Bible Discussion Thread

When revelation comes how will we know the devil from God after all saved souls have gone to heaven?

I think you might be referring to the time of the Rapture of the Saints to be with the Lord before the Wrath of God is poured upon the unbelieving World. If so, then your reference is to the Anti-Christ, who is Satan incarnate, filled with all the evil that Satan desires to express. One could say, that he tries to establish his 'messiahship' on Earth deceiving many, replicating what Jesus did by His Coming from God many centuries ago as the true Messiah of all people.

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 gives one of the fullest accounts of that time & of Anti-Christ. Just to highlight the points:

a. the Day of the Lord (the time when God's Judgement begins to fall) will commence by a falling away from Christ. In other words, the true Church will be seen after the fake 'Christians' turn away from the Lord.

b. Anti-Christ will be revealed, coming as a peace-maker, but ultimately taking position in the Jewish Temple proclaiming that He is God. He produces many great signs & wonders that will deceive most people.

c. But the day is coming when God will destroy both him & the spirit controlling him (Satan) casting them into the Lake of Fire.

d. Finally, Paul iterates that he knows his readers better than how the world behaves, & he gives thanks for them. Why was he full of joy & confidence in them? Because they were chosen of God, from the beginning to not only be heirs of salvation but also called to salvation from the evil times ahead. In his previous letter ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9), Paul also wrote there: "God had not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ".

So those left on the Earth may not easily discern the evil in the Anti-Christ, since their own deeds are evil continually, but when Jesus returns to reign on the Earth, all people will see the Glory of God & the destruction He brings on the wicked remnant.

Thank you for answering my question. I'm doing my best to understand Revelation. Does your answer mean that the people left on earth will be the non-believers and the rest have already gone to heaven?

I apologize, I thought you were specifically referring to the Rapture of the Church. But if you're reading through the Book of the Revelation, it is a difficult book to read because of the various imagery that is used. These imageries, such as the beast from the sea, the horses from Heaven, the sword from the mouth, etc., were shown to the Apostle John as depictions of what is to happen & not necessarily actual animals or objects.

So, in answer to your question, I understand that the those left behind to face God's Wrath are those who are unbelievers, & also those who think they are believers, but are not. That is why, throughout the epistles by the apostles, the challenge is always given as to the 'Christian's' position in Christ: are they truly saved & in God's family, or merely imposters, who might show some spirituality, attending Church, etc., but lead lives that carnal & never born again of the Spirit? Of course, we can never be in a position to judge someone else's salvation - we have to accept one another & encourage them. But when sin is made evident to us, or wrong teaching given, we must take action, whether to give help or deal with those who alter God's Word for their own ends.

However, since you're asking about those left behind, you will be aware of the different views on this by many Christians. Some, like me, believe that the Rapture is for believers to remove them from the time of God's Wrath (Pre-Tribulation Rapture). Others believe in a Mid-Tribulation Rapture (occurring in the middle of the Tribulation). And others, a Post-Tribulation Rapture (that all people, including Christians, go through the Tribulation & then Jesus comes to take us away). You would have to discern with the Spirit's help as to how you need to understand the Scriptures on this matter.

When all elect are saved and in heaven the remainder will be in hell.