When written in around 90AD, all of Revelation was prophecy (v3), but in 2023 we can see the historical significance of Rev 2&3. We are now toward the end of Laodicea, when God calls time, not even the Son knows. From Ch4 on, all prophecy still.
I have a question for you Stephen. In Rev 20:5 Jesus referred to the raising of the beheaded as the “first resurrection “. What do you think he meant by this? I have seen people use this as a reason why we will not have a pre-trib rapture.
Yes. It is a common misunderstanding. "The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection." (Revelation 20:5) The "first resurrection" is noted for the first-time unbelievers are raised from the dead in order to face judgment. So, "the rest of the dead," is NOT meaning the dead Saints, for they will be all raised together at the great gathering of the Saints (Rapture). This reference is AFTER the reign of Christ, the wicked/unsaved dead. It is for the purpose of the Great White Throne of judgment, which sends all resistors of the past and present to the pit of Hell - tossed into the lake of fire. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question, Geoff.
We are Saints fans. I don’t buy NFL stuff much these days, but I have several Saints tee shirts that I wear to the gym. I don’t know why ppl will look at my shirt and then ask if I’m a Saints fan (doh!) but I will tell ppl I’m a fan of the Saints. And even the football team, a little.
The looks on the faces as they work that out is priceless. 🤣
AI or my spelling weakness. Lol. No. I believe the authentic Bride of Christ will be removed via the "gathering of the Saints" before the Bowls are released. They will be poured out in order but there is a time gap between each - how much time we are not told. We do know it all happens within the seven-year reign of the Antichrist. Although, I tend to believe the seventh bowl, "It is done," happens after the one-thousand-year reign of Jesus. Time will tell.
So there are Seals, Trumpets, Thunders, and Bowls. Is it your belief that the Church will be raptured before ANY of this? Because that would be good. I mean, it's what we all want, of course. But then I look at how lukewarm the church is, and I think, meh, I'm not sure a lukewarm, half-asleep church is what Jesus wants as his bride. It's disrespectful. When I think about the church today, as the Bride of Christ, and then I think back to my own strenuous, disciplined attitude before my own wedding---which was intense, lol---well--you see what I am saying? We need a Holy Bridal Bootcamp. Or something.
And I'm afraid we will get it, too. And it will come in the form of real persecution, not the stuff people think is persecution in the US, which is really just what happens when we abdicate our authority in the public square. That's not persecution, that's just natural consequences.
IDK if I am expressing what I am wanting to say. I am excited about Christ's return; I find myself in tears about it at times bc I want it so much--JUSTICE! but I am also frightened for us. Some people are amazing. They are bright lights. You are one, I think. But otherwise? The Bride is about 50 pounds overweight, sleeps until noon every day, has bad skin, dull hair, no oil in her lamp, and has flatulence from her poor diet. And she thinks the Bridegroom is blind, deaf, and can't smell. And will welcome her with open arms. BC gracegracegrace. Name it and claim it. Love is love, and God is love.
Honestly, we are in that "Holy Bridal Bootcamp" now. From now up to the Rapture, God is separating the goats (fake Christians) from the sheep (indwelt believers). Once that is done, Rapture will ensure. Justice will come, but it will NOT be by the standards of earthly dwellers. True justice will happen during the Great White Throne of Judgement. You are not wrong, and your thinking is clear. I can assure you we are both bright lights because His light is within us.
My younger grandchildren attended VBS in June, and the theme was “Being the light of Jesus”. They are with me quite a bit, and so we had so many interesting, thought provoking (in that way children have of really making me think) and sometimes humorous discussions on what it means to be the light of Jesus.
“If Jesus is our fixed sun, and we revolve around Him, we will be like moons reflecting Jesus in the dark time” said by my very bright 9 year old grandson. Light seems to be a theme.
When written in around 90AD, all of Revelation was prophecy (v3), but in 2023 we can see the historical significance of Rev 2&3. We are now toward the end of Laodicea, when God calls time, not even the Son knows. From Ch4 on, all prophecy still.
