Do you live in America? Most Americans read the Bible as if the whole thing was written about them. They are the subject and it doesn't apply to anyone else. Now I admit that when I read the Bible I love to go back in time and see myself right along side the people back then. I am right there in all of the action. However, something very important to remember is that the Bible was first and foremost written to God's firstborn son (the Jews), and His wife who is Israel.

Say what? What are you talking about they are His firstborn son? Yes, Jesus is His begotten Son. But Israel is His first born son. And you shall say unto Pharaoh, Thus says the LORD, Israel is My son, even my firstborn: Exodus 4:22 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1

Ok, well what is this business about Israel being His wife? Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they broke, although I was a HUSBAND to them, says the LORD: Jeremiah 31:31-32 For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. Isaiah 54:5

Remember after the Jews (not all Jews) crucified Jesus, then the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and power came upon them. They had boldness and began to preach boldly and to stand for Christ no matter what. They knew He had risen from the dead and even at the point of death they would not deny Him. When you know something to the core of your being you will not back away no matter what you are facing. They knew that if their lives were taken they would still have life, the best kind - ETERNAL LIFE!!! The door to the Gentiles (everyone else) was opened during this time and when we believed in Jesus the Messiah then we were grafted in. Now we are in the Bible too!!

Many people may not realize that the LORD is still dealing with Israel for walking away from Him and serving idols and false gods. He was speaking to Daniel who is a Jew here: Seventy weeks are determined upon your people (Israelites) and upon your holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression (they left God), and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up (complete) the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy (Jesus the Messiah). Daniel 9:24

When you read Revelation please keep all of these things in mind. When the tribulation starts in Revelation it is Daniel's 70th week. This is the time when God will finish dealing with Israel's sin. Now, if you do not know Jesus intimately, then yes, you will be going through the tribulation too. For those that are sealed with the Holy Spirit and "know" Jesus intimately, the church age or age of grace ends in chapter 4 of Revelation. John being called up to heaven is a picture of the rapture. 1. Voice of a Trumpet 2. Called to go up 3. Immediately (quickly - taken up) The sealed Jews are taken up before Armageddon takes place. (See chapter 14:15-16)

For those that insist that everyone is going through the tribulation:
Here's something to ponder: In the catching away (rapture which comes from Latin) the dead in Christ rise first and then we which remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds... (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). So for those that think the 1st resurrection (Rev.20:6) is the same event as the rapture - to be part of this resurrection you must be beheaded (Rev.20:4) it does not mention anyone being alive and going up to heaven. What are those people who are alive supposed to do? How do they get their live bodies out of there? Why did it not talk about them here? hmmm

I pray that God will help you to read your Bibles through a Jewish or Israelite lens. Remember all the nations in the Bible are prophetic nations. They are all muslim and surround Israel. Islamist kill right now with the sword, they behead Christians (infidels). They want world dominance. They are in cahoots with the pope who says islam is a peaceful religion and is now allowing them to read from the quron in the Catholic Church. These are the people God will deal with in Revelation and of course anyone who has rejected His Son.

Stay out of the tribulation that is coming so soon. Let Jesus be the Lord of your life. Give Him your life today. Just ask Him to forgive your sins and to help you live for Him. God Bless you all.