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In regard to the fifth seal there is an element of prophecy found here which will help us understand that not all Christian escape the tribulation period. These saints are New Testament saints who have given their life as a martyr for Christ. Their cry for revenge is answered by the reception of robes of white, purity, holiness and light. They are informed that they must wait for yet ìa little seasonî (like three and one half years), until their compatriots would be killed after the same fashion. Rev. 6:10-11 There is further evidence of some Christians not escaping the tribulation period for the harlot church called Babylon is drunken with the blood of the saints. She does not come into power until the tribulation. Rev. 17:6 All those living who enter the tribulation must make a choice either to worship and live or not worship the image of the beast and be killed. Who but those with Christian principles would not worship the image and live. Rev. 13:15.
The following deserves our deepest thought and meditation. Standing before the throne there is seen a vast multitude of people, so many that they are called numberless and they too are clothed in white. Rev. 7:9 The question as to their origin is then asked and the response is that they have come out of great tribulation having washed their robes and made them to be white through the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:14 There is a critical point to be made here for these saints never leave the earth during the tribulation period. They are not caught up and translated into heaven at the beginning of the tribulation but remain on earth for that period of time.
In all actuality, when the tribulation breaks there are two groups of Christians on earth. One is the Bride of Christ, the five wise virgins. Rev. 12:1 The other, the foolish virgins called the remnant of the womanís seed. Rev. 12:17 The Bride is transported into a place prepared by the Lord where she will be sheltered during the duration of the tribulation. Most unfortunately, the foolish, because of their spiritual lethargy and procrastination find themselves facing the full wrath of the powers of darkness. They will face a choice, maintain their belief and faith in the Lord Jesus or be slain and die as martyrs. The situation of life at that period of time will be such that their decision to continue to follow the Lord Jesus will not be a simple one. Those who receive the testimony of the two witnesses that Jesus is the Messiah will also give their life in martyrdom. Because of the location, Jerusalem and the ministry of the two witnesses, the Law and the prophets, their converts will almost entirely be of the seed of Israel.