the church fathers were just as confused as us and had many different views.............
i still cant find a rapture in rev 14 where is it at what are people smoking. is it supposed to be the sickle part???????? seems angry sickle mon..........
That is because the Rapture definitely happens BEFORE THESE VERSES.
Revelation 6:16-17 (HCSB)
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16 [/SUP] And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb,
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17 [/SUP] because
the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?”
How do I know that?
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NASB)
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9 [/SUP] For
God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
In fact, I personally believe it happens before Chapter Four even begins, and here is why.
Revelation 4:4 (NASB)
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4 [/SUP]
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.
I believe those are ELDERS OF THE CHURCH. Interestingly, we are currently near the end of the 24th generation since the Church began on the day of Pentecost. Could it be that one Elder is appointed to represent each generation? Could it be that Billy Graham could be the Elder that represents the 24th Generation?
So where is the sum total of the CHURCH in the book of Revelation? IN PLAIN SITE mixed in with the OT Saints and the Tribulation Saints, who ALL ARE PART OF THE ASSEMBLY CHRIST BUILT, HIS BRIDE:
Revelation 7:9-12 (HCSB)
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9 [/SUP]
After this I looked, and
there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. {There we ALL are, the ASSEMBLY CHRIST HAS BUILT.}
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10 [/SUP] And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
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11 [/SUP] All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,
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12 [/SUP] saying: Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
Many still argue,
"It still does not specifically mention the details of the Rapture." SO WHAT, we were TOLD that our NEW TESTAMENT DID NOT HAVE ALL THE DETAILS OF EVERYTHING,
NOT EVEN CLOSE. IT IS A COLLECTION OF THE HIGHLIGHTS, NOT CONTAINING ALL THE DETAILS:
John 21:25 (HCSB)
[SUP]25 [/SUP] And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.