You're referring to a 'pre-tribulation rapture' here, right? The only reason I can see ....is that people "want" to believe that they won't have to suffer during the end times, whether out of fear or out of naivety. But when, in the history of this world, have Christians not had to suffer? When have they been "rescued" before bad things happened?
And why did Jesus mention several times that 'those who endure until the end will be saved'? To the end of what? If Jesus planned to remove believers before the tribulation began, he would have clearly said that, instead of what he did say....wouldn't he?
I would love to believe that we will not have to experience any suffering before the actual end, but I doubt we'll be that lucky. Why would we Christians in these last days be so special as to escape the same persecutions and hell that other Christians have had to endure in past centuries?
I believe we are all special in that we have great strength to endure what is coming...but we will indeed have to "endure until the end".... at which time we, as believers in Jesus Christ as our savior, will be saved. Just as Jesus promised.
Here are the passages I am referring to which I believe shows that Jesus will only come once to retrieve his believers...and that will be at the end of the tribulation before his final battle with Satan. He mentions “for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened”. Who are the elect, if not his flock of believers…..all believers…ie, we Christians? Matthew 24:31 clearly says that the elect will be gathered by angels when Jesus comes at the end of tribulation.
Matthew 24:12-13 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:22 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:31 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Mark 13:13 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Those JEWS WHO FLEE JERUSALEM who endure the great Tribulation will be saved from the horrors which God pours out at the very end of the Tribulation. The word is spoken of and to Jews not the church not the body of Christ Believers.
"he would have clearly said that, instead of what he did say....wouldn't he?" To whom was He speaking and in what context. Too man make the mistake of believing the OLivet Discourse was spoken to and of the Church Age. Look again at what the Jewish disciples asked of Him. He answered for their destiny. In John 14 He speaks of and to the future Church members of the Body of Christ Believers.
I am not stating the born again believers will not suffer anything! History tells us their suffering began with the first converts! we are not appointed to GOD'S wrath (1 Thess 1:10)
Matthew 24:31 refers to Jesus gathering THE JEWS. We of the born again group will already be outta here before that event. The elect refers to others than the members of the Body of Christ. I am too weary to explain that to you ad my eyes are failing me, so have a good noght and see you int he clouds.