God has not appointed us to wrath, and therefore we are snatched away from the earthly scene before the wrath of the dragon breaks out (Rev. 12:12, 17). This dragon, who represents Satan (Rev. 12:9), seeks to devour the male child (Rev. 12:4). He fails, because as soon as this male child is born, he is snatched away to God and His throne. This is a picture of the fullness of the ecclesia. Once this point is reached, the ecclesia is snatched away.
Wrath
When we read Revelation 12, we get the impression that the snatching away takes place under threatening circumstances. During that period, a period of false peace will end, and the Great Tribulation will begin. Satan will be cast down to earth and will prowl around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) with great wrath, because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Unexpected
In 1 Thessalonians 5, we saw this confirmed. That day will come upon the world like a thief in the night and will catch them unawares (5:2-3). In his introductory words with which Paul begins this letter, he also says something striking in this regard. The Thessalonians had turned to God and had thus left idol worship behind. They now knew the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9) and had a future they eagerly anticipated.
1 Thessalonians 1
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he will raise from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
From the wrath to come
This verse resembles Philippians 3:20, which we discussed earlier, where it says: …our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He comes to save us. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 also states from what He saves us: out of the wrath to come. Other manuscripts have: from the wrath to come, but the oldest manuscripts give this as “ouf of.” At first reading, it seems a bit odd. The wrath is yet to come, yet we are saved out of it.
In safety
If we compare these Scriptures and let them explain each other, we also come to the conclusion in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 that the rapture is an urgent event, which will take place just before the wrath breaks out. While that wrath is still to come, it is very near. We are, as it were, saved out of it. The ecclesia is brought to safety!