Recently someone presented me with Luke 12:36 as proof that all passages pertaining to Christ's second coming relate only to the Jews, while the hope for the church is a pre-tribulation rapture. In this system, all passages of warning to watch for the second coming of our Lord are explained away with a "this doesn't apply to me" mentality. I believe this is a serious error. I believe that in reality Luke 12:36 creates more problems for the pre-trib view than it solves.

In many ways the whole argument of the pre-tribbers assumes the very thing it is attempting to 'prove'. How exactly does Jesus stating that he 'Returns from the wedding' prove the pre-tribulation rapture anyway? The answer is that it doesn't unless you already believe in a seven year tribulation during which the church is in heaven enjoying the wedding banquet.  Who stated that the wedding needed to be seven years duration?  There could be a wedding at any point before Jesus' return which would just as easily apply to his words in Luke 12:36.  This type of argument which attempts to use Luke 12:26 in favor of a pre-tribulation rapture proves absolutely nothing. However, a careful study of the passage and its context is very fruitful, therefore we proceed to offer the following notes and comments.

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. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Luke 12:36-41

• Return from the wedding is believed by the pre-tribulationists to give fuel to their theory.

• The pre-tribulationists argue that if the church is the bride, and the wedding comes before the second coming as this passage states, then the church must be raptured out in a separate event before the second coming. It will be stated at the beginning that this really proves nothing unless you've already decided when the rapture takes place and its duration.

• In this passage they believe to find justification to apply these and all other warnings to watch for our Lord's return to Israel only believing that the rapture takes place a full seven years before the second coming

• I feel that this interpretation is unjustified and actually dangerous. I offer the following in response:

I. You must take into account WHO Jesus is addressing in the passage.

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1

• Thus it is clear that he is not addressing the apostles, or even his disciples only which are designated as separate from the 12 (which are named apostles exclusively). To me it seems unreasonable to suppose that Jesus would be addressing an "innumerable crowd" with the hope of being the "bride", and taking part IN the wedding. Of course, this is exactly what the pre-tribulationists assert, however they make a distinction by saying that he is addressing the Jews only here because, in their thinking the church at this time did not exist, and remained a mystery.

• I feel that this logic will not follow. The idea that he would "return from the wedding" indicates complete knowledge that he must leave, and must take a bride before returning. Did Jesus not know that at least some in the crowd might become members of his "bride"? In other words, is he giving this passage as though the Church would never exist? Is he here saying that the opportunity to become the bride was not for the Jews? I believe the answer must be no.

II. The confusion which this statement causes can be seen in Peter's question immediately following :

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Luke 12:41

• Here Peter seems to echo the confusion of why Jesus is issuing a warning about a 'return from the wedding' when surely Peter himself felt that he, as a footstep follower of Jesus, should be IN that wedding. Hence this question.. "are you talking to US (the apostles, or disciples.. ) or to the crowd in general. What other explanation can be given for Peter's question? It's this type of question which most read over so flippantly, thinking again that Peter in his "ignorance" misunderstood. It is however this exact same confusion over the text which exists to this day.  WHO exactly was this passage to apply to?

• In reality, the question is a GOOD QUESTION, one in which Peter himself recognized a difficulty which most will never even realize exists.

III. It is exactly at this point that a distinction must be made which I have never seen made in print although I'm convinced is clearly delineated in the text. The distinction is made between the promises made to those watching when Jesus returns from the wedding, in contrast with the way our Lord answers Peter's question. It is my belief that he issues two different sets of promises to two distinct groups of people. The first are those watching for his return from the wedding:

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:37-40

• This passage immediately precedes Peters question of who Jesus was referring to. Notice the promises to those watching:

• He comes forth, has them sit down, and feeds them.

• Now, note the contrast AFTER Peter's question "Do you say this to US, or even to ALL"

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Luke 12:42-49

• Notice here the total difference in promises.. these are promised rulership, to give "them" (who?) their meat in due season.... this is obviously the feeding referred to in the previous passage. Those here are made rulers, and given the task of feeding the others "meat". The only other ones in the context who "sit down to meat", are those who are watching when he returns from the wedding.

