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There is no scripture that says Jesus only appears once at the end time. This is a false premise by which some interpret scripture. Let scripture speak for itself. The three appearances of Christ in Revelation do not represent the same event repeated throughout the book. There are no examples of individual prophetic visions in the Bible that make use of such flashback/flash-forward styles found in modern cinema. Daniel, who received multiple visions throughout his lengthy life gave more detail in each of his visions, yet he always gave the revelations in chronological order. The order usually concerned aspects of the four kingdoms Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Jesus appeared multiple times after His resurrection. He is in charge of the end times and has clear reason for his multiple appearances at the end time.

First Appearance – Jesus appears at the rapture at an hour least expected, Matthew 24:44. People will be going about their work as usual. If it were at the end of the Great Tribulation, it would be expected rather than unexpected. This event could be timed at seven years after the events beginning in Revelation 11.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

We do not get caught up (raptured) from work in the field, Matthew 24:40, meet the Lord in the clouds, and then immediately get dropped onto horses to become part of his army riding for battle at Armageddon. The rapture is at the beginning of the Great Tribulation to keep the church from pointing out the identity of the Antichrist and interfering with his plans.

The Sixth Seal – Revelation 6:16 and they *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; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

This wrath in Revelation 6 is not a pre-vision of the Battle of Armageddon but the devastation of falling stars (meteors). A view of heaven is clearly seen including the one sitting on the throne of God and the Lamb. Jesus does not come down to earth here as He will at Armageddon.

Similar devastation continues in Revelation 8. The parenthesis to heaven in Revelation 7 is not a significant break in time. Chapter 8, The Seventh Seal, just continues the devastation from heaven begun during seal 6 which was simply for the purpose of the “harpazo,” catching up to heaven.

Revelation 7:9 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;

The throne and the Lamb, here in chapter 7, were just witnessed by the unbelievers on earth at the rapture in Revelation 6:12-17. The Bible says, “and every eye shall see Him,” Revelation 1:7.

Second Appearance – Jesus appears in Revelation 14 to take the 144,000 Jewish witnesses to heaven. They were sealed on their foreheads for protection in Revelation 7:1-13 from the events they were to endure in Revelation 9, which includes the stinging locust. This is therefore not a glimpse of Armageddon. They will be caught up in Revelation 14 once their mission is done. This leads one to assume that those in heaven from every tribe, tongue, and nation in Revelation 7:9-14 are also not a pre-vision of those at Armageddon any more than the 144,000 were.  Rather they are the church safely out of harm’s way from the disaster unfolding through seal seven.

Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.
Revelation 14:6 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

This is a group distinct from those in Revelation 7:9-14 who are from the entire earth. Jesus actually touches down on earth, but this is not for Armageddon. It’s a second rapture, actually a third if you count those Jesus led on High at his resurrection.

Third Appearance – Finally, Jesus appears with His armies confronting the armies Gathered against Him at Armageddon in Revelation 19. This is the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Antichrist is defeated. He and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. There is no mention of the catching up, “rapture,” at this event. Those who became Christians during this period who were martyred will be resurrected to rule during the millennium. Those who were not martyred will populate the millennium. Everyone is now accounted for.

The Four Horsemen Ride Through History
Zechariah 1:8 I saw at night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the ravine, with red, sorrel, and white horses behind him. 9 Then I said, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.” 10 And the man who was standing among the myrtle trees responded and said, “These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.” 11 So they responded to the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, “We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is still and quiet.”

Zechariah 6:1-8 Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong spotted horses. 4 So I responded and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth, 6 with one of which the black horses are going out to the north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the south country.” 7 When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth. And He said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then He called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north.”
What we learn from these two passages is that the four horsemen of Revelation are not some recent additions to the heavenly host. Zechariah’s vision comes in the late 6th century before Christ. We get the understanding from the first chapter of Zechariah that these colored horses with their riders have been patrolling the earth apparently as long as men have intermittently disrupted peace on the planet. Where is the dappled horse in chapter one? Could it be still out on patrol? Why, also, were there two of each colored horse in chapter 6? They apparently patrol in some instances in pairs. The explanation is that in chapter six we find four pairs of colored horses at home ready for their next patrol. In this vision we learn that the black, red, white, and dappled horses can also be sent out as pairs pulling four chariots. These horsemen can then move in the four compass directions throughout the earth. The northbound horseman reports back peace, a place that the Lord’s Spirit may take rest.

The next time we encounter the four horsemen, they are introduced by the first four seals of the Book of Revelation. Have any of the seals of Revelation 6 been opened? When will the events prophesied in Revelation take place, “? There is a clear statement in Revelation 1:1 that the events predicted to occur were “soon to take place.” Should we believe the direct words of Christ to John, or should we practice our most convoluted reasoning skills to reinterpret the verse to our own liking. Yes, one day is as a thousand years to God, 2 Peter 3. That was written to the distant future in context of the appearing of Christ at the end time and the patience of man. The message to John and the seven churches of Asia was written in the context of the times in which he lived and to him as a person. John was told these events would “take place in swiftness,” genesthai en tachei. God understands context. He was speaking to John. The events revealed to John began in his own period in history.

We then turn to Revelation chapter six and learn of the four horsemen’s most current mission. First, the Book of Daniel gives us context for the history of the planet. Daniel’s fourth and final kingdom for the earth is the Roman Empire. Its influence over the earth will stretch more than two millennia. The conquest of Rome establishes the Pax Romana which endures for two centuries late into the second century. During the third century barbarian invasions, civil wars, and other weaknesses began to wear away at Roman stability. The final fall of Rome dated 486 A.D. begins a period of barbarian rule and their quests for legitimization by recognition from the remaining eastern Roman Empire located in Constantinople. The western portion of the empire will be resurrected as the Holy Roman Empire by Charlemagne three centuries later. This empire will last officially until the 19th century. Europe will undergo turmoil and exist as separate countries until the European Union attempts a secular unification at the end of the 20th century. The Union is now poised for strong leadership in the spirit of a resurrected Rome. This union will be ready and waiting for this leader of a world in peril during the coming end times.

This particular mission of the horsemen has covered two millennia. It is type of the spiritual warfare we note in Daniel 10:13. Daniel, like John, was given an unbroken sequence of events until the end time. John in like manner has a revelation of an unbroken sequence of events until the end time beginning with his own day. The mission of the four horsemen during the first four seals, also covering the dark ages (476-1,000 A.D.), is a perfect fit for the events that have occurred over the last two millennia. Conquest, war, economic collapse leading to famine, and death from plague have been the norm for this period. The horsemen orchestrate and control God’s plan on earth. The sixth and seventh seal introduce cosmic disaster into the scenario. This will be the final opportunity for these four horsemen to finish setting the stage for end time events and the rise of the antichrist. We now await these last two seals and the stars falling from heaven with the appearing of our Lord in the heavens.

Interpreting the 70^th Week Through Daniel, the Gospels, Paul, and Revelation

How do we build the larger historical scheme of the events that comprise the apocalyptic saga? Daniel, Jesus, John, Luke, and Paul each fill in the gap of the broad view of history in the following verses. And, correspondingly, in the big scheme of things, this is accurately, in general and to some degree specifically, what history has presented us.

Matthew 24:6And 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.7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

This description, “nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” is not a description of the short history between the crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem. This statement paints a broader picture. Its length can only be determined if we have specific claims or events marking its culmination. Daniel, the gospels, the letters, and Revelation all contribute to the understand of the extent of this time period.

The First Seal: Revelation 6:1 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!” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

The Second Seal: War 3 When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 4 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 people would kill one another; and a large sword was given to him. Seals 3 and 4 follow in concert with the thousand plus wars of history.

Daniel 9:26 Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the PRINCE WHO IS TO COME will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; DESOLATIONS are determined.

The three previous verses all characterize this undefined period of history as being filled with war and desolation. This period is described in Matthew 24:8 as “the beginning of birth pains.”

Tribulation

Jesus continues with more general historical detail without changing the flow of the narrative. History reveals that committed Christians have experienced tribulation throughout the ages. Jesus frames this time of suffering of the saints as “tribulation” to be differentiated from the Great Tribulation of Revelation 7 which focuses on events immediately preceding the Second Advent.

Matthew 24:9-14 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name…

More Tribulation
Luke also takes up this broad swath of history with a specific beginning and end. In the following verses we note the dispersion of the Jews from Jerusalem (70A.D), the diaspora, and Jerusalem being taken into the hand of the gentiles until their time is finished (1948).

Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people; 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

When the gentiles lose control over Jerusalem to the Jews once again, the end time generation begins. This functions as the opening parenthesis to the generation that precedes the Second Advent.

The following verse, Matthew 24:14, is the end parenthesis of this short period before the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14). The Great Tribulation should be differentiated from the previous reference to the tribulation of the church through history. It commences from these two heavenly events of chapter 7, the first taking place on earth to facilitate protection of the 144,000 while the second is a transference from earth to heaven for the deliverance of the church and other difficulties the church on earth might present if it remained to expose the Antichrist. There is an obscure verse in Daniel 12 they may also support this deliverance from the time of troubles.

Daniel 12:1 And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.
Matthew 24:14 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. We should note the extent of this preaching as described in Revelation 7:9,14.

Peter also weighs in on the time frame of the coming Day of the Lord:

2 Peter 3:8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons in the 2^nd century, while speaking of the mark of the beast expounded on this 1,000 year concept by stating, “…whole of that apostasy which has taken place during six thousand years…,Against Heresies V,28).
Following this verse, Peter then launches into the Lord returning like a thief and the passing away of heaven and earth condensing the end times into this brief statement.

Perilous Times – The Abomination of Desolation

Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John take on the topic of the Abomination of Desolation to be committed by the beast of Revelation. Daniel’s 70^th week has been detached from the previous 69 weeks to the First Advent. Jesus specifically places this event of Daniel’s abomination of desolation as following the preaching of the gospel in the whole world, Matthew 24:14 above.Daniel 9:27 And “he” (THE PRINCE WHO DESTROYS JERUSALEM) will confirm a covenant with the many for ONE WEEK, but in the MIDDLE OF THE WEEK “he” will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of ABOMINATIONS will come the one who makes DESOLATE, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.”

Matthew 24:15 “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— 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

Jesus’s takeoff on the abomination of desolation during Daniel’s 70^th week attributes that week to the activities of the “prince who is to come” associated with His Second Advent, Matthew 24:29-31.

