So, what is the big deal about the “70 Weeks of Daniel”? Isn’t it just more hard-to-understand-to-unintelligible prophetic scriptures? Let’s take a look and see what’s up:
have been decreed for your people and your holy city,
(the Jewish people and Jerusalem),
to finish the wrongdoing,
(a divine intervention to halt the rebellion and disobedience of the Jewish people),
to make an end of sin,
(The end of sin is a theme echoed in the New Testament, particularly in passages like Hebrews 9:26, which speaks of Christ appearing to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself),
to make atonement for guilt
(Atonement involves reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through a sacrificial offering),
to bring in everlasting righteousness,(
the establishment of a new order characterized by perpetual righteousness),
to seal up vision and prophecy,
(the fulfillment and completion of prophetic revelations),
and to anoint the Most Holy Place,
(the anointing of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and the establishment of a new covenant).
Verse 25.So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks,
(in other words, 7 x 7 weeks = 49 years plus 62×7 weeks = 434 years = a total of 483 years – this period is the exact number of years from the proclamation of the decree or the command by King Arteries of Persia in 444 B.C. to rebuild Jerusalem until Jesus’ crucifixion. To Wit: Converting the 360-day year used by the ancient Jews, 483 years become 476 years on our solar calendar. Adjusting for the switch from B.C. to A.D., 476 years after 444 B.C. places us at A.D. 33, which would coincide with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that, after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (verse 26). This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.);
it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress. Verse 26.Then after the sixty-two weeks,
(This phrase, “after the sixty-two weeks”, refers to a prophetic timeline given earlier in Daniel 9:24-25, where seventy weeks are decreed for the people of Israel. The “sixty-two weeks”, or 434 years, follow an initial period of seven weeks, making a total of sixty-nine weeks or 483 years. These 69 weeks are understood as symbolic of years, with each week representing seven years. This period is significant in biblical prophecy, marking the time from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of the Messiah. I.e., there are 70 weeks mentioned in Daniel 9, and at this point we have exhausted 69 of the 70 weeks – which obviously leaves one week on the eschatological clock or 7 years),
the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing,
(this is a reference to Jesus’ crucifixion and death),
and the people of the prince who is to come,
(This part of the prophecy is commonly associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 A.D. by the Romans. The “people of the prince who is to come” are understood to be the Roman forces under General Titus, who was responsible for the siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. during the First Jewish-Roman War. This campaign resulted in the destruction of the city and the Second Temple, marking a significant turning point in Jewish history. The “prince”, however, is interpreted as a future ruler or antichrist figure, suggesting a dual fulfillment of prophecy),
will destroy the city and the sanctuary,
(The First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians and is considered a precursor or a foreshadowing of the destruction of the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D, by the Romans. Both events are commemorated on the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av). And its end will come with a flood, (a ‘flood’ is a type of judgment in the Bible. The Great Flood of Noah occurred around twenty-four fifty-eight B.C. which was judgment on the entire earth for its continual sin. This ‘flood’ as mentioned in Daniel 11 is, first, a flood of people, of invading armies (see Daniel 11) the next reference is by Jesus referencing a ‘flood’ as found in Matthew 24:36-41,);even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined (this is a reference to Jesus remark in Matthew 24:6-8,“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains(of the tribulation periods).
Verse 27. And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week,
(Note that this is to occur AFTER “wars and rumors of war” – after the “Birth Pains” of the tribulation that “he”, the antichrist, will confirm of make a peace treaty with “the many” is Israel, her allies and others involved in the Mideast conflict with Israel),
but in the middle of the week,
(which will be after 3 ½ years, at the blowing of the sixth tribulation trumpet – see Revelation 9:13-21),
he,
(the antichrist),
will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come,
(The “abomination that causes desolation” is a term used to describe a sacrilegious act that defiles the temple, making it desolate. This phrase is rooted in historical events, such as the desecration by Antiochus IV, who set up an altar to Zeus in the Jewish temple. Jesus references this prophecy in Matthew 24:15, indicating its future fulfillment. The “wing of the temple” suggests a specific part of the temple complex, possibly an elevated or prominent area, where this abomination will occur. This event is seen as a pivotal moment in eschatological timelines, marking a period of intensification of the great tribulation),
the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.”
“So what” you may ask. Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into the heavens?
It matters because being ready for His Return is proof of True Christianity, and only a True Believer in Christ will be guaranteed to join Christ at the sound of His Great Trumpet call and escape the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
It matters because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
It matters because He has warned that “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and, in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
It matters because many Christians are sitting idly waiting for an event that has already begun and they are not DOING what He told them to do and therefore are in grave danger.
It matters because some of our family, friends and neighbors are completely unaware or just don’t believe that Christ will return and God’s final judgments will sentence them to outer darkness.
It matters because, as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior are speaking louder than our words.
Jesus will either say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the rest of My Father”, or He will ask you, “Why do you call me Lord, when you do not do what I have commanded you? Depart from me, you who work lawlessness. I never knew you”.
We, as Christians, have been and are being taught that we have little to do more than wait. Just sitting by, waiting for Jesus’ return and our rapture off the earth and into our promised heavenly home. Just waiting and behaving as nicely as we are able, going to church, tithing and performing some ‘good works’ as defined by or as offered through our church. But, be warned. And if you think that this is all you have to do, then take notice: you are being misled. Jesus said none of this. What He did say to His disciples – including you – is:
Repent of that thinking – for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Follow me and I will make you fishers of people.
Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to do all that I have commanded you.
Be ready and stay reading for His return, doing all He has commanded you, or you will be left behind.
As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. 11 And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.
“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the rest of My Father”.
Let’s pray for one another that we will be found faithful.
Revelation 6:9tells us, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;
Verse 10. “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Verse 11. “And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
I was having a conversation with a Christian friend and during our talk, he made these four points:
1. “I believe the return of Jesus is near”.
2. “I am looking forward to the rapture”.
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3. “I believe the tribulation will begin as soon as the rapture happens”.
4. “The antichrist will appear after the rapture and give the Mark of the Beast”.
When I asked him to elaborate by telling me where he gets his information, he said, “From the Bible”.
So, I pressed him a little, and asked “where in the Bible”. And, he answers with “The Book of Revelation and elsewhere”.
I decided to go to the ‘full court press’ and asked, “Yes, but, exactly where? And why do you believe what you have said?”
A bit exasperated, he responded with, “This is what I have always heard. It’s what my pastor says. Read it for yourself”.
I have had this same conversation with scores of well-meaning Christians, and it always ends the same way, “Someone else told me” but they cannot find it in scriptures OR they find a reference and ‘interpolate’.
Well, I have read it for myself – over and over for the last 10 years – I have studied eschatological matters and re-studied them, and used “good Bible study techniques and methods”, and here is what I found (for the ‘umpteenth time’):
Now, finally, well-known and respected men and women like Pastor and teacher John Piper and missionary Corrie Ten Boom have come to this realization. Bible teacher and author and Biblical pioneer, Marvin Rosenthal, founder of Zion’s Hope Ministries, authored “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church” revealing and promoting sound Biblical evidence overlooked by the bias of religious denominationalism.
I. WHEN DID”THE LAST DAYS” BEGIN? Look for and make note of ‘clues’ in the following verses:
Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),
(1). Jesus warned that “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5). Do you see these things in our day? Is this a clue pointing to the “Last Days”?
(2). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes”. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8). Do you see these things happening in our day? If you aren’t ‘denominationally biased’ could this reasonably be a clue to the timing of the “Last Days”?
(5). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith.” (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).
These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation (see Matthew 24:8), are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.
Do you now see the clues to the timing of the first 5 tribulation seals?
Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last daysit shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days?
1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days here?
1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). A clue!
2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Is this true in our day, also?
If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think, now?
1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Could it be any clearer? The Last days began at the appearance of Jesus!
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Would you now think the Last Days began? Want more?
1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
According to the words and the testimonies of Jesus , His disciples and Apostles, the “LAST DAYS – THE LAST TIMES – THE END OF THE AGES – THE END OF ALL THINGS – THE BIRTH PAINS OF THE TRIBULATION” began with the Birth of Christ Jesus.
(The following in these parentheses is very detailed, technical and written language and context specific. But this is very important for a correct and complete understanding of these eschatological matters. It is probably best suited for the devoted follower of Jesus and the serious Bible student. And I am available via this website for discussion or to answer honest and serious questions.
I have been told by several ‘self- proclaimed bible experts’ that these things were only the times of persecution and not the tribulations of the Judgment Seals. Let me be Biblically clear: the use of the word ‘tribulation’ appears just 19 times in the English Standard Version of the Bible.
Sixteen of those instances are in the New Testament, and each instance, tribulation is translated from the Greek word ‘thlipsis’, whether referring to a time before or after the Sixth Tribulation Seal and the rapture.
Then in Matthew 13:21 we see, “yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation (thlipsis) or persecution (diogmos) arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” Each word is distinct in its meaning and in its context – tribulation versus persecution.
“For then(tote)there will be(eimi = future tense)great (megas) tribulation(thlipsis), such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”
And again, in Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus makes a distinction between the Birth Pains phase of the tribulation (Seals 1 through 5), and the Great Tribulation (Seals 6 and 7, and the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments) when He says,
“Immediately (eutheōs)after (meta) the tribulation(thlipsis)of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Finally, these same experts will say that Matthew 24:29-31 is neither the rapture nor is it the second coming of Jesus. But the scripture says,
“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.“
I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
“Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
In recapitulation, Jesus appears in the sky, the angels gather the elect and immediately, a number too great to be counted is standing before the Throne of God, giving praise! Don’t be misled. This is THE RAPTURE!!)
II. WHEN IS JESUS COMING BACK?
2 Thessalonians 2:1tells us, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him (i.e., “raptured”) we ask you, brothers,
Verse 2. “not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Verse 3. “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, until the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed (i.e., the antichrist), the son of destruction,
Verse 4. “who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Verse 5. “Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?
Verse 6. “And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
Verse 7. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only He who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
Verse 8. “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”
III. WHAT’S NEXT?
Every event and all the prophecies regarding Jesus’ 2nd Coming and the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord have been fulfilled up through the 5th tribulation seal – except for the revealing of the antichrist and the rapture of the saints, (which occurs at the 6th Tribulation Seal).
Revelation 7:13,“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” verse 14. “I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
IV. WHAT AM I TO BE DOING?
1 Peter 4:7“The end of all things is near; therefore,
(1). Be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
(2). verse 8.“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
(3). verse 9. “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
(4). verse 10. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(5). verse 11. “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;
(6). whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(7). verse 10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
(8) verse 11. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 12. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
(9). verse 13. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
(10). verse 14. “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, verse 15. “and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; verse 16. “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. verse 17. “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(12). verse 18.“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
(13). Matthew 10:7, And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
(14). verse 8. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.
