Sensational Bible Prophecies

My attention has been elsewhere

2009-09-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been concentrating on my other blog:

Shoes Off at the Door, Please

Apologies to my Pre-Trib brethren for this post

2009-04-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Often you hear Christians gasp with amazement when they hear about the peculiar doctrines of cults like the Mormons and JWs. They often exclaim "How can anybody believe that?"

Typically, they have not read enough of the cults material too understand the reasoning behind some of these false doctrines. Hence, when they actually meet real live cult followers, they are confounded and have no idea how to answer them.

These false doctrines have not been plucked from the air. They are supported by twisted readings of scriptural passages. They are invariably based on wrong methods of eisegesis. Yet the reasoning behind them makes sense. When they present their arguments, you can see where they are going.

Yet despite the smart arguments, you are still left with the thought in your head "How can anybody come to that conclusion?"

For all the great theology that has come from Dispensationalist theologians, my thoughts on the Pre-Trib rapture are still exactly the same as my reaction to the odd doctrines of the cults- "How can anybody come to that conclusion?"

I have read book after book by Pre-Trib theologians. Yet I am still baffled as to how people come to think that there is a pre-trib rapture. The more arguments that Pre-Tribbers raise, the more implausible there proposition seems to me.

Be Prepared!- Ron Wallace

2008-10-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

by Ron Wallace

BE PREPARED!

A motivational article in view of the pre-wrath rapture.

Jesus taught his disciples the things concerning the kingdom of God. This of necessity included the subject of His return to the earth in fulfillment of the OT Day of the LORD prophecies as well as the signs of the end of the age.
1. He taught the FACT of His return.
2. He taught about events preceding His return.
3. He taught about the physical signs preceding His return.
4. And a little bit about what would happen after His return.

The disciples as the seed pod for the church of Christ, were taught information pertinent to them; and through them, as representatives of the church, information pertinent to the whole church.

The church therefore received as its heritage the teachings of Jesus to the disciples. And as its heritage, those teachings are pertinent to the church and applicable to the church just as if they had been directly taught to each member.

The significance of this is seen when we discuss the Olivet Discourse. What Jesus taught the disciples was pertinent to them and applicable to them as representatives of the church, and through them, it was pertinent to and applicable to the church as a whole.

So what we see in that passage is the history of the church, as taught with the disciples in mind and through them, with the whole church in mind. And that the history of the church is viewed without interruption until the tribulation of those days is cut short by the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus and the angels of God are sent forth to gather His elect from the four winds of heaven.

The eleven disciples and Paul, as the 12 apostles of the lamb, were then used by God to pass on this heritage of doctrine to the church and to add to it as the Holy Spirit provided amplification. And in the amplification of that eschatological heritage we have only clear confirmation that the history of the church will progress without interruption into and to the end of that great oppression of the antichrist and be raptured out from this world at the Day of the LORD, when God the Father will pour out His wrath and the wrath of the Lamb upon the kingdom of the beast and upon the unbelievers of the whole world. Luke 21.28
But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and
lift up your head, because your redemption is drawing near.

Some people say that an understanding of prophecy and the rapture is not important. Let me adamantly disagree. If the Lord shall return for His church before that 7 year period of time known in the bible as the 70th week of Daniel or indeed prior to that oppressive reign of antichrist known as the great tribulation, then the church can continue about its business with little concern about the awesome suffering and oppression that will occur on the earth when they are gone.

Christians can continue in their apathy and indifference to spiritual values and continue to live in misery, frustration and stress during the time of their stay here on the earth. For the sad reality of it all is, that most Christians are indeed, living a life far removed from the quality of life of peace and joy that Jesus promised us.

HOWEVER, if Christ shall return at the end of the great tribulation as He said He would in Matthew 24, then it should be clear to most, that the church is ill-prepared to face the nature of that persecution which will come upon them from the oppressive reign of the antichrist.
It is one thing for Christians, here in America, to be living with an abundance of material possessions and still be miserable and frustrated with life. But it is quite another thing to face the economic controls of the beast which will place all Christians in a category worse than the homeless, being unable to conduct ANY financial transactions without the mark of the beast.

It is then that the reality of their inner misery will be open and made clear to them for they will no longer have the possessions of this life to hide in as an escape from the emptiness in their soul. And they will be unable to take the mark of the beast in an attempt to alleviate those economic woes, for God will not allow any of His children to accept that mark once they have trusted in Christ as savior.

Thus, their life will be one of wandering or martyrdom or death by divine discipline. And if it is a life of wandering, the believer needs to be prepared with bible truth in his soul. God's word in the soul is the only thing that can provide true peace and joy now as well as during the time of oppression.

But preparation must be accomplished NOW; before the time of oppression arrives, for then it will be too late to stock pile the truth in your soul. We are exhorted to redeem the time because the days are evil. This is a plea to learn what the will of the Lord is and saturate our souls with truth. God's system for doing this is through a pastor-teacher in a local church. And it is within this context that the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some us, but we are to be encouraging one another and to a much greater degree as we see the DAY approaching. We should follow the example of Moses that we find at Psalm 90:12, So teach us to assign our days so that we might gain a heart of wisdom.

The urgency for spiritual growth - growth in grace and knowledge is pressed upon us NOW. There will come a time when such growth will be difficult to experience, "for a famine is coming upon the whole land - not a famine for bread or thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the LORD. And the people will stagger from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. In that day, the beautiful maidens and the young men will faint from THIRST." (Amos 8.11-13) They will weaken and faint from "spiritual" thirst, because of a hunger and need for the word of God in the soul, but they will find no strength - either within themselves to be at peace or to be a testimony for the truth of the gospel to the many unbelievers who will be faced with the decision to take the mark of the beast or not.

The issue then for a proper understanding of the prophetic program as God has revealed it to us in His word is the issue of preparation. Christians know so little about God and about His word, the bible. And their quality of life is an inferior quality of life in comparison to the abundant life of peace and joy that Jesus promised us. But what will happen when the crisis is upon them and they are not prepared to deal with it? Then the experience of Proverbs 1:24-29 will be a sad reality for the vast majority of Christians even as it is in fact a very present reality for so many today.

"Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand,
and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel,
and did not want my reproof; I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes; When your dread comes like a storm, and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer (remember the famine); they will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled up with their own solutions."

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard, lest being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him - the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
2 Peter 3.17-18

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

Watchman Nee on the Four Judgments

2008-09-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

by Watchman Nee

Having differentiated between reward and salvation, we can now touch upon a related problem—the subject of judgment. Without judgment, how can it be determined who is saved and who is unsaved? Without judgment, how can it be known who will be rewarded and who will suffer loss? The Bible unfolds to us four different kinds of judgment: (1) the Lord Jesus was judged for us on the cross; (2) the believers will be judged as to their works before the judgment seat of Christ; (3) the nations will be judged on earth (Matt. 25.31-46); and (4) God’s judgment of the dead (or, of the great white throne) (Rev. 20.11-15). Of these four judgments, one has already passed, but three are coming in the future. All who are willing to believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior will have their problem of sins forever solved due to the effect of Christ having been judged for sins on the cross. They are therefore saved, they have received eternal life, and they will be judged no more (see John 3.18, Rom. 8.1). They will not be judged for sins anymore because the Lord Jesus has suffered for them on the cross.

But although believers will not be judged for sin, the Bible nonetheless indicates that they will still be judged (2 Cor. 5.10; Rom. 14.10-12; Matt. 25.14-30; 1 Cor. 3.10-15; etc.). What judgment is that? Not the judgment as to whether one is saved or perishes, since this issue has already been resolved for the believer by the cross. Moreover, 1 Corinthians 3.15 states that in this judgment there is no danger of perishing. Hence this judgment is that judgment of the works of saints. The judgment of the cross concludes our lives as sinners. The judgment seat of Christ concludes our lives as believers.

Before the judgment seat of Christ we are going to be examined as to our lives lived from the day we first believed in the Lord and onward. Sins which have been confessed will not be brought up. Some believers will have served the Lord faithfully—having sufferedmuch and forsaken all things, having done the will of God without any ulterior motive except to please Him. These people will be rewarded and will reign with Christ in unspeakable glory. How great and good this will be! For the Lord’s heart will be pleased, and they will receive glory. Let us seek for it! Some others may have faltered at times, but if they have confessed their sins, they will be washed by the precious blood so that they may renew their pursuit and follow the Lord along the narrow path of the cross. These too shall receive His reward. As to others, however, they may not have sinned, but their works were like wood, hay and stubble since they sought after the approval of men and worked with a double motive. These shall not be rewarded at all but will suffer tremendous loss. And then there will be still others who after being saved will have continued to commit many sins—unconfessed and unrepented of; such people will be punished instead of rewarded. Although their eternal salvation is an unshakable matter, they will nonetheless be severely disciplined by the Lord. Revelation 1-3 discloses the attitude of the Lord Jesus in judging His saints. It is the prelude to the judgment seat of Christ.

The third of these four judgments—the judgment of nations—will be determined according to how each nation will have treated the Jews during the Great Tribulation. This judgment will take place at the end of the Tribulation but before the commencement of the millennial kingdom. What is to take place as described in Revelation 16.12-16 and 19.11-21 has reference to this judgment.
The fourth and final judgment is that of the great white throne—that is to say, God’s judgment of the dead (see Rev. 20.11-15).

Since the book of Revelation speaks so much of judgment, an awareness of these four judgments to be found in the Scriptures will help us to understand the different judgments spoken of in this final book of the Bible.

Watchman Nee on the New Jerusalem

2008-09-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

by Watchman Nee

21.9-27 “THE NEW JERUSALEM”

21.9 Now the name of the wife of the Lamb is given. Many people consider the church to be the wife of the Lamb since, they say, there cannot be a literal New Jerusalem in the future. Many are the proofs, however, that the New Jerusalem is a literal new city:

(1) At that time the church as we know it today no longer exists, for she now becomes only a part of all the redeemed.

(2) Being a book of revelation, its chapters 2 and 3 plainly point out the churches quite clearly and specifically; why then should the New Jerusalem mentioned in chapter 21 of this same book be something other than the clearly stated and specifically mentioned New Jerusalem?

(3) According to 3.12 the New Jerusalem is what the church hopes for. If New Jerusalem is indeed the church, how could the church hope for the church? It would be senseless and illogical.

(4) In 19.7-13 the New Jerusalem is seen as the bride whereas the church is a guest, thus showing that the church is not New Jerusalem.

(5) How can there be no new city in the new heaven and the new earth? Where will people stay if they come to worship God? Did not our Lord expressly say that “in my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14.2)?

(6) If the woman mentioned in 12.1 refers to Jerusalem and the great harlot cited in 17.1 points to the city of Rome, how can the wife of the Lamb spoken of in 21.9 not be a reference to an actual city?

(7) After the blowing of the seventh trumpet the kingdom has arrived and the mystery is fulfilled. Since New Jerusalem subsists in the new heaven and the new earth, it cannot be considered a mystery, and therefore it must be literal.

(8) At the time of chapter 17 when John sees Babylon, he cannot cease wondering because it is a mystery which must be explained by an angel to him. Here, though, John is not amazed at all, neither does he need an angel to interpret to him. Hence what is here before us must be an actual city.

(9) People deem the wife of the Lamb to be the church because they adopt a totally spiritual view of eternity. Who knows, though, but what in the new heaven and the new earth everything is real and substantial? If God chose to use gold and silver in the building of Solomon’s temple, why can there not be gold and silver in the building by God of a new city in the new heaven and the new earth?

(10) Since many at that time are to be resurrected bodily, that is, they are to have a spiritual body, will they not need a place to stay?

(11) Here we are told the structure, dimensions, and materials of the city of New Jerusalem. These can hardly be applied to the church.

(12) 21.27 plainly implies that many will enter the city. If the city is the church which is itself made up of people, how can people enter into people? Furthermore, 21.25 says that the gates of the city are not shut by day. How can this fact be something related to the church?

(13) Here in 21.9 the wife of the Lamb is shown to John. Now if the wife of the Lamb is a mystery and the New Jerusalem is an explanation, how can an explanation not be taken literally?

(14) The New Jerusalem is contrasted with the Old Jerusalem. As Old Jerusalem is a literal city, so New Jerusalem must also be a literal city. It therefore cannot be taken as the church.

(15) Galatians 4 distinctly tells us that “the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother” (v.26). This Jerusalem is quite different from the church, so Paul says it is our (that is, the church’s) mother. Thus we cannot maintain that New Jerusalem is the church.

(16) Hebrews 11 says that Abraham “looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (v.10). The New Jerusalem is a true city with foundations. Did Abraham look for the church? He could not have known the church at his time.

(17) Hebrews 12.22 mentions the heavenly Jerusalem and the innumerable hosts of angels. Verse 23 of the same chapter speaks of the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven (this means the church), speaks also of God who is the Judge of all, and of spirits of just men made perfect (the saints of old). There are altogether five classes enumerated here; namely, (1) God, (2) angels, (3) saints of the Old Testament time, (4) the church, and (5) the heavenly Jerusalem. The church and the heavenly Jerusalem are listed separately, therefore they cannot be the same.

[Translator’s Note: When Mr. Nee first gave these Bible readings on Revelation in the early days of his ministry he adopted a more literal interpretation of the holy city, New Jerusalem. In his later work, already quoted from earlier in this study and first entitled in Chinese as Holy and Without Blemish (but subsequently published in Chinese under the title The Glorious Church), the author took a more spiritual approach to its interpretation. What follows below are some highlights from this approach, translated directly from the first Chinese edition of Shanghai, 1953, pp. 133-155.]

21.10 “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high”—If we wish to see the eternal vision of God we need to be brought by God to a great and high mountain. Unless we stand on a spiritual high mountain we cannot see anything. Those who live on the plain will not be able to see the New Jerusalem—the finality of God’s work.

“The holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God”—The wife of the Lamb whom John saw was the holy city Jerusalem. The description of the city is allegorical. By its description we are told of the corporate body which God from eternity has purposed to obtain.

This is a city which comes out of heaven from God. God pays attention not only to where this corporate man will go but from whence he comes out as well. Not only the destiny but also the source. The wife of the Lamb comes out of heaven, not from earth. God does not show us here the man who has a past history of sin but is now saved by grace. This does not mean of course, that we do not have a history of sin, therefore needing neither repentance nor salvation. This passage of Scripture simply reveals to us that portion which comes out of God, which is the glorious church of Ephesians 5 that is to be presented to Christ.

One characteristic of this new Jerusalem is holiness. Among Christians, some look for greatness, some look for holiness. The former is the principle of Babylon, whereas the latter is the principle of New Jerusalem. What is holiness? We may say that only God is holy; therefore, all that comes out of God is holy: “For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one” (Heb. 2.11).

21.11 “Having the glory of God . . . a jasper stone”—The God on the throne whom John saw was like a jasper stone (see 4.3). In other words, jasper means the God who is seen. The God whom we know as we stand before His throne is like jasper stone. Our knowledge of God today here on earth is at best termed “darkly” or “in a riddle” (1 Cor. 13.12 mg.); but in the city which has the glory of God like a jasper stone we shall then see Him as He is—“clear as crystal” (v. 11).

21.12-14 “Having twelve gates, . . . and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: . . . And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb”—Whom does this corporate man include? Having the twelve names of the tribes of Israel on its gates and the twelve names of the apostles on its foundations, this city includes all the Old and the New Testament saints. At the time of the new heaven and the new earth, all who have the life of God are to be included in the New Jerusalem.

21.15-17 “And he that spake with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure . . . the wall thereof”—Besides the glory of God, the next thing mentioned is the wall of the city. Separation—as depicted here by a wall—is an important principle in Christian living. Lack of separation devaluates the Christian’s worth. A line must be drawn between what is spiritual and what is carnal. New Jerusalem has its boundary, its wall of separation. From this we learn that whatever is of Babylon must be rejected and whatever is of God must be protected. Building a city wall is not an easy task; it is greatly hated by Satan. For example, when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to build the city wall, he was opposed vehemently by Sanballat and Tobiah. Consequently, with one hand he held his weapon and with the other hand he built. Let us ask God to teach us how to take up spiritual weapons against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies and how at the same time to maintain the principle of separation.

Having the names of the twelve apostles on the foundations means that everything in the city is based on the principle of the kingdom of God as proclaimed by the apostles. “Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2.20) simply means that the revelation which the apostles received from the Lord is the foundation of New Jerusalem.

Why are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on the doors? The answer is supplied by the words of the Lord Jesus himself, who declared that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4.22).

The Bible employs gold to represent all that is of God. To measure with a golden reed suggests that this city is measurable by God’s standard, for it meets His standard.

“And the city lieth foursquare, . . . the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal”—In the Scriptures we find that only the holiest of all things in the temple and the New Jerusalem are in perfect cubes. This is thus to imply that in the new heaven and the new earth the New Jerusalem will be the holiest of all to God.

“According to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel”—Why at that time is the measure of a man equal to the measure of an angel? In resurrection, men shall be equal to the angels (Luke 20.36). In other words, all that is in the city is on resurrection ground. That which cannot be bound and retained by death is called resurrection. Whatever comes out of us will be finished at the cross; that which is of God cannot be touched by death.

21.18-21 “And the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass”—One special feature of New Jerusalem is that the gold therein is pure. Everything is wholly of God; there is not a speck of mixture. Whatever is not of God is dross. No one can say to God that he has something in himself to give to Him. What God wants is nothing but pure gold.

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones”—There is a basic difference between gold and precious stone. The first is a single chemical element, but the second is a compound. Gold is directly created by God, whereas precious stone is the result of the fusing together of several elements under the earth after they have gone through extremely high temperature accompanied by pressure. In other words, what the precious stone represents is not that which God gives directly to man, rather it stands for the refining work which the Holy Spirit has done in man. The life which God gives to us is gold, the life which God forges in us is precious stone. God does not stop with merely imparting the life of Christ to us; He goes on to incorporate or work into us that life in us.

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls”—Pearl is formed by the secretion of a mollusk in the sea after it is wounded by a grain of sand or other foreign matter. Hence pearl signifies that life which comes out of death. It represents the life which the Lord Jesus Christ has released in His death on the non-atoning side.

“And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass”—A street is a place for fellowship. Inasmuch as the street of the city is pure gold, all who walk on it will never have their feet defiled. Today all who are bathed still need to wash their feet continually (John 13.10) in order to maintain their fellowship with God. For as long as we walk on this earth we cannot help but be contaminated by the dust of the earth, thus affecting our fellowship with God. But the day shall come when nothing will defile us nor hinder our fellowship with God. In eternity nothing defiles us, therefore our whole life shall be holy.

“As it were transparent glass”—Today many situations are opaque, but in the future everything shall be transparent before God. If that is the case, then we must begin to learn even today to be true and transparent, not attempting to pretend to be what we are not.

[Here ends the translated portion of highlights of the author’s spiritual approach to an interpretation of the holy city, New Jerusalem, taken directly from Mr. Nee’s Holy and Without Blemish (Shanghai, 1953, pp. 133-155).—Translator]

21.10 “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high”—This is in contrast to the words “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness” found in 17.3.

21.11 This city especially has the glory of God. Formerly, in the old temple, the glory of God was not too obvious since it appeared like a cloud.

“Her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal”—Crystal is transparent. Today even the light of the sun is opaque, but the light of New Jerusalem in the future will be transparent.

The Gates of the City

21.12,13,21 “Having twelve gates”—According to 21.21 the street of the city is singular in number. Since there are twelve gates we would naturally assume that there should be twelve streets. Why though, is there only one street? It may possibly be that the street is like a city plaza which is open to the gates on every side.

“And at the gates, twelve angels”—The angels here are guarding the gates of the new city, not reigning over the city.

“And names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel”—Israel represents the law of God. “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls” (21.21)—Pearl stands for the righteousness of God. Together they show that the entry into the city of God is according to God’s law and righteousness.

The Height of the City

21.14-17 “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations”—According to 21.16 an angel measures the city with a golden reed: “And the city lieth foursquare, . . . twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal” (21.16); but then it is said that “he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits” (21.17). How are these calculations to be reconciled? The total height of the city is 12,000 furlongs (1500 miles), while the height of the wall is 144 cubits (72 yards). The total height is measured from the bottom foundation to the throne of God. The figure of 12,000 furlongs is a multiple of 12 which is the eternally perfect number.

The wall of the city has twelve foundations. It is quite likely that they are built one upon another and that the upper level is smaller than the lower level, similar to the structure of the Egyptian pyramid. Hence all twelve layers are visible.

“And on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb”—The apostles represent the grace of God, therefore it is the grace of God which forms the foundations of the city wall.

City and Wall

21.18 “And the building of the wall thereof was jasper”—The city itself is of pure gold. Hence the gold is transparent, something quite different from ordinary gold.

21.19,20 “The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones”—There are twelve precious stones with twelve various hues.

Some suggest that the colors of these precious stones are: (1) Green, (2) Blue, (3) Blue, (4) Green, (5) Red, (6) Red, (7) Yellow, (8) Sea-green, (9) Yellow, (10) Golden green, (11) Purple, and (12) Purple.

The blending of these colors must be of exquisite beauty. The merging of the colors from (5) to (12) above will produce a rainbow-like appearance.

21.22 There is no temple in the new city. During the Old Testament period only the temple was holy, the rest of the land was not reckoned holy. At the time of the Lord Jesus the temple was still on the earth. During the church period there is a temple in heaven but none on earth. In the millennium, however, there will be a temple on earth as well as one in heaven. In the new heaven and the new earth there will no more be a temple, since there will be no need to offer sacrifice for sin. The entire new city is most holy. Formerly, men communed with God through the temple; now, all who live in the city can commune with God directly because He and the Lamb have become the center of this new city.

21.23 It is said here that there is no need for the sun and moon to shine upon the new city. It does not say, however, that there will be neither sun nor moon in the new heaven and the new earth. Having the glory of God to lighten the city and the Lamb as its lamp, the new city certainly has no need for the sun and the moon to shine upon it.

21.24 “And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof”—All who live in the city have a resurrected body, but those who dwell on the new earth still possess a body of flesh and blood. These are the nations dwelling on the new earth, though they are no longer divided by race or tongue or tribe. These are the people who live at the end of the millennium and who are not deceived by Satan at the last revolt.

The saved in the city include all who believe in the Lord and trust in His precious blood—both during the Old and the New Testament times; for the gates of the new city have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the foundations of the city have the names of the twelve apostles.

All who live in the new city are sons (21.7), and they reign as kings (22.3). All who dwell on the new earth are those people who are transferred livingly from the millennial kingdom to be the peoples (21.3) of the new earth.

“The kings of the earth” are those who rule among the nations in eternity. They are higher in rank than the rest of the people, yet they are not the same as the kings in the city. Our Lord is the King of all kings, and we believers are kings of these kings of the earth.

“Walk” means travel. During the millennium the earthly Jerusalem will be deemed the capital of the world. The nations will travel to it once every few years. Now, in eternity, the nations will also travel to the New Jerusalem. They will be guided in their travel by the light of the city, thus they need no other guidance. (The light of the city will guide them just as the star mentioned in Matthew 2.9 guided the magi from the East.) The city itself needs no earthly light, yet the people on earth depend on the light of the city.

“And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it”—The “glory” mentioned here probably means, according to the Old Testament understanding, the best products of the lands. It is quite evident from Genesis 31 that the word “glory” there applies to property or good things on earth. In bringing their glory to the city, the nations bring in the best from their lands as offerings to God (cf. also Esther 1.4).

21.25 According to this verse there will still be night and day in the new heaven and the new earth. The kings of the earth may travel towards the new city in the daytime. In the new city, however, there is no night.

The conditions of the people in the new heaven and the new earth will be somewhat similar to the conditions of Adam and Eve before the fall. They still have a body of flesh and blood.

Five times in this book “day and night” or “night” is mentioned in connection with eternity (7.15, 14.11, 20.10, 21.25, 22.5). Therefore, there must be day and night in the new heaven and the new earth. Nevertheless, in the city there is no night, and hence the people who live there can serve God day and night. Since they have a resurrection body, they will never grow tired; thus can it be said that they are able to serve God day and night.

21.26 The peoples of the nations will follow their kings in bringing glory and honor to the city. Things work out most harmoniously.

21.27 “Anything unclean” can also be translated “anything common”, which means things that are worth nothing.

“He that maketh an abomination” refers to idol-worshipers. “A lie” points especially to witchcraft and sorcery. This does not mean that there will still be idol-worship and sorcery in eternity. It only reflects upon the fact of how clean, how solemn, and how noble is the city.

“They that are written in the Lamb’s book”—In the new heaven and the new earth dwell two kinds of people. One kind of people are those of us who have been saved through the blood of the Lord Jesus and are privileged to live in the new city; the other kind of people are those who are removed livingly from the millennial kingdom into the new heaven and the new earth, thus becoming the inhabitants of the new earth. Our names being written in the book of life, we may permanently live in the city. The inhabitants of the new earth have their names also written in the book of life, but they can only go in and out of the new city.

The style of living of these inhabitants of the new earth is very much similar to that of Adam before the fall (except that there will not be any sinning in eternity). This view of the similarity to Adam prior to the fall is backed up by the following proofs:

(1) “In the resurrection”, said the Lord, “they neither marry, nor are given in marriage” (Matt. 22.30). Only those with a resurrection body are not engaged in marriage. The inhabitants of the new earth do not have a resurrection body, therefore they will still be involved in marriage.

(2) The situation in the new heaven and the new earth is similar to that in the garden of Eden before Adam’s fall. Consequently, the inhabitants of the new earth will live and multiply as Adam did of old.

(3) Of the Ten Commandments one in part says this: “Showing loving-kindness unto a thousand generations of them that love me and keep my commandments” (Ex. 20.6 mg.). If mankind does not propagate itself over a thousand generations, how can God ever make such a promise? From Adam to the Lord Jesus there were only 76 generations (Luke 3.23-38 counts God in the genealogy, thus adding up to 77 generations). The time from Adam to Christ was about 4000 years, and in such a long period there were only 76 generations! How many generations can there have been from Christ to the present? Computing scientifically and taking 30 years as one generation, then in 2000 years there can only be 70 to 80 generations. During the millennium people will live long, hence there will be fewer generations. Now granting that there might be as many as 50 generations during the millennium, the total for these three periods will only account for 200 to 300 generations. Subtract 300 from only a thousand, we still have 700 left. How will these remaining generations ever be fulfilled? Doubtless the inhabitants of the new earth will continue to be fruitful and to multiply, except that there will be no more death.

Reasons why unfaithful believers might spend time in hell during the Millennium

2008-09-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

Traditional Free Grace theology tends to be a bit vague about the eschatological consequences for unfaithful believers. In contrast, Zane Hodges, Bob Wilkin and Joseph Dillow make a powerful case that unfaithful believers will suffer loss of privilege and co-heirship with Christ.

While I think that Hodges/ Wilkin/ Dillow make a compelling case, a weakness of their position is the assumption that non-overcomers will be either in heaven or on the earth during the Millennium. The older Millennial Exclusion view holds that non-overcomers will be excluded from the Millennium and will be incarcerated in hell (Gehenna) during that period.

The idea of born-again, justified believers spending time in hell seems shocking, but there are some good reasons why this might be the case.

1. They have enjoyed the pleasures of this world. In hell they will see the consequences of the world's activity.

2. They have received the benefits of Christ's death yet have neglected to live out the implications of the cross in their lives. Experiencing hell temporarily will teach them the reality of what Christ saved them from.

3. The unfaithful lives of these saints prevented them from being a witness to their neighbours. In hell they would see those that they neglected to witness to.

This is not a nice idea, but I do think we should consider it.

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET, by Ron Wallace

2008-09-10T06:13:00.000-07:00

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

by Ron Wallace

"And the 7th angel sounded, and there arose loud voices in heaven,"

The 7th trumpet sounds at Revelation 11:15 and serves as an "announcement" of the final stage of God's wrath on the kingdom of the beast and the unbelievers of the world.

The section, 11:14-19 picks up from chapter 9:21 which is the 6th trumpet.

Revelation chapter 10 is a parenthetical section that reaffirms John's commission to proclaim truth throughout the remainder of his life. But in the middle (at verse 7) there is a reference to the 7th trumpet and the fact that when it sounds, "the mystery of God is finished."

The mystery of God is that which was proclaimed by the prophets. The fact that this revelation is assigned specifically to "the prophets" and not the "apostles and prophets," as at Ephesians 3:5, strongly suggests that Old Testament revelation is in view. In that case, "the mystery of God" refers to God's 6-point plan for the nation of Israel as outlined at Daniel 9:24.

The completion of that plan revolves around the final 7 years of Daniel's 70th week and the end of that 7 year period. It is at that time that the last 3 points of God's plan for Israel will be carried out as the Messiah begins -

(1) His righteous reign and "brings in everlasting righteousness."

(2) Fulfills the Old Testament "vision and prophet."

(3) And "anoints the most holy" in the Millennial temple which temple is described in Ezekiel chapters 40 through 43.

(Refer to discussion on Daniel's 70 weeks in the PROPHECY PERSPECTIVE index.)

Since Rev. 10:7 introduces the end of the week, the vision of John next records that end by focusing on the specific 1260 day ministry of the 2 witnesses who prophesy from the mid-point of the week until its end.

The passage in view (Revelation 11:1-13) is thus, parenthetical as it "back-tracks" to the mid-point of the week and moves to the end, at which time (actually 3 1/2 days later) the 7th trumpet will sound (Revelation 11:15).

The ministry of these two witnesses begins at the 2nd half when the beast begins his reign and they minister for the duration of the 2nd half of the week, exactly 1260 days. The end of the ministry of the witnesses and the "mystery of God being finished" is the same point in time, ie, the end of the 70th week.

Chapter 12 and 13 are also parenthetical and cover the persecution activity of Satan from the midpoint of the week, when he is physically kicked out of heaven and down to the earth. Chapter 12 introduces the two objects of his attack during the great tribulation.

1. The Jewish race as the Messianic people.

In order to identify this "victim" of Satan's oppression, the vision gives us a history lesson in v. 1-5. The lesson covers the history of Israel from the creation of the 12 tribes until the resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Messiah in 30 AD.

Then at v. 6, it reveals the final period of persecution which is the last half of Daniel's 70th week, during which time the "orthodox" Jews in the land, who refuse to take the mark of the beast, flee into the mountainous wilderness for protection. This corresponds with the warning that Jesus gave to "THOSE (not 'you') who are in Judea" to flee into the mountains at Matthew 24:16.

2. At verses 7-17, the vision relates the reason for the more intensive persecution that takes place at this time. It results when Satan is physically defeated and kicked out of heaven by God's angels. Therefore, "knowing that he has only a short time," he intensifies his aggressions not only against the "orthodox" of Israel (verses 13-15) but also with any church age believers he can "get his hands on" as indicated at verse 17, those "who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus."

This refers to the persecution against the church "before" the rapture and not against the 144,000 after the rapture. The main reason is that the 144,000 are clearly identified as Jewish and that identifying factor is significantly NOT used in Revelation 12:17 in reference to those who trust in Jesus.

The two groups in view are the "physical" nation of Israel and a body of believers known as those who "hold to the testimony of Jesus."

Since the "woman" is clearly contrasted with those who trust in Jesus, she represents the nation of Israel in unbelief, and not the 144,000 Jewish converts of Revelation 7.

Furthermore, the activity of the beast is unrestricted which is characteristic of his reign "before" the Day of the Lord. Whereas, after the Day of the Lord, the activity of the beast will be much hindered by the administration of the Day of the Lord judgments.

Chapter 13 refers to the same period of time as that which is in view at chapter 11:6-17 but amplifies the persecution by telling of the religious and economic controls the beast seeks to institute. It also provides insight about the beast's "right hand man," the false prophet or "beast out of the land." This "2nd beast" is a Jew ("out from the land") and represents and promotes the policies of the 1st beast, basically testifying with words and miracles that the 1st beast is indeed the promised Messiah and should be worshiped as God.

Chapter 14, then gives us a summary of the high points of the 2nd half of the week beginning with the "sealing" of the 144,000 Jewish "servants" of the Lord after the rapture and concluding with the gathering of the nations to Armageddon which is the 6th bowl.

Chapter 14 does not begin with the mid-point of the week, but later, after the tribulation has been cut short and the 144,000 "servants," begin their evangelistic function as representatives of the nation of Israel. However, this chapter concludes just beyond the end of the 70th week, at the end of the 30 day time of "final" wrath which immediately follows the end of the week. Ie, the battle of Armageddon (Verse 14:20).

THE LAST TRUMPET

The 7th trumpet is not the "last trumpet" spoken of by Paul.
They should not be equated but are separate and distinct.
Paul's use of "last trumpet" refers to the call to assembly in the context of the Roman games; or even in a military context. Either of these would be Paul's frame of reference. In both of these cases there was a preliminary trumpet (sometimes 2) and then the last one which was a call to assembly. This is the call to assembly for the gathering of the saints.

