Revelation and the End Times

When we’re walking and we see something in the distance, it might be difficult to make out what it is. But as we get closer, it starts to become clearer. This is the same with the book of Revelation. The closer we get to the end of time, the more we understand.

Things are going to happen on this earth that’s worse than anything in the history of the human race:

For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. (Matthew 24:21)

The good news is that Jesus Christ is returning. It’s just exactly when we’re not sure about. but it’s definitely after the coming of the antichrist.

Every Christian on earth belongs to one of the seven churches from Revelation chapters 2 and 3. The following scripture is directed to the church in Philadelphia, not the six other churches:

Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)

The hour of trial in this scripture is talking about the wrath of God, not tribulation and persecution. There’s a difference. Jesus Christ is our deliverer from the coming wrath of God on the world, which happens after the rapture. But we need to read what Jesus says to each of the seven churches, find out which church we belong to, examine ourselves, and determine what we need to do to improve. Our goal should be to belong to the church in Philadelphia. But not everyone in the six other churches is doomed. For example, Jesus tells the church in Sardis, which has the appearance of being alive but is dead, there are some in Sardis who haven’t soiled their garments, and they’ll walk with him wearing white. The following scripture tells us why we should belong to the church in Philadelphia. Here’s Jesus:

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief.” Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his clothes ready, so that he may not go naked and people see him exposed.) (Revelation 16:15)

Here’s the apostle Peter:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. (2 Peter 3:10)

Peter goes on to say that knowing this information, what kind of person ought we to be? We should be conducting ourselves in holiness and godliness. Let’s continue with the apostle Paul:

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

The coming of Jesus like a thief in the night is in the context of those who walk at night. It will catch them off guard. Paul goes on to say that we’re not in the darkness for this day to overtake us like a thief.

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)

The apostle Paul is talking about the day of the Lord. Why would Paul say this unless we might be here for this day? On this day, Jesus appears, the rapture happens, and then God’s wrath begins. We must keep the end of 1 Thessalonians 4 in context with the beginning of 1 Thessalonians 5. Here are the scriptures in context:

After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

These scriptures tell us that we’re caught up to meet the Lord in the air on the day of the Lord, and this day won’t overtake us like a thief because we walk in the light. Here’s Jesus again:

But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. (Matthew 24:43)

We should be watching every day. The day of the Lord will come, and those faithful to Jesus will be gathered to him, and then God’s wrath begins.

There are different beliefs about the timing of the rapture. But the rapture is doctrine, so there’s only one right answer. It happens on the day of the Lord in Revelation 6:16-17. Chapter 7 goes on the explain the rapture. The day of the Lord is simply when the rapture happens. Just the same, there are different beliefs about the millennial reign of Christ. They are premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. The right answer is premillennialism. So again, there really is no believing this or that, we’re either right or wrong. 

In Daniel 9:27, at the beginning of the one week (seven years), a “covenant with the many” is made, which is most likely a peace plan. Here’s Paul again:

3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:3-4)

The final seven years (70th week) are divided into three and a half years. In the books of Daniel and Revelation, we see things like 42 months, half the week, 1290 days, and 1260 days. The final week should be divided into tribulation and wrath (great tribulation). The wrath of God begins after the desolating abomination is “set up” or “standing” in the holy place, and this might happen at some point after half the week. The following scripture is speaking of the beast, the antichrist:

He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

This scripture says the saints are given into the hand of the antichrist for three and a half years. This is the first half of the final seven years. Jesus’s appearing happens at some point during Christian persecution, and let’s remember that those in Christ are not destined for the wrath of God:

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

In Luke 21:20, Jesus says that when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, know that her desolation is at hand. In the following scripture from Revelation 11, it mentions Jerusalem, the holy city, being trampled on for 42 months (three and a half years), and it mentions a temple.

but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

The building of the third temple might coincide with the “covenant with the many” and also in the previous scripture. The temple mentioned may have already been there for at least three and a half years.

