THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK
and a different pre-trib rapture view
To the Church,
the Body of Christ, of which I am most grateful to be a part.
THE OLIVET DISCOURSE AND REVELATION CHRONOLOGY
What has been put forth in this website concerning the chronological order of The Revelation is supported by a corresponding order in which Jesus gave His Olivet Discourse. While anyone would have to acknowledge that such a corresponding order would be of immense interpretative help, the existence of such an order should not be surprising. However, I know of no one in print or the web world who has shown this order or ventured to diagram it. To be sure, it is not "in our face" apparent, but I hope that what I will here try to show will help the reader to see it.
Because of the length of this page and the many diagrams, I would first encourage giving the page a full scan, paying particular attention to my development of the diagrams. Note that what I develop is a MATTHEW 24 and REVELATION 6-19 diagram, shown complete and together near the end. Pay especially close attention to the diagram symmetry that is possible between these two remarkable but differing prophecies of the same last days.
For openers, and as I have diagramed differently elsewhere (PROPOSITION K and APPENDIX #6), Jesus' Olivet Discourse can rightly be divided into three sections. It will serve us here to begin with a consideration of the first two sections and how these are in an exact chronological order with what has been revealed to us in The Revelation.
To help make this order more observable, I would first like to call attention to the timeline below of the MATTHEW 24 account of Jesus' discourse and "the end" that He speaks of in verse 14. He speaks of this at the close of what I show as SECTION ONE. What is "the end" that Jesus is here speaking of? Consider if we were discussing the world of Noah's day and what the end would have been then. The end then would represent the day that everything went from the "normal" of that time to the flood beginning. This marked the day that God's judgment upon the world of that time began. Likewise, "the end" Jesus is speaking of has to do with that day in the future when everything will go from the "normal" of our time to God's last days' judgment beginning.
​
​
Of equal relevance as "the end" is the world conditions that will precede it. Again, thinking of Noah's day, the conditions that preceded God's judgment then was that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth" and "the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). Further, the earth was "corrupt before God" and "filled with violence" (Gen. 6:11). By what Jesus said later in His discourse (24:37-38), we know that these conditions had become the backdrop for the normal day to day of that time. Something that is apparent is that all of this also bespeaks the normal day to day of our present time. The following that Jesus said in verse 12 has become a saddening reality in our generation, right before our very eyes: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Are we not there? Let me ask this with a qualifier: Are we not there, even in this Church Age of which we are a part? The things Jesus spoke of in the verses preceding this have increasingly characterized the Church Age (from a historical and worldwide perspective) from the era of its beginning even until now. For these reasons and more, it is without any hesitation that I label as CHURCH AGE what corresponds to verses 4-14, as now shown on the timeline below.
​
Next, in what I show as SECTION TWO, Jesus speaks of the time of DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK (vss. 15-25) and of His SECOND ADVENT (vss. 26-28), which will be the capstone of that seven year period. Note that on the timeline shown below, I have labeled what pertains to this second section accordingly. Whether there is agreement on my take on the things Jesus spoke of in verses 4-14, it seems that all are in agreement that what He spoke of in verses 15-28 will come after those things, at least sometime after.
​
​
Continuing, have you paid any attention to that area in the middle of the above timelines where I am showing that space with the dashed line? What is this about? Consider: If what we find revealed to us in The Revelation supports that there will be an element of time and other things to happen between the ending of the Church Age and the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week, would this make for a legitimate reason to show it? Believing that most would agree that it would, let's look then at what we find in The Revelation.
Following, I show a REVELATION 6-19 timeline, not yet fully labeled. The reason for my focus on chapters 6-19 is because what is prophesied in these chapters corresponds with the pattern in which Jesus gave His discourse. Let's begin with a look at that pattern, and then we'll go from there.
Many (myself included) have long pointed out the parallels between what Jesus spoke of in the opening of His discourse and the first seals, spoken of in Revelation 6:1-11. As can be seen below, I have labeled this paralleling reference in keeping with how I labeled the first section of the MATTHEW 24 timeline above. While I am aware that labeling this as CHURCH AGE is a huge departure from what scholarship has commonly put forth, this is not out of harmony with Scripture and what history testifies to. It's just out of harmony with "what scholarship has commonly put forth."
​
​
Note now the last sections on both the MATTHEW 24 and the REVELATION 6-19 timelines above that I have labeled as DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK and especially the respective Scripture references. More specifically, compare the opening verse of each reference for an important clue that will become a key to our understanding. The opening verse of this section from the Matthew timeline (vss. 15-28) is this:
​
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
​
The opening verse from the Revelation timeline (11:1-19:21) is this:
​
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
​
What is that clue I spoke of relating to these two verses? Admittedly, it may be difficult to see at first as, evidently, no one in the world of theological academics has ever noticed. But, let's see if what Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2 can be of a help here:
​
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is WORSHIPPED; so that he AS GOD sitteth in THE TEMPLE OF GOD, shewing himself THAT HE IS GOD.
While it is not difficult to see the correlation of the Matthew 24:15 verse with what Paul wrote, how does the Revelation 11:1 verse fit? Concerning this, let me ask another question, borrowing from Paul's use of the words "worshipped" and "the temple of God": Just who is it that is being "worshipped" in "the temple of God" in Revelation 11:1? I submit that it isn't God, but "the beast" spoken of by the different names we see above and mentioned explicitly in 11:7, just six verses later. This is the Antichrist. By this clue, we can see that the above prophetic puzzle pieces all fit together. Not only this, they also fit with an important piece from Daniel's Seventy Weeks' prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27). The piece I'm referring to is this one:
​
27 And he (the Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years): and in the midst of the week (after 3-1/2 years) he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
In further support of the puzzle piece connections I am here making, especially with the much overlooked Revelation 11:1 piece, is this: The first numerical evidences to be found in all of the New Testament for the seven year period of Daniel's 70th Week are seen in the two 3-1/2 year periods of this time shown in the next two verses, Revelation 11:2-3. Moreover, in the chapter just preceding this, the focus is upon "a little book open" (10:2), which we can rightly interpret as being the little book of Daniel (cp. Dan. 12:4, 8-10). Talk about prophetic puzzle pieces coming together, we have that here!
Before continuing, note also my locating of the phrase SECOND ADVENT on the REVELATION 6-19 timeline above, corresponding to where I have shown this on the MATTHEW 24 timeline. As pointed out earlier, Christ's Second Advent is the capstone of the seven year period of Daniel's 70th Week.
I believe this would be a good place to consider the completed form of my REVELATION 6-19 timeline below. Note my placement of the SIXTH SEAL APPEARANCE and the beginning of THE DAY OF THE LORD at the end point of the CHURCH AGE. By "SIXTH SEAL APPEARANCE" I am referring to the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" (Matt. 24:30/Rev. 6:15-16) that those left behind will see at this time. Recall that this point corresponds to the time that "the end" will begin on the MATTHEW 24 timelines we looked at above. Most importantly, when we connect the prophetic puzzle pieces, we find that this also marks the day that the rapture of the Church will occur (e.g., Matt. 24:31/Rev. 7:9-17), relative to everything else.
Lastly, note the addition of the other three chapters of the Revelation account (8:1-10:11), shown beneath what I have now labeled as STAGE RESET. This central area on the Revelation timeline concerns everything from the opening of the 7th Seal through part of the 6th Trumpet period. Of special interest is how this part of The Revelation relates to the corresponding area I have shown on my previous MATTHEW 24 timelines. But, more on this a little further below.
​
This brings us to the more developed MATTHEW 24 timeline which follows, now showing some of the understandings made possible by what we discover in The Revelation. Please compare the above and below charts closely. By The Revelation, we can see that what happens with the opening of the 6th Seal will be in fulfillment of what Jesus spoke of in 24:29-30, which revolved around some celestial phenomena that would occur and the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" that would take place at that time. This event will set in motion "the end" that He spoke of in verse 14. Everything Jesus spoke of from verse 29 through to the end of the chapter (vss. 29-51) relates in some way to the day of this event. This is that third section of Jesus' Olivet Discourse that I alluded to in the third paragraph of this page. Notice that I have located the reference to this section (vss. 29-51) above the phrase SIGN APPEARANCE on the chart. This is to show that all of these verses connect with this event. Further, the interlocking of all the prophetic puzzle pieces makes possible the placement of the beginning of THE DAY OF THE LORD as shown, making for chronologically matching MATTHEW 24 and REVELATION 6-19 charts.
​
Turning our attention now back to that space (with the dashes) that I have been showing on the MATTHEW 24 timelines, as can be seen above, the beginning of this space connects with the end of the CHURCH AGE and the event of Christ's SIGN APPEARANCE. This, in turn, corresponds to the event of His SIXTH SEAL APPEARANCE, shown on the REVELATION 6-19 timeline. Remember, these events are one and the same. As to the ending of the space, it connects with the beginning of DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK, which is common to both timelines. So again, what is this space about, or what goes here? It has to do with that corresponding area that I have labeled as STAGE RESET on the REVELATION 6-19 chart. Now, pay close attention...
The reason for this area on the REVELATION 6-19 chart is because of those three chapters (8:1-10:11) that are devoted to what will happen during this time---things that Jesus did not mention in His discourse. What is revealed in these chapters pertains to the interval between the beginning of the Day of the Lord and the commencing of Daniel's 70th Week. I submit that what transpires during this five month period (Rev. 9:5, 10), which may last longer (Rev. 9:15), concerns preparations for the fulfilling of Daniel's 70th Week. Very important to remain mindful of is that what will happen during this time will precede Daniel's 70th Week. There are intriguing evidences that what will happen during this time will bring the focus to bear upon Israel and the lands of the Bible days, once again, for the fulfilling of this seven year period. It is this possibility that lends to the "stage reset" phrase I like to use.
