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The day of Christ's Sign Return will be accompanied by signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars... The Sign Appearance of Christ will be accompanied by signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION U Let's look again at the three verse paragraph from Jesus' Olivet Discourse where He speaks of the appearance of "THE SIGN of the Son of man in heaven" (Matt. 24:30). I will continue to refer to this as our focal passage. It will be like the hub of a wheel assembly, and all the scriptures that fasten to it will be like the spokes. Our goal, of course, will be to understand correctly, so that the wheel won't wobble! From Matthew's account, in chapter 24, our focal passage reads as follows (and note the BOLD ): 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall THE SUN be darkened, and THE MOON shall not give her light, and THE STARS shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Of the things Jesus says in this paragraph, something we should all be able to agree upon is this: He is speaking of a return or appearance that He will make that is inseparably linked to phenomena occurring with the sun, the moon, and the stars. For those (as I) who believe that Christ will return for the Church at least seven years prior to His Second Advent, a correct understanding must be arrived at concerning which of these two events He is here speaking of. To get started, this is the first place in the New Testament where we read of an event that is accompanied by such phenomena. The last place is in The Revelation, where we again read of such an event. This is in chapter six, in John's account of the 6th Seal. It reads as follows (and again, note the BOLD ): 12 And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal , and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and THE SUN became black as sackcloth of hair, and THE MOON became as blood; 13 And THE STARS of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, AND HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM THAT SITTETH ON THE THRONE, AND FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB: 17 For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? If we compare what Jesus spoke of in our focal passage with that of which John wrote, this is what we find: They both refer to things that simultaneously happen relating to the sun, the moon, and the stars—and again, there is that sequential order. Jesus spoke of a time when THE SUN would be "darkened," and John wrote, "THE SUN became black as sackcloth made of hair." Jesus spoke of a time when THE MOON would not "give her light," and John wrote, "THE MOON became as blood." Jesus spoke of a time when THE STARS would "fall from heaven," and John wrote, "THE STARS of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs." Furthermore, Jesus spoke of a time when "the powers of THE HEAVENS shall be shaken," and John wrote, "THE HEAVEN departed as a scroll when it is rolled together." Does it not sound like that what Jesus said would happen is here being fulfilled by what John describes as happening? Most importantly, coupled with these things, Jesus said that the appearance of "THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN " would occur at the time of these phenomena, which is consistent with this that John wrote concerning the people's reaction: "AND HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM THAT SITTETH ON THE THRONE , AND FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB. " The sequential order of these two accounts is like A,B,C,D,E—A,B,C,D,E. Reinforcing the relationship of all the foregoing, Mark and Luke's corresponding accounts of our focal passage also fit with what John described. Something quite noteworthy is this: Whereas Luke does not record anything concerning Jesus' sending of His angels to "gather together His elect," he does record some things Jesus said relating to those not gathered, or those left behind. Notice what I have underlined from Luke 21 (and once again, note the BOLD ): 25 And there shall be signs in THE SUN, and in THE MOON, and in THE STARS; and upon the earth distress of nations , with perplexity ; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear , and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth : for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see THE SON OF MAN coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Does this not sound like a paraphrase of John's account of the 6th Seal and mankind's reaction at that time? I hope you will closely review these accounts and compare. Again, it is evident that something will happen relating to the sun, the moon, and the stars that will accompany some return or appearance of Christ. This particular event is spoken of in our focal passage, in Mark and Luke's corresponding accounts of this passage, and in John's account of the 6th Seal. In our focal passage, Jesus says of this event, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." Because of Jesus' words here, we can safely (and rightly) identify His appearance in each of the other parallel passages as also being "the sign of the Son of man in heaven." But, does this necessarily mean that this is the time of the rapture and a different event than His Second Advent? Consider the following further evidences that it does, still relating to the above passages: FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #1 In verse 30 of our focal passage, Jesus says, "and they shall see the Son of man coming... " But, rather than this being for the Battle of Armageddon and His Millennial Reign, as His Second Advent will be, He qualifies this coming thus: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven," at which time "He shall send His angels" to "GATHER TOGETHER His elect " (vs. 31). This certainly rings of the rapture! Recall how Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians chapter two harmonize with what Jesus said: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (for the rapture) , and by our GATHERING TOGETHER unto Him (during the rapture) , That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the Day of Christ (His Second Advent) is at hand" (vss. 1-2). Paul is here clarifying for them that Christ's Second Advent was not "at hand" (or about to happen) as some were saying. The same would be true if such were being said today. Before Christ's Second Advent, the event of our being gathered together unto Him will take place. This was the basis for Paul telling the Thessalonians to not be "soon shaken in mind" or "troubled" over what they might hear. His words of reassurance to them should reassure us as well. From a different angle, because of Jesus' words in our focal passage and the context of Paul's words, we can understand that Paul's reference to "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "our gathering together unto Him" (2 Thess. 2:1) would have to relate to the sign appearance that He will make. The "Day of Christ" (vs. 2) or His Second Advent will not take place until after this, after the Antichrist is revealed (vss. 3-4), and after Daniel's 70th Week is fulfilled. What Paul says as he continues also reinforces this. When the Church is gathered out of this world, the work of Christ's Holy Spirit through the Church will be "taken out of the way" (vss. 6-7). He continues, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (His Second Advent) " (vs. 8). When Paul's words are read with the above understandings, the precise meaning of what he was inspired to write becomes more clear. Note also the kinship between the gathering together of the elect and what John beheld just after his account of the 6th Seal. Right after his account of this seal—just before the opening of the 7th Seal—there is an interlude (all of chapter seven) where he writes of 144,000 Jews that are sealed (Rev. 7:1-8) and of a great multitude assembled in Heaven (Rev. 7:9-17). Could this great multitude be the gathered elect or the Church? If the rapture occurs after the opening of the 6th Seal, there's not a much better place to find evidence of the Church being now in Heaven than right here! FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #2 Closely akin to the preceding, in verse 31 of our focal passage, Jesus says His sending of the angels to "gather together His elect" will occur in conjunction with "a great sound of a trumpet. " This also harmonizes with what Paul said would happen at the time of the rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 he writes, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds , to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord." And again, in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, he speaks similarly: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." But there is something more. Notice that Paul refers to the trumpet of which he speaks as "the LAST trump," and it is clear that this trumpet will be sounded at the rapture. However, according to the common pre-trib view, if what Jesus declares in our focal passage is of His Second Advent, this would mean that the trumpet of which He speaks would have to be the last trumpet, for its sounding would be happening at least seven years after the rapture trumpet, making for another "last" trumpet. Something here is not quite adding up. Which trumpet is the last trumpet? Well, scripturally, a case can be made that there will be two last trumpet soundings. Based in part upon Numbers 10:1-10, there could be a last trumpet calling an assembly and a last trumpet sounding an alarm. This reminds me of something that will happen in the military one day, when there will be the last playing of reveille and also the last playing of taps. However, even with such a possibility, there remains a serious problem for the common pre-trib position. If said position is so, for the trumpet Jesus spoke about in our focal passage to be sounded at His Second Advent would require that there be even another last trumpet, making for three last trumpets. Let's count them: LAST TRUMPET #1---This would be the trumpet that Paul referred to as the "last trump." There is agreement that this trumpet relates to the resurrection and the rapture, and for those of us who are of some pre-trib persuasion, the event that will precede the time of Christ's Second Advent by at least seven years. We could appropriately refer to this as the last trumpet calling an assembly! LAST TRUMPET #2---This would be the 7th Trumpet, spoken of in Revelation 11:15. This is the last in a series of seven trumpet soundings and the last trumpet mentioned in the Bible. But, this trumpet is not sounded at either event of Christ's return. Rather, it is sounded to herald the period of which verses 15-19 are an overview, which period is expounded in chapters 12-20. A cursory reading of verses 15-19 will show that this could appropriately be referred to as the last trumpet sounding an alarm. LAST TRUMPET #3---This would be the trumpet of our focal passage, IF our focal passage concerns Christ's Second Advent. Yet, there is no evidence in The Revelation and its unquestioned account of His Second Advent for the sounding of a trumpet at this time. Neither is there any clear evidence in all of Scripture for the sounding of a trumpet at this time. The only evidence for a trumpet being sounded at the time of Christ's Second Advent happens to be in our focal passage, IF it is INTERPRETED to be of His Second Advent. Hopefully it is being realized (more and more) that this must be a mis interpretation. As we are seeing, there are solid reasons to believe that what Jesus spoke about in our focal passage concerns a sign appearance that He will make during an event that is different from His Second Advent. Understood this way, there is perfect harmony between the trumpet Jesus speaks of at this time (Matt. 24:31) and the trumpet Paul referred to as "the last trump," which we all know will be sounded when the Church is "caught up" and gathered by the angels at the rapture. FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #3 Back to our focal passage, according to Jesus' words in verse 30, the return He is here speaking of will be seen or witnessed. However, the coming of Christ for the Church is commonly believed to be a secret or invisible coming. Now, before I lose you (if you are pre-trib), I believe very similarly as far as what the experience will be for those left behind on our side of the earth, in our hemisphere. But, because of the evidences in Scripture, it appears that at Christ's Sign Appearance, things are going to be a little different on the other side of the earth, in Israel's hemisphere. We will be looking at this much further, later, but for now, according to Jesus, His return at this time will be seen or witnessed—at least by some. Whether this is a rapture passage or not, we all know that when Jesus returns for His Bride, He will be seen by Her! However, Jesus here says that "ALL the tribes of the earth" shall mourn, "and they shall see the Son..." This rings of the 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from "ALL the tribes (Rev. 7:2-8, esp. vs. 4), which will be sealed during that same interlude mentioned earlier, between the 6th and 7th seals. Could it be that these 144,000 Jews will see Jesus during the rapture of the Church? This would certainly fit what He says concerning this return being "the sign. " Does Jesus' words and John's vision link together? Let's see: If 12,000 Jews from every tribe see Jesus and are sealed during the rapture, Jesus' words in our focal passage would reflect THIS SEALING and THE RAPTURE, while John's vision in Revelation chapter seven would reveal THOSE SEALED and THE RAPTURED. Looks like another parallel in sequence! Now, according to John's account of the opening of the 6th Seal, many others will also get at least a glimpse of Christ during this event (Rev. 6:15-17). In my view, the nature of things at Christ's Sign Appearance will be such that the only ones for whom this will be possible will be those in Israel's hemisphere, similar to when He ascended (Acts 1:9-12). Just be sure, at Christ's Second Advent, "every eye shall see Him" as will be made clear in PART II. FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #4 Because our focal passage is so commonly interpreted to be of Christ's Second Advent, some interpret His 6th Seal appearance (Rev. 6:15-17) as this also. However, if so, John's account of this should align with his undisputed account of Christ's Second Advent given much later, in Revelation 19:11-21. But, this is not the case. For example, after the 6th Seal is opened, John beholds celestial phenomena like those Jesus spoke of in our focal passage (and Mark and Luke's parallel accounts of this). The same is also prophesied of by Joel in the prophecy of his that Peter quoted on the Day of Pentecost (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20). Curiously, with the several times that these simultaneously occurring celestial phenomenon are mentioned in Scripture, they are all absent in John's undisputed account of Christ's Second Advent, but all present in his account of the 6th Seal. Why is this? Further , when the 6th Seal is opened, John beholds the people's utter terror and flight as they say 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" (Rev. 6:16). On the surface, this might be taken as some evidence of Christ's Second Advent. Yet later, in John's actual account of that, he sees this: "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army " (Rev. 19:19). Here, the people are gathered in league with the Antichrist and expecting Christ's return, seemingly presuming that under the Antichrist's leadership, they might have a chance in this battle! Another problem here, especially for those of the post-trib persuasion, is this: How can such an expectation by those gathered with the Antichrist be reconciled with what Jesus said concerning His un expected return as a thief? In light of what we are seeing, the account of Christ's 6th Seal appearance hardly aligns with that of His Second Advent. Curiously, teachings and/or comments comparing the accounts of either of these with our focal passage are in a category of sparse or nonexistent by scholars who defend the common pre-trib view. It's as if the comparing of these is being carefully and even purposely avoided. Why is this? As I see it, it is simply because our focal passage has been so long misunderstood. FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #5 Looking once more at John's account of the 6th Seal, he records this response of all the people in their distress: "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:17). It is of this very time that Paul writes the following, in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not ESCAPE. " Paul says this in reference to those who will be left behind at the rapture, who will be faced with the time of God's "Day of the Lord" judgment (vs. 2). This ties in with what he says a few verses later to the Church, which will not be left behind: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. 9). Similarly, Jesus makes a statement recorded in Luke's account of His Olivet Discourse, which also ties in with this. In Luke 21:36, He says, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to... STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN . " This escape of which Jesus speaks doesn't fit the timing of His Second Advent, but it fits the rapture and the timing of the 6th Seal exactly. Moreover, in that interlude just after this seal, John beholds those who have just escaped! Notice how his words, from Revelation 7:9, fit with those above that Jesus spoke: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, STOOD BEFORE THE THRONE , AND BEFORE THE LAMB ... " It should be realized that if Christ's 6th Seal appearance is still interpreted to be of His Second Advent, the 7th Seal must be dealt with, as well as the events surrounding the seven trumpets and the seven vials of God's wrath, not to mention everything else that takes place up until the time of the undisputed account of His Second Advent, given thirteen chapters later in Revelation 19. In my mind, this makes for a chronological tangle that cannot be unraveled. These prophetic puzzle pieces just do not fit together. However, when the 6th Seal appearance of Christ is understood to be of a sign appearance that He will make before the time of His Second Advent, the pieces fall right into place. This understanding would have this group of pieces... REVELATION 6:12-17 g oing more to the left side of the picture with the time of Christ's return for the rapture, and the other group of pieces... REVELATION 19:11-21 going more to the right side of the picture with the time of Christ's return to reign. As for the other pieces we have looked at so far, they would merely go where the points of convergence indicate, as we have been seeing. In review, it is apparent that Jesus is going to make a return that will be accompanied by phenomena relating to the sun, the moon, and the stars. In our focal passage, He says of this return, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." We have looked at solid evidences that this concerns something that will take place well before His Second Advent, an appearance that He will make at the time that the 6th Seal is opened. Moreover, it is in relation to this 6th Seal appearance that we see evidences of the just escaped Church in the presence of the Lord and the despair of those left behind. I submit that everything to this point in our study fits very well. But, will that wheel we are working on end up rolling without wobbling? Relating to our focal passage, there is still one spoke left that we have yet to put in place. It has to do with one other statement Jesus there made. My next proposition is dedicated to that statement. When finished with it, I trust that we will be able to really roll. And not only that, but straight and true! FURTHER EVIDENCE ITEM #2

In Revelation 7:14, the difinite article is found to precede the phrase "great tribulation" in most later translations, but not the KJV... APPENDIX #8 bACK tO TOP next While my PROPOSITION Z might cover the subject of its focus to the satisfaction of some, I believe it will serve us to consider the the that I there mentioned in the second paragraph. In Revelation 7:14, this definite article is found to precede the words "great tribulation" in most later translations, but not the KJV. A difference such as this is often the result of the use of a different manuscript by the translators. In the case of the the here in question, the manuscripts upon which other translations are commonly based show this article, but, so does the Textus Receptus, upon which the KJV is based. Just why this the is not found in the KJV would be difficult to ascertain. The work of interpretation and translation of languages is a very complex undertaking. Whatever the reason, many have seized on this the as supporting the view that the "great multitude" that John sees in Revelation 7:9-17 is those who will be saved during Daniel's 70th Week. Further, this the might appear to be something that would affect my different view. But, there are other considerations and more to our verse of question than the the. In an effort to fairly treat the above concerns, let's just concede the definite article of our focus for a moment. Now, let's turn our attention to the verse in question, as rendered by the translations that include the the, but, to another portion of the verse. For example, at least three modern day translations read thus: "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation" (New International, Amplified, and Revised Standard versions). Noting the words in bold, and using the reader as an example, what criteria would have to be met for it to be said that you have come out of something? The most natural response might be that you would have to be in it to come out of it, but there are other factors. Like, how long would you have to be in something before it could be truthfully said that you have come out of it? Also, realize that you can come out of something in the sense of having gone through it, or, you can come out of something in the sense of having escaped it. I'm really not trying to split hairs here. I'm really just trying to get down to the nitty-gritty of what this verse can mean. Will you help me? For a moment, picture yourself sitting in the coffee shop on the ground floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. You are sipping on your first cup of coffee for the day with some of your co-workers when all of a sudden there is this strange noise, and you feel a shaking sensation. "What was that?" you exclaim! Someone remarks that it might have