Rightly Dividing

The apostle Paul refers to his journey of faith in Christ Jesus as a runner running a race. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul refers to those who teach the gospel of Christ as workmen. He uses the Greek word Orthotomounta. In the context of a workman, such as a construction worker, it means to cut a straight path—to teach correctly the word of God. For example, we can’t divide things out of the Bible that we may not like, such as saying some scriptures are for Jews only. The Jew is first, but some believe the Olivet discourse is speaking only to Jews. Let’s read the following scriptures which is further evidence for the rapture:

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

Are these scriptures speaking to Jews only? Why are these scriptures from John 14 for all believers but the prophetic scriptures in the Olivet discourse are for Jews only? We who believe have been grafted into the Olive Tree. We are now part of the commonwealth of Israel. So, prophetic scriptures have application for the church today because the church is God’s household. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus says, “Let the reader understand.” Jesus is addressing all future readers, not just Jews with faith. Jesus’s words will never pass away.

In Matthew 3:9, John the Baptist tells the Pharisees that God can raise up children to Abraham from stones. The apostle Paul says it’s those with faith who are the children of Abraham (see Galatians 3:7). There are examples of those with faith throughout the gospels, Jews and Gentiles. In the gospels, Jesus goes to the Jews, but there are examples of Gentiles with faith:

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:9)

God has only one plan of salvation. God is going to save a remnant of Israel, but ultimately there’s only going to be one people chosen from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Israel is an Olive Tree. God cut some branches off, unbelieving Jews, and grafted in wild olive shoots, believing Gentiles. We are now part of the commonwealth of Israel. So, everything in the Bible that pertains to Israel has application for us, especially the Olivet discourse. We are now part of the household of God.

Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars

There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering to him. We’ll use these signs as a marker. The following prophecy is in the context of locusts, God’s army:

Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. (Joel 2:10; see also verse 25)

The Bible tells us there is tribulation before we see the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and as we’ll see, Christians who are faithful to Christ will come “out of” this tribulation.

Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

When Jesus says, “When these things begin to take place,” he’s talking about the signs in the sun, moon, and stars as well as other things, and he uses the word near. As we’ll see, the signs in the sun, moon, and stars always precede the day of the Lord, the appearing of Jesus and the gathering of the elect. The following prophecy uses the word before:

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. (Joel 2:31)

So, the signs in the sun, moon, and stars precede the day of the Lord. Let’s read this scripture:

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. (Revelation 7:1)

Let’s compare this to the following scripture:

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:31)

These two scriptures fit with each other, including the events before and after, all except for the trumpet blast, which we’ll talk about later. In Revelation 7:1-3, the four angels hold back the four winds so the seal of God can be placed on the foreheads of the servants of God, the 144,000, twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:12)

Sodom and Gomarrah, A Type and Shadow of the Rapture

We know that God rescued Lot from the destruction of Sodom. But didn’t Lot still go through tribulation living among those evil people? Let’s listen to the apostle Peter:

7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the wicked 8 (for by what that righteous man saw and heard as he lived among them, he was vexed in his righteous soul day after day with their lawless deeds), (2 Peter 2:7-8)

Lot had his back against the door before he was pulled to safety by the two men (angels):

But the men inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. (Genesis 19:9-10)

The angels (men) took Lot out of Sodom (great tribulation) before the fire and sulfur came down (God’s wrath). This story is a shadow of what’s coming. Let’s move on to Luke:

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. (Luke 21:12)

Jesus says, “For my name’s sake.” Only those with faith will do anything for Jesus’s name’s sake. But when Jesus says, “Before all this,” he’s referring to the labor pains which he had just told the disciples about. This is fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 6:

2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, 3 the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. (Zechariah 6:2-3)

In Revelation 6, the 1st seal, we have one white horse, and the rider is the antichrist himself. In Luke 21:8, Jesus tells the disciples, “Let no one deceive you.” This might remind us of the white horses from Zechariah 6, many antichrists.

