JOHN'S "TRIP" TO HEAVEN        	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  10-17-99 A.M.  		 Revelation 4:1-11   	
	After John's vision of the "church age", he is transported to heaven in the Spirit.  Now 
he sees all the things which shall be "hereafter".  His focus is on the "throne".. but he also sees 
the twenty-four elders.. representative of the redeemed during the church age.  They are already
in the presence of God before all the judgments of the Tribulation begin... they have been RAPTURED..
"out from the hour of trial.." (3:10)  Here's why I believe in the "pre-tribulation rapture" of the church.... 
I.  BECAUSE of THE SCRIPTURES THAT PROMISE IT... 
  A. Jesus' Promises.. Jn.14:1-3 (certainly at death.. but more..) 
    1. He will come again and take us to "Father's House" 
    2. He promised that some would never die... Jn.11:15,26 
  B. Paul's Proclamations.. 1Cor.15:51,52; 1Thes.4:13-17 
  C. The Church's Prospects.. 
    1. They were taught to look for the imminent return, not signs. 
    2. They were in a constant state of expectancy.. Phil.3:20,21; 1Thes.1:9,10; Jas.5:7,8 
II.  BECAUSE of THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOW IT...
 ** Daniel's 70th Week begins after the Rapture... (primarily Jewish) 
  A. There will be the "removal" of that which hinders.. 2Thes.2:6-8  (The Church indwelt by the Spirit)
  B. There will be an agreement between the Jews & the Antichrist. Dan.9:27 
  C. There will be rebuilt temple..(otherwise there can be no "abomination of desolation" spoken of 
	by Daniel.  Mt.24:15) 
  D. There will be renewed sacrifices.. (Time Magazine.. 10-16-1989) 
  E. There will be 144,000 Jews sealed. Rev.7:3-8 
  F. There will be Two Witnesses empowered... Rev.11:3  (for 1260 days) 
  G. There will be a "betrayal" Mid-tribulation. Mt.24:15; 
    1. The antichrist will claim to be "god". 2Thes.2:4 
    2. The false prophet will require the "mark of the beast". Rev.13:16 
    3. The "interfaith" religious system will be destroyed. Rev.17 
  H. There will be great persecution of the Jews..2/3 slain.. Zech.13:8,9 
  I. There will be a great focus on the holy land & especially Jerusalem. Zech.12:9 
  J. There will be a great battle.. "Armageddon". Rev.16:16 
  K. There will be a recognition of Jesus Christ as Messiah by the Jews. Zech.12:10; Ro.11:15 
III.  BECAUSE the CHURCH IS NOT MENTIONED DURING THE TRIBULATION. chs.4-19
 ** The Book divides into three parts.. (1:19) 
  A. In Rev.1-3.. "church" and "churches" mentioned 19 times 
  B. In Rev.4-19.. (the description of the Tribulation).. not ONE mention
IV.  BECAUSE of THE PROMISE TO THE "TRUE" CHURCH.. 
  A. The Letters to the Churches.. 
    1. Good for all the churches of the world at any period of history 
    2. Good for individual Christians at any time during the church age 
    3. Good for a prophetic forecast of the entire church age.. 
  B. And Philadelphia represents the true church at end of the church age 
  C. And The Lord's Promise was to Keep them (out) from the trial.. Ro.5:9; 1Thes.5:9; etc. 
V.  BECAUSE the CHURCH WILL BE "JUDGED" & "MARRIED" BETWEEN THE RAPTURE 
	AND THE REVELATION. 
  A. The Believers' Judgment & Rewards.. Ro.14:12; 1Cor.3:10-15; 2Cor.5:10 
  B. The Believers' "Marriage" 
    1. Believers have been engaged to Christ.. 2Cor.11:2 
    2. Believers will be received by Christ.. a beautiful bride.. Eph.5:25-27; Rev.19:7,8
    3. Believers will be taken by Christ.. to "Father's House"  Jn.14:1-3 
SO WHAT?!
   WE OUGHT TO FLEE TO THE CROSS & CHRIST IN REPENTANCE & FAITH      (BE READY) 
   WE OUGHT TO LIVE GODLY LIVES IN THIS UNGODLY WORLD. 
   WE OUGHT TO BE ALWAYS JOYOUSLY LOOKING FOR HIS APPEARING.      (BE WATCHING) 
   WE OUGHT TO ZEALOUSLY SEEK TO WIN THE LOST ONES.      (BE DOING)