Reply to David Blackman  http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/july2013/davidb711.htm

Hi David,

The earliest future Rapture event where the Dead in Christ are raised is the "gathering together of the elect" preceding the Wrath of God and following the Sixth Seal in Rev 6:12-17, which is AFTER the "tribulation of those days" in Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27. The "tribulation of those days" refers to the persecution of the elect by Antichrist and his minions prior to the Sixth Seal. This persecution produces the Martyrs under the Altar in Heaven referred to at the Fifth Seal, Rev 6:9-11. The days of this persecution are cut short per Matt 24:21-22, at the Sixth Seal. The Wrath of God then occurs during the remainder of the 1260 day count and probably a 30 day extension, which several Old Testament verses refer to as the year of God's Wrath (Day of Vengeance, Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, and 63:4). The "gathering together of the elect" is the 2nd Rapture event, and it precedes God's Wrath which begins after the opening of the Seventh Seal. This event is the one that the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 refers to, in context with the Matthew 24:27-31 Coming. The Five Foolish Virgins are unsaved. "Verily I say unto you, I know you not" Matt 25:12.

There is a PRIOR Rapture event scripture calls the "Open Door" found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. The purpose of this 1st Rapture event is to escape the "tribulation of those days" for those found worthy to escape. Of the Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3, only Philadelphia, Smyrna, and a small remnant at Sardis were found worthy. Smyrna was told they would have tribulation "ten days" per Rev 2:9-10 ("Open Door" timing clue?). The rest were told to REPENT or they will have tribulation (but not the wrath of God). There is nothing about the dead being raised at the "Open Door".

There is a popular American teaching that all born again Christians are Philadelphians, so everybody will be raptured at the earliest rapture event. However, if you look at the scriptures you will see that Philadelphia was a persecuted church. They had little strength left, were faithful and had not denied the Lord's name. Rev 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." and Rev 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." The temptation during the "hour of temptation" (i.e."tribulation of those days") will be to receive the Mark of the Beast to avoid persecution and death. All those who receive the Mark of the Beast will receive the wrath of God per Rev 14:9-11. 

I happen to believe that the Laodicean church in Rev 3:14-22 best describes the majority of Christians. They will be left behind at the "Open Door" unless they heed the Lord's warning to REPENT!

Rev 3:14-22 "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Luke 21:31-36 "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always (repenting), that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

YBIC,

Bill Griese