Time Setting of the Abomination

Further chronological setting is added to the end time events as Daniel’s 70^th week is connected to the event of the resurrection (Revelation 20, first and second resurrections).

Daniel 12:1…And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

If Daniel 9 wasn’t clear on the history gap before the abomination of desolation, his vision in chapter 12 seals the deal. The setting of this vision is near the time of the resurrection of the dead. There is rescue of saints at the time of distress accompanied by the waking of dead saints to accompany them. This rings of the description in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The vision is also received within the same year as the vision in Daniel 9 which is the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.

Daniel 12:9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION is set up, there will be 1,290 days (30 days following the cutting of the sacrifice at mid-week).

The Abomination According to John and Paul

Revelation 13:14 And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

2 Thessalonians 2:2…or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 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.

These are events that have no counterpart in history following the ministry of Christ. They are moderately connected to the abomination of Antiochus Epiphanes as he set the statue of Zeus in the temple, but many details are lacking.

Further Connection of the Abomination and the End Time

Matthew 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Matthew 24:27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be (2^nd Advent).

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation (Mt.24:9) 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. 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.

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, 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. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Revelation 6:12 And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

In these preceding verses we have unmistakable evidence of the connection of the event of the abomination among all of our referenced authors to certain signs in the heavens. Matthew places this after the time of historical tribulation. John, in Revelation, places them most specifically during seal 6 after the period of wars, conflicts, and death of seals 1-4 which seemingly define the entire scope of history. Revelation 1:1 also speaks to a historical commencement for these first four seals. The appearance of the Lamb, Jesus, in Revelation 6:16-17 accompanies signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars just as in Matthew 24:29-30.

Revelation 6:16 and they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Matthew 24:36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

From the perspective of Christ’s day these events had little historical context in which to predict their fulfillment. With historical hindsight and the modern availability of scripture, we can see the fit of the prophecy on the historical landscape bringing new fervency to the study of scripture among the church.

Luke 21:29 And He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees: 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

Is Babylon the Great of Revelation 18 symbolic for New York City?

The Revelation 17 and 18 Mystery

BABYLON THE GREAT: SITS ON SEVEN HILLS, INFLUENCE OF IMMORALITY WORLD-WIDE, CONTROL OVER MANY NATIONS, RICH LUXURY, GREAT WORLD TRADE CENTER AND SEAPORT, QUEENLIKE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, GREAT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, CITY OF LIGHTS, THE WORLD WILL MOURN HER LOSS

I could tell you my opinion up front, but the description alone should be enough for anyone to infer Babylon’s true identity. Unfortunately, at lot of prejudice against a certain branch of Christianity has clouded the interpretation of many. I take Revelation as literal events that are laid out in semi-symbolic format. The clues are real clues pointing to a real city. It obviously is a city that represents the degradation of the world. It also has to have great influence in the world, enough to make the antichrist jealous of her influence. Here are the clues as I see them. Again, this is my opinion, but it takes all the facts into consideration in literal fashion.

Revelation 17and 18 give a lot of identifying characteristics of Babylon the Great. She corrupts the world with her immorality. Hmm? Where did the evolution of burlesque into the smutty shows of the 1920s that eventually became XXX movies begin? It became a model for other nations and has corrupted the world? Entertainment, music is found in her. Think The Apollo, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Met, Beacon Theater, Madison Square Garden, etc. etc. She is a great trader nation with New York Harbor at her disposal. Which nation has grown rich off the rest of the world? Ships offshore will one day watch in horror at the smoke of her burning. Her description seems to indicate she is separated from Europe/Rome by a sea. She exerts undue influence over the world. World government meets within her shores. Which nation has military bases all over the world? This is why she is pictured as riding the back of the beast just as she sat on the seven hills (kings). The beast, in the resurrected Roman Empire, loses patience with her exerting her influence. He hates her riding his back like she is in control and the back of the other kings he is allied with. He is jealous and will destroy her with fire. God tells His people to come out of her. What city has a million Jews living it? The original Babylon was also once the home of a great portion of the Jewish population which was exiled there. What great city and country about half the Jewish population of the world? There is only one nation and particularly one great city within it that fits anything like excesses of the luxury and debauchery this description makes. She even has a great pagan statue out in front of her. Guess which one?

New York City is the location of the United Nations (oops, I said it!). This body is the closest thing to a world government. The antichrist will not tolerate the overriding influence the United States has as had as its host. The description of riding the back of Europe as well as other nations has been well established.

The statue of Liberty in New York Harbor is based on the Roman goddess, Libertas. This has manifested in our times as freedom from Biblical morality. The real connection of New York to Babylon is the moral corruption of Broadway and its offspring Hollywood. Not that all theater, film, and television is corrupt, but rather there is an overall moral decline as film ratings had to a accommodate more immorality, violence, and, anti-Christian values. These values have corrupted the entire world.

Revelation 17:15 And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.

God will use the beast as his agent to judge the sins of Babylon. But first, He will first call out the remnant of His people, Judah from the fallen Babylon. Over a million Jews currently live in New York City. What about Christians? They were called up earlier in Revelation 6:12-17 followed by Revelation 7:9-14

Her Judgement

Revelation 18:4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; 5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Pay her back even as she has paid and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. 7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ 8 For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.

Bible interpretation should not be overly symbolic. Biblical precedents are much more literal. Some prophecy is given in figurative language such as the description of the antichrist as a beast. An angel even explained the literal version of some visions to Daniel when he appealed. Here are actual fulfillments of Bible prophecies that vary little from how they were spoken:

Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced (soldier pierced His side to be sure he was dead) for our offenses,
He was crushed for our wrongdoings;
The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him (died for our sins),
And by His wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter (dragged to the cross),
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth (true).

Isaiah 53:9 And His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death (buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb),
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:12 …And was counted with wrongdoers (crucified w/thieves);
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, (He bore our sins)
And interceded for the wrongdoers.

Bible Prophecy is Trustworthy!

Daniel fulfilled and nearly fulfilled prophecy

X = fulfilled
TBA has not happened yet
x TBA in progress

1. Babylon replaced by Medo-Persia Daniel 2,7, and 8 X

2. Medo-Persia replaced by Greece, Daniel 2,7, and 8 X

3. Greece replaced by the final empire of Europe, Rome. Daniel 2,7, and 8 X

4. Christ to appear 483 years (Jewish 360 day) from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. There were two. The successful one was 444 B.C. Daniel 9 X

5. Messiah would be cut off afterwards (33 A.D) Daniel 9 X

6. Jerusalem would be destroyed (70 A.D.) Daniel 9 X

7. The temple would be there at the end of time (Temple Mount Society) TBA Daniel 9 x

8. The seven-year covenant broken in the middle and the sacrifice stopped TBA Daniel 9

Jesus fulfilled and nearly fulfilled prophecy

1. Messiah appears, tells of what will follow Daniel 9 X

2. Messiah crucified (33 A.D.) Daniel 9, Isaiah 53 (cut off) X

3. Daniel 11 is so accurate concerning historical events in the Middle East that liberals post-date Daniel to the mid-first century B.C. after the events took place. Here are some examples:

Daniel 11:2 Three kings: Cambyses II, Darius I, Xerxes
Xerxes attacks Greece 480 B.C. His victory last only a year.

Daniel 11:3 Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.)

Daniel 11:4 Alexander’s 4 generals divide up his empire

Daniel 11:5 Ptolemy I Soter (303-382 B.C.)

Daniel 11:6 Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy II is given in marriage to Antiochus II Theos after he divorces his wife Laodice. Ptolemy dies. Antiochus later brings Laodice back and she poisons Bernice and her son. Bernice’s brother Ptolemy III invades Syria and has Laodice killed.

Daniel 11:7 Ptolemy III attacks Seleucus II Callinicus

Daniel 11:8 Ptolemy III carries away riches from the Seleucid Empire

Daniel 11:9 Seleucus II enters Egypt but returns without confrontation

Daniel 11:10 His sons Seleucus III Ceraunus and later Antiochus III

Daniel 11:11 Ptolemy IV Philopater victoriously attacks the great army of Antiochus III The Great but it was only a partial victory

Daniel 11:12 Antiochus III becomes over confident

Daniel 11:13 Antiochus III, along with Philip of Macedon, and a massive army attack Egypt under Ptolemy Epiphanes, only five years old, with surrogates running his kingdom

Daniel 11:14 These are stated to be some insurrections during the early years of Ptolemy Epiphanes, and a league which some of the Jews made with Antiochus the Great against Ptolemy.

4. Jerusalem surrounded by armies, Temple will be destroyed (70 A.D.) Matthew 24:2 X

5. Wars, famine, earthquakes Matthew 24:7 X

6. Persecuted by all nations Matthew 24:9 X

6. Jerusalem trodden under by gentiles until their time is up (1967 retaken) Luke 21:24 X

7. Many will claim to be the Messiah Luke 21:8 X

8. Gospel preached in the whole world, the end comes (almost complete) Mathew 24:14 xTBA

9. Roaring and tossing of the sea (oceans rise, hurricane increase due to global warming, worsening with time) Luke 21:25 x TBA

10. Signs in sun, moon, and stars Luke 21:25 FUTURE TBA

11. Antichrist will appear in the restored holy place (temple) FUTURE TBA

12. Christ returns in the clouds at an unexpected hour – FUTURE TBA

What is the Pretribulation Rapture?

The pre-tribulation rapture doctrine holds that Jesus Christ returns to take believers, both living and the dead, to heaven just preceding the period known as The Great Tribulation. This event, known as the rapture, is the at beginning of a period of time consisting of seven years preceded by several months of astronomic disaster and world-wide trauma.[1] The English word rapture was originally a translation by St. Jerome of the Greek word harpazo into the Latin word rapiemur which in its verb form, rapio, means caught up or taken. [2]

Absence of the church during the seals of Revelation

Often, the first line of reasoning in the pre-tribulation argument is that the church is not mentioned in Revelation after chapter 3 nor is there any mention of the church in any other New Testament prophecy about the tribulation. [3]

God has delivered the church from the wrath to come. The verse in Revelation 12:17 that mentions the persecution of believers is considered by those of the pretribulation position to be speaking of the population of those who come to believe in Jesus after the rapture of the church through previous exposure to the gospel, the witness of the 144,000 of Revelation 7, or the two witnesses of Revelation 11. [4]

Imminence of the rapture

The imminent nature of the rapture is put forth as further support for the position. Matthew 25:13, Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 24:36, But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:42, Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Luke 12:40, You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. The reasoning continues that Revelation gives a time frame of 1260 days for each of the two halves of the tribulation week [5]

with events marking their beginning and end points. This would allow for a simple calculation by the church for the return of Christ if it were to remain through the tribulation period. The coming of Christ would be exactly 1260 days after the antichrist breaks the peace treaty with Israel. [6]

Therefore, if the rapture was at the end of the tribulation, the surprise of an imminent appearance of Christ would be lost.