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)

Many antichrists, have appeared. In Luke 21:9, Jesus tells the disciples they will hear of wars and rumors of wars. This can remind us of the red horses from Zechariah 6, many wars. In Luke 21:11, Jesus is referring to the black horses, which represent famines, and the dappled horses represent many people dying from the time Jesus said these things to the final four horseman. Zechariah 6 is still being fulfilled:

As the strong horses went out, they were eager to go and patrol the earth; and the LORD said, “Go and patrol the earth.” So, they patrolled the earth. (Zechariah 6:7)

In the end, there will be one final antichrist (the first seal), one final great war (the second seal, possibly nuclear war), one final great famine (the third seal) that will lead to the mark of the beast (the rider is holding scales). The rider of the green (chloros) horse, death (the fourth seal), always follows war and famine. But until this time comes, the horses from Zechariah are still patrolling the earth. Famine can come from war or famine can lead to war. But let’s move on. Jesus says, “See that you not be deceived; you’ll hear of wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines.” So, the phrase but before all this can be taken to mean Christian persecution that began with the disciple Stephen:

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. 20 There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:19-20)

Christians throughout history have been persecuted for their faith in one degree or another. Persecution is still happening, and by time the fifth seal is opened, it will be at its worst. These souls in the fifth seal are crying out to the Lord from underneath the altar to avenge their blood. They are “each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been” (see Revelation 6:9-11). The fifth seal tells us that there are still Christians in the world who are still destined to be killed who have not yet been killed. This comes from the fourth seal, the pale green horse, death.

Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority against a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8)

There are two billion Christians on the earth. This is a fourth of the earth. This will probably be a holocaust for Christians. Believers are present during the first five seals, and they will be until the day of the Lord in the sixth seal, in which the rapture happens.

12 And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. (Revelation 6:12-13)

After the sixth seal is opened there is a great earthquake, and we see the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The sun is turned black like dark sackcloth, the moon becomes like blood, and stars fall to the earth like unripe figs shaken from a tree by a strong wind. The unripe figs that fall from the tree shaken by a strong wind probably symbolizes fear:

When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind. (Isaiah 7:2)

People with little faith will fall away from fear when the end begins. Let’s go to Nahum:

In Revelation 6:12, the text uses the phrase black as sackcloth to describe the sun. In the Old Testament, the wearing of coarse hair from a black goat was as a sign of mourning, that is, afflicting oneself or being afflicted. In the context of the sun being as black as sackcloth, let’s go to Isaiah:

I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.” (Isaiah 50:3)

This is why we read about sinners mourning when these events happen. The signs in the sun, moon, and stars from Revelation 6:12-13 precede the appearing of the Lord in verses 16-17, and the appearing of the Lord precedes the rapture from Revelation 7:9 (see also Matthew 24:31).

We talked about how some believe that Jesus is talking about Jews only in the Olivet discourse. In Revelation 7:3, the 144,000 are Jews, believing Jews. But whether people believe they’re Jews or Gentiles, or one group from Matthew is Jews and the other from Revelation is Gentiles or vice versa, they’re either “gathered,” “sealed,” or “raptured” after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Are there two sets of signs in the sun, moon, and stars, one for Jews and one for Gentiles? The Bible is speaking of the children of Abraham. Again, the apostle Paul says it’s those who have faith who are the children of Abraham. Jesus is going to send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, Jew first, then Gentile. Let’s use the following scriptures as an example that Jews come first:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16)

Let’s continue:

9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 2:9-10)

Let’s use the following scripture to prove that Gentiles are part of the elect:

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

The apostle Paul is speaking to the Colossians, and he calls them “the elect of God.” If the elect from Matthew 24:22 are Jews only, then who are the “elect” that are gathered from the four winds in verse 31? They are those who have faith. Let’s read the scriptures:

30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:30-31)

Let’s compare this to the following scripture:

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

In this letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him.” Are there two comings of Jesus and our gathering to him, one for Jews and one for Gentiles? No, there’s not. The elect is made up of Jews and Gentiles, those who are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

After the signs in the sun moon and stars in the Olivet discourses, the following event happens:

And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)

After the signs in the sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 6:12-13, the sky “vanishes,” or is “divided,” and the apostle John describes it like a scroll rolling up (see verse 14).

All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. (Isaiah 34:4)

Immediately after this, everyone hides in caves and among the rocks and they say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (see Revelation 6:16).

