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Will Believers Go Through The Tribulation ? When Will Jesus Rescue The Tribulation Saints? |
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When
Will Jesus Rescue The Tribulation Saints?
Our focus here is what the timeline of the Tribulation period will be, not any prediction concerning what year the rapture will take place. What we are trying to find out is does the rapture take place before the tribulation period begins, in the middle of it, near the end of it, or after it is over. All of these various viewpoints are common within Christian circles. It is the common belief that the tribulation period will last for seven years based on Daniel 9:27. (Dan 8:23-25 NIV) "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (Dan 9:27 NKJV) Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate." The NCV bible actually translates the word "week" as seven years. (Dan 9:27 NCV) That leader will make firm an agreement with many people for seven years. He will stop the offerings and sacrifices after three and one-half years. A destroyer will do terrible things until the ordered end comes to the destroyed city." Daniel 9:27 describes a seven year covenant made by the person we call the Antichrist, with Israel and other nations to guarantee peace and safety in the Mid-East. But, as the scripture says, he will break the covenant in the middle of the week, which would be after 3 1/2 years. The book of Revelation confirms the timing alluded to in Daniel by stating that the ministry of the "Two Witnesses" will last for 3 1/2 years. (Rev 11:3 NKJV) "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." One thousand two hundred and sixty days is three and one half years or 42 months when using the biblical 30 day month as the divisor. Again, in Revelation when speaking of the Antichrist the scripture is clear that after he breaks the covenant in the middle of his seven year agreement he will be allowed to maintain his rulership on the earth and to blaspheme God for forty two months, which is also three and one half years. (Rev 13:5 NKJV) And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (Rev 11:2 NKJV) "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. The gentiles and the Antichrist will also control Jerusalem and the Temple Mount for the last forty two months of the end times before Jesus Christ returns puts an end to it. For all of the reasons previously stated we are fairly certain that the last seven years before the return of Jesus Christ will be divided into two segments. The first three and one half years under the rule of Antichrist, but without him actually openly murdering Christians and Jews and rejecting Jesus Christ. This is Tribulation. During the second three and one half year period his true colors will be revealed, he will break his covenant with Israel, martyr Christians and Jews, and demand to be worshipped as the true God, rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This latter 3 1/2 years is "Great Tribulation and is also known as the time of "Jacob's Trouble.) (Jer 30:7 NKJV) Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. So, what does this have to do with when the Tribulation Saints will be rescued by the First Resurrection, also commonly called "The Rapture?" First of all we have a lot of precedent dealing with the number seven. Beginning right in the book of Genesis God himself rested on the seventh (sabbath) day. (The word Sabbath means Seventh) (Gen 2:2-3 NIV) By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Exo 16:29-30 NKJV) "See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." So the people rested on the seventh day. (Exo 20:10=11 NKJV) but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exo 31:15-17 NIV) For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.'" (Exo 34:21 NKJV) "Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. (Lev 23:3 NKJV) 'Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. (Lev 23:23-25 NKJV) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 'You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.'" (Exo 23:10-12 NKJV) "Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, "but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. "Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed. (Lev 25:3-5 NKJV) 'Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; 'but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. 'What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. (Exo 21:2 NIV) "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. And on and on and on it goes. Throughout the bible a time of rest is proclaimed after six of just about anything. A rest for humans after six days of work, freedom for slaves after six years of servitude, a rest for the ground after six years of planting. I could give a hundred more instances of the number seven indicating a time of rest, but I won't do it to avoid boring you. You can easily do a study on the number seven yourself using a computerized bible or a concordance and looking up the words seven, seventh and sabbath. The conclusion is that after six days or months or years of work, labor, or suffering, God commands a period of rest. Since the Tribulation period lasts for seven years it would seem natural for God to initiate the time of rest for the saints after six years under the rule of Antichrist. When we look at some other scriptures we will find that all of the scriptures pertaining to the first resurrection and the pouring out of the "Wrath of God" on an unbelieving world fit together perfectly when this timeline is adhered to. The
Timeline Of The Tribulation Period
1. The Antichrist comes to power after making a seven year pact with Israel and other nations guaranteeing peace and safety. 2. The good times roll during the first portion of Antichrists reign. It is a time of peace, prosperity and plenty. Food is abundant and all manner of sin is not only legal but is promoted to be a good thing. 3. The "Two Witnesses" arrive on the scene about 2 1/2 years after Antichrist has come to power. They preach against him and withhold the rain and do other miracles in order to convince the world to repent. The "Two Witnesses" will preach the gospel to all nations as a witness, and then the end will come. Their ministry will end 3 1/2 years later, at the end of the 6th year of the pact. 4. The Antichrist breaks his covenant three and one half years after he signs it. This is known in scripture as "The Abomination of Desolation." 5. The Antichrist martyrs (kills) Christians and Jews from the time of the breaking of his covenant until the first resurrection takes place. 6. The "Two Witnesses" Have completed their three and one half year, 1260 day ministry and are killed by the Antichrist. (The same length as Jesus' ministry by the way) 7. After three and one half days of lying in the streets of Jerusalem the two witnesses are caught up to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air, followed by the saved of all ages who have died and then after them the living believers are lifted up. This is the "First Resurrection" or the "Rapture." 8. The "Wrath of God" the seven bowl or vial judgments are poured out on the world for one year, followed by the return of Jesus Christ. Now that we have seen the whole scenario in a nutshell, lets look at each point individually. 1. The Antichrist comes to power after making a seven year pact with Israel and other nations guaranteeing peace and safety. Point number one has already been well documented so we will continue on to point number two. 2. The good times roll during the first portion of Antichrists reign. It is a time of peace, prosperity and plenty. Food is abundant and all manner of sin is not only legal but is promoted to be a good thing. (Isa 5:20 NKJV) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! When the Antichrist first comes to power with his seemingly wonderful plan, the world will believe that the golden age for mankind has arrived. In the Greek bible there is a book called 2nd Ezra (Esdras) that predicts a time of great prosperity at the beginning of Antichrist's reign. 2nd Ezra says quote: "Indeed, provisions will be so cheap upon earth that people will imagine that peace is assured for them, and then calamities shall spring up on the earth—the sword, famine, and great confusion." Provisions generally mean food and the necessities of life. In the book of Genesis God blessed Egypt with 7 years of great plenty before the 7 years of famine came. 2 Esdras 16:18-23 The beginning of sorrows, when there shall be much lamentation; the beginning of famine, when many shall perish; the beginning of wars, when the powers shall be terrified; the beginning of calamities, when all shall tremble. What shall they do, when the calamities come? Famine and plague, tribulation and anguish are sent as scourges for the correction of humankind. Yet for all this they will not turn from their iniquities, or ever be mindful of the scourges. Indeed, provisions will be so cheap upon earth that people will imagine that peace is assured for them, and then calamities shall spring up on the earth—the sword, famine, and great confusion. For many of those who live on the earth shall perish by famine; and those who survive the famine shall die by the sword. And the dead shall be thrown out like dung, and there shall be no one to console them; for the earth shall be left desolate, and its cities shall be demolished. As we look at all the verses from 2nd Ezra concerning the end times, notice how Ezra uses the same terminology "beginning of sorrows" and "Tribulation" that Jesus used in the New Testament. If you read before and after the verses listed below you will see that they all pertain to the end times events, just before Jesus Christ returns. (Mat 24:8 KJV) All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Mat 24:21 KJV) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. According to Ezra, food will be so inexpensive and abundant just before the Tribulation period begins that people will believe that they are living in the prophesied golden age and that peace and prosperity will last forever. But, the time of peace, prosperity and plenty will be short lived. Then calamities will come. (1 Th 5:3-4 NKJV) For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. The world will expect peace, safety and cheap food, and they will get it for a short time, and then disaster will come upon the world like a hundred hurricane Katrina's all at once. 3. The "Two Witnesses" arrive on the scene about 2 1/2 years after Antichrist has come to power. They preach against him and withhold the rain and do other miracles in order to convince the world to repent. The "Two Witnesses" will preach the gospel to all nations as a witness, and then the end will come. Their ministry will end 3 1/2 years later, at the end of the 6th year of the pact. (Mat 24:14 NKJV) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Note: We will study the ministry of the "Two Witnesses" in more detail in section six. 4. The Antichrist breaks his covenant three and one half years after he signs it. This is known in scripture as "The Abomination of Desolation." (Mat 24:15 NKJV) "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), (Mat 24:16-22 NKJV) "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. "Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. "For then there will be great tribulation , such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. In Matthew 24:14 the gospel is preached to all nations. In the very next verse, the "Abomination of Desolation" occurs. The "Abomination of Desolation" is the Antichrist breaking his seven year covenant after three and a half years and sitting in the temple of God and demanding to be worshipped as if he is God. Paul
Warns Christians About This Event
(2 Th 2:1-3 NKJV) Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, Paul states clearly in the verses above that our gathering together to be with the Lord (The rapture) will not come until the Antichrist has been revealed first. It is strange how many Christians believe that the Church will already be in Heaven before the Antichrist comes upon the scene, when Paul emphatically states in the bible just the opposite. Not only does he explicitly explain that the rapture will not take place until after the Antichrist is revealed, but he goes on to command people not to be deceived by anyone preaching some other doctrine. Then he continues on with a description of what the Antichrist will do that will unmistakably reveal his identify to the Church. (2 Th 2:4 NKJV) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Until the verse above happens, the revealing of Antichrist to the world, our gathering together to be with Christ (the Rapture) cannot happen. That is what the bible clearly teaches in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. The restrainer is of course Our Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit commanding Michael the Archangel and the armies of Heaven not to let the Antichrist come to power until it is time. It is Michael, the leader of God's angelic armies who has restrained Satan in the past and who will do so again in the future, binding and restraining him for 1000 years during the millennium. (The millennium is the common name for the 1000 years of peace after the return of Jesus Christ.) The important point here is that the restrainer is not the Holy Spirit indwelling the church, as some teach. (Dan 12:1-3 NKJV) "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Rev 12:7-9 NKJV) And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Rev 20:2 NKJV) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; (2 Th 2:7-10 NKJV) For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Th 2:11-12 NKJV) And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 5. The Antichrist martyrs (kills) Christians and Jews from the time of the breaking of his covenant until the first resurrection is completed. In response, the Two Witnesses begin executing the Seven Trumpet judgments on the Antichrists' Kingdom. (Rev 13:4-6 NKJV) So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:7 NKJV) It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. (Rev 13:8-9 NKJV) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (Rev 11:3-6 NKJV) "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Rev 8:2 & 6 NKJV) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets... So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev 8:7 NKJV) The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (Rev 8:8-9 NKJV) Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Rev 8:10=11 NKJV) Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. (Rev 8:12 NKJV) Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. (Rev 8:13 NKJV) And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" (Rev 9:1-6 NKJV) Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. (Rev 9:13-16 NKJV) Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. (Rev 9:20-21 NKJV) But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. When the "Two Witnesses" have finished their testimony and have executed the first six trumpet judgments on the world God will remove their supernatural protection and they will be killed by Antichrist. This will occur at the end of the sixth year following Antichrist's seven year peace pact with Israel. (Rev 11:6-10 NKJV) These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. The evil people of the world will celebrate an early Christmas, exchanging gifts and rejoicing over the death of the two prophets, who were merely trying to help them by giving them opportunity to repent and be saved before the First Resurrection takes place. It is hard to believe that the people of the world could be so deceived as to think that killing two human beings could somehow prevent the God who empowered them from executing any more judgments upon the earth. The Antichrist must truly have them completely deluded and misled for such a thing to happen. That is exactly what the Word of God says will happen, God will permit Antichrist to deceive them because they have rejected the truth that has been preached to all of them. (2 Th 2:9-12 NKJV) The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. The
Sounding Of The Seventh Trumpet
When the Seventh Trumpet is sounded, it is the time for the saints to begin to be taken up to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. (Rev 10:1-4 NKJV) I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them." John could not write down exactly what was revealed to him but in verse 10:7 he reveals what it concerns. It concerns the "Mystery of God" which Paul reveals to us in 1 Cor 15:51-54 to be the Resurrection. (Rev 10:5-7 NKJV) The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. (1 Cor 15:51-54 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed . For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of the raising of the dead to a new life in immortal bodies will begin to be fulfilled. (John 16:33 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." According to Jesus, shortly after the first two sets of judgments have taken place, the angels will gather God's elect from the four corners of the earth. (Mat 24:29-31 NKJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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 His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. The Saints will go through six years of tribulation, but they will not suffer what comes after that, "The Wrath of God." (1 Th 5:9 NKJV) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Rev 11:15-6 NKJV) Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (1 Th 4:16-18 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 6. The "Two Witnesses" Have completed their three and one half year, 1260 day ministry and are killed by the Antichrist. (The same length as Jesus' ministry by the way) (Rev 11:11-12 NKJV) Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. Additional
Information About The Two Witnesses
During the formative years of the church, 100 to 300 A.D. It was almost universally accepted that Enoch and Elijah would be the "Two Witnesses" and that the scenario for the sequence of prophetic events that I am presenting here was the correct one. The people who wrote the non biblical documents I will present next were a lot closer time wise to Jesus and the Apostles than we are. Much prophetic understanding was lost by the Church during the dark Ages and is only now being rediscovered in these the end times. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Neither Enoch or Elijah has ever died, and they do not belong to the sign of the fig tree generation, the people who have been promised that some of them will live to see the coming of the Lord. Therefore, they both must return and die at the hand of the Antichrist before the first resurrection can take place. The early church writers were all in agreement that the Two Witnesses would be Enoch and Elijah. The Apocalypse of Peter Verily I say unto you, when the twigs have sprouted forth in the last days, then shall false christs arise and arouse false hopes, saying: I am the Christ, that has now come into the world. But, this deceiver is not the Christ. And those who reject him he shall slay with the sword, and there shall be many martyrs. Enoch and Elijah shall be sent to teach them that this is the Deceiver, which must come into the world, and do signs and wonders to deceive. And therefore, those who die by his hand shall be martyrs, and shall be reckoned among the good and righteous martyrs who have pleased God in their life." The Gospel of Bartholomew (Greek Text) "And Satan said: Look carefully at who it is that is coming down, for it is Elijah, or Enoch, or one of the prophets that this man seems to be. But he answered and said: Not yet are the six thousand years accomplished, for the sum of the number is in my hands." The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:1-4 "Then the Lord after his resurrection, delivered the saints to Michael the archangel; and he led them into paradise. And two very ancient men met them and were asked by the saints, who are you, who have not been with us in Sheol, and have had your bodies placed in Paradise? One of them answering said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God: and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot. Here we have been, and have not tasted death, but we are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half." The Apocalypse Of Elijah - Paraphrased From The Apocalypse of Elijah Then when you hear that there is security in Jerusalem, tear your garments O priests of the land, because the Son of Perdition will soon come. In those days the Lawless One will appear in the holy places. He will say to the sun, "fall," and it will fall. he will say, "shine," and it will do it. He will say, "darken," and it will do it. He will say to the moon, "become bloody," and it will do it. He will go forth with them from the sky. he will walk upon the sea and the rivers as upon dry land. He will cause the lame to walk, he will cause the deaf to hear, he will cause the dumb to speak. he will cause the blind to see, the lepers he will cleanse. The ill he will heal, the demons he will cast out. He will multiply his signs and his wonders in the presence of everyone. He will do the works which Christ did, except for the raising of the dead alone. In this you will know that he is the Son of Lawlessness, because he is unable to give life. When Enoch and Elijah hear that the shameless one has revealed himself in the Holy Places they will come down and fight with him saying, are you indeed not ashamed? You have been hostile to those who belong to heaven. You have acted against those belonging to the Earth. You have been hostile to the thrones. You have acted against the angels. You are always a stranger. You have fallen from heaven like the morning stars. You were changed and your nature became dark. But you are not ashamed when you stand firmly against God. You are a devil. The Shameless One will hear and he will be angry, and he will fight with them in the market place of the great city. He will spend seven days fighting with them and they will spend three and one half days in the market place dead, while all the people see them. Then they will rise up and they will scold him saying, "O Shameless One, O Son of Lawlessness, Are you indeed not ashamed of yourself since you are leading astray the people of God? Do you not know that we live in the Lord. On that day they will shout up to heaven as they shine, and all the world will see them. The Son of Lawlessness will persecute the saints and the priests, but Christ will pity those who are his own. He will send from heaven his angels, and the sound will move heaven and Earth when they give praise and glorify. Now those upon whose forehead the name of Christ is written and upon whose hand is the seal, both the small and the great, will be taken up upon their wings and lifted up before his wrath . Then Gabriel and Uriel will lead them into the Holy Land. They will eat from the tree of life. They will wear white garments, they will not thirst. The angels will watch over them and the Son of Lawlessness will not be able to prevail over them. Then sinners will groan upon the Earth saying, what have you done to us O Son of Lawlessness, saying I am the Christ when you are a devil. You are unable to save yourself, so how can you save us? Woe to us because we listened to you. In the time when these documents were written (100-300 AD) the nearly unanimous belief was that the Two Witnesses who would withstand the Antichrist and later be slain by him, would be Enoch and Elijah, and that the Rapture of living believers would take place shortly after they (Enoch and Elijah) were taken up to Heaven. Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness . God will send the Two Witnesses before he pours out his wrath on the world, in order to be faithful to his own word. He decreed in the Old Testament that no one should be put to death except by the testimony of two or three witnesses. The world will have the testimony of the Two Witnesses, plus the testimony of the Holy Spirit urging them to repent, and the Testimony of all of the Tribulation Saints who are martyred and also those who are living and testifying for Jesus. The world has no excuse whatsoever for being deceived by the Antichrist except for the hardness of their own hearts and their love for sin. 7. After three and one half days of lying in the streets of Jerusalem the Two Witnesses are caught up to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air, followed (after an unknown interval of time) by the saved of all ages who have died and after them the living believers. This is the "First Resurrection" or the Rapture. The Two Witnesses, the Church and the Saints of all ages, along with the living believers have now been transported to Heaven. Now the "Wrath of God," that believers will escape will be poured out upon the world. We
Still Cannot Know When The Rapture Of The Living Will Take Place
Now, some may say, this can't be true because then we would know almost exactly when the rapture of the living would take place and the scripture says otherwise, that no one knows, and that is correct. . (Mat 24:36 NKJV) "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (Mark 13:32-37 NKJV) "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. "It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming; in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning; "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" In speaking of the First Resurrection, Jesus said that no one, not the angels in Heaven or even he himself while he was in his human body knows the day or hour that the living believers will be caught up to Heaven. So, how can we reconcile this fact with the scenario we have just considered? The explanation is that first the "Two Witnesses" go up in sight of all the world including the Antichrist and all of his allies. Then, according to 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17 the rest of the dead believers go up, and then after that the living believers follow. We don't know how much of a time lapse there is between these three events. (1 Th 4:15-17 NCV) What we tell you now is the Lord's own message. We who are living when the Lord comes again will not go before those who have already died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. Now, this all sounds real simple except for the fact that there may be a short delay between the time that the dead believers are raised and when the living believers go up. The book of Daniel indicates that this is the case. (Dan 12:1 NKJV) "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. That the angel is speaking to Daniel of the end times and the Tribulation period is made abundantly clear in the verse above, Daniel 12:1. (Dan 12:5-7 NKJV) Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. A time, times and a half a time is a year, two years, and a half a year, three and one half years. Daniel has been shown a vision of the Tribulation period and has seen Antichrist's persecution and martyrdom of the Holy people during the end times. As we read on we will see that there is no doubt about this. (Dan 12:4 NKJV) "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Dan 12:8-9 NKJV) Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?" And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. The angel clearly states to Daniel that vision he saw pertains to the time of the end in verses 12:4 and 12:8-9. (Dan 12:10 NKJV) "Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Then he goes on to say that Tribulation period will purify and refine many, but the wicked will not understand what is happening. Then he states that the wise will understand. Let that be a warning to us, if we are the wise we will be on the alert and understand what is happening in the world today. If we don't understand what is happening we had better check our faith and make sure that we are in the truth and not in ignorance like the wicked. It is absolutely clear that the angel is speaking to Daniel about the resurrection from Daniel 12:2-3. (Dan 12:2-3 NKJV) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. We know from Revelation that there are 1000 years between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked, yet Daniel does not specifically mention a time gap between the two. Therefore, it is a small thing to think that there may be a short time gap between the resurrection of the dead and the catching up to the clouds of the living. Now we will get to the point. In speaking of the time of the setting up of the "Abomination of Desolation" which is when Antichrist sits in the temple of God and demands to be worshipped, Daniel says that there will be 1,290 days from that time until Antichrist he has accomplished his evil work of overcoming the saints and killed the Two Witnesses. (Dan 12:11 NKJV) "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. We know that their (The Two Witnesses) ministry lasts for 1,260 days, 30 days difference. What we don't know is whether the countdown for both time periods start at the same moment. Even if we did know the answer to that question we still could not be sure when the living believers will be raptured because of Dan 12:12-13. The two witnesses will be raised from the dead and go up to meet Jesus three and one half days after their death. Now, in the next verse an admonishment is given to the saints who are still alive after this event happens. (Dan 12:12-13 NKJV) "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. "But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days." Those who can make it and live until 1,335 days after Antichrist has stopped the Jewish temple worship sacrifice will be called "Blessed." This is because they will be participants in the "Blessed Hope," The catching away of the living believers to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. (Titus 2:13 NKJV) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, But, now, knowing all of this, could we still calculate the date correctly? No, we cannot. 1,335 minus 1,290 equals 45 days. 1,335 minus the 1,260 days of the ministry of the Two Witnesses is 75 days. We can't be absolutely sure from which date the Lord is counting from. Even if we could, we still couldn't be sure. Why? Because Jesus said that unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. (Mat 24:22 NKJV) "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. (Mark 13:20 NKJV) "And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. So, even if we were able to figure out the starting date of all the numbers above, we still could not identify the date of the Rapture because God has given himself a built in "fudge factor" of 75 days. What "shortening the days" actually means is that unless God stepped in and put an end to things, every human being on earth would die. God will not actually shorten his prophetic plan, to do so would mean that he had previously told a lie. (Titus 1:2 NKJV) in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, (Num 23:19-20 NIV) God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it. So, the plan he is going to make come to pass is not changing, it is just that he has not given us enough information to know exactly what his plan is concerning the date of the First Resurrection. So, the conclusion is that after the Two Witnesses go up followed by the believers who have died, the rapture of the living believers can take place anywhere from one second afterwards up to seventy five days minus one second, or anywhere in-between. In other words we still cannot calculate the "day or hour" of the Rapture even after the two witnesses are raised from the dead. (Mark 13:29 NIV) Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. We will know that it is close, as Jesus said, even at the door, but there will always be a degree of mystery to it. We can never know the Day or the Hour that it will occur until it has already happened.
