Does the Bible teach that the saved will be raptured before the great tribulation?

The battle of Armageddon, the seven last plagues, and the great tribulation happen at approximately the same time. According to the prophet Daniel, the great tribulation comes before the saints are caught up to meet the Lord. Jesus said, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation. … But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:9, 13).

Just as the children of Israel were in Egypt during the great plagues, God’s people at the end will be in the world during the seven last plagues. Yet God will save us through the plagues! “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

Jesus promised His followers, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Christ speaks clearly about this when He says, “He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31).

So the saints are caught up with the Lord in the air and reign with Him in heaven for a thousand years. After that time, the Holy City descends to the earth, then the wicked are raised back to life and the devil marshals them to attack God’s city, the New Jerusalem. This is the final battle of Armageddon, a battle between good and evil, between Christ and Satan.

Key Bible Texts

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1 KJV)