Question: I have heard a number of prophecy teachers state that there could be a gap of weeks or ...

Question:  I have heard a number of prophecy teachers state that there could be a gap of weeks or even years between the Rapture and the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period. Why couldn't there be?

Response: Referring to Antichrist, who will sit in the temple and declare himself to be God, Paul explained, “ye know what withholdeth [prevents] that he might be revealed in his time...he who now letteth [hinders] will let [hinder], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed...” (2 Thes:2:4-8 [4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
See All...).

The only One who was alive in Paul’s day (“now hinders”) and will still be alive when Antichrist is revealed (“will hinder”) and Who could prevent Satan from putting Antichrist in power is God himself. But God is omnipresent so He can’t be “taken out of the way.” Paul can only be referring to the Holy Spirit indwelling Christians (a new phenomenon beginning at Pentecost – Jn:7:37-39 [37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
See All...). That presence of God will be removed when Christ fulfills His promise to His own, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (Jn:14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
See All...). Therefore, Antichrist cannot be revealed until the church has been removed by the Rapture.

But how long after? Paul indicates that as soon as the Holy Spirit, whose presence indwelling Christians has been hindering Antichrist from taking power, is removed, “then shall that wicked be revealed.” Not only is it logical that Satan will act quickly once the church is gone, but he must. Only the sudden, terrifying disappearance of perhaps 50-100 million persons from this earth could unite the entire world under Antichrist and cause the world to worship him. Nothing else could do it. Satan won’t let that opportunity pass! So I believe that the Great Tribulation under Antichrist and the rule of Satan will begin immediately after the Rapture.