Through Scripture, we can resolve the mystery of the saints!
Not all saints are alike. There are different groups of saints. A fundamental question has been: How can the Antichrist have the power to overcome the saints if the Church can break down the Gates of Hell?
In the history of the world there have been both Old Testament saints and New Testament saints. You and I belong to the latter category as true believers, members of Christ’s body saved through faith. There is a third type of saint yet to come: the Tribulation saints. These are servants of God who die during the Tribulation, who are seen under the altar when the Fifth Seal is opened in Revelation 6.
John recorded by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 6:
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, Holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth (earth dwellers)?”
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
It is important to understand the Biblical use of the term “Church” – an ecclesia. It is not a structure, nor a denomination, but those all over the world who belong to Jesus Christ, who will be raptured when Christ returns for his Bride. Other people will still be saved after the Church is gone; these are the saints who will experience the Tribulation. The Church has a unique purpose as The Bride whereas all others will go through the tribulation period at the time of GOD’S wrath toward the unrighteous. There will be those who repent during the Great Tribulation as well as those who are of Israel that will finally accept Jesus Christ.
Also in Revelation chapter 13:
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in Heaven.
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Yet Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 16:
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (revelation) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.”
Are these Words of Jesus contradictory to what is revealed in Revelation 13:7? Not at all! The Church has authority over the adversary whereas the saints in the time of Jacob’s Trouble are subjected to war with the beast. Let us not confuse the two groups. Otherwise, you may assume that the Beloved Church must endure harsh times associated with the Great Tribulation.