Part II
The word "ekklesia" translated "church" is used 19 times through Revelation chapters 1 thru 3. After that the word is never used during the narrative of God's wrath. The word "hagios" translated "Saints" is used 13 times and is referring to the great tribulation saints introduced in chapter 7.
Revelation 4:1 is a prophetic allusion to where the church is caught up which is why the church is no longer mentioned during the time of God's wrath.
The underlying principle here, is that Christ took upon himself God's wrath that all believers deserve, satisfying it completely. Therefore, God's wrath no longer rests upon the believer and which is why we will be removed from the earth prior to the first seal being opened, which initiates God's wrath.
* The woman you saw is that great city who rules over the kings of the earth
At the time that the angel was showing these things to John, Rome was that city that ruled over the kings of the earth
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The seven heads are seven hill upon which the woman sits
Rome was literally built on and is famous for her seven hills
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The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls.
Purple and scarlet are the exact colors worn by the bishops and cardinals
View attachment 221519
God's clues are pointing us the Rome and her pagan religious system.
Prior to the first being opened which initiates God's wrath, the Lord will appear and call up the dead first. Immediately after that, those believers who are still alive will be changed immortal and glorified and caught up with them. At that point the entire church will be in one place at one time, where the Lord will take the whole group back to the Father's house to those places that He went to prepare for us, as promised in John 14:1-3
It is not a reward, but a legal precedent. Since Jesus already satisfied God's wrath on behalf of every believer, then His wrath no longer rests upon us and we therefore must be removed.
I word 'anastasis' is derived from
aná, "up, again" and
hístēmi, "to stand") – literally, "stand up" (or "stand again") and is used 42 times not once.
Also, it is not a resurrection for all men, but only the faithful in Christ, the church. The word 'harpazo' translated 'caught up' is defined as 'to snatch up, caught up, force suddenly exercised. It is a promise to all who are having faith and looking forward to His appearing, because we are not appointed to suffer God's wrath.
Thought this is written to the Thessalonian church, the Lord's promise is for all church throughout the entire church period. It is the same as with the letters to the seven churches. Any commendations or rebukes are meant for each believer, throughout the entire church period, to analyze himself and if the shoe fits, then apply it and repent.
The 'hour of trial' is another moniker for the 'the Day of the Lord,' which is the time of God's wrath. They are neither an hour nor a day in length, but represent that last seven years. Every believer having faith will be kept out of that hour of trial. Those who will have gone back into the world and will be willfully living according to the sinful nature, will be those figurative virgins with no extra oil, i.e. not watching or prepared when the Lord appears. The believer who is keeping the patient endurance of Jesus, is referring to the faithful.
* Church is gathered (John 14:1-3, I Cor.15:51-53, I Thess.4:16-17)
* Antichrist is revealed at the opening of the first seal as the rider on the white horse (Rev.6:1)
* 144,000 sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads (Rev.7:1-6)
* Seals, trumpets and bowl judgments continue throughout the entire seven years (chapters 6 thru 16)
* Antichrist/beast causes the sacrifices and offerings to cease and sets up that abomination which causes the desolation (Dan.9:27, Matt.24:15-22)
* Jesus returns to the earth to end the age, with His bride/church following Him out of heaven riding on white horses (Rev.19:11-15)
* Beast and false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Rev.19:20)
* Satan is seized and thrown into the Abyss and sealed over him for a thousand years (Rev.20:1-3)
* Great tribulation saints who died are resurrected (Rev.20:4-6)
* Millennial kingdom
* Satan released from the Abyss at the end of the thousand years (Rev.20:7-10)
* Satan cast into the Lake of fire (Rev.20:10)
* Great white throne judgment (Rev.20:11-15)
* New heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem
* Eternity ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->