Three comings of Christ?

Due to the inclusion of the rapture event, issue has been made of Christ coming three times to earth. [7] Opponents note that there is no mention of three comings of Christ in scripture. Quoting Hebrews 9:28, “… so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” The response typically is that, during the rapture, Christ never comes down to Earth as he will at the end when he touches down on the Mount of Olives, [8] and therefore the second coming remains with the Battle of Armageddon when Christ defeats the forces of the antichrist on the earth. [9]

Matthew 24 and the Revelation 6 connection

This is an often-quoted passage of scripture in Matthew that is interpreted from both pre and post-tribulation viewpoints.

Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, 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. (NASB).

Verse 29 begins, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days.” Based on the word “after” opponents of the pre-tribulation view claim this clearly indicates the rapture is a post-tribulation event. This statement also appears after a short description of the coming antichrist adding weight to their claim. Pre-tribulation proponents may note the specific context of the verse and apply this reference to the events of Revelation 6 which are catastrophic events throughout history causing a period of tribulation on earth that precede the Great Tribulation. Stedman sums up the point:

Notice that the Lord Jesus distinctly separates this event from the Great Tribulation. The tribulation will be essentially the manifestation of the naked brutality of man, the exhibition of the cruelty and unbelievable violence of the human heart unrestrained by grace. It is described for us in detail in the book of the Revelation, especially in the judgments of the seals and the trumpets. It will be a time when the horrors of Nazi persecution, reflected in the gas chambers of Buchenwald and Dachau, will be repeated all over the earth; a time when violence stalks the streets, and the nuclear witches of terror scream through the skies. As Jesus said, it will be a day of unprecedented human evil, of terrible slaughter and human suffering. [10]

Revelation 6:12-17, I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

The description is almost identical to the rapture scenario in Matthew 24. Elliott, in his commentary on Revelation 6:12 notes the connection to the coming of Christ. [11]

The poetic nature of these verses in Revelation 6 almost hide the distress this must cause the entire planet. In the context of this one event alone, we have what could be referred to as “the tribulation of those days,” similar to Matthew or that disastrous portion of time that introduces the Great Tribulation. In Revelation 6 it is termed, by those experiencing it, “the great day of their wrath,” v. 17. This appears to be synonymous with the intent of “Day of the Lord.” The world is in chaos and great civilizations are in shambles. Immediately after this event, in Matthew 24:30-31, the Sign of the Lord appears in the heavens, and the angels of God collect his elect from the planet. From the description of the rapture, it appears not to be a secret event,[12] but the disastrous seismic events of these times would likely result in a partial distraction from the event by the world at large.

Not destined for wrath

Another basic claim for the absence of the church during the tribulation has it that the church was not appointed to suffer wrath, 1 Thessalonians 5:9. The promise to the church of Philadelphia 3:10 reads, Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. The seven churches of Asia are considered models of the end time church, and therefore, the promise to these churches is considered to extend to the church of the present day. [13]The promise of deliverance from wrath is countered by the pre-wrath (mid-trib) argument of Strongtower that the wrath of God doesn’t begin until the bowls of God’s wrath in Revelation 16. [14] As a counter to this view, the pre-tribulation position notes that wrath begins early in the tribulation.[15] Revelation 6 presents the topic of wrath early in the unfolding of events.

Revelation 6:16-17, they called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

The differentiation Strongtower makes between the wrath of Revelation 6 and the significance of the wrath of the bowls in Revelation 16 is thought provoking but not necessarily convincing.

Dr. Robert Gundry, a well-respected scholar of the post-tribulation position also counters the pre-tribulation rapture logic. He argues, why would saints that come to Christ during the tribulation need suffer this wrath any more than those who would supposedly be caught up in advance of the event? In addition, if God allows them divine protection during this period as some might argue, then why would he not do the same for those saved before the tribulation? [16] He makes logical sense, yet the bulk of pre-tribulation argument need not be based on who does or does not endure the time of wrath. There have been countless saints in history, many who have been allowed to endure forms of wrath whether by man or natural phenomenon, who were not caught up from their situation. Somehow, God’s hands in the bowls gives some pause as to whether he would allow the church to suffer them. Gundry makes a strong argument at this point.

Two views of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4 contains another verse that often receives differing interpretation as to its order of occurrence in the second coming chronology. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 the Apostle Paul states,

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The appearance of the dead in Christ signals to some holding a post-tribulation position that the resurrection has just occurred. [17] The reasoning goes that the living are taken up at the same time as the dead rise at the resurrection. The two resurrections spoken of in Revelation 20 are after the Great Tribulation. Therefore, their position is the correct interpretation of the events. There is some variation in the pre-tribulation positions on the resurrection. They seem to agree the rapture of the living and the dead is some form of resurrection. Stewart avoids the conflict by countering that the first resurrection to life comes in four phases: Christ’s resurrection, the rapture, the tribulation and Old Testament saints at the Second Coming, and millennial saints at the Great White Throne judgement. In other words, the first resurrection includes all resurrections of the righteous. The second resurrection is to eternal death for the unrighteous, occurring at the Great White Throne judgement. [18]

Complications of the resurrection

Many build their end time chronology on verses such as those from Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4, 2 Thessalonians 2, as well as the apocalyptic verses from Daniel and occasionally other prophets. Though useful in part, the events related in these must be harmonized with an underlying plan to arrive at the chronological sequence for the events concerning the end time. Part of the confusion in the issue comes with the definition of the resurrections and when they occur. The resurrection of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:51-2 may apply to either side of the debate as pre-tribulation adherents see some sort of a resurrection at the rapture. The resurrection is also described in Revelation 20 at the end of the tribulation as well as at the Great Throne judgement after the millennium. In Corinthians 15, the sounding of the last trumpet is sometimes assumed to be the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15. This timing fits more of a mid-tribulation position occurring at the end of the first period of 1260 days. There seem to be numerous pros and cons for each side of the debate, all complicated by defining the timing of the resurrections.

Two views of 1 Thessalonians 5

One post-tribulationist, Douglas Moo, points out that the destruction of unbelievers during the Day of the Lord is revealed in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 in the same context as 1 Thessalonians 4 that describes the rapture of the church. This, in his interpretation, is the judgement and is therefore clearly post-tribulational.[19]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

The pre-tribulation interpretation of this event would reply that this event is only referring to the physical death and destruction revealed in the seals of Revelation 6 and events following, and that the Day of the Lord refers to the entire duration of the Great Tribulation. [20]

Use of the term “Day of the Lord” is not as precise a term as Moo would like to make it. [21]

The term is also used in 1 Peter 3:10 of the end of the world preceding the new heaven and new earth of Revelation 21:1.

History of the pre-tribulation rapture

Another point of debate refers to the position of the church in history as regards the catching up of the saints. Post-tribulation writers often claim there is no mention of a pre-tribulation rapture until the writings of John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren in the 1830s. [22] There is, however, a reference found in the volumes of the Ante-Nicene Fathers which may indicate such a belief was not unknown in history. Irenaeus, in Against Heresies, states,

“And therefore, when in the end the Church shall suddenly be caught up from this, it is said, ‘There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be. For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when the overcome, they are crowned with incorruption.’” [23]

In a later document, with an uncertain dating of the 4th through 8th centuries, The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Ephraim, originally attributed to Ephraim the Syrian, presents a very clear pretribulation statement. In this Latin version we read:

See to it that this sentence be not fulfilled among you of the prophet who declares: “Woe to those who desire to see the day of the Lord!” For all the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins. And so, brothers most dear to me, it is the eleventh hour, and the end of the world comes to the harvest, and angels, armed and prepared, hold sickles in their hands, awaiting the empire of the Lord. [24]

The evidence, meager as it is, shows the lack of development of a doctrine of the rapture in early times. The simple fact of a second advent of Christ was sufficient for the early church. As Larry Crutchfield notes, “If anyone searches the fathers for a fully detailed, systematic presentation about the doctrine of last things, he searches in vain…” [25] In addition, the argument that the pre-tribulation rapture is of recent formation is not in disagreement with the direction of scripture. In Daniel 12:4 we read:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

The direction given to Daniel by the angel of the Lord was that the revelation concerning the end time was to be hidden or shut up until those end times. The Book of Revelation continues to expound on the theme of Daniel’s 70th week, yet much of its meaning has baffled interpreters through the ages. These modern times have seen the proliferation of knowledge in general and specifically knowledge of the Bible. Its availability with accompanying commentaries and various resources have reached millions of readers on the planet. It is not unexpected that this might lead to furthering interpretation of the Bible as a whole and especially eschatology leading to a natural fulfillment of the charge to Daniel to “seal the book, even to the time of the end,” Daniel 12:4. This increase in understanding due to the modern expansion of Bible research should divert some of the post-tribulation criticism that a pre-tribulation position was not sufficiently found in early church history.

Bible interpretation has received some revision over the ages and especially in recent times. It would follow that eschatology too has received some added attention and been refined in this age. There is still much that is left unsettled in this doctrinal area. Those matters that can be settled should receive open debate and scriptural scrutiny by scholars of all views. It seems logical to allow end time doctrines to stand or fall on the scriptures alone and not on traditions of the past.

