A continuation of Part 1: If you have not already read Part 1, now is the time. Click here.

If wrath is God’s response to sin, then the Bride is His testimony of grace. Who is this Bride? What promise secures her? And what mystery will suddenly remove her from the coming hour of testing? Scripture has left us a trail of evidence—and Part 2 will follow it step by step.

Section IV – Left Behind: The Severe Consequences

1. The Reality of Being Left Behind

Jesus’ teaching is unambiguous:

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” Matthew 24:40–41

The Harpazo (catching away of the Bride, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) creates two categories of humanity:

Those taken into the presence of Christ.

Those left behind to endure the Tribulation.

Being left behind is not neutral. It is catastrophic.

2. The Deception of the Man of Lawlessness

Paul issues a forensic-level warning:

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4

Those left behind will face:

The Antichrist—a world ruler who demands worship.

The False Prophet—who enforces the worship of the Beast.

John describes the global system:

“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16–17

Without this “mark,” survival is impossible in the economic system. But receiving it guarantees eternal judgment.

3. The Martyrdom of the Saints

Many left behind will repent and believe in Christ after the Rapture. They are the Tribulation Saints. But they will pay with their lives.

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.” Revelation 6:9

“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4

The investigative conclusion:

Believers who refuse the mark will be executed.

Their testimony will cost them their earthly lives, but secure eternal life.

4. The Reign of Terror Over the Nations

Revelation 13 states plainly:

“It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.” Revelation 13:7–8

Facts from the record:

The Antichrist’s dominion is global.

Resistance equals death.

Worship of the Beast is universal except for the elect.

5. Eternal Consequences of the Mark

Receiving the mark is the point of no return. John leaves no doubt:

“If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9–10

“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:11

The evidence is absolute:

The mark = eternal damnation.

There is no repentance after taking it.

6. The Great Divide: Wheat and Tares, Sheep and Goats

Jesus taught the endgame with agricultural and pastoral imagery:

Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:30): “Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:32–33): “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.”

The dividing line is not wealth, status, or race. It is Christ. Those who reject Him face wrath. Those who receive Him—even unto martyrdom—receive eternal life.

7. The Investigative Verdict

Being left behind means:

Living under Antichrist’s dictatorship.

Choosing between worshiping the Beast (and eternal destruction) or refusing the mark (and almost certain martyrdom).

Enduring famine, pestilence, disasters, and cosmic judgments.

Seeing billions die, and possibly dying oneself in horror.

It is the worst possible time in human history to be alive.

Jesus summarized it best:

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.” Matthew 24:21

Section V – The Blessed Hope: Kept From the Hour

1. The Promise of Deliverance

Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, gave the Thessalonian believers one of the clearest declarations in Scripture:

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10

This statement is forensic evidence:
Not destined for wrath. Wrath is real, but it is not our appointment.

Destined for salvation. Our destiny is union with Christ.

Whether awake or asleep. The living and the dead in Christ are equally secure.

2. The Harpazo (Catching Away of the Church)

Paul records the event itself with courtroom precision:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

The critical data points:

The Lord Himself descends. Not an angel, not a messenger. Jesus comes for His Bride.

The dead in Christ rise first. Resurrection precedes translation.

The living are caught up. “Caught up” = harpazo in Greek, meaning “snatched suddenly, seized by force.”

Meeting in the air. This is not the Second Coming to earth (which happens at the end of the Tribulation). This is a gathering in the sky.

Eternal union. “Always with the Lord.”

Paul seals the investigative conclusion:

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18

3. Kept From the Hour of Testing

Jesus’ own investigative testimony in Revelation 3 is direct:

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:10

Two crucial facts emerge:

Kept from the hour. Not just from the trial, but from the very time period of global testing.

The testing is global. It affects “the whole world.”

Cross-examined against Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24–27), Revelation’s Trumpets, Seals, and Bowls, this “hour” is the Great Tribulation. The Bride is removed before it begins.

4. Jesus’ Assurance of Escape

Jesus urged His disciples to watch and pray in anticipation of this event:

“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:36

Investigative observation:

Jesus does not say “endure all these things,” but “escape all these things.”

The goal is not survival during wrath, but removal from wrath to “stand before the Son of Man.”

5. The Church Is Absent During the Wrath Narratives

From Revelation 6 through 19 (the detailed description of the Tribulation judgments), the Church is conspicuously absent.
The word ekklesia (church) appears 19 times in Revelation chapters 1–3.

