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>> “Which to me is a blanket statement that all Christians, throughout the entire world, are going to go to Petra or where ever the protected place actually is.” <<
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No not at all!
Only those that “watched” (kept his appointed times, and thus understood when the call came to go to that place).
To those that do not watch, he comes as a thief. (Rev 3:3)
Yeshua makes the same point in the letter to the Philadelphians, praising them for having kept all of his commandments, thus gaining protection from the hour of temptation.
Obviously those expecting a never to happen secret rapture are not aware when the call comes, and thus must face tribulation and death at the hands of the man of sin and his government.
Israel, and the elect, Yeshua’s assembly, are one and the same. (not all of genetic Israel, but “the lost sheep of the House of Israel” and those others that sojourned with them)
All of the Bible is addressed solely to Israel, in that sense. Yeshua assured us that there would be “few” that would follow his way.
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So what denomination is it that you belong to?
Chapter 6 talks about the first 6 seals, chapter 7 begins with an interlude and a declaration not to hurt the earth and trees and seas UNTIL the bond servants are sealed. THEN the 144,000 JEWS are mentioned.
Immediately after that John writes After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying,
“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
This great multitude that no one could count, would be how John would describe 10's or 100's of Millions. Jerusalem at the time was only about 40,000 people, which might have surged to 250,000 during festivals. All of Israel maybe 3 million. John would have never seen millions of people at one time.
Also, the fact that John just verses earlier mentions 144,000 (a large number) but then says a multitude no one could count, signifies a crowd much, MUCH larger than 144,000. So yeah, 10's or 100's of millions.
This HUUUUGE multitude is ALREADY before the thrown of God, worshiping him, when the 144,000 are sealed.
THEN John continues with 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”
14 I said to him, “My lord, you know.”
And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple
I find it interesting that one of the elders questioned John as to who these people were and then told him who they were, to make sure John understood their importance.
THENafter this Rev 8 continues with the 7th seal.
Chapter 9 is the 5th trumpet and the bottomless pit being opened and the locusts tormenting man.
BUT 2 chapters earlier and in chronological order of events given, John already said that the multitude no one could count, that came out of the great tribulation, were in heaven around the throne, worshiping God.
Chapter 11 brings on the scene the 2 witnesses and they are on the scene for 1260 days. After this the 2 witnesses are killed, they rise 3-1/2 days later and ascend into heaven.
Its at this point the Bible says
The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
Signifying that we are still following a chronological time line.
Chapter 11 finishes with the seventh trumpet
Now, chapter 12 tells of Israel fleeing Satan into her place prepared in the wilderness.
Chapter 13 talks of the Beast (antichrist) who is given power by the dragon (satan)
Rev 13: 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
So...Revelation gives us a chronological order. In it it tells of all the seals and bowls and woes and says that the great multitude are in heaven, before the thrown, praising God, WHILE Gods wrath pours out on the earth. It is after this that the 2 witnesses come on the scene for 3-1/2 years.
So...here is the deal. Revelation tells of 1260 days for the 2 witnesses. It talks of 1260 days for the beast.
Either, the 2 witnesses are on the scene for 1260 days AND THEN the beast for 1260 days, or the time frames are at the same time. Either way, John says that sometime before Gods wrath is finished, the multitude taken from great tribulation is before the throne, worshiping.