Meaning: The quote you provided is from Tim LaHaye, a prominent American evangelical Christian minister and author, who is best known for co-authoring the "Left Behind" series of novels with Jerry B. Jenkins. The quote refers to the concept of the Rapture, a belief held by some Christian denominations that believers will be taken up to heaven to be with God before the end times and the tribulation period, a period of great suffering and turmoil that is prophesied in the Bible.

The idea of the Rapture is primarily based on a passage in the New Testament, specifically in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which states, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." This event is interpreted by proponents of the Rapture as the moment when believers will be taken up to be with Jesus in heaven, escaping the tribulation that will come upon the earth.

The belief in the Rapture has been a source of theological debate within Christian circles. Those who support the idea of the Rapture often see it as a source of comfort and hope, as it offers the prospect of being rescued from the cataclysmic events of the end times. However, critics of the Rapture theology argue that it is a relatively recent development in Christian doctrine, tracing its origins to the 19th century and the teachings of John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren, rather than being a traditional or widely accepted belief throughout Christian history.

In the context of the quote, Tim LaHaye is expressing his belief that the Rapture will occur at the beginning of the tribulation period, and that it will specifically affect Christians, whom he refers to as "saints" in this context. This viewpoint aligns with a pre-tribulation Rapture belief, which posits that believers will be taken up to heaven before the tribulation, thereby avoiding the suffering and turmoil that will characterize that period.

It's important to note that the concept of the Rapture and the timing of its occurrence are not universally agreed upon within Christianity. Different denominations and theological traditions have varying interpretations of the end times and the events surrounding the Rapture, leading to a diversity of beliefs on this topic.

In summary, the quote by Tim LaHaye reflects his perspective on the Rapture and its relationship to the tribulation period, articulating a belief in the pre-tribulation Rapture and the special role of Christians in this eschatological event. The concept of the Rapture continues to be a subject of theological discussion and debate within the Christian faith, with a range of interpretations and viewpoints shaping believers' understanding of the end times and their hope for the future.