ChristB4us

Before God created the heavens and the earth, what would you call that place then? I can imagine an empty canvas in the terms that I can understand from God's point of view. It is not like He created the third Heaven where God's throne is and so He stepped outside of that realm and created the heavens and the earth. So what was the point of that light on the first day? The creation of the first day in this reality we are living in. If you were to apply the analogy of Star Trek holodeck, everything has to be programmed and set up to run for any participant to engage on the holodeck. It was perfect until a virus entered the programming. As sin entered the world and death by sin, so has a virus enter the holodeck program and death to all participant in that fallen and slowly corrupting program. Our redemption in leaving the reality of this sin fallen world/holoprogram is by believing Jesus Christ is the door by Whom we enter into God's presence outside of the holodeck to live with God and all that is good forever.

@FreeGrace @dad2 @IgnatioDeLoyola The fourth day along with the moon and the stars of the universe to cast her lights upon the earth for times and seasons. Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. That means the universe was created that fourth day around the earth for the purpose for their lights to govern for times and seasons upon the earth that fourth day. When God created the sources of those lights in the universe to command it to give its lights to govern the earth that day, He filled in the gaps with their lights no matter how distant, to shine on the earth that day. He spoke and it is done. The first day God created Light and the first day by its evening and morning as we know it today as a 24 hour period. The second day was the beginning of the formation of the earth as a water planet with an upper atmosphere. The third day was the completion of the creation of the earth with land and plant life. So Genesis 1:2 testifying of earth being without form and void, it actually meant that earth had not existed yet rather than how people use void today to mean as if emptied of or removed.

In context of what is actually considered the unpardonable sin; as verse 30 is the reason why Jesus is saying verse 31 by the use of "wherefore". Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. What the Pharisees were doing was scattering potential believers away from Jesus Christ, thus they, themselves were resisting believing in Jesus Christ. The only unpardonable sin that a sinner will be convicted of after death is never having believed in Jesus Christ. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. So that means you and other sinners are free and clear to come to Jesus Christ to believe in Him to be saved. Indeed, the Father would not bother to draw you unto the Son to reveal His Son to you so you can believe in Him to be saved is you really had committed the unpardonable sin. Our believing in Him is the work of God for why we should give the Father thanks in Jesus's name. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. So rejoice brother for by believing in Jesus Christ, the Father has drawn you unto the Son to reveal His Son to you so you can believe in Jesus Christ for God to save you.

Being cast into the bed of the great tribulation for not departing from iniquity? Does that not testify to those that do repent, will not be cast into the bed of the great tribulation in Revelation 2:18-25 thus alluding to the pre great tribulation rapture? We are in the tribulation now as Jesus said in John 16:33 below; John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Keeping the faith is the good fight in these latter days where faith is hard to find as we are to pray that He will keep us from the snares of the cares of this life not to be taken unaware so we can escape and stand before the Son of man in Heaven. Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. When the armies of the world are marching against Jerusalem because they know the King of kings is coming, how is that Jesus Christ coming as a thief in the night? Jesus Christ warnings are for the believers now to avoid being castaways.

Every man in his own order testifies to the order of how men will be resurrected and so in context, Paul was not referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ at all when it is about the order that men will be resurrected thus past tense of Jesus Christ. And you should let the plural form of firstfruits define the order of the resurrection that will take place before they that be Christ's at His coming. Note how firstfruit is singular in referring to Christ below? Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. So Christ the firstfruits is plural for a reason, being the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. That would also include the firstfruits of the living as found abiding in Him.

Like a woman in birth pangs as nature bears witness, so is the coming of the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ at the pre great tribulation rapture event.

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. What the church fail to do in excommunicating those in unrepentant iniquity, God will do for the Marriage Supper in Heaven. 1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. If the fire He sends on the third of the earth, does not kill those unrepentant saints left behind, the beast will in the rest of the earth. That is the whole point of Jesus warning saved believers to be ready or else; be castaways into the bed of the great tribulation. Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

When you limit the firstfruits as if only referring to the dead in Christ, when firstfruits has also been used in reference to the living, you still have that hiccup. And why mention an order unless there are to be two events as happening at the pre great tribulation rapture event and then after His coming when Satan is in the pit for a thousand years? The immediate scenery of His appearing as the Bridegroom is the Marriage Supper as Matthew 25:1-13 testifies of as well as other scriptures whereas the immediate scenery of His coming as the King of kings is to do battle against the world's armies marching unto Jerusalem Zechariah 14:1-5 and finally putting Satan in the pit for a thousand years Revelation 20:1-6. So the resurrection at His coming is after the world's armies has been defeated & Satan is in the pit for a thousand years thus Jesus Christ is on earth before that resurrection takes place after the great tribulation. That means Jesus is not meeting those resurrected after the great tribulation in the air. Revelation 20:1-6

I do not know if the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ will cause volcanos and the super volcano at Yellowstone to erupt as scripture does hint of it; Psalm 114:1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 97:1The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. But I am certain that the beast will take advantage of the calamity and launch a nuclear war on the USA and the rest of the western hemisphere afterwards.

