Maybe it is speaking to the rapture after all!

 
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. ² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne."

  Now, this passage has long been claimed to be a rapture passage and many Dispensationalist teachers have taught that this was a verse teaching the pre-tribulation rapture of Jesus. 
  At the time, I was considering the passage and was unpersuaded of it referring to the rapture. In fact for a couple years I decided to believe in the post-trib. rapture.
  A pre-trib. rapture is not the meaning of the text.  It isn't talking about all believers being raptured.  It seems apparent that John was receiving a vision of being taken to heaven.  And so I had skepticism towards the pre-trib rapture for years.  But the reality of Old Testament prophecy gave me a strong conviction about God's plan and prophecies concerning Israel, I also was quite convicted about Literal interpretation.  God is not the author of confusion and the idea that Israel is the same as the christian church has led to dozens upon dozens of heretical cults.




Romans 9:³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ⁴ who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; ⁵ whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. ² For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Ethnic Israel has specific promises by God.  But this does not lead them to salvation.  When we confuse those promises we begin to trade-in our salvation.

Romans 11:⁶ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded ⁸ (according as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. ⁹ And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: ¹⁰ let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. "

1 corinthians 3: ¹² Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: ¹³ and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: ¹⁴ but their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ¹⁵ But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart."

   Now as to the passage Rev. 4:1 The meaning of the text refers to  John's personal experience but the scriptures have not only a meaning but implications.
I picked this up studying Hermeneutics, the science of biblical interpretation, a text only has one meaning.  Basically a passage had one intent by it's author.
   But implications are truths from the text which may not be the set goal for the author, never the less they are propositions which build upon the message by necessity.
Jesus taught that a man lusting after a woman ,,with sexual intent, has committed adultery in his heart; even though it may not be the meaning of the 7th commandment.  Yet Jesus teaching is based upon the meaning of the adultery passage. Man has to desire adultery to commit adultery.

Implication) 3. An implying, or that which is implied, but not expressed; a tacit inference, or something fairly to be understood, though not expressed in words.

So even though John was not teaching his audience the rapture, is he still admitting this truth?

rev. 1:³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
   You can see that this is addressed to the universal reader and how it applies to us.

Rev. 1:⁷ Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  

                                       ^{zechariah 12;9} And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. ¹⁰ And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. ¹¹ In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
   These are Jews and they receive the Holy Spirit during this tribulation.  However, upon his reading they're logically not born again and they are revealed truth from that state.
   Supposed, if I were speaking to a satanist.  It may be that later on that this satanist may convert to Christianity and be destined for heaven; but at this point their destiny would be towards the condemnation of Hell.  Just the same John is an apostle to Israel so he speaks to the Jews of the prophecies which tie in with the old testament prophecies concerning the end-times and God provides the visions which fulfill Israel in light of other revelations in the New Testament. 
Galatians 2:⁷ but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸ (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) "

^{Romans 15:8} Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: ⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. ¹⁰ And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. ¹¹ And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. ¹² And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust."


     ^{Another thing we should notice is the Lord coming in the clouds.  This is noted as an image of judgement. But we should also remember that this is also telling us the location of Christ.
Acts 1: 6} When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? ⁷ And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. .......
⁹ And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;"
  So then Christ is waiting in judgement.  His judgement is to finish the business with Israel. This will start with Jesus upon the throne in judgement.


^{Rev. 2:10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
          So at this point in redemptive history there is a future promise of a crown rewarded. 
2 Cor. 5:⁹ Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."  A key distinction would between pre-tribbers and non-pre-tribbers is that there is supposed to be 2 judgements for pre-trib. and one judgement for other views.   One point we should emphasize is that theological categories do not always match the language of biblical categories.  When we have a theological discussion of pre, mid, pre-wrath or post. The Bible does not used the word this way. tribulation is either a general or specific event.  It is not the title of the period of time.  The Bible refers to the period as "The time of Jacob's trouble".
jeremiah 30:⁷ Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."  This is a time concerned with the fate of Israel and not the Christian churches.






genesis 28:¹⁰ And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. ¹¹ And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹² And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹³ And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.
John 1:⁵⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. ⁵¹ And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
 As we see the vision of Jacob's ladder has been fulfilled figuratively in Christ Who is the "ladder" between man and God. From Heaven to Earth.

