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Rapture Generation |
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Rapture Generation |
| *** Revelations *** |
Revelation chapters in chart above parallels timeframe events in same chronological order. Between the rapture and the return of Christ John groups the chapters into 2 groups. This is because there is tremendous activity in both heaven and earth during this time. In heaven Christ and the saints are the new powers of the air and the raptured saints are carrying out the instructions of the 7 seals Christ is opening. There is also tremendous activity on earth during this same time as Satan and his angels have been cast down. The world revels under the effects of the seals being opened. Revelations records these events first as seen from heaven (chapters 4-11) and then earth's view of same time periods (12-19). Both groups cover the same events in chronological order: rapture; 3 1/2 year Christian tribulation period; the terrible 7 year Day of the Lord (see chart above). Rev 1-3:13 covers the history of the church age in prophetic type as told John by Jesus. The first six(6) churches cover from the end of the book of Acts to rise of antichrist. This is why they are not seen in chart above. The seventh(7th) church is a type of what the church will be like in the reign of antichrist to the rapture (see 7 churches or chart below).
| (Mk 16:15-20) Great Commission and 7 Prophetic churches (Rev 1-3) |
A.D 100
300
600
1500
1900
200? Antichrist |
| Commission: Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea |
Revelations
1-3:13 covers the Church age from end of Acts to rise
of Antichrist (Ephesus to
Philadelphia)
| 7
Golden Candlesticks The number 7) when used as a divine number always mean completeness ). 7 Candlesticks is to be understood as part of one lampstand. Here is an excellent commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, Brown seven . . . candlesticks--"lamp-stands" [KELLY]. The
stand holding the lamp. In Exodus
25:31,32, the seven are united in ONE candlestick or lamp-stand, that is, six arms and
a central shaft; so Zechariah
4:2,11. Here the seven are separate candlesticks, typifying, as that one, the entire
Church, but now no longer as the Jewish Church (represented by the one sevenfold
candlestick) restricted to one outward unity and one place; the several churches are
mutually independent as to external ceremonies and government (provided all things are
done to edification, and schisms or needless separations are avoided), yet one in the
unity of the Spirit and the Headship of Christ. The candlestick is not light, but the
bearer of light, holding it forth to give light around. The light is the Lord's, not the
Church's; from Him she receives it. She is to be a light-bearer to His glory. The
candlestick stood in the holy place, the type of the Church on earth, as the holiest place
was type of the Church in heaven. The holy place's only light was derived from the
candlestick, daylight being excluded; so the Lord God is the Church's only light; hers is
the light of grace, not nature. "Golden" symbolizes at once the greatest
preciousness and sacredness; so that in the Zend Avesta, "golden" is synonymous
with heavenly or divine [TRENCH]. |
Rev
1:12-20 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. 7 Stars John was to write to the seven angels of the 7 churches. The word angel means 'messenger' and is used here to represent the office the pastors of these churches are to perform. Tell the people the message John wrote to them from Christ their great High Priest. Stars are used in the sense of being a light and witness for Christ in an age when the prince of darkness rules over the nations and the children of men. Keys of Hell and of Death The place of departed spirits either waiting for resurrection or for judgment. Jesus who descended into hell (Eph 4:9 Acts 2:31) and defeated Satan on his own ground and has taken authority over all things in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18 including death and hell. |
As said earlier, Revelations
continues where the Book of Acts left off (Acts has no amen to it for the church age is still ongoing). Acts is the known history of the first 40 years
of the church age while the 7 churches of Rev 1-3 are prophetic of the
remaining history of the church age (see
chart above and select any church for prophetic interpretation). The 7 churches in Asia John was to write were real physical
churches. Their pastors were called angels because the word 'angel' means
'messenger' and these pastors were to act in the office an angel in
delivering to the people that which Jesus revealed to John. John saw the resurrected
Christ in His current High Priestly Office walking among the churches. In Rev 1 :19 John was told to write the things he had seen (write the book of Revelations); write the things which are (the church age which was already taken place); and the future - events after the rapture (3 1/2 year Christian tribulation
period, Day of the Lord etc. - see chart
above)
Antichrist to rapture |
