The following originally appeared at http://www.cornerstonechurchonline.com/biblestudies/Answers+Post+Trib.htm

Answers to Post-Trib Questions

People who believe in a post-tribulation rapture offer several arguments against a pre-tribulation rapture. Listed below are some answers to their arguments.

Argument #1: "The Bible doesn't teach there will be two second comings. What right do you have to split the second coming into two events?"

In the Old Testament, there were two different pictures painted of the Messiah—one suffering (Isa. 53:2-10, Ps. 22:6-8, 11-18) and one reigning as King (Ps. 2:6-12, Zech. 14:9,16). As we look back on these Scriptures, we see they predicted two separate comings of the Messiah—the first coming as a suffering Messiah and the second coming (still future) as a reigning King.

In the New Testament, we have another picture added. Again, we have two pictures painted and they don’t match. These two descriptions of Jesus’ coming point to two separate events we call "The Rapture" and "The Second Coming." (see "The Rapture vs. The Second Coming" Bible study)

Argument #2: "Jesus said the rapture would occur immediately after the tribulation (Matt. 24:29-31) when He sends for the angels to gather His elect."

Answer: This is not the rapture for several reasons:

1. Christians will receive resurrected bodies at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-53). If we are in resurrected bodies like Jesus, we will be able to ascend just like Jesus did when He ascended (Acts 1:9). Why would we need angels to gather us when our bodies will have the same capabilities as angels (Matt. 22:30)? Obviously, they are gathering the elect, those who have been saved after the rapture who are in their natural bodies.
2. The angels also gather the wicked at this time (Matt. 13:38-43, 49-50).
3. If you make the argument that the angels gathering the elect in Matt. 24 is the rapture, then you will also have to claim the angels gathering the wicked in Matt. 13 is also the rapture. Of course, no one believes the wicked are raptured at the second coming.
4. The angels are sent forth to gather both the righteous and the wicked together for the judgment of the nations (Matt. 25:31-48). These are all people in their natural bodies. The wicked will be cast into the lake of fire, while the righteous will enter into the millennial kingdom.

Argument #3: The rapture will occur at "the last trumpet" (1 Cor. 15:52), meaning at the second coming.

The last trump is a term used for the last trumpet blown during the Feast of Trumpets. The rapture will be the fulfillment of the Jewish Feast of Trumpets:

"The 'last trump' refers to the Feast of Trumpets and the Jewish practice of blowing trumpets at this feast each year. During the ceremony, there is a series of short trumpet blasts of various lengths, concluding with the longest blast of all, called the tekiah gedolah: the great, or 'last trump.' Judaism connected this last trump with the resurrection of the dead, and so does Paul. So, Paul's point here is that the Rapture will be the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets. [Arnold Fruchtenbaum, "A Review of The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church" (Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries), p.58]

Argument #4: "The pre-tribulation rapture was invented by those who afraid to go through persecution."

No one (that we know of) who holds the pre-tribulation rapture position has ever said Christians will escape persecution. Jesus said the world would hate us (John 15:18). The rapture will occur at a separate time than the second coming because God has different programs for the Church and Israel. God has not destined the Church for the wrath that will be poured out during the tribulation (1 Thess. 5:8).

Argument #5: "Paul said in 2 Thess. 2:1-9 that the rapture wouldn't occur until the antichrist is revealed."

Paul is speaking of the day of the Lord (the Tribulation), not the rapture. Paul is showing the relationship between the rapture (v.1) and the day of the Lord (v.2).

First, the day of the Lord refers to the The Tribulation period, not the rapture.

The "day of the Lord" doesn't mean a 24 hour day, but a time period of judgment (Isa. 2:12, 13:6,9, Ezek. 13:5, 30:3, Joel 1:15, 2:1,11,31, 3:14, Amos 5:18, 20) The Thessalonians were shaken and disturbed because someone had deceived them into believing the Tribulation Period had begun. Paul said the antichrist must be revealed before this happens. When the antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel, he will be revealed, beginning the 7 year Tribulation period.

Second, if the Thessalonians believed in a post-tribulation rapture, shouldn't they be rejoicing?

If the Thessalonians had been taught a post-tribulation rapture, they would have been rejoicing because the beginning of the Tribulation was evidence the post-tribulation rapture was near. They wouldn’t be disturbed or alarmed because this is what they would have expected--to go through the Tribulation.

But we find the Thessalonians were disturbed. Why? Because if the Tribulation period had begun, it meant they missed the rapture. This is why Paul writes them about the rapture (v.1), then explains that the Tribulation period begins when the antichrist is revealed. Because that hadn't happened yet, they didn't miss the rapture.

Questions for Post-Tribbers

Question #1: If the rapture occurs at the second coming, who will populate the millennium?

According to the post-tribulation rapture theory, at the second coming all Christians will receive resurrected bodies and all lost people go to the lake of fire. Who will be left to repopulate the world during the millennium? Because people in their resurrected bodies can't reproduce (Matt. 22:30), it will require people in their natural bodies.

(Answer: These are people saved after the rapture.)

Question #2: Why is the rapture missing from Rev. 19:11-23?

Rev. 19:11-23 gives a description of the second coming, yet the rapture is noticeably absent. The same holds true for Zech. 14:1-7. Some may call this an argument from silence, yet this silence speaks quite loudly. The biggest event in the history of the Church where hundreds of millions of people are resurrected--is not mentioned!

(Answer: It's not mentioned because it doesn't happen at that time.)

Question #3: Who is gathered first, the wicked (Matt. 13:30, 49) or the righteous (1 Thess. 4:16-17)?

Both can't be gathered first.

(Answer: These are two events separated in time.)

Question #4 Since Christians will be rewarded (crowns) at the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8, 1 Pet. 5:4, Luke 14:14), how can the 24 elders in heaven already have their crowns (Rev. 4:4-10) if the rapture hasn't taken place?

(Answer: The rapture must have taken place)

Question #5: Why do the sheep and goats need to be separated if they are already separated by a rapture at the second coming (Matt. 25:31-33)?

(Answer: The rapture doesn't occur at the second coming, so the sheep and the goats will need to be separated.)

Question #6: At the end of the millennium, where do the non-Christians come from

(Rev. 20:7-10)?

(Answer: These are the people born during the millennium. They are the descendents of those who have entered the millennium in their natural bodies.)

Question #7: How can Jesus return from the wedding if the wedding hasn't taken place (Luke 12:36)?

(Answer: The wedding, or marriage of Christ to His Church, has already taken place.)

Question #8: Who is the "one who restrains" that must be taken out of the way before the antichrist is revealed (2 Thess. 2:7)?

(Answer: The Church is the biggest hindrance to the Antichrist coming to power.)

Question #9: Jesus promised He would prepare a place for Christians in heaven, then would return to take us there (John 14:2-3). According to the post-tribulation theory, Jesus returns to earth and stays here with the Church. Why would Jesus prepare a place for us in heaven and then not take us there?

(Answer: A post-tribulation rapture cannot explain John 14:2-3.)