Could you explain about the gentiles, the tribulation saints in Revelation who believe after the rapture? I read all the Left Behind books, so I probably have a misconception of what it will really be like.
First of all, you are right, all the books out there that you and others have read do not get this issue right because the authors of those books do not rightly divide God's Word, nor do they understand the unique, distinct ministry, message and apostleship of Paul. Therefore, they mix what God is doing in the book of Revelation with what God is doing today. And in doing so they do err and do not get it right!
I like prophecy too, but I like pleasing God even more. Therefore when I study prophecy, I do it according to His study instructions...rightly divided, something that Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins do not do.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And when one studies prophecy rightly divided, by listening to Paul by reading his epistles, one actually can understand what's going on.
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I [Paul] say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
The focus of the book of Revelation is not on gentiles in the Tribulation period (although God does make mention of them in passing), but the focus of the book is on the Jewish people/nation of Israel during the Tribulation period, future from us.
You are correct that the setting of the book of Revelation is future from the time in which we live today. It does take place after the Rapture of the Church, the Body of Christ, into Heaven.
But when it comes to the gentiles of that day, they will be the ones that God pours most of His wrath out on (as well as the unbelieving Jewish people).
God, by His Spirit, actually transports Israel's Apostle John into the future into the "Day of the Lord," the time period also called the Tribulation period, the time when the Lord Jesus Christ pours out His wrath on unbelievers in Israel and the gentiles in the earth (centralized in the Middle East), and then comes back to set us His earthly kingdom for the believing Jews.
Revelation 1:10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
The focus of the book is to encourage those Jews who trust Jesus as their Messiah in that day to continue on trusting Him and doing the good works. By doing so (faith+works), they will obtain salvation in His kingdom, and rule and reign with Him on the earth.
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And what purpose will these Jewish kings and priest serve for God? Well, kings rule and priests minister sacrifices. So the Jews will both rule over the gentiles and offer sacrifices to God on their behalf in the kingdom! After the kingdom of Heaven is set up on the earth and those faithful Jews get their authority, God will then send His salvation out to the gentile nations who are left and those gentiles will have a chance to trust the Lord and get saved...and they stay alive by keeping the Law of Moses and offering the acceptable sacrifices!
Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!
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