The Spirit has confirmed my understanding of the Philadelphians but has not been conclusive as to the when of their rapture, whether it is pre-trib or mid-trib. And as I mentioned at (post 12), I do indeed expect several raptures.
But to get back to the difference in our understanding from the Spirit, I would like to point out the differences between Peter, Paul and John. Although it is clear they were all being led of the Holy Spirit, Peter and Paul certainly had some doctrinal disputes that flared up in Acts 15 but resulted in the Gospel being spread even further than if they had not had the dispute!
More specific to the point in this tribulation discussion – both Peter and Paul were martyred but John was not..
Here is the difference – both with John being spared martyrdom and the Philadelphians being spared from the hour of temptation that will test the whole world - in both cases there is a presence of a special love by Jesus (emphasis mine):
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me. – John 21:19-22
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
After all, the Spirit of God in Revelation 1-5 appears as seven-fold. I sense this like a diamond with seven facets – one Holy Spirit, seven aspects. Back in post 4, I was wondering whether the Comforter is but one of these. I am now with the understanding that the Comforter is all of these and that is why Christians of good conscience can have what we believe are differences but are not.
You bring up a very good point concerning the Holy Spirit:
After all, the Spirit of God in Revelation 1-5 appears as seven-fold. I sense this like a diamond with seven facets – one Holy Spirit, seven aspects. Back in post 4, I was wondering whether the Comforter is but one of these. I am now with the understanding that the Comforter is all of these and that is why Christians of good conscience can have what we believe are differences but are not.
That is a very profound observation. In my many years of being a Christian, I have found one area of failure in the church that seems to be common across demoninations and congregations, and that failure is an inability to recognize the many, many different aspects in the way the Holy Spirit moves and operates. And, of course, he moves and operates primarily through people, which gives us a body of believers with many talents.
Those churches that are most successful in terms of out-reach to the un-churched are those congregations that make use of the people sitting in the pews! Why have the pastor do all the work, when there is a church full of people who can effectively "minister" in their own ways, in their own situations?
Even in my own home church, there really isn't any opportunities to do much other than teach the children or be involved in the music ministry. Most us just come and sit on our bottoms every Sunday listening to the pastors' latest teachings. Then we go home.
That has changed a bit with the church's emphasis on small groups, but not much. Now we sit on our bottoms on Sunday, then go to someone's house and sit on our bottoms as someone else teaches us.
Now I do appreciate opportunities for learning, but there also needs to be opportunities for doing. (Other than just the children's and music ministries!) But if you are not a professionally credentialed clergyman, or at least very well connected, there isn't much for one to do in today's church.
But there are a few churches out there that recognize the need to create "ministers" amongst those in the congregation. In other words, they provide situations and opportunities where people acutally get to serve, pray, teach and encourage others, with whatever giftings the Holy Spirit has given them.
That's the kind of church I'd like to be involved with-- one that expects more of their congregation than to just show up on Sunday and listen to the pastor's sermon. But those kinds of churches are hard to find.
A really good shepherd recoginzes the giftings God has given those in his congregation, and where possible encourages them in their gifting, even going so far as to create opportunities for them to "try out" their gifts.