been an earthquake. There is a stir of curiosity. In another second, an alarm goes off. Next thing you know, someone is running by screaming something about an explosion happening in the top of the tower. Near an exit, you rush outside where everyone is looking up, and you pick out something being said about a jet airliner crashing into the tower. You keep backing up, looking up, completely awestruck that such a catastrophe is unfolding right before your very eyes. Everything is in a complete frenzy, debris is falling all around, and there is a great plume of smoke bellowing into the sky. Everyone is scrambling to get out of the building and from harm's way, and you end up one of the fortunate ones. When the day is done, you end up being among those who have come out of the great disaster in New York. And, in what sense have you come out of it? In the sense of having escaped it. No one will deny you that. Moreover, I venture that any classroom or church in America would be interested in hearing your personal story. In my seeking of the truth, and with a measure of regard for the definite article so commonly included in other translations of Revelation 7:14, I have seen a possibility that will fit the point of my preceding narrative. With that point in mind, if the Church is raptured just after the opening of the 6th Seal, the day this seal is opened could begin something like the following, using the reader ( if saved ) and a lost spouse as an example. Try to imagine: On a Monday morning at about 1:28 a.m. CST ( remember, this is just an example!), Christ, "The Lamb," opens the 6th Seal and leaves the portals of glory to come for the Church. Concurrent with this, you are startled awake by a great earthquake. Next thing you know, WHEW! UP YOU GO!, RIGHT THROUGH YOUR BEDROOM CEILING AS IF IT ISN'T EVEN THERE!, AND WHEW!!! You are one in a great multitude that has just been caught up by the angels "to meet the Lord in the air." You are in the number of those who have just been raptured. Startled awake at the same time you were, but missing your departure (or escape), your spouse is absolutely perplexed and fear struck. Everything in the house is rattling, as if everything is coming apart at the seams. Your spouse looks out the window and beholds that the moon looks red as blood. Meanwhile, to those on the other side of the earth, the sun looks black as sackcloth made of hair. Suddenly, what looks like a falling star streaks through the sky, and then another one, and another one, and then, and then—the sky does something really weird, as if it's a giant scroll rolling together, infolding itself. Now stay with me. After you are safely with Christ, a lot more will happen (but on a worldwide scale) that same minute, hour, and day, much the same as a lot more happened that September day after the first occupants of the World Trade Center made it safely away. Moreover, things will not be getting better after this, but worse and worse. Realizing this, when everything that will take place after the event of the rapture is considered to be associated with the upcoming time of Daniel's 70th Week, it could be truthfully said that you have come out of this time of great tribulation in the sense of having escaped it. From your spouse's perspective, you will have just escaped what he or she has been left behind to face. With this in mind, notice afresh the following related Scripture portions, which reflect your state: The first is from what John gives an account of in Revelation chapter seven, just after his account of the opening of the 6th Seal: 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, STOOD BEFORE THE THRONE , AND BEFORE THE LAMB , clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; The second is from Luke's account of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, in Luke 21: 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy TO ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN . And, from what is Jesus saying one can escape? This is reflected in the same chapter (and context) of Luke's account, beginning 11 verses prior: 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Before continuing, take a moment to read again John's account of the opening of the 6th Seal (Rev. 6:12-17) and how that what Luke records of Jesus' words above (including vs. 27) is like a paraphrase of what John records. It's important to note that if the above understanding of Revelation 7:14 proves to be the correct interpretation, the great multitude that John saw at this time would not include those who just received their resurrection bodies, as in the understanding of my Proposition Z. In other words, only the just raptured would then be a part of this great multitude, as only they would actually be escaping anything. In concluding this appendix, I hope it can be seen that I have tried to give a fair treatment to what we have been looking at. My experience has been that every Scripture upon which a belief or doctrine might turn can be interpreted at least two ways—one right, one wrong. Satan will see to that. When it comes to Revelation 7:14, this is no different, except there is the added difficulty of the definite article the to reconcile. Because of this, I guess it could be said that there are at least four ways to interpret the verse in question—a right and a wrong way without regard for the definite article and a right and a wrong way with regard for the definite article. So, what does one do? One must look to and rely upon the rest of the body of the scriptures and seek for an understanding that will result in perfect harmony. This is all that has been done here. Concerning the question before us, there is a sound possibility with regard to the words "great tribulation" and also with regard to the words "the great tribulation." My greatest takeaway when looking into the various possibilities is that either of the ones I have shown will harmonize well with the rest of Scripture. I submit that this is not the case (when all things are considered) with the common belief that the great multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 is those who will be saved during Daniel's 70th Week. Once again, recall that John does see those who will be saved during that time, but much later (Rev. 15:1-4) and in accord with the context. Paul spoke against striving about words "to no profit" ( 2 Tim. 2:14). It is hoped that our having here strived about some words ( or a w ord) will be found to be of great profit. ( origin is PROPOSITION Z )

The Day of the Lord will commence after the last seal of the Seven Sealed Book is opened... The Day of the Lord begins the day the 6th and 7th seals are opened, which is the same day. NOTE : That the four angels of the 6th Seal interlude continue w ith their destructive activity as the first trumpets are sounded shows the continuing chronological order of The Revelation. This alone establishes that there is no parallel or overlap of the 1st Seal with the 1st Trumpet and 1st Vial, or, the 2nd Seal with the 2nd Trumpet and 2nd Vial, and so forth, as is sometimes theorized. bACK tO TOP PART 11 HOME next KEY PROPOSITION 1 As I put forth in PROPOSITION H , the book with seven seals could rightly be entitled THE DAY OF THE LORD, for this is what the content of this book is all about. Of course, this understanding suggests that the time of God's Day of the Lord judgment will not commence until after t he book opens, which would require that the 7th Seal be removed. However, it is after the opening of the 6th Seal that the people say in their distress, "For the great day of His wrath (or the day of His judgment) is come " (Rev. 6:17). This that they are experiencing, though they may not realize it, is the beginning day of "the great and the terrible DAY OF THE LORD, " of which Joel prophesied (cp. Joel 2:31; Rev. 6:12-17). While the cry of the people concerning God's judgment actually happens before t he opening of the 7th Seal, this seeming discrepancy with what I mentioned above quickly subsides when it is realized that the 7th Seal will be opened the same day that the 6th Seal is opened. In other words, the rapture of the Church (with the opening of the 6th Seal) and everything else that will happen this day will be a part of the beginning day of God's Day of the Lord judgment. This unders tanding aligns with everything we have considered so far, especially with what Paul wrote of this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 thru 5:4. That the 6th and 7th seals will be opened the same day can be easily deduced by something that we find concerning the sealing of the 144,000 Israelites at this time (Rev. 7:1-8). First of all, the sealing or salvation of these Jews is something that will take place quickly, as we are sealed at the instant of our being saved. Coupled with this, the four angels of Revelation 7:1-3 are told to wait on the destruction that they are poised to carry out, but only as long as it takes for this sealing to occur. Then, after the opening of the 7th Seal, we see evidences of their following through on their destructive activity as the first trumpets are sounded (cp. Rev. 7:3 with 8:6-9). There is no scriptural timeframe that detracts from the position that the 7th Seal will be opened the same day (or even the same hour!) as the 6th Seal. In light of the above realizations, imagine glancing backward in time to a few moments before Christ's opening of the 7th Seal (Rev. 8:1). Try to imagine Jesus in Heaven, after opening the 6th Seal, laying the Seven Sealed Book aside to come to the earth for the gathering of His Church. Within the moment, after making His "sign" appearance (Matt. 24:30), He and His angels will return to Heaven with the Church (Matt. 24:31) and all of the saints who had gone on before, now in their resurrection bodies. After a time of praising, glorifying, and worshiping God and the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-12), imagine things starting to get quiet. Try to imagine Christ at this time with all that are in Heaven looking on. He will reach again for the book, which had been sealed with seven seals. There is just the one seal left. Picking back up with John's account from Revelation chapter eight, we read: 1 And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. So, the last seal is removed. Everything is silent in Heaven for "about the space of half an hour" (vs. 1). It is elementary for us to deduce that Christ will now open the cover of the Seven Sealed Book. With the unsealing of such a book finally taking place, it is not difficult to imagine what the anticipation will be surrounding this. It is also easy to reason that what will take place at this time will be huge, and so it is. The dust will not have settled from what just happened with the opening of the 6th Seal, and now the devastation that will accompany the sounding of the first four trumpets will occur. As I mentioned earlier, in tandem with the sounding of these trumpets, we see evidences that the four angels of Revelation 7:1-3 will continue with the destruction that they had been poised and ready to bring on the earth. As we shall see, not only will the time of God's Day of the Lord judgment have begun, the nature of the devastation that will take place at this time relates in a very interesting way to how things will come together for the fulfilling of the last seven years of Daniel's Seventy Weeks' prophecy.

The period heralded by the 7th Trumpet results in COMPLETE CLOSURE FOR THIS WORLD... The period heralded by the 7th Trumpet results in COMPLETE CLOSURE FOR THIS WORLD. bACK tO TOP PART 11 HOME NEXT PROPOSITION 10 As I discussed in the previous proposition, the 7th Trumpet heralds a period of time. While there are also periods of time connected with the 5th and 6th trumpets, what I just said about the 7th Trumpet heralding a period of time is really quite an understatement. Actually, the 7th Trumpet heralds one of the two most significant periods of time in all of history (the other to be told about later, below). Beyond including the last half of Daniel's 70th Week, Christ's Second Advent, and the Battle of Armageddon, it includes Christ's Millennial Reign, the casting of Satan into the lake of fire and brimstone, and the passing away of this present world. Finally (and sadly), it includes the separating of the unsaved into Hell after the Last Judgment. When given some thought and summed up, it can be seen that the 7th Trumpet heralds the period in which COMPLETE CLOSURE FOR THIS WORLD will occur. This is no small thing, on any scale. Since the 7th Trumpet is of such significance and the last trumpet spoken of in the Bible, it would be quite natural to wonder if this is the trumpet Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:52 as "the last trump." While the possibility of these two trumpets being the same has proven irreconcilable to me, the question of the last trump has been a curious one, evidently to many. Hopefully the following thoughts will be helpful concerning this question. The "last trump," spoken of by Paul, is also spoken of by him as being the "Trump of God" (1 Thess. 4:16). This seems to put this trumpet as one of a kind instead of one in a series, as the 7th Trumpet is. Imagine for a moment how unique a trumpet must be for it to be referred to in the Bible as the "Trump of God." This would seem to easily put it into the category of the Trumpet of trumpets! The mystery, however, lies in what respect the Trump of God can also be regarded as the last trump. We have a significant clue in the Old Testament. As we considered during PROPOSITION U, in Numbers 10:1-10, the Israelites are instructed to make two trumpets for the purposes of calling an assembly and sounding an alarm. The trumpet has been used throughout much of history for the very same purposes. I am reminded of the tradition of playing reveille and taps in the military. Interestingly, there is coming a day in the military when reveille will be played for the last time. Likewise, one day there will be the last playing of taps. Related to all of this, when the Trump of God is sounded, the greatest assembly that has ever been assembled will take place, that of all the saved at the time of the resurrection and the rapture of the Church. Concerning this assembly, Paul makes the statement, "and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16-17). There will never be the need for another trumpet to be sounded to assemble God's children unto Him, for after this trumpet is sounded, we will be forever with Him! As for the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12, the 144,000 sealed Jews, and those who refuse allegiance to the Antichrist, these will join the rest of the assembly later, much as the last runners in a marathon or those who arrive later at a family reunion that has already begun. What the above shows is this: Whereas the Trump of God can rightly be viewed as the very last trumpet calling an assembly, the 7th Trumpet can rightly be viewed as the very last trumpet sounding an alarm. For believers, the former could not be more blessed. For unbelievers, the latter could not be more grave. It will be the Alarm of alarms. As stated above, the 7th Trumpet heralds the period in which complete closure for this world will occur. Be very mindful of this thought as we continue. After Christ's Millennial Reign, we see Satan's loosing, final revolt, and ultimate doom (Rev. 20:7-10). We then see this first universe and earth pass away (compare Rev. 20:11 with 2 Pet. 3:10-13 and Rev. 21:1). Finally, we see the Last Judgment or Great White Throne Judgment and ultimate doom of those who have rejected God and His salvation since the time of creation (Rev. 20:11-15). It is helpful to realize that what the Bible says relating to this world that we presently live in runs from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 20:15. Time, as we now know it, will end here. When time as we now know it has ended, three major divisions of time concerning this present world will stand out. The first division will be time as it relates to before Christ, recorded in THE OLD TESTAMENT. It lasted approximately 4000 years. The second division will be time as it relates to after Christ, recorded in THE NEW TESTAMENT. So far, it has lasted some 2000 years. The third division will be time as it relates to Christ's return and reign upon this earth, recorded in THE BOOK WITH SEVEN SEALS. It will have lasted some 1007 years. This means, the total years of time concerning this present world is shaping up to equal right about 7000 years. Many have noted this total. Personally, I feel it is significant enough to be noted again (see NOTE below). Then, beginning with Revelation 21:1, the Bible closes with John's account of what he sees concerning God's Heaven and the new heaven (sky) and new earth that is there. Eternity, as we will know it, begins here. A question that might be asked at this point concerns this present world and what the real purpose for it is. In other words, what is the reason why for it all, seeing that it is going to be destroyed? To me, according to the overall evidences of Scripture, the reason why for it all has to do with our Creator's desire to love and have communion with an entity made in His likeness and image or mankind. For that love and communion to be mutual and on the level of God's desire, it was necessary for mankind to have a free will. An alternative to godliness, with the ability to choose, is a necessary element in such a plan, and this was the reason for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Mankind's first parents, Adam and Eve, did not have to choose to disobey God, but they did. God did not have to provide a means of salvation for fallen humanity, but He did. He did this in the person of Jesus Christ when He put on a robe of flesh (Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16; etc.) and gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. This was accomplished for us by His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary and affirmed for us by His resurrection. What God did for us through Jesus Christ is referred to in the Bible as "the Gospel" (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:1-4), which means "the Good News." In the first paragraph of this proposition, I stated that the 7th Trumpet heralds one of the two most significant periods of time in all of history. The other period is here represented, when God manifested Himself on the earth some 2000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ to carry out His work of redemption for mankind. What our Creator did for us is the greatest demonstration of love that can be conceived. What our Creator did for us is the greatest story of love that will ever be told. We do not have to accept God's love and offer of salvation, and many don't, but some do. Knowing that with such a world, most would not, but some would, for the eternal communion of those who would, God created this present world. Again, this, to me, is the reason why for it all. This brings us back to the 7th Trumpet. It cannot be emphasized enough that this trumpet heralds the period in which complete closure for this present world will occur. After this, God's grand purpose for the creation of this world in the first place will become a reality, especially for us in our concept of reality. This consummation of His grand plan is revealed as Revelation chapter 21 opens. Notice the first seven verses: 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. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. The Bible conveys that we are all a part of something that is so very huge and wonderful, yet so few seem to realize this or take it to heart. We are now in the framework of time, and there is coming a time when this will close. So much more could be said. What is mostly on my heart at this point concerns you, the reader. Are you going to be a part of what God has desired for you from the foundation of this world? If you are not sure and you feel that God is trying to get your attention about this or calling you to Himself, why not open your heart in repentance and faith toward Him, and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior? Christ's desire for you (and all!) to do this is reflected in His invitation in Revelation 3: 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. Many have quite complicated both the matter and the manner of salvation. Really, it is as simple as reflected above, as simple as opening the door of your heart to the Lord when He is knocking. The simplicity of salvation is reflected in many ways throughout the Bible. The last time is near the end, in Revelation 22: 17 And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Another time, the most renowned time, is in John's account of the Gospel, in chapter three, a verse many of us learned as a child: 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Time and again the simplicity of salvation is reinforced in the scriptures. One other time I would like to call to the reader's attention is another verse I learned as a child. It is from Paul's writings, in Ephesians chapter two: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: What a gift—the Gift of gifts! If you have not received God's gift of salvation and you feel that He is now trying to get your attention about this, I hope that you will ask Him to come into your heart and life and save you. If you have further questions or concerns about this, I would invite you to consider my page entitled, ONE MORE THING . For those who have received God's gift of salvation, realize that Jesus desires for you to walk with Him in the fellowship and strength of His presence until the day that He calls you home to be with Him in glory. Also, realize that He has a special purpose for your life, which is best fulfilled when you abide in Him daily as a disciple of His. Again, so much more could be said. I appealed to the following verse to close the preface of my book. Somehow it seems to also be a fitting verse for here. Once more, from 1 John 2: 28 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. NOTE : In consideration of what many have put forth and the way everything is shaping up , it would not surprise me that when everything is said and done, the number will be found to be perfection, or an exact 7000 years to the day. Of course, there is that part of me that bases this on God's perfection and the many instances in Scripture where things are found to take place to the day. On the other hand, I am far away from seeing any way that such a day could be determined or calculated with precision, even to within years or decades. Personally, while I have long taken notice of it and found it interesting, I would discourage getting overly caught up in calculations. In my looking into it, there is just too much human error to be found, and it's easy to see this snag being more pronounced the further back one looks into it. Further, whether such would be more appropriate to look at from the perspective of the Jewish calendar or another, I see this as being no real help. I would think that if an exact 7000 year span is found to be so, it will be when the Lord confirms this to us in glory. Also, as a logical guess, I would think that this would be based on the true yearly rotation of the earth around the sun since the day God created the earth. Again, there are just too many discrepancies in man's recording of history to be sure on this. Notwithstanding, it is interesting. I can see our Heavenly Father putting a smile on our faces about this one day!

