Is the Church MISSING after Revelation 4?
by Sheila Lewis Busby

The words "church" and "churches" are absent from Rev. 4 - 22. Therefore, the church is absent from the earth during that time, right? 

Well, are you aware that these same words are also absent from 2 Tim., Titus, Heb., 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 John, and Jude? Is the church absent then too? Hmmm? Titus and 2 John don't even mention Christians, brother(s), brethern, or saint(s) (although they both mention the word "elect"). Does that mean those books don't even pertain to us? (Sounds silly doesn't it?) 

Is it possible that the church is mentioned between Rev. 4 and 22? 

  • Rev. 6:9-11; 20:4 tells about martyrs who are killed for their testimony of Jesus. Are they not part of the church?
  • Rev. 7:9-17 tells about a multitude in heaven whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Christians?) whose shepherd will be the Lamb. These are in heaven, granted, but they have come out of the great tribulation, and are there after the sun, moon and stars go dark in the sixth seal. (See also Matt. 24:29-31, etc.)
  • Rev. 12:17; 13:5-7,10; 14:121 refer to the antichrist's authority over the "saints" and how those who endure will not take his mark. (Can anyone be a "saint" aside from the blood of Jesus? or are there those saved by the blood of Jesus, yet excluded from the church of Jesus Christ?) 

  •  
    "I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.
    Revelation 22:16 

    Jesus said that the book of the Revelation is for the church. Why would He say that when we are gone, and the "tribulation saints" aren't even a part of the church? I would be very cautious about basing any theology on what the scripture does not say. 

    My final question is this, are you willing to stake the safety of your family during a time of "great tribulation" on this kind of theology? Think about it.


    Copyright © 1997, 1998  Sheila Lewis Busby
     
     
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