The Rapture: Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib? This Discovery Changes Everything.

In research and study, it seems that the scriptures are always whispering words that give further insight. Things I thought were understood often fade into a new reality or direction. That’s what happened to me today as I was studying the Book of Revelation—with the help of A.I.

I initially approached the idea of the Rapture as being saved from the “Bowls of Wrath” that God will pour out onto the earth. These judgments are intended to persuade the wicked and unrepentant to reconsider the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives. They are in no way meant for those who currently follow Christ.

Since these bowls of wrath are not poured out until 3.5 years into the Great Tribulation, there would be no need to rapture the Church at the very beginning of the Tribulation period, right? This had been my view of the Rapture—until today.

As I broke down the timeline of the Book of Revelation, here are the details to consider. Pay close attention to the sequence of events:

1. The Seven Seals (Revelation 6–8)

🚨 Begins the Tribulation Period (7 years)
📝 The Tribulation begins here. The first signs of judgment fall on the earth.

2. The 144,000 & the Multitude (Revelation 7)

✨ God Seals His Servants

• 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe of Israel) are sealed.
• A massive multitude of saved people is seen in heaven.

3. The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8–11)

⚡ Increased Judgment on Earth

1. Hail & fire — 1/3 of trees and grass burned
2. Mountain in sea — 1/3 of sea life dies
3. Wormwood — 1/3 of waters poisoned
4. 1/3 of sun, moon, and stars darkened
5. Demon locusts torment humans
6. Demon army kills 1/3 of mankind
7. Proclamation: The Kingdom of Christ is coming
   📝 Intensifying judgments warn the world to repent.

4. The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11)

🕊️ Powerful Prophets in Jerusalem

• Witness for 3.5 years, performing miracles
• Killed by the Beast, resurrected, and taken to heaven

5. The Rise of Satan’s Kingdom (Revelation 12–13)

🐉 Spiritual War and the Rise of the Antichrist

• Satan is cast to earth
• Beast from the Sea = Antichrist
• Beast from the Earth = False Prophet
• Mark of the Beast introduced: 666
  🧠 People must choose: allegiance to Christ or to Satan’s system

6. The Seven Bowl Judgments (Revelation 15–16)

☠️ Final Judgments (End of Tribulation)

1. Painful sores on those with the mark
2. Sea turns to blood
3. Rivers and springs become blood
4. Scorching heat
5. Darkness over Antichrist’s kingdom
6. Euphrates dries up — armies gather
7. Massive earthquake, Babylon destroyed

7. The Fall of Babylon (Revelation 17–18)

🏙️ Destruction of the World System

• Babylon = symbol of corrupt government, economy, and religion
• God destroys this evil system completely

8. The Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 19)

🐎 Jesus Returns to Earth

• Rides a white horse
• Destroys the armies of the Antichrist
• Antichrist and False Prophet thrown into the lake of fire
• The resurrection of the dead: everyone is judged by their works
  🔥 The battle of Armageddon occurs here

9. The Millennium (Revelation 20:1–6)

🌍 1,000-Year Reign of Christ on Earth

• Satan is chained in the abyss
• Christ reigns in peace with the saints

Did you catch that? The resurrection of the dead happens at the end of the Tribulation period.

Now let’s look at the scriptures often cited to support the Rapture:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

These two scriptures indicate that the dead will be raised at the same time as those caught up to be with Christ.

However, John tells us in Revelation that the resurrection of the dead happens at the end of the Tribulation. Since the resurrection and the Rapture occur simultaneously, we must place the Rapture at the end of the Tribulation period—just as John declared.
This changes everything for me.

It also sheds light on 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV):

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

This verse is often interpreted to mean that before the Day of Christ (whether referring to the Second Coming or the Rapture), there must be a great apostasy—a “falling away” from the faith. It also states that the Antichrist must be revealed.

Now consider this:

Many believers are anxiously awaiting the Rapture. We’re tired of this world and excited to move into the next phase of our journey.

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. But as we pass that timeframe without the Rapture occurring, many will be deeply disappointed. Then, 3.5 years later, if the Mid-Tribulation Rapture also does not happen, some may give up hope altogether.

Could this be the great falling away mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3?

What are YOUR thoughts right now?
Does this information discourage you? Are you disappointed if this is truly the timeline?

I invite you to reach your own conclusion through prayer and study. It might be simpler—and more peaceful—to accept that what will be, will be. We know this: God has already planned everything, and He will not change His plan based on our preferences or interpretations.

Part of me is actually excited—excited that I might have a front-row seat to witness the final seven years on earth. If that’s true, we will see prophecy fulfilled in real-time… up close and personal.

I’ve always felt the arms of the Savior around me in times of hardship. When my son was killed in an accident, I experienced an entirely different level of pain. But at the same time, I felt the love of my Savior deeper than ever before.

Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV)

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Our call to action is simple:
If you haven’t already, “Yoke up to the Savior.”

He will carry the load when things get too difficult. Trust in His strength, and your burden will become light. That should be our mindset.

Let Him speak to us…

Luke 21:36 (KJV)

“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.”

And that verse opens up an entirely different perspective on what it means to “escape all these things that shall come to pass.”

For more of River Wilde’s end-times writings, subscribe to his blog at www.riverwilde.blog.