(15). verse 19.“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
(16). baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
(17) verse 20. “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
I have tried my best to make this simple and clear yet thorough: we are at the end of the age and at the precipice. Denominational bias and clutter have clouded these matters. But, now they are plain, and now several well known and credible Bible scholars, Bible teachers and pastors are shaking off the heavy cloak of denominationalism and coming to this revealed Truth.
I want to give special credit to Marvin Rosenthal who pioneered the uncovering of this Bible truth through his tireless and groundbreaking teaching on this matter and his book, “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church“. Also, to his son, David Rosenthal and the entire staff – THANK YOU. An untold number have benefited and been saved by your hard, selfless and God-centered work.
Luke 21:25“There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, verse 26, people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 27. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Verse 28. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Let me begin by saying that it is my firm conviction that scriptures are inerrant (without any error), and I will add, “in the original manuscripts”, particularly since there are over 450 known versions of the Bible in the English language alone. And the matter of inerrancy can be further complicated as the Bible has been translated into over 700 languages.
Versions vs Translations.
When it comes to a Version of the Bible, translators will focus on conveying the meaning of the text instead of strictly mirroring the exact wording or syntax.Versions such as the New International Version (NIV) or the New Living Translation (NLT) can be easier to read and understand, especially for those without historical-linguistic expertise. This approach presents Scripture in a more contemporary style, though at times the original phrase structures are smoothed out to ensure greater readability.
However, this approach leaves open the possibility of the translator omitting certain words or phrases found in the original manuscripts, or adding a meaning to fit a particular denominational view, a political view, a social or economic view or a personal worldview. This can lead to errors in the original author’s intent and context of scriptures.
Paraphrased or expanded translated Versions take a looser approach to wording, aiming for clarity and devotionally oriented reading. Examples include The Message (MSG) and The Living Bible (TLB), which give fresh expressions but are not usually recommended as primary study Bibles. Some translators feel that they can, however, be helpful alongside more literal versions for additional nuances of meaning.
Translations emerge from a desire to make Scripture accessible in various languages and cultures. The ancient Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament and the Koine Greek texts of the New Testament are the ultimate sources. Over centuries, scholars have pieced together the earliest manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (date range from about 3rd century BC to 1st century AD), the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures dated around the 3rd-2nd century BC), and numerous Greek New Testament manuscripts (including Codex Sinaiticus,Codex Vaticanus, etc.) – to accurately transmit Scripture’s words.
Each translator or Translation committee must consider two primary goals: (1). Faithfulness to the original text and (2), readability in the receptor language. This tension has produced different philosophies of translation, each influencing how closely a modern Bible version adheres to precise wording or broader meaning.
So, please forgive me for being surprised to astounded that so much of the plain word of God has been and is being either misread, misinterpreted, misused or distorted and then taught as the truth of scriptures and formulated into a doctrine when it is clearly and obviously does not conform the earliest manuscripts or is sometimes deliberately taught as a way to achieve an agenda that is not Gospel centered.
I seriously and openly welcome you to challenge what I am presenting so we can discuss these matters if you will do so in a civil, responsible and reasonable way. I.e., no hostilities.
I have studied and written extensively on eschatological matters (relating to End Times and the End of This Age) using the Book of Matthew and the Book of Revelation as my primary sources and other relevant chapters and verses of the Bible for context, corroboration, collaboration and evidence of facts.
Furthermore, I am using, alternatively, the New American Standard Version of the Bible, the English Standard Version because of their close proximity to the original wording and intent of the authors of the Bible, and occasionally the King James and the Amplified versions to corroborate context. I will also use the BlueLetterBible.com, BibleHub.com and Biblegateway.com for translations to and from the Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) languages, and for verb usage (tense), and for Strong’s Bible concordance definitions, context, historicity and for social, political and cultural nuances of wording and phraseology.
In this essay, I am corroborating my previous Bible and eschatological studies from the books Matthew and Revelation (used as my focus books), with the Book of Mark.
Here is my Thesis: The Bible, i.e., the Scriptures, have consistently foretold, (prophesied), the coming of a Messiah, both from the Hebrew Bible or the Torah and from the Christian Bible. The Messiah, or “Mashiach” meaning “Anointed One” is seen throughout many Old Testament passages, culminating in the New Testament with the person of Jesus, identified as the Christ – The Savior of the World. The arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, set in motion what the Bible calls the ‘Last Days’ or the ‘End of The Age’. The study of this subject is known as Christian ‘eschatology’. It can be most clearly seen, in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, Mark, Revelation with certain details and context given in other New Testament books such as 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Timothy 3:1,Hebrews 1:2,Hebrews 9:26,1 Peter 1:20,1 Peter 4:7,2 Peter 3:3.1 John 2:18.Revelation 1:9.
“The End of The Age” or the “Last Days” began in or around the time of the birth of Jesus through around A.D. 99. These prophesied and prophetic events are first described in the breaking of Tribulation Seals One through Five. (See Matthew 24:1-14, Mark 13:1-13, and Revelation 6:1-11.)
The breaking or opening of these first Five Seals, known as the Birth Pains (phase) of the Tribulation, have been overlapping and intensifying to the present day, preparing us for the breaking of the two final Seals, the Judgement Seals (Six and Seven – see Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, and Revelation 6:12-17, Revelation 7:1-17, Revelation 8:1.), followed by the sounding of the Seven Judgement Trumpets and finally, followed by the pouring out of the Seven Judgment Bowls of Wrath and the Wrath of the Lamb.
The breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Judgment Seal, which is yet a future event, will usher in The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, also known as the Great Tribulation and initiates the final Seven years of the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb.
Mark 13:1, “As Jesus was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What wonderful stones and [footnote b]what wonderful buildings!” verse 2And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
verse 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were questioning Him privately, verse 4“Tell us, when will these things come about,
(This verb “Tell” is in the Aorist Tense which is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. [It could also be said that this is how God sees time]. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations. The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a number of categories by grammarians. The most common of these include a view of the action as having begun from a certain point (“inceptive aorist”), or having ended at a certain point (“cumulative aorist”), or merely existing at a certain point (“punctiliar aorist”). A continuous and continuing action. The categorization of other cases can be found in Greek reference grammars. The English reader need not concern himself with most of these finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases they cannot be rendered accurately in English translation, being fine points of Greek exegesis only.The common practice of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should suffice in most cases.
This is important, because to the reader it may seem that these disciples, Peter, James, John and Andrew are asking Jesus a question about the FUTURE, and that Jesus’ response seems to be in the FUTURE TENSE, but Jesus’ answers in the AORIST TENSE, i.e., something has already occurred at a certain point in the past (“inceptive aorist”), or having ended at a certain point, (“cumulative aorist”) and is existing at a certain point (“punctiliar aorist”).
NOTE: The Bible uses this type of description of time (from God’s view of time) when it says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” or ““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
verse 4 continued, and what willbe the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”
Once again this sounds as if it is a question about a future event, but these words, “what will be the sign” are actually a verb spoken and written in the PRESENT TENSE, which represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. In most cases this corresponds directly with the English present tense. Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English will often occur in the present tense in Greek. These are termed “historical presents,” and such occurrences dramatize the event described as if the reader were there watching the event occur. Some English translations render such historical presents in the English past tense, while others permit the tense to remain in the present.
Again, this is important because we are hearing of an event or of events which are simultaneously past, present and future.There are evidentiary statements and testimonies of the disciples and of Jesus, regarding these Last Days events, were initially spoken in or around A.D. 1 through around A.D. 99, and were consistently referred to asLAST DAYS – THE LAST TIMES – THE END OF THE AGES – THE END OF ALL THINGS – THE BIRTH PAINS OF THE TRIBULATION”.These first Five Tribulation Seals had begun to be opened in or around A.D. 1 through A.D. 99, have continued to occur, overlap and intensify to this very day. In other words, the tribulation has already begun. We are in the tribulation period known as The Birth Pains and that period will both culminate, merge with and initiate the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Judgment Seal, marking the beginning of the Day of The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, initiating the rapture of the Elect of God off the earth and into the presence of God before His Throne.
verse 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. verse 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and they will mislead many.
verse 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. verse 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
there will be earthquakes in various places;
there will also be famines.
These things are only the beginning of birth pains.
verse 9 “But [e]be on your guard; for they will hand you over to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. verse 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. verse 11 And when they ]arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time; for you are not the ones speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit. verse 12 And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
verse 13 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
verse 14 “Now when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be—let the reader understand—then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. verse 15 Whoever is on the [l]housetop must not go down, nor go in to get anything out of his house. verse 16 And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. verse 17 But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days! verse 18 Moreover, pray that it will not happen in winter.
verse 19 For those days will be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again. verse 20 And if the Lord had not shortened those days, no [n]life would have been saved; but for the sake of the [footnote “o”] elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
This marks the end of the Tribulation of The Birth Pains and the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
verse 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Look, there He is’; do not believe it; verse 22 for false christs and false prophets will arise, and will provide signs and wonders, in order to mislead, if possible, the elect. verse 23 But beware; I have told you everything inadvance.
The Return of Christ
24 “But in those days, afterthattribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they willsee the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
The word “after” in verse 24 is a preposition referring to “those days” that came before they days now being mentioned. The word “that” is a demonstrative pronoun referring to which entity, which in this case is “the tribulation periods that preceded this mention”. And the word “tribulation” is the Greek word, “thlipsis” which is the word that is always used for tribulation, whether Tribulation Seals one through five, or six through seven, or the Tribulation Trumpets or the Tribulation Bowl Judgments and is distinctively different from and separate from “persecutions” or “stresses”.
27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His [q]elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.
We can also see in the corresponding scriptures in Revelation 6 and 7, “After these things (see Revelation 6:1 through Revelation 7:9), “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
In recapitulation, Jesus appears in the sky, the angels gather the elect and immediately, a number too great to be counted is standing before the Throne of God, giving praise! Don’t be misled. This is THE RAPTURE!!)
So, what can we learn and apply from what we know, and what can we gain?
We can know that the Tribulation period of the first five Tribulation Seals began at or around the time of the Birth of Christ and that they have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity to this day.
Most in the Church today are still waiting for events that have already begun and are not prepared for what is upon them. Jesus warned against this:
28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. verse 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. verse 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. verse 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
verse 33 “Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. verse 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. verse 35 Therefore, stay alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—verse 36 so that he does not come suddenly and find you asleep. verse 37 What I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay alert!’”
