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16. The following scriptures portray the raptured saints before the throne of god prior to the first seal of the revelation being opened. this, again, clearly shows the rapture comes before the tribulation. it is written, and they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book (or scroll), and to open (or break) the seals thereof: for thou wast slain (or slaughtered), and hast redeemed (or ransomed, or purchased) us to (or for) god by thy blood out of every kindred (or tribe), and tongue (or language), and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our god kings (or a kingdom) and priests (to serve our god): and we shall reign on (or rule over) the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne (or they encircled the throne) and the beasts (or living beings) and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands-rev 5:9-11.

And they sung a new song. The four living beings and the elders appear to be singing. saying, thou art worthy to take the book (or scroll), and to open (or break) the seals thereof. the first seal is not opened until chaper 6

In this passage, taking the scroll and breaking the seals is mentioned. Opening the scroll is not mentioned at this point. For thou wast slain (or slaughtered). jesus was worthy, because he was slain and has redeemed (or purchased, or ransomed) us (the saints). as it is written, and hast redeemed (or ransomed, or purchased) us.

Here are the saints (us) pictured before the throne of god before the first seal is ever opened. here are the saints that have just been raptured (us). We are redeemed to (or for) god by thy blood. Angels are not ransomed by the blood of the lamb. We (the saints) are. Where do we (the saints) come from? We come out of every kindred (or tribe), and tongue (or language), and people, and nation. It is impossible for these to be angels, as the angels do not come from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. john heard the voice, come up hither-rev 4:1, which is symbolic of the rapture. the church age is over. Now, John is relating what he is seeing. John sees "us." as it is written, revs 5:10-and hast made us. Here is the second time this word is used. That word means exactly what it says, "us."

Now combine this with the words of rev 3:10-because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (which is the tribulation), which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Here is clear, unmistakable proof that the saints will not go into the tribulation. they shall be raptured and shall be before the throne of god prior to the first seal being opened.

What happens to a person’s body when he is raptured?

There is no scripture that clearly tells us what will happen to the bodies of the raptured people. the scriptures have shown us clearly that we will be changed. it is written, we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality-1 Cor 15:52,53; (because) flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of god; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption-1 Cor 15:50. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of god, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens-2 Cor 5:1.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body-1 Cor 15:44. The scriptures show us that there are two bodies. Our earthly body is of flesh, blood, and bone. our heavenly body is of flesh and bone-ref Lk 24:39. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but god giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body-1 Cor 15:37, 38. Again, two bodies are mentioned.

Most people and prophecy scholars alike believe that when the rapture comes, our old body will simply be changed into our new body. Thus, there will be no bodies left. In other words, when the rapture comes, the people that are raptured will simply disappear.

There is a second opinion also. The second idea is, when the rapture comes our old body will be put off and we will put on our new heavenly body. Our old body will be left lying wherever we are when the rapture comes, as if we had just died. it is written, two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, where, lord? And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles (or vultures) be gathered together-Lk 17:36, 37. The lord seems to be showing that following the rapture, "where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather" (NIV). There are also other opinions on the meaning of these verses.

Since the days of Paul, the rapture has always been viewed as an event that could happen at any time. the saints were admonished to watch and be ready, for the imminent return of Jesus Christ could happen at any time. No event was to precede it, such as the tribulation.

However, certain parts of the book of Daniel that were closed, until the time of the end, have been opened and are now understood. Other prophecies are also understood. These include Israel’s rebirth, a great military power existing in the land of Magog, (Moscow) and the European Economic Community (also called the revived Roman Empire). These and other prophecies that have been fulfilled all indicate the tribulation is very close. The tribulation is preceded by the rapture.

How the saints would react to the tribulation, if they knew what it would be like?

It is hoped that people might be able to understand that the tribulation will be the most horrifying, the most terrifying time that has ever been on this earth since the creation. There will be earthquakes, famines, diseases, sores, pain, fear, droughts, wars, panic, death, and other things of a magnitude that is beyond description. Billions of people will die. Multitudes of people that get saved during the tribulation can expect to be severely persecuted, brutally beaten, and killed. It will be so bad, that had Jesus not returned at the time he does, no flesh on earth would be left alive.

As has already been stated, any person that has the deceived notion that the church will go through the tribulation appears to be ignorant of what the tribulation will be like.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, the true saints will be raptured prior to the tribulation

Jesus is announced to the humble

It is lastly noted that the birth of Christ was not first announced to the great men of the earth or to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but to humble shepherds-ref Lk 2:8-12. it is much the same today. the coming of Jesus to remove his people from the earth, before the antichrist comes forth and the tribulation begins, is not understood by what the world considers to be the great men or the so- called religious leaders of the earth, but to the humble people, the servants of god that have placed their faith and trust in the Jesus of the bible as their only hope.

The time truly is at hand, please examine yourselves and ask god to help you to be accounted worthy if he were to come today!!!

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This site was last updated Thursday April 01, 2004 06:12:34 PM -0500