I think this will be the last time I post on this topic because as I've learnt from other ongoing threads, those who believe an opposing side will never change their point of view even when you present scripture right there in front of them. It's pointless to keep addressing these same threads which accomplish nothing but the same arguments. So this is for those that come here for assurance of God's promises and to know that we are not sheep being led to the slaughter. We are not of this world, soon we will be home and those unbelievers left here will be given a last chance to be saved, though they will pay with their lives.
Many ignore scriptures but you cannot erase these types of messages from the bible....
Rev 3:10: "
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will
keep you from (out) the hour of trial (testing) which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth"
The purpose of the hour is to try/test those who 'dwell' upon the earth, as in, those of the world (the unbelievers). We are not of this world. There is no purpose for us during the tribulation
because we've already been tested and we passed!! This is a promise to us!!
We're currently living in the time of the church as we are here and we are supposed to witness to the unbelieving world. The tribulation is the last call to repentance and specifically for the children of disobedience. God focuses on Israel during the tribulation, the church will be in heaven as we will return with Christ. The bible specifically mentions the wrath of God during the tribulation. It is God's last call to repentance. He is in control of every event that takes place and will use this tribulation to bring about repentance. God's wrath - He uses Satan in the tribulation. It is all part of His plan. We, the current day church, are not a part of that.
1 Thess 5:9: "
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (tribulation would be described as a time of wrath. God is in control, especially with the 7 year tribulation)
1 Thess 1:10: "and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come"
Romans 5:9: "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him"
Colossians 3:6: "Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience"
Salvation has been offered to the gentiles currently (this doesn't mean Jews are not saved as some are) but once all gentiles are saved, that are chosen to be saved, God will then turn to Israel and focus on them.
So you have to look at the purpose of the tribulation and why the church will not be around at this time. The time of us, the church, will soon come to an end because we are no longer needed and God's will is to then focus on Israel.
and because it is a part of his plan and in the scriptures for us to read. So it must be important
Yes, it's great to know what happened in our past and what happens in our future, but it doesn't mean we will be here to see the 'mark of the beast' ourselves, although the message is directed at many who will see the mark. We just have been given knowledge of things to come.
There will be tribulation saints and many warnings are directed at them, addressing them, as this will be the times they will be in. Just like the Old Testament was in effect before we were born. We don't discount the Old Testament and it's teachings, like the feasts, etc, but we can see that it was addressed before our time to the people of Israel. Just like the 'mark of the beast' we can read about now but it will be specifically for the tribulation saints who will experience these things. Just because all these things are revealed to us does not mean the 'mark of the beast' is something we, the church, will specifically see, but some will see it as it addresses saints that will be beheaded during that time, and it instructs them not to take this mark. There is also no stopping us from warning others not to take this mark when they see it, although we pray that they be saved now that God may keep them from that hour also.
Jesus will return for His church. When and how aren't at issue.
What is at issue is that we spiritually prepare ourselves to be reunited with Christ for heaven. That's the point.
Whether He returns when we are alive or whether we die and are resurrected, the point is to be spiritually ready to be reunited and enter heaven.
If the wisdom I received on this is wrong then I accept that but I haven't found any scripture to suggest otherwise. If we are left here, then when this country becomes communist and they take me away in the middle of the night, I will never deny Christ. However, one thing to mention is that those not expecting a rapture will not be ready for it as they will be looking for Antichrist and focusing on all the end time events to take place first, rather than looking for Jesus to catch us up. Also, the unbelieving world are not being prepared for anything to happen because many Christians refuse to acknowledge any type of rapture taking place, so unbelievers are being left in the dark. My guess is they will be told a lie by the authorities about what really happened to their family members and all the children...this will be a way to get them to take the mark - for peace and security because of an awful tragedy which killed their relatives, not realizing it was Jesus that actually took them. They will use this sudden disappearance and blame it on a terrorist attack or something of this nature.
Link -->
Seven Reasons Why the Rapture Cannot Come After the Tribulation