He would have no knowledge of John's vision and the 7 trumpets.
Even though the Holy Spirit "melds" all of scripture, it is not advisable to interpret Paul's use in any other way than the cultural context of the day which speaks of the "call to assembly."

That is what will occur at the rapture. It is called THE trumpet of God at 1 Thessalonians 4:16, because it is at this time that he will "call" for the gathering of his people to meet Him in the clouds of the sky. Nor does it require the "actual" occurrence of one or two trumpet blasts before it, for the image in Paul's mind is simply focusing on the final blast which is the "call to assembly."

The 7th trumpet, on the other hand, is an announcement of judgment and not a call to assembly.

DETAILS concerning the 7th trumpet:

FACTOR #1: The Mystery of God is finished. Revelation 10:7

As previously discussed, this refers to the fulfillment of the Old Testament revelation about God's plan for the nation of Israel before Messiah's kingdom is established. The mystery of God in this case is the restoration of Israel to the place of "true" evangelistic activity as the 144,000 Jews trust in Messiah and become "servants of God."

This is the mystery that Paul mentioned at Romans 11:25-29 which relates two primary issues:

(1) a "partial" hardening of Israel

(2) "all Israel will be saved"

This begins with the conversion of the 144,000 Jews immediately after the rapture of the church which is when "the fullness of the Gentiles" comes in.

FACTOR #2: the announcement of Messiah's reign. (Revelation 11:15-17)

Revelation 11:15, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."

This indicates that the reign of the beast has come to an end and that the Messiah is about to set up His own earthly reign.

However, that "official" kingdom does not occur for at least 30 days. It is preceded by the 7 bowl judgments recorded at Revelation 16:1-21.

According to Daniel 12:11, it will not be until 30 days later that the "defilement" of the temple is cleansed.

"And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished (at the mid-point of the week) and the abomination of desolation is set up (at the same time), there will be 1290 days."

This is 30 days more than the designated 1260 days (3 1/2 years, 42 months) of the 2nd half mentioned at Daniel 12:6-7.

We must not be confused by the praise-language at Revelation 11:16-17,
For indeed, He "begins" to reign at this time since the reign of the beast is over and God's power now pours out the final judgments upon the unbelieving world which will culminate in the battle at Armageddon. But His earthly kingdom is not "established" until 30 days later, after the victory at Armageddon.

"And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God saying, "We give you thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who is and was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign."

The 24 elders are responding to the future vision that John is seeing rather than this being part of that future vision.

Through the Spirit, John is having a vision of heaven (Revelation 4-5) in which he sees what is actually IN heaven at the time of the vision in 96 AD. Then, from the "vision" location in heaven, he is shown a series of "future" visions (like on a movie screen) and those beings who are in heaven are observing them as well.

The "future" visions begin in chapter 6 and when the 24 elders and the living creatures are mentioned again (Revelation 11:16-17 and 19:4) they are shown to be giving a response to the same thing that John is seeing.

My point is that the 24 elders and the living creatures are not part of the "future" visions but are in the audience with John as the future is previewed before them.

FACTOR #3: Your wrath came. Revelation 11:18

Since chapters 12, 13, and 14 are parenthetical, we do not see any discussion of the chronological progress of "your wrath came" until the beginning of chapter 15, where it is designated as, "seven plagues which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished."

Chapter 14, the parenthetical chapter which gives a summary of events from the rapture until the end of this 30 day period of "final wrath," does indeed end with the final military confrontation between the world's forces and Christ at Armageddon. But it should be viewed as a "summary" of events rather than the chronological development that chapter 16 presents.

Chapter 14 ends (verses17-20) with the "reaping" of those world forces as Christ wields the sword of His mouth and destroys them all as described at Revelation 19:11-20, and it is the 6th bowl which describes the "gathering" of these forces to Armageddon for this final confrontation.

FACTOR #4: Judgment of the dead

"And the time came for the dead to be judged,"

What is clearly evident is the fact that "the dead" are not "judged" until after the 1000 year reign of the Messiah which is mentioned at Revelation 20:4. The judgment of the dead is described later at 20:11-15.

Thus, although "the time came," it does not actually take place for 1000 more years. The reason the 7th trumpet is viewed as "the time" is because the judgment of the dead is "based" on Messiah's reign which does not "officially" begin until the beast is removed from his "throne." And it is the 7th trumpet which basically "announces" that the beast's reign has come to an end and he is about to be judged.

FACTOR #5: Saints receive rewards

"And the time to give their reward to Your bond servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Your Name, the small and the great,"

This refers to the evaluation of the believer's works which were done here on earth as is described at 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.

(See Doctrinal Archives R, for Rewards
and J, for judgment seat of Christ)

It is possible that these "personal" rewards are meted out as soon as the church gets to heaven at the time of the rapture. However, it is also possible, and more likely, that there is a delay of the "evaluation of works" until just before Christ's descent at Armageddon. I do not think that such a "delay" of the Justice seat of Christ violates the language which indicates that the church receives her rewards at the arrival of Jesus.

The reason is, that there are many things that are initiated at the "Day of the Lord" arrival of Jesus which do not take place until some time later. And yet they are certainly described as taking place upon His arrival. Furthermore, the language here, at Revelation 11:18, indicates that the reward will not be meted out until after the 7th trumpet sounds.

The recipients of this reward are mentioned in three categories. The intent seems to be to include believers from Adam until Armageddon.

Accordingly, I suggest that the first two words refers to the body of Christ, known as the bride, and would include all believers from Adam until the rapture. The word prophets refers to all of God's communicators from both the Old Testament times and the church age.

The word, saints, probably refers to everyone else who is a believer from all PAST generations. This division between the communicators and the "saints" is not foreign to Scripture, as we see such a division at Philippians 1:1, "to all the saints . . . including the overseers and the deacons."

The phrase, "those who fear your name," would refer to the believers from the time period between the rapture and the battle of Armageddon. This third group falls into two categories; (1) those who die between the rapture and armageddon, who are raised up at Revelation 20:4, at the beginning of the kingdom; and (2) the living believers still on the earth from both Israel and the Gentiles, who go alive into the physical kingdom as subjects to King Messiah as He reigns on His earthly throne in Jerusalem. The designation of these believers, using this phrase is based on Revelation 14:7, where the mandate of the everlasting gospel revolves around, "fear God and give Him glory."

Regarding the actual evaluation and rewarding of believers, there will be 3 separate administrations of the judgment of God on their behalf. But those three events do not correspond with this 3-fold division of the believers.

First, there will be the evaluation of the body of Christ which is His bride. This takes place between the sounding of the 7th trumpet and the announcement of the marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8), for it is there that we see her "ready" by being clothed with the righteousness of good deeds. That is, deeds that have been evaluated and recognized as honoring to God because they were accomplished according to His standards. The Greek word, dikaiöma , in the plural should be translated as righteous acts or deeds and not as "righteousness," which the KJV does. This body of believers includes people from all generations prior to the rapture and is broken down into the "prophets" and the "saints."

The second group of believers who need to be evaluated and rewarded are those who are martyred between the rapture and the end of Armageddon. These are mentioned at Revelation 20:4, as being resurrected after Armageddon and reigning with Christ during His 1000 year reign on the earth. These are in view with the phrase, "those who fear your name."

The third group will be all the believers of the 1000 year kingdom. This group includes those believers who will be alive on the earth after Armageddon, and who go into the kingdom to be subjects of Jesus. From this group, many children will be born, so that by the end of the kingdom, there will be a massive population of both believers and unbelievers. The resurrection and evaluation of this group of "millennial" believers are not mentioned in scripture, but it is certain that such an evaluation must take place in view of what scripture teaches concerning the activities of people during the kingdom.

It is possible since Revelation 11:18 uses "reward" in the singular, that it refers to the ONE reward that they all share in common. That ONE reward is to reign with Christ during His 1000 year reign on the earth and for all eternity after that. In the book of Revelation, this is the "one" reward that has primary emphasis (Revelation 3:21; 5:10; 20:4).

And yet, the mention of the bride "having made herself ready," indicates a "cleansing" through evaluation so that all that remains of one's earthly production will be a "pure" garment of good works shared in common by all who are in the body of Christ. This, I would think could qualify as "reward" in the singular.

However, perhaps it is adequate to simply associate the "reward" of reigning with the other rewards. Reigning with Christ must be viewed from 2 aspects.

1. The "status" of reigning with Christ because of salvation relationship and positional union with Him.

2. The "function" of reigning which is based on faithfulness here on earth and will vary from believer to believer.

It is this "function" of reigning that will be determined based on the evaluation of the believer's works. Accordingly, it is best to include the evaluation of one's works for crowns with the evaluation of one's works for reigning at the reward seat of Christ which apparently occurs shortly before the the Lord's descent to the earth at Armageddon.

FACTOR #6: Destroy the destroyers

". . and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

There is only ONE "destruction" of people by God that takes place in the context of this end times scenario and that is at Armageddon.

Revelation 19:19-21, And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the horse, and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

The "destroyers" represented in this passage are,

1. The beast: A human who is empowered by Satan.

2. The false prophet: A human who also has Satanic powers.

3. The armies of the world: represented by the kings of the West, East, South and North.

4. All of these participate in "destroying" the earth because of their moral and physical oppression of others.

5. This could include Satan, indirectly, but he is only chained in the abyss for 1000 years and is not thrown into the lake of fire until after the 1000 year reign of Jesus on the earth. (Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10)

The details of this judgment on mankind awaits analysis of the 6th bowl judgment where we find the movement of the world's military forces into the land of Palestine and specifically to Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)

Immediately after the sounding of the 7th trumpet and this "announcement" of Divine intent, God's final wrath upon the kingdom of the beast is initiated by the opening of the temple of God which is in heaven. Revelation 11:19,

"And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm."

1. "And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened;"

This is the first mention of the temple of God in HEAVEN. The temple speaks of God's presence with man with the point of contact being the character of God as He reaches out to man through the Messianic promise.

2. "Opened," indicates a view inside. This of course is symbolic. Once the "top" of the temple is removed, the ark of the covenant is visible.

3. "and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple:" the appearance of the ark speaks directly of divine righteousness and justice as the key factors for God's interaction with man.

A. Righteousness: speaks of the fact that man is at enmity with God and comes short of God's righteousness.

B. Justice: speaks of the penalty for coming short and at the same time, speaks of the Divine payment of that penalty through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

C. The consequences for rejecting the divine provision for salvation as represented by the ark of the covenant is judgment from God.

D. Thus, we have the "storm" to portend the administration of God's final judgment upon the physical earth and those unbelievers who reside there.

4. "and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm."

This speaks of the administration of justice on the earth upon those who have rejected the grace provision from God for adjustment to God, ie, salvation through faith in Christ.

The specifics of this administration will be given through the 7 bowls of the "final wrath" of God which are discussed in chapters 15 and 16

Chapter 15:1-8, picks up from this point in the narrative, making chapters 12-14 parenthetical. The chronology is interrupted in this parenthesis and actually "backtracks" to the mid-point of the week and moves forward to the end of the week and to the 30 days of judgment which follows it.

11:1-13 - begins at the mid-point and ends at the end, 1260 days later.

11:14-19 - continues from the end of the 2nd half and introduces the final wrath of God via the 3rd woe.

12-13 - begins at the mid-point and ends at the end, 42 months; 1260 days later.

Chapter 14, begins during the 2nd half of the week (after the rapture) and ends with the 30 days which follow the 1260 days of the 2nd half.

Chapters 15-16 then picks up at the end of the 2nd half (at the last trumpet) and the administration of the final wrath of God for 30 days.

Revelation 15 begins with the 3rd sign of the book of Revelation.

The first sign is at Revelation 12:1 and pictures the nation of Israel as the chosen, Messianic people of God. That is, those whom God chose to be the source and herald of Messiah's arrival on the earth.

This sign is called, "great" (megas) and speaks of the character of the sign in the context of human perceptions.

The 2nd sign occurs at Revelation 12:3 and is simply called, "another sign."

This sign pictures the great adversary of God, Satan, who has always been active in seeking the destruction of the Messianic people. If Satan can succeed in destroying those upon whom God has set His seal, then he would actually accomplish a spiritual victory over God and prove Him to be imperfect. If God is imperfect, then He has no business placing an eternal judgment upon an imperfect creature. Satan would thus acquire a reprieve from his appointment to the lake of fire.

The 3rd sign is called, "great and marvelous," (thaumastos). This word speaks of the effect the sign has on John as a humble recipient of divine revelation. It causes wonderment and awe. The sign pictures the angelic administrators of the final stage of God's wrath upon the kingdom of the beast. "Because in them the wrath of God is finished."

This idea of "the wrath of God is finished," refers only to the context of judgment on the earth prior to Messiah's 1000 year earthly reign. After that 1000 years, there will be another expression of God's wrath at Revelation 20:7-10. Then after that, at the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15, God's wrath will be expressed toward all spiritual rebels by assigning them to the lake of fire for all eternity. It is only then that God's wrath will once and for all be complete for the entire universe, although the "effects" of that wrath (existence in the lake of fire) will continue for all eternity (Revelation14:11).

Verse one simply gives the "title" for this 3rd sign. The details are given in verses 2-8. (In v. 1 they are said to have the 7 plagues but they are not "given" the bowls that contain the plagues until verse 7.)

Before the 7 angels begin to pour out the bowls, we are shown a group of saints in heaven who praise God for the expression of His power, righteousness and truth.

At verse 2, we see a sea of glass and upon it, the same group of saints who were seen at Revelation 7:9-17 who were delivered from the great tribulation through the rapture.

1. These have come off victorious from the beast.

2. At Revelation 7:14, they came out of the great tribulation.

3. At Matthew 24:15-21, Jesus tells us that the great tribulation begins when the abomination of desolation is set up in the holy place of the temple.

4. It is the beast who sets himself up as God and places his image in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This correlates with the activity of the beast described at Revelation 13:11-15 and Daniel 7:25; 8:23-25; 9:27

5. Thus the ones who are victorious over the beast are delivered at the end of the great tribulation and taken to heaven where they are seen at both Revelation 7:9-17 and 15:2-4.

Revelation 15:2 does not tell us "when" they got there, but their presence in resurrection body is indicated by two factors.

1. When first we saw the sea of glass at Revelation 4:8, it was empty.

2. Now it is occupied and the ones there are "standing," which would suggest resurrection body as it does at Revelation 7:9.

3. The sea of glass is "before" the throne and at Revelation 7:9, the saints are standing "before" the throne.

Revelation 15:3-4 tells us that these saints sing two songs. The song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb. And yet it appears to be one song which embraces both titles.

The significance of the song of Moses might simply be that they sing "about" what Moses song about as recorded at Deuteronomy 32. Ie, the character and deeds of God, The Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4) who was actually the Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).

And the significance of the song of the Lamb is to make the correlation between the Rock, The God of Israel and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) and will reign as king over the nations (Revelation 1:5; 19:16).

So this is a song of praise in anticipation of the righteous reign of Messiah after the final wrath of God is poured out on the earth.

Revelation 15:5-8 is preparation for the final outpouring of God's wrath.

"The temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened."

1. actually, this is the temple (which has) the tabernacle, etc.

2. Thus, in actuality, we have the same visual as at verse 11:19, when "the temple of God which is in heaven was opened."

3. Here, it is the same "heavenly" temple, still opened, but now with emphasis on the tabernacle of testimony.

4. There, John saw the ark of the covenant in the temple.

5. The tabernacle of testimony refers to the heavenly pattern God used for the physical sonctuary given to Israel as is described at Exodus 37 and 38.

The purpose of the symbols was to portray the divine plan of redemption for the human race.

The ark of the covenant was the most important item in the tabernacle and symbolized specifically the sacrifice of the Messiah in dying for the sins of all the world.

The divine character that is emphasized in this structure is righteousness and justice. Justice is not only the basis for "blessing" through salvation relationship with God, but justice is also the basis for judgment upon those who reject Jesus as savior.

That is the significance of this vision where John sees the tabernacle of testimony and the ark of the covenant "before" the final expression of God's wrath upon the unbelievers alive on the earth.

The same Jesus who died for the sins of the world is the one who judges, for "He gave him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man" (John 5:22-27).

The point of contact between Revelation 11:18-19 and 15:1-8 is two-fold.

1. The issue of the final expression of God's wrath:

11:18, "Your wrath came"

15:1, "seven angels who had the seven plagues which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished."

2. And the temple in heaven as the location from which this final wrath is administrated.

Revelation 16:1, "And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, 'Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.'"

11:19, "the temple of God which is in heaven was opened and the ark of His covenant appeared"

15:5, "And the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened."

15:6, "and the 7 angels who had the 7 plagues came out of the temple"

Notice that at verse 6, we see the angels clothed in linen clean and bright.

This is proof that the "armies" who come with the Lord Jesus to "mop up" at Armageddon (Revelation 19:14), do not need to refer to believers, but can easily and in fact, more reasonably, refer to angels.

15: 7, "And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels, seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever."

Revelation 15:8 tells us that the administration of this wrath of God, as an expression of His power, causes smoke to fill the temple to such an extent that the temple was uninhabited for the duration of the final judgments.

Revelation 16:1 is the command to begin the administration of the judgments:

"And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth."

And verses 2-21 gives the details of these 7 last plagues of divine wrath upon the kingdom of the beast and the unbelieving world.

These 7 judgments all take place within a 26 day period as they begin some time after the ascension of the two witnesses. Their ascension takes place on day 4 of the 30 day period which follows immediately upon the 1260 days of the last half of the week. By the end of these 30 days, the kingdom of the beast will be totally destroyed and the 45 days of preparation for the kingdom of Messiah will begin. Daniel 12:11-12.

Bowl #1, Revelation 16:2: massive skin cancer develops upon all who have the mark of the beast.

"And the first one went and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image."

Bowl #2, Revelation 16:3: Salt water pollution that kills EVERY living thing in the sea.

"And the second one poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like {that} of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died."

I have come to realize through dialog with many different people that nothing should be taken for granted and that every point needs to be clarified. The "became blood," here and in other places where the image occurs, does NOT mean to literally become blood. It refers to the appearance of blood and communicates the severe pollution that discolors both water resources so that they are totally unusable.

Bowl #3, Revelation 16:4: Fresh water pollution which appears to extend to the entire fresh water supply in the world.

"And the third {angel} poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood."

Bowl #4, Revelation 16:8-9: Intensification of the sun's rays so that people are severely scorched.

"And the fourth one poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. (v.9) And men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they did not repent, so as to give Him glory."

NOTICE that at verse 9, those who are the recipients of the plagues do NOT change their minds (repent) about their rebellion against God and continue to reject any expression of thanks and praise.

Bowl #5, Revelation 16:10-11: This is an opposite effect on the sun which diminishes its light and heat so that there is extreme cold and even artificial heating techniques will provide no help.

(The reason for that is that both electricity and fossil fuels will be in very short supply.)

"And the fifth one poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, (v.11) and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds."

NOTICE again that the spiritual rebels continue to blaspheme God and continue in their deeds of lawlessness.

In fact, not only do these peoples of the world continue to blaspheme God, but they have also become quite dissatisfied with the beast's ineffectiveness in providing necessary resources to those who have sworn allegiance to him. The result is a massive troop movement against the kingdom of the beast and specifically into the land of Palestine where there exists a large supply of natural resources under the control of the beast and his armies.

Bowl #6, Revelation 16:12-16: The assembly of troops to Armageddon.
This takes place in two stages.

Stage one is the arrival of the kings of the East, verse 12:

Verse 12, "And the sixth one poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east."

This is specific reference to the movement of the kings of the East as they attack the king of the West (the beast) and his troops which are stationed in Palestine.

This incident is just briefly mentioned at Daniel 11:44 in the phrase, "rumors from the East . . . will disturb him."

The details of this maneuvering of troops before and at Armageddon are not directly pertinent to the "PreWrath" position so I will discuss them in a future article.

But as in the case of the other bowl judgments, this movement of the kings of the East is a direct assault on the kingdom of the beast.

The significance of the Euphrates River in this scenario is that, historically, it has stood as a barrier to the advance of the Far Eastern societies into the Middle East.

Today, the existence of the river does nothing to hinder the advance of armies. However, in a typical sense, it represents a deterrent to such advances and therefore when it is "dried up," we see the deterrent removed and the subsequent movement of Eastern troops into Palestine.

Stage two of this 6th bowl judgment is the movement of troops other than the kings of the East, verses 13-14, 16.

(verse 13) And I saw {coming} out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; (verse14) for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

(verse 16) And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

This movement corresponds with the development discussed at Zechariah 12:1-3 and 14:2.

Zechariah 12:1-3

"The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. {Thus} declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.

And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. "

Zechariah 14:2,

"For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city."

Prior to this, the king of the North has been pushing against the King of the West at geographical locations all over the world as is referenced at the 6th trumpet (Revelation 9:13-19) and Daniel 11:44, "and the king of the North will storm against him."

Now at this time, the king of the North as well as other world powers are motivated by demon influence to move into the Middle East.

The "practical" reason for such movement would be the severe economic conditions which exist worldwide. The movement into the Middle East is an attempt to alleviate those conditions by physically confronting the King of the West (the beast) and taking possession of the natural resources which are controlled by him.

But the possession and control of resources that the world believes the beast possesses, is simply an illusion. Remember that the bowl judgments have almost totally depleted those resources:

Bowl #2: All sea life is dead.

Bowl #3: All fresh water is polluted.

Bowl #5: Heating resources are depleted (gas, oil, coal, wood)

The kingdom of the beast is in chaos and his reign has for all practical purposes, come to an end as was indicated at the announcement from the 7th trumpet.

Now, right in the middle of describing this troop movement, we find an exhortation from Jesus, addressed, probably to the readers of the book of Revelation (Revelation16:15) as a reminder of personal accountability.

("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.")

The phrase, "come like a thief," occurs only 5 times and always refers to the return of Jesus at the arrival of the Day of the Lord (1Thessalonians 5:2, 4; 2Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15). The use of this term originated based on the parable Jesus taught at Matthew 24:43-44

"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
"For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect it."

Believers will thus, be reminded of the urgency for testimonial consistency throughout their lives that they might not "be ashamed, and shrink away from him in fear at His presence," 1 John 2:28.

Unbelievers will once again be reminded that if they are not spiritually prepared through salvation relationship with God, they will be left behind at the rapture and most of the men and women, if not killed by one plague or another, will very likely end up as part of this troop movement into the Valley of Megiddo where they will face the sword of Jesus.

At all times throughout history, God has been faithful to provide the information people need to enter into relationship with Himself. This time of great judgment from God is no exception. The 144,000 "servants" of God are still present on the earth representing the truth of God to all who will hear. The message of these "servants" is found at Revelation 14:6-7 and is called, "an everlasting gospel."

The quote from God at this point in the scenario, indicates not only, God's concern for His own people, that they be "prepared" through fellowship abiding with Him, but that He is still concerned that all who are willing come and and that all who "call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."

The 7th bowl judgment takes place just before Jesus descends to confront the armies of the world in Jerusalem and at Armageddon. While armies are maneuvering in and around Jerusalem, being gathered to the valley of Meggido, the rest of the world is being destroyed by earthquakes and hail stones.

Bowl #7, Revelation 16:17-21,

(verse17) And the seventh one poured out his bowl upon the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."
(verse 18) And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake {was it, and} so mighty.

The result is that cities are destroyed, Islands sink and mountains crumble. Attendant with this will be huge blocks of ice falling upon the earth causing more death and destruction.

(verse 19) And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
(verse 20) And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (verse 21) And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.

This is a judgment upon the people of the nations, whereas the "armies" of the nations will be judged separately as they are gathered at Armageddon.
Notice that there is still time for people to continue in their blaspheming of God and in their rejection of His salvation provision.

This is probably what Ezekiel described at Ezekiel 38:18-19,

"And it will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," declares the Lord GOD, "that My fury will mount up in My anger. "And in My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare {that} on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

and 39:6,

"And I shall send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety;
and they will know that I am the LORD.

This is probably what Jeremiah spoke about at Jeremiah 25:32-37, which has a worldwide focus as judgment upon the "peaceful folds" of these nations.

And even Isaiah seems to mention this particular occurrence in a Day of the Lord context at Isaiah 13:13,

"Therefore, I shall make the heavens tremble
and the earth will be shaken from its place
at the fury of the Lord of Hosts."

Notice also that there are two cities which are signaled out as receiving special judgment.

1. The great city: Verse 19, "And the great city was split into three parts," This refers to Jerusalem as seen at Revelation 11:8,

". . .the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,
where also our Lord was crucified."

2. Babylon: Verse 19, "And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath."

This refers to the great influence of Babylonian evil as perpetuated throughout history and ultimately centered in the Roman Empire where it has wielded its perversion of Christianity to this very day.

The details of its history, character and identification are found in Revelation 17 and 18.
The chronology of events picks up again at chapter 19.

To restate:

Chapter 16 ends with a worldwide earthquake and hailstones, with special focus on Babylon.

Chapter 17 and 18 backtracks and reviews the history and character of Babylon.

Chapter 18 ends with the destruction of Babylon.

There has been much discussion as to the identification of this city of "Babylon." Two views have the greatest feasibility.

1. The city refers to an actual "restored" city of Babylon which the king of the west (the beast) possesses for his headquarters.

2. The city which carries all the "characteristics" of ancient Babylon and the "mysteries" of Babylonian evil, which would be Rome.

But the details of this issue have no direct bearing on the PreWrath position and will be discussed in a future article.

Now, even though there has been world-wide physical destruction from the earthquake and hailstones, still the spiritual rebels continue in their blasphemy and lawlessness. Later they will all be evaluated and the righteous will enter the kingdom while the unrighteous go to the place of torments in Hades.

Chapter 19 picks up from where both chapter 16 and 18 leave off.

We again have the response from the heavenly observers to the "vision" which they have all been watching. Revelation 19:1-5.

Verses 6-11 returns to the vision "screen" as we are told that the marriage of the Lamb has arrived. The use of the word, "arrived" indicates that it has not as yet taken place, but is now ready to be completed. Accordingly, "His bride has made herself ready" through the evaluation that takes place at the justice seat of Christ.

The "betrothal" period began for each individual believer at the moment of his salvation through personal trust in Jesus as the Messiah (2Corinthians 11:2).

During the time of the believer's stay here on earth, he is to cultivate God's righteousness in His life through growth and the filling of the Holy Spirit. It is fulfillment of this purpose which produces good works which are acceptable to God (Romans 14:17-18) and which will be rewarded at the Justice Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). The positive result of the evaluation of all believers at this time will collectively constitute the wedding garment of the bride as "fine linen, bright and clean" which is "the righteous deeds of the saints," (Revelation 19:8).

Individually, of course, each believer will be personally rewarded according to the quality of his works as a Christian, whether they be good (agathos) or useless (phaulos), (2 Corinthians 5:10).

It is for this reason that Paul writes at 2 Corinthians 11:2, "that I might present you a pure virgin," and mentions his concern about their unfaithfulness at verse 3.

According to Revelation 19:9, there will be a marriage supper of the Lamb, which would obviously take place AFTER the wedding itself.

Now whether the marriage and/or supper take place before Revelation 19:11, is not clearly stated, but the implication is that Christ will first "destroy those who destroy the earth" at the battle of Armageddon and then participate in both the marriage and the supper at the beginning of His 1000 year earthly reign. There is no clear evidence that the marriage takes place in heaven and the supper, upon the earth. I suggest that both take place AFTER Christ's victory at Armageddon and at the beginning of the kingdom. Those who are invited to the supper will be those who are left alive after Armageddon (Zechariah 14:16-21) and who survive the evaluation of the nations of Matthew 25:31-46 as believers in Christ.

Accordingly, Revelation 19:11-21 now describes the actual physical descent of Jesus to the battle at Armageddon as also mentioned at Zechariah 14:3-4.

"Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east;
and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley,
so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south."

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

THE 7th SEAL and SIX TRUMPETS, by Ron Wallace

2008-09-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

THE 7th SEAL and SIX TRUMPETS

by Ron Wallace

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As the world shrinks in fear from what is about to come upon them (Luke 21:25-26), those of the church who are "in fellowship" with God, will lift their head in expectation knowing that their deliverance has arrived (Lk. 21:27).

"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (physical resurrection) is drawing near."

Those who are "out of fellowship," and "walking in darkness," will be embarrassed and shamed (1 John 2:28).

"And now little children, abide in Him (walk in the light), so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His appearance."

A large group of "orthodox" Jews, who have been waiting for their Messiah, will recognize the signs as the arrival of the Old Testament Day of the LORD and will rejoice with great expectation . When He arrives in the clouds of the sky the first thing He will do is announce His presence with His own victory shout (1 Thes. 4:16) along with the victory shout of the Archangel Michael. And then the trumpet of assembly will be blown to gather His elect (Those who have trusted in Christ as savior) scattered throughout the whole world. Both those who are "in fellowship" as well as those who are "out of fellowship" will be gathered to meet the Lord. The requirement for "rapture" is simply salvation status, not fellowship (1 Cor. 3:15), "but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire."

This "trumpet of assembly" is called the trumpet of God at 1 Thes. 4:16 and "a great trumpet" at Mat. 24:31. It is called "the last trumpet" at 1 Cor. 15:51 not because it corresponds with the 7th trumpet of Rev. 11:15, but because it is the "last" in a series for calling to assembly. Thus, it is at this time that the "catching out" of the church will occur as is described at 1 Thes. 4:13-18. Jesus will bring with Him the souls of those believers who have died since 30 AD and they will be given a resurrection body just like Christ's (Philip. 3:21). Then all the Christians who are physically alive at this time will also be given a resurrection body and be gathered by the angels to meet the Lord in the air and "forever be with the Lord."

The church will then be escorted to heaven to await the consummation of the Day of the LORD judgments and the establishment of Christ's 1000 year earthly kingdom. Thus we see in heaven immediately after the Day of the LORD, a large multitude from every nation, tribe, people and tongue standing before God and designated as having come out of the great tribulation (Rev. 7:9-17).

Left on the earth will be a large multitude of unbelievers, both Jew and Gentile as we have previously discussed. But almost immediately after the Lord's arrival, a large group of Jews who have been looking for the arrival of their Messiah will recognize that Jesus is indeed the Prophesied One for whom they have been waiting and will embrace Him as Lord and savior. This group is indicated by the 144,000 mentioned at Rev. 7:1-8 and are known as the "first fruits to God and to the Lamb" at Rev. 14:4. They are so designated because they are the first ones to believe in Christ after the Day of the LORD arrives.

Before God actually begins to pour out His wrath upon the world He will give these Jews a certain amount of time to trust in Christ. Those who do will be "sealed" and protected from the wrath of God which will be poured out only on the unbelievers. Once those initial "first fruits" are sealed, the wrath of God will be poured out through the 7 trumpets found at Rev. 8:1 through 11:19.

The 7th seal (Rev. 8:1) paves the way for God's wrath to be poured out on the world. This awesome event is prefaced by a 1/2 hour of silence in heaven which probably speaks of the intensity of what is about to take place. Rev. 8:1

And when He broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

The activity at Rev. 8:3-5 answers the question of the believers who were martyred during the tribulation as found at Rev. 6:10 - - - - -

And they cried out with a loud voice, saying,
How long, O Lord, Holy and True
Will you refrain from judging and avenging our blood
on those who dwell on the earth?

Rev. 8:3-5

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.
And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake."

Fire, here represents the administration of divine justice and "altar" takes us back to Rev. 5:8, where we see the bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints.

"throwing" the fire upon the earth speaks of divine wrath in perfect justice being expressed upon the world.

- - - - -and fulfills the fears expressed by the world at Rev. 6:17.

"For the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"

Although we do not know the day or the hour that the Day of the LORD will occur, we do know the "times and the seasons." We know that it will occur sometime after the mid-point of Daniel's 70th week, After the "man of lawlessness (the beast)" is revealed and during his oppressive reign. 2 Thes. 2:3

Let no one in any way deceive you
For it will not come
until the apostasy comes first
and the man of lawlessness is revealed

Once it does occur, those who have insight will know how many days remain until the 70th week will end and will know that God's wrath will extend for 30 days longer during which time God will pour out the 7 bowls of His final wrath which will culminate in the battle of Armageddon.

However, based on the length of time allotted to the 5th trumpet (5 months) it is certain that the period of time between the Day of the LORD arrival and the end of the week, will be at least that long. Furthermore, the nature of the 6th trumpet, which is a world-wide military invasion by the king of the North, should, by the nature of the invasion, take place over several months.