Problems with chronology in the gospels

There is an inherent problem in making use of statements from the four gospels and the letters concerning the end times to develop chronological order. The letters may present events tied to the end time scenario but give limited context to make chronological conclusions. The collection and combining of materials in the texts of the gospels came years after the events themselves. There are numerous events in them that appear in a different chronological order than in the other gospels. Those who hold to extreme inerrancy need to come up with convoluted explanations to harmonize these. The general chronologies of the gospels have order. It is the numerous recollections of the isolated events and quotations by the Lord that, over time, as they were developed into the four gospel accounts, took on somewhat different orders of presentation within the books. One author put it this way:

However, most Evangelical scholars have taken a different approach. While they still believe the accounts to be historically accurate and, in their general outline, chronologically accurate, the events and teaching of Jesus’ life are not necessarily arranged chronologically but along topical or thematic lines. Today, this has become the accepted definition of a Gospel – that it is more than a sequential arrangement of data, more than a biography.[26]

In addition to the limited chronological value in the accounts of the gospel, the end time sections tend to telescope events. [27] The account in Luke 21, for example, relates the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20-23. Then comes Luke 21:24 which appears to be a gap filler for the span of history until the actual end time events occur. Next, Luke 21:25-27 relates events very reminiscent of Revelation 6:12-17 which occurs at the end time, early in the sequence of Revelation.

Two chronologies of Revelation

Robert Gundry presents two competing chronologies of the events of the seals, trumpets and bowls of Revelation 6-16. It should also be noted that Gundry’s overlapping chronology goes into great length about the Semitic style of Revelation and the concurrent fulfillment of the various seals, bowls, and trumpets. If a comparison is done between these events, you will note some similarities but just as many differences in these multiple disasters. The significance of the sevens comes across as Semitic influence, but the overlapping of events is hardly conclusive. [28]

Gundry’s Order Seals 1——2——3——-4—–5——-6———7

Trumpets———————————————1–2–3–4—5—6—-7

Bowls————————————————————1-2-3-4-5-6-7

Chronological Order Seals 1—2—3—-4—5—6—–7

Trumpets—————————————————-1–2–3–4–5–6–7

Bowls——————————————————————————-1234567

Semitic style does not necessarily require overlap or parallelism. Symbolic numbering and occasional chiasms in Hebrew literature are noted. Elements of Hebrew style [29] are also present far more in the Old Testament than in the New Testament.

Brighton, of Concordia Seminary, makes an argument for special ordering of the contents of the three Semitic gospels versus the linear approach of Luke the only Greek writer. [30] Regardless of the approach, the gospel accounts were recorded years after the events, and piecing them together as chronological events was only as accurate as the memories of disciples or those Luke interviewed. It seems likely some of Christ’s sermons were repeated on more than one occasion, and any recollection is a composite of these. [31]

The majority of scriptural events are related in chronological fashion. Daniel’s prophecy of the four kingdoms was related in the order of their appearance in history. His separate visions were dated by the year and the kingdom he served under. His prophecies concerning the first advent of Christ and the end of time seem quite chronological down to the very math involved in the seventy weeks with the start of the elusive seventieth week sealed up until the end of time as the angel in Daniel 12 required. It seems Revelation, so in tune with the theme of Daniel, should follow suit. If the Revelation to John were given and recorded as received and not reworked by John at a later date for stylistic purposes, then readers should assume it was given in the order intended. If the revelation to John was intended by style to have overlapping story portions, these portions could have been a little more precise in the retellings which do no match as convincingly as might be desired. In the current form, what some interpreters call overlap leads only to a somewhat jumbled story that does not improve its comprehension. Whitefield presents an outline of Revelation as a sequential chronological structure. Concerning the future prophetic events of Revelation 6-22 he states, “His plan is seen in 5 chronological sections describing the main story line of the 21 judgment events (7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls) that are released on the Antichrist’s empire in sequential order.” [32]

Linear chronology of Revelation

The preferred method for determining chronological order of end time events would be to use a continuous narrative. Unless otherwise persuaded, there is such a continuous account provided in the Book of Revelation. The events of Revelation were revealed to John who was told, “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later,” Revelation 1:19. Order seems implied. This was not a recollection of years past as were the gospels. In addition to being fresh in the mind of John, the revelation was presented to him in an outline ordered not with Roman numerals but seals, trumpets, and bowls. Except for several parenthetical passages relating to activities from the heavenly view, earthly events are all executed within the order of the seals, trumpets, and bowls. These provide a clear outline of end time events. This general outline of order in Revelation 11-19 follows the order set beginning with Daniel 9:27. Here the prince who is to come, after three and a half years of a covenant of peace, puts a stop to the Hebrew sacrifices in the middle of the 70th week (a sabbath of 7 years). Daniel 12:7-11 continues the description of second half of the week with the shattering of the power of the holy people and the setting up of the abomination of desolation in the temple. In Revelation 11, the first half of the Great Tribulation, 1260 days begins. This is the peaceful portion of the covenant when the two witnesses have opportunity to prophesy in Jerusalem. At the end of this portion of the week, the antichrist begins his rampage with the execution of the two witnesses. He then wages war upon the Jews and those who have become believers in Jesus during this period detailed in Revelation 13-19.

Ern Baxter attempts to discredit the chronological order of Revelation with a comparison of the sixth seal of Revelation 6, the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11, and the seventh vial or bowl of Revelation 16. [33] A simple comparison is supposed to reveal these three events are one in the same. It is left to the reader to make the comparisons. To begin, the seventh trumpet at the end of Revelation 11 is accompanied by an earthquake and a hailstorm. Other than the similarity of an earthquake in Revelation 6 and material falling from heaven, there is little else to make a convincing comparison. The book of Revelation contains five earthquakes (Revelation 6, 8, two in 11, and 16). To claim that three of these are the same event needs more support. The material falling from the heavens in Revelation 6 is identified as falling stars that darken the skies which we may associate with meteoric devastation. The material falling from the skies in Revelation 16 is described as hundred-pound hailstones, hardly a solid connection. The comparison in Revelation 16 to the hail and earthquake at the final verse of Revelation 11 does have similarity, but the conclusion that they are the same event is not beyond dispute. This event happens at the end of Revelation 11 and leads directly into the parenthesis of Revelation 12 and the heavenly viewpoint which occurs at several locations in the book. The position that multiple devastating events in the Book of Revelation are recaps of each other remains a debatable issue.

Finding the rapture in Revelation

About 90 A.D., John wrote the Revelation. It opens with the words, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him to show His bondservants, the things which must shortly take place.” The Greek is genesthai en tachei. This literally translates, “to be coming in swiftness.” Following this line of thought, these predicted events begin with Revelation 6. The first four seals are known as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. They bring conquest, war, famine, and disease. This was a perfect prediction of the events of the next two millennia beginning with the continued conquests of Rome and its eventual fall, subsequently continuing as the Holy Roman Empire. After this comes the rise of Islam, the Crusades, and numerous other conquests and war throughout this period up to world wars of our present age. During this time the black plague, smallpox, and other diseases ravage Europe and Asia. Famines were frequent. These events all precede Revelation 11 where the seven-year period, known as The Great Tribulation, begins. Ladd, in his commentary on Revelation, after discussing the end of Pax Romana as the beginning of seal two puts it this way,” The first four seals have pictured in vivid symbolic terms the forces by which God will prosecute his redemptive and judicial purposes throughout the course of the age.” [34]

Seal five seems to be a lull in the action with the souls under the altar in heaven crying out, “How much longer?” These, though in heaven, do not seem know the whole plan of the revelation to John. A pre-tribulation rapture interpretation fits well with a sequential chronological approach. Details in the gospels and letters relate the earthly events and conditions at the time of the rapture but do not sufficiently narrow down the time of its occurrence, but an important clue is again found in verses from the Gospel of Matthew 24 as compared to Revelation 6:

Matthew 24:29-31, Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

With the signs in the heavens for Matthew 24 in mind, we now refer once more to the chronology of the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 6:12-17, I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

As mentioned earlier in this debate, the two passages relate almost identical shared events expressed in different words by two different authors. Noticed, though often ignored, in Revelation 6 is the appearing of Christ. The heavens roll back like a scroll, as a curtain opening. Then, the face of Him who sits on the throne is seen by those attempting to hide from wrath of the Lamb. This appearance may be interpreted as the beginning of what pre-tribulationists call the rapture. The event is almost simultaneous with the start of the Great Tribulation. Then, following Christ’s appearance a few verses later, comes a very important connection that has gone largely unnoticed by interpreters. In Revelation 7:9, we read of a countless multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language appearing in heaven. The elder guiding John asks him, “Who are these?”

Revelation 7:14, I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the Great Tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

It does not specifically illustrate the church being caught up to meet the Lord in the air as in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The event is not retold. The result appears as strong evidence for a pre-tribulation interpretation. In Revelation 7:14, Saints from the entire world are revealed in heaven. The inference seems obvious though still debated by post-tribulationists. Matthew 24:30-31 presents us with the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven to gather his elect. Between the face of Christ, the Lamb, appearing in Revelation 6:16 and the appearance of those who have just come out of the Great Tribulation immediately following in Revelation 7:14, we have the perfect match to the event in Matthew 24. To Ladd though, Revelation 7:14 is a vision of the church post-tribulation. [35] In rebuttal, the pre-tribulation argument can claim visions are convenient excuses to rearrange numerous events to fit a particular preferred chronology. The entire Book of Revelation is a vision. Visions should not be a license to rearrange events at will. The group identified in the vision just before these, in Revelation 7:4, were 144,000 Jews sealed for protection during the first portion of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 9:4). It could be reasoned that this timing could also be attributed to this second group in Revelation 7:14. Post-tribulationists must rely on claimed rhetorical devices to arrive at an alternate conclusion.

Referring back to the chronology of events beginning in Revelation 6, pre-tribulationists hold these are just the introduction of the end time events. The actual seven-year period, which is the traditional focus of the event, does not begin until Revelation 11 when the two witnesses prophesy for 42 months, the first half of the seven-year period. Pre-tribulationist proponents contend that the pre-tribulation rapture has been found in Revelation.

Final thoughts

Accepting the idea that the Book of Revelation is in chronological order presents those believing Christ appears at the beginning and end of the Great Tribulation with a strong argument for this pre-tribulation view of the end times. Choosing a post-tribulation view most likely rejects the idea that Revelation is revealed in complete chronological order and relies on statements in the letters and gospels to reason out a chronology. The stand that church history supports a post-tribulation position is based more on the lack of development of the doctrine in history than as a matter of opposing views. The writings of the church fathers nowhere explore the subtleties of the arguments that we have seen in the last two centuries. Both sides have developed arguments and counters to the opposing position. The majority of the church do not see the doctrine as central to the faith, yet it remains highly popular with members of the evangelical community. The pre-tribulation view is in the majority view at 36% while 18% support a post-tribulation view. Smaller percentages of other views are held by a number of mainline denominations. [36] With variations on apocalyptic themes highly popular in print and film media, the emphasis and debate on the topic are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

References

1. Revelation 6, 8, and 9

2. The Rapture, https://doctrine.org/the-rapture. Accessed 28 April 2019.

3. Rhodes, Ron, The End Times in Chronological Order. Harvest House Pub., 2012, p. 43.

4. Rhodes, Ron, 40 Days Through Revelation, Uncovering the Mystery of the End Times. Harvest House Publishers, 2013, p.154.

5. Daniel 9:27, He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

6. Goodwin, Daniel k., God’s Final Jubilee. FBC Publications and Printing, 2014, p. 13.

7. Lee-Warner, Bill Rev., Will there be a second and a third coming of Christ?, Will there be a second and third coming of Christ?. Acessed 01 May 2019.

8. Jeremiah, David, What Is the Difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?, What Is the Difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?, Accessed 02 May 2019.

9. Revelation 19

10. Stedman, Ray, The Power and the Glory, Message: The Power and the Glory (Matthew 24:29-31). Accessed 06 April 2019.

11. Elliott’s Commentary for English Readers,Revelation 6:12 Commentaries: 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;. Accessed 01 May 2019.

12. What is the Rapture?, What is the rapture?. Accessed 02 May 2019.

13. LaHaye, Tim and Jenkins, Jerry B., Are We Living in the End Times?. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1999, p. 17-108.

14. Does God’s Wrath Begin with the Trumpets?, Does God’s Wrath Begin with the Trumpets? 1. Accessed 26 April 2019.

15. Stallard, Mike, An Analysis of the Use of Cosmic-Sign Passages by Proponents of the Pre-Wrath Rapture Theory, https://www.pre-trib.org/pretribfiles/pdfs/Stallard-AnAnalysisoftheUseofCosmicSignPassages.pdf. Accessed 01 May 2019.

16. Gundry, Robert H., The Church and the Tribulation. The Zondervan Corporation, 1973, p. 44-48. Truth or Tradition, The Dead Are Dead Until the Rapture or Resurrection, The Dead Are Dead Until the Rapture or Resurrection. Accessed 26 April, 2019.

17. Stewart, Don, How Many Resurrections Will There Be?, How Many Resurrections Will There Be?. Accessed 06 May 2019.

19. Archer, Gleason L. Jr., Feinberg, Paul D., Moo, Douglas J., and Reiter, Richard R., Three Views on the Rapture. Zondervan Publishing House, 1996, p. 182.

20. Guzik, David, 1 Thessalonians 5 – Ready for the Day of the Lord, 2018, Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. Accessed 07 May 2019.

21. Archer, Gleason L. Jr., Feinberg, Paul D., Moo, Douglas J., and Reiter, Richard R., Three Views on the Rapture. Zondervan Publishing House, 1996, p. 182.

22. Gundry, Robert H., The Church and the Tribulation. The Zondervan Corporation, 1973, p. 186-7.

23. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V chapter 29.

24. Ice, Thomas, The Rapture in Pseudo-Ephraem, https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/58821974.pdf. Accessed 29 April 2019.

25. Hauser, Charles A., “The Eschatology of the Early Church Fathers” [unpublished Th.D.dissertation; Winona Lake, Ind.: Grace Theological Seminary, 1961].

26. The Problem of Apparent Chronological Contradictions in the Synoptics, Botti, Joe, Dixon, Tom, and Steinmann, Alex, The Problem of Apparent Chronological Contradictions in the Synoptics. Accessed 28 April 2019.

27. Culbertson, Howard, Modern missions: an eschatological sign?,An eschatological sign?. Accessed 06 May 2019.

28. Gundry, Robert H., The Church and the Tribulation. The Zondervan Corporation, 1973, p. 75.

29. Benner, Jeff A., Poetry in the Hebrew Bible, http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/language_poetry.html. Accessed 06 May 2019.

30. Brighton, Louis, Revelation, How to Interpret, 003b. How to Interpret. Accessed 28 April 2019.

31. Lyons, Eric, M.Min., Jesus’s Sermon on…the Mount or the Plain?, Jesus’ Sermon on…the Mount or the Plain?. Accessed 28 April 2019.

32. Whitefield, Samuel, The Chronological Structure of the Book of Revelation, https://samuelwhitefield.com/2397/the-chronological-structure-of-the-book-of-revelation. Accessed 06 May 2019.

33. Baxter, Irvin, Why We Believe in a Post-Tribulation Rapture, Why We Believe in a Post-Tribulation Rapture | Endtime Ministries with Irvin Baxter. Accessed 28 April 2019.

34. Ladd, George Eldon, A Commentary on the Revelation to John. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972, p. 100.

35. Ladd, George Eldon, A Commentary on the Revelation to John. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972, p. 117-18.

36. Candel, Joseph, Endtime Survey: Post or Pre -Tribulation Rapture?, Endtime Survey: Post or Pre -Tribulation Rapture?. 8 June 2016. Accessed 28 April 2019.

The Beast vs. Babylon

 Daniel’s fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire (the EU under a dictator), is extended into history and connected with the beast, Daniel 9, 12. The harlot rides the back of the beast, Revelation 17:3. That indicates the harlot, Babylon, lords over him. This parallels the United States preeminent position in world politics and military presence worldwide. The beast will burn with jealousy over her preeminence in the world and burn her with fire. The harlot, Babylon, is a great port city according to her description in Revelation 17–18. A certain prominent city of the United States fits this description quite well among cities of the world in recent times. New York City fits all the descriptive points of Babylon the Great. In addition, it is the host of the United Nations. Therefore, we have a distinction between Babylon the Great and the empire of the beast.

Identity Details

The antichrist here in 2020 is likely in his 30s based on the fact that the Great Commission will complete in the next decade or two. Jesus revealed this event would signal end time commencement. He is likely a political figure with growing influence in the European Parliament. It seems fruitless to ascribe the rise of antichrist to Freemasonry, Bilderberg, Illuminati, or any popular conspiracy theories that have been tossed around for the last century. There could be spiritual symbolism in the antichrist coming from the House of Habsburg-Lorraine from which the final Holy Roman Emperors descended. This might indicate German birth. There is actually a member of this family in the European Union Parliament. These clues, in the end, are only speculation. Anything is possible. The antichrist will arise as the man of the hour in the time of chaos beginning in events of Revelation chapters 6 through 9. The church will not likely be here at this time as Revelation 7:9-14 seems to indicate we have already been caught up to heaven.

It takes a page or two of explanation because some love to throw unnecessary confusion into matter of fit of Daniel’s seventy weeks. Alternative theories aside, the accuracy of the vision as is amazing. With a little history, and some middle-school math Daniel foretells the year of Christ’s crucifixion at week 69. Week 70 seems fit for our time as it has been two millennia until the rebirth of Jerusalem and the desire of the Orthodox to rebuild the temple.

In short, at least as short as I can make it:

Daniel prophesies 70 weeks (sebuim or sevens). Seven and sixty-two take us to Messiah. The seventieth week comes later in history as can be discerned from Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 12. The seventieth week is where a restored temple exists in the future after its destruction at the time of the death or Messiah, Daniel 9:26. The sacrifice is cut off in the middle of the future week 70, Daniel 9:27. Chapter 12, set in the end time, takes this up telling us that the abomination of desolation, profaning the temple, is set up at 1,290 Days. This is a month after the middle of the week where the sacrifice is stopped which was at 1,260 days. The point of all this is that the half-week is 1,260 days. This confirms the whole week is 1,260 +1,260 days or seven prophetic years. What is a prophetic year? Jewish years were calculated on 360-day periods with occasional corrections every so often. Prophetic years do not use the correction. They are also used by John in the Book of Revelation. So, the middle of the week is 1,260/360 = 3 ½ years. One week is therefore seven prophetic years.

Daniel 9:25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’

Now, the 7 and 62 weeks until Messiah can be calculated. Well, almost. First, why use 7 and 62 until Messiah? Why not just 69 weeks and go? According to many, it has to do with how long it will take to restore and rebuild the city of Jerusalem. The prophecy begins at the time of this order to rebuild the city according to Daniel 9:25 above. This will give us our starting point. Now, there were two orders. Which do we choose? One was in 457 B.C. and the other in 444 B.C. Well, the first failed because the population that existed in Jerusalem, before the exiles returned to rebuild, did not want the wall of the city rebuilt. Thirteen years later Artaxerxes sent a letter along with Nehemiah commanding it to begin once more. This is found in Nehemiah 2. The successful date will be the one we make use of.

We are now ready for our math:

Step 1: (7+62) x 7yrs/week = 483 prophetic years

Step 2: 483 x 5 days (missing in prophetic years) = 2,415 days
Step 3: 2,415/365 day/year = approx. 6.6 years – round to 7 for convenience

Step 4: 483 years – 7 years = 476 actual years until Messiah

Step 5: -444 B.C. + 476 years = 32 A.D.

Step 6: There was no year 0 A.D. so we add 1 – 32 A.D. + 1 year = 33 A.D.
This is the year Messiah was to be cut off. Pretty amazing!

THE CHRONOLOGY MAKES A BREAK

Where then is week seventy? As previously mentioned, it is not set in chronological order with the 7+62 weeks. There is a gap. Daniel’s vision makes this clear:

 Daniel 9:26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary (70A.D.). The end will come like a flood: War will continue (more history) until the end, and desolations have been decreed (at the end time, Daniel 12:4).

The seventieth week reveals a time when the temple is rebuilt, and therefore we infer the city will have been restored to the Jews (1967).

Daniel 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he (a future ruler) will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

It is the firm resolution of the Orthodox that one day they will be allowed to rebuild their temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. They have made many preparations of the furniture and vessels required in worship within the sanctuary. Political tensions are currently preventing the rebuilding.

Daniel leaves us with so many questions unanswered. We learn in chapter 12 of the abomination is set up in place of the sacrifice but that this time of trouble leads to the purification of many. We learn in chapter 9 that the leader (prince) who brings the abomination will meet his end. We beg for details. This is the time we reach for The Apocalypse of John.

When do you think the 70^th week will occur?

“For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. And for this reason, the Scripture says: “Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God brought to a conclusion upon the sixth day the works that He had made; and God rested upon the seventh day from all His works.” This is an account of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is to come. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the sixth thousand year.” (Against Heresies, 5:28:3)

No man knows the “day or hour” of Christ’s return. End time prophecy reached milestones when Israel was reborn in 1948 followed by the restoration of Jerusalem to its control in 1967. With modern technology, the Bible has almost been preached in the whole world. Jesus pointed to this as the sign that the end times would be upon us. Next, if we assume the wisdom of Irenaeus has some credibility, then we can estimate some possible beginning scenarios for the end times. We have already experienced Y2K, the panic that the internet would go down and there would be a digital apocalypse when we reached the millennium in the year 2,000. There is a more relevant millennial date not far beyond this. It is the arrival of the second millennium since the crucifixion of Christ. It will be 2,000 years since this historical landmark and focal point in the year 2,033. Is this a likely date for the beginning or for the end of the Great Tribulation? The first consideration is, how long is the Great Tribulation. The 70^th week of Daniel chapter 9 outlines the core of the Great Tribulation which is 7 years. This is represented in two parts in Revelation chapters 11 and 13. There is a period of time preceding these two chapters in Revelation 6-9. These chapters cover judgements known as the Seven Seals. The first four seals are considered in some interpretations to be a description of history since the Roman Empire. Seal five is a brief pause. Seals six and seven are events that have not yet happened in any historical context so far.  Chapters 6 and 8 reveal cosmic events of stars and other material falling from heaven. Following this in chapter 9, a strange insect plague of stinging locust lasts for 5 months. Then there is a massive, intense world war launched out of the chaos that kills one third of mankind. What kind of time span would all this require? Let’s say the meteoric devastation lasts for several months, give or take. Next is war. This war is located in the Mideast by identification of crossing the Euphrates River. It comes out of the chaos of the meteoric devastation followed by the stinging locust invasion. It seems it is a battle of desperation in this time of chaos. It is not well planned and is a great disaster. It kills one third of mankind. I would not doubt nuclear intervention for a death count this large. Let’s say this war was relatively short but very violent, ultimately brought to a quick end by limited nuclear weapons. With the great devastation, it is over in a year or two at the most. After enduring the falling stars, the locust plague, and a devastating war, likely 1 to 3 years have passed at least. If we add this to the 7 years of Revelation 11 and 13, it brings us to a total of about 10 years, give or take, for the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is announced in Revelation 7:9-14. Its commencement is assumed from the appearance of Jesus in Revelation 6:12-17, which is likely the Greek, harpazo, catching up, more commonly known as the rapture.

Now assume 10 years for the end time events. Then we return to the hypothesis of Irenaeus that the end times will the occur near the end of six millennia. If 2,033 is our 6,000 year mark, and we assume the 10 years of end time events finish at 2,033 then the stars would begin falling in approximately 2,023 A.D. On the other hand, the events may begin in 2,033 and continue for 10 years or so afterwards. One further consideration is that the temple is present during the end time events. It must be rebuilt in this time frame. Could it be done within 3 ½ years, the first half of week 70 of Daniel, only to have its newly instituted sacrifices cut in the middle of this week and the temple desecrated by the antichrist? With modern construction skills, this seems possible. Without predicting too precisely, we seem to have a reasonable estimate of 2,023 A.D. to 2,043 A.D. as our window for the completion of the Apocalypse and the 2^nd Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?

THE SEQUENTIAL ORDER OF REVELATION

The predictive events of Revelation begin with the seals of chapter 6. Some claim the Book of Revelation is not written in order of events. This allows freedom to create alternate version of the events including the timing of the rapture of the church. A favorite manipulation involves swapping the heavenly disaster of the bowls of seal seven with the falling stars of seal six. Careful comparisons of these events reveal dissimilarities that are hard to reconcile. Each chapter of Revelation is a natural step and builds to the events of the next. The events of the first four horsemen, seals one to four, are a logical progression. They are not necessarily dependent on each other. A Plague can occur at any time, but the order following war has been repeated often in history. These seals can describe the last twenty centuries, but they can also describe the 20^th century in itself with the two great World Wars, the second to stop the conquest of Germany.

Chp 6 – Horseman 1 –>   Conquest brings Horseman 2 –>   War brings Horseman 3 –>   Poverty/Famine brings Horseman 4 –>   Plague and Death followed by Seal 5–>   the martyrs wonder how much longer will this all go on before the 2^nd Advent?
Seal 6 –>   brings the BEGINNING OF THE END – falling stars (asteroids) decimate the earth, governments in chaos — > 
Chp 7 – sealing of the 144,000 for protection from the locust of Revelation 9 and the RAPTURED CHURCH appears in heaven (likely right at the falling stars) –> 
Chp 8 – Seal 7 –> more disaster from heaven, world in turmoil, needs a strong leader –> 
Chp 9 – locust plague the earth for 5 months, a war takes place allowing the victor, the antichrist, to come to power–> 
Chp 10 – parenthesis (business in heaven) –> 
Chp 11 – the 2 prophets prophesy during the peace made with the antichrist for the first half of the prophetic week, Dan.9:27 (3 ½ yrs) then martyred –> 
Chp 12 – parenthesis (overview of the war with Satan since the 1st Advent) –> 
Chp 13 – antichrist sets up the abomination in the temple, Dan.12:11, forces all to be marked 666 –> 
Chp 14 – the 144,000 RAPTURED (their work is done) –> 
Chp 15 – seven plagues announced –> 
Chp 16 –  first of six plagues poured out, kings gathered for Armageddon, the seventh plague brings the end, greatest earthquake of history ,100lb hailstones on Babylon the Great–> 
Chp 17 – the mystery of Babylon the Great detailed, the 10 Kings join with the antichrist and prepare to destroy Babylon the great city who rules over the kings of earth –>   

Chp 18 – lament over the coming fall of Babylon, warning for God’s people to come out of her, description of the great city, antichrist destroys Babylon with fire –> 
Chp 19 – 2^ND ADVENT Jesus defeats the armies gathered at Armageddon, beast and false prophet thrown into lake of fire –> 
Chp 20 – the first resurrection, the millennium, the judgment –> 
Chp 21 – the New Heaven and New Earth, New Jerusalem –> 
Chp 22 – epilogue

Taking the title above into account, that’s equal to 100 doublings of the population of Earth since the supposed introduction of Homo Sapiens.

Ice age factors are accounted for in my population projections. There was plenty of land mass that was relatively unaffected by glaciation. These include Africa, South East Asian, and Australia. In addition, many cultures learned to live in cold climates as we understand from Inuit and Sami peoples. Studies have shown hunter-gathers successfully built communities and prospered as well as agricultural communities.

Is it reasonable to assume even hunter gathers were able to double their population every 2,000 years, allowing for the pitfalls of prehistoric living? This is in reality a very generous number to work with especially when a family can easily produce more than 10 offspring in their life. Allowing that some died before reaching maturity, we would double the population if only 4 survive in a 40 to 50-year time span. But, let’s have man be totally inept and require a generous 2,000 years to double the population of the planet accounting for periods of famine, disease, and warfare. We start with 2 people.

In 20,000 Years:

4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1,024 2,048 (Think about it 2,048 people in 20,000 years.)

(For simplicity, round off the end of the line to 2,000)

In 40,000 Years:

4,000 8,000 16,000 32,000 64,000 128,000 256,000 512,000 1,024,000 2,048,000

(Wow, we are up to just over 2 million! Let’s round once more.)

In 60,000 Years:

4,000,000 8,000,000 16,000,000 32,000,000 64,000,000 128,000,000 256,000,000 512,000,000 1,024,000,000 2,048,000,000 (We passed 1 billion in the early 19^th century.)

In 80,000 Years:

4,000,000,000 8,000,000,000 16,000,000,000 32,000,000,000 64,000,000,000 128,000,000,000 256,000,000,000 512,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000  2,048,000,000,000

(At 74,000 years above, we reached a population of 8 billion. This is similar to what the planet has done in the last 2,000 years even with the black plague, famine, and war.)

In 100,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,0000

In 120,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000

In 140,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 160,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 180,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 200,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 We finally reach: 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

We have a population of a little more than 2 Nonillion after 200,000 years. Hmmm? There are approximately 5.49 quadrillion square feet of land surface on the planet. That places about 373 trillion people per square foot of land surface. Sounds a little tight. And, that’s only doubling earth’s population every 2,000 years. Something fishy about this scenario.

Now we compare population growth based on the creationist explanation of history. The Bible seems to place the flood of Noah at about 3,000 B.C. which, if true, wiped out the entire population of earth except for this family. We begin with his 3 son and 3 daughters-in-law as our first generation

The literal creationist argument can even work. If we look at a reasonable growth rate of a doubling every 100 years. And take a creationist argument of the flood being about 3,000 B.C and say Noah and his wife were done having children then we begin with 6.

In 1,000 Years:

12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384, 768, 1536, 3072, 6,144 (round to the 1000s)

In 2,000 Years:

12,000, 24,000 48,000 96,000 192,000 384,000 768,000 1,536,000 3,072,000, 6,144,000

In 3,000 Years:

12,000,000, 24,000,000 48,000,000 96,000,000 192,000,000 384,000,000 768,000,000 1,536,000,000 3,072,000,000 6,144,000,000

We arrive at our 1 A.D. point in time with a population of 6 billion. This result is too high for the assumed population at that time. One population estimate for 1 A.D. is approximately 170 million. If we move back 500 years in this list, we would have come close at the 192 million population level. With a slight upward adjustment of the 100 year doubling to 125 years, we arrive at the following world population.

In 1,000 Years:

12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384, 768, 1536

(For simplicity we will round off the last number to 1,500)

In 2,000 Years:

3000, 6000, 12,000, 24,000 48,000 96,000 192,000 384,000

In 3,000 Years:

768,000 1,536,000 3,072,000 6,144,000 12,288,000 24,576,000 49,152,000 98,304,000

With the adjustment to 125 years per doubling of population the results are significantly reduced to 98 million. This is a little over one half of the estimated population for the time. This tells us the average rate for is between 100 and 125 years for each doubling of the population. Assuming the extent of war, famine, and disease was not as extensive as the last two millennia and that the literal time gap between the flood and 1 A.D. is probably greater by several thousand years, this should be a reasonable projection.

This is still two to three times the normal generational doubling of population expected in the 40-year fertility period of a married couple. It allows for premature deaths due to war, disease, and famine. Obviously, the evolutionary population growth scenario would also share such problems, but they are well provided for the in 2,000-year doubling period. The population density grossly exceeded the ability of the planet to support it. Even the faulty population bottleneck theory those 70,000 years ago cannot account for the geometric growth problems of this scenario. Let’s not count out a literal worldwide Noah’s Flood just yet. Unless we allow for multiple massive extinctions throughout this era, we have no solution. The Toba event seems to be an inadequate explanation. Maybe the obvious should be considered. Of course, the scientific mind dares not fathom the biblical possibility. Why confuse it with a bit of simple math.

How accurately can we set a time frame for the chapters of the book of Revelation? It will take a look at end time prophecy from the Book of Daniel, the gospels, and letters of Peter and Paul to get a feel for how to frame the times related to the events of Revelation. These events are described in symbolic terms but have literal fulfillment just as the symbolic images of Daniel’s prophecy had literal fulfillment in his four kingdoms and the coming of Messiah. Daniel was given literal passage of time until Messiah. Seven years, his seventieth week, were set aside without a definite beginning. John filled in associated events to introduce this seven-year period. It is revealed to John, a man, in a context he should understand in human terms. He gave six seals which should introduce the end time events of that last week of the seventy Daniel foretold which occurs during the seventh seal. The following verse introduces the Revelation.

 Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must SOON TAKE PLACE (lit.- coming in swiftness); and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.

In God’s Time or Ours?

If God had meant for the events of the Revelation to be understood as being for the distant future, He could have easily worded it that way rather than veiling it in ambiguous terms. God was accused of that in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 12:26 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 27 “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and HE PROPHESIES OF TIMES FAR OFF.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of MY WORDS WILL NOT BE DELAYED any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God.

God is aware of the human time perspective and delivers His word in terms understandable to us. Yes, one day is as a thousand years to God. That is discussed in 2 Peter 3 concerning the second coming. God does not use that as an excuse to make meaningless statements such as, “SOON TAKE PLACE,” to man. Daniel prophesied the first advent of Christ which was half a millennium after his time. God gave the time spread of the first sixty-nine weeks (483 prophetic years) until messiah would appear. It covered the four kingdoms he prophesied of beginning in Daniel 2. He purposely left the seventieth week and Christ’s Second Advent without time designations except for the conditions of those times showing an increase in knowledge and travel. We now, two thousand years later, realize the observations of Peter in 2 Peter 3 concerning the seventieth week and Christ’s return fit well with the “one day is as a thousand years with God” concept. That gives us perspective on the events of the seventh seal. It does not, however, clue us in to the time consideration for the first six seals. They occur before the seventh seal. How much before is the question?

Only Four Seals? That’s a Lot of History!

The second coming and the seventieth week are revealed during the seventh seal. There is no indication that the time scale for the first five seals is included in the description of the seven seals. The first four seals describe a time of conquest, war, famine, and disease. Conquests and the wars that follow take a long period of time. Conquest indicates a time of settling into a new nation after a conflict. War indicates battles to protect conquested lands. After wars, disease and famine spread. These are not events that take place in a short period of time. With the time constraints of the following verses it seems unlikely there is sufficient time for all this conquest, wars, famine, and disease to ravage the earth before this final generation passes.

Luke 21:24 … Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (1967 A.D.)

Matthew 24:14 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. (approx. 2030 A.D.)

Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (70-80 years)

As previously mentioned, Daniel gave a timeline to the time of Messiah’s first appearance during the first sixty-nine weeks of his prophecy in chapter 9. He gave a succession of world events that would happen until that time revealed in the four kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the final kingdom, Rome. As far as the seventieth week, there was no calendar of events leading to it. He gave Daniel the conditions of the times and then told him to seal up the book, until the end time. That was easily accomplished as few men have had access to that book throughout history. It was not until knowledge and travel had increased that knowledge of scripture was widely available due to the industrial revolution. It was due to mass production of the Bible that many had the opportunity to read scripture for themselves.

Daniel 12:4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

Revelation Was a Message to then and now

The first message of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 is given to seven churches of that current time. Christ even tells these churches He is “coming quickly.” The initiation of this promise is revealed in the first four seals to come. Clearly Revelation is not all about some distant future. Chapters 4 and 5 are a parenthesis in the Revelation to introduce the Lamb who is the only one worthy to open the seals of the prophetic events to come beginning in chapter 6.

The phrase “SOON TO TAKE PLACE” in Revelation 1:1 is referring to the events of the first seal, and it follows the next three are logically connected. Is it relative to God’s perspective, since everything is SOON to the author of eternity? The context here shows that the revelation is given for John’s understanding. Christ is not attempting to veil the message from John with these words. Just as Daniel revealed the history of the four kingdoms until the time of Christ, here Christ is informing John of the history of the world until His next appearing. During Jesus’s ministry He spoke of what appears to be a description similar to the events of the first four seals.

Matthew 24:6-8 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED, for those things must take place, but that is NOT YET THE END. ⁷ For NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be FAMINES and EARTHQUAKES. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Daniel also makes such a prediction:

Daniel 9:26-27 Then after the sixty-two weeks (and seven) the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; EVEN TO THE END there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering…

There is no reason to consider these scriptures as anything other than a description of the first four seals. Christ tells His disciple not to be frightened as though they may see some of these events. And they did. They saw the destruction of Jerusalem and John lived to see the further conquests of Rome, Daniel’s fourth and final kingdom. Hundreds of millions perished in the wars, famines, and pestilence of the next two millennia. Anyone who has studied Middle eastern and European history has perspective on these issues.

The fifth Seal & the martyr’s perspective

Following the first four seals comes the loud cry of the martyrs under the throne of God known as the fifth seal. For those who wrap the entire set of events in the seals into the last seven years or the seven and a short period of time preceding it, we have a failure of perspective. It is the same failure we have seen throughout history in those who predicted the apocalypse in the year 1,000 and almost every century following. The cry of these martyrs of history tells a story. It tells of those in eternity who have been waiting expectantly through the generations since their deaths for the gospel’s sake. They have been the witnesses of the playing out of these first four seals over a long period of time. They have become a little impatient even in the perspective of eternity. Had these four seals been understood by John and his brethren in heaven as taking place briefly before seals six and seven, it would have been nonsensical point to ask of God, “How much longer!” They were right in the middle of the end time events according to the view of some. They had only seven years to wait for the entirety of events. No, the cry comes out in the perspective of eternity in which seven years in but a blink in time. Two millennia would warrant such a cry. The first four seals are a perfect fit to describe the Roman empire, its fall, the hundreds of wars and battles of history, Islam, the rise of the Holy Roman Empire, famine, the black plague, smallpox, the Crusades, on and on. It is only those without historical perspective that cannot see that God has not skipped any description of the history relevant to the Revelation. He may, as Christ did in His apocalyptic messages abbreviate the times in between the first and second advent, but He does account for the general climate of history. Wars and rumors of wars, Matthew 24:6, fills the gap of history. False prophets and Messiahs also will appear. These are in the valleys of history, but the emphasis is on the mountain peaks. The first and second advents get the focus in prophecy. The first four seals are brief and to the point. They are the valleys of history. The sixth seal begins to get expanded description as it is the beginning of one of the mountains of history. The seventh seal brings us to the peak of history covering chapters eight through nineteen of Revelation. Coming as close to the end when the gospel is preached in the whole world, Matthew 24:14, as we are, should present an urgency to any believing the first four seals have not yet occurred. Are we looking for seals of worldwide conquest, wars, famine, and disease? Or, are week looking for seal six and the signs from the heavens?

A Narrow Perspective

It is only the twentieth century-centered theological perspective that can’t accept any other position that does not stuff all the events of the first four seals into their own times during the final week (seven years) of Daniel’s prophecy. The order of the seals indicates the order in history. We do not have sufficient time for a meaningful fulfillment of the first four seals within the time constraints of this final generation if we are to take the end time signposts literally. The clock began ticking in 1967. Beginning then, we had a generation of time left. We are a half of a century past this. When ‘did’ or ‘are’ these four seals to begin? They should be happening at the moment if they haven’t already. It seems only reasonable, without a prejudice forcing the whole book of Revelation into our own time, that the events revealed in it cover the unbroken timeline of history just as did the four kingdoms of Daniel’s prophecy. This seems the perfect moment for the fifth seal with the saints in heaven under the throne crying out, “How much longer?”.

The God’s and Man’s Size Times Converge

There were about two thousand years from the preincarnate Christ appearing to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre until His appearing as Messiah to the Jews. There will be about two thousand years until the last seven when He appears to the entire world. God sees the whole. We can barely wrap our eyes around the last seven years coming so swiftly. Christ tells the then current church of Philadelphia, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, THAT HOUR, WHICH IS ABOUT TO COME upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I AM COMING QUICKLY; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown, Revelation 3:10-11.” It sounds pretty imminent here. He closes in Revelation 22:20 with the same words. This statement is true because, and only because, the events of the first four seals were about to begin in John’s day. It will complete in about two thousand years, two days in God’s time. Yes, He is has been and will be “coming quickly.”

The Book of Daniel and The Revelation to John are the two defining books concerning the history and future fate of earth. Revelation 6 and the first four seals take up at the time of the events described in the second half of Daniel 9:26 with the brief statement, “… even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. This statement by Daniel is further expanded by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-14. It reads,

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs … 14 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. (NASB).

It has never been the purpose of God to write a complete history of Western or Middle Eastern civilization. He deals with the defining points of His hand in history. He has defined the roll of the church throughout time, but the larger picture is in His hands and will fit His outline given to us by the prophets. This outline is given to Daniel beginning with his own time concerning four kingdoms or empires. The last of these four will encompass the first and second advents of Messiah.

Daniel’s First Kingdom Identified

Reading from Daniel chapters 2, 7 ,8 and 9 we learn of these four kingdoms that were revealed to Daniel through the vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue of gold, silver, bronze, and iron mixed with clay.  Daniel, as a young man, was given an interpretation of this dream, and later in life, he also received several visions concerning the same topic given directly to him by God. The interpretation of the first part of the statue in Daniel 2:38 was that Nebuchadnezzar was the golden head of the statue he envisioned. Three more empires were to follow of which Daniel gave details without naming them. The final empire as well as the previous ones were destroyed by a mountainous power that lasts forever. This context was of an end time event, Daniel 2:44-45. Nebuchadnezzar was very pleased with Daniel’s description and made him a high ruler in Babylon (603 B.C.).

