3. There is no mention of the Church being on earth in Revelation between Chapter 4 verse 1 and chapter 19, and yet it is precisely in these chapters where we find the Tribulation described albeit in much symbolism. This is actually the weakest of the Dispensational seemingly strong arguments. For it is the word “Church” that they say is missing. But the fact is the word Church is missing from the heavenly scenes as well as the earthly scenes in these chapters. And there is the other reason, which is overlooked by Dispensationalists. John in all of his epistles as well as the Revelation never mentions the Church Body as “The Church”. You can do a word search for “church” and you will find that it only appears one time (and there not referencing the complete body of Christ) in all His writings. Then in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, it is Jesus speaking of a local body in each city. So in those chapters it is Jesus dictating to him His messages to different churches. But the one time that John speaks of the church in his non Revelation writings he is speaking about a local church, with his usage of the word “church”, just as Jesus did with the churches in Rev. chapters 2&3.

So this argument becomes a non sequitur. In fact the body of believers is seen as being in heaven having come forth out of Great Tribulation. And she is seen on earth during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV). Jesus, brought forth the concept that those who are true believers when He called for us to be an “overcomer” just as they are seen here in this verse representing The Church during Great Tribulation.

  1. Obviously the Church is called or referenced in many different ways. Jesus references us as sheep in His one sheep fold in John 10; we are overcomers; the saved; believers; followers; disciples; elect; bond-servants; The Bride; saints; a holy Temple (Eph 2:19-22); brothers. John himself called us: “my little children” (I John 2:1); elect (2 John 1:1); Jesus through John called us His servants or bond-servants. Interestingly we then see the bond-servants or depending on translation just servant spoken of within the Tribulation. And yes they are on the earth during Tribulation, as bond-Servants. This term is used within the epistles when speaking of members of the Church.

If Israel is the woman of Rev 12, and she has offspring, then just who are these offspring that Satan is going after in his wrath while Israel the yet to be saved in Israel are being protected? For it is these obviously saved offspring of Israel who are saved because they are “in Christ”.

Next we will take up.

4. Dispensationalism is as the term implies many past and future ages termed dispensations.