THE WHOLE POINT of this thread --- is to illustrate just how vitally important it really is for people to be in agreement about the definition and use of the word 'rapture' -- so that everyone is "on the same page" -- before any truly worthwhile discussion may be had on the subject...
I really would like to know more about what this is suppose to mean... ???
No - you apparently do not.
I never said that. (with regard to the surface of the earth)
I
have said:
1st heaven - Yes, absolutely - "in the clouds" / "in the air"
2nd heaven - Yes, perhaps - just beyond the 1st heaven, but still in the "close vicinity" of the earth
3rd heaven - No.
YEP
YEP
Who is "we"...??? ---
"we" just may soon enough discover that "we" are part of those who are martyred for not accepting the mark of the beast...
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. ~ Revelation 15:2
Grammatically speaking -- the 'them' in this verse
may or may not be all-inclusive (as associated with those who 'stand on sea of glass'); however, it
IS -
beyond a shadow of any doubt whatsoever - referring to those - and
only those - "no more and no less" - "exactly and precisely and particularly and specifically" - who '
had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name'.
The word 'victory' - in the context of this verse - is not [just simply] referring to the [general] idea of "victory in Christ" (i.e., with regard to salvation). It is very specifically talking about the "overcoming" of those who "overcame" the beast and his image / mark / etc.
"It does not apply to everyone since Adam."
It
only applies to those who '
had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name'.
Now - I will be more than happy to modify my position to that of accepting the possibility of some people who "do not accept the mark" - and, happen to still be alive when Jesus returns. These would still then "get the victory" - because "getting the victory" is about "not accepting the mark"; however, for the absolute majority of those who "do not accept the mark" - it will mean certain death. Nonetheless, the 'victory' in this verse is [very specifically] about "overcoming by not accepting the mark"...
"There's no two ways about it."
So then - I suppose I could say "reach the end" - by
death or by
rapture - as a requirement of the 'victory' in this verse.
Previously, I was thinking of the rapture as a separate subsequent event - as if - all who did not "accept the mark" died a martyr's death. (
"Silly of me... ?" )
Needless to say, post #34 was written from that perspective.
Nonetheless, the 'victory' in this verse is [very specifically] about "overcoming by not accepting the mark"...
'victory' in general, like in the above two verses you quoted - yes
'victory' in the specific scenario given in Revelation 15:2 - no
"No kidding, Dick Tracy!"
It is the
faith of those - who "got the victory" in
Revelation 15:2 - that
enabled them (understand the context - I am not leaving out the Holy Spirit) to "stand against" the beast and "not accept the mark" [until the end].