We also see in Matthew 24:48-51, “verse 48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ verse 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; verse 50 then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, 51 and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We must be doing those things Jesus modeled, taught and commanded in preparation of the End of the Age and for His Return – nothing more and nothing less or one will hear the words, “Why do you call me Lord and have not done what I have told you? I do not know you. Depart from me you workers of lawlessness!”
So, what will you do with what you have now read and heard? Will you continue to simply accept the word of another, or will you study it until you know for yourself? (And by the way, I realize that a lot of what I have presented is complicated and can be confusing. Some might say, ‘unnecessarily so’. But, like the old saying goes, ‘is anything that is easy or cheap really worth much?’ But, for those who are interested, I do have these very eschatological matters presented and discussed in several easier-to-understand versions. Sort of in an order of stepping stones, from simple to not-so-simple. But, I believe that each presentation leads to the same Biblically sound conclusion and will enable the disciple of Jesus, the fully devoted follower, to be informed and prepared for these Last Days. (Please see “God’s Plan Of Perfection – A Timeline from the Beginning to The End”, and “Is This The End of The Age?”, or “Did Jesus and His Apostles Really Say This?”).
While it would be easier and a lot less trouble to just say “I believe in Jesus, I go to church, I am active in various religious activities”, and to say you are saved, it is no easy thing to be saved and to really believe Him and follow Him. And although it is always God who does His Works through us, (it is never anything of or by ourselves), really following Jesus requires faith, obedience and action. We know that we walk by faith and not by sight, but it is not blind faith, but informed faith. We are informed by The Holy Spirit and Scriptures on how we are to believe, to think and to act. Scriptures tell us that He is the Lamp unto our feet. And though we may not know each step, we can know that when His Voice and circumstances line up with the revealed Word of God, we must move on it!
So, I encourage you to study to be approved by the Word of God. And I appeal to you to contact me with comments, questions or to discuss these matter further.
God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline
GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE
I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”
It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”
Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.
God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.
God’s PLAN is a Plan of Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.
The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God),
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin),
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness),
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable),
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions),
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.).
We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that
1) Many will be cleansed,
2) Many will be purified,
3) They will be made spotless and,
4) They will be refined.
Here are just a few of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter.
I believe this is important to know, or at the very least, to be familiar with because,
(#1), it shows that what has been prophesied (foretold) has come to pass with exacting accuracy, so,
(#2), you can know that the Bible, God’s Breathed Word, is dependable – you can count on it. And,
(#3), you can know to prepare for what is coming without fear or dread. In fact, you can prepare with confidence that you are loved, needed and called by God to join Him in what He is doing in these last days in preparation for His return and the gathering of His saints, His Church, for an eternity in our heavely home with Him. And, finally,
(#4), you can boldy, lovingly and confidently confess to your friends and family that God loves them, is calling to them. You can lead them to the safety of His presence, today.
Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age):
God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!
Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and image from creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.
As the central Jewish place of sacrificial worship from about 515 B.C.E. until its destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E., the second temple in Jerusalem played a major role in the religious and national life of the Jewish people.
The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God. The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.
The “Birth Pains” of the tribulation which began at or around the birth of Jesus which includes the coming of false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, famines and earthquakes, which Jesus calls the beginning of Birth Pains, which describe tribulation Seals one through five as found in Matthew 24:1-31 and Revelation chapters 6 and 7. Testimonies and comments by Jesus and His disciples (the Apostles) clearly show the tribulation period, (the opening of tribulation Seals 1 through 5, began as early as Jesus’ birth through A.D. 95 and continue (see “Did Jesus and the Apostles Really Say This?”)
Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),
(1). “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).
(5). In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).
These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun betweenthe time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.
Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last daysit shall be…’(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.3.
1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last dayshe has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.4.
2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last daysthere will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.5.
1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
If these verses say that John was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95.
These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.
Jesus is tested and shows those who will follow Him – which includes you and me – how to resist the devil and overcome trial, temptations and tribulation.
Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.
The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!
Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
A satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).
From our perspective today, the next event in the eschatological timeline is the rapture can be considered as imminent, WITH THE EXCEPTION of the revealing of the antichrist, WHICH MOST COME FIRST, which is the man of lawlessness. (2 Thessalonians 1:2-4).
The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have already occurred at this point in time. For greater detail, click here for “The Great Tribulation”).
The rapture of the Church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him (Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too.
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, will have begun. (Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will have escaped these days.)
Section 25.a.
The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb; a period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven (Revelation 7:9-11). It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).
Revelation 9:13. Then the sixth angel sounded [his trumpet], and I heard a solitary voice from the four horns of the golden altar which stands before God, verse 14, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” Verse 15. So the four angels, who had been prepared for the [appointed] hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Verse 16. The number of the troops of cavalry was twice ten thousand times ten thousand (two hundred million); I heard the number of them. Verse 17. And this is how I saw the horses and their riders in my vision: the riders had breastplates [the color] of fire and of hyacinth (sapphire blue) and of brimstone (yellow); and the heads of the horses looked like the heads of lions; and from out of their mouths came fire and smoke and brimstone (burning sulfur). Verse 18. A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone that came from the mouths of the horses. Verse 19. For the power of the horses [to do harm] is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and it is with them that they do harm.
The sounding of the 6th Trumpet signals the release of the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates, which represents an army. The number of the troops of cavalry is “twice ten thousand times ten thousand”, or two hundred million. Most commentators suggest this is an army of China based on the size of the army.
However, the Euphrates river is in southwestern Asia, and winds through regions of the Middle East, through northern Syria and Iraq to the head of the Persian Gulf.
It is also useful to note thatthe 10 Nation Confederation named in Ezekiel 38, in Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon are from the nations of:
1. Gog, also known as Rosh, (Russia) and,
2. Rosh, (Russia),
3. Magog, also known as (Russia),
4. Gomer, also known as (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
5. Put, also known as (Libya),
6. Cush, also known as (Ethiopia),
7. Persia, also known as (Iran),
8. Meshech, also known as (Modern Day Turkey),
9. Tubal, also known as (an area in central Turkey),
10. Beth-Togarmah, also known as(Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey -Armenia)
The combined armies described in the Book of Ezekiel, from the East. They are Russia, with an army of one million one-hundred thousand; Turkey, with an army of three hundred fifty-five thousand; Iran, with an army of five hundred twenty-three thousand, (including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard); Ethiopia’s army of one hundred thirty-eight thousand; Chechnya’s army is approximately ten thousand; the army of Georgia is approximately twenty-one thousand; Even with this abbreviated list we can count only two million, one hundred forty-two thousand fighting troops, far short of the prophesied “two hundred million troop” end-times military invasion of Israel.
(Interestingly, however, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has since transformed geopolitics, uniting the West against Russia and reigniting talk of a new Cold War or even World War 3. But Russia, it is now clear, is not as isolated as the initial global outcry suggested. It benefits from a robust network of partners, allies, and fellow travelers that includes countries such as Belarus, China, India, Iran, and North Korea.
Since the invasion, China and India have dramatically increased imports of discounted Russian oil, providing Moscow with a record current account surplus in 2022. Iran has provided Russia with vital arms, including Shahed kamikaze drones to swarm Ukraine’s air defenses. Last year, North Korea began shipments of artillery and missiles to Russia. And many countries in the Global South, including South Africa, continue to maintain military and strategic ties with Russia.
When considering Russia’s allies in addition to the 10 Nation Confederation previous referenced in this article from Ezekiel 38, Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon, the numbers begin to increase dramatically.
Finally, when considering the cumulative population of these countries (three billion seven hundred million) and their conscription capabilities, it is easy to see how a military force of 250,000,000 could be assembled at any moment.
And, they will be released to kill a third of mankind.
Section 25.c.
The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).
Section 25.d.
The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation. Having returned in the clouds after the breaking of the fifth tribulation Seal and before the breaking of the Sixth tribulation seal (Matthew 24:29-31), Jesus now re-appears with the armies of heaven And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (see Revelation 19:16), to save Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Section 25.e.
The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.
Section 25.f.
The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).
Section 25.g.
The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).
Section 25.h.
The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
Section 25.i.
The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.
Those who have overcome, are with God eternally – which includes you and me – and, God’s Plan for Perfection has been completed.
Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith,which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline
GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE
I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”
It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”
Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.
God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.
God’s PLAN is a Planof Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.
The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God),
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin),
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness),
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable),
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions),
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.).
We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that
1) Many will be cleansed,
2) Many will be purified,
3) They will be made spotless and,
4) They will be refined.
Here are some of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter. Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age – Prepare yourself accordingly:
God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!
Before 4,000 B.C.
3rd. The fall of man (Genesis 3:1–24) – Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and imagefrom creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.
6th. The tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) – The ‘flaw of sin’ reemerges as pride and rebellion toward God. Instead of destroying them, this time God scattered them.
10th. The birth of Jesus (Matt 1:18–2:23; Luke 2:1–10) – The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God.
The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.
5 B.C. through 95 B.C.
When a Tribulation Seal is broken, an event or a series of events occur and will last for certain periods of time. Most events will continue until the “Consummation of the Age”.
In the case of the tribulation, once a SEAL tribulation event begins, it will continue for decades. Then, as a second or third event occurs, They will overlap and continue to occur simultaneously, until the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. (The Seals will be followed by the Trumpet and Bowl judgments).
We see that the first 5 Seals have been opened are overlapping and are in progress. This began around AD 1. Here is the progression of the breaking of Tribulation Seals until the current time:
the 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
the 4th Tribulation Seal – Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
The 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. The breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It will be The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb. It will include
The Sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel.
The Rapture.
The Multitude from the tribulation at the Throne of God.
NOTE: The breaking of the 6th Tribulation Scroll Seal will be the start of the seven years of the GREAT TRIBULATION, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, or The Wrath of the Lamb and as Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THE EXACT DAY NOR THE HOUR this will occur, but we know the season, and we are told that we must be ready according to scriptures or perish!
13th. The Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5:1–7:29; Luke 6:29–40) – Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.
A.D. 35 or earlier
Jesus, describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days, Matthew 24:4-31.
Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),
“In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets”. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).
Jesus was describing 4th Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes”. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8).
Jesus was describing 2nd Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars”. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the 2nd Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).
Jesus was describing 5th Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians”. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:9 and the 5th tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).
Jesus was describing 5th Tribulation Seal: In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).
These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun betweenthe time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.
Jesus conquers sin and death. He lives, and we – you and I – can now live! The way is cleared to follow Jesus.
30 A.D.
16th. The giving of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) – The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!
A.D. 30 to A.D. 60.
17th. The day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) – A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, the power of the Holy Spirit is released into the lives of the saints of God – and yes, that includes you and me, and, nothing will ever be the same.
Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS, Acts 2:14-17,.- (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last daysit shall be…’
These words were spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and these events have been intensifying and overlapping with other tribulation seals to this very day!
1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
These verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
A.D. 30 to A.D. 60,
The Apostle Paul said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
These verses say all these things began occurring and The Apostle Paul said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
A.D. 30 to A.D. 60.
Timothy said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS. 2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
These verses say all these things had begun occurring and Timothy said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
A.D. 95.
Through these verses John said that the Last Hour had come and John said was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION 1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
Through these verses John said that the Last Hour had come and John said was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95.
What would you think?
These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.
The Near Future.
18th. The Second Coming of Jesus. – (Matthew 24:29-31) – We are now standing at the precipice of a cosmic cataclysm which will shake and reshape the planet, disrupt the stars in heaven and cause many to die from cosmic, meteorological, geological disturbances and from fright. This event is known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week, which begins with the breaking (or opening) of the 6th Scroll Seal of the Tribulation.
The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have occurred).
19th. The arrival of Jesus on a white horse, as the “Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. (Revelation 19:11–19) – From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it, He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath, of God, the Almighty. An angel standing in the sun cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great. Satan, the Beast and those who are not written in the Lambs Book of Life are relegated to the pit and the fires of hell.”
Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
No matter at what time you will have lived your earthly life, the outcome for all Christians is the same. Those still alive when Christ returns will be raptured from the earth, those Christians who had passed on from this life will be raised from the grave to join them in the heavens, and we all will spend our eternity with the Lord.
Assume with me, if you can, that you have never thoroughly read a Bible, or that you have only read it for cursory content information.
Please, further assume with me, that by chance these verses are the ones that might have caught your attention:
Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),
(1). “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets.(This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).
(5). In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).
These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun betweenthe time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.
Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last daysit shall be…’(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
What would you think?
1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
If these verses say that John was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95.
What would you think?
These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.
Luke 12:54,And He was also saying to the crowds, “Whenever you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. Verse 55. And whenever you feel a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way. Verse 56. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you do not know how to analyze this present time?”
Please read these scriptures and testimonies by other Apostles, confirming that the Last Days and the breaking of tribulation seals one through five had begun in or around the birth of Jesus through A.D. 95 found in:
global conquest and political intrigue (tribulation seal ONE),
wars and rumors of war (tribulation seal TWO),
famines, earthquakes, (tribulation seal THREE),
widespread and global deaths (tribulation seal FOUR),
persecution, martyrs, the Antichrist, the Great Apostasy and falling away from the faith (tribulation seal FIVE);
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All occurring since the birth of Jesus, continuing, overlapping and intensifying since their inception. (see “Is This The End?“).
Furthermore, it is important to know that the Great Apostasy, (tribulation Seal 5), will occur, and the Antichrist will appearbefore the rapture, according to the Apostle Paul. See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy, [Which is the falling away from the faith] comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above [e]every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
Section A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)
Section A.3. Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.
Section A.4. At the midpoint of the tribulation, which is found at the 6th tribulation trumpet, (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
According to Daniel 9:27, the tribulation begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to be for one “seven,” that is, a set of seven years. But the “seven” is divided into halves: midway through the seven years, the Antichrist breaks the treaty and sets up in the temple a sacrilegious object (the “abomination that causes desolation”). The phrase “in the middle” indicates that the first half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years, or at the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet, (1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years.
Section A.5. At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.
Section A.6. During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.
Section A.7. During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
Section A.8. The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3 5–6,).
(Below here is a more complete description of the Tribulation Timeline. Concern yourself with the first SIX SEALS.)
the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies.
The 1st Seal of the tribulation was being broken just after the death and resurrection of Christ, and the succeeding seals (Seals 2 – 5) have been broken. Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”,and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.
As witnessed by, Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Section B.3. The “7 years of Great Tribulation” (aka Daniel’s 70th week) begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, and, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.
Section B.4. Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.
– THE TRIBULATION JUDGMENTS LEAD TO THE END OF THE AGE –
The 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
The 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
The 4th Tribulation Seal – Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
The 5th Tribulation Seal– Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away.(This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying and will transition to the Sixth Seal once the Antichrist has been revealed.)
The 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. (The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.)
Sealing of the 144,000 – during the 6th Seal. (Revelation 7:1-8).
Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God (Revelation 7:9-17).
I will continue through the ‘Bowl Judgments’ in this article, but, for the Christian, The Rapture has occurred at this point and Jesus has taken His Spotless Bride, The Church, to the Throne of God, Her eternal home.
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and surrender my heart and my life to you. I will trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior the rest of my days.”
God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline
GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE
I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”
It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”
Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.
God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.
God’s PLAN is a Plan of Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.
The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God),
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin),
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness),
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable),
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions),
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.).
We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that
1) Many will be cleansed,
2) Many will be purified,
3) They will be made spotless and,
4) They will be refined.
Here are just a few of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter. Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age):
God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!
Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and imagefrom creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.
The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God. The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.
Jesus is tested and shows those who will follow Him – which includes you and me – how to resist the devil and overcome trial, temptations and tribulation.
Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.
The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!
The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have occurred).
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, will have begun. (Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will have escaped these days.)
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it, He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath, of God, the Almighty. An angel standing in the sun cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God,so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great. Satan, the Beast and those who are not written in the Lambs Book of Life are relegated to the pit and the fires of hell.”
Those who have overcome, are with God eternally – which includes you and me – and, God’s Plan for Perfection has been completed.
Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith,which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
No matter at what time you will have lived your earthly life, the outcome for all Christians is the same. Those still alive when Christ returns will be raptured from the earth, those Christians who had passed on from this life will be raised from the grave to join them in the heavens, and we all will spend our eternity with the Lord.
(Please note that I use page links in lieu of footnotes, citations and references. These links also give important details regarding statement and references in this article. I urge you to please use them.)
Whether you know it or not, whether you will believe it or not, and whether you like it or not, there are three urgent things everyone needs to know. There should be no doubt that:
God exists.
There is A Plan for all humanity, the earth, the heavens and the entire cosmos.
Everything is going according to plan – and you are included in The Plan – whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not, and whether you like it or not.
If you scoff at the THREE MAIN THINGS, then scoff if you must. But it would serve you well to take a closer look, and seriously investigate what is being presented here.
i. GOD EXISTS
There was a time, when in its infancy, science was compatible with religion. (When I speak of religion in this article, I am referring to Christianity). It was inevitable with the passage of time, however, that certain influential atheists, would become influential scientists. Their science would be defined by and framed by their humanist idealism, imagination and secular-humanist worldview. That is to say that since it is their conviction that there is no God, they concurrently would see the world, the universe and the cosmos, strictly as a natural occurrence.
By the way, I have heard it said that it takes faith to believe in God, but that it takes exponentially more faith to believe that everything that exists came from nothing and randomly ‘evolved’ into a precision that defies all reason, logic and science – all by chance; that all of existence has been a series of serendipitous events.
There was a period of about 175 years that America was considered a Christian nation. However, the Christian America thesis would be sidelined after the Scopes Trial of 1925, and it would find a new, yet brief life in the 1970s. It continues to be a burning issue today. Those who now argue that America was founded as a Christian nation inherit a long and consistent tradition.
“It was also in the 19th century that pair-structured phrases “religion and science” and “science and religion” first emerged in the literature. This coincided with the refining of “science” (from the studies of “natural philosophy”) and of “religion” as distinct concepts in the preceding few centuries, partly due to professionalization of the sciences, the Protestant Reformation, colonization, and globalization. Since then the relationship between science and religion has been characterized in terms of “conflict”, “harmony”, “complexity”, and “mutual independence”, among others.” (see the foregoing excerpt from Wikipedia).
It is also interesting that these humanist-atheists-scientists found it expeditious to use the language of the Bible as academic stepping stones to sell their new scientific idealism to succeeding generations – effectively separating God and science in the public mind and coining the new term, ‘creationism’ – a victory for atheists and humanists and a sad acquiescence on the part of Christian apologists and theologians.
For example:
Carl Sagan – Cosmos – Its Only Sacred Truths:
Carl Sagan – Cosmos- Stars – We Are Their Children
Only recently have a few notable Christian apologists offered a sound public rebuttal, which may have galvanized the beliefs of the faithful, but has done little to undo the damage to public perception caused by Saganists. Damage which has obscured the truth of scriptures and which has reached inside the Christian church and community.
In case you have been unduly influenced by the “Saginists” of the science world, let me present you a case in favor of the fact that GOD DOES EXIST.
The Bible states that, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel – (which means God with us.)” Isaiah 7:14.
Again, the Bible says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.
These are the odds against – yes, AGAINST – Jesus Christ having sent by God, born, live on earth and fulfilled just 48 of the over 450 prophecies written about Him.
In order to give you some perspective, consider that electrons are very small objects. They’re smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES of 10 to just the 15th power of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long. NINETEEN MILLION YEARS!
Read that again, please. Why is that significant?
It is significant because it gives us evidence that the Bible is true and correct when it says that Christ Jesus came to earth and is the Savior of the world.
Just think about it: It is a scientific and a mathematical impossibility that HAS COME TO PASS!
(And by the way, it gives you evidence, if you choose to pay attention, that your life can be eternal with the only LIFE Source which gives eternal Peace, Safety, Security, Joy and fulfillment the universe has ever known or ever will know.)
ii. There is A Plan.
The Bible, when read as a whole, reveal an amazing narrative reaching back in time to creation and extending in time to the conclusion and rebirth of all things.
The logical question to ask, I believe is, can you prove it? I will rely on one source and refer to another to validate this point.
THE ONE SOURCE
The Bible lays out God’s complete plan, from before creation through the end of the age and into the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. His is a ‘Plan of Perfecting’. God is perfecting all who would believe and follow Jesus in humble submission in preparation for us to live with Him, worship Him and to rule with Him for all eternity.
Most theologians and Bible apologists will outline the Bible by giving a book-by-book topical overview and details of events contained in the individual books, which is probably the very best way to study the entire Bible. However, considering that the Bible (New American Standard version) contains 782,815 words, composing 31,103 verses and 1,189 chapters and 66 books written by 40 authors over a span of 1,500 years, (and further complicating this matter, there are about fifty mainline versions of the Bible, not counting revisions), it is easy to see how one could fail to see ‘the forest’ for the many trees of words, verses, chapters and recorded events.
(The forest is the entire body of work of the Bible which is a straight line from the beginning of creation to end of all things and into a new creation.)
(ANOTHER SOURCE – Note: this small section is not included in the audio).
Scientist say, on the one hand, that all things had a beginning – including time and space – and they named it the Big Bang. Then on the other hand certain leading scientists are beginning to speculate that perhaps something existed before the ‘Big Bang’. But, they all agree that everything will likely end in an event they are calling the Big Crunch. So, at least on two points there is agreement: There was a beginning and there will be an end.
