We are not raised from the dead or transformed in order that we may escape tribulation. We are raised from the dead and transformed because we have attained the first resurrection and are ready to be revealed with Christ to the earth. Through Christ we have overcome the last enemy—physical death.

We shall ascend to meet Jesus at His return to earth. The purpose of our ascension is that we may be joined to the Head of the Body—the Lord Jesus Christ. The ascension of the saints will be witnessed by all the peoples of the earth, especially by Antichrist and his followers (Revelation 11:12). The resurrection and ascension of the saints will be the greatest witness ever presented to the peoples of the earth by the God of the earth.

In that day it will not be the saints who are afraid of Antichrist, it will be Antichrist and the wicked of the earth who will tremble exceedingly at what they are witnessing.

God's two witnesses had tormented those who chose to live in moral filth on God's earth. God's witnesses always torment those who live in moral filth and disobedience to God. God's witnesses always are eternal. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, are witnessing today to the churches and to the world, through the Scriptures, of God's Person and will, as effectively (or more effectively!) as they did when they were alive on the earth.

In this sense, the witnesses, the anointed elect of God, His prophets, have tormented those who have lived on the earth, from the time of the righteous Abel.

As soon as Antichrist is permitted by the Lord to overcome the Christian testimony, driving the godly remnant out of the cities of the earth and snaring the newly saved believers with the love of material ease, the peoples of the earth will make merry and send gifts to one another (Revelation 11:10).

But when they behold the risen saints, glorious in their indestructible, incorruptible resurrection life, they will be terrified.

And after three days and an half [the end of Daniel's "seventieth week"] the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Revelation 11:11)

The whole army of God is now on its feet, a great multitude of righteous people from all ages—perhaps outnumbering the inhabitants of the earth at that time. They all have been God's prophets, God's witnesses. We see them portrayed in advance on the Mount of Transfiguration, the elect from both covenants, with the radiant Jesus in the center where He always belongs.

And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11)

When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops [speaking of the return of Christ with His army after they have been gathered to Him in the air]. (Habakkuk 3:16)

To be continued.