I know that this is probably going to cause a firestorm but here goes anyway. I was raised on the pre-tribulation rapture teaching and everytime someone tried to tell me different I wouldn't listen to them.
I was sitting in a church and a guest evangelist was speaking on the rapture happening after the tribulation. Well I refused to believe him.
I decided to do my own study and research it myself. I went to Christ for the Nations Institute (which also promotes pre-trib) so I had a lot of study tools available to me.
I went completely by the Word of God and to my amazement I could not find any scriptures that support the pre-tribulation rapture view. I did a study on the Signs of Christ's Return based on Matthew 24 and also a 38-page study on the book of Revelation. I looked up all the scriptures that I and other pre-tribulation believers had used to back their doctrine and found it falling very short.
Jesus only mentioned one gathering and that was after the tribulation of those days. The teachings of the apostles only mentioned one gathering. The scripture in 1 Cor. 15:52 talking about the dead being raised at the last trumpet then those who are alive being raised next. If you look in Revelation the last trumpet is the 7th trumpet judgment and is just before the seven bowls of God's wrath are poured out. Which also showed me that the tribulation period and God's wrath are two different events. Needless to say I am now a post-tribulation rapture believer.
I cannot go into detail my complete studies but if anyone is interested in seeing them just PM me or email me and I will be glad to send you my studies.
What do you believe?

Generally a persons studies are supported by what they have experienced or learned by way of others, wither through study or lecture, or other. That person then will often take the position of his instructors.

Your eschatological view is important.

I would suggest performing a study of "Things to Come" by Dwight Pentecost. This is not a simple book but a very good book for introduction.
I would look into resources from accredited institutions with good credentials like Dallas Theological Sem. and Moody Bible Inst. Two of the most respected schools in the country.
I would also suggest - before confirming your position - that you study N.T. Greek.
Then you have to choose you hermeneutic, is the scripture literal? Or not? Is it allegory?

In the book "Things to Come" Pentecost lays the various hermeneutics and eschatological views side by side for comparison

The book is full of footnotes and resources for further study.

DasAmerikaner

all i know is i am on the first bus out of here - pre mid or post trib.
i do believe it will be pre trib.
cant give scriptures now, but will do a little research on specifics if i can find the time.

As I had stated in my original post that I had been taught pre-tribulation and was very set in my beliefs. I did not go into the study with the support of what I had been taught. I came to the opposite conclusion of what I had been taught.

Yes, I have studied N.T. Greek and in my study cited many Greek references. Like I stated also that I went to Christ for the Nations Institute (A very well established school) where the pre-tribulation rapture view was drilled into the students. That is why I went into this study not to prove or disprove what I had previously believed or been taught, but to sincerely search the scriptures for the answers. Then when I was done I researched again the pre-tribulation view that I had once held and still found that view lacking sound scriptural backing.

My main concern is for the people who might lose faith when things start getting bad and events start happening that they have been taught they were not going be here for.

If I am wrong no big deal, it would be nice to leave this world before it all happens. If I am right then the church needs to be prepared for it.

True, I hadn't thought about it that way. I'm with Nabs - best way to handle it is to be ready regardless. I don't have strong beliefs tho regarding pre, mid, post. I know our pastor has taught on it a time or 2, but, with the exception of the things Cathy mentioned, I think it's one of those things that's good to discuss and dig deeper, but is one of those side issues that doesn't affect your salvation.

I have long disagreed with the pre-trib position. Not that I am a hater, I just don't see the evidence.

Incidentally there is even a group (preterists) out there that believe the whole thing was over and done with in 70ad and the invasion of Jerusalem.

Bottom line I get to go to Heaven and that is all that matters.

So you're saying we missed it?

aw shoot!!!!
there is evidence to support for sure. but it seems as if it is doctrine to many. it isnt. it's just a position on a facet of God and His church.
timelines are difficult at best in Revelation, and then scripture from other books to support it can be confusing. Having been through studies of pre trib nature, i do believe the scripture suggests it strongly.
(have i straddled the fence enough yet?)