After seeing the seven churches in the province of Asia, John said, “…there before me was a door STANDING OPEN in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “COME UP HERE, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1). The word “church” (ekklēsia) does not appear in chapters 4–21, but is mentioned many times before chapter 4, what John is experiencing in chapter4 is ILLUSTRATING THE RAPTURE, the church will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb during the tribulation! “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP (harpazō: to carry off by force, rapturo in Latin) together with them IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will BRING WITH HIM those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will BY NO MEANS precede those who are asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-15) So, what should we do? “Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour YOU DO NOT EXPECT.“ (Luke 12:40)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham