While my PROPOSITION Z might cover the subject of its focus to the satisfaction of some, I believe it will serve us to consider the the that I there mentioned in the second paragraph.  In Revelation 7:14, this definite article is found to precede the words "great tribulation" in most later translations, but not the KJV.  A difference such as this is often the result of the use of a different manuscript by the translators.  In the case of the the here in question, the manuscripts upon which other translations are commonly based show this article, but, so does the Textus Receptus, upon which the KJV is based.  Just why this the is not found in the KJV would be difficult to ascertain.  The work of interpretation and translation of languages is a very complex undertaking.  Whatever the reason, many have seized on this the as supporting the view that the "great multitude" that John sees in Revelation 7:9-17 is those who will be saved during Daniel's 70th Week.  Further, this the might appear to be something that would affect my different view.  But, there are other considerations and more to our verse of question than the the.

     In an effort to fairly treat the above concerns, let's just concede the definite article of our focus for a moment.  Now, let's turn our attention to the verse in question, as rendered by the translations that include the the, but, to another portion of the verse.  For example, at least three modern day translations read thus:  "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation" (New International, Amplified, and Revised Standard versions).  Noting the words in bold, and using the reader as an example, what criteria would have to be met for it to be said that you have come out of something?  The most natural response might be that you would have to be in it to come out of it, but there are other factors.  Like, how long would you have to be in something before it could be truthfully said that you have come out of it?  Also, realize that you can come out of something in the sense of having gone through it, or, you can come out of something in the sense of having escaped it.  I'm really not trying to split hairs here.  I'm really just trying to get down to the nitty-gritty of what this verse can mean.  Will you help me?

     For a moment, picture yourself sitting in the coffee shop on the ground floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001.  You are sipping on your first cup of coffee for the day with some of your co-workers when all of a sudden there is this strange noise, and you feel a shaking sensation.  "What was that?" you exclaim!  Someone remarks that it might have been an earthquake.  There is a stir of curiosity.  In another second, an alarm goes off.  Next thing you know, someone is running by screaming something about an explosion happening in the top of the tower.  Near an exit, you rush outside where everyone is looking up, and you pick out something being said about a jet airliner crashing into the tower.  You keep backing up, looking up, completely awestruck that such a catastrophe is unfolding right before your very eyes.  Everything is in a complete frenzy, debris is falling all around, and there is a great plume of smoke bellowing into the sky.  Everyone is scrambling to get out of the building and from harm's way, and you end up one of the fortunate ones.  When the day is done, you end up being among those who have come out of the great disaster in New York.  And, in what sense have you come out of it?  In the sense of having escaped it.  No one will deny you that.  Moreover, I venture that any classroom or church in America would be interested in hearing your personal story.

     In my seeking of the truth, and with a measure of regard for the definite article so commonly included in other translations of Revelation 7:14, I have seen a possibility that will fit the point of my preceding narrative.  With that point in mind, if the Church is raptured just after the opening of the 6th Seal, the day this seal is opened could begin something like the following, using the reader ( if saved ) and a lost spouse as an example.  Try to imagine:

​

On a Monday morning at about 1:28 a.m. CST ( remember, this is just an example!), Christ, "The Lamb,"  opens the 6th Seal and leaves the portals of glory to come for the Church.  Concurrent with this, you are startled awake by a great earthquake.  Next thing you know, WHEW!  UP YOU GO!, RIGHT THROUGH YOUR BEDROOM CEILING AS IF IT ISN'T EVEN THERE!, AND WHEW!!!  You are one in a great multitude that has just been caught up by the angels "to meet the Lord in the air."  You are in the number of those who have just been raptured.  Startled awake at the same time you were, but missing your departure (or escape), your spouse is absolutely perplexed and fear struck.  Everything in the house is rattling, as if everything is coming apart at the seams.  Your spouse looks out the window and beholds that the moon looks red as blood.  Meanwhile, to those on the other side of the earth, the sun looks black as sackcloth made of hair.  Suddenly, what looks like a falling star streaks through the sky, and then another one, and another one, and then, and then---the sky does something really weird, as if it's a giant scroll rolling together, infolding itself.

​

     Now stay with me.  After you are safely with Christ, a lot more will happen (but on a worldwide scale) that same minute, hour, and day, much the same as a lot more happened that September day after the first occupants of the World Trade Center made it safely away.  Moreover, things will not be getting better after this, but worse and worse.   Realizing this, when everything that will take place after the event of the rapture is considered to be associated with the upcoming time of Daniel's 70th Week, it could be truthfully said that you have come out of this time of great tribulation in the sense of having escaped it.  From your spouse's perspective, you will have just escaped what he or she has been left behind to face.  With this in mind, notice afresh the following related Scripture portions, which reflect your state:

​

The first is from what John gives an account of in Revelation chapter seven, just after his account of the opening of the 6th Seal:

​

  9   After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, STOOD BEFORE THE THRONE, AND BEFORE THE LAMB, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

​

The second is from Luke's account of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, in Luke 21:

​

 36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy TO ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN.

​

And, from what is Jesus saying one can escape?  This is reflected in the same chapter (and context) of Luke's account, beginning 11 verses prior:

​

 25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;  and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;  the sea and the waves roaring;

 26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:  for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

​

     Before continuing, take a moment to read again John's account of the opening of the 6th Seal (Rev. 6:12-17) and how that what Luke records of Jesus' words above (including vs. 27) is like a paraphrase of what John records.

     It's important to note that if the above understanding of Revelation 7:14 proves to be the correct interpretation, the great multitude that John saw at this time would not include those who just received their resurrection bodies, as in the understanding of my Proposition Z.  In other words, only the just raptured would then be a part of this great multitude, as only they would actually be escaping anything.

     In concluding this appendix, I hope it can be seen that I have tried to give a fair treatment to what we have been looking at.  My experience has been that every Scripture upon which a belief or doctrine might turn can be interpreted at least two ways---one right, one wrong.  Satan will see to that.  When it comes to Revelation 7:14, this is no different, except there is the added difficulty of the definite article the to reconcile.  Because of this, I guess it could be said that there are at least four ways to interpret the verse in question---a right and a wrong way without regard for the definite article and a right and a wrong way with regard for the definite article.

     So, what does one do?  One must look to and rely upon the rest of the body of the scriptures and seek for an understanding that will result in perfect harmony.  This is all that has been done here.  Concerning the question before us, there is a sound possibility with regard to the words "great tribulation" and also with regard to the words "the great tribulation."  My greatest takeaway when looking into the various possibilities is that either of the ones I have shown will harmonize well with the rest of Scripture.  I submit that this is not the case (when all things are considered) with the common belief that the great multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 is those who will be saved during Daniel's 70th Week.  Once again, recall that John does see those who will be saved during that time, but much later (Rev. 15:1-4) and in accord with the context.  Paul spoke against striving about words "to no profit" (II Tim. 2:14).  It is hoped that our having here strived about some words (or a word) will be found to be of great profit.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​

(origin is PROPOSITION Z)

​