Some theologians have long taught that the believers would be taken out of the world before the great tribulation occurs in order that they not be upon the earth to go through the great tribulation period.  However, God told us this would not be the case by using the context of Revelation 13's discussion of the beast (the language of the ascension of the beast pictures Satan and his rule during the great tribulation).  In that chapter we read the following:

 

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

 

Notice in the above passage as the Lord is describing the beast's victory over the saints that He makes a point of stressing in the last half of verse 10: "...Here is the patience and the faith of the saints".  In other words, God is emphasizing to us that during the awful days of the great tribulation, the saints (His elect people) will indeed be upon the earth; and they will go through this very trying period of time.  In fact, their presence during the time period of the great tribulation will be an example of their patience and faith.  

 

From this account in Revelation 13 we can see that the theologians that thought this were quite wrong.  It was never God's plan to rapture His people before the great tribulation came about (known theologically as the pre-trib rapture).  No.  A careful reading of the Bible reveals that it has always been the Lord's plan for His people to remain upon the earth and to go through the time of the great tribulation (which, by God's grace we have now accomplished, as the great tribulation period went from May 21, 1988 through May 21, 2011, a complete 23 years).  

 

It's very interesting that many theologians also have taught (and still teach) that the believers will be raptured out of the world prior to the Day of Judgment and the outpouring of the wrath of God upon mankind for their sins.  Even the theologians that would allow for the believers to be upon the earth during the great tribulation would agree that God would not pour out the cup of His wrath to the unsaved inhabitants of the earth until all the elect were removed out of the world (raptured).  

 

This has been taught for so long and by so many that just about all in Christianity believe this must be the case.  It's one of the main reasons people find the idea of a spiritual judgment day hard to believe; after all, the believers are still here on the earth.  

 

Yes God's people are still on the earth.  And yet it is the Day of Judgment. It is highly significant that after discussing the great tribulation period in Revelation 13 and pointing out that the true believers would remain upon the earth by the statement: "Here is the patience and faith of the saints...", that God enters into a detailed discussion concerning the time of His judgment upon this world in the very next chapter.  Let's read a little from that discussion:

 

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

 

Ugly awful language describing the wrath of God upon the unsaved people of the earth.  There is no doubt that the Day of the Lord is in view.  The Day of the final judgment of mankind is certainly being described.  And yet, after speaking of sinners drinking from the wine of the cup of the wrath of God; and after describing that they will have no rest day nor night, what do you think God says immediately after these things?  Something very strange.  Here's the next verse:

 

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

What in the world does the patience of the saints have to do with anything when it comes to the drinking of the cup of the wrath of God?  Aren't the saints long gone?  Surely they have already been raptured and removed out of the earth before  God began the judgment process?  

 

No!  With this statement concerning the 'patience of the saints' etc, the Lord is revealing to us that it is His plan to keep His people on the earth during the time of His wrath upon sinful mankind.  Just as He made a very similar statement in Revelation 13 which spoke of His people's patience during the great tribulation, He reiterates that idea in chapter 14 to let us know that, yes, the elect will continue to remain upon the earth during the time period of the Day of Judgment.  And patience certainly will be key and most necessary for the children of God.  They will be put through the spiritual fires of this time period in order to see if they come through as silver and gold comes through the fire in a purified state.  

 

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

 

Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.