Mullings on the Rapture

I'm still not completely convinced that there is to be a two-stage Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the first stage being a rapture of the church before some of the end times events -- whether before the great tribulation or in the middle of it or whatever.

So far I have at least become convinced that much of the reasoning AROUND the Rapture claims IS true, however. That is, I do believe there is yet to come a seven-year period that will fulfill the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. I'm pretty convinced that in the middle of that "week" there will be the appearance of something called the "abomination of desolation" and that the great tribulation will immediately follow that. I believe also that there will be a restored temple in Jerusalem in which this event will occur. So I reject most of the thinking that comes from the ANTI-Rapturists.

But none of this proves whether there is to be a Rapture previous to any of these things. These things could all be true, as I MOSTLY believe they are, and the Rapture occur when Jesus returns for the final time.

It could occur that way, but there are still some scriptural indications that a pre-trib Rapture -- or pre-wrath Rapture, or pre-Second Coming Rapture --- COULD occur. I'm not completely convinced one way or the other yet.

Logical (not scriptural) considerations are:

FOR THE RAPTURE: The full flowering of evil on earth, which is what the last days are going to be all about, would be interfered with by the presence of God's people who pray against it and preach against it. This evil will certainly center on the Antichrist, and in all kinds of signs and wonders, including very likely "alien" (demonic) UFO "visitors" to the planet. Demons manifesting, supernatural powers being exhibited.

AGAINST THE RAPTURE: On the other hand, there would be no hope at all for people to be saved during such a period of time if there WEREN'T God's people around to preach to them and show the true nature of all the evil going on and lead them to Christ, people of true and deep faith who trust in God's providence and protection against the greatest manifestation of evil and eventually tremendous suffering ever seen on earth.

This could be an argument for a "mid-trib" Rapture scenario, the first half of the 70th week being a time of manifested signs and wonders against which God's people stand and millions are saved, and the last half being the outpouring of God's wrath, before which the Rapture comes and removes all believers. COULD be. I'm just mulling things.