What does this all mean? The three positions listed are in reference to the rapture or “transporting” of the church.
The Mid-Trib view espouses that the Church (all of the living Christians) will stay on earth up to the first half of the tribulation; but does not line up with 1 Thessalonians 5:9.
The Post-Trib view lines the rapture up with the end of the tribulation and essentially suggests that the Lord would meet the church in the air, take them to heaven and then bring them back to earth to accompany Him in the battle of Armageddon. It does not line up with 1 Thessalonians 5:9 or Revelation 3:10.
Grace Church teaches a pre-trib time period for the rapture to occur (Romans 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10). The proof for this position is fairly overwhelming. It is important to note that among all of the “characters” involved in the tribulation, the church is not mentioned anywhere from Revelation 6-19. The purpose of the tribulation is listed HERE.
The purpose of the rapture is (1) to take the church out of the way of God’s coming wrath of God (2) judge and reward the followers of Christ at the judgment seat also knowns as the Bema Seat. (Which we will discuss on week #4 of the series) (2 Corinthians 5:10) (3) to remove the influence of the Spirit of God (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
Here are a couple more articles for your information.
1. Why a Pretribulational Rapture?