Bless you greatly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your question, like that of so many debated issues all through the years such as the concept of baptisms, can be answered by two means. Both means are required for truth to be known; namely the word and the Spirit.

Again as I said in my writing, one must comb the word but then hear from the Holy Spirit to finalize the concept. The problem is that so many people build theologies on what they read alone. Worse, many build theologies on what they mentally concluded from only snippets of the word, while wholesale rejecting other scriptures that contain the real answer. The result are thousands of different opinions on any one issue. This is exactly what I speak of in much of my writings.

There is no scriptural evidence that suggests that we will be taken up prior to hard times in the world.

The Holy Spirit was given at the point of the Cross so that we would be able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. What this means is that we are supposed to be here in times of great trouble so as to save those who are savable. The key ingredient is the supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit. You have nothing to worry about in times of tribulation if you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Even greater will be the wonderful successes you will see when the Holy Spirit ministers through you to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead and see many saved. Though even if all hell is breaking loose around you, you will move in the joy of your salvation as you lead others out of worldly fear into that very same joy!

However, besides what I have just said, allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth into your heart as you read the word of God for yourself. You will find that He will show you what He wants you to see in the word. Don’t be surprised if what Father gives you in revelation departs from conventional thinking on any given issue? So I pray the fullness of he Holy Spirit both on you and in you as you seek on your own to confirm what I have just suggested.

Main point is to be very careful what you hear, particularly when it comes from the religious church. Not to suggest disrespect to those who are leading you, rather that you know that you have a Councilor who is ready and able to show you the real truth on any given issue. And, that you know that the Lord will open doors for you to release that which he has given you.

Bless you!

Scott