So for the sake of expediency I will operate on an "assumed" time frame for these trumpet judgments to take place. I will simply "arbitrarily" assign 2 years for the great tribulation, extending from the "mid-point" of the week until it is "cut short" by the return of Jesus at the Day of the Lord. This will leave approximately 1 1/2 years for the duration of the trumpet judgments which close out the 70th week, and then a 30 day period for the final judgment as represented by the 7 bowls and culminate in the judgment at Armageddon which is precipitated by Bowl #6 (Rev. 16:12-16) and recorded at Rev. 19:11-21.

REMEMBER! This is not setting the date. This is "approximating" the amount of time involved between the rapture and the end of the week in order to more efficiently correlate the many events that take place during that time period.

The 7 trumpets are divided into 2 parts; the first 4 are strictly environmental judgments designed to undermine the economic controls of the beast.

The FIRST trumpet: Rev. 8:7

And the first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

This is divine judgment on the agriculture of the earth.

The purpose is to put economic pressure on the world so as to aggravate the beast's implementation of his economic strategies.

What this judgment entails is a volcanic or meteoric occurrence that actually affects 1/3 of the vegetation on the earth. This will greatly affect the food supply and cause great disruption within the beast's kingdom for months to come. Incidentally, this is not a "natural" occurrence but a specific and direct act of judgment from God.

POINT of comparison between the trumpets and the bowls:

There are some who believe that the trumpets are not "followed" by the bowls in a chronological order, but that the bowls are simply restatements of the judgments represented in the trumpets.

A comparison of all of the trumpets and bowls will reveal the fact that, although there are similarities, the differences are significant enough to prevent me from holding to that idea.

Regarding the 1st trumpet and bowl, there are no similarities unless one thinks that the common word "earth" is significant enough to warrant equation, which it is not.

Trumpet #1 is a judgment on the "agriculture" of the earth and Bowl#1 (Rev. 16:2) is a judgment on "people"

The SECOND Trumpet: Rev. 8:8-9

And the second angel sounded, and {something} like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

This is judgment on the sea which, once again, will greatly affect the economic environment. This is very possibly the same event of Trumpet #1 but the greater bulk of a meteor that falls into the sea. The affect is that all life in a 1/3 area of the sea is killed and all shipping activity in that same area is shut down. Again, this could be a separate direct act of God and not be related to trumpet #1 at all.

POINT of comparison:

The 2nd trumpet is a "partial" judgment on the salt water resources, and Bowl #2 is a "total" judgment on the same.

In The trumpet, 1/3 of the sea creatures died.
In the Bowl, "every" sea creature died.

The THIRD trumpet: Rev. 8:10-11

And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

In this case it is not so much a "destructive" force as it is a major pollutant that affects 1/3 of the fresh water supply in the earth. This judgment as well seems to result from something falling from the sky. Whether this be a "natural" item or one of man's machines is not clear and does not really matter.

POINT of comparison:

Again, Trumpet #3 is "partial" and the language at Rev. 16:4 for Bowl #3 certainly implies "total."

The FOURTH trumpet: Rev. 8:12

And the fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were smitten, so that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

A massive atmospheric "blackout" which shuts down the light that reaches the earth. This will have an affect on agriculture, health and climate not to mention the resultant chaos and trauma.

POINT of comparison:

Trumpet #4 is a "darkening" effect on the light that reaches the earth which certainly suggests extreme cold.

Bowl #4 (Rev. 16:8) is an effect on the sun which causes an intensification of its heat and results in severe burns on people.

The Last Three trumpets entail "the 3 woes." Rev. 8:13

And I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"

Now, from the beginning of the beast's reign at the mid-point of the 70th week, he has been progressing in the implementation of the mark of the beast and accomplishing economic control over a large part of the earth.

He has also been progressing in his persecution of "Religious" Israel and the church as described at Rev. 12:13-17.

Once the church is removed through rapture at the inception of the Day of the Lord, and these "trumpet" judgments begin to pour out on the world, the ability of the beast to implement his economic and worship policies will be greatly hindered.

Not only that, but the peoples of the earth will become more and more disillusioned with his ability to fulfill the promises made, and with just a few months left in the beast's "allotted" reign there will be a large block of nations that take this opportunity to mount a military attack against the him and against his kingdom.

This massive military invasion begins with a campaign against the kingdom of the beast (king of the West) that extends worldwide, but culminates in the land of Palestine.

But before that invasion is launched, the 5th trumpet sounds and a horde of demons is released upon the kingdom of the beast to torment people for 5 months. This is the first woe.

Woe #1: Rev. 9:1-12

One thing is certain concerning this judgment. The creatures in view come from the abyss. This is not viewing a human military force that oppresses, but a demon horde released from a "prison" to express its violent aggressions on human victims. V. 2-4

"And he opened the bottomless pit; and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.

And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

And they were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads."

One could speculate about the description of these creatures "forever" but let us simply recognize that they are "uggggly" and they hurt! In fact, that is all they are allowed to do and then, only upon those who have taken the mark of the beast. V. 5-6,

"And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man.

And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; and they will long to die and death flees from them."

It also appears that God will not allow those afflicted to find relief through suicide. God can indeed prevent finite humans from exercising actions that He does not want to take place.

He will allow them to "think it" all they want, for that is what volition and free will is all about. But He will not allow them to execute the intent of their will in this case, just as He has done upon many occasions throughout human history.

The "origin" of these demon creatures is not really a factor for the study of the PreWrath scenario, but it is probable that they are the same "spirits" who were imprisoned in "Tartarus" to await final judgment. Jude 6; 1 Pet. 3:18-20; 2 Pet. 2:4

The release for a short time at this moment in history does not violate the nature of their imprisonment nor the designed destiny which they have been assigned. It is not any kind of reprieve but simply God using an awesome "weapon" to administrate convicting type judgment upon the world of unbelievers.

Rev. 9:1,

"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key to the shaft of the abyss (bottomless pit) was given to him."

They are thus released for a temporary time to express their pent up anger and frustration from living in the abyss of darkness.

The scripture records no other group of "spirit" beings which are being held in bonds. It is possible that they will remain "out" until the end of the judgments, at which time they will be returned to the abyss where Satan will be bound as well for 1000 years. Rev. 20:1-2

Rev. 9:12

"The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things."

WOE #2, Rev. 9:13-19, The SIXTH trumpet:

It is not "as clear" what the nature of the 2nd woe is, as it is so very clear as to the nature of the 1st woe. But it appears to be a "human" army that advances through the earth to plunder and kill in order to possess the material resources needed for its nation to survive. This perfectly corresponds with the Old Testament teaching that the king of the North will strive against the king of the West; a campaign that will extend world-wide but culminate in Palestine and with the destruction of all the armies involved.

This scenario is quite understandable when we recognize that after the Day of the Lord and the initial trumpet judgments, the kingdom of the beast will be in considerable chaos and he will be unable to fulfill the economic provisions he has promised through allegiance to him. It is within this context that a huge military force begins to move throughout the world plundering and killing almost at will and "striving" against the kingdom of the beast all the while.

Rev. 9:14-15

"one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet,
Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.
And the four angels, who had been prepared
for the hour and day and month and year, were released,
so that they might kill a third of mankind."

The "motivation" or influence upon this great military force is from 4 angels. Angels who have been bound (held in check) in a particular geographical location, Specially prepared by God until His perfect timing, "The hour, and day and month and year" (Rev.9:15).

The Euphrates River has historically been viewed as the "dividing point" between North and South, with the land of Palestine as the focal point. The significance of the 4 angels is that they will influence military force to move in all 4 directions which indicates the world-wide attack which is in view. This does not refer to the movement of an Oriental army (the King of the East) which is a popular viewpoint, for that advance is in view at the 6th bowl (Rev. 16:12) and is a "one way" invasion (into the land of Palestine), so the emphasis is on the river being dried up (symbolic of geographical restraints being removed) in order for the army to move Westward from the Orient.

Notice, this military monstrosity actually plunders and kills 1/3 of mankind as it moves toward its "ultimate" goal which I believe to be the land of Palestine. In fact, I view this military body as the armies of Gog (the king of the North) as recorded at Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Rev. 9:16

"And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them."

This multitude could easily account for the massive military machine which is described at Ezek. 38:4-6

"And I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company {with} buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords;
Persia, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them {with} shield and helmet;
Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah {from} the remote parts of the north with all its troops, many peoples with you."

Before I go further, it is necessary to answer the question,

WHEN does the invasion of Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39 take place?

1. It must be in the "latter years" and "in the last days," based on v. 38:8, 16.

2. Some think that it takes place "before" the 70th week of Daniel.

A. They use V. 39:9, ". . .and for 7 years they will make fires of them."

B. And V. 38:8,

"After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, {whose inhabitants} have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them."

C. But the 7 years need not refer to the 7 years of Daniel's 70th week.

D. And Israel "at peace" will not take place UNTIL the 70th week BEGINS.

E. Furthermore, language in the chapters prevents this from taking place at any time other than the "final" invasion of Israel in connection with the Armageddon campaign.

Ie, V. 39:7, "I will not let My Holy Name be profaned anymore."
In other words, there will never again be such an attack and abuse upon Israel.

2. Another option is within the first half of the 70th week and prior to the beginning of the great tribulation. In fact, it is suggested that this invasion precipitates the breaking of the covenant by the beast in the middle of the week.

But again, the language of 39:7 does not allow for it.

3. It is also suggested that this is the same invasion of Gog and Magog which is mentioned in Rev. 20:7-9 and takes place at the end of Messiah's 1000 year kingdom on the earth.

A. However, that does not leave room for the "7 years" of Ezek. 39:9, for after the invasion of Rev. 20, the earthly kingdom is over and the "eternal state" begins.

B. Furthermore, the language of Ezek. 39:25-29 speaks of Israel being restored to her own land in an "earthly kingdom" context, AFTER this invasion.

C. The use of the same names is simply to designate the "same" geographical location as the origin of both invasions.

Therefore it is best to assign this detailed description in Ezekiel to the invasion of the king of the North into Palestine which follows upon his world-wide "push" against the king of the West who is the beast of the great tribulation.

In the end time, there will be an attack by the King of the North against the kingdom of the beast who corresponds with the king of the West described in Daniel 11:36-39. The king of the North will lead an alliance of nations not only from the Northern regions, but a few from the Southern area as well (Ethiopia and Libya, Ezek. 38:5, Cush and Put).

According to Daniel 11:40, there will also be an invasion upon the king of the West from the king of the South, which usually refers to Egypt, but could refer to these two Southern allies, Ethiopia and Cush. This Southern alliance is mentioned at Ezek. 30:5 in reference to its destruction in connection with this very invasion.

Ezek. 30:5, (v. 3, the Day of the LORD is near)
Ethiopia, Put (Libya), Lud, all Arabia, Libya (Cub),
and the people of the land that is in league
will fall with them by the sword.

Dan. 11:40,

"And at the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow {them,} and pass through."

Notice, "he will enter countries." This goes beyond the immediate context of Palestine and refers to the kingdom of the beast as a whole, ie, a world-wide invasion as described at Rev. 9.

Jeremiah speaks of this "world-wide" invasion, clearly in an "end times," Day of the LORD context. Jeremiah 25:30-38
Jer. 25:30,

Therefore you shall prophesy against them all these words, and you shall say to them, The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will shout like those who tread {the grapes,} Against ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH.

Observe the CAPITAL LETTERED areas.

Jer. 25:31, A clamor has come to the end of the earth, Because the LORD has a controversy WITH THE NATIONS. He is entering into judgment with ALL FLESH; As for the wicked, He has given them to the SWORD, declares the LORD.

Jer. 25:32, Thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil is going forth FROM NATION TO NATION, And a great storm is being stirred up FROM the REMOTEST parts of the earth.

Jer. 25:33, And those slain by the LORD on that day shall be from ONE END OF THE EARTH TO THE OTHER. They shall not be lamented, gathered, or buried; they shall be like dung on the face of the ground.

Jer. 25:34, Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And wallow {in ashes,} you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you shall fall like a choice vessel.

Jer. 25:35, Flight shall perish from the shepherds, And escape from the masters of the flock. (national leaders)

Jer. 25:36, {Hear} the sound of the cry of the shepherds, And the wailing of the masters of the flock! For the LORD is destroying their pasture,

Jer. 25:37, And the peaceful folds are made silent Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Jer. 25:38, He has left His hiding place like the lion; For their land has become a horror Because of the fierceness of the oppressing {sword,} And because of His fierce anger.

This is exactly what happens when the King of the North and his allies are "moved to action" by the 4 angels who are bound at the River Euphrates.

It is a judgment from God that allows the alliance of the King of the North to move world-wide with the end result that 1/3 of the earth's population will be killed.

After the king of the North distracts and weakens the king of the West (Beast's kingdom), he will turn his attentions to the Middle East. Daniel 11:41,

"He will also enter the BEAUTIFUL LAND, and many {countries} will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon.

Ezekiel describes this stage of the invasion as being moved by God with this language, at 38:4,

"And I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out,..."

and at v. 8,

"After many days you will be summoned;
in the latter years you will come
into the land that is restored from the sword,
{whose inhabitants} have been gathered from many nations
to the mountains of Israel. . ."

This "influence" to move into Palestine corresponds with the 6th bowl at Rev. 16:12-16 and takes place during the 30 day period of judgment that comes immediately after the 70th week ends.

Since the same "northern" alliance is in view, we find a great similarity of language describing the army at three passages:

Here, at Rev. 9:17; Joel 2:3-8; and Isaiah 5:26-30.

As the king of the North moves through many "countries" (Dan. 11:40), he will produce great slaughter so that 1/3 of the earth's population will be killed (Rev. 9:18-19).

And as he attacks and moves on to his final goal of Palestine, the survivors of his brutality will be little impressed with the death that has claimed so many around them (Rev. 9:20-21). These people will continue in their rebellion against God through idolatry and immorality.

Rev. 9:20-21,

"And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts."

Revelation's chronological progression ends here and picks up again at chapter 11:14 which gives the conclusion of this judgment we have just studied.

"the 2nd woe is past, Behold, the 3rd woe is coming quickly."

Since the 3rd woe begins at the conclusion of the two witnesses' testimony which began at the mid-point of the week, John here summarizes the 1260 day ministry of these two men at chapter 11:1-13.

When their testimony is over, the beast actually kills them in the streets of Jerusalem where they lay for 3 1/2 days; The first 3 1/2 days after the week ends and the beginning of the 30 day period of final wrath. After that, they are resuscitated by God and then snatched up into the sky while the onlookers are struck with fear.

Almost immediately, a great earthquake occurs, destroying a tenth of the city and killing 7,000 people.

However, as a result, a large group of people express worship humility toward God and accept the gospel message which had been proclaimed so often.

"And the rest were awe struck and gave glory to the God of heaven."

This is the required response at this time based on the message that had been proclaimed. Rev.14:6-7; 16:9

It is at this time that God officially ends the reign of the beast and prepares to administrate the final judgments of His wrath as represented by the sounding of the 7th trumpet and then the pouring out of the 7 bowls. The 3rd woe is the pouring out of the bowls of God's final wrath on the unbelieving world.

SUMMARY of activities after the arrival of Jesus and prior to the sounding of the 7th trumpet:

1. The 2 witnesses of rev. 11 are still doing their "teaching" which they began at the mid-point of the week and continue their convicting ministry of "torment" (Rev. 11:10) upon the unbelievers.

2. The 144,000 "servants" who were saved right after the arrival of Jesus, are ministering probably in a world-wide context, although the place of their ministry is not specified.

3. The beast is still attempting to gain the "worship" allegiance of the world's population through the help of the false prophet, but their efforts are greatly impeded by the disruption caused by the trumpet judgments.

4. There are many people who trust in Christ during this time. Although we have only one place where humility worship toward God is expressed (at the end of the week, Rev. 11:13) yet after the wrath of God has been fully expressed, there will be a multitude of people still alive who populate Messiah's earthly kingdom as believers.

5. However the vast majority of humanity will remain in spiritual rebellion against God and will be experiencing the awesome judgments from the 6 trumpets.

6. And now toward the end of the week, a massive military machine is oppressing the nations of the world and undermining the reign of the beast.

7. It is at this time that the beast has finally "had enough" of the two witnesses and kills them in the city of Jerusalem. This act brings his reign crashing down around him as it paves the way for the FINAL outpouring of divine wrath via the 7 bowl judgments which are announced by the 7th trumpet.

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

THE SIXTH SEAL: THE DAY OF THE LORD, by Ron Wallace

2008-09-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

THE SIXTH SEAL: THE DAY OF THE LORD

by Ron Wallace

The term Day of the LORD in the Old Testament is used to indicate several different factors concerning that time of divine judgment on the world. Sometimes it is used to indicate the beginning point of the Day of the LORD and sometimes a specific event that takes place within that time period. The prophecies concerning the future Day of the LORD are always given within a context of present or "near" historical reality with the nation of Israel usually at the center of attention.

The intensity of the beast's oppressive reign is such that were it to continue without check, no one would be safe from his touch. Mat. 24:21-22

for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved;

In other words, the policy that is implemented to force beast worship would certainly reach to every corner of the populated earth. Thus, not only would the overall Gentile population be affected, but the believers in Jesus and the devout Jews of Israel would be fully searched out and killed as a result of the activities described at Revelation 12 and 13.
It is therefore necessary that this "great tribulation" be interrupted so that, on the one hand, the church, worldwide, would be physically delivered from the beast and, on the other hand, the 144,000 Jews who become believers after the rapture would be kept alive to function as evangelists (servants) in order to produce those Jews and Gentiles who will remain alive to enter physically into the 1000 year kingdom of the Messiah. Thus it is that the "Day of the Lord" return of Jesus will "cut short" the great tribulation even while the beast still has time left in his allotted reign over the earth.

The 6th seal represents the arrival of the Day of the LORD and the physical and visible return of Jesus in "the clouds of the sky" so that "every eye shall see Him" and all who are unprepared for Him "will mourn" for the suffering that will come upon the earth from God's wrath.
In the Day of the LORD parable recorded at Mat. 24:32-36, Jesus teaches that the "signs" centered around the great tribulation, indicate to those who are able to discern, that "summer is near."
That means that the "observers" will recognize the times and the seasons for the arrival of the Day of the LORD, but Jesus makes certain to clarify that the specific day or hour (which probably should be applied to week, month and year as well) is NOT known by anyone but the Father (Mat. 24:36).

CONCERNING THE TIMES AND EPOCHS
1. First of all, Jesus did not say that the disciples "WOULD not know" the times or the epochs. He said, "it is not for you to know . . ."

The word "know," is ginosko in the aorist active infinitive, which views the action of the verb as a "point of time" action rather than a continuous action such as "not for you to be knowing." There are two ways to view this "point of time."

A. Not for you to know at any point of time (ever) - - -
B. Not for you to know at (this) point of time right now.

2. Now, when Jesus taught them before the resurrection, he taught about the end time events and especially about his return to gather His own unto Himself. Mt. 24:9-44

A. v. 15 - when you see the abomination of desolation

B. v. 21 - then there shall be great tribulation

C. v. 24 - false prophets with great signs and wonders

D. v. 25 - behold I have told you in advance.

E. v. 29 - but immediately after the tribulation of those days

F. v. 30 - signs in the sun, moon and stars

1. the sign of the son of man will appear
2. see the son of man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.

G. v. 31 - He will send forth His angels to gather the elect.

H. v. 32 - the parable of the trees - Luke 21.29

I. v. 33 - EVEN SO YOU TOO, WHEN YOU SEE ALL THESE THINGS, RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS NEAR, RIGHT AT THE DOOR.

J. v. 34 - this generation (the one that sees the signs) will not pass away until all these things take place.

K. v. 36 - but of the DAY and HOUR, no one knows . .
BUT - He just gave them the times and seasons!!

3. Why then the question from the disciples in Acts 1:7?

A. Because they forgot practically everything He taught them.

B. That is why He promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as a teaching "exhorter" (comforter) who would "BRING TO THEIR
REMEMBRANCE, all that I said to you." John 14:26
And - "He will proclaim to you the things to come."
John 16:13

4. At Acts 1:7, immediately after saying, "it is not for you to know . . ." He then says in v. 8, "BUT, you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . ."

A. For what reason? - to be witnesses of course

B. BUT also to be a reminder of what had been previously taught!!

5. The result is that the Holy Spirit re-taught what Jesus had taught, and provided amplification so that we find in Paul . .

A. 1 Thes. 5.1-4, "but of the times and the epochs, brethren, YOU HAVE NO NEED of anything to be written to you.

1. Why? Because they have been taught by the apostles, all that Jesus had previously taught.

2. For you yourselves KNOW ACCURATELY (akribos - adverb)

3. That the Day of the Lord will come just as a thief in the night. For whom? - v.3 - while THEY are saying, etc.

4. v.4, "but you brethren are not in darkness that the day should overtake YOU like a thief.

B. 2 Thes. 2.1-5, ". . with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him.

1. v. 2, "that you may not be quickly shaken . . . to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

2. v. 3, "Let no man in any way deceive you, for (it will not come) unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction."

3. v. 5, "do you not remember that while I was still with you, I WAS TELLING YOU THESE THINGS."

C. It is in view of this that the writer of Hebrews writes at Hebrews 10:25, "and to a much greater degree as YOU SEE THE DAY
APPROACHING."

6. Thus, there is plenty of indication that we can indeed, KNOW the times and the epochs just as has been discussed in previous articles.

1. Jesus made it perfectly clear.
2. And Paul make it perfectly clear.

THE ORDER OF EVENTS at the 6th seal BEGIN with the signs in the heavens as recorded at Joel 2:30-31,

"And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, BEFORE the great and awesome day of the LORD comes."

At Mat. 24:29, Jesus refers to the Joel passage when He says,

But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken,

Luke 21:25 records that Jesus also mentioned "roaring of the seas and the waves" which would be the natural effects from the heavenly disturbances.

At Rev. 6:12, there is reference to a great earthquake and "stars" (meteorites) falling to the earth.

Thus we see that while the world is seeking peace and safety through beast worship, all of a sudden, a great darkness will envelop the heavens, meteorites will begin plummeting to the ground; earthquakes and tidal waves will begin shaking the very foundations of the earth; and mankind will be dismayed and shake with fear about the physical calamities that are coming.

So, for those who have not prepared for the return of Jesus by accepting Him as personal savior, the arrival of the Day of the Lord will be a time of great panic and fear.

THE CONDITION OF THE WORLD BEFORE THE 6TH SEAL

1 Thes. 5:2-3,
For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The term "thief in the night" indicates an unawareness as to the coming of the thief. "Time" is not the only issue, but the very idea that the Lord is coming back is something that is not of concern to these people.
As Peter told us - 2 Pet. 3:3-4

Know this first of all
that in the latter days
mockers will come with mocking
following their own lusts, and saying
Where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers have died,
all continues just as it was
from the beginning of creation.

Instead, they will be occupied with the peace and safety
provided for them through worshiping the beast.
In fact, to such an extent will this "material security"
be provided, that Jesus describes the basic daily activity
of these "beast worshipers" as it was in the days of Noah.
Mat. 24:27-39

For the coming of the Son of Man
will be just like the days of Noah.

The point of comparison is the unexpectedness that resulted in an indifferent occupation with the normal activities of life.

For as in those days which were before the flood
they were eating and drinking,
they were marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noah entered the ark,
and they did not understand until the flood came
and took them all away;
so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

It should be further noted that the point of comparison here is not the idea that people (unbelievers) are taken "all away." But that judgment comes when people are occupied with material things.
It is indeed, an over concentration on the idea of "took them all away" that has led many to think that Jesus does not have in view His return to gather the church (the rapture) but instead the gathering out of the wicked just before Jesus sets up His kingdom.
However, the subject is, the gathering of His "elect" in a supernatural manner, and there is only one time when that happens - at the beginning of the Day of the Lord via the rapture of the church.

The "sudden destruction" that Paul speaks of at 1 Thes. 5, refers to the Day of the Lord judgments which will be poured out on the world very shortly after Jesus removes His people from the earth through the rapture.

The bible speaks of two types of preparation for this arrival of the Day of the Lord.

1. Salvation preparation: This refers to those who have
trusted in Christ as savior and thus are secure in the family of God.
Paul refers to them at 1Thes. 5:4,

But you brethren are not IN darkness,
that the day should overtake you like a thief.

In other words, because of their "positional" union with Christ, they are IN THE LIGHT (Eph. 5:8) and are called at v. 5, "sons of light and of day."

Accordingly, when the "day" arrives, it will not be "sudden destruction" for those who are believers in Jesus.

(See doctrinal development of SALVATION SECURITY)

However -
If the believer is not "walking in the light" then he will be "caught off guard" when Jesus returns and will experience initial "shame" and remorse before Him at His presence.

Thus, the need for -
2. Experiential preparation:
This refers to being "in fellowship" with God; Being a believer who is actively pursuing the things of God; who is "walking in the light" as a growing and productive believer and has no sin in his life. This is called "abiding in Him" by John.

Thus we have the warning given to us by John at 1 John 2:24-29.

1John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in Him,
so that when He appears,
we may have confidence and not shrink away
from Him in shame at His coming.

This does not mean that the "out of fellowship" believer will be left behind at the rapture but simply that his initial reaction will be great shame and remorse. Furthermore, that shame will be extended as he appears before the justice seat of Christ where all his works as a Christian will be evaluated. When it is shown what things in his life have not glorified God, he will suffer loss of reward and joy at that time, yet he himself will be saved.
1 Cor. 3:10-15.

See Discussion on partial rapture

We have a similar warning given by Jesus at Luke 21:34-36,

Be on guard,
that your hearts may not be weighted down
with carousing and drunkenness and the worries of life,
and that day come on you suddenly like a trap;
for it will come upon all those
who dwell on the face of all the earth.
But keep on the alert at all times,
praying in order that you may have strength
to escape all these things
that are about to take place,
and to stand before the Son of Man.

1. Strength to escape refers to endurance during the specific time of tribulation which will begin at the mid-point of the 70th week.

2. And to stand before the Son of Man, refers to "not shrinking away from Him in shame at His appearing," as we saw at 1 Jn. 2:28.

The emphasis, in view of the amplification in the New Testament, is that the believer can stand before the Son either -

1. In fellowship with God (abiding in Him)
and have initial great joy (Jude v. 24).
or -

2. The believer can stand before the Son out of fellowship and experience great shame and remorse.

At 1 Thes. 5:6-11, Paul continues by exhorting the believers to "reflect" their "positional" union with Christ "IN THE LIGHT" by living the Christian life not as those who are "asleep" and in darkness.

The exhortation through all the New Testament is that the believer should be living like a child of God and not like a child of the darkness. This of course, takes growth and volitional decisions to apply the word of God to every area of your life.
However, if the believer fails to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" he will fail to experience the true joy and peace of the Christian life as well as fail to serve God as a faithful ambassador for Christ. In such a condition, that believer will be "walking in darkness" and be unprepared for the events of the tribulation and the arrival of Jesus.
1 Thes. 5:6-11

so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. (v.8) But since we are of {the} day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Notice the issue at v. 8, "SINCE we are of the day" -
ie, since we are children of God, we should act like them.
And we have great motivation to live the way God wants us to, since we know that He "has not destined us for WRATH."

1. either the wrath of eternal judgment -
Romans 8:1, there is therefore now, no judgment to those who are IN CHRIST.

2. or - the temporal judgment of the Day of the Lord wrath to be poured out on the whole world. 1 Thes. 1:10, "to wait for His Son from heaven . . . who delivers us from the wrath to come."

DELIVERANCE FOR THE CHURCH

At the time that Jesus returns, He will carry out the promise He made to the church (via His disciples) at John 14:1-3 and which was amplified by Paul at 1 Thes. 4:14-17 and 1 Cor. 15:51.

John 14:3

And if I go and prepare a (dwelling) place for you
I am coming again
and will receive you to Myself
so that where I am, you may be also.

Thus, when the "signs" for the return of Jesus begin to take place, those of the church who are "expectantly waiting" for Him should take courage and look to the sky in anticipation of being gathered together with Him.
Luke 21:28-36

But when these things begin to take place,
straighten up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.

This "redemption" refers to the completion of God's salvation plan for those who put their trust in Jesus from the time of the resurrection until that time that He actually returns at the Day of the Lord. That completion is the "redemption of the body" which is when the church will receive a resurrection body exactly like Christ's. Philippians 3:21

For our citizenship is in heaven,
from where also we eagerly wait for a savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
Who will transform our (physical) body of humiliation
into conformity with the body of His (resurrection) glory.

It is called the "redemption of the body" at Romans 8:18-23.

V. 23

And not only this, but also we ourselves
Who have the firstfruits of the Spirit
even we ourselves, groan within ourselves
waiting eagerly for (the) adoption as sons,
the redemption of our body.

Paul tells us that this "redemption of the body" or transformation of the body will take place at a point in time when there will exist in the church, both those who have died (fallen asleep) and those who are still alive, and yet it will happen to both groups at the same time. 1 Cor. 15:50-52; 1 Thes. 4:14-17

1 Cor. 15:51-52

Behold, I tell you a mystery;
we shall not all sleep (die)
but we shall all be changed
in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye,
at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised imperishable
(ie, resurrection body like at Phil. 3:21)
and we (our bodies) shall be changed.

1 Thes. 4.15-17

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord
that we who are alive and remain
until the coming of the Lord
Will not precede those who have fallen asleep (died)
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 shall rise first.
Then we who are alive, who remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air,
and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

This is called the "RAPTURE" of the church.
Many have protested the existence of this event because they claim that the word "rapture" does not even occur in the bible. That is true, however, as with many of our theological terms, we appeal back to the Hebrew, Greek or even the Latin to establish terminology.

This event, rapture, is so designated because of the Greek word which is translated at 1 Thes. 4:17 as "caught up."
The Greek word is harpadzo and means to seize suddenly;
to snatch or take away, as any Greek lexicon will confirm.
However, the Latin word which was used to translate harpadzo, is "rapio," and it is from this word that we establish the term, "rapture." Walvoord writes, "The word, 'rapture' is from 'rapere,' found in the expression 'caught up' in the Latin translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17."
(The Rapture Question, John F. Walvoord, page 8)

As I have pointed out previously, at 2 Thes. 2:1-2, there occurs a juxtaposition of three terms that makes those three terms refer to the very same event.
V. 1 - The coming or our Lord Jesus Christ
V. 1 - Our gathering together to Him
V. 2 - the Day of the Lord

This "gathering together" to Him is what we have just seen described at 1 Thes. 4:14-17 and 1 Cor. 15:50-51.
It is this very same event that Jesus has in mind when he teaches,

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 the another.
Matthew 24:31

However, there will be many both from among the Gentiles and from among the people of Israel who think that the arrival of the Day of the Lord will be for them a time of light and deliverance. However, if they do not respond to the gospel of grace before the rapture takes place nor after the rapture takes place, then that day will be a day of darkness and judgment instead of light. Amos 5:18-20

Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD,
For what purpose (will) the day of the LORD (be) to you?
It (will be) darkness and not light;
As when a man flees from a lion, And a bear meets him,
Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall,
And a snake bites him.
(Will) not the day of the LORD
(be) darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it?

It will begin in God's perfect timing, when He decides to "cut short" the great tribulation at some unknown day and hour after the beast begins his oppressive reign.
Paul makes it clear that the Day of the Lord will not begin until after "The" apostasy and after the man of lawlessness is revealed. We have noticed previously that "the" apostasy refers to Israel's acceptance of a false covenant instead of waiting for the arrival of their promised Messiah.
We have also previously noted that the man of lawlessness is revealed at that time when he breaks the covenant with Israel and sets himself up in the Jewish temple as himself being God. 2Ths. 2:1-4

Now we request you, brethren,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and our gathering together to Him,
that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message
or a letter as if from us,
to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Let no one in any way deceive you,
for {it will not come} unless
the apostasy comes first,
and the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the son of destruction,
who opposes and exalts himself above
every so-called god or object of worship,
so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,
displaying himself as being God.

THE CELESTIAL SIGNS

Now for a bit of amplification.
The arrival of the Day of the Lord will be announced by a variety of signs and wonders, both in the heavens and on the earth. Mat. 24:29

But immediately after the tribulation of those days
THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED,
AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,
AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the heaven
and the powers of the heavens will be shaken,

EARTHLY PANIC AND FEAR

As these things begin to take place, the peoples of the world will be shocked into great fear and panic.

Luke 21:25-26

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars,
and upon the earth dismay among nations,
in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
men fainting from fear
and the expectation of the things
which are coming upon the world;
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And then a very specific (though presently unknown) "sign" will spread across the heavens (the sign of the Son of Man) announcing the arrival of Jesus Christ.
And then Jesus Himself will make his entry into the atmosphere of the earth "riding" as it were, on the clouds of the sky, and "every eye shall see Him, even those who pierced Him" (Rev. 1:7).

THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN

These celestial signs will be immediately followed by a very specific sign which points directly to the arrival of Jesus and will cause a great "mourning" from all the peoples who are unprepared.