This time period under antichrist and leading up to the rapture is typified in the last of the 7 prophetic churches in Rev 3:14-20 called the Laodicea church. |
Scoffers in the last days saying 'Where is the promise of His coming' and willfully denying past judgements of God such as fall of Lucifer's kingdom (Gen 1:2) and Noah's worldwide flood and the coming worldwide judgments -'The Day of the Lord'. | ||
| Perilous times in the last days in which men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, having a form of godliness but lacking the real power thereof. | |||
| The time will come when the Word of God will be changed by men walking after their lusts and turn the Word of God from truth into fables. |
| 14 And
unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. |
During the pre-rapture reign of antichrist (time frame 1,2 and 3) there will be a great falling away because of the satanic deception and popularity of antichrist. He will deny the Father and Son relationship and replace God with a 'God of forces' (see Daniel 11:36 ) . He will promote the worship of a new and strange god that he will honor with silver and gold but who in reality is Satan himself. To this church Jesus introduces Himself as the faithful and true witness of God as opposed to antichrist - the liar and false witness. Jesus also introduces Himself as the beginning of the creation of God for He himself created all things in the beginning. This is in contrast to the lie of Satan through antichrist that creation evolved into what it is today. To this church he says their works are neither hot or cold but lukewarm and this church is spewed out of his mouth. This is what happens to this church at the rapture. Unlike the Philadelphia church which is kept from the trial that is coming upon the whole world by being raptured, this church is left behind (Rev 12). Jesus is seen standing outside the church because this church is too busy being caught up in prosperity, programs, and listening to preaching that makes them feel good but does not bring true repentance and salvation. Jesus has not given up on this church and is standing outside and knocking on the door. He is trying to reach the hearts of individuals to come out and sup and fellowship with Him who alone can give eternal life and deliver them from the time of trouble to come. Jesus sees their true spiritual condition as blind, poor, and naked and tells them to buy gold from Him. Gold symbolizes being partakers of God's divine nature which makes us joint heirs with Christ and truly rich. The gold of this world will do no good to anyone in the day of trouble for it will be worthless. Jesus prays that they allow the Holy Spirit to anoint their eyes and open them to the truth of their condition and deception. |
The open door promised to the Philadelphia church to deliver them from the trial that is coming upon the whole world is now open to them in Rev 4. The open door is without a doubt the rapture - the catching up of the saints to immortality to meet Christ in the air before the 3 1/2 year Christian tribulation period and the terrible 7 year Day of the Lord. Heavens view (Rev 4, 5) and earth's view (Rev 12)
Rev 4 Rev 4 - The Rapture |
Rev 4:1-11 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightning's and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 24 Elders After the rapture the Christians are gathered into different groups to rule and serve with Christ. One group is the 24 elders clothed in white raiment which is the righteousness of the saints (Rev 3:4). The crowns are those promised to them in (2 Tim 4:8, 1 Cor 9:25). The number 24 is a combination of 12 + 12. At the rapture both Old Testament saints and New Testament saints will be there around the throne. The 12 tribes of Israel symbolized the divine government of the O.T. while the 12 Apostle the new. 24 Elders symbolizes then the church now in heaven after the rapture. The 24 elders are sitting and we read in Eph 2:6 that Christ as raised up the church to sit with Him in heavenly places, The 4 Living ones differ from the 24 elders in that they lead in worship and praise. The number 4 means they also do activity that connects with the earth (see Rev 6 where Christ, 4 Living Ones, and the 4 Horsemen working together greatly affecting what goes on in the earth). The 4 living ones show the 4 natures of Christ that are taught in the 4 gospels. The Lion - Kingly nature; The Ox - the servant nature; Man - earthly nature; Eagle - heavenly nature. At the rapture we shall be changed and the Bible says when we see Christ we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2, Phil 3:21). The 4 Living Ones have 6 wings full of eyes front and behind. 6 is the number of man and wings denotes how quick they can travel. As resurrected Christians we can travel in the air, in space or be somewhere at the speed of thought. Jesus demonstrated these truths after His resurrection and then ascended slowly and visibly back up to heaven. |
| John is a picture of what happens to the believer at the rapture. Notice
he hears the voice as of a trumpet and immediately is caught up to God's throne. Compare
this with 1 Thess 4:16 (click on rapture image above for more detail).
