Hi Barry

A big problem I have with a believer going through the tribulation is that since a believer is declared "righteous" by faith in Christ then as far as God sees him he is perfect. If you look at the following verses you will see that the rapture was not known to Moses or even the Apostles. It was a "mystery" given to Paul. Also please notice that Paul promised that even the "carnal" church at Corinth would be looking for the rapture.

1Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

 

1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

So you see even the "carnal" christian is promised the rapture and there victory is because of Jesus not themselves.

 

The church itself was a mystery and revealed to Paul.

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

 

This mystery Gospel was given by God to Paul. Moses would not have known about this. The rapture of the church is not mentioned prior to Paul mentioning it. We do not become an Israelite. There is neither Jew nor Greek in the church age once a person believes. The church will be serving Christ from a heavenly Kingdom while the Jews who are not part of the church are looking for an earthly kingdom.

 

You are correct in the tribulation the saints will mostly be beheaded for their faith. They must take care of each other and not take the mark of the beast. They must ENDURE TO THE END.

 

thanks

Mike W