The Book of Revelation
“looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great god and savior, Christ Jesus,” (Tit 2:13 NAS)
For the pre-triber the escape from the Great Tribulation by the Rapture of the Church is their Blessed Hope. But for the Apostles and especially for Paul as he referred to that blessed hope in his letter to Titus, it was the hope of eternal life and the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Modern eschatology ends up with double-speak as the event of the rapture overshadows the event of Christ’s second coming. Rather than dropping the phrase “second coming of Christ”, the pre-tribers chose to say that the second coming happens in two stages, seven years apart. The reality is either we have a second and third coming or we are saddled with double-speak as we are left with two distinct second comings.
Human nature being what it is, this popular belief focuses on the Rapture of the Church and the escape of Christians from the Great Tribulation. Modern prophesy teachers easily get caught up through their imagination in contemplating the effects of the removal of all Christians from the world in a moments time. This indeed makes for good books and movies, but we find no substance of it anywhere in the Scriptures.
“1 ¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated [it] by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, [even] to all that he saw. 3 ¶ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Re 1:1-3 NAS)
The Rapture of the Church
This is the record of the prophesy that God gave to His Church through the Apostle John. The problem pre-tribers are faced with is that it doesn’t fit with their theory. From their perspective the rapture becomes the focus of the Church’s hope. But in this book (the most extensive unfolding of prophesy) there is not one reference to what they believe to be the greatest event of history. So what they attempt to do is to slip it between the lines.
The first three chapters include the introduction and the messages to the seven Churches that were in Asia. The next two chapters reveal what is happening in heaven. Then we begin the 6th chapter with the opening of the scroll and the revelations contained as the seals are broken one at a time. Nowhere in the entire book do we find a place where they can say, “Here is where the Church is raptured.” So someone got the bright idea that because the word “Church” does not occur after the 3rd chapter it must mean that all events that take place after that occur after the Church has been raptured. I have already mentioned that an argument from silence is one of the weakest of arguments, this is that and in the extreme.
It reminds me of the evolutionists who will tell you that a certain layer of earth is so many millions of years old. The layer of earth directly beneath it is several million of years older, and there are millions years of time that took place between when each layer of earth was laid down. They will tell you this with a straight face without one shred of evidence from the missing millions of years, even though the listener can see for themselves that not a piece of paper would fit between the two layers.
So why don’t we find reference to the rapture in the Book of Revelation? Actually we can figure out where it fits, it just isn’t where the pre-tribers expect it to be. Also because the rapture is not actually an event, but merely a description of how Christians are gathered to meet Christ at his return, pre-tribers usually read right over the clues without recognition.
Where is the Church?
So why don’t we see references to the Church after the 3rd chapter? Why don’t we ask that question about all of the other books and passages in the Bible where the word Church is not used? It would make more sense to explain why we do find it in the first three chapters. Those chapters specifically address each of seven Churches. You will also notice at the end of each messages is a plea to the individual. When we leave the messages to the Churches we find several references to saints throughout the book. Should I point out the obvious? The saints are the Church.
The fact is that the whole Book of Revelation was written to the Churches or you might say to the Saints. Why would God give the church a detailed account of what was going to happen during this period of time if we were not going to be here to witness it? He wouldn’t. God gave this extensive revelation to the Churches because it was relevant to the Churches. It certainly isn’t going to mean anything to anyone else.
Have you ever wondered why God reveals future event to us? Why did God tell Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Was it not because Abraham had an interest in what happened there? Doesn’t prophesy truly become significant when those who believe perceive its fulfillment? If indeed the prophesies of the Book of Revelation are any different than this, then it is unique to all the prophesy of the Bible.
“blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Re 1:3 NAS)
We need to hear what is written in this book, for the time is at hand. The fulfillment began in John’s day and continues in ours. We are closer to the fulfillment of all these things than they were. History shows us the fulfillment of the messages to the Churches, messages that are pertinent to us today. This book is for us today as His Church. If we neglect it’s teachings we will end up with the unbelievers.
“BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.” (Re 1:7 NAS)
We don’t have to read far before we see a conflict with the pre-tribulation rapture concept. This is not the secret rapture preached from the pulpits today. It is the same message Jesus taught in Matthew 24. “Look”, John says, “He is coming in the clouds; even those who pierced him, everyone, all peoples, especially those of us who believe, are all going to see Him. There are no exhortations to look forward to the rapture, but there are plenty of places that tell us to look and expect Him to come in the clouds with power and glory.