Notice also John sees an open door. This is the same open door (the rapture) which Jesus
said to the Philadelphia church (Rev 3:8) that
He would open to escape the trial that is coming upon the whole world (Christian tribulation and Day of the Lord - see chart above). |
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| j4 Beasts (correctly called 'Living Ones) are Christians Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. The eyes all over the wings are the 7 spirits of God which is the working of the Holy Spirit broken down into His 7 offices that are listed in Isa 11:1, 2 that were upon Christ. Isa 11:1, 2 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; See also the description of Christ having 7 eyes in Rev 5:6 |
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Rev 5 |
Rev 5:1-13 1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 24 elders and 4 living ones tell Christ is worthy to take the book for He was slain and that Christ has redeemed them (vs 9) from every nation, tongue, tribe and kindred. It is clear that the 24 elders and the 4 living ones are raptured Christians before the throne. It is also clear that the number 24 or 4 are used symbolically for the raptured church here is makeup of Christians from every nation, tongue, tribe and kindred. When Christ visibly returns to earth they will rule with Him as kings and priests (vs 10). Notice all the angels in heaven and nature rejoices in this event. |
| The Father (Ancient of Days - see Daniel 7) sits on the throne holding a 7 sealed book which only Christ could open. God is the landlord who owns the earth and sea. Adam and Eve were the original tenants having dominion over all the earth. When they sinned Satan and his angels claimed dominion over them because in the hierarchy of creation fallen angels rank higher than fallen man. However, Jesus being our kinsman redeemer who knew no sin pay the price of redemption to buy back the earth and now after the rapture is ready to rightly take the book shown the legal basis for evicting Satan and angels. A similar process can be found in (Jer 32:6-15). | |
| Christ - The lamb standing as it had been slain having 7 horns and 7 eyes
takes the book - the title deed to the earth and sea. The
slain Lamb standing speaks of Christ's death and now being resurrected. 7 horns is John's
way of saying Christ has complete (7) power (horn). Horn means power or strength
depending on the context. For eg Daniel 7 the 10 horns are political powers or nations.
Hannah in thanking the Lord said her horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord. The priests
put blood on the horns of the alter (power in the blood). John saw Jesus having all power
and authority (7 horns also see Matt 28:18). Again the 7 eyes are the 7 spirits of
God which Christ has in fullness. They are listed in Isa
11:1, 2 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; |
|
Rev 12 |
Daniel 7:9,
10 shows clearly as Rev 12 also does that after the rise of antichrist and his empire (Daniel 7:8) he sums up the events of Rev 4, 5 and Rev 12 in two verse (the
rapture, the casting down of Satan and his angels, the redeemed saints
standing before God; the judgements (seals) set and the books opened (7 sealed book as
well as the book of life). Daniel 7:9-10 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. |
Rev 6 ; Rev 12;
Rev 13; Rev 14
Tribulation period
|
 On earth Beast; his mark; False prophet; 3 1/2 yr Christian tribulation |
In Heaven Christ opens 6 seals; the raptured saints and nature
help the tribulation church |
Rev 7 and Rev 14
144,000
sealed, Martyrs raised,
First resurrection complete, Church age ends
|
| Tribulation Martyrs Raised |
| First Resurrection Completed |
Rev 8-11 and Rev
15-19
Day of the
Lord/Daniel's 70th week
| Each trumpet brings some action from heaven | Land hail, fire mingled with blood falling on the earth |
Sea like a great mountain cast into the sea |
Rivers great star burning like an oil lamp hits the earth |
Sun/ |
Beast |
Euphrates |
Air |
| Saints sound the 7 trumpets Trumpets and vials same judgements. Trumpets is heaven's activity and it's results while the vials add more of earth's view to the trumpet judgements |
1st
Trumpet Rev 8:7 1/3d part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up . |
