I disagree with the "biblical vision" post by Lauren for several reasons. Mostly because it denies the pre-wrath rapture of the Church. John is the greatest "type" of the church in the New Testament. He is that apostle whom Jesus loved.  Jesus loved John in a special way - because John represented the church! JOHN is caught up in chapter FOUR of the Book of Revelations when a door is opened in heaven and he represents the church being caught up BEFORE the tribulation begins, before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth.  The word CHURCH is not mentioned again until you find a door opened in heave and  someone coming DOWN --the church returning with the Lord Jesus with  the armies of heaven. You must "rightly divide" the word of God. Wresting the scriptures to try to prove a post-trib rapture, leaves a mass of confusion. Rev. 11 has NOT been fulfilled yet!  We have not seen a third of the stars, a third of the sun and moon "not giving their light" yet. But it WILL HAPPEN!  Israel has not been driven out of her land to be cared for supernaturally by God in the wilderness with the Antichrist chasing her and trying to DROWN her with a flood - a flood that is swallowed up by the earth. The remnant of Israel will be provided with Manna by God
in the wilderness  (in Petra) JUST as God provided for them when they were led by Moses in the Old Testament!  They will come full circle!
 
None of the vial judgments, the bowl judgments or trumpet judgments have happened. The Bible clearly defines a 7 year period of tribulation that has NOT YET OCCURRED. Jesus said it would be the worst time in the history of the world. While we have had a lot of unusual weather, storms, earthquakes, famines, these are ALL things that Jesus said would happen before his return, but He said of them, THE END IS NOT YET.
We have not had the earth overrun with the locusts from the bottomless pit yet that are said to cause the men with the mark of the beast pain for 5 months - and they will seek death and not find it ---we have not seen a third of the green grass burned up, nor a third of mankind killed by hunger, the beasts of the earth, etc., etc. and we have not seen the destruction of Babylon in one day. We have not seen a great mountain cast into the sea (meteor?) The 144000 Jewish virgins have not been sealed and Moses and Elijah have not preached for 3 and a half years yet!  We have not seen the death of all living creatures in the sea, which is prophesied to take place. (and it WILL take place!) We have not seen thousands be-headed for having the word of God and the prophecy of Jesus and their souls UNDER the altar of God. We have not seen millions being required to take a mark in their right hand or forehead YET, but it WILL happen. We are NOT currently in the tribulation - it has not yet begun - but the signs are everywhere!
 
Agape,
Rene