Matt. 24:30a

and then the sign of the Son of Man
will appear in the sky,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,

THE ARRIVAL IN THE CLOUDS

The order of events is very clear when comparing Matthew and Luke.
As soon as the "sign of the Son of Man" is clearly presented to all the world, then He Himself will arrive on the clouds to begin administration of the Day of the Lord judgments.

Matthew 24:30b

and they will see the SON OF MAN
COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY
with power and great glory.

1 Thessalonians 4:16a

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of {the} archangel,
and with the trumpet of God;

SUMMARY: WHEN JESUS ARRIVES:

"He will descend from heaven with a shout"

"on the clouds of the sky" (Mat. 24:30),

with the voice of the archangel (1Thes. 4:16)

"and He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet
(Mat. 24:31),

the trumpet of God (1 Thes. 4:16)

"and they will gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of the sky to the other." (Mat. 24:31)

"And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1Thes.4:16).

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1Thes. 4:17).

Then, just as Jesus had promised at John 14:1-3, he will take the "church" to heaven where they will dwell forever. Those who are thus raptured from the earth are seen at Rev. 7:9-14, "standing (apparently in resurrection bodies) before the throne and before the Lamb" and are identified as "the ones who have come out of the great tribulation" (v.14).

But although the raptured church includes the "dead in Christ," the emphasis at Rev. 7:9ff is on those who are physically delivered from the earth at the end of the great tribulation. This is the same emphasis that is seen at 2 Thes.1:6-7, where the focus is on those who will be physically delivered from the affliction at the rapture, and does not really have in view those who have previously died in the Lord. 1 Thes. 1:6-7,

For after all, it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His power.

After Jesus escorts the church to her heavenly abode where she will dwell forever (Rev. 7:15-17), He returns to the earthly atmosphere where He will preside over the administration of judgment from His "seat" among the clouds (Rev. 14:14).

MEANWHILE ON THE EARTH, the rapture will have had a dramatic effect on a large group of Jews; ones who had probably received gospel information from members of the church and/or from the two witnesses who minister in Jerusalem during the last half of the "week."
Again, in the Olivet Discourse, at Mat. 24:14, Jesus indicated that during the tribulation and before the return of Jesus, that - -

this gospel of the kingdom
will be proclaimed in the whole world
for a witness to all the nations,
and then the end shall come.

A short period of time is required for these "144,000" to make their individual salvation decisions to trust in Jesus as the Messiah and to thus be "sealed" by God as belonging to Him. It is this "salvation seal" then that is the basis for their physical protection during the time the Day of the LORD judgments will be administered upon the earth. That is why those judgments do not actually begin until after the 144,000 are saved. It is then that the 7th seal is opened and the 7 trumpets are introduced.

THE 6th SEAL

This is all summarized at Revelation 6:12-17 via the 6th seal.

And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth {made} of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. and the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 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; for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"

And this is the very same language that Joel provides for us at Joel 2:30-31

And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth. blood, fire and columns of smoke.
The sun will be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood,
before the great and awesome Day of the LORD comes.

And again at Isaiah 2:12-22
which was discussed previously, but I shall amplify just a bit.
A DAY AGAINST THE ARROGANT ONES

For the LORD of hosts will have A DAY against everyone who is proud and lofty, And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased.

This is the general exposure of the arrogance of mankind.
The spiritual and moral rebellion that reaches a peak during the 70th week of Daniel.

And {it will be} against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan,

Trees are symbolic of people. Here we see the "personal" arrogance and rebellion of man exposed and neutralized by the arrival of Jesus to judge the world.

Against all the lofty mountains,
Against all the hills that are lifted up,

Mountains are symbolic of nations. Here we see the arrogance and rebellion of the world's nations exposed and neutralized.

Against every high tower,
Against every fortified wall,

This picture speaks of military arrogance. The pseudo strength and reliability of physical might as represented by the world's military powers is exposed and neutralized at the Day of the Lord.

Against all the ships of Tarshish,
And against all the beautiful craft.

This picture symbolizes the economic prosperity of the nations. The pseudo security in material wealth is exposed and neutralized when Jesus returns to judge the world.

And the pride of man will be humbled, And the loftiness of men will be abased, And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. But the idols will completely vanish. And {men} will go into caves of the rocks, And into holes of the ground Before the terror of the LORD, And before the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to make the earth tremble. In that day men will cast away to the moles and the bats Their idols of silver and their idols of gold, Which they made for themselves to worship, In order to go into the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, Before the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to make the earth tremble.

Even the "religious" images of idol worship will be rejected initially when Jesus first arrives to judge the world.
However, the initial reaction will pass away and men will become much more aggressive in their rebellion against God. Even in the midst of the Day of the Lord judgments, men will still choose to curse God rather than humble themselves and worship Him.
This will be seen as we observe the reaction of people on the earth during the administration of the Day of the Lord judgments as recorded at Revelation 9:20-21.

Stop regarding THE man, whose breath {of life} is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?

Notice that I have added the definite article. It is present in the Hebrew and has special significance here. It focuses our attention on the one who will have prominence during this time just before the Day of the Lord return of Jesus. The beast, the man of lawlessness, is the one everyone will be looking to for peace and safety. Thus, the exhortation given in what is very clearly an "end times" context, is to stop looking to this "world ruler" for he is only a man and why should he be esteemed as honorable?

Isaiah gives us another more specific picture of this arrival of the Messiah at the Day of the Lord in chapter 13:6-13.

Wail, for the day of the LORD is near!

This is the first place in Isaiah that the term "Day of the Lord" is used. Chapter one does not use that term but as we have seen, very clearly refers to the same period of time.

It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man's heart will melt. and they will be terrified, Pains and anguish will take hold of {them}; They will writhe like a woman in labor, They will look at one another in astonishment, Their faces aflame. Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shed its light. Thus I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. I will make mortal man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I shall make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger.

Here are some passages that describe the "nature" of the Day of the Lord.

Joel 1:15

Alas for the day!
For the day of the LORD is near,
And it will come as destruction
from the Almighty.

Joel 2:2

A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness.

Joel 2:11

The day of the LORD is indeed great
and very awesome, And who can endure it?

Amos 5:18

Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD, For what purpose {will} the day of the LORD {be} to you?
It {will be} darkness and not light;

Amos 5:20

{Will} not the day of the LORD
{be} darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it?

Ezek. 30:3

"For the day is near,
Even the day of the LORD is near;
It will be a day of clouds,
A time {of doom} for the nations.

Zeph. 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold Will be able to deliver them On the day of the LORD'S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured In the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Zeph. 1:8

Then it will come about
on the day of the LORD'S sacrifice,

Zeph. 1:18, On the day of the LORD'S wrath;

Zeph. 2:2, the day of the LORD'S anger

The details of this Day of the LORD wrath is provided by the 7 trumpets and bowls recorded in the book of Revelation.

WARNING BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD

It is clear that there will be plenty of warning before the Day of the Lord actually takes place. Not warning as to the day or hour (week, month or even year), but warning as to the general time period during which the Day of the Lord will occur.

First, there is the general warning given through the gospel that unless someone trusts in Christ as savior, he will spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Second, there is the specific warning to the world via the events of the 70th week. These include:

1. The Middle East and European Peace Accord (MEEPA)

2. The inception of animal sacrifices in the nation of Israel.

3. Then the breaking of the peace accord in the middle of the week.

4. And the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the beast.

5. And the oppressive reign of the beast.

Third, there is the more specific gospel message given by Christians and the two witnesses of Revelation 11 which will draw specific attention to the reign of the beast and the source for spiritual deliverance through faith in Christ.

The problem is, that most unbelievers will be indifferent to these signs and continue in their spiritual rebellion.
Thus, when the "immediate" signs, that do indeed announce the very "hour" of His presence, appear, these unbelievers will be either -

1. already "sealed" as unbelievers through having taken the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-11), or -

2. Be so scarred in their soul through the darkness process (Rom. 1:18-32; Eph. 4:17-19) that they will be unable to make a decision to trust in Christ even though He is right at the door.

However, the warning remains via God's grace that, "whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Rom. 10:13
But if they "call upon the Lord" after His arrival, they will not be included in the deliverance through the rapture, but will remain on the earth as God's representatives during the Day of the Lord judgments. These representatives or "servants" will fall into two categories.

1. The 144,000 Jews who will minister primarily to Israel and be the core for the Millennial population.

2. A multitude of Gentiles who will also be saved both because of the impact of the rapture as well as the testimony of the 144,000 Jews and the two witnesses in Jerusalem.

This seems to be what Joel has in mind at 2:32,

And it will come about
that whoever will call upon the name of the LORD
will be delivered.
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
There will be those who escape,
As the LORD has said,
even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

SALVATION OPPORTUNITY as previously noted.

However, prior to the actual arrival of the Day of the Lord, there will be various warnings affording mankind opportunity to adjust to God's righteousness through faith in Christ.
Zephaniah 2:1-3 deals with these warnings as delivered to Israel.

There seems to be two categories of people in view here.

1. The "nation without shame" that needs to "get its act together" before the decree for the arrival of the Day takes place.
This refers to the arrogant ones who are "without shame" who will be exposed and judged as we saw at Isaiah 2:12-22.

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, Before the decree takes effect - The day passes like the chaff - Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you.

2. And "all the humble of the land" who have been faithful in following God's "ordinances." Ordinances refers to the standards of moral justice which God designed to preserve the freedom and stability of society. Morality is not "spirituality" but indicates a "basic" positive inclination toward the things of God. These are exhorted to extend their "morality" faithfulness into acceptance of God's standards for spirituality.

A. seek righteousness: This refers to establishing a relationship with God through adjustment to His righteousness via acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah savior.

B. Humility: refers to the proper attitude that recognizes God's policy for salvation relationship. Notice, these are already designated as "humble." The first aspect of humility refers to recognition of divine morality as the proper standard for human relationships. The 2nd mention of humility refers to recognizing God's policy for relationship with Himself which is faith in the Messiah.

Seek the LORD, All you humble of the land
who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the LORD'S anger.

It is obvious that this "warning" takes place before the "decreed" arrival of the Day of the Lord takes place. Thus, we see indication that there will be opportunity for many people to be saved before the actual arrival of Jesus at the Day of the Lord. This is the reason we find an emphasis on the gospel of the kingdom being proclaimed, "and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14

After the Day of the Lord arrives and the church is removed from the earth through "rapture," and the 144,000 servants are sealed, then will be poured out "the wrath of Him who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb" through the 7 trumpets and bowls.

Revelation 7 describes two groups of people; one group on the earth and the other in heaven.

1. The group on the earth is clearly identified as 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes mentioned. There is no reasonable basis for taking this reference to "Israel" as symbolic. To do so, violates the "golden rule of
interpretation" and opens the door to unlimited speculation.

2. The 2nd group is seen to be in heaven "standing" before the throne of God and having "come out of the great tribulation."

It should be clear that this would refer to the same group of "elect" who are gathered "from the 4 winds" when Jesus returns "after the tribulation of those days."
Furthermore, the language at v. 7:9, uniquely corresponds with the description of the church found at Rev. 5:9 which has been previously discussed.

It has been claimed that the present tense of COME, at Revelation 7:14 requires an on-going arrival of the people in view. This claim is totally false. The original language IN THE CONTEXT DEMANDS that this refer to a group of people who are ALL in heaven at the time of John’s vision.

1. At v. 9, this great multitude are seen ALREADY in heaven. John sees them ALL standing before the throne. The Greek word for standing is histemi. It occurs as a perfect active indicative. The perfect tense views action that has occurred IN THE PAST with the results still in effect at the present time. It is impossible for John to see them in the process of arriving; they are ALL already there.

2. At v. 13, John asks the question, “from where have they come?” The verb here is erchomai and occurs as an aorist middle indicative. The aorist tense views action as a point-of-time occurrence. It is usually the tense of PAST ACTION. Thus, the correct translation, “from where HAVE they come.”
Again, the original language demands that this multitude are ALREADY in heaven. John seems them all as having ALREADY arrived and inquires as to their point of origin.

3. At v. 14, the angel answers the question of origin.
The word for come is erchomai again, and this time, it occurs as a present middle PARTICIPLE. The participle is used as DESCRIPTIVE to describe something about these people. Do not concern yourself with the present tense - it has no reference to progression in the participle form unless context DEMANDS it. Here, the context has clearly indicated a PAST arrival of this multitude.
The participle is simply DESCRIPTIVE. The context requires that the present participle describes the present characteristic of this multitude in reference to the question that John has asked. It describes them as those who come out of the tribulation - Not CAME, and not ARE COMING. It is simply identifying them as to where they come from. It cannot be used to support a “just arrived” idea nor an “on-going arrival” idea.

4. Furthermore at v. 14, the angel says that this
multitude HAS WASHED their robes and made them clean.
Both these verbs are perfect active indicative. This
indicates that they are ALL ALREADY washed. They are
not BEING washed; they HAVE BEEN washed. This further
confirms that the present tense of the participial
phrase, “come out of the great tribulation,” is
DESCRIPTIVE of a completed fact and not of an on-going
Chapter 8 of Revelation then begins the administration of the wrath of God after the rapture of the body of Christ and the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish servants.

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

PEACE AND SECURITY: Another prewrath article by Ron Wallace

2008-09-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

PEACE AND SECURITY
Another prewrath article by Ron Wallace

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:3, just prior to the Day of the Lord return of Jesus, there will exist in the world a "general" condition of peace and security.

Peace speaks of the absence of enmity and in this case it would indicate the cessation of warfare. This cessation would in fact be, an interruption of the historical trends of "wars and rumors of war" that Jesus spoke of as "the beginning of birth pains," which lead up to the "end" when He comes back at the Day of the Lord.
This is of course, should not be difficult to understand since all throughout history, after Jesus first taught about the birth pains of "wars and rumors," there have been occasions when there was a slight reprieve from those birth pains and certain geographical areas enjoyed considerable peace for sometimes, quite lengthy periods of time.

Security speaks of safety and stability, and in context refers to the economic "comfort" zone in which these people will be living as a result of some kind of world or local condition that exists just prior to the Day of the Lord.

This appears then, to be something they are experiencing at the time, rather than something for which they are longing and searching. This is indicated by the fact that the experience seems to "lull them to sleep" and render them unprepared and un-expectant of Christ's return. This place of "comfort" is also indicated at Matthew 24:38-39 where Jesus says,

"...in those days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking; they were marrying and giving in marriage, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away. So shall the coming of the Son of Man be."

THE PRE-TRIB POSITION
According to the pre-trib viewpoint for the rapture of the church, this time of "peace and security" exists just prior to the beginning of the 7 years of Daniel's 70th week. The Lord comes in the sky and raptures the church out from the earth and then begins to pour out his wrath via the seals, trumpets and bowls. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 tells us,

"While they are saying peace and security then sudden destruction comes upon them like birth pains upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape."

It is valid to place a time of "general" peace and safety before the beginning of the 70th week, at least in the context of our present day world conditions. However, whereas the "coming of destruction" is true for when the day of the Lord arrives, it is not true for the beginning of the 70th week. This last 7-year period of the 70 periods prophesied to Daniel by Gabriel begins when a world ruler with political roots in Ancient Rome, "arrogant and skilled in deception" (Daniel 7:23), establishes a covenant of peace and religious toleration in the Middle East and probably throughout the rest of the world as well. He goes out "conquering and to conquer" (Rev. 6:2) as the 7-year period begins and brings an end to the "nation against nation" conflicts going on in the world and establishes THE peace (Rev. 6:4).

Tatford concludes concerning the 1st seal:

"It is far more probable, however that the reference is to the rise and career of a mighty imperial ruler after the rapture of the church who brings under his sway a vast territory in an endeavor to maintain peace, order and prosperity" (F.A. Tatford, Prophecy's Last Word, page 86).

Thus, there will be "peace and security" at the beginning of the week and not "sudden destruction without escape," (1 Thes. 5:3). It is commonly believed by those who hold to the pre-trib position that 1 Thes. 5:2-3 refers to the rapture of the church at the beginning of the 7-year period of Daniel's 70th week, which they call the tribulation. However, the "destruction" type circumstances which are mentioned at 1 Thes. 5:3 do not occur at the beginning of the week and in fact will not occur until sometime after the midpoint of the week, after the beast begins his oppressive reign as described by Jesus at Mat. 24:9-29. Even though, according to this viewpoint, the seals describe this "destruction" type activity which would take place during the first half of the week, such an interpretation does not allow for the time of general peace and security which is established by the covenant and takes place at the same time. In other words, it seems inconsistent to have the world ruler establish peace through the covenant that is established and during the same time period have "sudden destruction" come upon them all. This appears to be a strong hurdle for the pre-trib position to overcome.

THE POST-TRIB POSITION
According to this viewpoint, the Day of the Lord occurs at the end of the week in connection with the battle of Armageddon as described at Revelation 19:11. Accordingly, they would have us believe that the peace and safety of 1 Thes. 5:3 is a "longing" for it rather than a present condition. Gundry writes,

"the very form of the statement suggests that peace and safety will not be the actual condition of the world preceding the day of the Lord, but the expressed 'wish' and /or 'expectation' of men, which God will answer with a blow of judgment" (The Church and the Tribulation, page 92).

However, it is better to suggest that the "form" of the statement does not "require" a condition of peace and safety, but rather "suggests" the opposite. Therefore, it is the overall context which must be considered and it is unlikely that simply a strong desire for peace and safety would have the capacity to "lull the world to sleep." Furthermore, it certainly appears that Matthew 24:38 should be viewed as a parallel passage and it describes a "condition" of economic and social "comfort" rather than just a "longing" for such. Gundry continues,

"Perhaps just before Armageddon there will be a lull, a seeming end of world upheaval, which will excite men's hopes for the peace which has so long eluded them (as suggested by the three-and-a-half days' merriment in Rev. 11:7-11)."

This is indeed a valid point, but does not explain the language at Matthew 24:38, "Eating and drinking and marrying" which certainly views a period of time much greater than 3 1/2 days. It therefore appears to this writer that the post-trib position does not adequately deal with the "condition" of peace and safety which will exist BEFORE the Day of the Lord arrives.

THE PRE-WRATH POSITION
Some think that this idea of "peace and security" existing prior to Christ's return mitigates against the pre-wrath rapture view, because it is suggested that such a condition could not exist during the oppressive reign of the beast. But when kept in perspective, it poses no problem at all and, in fact, fits smoothly into the pre-wrath scenario. When we realize that the participants of this "peace and security" are the multitude of beast worshipers who are existing under the umbrella of his economic controls and prior to the trumpets and bowls of God's wrath, then the contexts of Matthew 24:38 and 1 Thess. 5:3 meld perfectly with the pre-wrath position.

What, then, is the nature of this "peace and security" that the world will be enjoying and that lulls them to sleep so that Christ's return at the Day of the Lord will come upon them un-expectantly like a thief in the night?

First of all, let's recognize that at any given point in history, there have always been those who have suffered. Political and religious oppression; economic hardship; cultural persecution; environmental discomfort; sickness and disease; wars and rumors of war.

All this describes the beginning of birth pains that Jesus mentioned at Matthew 24:6-8. Since AD 70 these historical trends have been occurring and intensifying so that today we find ourselves still in the midst of "wars and rumors of war," just as Gabriel told Daniel would happen as recorded at Daniel 9:26,

"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off [the cross] and have nothing [no earthly kingdom], and the people [Romans] of the prince [future world ruler] who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary [70 AD]. And its [Jerusalem's] end is with a flood; and unto the end [the final week] THERE WILL BE WAR; a decree of desolations [Jerusalem trodden underfoot]."

In fact, the great focal point for these wars and rumors is the Middle East, where we have the daily confrontations between the Jewish and Arab populations and the ever-present threat of war.

What, then, if an international political body with its roots in ancient Rome and dominated by one very powerful and ingenious leader, brings to an end these "wars and rumors of war" especially in the Middle East? What if a military and religious peace accord is established that removes all fears and threats of war, and mandates religious toleration not only in Palestine but throughout the whole world as well? We find at Daniel 9:27, language that seems to dictate just such a peace accord being established by one who is designated as a powerful prince with his political roots in Rome.

"And he will establish a covenant with the many for one week [7 years]."

The covenant he establishes is specifically for a 7-year period of time (one week of seven one-year long "days"). It seems that we should view this 7 years as an inherent part of the covenant since, in the middle of the week (3 1/2 years from the start), the covenant is broken. It also appears that "the many" with whom the covenant is established would better apply to the PEOPLES of the Middle East rather than limiting it to just Israel.

The exact nature of the 7-year time factor cannot, of course, be determined at this time. It may be something like a trial period, which would be reviewed at the end, but an honest and objective approach to the language here, that recognizes a covenant being established and broken, must also recognize that a 7-year duration is inherent within its paragraphs.

Furthermore, the fact that the ruler who makes the covenant, puts a stop to sacrifices and grain offerings 3 1/2 years later, suggests that the nature of the covenant in the first place, is related to authorization for the Jews to worship via a functional sanctuary where sacrifices and offerings would be utilized. Thus, the Middle East Peace and Toleration Accord (M.E.P.T.A.) is as good a title as any.

We know that the beast is revealed at the midpoint of the 7-year week and takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God (2 Thess. 2:4). It is easy then, to correlate this with Matthew 24:15 where Jesus tells about "the abomination of desolation, standing in the Holy Place" (where it does not belong, Mark 13:14). For this man to thus take his seat in the Temple of God and announce himself as being God, it follows naturally that he would at that time put a stop to the sacrifices and offerings which were authorized by the covenant. So it is in the context of M.E.P.T.A that we find "peace and security" in Palestine, and perhaps by application throughout the rest of the world as well.

In the middle of the 7-year covenant, the "Roman" ruler, through the power of Satan, puts a stop to the accord's religious toleration clause and effectively takes THE peace from the earth. This very possibly corresponds with the Second Seal of Rev. 6:3-4. However, for those who will agree to beast worship through Operation 666 (whatever that might be), the peace and security of the accord will be perpetuated as these worshipers are promised buying and selling freedom and basic economic security (Rev. 13:16-17). Thus, as Rev. 13:3-4 records, hyperbolically,

"the whole earth was amazed about the beast; and they worshipped the dragon (Satan, Rev. 12:9), because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast."

It is thus within this context that these beast worshipers are proclaiming "peace and security," and are "eating and drinking and marrying" under the umbrella of the beast's economic controls. And it is this environment that lulls them to sleep so that,

"the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night, while they are saying, 'peace and security,' then destruction comes suddenly upon them like birth pains upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape."
(1 Thes. 5:2-3)

This "sudden destruction" refers to the administration of divine wrath which will be poured out via the trumpets and bowls and which is announced via the Sixth Seal of Rev. 6:12-17. The administration of the first four trumpet judgments will, in themselves, effectively disrupt the environment of peace and safety as they represent great disruption to the economic and ecological environment.

The people of the world have just an inkling of what to expect when the Day of the Lord occurs and therefore express great fear and terror when they see the Lord come into the earth's atmosphere and parade across the skies of the world in power and great glory

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. (Mat. 24:29-30)

"And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-27)

And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth {made} of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. And the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 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; for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" (Rev. 6:12-17)

There is no "peace and security" during the time of the Lord's wrath. The beast is unable to fulfill his promise to provide economic stability to the peoples who worship him and the nations begin to rebel and kick against his authority. And even though the beast provides a smattering of relief by killing the "two witnesses" at the end of the week, this falls far short of reversing the major economic and environmental judgments which are killing people all over the world. This rebellion of nations then leads to the final world war and the final battle in the valley of Judgment on the plains of Esdraelon beneath the mountain (har) of Megiddo. It is then, while these nations are converging into Palestine to fight against each other, that Jesus Himself will enter the fray with his army of angels to judge and wage war (Rev. 19:11-21).

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

Millennial Exclusion

2008-09-05T03:29:00.000-07:00

Among Christians opinions vary as to the necessity of perserverance and the security of the believer. Most Arminians hold that a believer who turns away from the faith and who dies in the state will forfeit eternal life and will suffer everlasting punishment. I believe that teaching is utterly false and destroys the heart of the Gospel. Calvinists, in contrast hold that all believers are truly secure in Christ, yet God has ordained that they will persevere in the faith and therefore they cannot fall away. On the Calvinist view, if a Christian turns away from the faith and does not return or if she continues in sin without repentance, she was never born again at all. While many godly men and great Bible teachers have held this view, I believe it weakens the assurance that is at the heart of the Gospel.

The view taken by this blogger is that all believers are eternally secure in Christ and can never be lost, even if they should give up their faith or persist in sin. This does raise the question of what happens to those who fall away. Will they face punishment.

The majority of those who believe in Once saved, always saved hold that unfaithful Christians will not face any punishment except loss of rewards. Some of those who take this approach fall into the Calvinist trap of applying warning passages to false believers.

A stronger position is advocated by Zane Hodges, Bob Wilkin and Joseph Dillow of the Grace Evangelical Society. They argue that unfaithful saints will lose the privilege of reigning with Christ and will lose something of the intimacy with Christ that they would otherwise have enjoyed in the kingdom. They hold that this forfeiture will be eternal in duration. Their view is dependant on a distinction they draw between entering the kingdom (the privilege of all believers) and inheriting the kingdom (which may be forfeited). Hodges, Wilkin and Dillow make an exceedingly strong case for their view, but like all position it has its weaker points and problems.

The Hodges, Wilkin and Dillow model is somewhat recent in origin. However, it has similarities with Millennial Exclusion, as somewhat older doctrine. Advocates of this teaching have included Robert Govett, GH Pember, Joseph Seiss, DM Panton, Jesse Penn-Lewis and Watchman Nee.

Millennial Exclusion holds that the privilege of entering the Millennial kingdom may be forfeited by unfaithful Christians. Believers who have continued in sin or fallen away will be banished to Hades or hell (as our KJV Bible calls it) for the duration of the Millennium, to be restored in eternity.

In this post I will consider some texts that may imply Millennial Exclusion. The majority of Millennial Exclusionists hold to a Partial Rapture. I will not be considering this issue as I do not consider the Partial Rapture doctrine to have strong biblical support and I do not believe it is essential to the Millennial Exclusion position.

Matthew 5

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Here there is a warning that if one is not righteous, one will not enter the kingdom.

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Our Lord warns that those who behave in a wrathful manner will be in danger of hell. Millennial Exlcusion would allow us to take this warning quuite literally (while still holding to Once saved, always saved).

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Luke 12

57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

Watchman Nee held that the Lord was the judge here and this refers to Millennial incarceration. I must confess that it seems more logical in the Matthew passage to take this warning literally and to treat it as a warning about civil matters. On the other hand, the use of it in Luke 12 suggests an eschatological meaning.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

This is perhaps the strongest verse in support of Millennial Exclusion. Of course this verse could simply be hyperbolic exagerration without any eschatological implication, but perhaps this takes away the verses force. Perhaps we need to take this warning more seriously.

Matthew 7

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Verse 19 provides a fairly straightforward warning that those who do not bring fruits will be cast into the fire. There is no reason to exclude believers from such a warning. Fire would naturally suggest hell, though there is a metaphor in use here.

Watchman Nee took the view that the individuals in verses 20-23 are born-again believers who are cast into hell temporarily after being excluded from the kingdom. Certainly there is no indication that they never believed. We are simply told that their conduct is wrong. Then again, the phrase 'I never knew you' hardly suggests one who has been purchased by the blood of Christ. The context seems to be a warning about false teachers rather than a warning of the importance of perserverance.

Matthew 18

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

I have tended to think that the prison and the tormentors represents chastening in this life. However, if Millennial Exclusion is true, it would provide another explanation for the prison.

Matthew 22

1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 25

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those who advocate Millennial Exclusion would view the 'Outer Darkness' as banishment to hell during the Millennium. Arminians and Calvinists would agree with them that hell is in view, though they would view this as eternal punishment and not temoral banishment.

On the other hand Zane Hodges argues that the 'outer darkness' is merely a parabolic metaphor for exclusion from the joy of the Lord. On his view, the unfaithful ones in these two parables are excluded from the privilege of reigning with Christ and the joy of His arrival.

In my judgment, both Zane Hodges and Millennial Exclusionists provde equally plausible explanations of the 'outer darkness.'

Matthew 24

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Being cut in pieces suggests a violent fate, but Zane Hodges and Joseph Dillow hold this is purely a parabolic expression. Joseph Dillow suggests that cut in pieces refers to the Word of God as a sword (Reign of the Servant Kings, p.387).

However, banishment to hell for the Millennium is an equally plausible interpretation of this passage. 'appointed his portion with the hypocrites' does have a locational connotation.

Luke 12

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Here the unfaithful servant is assigned a portion with the unbelievers. This suggests that the punishment of the unfaithful believer will take place in the same place as unbelievers.

Joseph Dillow argues that 'unbelievers' refers to unfaithful Christians (Reign of the Servant Kings, p.389), but I am not quite convinced.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Again, there is to be punishment for the unfaithful servant. It is seen here in terms of physical chastisment.

Matthew 25

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

If we assume that the foolish virgins represent believers, then this parable would strongly imply their exclusion at the coming of Christ.

Luke 12

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Naturally, this passage does not say that God willl cast the believer into hell, but it does give that as a reason for fearing Him.

Luke 17

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

32 Remember Lot's wife.

Here Lot's wife who looked back at the city of Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt is given as a warning to believers.

I have tended to take this as a warning of suffering death in the tribulation, but Millennial Exclusion would give us another possible meaning for this warning. Lot's wife was judged with Sodom. Will unfaithful believers be judged with the world?

However, we understand this warning, Lot and his wife provide contrasting examples for us. Both lived too close to this world and its pleasures. Lot came to his senses eventually and was delivered from judgement. Yet he suffered the loss of all his goods and his dignity and status. His wife, however, was cut down in judgment. That she is given as a warning example to believers is a sobering thought.

John 15

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

The branch which does not abide is burned up.

Arminians will never tire of citing this as a proof text of Christians losing their salvation. While I cannot accept that conclusion, it does appear plausible. Millennial Exclusion does provide a solution to this dilemma. On that view, the bad vine is burned during the Millennium.

On the other hand, we have to bear in mind that the vine and teh branches are a metaphor and so the fire must be a part of that metaphor. Thus, the unfaithfu believer will be discarded as useless. But where will the unfaithful believer actually be after Christ's coming? Millennial Exclusion could flesh out this metaphor a little bit.

1 Corinthians 3

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Here the erring believer is said to be saved, yet through fire. Of course the fire here maybe metaphorical. Yet verse 16 talks about the offending one being destroyed.

1 Corinthians 5

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The offending believer is to face destruction (wrecking, not necessarilly death) that he might be saved in the day of the Lord. This seems to imply that he might not be saved on the day of the Lord. The destuction of his flesh is meant to prevent further calamity in the eschaton.

1 Corinthians 6

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Galatians 5

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

These verses tell us that those who are immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hodges, Wilkin and Dillow hold that inheriting the kingdom of God must be distinguished from entering it. In their view, unfaithful believers will not inherit the kingdom of God (reign with Christ) but they will enter it. I do think that the distinction between inherting and entering the kingdom of God is very plausible. However, that there is a difference between inheriting the kingdom of God and entering it does not prove that those who do not inherit the kingdom of God will enter it (during the Millennium).

1 Corinthians 11

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Here we are told that the purpose of chastening in this life is so that we should not be judged with the world. This implies the possibility of being judged with the world.

2 Corinthians 5

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

That we should receive the rewards for bad as well as good implies a punitive judgement. Potentially, this could include Millennial banishment.

Hebrews 3

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Psa 95:8

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Psa 95:9

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Psa 95:10

11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Psa 95:11

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Psa 95:7,8

16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

19
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Psa 95:11

4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Gen 2:2

5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Psa 95:11

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Psa 95:7,8

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Many of the Israelites did not enter into the promised land. Millennial Exclusionists argue this is a type of the believer who fails to enter into the Millennial Kingdom.

Here Dillow's argument for a distinction between entering and inheriting comes into force. He points out that Abraham was in the promised land without taking ownership of it, as were the Israelites when they first entered Canaan.

In my judgment, both Hodges/ Wilkin/ Dillow and the Millennial Exlusionists are able to make fruitful and insightful use of this passage.

Hebrews 6

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

This is a standard Arminian proof text for loss of salvation. Calvinists have resisted this by arguing that the persons referred to here are not true believers.

Hodges/ Wilkin/ Dillow agree with Millennial Exclusionists that the apostates in question here are true believers who are eternally secure. The only question is whether the burning is simply metaphorical or points to something more literal.

Hebrews 10

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Deut 32:35,36

31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This passage seems to imply a fiery judgement and punishment for disobedient Christians.

James 2

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Again, believers are to be subject to a severe judgement.

