This seems to be a question on a lot of peoples minds. Believers wonder if we really escape the judgments. I know it's confusing, I've heard all the theories too. The Bible explains positively that believers will not be present for any of the Tribulation on earth.
If we look to the other judgments God cast upon the earth, we find that God always delivers his own just before those judgments come.
Look at Noah's deliverance. Gen. 6:11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them (humans); and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
We see that God does have a limit, and when he reaches that point, it means certain destruction for the guilty.
Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
We see it was fear that motivated Noah as he prepared himself to avoid the judgment of God, which God forewarned him of. Just as in our day, God has warned us of things not seen as of yet, that with fear we might prepare ourselves to avoid it.
By pleading the blood of Jesus we may become the heirs of righteousness which is by faith, and avoid the terrible time ahead. It can be said, that the Lord Jesus is the ark of our salvation, which will deliver us out of harms way.
Gen. 6:17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
God waits to bring on the judgment, till Noah completes the ark.
1Peter 3:20.........., when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. God was ready to destroy the earth the day he told Noah to get started, but God waited for just eight souls.
Gen. 7:1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
And Noah was delivered out of judgment.
Now look at the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, concerning Lot. As described on the good angels page, the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah have waxed great before the Lord. Genesis 19:12And the men/angels said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. We see Lot even has the opportunity to deliver his family members also.
Genesis 19:14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
The son in law's were thinking, "this guy is nuts" and I can almost hear them saying, "oh yeah? ok we'll be right with you...ha ha ha". Which is a lot like a prophecy for our day concerning the return of the Lord.
2Peter 3:3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Here again we see God delivers Lot out of judgment about to come upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 19:15And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16And while he lingered, the men /angels laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
The angels brought them to the edge of the city and told Lot to flee for his life, but Lot continues to hang around thanking the angels.
Gen.19:19Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life;
Then the angel tells Lot ..... Gen. 19:22Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. These angels can not unleash the judgment until Lot, comes out of harms way. They waited, just like God did for Noah.
Now we look into our day. We've seen with both Noah and Lot, God gave the warning, delivered them, then judgment came.