A Brief Summary Concerning The Timing Of The Rapture
The two witnesses will preach for 1,260 days. Then they will be killed and lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days. So, from the time their ministry begins until they are raised from the dead, there will be a total of 1,263 1/2 days. The saints are told in the book of Daniel that those who survive the persecution of Antichrist for 1,335 days will receive a great blessing, they will go to heaven without ever experiencing death. So, between the two numbers we have a gray area of 75 days. We will never know at what moment the Lord on his own calendar calculates the reign of Antichrist as beginning. Was it before the two witnesses came on the scene? Was it at the same moment? Was it afterwards? In short, there is no way for us to figure out exactly when the 1,335 days will have started. The closest we can come to figuring out when the Rapture will take place is to say that it will occur within 75 days of the ascension of the two witnesses. It could be immediately after the dead saints of all ages are raised, or it could be 75 days later, or it could be anywhere in between that time. We will know when the First Resurrection is close, but we will never know the exact day or hour until after it happens. 8. The "Wrath of God" the seven bowl or vial judgments are poured out on the world for one year, followed by the return of Jesus Christ. (Rev 11:18 NKJV) The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." The seven bowls or vials of the "Wrath of God" will now be poured out upon the world for a period of one year. This is another reason that we know that the Rapture will take place after six years of Tribulation have been completed, because Jesus will celebrate with his bride in Heaven for one year before returning to earth to make war with the Antichrist and his armies. The one year in Heaven for his bride is the Sabbath (Seventh) year, the year of celebration and rest after a grueling six years of hard labor and suffering for Jesus on earth. It is also know as "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." (Rev 19:7-9 NKJV) "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Jesus Must Fulfill Old Testament Law To The Letter Deuteronomy 24:5 KJV When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. Deuteronomy 20:7 KJV And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. In the Old Testament God decreed that a newly married man could not be sent out to war during the first year of his marriage. God must be faithful to his own word, so therefore Christ must celebrate with his new bride for a minimum of one year before he can return and go to war and destroy the armies of the world at Armageddon. He could wait more than one year without violating his word, but in most cases God fulfills his word exactly as he has written it. While there is no danger of Christ dying in the battle and not being able to marry the wife he is engaged to, he still must fulfill this law because God has bound himself to keep his own word. This law is a spiritual precept, a mystery, which Christ himself being perfect, will keep when he marries his bride, the church and the saved of all ages. Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and Earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Luke 24:44-46 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Jesus said that everything written about him in the law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, must be fulfilled. In order to fulfill the law concerning marriage, Christ must wait for at least one year after the first resurrection, when he marries the church, before he goes out to war with the armies of the world at Armageddon. Ephesians 5:31-32 KJV For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Paul also uses marriage as an example, and says that it is a great mystery. Human marriage symbolizes Christ’s relationship with his future bride, the church. So, while the Church and the saved of all ages celebrate in Heaven for one year, the "Wrath of God" will be poured out at the same time. Those who miss the Rapture will suffer his wrath. (Rev 15:5-8 NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
God's Wrath Is Poured Out
(Rev 16:1 NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." (Rev 16:2 NKJV) So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. (Rev 16:3 NKJV) Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. (Rev 16:4-7 NKJV) Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due." And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments." (Rev 16:8-0 NKJV) Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Rev 16:10-11 NKJV) Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds. (Rev 16:12-14 NKJV) Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:16 NKJV) And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Rev 16:17-21 NKJV) Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. The Lord will gather all of the armies of the world to Armageddon due to their desire to possess Jerusalem. Then he will destroy them at his coming. (Zec 12:1-3 NKJV) The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
The Return Of Jesus Christ
(Rev 19:11-16 NKJV) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev 19:17-18 NKJV) Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." (Rev 19:19-21 NKJV) And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Rev 20:1-3 NKJV) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. (Rev 20:4 NKJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Rev 20:5-6 NKJV) But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Rev 20:7-8 NKJV) Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. (Rev 20:9-10 NKJV) They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev 20:11=13 NKJV) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. (Rev 20:14-15 NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 21:1-3 NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. (Rev 21:4-7 NKJV) "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Rev 21:8 NKJV) "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev 22:7 NKJV) "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (Rev 22:12-13 NKJV) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Rev 22:16 NKJV) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." (Rev 22:17 NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:20 NKJV) He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! |