9 Indeed, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and burning anger; To lay waste the land and destroy the sinners within it! 10 The stars of the heavens and their constellations will send forth no light; The sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not give its light. (Isaiah 13:9-10)

After the great earthquake and the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, we have the appearing of our Lord Jesus. We can try to imagine this glorious day from the following scripture:

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

We know the Jews pierced Jesus, but those who have persecuted Christians have figuratively pierced Jesus. Let’s listen to God:

Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns an only child, and weep bitterly for Him as one grieves a firstborn son. (Zechariah 12:10)

Appearing and Coming

We need to wait with faith, hope, and endurance for our blessed hope, the appearing and coming of the Lord:

awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13)

The apostle Paul gives us further understanding of the appearing and coming of Jesus Christ:

And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

In the following scripture, Jesus’s appearing and coming is immediately after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars:

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

The following scripture from the apostle John can give us further insight into the appearing and coming of the Lord:

And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)

John mentions the coming of the antichrist before he says this, as we read earlier. When Jesus Christ appears, faithful Christians will be gathered to him, and then God’s wrath will begin on a dying world. Jesus will eventually stand on Mount Zion as we see in Revelation 14:1. Jesus’s feet will stand on solid ground.

The glory of Lebanon will come to you—its pine, fir, and cypress together—to adorn the place of My sanctuary, and I will glorify the place of My feet. (Isaiah 60:13; see also Ezekiel 43:7)

God’s feet are standing on Mount Olivet in Zechariah 14:4.

But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

Jesus’s appearing happens at some point after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars.

For as lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. (Matthew 24:27)

The Last Trumpet

In the following scriptures, the apostle Paul speaks of the last trumpet:

51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

We know that the seventh trumpet, which technically would be the last trumpet, is in Revelation 11:15, and the seven trumpets are from the seventh seal. From the seventh seal comes the seven trumpets, the three woes, and the seven bowls of God’s wrath. The rapture is in the sixth seal. Let’s read this scripture again:

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:31)

Before Jesus sends out his angels in this scripture, we see the signs in the sun, moon, and stars:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ (Matthew 24:29)

Again, we can use these signs as a marker. The signs in the sun, moon, and stars happen in the 6th seal before Jesus appears and sends out his angels in Revelation 7. After these signs in Matthew and Revelation, we see the appearing of Jesus and the angels being sent out to gather the elect. Yet, we don’t read about the trumpet blast in Revelation 6. We don’t read about the desolating abomination in the book of Revelation either, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, because we know the abomination that causes desolation is the antichrist, the beast. But some believe the 7th trumpet in chapter 11 is the “last trumpet” that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 15:52. The Bible tells us several times that we’re not appointed to the wrath of God, which begins in chapter 8. In Revelation 11:15, after the 7th trumpet, it doesn’t mention the rapture or resurrection. The rapture is described in Revelation 7.

There are no contradictions in the Bible, we simply don’t understand everything until the right time. The Bible is perfect, we’re imperfect. God is telling us to be ready at all times, and in his goodness, he might leave a way out for us that we may claim ignorance. Only God knows the appointed time. So, let’s not be over-confident and let’s make our election certain:

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your call and election firm, for, in doing so, you will never stumble. 11 For, in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. (2 Peter 1:10-11)

The apostle Peter uses the word election. Who is Peter speaking to in this letter? He’s speaking to Christians, whether they’re Jews or Gentiles, as opposed to 1 Peter which is addressed to the Diaspora. In the first verse of 2 Peter, it says, “To those who have received a faith of equal value to ours through the righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.” So, this letter is obviously to those with faith, the children of Abraham, and Peter tells them to make their election firm. The elect are children of Abraham, those with faith, whatever nation they come from. But what about Israel?

What then? What Israel was seeking it did not attain, but the elect attained it; the rest were hardened, (Romans 11:7)

These are the Rabbinic or Orthodox Jews today. There’s a remnant of Israel chosen by the grace of God for the time being. This remnant is part of the body of Christ. They have faith. It’s in Romans 11:25-26 that the apostle Paul mentions the mystery of the hardening that came upon Israel (in part) until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and then all Israel will be saved. But not all Israel is Israel. The Israel of God from Galatians 6:16 might be the unbelieving Jews who will come to faith when Christ returns. We Gentiles are not the remnant. But we who believe are now part of the household of God. We’re grafted into the Olive Tree. Let’s read this scripture:

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.” (Joel 2:32)

The elect are God’s chosen ones by his grace. They are those in Jesus Christ, living or fallen asleep. In the Olivet discourse, Jesus mentions the elect twice. Both times are before the appearing of the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and remember, these signs happen before the gathering of the elect in Matthew 24:31, which is the placing of the seals on the foreheads of the servants of God from Revelation 7:3, and the multitude standing before the throne of God with white robes and palm branches from 7:9.

