Mike Plunkett (26 Oct 2012)Matthew quoted Jesus' sayings by topic not giving any consideration to chronological timing of events descried but lumped all similar sayings together for the purpose of showing the "Kingly" nature of Jesus teachings and therefore Matthew cannot be used to establish any meaningful order of events mentioned. Nevertheless some will use Matthew to suggest that the rapture happens after the tribulation and on this hangs their whole argument. (Luke provided the teachings and events "in order". Luke 1: 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,)Jesus promised that His bride (Philadelphia Church) would be kept from the hour of temptation which shall come on all the world to try them which dwell upon the earth.This promise suggests a couple of important things.1. To be kept from the hour of something is to be removed from the very time/space continuum altogether not to be preserved through said time.2. It also suggests that this time of trial is a time when a decision for God is still possible for those who are in this hour being tried. Therefore this cannot refer to being kept only from the wrath of God portion of the tribulation. Yet the Philadelphia Church is kept from this hour therefore suggesting that the Philadelphia Church has already made her decision and been accepted by Jesus as a finished product in no need of further trial.Also there are promises from Jesus that whoever believes in Him though he were dead yet he shall live and if he lives and believes he shall NEVER die! There is a generation that shall not taste of death! Therefore the raptured Bride cannot be the 2 witnesses and be killed at all.When you see these things BEGIN (not after the tribulation) to come to pass then stand and lift your heads your redemption draws nigh - Rapture before, not after the tribulation has ended.Also Isaiah 26 says we will be hidden in a safe place not among the inhabitants of the earth, (represented in the "Star Gospel" as Cancer the sheepfold temporary holding place for weary travelers) until the indignation be overpast:19. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
20. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.If the Philadelphia Church is to be kept from the hour of trial it must be removed first before that hour can even begin. Therefore whatever tribulation we may face here and now is not a part of that trial but the trouble (regular tribulations) that Jesus said we would have in the world but be of good courage for He has overcome this world and the gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church. Therefore when Antichrist makes war with the saints and overcomes them, it is not the church but tribulation saints, foolish virgins left here and new converts after the tribulation has begun. We will be gone!This is our blessed hope and we are told not to let anyone take this hope from us even if they be 5 Dove posters.Revelation 3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.I also don't beileve that the church is the 144,000 since we are gone at this time having supper!