Prophecy is written for us so that we can *watch* and not be caught in the cross fire. I personally am of the pre-wrath, post- or at least mid-tribulation class of believers. I'm not one to follow the mainstream just because it's the main stream.
I cannot see the "left behind" scenario as accurate, rather I think it's an interpretation of men. It makes good entertainment though, right up there with Independence Day and Alien Invasion. Why do I think that? Because I've searched the scriptures and asked the Holy Spirit to guide me and that's not what I've found in scriptures. So little do I now see that scenario, which I use to believe it without studying for myself, that I've written several articles on my diary site (Deb's Diary). There are some key scriptures to consider here, some even spoken of directly by our Lord. Read my articles and you will see for yourself.
Some think we pre-wrathers are on an undivine mission of martyrdom. Not at all. Some will be martyred yes, Revelation says so, here are some scriptures to back me up ...
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. {Did you see that? NOT WRITTEN in the Lamb's book of life indicates that those that ARE WRITTEN are still present also!}
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
What saints would this be talking about? Those "left behind" will only be those people that have not accepted Jesus as their Lord & Savior at the end of this Age of Grace! Those left behind are slated for great tribulation and God's wrath, those who remain will be utterly wicked and corrupted and follow their earthly lord & master who is satan. There would be no need for a rapture if people that will *become God's afterward* are then tortured and killed, what purpose does that serve to the overall body of Christ?
And speaking of the body, if there were such a thing as *tribulation saints* (those left behind after some great secret rapture) does it make sense to you that the Lord's body would be split up into two groups (the before tribulation and the during tribulation)? It surely doesn't make sense to me since there is only one Age of Grace and it terminates when Jesus returns to rule and reign for a thousand years and King of kings and Lord of lords! When this age of grace closes, the Lord returns, we are resurrected then and only then, we meet Him in the clouds (amongst His angels who will be sent to the four corners of the earth to fetch us to our Lord) and so shall we ever be with Him. There is no *secret rapture* into heaven for a seven year period. We will be here on earth ruling and reigning with Christ ... this earth is our home!
Rev 15:2 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.
Who are these then? These are martyred saints, those that have physically died in Christ over the years. How do I know? Well they are standing on the sea of glass, in God's temple, which is in heaven. They've had *victory* over the beast and over his image and over his mark, etc. Victory for a saint is that they believe in God, and His Son Jesus, even upon Jesus' name ... that's the victory my friends! So these people have died sometime before &/or during the tribulation.
If you read the whole chapter you'll see this occurs BEFORE the seven vials of God's wrath are poured out on the earth! The seven vials (bowls) occurs AFTER six of the seven trumpets, in fact the seven vials ARE the seventh trumpet ... which IS the LAST TRUMPET! When the seventh trumpet sounds we will be resurrected, then God will pour out His wrath (plagues) onto the earth and those that remain unchanged in their sinfulness. At this point, these are the saints in spirit, not body ... these are not the resurrection! The resurrection happens WHEN the Lord returns as we see here:
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
So if we are the chosen, and faithful, body of Christ ... this says we'll be with Him when the nations attempt to make war with the Lamb ... and the Lamb shall overcome them. The Lamb and His faithful are HERE on earth, otherwise how can mankind make war with Him? How else can we know He's here during this time and our resurrection occurs when he comes HERE to earth?
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
But many others will not, many others will be here and alive and well when the Lord returns documented in many places in the bible and we know that the dead in Christ will be resurrected first, then those who are alive and remain.
Consider that ... the DEAD in Christ will rise {resurrect} first, then we who are alive and remain will *be changed in the twinkling of an eye* {resurrected}. How can we be in heaven if the dead in Christ are still dead? What is the point of being resurrected and in heaven? Is not the point of having a body to be alive on the earth to rule & reign with Jesus at His return?
Read Revelation 19, I'm sure you will agree that:
1) this chapter occurs AFTER the tribulation AND after God's wrath, that being true
2) the marriage supper of the Lamb also comes afterward when we see
3) the Lord returns to earth
I had started this article some time ago and saved it as a draft and am posting it now but it's by no means all I've learned. More thoughts to come ...
