When Does God’s Wrath Begin?

 

 

Over the years I have heard many prophecy sermons and read prophecy articles that have put forth the idea that the rapture occurs before God’s wrath is poured out. I agree with this premise, for it is clearly stated in scripture that Christians will not be subject to God’s wrath and thus, the rapture must occur before God’s wrath.

 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thes 5:9.

 

Where I differ with most other preachers is the timing of when God’s wrath begins. Most preachers believe that the wrath of God begins with the opening of Seal 1.

 

This is impossible.

 

Here is why; If God’s wrath begins at Seal 1, as they believe, then Seal 5 would be part of God’s wrath too. But Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians. God’s wrath does not include the persecution of Jews and Christians.

 

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

 

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Rev 6:9-11

 

Therefore, God’s wrath cannot begin until after Seal 5, because God’s wrath cannot be poured out upon His children. And that is exactly what scripture tells us, that God’s wrath begins after Seal 5 at the opening of Seal 6.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal…For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12,17

 

So, I pretty much believe exactly the same as the pretribulation preachers, I just differ on when God’s wrath begins and thus when the rapture occurs. 

They say God’s wrath begins at Seal 1, which I showed was a scriptural impossibility. I say that since Seal 5 includes the persecution of Jews and Christians, God’s wrath cannot start until after Seal 5 because God’s children cannot be subject to His wrath. 

Therefore, the rapture which occurs before God’s wrath must occur after the opening of Seal 6. And that is exactly what God’s Word tells us—that the rapture occurs after the opening of Seal 6, that is why the people of the earth hide in the dens and caves, because they see Jesus in the sky at the rapture event.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

 

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

 

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

 

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

 

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

 

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12-17

 

Here is a summary:

 

Pretribulation: God’s wrath begins at Seal 1 and continues to Armageddon.

 

Prewrath: God’s wrath begins at Seal 6 and continues to Armageddon.

 

Since Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians, it cannot be part of God’s wrath. Thus, God’s wrath cannot begin until after Seal 5.

 

Thus, the pretribulation rapture theory creates a contradiction and is not correct.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal…For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12,17

 

Scripture clearly tells us when God’s wrath begins and the rapture occurs—after Seal 6 is opened—why do so few believe it?

 

So, when does God’s wrath begin? God’s Word clearly states it begins after the opening of seal 6—For the great day of His wrath is come. The fact that Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians supports that fact.

 

Why do so few believe what God’s Word clearly states and continue to adhere to their false pretribulation theory?

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." — Luke 21:36

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