Revelation 2

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Millennial Exclusionists commonly argue that this verse implies that believers who do not overcome may be hurt by the second death. However, this is not necessarilly the case. Bob Wilkin argues that this is a litenote, s form of understatement. The emphasis in the passage is on what God will do for the overcoming believer in contrast to what He will not do. Thus, this verse is not convincing evidence for Millennial Exclusion.

Concluding...

There is possible evidence for Milennial Exclusion in many passages, but it is not demanded by them. The postion of GES writers Hodges/ Wilkin/ Dillow provide a strong alternative to Millennial Exclusion. However, it is not always satisfactory in its handling of all passages. It also compromises the wonders of the eternal state by maintaining that the forfeiture of unfaithful believers is eternal in duration.

The strangth of Millennial Exclusion lies in its literal and consistent approach to warning passages. It also provides a convincing explantion for why so many Christians are reject eternal security, namely that the Bible does promise an hellish judgement for unfaithful Christians. However, the weakness of Millennial Exclusion lies in the stress on the Millennium as the fulfillment of kingdom promises. My own inclination is to see the eternal state as a continuation of the Millennium, a position that may cause problems for the Millennial Exclusionist stress on the Millennium.

ISRAEL DURING THE TRIBULATION, by Ron Wallace

2008-09-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

ISRAEL DURING THE TRIBULATION, by Ron Wallace

When the oppression on Israel begins, those Jews who hold to the orthodoxy of the Mosaic law and the Messianic promise, will have nothing to do with the false Messiah worship the beast establishes. A large body of these faithful Jews will then flee Judea to hide in the wilderness mountains of Edom, Moab and Ammon. Here, as God's chosen people they will be protected during this time of oppression.
Revelation 12.6
And the woman fled into the wilderness
where she had a place prepared by God
so that she might be nourished for 1260 days.

ORIENTATION TO THE "WOMAN" OF REVELATION 12

Revelation 12 backs up in the chronological progression of the book and picks up from the "mid-point" of the week with the events that will occur as a result of the war in heaven which kicks Satan down to the earth. John's vision is the "present" from his perspective but the subject of the vision is the persecution from Satan during the 2nd half of the week - or more specifically, during the great tribulation.
In order to understand who the participants are in this vision, a little history lesson is needed. The history lesson is included within the vision and sets the stage for understanding exactly what is going on and who is involved as the events unfold.

In verse one we are introduced to the "woman" who is clearly identified as Israel through the symbolism of the "sun, moon and 12 stars" which is taken from Genesis 37:9-10; and through the fact that this woman "gave birth to a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron."

Since it is without question that Jesus Christ as the only one who will "rule all the nations with a rod of iron," . . .
Psalm 2:9
Thou shalt shepherd them with a rod of iron,
Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.

Revelation 2:27
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON,
AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES,
as I also have received {authority} from My Father;

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth comes a sharp sword,
so that with it He may smite the nations;
and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and He treads the wine press
of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

. . .we have further "proof positive" that the woman in view at this chapter must indeed be Israel.

Once this identification of "The Son" is made, it is then obvious that the woman is ISRAEL (not Mary); and the child going up to the throne of God is the ascension and session of Jesus to the right hand of the throne of God. Furthermore, we are able to identify the "historical" events symbolized in verses 1-5 as taking place prior to the ascension of Jesus and see in those verses the general attack on Israel throughout her history. Then it is quite simple to understand that it is Israel who will come under the great attack from Satan when he is kicked down to the earth.
Thus, when that event takes place and the great persecution begins upon the "devout" ones of Israel, she will be encouraged and guided into the wilderness where she will be protected by God until the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus interrupts the the beast's aggression.

WARNING TO FLEE

Jesus, in His prophetic discourse on Olivet, actually gave warning to these Jews of Judea as well as anyone else who might be in the area that they should flee when they see the "the abomination standing in the holy place."
Matthew 24:16-21,
"then let THOSE who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath; for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall."

It is imperative to recognize that this is a general warning addressed to "those who are in Judea" and has direct application to the Jews of the land. But of course, any Gentiles and any of the Elect who are in the area should also take warning and get out. But my point is that we must be careful to make a distinction between the general population in Judea and the Elect of
Matthew 24:22,24

Revelation 12:14-16,
"And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, (Israel) in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth."

It is also imperative to keep distinct the woman, who flees Judea, and the group of believers (the elect) identified as those "who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." Revelation 12:17

However, there will be a major campaign to try to get the elect as well as these Jews to embrace the beast as the promised messiah. Matthew 24.23-26
Then if anyone says to you, "Behold, here is the Christ, or there," don't believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead. if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. Therefore, if they say to you, "Behold, He is in the wilderness," don't go, or "Behold, He is in the inner rooms," don't believe it.

Many of the Jews who are hiding in the mountains will be tricked and come down only to be delivered up to the sword of the beast's army.

The major participant in this campaign to get Israel out of the mountains will be the Arab people who reside in the land area of ancient Edom, Moab and Ammon. These peoples as special allies of the beast will mount a specific and intense oppression of the Jewish peoples who have fled into the wilderness during the great tribulation. It is because of this attack by the Arab peoples that these 3 areas will come under special judgment at the Day of the LORD.

In Obadiah 9-14, we see the promised judgment on these people and a specific warning to individuals NOT to be among the ones who participate in this campaign of greed and deception.
"Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, In order that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered {with} shame, And you will be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem - You too were as one of them. Do not gloat over your brother's day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast In the day of distress. Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity in the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster. And do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives; And do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress."

In Zephaniah 2:8, we see that the reason for their participation in the campaign is in order to possess their land when it is over.
"I have heard the taunting of Moab and the revilings of the sons of Ammon with which they have taunted my people and become arrogant against their territory."

And Ezekiel 35:1-9 gives us some very unique specifics:
Verse 5,
"Because you have delivered the sons of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of the punishment OF THE END. . ."

And for all the nations who have participated in oppressing Israel during this time of distress there will be a recompense at the Day of the LORD.
Obadiah Verse 15,
"For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head."

ISRAEL'S APOSTASY

Now we must back up again. When orthodox Israel flees there will be left in the land a vast majority of Jews who accept the beast as the promised messiah and fall right in step with him. We saw this earlier at Daniel 11:34b,
"and many will join with them in hypocrisy."
Some believe that this "national apostasy" of Israel is what Paul had in mind at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which says that THE apostasy must occur before the Day of the LORD arrives.

It would be a specific historical event that would mark the beginning of the week and portend the arrival of the Day of the Lord at the proper time. Marv Rosenthal gives detailed support for this view in The Prewrath Rapture of the Church, chapter 15. He summarizes it on pages 206-207 as follows.

"The apostasy, then, to which Paul referred (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), will involve Israel, not the church. It will commence when many within the nation sign a covenant with the Antichrist (unknown to them, a covenant with death) at the beginning of that seventieth week. The apostasy will encompass a total abandonment of falling away from renewed covenant relationship (the seventieth week) and from the God of their forefathers and the promised Messiah. They will embrace a counterfeit religion (humanism) and a counterfeit Messiah (the Antichrist) who offers a counterfeit peace and solution to the Middle East dilemma."

However, there is another, more viable option for THE apostasy and that is what Jesus described at Matthew 24:9-12. A specific and historical "falling away" of Christians from the faith because of a massive worldwide hatred and persecution launched against the church in direct connection with the oppressive reign of the beast. As I have already demonstrated, Matthew 24:9, "Then they will deliver up to tribulation," refers to the very oppression initiated by the beast at the midpoint of the 70th week, which is "great" in intensity (Matthew 24:21) and directed against "the elect" (Matthew 24:22); "the saints" (Revelation 13:7); the church (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7); those "who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (Revelation 12:17).

To summarize:

The Apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is referring to something that is specific rather than general (THE apostasy). It is certainly something that the recipients of the letter knew about (verse 2:5) and would be known by the church in general as well by understanding what had been taught orally and in writing (verse 2:15).

The apostles teach of a general decline in moral and spiritual standards that would occur in the latter days, but they are quick to point out that it is already taking place at the time of writing. Furthermore, The apostasy is not referring to a general "condition" of spiritual apathy in the world, but a massive falling away from an established standard. It speaks of Christians turning away from true Christianity.

Jesus taught that during a specific time of tribulation (Matthew 24:9), there would be a great falling away from the truths of Christianity because of an intensity of hatred and persecution unparalleled in history. Matthew 24:9-12.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and will kill you
and you will be hated by all the nations because of My name.
And then many will be caused to stumble (fall away)
and will deliver up one another and hate one another.
And many false prophets will arise and will deceive many.
And because the lawlessness (via the man of lawlessness) is increased,
the love of many will grow cold."

According to the words, "therefore" and "for then" at verses 15 and 21 respectively, this will occur after the abomination of desolation is set up in the Jewish Holy Place by the man of lawlessness. This "beast" will mount a massive attack on Christians as described at Revelation 12:17 and 13:7. Furthermore, based on Matthew 24:10, many Christians will reject their claim to Christianity and actually betray others into the hands of the beast (Matthew 24:23-26).

The word for apostasy that Paul uses at 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is "apostasia," and means basically the act and/or the condition of standing away from something; a departure from or rejection of something. Paul even suggests for us what this apostasy is at verse 3 by exhorting the believers to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether orally or by letter from us (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

The extent of this apostasy is such that Jesus suggests there will be very little practice of true Christianity on the earth when He comes back to take the elect to Himself. Luke 18:7-8

Here, He applies the promise of justice according to divine wisdom and timing to His elect who are afflicted on the earth (2 Thessalonians 1:6).
The promise of justice will be kept when Jesus returns at the Day of the Lord as is indicated at 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7.

"For after all, it is only just for God to repay with affliction
those who afflict you, and to give relief to you (and to us as well)
at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His power in flaming fire."

Thus, "those who endure (remain physically alive) to the end will be delivered (Matthew 10:22 and 24:13).

But, recorded at Luke 18:8, Jesus observes by way of a rhetorical question, "will He find THE faith on the earth?" Faith refers to the function of faith in believers who are relaxed and confident through trusting in the character and plan of God and adhering to the standards of the faith. The issue is not the PRESENCE of believers on the earth, but the presence of believers functioning "in fellowship" with God ("abiding in Him," 1 John 2:28).

This apostasy is also what Paul had in mind at 1 Tim. 4:1, where he uses the verb form of "apostasy" to indicate a departure from those spiritual standards which characterize true Christianity.

At 1 Thessalonians 2:3 we find apostasia, the noun, which is used only one other time in the New Testament at Acts 21:21.

The verb, aphistämi translated as "fall away," means to take a stand away from something. It can refer to a physical departure from a location or a person; or it can refer to an ideological departure from political or religious viewpoint. In fact, the primary use of the verb is to indicate a "physical" removal from something. It is for this reason that sometimes the argument is made that "apostasy" at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, means "departure" and has in view a physical departure of the saints from the earth via the rapture. However, the meaning and use of a verb is not always the determinative factor for establishing the meaning of a noun that derives from it. Many times a noun develops a specialized meaning based on usage. It seems that just such a case has occurred concerning the noun, apostasia. Every time that it is used in the LXX, it carries the meaning of ideological departure (Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 29:19; 33:19; Ezra 4:19; Jeremiah 2:19). Its only other use in the New Testament (Acts 21:21) indicates an ideological departure. It is therefore, determined by this writer, that the contemporary use of the noun in connection with an immediate context, that certainly recognizes the dangers of "apostasy" for believers (verse 15), that the word, apostasia, was used by Paul to speak of that specific "end times" apostasy which will occur in connection with the revealing of the man of lawlessness and the placement of his image (abomination of desolation) in the Holy Place at the beginning of the tribulation just as Jesus taught at Matthew 24:9-26.

Furthermore, 10 years later, Paul used the verb aphistemi at 1 Timothy 4:1 to refer to the very same apostasy of the tribulation that he referenced in 2 Thessalonians and that Jesus taught about at Matthew 24.

This is what Paul had in mind at 2Thessalonians 2:3, when he writes that the Day of the LORD will not come until there first comes "the" apostasy and the man of lawlessness is revealed.

When this man of lawlessness begins his oppressive reign and begins to "woo" the Jews into his "fold," there will be the need for a huge campaign to get the Jews of the land and of the world to re-embrace the TRUE Messianic promise and the orthodoxy of their heritage before they commit themselves to the religious system that the false prophet will institute via the mark of the beast. For then it will be too late.
The functional believers of the church will have a specific evangelistic impact to the Jews at this time, as related at Matthew 10:23,

"Now whenever they persecute in this city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish with the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes." (BFT)

For details on this passage: Matthew 10:1-23

In addition, at the time that the man of lawlessness begins his oppressive reign, the 2 witnesses begin their 1260 day testimony in Jerusalem and they will have a world-wide impact. Revelation 11:3-6,

"And I will grant {authority} to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sack cloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed. These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire."

This ministry of warning and pleading with the nation was prophesied by Malachi as being fulfilled in the return of Elijah the prophet. And the purpose is not so much to get them to believe in Jesus, but to embrace the heritage of the past which was given to them by God when they were delivered from Egypt, ie, the Messianic promise. Malachi 4:6.
"Restore the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the hearts of the children to the fathers - -."
The Jews as a whole still have a veil over their hearts (2 Corinthians 3:15; John 8:43; 9:39-41) and will continue in their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah (hardness of heart) "until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in" at the Day of the Lord when Jesus will rapture out the church (Romans 11:25).

Malachi 3:1-2
"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?"

Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.
And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to {their} children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.

It is the ministry of these two witnesses to cultivate the Messianic heritage of the Jews and prepare them to recognize Jesus when He arrives in the clouds of the sky at the Day of the Lord. Thus, God will still have a body of believers on the earth after the day of the LORD arrives and the church is taken out. This body of believers will be from the nation of Israel and will function as the evangelistic agent to the whole world. Those who hold to the Messianic promise will recognize Jesus as the Messiah when He arrives to pour out His wrath on the world. Then they will embrace Him as savior and become representatives of truth for the remainder of the 70th week.
These are the 144,000 of Revelation 7:1-8 and 14:1-5, who are probably scattered throughout the world and will be protected from the judgments of God while functioning as His faithful servants.

This plea and warning was given in prophetic format throughout the old testament in a "Day of the LORD" context.

Joel 2:1,
"Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near."

Zephaniah 1:7,
"Be silent before the Lord Yahweh! For the day of Yahweh is near; for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests."

Zephaniah 2:1-3,
"Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, Before the decree takes effect - The day passes like the chaff - Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you. Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; (religious Israel) Seek righteousness, seek humility. PERHAPS you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."

Amos 5:14-15,
"Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And
thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."

These are pleas to return to orthodoxy as represented in the heritage of the Jewish people via the Old Testament scriptures. For those who re-embrace their heritage and resist the beast and his system of worship, there will be deliverance from the judgments of God poured out on the world. But for those who do not return to orthodoxy, when the Day comes, it will be for them, a time of great darkness and judgment.

Amos 5:16-20,
"Therefore, thus says the LORD God of hosts, the Lord, There is wailing in all the plazas, And in all the streets they say, Alas! Alas! They also call the farmer to mourning And professional mourners to lamentation. And in all the vineyards {there is} wailing, Because I shall pass through the midst of you, says the LORD. Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD, For what purpose {will} the day of the LORD {be} to you? It {will be} darkness and not light; As when a man flees from a lion, And a bear meets him, Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall, And a snake bites him. {Will} not the day of the LORD {be} darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?"

This plea is also made at Isaiah 2:1-22.

In v. 2-4, we see the promise of the Messiah's earthly kingdom and the spiritual and material blessings that will take place. But before there can be the kingdom there must be the judgment on the world at the Day of the LORD's wrath.

v. 6-9 describes the condition of the nation in Isaiah's generation but reflects the general attitude of the Israelites during the time of the false covenant with the beast as well.

Verse 5, gives a plea to return to the heritage of the LORD.
"Come House of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD."
Verse 5, is a transition verse from the present crisis in Isaiah's generation to the national crisis in the great tribulation under the oppressive reign of the man of lawlessness.
This then, is a plea for recovery before the Day of the LORD comes. If there is no recovery, then when that Day does arrives, their response will be as at v. 10.
"Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty."
This is the same response recorded at Revelation 6:15-17 when the world is confronted with the Day of the LORD return of Jesus.

Verse 11,
These will be the recipients of the Day of the LORD judgments.
"The proud look of man will be exposed,
And the loftiness of man will be neutralized,
And the LORD alone will be exalted IN THAT DAY."
Verse 12,
"For to the LORD of hosts, there is a day -
against everyone who is proud and lofty
and against everyone who is lifted up.
That he may be exposed and humiliated."
Verse 21,
". . . before the terror of the LORD
and the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises to make the earth tremble."

And the plea then, to those who have embraced the beast as the promised Messiah (prior to actually taking the mark) is found at verse 22.
(my translation)
"Cease from THE man! (the definite article has significance here) Whose breath is in his nostrils; (he is only a creature) For in what degree and for what purpose should he be regarded as honorable?"

The ministry of the two witnesses will continue from the mid-point of the week, beyond the arrival of the Day of the LORD to the end of the week, 1260 days later.
Then they will be killed by the beast at the end of that 1260 day period and their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for the first 3 1/2 days of the final 30 day period of divine wrath that comes via the bowls of Rev. 15 and 16. (Revelation 11:7-13; Daniel 12:11)

Daniel 12:11 teaches that the abominable effects of the
Beast's attack on the temple will not be ended until 30 days after the end of the 70th week. Even though his "official reign" ends on day 1260, his kingdom will not be completely destroyed until 30 days later at the end of the Armageddon campaign.

After the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus, there will be
the initial conversion of the 144,000 Israelites, and probably a host of other conversions from among the Gentiles and even other Jews as the days of divine judgment are administered upon the earth. The result of this will be that, as the armies of the world merge into Palestine and around Jerusalem during the Armageddon campaign, there will be 4 major groups of Jewish believers present on the earth.

1. Those outside of Palestine living throughout the world.

2. Those hiding in the mountains of Edom, for many of these will become believers after the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus.

3. The clans of Judah, fighting outside of Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:6-8

4. The inhabitants of Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:6-8

In addition, there will be a large number of Gentile converts so that after Jesus defeats the armies of the world and Satan at Armageddon, He will be able to establish his earthly kingdom with a large number of believers from all the nations of the world.
Zechariah 14:16-21; Isaiah 11:10; 60:10-22; Matthew 25:31-46

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

BEGINNING OF DANIEL'S 70th WEEK, by Ron Wallace

2008-09-03T04:22:00.000-07:00

BEGINNING OF DANIEL'S 70th WEEK, by Ron Wallace

Matthew 24:6-8
And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars;
see that you are not frightened, for they must take place, but {that} is not yet the end.
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 just the beginning of birth pangs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At this point I could easily produce documentation from the pages of the daily newspaper showing the ever increasing presence of all the above mentioned items. Anyone can confirm for themselves the reality of world-wide distress, unrest and turmoil that has resulted not only from the "physical" disruptions of earthquakes and other natural catastrophes but also the great pain and suffering that exists from economic hardships all over the world; not to mention the fear and suffering from the escalation of border disputes, social and religious conflicts, and international strife. It is just such an international condition of chaos, with specific escalation of aggressions in the Middle East, that sets the stage for the much needed "man of the hour" who will be able to manipulate all the parties involved so that an actual time of peace will be realized throughout the world, or at least in the Middle East.

PRAISE BEFORE THE LAMB OPENS THE SEALS

Now as John's vision continues, a great fan fare is produced to teach him the awesomeness of the 7 sealed book and the inception of those events symbolized by the seals.

Revelation 5:11-14

And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. and every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped.

THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH
UP TO AND INTO THE 70th WEEK

The teaching of Jesus recorded in the Olivet discourse makes it clear that the church (represented by the disciples) will undergo the beginning of birth pangs and THEN be delivered up to tribulation. At Mat. 24:9, the KJV translation leads to considerable confusion. It reads,

"Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted. . ."

But the Greek word for, "to be afflicted," is the noun, thlipsis, plus the preposition, eis, and should be rendered either, to tribulation or to a tribulation. (It could also be rendered, to affliction or to an affliction as long as the "noun" form is preserved in the translation.)

The NASB, translates it properly with the rendering, "to tribulation."

In the verses following v. 9, Jesus explains the nature of this tribulation. At v. 15, the word "therefore," must be taken in connection with the affliction of v. 9. And then at v. 21, the word "for," must be taken as an amplification of v.15-20. Thus, the whole section from v.9 through 29 is referring to the same period of time.

In v. 9, it is called tribulation (or "a"). In v. 21, it is called great (or a great) tribulation. And in v. 29, it is called, THE tribulation of those days. It needs to be seen, that Jesus views the progress of the church from the period of "beginning birth pangs" up to and into the period called tribulation. At v.15, that period of tribulation is identified as beginning with the abomination of desolation, which we already know to take place at the mid-point of Daniel's 70th week (Dan. 9:27 and 12:11). Thus, the tribulation period is not 7 years in length but begins in the middle of the week and according to v. 22, shall be cut short so that it does not even last for the remaining 3 1/2 years of the week.

However, the period of time prior to the mid-point of the week is not specifically mentioned. In fact, it appears to be entirely skipped over by mentioning "tribulation" at v. 9. The reason is simply because during that first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's week, there exists a slight reprieve from persecution and suffering not only for the church but also for the whole world. This is the result of the peace that is procured by the ruler of the 10-nation confederacy as he confirms a covenant with the many for 7 years.

No where in the scriptures is there any suggestion that the church will not be present at the beginning of this 7 year period nor is there any suggestion that the church will be removed BEFORE the period of time known as great tribulation. Furthermore, it needs to be observed that this time of tribulation is a period of affliction that comes from man and from Satan, not from God. God's wrath will be poured out on the world after the arrival of Jesus at the Day of the LORD. The promise for the church is deliverance from God's wrath, not deliverance from persecution and suffering. As Paul taught at Acts 14:22,

"strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying, through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God"

Romans 15:3

"And not only this but we also exult in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about endurance"

2 Timothy 3:12

And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The promise for the church is deliverance from God's wrath which will be poured out upon the whole world as the final demonstration of temporal justice upon those who do not believe. For we - -

"wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:10

It has been suggested that Paul has in mind the general "wrath" of divine judgment which will be meted out at the Great White Throne judgment upon all unbelievers. However it seems to me, more probable that Paul has in mind a period of wrath that will come upon the world at the time that His Son comes from heaven.

This promise of deliverance from the Day of the LORD judgments is mentioned by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse.

Luke 21:25-28

And there will be signs in sun, moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR.

That promise of deliverance for the church will take place at the day of the LORD when Jesus returns and gathers the church out of the world through the rapture. But it can not occur until the great apostasy of the church comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed (2 Thes. 2:1-4). And all throughout the time period that the church is present on the earth, her job as ambassador for Jesus Christ will be in full operation to such an extant that by the time the Day of the LORD arrives, there will have been a successful worldwide evangelistic impact by the church.

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.

THE FIRST SEAL: THE 70th WEEK BEGINS

In order for the world ruler to utilize the 10 nation confederacy as his political power base, he will conquer 3 of the 10 and apparently the rest will fall in line behind his authority. It is necessary for him to take over 3 of the kings (or nations) in order to demonstrate his military genius to the rest of the world and make it easier to implement his political plans. It is further to be noted that this man's satanic ties will be unknown until 3 1/2 years after he implements the covenant. It is at this time, the midpoint of the week, that he will be empowered by Satan in order to accomplish Satan's oppressive schemes for the world. But once again, I am jumping ahead of myself.

Revelation 6:1-2

And 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. and I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer.

Daniel 7:24

and "he" will subdue three kings

Daniel 8:23

And in the latter period of their rule (the 10 nations), When the transgressors have run {their course,} A king will arise insolent and skilled in intrigue.

When this man takes over, the 10-nation confederation will become the 7th kingdom of the beast's historical pedigree. According to Rev. 17:10-11, when he comes, he must remain a little while as 7th king or kingdom and then become the 8th. And as previously mentioned, he will be a benevolent dictator for the first 3 1/2 years of his reign. The first thing on the agenda for the benevolent dictator, is to resolve the economic, social, religious, military and health problems of the world. This is initiated by the 7 year covenant that is made with "the many," which term usually refers to Israel. However, the peace that is procured by this covenant apparently extends throughout the whole world, providing both economic security as well as physical security. This is very strongly suggested when we see at the 2nd seal that "THE peace" is taken from the earth. In the Greek, the definite article (the) is present and should be translated, since it draws attention to the special quality and time of peace that had been procured through the conquering of the first seal.

Dan. 9:26,

". . .and the prince who is to come . . ."

v. 27

"will make a firm covenant with the many for 1 week." (7 years)

The covenant will allow Israel to build a temple (or sanctuary) on Mt. Moriah and begin worship through animal sacrifices. (based on Dan. 9:27, "put a stop to sacrifice," and based on 2 Thes. 2:4, take his seat in the TEMPLE of God, and Mat. 24:15, "standing in the Holy Place.") But what it actually amounts to, is a national apostasy which attempts to realize Messianic promises through a human agency. This has already been discussed in connection with Daniel 11:34.

From this point we have no scriptural information until the mid-point of the week when the world ruler breaks the covenant and begins his oppressive reign over the whole world. Accordingly, it is suggested that the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week of Daniel will be a time of general peace and safety throughout the world and will then be interrupted by the deceitful world ruler, who through Satanic empowering, becomes the oppressive man of lawlessness - the beast. The beast will then proffer a false peace to those who dwell on the earth through acceptance of beast worship. For those who accept beast worship and take the mark of the beast, the time will indeed be an occasion of peace and safety, but it will be short lived as the arrival of Jesus at the Day of the LORD will catch them all by surprise like a thief in the night. And when God's wrath and the wrath of the Lamb is poured out on the world and the kingdom of the beast, there will be nothing but pain and misery for those who have taken his mark.

1Thessalonians 5:1-3

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The call of "peace and safety" is not a cry in SEARCH of peace and safety, but a proclamation and rejoicing in the peace and safety that they are experiencing through the protection that comes through identification with the beast.

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

The Orange Mailman: Gog- Twice Even

2008-09-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

The Orange Mailman: Gog- Twice Even

RETRIBUTION FOR BELIEVERS (By Joey Faust)

2008-08-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

(Note- The Bible is clear in teaching that all believers are eternally secure in Christ and can never be lost. But the Bible also teaches the possibility of judgment for believers and chastisement at Christ's coming)

by Joey Faust

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That NO MAN go beyond and defraud HIS BROTHER in any matter: because that THE LORD IS THE AVENGER OF ALL SUCH, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

The above Scriptures reveal that the Lord will meet some believers as an AVENGER. This clearly speaks of retribution. And we are warned that such terror may be experienced at the Judgment Seat of Christ when the Lord returns (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). Such plain truth is shunned or denied for certain philosophical or emotional reasons that will be evaluated in this article.

When believers come face to face with the Biblical warnings to believers in regard to the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Millennium it is natural for many to wonder WHY the Lord would punish at such times. The time for repentance for believers will be ended when the Lord returns and reigns in His Kingdom. Many therefore use this question as an objection:

"Why would God temporarily punish believers at the Judgment Seat? What good would it do? It will then be too late for repentance and reformation. All judgment upon believers is for repentance and reformation. Therefore, the view that God will punish unfaithful believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ and during the Millennium must be wrong, since there would be no reason left, at these times, for such punishment."

Of course, a faulty premise will result in a faulty conclusion. This objection assumes that reformation and prevention are the ONLY purposes of judgment in regard to believers. It entirely overlooks the fact that RETRIBUTION is a crucial purpose of judgment, even for the children of God - especially after previous warnings and chastenings have been despised and spurned. It is crucial that we do not allow modern, humanistic philosophy and psychology to influence our doctrinal views (Colossians 2:8). Humanism naturally recoils from all aspects of Divine retribution, in all its manifestations. Therefore, to rightly comprehend the Bible's teachings in regard to the Judgment Seat of Christ, all faulty, humanistic foundations must be rejected.

Before examining the Scriptures on the subject of retribution, it might be helpful to notice the changes that many have made (or desire to make) to the criminal justice system in America. These changes reflect a "new" way of thinking that has had profound effects upon the way the Scriptures are viewed and interpreted. We are living in an age that largely views retribution as archaic, rusty, and even savage. Criminals (especially women) are too often viewed as victims. (Even Judas is being "rehabilitated" as a victim!) They are seen as "sick," and therefore in need of "treatment" and rehabilitation. Increasingly, punishment is determined by judges based upon the perceived good it might or might not do to the criminal! This humanistic view is often called utilitarianism. It maintains that only the criminal's future matters. Both the real victim, and the very principle of justice itself, are often ignored in order to apologize to, excuse, and "treat" the criminal. There is a growing movement that believes that the duty of sentencing criminals should be totally removed from judges and placed into the hands of "doctors" and mental specialists (i.e. psychological quacks). Certainly, with such humanistic philosophies abounding, it is no wonder that we might have some trouble grasping the Biblical doctrine of retribution (especially when applied to the people of God).

Presbyterian minister James M. Orr (1838-1865) noticed the error of the modern view of punishment that was already gaining some ground in his day:

"The modern humanitarian spirit tends to exalt the reformatory and preventive ends of punishment, at the expense of the RETRIBUTIVE. That every effort should be put forth for the reformation of the criminal which the case admits of, we cordially allow. But the danger is, in these matters, that sentiment degenerate into sentimentalism. Crime DESERVES punishment, and on that ground alone, were there no other, ought to receive it. No theory can be satisfactory which loses sight of RETRIBUTION, and makes reformation and prevention the all in all." ("Pulpit Commentary," Deuteronomy 25)

Have not many modern Christians succumbed to this error in their views concerning the Judgment Seat of Christ? Certainly, the whole concept of punishment has been attacked in the state, in the home, and in the church; and this has greatly downgraded the views of many preachers in regard to the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers. First, the "modern humanitarian spirit" (which has its foundation in humanism) has made the very idea of punishment for unfaithful believers seem shocking, absurd and preposterous. My book, "The Rod: Will God Spare It," connects the modern rejection of the Judgment Seat of Christ (for God's children) with the humanistic rejection of Biblical discipline in the home. Many preachers who rightly resist the humanistic attacks upon the family, and upon Biblical discipline in the home, are nevertheless, unwittingly drunken with the same spirit when it comes to the Judgment Seat of Christ. With one side of their mouths they exhort fathers not to spare the rod; yet with the other side, they teach that GOD will automatically spare the rod at the Judgment Seat! Secondly, the "sentimentalism" of this modern humanism moves many to overlook RETRIBUTION as one of the chief purposes of judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ. When this crucial purpose is lost sight of, or forgotten, the Biblical-judgment warnings to believers are constricted and made to conform to the dictates of humanistic philosophy. In the same manner that our law courts are infected with a lackadaisical mentality ("What's done is done; what good would it do the criminal to punish him/her now?"), so are our pulpits often diseased with the same vain reasonings in regard to the warnings concerning the Judgment Seat of Christ!

William Powell Clark (in the 1920's), writes:

"The real reason underlying the refusal of some dear children of God to accept belief in the punishment of unfruitful believers - not eternal, but during the Millennial reign of Christ - is an inadequate sense of THE JUSTICE OF GOD. Acceptance of the belief in the temporary punishment of such Christians during the Millennial reign safeguards the eternal merits of Christ's atonement on the cross, and at the same time, preserves the absolute Justice of God."

Notice, this Christian judge had a clear view of the necessity of JUSTICE at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Clark believed that the adoption of humanistic thinking concerning retribution and justice was the underlying cause for the disbelief of many in regard to the Lord's warnings to unfaithful believers. If this was the case in the 1920's, how much more is this modern generation of Christians confused concerning God's retributive justice? Let us pray that we might see these concepts in a Biblical manner.

At the heart of retributive justice are the concepts of merit and desert. Justice REPAYS the guilty for his or her wrongs committed. Therefore, in answering the question of whether retribution plays a crucial part in the judgments unfaithful believers will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we simply need to examine the Scriptures to see if such concepts are used in relation to believers. Upon doing so, we immediately find that retribution plays an important role at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Notice how contrary the following Scriptures are to the ungrounded view that states that RETRIBUTION (i.e. God's moral justice) must play no part in the judgments upon unfaithful believers WHEN THEY STAND BEFORE GOD'S TRIBUNAL:

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But HE THAT DOETH WRONG shall RECEIVE FOR THE WRONG which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that YE ALSO HAVE A MASTER IN HEAVEN.