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Will Believers Go Through The Tribulation? When Will Jesus Rescue The Tribulation Saints? |
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Email: Countdownto6000@aol.com
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| For those of you who have not studied biblical prophecy, a simplified outline of the future is provided above. There are hundreds of end times prophecies yet to be fulfilled, and only 21 of them are listed. 1-14 will probably come to pass during many of our lifetimes. 15-21 will not be fulfilled until one thousand years after the return of Jesus Christ. If prophecy interests you. read the entire book "Countdown to 6000" by clicking on the prophecy link above. |
A Simple Picture of the
Future According to Biblical Prophecy
July 2004
1. The true church, called "Philadelphia,” (Meaning brotherly love) will be reviled by the world, but blessed by the Lord. It may be taxed. Rev. 3:7-12. Dan 11:20. & future U.S. discrimination law. 2. The false dead church, called "Laodicea" will become the dominant church on the world scene. Rev 3:14-22 3. The seven seals begin. Antichrist, war, famine, and disasters, the mark. (Theme of the book of Revelation) (Rev 13:8 NIV) All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (Notice, the saved are not deceived by Antichrist and do not take his mark. The Lord protects his people, in the world or out of it. If you have received Christ, do not fear the future, your name is in the Lamb’s book of life.) (John 10:14 NIV) "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- (John 10:27-28 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 4. The Two Witnesses arrive on the scene and preach for 3 1/2 years. The 7 trumpet judgments begin. 5. After 3 1/2 years the Two Witnesses will be killed. (Probably Enoch and Elijah, who have never died.) 6. 3 1/2 days after their death, they will be raised from the dead and ascend to heaven. Rev 11:3-13 7. The first resurrection, the harvest, also called the rapture might take place shortly after the Two Witnesses go up. Rev 14:9-20 (The harvest of the righteous, the reaping of the wicked into God’s winepress of wrath) 8. The Jews will realize that Jesus is the true Messiah when they miss the first resurrection. Jeremiah 8:20 9. The marriage supper of the Lamb will begin taking place in heaven. (Rev 19:7-9 NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." 10. The church and the old testament saints will celebrate with the Lord in his kingdom and receive rewards. 11. The Jews begin to pray for Jesus him to return and rescue them from the Antichrist. Matt 23:37-39 12. The seven bowls of God's wrath will be poured out on the earth, probably for a period of one year. (The hour of temptation, the church is definitely spared from this) 1 Th 5:9 KJV For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (Rev 15:1 KJV) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 13. Evil demonic powers will gather the armies of the world to Armageddon. Rev 16:13-16 14. The Lord will return with his armies and his saints and destroy the armies of the world at Armageddon. Revelation chapter 19 15. Satan is bound for 1000 years. Rev 20:2-3 16. The millennium begins, 1000 years of peace on Earth under the rule of Jesus Christ. 17. Satan is released for a short time to test those born during the millennium. Rev 20:8-10 18. Satan gathers those who hate Christ to Jerusalem for the final battle, a repeat of Armageddon. 19. Satan and his armies are defeated again. The final rebellion has been put down. Rev 20 20. The 2nd resurrection takes place and the last (Great Whit Throne) judgment occurs. Rev 20:11 21. Eternity begins - God has new projects for us to participate in. His kingdom expands forever. (Isa 9:7 NCV) Power and peace will be in his kingdom and will continue to grow forever... He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. The LORD All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for his people. This is a simple outline of the future. All of the events listed will occur someday, according to the bible. The order of their occurrence is an educated guess on the authors part. The timing of the rapture or first resurrection is unknown. It can occur anytime from the very beginning of the tribulation to the end. The authors guess is that we go up shortly after the Two Witnesses go up, but your opinion is as good as mine. Keep Watching! |
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COUNTDOWN TO 6000
PREFACE MODERN SCIENCE AND COMPUTERS HAVE ALSO PLAYED A LARGE PART IN THE KNOWLEDGE EXPLOSION. COMPUTERIZED CONCORDANCES HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED SYSTEMATIC BIBLICAL STUDIES. BY THE USE OF ONE "KEYWORD," EVERY VERSE WITH THAT PARTICULAR WORD, LETTER OR NUMBER COMBINATION IN IT CAN BE FOUND IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF OVERLOOKING EVEN ONE OF THEM. THIS BOOK UTILIZES ALL OF THE LATEST DISCOVERIES AND TECHNIQUES TO RESEARCH THE BOOK OF REVELATION, AND PLACE THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN IT IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR. THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ARRANGED AND ORGANIZED WITHIN THIS BOOK IS BASED LARGELY ON HOW EACH VERSE FITS TOGETHER WITH EVERY OTHER VERSE IN THE BIBLE THAT PERTAINS TO THE SAME SUBJECT.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS
TO GIVE THOSE WHO WISH TO STUDY END TIMES BIBLICAL
PROPHECY A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS,
AND THE ORDER OF THOSE EVENTS, THAT THE LORD HAS
PROMISED TO BRING TO PASS ON THE EARTH IN THE NEAR
FUTURE. R. J. ADAMS
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CHAPTER TITLES
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