Scientists are quick to point out that they are still learning and what they know may change and that is just the nature of science. (Oh, my). That means we can depend on scientific truth, sort of.
That it is true until it is not – and this validates my point about the existence of God. Science says it is right, until it is not!
The Bible says it is right because it is God-breathed, yesterday, today and forever!
THE JOURNEY TO PERFECTION
If you will patiently walk with me, I will take you on an amazing journey. A journey from the beginning of time through recorded world and Biblical histories. We will identify important past Bible prophecies and correlate them to the actual past world events; then we will compare both prophecies and histories to one specific prophecy known as ‘Daniel’s Seventy Weeks’, which will bring us to current events and the final epoch of time known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End The Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation”, which are now unfolding with frightening accuracy.
I will not stop there, however. I will conclude by laying out a successful response to these events, a plan of action by which you can both survive and thrive in these final days.
Finally, there is an event coming which is so fantastic as to be unbelievable. But I will show the evidence leading to this event, known as the ‘Rapture’ and I will even help you calculate the odds of its occurrence. You will then be faced with the most monumental decision you have ever faced.
The Purposeof God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.
“Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14
Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.
This journey is not any easy one. In fact, it is impossibly difficult. It is something only God can accomplish; and as difficult as it is, and at times, terror filled, it is also filled with purpose with a glorious end.
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (That is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)
Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.
The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.
iii. EVERYTHNING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN
The world has entered the final epoch of time, known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End The Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation Period”, which was marked by the birth of Jesus. There are reportedly visible and observable signs and ancient writings to help you. However, most people either don’t recognize the signs or writings or don’t believe. Even among those who believe these prophecies are coming to pass and see the signs, few know what they are seeing, where they are leading or what to do in response.
The best description of the purpose, length and, outcome of this end time, variously known as the “birth pains”, the tribulation and finally, the Great Tribulation.
Here is a Biblical outline of the seals broken up to this very day:
the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 1 through 2, and seals 4 and 5 amd is intensifying).
the 4th Tribulation Seal – Death. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 1 through 3 and seal 5, and is intensifying).
We are on the precipice of the opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal which triggers the beginning of the period known as the Great Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – which will continue with the breaking of tribulation seal 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.
The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years
Whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not and whether you like it or not, you are included in God’s Plan.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
AS THE SHEEP
“And He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
AS THE GOAT
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;
“These (on My left hand) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous (those on My right hand) into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46).
Dear friends, you and I get one chance at this. The Bible says “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27).
“The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
If you will “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting insalvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
THERE are times of ‘birth pains’ & tribulation AND THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT
There are many differing views, much debate, disagreements, and apparent contradictions regarding the doctrines of the Last Days, the Rapture and the tribulation.
So, what does the Bible actually say about this End of Days?
More specifically, what did Jesus tell His disciples and the rest of the listening and believing world what about what is coming? What we can expect to happen? What are we to do in order to ‘get ready’ and ‘stay ready’ until He returns to claim His Church?
There are those who will tell you that the seven years of tribulation are coming with the breaking of the first of seven seals, and that the rapture is imminent. There is a distinction here that is often overlooked. So, let me repeat: Some are saying that the 7 years of the tribulation will begin with the breaking of the 1st tribulation seal – followed by the breaking of seals 2 through 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.
However, there is clear and staggering evidence that the Last Days began in our around A.D. 1 through A.D. 95 and that tribulation seals 1 through 5 have been progressively opened, are overlapping and intensifying to this day. And that we are on the precipice of the opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal which signals the beginning of the period known as the Great Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – which will continue with the breaking of tribulation seal 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.
“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
(This was spoken around A.D. 30 – around 2,000 years ago, and there has been ongoing and intensifying persecution of Christians to this day. Compare this to the 5th tribulation seal as found in Revelation 6:9-11 and referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:9-12.)
“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.”
(This seven-year period of Great tribulation has not yet occurred, but with a careful study, one can see that the tribulations as referenced by the words, “for then there will be a great tribulation” are the tribulation seals 1 through 5 (see Revelation 6:1-11), which are also referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:9-12, which have been occurring and are continuing to occur. But Seals 6 and 7 are the beginning of The Great Tribulation, a.k.a., The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)
“But immediately after thetribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
(This is speaking of the tribulation that will come after the tribulation events that have already occurred and continue to occur, as being described by Jesus in Matthew 24:1-28, (i.e., tribulation seals 1 through 5). These “days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” have not occurred yet, but with a careful study, one can see that the tribulations spoken of in Seals 1 through 5 have occurred and are continuing to occur, but Seals 6 and 7 have not occurred.)
“For those days will be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.”
(In order to get the chronology right, please read Mark 13:1-27. There will be tribulations and then will come “such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.” I.e., there will be tribulations then there will be a Great Tribulation, a.k.a. The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)
“But in those days, after that tribulation (referring to the events that have already occurred), THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT.”
(In order to get the chronology right, please read Mark 13:1-27. There will be tribulations and then will come “be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.” I.e., there will be tribulations then there will be a Great Tribulation, a.k.a. The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)
“I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
“I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
THESE ARE THE ONES WHO SAY SO
The Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around A.D. 30 according to the words spoken by Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy :
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)
Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.
The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.
*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).
Secondly, it is important to know the four-foldPLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation found in Daniel 12:10, (Which is the purpose of the Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE):
“Many will be purged,
cleansed, and
refined,
those who have insight will understand.”
(SPECIAL NOTE: Tribulation Seal SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl, also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, are judgments directed specifically at the non-believing world.)
WHY DO THESE THINGS MATTER?
They matter because many Christians are sitting idly waiting for an event that has already begun, and they are not DOING what He told them to do and therefore are in grave danger.
They matter because some of our family, friends and neighbors are completely unaware or just don’t believe that Christ will return and God’s final judgments will sentence them to outer darkness.
They matter because as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior are speaking louder than our words.
They matter because being ready for His Return is proof of True Christianity, and only a True Believer in Christ will be guaranteed to join Christ at the sound of His Great Trumpet call and escape the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
They matter because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
They matter because He has warned that “Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
WHO ELSE IS SEEING AND SAYING THESE THINGS?
Corrie Ten Boom speaks out about a prevailing tribulation and rapture view.
David Rosenthal and Zion’s Hope. One of the first, most accurate, and persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)
Pastor Jack Hibbs, senior pastor of Cavalry Chapel of Chino Hills, California is an advocate saying we are NOW in the Last Days and the End of Days period known as the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD or the Wrath of the Lamb.
Pastor Hibbs is informing and warning about the current Marxist-style Globalist movement, which is being led by the U.N., the U.N.’s Agenda 2030, UNESCO and their sustainable development goals, and the World Economic Forum. (Please also see “The One World Government – How It Is Fitting Together”.)
I offer this article to say that these things matter in our preparation and readiness for Jesus’ return. They should alert us to get ready and stay ready.
What these things don’t change or affect is the steady guarantee of our salvation in Christ. My concern, which I believe should be all our concern, is that when the time comes we all will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, and not the fateful words, “Why do you call me Lord when you do not what I say?”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: It is written – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”(Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no way anyone can earn their salvation through works. But what we continually practice in our lives, reveals the true intentions of our heart. Please, get ready and stay ready for His return by serving God and obeying the Words of Jesus. Let’s pray for one another to be strengthened.
Do you ever wonder what will happen on earth in the years and months just before the Rapture?
If you don’t wonder then it is probably due to one of two reasons: (1) You don’t care. (2) You believe what you’ve been hearing about the ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ taking place before the 1st Tribulation Seal is broken.
Well, if you fit into either or both these 2 reasons, then news on both counts.
On the first count, Jesus says you take care and be ready (Matthew 24:42 ff) or you will be left behind.
And, on the second count, the 1st Seal, according to the testimonies of Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy, are found in :
Jesus says, in Matthew 24:9–13, that a day is coming when “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
Now, pay close attention to what Jesus, Himself, says in Revelation chapters one, two and three about enduring and overcoming. Jesus is speaking to the seven Churches in these chapters – and remember – the time of tribulation has begun (in or around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95) and the Church is still on the earth at that time, receiving instruction from Jesus. And a clear, plain face-value reading of Matthew chapter 24 will tell you that the Church will remain on earth until the breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation (please, read it).
– The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Things which must soon take place –Words of the prophecy
This letter of the Revelation begins with these words, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Be aware that John was writing of FUTURE events because the Temple had already been destroyed the first time, 26 years before John wrote the book of The Revelation.
So, we must ask the one most important question, “Why is Jesus warning the churches and His followers of something that is coming, in the Book of Revelation, if they would not endure it?”
Until then, “The ones who have an ear, let them hear”.
Jesus tells the Churches (the followers of Christ), that until the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, they must OVERCOME.
Revelation 2:7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
To him who overcomes: Jesus made this promise to him who overcomes – but what does this “Overcomer” overcome? We usually think of overcoming in dramatic terms of overcoming sin and in spiritual warfare, but here Jesus is speaking of overcoming coldness of heart and lack of love marked by leaving their first love of Jesus.
I will give to eat from the tree of life: The promise for these “Overcomers” was a return to Eden, a restoration to God’s Presence, and eternal life. This was meant, first in the eternal sense of making it to heaven, which was no small promise to a people threatened with the removal of Jesus’ presence.
It is also meant in the sense of seeing the effects of the curse cancelled in our own lives though Jesus’ redeeming act of love.
Revelation 2:11‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’
He who overcomes: This was a promise for “Overcomers”. This promise is for those who overcome the threat of persecution, and the presence of persecution.
We might say that we overcome by our close association with Jesus, but, it is that very association that brings both persecution and salvation. Jesus is the ultimate “Overcomer”, as He says, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Shall not be hurt by the second death: Those who overcome by the power and presence of Jesus within them, will never be hurt by the second death. The second death is hell, the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Though Satan will threaten and attack your life, Jesus promises His “Overcomers” that death is conquered for them.
Revelation 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’
To him who overcomes: The one who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false teaching and living will receive hidden manna. This is God’s perfect provision, the true bread from heaven (John 6:35).
And I will give him a white stone: In the ancient world, the use of a white stone had many associations. A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing.
Revelation 2:26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end: Even when there is the immoral and idolatrous influence of a Jezebel, Christians can overcome and keep Jesus’ works until the end. We must not become overly discouraged at immorality and idolatry around us, even among Christians. God’s work will still go on through His “Overcomers”.
To him I will give power over the nations: Jesus promised that His people will reign with Him. Here, there is a special promise to those who overcome the threat of immorality and idolatry. To them, Jesus offered a share in His own kingdom.
“The word for ‘rule’ (Greek = ‘poimanei’) literally means ‘to shepherd.’
