One of the best SINGLE pieces of evidence in the bible for a pre trib rapture is the 24 elders of Revelation.
Chapters 4 & 5 of Revelation are set in the Throne room of Heaven just before or as the tribulation begins on earth. Christ, pictured symbolically here as a slain Lamb takes the 7 seal scroll from the hand of God and begins to open the seals one at a time.
Whats interesting is SEATED before the Throne of God is an image of 24 other thrones with men sitting on them wearing white robes and crowns.
Rev 4:4
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
The Elders give us even more info on who they are and where they are from in Rev 5:9-10
Rev 5:9-10
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
So we have a lot of info on who these Elders are. We know they are MEN who are from all nations of the earth. They are:
1- wearing Crowns
2- wearing White robes
3- are sitting on thrones
4- are REDEEMED by the blood of Jesus
5- are from every tribe, people, nation kindred and tongue on the earth
6- are priests and Kings
7- Will reign on the earth
These are all promises given to only ONE group of people on the whole earth......THE CHURCH (both the OT and NT saints)
Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
What we have here is a symbolic picture of the OT and NT saints, already crowed & sitting on Thrones in heaven BEFORE the first seal is ever broken.
On other words, there has already been a Resurrection here before the Tribulation has even begun.
Its pictured as a symbolic 24 to represent the 12 tribes of Israel/Sons of Jacob representing the saints of the OLD COVENANT and the 12 Apostles of Christ representing the NEW COVENANT (see Rev 21:12-14 also). But we know its not really just 24 people because ALL the saints are resurrected together all at once according to 1 Thess 4:16-17 and several other verses.
(This post was last modified: 11-30-2016 10:45 PM by ericsrevenge76.)
We see Jesus Himself telling us His followers will sit on thrones in the Resurrection. We see the reference to 12 thrones representing the NT saints of the New covenant.
Matt 19:28 “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22:30 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
1 Cor 6:2-3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Rev 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
1- Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus (Rev 5:9)
2- wearing crowns (Rev 4:4)
3- wearing white Robes of Righteousness (Rev 4:4)
4- are from all peoples, nations and languages of the earth (Rev 5:9)
5- are made Kings and priest (Rev 5:10)
6- are to Reign with Christ over the earth (Rev 5:10)
The Church :
1- Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:19, Eph 1:7, Rev 1:5)
2- Promised crowns (James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:5, Rev 3:11)
3- Promised White Robes of Righteousness (Rev 3:5)
4- are from all peoples, nations and languages of the earth (Matt 28:19)
5- are to be Kings and priest (1 Peter 2:9 Rev 1:6)
6- are to Reign with Christ over the earth (Rev 2:26-27, Rev 3:21, Matt 19:28)
The Church, the Bride, the Body of Christ. There is no other person or group in the entire bible that can fit ALL these requirements according to the text. There will also be tribulation saints that will also partake in these promises following the 2nd coming, but the 24 represent those taken BEFORE the first seal is broken (Raptured)
(This post was last modified: 03-03-2017 06:38 AM by ericsrevenge76.)