
THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK
and a different pre-trib rapture view

To the Church,
the Body of Christ, of which I am most grateful to be a part.
THE SEQUENCE OF LAST DAYS' EVENTS
(A Bible based possibility, especially relating to the timing of the rapture)
I have focused on The Revelation being both in chronological order (PROPOSITION B) and a grid into which all end-time prophecies will fit and find their order (PROPOSITION C). When the sequence of last days' events is considered from this perspective, things come together in an interesting and validating way.
All in the Church should be curious concerning this sequence as it pertains to the timing of the rapture. For generations, an intense interest has revolved around this timing relative to Daniel's 70th Week. The following possibility shows a timeline based upon The Revelation (up to the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week), other last days' prophecies, history, and factors relating to the geography of the earth. For easier readability, the first narrative is presented without references. Below it, the same narrative is repeated with references and/or the propositions where they can be found.
NARRATIVE WITHOUT REFERENCES
The Revelation was given by God to reveal unto Christ's servants things that were going to come to pass. For all prophecies that take time to be fulfilled, there is the time when they will begin to be fulfilled. In accord with the way this is spoken of in both the opening and closing chapters of The Revelation, it should not surprise us to find evidences that some of what it reveals began to take place in that day—and we do.
The first thing John writes of that could have begun to happen in that day has to do with the unsealing of a mysterious book, sealed with seven seals. John first sees this book during a ceremony in Heaven that he is enabled to attend, where God is holding it in His right hand while sitting on His throne. The importance of such a book should give us pause. Selah.
The occasion of this ceremony was the conferring of the charge of the Seven Sealed Book to "The Lamb," which is Jesus Christ. As The Revelation is the last book of the Bible and concerns the end, even more so is this the case with the Seven Sealed Book. The time of the end is the time of God's coming judgment upon this world. It is referred to in the Bible as "the Day of the Lord" and variations of this phrase. A very fitting title for the Seven Sealed Book would be THE DAY OF THE LORD - or simply - THE END.
After the ceremony and Jesus' taking possession of the book, John's attention is brought to bear upon His opening of its seals. With the opening of each one, he beholds things that were to happen. Quite naturally, those of the early churches could have rightly gathered that at least one of the seals—perhaps more—perhaps all—could be opened at any time. Just as naturally, the opening of the seals and what is then seen to happen could have rightly been expected to precede the unfolding of the book and whatever was contained therein.
There is both biblical and historical support that The Lamb opened the first four seals not long after The Revelation was given, perhaps just after John's death. When these are opened, activities relating to the realm of evil are revealed, activities that have impacted history and the Church ever since.
As the case was with Job and as it has been since the beginning, Satan would have no liberties to do what he does unless granted some by Almighty God for His ultimate plans and purposes. The four horsemen of the first four seals are like Satan's henchmen in his schemes to bring about the tribulations, persecutions, and martyrdom of which Jesus warned His disciples in the opening part of His Olivet Discourse.
In the face of all that the Church has experienced, its continued existence unto this day has been remarkable. As Jesus assured Peter and the rest of His disciples, "the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." This has been ensured by the times of God's intervention and the "fourth part" geographical limitation on the martyrdom that the pale horse rider has been able to inflict.
As the time of God's last days' judgment draws ever nearer, so will the time of the opening of the 5th Seal, which reveals the cry of all the Church Age martyrs for justice. There is solid support that The Lamb has now opened this seal as well.
While it is evident that the 6th Seal has not yet been opened, The Lamb may open it at any moment. The convergence of the many related prophetic puzzle pieces supports that the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH will happen at this time. This will be barely preceded by the resurrection of the bodies of the saints who have gone on before. The Church Age will end on this day that the 6th Seal is opened.
Unsurprisingly, there will be a great earthquake that will happen simultaneously with the resurrection and the rapture. Concurrent with this, the sun will be darkened, the moon will appear blood red, and there will be a massive meteor shower. All of this will be accompanied by a phenomenon that will occur with the sky, unlike anything that has ever been witnessed.
AT THIS SAME MOMENT, the unsaved in Israel's hemisphere will see "the face of Him that sitteth on the throne" and "The Lamb." This will be "THE SIGN of the Son of man in heaven" that Jesus spoke about in His Olivet Discourse in answer to the disciples' question, "what shall be the sign of Thy coming." This heralding sign of His later Second Advent will be like a flash of reality that is gone "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." While the saved will be gone as well, all the unsaved will be left behind. They will no doubt be momentarily blinded by the brightness of what they just witnessed as they scramble for their lives.
ALSO IN THIS SAME MOMENT, 144,000 Orthodox Jews from "all the tribes" will see the Lamb and realize that it is Jesus—their Messiah indeed—whom their nation rejected and crucified some 2000 years ago. These will be "the firstfruits" of the later harvest. Upon believing, these will be sealed, but left to bear witness to The Lamb.