Their rule will not be simply that of executing judgment, but also that of administering mercy and direction.”
I will give him the morning star: Jesus offered them a reward greater than the kingdom. He offered them the reward of Himself, because He is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
Revelation 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments: Jesus identified the “Overcomers” with those few names who have not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4). These “Overcomers” would wear white garments, received from Jesus.
Jesus explained the absolute necessity of this being clothed by God with His garments of purity and righteousness in His parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:11-14).
Real righteousness is receiving God’s covering instead of trying to cover ourselves. Adam and Eve tried to cover their own sin (Genesis 3:7) but God provided them with a covering that came from sacrifice (Genesis 3:21).
And I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life: By this, the “Overcomers” were assured of their heavenly citizenship. In the ancient world, death or a criminal conviction could blot out the name of an ancient citizen from the city’s book of the living, which was the city register.
But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels: This was an amazing promise. It simply makes sense that we should be willing to confess the name of Jesus, but it is amazing that He would not be ashamed to confess us!
Revelation 3:12 ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar: “Overcomers” were told that they would be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.
He shall go out no more: The “Overcomer” would have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.
I will write on him the name of My God… I will write on him My new name: The “Overcomer” also received many names – of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because they show we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.
Revelation 3:21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
To him who overcomes: Jesus’ promise to the “Overcomer”, even at Laodicea, showed that we don’t have to be Christians who are compromising and lukewarm. If we are, we can change and become one of Jesus’ overcomers.
I will grant to sit with Me on My throne: Those who overcome the battle against indifference, compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward. They enjoy a place with the enthroned Jesus (as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne).
Revelation 21:5 “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Verse 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
Verse7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Verse 8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Jesus is telling His Followers that they must “Endure to the end” and“Overcome”. We are nearing that time.
And they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18 and Joel 2:28-29))
There are testimonies, warnings and plain statements regarding at time in the Bible known as the Last Days or the End of the Age. For example, Jesus gives us an account of the Last Days and The End of the Age from two distinct perspectives. We need to look at a Biblical comparison and correlation of The Seals of the Tribulation as seen in the book of Matthew and correlated with the book of The Revelation (1). So we can know the sequence of these events that may be prepared and ready at all times. (2). It is also important so that we will not be taken by surprise or frightened and lose focus and composure; (3). It is also a reminder that we are to inform and warn others of the present and coming judgements. To Wit:
Matthew 24:1-5 tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Revelation 1:1-3, which was written around A.D. 95 says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place ; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Verse 4. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who [c]is to come, and from the [d]seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— verse 6, and He made us into a kingdom, priests to [e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING
Jesus and these same disciples testified that these present and coming prophetic judgments and events may have already begun. in or around the birth of Christ or as late as A.D. 95, calling them “events of These Last Days”:
Hebrews 1:2,“but in these last daysHe (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
(This was written by the Apostle Paul, is written in the present tense, in or around the year A.D. 70 and is referred to as these last days ).
Hebrews 9:26,“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
(These events were occuring in or around A.D. 30. The book of Hebrews is written by the Apostle Paul, and is written in the past and present tense, in or around A.D. 70 and is referred to as the end of the ages.)
Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.”
(This occurred in or around A.D. 60 and as written in the past and present tense, by Peter the Apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is referred to as being ‘in the last days’).
2 Timothy 3:1,“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.’
(This was written by the Apostle Timothy, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in or around the year A.D. 67, was written in the present tense and is referred to as being ‘in the last days‘.)
1 Peter 1:20-21,” He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last times ‘.)
1 Peter 4:7,“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘the end of all things‘.)
2 Peter 3:3,“Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
(This is written in the future tense as a testimony about. things that were already beginning to occur, and was recorded in or around A.D. 90. This is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last days‘.)
1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, sonow many antichrists have (already) come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.“
(This is written in the present tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle John, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘the last hour‘.)
Matthew 24:29-31, ““But immediately afterthe tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
This is written in the future tense was recorded in or around A.D. 70, and is referred to, by the Apostle Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘afterthe tribulation of those days’ , speaking of the tribulation of those days already referred to (above here.)
RECAP:
Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day.
(CONCLUSION: These events (the breaking of Tribulation Seals 1 through 5) began in or around the birth of Christ or as late as A.D. 95, and have been overlapping and intensifying. We are still waiting for the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal as described in Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-16)
Considering the ‘seasons’ which we have entered, and considering the Seal which is upon us, this prophecy from Isaiah 61 is being fulfilled. This is the calling of the Shofar to gather around and begin the final assault!
NOW, HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD has come upon us, because the LORD is anointing and commissioning us to bring good news to the humble and afflicted;
He is sending us to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, to proclaim release from confinement and condemnation to the physical and spiritual captives, and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, that is a day of salvation (49:8), and the year of His redeemed (63:4), and the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, so that we will no longer be prey to the nations, and the predators of the earth will not devour us; but we will live safely, and no one will make us afraid in this day of the Messiah’s reign.
To comfort all who mourn, To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning, the oil of joy instead of mourning, The garment expressive of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So, we will be called the trees of righteousness strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
We then will rebuild the ancient ruins, and we will raise up and restore the former desolations; And they will renew the legacy of the ruined cities, the spiritual desolations, deserted spiritual settlements, of many generations.
Strangers will stand and feed our flocks, and foreigners will be our farmers and our vinedressers.
And we shall be called the priests of the LORD; People will speak of us as the ministers of our God. We will eat the wealth of nations, And we will boast of their riches.
Instead of our former shame we will have a double portion; And instead of humiliation we will shout for joy over our portion.
Therefore, in this our land, we will possess double what we have forfeited; everlasting joy will be ours. (personalized from Isaiah 61)
(Then, at The Breaking of The Sixth Tribulation Seal (See Matthew 24:29-31))
‘I, (GOD), WILL DISPLAY WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD COMES.
‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ (Acts 2:18-20 and Joel 2:30-32, Matthew 24:29-31)
The Lord is calling and. I am inviting you into the ranks of His earthly army. I am inviting you to join together as an earthly contingent of God’s heavenly armies to join in this final assault.
What does this mean?
First know, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly and supernatural places.
Secondly know that we will encounter physical opponents who are of the spiritual forces of wickedness, but it is not ours to destroy them physically, but We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when our own obedience as a church is complete.
The time has come that the Church is no longer to be an idle building, a gathering place for pleasure and entertainment.
“The Apostle Paul says the foundation of this building called the church is made up of the prophets and the Apostles, that is, the Old Testament prophets and New Testament Apostles. Why? It’s because the prophets and Apostles are the agents of revelation by whom God speaks to His people. They delivered the Word of God. Another way of saying this is that the foundation of the church is the Word of God.
“That’s why we must pay close attention to our doctrine of Scripture. The attacks launched against the integrity, authority, sufficiency, and trustworthiness of Scripture are attacks not upon a side alcove of this building. They don’t put a dent in the roof of the church. They’re attacks on the church’s very foundation. To have a church without Apostolic authority, without the Word of God as its foundation, is to build a church on sand rather than on rock. The foundation of the prophets and the Apostles is necessary for the entire edifice of the church to stand securely.
“Paul continues the building metaphor in Ephesians 2:20b: “Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together. Take out the cornerstone, and everything falls apart. “In [Christ] the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:21–22). The church is a new temple built in Christ, by Christ, and for Christ. Obviously, Paul isn’t saying the church is a building made out of mortar and brick, but that we are the stones, the living stones, as 1 Peter 2:5 tells us. Each believer is part of this church just as each stone is part of a building. The church, the new temple, is still under construction. Every day, new stones are added. This new temple will not be finished until Jesus returns to consummate His kingdom. Christ is still building His church, not by adding cement but by adding people who are the stones that hold together in Him.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“The Apostle Paul explains the doctrine of the church so that we might understand what God has done and so that we may understand who we are. And in calling us to understand who we are and what we’re called to do, Paul says that we’re the church. We’re the church that God ordained from the foundation of the world. We’re His people; we‘re His household, so let the church be the church.
“Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together.
“We’re living in a time of crisis. Many Christians are decrying the decadence of American culture and complaining about the government and its value system. I understand that, but if we want to be concerned for our nation and culture, our priority must be the renewal of the church. We are the light of the world.
“Government merely reflects and echoes the customs embraced by the people in a given generation. In a real sense, our government is exactly what we want it to be, or it wouldn’t be there. Change in culture doesn’t always come from the top down. It often comes from the bottom up. The change we need to work for, chiefly, is renewal within the church. As the church becomes the fellowship of citizens of heaven who manifest what it means to be the household of Christ, and when the church walks according to the power of the Holy Spirit—then the people of God will shine as the light of the world. When people see that light, they will give glory to God (Matt. 5:16). This will change the world. But Paul says, first of all, let the church be the church. We must remember who we are, who the foundation is, who the cornerstone is, who the head of our building is, who the Lord of the church is.
“Do we love the church? I doubt if there have been many times in our history when there has been as much anger, hostility, disappointment, and disillusionment with the institutional church as there is today. It’s hard not to be critical of the church because in many ways the church has failed us. But if the church has failed, that means we have failed. We are called to serve the church in the power of God the Holy Spirit.
“We, the church, have been made for this task by the indwelling presence and power of God’s Spirit. Yet, we are called not so much to rise up but to bow down. And if we bow down to our Lord, as Paul says in Ephesians 3:14, the church will be the church, and our light will pierce the darkness.” (the foregoing in quotes is from Ligonier.com, by R.C. Sproul)
PUTTING OUT THE CALL
This is an all-volunteer force. I you need financial support, you will eventually have to raise that funding as you go.
This is not a call to build buildings, to establish religious corporations nor to leash ourselves to any 501-c-3 contract. This is not a hierarchy of priests. You are like living stones, being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:
You are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A special PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies, the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were NOT A PEOPLE at all, but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
We will consider others as more important that ourselves. We will continually and faithfully devote ourselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers. Day after day we will meet, continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. We will eat their meals together with joy and generous hearts.
I am putting out the call, first for:
Apostles: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”. It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land. Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. (There is no passage in the Bible saying this gift was temporary nor that is has ceased)
Prophets: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11). The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”.
Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).
Evangelists: An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.
Pastors: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.
(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)
Teachers: Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.
Also, Those with the spiritual gift of Service: The word translated as “ministry” is diakonia, which can also be translated “service”. Since there are many types of ministries and service to the Church, this then describes a broad array of gifts rather than a single gift.
Those with the spiritual gift of Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.
Those with the spiritual gift of Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with extraordinary generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those possessing this gift will go beyond this normal giving.
