The dispensationalist view is the rapture will happen before the tribulation...
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne" Revelation 4:1-2 (NKJV)
This is the Rapture, when all of the believers on earth will be caught up with Christ in the air, and we will receive our glorified bodies! The tribulation starts in chapter 5, when Jesus opens the scrolls in verse 6-7. He opens the seals in chapter 6, and the antichrist is the first seal.
Since the Rapture is occuring in chapter 4, then John saw Jesus taking the scroll from the hand of God in verse 5, it is only logical to believe that the church will not be on earth for the tribluation period.
I do welcome anyone to correct me if I'm not right, I'm not an expert on this or anything, so if anyone knows something I don't, please tell me! I'm here to learn just like everyone else!
~N~
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