Question: How Does Relief from Persecution Work into a Pre-Trib Rapture?

Question: I believe in a pre-Trib Rapture, but I have a difficult time reconciling 2 Thessalonians:1:4-10 [4] So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: [5] Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: [6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [10] When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
See All... with this. Verses 6-8 say: “...since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul says that the Thessalonian believers will eventually find relief from their persecution when the Lord returns to judge the wicked and punish them; it is at that time that the believers will be rewarded with rest. So, it seems to me that this relief from persecution is not pretribulational.

Response: No scripture precludes the salvation of individuals in the Tribulation. Although the Church is removed prior to “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” there will be those who come to Christ even during this time. Revelation:7:9-14 [9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; [10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. [11] And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, [12] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. [13] And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? [14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
See All... details a “great multitude…which came out of great tribulation….” In 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 6 speaks of the general principle that the Lord will “recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” Paul warns in Galatians:6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
See All..., “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” During that specific time of Paul’s writing to the Thessalonians he states that the “payback” will reach its fullest form when the Lord Himself returns to the earth. “And [our emphasis] to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians:1:7-8 [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
See All...).

Tribulation (not the Great Tribulation) is and has been, as Paul notes in 2 Timothy:3:12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
See All..., the lot of believers throughout history. “...[A]ll that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The Rapture is never to be considered an escape clause for believers. The church has always suffered tribulation, often through direct persecution. But for the entire church, the “relief” will only come at the Second Coming of the Lord to rule and reign with a “rod of iron.”