[metmom]

If the Church is to be on the earth during the Tribulation, what exactly would be the point of the two witnesses who preach and work miracles for 3 1/2 years and the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses?

The church would still be around to testify of God and warn of the anti-Christ if the post trib rapture were correct.

God never leaves Himself without a witness on the earth. They would only be needed if the Church were not around.

[kjam22]

You know.... there are a lot of ideas about the end. Most people like to think that the church will be vibrant, strong, (maybe the most vibrant, strong, and growing in all of its history) right up to the end. Whether the end of the church mean rapture, or the end of times. You know, I'm not sure we're promised that. It could be that the church is small and relatively insignificant when either of those ends comes. I believe God knows exactly how many, and who are "his". It could be there is 30 years between the last person to "be saved" and the next to the last. We don't know, and I don't believe we're promised either way.

I'm not sure it matters either way, but I believe there will always be a remnant of God's people on Earth until the end. For the last 2000 years God's people have been the church.

[boatbums]

If the Church is to be on the earth during the Tribulation, what exactly would be the point of the two witnesses who preach and work miracles for 3 1/2 years and the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses? The church would still be around to testify of God and warn of the anti-Christ if the post trib rapture were correct. God never leaves Himself without a witness on the earth. They would only be needed if the Church were not around.

Amen! This is why God both gave us the Bible AND the indwelling Holy Spirit, who would be our teacher and who would illuminate God's word in our hearts so that we can KNOW His plans for us and the world. Paul told the Thessalonians to "comfort one another with these words" (I Thess. 4:18) and we also can have that same comfort in knowing that God has a plan and God's will WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven.