ESCHATOLOGY – The Study of the End Times – PART IV
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR
THE ANSWER TO WHEN – part 2:
Matthew 24:6. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
(Correlated verse found in Matthew 24 – links in red, with Revelation 6,7,8 – links in blue/green.)
Matthew Chapter 24 – as corresponding to – Revelation Ch. 6
Global conquest and spiritual deception and political intrigue (Matthew 24:4-5) – as corresponding to – the 1st Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:1-2)
Wars and Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6-7) – as corresponding to – the 2nd Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:3)
Famine (Matthew 24:7) – as corresponding to – the 3rd Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:5-6)
Death (Matthew 24:9) – as corresponding to – the 4th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:7-8)
Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away (Matthew 24:9-12) – as corresponding to – the 5th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:9-11)
Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun (Matthew 24:29-31) – as corresponding to – the 6th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:12-17)
The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Scroll Seal is The BEGINNING OF the 7 year, also known as “Daniel’s 70th Week” and “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period.
During the 6th Tribulation Seal, all of these events occur:
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- Sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4-8)
- The Rapture – Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God (7:9-17)
- The breaking of The 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, which are the final 7 years of the great Tribulation.
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The 7th Tribulation Seal – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL MARKER:
Jesus’ disciples heard of wars and rumors of wars in their day, and His disciples, since that day, have been hearing of wars and rumors of wars. These conflicts have increased in frequency and intensity, but Jesus is clear that wars and rumors of wars are not yet the end. He also said nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and we have had a myriad of global conflicts including two world wars, but once again he is clear that this is not yet the end for these things must first take place.
Jesus goes on to tell his disciples, both then and now, that we will experience famines and earthquakes, and we have seen an increase in the frequency and the severity of famines and earthquakes over the ensuing decades, in various places. Again, Jesus says these are just the beginning of birth pangs, which is an apt metaphor to describe the coming birth of something new and terrible.
IMPORTANT: Jesus’ words, as recorded in Matthew 24:6-8, regarding ‘wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ are a summary of His remarks recorded in the book of The Revelation, chapter 6, which goes into greater detail about the breaking of the first 4 seals of the scroll of the tribulation, also known as ‘birth pangs’ or the ‘days of distress’ which had begun sometime around A.D. 1 to A.D. 25.
NEXT: Part 5 – Click Here.
NOTE: CHRONOLOGICAL MARKERS are useful for identifying events in their chronological order, which can help us identify our placement on God’s End of Days ‘calendar’.
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