Doug,

We are very blessed to be born during the age when we have the opportunity to look for, and if we are permitted to be alive during the event, then to participate in the rapture.  Because of that it is so easy to look at scripture and say…..”if you don’t follow these guidelines, then you will be separated out and have to endure the Great Tribulation.”  Ironically, this is a one time event and yet we are talking about a separating process that represents the past 2000 years.  If this were true, then only those that were alive would fulfill the scripture but those who were born before and had already passed away… no great tribulation for them. This interpretation is not being consistent.

 I totally agree however with the separation of the bride from the body of the church, but reading Rev. 2,3 and seeing the separation of the overcomes from the nonovercomers, that separation happens at the judgment seat which is located in heaven.  The fact that there could be believers who find themselves on the outside of the Bride, their time in heaven may have some eternal remorse with it….a type of grief that would last until God wipes away all the tears at the end of Revelation.  That grief would be a carry over from their earthly existence when it should be a time of rejoicing.