The Rapture of the first fruits
Read Matt 24:36-41 Luke 17:30-36
To which of the seven churches in Revelation did God promise to spare from the hour of trial?
The Church in Philadelphia.
What were the characteristics of this Church?
They had little strength. They had kept Christ's words and did not deny his name. They kept Christ's command to endure patiently.
When were the 144 000 redeemed from the Earth? Before or after the Great Tribulation? (Rev 14:1-13)
Before. Following their rapture, an angel was sent to warn the remaining inhabitants of the earth not to worship the beast or his image.
Who were the 144 000? (Rev 7:2-4)
The 144000 were from all the tribes of Israel. 12000 were taken from each tribe.
Where did they meet with the Lamb?
On Mount Zion.
Where does the Bible say those living in Judea should flee to when they see the abomination that causes desolation in the temple? (Matt 24:16, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:21)
To the Mountains.
What were the characteristics of the 144 000?
These were those who had kept themselves pure by not defiling themselves with women. No lie was found in their mouths. They were blameless.
Why were they called the first fruits?
Because they were redeemed before the Great Multitude. The majority of believers (the Great Multitude) will have to go through the Great Tribulation, but will be redeemed just before the seven bowls of God's wrath are poured out. The Great Multitude will be harvested from the earth at the end of the Great Tribulation just before God's wrath is poured out.
What are the first fruits in a harvest?
In any crop, there will be a small number of plants that will mature or blossom before the majority and there will always be a few stragglers at the end.
Why does the Bible say that the 144 000 were offered as first fruits?
While most will have to be purified or refined by the Great Tribulation, the 144000 Jews were mature or 'ready' before the Great Tribulation started. These were, therefore, redeemed and offered as first fruits to God.
What song were they singing?
They sang a song before the throne that was known only to them.