From chapter 4 onward, during the seals, trumpets, and bowls, ekklesia vanishes.

Instead, we find “saints” and “martyrs,” but not the Church as Christ’s Bride on earth.

John is told:

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.’” Revelation 4:1

This is a prophetic foreshadowing of the rapture event itself: a trumpet call, an open door in heaven, and an ascent into God’s throne room before the judgments unfold.

6. The Bride’s Role in Heaven During the Tribulation

While wrath is poured out on earth, Scripture shows the Bride of Christ in heaven, engaged in two key events:

The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat):

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

Not judgment for sin (that was paid at the cross), but reward and evaluation for service.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:7–8

The Bride is not enduring wrath but preparing for a wedding celebration.

7. Investigative Verdict: The Blessed Hope

When the evidence is assembled, the conclusion is airtight:

Believers in Christ are not appointed to wrath.

The Harpazo will remove the Church before the hour of global testing.

The Bride will be in Heaven, not on earth, during the seals, trumpets, and bowls.

Our destiny is eternal union with Christ, crowned at the marriage supper, and returning with Him as co-heirs to reign for a thousand years.

Paul’s summation of this blessed hope is clear:

“Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” Titus 2:13

The “blessed hope” is not survival through wrath. It is escape from wrath and eternal life with our Bridegroom.

Section VI – The Millennial Kingdom: The Reign of Christ on Earth

1. The Promised King on David’s Throne

The prophets leave no ambiguity: Messiah will reign as King over all nations from the throne of David.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6–7

Two investigative findings:

The King is both human and divine (a Son given, called Mighty God).

His reign is geopolitical (a government on David’s throne) and eternal.

2. The Return of the King

The Second Coming of Christ is distinct from the Harpazo. At the rapture, He comes for His saints; at His return, He comes with His saints.

“And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.” Revelation 19:14

These armies are not angels alone; they are the redeemed, His Bride, now glorified, returning as co-heirs to reign.

Investigative contrast:

Rapture → Meeting in the air (1 Thess. 4).

Second Coming → Descent to earth, specifically the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).

3. The Binding of Satan

The millennial reign is inaugurated by the removal of the adversary:

“And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed…” Revelation 20:1–3

For the first time since Eden, the deceiver is silenced. Investigative note: world peace is impossible until Satan is restrained.

4. Resurrection and Reward of the Saints

The millennial reign is marked by a resurrection event distinct from the final judgment:

“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus… and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4–6

Findings:

First resurrection = for the righteous. It includes the raptured saints and tribulation martyrs.

Second resurrection = for the wicked. It comes after the millennium, before the Great White Throne judgment.

Role of the saints. Kingship and priesthood exercised with Christ for 1,000 years.

5. Israel’s Restoration

The Millennium fulfills promises made specifically to Israel:

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem… and the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’” Zechariah 8:4–5

“In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David,
And wall up its breaches;
I will also raise up its ruins
And rebuild it as in the days of old.” Amos 9:11

The kingdom will be centered in Jerusalem, with Messiah ruling as King of Israel and Lord of the nations.

6. Global Peace and Justice

The investigative data confirms a literal, global peace unknown in history:

“And He will judge between the nations,
And will render decisions for many peoples;
And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
And never again will they learn war.” Isaiah 2:4

“The wolf will dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard will lie down with the young goat…
They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6, 9

This peace is not symbolic. It is agricultural, ecological, political, and social. A total reversal of the curse.

7. The Final Rebellion and Judgment

After the thousand years, Satan is released briefly:

“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations… to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore… And fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” Revelation 20:7–9

This confirms a critical investigative principle: even after a millennium of perfect justice and peace under Christ, unregenerate humanity still rebels when Satan is freed. The heart of man is desperately wicked without new birth.

Then comes Satan’s final sentencing:

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10

8. Investigative Verdict: The Millennium Is Literal

The textual data leaves no room for allegory.

Duration: 1,000 years (stated six times in Revelation 20).

Government: Christ on David’s throne in Jerusalem.

Participants: The resurrected saints as kings and priests.

Conditions: Peace, justice, ecological renewal.

Culmination: Final rebellion crushed, Satan eternally judged.

The millennial reign is not a metaphor. It is a literal kingdom on earth under the rule of King Jesus, bridging history into eternity.

The case is closed: the Bride of Christ is not destined for wrath but for salvation, kept from the hour of trial through the Harpazo. But what of those who are left behind? What becomes of a world without the restraint of the church?

Click here to read Part 3.