Does Revelation give indication that only saved national ethnic Israelites will be martyred [this would include the Lord’s two prophets;
Revelation 11:11-12] and resurrected at the end of the tribulation period? [
Revelation 15:2-3; 20:4 [those beheaded]]
Does this mean that no gentiles of the nations who are killed in the tribulation period will turn to the Lord, be saved, and resurrected?
I think this is the case
This would mean that any gentiles who do become believers during the tribulation period will escape physical death and will enter the Lord's millennial kingdom at the end of the period as mortals .... but the balance will be killed and lost forever [this number could amount to billions]
It does appear that there will be both believing ethnic Israelites [the “elect”; this would include the 144000 sealed, those who flee from “Judea” for protection, and those residing in the nations at the time] and some gentile [sheep; this would be those whose belief is reflected by their support of Israelites] survivors of the nations who will not be killed in the tribulation period who will turn to the Lord, and who will enter into His millennial kingdom on the earth as mortals [
Isaiah 11: 27:13;
Zechariah 13:8-9;
Matthew 24:29-31;
Romans 11:25-36] [
Matthew 25:31-46]
If true this means that no resurrection is scheduled for any gentile of the nations after the Lord takes His pre-tribulation church [composed of both ethnic Israelites and gentiles of the nations] out prior to the beginning of His coming judgment of the tribulation period; only believing Israelites martyred will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period
Here are referenced verses of scripture with commentary:
Revelation
6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Commentary: Martyred ethnic Israelites who must wait for their resurrection until the end of the tribulation period
7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Commentary: that portion of mortal believing Israelites who will be sealed for protection during their mission to carry the gospel of the kingdom to Israel and to the nations during the tribulation period and who will enter the Lord’s millennial kingdom at the end of it
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Commentary: Both Israelite and gentile believers who turn to the Lord during the tribulation period [the Israelites believers will either be martyred and resurrected at the end or will survive the tribulation as mortals; any gentiles believers will survive the tribulation as mortals]
14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Commentary: These are the believing Israelites who are martyred [
Revelation 6:9-11; 15:2-3; 20:4 [those beheaded]]
15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Commentary: These are all of the believing martyred ethnic Israelites who will be killed during the tribulation period and resurrected at the end of it [including the Lord’s two prophets [
Revelation 11:11-12]]
20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Commentary: Those on thrones [symbol of the Lord’s government] are the pre-tribulation church [
Revelation 3:10; 4:4; 5:1-10; 7:9-17; 11:1; 12:12; 13:6; 17:14; 18:4; 19:1-9] called out before the beginning of the tribulation period composed of both Israelite and gentile]; these immortals will return to the earth with the Lord at the ending of the tribulation period [
Joel 2:2-11;
Zechariah 14:5;
Jude 1:14-15;
Revelation 19:14]
The beheaded martyrs are all believing ethnic Israelites killed during the tribulation period that will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period and added to those who will rule with the Lord during His millennial kingdom on the earth and beyond
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