints
Matthew 24:9–14; Revelation 6:5–11
3. Abomination of Desolation
Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4
4. Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:21–28; Revelation 6:9–11
5. Cosmic Signs — Sun & Moon Darkened
Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12–14
6. Jesus Appears — Rapture Happens
Matthew 24:30–31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 7:9–14
7. God’s Wrath Begins — Day of the Lord
Revelation 6:17 → Trumpets & Bowls
Objections & Answers
❌ “The rapture is imminent.”
✅ 2 Thessalonians 2:3 teaches that the Antichrist must appear first. The Day of the Lord cannot come until this occurs.
❌ “Not appointed to wrath.”
✅ This is true, but God's wrath begins at Revelation 6:17, not at the first seal.
The Tribulation refers to satanic persecution, not divine judgment.
The Pre-Wrath Rapture teaches that the Church will not face God's wrath, but will endure tribulation until that time.
Final Summary
✔️ Rapture comes after Antichrist, before wrath
✔️ Aligns with Matthew 24, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Revelation 6–7
✔️ Based on explicit Scripture, not assumptions
Chapter 2: How Pre-Wrath Differs from Pre-Tribulation View
Introduction: Two Views, Two Very Different Roads
Most modern evangelical churches teach the Pre-Tribulation Rapture — the belief that Jesus could return at any moment, secretly taking the Church before the seven-year Tribulation begins.
In contrast, the Pre-Wrath Rapture teaches that Jesus comes after the Tribulation caused by Antichrist but before God pours out His wrath.
These differences are significant because they affect how we prepare, interpret prophecy, and live in anticipation.
Key Differences at a Glance
Feature
Pre-Tribulation View
Pre-Wrath View
Rapture Timing
Before 7-year Tribulation
After Great Tribulation, before God's wrath
Saints in Tribulation?
No (Church is gone)
Yes — persecuted by Antichrist
Wrath Definition
All 7 years = God's wrath
Wrath begins at 6th seal (Rev 6:17)
Imminence Taught?
Yes — any moment
No — Antichrist must appear first
Found in Matthew 24?
No (claimed for Israel only)
Yes — Rapture described in Matt 24:31
Word "Church" in Rev 4–19?
Absent = Church gone
Absent, but "saints" clearly present
Matches Matt 24 & Rev 6–7?
No
Yes — Perfect alignment
Full KJV Scriptures for Each View
Pre-Trib: Claimed Support
Revelation 4:1 — “Come up hither” (used symbolically)
1 Thessalonians 5:9 — “God hath not appointed us to wrath”
➡ Response: Revelation 4:1 is part of John’s vision, not a rapture.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 fits Pre-Wrath since wrath starts at Revelation 6:17.
Pre-Wrath: Clear Sequence Support
Matthew 24:29–31 — Rapture after Tribulation
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 — Antichrist revealed first
Revelation 6:12–17 — Sixth seal: cosmic signs, then wrath
Revelation 7:14 — Saints “came out of great tribulation”
Visual Timeline Comparison
Pre-Tribulation View
Pre-Wrath View
Church Raptured
Tribulation (Satan’s Wrath)
7-Year Tribulation
Rapture
Jesus Returns
God’s Wrath
Common Questions
Isn't the rapture supposed to be imminent?
Answer: No. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says the Day won’t come unless apostasy and Antichrist appear first.
Why isn’t the Church mentioned in Revelation 4–19?
Answer: While "Church" is absent, "saints," "servants," "elect," and "brethren" are clearly present (Rev 7:14).
Doesn’t God rescue His people before judgment?
Answer: Yes — just before His wrath, not before tribulation. (Compare Lot, Noah, Daniel’s friends.)
Greek Word Insight (TR-Based)
Term
Greek (TR)
Meaning
Reference
Rapture
ἁρπάζω (harpazō)
To snatch up suddenly
1 Thess 4:17
Tribulation
θλῖψις (thlipsis)
Affliction, pressure
Matt 24:21; Rev 7:14
Wrath
ὀργή (orgē)
Judicial anger, divine wrath
Rev 6:17; 1 Thess 5:9
Study Questions & Answers
What two events must happen before the rapture according to Paul?
Answer: The falling away and the Antichrist revealed (2 Thess 2:3).
In Matthew 24:29–31, does Jesus gather His elect before or after the Tribulation?
Answer: After: “Immediately after the tribulation…”
What is the difference between tribulation and wrath?
Answer: Tribulation = persecution from man/Satan; Wrath = God’s judgment.
Does the absence of the word “church” mean believers are gone?
Answer: No — believers are still clearly present (Rev 6:9–11; 7:9–14).
Final Summary
✔️ Honors Matthew 24 — Jesus' clear order of events
✔️ Respects 2 Thessalonians 2 — Paul’s warning against deception
✔️ Aligns with Revelation 6–7 — Cosmic signs → wrath → saints in heaven
It avoids:
❌ Symbol readings (e.g., Rev 4:1)
❌ Word-absence arguments (“church”)
❌ Man-made traditions (Darby, Scofield)
Instead, it builds on:
✅ Scripture’s timeline
✅ KJV authority
✅ Contextual accuracy
Final Thoughts:
The Pre-Wrath Rapture provides a coherent, biblically grounded explanation of the rapture's timing.
It remains true to the Scriptures, respecting the sequence presented in Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians, and Revelation.
By focusing on specific passages and Greek word analysis, the Pre-Wrath perspective avoids assumptions and provides a robust theological argument.
It encourages believers to prepare for tribulation, standing firm in faith through the trials to come.