Short version.
The root word for tribulation in Greek is associated only with what man/satan does to the people of God. Immediately after the rapture, the wrath of God begins, and it will affect the entire planet. The wrath of God is meant only for the wicked people that would be left behind on the planet.

Long version.
First, let’s look at the two words:

The word “Tribulation” in the Greek is θλίψις thlipsis (G2347) and it means anguish.
G2347 θλίψις thlipsis (thlip’-sis) n.
1. pressure
{literally or figuratively}
[from G2346]
KJV: afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble
Root(s): G2346

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The word “Wrath” in the Greek is ὀργή orge (G3709) and it comes with anger and a serious vengeance.
G3709 ὀργή orge (or-gay’) n.
1. (properly) desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind)
2. (by analogy) violent passion (ire or (justifiable) abhorrence)
3. (by implication) punishment
[from G3713]
KJV: anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath

They are two separate words with two separate meanings. In general, as you read the New Testament, you will understand tribulation is what the world does towards the believers; however, wrath is what God does towards the wicked world.

IMPORTANT – Use the King James Version of the Bible for study:
We trust and use the King James Version because it was based on the majority text out of Antioch – Listen HERE . Corrupted versions water down key doctrines in scripture, and it is for this reason we encourage serious believers to study from versions (eg. KJV) of the Bible that are based on manuscripts that came from Antioch (the New Testament capital of the world).

Rapture described in scripture:
The rapture is conceptualized by reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and is hinted in 1 Cor 15:51-53. The word rapture means to be snatched away or caught up.

We highlight Thessalonians 4:16 & 17.

(1Thess 4:16-17 [KJV])
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Nowhere in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 does it say or indicate when the rapture will occur. It does not show if it is before, during or after the tribulation period.

(1Cor 15:51 [KJV])
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

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The time of the Rapture:

The timing of the rapture is first given in Matthew 24:29-31. Showing clearly it is after the tribulation period. Notice also, the word trumpet in verse 31, is the same as trump in 1 Thess 4:16 (σάλπιγξ salpigx). The sound of the trump/trumpet will be heard at the time of the rapture, which is after the tribulation period.

(Matt 24:29-31 [KJV])
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

In the next verses, we have Mark confirming what Matthew wrote. Note the “elect” refers to everyone, as Jesus confirms in the last verse in the same chapter (Mark 13:37) by saying, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch”. We have two witnesses.

(Mark 13:24-27 [KJV])
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

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When is the tribulation period (the time before the rapture), when will it start?

We must first confirm what tribulation means by the word of God (we gave the literal meaning at the beginning of this commentary). In the New Testament, Matthew compares it to persecution (use of the word “or”).

(Matt 13:21 [KJV])
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Next, John wrote what Jesus said, “ye shall have tribulation”. Here Jesus is saying to us (ye/church) that we will have tribulation. He was speaking to the church that they shall have tribulation. It’s safe to say that history records that he was correct; most of Jesus’ disciples were martyred (tradition). The early churches had to go underground, and in the Middle Ages, thousands of Christians were killed. Even now tribulation/persecution has again reached a high point with Christians getting their heads cut off for their belief in our Lord.

(John 16:33 [KJV])
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation (θλίψις thlipsis): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

In Acts the church (we) must go through tribulation on entering heaven.

(Acts 14:22 [KJV])
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation (θλίψις thlipsis) enter into the kingdom of God.

We who were in the church suffered persecution back then and even now. Read the following verses.

(1Thess 3:4 [KJV])
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation (θλίβω thlibo); even as it came to pass, and ye know.

In conclusion, the tribulation period started at the time of Christ and has continued through the centuries. The tribulation will end, and then His wrath will come. IS IT NOT BEING KILLED FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE GREAT TRIBULATION?

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The period of God’s Wrath:

We must first confirm what God’s wrath means by scripture. The following scriptures show it is not good to be under the wrath of God.

OLD TESTAMENT

(Num 11:33 [KJV])
And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

(Deut 29:28 [KJV])
And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

God’s wrath for our time is coming, and note here in Isaiah when it starts; it is called “the day of the Lord”.

(Isa 13:9 [KJV])
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

(Isa 13:13 [KJV])
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew wrote clearly that the wrath is yet to come.

(Matt 3:7 [KJV])
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Here is the second witness in Luke.

(Luke 3:7 [KJV])
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

In Ephesians 5:6 it is written that the wrath of God is for the children of disobedience (not the believer).

(Eph 5:6 [KJV])
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Here is the second witness in Colossians.

(Col 3:6 [KJV])
For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

We are assured by God that his wrath is not for the believers in Thessalonians. In fact, it is clear that we are to wait for His Son in heaven, who will deliver us the believers. When is that time? After the tribulation is over, as we have read before.

(1Thess 1:10 [KJV])
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

(1Thess 5:9 [KJV])
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

In conclusion, the tribulation started at the time of Christ and has continued until now. God has appointed a day for His Son to return and take us away so that we can escape the wrath to come; also called the day of our Lord.

Golden Note: To avoid the wrath of God, you must humble yourself and go before Him and ask for His mercy – Read more here.

(2Chr 12:7 [KJV])
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. (so humble yourself, repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ to avoid God’s wrath)

Support video on this subject – HERE

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Other view:

Some believe that the rapture is before what is called the “Great Tribulation” and that the “Great Tribulation” is the wrath of God.

However, the “Great Tribulation,” as mentioned in Matthew, is still in the same tribulation period spoken about in other scripture texts; only this form of tribulation is “greater” in nature. It is still not the wrath of God. Even in verse 22, the days (of this great tribulation) are cut short at His return. Remember, His return is called the day of the Lord; the day of wrath (begins immediately after). Also, you will note for the elect sake the days will be shortened, meaning? The believer is going through this great tribulation. 

(Matt 24:21-22 [KJV])
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days (days of great tribulation) should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

(Matt 24:29 [KJV])
Immediately after the tribulation (same great tribulation spoken of earlier in the chapter, verses 21-22) of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

(Rev 7:14 [KJV])
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

TTGM Conclusion:

Since Christ there has been tribulation against the elect/saints of God. There was also great tribulation in times of outright hatred for God’s elect (especially by Muslims in recent years). God would never directly inflict wrath on his “wife” (church) and then invite her up to a marriage supper in heaven (that is why His children are not appointed unto God’s wrath). Rem: Tribulation is what is done to the believer by the world. IMPORTANT: To come out of something (Rev 7:14), means that you were in it; therefore, to say the rapture (believers taken out) is before the great tribulation is an error. Again, the rapture happens after, and the believer will go through tribulation, both minor and great. Now visit Part 2 of this study, where we look to further support this point.

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Interesting observation to note for those deeper folks:

When Jesus read from the book of Isaiah, he did not complete the verse but stopped midway. He then closed the book; He then sat down and said that this scripture is fulfilled. Now look at the actual book of Isaiah that He read from and see what comes after; we at TTGM believe this speaks to his second coming, the day of God’s wrath (which Jesus will also proclaim).

(Luke 4:18-19 [KJV])
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (OUR LORD STOPPED HERE AND CLOSED THE BOOK)

The part Yeshua did not read is in RED (God’s wrath)

(Isa 61:1-2[KJV])
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

The Rapture Verdict by Michael Snyder – WATCH HIM ON THE JIM BAKKER SHOW.