Some (or many) among the pre-tribbers claim that since the Tribulation is NOT for the church, the book of Revelation is not applicable for the church.
This is easily refuted by the very words in Revelation, and in fact, form book-ends for the book.
Rev 22-
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Good day, FreeGrace2!
Jesus wrote to the churches, not because we were going to experience the plagues listed in the book of Revelation, but as those who understand the information regarding God's coming wrath in the form of the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments. Noah warned the people of his time about the coming flood, but they did not believe God's word. It is the same with the church. We should be studying the book of Revelation and the plagues of wrath which are quickly coming upon the earth and warn people about them. Our Ark is going to be our being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, which will be followed by God's wrath. But for those left on the earth, those plagues of wrath are going to come them all away.
Therefore, the testimony for the churches is not in regards to them going through those plagues of wrath, but to study them as the word of God and to warn unbelievers of what is coming. Regarding this, consider the following:
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."
The above is a warning to for those who add to or take away from the prophesies in the book of Revelation. But there are those who believe and teach that the church is going to go through God's wrath without adding or taking away from the prophesies in that book.
The underlying principle, is that Jesus took upon himself God's wrath which every believer deserves, satisfying it completely. Therefore, God's wrath no longer rests upon those who believe in His Son. This is why Paul says that we are not appointed to suffer God's coming wrath.
This is easily refuted by the very words in Revelation, and in fact, form book-ends for the book.
Rev 22-
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Good day, FreeGrace2!
Jesus wrote to the churches, not because we were going to experience the plagues listed in the book of Revelation, but as those who understand the information regarding God's coming wrath in the form of the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments. Noah warned the people of his time about the coming flood, but they did not believe God's word. It is the same with the church. We should be studying the book of Revelation and the plagues of wrath which are quickly coming upon the earth and warn people about them. Our Ark is going to be our being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, which will be followed by God's wrath. But for those left on the earth, those plagues of wrath are going to come them all away.
Therefore, the testimony for the churches is not in regards to them going through those plagues of wrath, but to study them as the word of God and to warn unbelievers of what is coming. Regarding this, consider the following:
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."
The above is a warning to for those who add to or take away from the prophesies in the book of Revelation. But there are those who believe and teach that the church is going to go through God's wrath without adding or taking away from the prophesies in that book.
The underlying principle, is that Jesus took upon himself God's wrath which every believer deserves, satisfying it completely. Therefore, God's wrath no longer rests upon those who believe in His Son. This is why Paul says that we are not appointed to suffer God's coming wrath.