All evangelical Christians agree Christ will return and believers will be caught up to meet him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The debate is about timing relative to the tribulation. Pre-tribulation rapture (Left Behind) is the most popular American view but is a 19th-century development without explicit biblical statement. Post-tribulation rapture has stronger historical and exegetical support. Disputable matter. 68/100 Mixed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "The Lord himself will come down from heaven... the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." The Latin for "caught up" is raptus — giving us "rapture." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: "We will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." These passages establish that Christ will return and believers will be gathered to him. The disputed question is when this occurs relative to the tribulation.
Pre-tribulation rapture: Christians are raptured before the seven-year tribulation. The most popular American evangelical view — popularized by Left Behind and Dallas Theological Seminary. Developed primarily by John Nelson Darby in the 19th century. Not found in early church writings. The most popular position but arguably the least historically grounded.
Mid-tribulation rapture: Christians are raptured at the tribulation's midpoint. Less commonly held.
Post-tribulation rapture: Christians go through the tribulation and are raptured at its end to meet Christ as he descends. Held by most Christians throughout church history and many contemporary evangelical scholars (George Ladd, John Piper, Wayne Grudem). The Greek apantesis in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 was used for citizens going out to escort a returning king back into the city — not departing for a distant place.
Pre-tribulation rapture is a 19th-century theological development without explicit biblical statement. Post-tribulation rapture has more historical support and stronger exegetical grounding for the specific texts. Both are held by serious Christians. This is a disputable matter — not a salvation issue. Focus on what all positions agree on: Christ is returning, the dead will rise, believers will be with him forever. See our Theology hub and our guide on Is Hell Real? The Gospel Coalition's essay presents the debate fairly. GotQuestions on the rapture provides thorough background.