How is this possible if the saints are removed prior to any of this starting?
Hello Rickyz,
That is a good question and I have a good scriptural answer. From Revelation chapter 1 thru 3, the word "Ekklesia" translated as "church" is used throughout those chapters. In addition, the word "Hagios" translated as "saints" is never used within those same chapters. Likewise, from chapter 4 onward the word Hagios/Saints is used and the word Ekklesia/church is never used. God is making a distinction here. That the word church is used specifically in those first three chapters and then is never seen again after the end of the chapter 3, is demonstrating that the church is no longer on the earth. Now, if both the words church and saints were used interchangeably throughout the entire book of Revelation, then it would be non-issue. So, who are these saints?
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"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."
"Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
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First of all, the fact that the elder is even asking John who this group is, demonstrates that it is not the church, of whom John was previously told to write letters to. In addition, John says that he doesn't know who this group is. The elder then tells him that, "these are those who have come out of the great tribulation."
This group is never referred to as the church, but always as saints. These are those who will have become believers in Christ after the church has been removed from the earth. The distinction being made is a clue in God's word that the church is not present during the time of God's wrath, which begins in chapter 6 with the opening of the seals.
The key to understanding the chronology of Revelation, is found in Rev.1:19 where Jesus tells John to Write:
What you have seen = Includes everything written from Rev.1:1 to verse 19
What is now = Represented by the letters to the seven churches, which also represents the church period
What will take place later = Everything that takes place after the "what is now" i.e. after the church period
That said, we are currently still in the "what is now" i.e. we are still in the church period. Once the church has been removed, then the "what will take place later" will begin, which contains the wrath of God via the seals, trumpets and bowl judgements, leading up to the return of Christ to the earth to end the age.
Conclusion: The saints that the beast is given authority over to make war against and to conquer during that last 3 1/2 years, will be that group of white robed saints, which no man can count from every nation, tribe, people and language. These are those who are referred to throughout the entire narrative and the church is never mentioned during that time. It is not until Rev.19:6-8 that the church is mentioned as the bride, where she is receiving here fine clothing, white and clean at the wedding of the Lamb. The bride/church is also show following the Lord out of heaven riding on white horses in Rev.19:14, for they are wearing the same fine linen, white and clean that they will have previously received at the wedding. The church is also referred to one more time in Rev.22, though it is outside of the narrative.