The idea of "receiving for the wrong" is certainly that old, archaic, traditional view of justice! The context refers to believers. And notice that the Judgment Seat of Christ is not merely PARENTAL in nature. There are other pictures or backdrops in place. There is also the servant/master relationship that occurs so often in Biblical warnings to believers! While some in modern times might have trouble understanding retribution in the parental setting, none should have any trouble understanding it in the servant/master relationship often presented in the Bible:

Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Many wrongly decry the application of these Gospel warnings to believers (also see Luke 12:45-48, 19:22-26, Matthew 25:30, etc.). Many get on a high horse and proclaim, "We are not mere servants. We are sons!" For the moment, we will put aside the fact that fathers had the power of life and death over their sons in ancient times. We also will ignore the fact that in the Old Testament legislation, incorrigible sons who would not repent after they had been properly chastised, were to be slain (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Certainly, these are important types for the New Testament teaching on the Judgment Seat of Christ. But what is more important is the fact that the Epistles do not present "sonship" as the only picture or relationship between believers and the Lord! The Judgment Seat of Christ is largely presented to New Testament believers in the context of the servant/master relationship (as seen in Colossians 4:1). And in the context of this relationship, "mere retribution" plays an important role:

Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to HIS OWN MASTER he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Again, Romans 14, like the Gospel warnings, presents future judgment in the context of a servant/master relationship (John 13:13). However, it even goes beyond this picture, since the very subject of a "judgment seat" reveals the throne of a magistrate:

John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the JUDGMENT SEAT in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Acts 18:12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the JUDGMENT SEAT,

Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's JUDGMENT SEAT, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die...

The fable that the Judgment Seat of Christ is only an awards banquet of some kind (usually argued by replacing the word "judgment" with "bema," though the preacher is speaking English!) is plainly exposed by the above Scriptures which use the same word for "judgment." At Caesar's "judgment seat" there was RETRIBUTION, even to death! And the Lord Jesus Christ, as King of Kings, has a higher, more terrible throne than any Caesar!:

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; that every one may RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the TERROR OF THE LORD, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

It should be clear to all that the Lord's judgment throne is a throne of retribution for believers, and that we need to bring our doctrinal views in line with the Scriptures. Notice how the earthly ruler is called by God to render justice and retribution:

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a REVENGER to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

If he is a REVENGER, then he is called to administer justice and retribution! And we have already seen that the New Testament presents God as a Master or Judge who will REPAY believers according to the deeds done in the body. The concepts of repaying and avenging are central to the concept of moral retribution!

With these thoughts in mind, notice another important Scripture:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, VENGEANCE BELONGETH UNTO ME, I WILL RECOMPENSE, saith the Lord. And again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This passage presents the judgment upon believers (who do despite unto the Spirit of grace and refuse to repent) as "vengeance," and a "recompense." These are the same elements of retribution that we have seen presented elsewhere in relation to the judgment of believers:

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my REWARD is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just RECOMPENCE of reward;
3 How shall WE escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

The upholding of moral justice is a crucial purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom. The Bible teaches that the coming age of justice (in contrast to this age of the Lord's longsuffering) will BEGIN with the judgment of the Lord's own household:

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

"...the coming millennial day of Justice, dominated by the Judgment Seat, has for its essential characteristic the recoil of works in JUDICIAL RETRIBUTION. 'For he that doeth wrong...'- the context is addressed solely to believers (Col. 3:25)."
(D.M. Panton, "The Judgment Seat of Christ")

What would it teach the nations of the Millennial age if there was no retribution at all for the unfaithful of the Lord's own household? What do people think of one who is strict with his neighbors but too soft with his own household? Did not Eli's softness concerning his own house provoke Israel to abhor the offering of the Lord? The Lord will uphold moral justice for the righteousness of the principle itself. But this just retribution (for those who did not seek mercy beforehand) will also demonstrate the righteousness of God to all nations, and even to the angels.

It is interesting that the majority of objectors to retribution at the Judgment Seat of Christ have no problem with positive rewards:

Hebrews 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the RECOMPENCE of the reward.

Yet, the same moral justice that rewards good behavior must likewise punish bad behavior. The same error is seen in the many interpreters who take the promises of reward literally (i.e. Jesus will gird himself and serve the dining believer, Luke 12:37), yet refuse or spiritualize the warnings in the same context (12:39, 46-49).

The main objection offered against retribution at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers) is that since the Lord has already PAID for all sins (past, present and future), there is, therefore, no place or ground for ANY future retribution. However, this objection fails to leave any logical room for any chastisement at all, even in this life! Yet, the Bible teaches that believers may be judged for sins committed after regeneration (Acts 5:10, 1 Corinthians 11:29-32, 1 John 5:16, etc.). Therefore, the fact that Jesus has PAID for the sins of believers does not mean that there is no danger of any consequences for sins committed after salvation. In the type, David was forgiven of adultery and murder, but he still suffered some temporal consequences (2 Samuel 12:10-14). The smallest sin in the sight of the eternal God merits eternal torment; yet the Blood of Jesus has removed this penalty for every believer, for all sins (past, present and future). But the Lord's work on the Cross was never meant to bar the Father from administrating the affairs of His household! The merits of Christ place the sinner on new ground (as a son, servant, etc.). But this new ground is not without some severe accountability - even though there is no danger of eternal retribution.

The branch that obediently abides in the vine, is purged so it will bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). This is the only aspect of God's parental dealings that are admitted or taught by many preachers. However, this purging is for faithful, obedient believers! The Lord warns that the branch that does not abide in the Vine, will not be purged - it will be cut off (John 15:2,6). Some believers refuse the discipline that is meant for their growth in holiness. They faint under or despise the purging. Such discipline that is not endured in patience (giving God reverence by our subjection) can result in severe retribution, in this life, and at the Judgment Seat.

The very facts concerning the judgment of believers in this life reveal that the humanistic theory is in error. If retribution plays no part at all in the judgment of believers, and they can only be chastised for one purpose (i.e. provoking their repentance in this life), then how does one answer the fact that believers are sometimes killed by God for their sins (Acts 5:10, 1 Corinthians 11:29-32, 1 John 5:16, etc.)? Certainly, it is obvious that such a judgment leaves no room for repentance, reformation or rehabilitation in this life! It therefore follows that the theory that all judgment of believers is only for correction in this life is erroneous. Believers are often judged for the purpose of retribution; and any "correction" and instruction (at least in this life) is often for others who see the judgment:

Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon ALL THE CHURCH, and upon as many as heard these things.

Even the retribution that was often administered to Old Testament believers is used as a warning example to New Testament believers (1 Corinthians 10:11).

On the other hand, although moral retribution is an important purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ, I do not maintain that it is the only purpose. God is able (and He has every right) to use such judgments to accomplish ALL the purposes He intends to accomplish. The intent of this article is to demonstrate the error of binding the Lord to only one purpose of judgment concerning believers. RETRIBUTION ALONE is presented in the Scriptures as a crucial purpose for judging some believers during the Millennial Age. Disobedient, unrepentant believers (who seek no mercy beforehand in godly fear) must be punished on the grounds of moral justice alone. The prevalent ignorance of this well-established principle of criminal justice moves many modern judges to let repeat offenders escape proper prison-time. They reason, "What good would such an extended stay in prison do for the rapist or murderer? We cannot undo the crime. Let us therefore concentrate on helping the criminal." We must not use such humanistic, darkened reasonings when interpreting the warnings to believers!

http://www.kingdombaptist.org

A Dissertation on Armageddon, by Ron Wallace

2008-08-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

by Ron Wallace

INTRODUCTION
From AD 30 until the inception of the 70th week, there will exist in the world, "wars and rumors of war" as the beginning of birth pains, especially for the people of Israel (Dan. 9:26; Mat. 24:4-8).

The Roman Prince who is to come" will bring a temporary end to that period of warfare by establishing the covenant of peace and religious toleration. For the sake of simplicity, I will designate this as M.E.P.T.A. (the Middle East Peace and Tolerance Accord). The primary focus of this covenant will be on the Middle East but probably extend world wide as this world ruler promises peace and security to the people of the earth. It is within this context that it can be said of Israel, she "has been restored from the sword," (Ezek. 38:8). This time of peace continues for 3 1/2 years until the world ruler receives a fatal head wound, probably at the hand of an assassin. This man will then be brought back to life by the power of Satan in the eyes of all the world. It is this event that brings the people of the world to his feet so that they elevate and honor him as a god. Then through that same Satanic power, he begins to act out the wrath of Satan toward God and God's people (Rev. 12:12-17; 13:3-7).

He begins by taking "his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God" (2 Thes. 2:4), thus effectively breaking M.E.P.T.A. (The Middle East Peace and Tolerance Accord) as he "puts a stop to the sacrifices and grain offerings" the Jews were performing in the temple (Dan. 9:27). Jesus calls this the "abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Dan. 12:11), standing in the Holy Place" (Mat. 24:15) which begins the great tribulation of oppression and persecution for those who will not worship the beast (Mat. 24:9-29; Rev. 13:15-17).

Once this "beast out of the sea" of Revelation 13:1, begins his reign of world dominion at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, he promises economic security to those who will worship him and take "the mark of the beast." Thus, the world as a whole, will continue to proclaim "peace and security" as they rejoice in the economic programs of the beast and are able to participate in normal life activities without fear or distraction (1 Thes. 5:3; Mat. 24:38).

Jesus said that it will be for them "as in the days of Noah . . . eating and drinking," etc. (Mat. 24:38), lulled to sleep by the economic security provided through beast worship (Rev. 13:17).

The people and nations of the world continue to follow the beast as long as he can fulfill his promise of "peace and security." But when least expected, during this time of security (1 Thes. 5:2-3), and while the beast worshipers are afflicting the believers (2 Thes. 1:6-7; Rev. 13:7a; Dan. 7:21), the Day of the Lord will occur. (Mat. 24:29-31; Rev. 6:12-17)

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

"For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

"For after all it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and {to give} relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well WHEN the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

This "destruction" and repayment "with affliction" and "dealing out retribution" takes place in 5 stages.

1. The trumpets stage: Divine judgment (fire) poured out on the earth from the Day of the Lord arrival of Jesus until the end of the week (a period that covers anywhere from 8 to 36 months (Rev. 8-9).

2. The bowls stage: The final wrath of God poured out on the kingdom of the beast during the 30-day period which immediately follows the end of the 70th week. (Rev. 11:14-19; 15:1-16:21; Dan. 12:11)

3. The Armageddon stage: When Jesus comes physically down to the earth and destroys the invading nations in Palestine, which takes place in connection with the 6th and 7th bowl judgments. (Rev. 14:14-20; 16:12-21; 19:11-21)

4. The Separation stage: When the living unbelievers are removed from the earth after Armageddon so that the kingdom of Christ will begin with believers only.

A. The separation of sheep and goats from among the Gentiles (Mat. 25:31-46; 13:36-43, 47-50).

B. The separation of the fat and lean sheep of Israel (Ezek. 34:17-24).

5. The eternal stage: Lake of fire (2 Thes. 1:9; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15).

Once the Day of the Lord judgments begin to come upon the earth, the beast's ability to provide peace and security will be greatly impeded.

Through trumpets 1-4, food supplies will be diminished, energy resources will be diminished and many plagues and disasters will affect the nations with the result that "many men died," (Rev. 8:11).

Through trumpet #5, the people of the world will be severely terrorized for five months by the demon horde from the abyss and the beast will have no control over the attack.

The 6th trumpet judgment is when the permissive will of God allows a kingdom power to move in opposition to the beast and seek world domination. I believe this to be the world-wide invasion of the king of the North which will culminate in the final battle of Armageddon in Palestine (Rev. 9:13-19).

THE SIXTH TRUMPET

Rev. 9:13-15,

And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.'

And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they might kill a third of mankind."

These four angels have been functioning in a restraint operation from before the time of John's writing until the present time. Whether they are elect or fallen is not mentioned, nor does it matter. The main point is to recognize that the general flow of history is controlled by God and nothing happens except what he sovereignly permits (Daniel 4:17, 34-35). These angels have been specially prepared for this specific time in human history to allow the unrestricted advance of a military machine of the like the world had never seen before (Joel 2:2).

Rev. 9:16

"And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them."

The number designation of this army as it appears in the Greek (dismuriadoes muriadon) literally means twice (or several) ten thousand times ten thousand. It is suggested on the one hand to be a specific number of 200 million, and on the other hand to simply indicate an innumerable host. Many commentators of the past have discounted the idea of "200 million," as being quite impossible for any "then" known geographical area. However, in this century, the clear reality of such numbers is no longer in question, whether it be from the area of China or from a large alliance of nations which can be associated with Russia.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ARMY
Rev. 9:17-19

"And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: {the riders} had breastplates {the color} of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads; and with them they do harm."

This is viewed by most scholars as describing a military machine from the perspective of modern mechanized weaponry.

Notice the similarity found at Joel 2:3-4,

"A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run."

It is the view of this writer, that the army of the 6th trumpet is the Northern army which is described at Ezekiel 38-39 and Joel 2:1-20.

ORIENTATION
First point of orientation is to recognize that the understanding of this invasion has nothing to do with the timing of the rapture. Therefore, the pretrib, midtrib, pre-wrath and posttrib positions are not pertinent to this study. However, this discussion will be flavored by definitions in terminology characteristic of the pre-wrath view of the rapture.

The second point of orientation is to recognize that in the book of The Revelation, the seven seals, trumpets and bowls follow one upon the other in chronological order. Specifically, that the seven trumpets come out from the 7th seal and that the seven bowls come out from the 7th trumpet which sounds immediately after the ascension of the two witnesses, 1263 1/2 days after the midpoint of the week (Rev. 11:7-15). And that there is a 30 day period which follows the end of the 70th week, as indicated at Daniel 12:11, during which the seven bowls will be poured out upon the earth.

The third point of orientation is to recognize that the 6th trumpet takes place toward the end of the 70th week, as is also acknowledged by John F. Walvoord:

"Chronologically the trumpets involved closely succeed one another and their judgments seem to fall like trip-hammer blows as the great tribulation comes to its close."
(The Revelation of Jesus Christ, page 166).

THE KING OF THE NORTH
The basic outline for the movement of these troops in this end-times context is found at Daniel 11:40-45. Here we find troop movement from the North, South, East and West, all leading up to the final confrontation between them and the Lord Jesus Christ at Armageddon.

There are two stages to the invasion of the king of the North. First, he pushes against the kingdom of the beast by attacking him on a worldwide scale (Jer. 25:15-38; Dan. 11:40; Rev. 9:13-19) and then when the king of the West is adequately distracted, he invades Palestine (Ezekiel 38-39; Joel 2:2-11, 18-20, 25). The details are filled in from the prophets of the Old Testament and the Book of the Revelation.

Daniel 11:36-39 identifies the main actor in this military scenario. It describes the dramatic change in personality of the king of the West, the world ruler who established the "covenant" of Daniel 9:27 at the beginning of the 70th week. This happens at the midpoint of the week shortly after the ruler is assassinated and brought back to life by the power of Satan (Rev. 13:3-7).

There is much debate as to the identification of the person in view at this passage, but to spare the reader all my research into this, I will simply agree with the conclusion of Walvoord,

"A better identification of the king,. . . however, is to relate him to the Roman world ruler, the same individual as the little horn of Daniel 7 and the beast out of the sea of Revelation 13:1-10." (Daniel, page 272).

I will therefore operate on the premise that this "king" is indeed the world ruler who controls the 10-nation political body with roots in ancient Rome, who is known as the king of the West and who is often represented in the Old Testament as the king of Babylon. The 3rd person pronouns that follow the phrase, "the king of the North will storm against him," in verse 40, ALL refer to the king of the West.

For more information on this world ruler see THE POLITICAL POWER BASE OF THE BEAST in the book The Day of the Lord.

Daniel 11:40-45

Verse 40

1. At the end-times: This identifies our time frame as relating to the last 7 years (Daniel's 70th week) prior to the establishment of Messiah's kingdom on the earth. And since we are clearly in a context where the world ruler has been revealed as "the man of lawlessness," it refers specifically to sometime during the last half of that seven years.

2. The king of the South will collide with him: The K/S is usually associated with Egypt and we here see him attacking the beast (K/W) either alone or with some Southern allies and perhaps even in alliance with the king of the North.

3. And the king of the North will storm against him: This introduces us to the revolt of the Northern nations allied with Gog and Magog which is detailed in other passages. This summarizes an attack against the kingdom of the beast either in a localized arena or perhaps worldwide. Other passages will establish the fact that the king of the North targets the nations under the beast's jurisdiction on a worldwide basis in preparation for his advance into Palestine.

JEREMIAH

The world-wide attack of the king of the North is summarized at Jeremiah 25:15-38.

At verses 11-12, the Babylonian captivity is referenced indicating that its duration will be 70 years and when its over, Chaldea will be conquered and destroyed by Persia.

Verses 13-14, speaks of Persia's conquest of the world and becomes the pattern for the end-times invasion of the king of the North.

Verses 15-38, Gives us the basis for viewing this as the Northern invasion.

The section goes beyond Persia and views that end-times invasion by the Northern alliance.

Verses 15-29, are written in prose and give geographic specifics about this world wide invasion. Verse 15, establishes this as God's wrath upon all the nations.

As the king of the North advances, no area is left untouched, North, South, East and West, all experience the devastation of this mighty military machine storming against the beast's kingdom.

Verses 27-28, establish the fact that it is unavoidable.

This worldwide reach of the Northern army is suggested at Rev. 9:14-16, where we see that restraint on this activity is removed by the releasing of the 4 "directional" angels so that the impact of this invasion is felt to the four corners of the earth (East, West, North and South).

Rev. 9:14-16,

"one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.'

And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they might kill a third of mankind.

And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them."

The result is that 1/3 of the earth's population will be killed as indicated at Revelation 9:18,

"A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths."

Jeremiah 25:29a, indicates that this worldwide invasion has as its ultimate goal, a judgment on the land of Palestine.

"For behold, I am beginning to work calamity in {this} city which is called by My name."

Verse 29b, however, indicates that all the world will be touched by this judgment from God.

"and shall you be completely free from punishment? You will not be free from punishment; for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of hosts."

Verses 30-38 are written in poetry and identify this worldwide invasion by a kingdom power as taking place DURING the Day of the Lord.

Now even though the term, "Day of the Lord," does not occur in this context, the language clearly describes the arrival of Yahweh to pour out judgment on the world.

Jer. 25:30,

"Therefore you shall prophesy against them all these words, and you shall say to them, The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will shout like those who tread {the grapes,} Against all the inhabitants of the earth."

This is the arrival of the Messiah in the "clouds of the sky" at the Day of the Lord. This arrival BEGINS the Day of the Lord judgments which are not only against His pasture, but also against all nations. This is exactly why, when Jesus returns, "there will be dismay among nations . . . men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things coming upon the world," (Luke 21:25-26). And why "all the tribes of the earth will mourn," (Mat. 24:30) and why "the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 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;

for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17)

His pasture refers to Israel, but before God's judgment through this invading army reaches into Palestine, and before the ultimate judgment is administered at the battle of Armageddon, this Northern Alliance will have a worldwide impact.

Jer. 25:31a, "A clamor has come to the end of the earth, Because the LORD has a controversy with the nations."

The "controversy with the nations" makes reference to the universal rebellion that mankind expresses toward God and God's Anointed.

Psalm 2:1-5

WHY are the nations in an uproar,
And the peoples devising emptiness?
The kings of the earth take their stand,
And the rulers have established themselves together
Against Yahweh and against His Anointed:
"Let us tear apart Their fetters,
And cast from us Their cords!
He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His burning fury:

Jeremiah 25:31b,

"He is entering into judgment with all flesh; As for the wicked, He has given them to the sword, declares the LORD."

The phrase, "entering into judgment with all flesh," refers specifically to the judgment that comes through the invasion of the Northern alliance, but certainly extends beyond that to all the expressions of divine wrath poured out during the Day of the LORD.

Jer. 25:32,

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil is going forth From nation to nation, And a great storm is being stirred up from the remotest parts of the earth."

"From nation to nation" indicates clearly the advance of this military invasion as being throughout the world and corresponds with the worldwide focus of the 6th trumpet (Rev. 9:13-19) rather than the isolated focus of the battle of Armageddon.

V. 33-37a, describes the worldwide destruction

V. 33,

"And those slain by the LORD on that day shall be from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented, gathered, or buried; they shall be like dung on the face of the ground."

The phrase, "on that day," refers to what happens DURING the time period rather than what happens on a SINGLE day.

Some may want to make this apply to the final battle at Armageddon, but the language in the following verses makes it apply to the "home land" of the nations involved. For this reason, it lines up better as referring to the world-wide invasion of the king of the North.

Another alternative is that this is talking about the Day-of-the-LORD judgments in general that reach to every nation on the earth. I accept this as a viable possibility, but the language seems more like the progress of a military invasion to me. Technically, there are ample passages that discuss the movements of the king of the North and this one is not absolutely necessary for support of those movements. This is simply an attempt to place this passage into the whole end times scenario and it seems to fit the advance of the king of the North better than anything else.

V. 34,

"Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And wallow {in ashes,} you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you shall fall like a choice vessel."

This is describing the effect of the Northern invasion. Just as is indicated at Rev. 9:18, "A third of mankind was killed."

Jer. 25:35-36,

"Flight shall perish from the shepherds, And escape from the masters of the flock. {Hear} the sound of the cry of the shepherds, And the wailing of the masters of the flock! For the LORD is destroying their pasture,"

This indicates that the leaders of these nations will be defeated by the invading army and their peoples will be killed. Again, Rev. 9:18, "A third of mankind."

Jer. 25:37a,

"And the peaceful pasture lands are made silent. . ."

Massive slaughter of people will leave the national life of these countries, neutralized and silent.

V. 37b-38, again emphasizes that this is from the wrath of God.

Jer. 25:37b-38, Because of the burning of the anger of the LORD.

"He has left His hiding place like the lion; For their land has become a horror Because of the burning of the oppressing one (king of the North) and because of the burning of His (Yahweh's) anger."

Continuing our discussion of the worldwide invasion of the king of the North, I direct your attention to Isaiah 13:1-16.

This passage also describes the world-wide invasion of the king of the North.

Verse 1,

"The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw."

The oracle is about judgment on Babylon, but verse 1-16 jumps beyond the historical fulfillment which will take place at the hand of Persia after the 70 year Babylonian captivity of Judah and looks to the future judgment in an end-times context after the arrival of the Day of the Lord (vs .6, 9).

And since the historical judgment takes place at the hands of Persia, the "end-times" judgment should be viewed as taking place at the hands of the king of the North.

Verses 2-3,

"Lift up a standard on the bare hill, Raise your voice to them, Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles.

I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have even called My mighty warriors, My proudly exulting ones, To {execute} My anger."

This is the call to the king of the North to begin his worldwide advance against the king of the West, the beast, represented by Babylon in the historical setting. The worldwide focus is found at verse 11, "thus I will punish the world for its evil."

It is the same "call to action" found at Ezek. 38:4 and permitted at Rev. 9:13-15.

Verse 4,

"A sound of tumult on the mountains, Like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, Of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts is mustering the army for battle."

This clearly speaks of an alliance of nations gathered together against "Babylon."

Verse 5,

They are coming from a far country From the farthest horizons, The LORD and His instruments of indignation, To destroy the whole land.

This speaks of the distance from Palestine of this army and its allies.

It corresponds with Ezekiel 38:6, "the remote parts of the North."

At Joel 2:20, it is identified as the Northern army. The reason the two armies can be equated is because of the time frame for their activity.

At Isaiah 13, the army advances worldwide AFTER the arrival of the Day of the Lord.

Isaiah 13:6,

"Wail, for the day of the LORD is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty."

This indicates that WHEN the army invades that it will be a fulfillment of the coming of the day of the LORD and not that the day of the LORD follows the invasion.

The army at Joel 2 has advanced into Palestine, and is also viewed as taking place AFTER the ARRIVAL of the Day of the Lord. That is, when the army invades, it is DURING the day of the Lord that the invasion takes place.

Joel 2:2,

"for the Day of the Lord is coming, surely it is near."

However, it is also viewed as such an army that will NEVER again come into Palestine UNTIL many generations.

Joel 2:2,

"there is a great and mighty people; there has never been anything like it, nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations."

Many generations AFTER the Day of the Lord would refer to the end of Messiah's 1000 year reign when another large Northern army will invade Palestine (Rev. 20:7-9).

THE NORTHERN ALLIANCE
There is only ONE Northern army that will have a role during the Day of the Lord. And it is that Northern army and alliance which is described at Ezekiel 38:2-6.

"Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

"And I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company {with} buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Persia, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them {with} shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah {from} the remote parts of the north with all its troops - many peoples with you."

Gog is either a personality or a dynasty that dominates the land of Magog and rules over three chief cities or peoples.

These descendants of Japheth are clearly mentioned at Gen. 10:2,

"The sons of Jepheth were, Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Mesheck and Tiras."

The identification of Magog and Rosh is summarized by Pentecost, after quoting several sources:

"Thus the identification of Rosh as modern Russia would seem to be well authenticated and generally accepted." (Things to Come, page 328).

"Meshek and Tubal have been identified as Phrygia and Cappadocia. They appear to be the Moschi and Tibareni of the classical writers. They lived in the neighborhood of Magog." (Charles Feinberg, Ezekiel, page 220)

This places them in the land area we know as Turkey.

Associated with Gog, we have five other nations which need to be identified.

At Ezekiel 38:5, we have three mentioned, Persia (paras), Ethiopia (kush) and Libya (phut).

Persia is unanimously identified as Iran.

Ethiopia and Libya, however, do not fair as well. There are some who would limit both of these groups to those Arabic nations North and East of Israel. Others, associate Kush with modern day Ethiopia, and associate Libya with the nations of North Africa; Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

At Daniel 11:43, there is mention of the Libyans, but the Hebrew is different than what we find at Ezekiel. At Daniel, the word, lubhiym, clearly refers to the Libyans in North Africa. Accordingly, phut might refer to a different people and perhaps a different geographical area.

However, Phut is consistently mentioned with other names identified with North Africa (Jer. 46:9 and Nahum 3:9, in Pharaoh's army), especially at Ezekiel 30:5, where we see a group of nations that the context suggests would all be within the same "southern" area around Egypt.

Furthermore, at Daniel 11:43, after the king of the West counterattacks against Egypt, he continues into both Ethiopia (Kush) AND Libya. It seems most probable that the Kush mentioned here is the same as mentioned at Ezekiel 38:5. And since it is also quite probable that the Ethiopia in Daniel is South of Palestine, it is best to take the Ethiopia of Ezekiel as also being South of Palestine. This should prove that there are Southern nations in Gog's Northern alliance, and it might even include Egypt since it appears that the king of the South and the King of the North at Daniel 11:40, push against the king of the West at the same time.

This makes it much easier to associate Phut (Libya) with North Africa instead of limiting the Northern alliance to those areas North and East of Palestine.

At Ezekiel 38:6, the final two members of this alliance are mentioned.

Gomer is universally identified as the Germanic land area.
Beth-togarmah is equally identified as the area of upper Turkey and Armenia.

Let's keep in mind that these general geographical distributions overlap with several different nations or cultures in existence today, similar to how the former Soviet Union embraced so many smaller nations. The best that we can do is to recognize the general geographical areas involved and not be too rigid in assigning nations their allegiance until the actual alliance is established. However, that reality may not be ours to discern since the rapture will occur BEFORE the Northern alliance actually moves in resistance to the king of the West (the beast). The prewrath view teaches that the rapture occurs at the 6th seal, before the 6th trumpet which refers to this great worldwide invasion by a large military body.

There is also a Gog/Magog revolt at the end of the Millennium, which involves the same geographical location, but is not the same as this invasion that is described here. See: Gog Magog revolt: Millennium

A MATTER OF TIMING
The big question still unresolved in many minds, concerns the exact time placement for the Gog invasion which is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

There are those who view this invasion as taking place prior to the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, which is seven years in length. The main proof for such a theory is found at Ezekiel 39:9, where after the invading Northern army is defeated, the "booty" left behind will be burned for a period of seven years. Others believe that the invasion takes place immediately at the beginning of the seven-year period, viewing it as the reason the "world ruler" is able to come on the scene and establish a 7-year covenant in the Middle East. Once again, they use the seven years of burning the "booty" as proof for this. Others still, place this invasion at the midpoint of the 70th week and view it as the reason for the rise to power of the man of lawlessness (the antichrist) who breaks the 7-year covenant and will then seek to dominate the politics and economy of the world and reign for 42 months (3 1/2 years). Then there are those who view this invasion as taking place just before the final battle of Armageddon and has the alliance's defeat take place at that battle.

Although the term, "Day of the Lord," does not occur in Ezekiel 38-39, the language indicates that this invasion can refer to none other than the king of the North as described in the other passages. Some have suggested that Ezekiel 38-39 refers to an invasion that precedes the Day of the Lord, however that cannot be in light of verse 39:7, "And I shall not let My Holy Name be profaned anymore." If this invasion refers to an army other than the one which invades DURING the Day of the Lord, then this verse would be violated, for during the Day of the Lord, through the advance of armies in connection with the Armageddon campaign, the land of Israel and God's Name will be trodden down by the invaders. Furthermore, the defeat of this Northern army is followed immediately by Israel's promotion and blessing in Messiah's kingdom.

Ezek. 38:7-8,

"Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them.

"After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, {whose inhabitants} have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

This is another reason some think that the Gog invasion occurs "before" the 70th week and/or after the 70th week has started.

It is suggested that if Israel has been restored from the sword and the people are living "securely," then it cannot refer to the time of Great tribulation when the beast will be attempting to force the world into beast worship. It is suggested that this refers to the nation of Israel, having been restored in 1948 and today existing on her own land.

It is true, that at the present time, it can be said of Israel, that she has been restored from the sword of her captivity. However, even though Israel resides in the land, the nation as a whole is still in unbelief, and there is certainly no peace and security for her. Probably the best time for fulfillment of the language at verse 8, "and they are living securely, all of them," is when the covenant of peace is established at the beginning of the 70th week. Thus, it would seem appropriate to look for this invasion sometime during the first half of the week. However, this seems unlikely to me because of the language of "closure" at Ezek. 39:7, "And I shall not let My Holy Name be profaned any longer." If the defeat of this "Gog" army takes place during the first half of the week (or before) and is defeated as described in Ezekiel 38-39, then this "language of closure" forbids the oppression of the beast during the last half of the week, during which time, God's name most certainly will be profaned (Rev. 13:6; Dan. 7:25).

It is for this reason that we must find a time slot for this invasion that is associated with the final movement of nations into the land of Palestine and the final confrontation with God at the battle of Armageddon.

I suggest that at the midpoint of the week, after the beast gains ascendancy over Jerusalem (Rev. 11:2) and begins his oppressive reign (Rev. 13:5-6), that the majority of people in Jerusalem will be in alliance with the beast and therefore be "living securely, all of them."

The "faithful" ones of Israel will have fled into the wilderness (Rev. 12:6, 13-14), and most of the others will have adopted beast worship and be reaping the economic benefits of allegiance to him.

THE DAY OF THE LORD
Returning to Isaiah 13, at verses 7-8, we see the reaction of people to the ARRIVAL of the Day of the LORD. According to verse 6, the Day will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Paul tells us at 1 Thes. 5:3,

"The Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

When the Day of the Lord SIGNS occur and people SEE the sign of the Son of Man, they will then know that the wrath of the Lamb has arrived. Thus, the reaction recorded at verses 7-8 as well as at Mat. 24:30; Luke 21:25-26 and Rev. 6:15-16.

Isa. 13:7,

"Therefore all hands will fall limp, And every man's heart will melt."

Isa. 13:8,

"And they will be terrified, Pains and anguish will take hold of {them} ; They will writhe like a woman in labor, They will look at one another in astonishment, Their faces aflame."

Luke 21:25,

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

Luke 21:26,

men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Matt. 24:30,

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.

Rev. 6:15,

And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains;

Rev. 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;

Isa. 13:9,

Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it.

The Day of the Lord has a beginning point and from that point, judgment (fury and burning anger) will be expressed with the intent "to make the land a desolation," and judge the sinners.

DURING THE DAY
Isa. 13:10,

For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises, And the moon will not shed its light.

This introduces an explanation. However, it is not an explanation of the signs that announce the arrival of the Day of the Lord, for the phrase "The sun will be dark WHEN IT RISES," indicates a PERIOD of time that is characterized by darkness, rather than a sudden event manifested in the sun, moon and stars. It seems better that this refers to the general "conditions" manifested via the 4th trumpet judgment as recorded at Rev. 8:12,

"And the fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were smitten, so that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way."

This "general" condition of losing 1/3 of the daylight and 1/3 of the natural light at nighttime portend the three remaining WOES of judgment that are to come on the earth.

Rev. 8:13,

"And I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in mid-heaven, saying with a loud voice, 'Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!'"

The first woe will be torment on the sinners of the world via the demon horde from the abyss (Rev. 9:1-11).

The second woe will be the killing of 1/3 of the earth's population via the invasion of the Northern army (Rev. 9:12-19).

And the third woe will be the seven bowls of the "final" wrath of God (Rev. 15:1; 16:1).

Isa. 13:11,

"Thus I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud, And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless."

This is a summary statement concerning God's intent in destroying the sinners of the world.

Isa. 2:12,

"For the LORD of hosts will have a day {of reckoning} Against everyone who is proud and lofty, And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased."

2Ths. 1:6-8,

"For after all it is {only} just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and {to give} relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

Isa. 13:12,

"I will make mortal man scarcer than pure gold, And mankind than the gold of Ophir."

This refers to the extreme "thinning" of the human population that results from the Day-of-the-LORD judgments.

Death from the third trumpet judgment:

Rev. 8:11,

"and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and MANY MEN DIED from the waters, because they were made bitter."

Death from the 6th trumpet judgment:

Rev. 9:18,

"A THIRD OF MANKIND WAS KILLED by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths."

Isa. 13:13,

"Therefore I shall make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger."

Here, the THEREFORE (al ken), changes our focus and takes us back to the inception of this Day of the LORD period. It is the initial SIGNS in the sun, moon and stars (heavens tremble, Luke 21:26; Rev. 6:13-14); and the earth shaking (Rev. 6:12; Luke 21:25) that officially ANNOUNCE that these judgments are at hand or as the panicking world proclaims, "has come," and "who is able to stand," (Rev. 6:17).

Isa. 13:14-16, describes the effects on the "homelands" of the nations involved in this SPECIFIC worldwide attack of the king of the North, permitted by the wrathful vengeance of God.

"And it will be that like a hunted gazelle, Or like sheep with none to gather {them,} They will each turn to his own people, And each one flee to his own land.
Anyone who is found will be thrust through, And anyone who is captured will fall by the sword.
Their little ones also will be dashed to pieces Before their eyes; Their houses will be plundered And their wives ravished."

It should be clear that this activity occurs in the homelands of the nations through the onslaught of an invading army, just as we saw earlier at Jeremiah 25:32-37. It does not describe what occurs AT Armageddon. The military maneuvers that take place DURING the worldwide attack of the king of the North, occur over a period of time and not in one day.

The final section of Isaiah 13 (verses 17-22), mentions the historical invasion of the Media-Persian empire, but then makes application BEYOND that historical time period and once again, to an end-times judgment and the resultant status of the Babylonian area during the Messiah's earthly kingdom.

The degree of judgment described in these verses have not, to date, been totally fulfilled. In the same way, the language at Jeremiah 51:62, seems to look beyond the history of the city and land area, and looks to an "end-times" disposition where during the Messiah's kingdom, and as a result of judgment described in Revelation 18:21, Babylon will not exist.

COUNTERATTACK
Returning to Daniel 11:40-45 we see the counterattack from the king of the West.

1. And he will enter countries: The K/W must respond to the invasions from the North and the South.

At this point, I mention again the difficult problem of identifying the "king" referred to by the 3rd person pronouns in this sentence and through the remainder of the chapter. The immediate "flow" of the narrative "suggests" that the "he will enter" phrase refers to the king of the North. However, whoever the "he" is, it seems best to make that identification uniform through the remainder of the chapter. Accordingly, based on the activities ascribed to the "he" in question, which take place in this context, it is still best to identify him as the king of the West, the world ruler who is the beast out of the sea of Revelation 13:1.

2. Overflow and pass through: This indicates an intensive campaign to counter the attack from the North that touched every corner of the beast's kingdom.

Daniel 11:41,

Because the attack of the king of the South centers in Palestine (the beautiful land) the K/W deploys troops into that area and "many will fall."

However, Edom, Moab and Ammon are not affected either by the South's invasion or the beast's defense. God provides extra protection for this general land area because it is where the remnant from Judah has fled for refuge from the oppression of the beast.

Daniel 11:42-43

"Then he will stretch out his hand against {other} countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians {will follow} at his heels."

The beast drives the K/S out of Palestine back into his own land and continues against the other countries involved. He defeats Egypt in her own land and then proceeds to enter into Libya and Ethiopia. These two countries are identified at Ezekiel 38:5, as being in alliance with the king of the North. This specific maneuver is described at Ezekiel 30:1-9.

Libya and Ethiopia are identified at Ezekiel 38:5, as being in alliance with the king of the North. The movement of the king of the West into these areas as per Daniel 11:43, is described at Ezekiel 30:1-9.

EZEKIEL
Ezek. 30:1-3

The word of the LORD came again to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, Wail, 'Alas for the day!'
"For the day is near, Even the day of the LORD is near; It will be a day of clouds, A time {of doom} for the nations."

This clearly identifies the military maneuvers in view to take place DURING the Day of the LORD. It is "a time for the nations," but the specific focus is on the Southern alliance associated with Gog.

Ezek. 30:4,

"And a sword will come upon Egypt, And anguish will be in Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, They take away her wealth, And her foundations are torn down.

This is exactly what we saw at Daniel 11:42-43

Ezek. 30:5,

"Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all Arabia, Libya, and the people of the land that is in league will fall with them by the sword."

These are in league one with another, as members of the Southern alliance but are also allied with the king of the North. The king of the West is allowed to use its superior weaponry and military might to achieve the victory over this Southern alliance.

Ezek. 30:6,

"Thus says the LORD, 'Indeed, those who support Egypt will fall, And the pride of her power will come down; From Migdol {to} Syene They will fall within her by the sword,' Declares the Lord GOD."

Migdol is in Northern Egypt and Syene is in the South.
Ezek. 30:7-8

"And they will be desolate In the midst of the desolated lands; And her cities will be In the midst of the devastated cities.
"And they will know that I am the LORD, When I set a fire in Egypt And all her helpers are broken.

Ezek. 30:9,

"On that day messengers will go forth from Me in ships to frighten secure Ethiopia; and anguish will be on them as on the day of Egypt; for, behold, it comes!"

This indicates the divine permission for the king of the West to defend itself and push beyond Egypt to the other nations involved. Usually, any mention of ships in these military scenarios, has reference to the Western nations.

Daniel 11:43,

"and Libyans and Ethiopians {will follow} at his heels."

After neutralizing Egypt, the king of the West continues into the other North African nations that have pushed against him.

RUMORS FROM THE EAST
But while the beast's troops are occupied in the South, the king of the East begins to mobilize his troops toward Palestine. This is designated as "rumors from the East" at Daniel 11:44. It happens in connection with the 6th bowl and brings our time line beyond the end of the 70th week of Daniel into the 30 day period of "cleansing" which follows.

The 70th week ends in association with the sounding of the 7th trumpet (Rev. 11:2-15) and the 7 bowls of judgment "which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished" (Rev. 15:1), are poured out on the kingdom of the beast.

Daniel 12:11, indicates that there is an additional 30 day period after the designated 1260 days for the last half of the "week." During this time, the temple is still desolated and the beast is still active. But the remaining blows of God's wrath through the bowl judgments will bring it all to an end.

Rev. 16:12-15,

"And the sixth {angel} poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east.
And I saw {coming} out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty."

Notice also, that in connection with the advance of the kings of the East, we see the gathering of other nations as well. This includes both the king of the North entering Palestine and the king of the West returning.

RUMORS FROM THE NORTH
Daniel 11:44 also indicates that rumors from the North disturb the king of the West. This is when the king of the North actually invades Palestine as is described in Ezekiel 38 and Joel 2.

Ezekiel 38:15-16

"And you will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will come about in the last days that I shall bring you against My land, in order that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog."

Joel 2:1-2

"Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near,
A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, {So} there is a great and mighty people; There has never been {anything} like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations."

We therefore find the connection between all the Old Testament passages concerning the king of the North. His worldwide aggressions are focused into his ultimate goal of possessing Palestine and thus, joins with the other nations to fulfill the prophecies of Joel and Zechariah.

Joel 3:1

"For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem"

This gives us the time frame for this final invasion of Palestine. It occurs at the time that God intends to "restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem." In other words, at the time that God intends to fulfill all of Israel's national promises as initially given to Abraham.

Daniel tells us that the goal of the "70 weeks" is to ultimately "bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy {place}." These three phrases refer to bringing in Israel's kingdom blessings. It will be fulfilled AFTER the 70 weeks are completed.

The 70 weeks bring us to the time of fulfillment, but it will be another 75 days AFTER the final 1260 days of the last half of the 70th week, until the Messiah will "officially" begin the kingdom (Dan. 12:11-12; Mat. 25:31-32).

Joel 3:2

"I will gather all the nations, And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land (v. 1-2).

The valley of Jehoshaphat refers to the valley of "judgment from Yahweh" and is not an actual valley, but embraces the whole land area of Palestine with a special focus on the actual valley of megiddo (or the plain of Esdraelon) which lies between the Sea of Galilee and the natural seaport of Haifa. The valley is 20 miles long and about 16 miles wide. The "valley" of judgment, or as at Joel 3:14, "the valley of the decision."

The word "decision" is charuts and means a "cutting" or "dividing." Thus the idea of divine judgment, since all will be "cut off" from the land of the living through the sword of divine justice (Rev. 19:21). Many battles have been fought here throughout history, as control of the valley basically controls land travel between North and South, and determines the usefulness of the seaport.

Joel 3:9-11

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!
Beat your plowshares into swords, And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, "I am a mighty man."
Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, And gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Thy mighty ones.

Notice the need for armament. Through the peace covenant of the first half of the 70th week, there was a massive worldwide disarmament. This continued when the beast began his oppressive reign, but as his ability to meet the needs of the nations diminished through the Day of the Lord judgments (trumpets), the nations began to "chomp at the bit" and began to rearm themselves in preparation for resistance to the beast.

At this "gathering" of the nations into Palestine, the activities of the king of the East are not detailed for us. It is probable that he simply deploys his troops into the area of Megiddo and awaits the outcome of the conflict between the king of the West and the North. However, before there can be any "human" victory, the Lord Jesus descends from His "control center" in the clouds and begins the reaping process of judgment (Rev. 14:14-20).

The king of the North on the other hand, is given a lot of coverage in Scripture. The advance of its army through Palestine is described at Joel 2:3-9.

"A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them.
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.
With a noise as of chariots They leap on the tops of the mountains, Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, Like a mighty people arranged for battle.
Before them the people are in anguish; All faces turn pale.
They run like mighty men; They climb the wall like soldiers; And they each march in line, Nor do they deviate from their paths.
They do not crowd each other; They march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, They do not break ranks.
They rush on the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief."

Its activity in Jerusalem is summarized at Zech. 14:2.

"For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city."

A DIVIDED ARMY
Daniel 11:45a

"And he will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain."

The king of the West sets up his camp between the Mediterranean Sea (the seas) and the city of Jerusalem (the beautiful holy mountain). This effectively splits the Northern army into 2 sections according to Joel 2:20 and in this condition the K/N will perish as Israel fights against them with the Messiah's help.

"But I will remove the northern {army} far from you, And I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, And its vanguard into the eastern sea, And its rear guard into the western sea. And its stench will arise and its foul smell will come up, For it has done great things."

Later when Jesus descends to the Mount of Olives, causing it to split down the middle and form an East/West valley extending for 6 miles West of Jerusalem to Azel, the Northern army will be greatly restricted and be unable to escape. The "rear guard" will be pushed into the Mediterranean Sea and the "vanguard" will be defeated at the hands of the men of the city as they fight with the prowess of thousands of "David's." (Zech. 12:5-9)

Through this victory, all the resources possessed by these invading armies will become plunder for Israel. Zech. 14:1

Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you.

But before Israel is victorious, the invaders wreak havoc within the city. Zech. 14:2,

"For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city."

Furthermore, the king of the west who has camped "in the valley," will come to his end there in the valley as this is part of the final battle.

Daniel 11:45b

"Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him."

The king of the West will find his "Waterloo" when the Lord Jesus descends into Palestine all the armies that are converged there.

CONVERGENCE ON PALESTINE
Ezek. 38:9,

"And you will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you."

Joel 2:2,

"A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, {So} there is a great and mighty people; There has never been {anything} like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations."

Ezek. 38:10,

'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan,

Ezek. 38:11,

and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of un-walled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates,

Ezek. 38:12, "

to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are {now} inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.'

They require the material resources centered in Israel. The kingdom of the beast is centered in Jerusalem and has apparently hoarded an abundance of the resources needed by the nations. In view of the great destruction of resources that happen through the first 4 trumpet judgments, the Northern alliance designs a plan to conquer Israel.

Ezek. 38:13,

"Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all its villages, will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'

The king of the West will rebuke this advance and take counter measures to protect his interests in Palestine.

Dan. 11:44,

"But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him,

Ezek. 38:14-17 provides a summary of what we have already seen.

"Therefore, prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know {it} ?

"And you will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army;

and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will come about in the last days that I shall bring you against My land, in order that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog."

'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for {many} years that I would bring you against them?

As the king of the North advances into Palestine, so also does the Eastern alliance and the Western alliance. Most of these troops are in the Valley of Megiddo, including portions of the Gog alliance, assembled to resolve once and for all the question of who is the "boss."

Rev. 16:12-14,16

"And the sixth {angel} poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east. And I saw {coming} out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

Joel 3:2a, 9-12

"I will gather all the nations, And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat."

Joel 3:9-12

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!
Beat your plowshares into swords, And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, "I am a mighty man."
Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, And gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Thy mighty ones.
Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I will sit to judge All the surrounding nations.

Rev. 19:19,

"And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the horse, and against His army."

At this point the prophecies concerning the king of the North blend together with the final assembly of all nations and the destruction of these nations at the hand of Jesus the Messiah. Accordingly, both Ezekiel 39 and Joel 3 are to be viewed within the context of the final battle at Armageddon.

At this time Jesus will descend physically to the earth, arriving first in Edom (Is. 63:1), then to Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4) and finally to the actual Valley of Megiddo (Plain of Esdraelon) at Mount Megiddo (Armageddon) to defeat and destroy all these armies (Joel 3:16).

THE PHYSICAL DESCENT OF MESSIAH
When these nations are sufficiently gathered into Palestine, Jesus will leave His "seat" in the clouds and physically descend to the earth.

When He first "arrived" at the Day of the Lord, He raptured the church from the earth and then began to pour out God's wrath upon the kingdom of the beast, using angels for various administrations of judgment. He did this from His "seat" in the clouds without "touching down" to the earth.

Rev. 14:14-16

And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud {was} one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe."

And He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth; and the earth was reaped.

This reaping refers to the general outpouring of divine wrath on the unbelievers which takes place through the 7 trumpets and the first 5 bowls. Some interpret this to refer to the rapture itself. However, if Revelation chapter 14 is viewed as chronological, beginning with the conversion of the 144,000 at verses 1-5, and ending with the battle of Armageddon at verses 17-20, then the rapture cannot be in view. The rapture takes place BEFORE the conversion of the 144,000.

The final act of "reaping" occurs at the battle of Armageddon, which is in view at Rev. 14:17-20.

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.

And another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe."

And the angel swung his sickle to the earth, and gathered {the clusters from} the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.

And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.

The descent of Jesus from "heaven" (his seat in the clouds) has three phases to it. He first descends to Edom, then dramatically to Jerusalem, and finally, to the Valley of Megiddo. The "descent" that is described at Rev. 19:11ff, probably refers to His descent to Megiddo. Since there are very clearly, three separate "confrontations," we should be careful to place this one in the proper order. We are given an order at Zechariah 14 which seems to indicate placing Rev. 19:11 AFTER He lands on the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:4-5

FIRST TO EDOM
It is proper that we first see what the bible teaches about this "descent" to Edom. He goes there to destroy the unbelievers of that area and rescue the Israelites who are hiding in the mountainous wilderness, having fled the oppression of the beast at the midpoint of the 70th week.

Isaiah 34 discusses this judgment on Edom.

Verses 1-4 give a general overview of the Day of the Lord judgments.

Verses 1-2,

"Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it. For the LORD'S indignation is against all the nations, And {His} wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter."

This is the general attitude of God toward the rebellious nations as we have previously seen. It is the assembly of the nations in Palestine that triggers Christ's physical descent to the earth.

Isaiah 34:3

So their slain will be thrown out, And their corpses will give off their stench, And the mountains will be drenched with their blood.

This describes the ultimate defeat of all these nations at Armageddon.

Isaiah 34:4

This refers to the many cosmic disturbances that not only initiate the Day-of-the-Lord judgments, but continue throughout the period of time that God's wrath is poured out on the world.

1. And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up like a scroll:

As tempting as it may be to apply this to the cosmic signs that precede the arrival of Jesus at the Day of the Lord, prior to the movement of any of these troops, it is better to recognize that similar cosmic disturbances and geographical disturbances will persist throughout the Day-of-the-Lord judgments.

These images refer to the massive darkness.

A. Initially, AT the arrival of the Day:
Rev. 6:12; Mat. 24:29; Joel 2:31; Luke 21:25

B. Throughout the time period: Rev. 8:12; 16:10

2. All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from the vine, Or as {one} withers from the fig tree.

This refers to the judgments that come FROM the sky.

A. Initially: Rev. 6:13; Mat. 24:29b; Luke 21:26

Rev. 6:13,

"and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind."

Mat. 24:29b,

"and the stars will fall from the sky."

B. Throughout: Rev. 9:7-11; 16:8, 21

This is further amplified at Isaiah 51:6.

1. "Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke:

The sky vanishing does not refer to a "destruction" but rather to the massive darkness that will attend the Day-of-the-Lord judgments through the 4th trumpet judgment (Rev. 8:12) and the 5th bowl judgment (Rev. 16:10) and ultimately just before Jesus arrives at Megiddo (Zech. 14:6-7).

2. And the earth will wear out like a garment:

Like a garment that no longer provides adequate covering and protection, so the earth will no longer provide what man needs to sustain physical life. This describes the first 3 trumpet judgments (Rev. 8:7-11) and the second and third bowl judgments (Rev. 16:3-4).

3. And its inhabitants will die in like manner:

Death through the judgments that come from God's wrath. Rev. 8:11; 9:18; 14:19-20; 19:21.

4. But My salvation shall be forever, And My righteousness shall not wane:

This refers to the millennial kingdom of the Messiah which extends on into eternity.

These passages are NOT referring to the renovation of the physical universe which takes place at the end of the 1000 year kingdom. (Revelation 20:11 with 21:1).

Although the language at 2 Peter 3:10 is similar, it is likewise, quite different, for Peter describes a complete "chemical" renovation, through intense heat.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, IN WHICH (or THROUGH WHICH) the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."

This "total" renovation is referenced at Psalm 102:25-26 (Heb. 1:12).

"Of old Thou didst found the earth; And the heavens are the work of Thy hands. Even they will perish, but Thou dost endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing Thou wilt change them, and they will be changed."

THE BATTLE OF EDOM
Isa. 34:5

For My sword is satiated in heaven, Behold it shall descend for judgment upon Edom, And upon the people whom I have devoted to destruction.

Here, we find a specific focus on Edom. Edom comes under a special judgment from God because of its historical oppression of Israel and its allegiance to the beast in the end-times (Ezek. 35:1-15; Obadiah 10-14).

Isa. 34:6-8

"The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, It is sated with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, With the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Wild oxen shall also fall with them, And young bulls with strong ones; Thus their land shall be soaked with blood, And their dust become greasy with fat. For the LORD has a day of vengeance, A year of recompense for the cause of Zion."

Edom will be destroyed just before Jesus descends to Jerusalem. Notice, this is "for the cause of Zion." Edom will be in the process of oppressing the refugees of Judah who have fled the reign of the beast and taken shelter in the mountainous wilderness of Edom (Mat. 24:15-21; Rev. 12:6, 13-16).

Isa. 34:9-10

"And its streams shall be turned into pitch, And its loose earth into brimstone, And its land shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night or day; Its smoke shall go up forever; From generation to generation it shall be desolate; None shall pass through it forever and ever."

The judgment on the land area of Edom will be total. During Messiahs's kingdom, it will be a desolation with no population.

Hab. 3:3-4

God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.

{His} radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays {flashing} from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.

At first glance it appears that this may simply be saying that the Messiah comes from the EAST. However, in view of Isaiah 34, it is clear that He comes from this area AFTER judging it.

Hab. 3:5

Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.

This may very well be a direct statement to the effect that He has first judged Edom and now AFTER Him, comes the judgments on the rest of the nations.

Hab. 3:6-7

"He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting. I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling."

He thus prepares to engage the nations of the world as they are assembled at Armageddon and they are startled by His arrival and join forces to defeat Him (Rev. 19:19).

ISAIAH 63
Isa. 63:1

Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

The Messiah comes FROM Edom with His garments already stained with the blood of battle. He has already engaged the enemy in Edom and is now ready for Jerusalem and then Armageddon.

Isa. 63:2-6

Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? "I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger, And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. "For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. "And I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me; And My wrath upheld Me. "And I trod down the peoples in My anger, And made them drunk in My wrath, And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

The question from Isaiah brings the Messiah's response, that He has expressed His righteous wrath upon those who were deserving of judgment.

After this defeat of Edom and as Jesus proceeds to Jerusalem, the remnant of Israel which has been hiding in the wilderness will probably begin making their way back to Jerusalem to greet their king when the victory is won.

MOUNT OF OLIVES
Zechariah 14:4-5

"And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. And you will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, {and} all the holy ones with Him!"

Notice, He FIRST comes to the Mount of Olives which causes a very great earthquake. This is described at Revelation 16:17-20.

"And the seventh {angel} poured out his bowl upon the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."

And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake {was it, and} so mighty.

And the great city was split into three parts. . ."

There is still difference of opinion as to the identification of "the great city." It seems that since Babylon is mentioned in the next sentence as coming under a separate judgment, the mention here of "the great city," might very well refer to Jerusalem which is identified as "the great city . . . where also their Lord was crucified," at Rev. 11:8.

Jerusalem being split into three parts is not at all inconsistent with what would result when the Mount of Olives is split in two.

". . .and the cities of the nations fell."

We have dramatic affects worldwide, from this earthquake.

"And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath."

This is judgment on Babylon (Babylonian evil), the ideology that empowers and controls the king of the west (beast) through the influence of Satan himself. The history of that ideology and its final demise is later summarized in Revelation chapters 17 and 18.

"And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."

This is hyperbole. The significance is that every island and every mountain are AFFECTED so that they are NOT as they were before. It does not mean that the land is now "flat as a pancake." Even Olives is not "flattened." It simply says that the mountain is split in half.

After the earthquake, Zechariah writes, "And the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him." This refers to His movement to confront the armies assembled at Armageddon and is where Revelation 19:11 properly belongs. The same order can be found by advancing from Rev. 16:21 to Rev. 19:11. (Chapters 17 and 18 are parenthetical to summarize the rise and fall of the "Babylonian" kingdom).

Joel speaks of Him coming FROM ZION at Joel 3:16, "The LORD roars from Zion."

Revelation 19:11-16

"And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it {is} called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

And His eyes {are} a flame of fire, and upon His head {are} many diadems; and He has a name written {upon Him} which no one knows except Himself.

And {He is} clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white {and} clean, were following Him on white horses.

And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

When Jesus comes from Edom to conclude His victory over the nations, He arrives at Jerusalem, stands on the Mount of Olives and then begins to fight for the inhabitants of the city and the people of Judah (Zech. 14:1-4).

THE BATTLE OF JERUSALEM
From Edom, Jesus goes to Jerusalem to fight with the armies gathered there. Zech. 14:3,

"Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle."

He stands on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and causes a great earthquake. Zech. 14:4

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.

The great earthquake and the splitting of the mountain, the "total" darkness that will soon envelop the land, as well as an unusual plague, will cause great panic for the armies in the region.

"Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth."

This is NOT use of a nuclear weapon because the casualties are selective rather than total. We know this because there will still be some "hand-to-hand" conflict going on between the invaders and the Israelites at this time. It might be some kind of "selective" or "individual" biological weapon, but whatever it is, it will cause a great panic among them so that they are even confused about who they should be fighting. Zech. 14:13

"And it will come about in that day that a great panic from the LORD will fall on them; and they will seize one another's hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another."

Zech. 12:5-8

"Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, 'A strong support for us are the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the LORD of hosts, their God.'

"In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem.

“The LORD also will save the tents of Judah first in order that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be magnified above Judah.
“In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David {will be} like God, like the angel of the LORD before them.

Zech. 14:14
And Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance.

While the Israelites are defeating the troops in the immediate vicinity of the city, Jesus goes forth and destroys the armies that have gathered in the valley of Megiddo.

ON TO MEGIDDO

Zech. 14:5
1. Then the LORD, my God, will come:
It is important to note that this is NOT His arrival at the Day of the LORD, but his movement from Jerusalem to the Valley of Megiddo. As was already noted, this is probably what John is shown at Revelation 19:11.

2. {and} all the holy ones with Him!”

The “holy ones” that come with Him are angels who participate in a “gathering” of souls after the great slaughter is accomplished (Mat. 13:40-43).
At Revelation 19:14, they are called “the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Some think that these armies are the believers of the church who come back with Jesus to reign with Him. They suppose that the white garments require that this army be believers because white represents righteousness. They make the association back to Rev. 19:7-8, where through the preparation of the church as the “bride of Christ,” she is given white garments. However, angels also where white garments as is indicated at Rev. 15:6.

“and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean {and} bright, and girded around their breasts with golden girdles.”

The argument rages, but it seems very unlikely to me that Jesus would bring His bride into battle with Him. It is much more likely that she waits in heaven for His victory and the preparation of the earth as their “home.” In fact, the narrative makes it perfectly clear that AFTER Christ’s victory at Armageddon and the establishment of His earthly reign, then the bride comes down out of heaven as is described at Rev. 21:2.
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”

This is further confirmed at Rev. 21:9-14, where the wife of the Lamb is clearly identified as the New Jerusalem. Thus, it is clear that the wife of the Lamb is NOT an “army” that follows Him into battle, but a “bride in waiting” in her heavenly city until the Groom secures a safe place for them to live.

As Jesus leaves Jerusalem, a “total” darkness envelops the land.
Zech. 14:6,
“And it will come about in that day that there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle.”

This does not refer to the “initial” day of the Lord signs, but to a specific and unique time of darkness that immediately precedes Messiah’s descent to Armageddon.

Zech. 14:7,
“For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light.”

The “initial” darkness that occurs at the arrival of the Day of the LORD, is not “total.” The very idea that the moon turns into (the color of) blood indicates a quality of darkness different than what is in view here.

As Joel develops the Armageddon confrontation, he writes,

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
“The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars lose their brightness,” (Joel 3:14-15).

This is not talking about the “initial” arrival of the Day of the LORD, but the effect of That Day in reference to Armageddon. It is already here, but it is NEAR in the Valley of decision.

Joel 3:16
“And the LORD roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.”

Here we see the order of movement. FROM Jerusalem He goes somewhere else.
We know that location to be the valley of Megiddo and in the next and final part to this study, we will discuss the actual battle of Armageddon.

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

It is possible to let the very Scriptures themselves describe what happens, with very little commentary.

Rev. 19:19
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the horse, and against His army.

Here the armies of the East, West and North have regrouped to join forces against the Son of God. Once gathered here, God will judge the assembled nations and destroy them.

Joel 3:12-14
Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I will sit to judge All the surrounding nations.
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

That which causes the various nations involved to move into Palestine, is the political, military, religious and economic influences placed upon them by the demonic powers that control the beast and the false prophet.

Rev. 16:13-14, 16
And I saw {coming} out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

DINNER TIME!
The peoples who are assembled in the valley are to be physically killed through the military prowess of the Lord Jesus as He wields the sword of His mouth and scatters the enemy on the face of the battlefield. Since the bodies of the dead will be left lying on the ground for later burial by the Jews at the beginning of the Kingdom, it provides an abundant food source for the scavengers of the animal kingdom. Thus, they are called to gather in anticipation of the divine meal that will be provided to them.

Rev. 19:17-18
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God; in order that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”

Ezek. 39:17-21
“And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field, “Assemble and come, gather from every side to My sacrifice which I am going to sacrifice for you, as a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood.
“You shall eat the flesh of mighty men, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as {though they were} rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
“So you will eat fat until you are glutted, and drink blood until you are drunk, from My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.
“And you will be glutted at My table with horses and charioteers, with mighty men and all the men of war,” declares the Lord GOD.

The total darkness envelops the whole land of Palestine. At “evening time,” Jesus breaks through the heavens with His own glory piercing the darkness, and all the nations see Him coming upon them.

MESSIAH’S PERSONAL VINTAGE

Rev. 14:19-20
And the angel swung his sickle to the earth, and gathered {the clusters from} the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.
And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.

This distance of 200 miles includes the entire area affected by the influx of nations into Palestine. The land of Israel itself is only 160 miles from North to South, but this number should probably be taken as “square mileage” covering all directions from Jerusalem.

Rev. 19:21
And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

The summary of this final battle finds ALL the people who have gathered, killed and placed on the “table” of the battlefield as a divine meal for all the predatory animals that have been invited.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE NORTHERN ARMY
Ezekiel 38:18-23; Joel 2:18-20; Zech. 12:2-9; 14:12-15;

Through both the battle of Jerusalem and the battle of Armageddon, the Northern army will be totally destroyed. This army receives special attention in the Scriptures since it will have accomplished such a devastating ruin in Israel.
Although viewed separately, by comparing Sciripture with Scripture, it can be determined that the destruction of the Northern army takes place at the final battle described above.

Ezek. 38:18-20
“And it will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD, “that My fury will mount up in My anger.
“And in My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare {that} on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

This is the earthquake that occurs when Jesus stands on the Mount of Olives.

“And the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence;”

The extent of this earthquake will be such that there will be massive destruction both of natural and manmade structures.

“the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground.”

As already noted, one result from this earthquake will be the panic among the invading soldiers.

Ezek. 38:21, “And I shall call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

Zech. 14:13, And it will come about in that day that a great panic from the LORD will fall on them; and they will seize one another’s hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another.

Ezek. 38:22
“And with pestilence and with blood I shall enter into judgment with him; and I shall rain on him, and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

This language describes the “physical” mechanics of destruction.
Revelation 19:21 says that they were killed by the “sword which came from the mouth” of Jesus. The word, “sword” is symbolic speaking of the actual physical destruction that will be accomplished by the “torrential rain, with hailstones, fire, and brimstone.”

This torrential rain will also fall throughout the world as “the cities of the nations” are judged.
Rev. 16:17-21
And the seventh {angel} poured out his bowl upon the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”
And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake {was it, and} so mighty.
And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.”

EZEKIEL 39 repeats and amplifies relating it to the gathering at Armageddon.

Ezek. 39:1-5
“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal;
and I shall turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of the north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.
“And I shall strike your bow from your left hand, and dash down your arrows from your right hand.
“You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops, and the peoples who are with you; I shall give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field.
“You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord GOD.

In addition, the homelands of the Gog alliance will come under judgment from God.

Ezek. 39:6
“And I shall send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the LORD.

An important factor concerning the Gog invasion is the time that it occurs. There is much debate as to whether it occurs prior to the 70th week of Daniel, during the first half of the week, last half, or at the end in association with the battle of Armageddon. Ezekiel 39:7-8 is valuable in placing the timing for this invasion.

“And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I shall not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
“Behold, it is coming and it shall be done,” declares the Lord GOD. “That is the day of which I have spoken.

It appears that after the defeat of Gog in Israel, that God will not let His holy name ever be profaned again. Were this invasion and defeat to occur prior to the 70th week, then after the beast begins to reign and throughout the Armageddon campaign, God’s name will continually be profaned and violate this promise. It is therefore not likely that this invasion should be placed prior to the 70th week. Furthermore, the burial of bones that takes place for 7 years requires a peaceful environment which will not exist until after Armageddon (Ezek. 39:12-16).

Ezek. 39:9-10
“Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out, and make fires with the weapons and burn {them,} both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears and for seven years they will make fires of them.
“And they will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoil of those who despoiled them, and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord GOD.

All the plunder of the invading armies will belong to Israel.
Furthermore, there will be an abundance of flammable items which the people of Israel will use in place of firewood - perhaps for cooking purposes or heating. Whether this will be “needed” during the first 7 months of the kingdom age or not, is a side issue. The language otherwise communicates a “closure” that can only come at the completion of Armageddon.

CLOSURE AND GLORIFICATION

Ezek. 38:23
“And I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’

Ezek. 39:21-24
“And I shall set My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them.
“And the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God from that day onward.
“And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.
“According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I dealt with them, and I hid My face from them.”’”

The nations will see and understand. That is, those survivors of the nations who have trusted in Christ as the Savior.
Zech. 14:16
“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.”

Ezek. 39:25-29
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Now I shall restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I shall be jealous for My holy name.
“And they shall forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their {own} land with no one to make them afraid.
“When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations.
“Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them {again} to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer.
“And I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD.