For example, ponder this: Others (again, myself included) have pointed out that because the Church was not a part of the fulfilling of the first 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy, it should not surprise us that it also will not be a part of the 70th Week. But there is more. While I have spoken of this elsewhere, it bears repeating that what is in our Western Hemisphere was also not a part of the fulfilling of those first 69 weeks, and there is both scriptural and geographical support that it too will not be a part of the 70th Week. Where do I get this? Partly because of the possibility that the "third part" being spoken of in Revelation chapter eight relates to what is in our Western Hemisphere.
In contemplation of what I am here drawing attention to, it has never ceased to engage my thinking that what is on our side of the earth represents one-third of the earth to within less than one percentage point (PROPOSITION 4). Along with everything else that is prophesied, for our side of the earth to again be "out of the picture" would certainly be like a world stage reset, all for the purpose of bringing the focus to bear once again upon Israel and the lands of the Bible days for the fulfilling of Daniel's 70th Week. But, enough of that here. I focus on this at length beginning with PROPOSITION 2. In my mind, it's hardly odd that Jesus didn't speak of this in His relatively concise Olivet Discourse, as no one on that side of the earth had a concept of anything on our side of the earth and wouldn't have for well over a thousand more years!
​ On my part, I feel quite comfortable in stating that what I have put forth on this page and shown on the MATTHEW 24 timeline could not be known apart from what has been revealed to us in The Revelation. But, we have The Revelation. Suddenly, I'm thinking that I may have needed to say it this way:
BUT, WE HAVE THE REVELATION!!!
​
It should not seem odd to us that The Revelation would reveal some things about the last days that Jesus did not go into in His Olivet Discourse. Rather, we could rightly expect this possibility. I hope I have succeeded in convincing the reader that what we find in Revelation 8:1-10:11 will take place in the area I have shown as a space on the MATTHEW 24 timeline (now shown complete below). Said another way, I hope that I have successfully shown how these prophetic puzzle pieces come together and interlock. For me, what this does for our understanding of the chronology of both The Olivet Discourse and The Revelation is on the order of immeasurable. Following, I have brought my completed charts of these together so that they can be more easily compared.
​
​
A great truth reinforced by all of the above is this: Just as Noah and his family were safe aboard the ark before the time of the end came in their day, so will it be for the Church in the coming time of "the end" (Matt. 24:14). Only, before that end, we will be gathered by the angels into the ark God has prepared for us in Heaven (vss. 31, 40-44). This will happen at the time of the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" (Matt. 24:30).
My mind here goes to that question Jesus' disciples had asked Him, after which He began His discourse. They had asked, "and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt. 24:3). Really, they were the same as asking Him, "and what shall be the sign of Thy second coming, and of the end of the world?" According to Jesus, "the sign" they were asking Him of in verse three will be the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" that He declared to them of in verse 30. This will mark the beginning of "the end" and will take place at the opening of the 6th Seal---which can happen today! According to Jesus' words in Matthew 24...
​
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations (fulfilled); and then shall THE END COME.
​
According to The Revelation and what John recorded in chapter six, this is what that day will be like for those left behind...
​
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb (their cry from seeing the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" Matt. 24:30):
17 For THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH IS COME; and who shall be able to stand?
Finally, by the evidences we find in Scripture, we can reason that the appearance of "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" will be on the order of a glimpse (e.g., Matt. 24:40-43, I Cor. 15:51-52). Further, this will precede His Second Coming or Advent by least "five months" (again, something Jesus did not go into) AND the seven years of Daniel's 70th Week. It's all right there for us, when Jesus' Olivet Discourse and The Revelation are truly considered together.
​
NOTES:
-
The reason for my sole use of Matthew's account of Jesus' discourse to show what I have shown above is for simplicity and because of certain specifics that we find only in his account. However, what we find in Mark and Luke's accounts is supportive of this as well. This can be seen in my PROPOSITION K, where my focus is upon Jesus' whole discourse and involves each of the accounts.
-
In Matthew 24:15 we find the words, "(whoso readeth, let him understand:)" in parentheses, as shown. Mark's account reads very similarly (13:14). Interestingly, while some red letter editions of the Bible show these words in red, some do not. Evidently, scholarship is divided on the question. My position would be that Jesus indeed spoke these words. But, whether so, they should be equally taken to be inspired. I have come to see them as being like a stamp of Divinity that confirms what I have tried to show concerning Revelation 11:1 and 10:2, especially as to the timing. Said another way, the book of Daniel will be unsealed (Dan. 12:4, 8-10) at the time the Antichrist rises to power and will be made more understandable for those left behind who turn to Christ at that time. When comparing the given references, give particular attention to "the end" in the Daniel reference (12:4, 8-10) and what Jesus said of "the end" in Matthew 24:14---right before verse fifteen! These, along with the other grouping of references that have been shown (Dan. 9:27, II Thess. 2:3-4, and Rev. 11:1-3), represent some very important prophetic points of convergence.​
​