Some would argue, and I might add pretty sternly that because the word church is missing from chapters 4-21, then the church is not present (has been raptured) in any of the events which take place in these chapters. In chapters 1-3, the church is repeatedly mentioned (19 times).
The words “church” and “churches” are absent from Rev. 4 – 22. Therefore, the church is absent from the earth during that time, right?

Well, are you aware that these same words are also absent from 2 Tim., Titus, Heb., 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 John, and Jude? Is the church absent then too? Hmmm? Titus and 2 John don’t even mention Christians, brother(s), brethern, or saint(s) (although they both mention the word “elect”). Does that mean those books don’t even pertain to us? (Sounds silly doesn’t it?)
Is it possible that the church is mentioned between Rev. 4 and 22?
• Rev. 6:9-11; 20:4 tells about martyrs who are killed for their testimony of Jesus. Are they not part of the church?
• Rev. 7:9-17 tells about a multitude in heaven whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Christians?) whose shepherd will be the Lamb. These are in heaven, granted, but they have come out of the great tribulation, and are there after the sun, moon and stars go dark in the sixth seal. (See also Matt. 24:29-31, etc.)
• Rev. 12:17; 13:5-7,10; 14:121 refer to the antichrist’s authority over the “saints” and how those who endure will not take his mark. (Can anyone be a “saint” aside from the blood of Jesus? or are there those saved by the blood of Jesus, yet excluded from the church of Jesus Christ?)

“I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16

Jesus said that the book of the Revelation is for the church. Why would He say that when we are gone, and the “tribulation saints” aren’t even a part of the church? I would be very cautious about basing any theology on what the scripture does not say.

John just doesn’t use the word “church.” John only uses the word “church” to describe Jesus’ warnings to specific bodies of believers, not to the Body of Christ as a whole. Therefore, the lack of the word “church” in later chapters cannot be used to argue that the Body of Christ won’t be here during this time. In fact, the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are strong indicators that the Church will be here during the first six seals. Jesus tells five of these churches to repent and tells six of them to overcome. For the reader, this leads to the natural question, “Overcome what?” Jesus immediately answers this question by describing the seal judgments.