PREPARATION FOR THE KINGDOM

Daniel 12:11
“And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, {there will be} 1,290 days.

This extra 30 days beyond the 1260 days of the last half of the 70th week is for the outpouring of God’s “final” wrath, which culminates in Armageddon.

Dan. 12:12
“How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!”

The additional 45 days beyond Armageddon is for the cleansing of the land and the separation of believers from unbelievers.
The Gentiles will be divided, believer from unbeliever (Mat. 25:31-46).
And the Jews will be divided, believer from unbeliever (Ezek. 34:17-24).
All believers will go alive into Messiah’s kingdom to populate the world and begin the new civilization, over which righteousness and justice rules in the person of Jesus the King.

©Ron Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

A Pre-Wrath response to Zane Hodges (his stuff on soteriology is great though)

2008-08-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is a response to this article.

I am sure that Pre-Wrathers will welcome Zane Hodges' contribution to the debate. He raises some interesting issues:

The shortening of the tribulation

The Pre-Wrath interpretation of the cutting short is certainly not the only viable interpretation. However, it is still a possible and plausible one.

If the days of the tribulation are pre-determined it does seem odd that they should be shortened in advanced. How long should those days be?

Wrath in the Tribulation

Hodges cites Matthew 24:22 as evidence of divine wrath in the tribulation. I do not think this is a necessary conclusion, even if we reject Rosenthal's reading of that verse. I am sure I have read Pre-Tribbers understand that verse in terms of the war and famine that will be unleashed through the destructive energy of man. That energy is halted by the outpouring of divine wrath after the rapture.

Hodges faults Rosenthal's view that 'no flesh' refers to the Jewish nation. It may not convince all, but it does fit the Jewish context of the passage and reflect some of the Old Testament descriptions of devastation falling on the land of Israel. Pre-Tribbers make plenty of assumptions about Matthew 24 too.

The Day of the Lord

Zane Hodges suggests that reading the term 'Day of the Lord' as a static term always referring to a specific period is very questionable. I agree that viewing the term as a fixed and definite period is not demanded by the biblical texts, but the Pre-Wrath view does provide a framework that can allow for consistency between the uses of the term.

Pre-Wrathers and Post-tribbers have frequently faulted Pre-Tribbers for their failure to defend the idea that the entire period of the Daniel's Seventieth Week is the Day of the Lord.

Are the seals, trumpets and vials consecutive?

Hodges raises an important fault with Rosenthal's book. Rosenthal failed to defend the consecutive view. Thus, when I first read it I was quite unconvinced. My previous Post-Tribulational views of course depended upon the seals, trumpets and vials being parallel events. When I came to doubt the certainty of this conclusion, it became clear that the Pre-Wrath view was a better option.

It is interesting that Hodges makes this point, because in general, Pre-Tribulational writers seem to assume that the seals, trumpets and vials are consecutive.

Did God create cold dead worlds?

2008-06-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Before the Twentieth Century, nobody knew what the planets in our solar system were like.

When man landed on the moon, he found it to be covered in dust and craters. There was speculation at one time that Mars might be inhabited, especially given what appeared to be canals on it. Later we discovered that those 'canals' were just rock formations. Another probe has landed on Mars and we are seeing yet more pictures of a dry, dusty world, and a cold one at that. Venus was once thought to be a beautiful, delightful world, now we know it is a hellish hot world with a sulfuric atmosphere. Now even Saturn's moon, Titan has turned out to be less interesting than was expected.

Why did God create worlds that are lifeless, empty and inhospitable? Are these really the handiwork of a good creator who loves beauty and order?

The Gap theory provides a possible explanation for why these worlds seem so lacking in life and delight.

We may suppose that in the original creation the planets of our solar system were in a quite different state. Perhaps in the beginning, before the present world, before the prehistoric fall of Lucifer, they were lush and green. Perhaps they were teeming with life, whether vegatable, animal, or angelic. Yet they have been ruined and desolated by the great angelic rebellion that occurred in prehistory.

It seems likely that the planets of our solar system are ruined worlds. The wolrd that God made in the six days of creation was good and perfect, yet it was built upon the ashes of an older creation, just as Babylonian mythology held that the world was made from the carcass of the dragon goddess, Tiamat.

Yet there is hope for the solar system. There is going to be a new heaven as well as a new earth. Not a completely new heaven, but a restoration of the old creation; a completely renewed cosmos. Christ has inherited both heaven and earth and He is presently gathering a people who shall exercise a new government over it, restoring it and reconciling it to God. God shall be in all things, things in heaven and things in earth.

We have reason to hope that the cold, dead worlds of our solar system will one day teem with life and be filled with beautiful things. The whole cosmos will be renewed, glorified and deified.

Tales of Cosmic Chaos and Slimy Tentacled Beings

2008-05-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

Tales of Cosmic Chaos and Slimy Tentacled Beings

A new blog I came up with.

A Sermon on Genesis 32:1-7

2008-02-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

I preached this last Sunday:

Genesis 32
1: And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2: And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3: And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4: And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
5: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
6: And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
7: Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

This short incident occurs to Jacob at a crucial point in his life. He has just left his uncle Laban who shamelessly exploited him and is now heading back to the land of promise, with some trepidation knowing that his brother is waiting there for him, possibly intent on killing him.

Yet at this rather stressful moment, he meets a host of angels. We are not given any details about this encounter. We are not told what they look like. We are not told how many angels he met. We are not told if they spoke to him. Yet he met them. He did not just see them, but they came very close to him.

I would say a word on angels. As Christians we believe in angels. A lot of unbelievers scoff at the idea of angels. They say you cannot believe in things like that. Yet the Bible tells us that there are angels. Perhaps you are here tonight and you don’t believe the Bible. I am sure that there are people here who would be happy to talk to you afterwards about some of the reasons why we believe that the Bible is reliable.

There are other people who get obsessed with angels. If you go to most bookshops you will find lots of crazy books about angels. Those things are of the Occult. They are of Satan and they will mess you up. The Bible warns us not to worship angels. The Bible says nothing about everybody having a guardian angel. If you try talking to your 'guardian angel' you don't know who you might be speaking to.

Sadly there are some Christians who have no interest in angels. They believe in them, but they don’t think it is a very important subject. If you are one of those Christians, I would really encourage you to do a study of the Scriptures on the subject of angels. The Bible might not tell us everything we might like to know about angels, but it does tell us quite a lot. We can learn a lot about God by reading what the Bible says about angels.

Let me tell you a fact about angels in the Bible. Which two books of the Bible feature angels the most? Genesis and Revelation. The beginning and the end.

When God made the world, the angels sang out in praise. When God pours His judgment out upon this sinful world, angels will be involved. We read in Revelation about the angels who bear the seals, trumpets and bowls.

The angels are celestial witnesses of God’s dealings with this world. God rules a vast kingdom of angels in the heavens. Glorious beings of enormous power. Yet these beings are interested in us. We are told in 1 Peter that the Gospel is about things that the angels desire to look into.

Our Lord said that there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents. If you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him, angels will rejoice at your conversion. There will be rejoicing in heaven if you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is another reason why the angels have an interest in the salvation of men and women. The apostle Paul says ‘Know ye not that we shall judge angels?’ It is God’s purpose to put mankind in charge of both heaven and earth. This is realised in Christ and those who are in Him. Those Christians who have faithfully served their saviour will constitute a kind of heavenly aristocracy that will govern the angels. The angels look forward to the establishment of this new government in heaven. If you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the opportunity to be among those who will govern heaven and earth. It is God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. God will do wonderful things for those who turn to Him and to the Saviour Jesus Christ.

Knowing about angels should be an encouragement to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jacob was a man who was particularly prone to fear and doubt. Therefore God gave him three angelic appearances to encourage him. The first was at Bethel, when he left his parents to go to live with Laban. There he saw a stairway to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. The second was this one. And the third was at Peniel, before he met Esau again. At Peniel he wrestled with a man who was in fact the Angel of the Lord.

There is another incident in the Bible where a vision of angels is given as an encouragement. It occurs in 2 Kings. Elisha and his servant are surrounded by an army of Assyrians. The servant is in a terrible panic and he cries “O Man of God, what are we going to do?” But Elisha is perfectly calm. “Calm down, my son. For those that are for us are more than those that are against him.” I imagine he gives a weary sigh before praying “Lord, open his eyes that he may see.” And then the servant sees that they are surrounded by many chariots and fire. It is an amazing incident. What is amazing about it is not so much the vision of angels that the servant was given, but that Elisha did not need a vision to know that he was under the protection of angels. He had great faith.

You might think that like Elisha’s servant, Jacob would have been re-assured by his encounter with the angels. You might expect that he would think to himself “Okay, it is possible that Esau might still be planning on killing me, but I will be fine because God is on my side. His angels are there to protect me and they are more than those that are against me.”

Sadly, that is not the case. Despite being encouraged by seeing the angels of God, Jacob immediately starts scheming about how he is going to protect his family and himself from Esau. He puts his trust in his own cleverness and not in God. And then he finds out that Esau is on his way with four hundred men. This puts Jacob in a real panic. When he finally meets Esau he grovels before him in a quite unbecoming manner.

It is understandable that the thought of meeting four hundred men lead by a man with a grudge against him must have been a little worrying. But he had just met a host of angels. We are not told how many angels he met, but there may well have been four hundred of them. Even if there were not, angels are greater in might and power. Therefore Jacob should not have been afraid and distressed as it said he was here.

God’s people mess up. Christians fail sometimes. Christians get anxious and distressed about things. Christians can forget to do things that they ought to do. Christians can struggle with addictive habits like smoking.

Maybe you are not a Christian. Maybe you think that Christians are hypocritical. Maybe you have been disappointed by how some Christians live.

Christians are sinners. They need God’s forgiveness just like everybody else. The difference is that they have come to find that forgiveness.

You can know that forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He shed his blood for sinners that they might be cleansed from their sins and He rose from the dead that they might be justified and accepted in the sight of God.

Maybe you are a Christian who is troubled by your own lack of faith. You worry about things. You feel such fear. Perhaps you wonder if you are really born-again. Perhaps you think to yourself “If I am really saved I would have a stronger faith.”

If that is you, look at the life of Jacob. His life was marked by failure and a lack of faith. Yet God did not give up on him. God gave him no less that three appearances of angels to encourage him and yet he still kept displaying a lack of faith. Yet God continued to work through Jacob. God’s promises to Jacob were unconditional. He was to be the father of the nation of Israel. He was to be the ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ. At his deathbed, we find him prophesying, speaking the Words of God.

Do not be fear that you are not a true believer because you fail sometimes. We have a sinful nature that tries to resist God’s working in our lives. It should not be a surprise that sometimes we fail to live the victorious life to which we are called to.

If you have turned to the Lord Jesus Christ you are eternally secure in Him. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ for eternal life, you possess eternal life. You shall never be lost. Do not be fearful.

Jacob named the place Mahanaim. This means two camps. The one camp was Jacob’s camp, with all his family and servants. The other camp was God’s. God’s angels had left heaven and dwelt temporarily on earth.

A camp is made up of tents or tabernacles. There is a lot of significance to tabernacles in the Bible. The Israelites celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. They celebrated the time when their people dwelt in tents. In one of those tents dwelt the Ark of the Covenant. The very presence of God was manifested in that tabernacle. The glory of God was made known in the tabernacle and later in the temple.

Later in history, God became man. The Son came from heaven to earth and dwelt in flesh. At the Transfiguration, God’s glory was displayed in the person of Christ. Peter spoke about building three tabernacles. He did not know what he was saying, but he showed that the feast of tabernacles was being fulfilled in Christ. That God was dwelling in a tabernacle of flesh.

We read in Revelation that in the end, God will make His tabernacle with man. In the New Heavens and the New Earth, the whole universe will be filled with the glory of God. Jacob saw two camps, his camp and God’s camp. Yet in the end there will be only one camp. God will dwell with man. Heaven and Earth shall be brought together.

If you are in Christ you will see the establishment of this heavenly kingdom. If you have eternal life through Jesus Christ, you will dwell forever in the presence of God.

Turn unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in Him and you will be with Him forever. You can forever know His love and His goodness.

Silence in Heaven

2008-02-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Revelation 8
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Though heaven rings with the praises of angels, the day shall come when that noise is silenced. The seventh seal announces the beginning of God's wrath and the destruction of the present world.

Man has been storing up divine wrath since the flood. When Christ appears, He shall execute vengeance against those that have rejected God. It shall be the most solemn silence in the history of the universe.

That the rebellion of mankind and God's judgment on that rebellion should silence the ancient and unending praises of angels demonstrates the importance of mankind in God's purposes.

Yet there is another reason why there is silence in heaven. That is that heaven has come to earth at this point. The Lord Jesus Christ appears at the openning of the sixth seal and raptures His Church who are delivered from the wrath that is to be outpoured. He comes with angels. Thus, the present age is brought to a close.

At present God deals with man only through the heavenly exercise of His sovereignty. The earthly government of nations is at present suspended and God suffers the nations to walk in their own course. This is the time of the Gentiles. The appearance of the coming king brings an end to this and the coming of a new heavenly government to rule over the earth.

A Sermon on Hebrews 2:5-11

2008-01-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

I preached this a week ago at a tiny village chapel.

Hebrews 2

5: For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6: But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
7: Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10: For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11: For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

I think it is safe to say that some people really enjoy reading Hebrews and some people don’t. I knew a young man who said he wished Hebrews had never been included in the New Tesament. I am very sorry he felt that way. There are some difficult issues in Hebrews, nevertheless there is some wonderfully rich theology in it.

In the first chapter of Hebrews, the author establishes Christ’s superiority over angels and His supremacy. The question in the first chapter is the deity of Christ.

The second chapter that we are looking at today deals rather with the humanity of Christ. Many of us will have been remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas day. The incarnation of God is perhaps the most wonderful and unique aspects of Christianity.

Yet often those of us who are conservative in theology become so focused on defending the deity of Christ that we forget the significance of our Lord’s humanity. Why does it really matter that God became man?

Hebrews 2 gives us a glorious insight into the significance of the incarnation of the Word of God.

The author quotes from Psalm 8 and shows that this Psalm is messianic and futurist in its outlook.

‘What is man that thou art mindful of him?’

In the Milky Way, our galaxy, there are at least 200 billion stars. There are billions of galaxies in the universe, all containing billions of stars. Yet God is concerned about this planet earth and those that live on it.

Is there life on other planets? Some Christians say definitely not. The Bible does not say. If there is life on other planets, it is there because God made it, not because of any statistical probability that has been dreamed up by those that think life came about by chance. I leave it to you to think about that. Regardless of whether there is life on other planets, God cares most about this one.

We do know that there is another kind of life in the universe. That is angels. When God made Adam, He made him to be perfect in his body and mind. Yet he was still made a little lower than the angels. Angels have glorious bodies that are mighty in power and strength. The bodies of angels are not subject to the same limitations that we are subject to. They can travel between earth and heaven, while we are bound to stay here on earth. Angels seem to excel over man in their beauty. Yet God chose to put man in charge of this earth. God is working out his purposes through men and women. He chose those that are weak.

Think for a moment about the dream that Jacob had of a stairway to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. What did those angels think as they looked upon Jacob? Jacob would have been sweaty and dirty from his travels.

The feet of the angels must have gleamed as they gracefully trod that celestial staircase. In contrast, Jacob’s feet must have been covered in dust. What did those angels think as they looked upon this man?

Did they say “Look, its that man! The man our Lord commanded us to watch over. What’s so special about him?”

Yet Jacob was special to God, as are all God’s elect.

God gave Adam the responsibility to care for this world and to have charge over it. It must be said that mankind has made something of pickle of exercising dominion over the earth. Mankind has run the earth with the same efficency that the present governments have shown in looking after confidential data.

Yet though God knew that man would fail to exercise dominion over the earth with justice and righteousness, it was always God’s purpose to give man more responsibility.

We see here in the Psalm quoted in this chapter that God put all the works of His hands into the power of man. That includes the moon, the stars, heaven and the angels in it. God is going to put mankind in charge of the entire universe. God created man in his image, so that man could exercise governmental authority over the universe. As the apostle Paul said, ‘Know ye not that we shall judge angels?’ God’s people in heaven are going to be in charge of the angels. Thus, the author of Hebrews points out that not all things are yet put under him. The time when mankind is the chief administrator of God’s kingdom is not yet come.

What an incredible thought that God is going to give the government of the universe to mankind?

Yet there is the problem of man’s failure. God cannot overlook the sinfulness of man and the failure of humanity to follow God’s blueprint for life.

That is why God became man. Jesus was made a little lower than angels for our sakes.

In the Old Testament, God appeared several times in bodily form as an angel. Yet Jesus in the incarnation did not take on the flesh of angels, but became a man as we are with all it limitations. The glorious form of an angel might have been a fitting form for Him, yet He became a man.

As this passage tells us, He did this so that He might taste death for every man. That He might suffer the penalty for sin, which is death.

The crucifixtion of the Lord Jesus Christ seems like a horrible event, yet He was crowned with glory and honour because of it. Christ has proved Himself to be the only man who has been faithful and obedient to God.

Thus He is the new Adam, or more correctly the Last Adam. Adam failed in His obedience to God, yet Christ was perfect in faithfulness. While Adam failed as a candidate to exercise dominion over the earth, Jesus Christ proved Himself, by His faithfulness to be worthy to rule over the universe and when all things are subject to Him, He shall exercise that authority.

As the last Adam, Christ is the head of a new race of heavenly humanity, a new kind of humanity made in His image. Born-again believers in Him are united to Him sharing His life. They have the power by the Holy Spirit to live as He did, perfect in their faithfulness. If you are in Christ, you have the power to live a victorious life. Those who are in Christ by faith can become ever more Christ-like in their conduct.

It is God’s purpose that this new humanity should inherit His kingdom. It is His purpose that all things, things in heaven and things on earth should be subject to Christ and those that are in Him. In the future, the resurrected saints will constitute a kind of celestial aristocracy that will govern the universe.

This calls for faithfulness. The apostle Paul wrote that “If we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with Him.” If we suffer for Christ’s sake we can be sure of reigning with Him in glory. In Revelation chapter 3, we read that great promise that the one who overcomes will sit down with Christ in His throne, even as He is sat in His Father’s throne. If we perservere in faith we can look to inheriting the throne of the universe.

Is this a wrong attitude? Some Christians talk as though seeking any kind of reward for faithfulness is selfish. However, the Bible encourages us to seek the rewards and privileges of the kingdom. God displays His glory by bestowing it on His subjects.

Christ is glorified by bringing many sons to glory, as it says in this passage. He is the head of a new race of humanity who He is pleased to make as He is. His people are to be like Him, not only in their resurrection form, but in the privileges they are granted in the kingdom.

Therefore we should seek more of the kingdom of God. We should seek the reward of inheriting all things.

But it is necessary to prove that we are fit to rule God’s kingdom. Have we to be faithful in small things before we are entrusted with everything. In the parable of the pounds, the one who had been faithful in little was entrusted with ten cities.

Sadly, often Christians show that they are not fit to be heirs of the kingdom. When there is division in churches, is this not a sign that Christians are not very good at running the affairs of their master? When Christian husbands and fathers fail to show the godly leadership that is called for in the home, is this not a sign that they are not fit to rule over one, let alone ten cities? If we are to inherit the earth we must show diligence over those things that we are entrusted with.

It may be that you are not yet a Christian. It may be that you have not yet found that heavenly position that is in Christ. I say to you, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Have faith on Him for everlasting life.

Jesus was made a little lower than the angels so that He could taste death for sinners like you and me. He ascended into heaven so that we can be granted access to that place. He possesses the very life of God and if we trust in Him, we receive eternal life.

If you would only believe on the Lord Jesus then you can be part of a new heavenly humanity. You can be assured of a glorious future in heaven and the opportunity to inherit the kingdom of God. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Warfare in Heaven

2007-12-19T06:55:00.000-08:00

Images taken from Gustave Dore's illustrations of Paradise Lost, with the exception of the last, which is an illustration from Dante's Divine Comedy by the same artist.

The Bible tells a titanic struggle between good and evil. We might enjoy reading about the clash between the forces of good and evil in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but in the Scriptures, we read of a far more epic and cosmic conflict. The warfare between the kingdoms of light and darkness is waged not just over this earth, but in the heavenly realms too.

The universe was created for God's glory. The glory of God is the chief end of all creation. He created the universe to be under His sovereign rule, to be ordered according to His purposes. However, Satan one of His angels sought to usurp the throne of the most high. We read of this in the Old Testament:

Isaiah 14
12: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13: For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15: Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Satan or Lucifer became lifted up by reason of his great beauty and privilege in God's eternal kingdom. He desired to exalt himself.

Satan was joined in his rebellion by many angels. Revelation 12 would suggest that a third of the angels joined with Satan. Satan thus established his own counterfeit kingdom in the heavens. Just as God has His angels who serve Him, Satan has his own angels. Together they make up a hierarchy of evil, for they are called thrones, dominions, principalities and powers. This kingdom of opposition will wage war until its final defeat by the kingdom of God.

When did this rebellion begin? The Scriptures do not tell us. However, it would seem that it began in prehistory before the creation week of Genesis 1. There are good reasons for thinking that there is a period in between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. We cannot know how long and those who use this theory to explain geological time have many difficulties. Nevertheless, the state of formlessness in which we find the world in Genesis 1:2 is likely the result of Satan's original rebellion. Teh original would thus have been created to be inhabited and administered by angels, yet this creation fell into ruin and was replaced by the world in which we now dwell.

God closed the former dispensation of pre-history and began a new work with mankind. He entrusted to them the dominion of earth. Humanity, made a little lower than the angels was chosen to be the new custodians of God's kingdom.

Yet though Satan's original rebellion was judged and halted, he did not cease his war and corrupted the new creation by obtaining the loyalty of man. Through capturing the hearts of men, Satan was able to re-establish his rule over the world. So we find in Scripture that Satan is called the prince or god of this world. His kingdom holds sway over it. The apostle Paul tells of this kingdom of darkness and its influence over the world:

Ephesians 6
12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We read in Daniel of a 'prince of Persia', no doubt a fallen angel of great power, who presumably exercised dominion over the heathen people of Persia. There are some Charismatic Christians who make much of 'Territorial spirits' and seek to do spiritual warfare against such beings. This is folly. We do not begin to have the knowledge to know how to fight such beings directly, nor do we need to know the details of how Satan's kingdom works in some particular location. The Christian should not trouble about the details of what territorial spirits there might be and rather fight through simple prayer and the preaching of the Word. That is our place in this cosmic conflict.

It is necessary to mention a second fall of angels. There are some who connect this with Satan, though there is not sufficent evidence to make that connection. This is the fall of the sons of God, in the time of Enoch and Noah, who saw that the daughters of women were fair, as we read in Genesis 6. From the wicked intermarriage of angels and humans came a race of giants who were wiped out in the flood (though the giants of Canaan were probably a similar race). It is likely that the demons are the disembodied spirits of these beings.

God wasted no time in judging the angels of this second rebellion:

Jude
6: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

We do not know how the course of the warfare in heaven effects events on earth, but we have reason to believe there is some connection, however mysterious. Deborah sang of how the battle on earth was waged in heaven too:

Judges 5
20: They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

Elisha's servant was given a vision of the legions of angels who were on the side of Elisha:

2 Kings 6
15: And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16: And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

The marvellous thing about this story is not the vision that the servant received, but that Elisha had no need for it. By faith he knew of the spiritual forces that were on his side.

We must not forget to look at Job. At the beginning of the book of Job, we see Satan in heaven with the sons of God. We learn from this story that Satan's actions are limited by God's control. Satan cannot act outside the sphere that God limits him to.

The warfare in heaven will come to a climax in the end times, at the middle of Daniel's Seventieth Week. We read in Revelation chapter 12:

7: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8: And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10: And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12: Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Satan will be defeated in heaven and he and his angels will be sent down to earth. There he will aid the Beast and the Antichrist in opposing God on earth through persecuting the church and the remnant of Israel. Once he is expelled from heaven, Satan will no longer be able to domminate the affairs of earth with the same governmental authority. He will have to rely entirely on his human intermediaries. After the defeat of his followers at Armageddon, he will be bound for a thousand years. He will no longer be able to wreak havoc in the earth.

Once Satan is removed from heaven, the celesital realms are ready to be purified and made fresh. They shall burn with fire at Christ's coming, as we read in 2 Peter 3:12.
The removal of Satan and his angelic kingdom is a vital step in God's purposes. For the new heavens shall be the seat of government for a new celestial hierarchy. The Lord has prepared a replacement for the old angelic government of angels in a people He has gathered to Himself. This is the church and the resurrected saints of the Old Testament. They shall reign with Christ and consitute a new celestial aristocracy to govern the universe. By grace, the fall of Satan and his angels made way for the uplifting of man to the highest place in the universe. All things shall be subject to mankind (the son of man and those that are in Him).

The final battle shall take place after the millennium. Satan shall be let out and shall again gather a rebellion of wicked men. Though the earth shall be governed in the millennium by peace and righteousness, the heart of man is wicked. Sinful man can never be satisfied with God's goodness. People shall turn again to Satan's lies. Yet they shall be defeated swiftly. Though they may hope that Satan might have some last trick to save them, they will be vanquished and sent to the lake of fire forever, to be tormented day and night with Satan, the one to whom they offered their lives.

With the ultimate defeat of death and sin, God may be all in all. The cosmos shall be restored to perfect fellowship with God and all of creation, man, woman, beast, angel shall all be joined in harmony with the eternal love of the Triune God, experiencing the perfect fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and being transformed and transfigured by that divine love.

The Destruction of Sodom

2007-12-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

Sodom was a wicked place. Yet God did not allow the wickedness of Sodom to continue forever. Sodom was destroyed by fire from heaven.

God is holy. Holiness is a fundamental part of His nature and He cannot suffer evil to go unpunished. Hence, the Lord demonstrated in history His abhorrence of sin by destroying Sodom and Gomorrah.

I knew an unbelieving girl who insisted to me that Sodom must have been destroyed by a volcano, an occurence which the Biblical writers must have interpreted as God's judgment. She gave absolutely no evidence whatsoever for Sodom's being destroyed by a volcano. Her interpretation of this event was entirely due to her naturalistic assumptions. She did not believe in God or at least doubted His existence, so she could never accept the idea of God destroying cities. Such scepticism is entirely irrational.

Men will always doubt the reality of God's judgment.

Romans 1
18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Men and women will ever deny or ignore God, yet God's wrath is revealed against them. They shall be without excuse when that wrath is poured out.

Just as God's wrath was poured out on Sodom, God's wrath will be poured out on the sinful world in which we live in the future.

2 Peter 3
3: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4: And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5: For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8: But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

People scoff at the idea of God's judgment, just as people scoffed before the flood. People assume that things have always been the way they are, yet they have not, for God intervened dramatically in the flood and changed the very face of the earth. The world before the flood perished utterly.

Likewise, the world is scheduled for another cleansing. The earth is reserved for a fiery transformation. All of the sinful system and order of Satan that governs this world shall be dissolved. It is not the physical creation that burns; no the earth was created to be inhabited. Rather, the sinful things upon it shall be burned up.

This wrath is poured out during the trumpet and vial judgments that we read about in the book of Revelation, judgments that are concluded with the battle of Armaggedon and the final destruction of sinful human government. This period of judgment is the Day of the Lord, which begins after the openning of the sixth seal:

Revelation 6
12: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13: And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14: And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15: And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16: And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

As an advocate of the Pre-Wrath rapture, I believe that those who are in Christ are translated and glorified at this point. God's wrath is stored up to be outpoured on the sinful world system, not the believer (though the works of believers shall be judged by our Lord at His coming).

We read in Luke 17:

26: And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27: They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28: Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30: Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

As soon as Lot went out of Sodom, immediate destruction was poured out upon the city. Likewise, the rapture of the church shall be followed by the outpouring of God's wrath upon the nations that have rejected Him.

Knowing that judgment will be poured out on the world, we need to live in expectancy of the coming of Christ. In this time before the Day of the Lord, we need to make known the Gospel message to a sinful world. God commands all to repent and we need to call people to that position.

Knowing that the world is reserved for judgment means that we must not love it. It so easy to love the things of this world and to be occupied with them. Lot dwellt in Sodom, desiring to enjoy its riches. Yet in the end, he was left with nothing. All that wealth was burned up. Let us think on things above, not the things of this world.

Luke 17
32: Remember Lot's wife.

One of the shorter verses in Scripture and a stark warning.

Lot's wife looked back at burning Sodom. She had forgotten the warning she had been given. Her heart was still in Sodom.

There is danger in having our heart in the world. If we fail to watch for Christ's coming and become attached to this world, we shall fail to show the faithfulness that our Lord calls us to. Just as Lot's wife was turned to a pillar of salt, there is judgment for the believer who fails to overcome. Not loss of salvation, for the believer posesses everlasting life. To fail to overcome means to forfeit the great inheritance and privileges that our Lord would bestow upon those who follow Him.

Sodom burned and this world shall burn, yet we look to a new heavens and a new earth and the establisment of God's kingdom within them.

My views have changed

2007-12-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

I have recently adopted the Pre-Wrath version of Post-Tribulationalism.

This may mean my re-evaluating some of the positions expressed on this blog. It may be some time before I post here again.

The Goddess and the Beast

2007-09-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Goddess and the Beast

Goodbye

2007-01-05T01:19:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, I am going to Japan for a two-month mission trip.

HEEDING BIBLE PROPHECY:ENVIRONMENT

2006-12-31T14:14:00.000-08:00

HEEDING BIBLE PROPHECY:ENVIRONMENT

Understanding Satan's Plan to Counterfeit the Second Coming of Christ & the Restoration of All Things

Article by Barbara Aho

Heaven and Earth, Replaced or Restored: "Restarts" vs. the First Start

2006-12-31T14:04:00.000-08:00

Heaven and Earth, Replaced or Restored: "Restarts" vs. the First Start

An interesting series of articles.

J.N. Darby on Christ the Heir

2006-12-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

by John Nelson Darby

It is on this gathering together of all things unto Christ and in Christ, as their Head (Greek, anakephalaiosis- heading up), that depends the character and the substance of the hope of the church, until God be all in all. In this point of view, Scripture speaks of Christ manifested, as being Heir of all these things, and of the church as being joint-heir with Him. Thus it is written, that God has appointed Christ "heir of all things" (Heb. 1:2); that in Him, "we have obtained an inheritance" (Eph 1:11); that "we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ," Rom. 8:17. This glorious title of Christ- the Heir- has a still more glorious origin. He is "the firstborn of every creature, for by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth... and for him," Col. 1:15, 16. The church, the children of God, are therefore joint-heirs with Christ. How are they such? It is this which we are about to develop. Christ receives the inheritance in His character of man, of risen Man, once our companion in sufferings because of sin, and then the Head, the root and the spring of blessing.

We must first remark that the first Adam, "the figure of Him that was to come," is a type and figure of the Second Adam of whom we are now speaking. He is referrd to in this respect in Ephesians 5:30, 31. Before His manifestation, the last Adam is, as it were, hidden, as the first Adam was buried in sleep (Darby later questioned this analogy- D.F); Eve, who prefigures the church, is taken from his side, and God presents her to him as the help meet for him, to be his companion in the government and the inheritance of all things given to him of God in paradise.

Thus Christ, who is God as well as man, presents the church to Himself, when He awakes in His glory, that it may share that glory with Him and that dominion which He already poseses in title and by the gift of God, "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them," John 17:22.

Adam and Eve, taken collectively, are called Adam, as if they were but one (Gen. 1:27, 5:2), although in a strict sense, Eve was inferior to her husband, and had come after him. So it is with Christ and the church, who are but one mystical body. This type, familiar to those who read the Scriptures, presents, in a most simple way, all the forms of the reality prefigured, with this expression, that the Second Man, being 'out of heaven' (1 Cor. 15:47), is also Head and Lord of the heavenly things.

Taken from The Purpose of God in Collected Writings of J.N. Darby, vol.1, p.268-269

At a risk of being boiled with my own pudding and having a sprig of Holly skewered through my heart, I am going to say:

2006-12-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

Or Merry Saturnalia to all you Jehovah's Witnesses and any like-minded extreme KJV-Fundamentalists who want to enjoy having a family holiday but do not want to get tangled in any pagan stuff.

By the way, a lot of people get slippers as a Christmas present. It is one of those things that makes a great present (provided you know the recipient's shoe-size). If you do, please take it as a sign that you really ought to make your home a shoe-free zone. It will certainly make for a more relaxed atmosphere during the holiday season.

Have a clean and godly Christmas this year.

HEEDING BIBLE PROPHECY: EDUCATION

2006-12-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

HEEDING BIBLE PROPHECY: EDUCATION

Understanding Satan's Plan To Counterfeit the Second Coming of Christ & the Restoration of All Things.

Article by Barbara Aho