In this section of the chat forum, there have been lots of posts about when the rapture happens. Usually it is either before or after the tribulation. Rarely in the middle.
But what isn't been delt with is who are all those people who are in Heaven throughout the tribulation.
Staring in Chapter four we find that there are 24 elders who cast their crowns before the throne of God and fall down before Him. Angels are never called elders and they don't receive crowns.
In chapter 6 when the 5th seal is broken we find martyrs are under the altar and they are asking God about how long will it be until He avenges their deaths. This altar is in Heaven.
In chapter 7 we find that sn uncountable multitude from every nation were clothed in white robes standing before the throne of God in Heaven.
In chapter 11 we find that the two witnesses get called up to Heaven to join all the others who are already there.
Chapter 15 we see people in Heaven who have died during the trib. and are in Heaven.
Chapter 19 has the marriage of the Lamb and the Bride (The Church) in Heaven and blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Finally, The Lord returns to earth and sets up His kingdom.
People are in Heaven during the whole tribulation period, all seven years. Their numbers are added to as the tribulation goes on.
WHAT ARE THEY DOING THERE IF THE DEAD AREN'T RAISED UNTIL AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD?
These people are in the spirit realm. Their bodies are in the ground on Earth. They are "the Dead in Christ." They do not have physical bodies and are awaiting Christ to return after the Tribulation when Christ brings them with Him. Look.
1Thess 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM.
Note that the Resurrection and Rapture has not occurred as yet.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
In other words we cannot be raptured before the dead in Christ are Resurrected. The Resurrection of the Dead must occur first.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Again, the Resurrection must occur FIRST, prior to the Rapture.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
As a side note please notice that verse 17 says we will always be with the Lord, but it does not say WHERE that will be. The verse does NOT say Jesus goes to Heaven as some Pre-Tribbers claim. It merely states that we will simply be with Him.
As we can see above, Paul is talking about the "Resurrection and Rapture" of Christians. He does not say when this occurs but is merely describing the events and their sequence, except that he does say it occurs AFTER Jesus leaves Heaven. Then Paul CONTINUES the same topic in the following verses. I say he continues because Paul uses the conjunctive word "BUT".
1Thess 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
In 1 Thess.5:1 Paul says that it is not necessary to explain to them as to the "Times and seasons". The times and seasons he is referring to is what he just finised talking about in chapter 4. The Resurrection and Rapture. He then goes on in verse 2 and reminds them that this event is something they were already familiar with and called the events of chapter 4, "The Day of the Lord".
Isa 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
This is an exclusive statement. Since the Anti-christ and the False Idol are worshipped during the Great Tribulation, that would prohibit the Day of The Lord from being included in any time period prior to the end of the Tribulation since "the Lord ALONE will be exhalted in that day"!
So let's put all this together in sequence.
First, Jesus says in Matt 24:29 that AFTER the Tribulation ends then the Sun and moon signs occur.
Second: Joel and Peter state that the sun and moon signs occur BEFORE the Day of the Lord occurs.
Third: Paul calls The Resurrection and Rapture The Day of the Lord and that clearly occurs AFTER the Tribulation. Therefore the Resurrection and Rapture must occur AFTER the Great Tribulation. If the principles of the Historical, Grammatical and Literal Hermeneutic are followed consistently then the Scriptures prohibit any other interpretation without doing violence to God's Holy Word.