The 5th Seal reveals the cry of Church Age martyrs for justice, nearer ith end of the Church Age... The 5th Seal reveals the cry of Church Age martyrs for justice, nearer the end of the Church Age. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION R Continuing in Revelation chapter six with John's account of the opening of the seals, we read: 9 And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. With the opening of the 5th Seal, John sees the souls of those who have been martyred and hears a statement made to them concerning more that are to be martyred at some future time. Immediately noteworthy is how what John here sees relates to the previous seal. This reinforces that the 4th Seal concerns martyrdom. Also, this, with other evidences, reinforces that these seals belong to the Church Age and are something other than judgments of God upon the wicked. History ably testifies to the martyrdom that has occurred throughout the Church Age. Moreover, with the nature of martyrdom and its attending persecution, it is certainly not difficult to imagine such a longing for justice. Important to catch, there is also a clue here as to when in the Church Age this cry for justice will occur. The wording of the martyr's question, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood" reflects that a significant period of time has transpired leading up to the opening of this seal—time that can certainly be accounted for now (see NOTE below). When the 5th Seal is opened and the martyrs cry out, they are assured that it will be "yet for a little season, " and this because that more are to be killed "as they were." From the point of view that this study sets forth, this all fits a 5th Seal opening closer to the time of the rapture, especially in light of the martyrdom that will occur during Daniel's 70th Week (the "little season"), which will begin not long afterwards. This line of thinking supports the probability that as the rapture draws nearer, so will the fulfillment of what John here sees, meaning this cry for justice may have already occurred. In other words, the 5th Seal may already be open too, and I submit that it is. As far as those who will actually be martyred during the little season of Daniel's 70th Week, John is later shown concerning these also. First, he sees the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. Next, he sees the 144,000 in Revelation 12:11 and 13:7, with 14:1-5. Finally, he sees those who refuse allegiance to the Antichrist in Revelation 14:13, with 15:1-4 and 20:4 (here included with all the rest of the saved, as part of the first resurrection/vss. 5-6). With the 5th Seal arguably already open, this leaves only the 6th and 7th seals. These indeed lack any historical evidences of fulfillment. It is only after the opening of these that the book with seven seals, the book that I believe could rightly be entitled THE DAY OF THE LORD, can actually unfold. We can now turn our attention toward the 6th Seal. Let's begin with a look at an Old Testament prophecy closely related to it. NOTE : Because it is so commonly believed that the seals will not be opened until the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week, this cry of the martyrs has been interpreted to be the cry of those martyred during that time. In my thinking, this would represent a glaring display of impatience and lack of empathy on the part of those just martyred, who would be in the company of those who had been martyred long before them, most many centuries before! Further, any martyrs of Daniel's 70th Week would be coming out of the very time when God's judgment was actually coming upon the world of the ungodly, rendering a question like "How long...dost Thou not judge?" as nonsensical.

The "little book open," which John gives an account of in Revelation 10, is the little book of Daniel... The "little book open" that John sees during the 6th Trumpet period is the little book of Daniel. bACK tO TOP PART 11 HOME next KEY PROPOSITION 7 Midway into John's account of the 6th Trumpet period, which runs from Revelation 9:13 through 11:14, there is another interlude. This interlude includes all of chapter 10 and majors on calling his attention to the significance of this stage of The Revelation. The timing of what we here find is all the more thought provoking if the focus is now upon the world of the Bible days, as evidenced by the things that he has seen leading up to this point. As chapter 10 opens, John sees an angel that has in his hand "a little book open" (vs. 2). The angel cries out with a loud voice, after which seven thunders utter something that he is not allowed to write about (vss. 3-4). Next, the angel lifts a hand to Heaven and swears by the Lord "that there should be time no longer" (vs. 6). By the context, and in tune with other Bible translations, the words "time no longer" should be understood in the sense of no further delay. The angel then makes this statement: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, AS HE HATH DECLARED TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS . All of this is very interesting in light of the things the prophet Daniel had long ago been shown, things that remained a mystery to him. Consider these words to him at that time, from Daniel 12: 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, AND SEAL THE BOOK, EVEN TO THE TIME OF THE END : many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Just a few verses later, he wrote this: 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed TILL THE TIME OF THE END . Equally as interesting is that many of Daniel's prophecies parallel what John will now begin to see. These things (and more) practically give away the identification of the little book that he here sees as being the little book of DANIEL. As the time draws nearer, the visions that had even Daniel scratching his head will be opened to become more understandable. Continuing with the next verse (from Daniel 12), notice what he was told: 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. " According to these words, the wicked will not understand what all is going on in the last days and during the time of Daniel's 70th Week. Furthermore, I am not sure how much even the wise of our day can truly understand about the upcoming section of The Revelation. However, some of those who will be left behind will evidently wise up and be enabled to understand, for their faith will be strengthened to the point of their being willing to die rather than receive the mark of the beast. In the last verses of Revelation 10, John is instructed to take and eat the little book. Whereas it is sweet in his mouth, it makes his stomach bitter (vs. 10). Daniel experienced similar when he received some of the revelations that he recorded in the little book that bears his name. His first stemmed from a dream King Nebuchadnezzar had (Dan. 2:1-13), a revelation Daniel received with great joy (Dan. 2:19-23, then vss. 24-49). But, some visions he later received himself, which further expounded on the king's dream (chapters 7-8), caused him to become sickly (Dan. 7:15, 28 and 8:27). Needless to say, the ending of this present world order will be a bitter/sweet thing. Aligning with what I have been pointing out, as Revelation chapter 11 opens, we start seeing the parallels to Daniel's prophecies. Of particular note is the first mentioning of TWO 3-1/2 YEAR TIME FRAMES (Rev. 11:2-3). John is told that during one of these time frames (vs. 2), the Holy City will be trodden under foot by the Gentiles. Compare this with what Jesus spoke of concerning this time in His Olivet Discourse (e.g., Matt. 24:15-21), especially in Luke's account, from chapter 21: 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereunto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: AND JERUSALEM SHALL BE TRODDEN DOWN OF THE GENTILES, UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES BE FULFILLED. During the other 3-1/2 year time frame (Rev. 11:3-14), John writes of two unnamed witnesses who will prophesy. Together, these two 3-1/2 year periods will equal seven years of time or a week of years—THE PERIOD OF DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK. As Scripture will be seen to consistently support, it is with the opening of chapter 11 that the actual beginning of the account of Daniel's 70th Week is given in The Revelation. This realization adds all the more meaning to what the angel had just declared in chapter 10, verse six. Said another way, when things finally progress to the point that the angel can declare "that there should be time no longer," this will be the indicator that everything is ready for the fulfilling of that last week of Daniel's Seventy Weeks' prophecy to begin. This will mean, "IT'S TIME!!! " According to verses 3-14 of chapter 11, the two witnesses will prophesy during the first half of the seven years and will be killed by the "beast" (or Antichrist), mentioned explicitly for the first time in verse seven. It is still during the 6th Trumpet period—not referred to as "past" until verse 14—that this will occur. Moreover, this verse establishes that the first half of the seven years will be completed at this time. Then, in verse 15, the 7th Trumpet is sounded, which will mark the beginning of the last half of the seven years (note Rev. 12:6, 14, and 13:5) and what is beyond. It will be during this time, which was only briefly mentioned in verse two, that the Holy City will be trodden under foot by the Gentiles (recall from above), until Christ returns to reign. Finally, we cannot forget about Revelation 11, verse one, which is the first verse after that chapter in The Revelation devoted to John's account of him seeing the little book of Daniel at this time opened. In the next proposition we will look closer at this first verse and other scriptures thereto related.

Jesus can return for His Church at any time, even before you finish this senten... APPENDIX #2 bACK tO TOP next Concerning the teaching that Christ's return for the Church is imminent, I have long believed that He can come at any time and have often expressed this with words such as, "even before I finish this sentence!" Understandably, if so, it would seem that this teaching should also hold for all centuries of the Church Age, from the first century to the actual century of His return. Did the first century Christians believe that Christ's return for the Church could happen at any time or even in their day? Consider Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Should Paul's words be taken as applying to the Thessalonians personally? It would seem so. Consider the very next verses, which open chapter five: 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 BUT YE, BRETHREN, are not in darkness, that that day should OVERTAKE YOU as a thief. Notice also that in the above adjoining references, Paul made a very close connection between the rapture and the Day of the Lord, which he says, "so cometh as a thief in the night" (vs. 2). We know that when Christ returns for the rapture of the Church, He will come suddenly and unexpectedly or as a "thief" (Matt. 24:42-44; Mk. 13:32-37; Lk. 12:39-40). Indeed, because the rapture and the beginning of the time of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment so closely coincide, the latter will come just as suddenly and unexpectedly, again, as Paul says, "as a thief in the night." These words support that there will be no sign(s) that will indicate that Christ's return, nor the beginning of the Day of the Lord, is on the verge of taking place. To the contrary, Jesus said that "in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matt. 24:44). This world will by no means be expecting the rapture event, nor be prepared for the time of the Day of the Lord judgment, which scripturally can commence right afterwards—even on the same day. There are several other references that give support to the view that even first-century Christians should have been prepared for Christ to come for the Church at any time. Consider Paul's words, again to the Thessalonians, in 1 Thessalonians 1: 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 AND to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. And, his words to the Thessalonians once more, in 2 Thessalonians 3: 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. And, his words to the Philippians, in chapter three: 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. And, his words to Titus, in chapter two: 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 LOOKING for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Note also that James writes similarly, in James 5: 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. In light of the foregoing, it should not be too difficult to reason that first-century Christians would have rightly viewed Christ's return for the rapture as something that could happen at any time. But, there are valid questions that yet deserve addressing and bear upon some specifics. Consider with me: Jesus informed Peter (a revelation) concerning the manner of his (Peter's) death (Jn. 21:18-19). We know that Peter understood this and was mindful that he would die—something he later alluded to ( 2 Peter 1:13-14). So, as far as Peter is concerned, it would seem that he would not have viewed Christ's return as being imminent, but rather, his own death. John certainly understood what Jesus was saying to Peter (Jn. 21:20-24). This means that he would have also had to be mindful of the fulfillment of Jesus' words. I think John could have still felt that Jesus would come in his own lifetime (yes!), but probably not that His coming would happen until sometime after P eter's death. It would also seem evident that the rest of the apostles would have had this same mindset. Just prior to His ascension, Jesus told the apostles to tarry in Jerusalem and to "wait for the promise of the Father," which was the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-5). He told them that after this, they would be witnesses unto Him (another revelation), "both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It seems that the apostles would have been bound to expect that what Jesus was saying to them would be fulfilled. Of course, they might have expected Him to return at any minute and for His words to be fulfilled in some way that they could not at the time comprehend. But, I think this is not necessarily so, and especially for Peter. Concerning Paul, the Lord told Ananias, "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:16). Paul had to realize that some pretty tough times were ahead for him. Until he had suffered some such, would he have reasoned that Christ might return at any time? Jesus also informed him that he would be going to Rome (yet another revelation/Acts 23:11). It would seem that he would not have expected Christ's return to possibly precede this. I do believe that Paul felt that Christ would return in his lifetime (again, yes!), but I'm doubtful that he would have felt that His return could happen at any time, at least not until the revelations concerning what he would experience were fulfilled. Whereas Peter would have known that he (Peter) was going to die before Christ's return, Paul did not have this particular revelation concerning himself, except perhaps near his life's end ( 2 Tim. 4:6). As can be seen, there are evidences that seem to support that in the earlier days of their ministry, the apostles would not have reasoned (or had the mentality) that Christ might return for the Church at any time. I say "seem" to allow for some angle that I may have yet to consider. I do feel comfortable in saying that, except for Peter, the apostles looked for Jesus to return in their lifetime, especially as they grew older. And very probably, after Peter's death, they began to look for His return in earnest! I would submit that this was the prevailing mindset of all the early Christians. And note, none knew when Peter would die—just that he would. In summing everything up, at the very least, the post-Apostolic, later first-century Christians, should have lived in expectation of Christ's return for the Church. In my comprehension of what is revealed to us in Scripture, since that time until now, this represents the mindset that all of God's children should have concerning Christ's return for the Church. Because of this, the only kind of rapture view that I can see that will harmonize with the scriptural evidence is some kind of pre -trib rapture view. Said another way, I submit that any other kind of view meets its Waterloo (like Napoleon) in the truth that Christ may return at any time for the rapture of the Church. Finally, present day Christians should live in expectation that Christ may come for the Church at any time, even before I finish this senten : ) ( origin is PROPOSITION D )

The prophecy of Joel's quoted by Peter in Acts 2:16-21 points to the Church Age and precisely spans it... The prophecy quoted by Peter in Acts 2:16-21 points to the Church Age and precisely spans it. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION S In Acts chapter two, we have an account of the Day of Pentecost and of the Holy Spirit's enabling of the disciples to witness in other languages. After a curious crowd has gathered to where the disciples are at, Peter stands before them to clarify just what is taking place and appeals to an Old Testament prophecy given some 800 years prior. Of what is happening, he declares, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (vs. 16) . And what was that? Following is the first part of that prophecy, which relates to what is then happening: 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: What happened on the Day of Pentecost marked the beginning of the fulfilling of Joel's prophecy, and this first part pertained to God's pouring out of His Spirit upon the young Church. As I put forth in PROPOSITION F , this event also marked the beginning, or inauguration, of what has come to be called the Church Age. For believers, it should not be too surprising that any prophecy be fulfilled. What is sometimes surprising, however, is to find unanticipated elements in a prophecy. Just such an element exists here. Looking back, as it turns out, Joel's prophecy gives defining marks OF THE VERY DAY of the BEGINNING of the Church Age. But, equally as remarkable as this, it also gives defining marks OF THE VERY DAY of the CLOSING of the Church Age. This outstanding element of Joel's prophecy can be seen when its relationship to the 6th Seal is understood. Follow closely. That the Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost is readily apparent. When will it end? In accord with what we have already considered, the Church Age will end on the day that the Church is raptured, just before the period of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment begins. With these things in mind, notice the last part of Joel's prophecy and something else that will occur just before the time of God's judgment begins. Again, from Acts 2: 20 The SUN shall be turned into DARKNESS, and the MOON into BLOOD, before that great and notable Day of the Lord come : As we have seen, this exact phenomena concerning the sun and the moon is spoken of in The Revelation. Before we look afresh at the specific place, imagine that The Revelation is a treasure trove of mysteries (which it is!), each with its own padlock. If the above words of Joel's prophecy represented notches on a key, the key with these notches would fit the lock of the mystery of—you guessed it—the 6th Seal. Consider the parallels between the above verse of Joel's prophecy and the opening and closing verses of the account of the 6th Seal below, from Revelation chapter six (what's been capitalized, then what's been underlined): VERSE 12 And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the SUN became BLACK as sackcloth of hair, and the MOON became as BLOOD; VERSE 17 For the great day of His wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand? As can be seen, the first half of Acts 2:20 fits verse 12, and the last half fits verse 17. This is the only place in The Revelation where this key from Joel's prophecy will fit. I can almost hear the click! As we shall see, Scripture consistently supports that the Church Age will close on this day that "the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood." Of course, since the close of the Church Age is brought about by the rapture, this happens the same day as well. Moreover, this all takes place just before the time that the last days' Day of the Lord judgment will begin—TO THE VERY DAY! Summed up, Joel's prophecy marks both the opening and closing days of the Church Age (like bookends), giving us a very important key to unlocking the mystery of the 6th Seal and the timing of the rapture. All of this reminds me of the way puzzle pieces that are meant to fit together also interlock with other pieces. Being mindful still of Joel's prophecy and the 6th Seal, let's continue by looking at something Jesus spoke of in His Olivet Discourse that also interlocks with all of this.

