I had to start a thread because I want to know why they can’t be all correct and my posts in other threads receive only crickets, like what I say is a complete impossibility.
Why can’t pre, mid and post trib gatherings all be correct? Literal harvests are done in three stages. There’s the first pick of what’s ripe, leaving what’s not yet ripe and ready, then there’s the large haul, then there’s a gleaning.
So why do we think all of Gods harvest absolutely must be gathered at one exact time?
I wanted to respond earlier but my computer ended up in the shop. So I am borrowing Zoe's. :)
There are actually three major gatherings: the rapture of the church; the gathering of faithful Jews to Jerusalem; and the gathering of armies during Armageddon.
Let's take a quick look at Luke chapter 17. Here Jesus is predicting the situations that must take place just before his return. He mentions two groups of people. One group will be whisked away or "taken" away. The other group will need to escape.
30 It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses
his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. 36 [Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”] 37 And answering they *said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body
is, there also the vultures will be gathered.” Luke 17:30-37
Group 1: Those who must decide to leave home in a hurry.
"On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.
This situation calls for a quick decision to leave home. Whether a person is on the housetop or out working in the field, one must not waste any time to enter the house to remove some things.
Group 2: Those who are taken from where they are, whether asleep in bed or working at job.
I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left.
This situation is beyond the control of those who are taken. There is no warning that they will be taken, and there is no decision they must make in order to be taken except to be on the alert.
I believe that the first group represents the Jews living in Israel just before the Second Advent. They will hear a call to come to Jerusalem in order to pray for the deliverance of Israel. They must leave home in a hurry to call on the name of the Lord on Mount Zion. If they come, they will be saved. If they don't come, they will be incinerated. (Refer to the prophets, Malachi, Joel, and Isaiah)
I believe the second group represents the Jesus' followers who will be taken to meet the Lord in the air. Refer to 1 Thessalonians 4.