Disagree. I say that just because "great tribulation" is used by Jesus in Matthew 24 and John in Revelation 7 is not sufficient reason to deduce that they are talking about the same thing, the very same time period. I say, as I said before, that yes, there will be great tribulation such as has never been seen, very near to and leading up to the time that Jesus returns. But John's context is a bit different; he's speaking from... well, a forty thousand foot view of history, so to speak... that's what his Revelation is... and in that sense, the whole tribulation from the beginning until Jesus's return is great. I'll say again ~ in reference to your quote of Revelation 7:14 ~ that all the saints ~ all believers from the beginning ~ "will have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." John's context is a bit different.
But, if we disagree on that, that's okay, TL. We can agree to disagree.
I understand that you disagree. But you are only disagreeing with what the Word says.
I don't know how to make it any clearer than the past post. However.............
1. Matthew 24 shows us the great tribulation which is a time like no other.
2. Matthew 24 shows us that immediately after the great tribulation, the sun and moon go dark and the stars fall from heaven, and Jesus returns.
3. At the opening of the 6th seal, we see the exact same signs in the sun, moon and stars.
4. We can conclude based on the above that Jesus returns at the 6th seal immediately after the great tribulation.
5. In Rev 7 we see those in white robes come out of the same great tribulation as the harvest has occurred.
6. In Revelation 15 we can see that those that are in heaven that came out of great tribulation are singing the song of Moses.
7. They are identified as those that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.
That's what the Word says. It's so simple if you just read what the Word says. We don't need to make up anything.
Well, as you know, I very much disagree with this; there is no "rapture" (much less two), no "secret return" (and certainly not two returns), and no "removal" of the Church (at any juncture); there is no need for any of this. I do agree, though, that by the end of this age ~ prior to Jesus's return:
- all of the elect Gentiles will be saved ~ "the fullness of the Gentiles (will) come in" ~ will be brought in to God's Israel
- all of the elect ethnic Jews will be saved ~ the "partial hardening/blindness that has come upon Israel" will be removed/lifted
And in this way, ALL OF ISRAEL will be saved. Both of these things happen ~ are completed ~ prior to the return of Christ. Indeed, the completion of these two things prompts the return of Christ.
Here is the first rapture which is the Church. It is the grain harvest. It will be like the days of Noah, as Noah was in the ark 6 days before the flood. Why would we comfort one another if it was not true?
1 Thes 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Here is the 2nd rapture. The fruit harvest. Like the days of Lot where the very day Lot left Sodom destruction came. This occurs at the 6th seal.
1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
But if you disagree, that's... okay. :) Disagreement on this point is okay. :) what would not be okay is if we disagreed on if it's going to happen. It really doesn't matter that we disagree on how it's going to happen. :)
Grace and peace to you!
It might matter to you as He appears to be coming in an hour that you think not. We are approaching the middle of June. It's very possible that will
shake you into reality brother. It's a pleasure talking to you.
All the best to you in your quest for the truth. The time draws near.