The Messages to the Churches
Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation are specific messages to each of the seven Churches that were located in Asia. Some dispensationalists have taken these messages and tried to assert that they represent seven ages of the Church. This of course makes sense only if you follow their leading as they pick and choose which area of the world during each age seems to represent the conditions of each of the seven Churches. The truth is that all seven conditions existed when John penned these messages and probably these seven conditions have existed throughout the ages in one place or another. I mention this because it is out of the dispensationalist’s viewpoint that the pre-tribulation rapture teaching has arisen.
Each message begins as an address to the Church as a whole, commending, reproving, correcting, and exhorting them to repent. Each message ends with an appeal to the individual and a promise to those who overcome. Clearly these messages are still pertinent to the Church today as we see the variety of conditions that the Churches today are facing in different regions of the world. There should be even greater urgency for repentance as we continue to approach that day of His appearing.
I guess that it is because there is a lack of scriptural references to the rapture that the pre-tribers have looked for confirmation of escape from tribulation in the promises to the over comers in the messages to the Churches. One scholar spent considerable time dealing with the word “from” in Revelation 3:10, trying to show that it meant from out of, instead of simply from. His point was that we were to escape tribulation by being taken from the earth at the rapture rather than being delivered from tribulation while still dwelling on the earth. “… I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
It simply amazes me that people can get so far removed from the clear reading of scripture and not know it. We have to backtrack through several layers of assumptions to even understand how this theologian came to defending a pre-trib rapture with these scriptures. First it is a huge assumption that this particular promise can be applied to the Church as a whole, since that hour of temptation has come and gone long ago. Then we have to assume that the hour of temptation can be equated to the great tribulation. Then we have to assume that great tribulation can be equated to the Wrath of God. Then we have to assume that God has to remove us from the earth to execute wrath on the unbelievers. Then we have to remain fixed on this scripture so that we avoid the clear reading of Scripture in Matthew 24.
An Open Door in Heaven
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door [standing] open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like [the sound] of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”” (Re 4:1 NAS)
John has been given insight into the relationship of Christ to the Church. The spiritual condition of each Church has been exposed. The corrective measures for each condition have been defined. The appeal has been made for repentance, forgiveness has been extended. The choice has been set before them, the paths clarified. The promises to the over comers have been given. Now John is taken up to the throne of God for a revelation of what lies ahead for the Church.
The setting alone seems to be beyond our comprehension, gloriously beyond description. As John is witnessing the scene before the throne of God his attention is brought to focus on a book in the hand of Him who sits on the throne.
“1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it. 4 And I [began] to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it;” (Re 5:1-4 NAS)
“and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”” (Re 5:5 NAS)
As our Lord begins to break the seals one at a time we are given insight into the future. At first glance it is not what we had hoped for. There is trouble, and evil, and then it gets worse. But if we continue and follow it through patiently we will find that in the end order is restored, peace reigns, the end being more glorious than the beginning as all things are restored to perfection.
Understanding Prophesy
It is not my purpose here to explain every aspect of this intriguing and swirling imagery that we find in John’s visions of the future. I am not even sure we are expected to understand everything we read here. But I do believe that we need to acquaint ourselves with what is said, because I believe as these events unfold those who are diligently seeking truth will understand the times in which they live.
Judging from past history and prophesies that have already been fulfilled, prophesy is revealed when it is fulfilled. We can read the words of prophesy and our minds and imagination have a way or developing wild speculations as to what those words mean. But when prophesy is fulfilled we are able to see that it was a much clearer picture than we had imagined.
For example: “Thus says the LORD, “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation [and] bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.”” (Jer 31:15 NAS)
I imagine that there could have been a lot of speculation as to what this verse really meant. But when it was fulfilled it became obvious that it clearly described the actual event at the actual location.
“16 ¶ Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi. 17 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”” (Mt 2:16-18 NAS)
If we lock ourselves into our imaginative speculation we end up blinding ourselves to recognize the events when they actually happen, as the Pharisees did at Jesus first coming. The popularity of the pre-tribulation rapture theory is potentially blinding the major part of the Church at a crucial time in history when these events are likely to begin. The pre-trib theory essentially renders the bulk of the Book of Revelation irrelevant to the Church, for they claim that the raptured Church will not experience these events.
The Seals
As the seals are opened and we see the four horsemen riding forth it is easy to see why the pre-trib theory is so popular. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a mother in Bethlehem shortly after Jesus birth either. Nobody wants to suffer pain and trouble, pain hurts. But God has chosen to let evil run its course for the sake of those who will repent and be saved. Until the gospel is preached to all nations the Church’s work on earth is not done. (Matt. 24:14)
“1 ¶ then I saw when the lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “come.” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. 3 ¶ when he broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “come.” 4 and another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. 5 when he broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 and I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” 7 when the lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “come.” 8 I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name death; and Hades was following with him. authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Re 6:1-8 NAS)
The pre-tribers insist on cramming the bulk of Revelation into the last seven year period. I’m not sure that is even possible, let alone necessary. I think we can easily fit the four horsemen into the historical setting between the time of John’s revelation until now. Have not these forces been active and the result not documented in our history books? Have we forgotten the wars, pestilence, famine, and atrocities that have claimed the lives and comfort of so many people? How do we explain the Blessed Hope of escape from great tribulation to the Apostles and martyred Christians in the China, India, Africa, and the Middle East?
Tribulation Saints
“9 ¶ And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until [the number of] their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, should be completed also.” (Re 6:9-11 NAS)
As the fifth seal is opened we get a glimpse under the altar. Here are the saints who have been killed for their testimony. They inquire how long it will be before the Lord avenges their blood? The answer is that there are other saints who will yet be killed before it is all over. The pre-tribers dogma that the Church has been raptured by this time forces them to come to a different conclusion than the obvious. To reconcile their theory with Scripture the pre-tribers ends up distinguishing different categories of saints. Of course to accomplish this they end up violating other fundamental truths in Scripture.
“12 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; 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. 14 the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 then 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; 16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, “fall on us and hide us from the presence of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”” (Re 6:12-17 NAS)
Don’t Forget Israel
There is a pause here between the sixth and seventh seal as John is given insight to happenings behind the scenes. He sees the sealing of the 144, 000 from the 12 tribes of Israel. Then he is given a vision of those Christian that have come through great tribulation. Remember the Christians have been given the assurance in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians that they are not destined to wrath, but salvation.
“13 ¶ And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?” 14 And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them. 16 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes.”” (Re 7:13-17 NAS)
The Church in the Book of Revelation
Tribulation saints? Could they be the remnant of the Church? Not according to the pre-triber, for they have determined that the Church is now in heaven. Indeed, because of the logistical and theological problems that arise with the appearance of saints coming out of great tribulation, pre-tribers have to get pretty innovative in defending their pre-conceived notion that the Church has been raptured before the tribulation starts.
The Trumpets
“1 ¶ And when He broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God; and seven trumpets were given to them.” (Re 8:1-2 NAS)
Can it be that as the seventh seal is opened and the seven trumpets begin to sound that there are still Christians on earth? Most Christians don’t believe there will be because they don’t want to believe it. Logic tells them that there can’t be, because God would not allow Christians to face the intense calamities ahead. But faith tells me that if God’s Word declares that Christians come out of this period, then they must have endured.
“”And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.” (Re 12:11 NAS)
Seventh seal, seven trumpets, bad things are happening. But the focus is not strictly on the seven trumpets and the ominous events they are heralding. God is still looking for repentance and not finding much of it. After 6 trumpets have sounded we begin to see how hard men’s hearts have become.
“20 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; 21 and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.” (Re 9:20-21 NAS)
But in the midst of all this calamity we see a glimmer of hope that something grand is about to take place in the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet.
“but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.” (Re 10:7 NAS)
The Gospel
Again we have a pause in the unfolding of events because God wants us to know that His Word must still go forth. This is the commission of the Church, and when it is done the end will come. Remember the prophesy from Matthew chapter24.
“8 ¶ And the voice which I heard from heaven, [I heard] again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” 9 And I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he *said to me, “Take it, and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 And they *said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”” (Re 10:8-11 NAS)
And as it was prior to Christ first coming so shall it be prior to His second coming that he will have a special witness declaring His truth, calling for repentance.
“3 ¶ “And I will grant [authority] to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 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. 6 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.” (Re 11:3-6 NAS)
But then just like John the Baptist, the time of these witnesses comes to an end.
“7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies [will lie] in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations [will] look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth [will] rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 And after the three and a half days the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.” (Re 11:7-12 NAS)
Keep the Faith
If you can imagine these events taking place it becomes evident how easy it would be to lose faith during these events. That is what makes scripture so important, for without the insight of revelation it would appear that God had abandoned His people. Faith keeps us focused on God’s Word. That Word reveals the times in which we live. Faith not only keeps us from despair, but at this time would cause us to look up for our redemption is drawing near. This is the time when our Lord returns in glory and power. The description of what happens during the seventh trumpet leaves no doubt that this is the time of the rapture.
The Rapture
“15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become [the kingdom] of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and hast begun to reign.” (Re 11:15-17 NAS)
Note what is being accomplished during this time.
“”And the nations were enraged, and Thy wrath came, and the time [came] for the dead to be judged, and [the time] to give their reward to Thy bond-servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Thy name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”” (Re 11:18 NAS)
The nations are angry, God’s wrath is come, the dead are judged, and it is time to give rewards to thy bond-servants, the prophets and the saints and those who fear His name. Both the judgment of the dead and the giving of rewards require this to be the time of the first resurrection.
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward [is] with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Re 22:12 NAS)
Every scripture that reveals details of our gathering to Christ agree with this concept. Matthew 24 has the angels gathering us together as the nations see Christ coming in the Clouds to render judgment. This is the last trumpet that is also revealed in Corinthians 15:52. Thessalonians 4:16 speaks also of the trump of God sounding at this time. This has to be the first resurrection spoken of in Rev. 20:5. According to Thess. 4:16 the rapture cannot take place until the first resurrection and this is it.
So if you wanted to know when the rapture takes place, this is it. If you were looking for a separate event in which Christ raptures his Church, whisks them off to heaven for seven years and then returns with them, you will be looking in vain because it just isn’t in the Bible. Again I reiterate, the event is Christ’s glorious return. The way in which we will meet him at his return is that we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and then we will be caught up with the resurrected saints to meet Him in the air.
It is a time for gathering. The saints are gathered to meet the Lord and the unbelievers are gathered in judgment. The Book of Revelation gives us an overview and then pauses and reveals some of the details.
“6 ¶ And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” 8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”” (Re 14:6-11 NAS)
In the midst of all this turmoil the saints are still here on earth.
“Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” (Re 14:12 NAS)
But we are at the time of harvest of the righteous.
“13 ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” 14 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. 15 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.” 16 And He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (Re 14:13-16 NAS)
And also time to harvest the unrighteous.
“17 and another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 then 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.” 19 so 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. 20 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.” (Re 14:17-20 NAS)
One portion of the Harvest ends up with Christ.
“2 and I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of god. 3 and they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of god, and the song of the lamb, saying, “great and marvelous are your works, O lord god, the Almighty; righteous and true are your ways, king of the nations!” (Re 15:2-3 NAS)
And one portion end up in the pit.
“”and the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.“” (Re 14:11 NAS)
Further Revelation
As the book continues we jump back in time as further details are revealed of these last and final days as Christ takes the kingdoms of this earth from Satan and his followers. We are shown the contents of the seven vials that contain the wrath of God and are poured out on the kingdom of the beast. We are given insight into the destruction of Babylon and the Harlot that sits on the beast. Details and insights are given to us so we will understand as all these things converge in that great event of our Lord’s return.
““5 ¶ And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” (Re 19:5-6 NAS)
Now we see where the saints fit into this picture.
7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright [and] clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 And he *said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.”” (Re 19:7-9 NAS)
And then there is the bridegroom preparing the way for His bride.
“11 ¶ 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. 12 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. 13 And [He is] clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white [and] clean, were following Him on white horses. 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. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”” (Re 19:11-16 NAS)
And then when everything is secure.
“1 ¶ And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the abyss, and shut [it] and sealed [it] over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.” (Re 20:1-3 NAS)
We will live and reign with Christ.
“4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I [saw] the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Re 20:4-6 NAS)
In Conclussion
Not everything in the Book of Revelation is easy to understand. The text is not always linear as it occasionally sweeps back to fill in the details involved with some of the events and some of the players in this final act of the great mystery and purpose of God. But one thing is clear, and that is that the pre-tribulation rapture theory cannot be reconciled with the Scripture. The main event as portrayed throughout Scripture is the final and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gathering together of His saints unto Himself. It is a time of rewards and it is a time of judgment.
“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Re 20:6 NAS)