The Church Will Go Through The Tribulation

Note that we Christians are referred to throughout Revelation (6:11, 7:14, 9:4, 12:17, 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 16:15, 18:4, 20:4), and there are no Christians outside of the church (Ephesians 4:4-5).

Note that we Christians who will be in the tribulation are Christians after the cross and after Pentecost (i.e. not OT) who have washed our "robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14) and have "the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12) and are "in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13), so we must be in his body (Ephesians 4:4-5), which body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and the bride (Ephesians 5:30-32), and we must have the Spirit, for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).

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"Tribulation Saints"?

Note that no scripture refers to "tribulation saints," or says that there can be anyone saved outside of the body of Christ, for "there is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith" (Ephesians 4:4-5); "ye are called in one body" (Colossians 3:15); "he is the saviour of the body" (Ephesians 5:23); "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 12:13); "we, being many, are one body in Christ" (Romans 12:5); "now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27); "the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

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The Body Is The Church

Note that everyone in the body of Christ is in "the church, which is his body" (Ephesians 1:22-23); "he is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18); "his body's sake, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24); "for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:30-32). Note that Christ doesn't marry part of his body, but his entire body, the church. Note that all of the verses quoted above equate the body and the church, and that no verse in the Bible distinguishes between the body and the church, or says that the church is only part of the body.

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The Body Is The Bride

Note that everyone in the body of Christ is part of the bride of Christ, "for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:30-32). Note that Christ doesn't marry part of his body, but his entire body, the church. Note that no verse in the Bible distinguishes between the body of Christ and the bride of Christ, or says that the bride of Christ is only part of the body of Christ.

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"Church" Not Mentioned?

Note that just as the specific word "Jews" not being mentioned after Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 in no way requires that there will be no Jews in the tribulation, so the specific word "church" not being mentioned after Revelation 3:22 in no way requires that there will be no church in the tribulation.

While I agree that the 24 elders in Revelation 4-5 aren't the church, aren't we Christians mentioned throughout Revelation (6:11, 7:14, 9:4, 12:17, 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 16:15, 18:4, 20:4), and aren't all Christians part of the church (Ephesians 4:4-5)?

Note that the word "church" isn't used in Chapters 19-21 of Revelation, or anywhere in the books of 2 Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, and Jude. Do some then believe that these chapters and books don't refer to the church?

If we look at all the myriad descriptions of Christians in all the NT books, how many of these descriptions don't use the specific word "church," but do use other key words and phrases such as "in the Lord," "the faith of Jesus," "saints," and "brethren," the same key words and phrases used to describe those of us Christians who will face the coming tribulation?

Why should those "in the Lord" in Revelation 14:13 not be considered to be the church, but those "in the Lord" in Romans 16:11-13, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Ephesians 2:21, Colossians 4:7, and 1 Thessalonians 3:8 should be?

Aren't the Christians "in the Lord" in the tribulation New Covenant saints, after the cross and after Pentecost, and not Old Covenant saints?

Why should those who have "the faith of Jesus" in Revelation 14:12 not be considered to be the church, but those who have "the faith of Jesus" in Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:22, Philippians 3:9, and James 2:1 should be?

Why should the "saints" in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:12 not be considered to be the church, but the "saints" in Revelation 19:8, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 1:12, Jude 3 should be?

Does it say the church ends in Revelation 6 and then resumes again in Revelation 19?

Why should the "brethren" in Revelation 6:11 not be considered to be the church, but the "brethren" in Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:9, Romans 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:10, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13 should be?

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"Christians" Not Mentioned?

What religion would we be who have washed our "robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14) and have "the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12) and are "in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13)?

If we look at all the myriad descriptions of believers in all the NT books, how many of these descriptions don't use the specific word "Christians," but do use other key words and phrases such as "in the Lord," "the faith of Jesus," "saints," and "brethren," the exact same words and phrases used to describe those of us believers who will face the coming tribulation?

