Your email:

Hi Randy, I have alot of questions about the end times. Your page seems very informative. I'll start with who are the people in Revelation 14:13, and is that before or after the rapture? And finally in Revelation 20:5 who are "the rest of the dead" and why are they dead "until the thousand years were finished"? There aren't going to be many Christian being raptured (alive) if we have to go through the seals and the trumpets and antichrists reign. Would my chances(or any bodies chances) of dying before the Lord comes be like 2 1/2 out of three?

Thanks, M.

 My answer:

Hi M.,
Thanks for the email, these are excellent questions. It is good to see a seekers heart!

You wrote: I'll start with who are the people in Revelation 14:13, and is that before or after the rapture?

My response: The people in Revelation 14:13 are the martyrs that will fall during the desolation (tribulation = last 3.5 years of this age before Christ comes.). This verse depicts the events before the resurrection (rapture) which is depicted in verses 14-16. Jesus said he would raise us on the last day (4x in John chapter 6).

You wrote: And finally in Revelation 20:5 who are "the rest of the dead" and why are they dead "until the thousand years were finished"?

My response: Chapter 20 defines the two resurrections; the first for the righteous in Christ and the second for the wicked. The second resurrection will raise the rebellious multitudes for final judgment before the great white throne of Christ (verses 11-15). The righteous will have reigned for a thousand years over the earth under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (verse 4). The reason for the thousand years between the two resurrections is because although there will be few mortal survivors after the wrath of God on the last day they will be allowed to multiply and fill the earth in that thousand years and it is they that the righteous rule over on earth. Unlike the righteous who will be resurrected immortal they will still be mortal. Still in their flesh they will be successfully exhorted to rebellion against the righteous and the Holy City by Satan (verses 7-10). Together they will perish and then be resurrected for judgment along with the rest of the wicked from this age.

You wrote: There aren't going to be many Christian being raptured (alive) if we have to go through the seals and the trumpets and antichrists reign.

My response: You are right. Scripture tells us that Satan will wage war against the faithful Jews and the true believers in Christ (Revelation 12:17). He will do this through wicked men since he cannot touch us spiritually. Remember that the righteous will not be subjected to the judgments of the seals and trumpets. Like the faithful 144,000 Jews who are sealed by the angels on their foreheads (Revelation 7:1-3), the righteous Christians are sealed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within them (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30). Our tribulation comes at the hands of men (Daniel 8:24. 11:32-35).

Side note: Although the term 'rapture' is not incorrect it is only a descriptive word for part of the event. The appropriate word is resurrection, just as Jesus spoke of it. I wrote an article on it that you may want to read that has helped many to understand the subject better: http://www.lastday.info/watchv2i96.html

You wrote: Would my chances(or any bodies chances) of dying before the Lord comes be like 2 1/2 out of three?

My response: Probably (Matthew 24:9). But remember the blessing that accompanies Revelation 14:13? Most believers will fall away from the faith because they are not true seekers of the LORD (Matthew 24:10-12). They are not properly grounded in the Word and they passively let others tell them what is in the Bible, but they are not Bereans (Acts 17:11) and checking and questioning for themselves. I tell all who will listen, "Do not believe me, believe the one who sent me, check His word for yourself!" Jesus told us that he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). Many are under a delusion that they are saved already. They don't understand that a born-again spirit and the deposit of the Holy Spirit are not an automatic pass in. Jesus was talking to believers in John 15 when he said 11 times in 7 verses that if we remain in him he would remain in us. If you were to read the opposite (I strongly encourage you to do so to increase understanding) then it would say that if we do not remain in him then he will not remain in us!

Remember that shedding our blood for the faith will be rewarded by the resurrection. That doesn't mean that we seek martyrdom, rather we are to flee persecution when possible (Matthew 10:21-23). But when it is no longer possible to flee then to shed our blood in the name of Christ is to be honored greatly. Those who try to save their life will lose it but those who lay it down will pick it up again. Keep your eyes on the goal of your faith - the salvation of your soul (1 Peter 1:8). The resurrection is the salvation Jesus promised!

I prayed I have served you well,

Randy