The 1st Seal reveals Satan's Church Age scheme to conquer truth by deceivers and false Christs... The 1st Seal reveals Satan's Church Age scheme to conquer truth by deceivers and false Christs. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION M We know that John received The Revelation in the first century, early in the Church Age. I submit that the opening of the first seals of the Seven Sealed Book mark the beginning of what was "at hand" to start taking place—from that perspective of time (Rev. 1:1-3). Following, from Revelation chapter six, we find what John sees first: 1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. A prevailing interpretation of this rider on the white horse is that he is a counterfeit and a deceiver or a false Christ. Some believe this to be the Antichrist. Thinking along these lines, it should not be too hard to envision this rider being akin to "that spirit of antichrist" that John spoke of in 1 John 4:1-3, of which he says, "and even now already is it in the world." Paul spoke similarly to the Thessalonians, saying, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work" (2 Thess. 2:7). Now, notice again Jesus' Olivet Discourse. He began by informing His disciples that there would be deceivers and false Christs who would come. From Matthew's account, in chapter 24 we read: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Jesus had warned His disciples of this several decades prior to John's receiving of The Revelation. Taking into account these things with what history bears testimony to, it can be rightly suspected (and I believe concluded) that the underlying influence in the lives of the many deceivers and false Christs who have come on the scene since the time of the apostles has been the horseman of the 1st Seal. If this is indeed the case, it would not be too difficult to trace his activity down through the corridors of Church history to this present time as the bow wielding force behind the movements that have arisen to conquer the truth with arrows of deception. Isn't it mind-boggling how many differing religious movements and distortions of the truth there are in the world today? Consider this: How long has Christ's Bride (the Church) warned of deceivers and false Christs and tried to teach the truth and sound doctrine, only to have so many of Her efforts rode roughshod over by something? Does it not seem that something out there is constantly on a bend to stamp out anything of truth and virtue that has to do with the true Christian faith? We all know that ultimately, that something is Satan. But, I venture that with the opening of the 1st Seal, we have this activity of his revealed as being carried forth by one of his henchmen, the rider on the white horse. While it has not been necessary for the Bride to realize this in order to serve Her Bridegroom, I do believe it is necessary for a correct understanding of His Revelation to Her. I think of the song we have so long sung, "We'll work, till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes, and we'll be gathered home." We must continue Christ's work until He comes to gather us home. Be assured, this horseman is going to keep trampling on the truth, recognized or not. And then, there is the horseman of the 2nd Seal.

The rapture closes the Church Age and will occur right before the Day of the Lord begins... The rapture closes the Church Age and will occur right before the Day of the Lord commences. Finally, the coming Day of the Lord is going to be a time of God's judgment upon this world that will begin with sudden destruction, accompanied by tribulation that will escalate into the greatest time of tribulation that has ever been, as it includes Daniel's 70th Week. But, it also includes Christ's Second Advent, His Millennial Reign, and more, as we will be seeing. With the rapture, the Church will escape the time of God's judgment (and the tribulation and wrath related to it), but will return with Christ at His Second Advent to reign with Him and all of the saved upon this earth for a thousand years. NOTE : Not all mentions of God's "Day of the LORD" judgment spoken of in the Bible are of His last days' Day of the LORD judgment. For example, in the first half of Joel's prophecy, everything spoken of concerning the Day of the LORD has to do with God's judgment that came upon the Israelites in the 8th and 6th centuries B.C. (see 1:15; 2:1, 11). These judgments were because of their continued rebellion and idolatry. Initially, God used the Assyrians against the Northern Kingdom (Israel), then later, the Babylonians against the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The entire book of Lamentations is of Jeremiah's grief over these judgments of God upon the Israelites. There is much in the Old Testament (especially the prophets) concerning God's Day of the LORD judgments that came in those days, both of warnings and the results. Later, in the last half of Joel's prophecy (beginning in 2:28), the focus concerns God's Day of the LORD judgment that is coming in the last days. Helpful to bear in mind is that this is the place in Joel's prophecy from which Peter began to quote on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21). Of course, it is the time of God's Day of the Lord judgment that he quotes of there (vs. 20) that is the one of our concern relating to the rapture. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION F It should be understood that the Church Age, or era of the New Testament Church, will close with the rapture, when the Church will be gathered out of this world. This will take place right before the beginning of the time of God's judgment that is coming upon this world, the time of His last days' "Day of the Lord" judgment (see NOTE at bottom). This is in accord with the common pre-trib view. That the rapture will happen just before the beginning of God's last days' judgment is shown in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, as chapter four is ending and chapter five begins. Being mindful that the chapter and verse divisions in the Bible were not a part of the original manuscripts, but were helps that were added hundreds of years later, consider Paul's words from 4:16-18 and 5:1-4 as shown... 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (the rapture) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the DAY OF THE LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape (i.e., shall not be raptured with the Church) . 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. It may be wondered, "Just how long before the time of God's judgment begins will it be that the rapture will take place?" The evidence of Scripture is that it will take place just before, ON THE SAME DAY. While we will be looking at this much further, especially when focusing upon the 6th and 7th seals, it all becomes more apparent as we bring the related prophetic puzzle pieces together. For now, some of the key pieces include those Paul gave us above with what we find in Acts 2:20, which interlocks with what we find in Revelation 6:12-17, which interlocks with what we find in Matthew 24:29-31. Thinking in terms of a timeline, whereas Christ began to build His Church while He walked upon this earth, what could be called the "Inauguration of the Church Age" happened on the Day of Pentecost, when He poured "out of [His] Spirit" upon it (Acts 2:1-18). Accordingly, the Church Age encompasses the time of the Church from that day to this present time and will continue until Christ returns to receive it unto Himself at the rapture. Following is an illustration showing the relation of the rapture to the Church Age, the Day of Pentecost, and the Day of the Lord:

The "great tribulation" spoken of in Revelation 7:14 is either what the Church has so long been through, OR, what the Church will have just escaped... PROPOSITION Z The "great tribulation" of Revelation 7:14 is what the Church has so long been through. bACK tO TOP part 1 HOME to part 11 As we have been seeing, Scripture consistently supports that the great multitude John beheld in Revelation 7:9-17 is the just resurrected with the just raptured Church. Yet, as I mentioned in my previous proposition, a common interpretation is that this multitude is not those just spoken of but those who will be saved during the seven year period of Daniel's 70th Week, popularly referred to as the Seven Year Tribulation Period. A reason for this revolves around the following statement in verse 14: "These are they which came out of great tribulation. " Our purpose on this page will be to examine this statement and to hopefully help towards reconciling some differences of opinion on this question. The well known phrase, "The Seven Year Tribulation Period," is also commonly referred to as "The Great Tribulation." Some use the latter phrase in reference to the whole seven years, some, in reference to only the last 3-1/2 years. It should be noted that in the King James Version (KJV) of Revelation 7:14, there is no the preceding the words great tribulation, as there is in most later translations. I have an important focus on this in Appendix #8 , but for now, it should be realized that there is a lot of difference between great tribulation and what has come to be called "THE Great Tribulation." The position of the view herein set forth is that the Church will not be subjected to any of the great tribulation of Daniel's 70th Week. But, is there any evidence that it will not be subjected to great tribulation? To the contrary, the early Church was warned to expect such (e.g., Acts 14:21-22 and 1 Pet. 4:12-13), and did, and the evidence of history is that such has been the case throughout the Church Age. How much greater would the tribulation have needed to be in the days that Christians were fed to lions or burned at the stake for such to be regarded as great tribulation? In our country, the Church may not presently be subjected to such great tribulation (relatively speaking), but such is and has been the case with the Church from a worldwide perspective since the days of the apostles. Consider: From a worldwide and historical perspective, could it be said of God's children