The Bible does not say that the church is going to be 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 the hour in Revelation 3:10. It says the church is going to be 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 the hour.
Now, if you actually know the English language and you're not going to play theological gymnastic games with the English language, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 and 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 are very 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 words with very 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 meanings and very 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 significances and very 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 applications for the passage at hand.
If the hour of trial comes upon the entire planet and we are kept 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 that hour of trial then we must be 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 from the planet. If we are not 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 from the planet when the hour of trial has come upon the entire planet, then we are not 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 the hour. We could be 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 the hour. We cannot be 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 the hour. And the Bible states that we will be 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 the hour.
Folks, again scripture cannot be broken.
I believe that the evangelical position on the fundamental doctrines of the faith is the only valid expression of Christianity.
I believe in:
• The Trinity
• The eternal Sonship of Christ
• The true divinity of Christ
• The virgin birth
• The blood atonement
• Literal heaven and hell
• Literal eternal salvation and eternal damnation
• The depravity of man
• Salvation by faith alone
• The necessity of the new birth
• The verbal-plenary inspiration of Scripture
• The historicity and accuracy of the entire Bible (Old Testament as well as the New Testament)
• The Bible as the only rule of faith and practice
WHO ARE THE 24 ELDERS?
WHO THEY CANNOT BE:
• ANGELS: Revelation 5:9-10 describes them as redeemed by Christ’s blood. Hebrews 2:16 says Christ took on Him the seed of Abraham, not the nature of angels. Redemption is for humanity.
• OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS: Daniel 12:1–3 places their resurrection and reward after the tribulation, at the second coming. Yet the elders already wear crowns and sit on thrones during the 70th week (Revelation 4:4).
• THE CHURCH AWAITING RESURRECTION: The elders are already glorified, enthroned, and rewarded.
WHO THEY ARE: THE GLORIFIED CHURCH
Revelation 1:19 outlines what John has seen, what is, and what will be. In Revelation 4:1, John is called up to heaven as the vision moves to things hereafter.
The elders sit on THRONES - not chairs - wear white raiment, and bear stephanos, crowns of reward (Revelation 4:4). In Revelation 5:1–10, they witness the Lamb take the scroll and sing of redemption. They are kings and priests from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
WHY 24? They represent the heads of the 24 courses of the New Testament royal priesthood, foreshadowed by David’s 24 priestly divisions (1 Chronicles 24; Josephus, Antiquities 7.365).
WHY IT MATTERS: The elders are in heaven before the Lamb opens the first seal in Revelation 6. The glorified Church is already in heaven before the seal judgments begin, supporting the PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE.
Study the Bible for Yourself
We can all benefit from the wisdom and insights of others, especially those who have devoted years to studying God's Word. But we must never allow the opinions of others to take the place of our own careful study of Scripture. Even sincere and respected teachers can be mistaken, and every teaching deserves to be measured against the Word of God.
If we accept a position simply because it is widely held or endorsed by a respected ministry, we risk overlooking errors that might otherwise be discovered through personal study. When we refuse to examine ideas that challenge our established understanding, we limit our ability to grow in truth and correct our own misunderstandings.
God calls us to be diligent students of His Word. We have a responsibility to search the Scriptures, weigh what we hear, and test all things according to biblical truth. We should neither accept a teaching merely because it comes from a respected source nor reject it simply because it represents a minority position. Instead, we should approach every question with humility, open minds, and a sincere desire to understand what God has revealed.
Search the Scriptures.
Study for yourself.
Think carefully.
Test what you are taught.
Let the Word of God (not the opinions, traditions, or accepted teachings of men) be the standard by which you discern truth from error.
I believe that Christians should keep themselves from the defilements of the world, from entanglements with the world that require them or pressure them into compromise and sin, and from apostasy in the church, i.e. errors that undermine the authority of Scripture, the integrity of the gospel, the Jesus of the Bible, and the fundamental doctrines of the faith.
Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
John 10:28
Notice what Jesus said:
ETERNAL LIFE. NEVER PERISH.
Our salvation does not depend on how strongly we feel, how discouraged we become, or how tightly we can hold on to God. It depends on the faithfulness and power of the One who saves us.
We are kept by the power of God through faith (1 Peter 1:5). We are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
We may struggle, become discouraged, or feel as though our faith is hanging by a thread. But feelings do not determine whether God keeps His promises.
If eternal life can be lost, in what sense is it eternal? If Christ says His sheep shall never perish, why would we contradict His words?
@DerickMcAfee The posts says who they are!
Again, OT saints are not raised until the Second Coming. Therefore they can't be the 24 elders, who are raised before the 70th week and watching the Lamb open the scroll. - Kristen
@DerickMcAfee You have yet to show where ANY OT saints are resurrected and rewarded before the 70th week to occupy the 24 elders' thrones. I have. - Kristen
I am, you're not hearing. The thrones of the 24 elders are in the throne room. They are redeemed humans. Resurrected and rewarded. The 12 apostles ruling the 12 tribes of Israel are not the same. They are not Resurrected and rewarded at this point. They are not in the throne room of God. Do you see the differences? - Kristen
THE ONLY QUALIFICATION FOR THE RAPTURE IS BEING BORN AGAIN.
How many times have you heard pastors say you need to stay ready for the Rapture, be prayed up, and make sure you have enough oil in your lamp?
Yes, we should be watching for His return. We should be praying and living faithfully for the Lord. But these are not qualifications for the Rapture.
You don't qualify for the Rapture by reaching a certain level of spiritual performance, praying enough, or achieving a certain degree of sanctification. You'll never be worthy enough by your own works.
The only qualification is that you've been born again. You have to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. How do you receive the Holy Spirit? Simply by believing on and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. Our readiness for the Rapture rests on being saved, not on maintaining some spiritual performance standard.
If you're born again, you're going in the Rapture.
Christ came as the Lamb of God, meek and gentle, and rose victorious over death. He ascended to heaven, but His return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah will reveal His majesty to the whole world.
The Lamb who was slain alone is worthy to open the scroll. When Christ returns, He will come in power and judgment. The righteous will rejoice, but those who rejected Him will face His wrath.
The Lamb who was slain will return as the conquering Lion.