When I was a newborn in Christ, I really loved the idea of being raptured away by God prior to the events of the Great tribulation, but over the years, the Teacher has been showing me verses which led me to doubt the doctrine as it was taught to me. 1st Thessalonians definitely foretells the event referred to as the Rapture, so I believe in it, but a few nights ago the Lord showed me something from the book of the Revelation, which I'd read many times before, but never quite got.
Verses 4 through 6 of chapter 20 describe those who will live and reign with Christ during the millenial kingdom and identifies them as those who have taken part in the first resurrection (also known as the resurrection of the Just.) The second resurrection (of the rest of the dead) doesn't occur until the end of the millenial reign and the battle of Armageddon.
1st Thessalonians chapter 4, in verses 13 through 17 describe the event referred to as the rapture and identify the timing as immediately following the raising up of the dead in Christ. Since there are only 2 resurrections, this resurrection spoken of by the Apostle Paul is also the first resurrection (or resurrection of the just).
Now, according to the book of the Revelation the first resurrection happens after (or coincides with) the return of Christ in victory over the anti-christ. Those servants of God who have been justified through faith in Christ (both before His birth and after) that are to be rewarded with thrones during the millenial kingdom are described to include those who were beheaded for their testimony, did not receive the mark of the beast, and did not worship the beast nor his image (Rev.20:4).
You could try to make a case for these "tribulation" saints being Jews or others saved after the rapture, but then you have 3 resurrections and 2 churches. Furthermore, chapter 7 of the book of the Revelation, which describes the 144,000 saints from the tribes of Israel, also describes a "great multitude which no one could number" of all nations, tribes, and tongues who are also dressed in white robes and worshipping the lamb. This great multitude is further identified in the latter part of the chapter as those who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb. These same also are described as standing before the throne of God, serving Him night and day. We don't need to invent some other gospel through which these are saved, as they are identified as having received the sacrifice of our Savior's blood.
As I said before, I'd read these verses many time without making the connection (although the rapture doctrine as I was taught it, tended to confuse the issue.) I firmly believe that God reveals those things that we need to know and understand, when we need to know them. The days are short indeed. Hallelujah and Amen.
Verses 4 through 6 of chapter 20 describe those who will live and reign with Christ during the millenial kingdom and identifies them as those who have taken part in the first resurrection (also known as the resurrection of the Just.) The second resurrection (of the rest of the dead) doesn't occur until the end of the millenial reign and the battle of Armageddon.
1st Thessalonians chapter 4, in verses 13 through 17 describe the event referred to as the rapture and identify the timing as immediately following the raising up of the dead in Christ. Since there are only 2 resurrections, this resurrection spoken of by the Apostle Paul is also the first resurrection (or resurrection of the just).
Now, according to the book of the Revelation the first resurrection happens after (or coincides with) the return of Christ in victory over the anti-christ. Those servants of God who have been justified through faith in Christ (both before His birth and after) that are to be rewarded with thrones during the millenial kingdom are described to include those who were beheaded for their testimony, did not receive the mark of the beast, and did not worship the beast nor his image (Rev.20:4).
You could try to make a case for these "tribulation" saints being Jews or others saved after the rapture, but then you have 3 resurrections and 2 churches. Furthermore, chapter 7 of the book of the Revelation, which describes the 144,000 saints from the tribes of Israel, also describes a "great multitude which no one could number" of all nations, tribes, and tongues who are also dressed in white robes and worshipping the lamb. This great multitude is further identified in the latter part of the chapter as those who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb. These same also are described as standing before the throne of God, serving Him night and day. We don't need to invent some other gospel through which these are saved, as they are identified as having received the sacrifice of our Savior's blood.
As I said before, I'd read these verses many time without making the connection (although the rapture doctrine as I was taught it, tended to confuse the issue.) I firmly believe that God reveals those things that we need to know and understand, when we need to know them. The days are short indeed. Hallelujah and Amen.