Why should those "in the Lord" in Revelation 14:13 not be considered as Christians, but those "in the Lord" in Romans 16:11-13, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Ephesians 2:21, Colossians 4:7, and 1 Thessalonians 3:8 should be?

Those "in the Lord" in the tribulation are New Covenant saints, after the cross and after Pentecost. They are not Old Covenant saints.

Why should those who have "the faith of Jesus" in Revelation 14:12 not be considered as Christians, but those who have "the faith of Jesus" in Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:22, Philippians 3:9, and James 2:1 should be?

Why should the "saints" in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:12 not be considered as Christians, but the "saints" in Revelation 19:8, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 1:12, Jude 3 should be?

Does it say Christianity ends in Revelation 6 and then resumes again in Revelation 19?

Why should the "brethren" in Revelation 6:11 not be considered as Christians, but the "brethren" in Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:9, Romans 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:10, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13 should be?

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"Spirit" Not Mentioned?

Note that the word "Spirit" isn't used in reference to the believers John sees in Chapters 19-21 of Revelation, or anywhere in Titus, 2 Peter, 2 John, or 3 John. Do some then believe these chapters and books don't refer to Spirit-filled Christians?

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"Born-Again" Not Mentioned?

Do all the references to Christians in all the books and chapters of the New Testament, except John 3 and 1 Peter 1, refer to Christians who have not been "born again"?

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Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail

Note that evil rulers have been given power to kill Christians from the very beginning of the church down until this day. It will not be any different in the great tribulation. Our dying under the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 20:4) will be no different than the early Christians dying under the Roman emperors who persecuted them so cruelly.

Evil can prevail over our bodies, but never our spirits (Revelation 2:10).

Even though the Antichrist will be able to overcome many of us Christians physically (Revelation 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 20:4), all the powers of hell will not succeed in eradicating the church from the earth, for some of us Christians will be "alive and remain" until the Lord's 2nd coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15), and the tribulation will be shortened for our sake (Matthew 24:22).

Also, there's another way to look at Matthew 16:18. The "gates of hell" may not refer to Satan's ability to attack the church (for nobody attacks with gates), but rather to his ability to keep the lost in bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15). When we preach the gospel to the lost and they are saved from hell and brought into the church, no power of hell can keep them (Acts 26:18).

The church is built upon the rock of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:6), who preached in hell (1 Peter 3:19, 4:6) and led those who believed out of the gates of hell and into heaven (Ephesians 4:8-10). The gates of hell did not prevail against the rock (Psalm 107:14-16).

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Power Of Church Can Be Scattered (Daniel 12:7)

Note that evil can overpower Christians physically:

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" (Revelation 13:7-10).

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:12-13).

Note that Daniel 12:7 refers to the scattering of the power of "the holy people," and unbelievers are not holy people. Because the spiritual power of Christians can never be harmed (Luke 10:19), the power of Christians which the Antichrist will "overcome" (Revelation 13:7-10) can only be the physical power of Christians in the earth, just as Jesus will give Christians physical "power" over all nations of the earth during the millennium (Revelation 2:26-27).

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Church Can Be Destroyed (Daniel 8:24)

Note that the same Hebrew word used in Daniel 8:24 to refer to the destruction of people is used in Daniel 9:26 to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, so that in both cases it can be referring to physical destruction, just as the same word is used in Ezekiel 9:8 to refer to the killing of people, so that Daniel 8:24 can refer to the same killing of Christians by the Antichrist that Revelation 13:7-10 and Revelation 14:12-13 refer to.

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Miraculous Protection?

Note that some of us Christians will be persecuted and killed in the tribulation, both before and during the Antichrist's rule (Luke 21:16, 18; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 13:7-10; Revelation 14:12-13; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 20:4).

"Some of you shall they cause to be put to death... But there shall not an hair of your head perish" (Luke 21:16, 18).

"And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" (Revelation 6:11).

