If you notice, Paul writes to the Thessalonians again and refers back to that passage and expounds upon it in 2 Thessalonians 2.
In the second letter to the Thessalonians, he references how the false messiah will not be revealed until the "He", which many hold is the Holy Spirit, is taken out of the way. For that to happen, the primary task of the HS, to deliver the bride to the Messiah, would have to previously happen. Paul starts chapter 2 outlining this is in regard to our being gathered to the Lord.
Also, Paul gets on the Thessalonians' case in that second letter to them for thinking that they had already entered the time of the great tribulation period because a false letter had been circulating, claiming to be from Paul, that the tribulation had started. Paul reminds them of what he had taught them (that is telling the reader to look back at 1 Thessalonians) how this could not be the case and then expounds how this could not happen until the false messiah be revealed, and that revealing couldn't happen until the HS be taken out of the way. Therefore, there is no way for the first seal (the revealing of the false messiah or "antichrist") to start with the Bride (Church) still being on the earth!!
Long before the reference of the large crowd in Heaven, there is mention of the 24 Elders dressed in white robes and wearing crowns. White robes are given to the righteous believers. Crowns are rewards for faithful service. Why are there 24 Elders? David, back in 1 Chronicles 23, divided the priests into 24 groups, establishing the pattern to follow in the future. The believers are called kings and priests in Revelation 1:6. Peter states that we are a royal priesthood in 1 Peter 2:9. The 24 Elders confirm they are those kings and priests in Revelation 5:10. All of this before the 1st seal is opened. These 24 Elders are the Church before the throne of God.
I would concede that the removal of the righteous before the 1st seal is "theory", as all theological positions can be construed as "theory", but it is based on sound reasoning from scripture and far from being anything that could be considered as mythological.
If you notice, I made no mention of John being caught up as a picture of the Church being removed or "raptured". I don't disagree with that idea, but one can solidly make the case without that assertion.
In the second letter to the Thessalonians, he references how the false messiah will not be revealed until the "He", which many hold is the Holy Spirit, is taken out of the way. For that to happen, the primary task of the HS, to deliver the bride to the Messiah, would have to previously happen. Paul starts chapter 2 outlining this is in regard to our being gathered to the Lord.
Also, Paul gets on the Thessalonians' case in that second letter to them for thinking that they had already entered the time of the great tribulation period because a false letter had been circulating, claiming to be from Paul, that the tribulation had started. Paul reminds them of what he had taught them (that is telling the reader to look back at 1 Thessalonians) how this could not be the case and then expounds how this could not happen until the false messiah be revealed, and that revealing couldn't happen until the HS be taken out of the way. Therefore, there is no way for the first seal (the revealing of the false messiah or "antichrist") to start with the Bride (Church) still being on the earth!!
Long before the reference of the large crowd in Heaven, there is mention of the 24 Elders dressed in white robes and wearing crowns. White robes are given to the righteous believers. Crowns are rewards for faithful service. Why are there 24 Elders? David, back in 1 Chronicles 23, divided the priests into 24 groups, establishing the pattern to follow in the future. The believers are called kings and priests in Revelation 1:6. Peter states that we are a royal priesthood in 1 Peter 2:9. The 24 Elders confirm they are those kings and priests in Revelation 5:10. All of this before the 1st seal is opened. These 24 Elders are the Church before the throne of God.
I would concede that the removal of the righteous before the 1st seal is "theory", as all theological positions can be construed as "theory", but it is based on sound reasoning from scripture and far from being anything that could be considered as mythological.
If you notice, I made no mention of John being caught up as a picture of the Church being removed or "raptured". I don't disagree with that idea, but one can solidly make the case without that assertion.
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