The first time Jesus mentions the elect, he says the days will be shortened “for the sake of the elect” (see Matthew 24:22). The second time the elect is mentioned, Jesus says false Messiahs will deceive, if possible, even the elect (see verse 24). In Mark 13:20, it says the days are shortened for the sake of the elect whom the Lord chose. The Lord chose a people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Now we know that the elect is going through something which Jesus calls “the tribulation of those days” from verse 29, and these things are taking place after the desolating abomination is standing in the holy place from verse 15 but before the signs in the sun, moon, and stars in verse 29 (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

The remnant of Israel are represented by the 144,000 in Revelation 7:4-8 and 14:1. In chapter 14, it says the 144,000 are virgins and haven’t defiled themselves with women. In Jeremiah 31:3-4, God calls the remnant of Israel who have survived the sword, “Virgin Israel.” We know that virgins are representative of the church. Christians are virgins as opposed to prostitutes, those who practice idolatry and other sins. But the text says they haven’t defiled themselves with women. This would lead us to believe that they are men only. The text also says they follow the Lamb wherever he goes (see Revelation 14:4). Only Christians follow the Lamb, Jesus Christ. But whether or not the 144,000 are a remnant from the 12 tribes of Israel or they represent Christians, or both, those who are welcoming the Lord with palm branches in the books of John and Revelation are those with faith. In Revelation 7:9, it says the people are from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue. They welcome Jesus with palm branches because they know and believe he is Lord, hence they have faith. We can only say Jesus is Lord by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:3). After the seal of God is put on the foreheads of the servants of God, the 144,000, the names of the tribes are listed up until verse 8. In verse 9, the reader is immediately taken before the throne of God where a multitude of people who have come out of the tribulation are celebrating the coming of our Lord Jesus. They are holding palm branches:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (Revelation 7:9)

Two thousand years prior, the people welcomed the coming of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem with palm branches:

So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13)

After this moment of rejoicing and welcoming the coming of the Lord with palm branches, Revelation 8 begins with a half hour of silence. After the moment of silence, prayers of the holy ones are offered up to God with a great quantity of incense in the golden censer. These are the prayers from the persecuted Christians in Revelation 6:8-11 because they’re at the altar, and those who have been killed are underneath the altar crying out to the Lord. After the prayers are offered up to God, the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar (without incense) and hurls it down to earth. In the same way, the bowls (Greek word phialas) are filled with incense in 5:8. In 16:1, the bowls (same Greek word phialas) are filled with God’s wrath. The censer with the fire hurled down to earth tells us that the plagues and disasters from the seven trumpets will run unabated on the people left on earth. We know this because Moses and Aaron walked among the living and the dead Israelites with the censer offering incense to God in order to stop the plague on those who supported the rebellion at Korah (see Numbers 16:46-48). God stopped the plague in the book of Numbers, but the plagues from Revelation will run unchecked. This is the beginning of God’s wrath. Next comes the first of the seven trumpets.

In the following scripture in which we used earlier, Jesus mentions a trumpet blast. The trumpet blast seems to coincide with the trumpet blast from 1 Corinthians 15:52, though not a particular trumpet number is given in either case. Here’s Jesus again:

And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:31)

Notice the trumpet blast happens right before the gathering of the elect. This trumpet blast isn’t mentioned in Revelation 7. Let’s look at this prophecy from Joel:

1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near, 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. (Joel 2:1-2)

This trumpet is not part of the seven trumpets. These scriptures say “a great and powerful people” or “army” spread like blackness or “like the dawn” on the mountains (see Isaiah 13:4).

Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns, The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but after them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them. (Joel 2:3)

Our God comes, he does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest. (Psalm 50:3)

From the trumpet blast in the first verse to the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, there are eight verses of events, and we know that the signs in the sun, moon, and stars are before the appearing and coming of the Lord.