Those with the spiritual gift of Overseeing: This gift speaks to the various roles found in the Church. While many think of roles such as administration, management of funds, strategy planning, etc. as functions outside of the supernatural realm, in reality individuals in these positions are just as in need of supernatural empowerment as are ministers of the gospel. This is sometimes inappropriately called ‘leadership’.
Those with the spiritual gift of Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.
Those with the spiritual gift of a Word of wisdom: An utterance or message of wisdom supernaturally granted to an individual. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling in the believer of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.
Those with the spiritual gift of a Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth. It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.
Those with the spiritual gift of Faith: This refers to that strong or special faith “which removes mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19–20), and faces the most cruel martyrdom without flinching”. It is distinguished from the “saving” and “normal” Christian faith.
Those with the spiritual gift of Gifts of healing: The ability to supernaturally minister healing to others. The plural indicates the variety of sickness healed and the many forms the gift takes, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying the name of Jesus or by the sign of the cross.
Those with the spiritual gift of Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.
Those with the spiritual gift of Discerning of spirits: The capacity to discern, distinguish, or to discriminate the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it emanates from a good or evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy as it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.
Those with the spiritual gift of Helps: This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor. Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.
Those with the spiritual gift of Administration: Also called the gift of governing, the Greek word translated “governments” is “kubernesis”, the verb form of which means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then refers to the God-given capacity to oversee or guide the Church through storms and difficult seas.
CONCLUSION
This is not meant to be and is not a ‘new movement’. It is a continuation of the Church that Jesus built, as the Bible describes it. There are to no assumptions to be made about anything that is not written in the Bible (such as special or new revelations, unwritten words of knowledge, new prophetic words, cessation, reformation, replacement). If the Bible is silent, we are silent. Where the Bible speaks, we speak.
We must become (recreate in our own lives) what Jesus created as His Church. The fruit of the Spirit, the result of His presence within us, is love and unselfish concern for others, joy, inner peace, patience, not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Remembering that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified and are crucifying the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
We must strive to remember that as we claim to live by the Holy Spirit, we will also walk by the Spirit with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
Pray that, following the lead and example of Jesus, as our numbers grow, God’s influence will become an irresistible force as the day of His return draws ever-so-near.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(Please reply in confidence, below. I will reply and we will begin the Assembly.)
The news of the day is the heinous attacks on innocents in Israel by the demonic terrorists, Hamas, in Gaza. There is speculation swirling in the smoke and columns of fire from the rocket attacks that this could be the ‘beginning of the end’ as prophesied in scriptures (The Last Days).
The swift, decisive and appropriately violent response by Israel would make it seem that this will at least be the end of Hamas as a terror group, and should send a strong message to Iran and other terrorist states. But if this unprovoked attack and murder of innocent men, women, children and babies spreads, it could begin to look like prophecies regarding Israel and the End of Days are coming to pass.
There are events, however, which must take place to confirm or disprove these kinds of speculations, but this could very well the precursor or harbinger, of things to come.
Revelation 12:1-17
The Woman
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was pregnant, and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
The “woman” represents Israel. According to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11), the sun represented Jacob, the moon represented Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars were the sons of Israel which bowed down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now among the other tribes of Israel.
The Child is Jesus. The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).
The Red Dragon, Satan
Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her Child.
A red dragon “symbolically suggests” an actual person will come to power on earth, with fierce power and a murderous nature. This is a picture of the complete evil with hideous strength.”
The revived Roman Empire is in view, here. The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation who reigns over the revived Roman Empire.”
Seven diadems on his heads: This dragon (person and political power) had great power (seven heads and ten horns) and claimed royal authority (seven diadems). The crowns represent his presumptive claims of royal authority against the true King.
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven: Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9). This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.
The Male Child, Christ
And she gave birth to a Son, a male, who is going to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there [c]she would be nourished for 1,260 days.
A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9 and Revelation 19:15) refers to the triumphant return of Jesus. By stating the starting point and ending point of Jesus’ earthly work, John alluded to all that stood in between.
After a conflict with the Prince of this world (Satan and his evil accomplices), who came and tried Him, but found nothing in Him, the Son of the woman (Jesus the Christ) was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). Words can hardly be plainer than these.
“She would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days” is a reference to a three and one-half year period connects these events with the final seven years of the Daniel 9 prophecy. Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years sometimes known as the “Age of Grace” (our current period).
The Angel, Michael
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”
And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Around the mid-point and concluding near the end of the Great Tribulation period, (from the 7th Tribulation Trumpet to the 7th Tribulation Bowl of Wrath), God will turn the tide against Satan – first in heaven, then on earth. The formation of that battle is already taking place and it will deny Satan access to heaven.
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE – compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE as seen in Luke 21
The Return of Christ
Luke 21:25-28, “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – THE COMING INVASION OF ISRAEL?
WHO ARE THE ‘PLAYERS’?
When we see this invasion of Israel by the joint forces of Russia, Iran and her proxies, forces from Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia, Libya and Northern Africa, and the Caucuses, we can know this time has come. This is when God will intervene
Luke 21:20 tells us, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near.”
We can see who these hostile invading armies are, by readingEzekiel chapter 38:1,
“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog(current day Russia),the chief ruler of Meshech(southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)and Tubal(central Turkey), and prophesy against him,
Verse 3, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal.
Verse 4. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently clothed in full armor, a great horde with buckler (small shield) and [large] shield, all of them wielding swords;
Verse 5. Persia(Iran), Cush(Ethiopia),and Put(Libya, N. Africa)with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
Verse 6.Gomer(southern Russia)and all its troops; Beth-togarmah(the Caucuses region of Armenia and Georgia)from the remote parts of the north and all its troops–many peoples with you.
These are the 10 Nation Confederation to watch, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA:
Nation #1. Gog: A Reubenite, son of Shemaiah, the prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and Magog. Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel, and in Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media (Russia.).
Nation #2. Magog: The 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel; the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. (Russia.)
Nation #3. Rosh: “the Prince of Rosh” is Asiatic Russia receives confirmation from the Imperial Dictionary. “Evidence exists of an ancient people called Rosh, or Rhos, supposed to be the original stem from which the Russia or modern Russians have derived their race and name.” The scholar, Bishop Lowther says: “Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel, signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom modern Russians derived their name. We must conclude therefore, that Ezekiel’s “episode of Gog’s invasion” (A. B. Davidson) points irrefutably and undeniably to the Russians.
Nation #4. Meschach: Was a Chaldean. The Chaldeans inhabited the coastal area near the Persian Gulf. About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans and in 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. Modern day Turkey.
Nation #5. Tubal: a region in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia
Nation #6. Persia:Iran
Nation #7. Cush (Ethiopia): located on either side or both sides of the Red Sea. As such, “Cush” is alternately identified in scripture with the Kingdom of Kush or ancient Ethiopia.
Nation #8. Put (Libya): Ancient Libya. In this sense, Libya was the whole known African continent to the west of the Nile Valley and extended south of Egypt. Herodotus described the inhabitants of Libya as two peoples: The Libyans in northern Africa and the Ethiopians in the south.
Nation #9. Gomer: (was the wife of the prophet Hosea (8th century BC), mentioned in the Hebrew Bible‘s Book of Hosea (1:3). Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a “promiscuous woman” (NIV), a “harlot” (NASB), and a “whore” (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. She is also described as the daughter of Diblaim.) The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.
Nation #10. Beth-Togarmah: Togarmah is a city mentioned in Assyrian and Hittite texts. It was north of Carchemish on an Assyrian trade route. It may be related to modern Gurun between the Halys and Euphrates Rivers. (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia.)
Because of the length and complexity of the scriptures regarding the invasion of Israel in the Last Days from the book of The Revelation, I will simply recap these events by linking to the appropriate verses, and a detailed commentary with videos by Zion’s Hope (David Rosenthal) at the end of this page..
Just know that the destruction of the Antichrist, the beast and their invading armies and demonic forces will be thoroughly defeated and cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 16 through 20) after the 7th Tribulation Bowl is poured out.
It is also worthy to note that there is some ‘controversy’ or discussion about the “2nd Coming” or the SECOND ADVENT of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:29-31 (and similarly in Luke 21) record these words, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (it is important to note the words ‘immediately after the tribulation OF THOSE DAYS’), THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” This is clearly Jesus appearing, which will occur after the 5th Tribulation Seal and at the moment of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is spoken of in the future tense. By all appearances we are well into the 5th Tribulation Seal and are very near the 6th Seal, so the ‘future tense’ of this verse can easily be considered to be from this day (10/11/2023) until His appearing – which could be immanent.
Then, in Revelation 19:11-16 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Many commentators believe these verses describe the 2nd Advent of Christ. But clearly, taking Matthew 24:29-31 into account, this would be a THIRD advent, which would be incorrect. This is NOT a new advent or a new coming of Christ, but it is Jesus, who has already returned to gather His Elect (Matthew 24:31) and is seen sitting on horse, judging and waging war against the nations!
CONCLUSION – THE LONG VIEW
The events of the “Last Days” began as early as the birth and/or the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as reported by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy in or around 2 B.C. through A.D. 95, and found in:
These events will conclude at the end of the pouring out of the Tribulation Bowls at the end of the SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION period, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.
We are seeing clear and distinct signs of the final days before His return and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are His disciple, you do not need to be afraid. He is your protector. Your weapons and shield are the words of your testimony and the Blood of the Lamb.
When the time comes, He will give you words of wisdom to say, which no one can resist. Be brave and courageous.
If you have not already, now is the time, now is the day of your salvation. Turn to Jesus in humble submission and exchange your life for His, today – this moment. Find your peace, safety, sanctuary and salvation in Him!
If you have already given yourself and your life to God by His grace and through faith in Jesus, now is the time to complete your calling.
Do not wait for others to do the work of your calling – not the preacher, pastor, deacon, elder or friend. It is your calling and your joy to serve the Living God today.
YOU,“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that He has commanded you; and lo, He is with you always [remaining with you perpetually–regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Next, let’s confirm the meaning of scriptures related to the END OF THE AGE or THE LAST DAYS by correlating and comparing the Tribulation Seals of Judement, from Matthew chapter 24 with the book of The Revelation chapters 6, 7 and eight through COMPARISON and CONTEXT!
(NOTE: Jesus, in the book of Matthew gives a present view looking to the future – Jesus, in The book of The Revelation gives a panorama of a continuous past, present and future.)
After reading each of the following verses, please ask and answer, “What is REALLY Going On?
What is REALLY Going On – in Matthew 24:1 –5, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,
the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them. “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
Revelation 6:1-2, “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” I looked, and behold…”
Seal 1 – Matthew 24:6-7 – also in Revelation 6:1 – 6:3 – WARS & RUMORS OF WAR, RIDER ON WHITE HORSE.
What is REALLY Going On – in the FirstSeal in Matthew 24?