2nd Trumpet Rev 8:8,9 1/3 sea became blood;1/3 creatures died; 1/3 ships were destroyed. |
3rd Trumpet Rev 8:10 1/3 part of rivers, fountains of waters became as wormwood; and many men died of the bitter waters |
4th
Trumpet Rev 8:11 1/3 sun, moon,stars were smitten not to shine. the day shone not for 1/3 third part of it, and the night likewise. |
5th Trumpet Rev 9:1-11 Demonic locusts from the bottomless pit sting men for 5 months and they will seek death but they will not die |
6th
Trumpet Rev 9:14-21 200.000.000 fallen angels from under Euphrates river kill 1/3 of men by fire smoke, and brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. |
7th
Trumpet Rev 11:15-18 Great announcements in heaven the time has come to return to earth and destroy the beast and his armies and establish the Kingdom of God on earth |
| 7 Vial Judgments on earth does not see the action in heaven but experiences the trumpet judgements like vials being poured out over the earth |
1st Bowl Rev 16:2 there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. |
2nd Bowl Rev 16:3 sea became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. |
3rd Bowl Rev16:4 rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. |
4th Bowl Rev 16:8,9 sun scorched men with great heat and blasphemed God, which hath power over these plagues: they repented not to give him glory |
5th Bowl Rev 16:10,11 seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; they gnawed their tongues for pain and cursed God for their sores and repented not. |
6th Bowl Rev 16:12-14 great river Euphrates dried up for kings of the east and devils working miracles getting the kings of the earth to fight Armageddon |
7th Bowl Rev 16:17-21 greatest earthquake man has known., Jerusalem divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon hit the hardest. Earth becomes upright with water canopy restored. |
Daniel's 70th week
The Two Witnesses of Rev 11
Rev 20-22
Millenium to eternity
| Heaven | |
| Earth | Rev 20-22 |
| Gog and Magog | Fall of Babylon/Tyre |
|
Antichrist empire destroyed |
Satan bound 1000 years |
| Millenial Kingdom | |
| Earth upright with water canopy restored | |
| Perfected Kingdom expands forever | |
Eternal Kingdom |
| Rev 21:1 And I
saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed
away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God |
Click for more detail |
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are
the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. |
| The perfected Kingdom of God has two types of people: heavenly immortal saints and the earthly immortal saints. The heavenly immortal saints are the raptured and resurrected saints who from the first resurrection have received immortal bodies like Christ now has and which are far superior to earthly bodies. The immortal saints are a fixed number and do not marry or procreate. They are the bride of Christ and rule as King and Queen of the Universe. They are not limited by space, time, matter in their travel to and fro throughout the universe to do the King's business or enjoy their leisure. Their homes are in the New Jerusalem above the earth from where they rule as kings and priests with Christ governing over an ever increasing Kingdom. As the Kingdom grows so do their dominion and rulership. The Father and the angels live their also. The second type of immortals are the saved nations at the end of the Millenium. Their reward for their faithfulness is having death taken away from them and to eat of the tree of life to stay eternally young, immortal , and have divine health. They multiply and have children forever populating the Kingdom of God as it increases forever outward taking dominion over the stars, planets, galaxies that God created for us from the beginning of creation and that Adam and Eve had failed in. They originally were told to be fruitful and multiply before the fall. Now, God has an immortal earthly people worthy to fulfill that original purpose and an immortal heavenly people to rule over the Kingdom of God and be the queen and bride of His son - the Lord Jesus Christ: King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever. AMEN. | ||
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