A great stumbling block to many believers is the idea that the Church will be raptured away prior to the great time of trouble. The scriptures however contradict this thought and show that the Church will still be here during the opening stages of the tribulation.

Nahum 1:5-8 confirms this thought. Verse 5 reveals the mountains quaking, the hills melting and the whole world being devoured by the presence of the Lord. Verse 6 asks, “Who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?” Verses 7 and 8 answer this question: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.” The “day of trouble” (see also Dan. 12:1; Zeph 1:14-15), which accompanies the Lord’s presence finds the church still here on the earth. And the Lord is their stronghold during this tribulation; whereas, in Verse 8, he will pursue his enemies with an overrunning flood and darkness (error and confusion).

“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” (2 Thess 2:11)

Study Psa 46:1-6, which deals with the tribulation period that brings the present world to an end. While the earth is being removed, while the mountains are being carried into the sea, while the sea is roaring, while the mountains are shaking, we find in Verse 4 that the church, the “City of God,” IS STILL ON THE EARTH.

Why is it that “she shall not be moved” during the tribulation?

Is it because she is with Christ in heaven?

No! It is because “God is in the midst of her” while she is yet here on earth. The church would not need this protection if she was already taken home, but she needs it in the time of trouble while she is still here. God will not only protect her in the early stages, but in addition, He “will help her right early.” The church will only experience part of the tribulation (the opening stages, the hour of power and etc.) before her resurrection change.

Nor can this refer to “tribulation saints,” (the Great Company class) since only the church, the bride of Christ, is symbolized in Scripture as the “City of God” (compare Psa. 46:4 and Rev. 21:2).

A deeper insight into the nature of the tribulation in Psalms 46 is obtained from the meaning of the word mountain as used in the Bible. In Jer 51:24-25, the nation of Babylon, because of her many military victories, is called a “destroying mountain.” Likewise in Isa 41:15 speaking of the nations that opposed Israel it states that Israel would “thresh the mountains” and “make the hills as chaff.” In Dan 2:35, 44, 45, the Kingdom of God is spoken of as a “great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” thus we see in Scriptural usage, mountains are symbolic of nations, people (see Rev. 17:15).

The roaring sea would represent the restless or anarchistic elements of mankind. When Psalms 46 says, “The waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” and “though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” it means “the great tribulation” will result in the destruction of the nations by anarchistic elements of society.

A further proof that the church is still here during part of the tribulation is found in Matt 24:21. Remember, Matthew 24 contains a series of signs or events that would denote NOT the imminent coming, but the secret arrival or presence of Christ. Faithful watchers would discern these signs of Christ’s presence. A period of unprecedented trouble is spoken of in Matt 24:21 as one of the signs of Christ’s presence; and the faithful watchers will see the signs of this impending trouble long before others. Therefore logic dictates that some of the church will still be here on earth when the tribulation begins in order that they might discern it as a sign of Christ’s presence.

These scriptures are but a few that reveal that the church will still be on earth during part of the tribulation contrary to the false idea put forth by many that the Church will be rapture away before the trouble begins.” (Excerpts taken from the booklet, “I Will Come Again” edited)