Explain how those redeemed from the earth from among the living are also called firstfruits? Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Not to mention that scripture testified to the living as firstfruits also. Romans 16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Maybe then the Lord will help you to see two events as separate below. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. The order of how every man will be made alive in Christ has to include the dead with the living as firstfruits and then those that are Christ at His coming are made alive after the great tribulation is over with Satan in the pit for a 1000 years.

When in according to our faith in Jesus Christ that He is in us 2 Corinthians 13:5 & with us always Matthew 28:20, then there is no Invisible coming of Christ when we die. 2 Corinthians 5:7-11 testifies that although we are absent from the Lord that has ascended to Heaven physically, when we die, our spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven where He is now. That is the immediate result of Him being in us and with us always. When Jesus Christ appear as the Bridegroom, the immediate scenery will be the Marriage Supper table in Heaven. Matthew 25:1-13 When Jesus Christ comes as the King of kings, the immediate scenery is the battle against the world's armies marching against Jerusalem. Zechariah 14:15

Invisible? The rapture is neither invisible nor will it be in secret for all shall see Him. Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

You do know that firstfruits is used elsewhere in scripture? Romans 8:And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. So regardless of ho it is that makes up Christ's personal choir in Heaven redeemed from among the living as virgin honest men in these latter days, there will be others of that firstfruits of the resurrection other than His entourage made of 144,000 virgin men. Where does that leave His disciples that had passed on & the O.T. saints? 1 Thessalonians 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. 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. 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: 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.

Maybe I should ask you why you should exclude it? 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. Why else would the physical body, the temple of the Holy Spirt be destroyed with physical death unless it was for how they built on that foundation which defiled the temple of God? Does not verse 18 incorporate verses 16-17 for how one builds on that foundation?

Just one hiccup in how you list all those references to mean, brother. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Explain the order if there is only one resurrection as if only happening at His coming? Note how Christ the firstfruits <-- plural, as being resurrected as in being made alive first in that order before they that be Christ's at His coming?

I believe the Bema Judgement will be done at the pre great tribulation rapture event as it is that day when every one will be judged by what they had built on that foundation. 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Note the destruction of our bodies which is physical death for defiling the temple of God and not having repented by His grace & by His help before the Bridegroom had come? The spirit is saved per verse 15 above & with the Lord, to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation Revelation 6:9-11 & Revelation 9:1-17. Jesus did warn His disciples & us to be ready as found abiding in Him or else. Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? That is the warning Jesus gave to the church at Thyatira to repent or be cast into the bed of the coming great tribulation to be judged with physical death. Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

You should include 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 where the physical bodies which are the temple of God gets destroyed, as in physical death, for defiling that temple of God and yet per verse 15, the spirit is saved. I do not see how you can ignore Jesus's warning being given to even His disciples. Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? That is what you get for not being ready as found abiding in Him and His words for when He comes as the Bridegroom. Those left behind are still saved but they are receiving stripes from the Father for not resisting sin thus for not being ready. Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. So I tie in Hebrews 12:1-11 as failing to run that race with the event in how He will judge those in that day 1 Corinthians 3:13 of the rapture for not being ready.

I believe this reference is for pointing out that out of those raptured before the great tribulation, there will be 144,000 virgin honest men that will make up His personal choir that follow Jesus wherever He goes thus His entourage.

Luke 12:40-49 has Jesus sending fire on the earth and on those unbelievers and saved believers that were not ready that get left behind. Luke 21:33-36 speaks of that fire, and the necessity of saved believers to pray to escape what is coming on the earth by not being ensnared by the cares of this life that it takes us unaware which is the latter days we are living in now rather than at the end of the great tribulation where saved believers would not be ensnared by he cares of that life that they would not want to leave when the beast is waging war on them.

Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. What saved believer would be giving those excuses not to come when the King is holding that Marriage Supper in Heaven? It can't be on earth because why not leave it if they are coming back to it on earth? This is why Jesus referred to Lot's wife because on leaving everything we own behind as well as our lives, it is because they will be destroyed & thus staying behind is why those who loved their lives will die. Jesus even warned believers to be ready to leave everything, and every one behind as they cannot go back and get something to leave with Him. Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Where Jesus is now is when the redemption of the firstfruits of the resurrection will go. That is how I am applying the reference below as aligning with the rapture event as it is an inheritance to live in that City of God in Heaven. John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 18th chapter testify to the voice of the bride and bridegroom not being heard in her any more, indicating the rapture has come and gone. Also at the end of that chapter are the mention of the death of those saints left behind. Revelation 14:1-5 testify to the 144,000 virgin men "redeemed" as in raptured from the earth that makes up His personal choir that follows Him around wherever He goes in Heaven and soon on earth for that 1000 year reign and afterwards. This is not to say that they are the only ones raptured, but that out of those raptured, those 144,000 virgin men makes up His personal choir in Heaven. Revelation 14:6-7 testify HOW that gospel will spread every where and that is by that 1st angel in tying in with Matthew 24:14 before the end comes which by that 2nd angel announces the fall of Babylon in Revelation 14:8 for when that end comes as Revelation 18th chapter gives that detail. Then that 3rd angel announces the consequence for taking the mark of the beast to buy & sell in the coming NWO which is the lake of fire in Revelation 14:9-11. In the face of those 3 angels setting up the hour of temptation that shall try all upon the earth so that everyone knows the gospel and everyone knows the consequence for taking the mark of the beast as no one will have an excuse, Jesus's warning to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-11 may be seen clearer in His promise to keep those that hold fast from that hour of temptation that shall try all remaining on the earth thus not being on that earth to be tempted and thus raptured away. Course those that do not hold fast but fallen into iniquity without repenting before the Bridegroom comes, will find themselves as castaway into the bed of the coming great tribulation as His warning to the church at Thyatira has been given in Revelation 2:18-25. Those who repent of that spiritual fornication and that tongue for private use ( following a stranger's voice ) may find themselves as escaping that judgment. That is the whole point of Jesus warning saved believers to be ready or else as they can be cut off and left behind for when He sends that fire on earth verse 49 of Luke 12:40-49.

Since scripture cannot go against scripture, is why you need to check with Him again. You may have teachings that you believe to be true keeping you from seeing the truth in His words. Luke 14:15-24 & Luke 17:26-37 & Luke 21:33-36 do not describe the end of the great tribulation for how any saved believer can be ensnared by the cares of this life or get drunk when they need the mark of the beast to buy & sell, let alone working in a field when the beast is waging war on the saints to kill them with the sword & hunger, ( hunger because they do not have the mark of the beast to buy & sell ). Jesus is warning believer NOW to be ready or else to be ready for the Bridegroom or else be excommunicated from the Marriage Supper held in Heaven; Luke 13:24-30.

I am led to believe that one of the reference of Babylon in Revelation as sitting on 7 hills is the Vatican but the Babylon of Revelation 18th chapter can only be USA as "we the people." would be liken unto Babylon when building that tower as "let us make a name for ourselves", thus the daughter of Babylon in a way. USA is the center of trade that when the western hemisphere is burned up, the merchants of the sea will stand afar off. The Vatican is not the center of trade for that to happen to that "Babylon". The more "long" note is how the Biblical prophesies will list all the armies of the world as taking part in marching against Jerusalem when putting them altogether, O.T. & N.T., but none of them describes, let alone identifies the nation of USA. When you have a third of the earth burned up for why the coming New World Order with the mark of the beast system will be forced on everyone, and for all those armies as prophesied to march against Jerusalem, how can a third of the earth gets burned up that serves the catalyst for the coming NWO? Look at the globe or the world map. The western hemisphere is one third of the earth. That means goodbye USA.

You'll have to cite the reference of 1/4 of mankind as dying before that event. With His help, unless I am overlooking something in His words, but the act of opening the scroll of the events in it as 7 seals need to be opened suggests all of the events shall happen quickly once all the 7 seals have been broken to open that scroll. The hard part of Revelation is to discern with Him as the events are not written in chronological order since Revelation 18th chapter is the event of Revelation 14:8 when the 2nd angel announces the fall of Babylon as one of the 3 angels that sets up the hour of temptation that shall try all remaining on the earth after the rapture event in Revelation 14:1-5, followed by the everlasting gospel spread every where by the first angel before the end of the world as we know it ends as tying into Matthew 24:14 and then after the 2nd angel, the 3rd angel warns every one of the consequence of the mark of the beast to buy & sell to survive is the lake of fire so no one will have an excuse not knowing the gospel nor the consequence for the mark. And since Revelation 18th chapter is Revelation 14:8 event, the opposite may also be true in when 1/4 of mankind dies if read before Revelation 8:7, it may more than likely refer to when that third of the earth gets burned up in Revelation 8:7 event. I am still open to learning with Him in His words regarding Revelation and so mayhap He can use us as iron sharpen iron as He minister to both of us.

When a third of the earth is consumed by a fiery calamity as sent by the Lord Luke 12:49 on a third of the earth ( western hemisphere ) Revelation 8:7 after the pre great tribulation rapture event, why would the beast has to explain their deaths? It is possible that the beast will capitalize on its destruction by launching an attack of his own to get credit for the destruction of USA and the western hemisphere which will set up the coming great tribulation for the rest of the world with its mark of the beast system.