The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. (Joel 2:10)

Here’s Jesus again:

“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 heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (Matthew 24:29)

The elect are gathered after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. There’s a lot is going on before these signs. However, the previous scripture from Matthew 24:29 fits with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12, all except for the trumpet blast which Jesus mentions two verses later in Matthew 24:31. This doesn’t fit with the seventh trumpet from the seventh seal in Revelation 11:15, if indeed Paul is even speaking of the seventh trumpet when he mentions the last trumpet.

In the book of Revelation, there’s a lot happening between the signs in the sun, moon, and stars and the seventh trumpet. In Matthew, there’s only two verses between the signs in the sun and moon and the trumpet blast. Jesus says he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast and gather his elect from the four winds. The angels hold back the four winds in Revelation 7:1 way before the seventh trumpet blows. The trumpet that Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:31 is simply not mentioned in Revelation 7. In verse 3, an angel tells the “four angels” not to damage the land, sea, or trees until the seals are on the foreheads of the servants of God. In Revelation 8:7-8, the land, sea, and trees are being damaged, including grass. This means the servants of God have come out of great tribulation before the first trumpet, which proves we’re not destined for the wrath of God.

Even though the seventh trumpet could possibly be the last trumpet mentioned by Paul, the seventh seal is still open and ongoing, and next comes the third woe in which the devil is thrown down to earth (see Revelation 12:12). Two verses after Paul mentions the last trumpet, he says that “death is swallowed up in victory.” This scripture is from 1 Corinthians 15:54 and is in context of the Resurrection. We can compare this to 1 Corinthians 15:26, in which Paul says that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” We can compare this scripture to Revelation 20:14, in which Death is thrown into the lake of fire. We can compare the following prophecy from Isaiah not only to 1 Corinthians 15:26, 1 Corinthians 15:54, Revelation 20:14, but to Revelation 21:4 as well.

He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 25:8)

The Harvest

and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. (Exodus 24:10)

In Revelation 14:14-16 we have the harvest of those who refused the mark of the beast and stayed faithful to Jesus (see verse 12). In the very next chapter, we see a multitude standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (see Revelation 15:2-3; see Deuteronomy 32 for the song of Moses). These people standing on the sea of glass mingled with fire are the harvested ones who were victorious over the beast by not receiving the mark of its name. They didn’t become a part of the satanic new world order, which is still to come. These people refused to worship the beast and were martyred, many beheaded (see Revelation 20:4). Now they’re standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire. This could represent these people having been tested and refined by fire, that is, having “gone through the fire,” such as in Zechariah 13:9. We can believe this because the first time we read about the sea of glass, it’s “as clear as crystal”:

And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. (Revelation 4:6)

The sea of glass in Revelation 15 is now mingled with fire with people standing on it. Also, they’re singing the Song of Moses from Deuteronomy 32. Some Bible translations say these people are standing beside the sea of glass with fire rather than on it. The Greek word is epi. It can mean on or beside. In the context of this scripture, the proper translation is on. In 1 Corinthians 3:15, the apostle Paul says that those of us who have built with weak building materials will be saved but “as through fire.” The fire Paul is talking about might be the fire within the sea of glass. We’re told in Mark 9:49 that everyone will be salted with fire. This salting could be a little salt or a lot of salt, depending on the choices we make. We’ll be judged according to our works and deeds, and as Paul says, we’ll either suffer loss or receive a reward.

At this point in the story, every human being who will be saved is now with Jesus Christ. The only people still alive on earth are the unrepentant. This is approximately 10-20 percent of the earth’s former population.

I will make men more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. (Isaiah 13:12)

These people will most likely be hiding in tunnels, caves, or bunkers because the earth may be nearly uninhabitable by this point. These are the ones who received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Next comes the seven bowls of God’s fury.

5 I heard the angel of the waters saying, “You are righteous, who are and who were, O Holy One, because you have judged these things. 6 For they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this.” 7 I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.” (Revelation 16:5-7)

In Matthew 24:29, the sun darkening and the moon not giving its light precedes the gathering of the elect in verse 31. In Revelation 6:12-13, the signs in the sun, moon, and stars precede Jesus’s appearing and the seal being placed on the foreheads of the servants of God in chapter 7:1-3. As a side note, in Ezekiel 32:7, the sun darkening means that it’s covered with a cloud.

