Some believe that the antichrist will be revealed and the time known as the tribulation will occur before the Lord returns for His church. Post-Trib.
Others believe that only part of the tribulation will occur—the antichrist will be revealed and a time of great suffering and a time of rebellion will take place before the Lord takes away his church after which the Lord will pour out His wrath (the final portion of the tribulation. Mid-Trib.
Still others believe that the force which is holding back the lawlessness in verse seven is the church and the Lord will come and rapture his church before the antichrist is revealed and the rebellion and tribulation occur while the church is with Christ in heaven. Those who believe this distinguish between the rapture and the second coming. Pre-Trib.
