With the revival of premillennialism during the post-Reformation period, there have been a number of two-stage second coming theories postulated. There are numerous claims or suggestions of pre-trib rapture statements that have been made down through recent history. However, I think many of them should be grouped into a category that could be better described as “a two-stage second coming.” In other words, this species is not pretribulationism which is composed of the rapture of the church, followed by a few years of the tribulation, resulting in the second coming of Christ to earth. Instead, this variety occurs at the end of the tribulation and may have two stages involved in the second coming. Such a scenario is posttribulational and may have as many as a 45-day interval between the two comings.
Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:3
I believe that there is a strong possibility that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is speaking of the rapture. What do I mean? Some pretribulationists, like myself, think that the Greek noun apostasia, usually translated "apostasy," is a reference to the rapture and should be translated "departure." Thus, this passage would be saying that the day of the Lord will not come until the rapture comes before it. If apostasia is a reference to a physical departure, then 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is strong evidence for pretribulationism...
I recently received the following question: “I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church but the only post-trib argument, that almost every post-trib believer uses, that has stumped me deals with scriptures where Jesus Himself refers to raising up His followers on the last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54 and Mark 8:38). These verses coupled with (John 11:24) make a very strong case for a post-tribulation catching away (rapture) of the saints. . . .
Critics of the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy have often questioned the biblical legitimacy of a term we use called “the tribulation.” The truth of a worldwide time of tribulation that lasts for seven years is derived primarily from the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation, however it is used many times in other passages. I hope to demonstrate in this article the fact that the Bible does indeed teach that there will be a seven-year period known as the tribulation which will be future to our own day...
The modern state of Israel is under attack, not just from the Muslims, but increasingly by so-called Evangelicals, especially among those who are thirty-five and younger. A generation ago, it was virtually synonymous to be pro-Israel and Evangelical, however, with the arrival of so-called “postmodern Christianity” it has become more important to be relevant to the pagan culture than to be biblical on issues. And increasingly the world is finding reasons to oppose Israel at the same time when that same world is increasingly becoming more anti-Christian...