Two More Kingdoms Identified

Some 50 years later, now elderly and under Belshazzar, the final ruler of Babylon, he receives a vision of four beasts. These parallel the parts of the statue in chapter 2. The lion with the eagle wings was a well-known image of civilizations of the Tigris-Euphrates region representing Babylon. The bear, Persia, had three ribs in its mouth symbolizing Cyrus’s conquest of the Medes, Lydia, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It is clear looking back on history that the third beast with its four wings is Greece which was split by his four generals after Alexander. These last two identifications will be confirmed in chapter 8. The fourth creature is only identified as a terrifying beast with iron teeth and ten horns who tramples down the other the beasts. Two years later, Daniel records a vision of a ram and a shaggy goat. The shaggy goat tramples the ram then breaks his horn and four more spring up. Finally, out of one of the horns, another springs up to become more powerful than the rest and approaches Jerusalem to profane the temple. Then finally, the angel showing him all these visions has mercy on him and reveals their meaning. The ram and the goat were revealed to be Medo-Persia and Greece. The third character, the horn, is now revealed as a king. The identifying traits of the king fit with Antiochus Epiphanes, a Roman vassal of the mid-second century. His character has a strong resemblance to the beast of Revelation. The baton pass of this final king to the antichrist of Revelation is made in Daniel 8:17 where the event is relegated to the “time of the end.”

The Seventieth Week and the Fourth Beast

Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. 25 So you are to know and discern 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; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of PRINCE WHO IS TO COME will destroy the city and the sanctuary (completed by Rome 70 A.D.). And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he (refer back – THE PRINCE WHO IS TO COME) will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

Chapter 9 Introduces the seventy-weeks prophecy with the gap between the “cutting off” of the messiah at the sixty-ninth week and the rest of history ending with week seventy. This is all revealed in Daniel 9:26-27 and further explained in Daniel 12 concerning the end time. We then overlay the fourth kingdom, the one following Greece, with the events in Daniel 9:26-27 focusing on the “prince who is to come (NASB)” who will destroy the city of Jerusalem followed by a period of wars and desolations. Then, after this period, the final seventieth week begins. Then this same prince (“he” v.27) makes a covenant with Israel which he breaks in the middle of the seventieth week. History tells us the city of Jerusalem was overrun and destroyed by Rome in 70 A.D. It is reasonable to conclude from this prophecy that Jerusalem  and its temple must be restored in the future for the events predicted in verse 27 to take place. The PRINCE WHO IS TO COME will continue the Roman persecution of Jerusalem during the final seventieth week.

Connecting to the End Time, the Fourth Kingdom

Daniel 7:23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. … 25 … and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’

The term “time, times, and half a time” repeats in chapters 9 and 12 connecting to this event perpetrated by the fourth kingdom. The reference to the judgment, annihilation forever, and the everlasting kingdom coordinate with end time declaration of Daniel 12. Thus, we more than infer that Rome is involved in the end time saga and deserves to be followed in history as a biblically evolving force.

Another End Time Connection

Daniel 12 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

Further details of this abomination that is to take place are revealed in Daniel 12 which deals with the latter half of week seventy. Daniel 12:1-4 further confirms this week is set in the end times. Pulling together these several visions of Daniel allows us to confidently state that the fourth kingdom, Rome, and its prince, a human ruler led by Satan, will extend to the end times.

A Small Slice of Rome After the Fall

Now we look to history to see if the continuation of this fourth and final empire is a historical reality, or was it replaced with by a fifth that followed? The Rome that crucified Christ continued until the fourth century A.D. when Constantine legalized Christianity. It then continued with some interruption until its alleged fall in 476 A.D. to Germanic barbarians from the north. By this point in time though, Rome was larger than just the western portion of the empire. It extended all the way to Constantinople its eastern capital. The history of the western Roman Empire gets very complicated during the next few centuries with multiple turnovers of power. By the time of the conquest by the Lombards, Italy has become largely depopulated due to wars with Goths and famine. As the Lombards move into the area, they find little resistance. They held to an Arian Christian faith as opposed to the Nicene faith of the Catholics. Many Lombards were still pagan. God’s hand was manifested in the marriage of Catholic Princess Theolinda to the Arian Lombard King Autari in 588 A.D. Autari passed just two years later, but Theolinda continued to spread Catholic influence over the land for the next thirty-eight years. Through Theolinda and other influences, by the end of the 8th century, the Lombards were almost completely catholicized.  They continued to rule until political strife between Pope Adrian and the Lombard King Desiderius brought things to a head. The pope sent message to the Frankish King Charlemagne who defeated Desiderius and, after restoring order among some rebellious dukes, reclaimed Italy in 776 A.D. After Charlemagne defeats the Lombards, he surprisingly declares himself King of the Lombards rather than emperor of Rome. This is likely a smart move to pacify the country, especially as over the last century the Lombards had become increasingly catholicized and in line with the western church. He goes on to reunite the lands of the former Roman Empire and establishes it as the Holy Roman Empire. The eastern Roman empire has remained intact during this time. The Holy Roman Empire continued throughout the Medieval period, into the Renaissance, and on to modernity. Napoleon’s quest for emperorship brought an end to the Holy Roman Emperor’s wider rule. Napoleon was looking forward, not to continue the Holy Roman Empire, but to remake it in his own image. This would have resulted in a fifth empire not in line with Biblical Prophecy. Hitler, a little over a century later, made a similar attempt amplified by the attempted extermination of all Jews. This was a factor not in line with God’s plan. Both Napoleon and Hitler were far along in their plans. Britain and America, respectively, became forces moved by God’s hand to halt these attempts at a fifth empire. Francis II was the last to officially hold the title Holy Roman Emperor which he abdicated in 1806. The Blessed Charles of Austria (Charles I and IV) (1887–1922), the last to have the right to the abdicated title of Holy Roman Emperor dissolved his monarchy in 1919. The kings that held the right to the title had been of the Hapsburg line in Austria. It is interesting to note that Hapsburgs are still active in European politics here in the 21^st century.

A Third Roman Empire?

Events of the catastrophic level described in Revelation 6:12-18 are likely responsible for great disruption throughout the planet. The resulting chaos is likely to topple governments and produce grabs for power in many nations. This may be the opportunity for the man of lawlessness, described as the antichrist, to begin to make his move. He apparently comes to power through intrigue. What shape will the European Union take at this time? According to Revelation it appears there will be a ten-nation confederacy of some sort and a consolidation of several of the nations into one of which the beast is the head. He, through flattery, will ultimately become not just a leader but the dictatorial emperor of the resurrected Roman Empire by whatever name it should call itself. At the time, he may seem a modern-day Charlemagne, but he will be no Charlemagne. Ultimately, he will resemble more, der fuhrer of the Third Reich.

As Christians and devoted readers of scripture, we often try our best to imagine what it would have been like to live in Bible times. In the last century, there have been numerous attempts at reenacting the gospel story in film. We wonder, “Was that director’s version of events really accurate for the times and culture?” What would it have been like to actually live in Bible times? When did biblical times end? Was it at the crucifixion? Was it when, as Christ foretold, Jerusalem was again destroyed? Was it with Apostle John on the Island of Patmos?

Living in Modern times

If someone were to ask you what era in history we live in, the majority of us would likely respond, “We live in modern times.” The question arises, “When did modern times begin?” Often, we tie modern times to an invention that significantly changed the way people on earth live. The invention of the train, the plane, the electric light bulb, maybe the telephone, or the radio, definitely the television, and now the computer come to mind. The word modern has been in used in some context since the sixteenth century. You might believe in God, but those Bible times and antiquated ways of thinking, they are far behind us.

     As a Christian, I find modernity, while very convenient for the ease of daily living, it is at the same time very mesmerizing and highly distractive from the God’s theme and purpose in the saga of history. Every day that passes is another page in the unfolding story, yet we do not recognize, or at best, tend to ignore that there is an actual author. This view is not taking poetic license. God is intimately involved with both the small and large picture of life. Are we not a part of His continuing story?

his Mystery in history

Not only is God orchestrating world events, He has revealed the outline and focus of history in His word. The prophet Daniel, the Lord Jesus, and the Apostle John, as well as others, foretell literal events and the rise of kingdoms of history, those which began in Daniel’s time, resulting in the first advent of Christ. Jesus expands on the prophet Daniel, preparing us for the trials ahead. Some were to be sooner than others. Jerusalem fell in 70 A.D. a second time fulfilling the words of Jesus, yet Daniel’s words still fresh on Christ’s lips spoke of a future for the great city. The ball is passed to John next, and he, caught up to heaven, reveals to us an end to history so dramatic and fantastic that its been figuratively rewritten into symbolic meaninglessness by interpretations of many modern theologians. John writes into the flow of the final fourth kingdom of the world mentioned by Daniel. The perseverance of the Roman Empire throughout history, according to Daniel, ties into these last days. What? Rome fell. Don’t let anyone tell you that. The eastern portion continued, and the west was eventually reclaimed as the Holy Roman Empire. The empire began to dissolve during Napoleon’s conquest and retreated into Germany and Austria until WWI. It was shortly before the war that the Aliyah, return of the Jews to the Holy Land, was gaining some momentum. The Balfour Declaration in Britain during 1917 brought a ray of hope for a wider expansion of the movement but stalled two decades due to international debate. Then, through the horror of WWII, God called the Jews home.  Now I know why I should have stayed awake in my Western Civ class. God was clearly fulfilling, what is now, Bible history up and through the twentieth century until the present time.

Thy Kingdom Come

Is hope of a literal coming kingdom of righteousness lost? Not for many of us. We now live in a day looked forward to by the prophets. It’s a day when the Great City has been reborn. The rebirth of Jerusalem, as the capital of the Jewish nation, has been a couple of generations in the making. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem admonishes Psalm 122. This is our narrow focus. The focus and intensity of the final chapters of history play out here. In contrast, we are charged with the wide focus of Matthew 24:14, and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

This charge seems to be a reality in the making for this next generation according to Wycliffe Bible translators. Coincidence, or is scripture coming alive right before our eyes? So, if we are living at a time when predicted biblical events are occurring, dare we say, we are living in Bible times? I say, “Be brave, be bold, and go against the flow.” Next time the discussion gets around to the wonders of our modern times, there’s your opportunity. Hijack the topic. We also live in Bible times.