Rapture / Tribulation.

Over the years I have read many times and in many places (facebook etc.) arguments among Christians, about which will happen first, the Rapture or the Tribulation. Insults, mainly about mentality, are commonplace!

People spend many hours tyring to prove that their take on it is the only right one!

Does it really matter to know the absolute truth about this?

It reminds me of the argument "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" I have read all the scriptures for both sides of the argument and - I must say - it seems to be a contest of one-upmanship! "I am right, and you are wrong" mentality. 

Christians involved in these arguments/discussions are ignoring (or forgetting) more simple and more important messages from scripture. Christians are commanded to love one another, to lift each other up, to put others before yourself etc.

Here are twelve scriptures (KJV) to illustrate:

John 13:34-35.  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Romans 12:10.  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1Thessalonians 3:12.  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

1Peter 1:22.  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Ephesians 4:32.  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Philippians 2:4.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

1Thessalonians 5:11.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Galatians 6:2.  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 5:13.  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Philippians 2:3.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1Peter 4:9.  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

Hebrews 10:24.  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

So do you see? Do you get it? The Rapture and the Tribulation will happen according to God's will and God's timing. It is all up to HIM, and HIM alone.

If God wanted to read something light-hearted, something to make Him smile and chuckle, He would read books on theology!

So get real, leave theology to the theologians. Do what you are commanded to do "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20).

Thanks for reading.

Rev. Stephen M Lawson.