(from Angels by Dr. Michael Heiser; end conclusion is my own)
AT THE END TIME…
1. Angels gather unbelievers for judgment.
~ Mat 13:24-30, 36-43, 49-50
2. Angels “function in the role of destroyers as part of this frightful, apocalyptic vision, assaulting the earth, and the wicked, with plagues, war, famine, disease, and cosmic upheaval…”
~ Rev 7:1-2; 8:5-13; 9:1, 13-15; 10:1, 5, 7; 15:1, 6, 7, 8; 16:1, 5; 17:1; 18:1, 21
3. Angels also gather believers—the Elect.
~ Mark 13:27
~ Matthew 24:31 adds “with a loud trumpet blast”
~ 1 Thess 4:16-18 “the Lord himself will come down…with the trumpet of God”
~ 1 Cor 15:52 adds “last” before “trumpet”
The last trumpet blast is found in Revelation 11:15.
Right before this in Rev 11:10 unbelievers were partying.
Then suddenly the Lord’s wrath and judgment comes upon them as well as reward for His servants, prophets, and saints in Rev 11:15-18. The world becomes the Lord’s.
Life as usual then sudden destruction like Jesus describes the days of Noah—Mat 24:37-39.
“people were eating & drinking, marrying…until the day Noah entered the ark…they knew nothing until the flood came & took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.”
It’s amazing to me that by just studying the role of angels in the NT we can arrive at the conclusion the Bible has always given to us, and rightfully so because it’s correct.
There is no return of Christ to gather believers before this.
As originally posted on X (Twitter)
P2ALM 
3 responses to “Of Angels and the Gathering of Believers”
A magnificent treatise by Alexander Reese, in pdf form, is available, free, on the internet. The Approaching Advent of Christ, written in 1937, was a seminal work on the second coming. As Reese clarifies, that great day is Pre-Millennial, but post Tribulation. Here is the link:
Click to access theapproachingadventofchrist-alexanderreese.pdf
I especially took note of his exegesis of what the Old Testament has to say about the Resurrection. He points out that both pre- and post- trib interpretations agree that both old testament and new testament saints all rise from their graves at the same time. Reese’s exegesis throughout the 239 pages is precise, reverential, and compelling, even though he expresses himself in a very sophisticated literary style.
Now — back to those angels. Over some years, I wrote a play in poetry, narration, with 164 soundbytes. Originally, I had 12 angels narrating. I soon realized, however, that using angels to tell a serious Gospel and Biblical story — one that also contained some comedy and lighter moments — was to minimize the awesome role angels play in the battle between good and evil. Especially I focused on the fact that angels carry out God’s judgments on the earth. So I dismissed the angels idea and instead wrote in 12 people of the nations (PNs), each with customary national accents and costume.
I think the feminization of angels in art is very mistaken. And, to add one more thought: think of the thousands upon thousands that attend our God and Redeemer King!
I’m excited to read that, Judith. Thank you.
You wrote a play? You should publish it. I can see how your idea of having 12 people of the nations would make it much more real since people are the objects of receiving salvation or judgment than using angels.
And you’re right. There are no angels described as females in the OT, 2nd Temple Jewish Literature (Intertestamental), or the NT, and that there would untold numbers of these beings praising God fills marvels me.
I treasure your lovely, caring response to my comments today. I am SO SO GLAD P2ALM is back. Very kind of you to mention the play. I hope 4 lines of it will engender praise and worship. As two angels pull down a giant cemetery stone, a cross is revealed, and these words accompany: “Oh, mangled form that writhes upon a cross, Thy naked flesh a-torn by iron spikes! The broken laws of God — what ghastly loss, that only sacrifice by GOD could right!” Of the grace to come, Messiah’s sufferings, and the coming glories, the prophets spoke. And, says I Peter 1:12, this spectacular Gospel is comprised of “. . . which things the angels desire to look into.”