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To: CynicalBear
QUOTE from 240: There is no mention of the church (the body of Christ) after Revelation 4.

Interestingly enough, the saints (gr hagios) are mentioned 13 times in Revelation, and is never preceded by the term "tribulation" as a qualifier. Saints are believers in Christ, to wit:

1 Cor 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord

Paul uses the term church and saints interchangeably in both letter's greetings, eg 1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 1:1. Thus, it is safe to conclude that the saints referred to in Rev 5 onward are saved by faith in Christ, and are part of the church.

The only reason to call the saints in Rev 5 onward "tribulation saints" not part of the church, is the starting premise that the church has already been raptured. However, this is not supported by any text in Revelation (or anywhere in the Bible), and is forced onto the scripture.

Please don't respond with "...you don't understand prophecy...", but rather with scriptural proof of you assertions, much as I have done repeatedly in this exchange. You are right, I don't understand the "prophecy" you espouse, for it is not scriptural.

325 posted on 12/27/2013 8:25:23 AM PST by jimmyray
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To: jimmyray
The only reason to call the saints in Rev 5 onward "tribulation saints" not part of the church, is the starting premise that the church has already been raptured. However, this is not supported by any text in Revelation (or anywhere in the Bible), and is forced onto the scripture.

Perhaps a better phrasing is that one interpretation of Scriptural Prophetic events allows for the removal of the Church at the Rapture prior to the Great Tribulation. Even with the Church and Holy Spirit removed, there are still believers during the Great Tribulation period, also known as 'tribulation saints'.

While there might not be a specific verse stating such, it still is a consistent eschatology,

327 posted on 12/27/2013 10:39:51 AM PST by Cvengr (Adversity in life and death is inevitable. Thru faith in Christ, stress is optional.)
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