Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
Yes being spared God's wrath was told to the faithful church, Philadelphia. But isn't the wrath of God released in the Seven Bowls? Therefore, if the Seventh Trumpet is the last trumpet, then we will be spared God's wrath - but that would also void Post-trib views as well.
Nowhere are the saints of God promised they would not suffer in this world. All of the suffering in this world by men has come from God's wrath directed at men. When we are promised exclusion from God's wrath, I believe it is referring to Eternal Punishment. Nor are we being punished simply because we experience the *effects* of God's wrath directed towards others.
For example, I believe God demonstrates His wrath towards wicked men on earth presently through storms, through natural disasters, through viruses, through wars, etc. But the Church goes through these times, and through these negative experiences not because God's wrath is directed at *us,* but only because like His Son we have to be here as witnesses to the means of repentance and forgiveness. We also are here to testify against the sins of men that bring these horrible experiences down upon the innocent.
There is no question that some things God has exempted from us. One situation involved only one of seven churches--the church at Philadelphia. But there were other occasions. For example, Jesus told his followers they could avoid the destruction of Jerusalem when the Romans came in 70 AD. This judgment was not designed to destroy Jewish believers!
But later, Jewish believers continued to suffer the side effects of being Jews in a country under God's judgment. They lost their homes, their finances, their belongings, their material happiness. They suffered the time of God's wrath against Israel, even though it was not directed at them. Jesus, in his Olivet Discourse, warned them that these things were coming, so they could escape some of it, but not all of it.
Other Pre-tribbers say the Church is not seen after Rev. 4:1, when the angel tells John to "come up here" - as if that is symbolic for the Church.
There is a lot of made up stuff, a half dozen or more views with each having their supportive verses to back them up.
I am a Mid- Tribber but would honestly prefer the Pre-trib view to be correct.
You should prefer what the Bible states. And 2 Thes 2 is unmistakable, because it directly deals with this question. It says that any premature claims to the coming of the Kingdom should be discounted, because the revelation of Antichrist must come 1st. There is no other way to legitimately read this. Even though I'm paraphrasing it, that is precisely what Paul said.
I see Jesus returning as He ascended and every eye seeing Him. He instructs his angels to separate the wheat from the chaff, that's the rapture. Two men in a field, one is taken and the other left behind.
Both men in the field were taken captive by the Romans in 70 AD. One was left alive to till the fields for the Romans. The other was taken away into captivity, or deported.
The Jews see Him and immediately realize their error and mourn. This could be the fulfillment of Romans 11 and prior to this, The Two Witnesses who prophesy/evangelize the Jews and the world as well logically come 1260 days prior to Christ. It may be that the last trumpet sounds simultaneously when these Two rise from the dead?
And then there is the issue about a Temple having to be built, which to me would be counterproductive and an abomination to God's plan
to save a remnant Jewish population, especially since He is sending Two Witnesses to evangelize them. This temple could not be holy, since we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. So the Antichrist standing in a holy place to me disproves a Jewish Temple. A Christian church would be a holy place with a holy congregation.
So many of us think we have it figured out and I have say, after many years of study, I don't.
You are one of the more diplomatic Christians I see on these forums. I agree with you on the temple matter--the OT temple is over and done. The real temple always has been in heaven. Heaven is the dwelling place of God. He also dwells in His Church.
I've studied this for many years, and I quite frankly love the subject. I've had to change my views on many matters. Thanks for entering into the discussion. You can take what I say with a grain of salt, if you wish? :)