Hi brother
DRS81 again, I’m sorry for taking some things for granted.
DRS81 - I don't think scripture teaches us there are two raptures, unless you can prove it through scripture.
Eugene – I see at least four, and maybe more since there are seven churches addressed in Revelation Chapters Two and Three that are all pre mid-tribulation. The first scripture is Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose; is this a catching up?
Beginning with Rev 4:1 all scripture is in context of things that must come to pass future from the Lord’s Day. Now I would caution all to recognize that the book of Revelation is the revealing of Jesus Christ to the church made up of every believer on the Lord Jesus regardless of their doctrines.
In Rev 4:4 John is shown the 24 elders round bout Jesus’ throne, and Rev 4:6 the 4 beasts are in the midst of Jesus’ throne. In Rev 5:9 these two ranks of believers profess that “hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Notice that these two ranks of believer are present with Jesus when He receives His own throne prior to the tribulation beginning. Also notice their jobs in Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God
kings and priests: and we shall reign on (Over - they are in heaven) the earth.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. To be before the throne, don’t they have to be in heaven? And then Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. This group also has a lesser place than the 24 elders and 4 beasts. Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and
serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth
a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and
her child was caught up unto God, and
to his throne. There are many that believe that this is speaking of Jesus being caught up, and it is not; remember that Rev 4:1 is showing John things that will come hereafter from the Lord’s Day. Well, where do we see these in heaven? Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion (The heavenly Jerusalem, Heb 12:22), and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women (Man child - also note the testimony of the five wise virgins); for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men (Man child),
being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Revelation 14:5 . . They are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 7:2. They received the seal of the living God in Revelation 7:2.