of the Church Age when seen together in glory, "These are they which came out of great tribulation"? I certainly believe so and would ask, "Why not?" However, while the Church has experienced great tribulation, it will not experience any of Daniel's 70th Week. If the great multitude in Revelation 7:14 includes the just raptured Church, this is why it is seen in Heaven before the opening of the 7th Seal. It is after this seal is opened that things will begin to come together for Daniel's 70th Week, as will be seen in PART II . Furthermore, what is up ahead will be the time of Israel's trouble, referred to in Jeremiah 30:7 as "Jacob's Trouble." This was never intended to be the time of the Church's trouble. The Church will escape or be delivered from this time. Digging deeper, the words great tribulation are translated from the Greek words megas and thlipsis respectively. Almost as often, thlipsis is translated as "trouble" or "affliction." Paul used the word thlipsis in 2 Corinthians 1:8 to describe what he and Timothy went through in Asia, saying also, "we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." Stephen used the words, megas thlipsis, translated "great affliction," when he described what the lands of Egypt and Canaan went through in the days that Joseph was governor in Egypt and his family came to him for corn (Acts 7:11ff ). These same words are also used in a warning given to the church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:22). The point is, there is a major difference between going through great tribulation and going through Daniel's 70th Week or that time so many refer to as "The Great Tribulation." Thus, it is clear scripturally that great tribulation doesn't necessarily mean Daniel's 70th Week. To sum up the foregoing, when the phrase "great tribulation" in Revelation 7:14 (as it appears in the KJV) is understood to be in reference to what the Church as a whole has experienced since the time that Christ founded it, it is much easier to recognize the great multitude that John here saw as being the Church, which has indeed come out of what it has so long been through. Of course, the generation of the Church that experiences the rapture will have just come out of the tribulation it has been through! While we are at a pivotal place in our study and have made much progress, that mysterious Seven Sealed Book, which could rightly be entitled THE DAY OF THE LORD, is still unopened. That last seal is still intact. But, the blessed hope of the resurrection and the rapture of the Church has occurred. Whatever your persuasion—the common pre-trib view, this different pre-trib view, or some other view—just know this: We who are a part of Christ's Church will be safely with Him on yonder shore before He opens that 7th Seal! At this point, it would be good to remember afresh that the 7th or last seal can scripturally be opened the same day that the rapture occurs. This helps to show that everything on the outside of THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK relates entirely to the Church Age—all seven seals. Conversely, everything on the inside of this book relates entirely to the time of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment—every single page. This concludes PART I and the A,B,C's of this study, which has concerned things up to and including the time of the rapture. I invite you to continue now to PART II and the 1,2,3's of this study, which concerns things after the time of the rapture. As PART I has brought us to the point just prior to the 7th Seal being opened, PART II will take us from there and will further substantiate PART I.

The 3rd Seal reveals Satan's Church Age scheme to effect poverty for most, but luxury for some... The 3rd Seal reveals Satan's Church Age scheme to effect poverty for most, but luxury for some. 2004 Indian Ocean 227,898 deaths 2005 Kashmir 87,351 deaths 2008 Sichuan 87,587 deaths 2010 Haiti 160,000 deaths 2023 Turkey-Syria 59,259 deaths And last, but not least, the word "troubles" in Mark 13:8 is from the Greek word tarache, which, according to Strong's Concordance, means "disturbance , i.e. (of water) roiling , or (of a mob) sedition. " These meanings indicate things beyond the "famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes" (Matt. 24:7) that are commonly focused upon. It is easy to see disturbances relating to water " roiling " having to do with such things as hurricanes, typhons, and flooding. Interestingly, the latter definition, "(of a mob) sedition, " needs no comment beyond our present-day nightly news! Do the uprisings that have happened in the world and in our day also lend to poverty conditions? Suffice it to say that such does not help matters much. Now, by the data available in 2020, according to poverty statistics for the year 2017 (search "poverty statistics" on the internet), 9.2 percent of the world's population, or 689 million people, were struggling to live on less than $1.90 a day. That's over twice the population of the United States. Further, 24.1 percent of the world was living on less than $3.20 a day and 43.6 percent on less than $5.50 a day. That latter percentage represents over three billion people (3,310,984,000 to be more exact). That's right at 10 times the population of the United States. What is going on? Consider: How long has Christ's Bride endeavored to help those who have been impoverished by all the famines, disease outbreaks, and catastrophes that have occurred abroad, only to have so many of Her efforts rode roughshod over by something? That something, I submit, stems from the activity of the rider on the black horse of the 3rd Seal. As can be imagined, such a one would have zero sympathy for the tears, the little children with swollen stomachs, the sickly and dying, or those ravaged by the devastation left in his path as he spurs his steed onward in his campaign to effect poverty. Notice also that something is said about "the oil and the wine" (vs. 6). These are normally understood to represent luxuries of the rich, which are to be left alone. In the context of how the rich fare, the extent of destitution in this world, so often to the point of starvation, is troubling. It is like a picture depicting sprinkles of lavish prosperity on a big black canvas of abject want. If the scheme of this rider on the black horse has been to keep things so unbalanced in our world (again, from as far back as the first century), he has certainly not received the fiendish recognition due him for a job well done. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful," and there are none who have been more merciful than His Bride. But there will not be a time when She can say Her mission is accomplished, for this rider is not going to be returning to his corral, not this side of Christ's return, anyway. And then, there is the last horseman, who may be the most sinister of them all. bACK tO TOP PART I HOME next key PROPOSITION O John's account of the opening of the seals continues thus, from Revelation 6: 5 And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And, what was the third category of bad things, or tribulation, Jesus warned of in His Olivet Discourse that would characterize what the future held? Again, from Matthew 24, we read: 7 ...and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. In Mark's account of Jesus' discourse, we find a little more that He said, something I don't recall others ever pointing out. Consider from chapter 13: 8 ...and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles... While it may be a little more difficult to see the parallel of all the things Jesus speaks of above with what John records concerning the opening of the 3rd Seal, the connection is definitely there. The information of the 3rd Seal, in the setting of the first century, reflects a day's minimum of food costing a day's wages (cp. Matt. 20:2). This bespeaks shortages of food and also poverty conditions to a degree hardly realized in America, but so common in the rest of the world. The connection with what Jesus spoke of is this: We know that famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and troubles lend to poverty conditions. In a moment we will look at some very telling poverty data. But first, I would like to point out a few things relating to the words Jesus used. The word "pestilences" is from the Greek word loimos, which means "a plague" (Strong's Concordance). My old hardback Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating" and shows the Bubonic plague (commonly referred to as the Black Death) for an example. An estimated "75,000,000 - 200,000,000" have died from this pestilence, which "peaked in Europe from 1347 to 1351" (Black Death/Wikipedia). Of course, COVID-19 is a modern day pestilence that our generation will always remember. According to the World Heath Organization, as of "July 2023, there have been 768,983,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,953,743 deaths." My wife and I (sickest I've ever been!) would be two of those "confirmed cases"! The word "earthquake" is from the Greek word seismos, which means "a commotion , i.e. (of the air) a gale , (of the ground) an earthquake " (again, Strong's Concordance). Interestingly, this is the word from which "tempest" is translated in Matthew 8:24, which reads, "And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep." Also interesting is that tornados can cause seismic activity, something scientists are beginning to use to measure their intensity. So, the word "seismos " that Jesus used would take in more than what we commonly regard as earthquakes. Moreover, while some individuals may have not personally felt an earthquake (I have felt two in my life, one that really scared me), they are very common from a worldwide perspective and certainly happen in accord with what Jesus said, "in divers (various) places"! As a matter of fact, no truer words have ever been spoken, as a little internet searching will reveal. Just in terms of a very abbreviated list of the earthquakes that have occurred since the turn of the millennium (2000-2025), consider these top five (as far as fatalities go) , shown in Wikepedia...