You know this is really getting old by you guys and this "wrath" thing. Of course God has destined us for wrath because were His children. Did you read the context before you quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:9? I don't think did j146. Look at vs2 (and I'm going to parapharse the verses). "For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord will come like a thief."
Vs3, "When they say peace and safety then destruction will come." Who do you think the "THEY" is j146 who will not escape" Escape what j146? Vs4, "But you brethren, (meaning Christians) are not in darkness that the day should overtake you." In other words the ones that are in darkness are the unsaved people.
Vs5, We are sons of light and sons of day/saved. We are not of night or darkness/the unsaved. Vs6-8, We should live soberly and put on the breastplate of faith and love etc. Vs9, FOR (or because) God has not destined us for wrath, BUT FOR OBTAINING SALVATION THROUG OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."
The clear context of vs9 is showing us that the ones destined for God's wrath/judgment are those who are not saved. Now, this is backed up by Romans 1:18, Romans 2:5 and in the OT Nahum 1:2. Please read the verses. In short what you have done j146 is attaching chapter 5 to the rapture at 1 Thess chapter 4:13-18.
Now, I have noticed that no one has used Luke 21 as a cross reference to Matthew 24. At Luke 21:34, "Be on guard that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap. Vs35, for (or because) IT WILL COME UPON ALL THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH." It seems to me that the great tribulation at least according to this verse includes everbody on the face of the earth.
So wher's the rapture, or should I say when did the rapture happen? It didn't! Read Luke 21:36, "But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
So why do we need to pray for strength if were not going to be here? Secondly, if were going to be raptured I thought we will be seated for the marriage supper of the Lamb, not stand before the Son of Man?
Did you notice that these events are spoken of in terms of the "last day." And at 1 Corinthinas 15:52, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. Also read verses 53-58.
Now, here is my last question? At 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 when the Lord comes and according to those verses "in a twinkling of an eye" are we raptured to heaven or are we coming to the earth?
IN GOD THE SON,
bluto