I've been wondering too lately if the rapture isn't post tribulation.
We are told that at the rapture the dead in Christ will rise first and that we will be caught up with them in the air.
Yet in Revelation 20 which seems to be post tribulation, we have the FIRST resurrection. So wouldn't it seem that either the dead who were resurrected at the rapture are not counted as resurrected OR it is at the same time post tribulation?
I really am just searching through it at the moment.
You are exactly correct. There are only two resurrections. 1) Christ the firstfruits, 2) Those who are Christ's at His coming.
Then comes the END!! There isn't much after the END other than eternity. Consider the below from 1 Cor 15:
[SUP]22 [/SUP]For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. [SUP]23 [/SUP]But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. [SUP]24 [/SUP]Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
The END is when Christ delivers the Kingdom (Millennial) to God the Father. All earthly governments are over. This doesn't happen before the Tribulation as we know earthly governments are still in power during and after the Tribulation.
Some wrongly equate the Great Tribulation as the Wrath of God. This is not true. These same people think that the Great Tribulation happens on a global level. This is also false. This is why they have allowed themselves to believe that the Church is raptured before the Tribulation because they at least recognize that the Church is not appointed to God's Wrath.
It is so important to understand what the Great Tribulation is and where it takes place. Scripture is very clear on this:
GREAT TRIBULATION:
Mat 24: [SUP]15 [/SUP]“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), [SUP]16 [/SUP]“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [SUP]21 [/SUP]For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Luke 21: [SUP]20 [/SUP]“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. [SUP]21 [/SUP]Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
WHEN: The Abomination of Desolation is seen and Jerusalem is surrounded by armies
Where: Judea, Israel, Jerusalem!!
Jesus tells us that the Abomination of Desolation is as told by Daniel. Daniel mentions the Abomination of Desolation just twice. The first time is here:
Dan 11: [SUP]29 [/SUP]“At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south... [SUP]31 [/SUP]And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily (sacrifices or prayers), and place there the abomination of desolation... [SUP]33 [/SUP]And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
So we see that a "
KING from the NORTH" (of Israel) will place the Abomination of Desolation where daily prayers take place. The location is most likely the Wailing or Western Wall. At this time, those with knowledge living in and around Judea are to flee. These are God's ELECT.
Ezekiel tells us in 38-39 that Israel is attacked in the latter days, after they were brought back to their Land which of course has happened starting in 1948. They are attacked by Gog of the land, Magog. Ezekiel is writing about Gog here in Eze 38:
"In the latter years you (Gog) will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. [SUP]9 [/SUP]You (Gog) will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
Those identified are mostly Muslim nations (
Gog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah). They attack Israel after she has been re-established. The Abomination of Desolation is placed, the ELECT scatter back to friendly nations then most of Israel fights and 2/3 are killed (Zec 13).
This is the GREAT TRIBULATION. If anyone thinks it isn't, they don't know what they are talking about and you should ignore them.
GOD'S WRATH:
Comes in response to the Great Tribulation. God cuts those days short for the sake of His ELECT as we see here in Mat 24:
[SUP]22 [/SUP]And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
So God intervenes in the killing of Jews which is also told in Eze 38:
[SUP]18 [/SUP]“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God, “that My fury will show in My face. [SUP]19 [/SUP]For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken:
God attacks and destroys Gog. This is HIS WRATH. The Church is nowhere near where this is happening because the church has been wiped out in these Muslim nations where the Wrath is poured.
Anyway, when Christ returns He gathers back HIS ELECT, those who have fled from the Great Tribulation:
Mat 24: and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [SUP]31 [/SUP]And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The ELECT are seen with Christ on the Mount Zion when He Returns.
Rev 14: Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
As for the Resurrection, it happens after the Great Tribulation as Daniel tells us. The "time of trouble" is the Great Tribulation.
Dan 12: And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. [SUP]2 [/SUP]And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
This idea of the Church being snatched off the planet and taken to heaven to avoid Israel's attack by the Muslim nations is absolutely untaught in the Bible. Those in heaven with white robes are souls, they died. This is clear from Rev 6, 7 and 20. I hope this helps.