 

john10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ² But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. ⁴ And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ⁵ And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

⁶ This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."     This relates to Christ's identity as a shepherd.  The doorway type points to the exclusive nature and relationship between the sheep and the Shepherd. The Messiah is connected to the true saints who follow the true messiah.  Salvation is found in Christ alone. 
            Ephesians 4: ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Rev3:¹⁰ Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 

       1 thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
 1 thess. 5: ⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Ephesians 6:²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:"
         But, if Jesus takes the church through the tribulation it would be apparent that he is not nourishing and cherishing hi bride!
post-trib wedding :(




 ^{Rev. 3:13} He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
                      This passage is not simply offered to one church but all churches.
Rev. 3: ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
                    This warning given to the church of Laodicea points to the invitation for us to enter the relationship with Christ.  The lukewarm church was no longer in line with Christ as many were apostate.
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.
   The condition is aimed at the goal of heaven with chapter 4 forcing an ultimatum.
The rapture is essentially and ultimatum.  Either A: the damnation of being left behind or B: the salvation of glorification being experienced at the rapture.

Rev. 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. ² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 

    2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) ⁴ how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
   Here we see the apostle Paul having a nearly identical experience with John in revelation. Key to this experience is the description Paul gives of being "caught up".  in the Greek, this is "harpazo" the word we describe in Latin as Rapture!
       1 Thessalonians 4:¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

    
We notice the use of horns, this comes from OT typology.

 Numbers 10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ² Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. ³ And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. ⁴ And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
  Here we note that the trumpet is not an ad hoc vision but comes from the Old Testament giving the signal to congregate and other movements
 http://www.dallasvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/shofar.jpg
 

 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.
  ^{Matthew 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.
 
  Now if the elders represent the whole body of Christ, it is obvious that the body of Christ received their judgement before the tribulation implying two judgements.
  if there are 2 judgements then we see resurrection.
^{1 Cor. 15:35} But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? ³⁶ Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: ³⁷ and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: ³⁸ but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. ⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: ⁴³ it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."
 Paul discuss the process of salvation and glorification using the illustration of sowing/planting seeds. the embryo kills off and possesses the seed to have the new life of a plant just the spirit does to our flesh.
"There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. ⁴⁶ Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
^{1 cor. 15:50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

Rev. 5: ⁵ And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  

  We see Christ in his Davidic authority making justice possible.
Gal. 3:¹⁵ Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. ¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise."
The covenants and promises of God must not be altered because God is not dishonest.  We see there are promises which are superior to later contracts, and that the church is not subject to the law for the simple fact that the promises are made regardless o the law.

, Rev. 6:¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: ¹⁷ for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

   ^{Romans 5:9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
   Here we see that we have to different stories, one of wrath and one of Grace.These two different perspectives are affecting us now,  The rapture is a positive for Christians but those not born again see it as fearful and gull of wrath.

Rev. 7: ² And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, ³ saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. ⁴ And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. ⁵ Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. ⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. ⁷ Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. ⁸ Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
    The language here is quite obvious.  The Christian church is by no means a race made from the flesh.  It is made from the spirit. The revival of Israel is spiritual but it is in the flesh and upon the flesh of a literal nation.


 matthew 22:² The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, ³ and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. ⁴ Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. ⁵ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: ⁶ and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. ⁷ But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. ⁸ Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. ⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. ¹⁰ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. ¹¹ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: ¹² and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. ¹³ Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen."
    Here we see  the kingdom.  It was meant under the umbrella of Judaism.  But the Jews rejected it.  it was offered to all peoples of the earth but they were not prepared for it.  Only the regenerate who have "made themselves ready" will be accepted in the marriage supper of the lamb.


matthew 25: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. ⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. ¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. ¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
 luke 12: ³⁶ and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

  Revelation 19:⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 


Many times those of us are married in love will reminisce.

john 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. ⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."