Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Good question, Galen! The question of whether the Church is absent from Revelation 4-20
hinges on a notable textual detail: the Greek word ekklēsia ("church") does not appear between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 20:16. Whether that linguistic gap signals a theological removal of the Church from the earth depends on your interpretive framework. Personally, I am Pre-Tribulational --The Church is raptured at Revelation 4:1 and is in heaven. The word disappears because the Church is no longer on earth. See this view in the Ryrie Study Bible. Dr. Ryrie was my professor at Dallas Theological Seminary.

The word "church" is used 19 times in Revelation 1-3, primarily in the letters to the seven churches, and then vanishes until Revelation 20:16, where it refers to the beloved city rather than a local congregation. This abrupt disappearance is the factual basis for the debate. In the pre-tribulational interpretation, the Church is not mentioned because it has been raptured to heaven. 

Revelation 4:1 records John hearing a trumpet-like voice saying, "Come up here," which many pre-tribulationists see as a symbolic picture of the Church being caught up to meet the Lord. From Revelation 4 onward, the scene shifts to heaven, and the 24 elders seated on thrones are often interpreted as representing the raptured Church, now crowned and worshipping in the heavenly throne room.

16 hours ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question: Is the Church missing from Revelation 4 to Revelation 20?

This doctrine is widely taught, but it presents a problem. If the church is removed from the scene in chapter 4, the seals, trumpets, and vials mentioned in Revelation would have to occur simultaneously. However, this contradicts the Scriptures. 

Whenever a doctrine lacks scriptural support, it should be regarded as inaccurate. 

When the seventh seal is opened, humanity is struck with great fear, knowing that the seven trumpets will only occur after all the seals have been opened.

Revelation 6:15: “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

We observe that they are seeking the event to occur. 

We witness Jesus instructing the four angels not to harm the earth yet. These four angels are the initial four trumpets that are about to sound.

Revelation 7:1: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”

Now, we observe that these four angels are instructed to refrain from causing harm to the earth. These four angels are the initial four trumpets that are sounded.

The first trumpet caused the grass to burn up and a third of the trees to perish. The second trumpet unleashed a great mountain of fire into the sea, turning a third of the sea into blood. Revelation 8:8 describes the third trumpet as a star called Wormwood, which caused a third of the waters to become wormwood. Many people died because the waters became bitter. Revelation 8:10 further details the fourth angel’s sound, which caused a third of the sun, moon, and stars to be struck. As a result, a third of them were darkened, and the day and night were not visible for a third of their duration. Revelation 8:12.

Remember, teaching or doctrine must align with Scripture.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dave Mohler Supporter Preacher's kid.

If the question raised here is meant to ask, "Is the unraptured church specifically mentioned between Revelation 4 through 20?" Then some will say no and others will say that they are implicitly present in the events that take place. For instance, you see this when contrasting the two reapings of 14:15,16 and that of 14:18-20. The chapters after chapters 1 through 3 have the objective of disclosing the earthly, heavenly and future events as they transpire. While John was alive on Patmos, his Spirit (4:2) was taken to heaven apparently to view, hear, speak, and internalize the awe and importance of otherwise undisclosed events and to put them into a book. 

Believers in Christ, while reading the book of Revelation, have differing views of last-days chronology and admittedly hope to solidify their understanding within this book. We are each advised to read and keep its commands (1:3) to receive the blessing promised. It is up to us individually to study this book with the rest of Scripture as to its message for the future and the church's (our) role while on earth. We also are warned about adding or subtracting from its words (22:18,19) and so should temper our viewpoints as viewpoints only and not come across with hard and fast interpretations that may not be there. Since all scripture is given by inspiration from God, then when all elements concerning the last days are given equal weight, the pieces will all fit, and we will not be deceived by invalid viewpoints.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report