• So the answer to Peter's question is "yes and no"... yes I am speaking to you and all, but there are two different sets of rewards and two different groups who are "watching"

• Those who are faithful and wise are promised rulership over all that is Christ's.. and over his "household".. and given the right to dispense the meat given to those others who are watching "WHEN HE RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING"

So I see different groups in the passage:

1) The faithful and wise which are made rulers and dispense meat.

2) Those watching at the return from the wedding who get the meat that is served.

Why would this be.. and why didn't they make the first group? We let the text itself answer.. obviously a lack of faithfulness and discretion (wisdom).. but watching nonetheless.

3) An evil servant who knew the Lord's will but "beat" his fellowservants.. apostasy.. These are said to be "beaten with many stripes", in the judgment .. the portion with the unbelievers

4) Unbelievers.. beaten with few stripes because they didn't know better....

From this I must conclude the following:

• Jesus, in addressing the innumerable company, gave a general warning to watch. He knew that MOST of those hearing him would not, or could not walk in the narrow way.. the life that he knew few in this lifetime would find.. this is why the RETURN from the wedding is mentioned and not the wedding itself.

• In this, I see the only logical reason for Peter's own confusion regarding our Lord's words. Peter obviously did not understand the warning to be watching upon the RETURN from the wedding. Peter obviously felt that he should be IN that wedding.

• Upon hearing Peter's question our Lord THEN addresses the promises made only to the few faithful and wise who would walk in the narrow way. These don't "sit down to meat".. they are made rulers over the Lord's household.

• Hence our Lord answers Peter's question differently giving his promises to the "faithful and wise" or what is elsewhere deemed the "elect". To this the promise of ruler-ship is made, as well as the right to dispense the "meat" with Christ to his household.

• I believe it must logically follow that this group (the faithful, wise, and elect group) is dealt with separately.

• The only remaining difficulty seems to be the "coming".. are the "Faithful and wise" dealt with in the very same event, at the exact same time?

• I would have to answer that logically this is not possible. The "faithful and wise" ARE THE BRIDE...they must chronologically be dealt with BEFORE the others who are watching for the return FROM THE WEDDING. We must harmonize why both are to be on the watch for his "coming". The simplistic answer that Jesus is only speaking to the Jews so the entire passage is inapplicable to the church will not do at all.

• It must be noted here that if both these groups are said to be watching for Christ's "coming", that this simply will not harmonize with a pre-tribulation rapture. I believe it obvious that two different groups and two different promises are made in the passage. The question we must ask is "Are any of these promises made to those who would become Christ's bride, or the church? I feel that the the most obvious answer is "yes". If the bride aren't the ones who are made ruler of his household, then who in the world is he speaking to? Of course, this is a notion that a strict pre-tribulationist must avoid. They must assert, if they are consistent, that all references to Christ's "coming" are for Israel only and not the church. Here I feel Christ makes a promise which, in light of the entire testimony of scripture, can only apply to the bride. However, we must harmonize the fact that both these groups are dealt with at his "coming" when one group (the faithful and wise) must be dealt with chronologically before the other.

• I believe this is easily "harmonized". Actually I believe it doesn't need any harmonizing once this is compared with other passages regarding the harvest and the second advent.

• In the same way the "harvest" is ONE EVENT, yet happens in stages.... hence also the second coming is ONE EVENT which happens in stages.

• The harvest always begins with the "firstfruits" which were the finest of all crops, and which were exclusively the Lord's. The feast of firstfruits commences the general harvest, and this is exactly the sense of the above passage. Christ's coming happens in two stages.. the harvest of the firstfruits immediately at the "last trump" according to Paul, followed by the general harvest of the world.

• The firstfruits are taken first as Christ's elect... these are the bride, and are given rulership over all that is his.

• Following this is the general harvest which commences after the firstfruits are given to the Lord. It is in the general harvest that the "innumerable multitude" was told to "watch".. and were promised to be FED (note: not the right to do the feeding, or rulership) when Christ returns FROM THE WEDDING"

• Notice, the evil servant is NOT WATCHING, but believes that the Lord is delaying his coming.. he is caught off guard and appointed his "portion with the unbelievers". His lot is to be "cut asunder" (a term used for the most extreme form of Roman punishment) and appointed his portion with the unbelievers.