In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds. (Isaiah 5:30)

It will definitely be a dark day for those not in Christ. The apostle Peter sums up everything when he quotes from Joel:

20 the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. 21 And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:20-21)

Again, this prophecy says “before” the day of the Lord. In Isaiah 24, God speaks about the tribulation on the earth in the last days. There are 22 verses before the moon turns red and the sun is darkened:

Then the moon will blush and the sun be ashamed, For the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, glorious in the sight of the elders. (Isaiah 24:23)

The signs in the sun, moon, and stars are not in the book of Daniel, and the desolating abomination is not in the book of Revelation. The desolating abomination will be set up at half the week, replacing the sacrifice and offering. This occurs after the first three and a half days (years) of the one week (see Daniel 9:27). In Matthew 24, Jesus says, “When you see the desolating abomination standing in the holy place.” What is the holy place? It’s the holy of holies, behind the veil in the third Jewish temple which hasn’t been built yet. When the antichrist, the beast (which could be the image of the beast at this point), enters the temple and says he’s God, there will be a great earthquake, and the wrath of God will begin.

From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the desolating abomination is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)

Who sets up the desolating abomination? The antichrist’s forces set it up:

His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)

In Daniel 11:31, after the desolating abominations is set up, there are thirteen verses of events that happen (see verses 32-45). This includes the invasion of “the glorious land,” which is Israel, by the king of the north, the little horn, the antichrist. As a side note, the king of the north can also remind us of Gog of the land of Magog, because in Daniel 11:43, it says the Libyans and Ethiopians (Cush and Put) are in his (the king of the north) company, and these countries are mentioned in Ezekiel 38. But Gog might not be the beast (antichrist) because in Revelation 19:20, the beast and false prophet are caught and thrown alive into the lake of fire. In 20:9, Gog and Magog are consumed with fire, and the devil who led them astray is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet are already burning.

The desolating abomination will be set up at half the week from Daniel 11:31, after the first three and a half years of the tribulation. This happens before the seven trumpets from Revelation. Let’s read Daniel 12:1, which is after the desolating abomination:

At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. (Daniel 12:1)

This is most likely the same event in Revelation 7:1-3. Michael the archangel in Daniel 12:1 is the same angel in Revelation 7:2 who comes up from the east “holding the seal of the living God.”

Daniel 12:1 happens after the desolating abomination is set up in the holy place (see 11:31) and persecution (11:32-33), and this is at half the week. We know this from Daniel 9:27 and 12:11, and we can put this event at Revelation 6:12, the opening of the sixth seal, the great earthquake (see Ezekiel 38:19), which is the day of the Lord (see Revelation 6:16-17).

Conclusion

The apostle Paul is speaking of the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So when Paul speaks of the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52, is he speaking of the rapture or the resurrection? In the following scripture, Paul is speaking of those in Corinth who were saying there is no resurrection. This scripture gives us a general view of the order of things in the end times:

23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:23-24)

According to these scriptures, the end comes after those who belong to Christ are with Jesus.

At some point after or simultaneously to the desolating abomination being set up in the holy place, or as Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, “Sits in the temple of God and claims he is God,” Christians will be raptured. But however things play out, lets be ready. We don’t know exactly when Jesus Christ will come, but it will be on the day of the Lord. On this day, the day of God, Jesus returns and gathers us, and God’s wrath begins.

For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” (Revelation 6:17)

While there’s still time, let’s make our robes white in the blood of Jesus Christ. Let’s put ourselves in the church in Philadelphia and put our faith, hope, and love in our Lord Jesus Christ. What does Revelation 3:10 say? It says, “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell upon the earth.” Again, the “hour of trial” is God’s wrath that’s coming on the “whole world.” Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia that it’s he who opens, and no one shall shut, and it’s he who closes, and no one shall open, and that he’s left the people in this church an open door that no one can close.

Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)

Let’s keep our faith, hope, and love in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose seven eyes, the seven spirits of God, are sent out into the whole world, where nothing goes unseen (see Revelation 3:10, 4:5, and 5:6).

From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. (Psalms 50:2)