Case for The Pretribulational Rapture

  This article is a biblical case for the pretribulational rapture. The doctrine was most clearly articulated by Darby, however it was earlier taught by Fra Dolcino in the 12th century. 

Argument 1: Paul affirmed the pretribulation rapture

There are multiple explicit text used to defend the pretribulational rapture, these include:

Scofield

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

2 Thessalonians 2:7

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way."

Now, contextually it appears that 1 Thessalonians 5:9 is not referring to eternal wrath but to the end times, thus the wrath refers to the 7 year tribulation period. This is further shown from the quote in 1 Thessalonians which says that this wrath is "to come", however hell is a present reality, showing that the wrath Paul is referring to is the tribulation period. These two texts show that the church will not go through the tribulation.

When Paul refers to the one "who now restrains", this likely refers to the church, as if the post-tribulational view is correct (that it refers to the Holy Spirit) that would indicate that He is not present in the tribulation at all, which would be a hard claim to make. 

Argument 2: The silence of the Book of Revelation

Chapters 1 to 3 in Revelation talk about the church, yet as soon as chapter 4 starts the church is never mentioned again, instead only "Israel" is mentioned. It is thus implied that the church will not be in the tribulation period, as during that time God's focus is on Israel.

Argument 3: God in the Old Testament saved his people out of tribulation

When God judges a people in the Old Testament in a total way, He saved His people out of it. For example God took Noah out of the flood instead of protecting them in the flood. God also took Lot out of judgement instead of protecting him in judgement. It should follow that God will take the church out of judgement.

Argument 4: Separation of church and Israel

If passages such as Isaiah 60 are to be taken literally, it necessitates the view that there are two peoples of God, Israel and the church. Now, if the tribulation is for Israel (Revelation 7), then there is no reason for the church to be around during that time period, thus logically leading to a pretribulational rapture.