I believe we can see a parallel in Matthew 24:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matt 24:29-31

• Here we see the beginning of the "harvest" taking place. The elect are gathered at the sound of the trumpet. Paul calls this trumpet "the last trump". However, once again a strict pre-tribulationist must reject that the 'trumpet' of Matthew 24 is the 'last trumpet' of the apostle Paul. They also must make the 'elect' into this passage into Israel only, because in their view, none of these passages apply to the church.

• However, the above seems perfectly clear. When the elect are gathered, they are "caught up to meet the Lord in the air" along with the dead in Christ which rise first.

• However, Jesus goes on to explain something which seems to be confusing:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 24:36-51

• What is the meaning of the "one taken, one left" passage. Clearly the "elect" are "taken" or "caught up" at the sound of the trumpet, but we should not assume that THAT event is the same as those being "taken" here. The Parallel account in Luke shows us clearly that this passage (the one taken, one left) is not referring to the taking of the "elect".

Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Luke 17:35-37

• The answer to "where Lord?" , or "where are they taken Lord?" is the answer of judgment. The picture of birds of prey feeding on dead corpses. We must conclude that those taken here are taken in JUDGMENT FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF THE ELECT.

• WHY? Because the ones not taken in judgment here are obviously LEFT BEHIND, and it was clear before this that the elect are taken off the earth to meet the Lord in the air. So, there simply must be three groups mentioned here.. The Elect which are gathered and "caught up" at the trumpet, the wicked who are "taken" in judgment, and another group who are not taken in judgment, but LEFT BEHIND on the earth. Therefore at the end of the harvest there are two groups remaining.  One to do the feeding mentioned in Luke 12, and the others to be fed.  One, the elect, and another group, obviously not the elect but who were for whatever reason not taken in judgment.

• In every parallel passage we can find proof that it is the wicked that are "taken here", not the righteous.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity Matt 13:40-41

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just Matt 13:49

• In each instance it is the wicked that are "taken", "gathered out", or "severed from the just", we offer this as conclusive proof that in the "one taken, one left" passages, it is the wicked who are "taken" in judgment. It only logically follows that if two are grinding at the mill, and one is taken, then the other one is "left" on the earth, still at the mill. This establishes beyond doubt a group of people which are not the "elect" which are "caught up" at the trumpet, but are faithful and watching in some respect as to not be taken in judgment.

• So, we have seen the same pattern emerge... the elect first, followed by the general harvest.

• We see again a parallel passage to the one in Luke regarding the "faithful and wise servant", as well as the warning to the "evil servant".

• Here the evil servant is appointed his portion with the hypocrites (unbelievers in Luke) and experiences "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (beaten with many stripes in Luke).

• "Appointed a portion with the unbelievers, or hypocrites" can only mean that they are taken in judgment with the unbelievers.

In Revelation we see the same parallel.

• We know that the "elect" are gathered with a trumpet. Paul tells us that "the trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed", and also says that these happen at "the last trump".

• In Revelation, upon examining the "last trump", or the "seventh trumpet" we see:

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Rev 11:18

• In other words, the harvest and the judgment are to follow.

• After a parenthesis in chapters 12 and 13 we see:

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Rev 14:1-5

• Whatever else may be written about what this group of 144,000 represents, some things can be certain.

• The seventh trumpet signals the close of this age, and the end of this age IS the harvest. These are the firstfruits of that harvest as is clearly stated in the passage. In every instance without exception, these appear to be the very elect of God.

• Note, they are seen IN HEAVEN, on THE mount Sion.. the are BEFORE THE THRONE. How did they get there? Earlier in Revelation they are on earth. After the LAST TRUMP they are seen in heaven. We can only logically conclude that these are the "elect" Christ spoke of which were gathered with the sound of a "great trumpet".

• I must conclude, although I am aware that many will disagree with me, that these 144,000 REPRESENT the very elect of God; those who take part in the first resurrection. Note the following:

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18

• Here James calls the faithful true church, "the firstfruits" which the 144,000 are also called.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Rev 3:12

• This passage from one of Jesus' letters to the seven churches makes a promise to the "overcomers" that he would write the name of his God upon him. The 144,000 have the name of the Father written upon them. Doesn't it seem logical that the 144,000 are the overcomers from the church age? The very elect of God?

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Rev 2:26

• Here, in another letter to the overcomers from the church age, the overcomer is promised "power over the nations"; the same thing promised to the "faithful and wise servant" in both Matthew and Luke.