I have a question for you Stephen. In Rev 20:5 Jesus referred to the raising of the beheaded as the “first resurrection “. What do you think he meant by this? I have seen people use this as a reason why we will not have a pre-trib rapture.
Yes. It is a common misunderstanding. "The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection." (Revelation 20:5) The "first resurrection" is noted for the first-time unbelievers are raised from the dead in order to face judgment. So, "the rest of the dead," is NOT meaning the dead Saints, for they will be all raised together at the great gathering of the Saints (Rapture). This reference is AFTER the reign of Christ, the wicked/unsaved dead. It is for the purpose of the Great White Throne of judgment, which sends all resistors of the past and present to the pit of Hell - tossed into the lake of fire. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question, Geoff.
We are Saints fans. I don’t buy NFL stuff much these days, but I have several Saints tee shirts that I wear to the gym. I don’t know why ppl will look at my shirt and then ask if I’m a Saints fan (doh!) but I will tell ppl I’m a fan of the Saints. And even the football team, a little.
The looks on the faces as they work that out is priceless. 🤣
Another illuminating read. I share so much of what you write with others. In my opinion, you are one of a handful of Truth sayers.
Will the Indwelt believers experience all 7 bowls? Or am I misunderstanding? Will the bowls be sequentially poured, in order?
Also, your AI turned per into par and pawns into pons.
AI or my spelling weakness. Lol. No. I believe the authentic Bride of Christ will be removed via the "gathering of the Saints" before the Bowls are released. They will be poured out in order but there is a time gap between each - how much time we are not told. We do know it all happens within the seven-year reign of the Antichrist. Although, I tend to believe the seventh bowl, "It is done," happens after the one-thousand-year reign of Jesus. Time will tell.
Thank you for your reply.
So there are Seals, Trumpets, Thunders, and Bowls. Is it your belief that the Church will be raptured before ANY of this? Because that would be good. I mean, it's what we all want, of course. But then I look at how lukewarm the church is, and I think, meh, I'm not sure a lukewarm, half-asleep church is what Jesus wants as his bride. It's disrespectful. When I think about the church today, as the Bride of Christ, and then I think back to my own strenuous, disciplined attitude before my own wedding---which was intense, lol---well--you see what I am saying? We need a Holy Bridal Bootcamp. Or something.
And I'm afraid we will get it, too. And it will come in the form of real persecution, not the stuff people think is persecution in the US, which is really just what happens when we abdicate our authority in the public square. That's not persecution, that's just natural consequences.
IDK if I am expressing what I am wanting to say. I am excited about Christ's return; I find myself in tears about it at times bc I want it so much--JUSTICE! but I am also frightened for us. Some people are amazing. They are bright lights. You are one, I think. But otherwise? The Bride is about 50 pounds overweight, sleeps until noon every day, has bad skin, dull hair, no oil in her lamp, and has flatulence from her poor diet. And she thinks the Bridegroom is blind, deaf, and can't smell. And will welcome her with open arms. BC gracegracegrace. Name it and claim it. Love is love, and God is love.
Please tell me that I am wrong.
Honestly, we are in that "Holy Bridal Bootcamp" now. From now up to the Rapture, God is separating the goats (fake Christians) from the sheep (indwelt believers). Once that is done, Rapture will ensure. Justice will come, but it will NOT be by the standards of earthly dwellers. True justice will happen during the Great White Throne of Judgement. You are not wrong, and your thinking is clear. I can assure you we are both bright lights because His light is within us.
My younger grandchildren attended VBS in June, and the theme was “Being the light of Jesus”. They are with me quite a bit, and so we had so many interesting, thought provoking (in that way children have of really making me think) and sometimes humorous discussions on what it means to be the light of Jesus.
“If Jesus is our fixed sun, and we revolve around Him, we will be like moons reflecting Jesus in the dark time” said by my very bright 9 year old grandson. Light seems to be a theme.
Wise grandson. I tell my grandchildren that we DON'T reflect the Light of Jesus; we possess it.
Amen!
PS: I suppose we are in boot camp, lol. My family knows football—we refer to this current time as Training Camp.
Excellent way of viewing our modern times. We are major Packer fans. Lots of green splattered around this house. Lol.