EXTRACT FROM A LETTER

In reply to your question I would point out that the Great Tribulation has nothing whatever to do with the Church. It is, as we learn from Jeremiah 30, "the time of Jacob's trouble." With this, all the other passages that have to do with this period of trial, agree. The remnant of Israel are to be purged by judgment and made fit for the earthly kingdom. The Church has nothing to do with this whatever. To us the promise is, "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial which is coming upon all the world to try them that dwell on the earth" (Rev. 3:10).

Notice again, it is not to try the heavenly people but the earthly.

In 1 Thessalonians 1 we read, "We look for the Saviour, even Jesus, which hath delivered us from the wrath to come." This is the Authorized Version, but a careful examination of the Greek text will show that "delivered" is not in the past tense at all. It is really, "Jesus who shall deliver us," or, literally, "who shall snatch us away from the wrath to come." Wrath is coming on apostate Judaism and guilty Christendom, but we will not be here to share in it.

Again, if familiar with the structure and contents of the book of Revelation, you will recall that the judgments do not begin to be poured out upon the earth until the Lamb takes the seven-sealed book. But the Lamb does not take the book until twenty-four crowned elders are seen in heaven. That these crowned elders represent the heavenly saints there can, I think, be no manner of doubt. The fact that they are already crowned shows that they picture the heavenly saints after the Rapture, for the crowns speak of rewards, and our Lord says, "Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." There will be no rewards until we are caught up to be with the Lord. Therefore, the judgments of Revelation 6-19, covering the period of the Great Tribulation, all take place after the Church is seen in heaven. Second Thessalonians 2 teaches the same thing. The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him must take place before the Man of Sin is revealed. H. A. Ironside