• We must conclude that the 144,000 represent the overcomers from the church age, the faithful and wise servants, who obtain rulership with Christ. They are the first fruits unto God. They are in heaven because as Jesus and Paul state, they are gathered at the last trumpet (the seventh).

• Their appearance in heaven as the first fruits signals that the general harvest is to begin which is EXACTLY what we see IMMEDIATELY following their appearance in heaven:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication 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, 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: 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. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev 14:6-20

• The peculiar sequence of events, namely the gathering of the firstfruits, immediately followed by the harvest, is not easily ignored or explained away.

• Immediately following the gathering of the elect, we see the harvest. It is commenced by a supernatural preaching of the Gospel, and a warning to every creature dwelling on the earth. We call to mind Jesus' words:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall THE END come. Matt 24:14

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE; and the reapers are the angels. Matt 13:39

• It's sad commentary on the church age that God himself has to finish the preaching of the gospel to all nations himself so that the harvest can commence.

• This warning will obviously serve as a wake-up call to many sleeping Christians who will repent at this time, as well as to many on the earth who will call out in faith due to sheer fear of what is happening. However, it is important to note at this point, that the "Christian" who has been awakened has already missed the reaping of the "firstfruits". The were not "overcomers" and do not obtain rulership with Christ.

• However, these now awakened are told to watch for Jesus WHEN HE RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING which takes place in Revelation 19 immediately preceding the second advent, and the battle of Armageddon. In every case, the sequence of events is in harmony.

• It is important to note that Revelation 14 is a SUMMARY of what is to follow in chapters 15,16 ,17, 18, and 19. Revelation 14 describes the harvest in general, whereas chapters 15 through 19 give the details of the event. These chapters describe the last seven bowl judgments of God, the fall of Babylon the great (false religion), and the battle of Armageddon.

Notice here, in chapter 14, there are two reapings...

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

This is contrasted with:

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

• Notice the first group is reaped so that the second angel doesn't throw them in to the winepress of God's wrath. Who are these?

• These are those who woke up, repented, and who are watching. Again, these are not the elect, which are already in heaven. These are those who are watching for the Lord "WHEN HE RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING"; those who Jesus will feed, and those who the elect are to give "meat in due season" to. These are the ones 'left behind', in the bed, grinding at the mill, etc. These are those left in the earth, and not taken in judgment.

• The second group which is "reaped" are the unbelievers, along with the "evil servant" who has been appointed his portion "with the unbelievers". The are to be "cut asunder" and undergo "many stripes. The are cast into the winepress of God's wrath, which we see in the following chapters (15, 16,17,18,and 19) refers to the last horrific bowl judgments of God, ending with the battle of Armageddon.

In those chapters (15-19) we see statements that confirm our interpretation:

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Rev 16:12-15

• Even up to the point following the sixth bowl of judgment, we see the warning to those dwelling on the earth who are WATCHING. This is the exact equivalent of the statement from our Lord with which we began our study:

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 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. Luke 12:35-36

• Again, the elect, the overcomers, are already with Christ.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 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. Rev 19:7-9

• This passage immediately precedes the battle of Armageddon.

• Note very carefully the two groups mentioned. There is the bride, and then those "called to the supper". Those who are called to the supper are obviously not the bride. Again we see the same parallel between those who were the firstfruits, and those who came out of the general harvest of mankind.

• The blessed which are called to the supper are those who are watching for his return at Armageddon which is to immediately follow. These are they who through faith were protected by God in the midst of the bowl judgments.

• Hence we see this parallel and contrast which runs throughout almost all passages pertaining to the end of the age.

• We see a group which is very faithful and very special to the Lord; his very elect. The are taken as the firstfruits unto God, and their gathering signals that the general harvest of mankind is about to begin.

• In the general harvest we see those, who although not overcomers, turn to God in repentance and faith, and whom he lovingly protects. These are called to the marriage supper of the lamb, where he feeds them, although they are not his bride and do not obtain rulership.

• Lastly, we see the unbelievers, and the evil servant which undergo the last bowl judgments and the wrath of God.

Ultimately I feel that this is the clearest sense of these passages, and shows that in no way imaginable can Luke 12:36 be used to teach a pre-tribulation rapture.