"And I saw...them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" (Revelation 15:2).

"I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4).

Some of us Christians will be protected on the earth during the final period of the tribulation by fleeing to a place prepared (Revelation 12:14, compare Matthew 24:15-16), for some of us must be "alive and remain" until Jesus' coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15).

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Church Would Expose Antichrist?

Some believe the church can't be here during the time of the Antichrist because it would expose the Antichrist for who he really is and then no one would be deceived by him. But why wouldn't all the believers they admit will be in the tribulation be able to do the same thing?

The Bible says that God himself will send a "strong delusion" on all unbelievers so they will believe in the Antichrist when he proclaims that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4-12, compare Revelation 13:4-8).

And the Antichrist will be "given power" to "make war" against Christians "and to overcome them" (Revelation 13:7), just as the Roman emperors who said they were God were allowed to persecute and kill so many Christians in the early church.

Some assume that most of the world will know and believe in the prophetic scriptures, but even today only a portion of the world has ever even read the prophetic scriptures, and only a portion of these take them literally or believe what they say will really happen. In addition to this, I believe it will be the mission of the Antichrist and the False Prophet to completely destroy every remaining copy of the scriptures (Amos 8:11-12), and to completely deny them, in order to more completely deceive the world into worshipping the Antichrist (Revelation 13:12-14).

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Saved Only By Dying?

Some believe Revelation 14:13 means that Christians in the tribulation will be saved only by dying. But is this what the verse itself says? If they are saved ("in the Lord") before they die, then they don't HAVE to die in order to be saved. Do some believe that people who die unsaved can be saved after death? Do they apply a saved-only-by-dying standard to those in Revelation 2:10 also? If not, why not?

Isn't Revelation 14:13 simply saying that those who die in the Lord will be blessed even though physically dead because then they can rest from their earthly labours for the Lord? As Paul said: "To live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour" (Philippians 1:21-22).

Some say Revelation 14:13 means that everyone in the tribulation is spiritually dead. But how could believers be referred to as spiritually dead and "in the Lord" at the same time?

I believe Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60 (let the dead bury their dead) refer to unbelievers, and mean let the spiritually dead bury their physically dead.

But I believe the verses below refer to believers, and do not require "dead" to mean spiritually dead:

"Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

"If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him" (2 Timothy 2:11).

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The Entire Book Of Revelation Is For The Church

From beginning to end, the Lord Jesus Christ gave the church the book of Revelation that the church might understand what it must face before he comes (Revelation 1:1-7; 22:7-16). This is why we Christians are referred to throughout Revelation (6:11, 7:14, 9:4, 12:17, 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 16:15, 18:4, 20:4).

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass... Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand... Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him" (Revelation 1:1, 3, 7).

"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book... Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand... I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches" (Revelation 22:7, 10, 16).

"Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads" (Revelation 7:3, compare Revelation 1:1).

"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14).

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17).

"A Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand... These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth... being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" (Revelation 14:1, 4).

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Saints In Heaven And On Earth

I believe Revelation shows that during the tribulation some in the church will be dead and in heaven (Revelation 6:11, 7:14, 15:2) and some in the church will be alive and on the earth (Revelation 9:4, 12:17, 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 16:15, 18:4).

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The Faith "Of" Jesus?

I believe that the faith "of" Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul says we Christians have now is the same faith "of" Jesus Christ that the Apostle John says we Christians will have in the tribulation: "That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Galatians 3:22); "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Romans 3:22); "Which is through the faith of Christ" (Philippians 3:9); "We have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ" (Galatians 2:16); "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12).

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Keeping The Commandments?

I believe that the commandments we Christians must keep now are the same commandments that we Christians will keep in the tribulation: "For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:2); "We love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:2-3); "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments" (1 John 3:21-22); "This is love, that we walk after his commandments" (2 John 1:6); "They that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12); "Which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17); "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life" (Revelation 22:14).

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