Ed,

If you look at Rev. 4:4 John sees the 24 elders sitting upon 24 thrones. They have crowns of gold upon their heads. In Rev. 4:10, they are casting their crowns before the throne.  In Rev. 5:9-10, they are praising the Lamb for redeeming them, and for making them kings and priests, and they will reign on the earth.

Rev. 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev. 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne,

In Rev. 5:9-10 You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign  on the earth.

1. Only the Bride of Christ is been promised crowns. (1 Peter 5:4, 2 Tim. 4:8, 1 Cor. 9:25, Phil. 4:1, James 1:12)
2. Only the Bride of Christ is made kings and priests. (1 Peter 2:9, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 5:10)
3. Only the Bride of Christ will reign on earth – and judge the world. (1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 5:10, Rev. 20:4)

That means that we are not going to be here for any part of the tribulation.  The Bride of Christ is already in heaven BEFORE the opening of the 1st seal in Rev. 6:1 AND, BEFORE the man of sin is revealed in Rev. 6:2.

The tribulation is a time for God to deal with Israel, not the church, that’s why it’s called “Jacob’s trouble”.  Also Daniel 9:24 tells us exactly who it’s for:

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem).

The Bride of Christ will be caught up to the wedding chamber for the entire 7 years (1 week) of the tribulation.

 

Linda Vegh
After these things
Rapture Watch Forum