Question from Revelations

[Big Steve]

The other night I read through the book of Revelations. I've got a couple of questions about the following:

Rev 20: 4And I saw thrones and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their right hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

This verse obviously shows that there are believers alive during the reign of antichrist, that don't take his mark and that die. Now I don't care (in this post anyway) who these beleivers are (in terms of when the rapture is and who is left behind), my question is if the saints who die at the hands of satan during the tribulation are the ones who rule with Christ, where is everyone else? If you die before the tribulation, are you a part of the army that comes in with Christ on His white horse?

And who is the "rest of the dead" who do not live again for 1000 years? Not any of us, right?

Thanks for any help with this!

Steve

[godrulz]

If you die before the Tribulation, you will be caught up in the rapture (Christ comes FOR His church). You will return with Him at the end of the Tribulation when He returns WITH His Church.

The dead who are not raised until the end of the 1000 years are unbelievers through the ages before the Tribulation. The Great White Throne judgment is mostly unbelievers and people who died during the millennium or lived to the end of it (born during it; believer or unbeliever).

Those believing martyrs who died during the Tribulation will be raised to rule during the millennium (Trib. saints). The wicked from the Tribulation are cast alive into the lake of fire, or raised (if they died) at the end of the millennium.

This is one possible scenario and primarily pre-trib., pre-mill.

[Adstar]

Hi Big Steve

I am not a pre trib rapturist I believe the rapture happens at the second coming of the Messiah. I believe the ones talked of under the alter are all the martyrs who have died for their faith in God not just those that die in the tribulation. The scriptures do not say that they will be the Only ones to rule with the Messiah upon His reign on earth. I believe all true followers of The Messiah Jesus will be raised upon the return of Jesus all others will have to wait until after the 1000 years at the final judgement.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[irishcowboy]

my question is if the saints who die at the hands of satan during the tribulation are the ones who rule with Christ, where is everyone else? If you die before the tribulation, are you a part of the army that comes in with Christ on His white horse?

Steve

You are right..... we (those that are in Christ) are the saints that will be in the Lords Army......

mike

[Big Steve]

If you die before the Tribulation, you will be caught up in the rapture (Christ comes FOR His church). You will return with Him at the end of the Tribulation when He returns WITH His Church.

Ok I have a question on that. Say a believer died today. Do they not then go to Heaven to be with Jesus? We do not have to wait for the rapture before we go to be with Jesus, do we?

And thanks for the responses!

God Bless!

[Guest Called]

If you die before the Tribulation, you will be caught up in the rapture (Christ comes FOR His church). You will return with Him at the end of the Tribulation when He returns WITH His Church.

Ok I have a question on that. Say a believer died today. Do they not then go to Heaven to be with Jesus? We do not have to wait for the rapture before we go to be with Jesus, do we?

And thanks for the responses!

God Bless!

No Steve, we do not have to wait for the rapture to be with Jesus. If you look at what Jesus told the thief on the cross you will see that we go to be with Him when we die.

We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:41-43

God Bless!

Debbie

[Big Steve]

Thanks Debbie! I didn't think so but started getting a little confused there. (which for me isn't hard to do)

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Big Steve,

I agree with Adstar on this. There WILL be those unbelievers who are not destroyed at the Lord's 2nd Coming that will inhabit the nations. It is those whom the saints will rule over during the millineal reign of Christ. All that know Christ at His coming, whether dead or alive, shall reign with Him forever after.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie