Your question:

Hi Randy,
I actually have 2 questions for you.

1. What church are you affiliated with and/or denomination?

2. Why would you believe that it will not be a pre-trib rapture? After all, True believers are not appointed to His wrath.

J. S.

 My answer:

Hi J.,
Thanks for the questions.

You said: What church are you affiliated with and/or denomination?

My response: I shepherd a nondenominational house church. We are not affiliated with any particular group.

You said: Why would you believe that it will not be a pre-trib rapture? After all, True believers are not appointed to His wrath.

My response: The Bible overwhelmingly proves it. If you don't mind, because of the limitations of email I will give you a limited answer based solely on your premise that "true believers are not appointed to His wrath." I would be happy to answer more questions in future dialogue between us.

I will make the assumption that you are referring to I Thessalonians 5:9. Just using this verse and its supporting context alone I will show what the scriptures say for themselves. Remember to always read the supporting context.
A natural place to begin the reading of the context is in 4:13-18 which depicts the familiar scene of the promised resurrection (rapture).These verses by themselves depict the resurrection but do not define whether it is pre or post tribulation. If you would continue reading the context you would see that in verse 5:2-3 that destruction comes suddenly. In verses 4-9 we are told that the true believers are not in darkness so that "day" will surprise them like a thief. We should be alert by watching for the signs given by Jesus of His coming. Verse 9 concludes that we are not appointed to wrath (the context shows the wrath to be the destruction that comes suddenly, the day of the LORD. verses 5:2-3). We are to receive salvation. Our salvation comes when we are rescued on the day of wrath through the resurrection. It is a rescue operation, not an evacuation ahead of time. We are being saved from God's wrath itself (see Romans 5:9. 1 Thessalonians 1:10.). If you are a pretrib believer then you also assume that Jesus makes three appearances, but that is a direct contradiction to scripture. Appearance number one was the LORD's work on the cross. On appearance number two we receive salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28), hence only two comings. You may also be confusing God's wrath during the tribulation. God's wrath will be against Israel through her enemies during the Tribulation (desolation) and other judgments will befall the earth, but the primary focus is Israel. On the 'day of the LORD' God's wrath is poured out on the entire earth, but He shelters Israel and rescues the true believers. Believers should not shy away from tribulation (Romans 5:3-8). Jesus tells us four times in John chapter 6 that he will raise us up on the last day. In chapter 11 he does not rebuke or correct Martha when she testifies that Lazarus will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.

Simply, you are right that true believers are not subject to God's wrath. But we will be subject to Satan's wrath when he makes war with the church (Revelation Chapter 12). The desolation is the time of the refiners fire and will test each man. The resurrection is our salvation from God's wrath and that will come when Jesus comes to pour out His wrath upon the earth. He says, "I am the resurrection and the life."

I know from experience that you will fall into one of two groups. Either you will scoff at what I say and will either become belligerent in your next email or not reply at all or you will be a seeker and what I have just told you will doubtless create many new questions as you verify the scriptures in their context. If you are a true seeker of the truth then I am at your service and wait eagerly for your next email. If you are staunch in believing what is utterly not supported in the Bible then I commend you unto God's mercy because I will not be able to sway you in any other direction than the one that brings you the most comfort.

I pray that I have served you well.

In the service of the LORD Jesus,

Randy