Matthew 24:6. “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
“You will behearing of wars and rumors of wars -Matthew 24:6”
(future tense – spoken in A.D. 30).
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
What is REALLY Going On – in the FirstSeal in Matthew 24?
Matthew 24:7-8, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against – Matthew 24:7”
(future tense – spoken in A.D. 30) .
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur have been are increasing in intensity to this day).
What is REALLY Going On – in the FirstSeal in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:1–2, Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
“A white horse rider went out conquering and to conquer – Revelation 6:2”
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D.)
(has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
What is REALLY Going On – in the Second and ThirdSeals in Matthew 24?
Matthew 24:7-8, “…and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
(This is the beginning – in or around A.D. 30,and they have been continuing to occur and are increasing in intensity to this day).
What is REALLY Going On – in the Second and Third Seals in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:3-4. “When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.
“A red horse went out to take peace from the earth and people would kill one another – Revelation 6:4”
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
(has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing in intensity to this day).
People would kill one another.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing intensity to this day).
-The Completion of the Second & Third TribulationSeals –
Seal 4: Matthew 24:9 – also in Revelation 6:7 – PERSECUTION, DISEASE, FAMINE, DEATH.
What is REALLY Going On – in the FourthSeal in Matthew 24?
Matthew 24:9, “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
What is REALLY Going On – in the FourthSeal in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:7-8, “When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
An ashen horse of death.
Death by sword, famine, pestilence and wild beasts.
(has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity and will culminate with over one-fourth of earth’s inhabitants killed).
– The Completion of the FourthTribulationSeal –
Seal 5: Matthew 24:10-15 – also in Revelation 6:9– APOSTASY, FALSE PROPHETS, HATRED, LAWLESSNESS, ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, GREAT EARTHQUAKES, MARTYRS, DEATH.
What is REALLY Going On – in the FifthSeal in Matthew 24?
Matthew 24:10-15, “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will ariseand will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.Therefore, when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place – let the reader understand. (this is the last of the prophecies to come).
Many will fall away and hate one another (the great Apostasy).
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
False prophets will arise and mislead many..
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
(A past event foreshadowing the future event which marks the last of the prophecies and the coming End).
What is REALLY Going On – in the FifthSeal in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:9-11, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
Persecutions, martyrs and death of the saints of God.
(has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity until the end).
– The Completion of the FifthTribulationSeal –
Seal 6:Matthew 24:29-31 – also in Revelation 6:12– COSMIC CATACLYSMS after the tribulation of the previous days, TERROR, SUN DARKENED, MOON WILL NOT SHINE, STARS WILL FALL, HEAVENS SHAKEN, SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN, SON COMING ON THE CLOUDS, GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, GATHERING OF THE ELECT, RAPTURE.
What is REALLY Going On – in the SixthSeal in Matthew 24?
“But immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysTHE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
“But immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedays
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
What is REALLY Going On – in the SixthSeal in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:12-17, “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrathhas come, and who is able to stand?”
There was a great earthquake.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
The sun became black
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
The moon became like blood.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
The stars fell from the sky.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
The sky was split apart like a scroll.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
Him who sits on the throne.
(Present historical tense; is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(It has always been this, from the past to the present).
Hide us from The Wrath of the Lamb.
(Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
(has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
The Great Day of Wrath has come.
Notice this is in the Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
(has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing in intensity).(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
An Interlude between the 6th Tribulation Seal and the 7th Tribulation Seal. (the last of the prophecies yet to come)
What is REALLY Going On – in the SixthSeal in Revelation 7?
Revelation 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”
What is REALLY Going On – in the SixthSeal in Revelation 7?
The 144,000 Sealed
Revelation 7:4-5 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.
A Multitude from the Tribulation – The Rapture
What is REALLY Going On – WHAT IS GOING ON in the SixthSeal in Revelation 7?
Who is the ‘great multitude’
Revelation 7:9-16, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice,
What is REALLY Going On – in the SixthSeal in Revelation 7?
Where is this great multitude?
saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Where did this great multitude come from?
“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”
“I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
All of these final events have culminated with the elect of God having been raptured before the Throne of God and in their eternal home, God’s Eternal Tabernacle.
– The Completion of the SixthTribulationSeal –
Seal 7: Revelation – SILENCE IN HEAVEN for half an hour, SEVEN ANGELS and SEVEN TRUMPETS, PEALS OF THUNDER, SOUNDS AND FLASHES OF LIGHTENING AND AN EARTHQUAKE.
What is REALLY Going On – in the SeventhSeal in Matthew 24?
Silence. (Jesus will continue in Matthew with instruction of recognizing the times and days, preparing for these Last Days and the Blessings and Consequences for not preparing ahead of time – preparing NOW!
The scene now moves to the heavens (see Revelation chapter 8).
What is REALLY Going On – in the SeventhSeal in Revelation 8?
Revelation 8:1-2, “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
A lull in the cosmic and terrestrial storms.
7 angels standing BEFORE GOD and 7 trumpets are given to them. (These are the 7 trumpets of judgment).
Revelation 8:3-5, “Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
There are testimonies, warnings and plain statements regarding at time in the Bible known as the Last Days or the End of the Age. For example, Jesus gives us an account of the Last Days and The End of the Age from two distinct perspectives. We need to look at a Biblical comparison and correlation of The Seals of the Tribulation as seen in the book of Matthew and correlated with the book of The Revelation (1). So we can know the sequence of these events that may be prepared and ready at all times. (2). It is also important so that we will not be taken by surprise or frightened and lose focus and composure; (3). It is also a reminder that we are to inform and warn others of the present and coming judgements. To Wit:
Matthew 24:1-5 tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Revelation 1:1-3, which was written around A.D. 95 says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place ; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Verse 4. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who [c]is to come, and from the [d]seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— verse 6, and He made us into a kingdom, priests to [e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
These words were written sometime around A.D. 90. Over 1,900 years have passed since this prophecy was written, and according to the God-breathed and Holy Spirit inspired Word of God. The first ‘contradiction’, if that is possible, is if these were ‘to soon take place’.
(Please Note: Many protestant denominations will interpret Revelation 1:7 as being fulfilled in Revelation 19:11 as “Jesus’ Second coming’. It is important, when establishing a Biblical timeline, to get the chronology right. Please compare Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 19:11
Matthew 24:30-31, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
And,
Revelation 19:11-16, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it, He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Matthew 24:30, is when the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory will occur at the beginning of the 7-year period of the Great Tribulation period. This is when Jesus will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY 2ND ADVENT – AND THE GATHERING (rapture) OF HIS ELECT (CHOSEN).
Revelation 19:11, is when theheaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages waris to occur at the end of the Bowls of Wrath, which is at the end of the 7-year Great tribulation period.This is when Jesus ‘judges and wages war’. JESUS HAS ALREADY RETURNED AND GATHERED HIS ELECT (HIS CHOSEN) AND IS NOW DEFEATING THE BEAST, THE ANTICHRIST AND ALL WHO RELIEVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST, and is casting them into the lake of fire.
Jesus and these same disciples testified that these present and coming prophetic judgments and events may havealreadybegun.in or around A.D. 30, calling them “events of These Last Days”:
Hebrews 1:2,“but in these last daysHe (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
(This was written by the Apostle Paul, is written in the present tense, in or around the year A.D. 70 and is referred to as these last days).
Hebrews 9:26,“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
(These events were occuring in or around A.D. 30. The book of Hebrews is written by the Apostle Paul, and is written in the past and present tense, in or around A.D. 70 and is referred to as the end of the ages.)
Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
(This occurred in or around A.D. 60 and as written in the past and present tense, by Peter the Apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is referred to as being ‘in the last days’).
2 Timothy 3:1,“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.‘
(This was written by the Apostle Timothy, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in or around the year A.D. 67, was written in the present tense and is referred to as being ‘in the last days‘.)
1 Peter 1:20-21,“He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of youwho through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last times‘.)
1 Peter 4:7,“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘the end of all things‘.)
2 Peter 3:3,“Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
(This is written in the future tense as a testimony about. things that were already beginning to occur, and was recorded in or around A.D. 90. This is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last days‘.)
1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, sonow many antichrists have (already) come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.“
(This is written in the present tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle John, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘the last hour‘.)
Matthew 24:29-31, ““But immediately afterthe tribulation of those daysthe sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, andthe stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
(This is written in the future tense was recorded in or around A.D. 70, and is referred to, by the Apostle Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘afterthe tribulation of those days’ , speaking of the tribulation of those days already referred to (above here.)
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
It is important because this illustrates the correct timeline and timing of these events. ‘NOT THE DAY NOR THE HOUR’, because no one knows the exact day or hour, not even Jesus, but the Father alone knows. But, this does give us an accurate description of the fig tree: “as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near;. (Matthew 24:32)
It is important because we must be mentally, physically and spiritually of and ready for the things that are upon us so we do not faint or fall away.
It is important because the context, the uses and meanings of these various words which refer to Tribulation affect our attitudes and our motivation for GETTING and STAYING READY for His return. They also affect our view of the timing of the coming Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into the heavens?
It matters because being ready for His Return is proof of True Christianity, and only a True Believer in Christ will be guaranteed to join Christ at the sound of His Great Trumpet call and escape the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
It matters because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
It matters because He has warned that “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
It matters because many Christians are sitting idly waiting for an event that has already begun and they are not DOING what He told them to do and therefore are in grave danger.
It matters because some of our family, friends and neighbors are completely unaware or just don’t believe that Christ will return and God’s final judgments will sentence them to outer darkness.
It matters because as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behaviors are speaking louder than our words – and if we truly believe these things are coming to pass – we need to be getting ready
Finally, there is are two huge misconceptions or misunderstanding and in some churches, a false teaching that (#1), the Rapture will occur before the appearing of the Antichrist.
HOWEVER, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 clearly says, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.No one is to deceive you in any way! For it (the day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
And (#2), the second big misconception is that the ‘mark of the beast’ will be given and this will occur prior to the rapture, when at that time no one will be able to buy or sell without that mark’.
However, Revelation 3:16-17 says, He will “cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Therefore, the Antichrist gives his ‘mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment and at the blowing of 7th Trumpet Judgment – which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation – which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.
I mention these two misconceptions because they are included in the chronology of the last days.
Coming next: Confirm scriptures with scriptures regarding the Last Days by correlating and comparing the Tribulation Seals from Matthew chapter 24 with the book of The Revelation chapters 6, 7 and eight.
(Jesus, in the book of Matthew gives a present view looking to the future – Jesus, in The book of The Revelation gives a panorama of a continuous past, present and future.)
Matthew 24:4-31,
The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God. The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.
The Red Dragon, Satan
The Angel, Michael
