What is the Tribulation?
The Tribulation (or Great Tribulation) is a common term referred to a 7 year period of tumult and chaos around the world before Jesus Christ returns. This period is talked about in Daniel 9:27, and it starts with a global leader, who many believe to be the Antichrist, signing a peace treaty with many nations that will last for 7 years. This period is also divided into two parts. This leader will break the treaty after 3 and half years, and this will bring the whole world into the second half of the 7 years, which will be far worse than the first half.
What is the rapture?
While the word "rapture" isn't mentioned in the English versions of the Bible, the Greek word to refer to this event is "harpazzo". It refers to a sudden seizing or to be 'caught up'. It is this event that is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."
The Church has split on several ideological lines including if the rapture even happens, and if it does, when does it happen? Some believe it to be before the 7 years (pre Tribulation). Some during the Middle (sometime in the middle of the 7 years), and some believe the Church goes through the whole 7 years. And is taken out only after the full 7 years have passed.
To me it isn't important, even though I have my own opinions and beliefs about these events. What is important, is that I still want to prepare the Church. The saying goes that it's better to not need something for an emergency and be wrong, than to turn out to be right and be underprepared or completely unprepared.
If you're already reading this, and have read this far, you know that you've felt as well, that you see the signs everywhere. Jesus says that no one knows the day or hour of His return, but He also said to watch for the signs of the season of His coming. He said to watch, lest we be caught unprepared, like the foolish virgins in the parable. And the signs of the season are everywhere, and our Lord's coming will be sudden, like that of a thief in the night.
I've included here a series of documents. One is a letter to write to loved ones who are left behind. Two other documents deal with an event called the 3 days of darkness and a coming global deception. Many others have spoken on these events, and God has given many people visions about these events.
I will not leave my brothers and sisters blind to what is coming upon this world. I too have had visions and dreams of the things that are soon coming upon this world. God is pouring His Spirit out on all flesh in these last days, just as Acts says. Young people are dreaming dreams. The old are seeing visions of things to come.
These documents are placed here to prepare people, "just in case", in obedience to the Lord Jesus. Think of them like a first aid kid or a life jacket. You hope you never need a first aid kit, but you're sure glad when something happens and it's there for you.
The most important thing, above all, is to develop your own relationship with Jesus Christ and learn how to test the spirits as the Bible says. The Holy Spirit will help you, if you ask Him. We are spiritual preppers. Prepping physically all sorts of things without prepping first spiritually is foolishness. The elites of the world are also prepping, building bunkers and all sorts of other things. But only a relationship with Christ and hearing clearly from Him will take you through the things that are soon to come.
If you've read this far, thank you and God bless you. I proclaim the blessing of God on you. May the blessings and protection of Psalm 91, Psalm 23, and Psalm 54 be on you. I leave you with Hebrews 12:1-3.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."