Christian theologians speak of the doctrine of "imminence." This means that according to the Bible there is no prophetic event that has to happen before Jesus snatches his church from the earth (The Rapture). That is, the Bible teaches us that we should be ready for Jesus to come for us at any moment. I fully believe that. But it should be noted with regard to this doctrine that while no major prophetic event has to happen before the Rapture, that doesn't mean no such event will happen first. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this truth is the rebirth of Israel. This major prophetic event was foretold in Ezekiel 36-37, yet its fulfillment happened before the rapture. Thus, it is certainly possible that other events - such as the events of Ezekiel 38-39 - could happen before the Rapture as well.(1)
JewishRoots.Net Note: This doctrine has to do with the believers in Jesus being "caught up" together with the Messiah in the clouds and not with the actual, literal, physical return of Messiah to earth. Messiah's literal, physical return, known as His second coming will occur 7 years after the Tribulation Period Begins.
Thessalonians 4; 15-18 helps to support this idea with scripture:
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For 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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).
Always try to be prepared to meet God.
1). Epicenter by Joel C. Rosenberg p.252