MEANWHILE, on the United States' side of the earth, the unsaved will be perplexed at the sudden vanishing of so many, some who were family and friends. The unsaved throughout the world will be gripped by their deep inherent fear that the time of God's judgment has come.
ON THIS SAME DAY, the 7th Seal will be opened as well, readying the covers of the Seven Sealed Book to unfold. In perfect harmony with what the Seven Sealed Book is all about, the time of God's judgment will have come indeed—THE GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD. While there will be a sudden calm of sorts—like in the eye of a hurricane—within "about the space of half an hour," there will be a second wave of destruction.
Eleven times John writes that a "third part" will be destroyed or affected at this time. Various evidences support that this particular destruction will be to one side of the earth, the side opposite that of the Bible lands. Interestingly, the land area on the Americas' side of the earth (which includes half of Antarctica) equals an exact third part of the earth. This is a geographical reality that holds true now as it did then.
That the Americas will be removed from the final last days' picture is in intriguing harmony with Scripture. Just as the Americas—and the United States—had no role in the fulfilling of the first 69 weeks of Daniel's 70 Weeks' prophecy, it fits the prophetic pattern that they will also be absent from the picture of the final week.
The destruction of this third part will commence with another meteor shower that is like a fiery bombardment. A "great mountain burning with fire" (perhaps a mountain range, like the Rockies or the Andes) will be "cast" into the ocean, conceivably the result of a sudden and immense internal pressure buildup within the earth under one of the continents.
Like a tumbling domino display, this will be followed by the largest asteroid impact ever, again, on the Americas' side of the earth. The damage done will be beyond recovering from. It will be a fatal blow to the lands of the Western Hemisphere. Any remnant of survivors won't make it for long, a matter of days or weeks at the most. The extent of smoke, vapor, and dust in the atmosphere will cause the days and nights to be much darker the world over. WHAT A DAY.
Meanwhile, on Israel's side of the earth, it may be realized that something catastrophic has happened in the Western Hemisphere—just not what. Whereas everything will already be darkened, things will become darker still. The pandemonium and time of suffering will be unlike anything that has ever occurred. For "five months," while the earth itself will begin to stabilize somewhat, all else will be in a critical state. Hopelessness will abound.
West and southern Africa, the west coasts of Europe, and the east coasts of Asia will have become flooded ruins as a result of enormous tsunamis. All of Australia will undoubtedly be swept away. As if providentially spared, Israel and the lands of the old Roman Empire that were far enough inland to endure will be the only lands where any kind of lasting refuge is conceivable.
As a result of all the devastation and flooding on the eastern and southern coasts of Asia, the survivors—millions of them—will begin migrating westward. Relating to this migration, an event will take place in the area of the Euphrates River that will result in the death of a third part of the world's remaining population.
The situation upon the earth will be like a quantum leap backwards. While things will be like on a wobbly teeter every day, a semblance of times reminiscent of the Bible days—like a WORLD STAGE RESET—will emerge.
There will be many Jews talking about the prophecies of the "little book open," which is DANIEL, and it will all be making more sense now, like never before. Notably, a leader will have been on the rise, a real standout, like a godsend. He will command the world's attention with his charisma and intrigue. The Israelites will even begin to say that he is their long-prophesied Messiah—all but two prophets of note and the 144,000. They will be saying something else.
This leader will even establish a seven year covenant with the Jews and spearhead the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. When finished, they will worship him there. Again, all but the two prophets and the 144,000. And, and...
NARRATIVE WITH REFERENCES
The Revelation was given by God to reveal unto Christ's servants things that were going to come to pass. For all prophecies that take time to be fulfilled, there is the time when they will begin to be fulfilled (PROPOSITION A). In accord with the way this is spoken of in both the opening and closing chapters of The Revelation (Rev. 1:1, 3, & 19 with 22:6, & 10), it should not surprise us to find evidences that some of what it reveals began to take place in that day—and we do.
The first thing John writes of that could have begun to happen in that day has to do with the unsealing of a mysterious book, sealed with seven seals. John first sees this book during a ceremony in Heaven that he is enabled to attend, where God is holding it in His right hand while sitting on His throne (Rev. 5:1). The importance of such a book should give us pause. Selah.
The occasion of this ceremony was the conferring of the charge of the Seven Sealed Book to "The Lamb," which is Jesus Christ. As The Revelation is the last book of the Bible and concerns the end, even more so is this the case with the Seven Sealed Book. The time of the end is the time of God's coming judgment upon this world. It is referred to in the Bible as "the Day of the Lord" (e.g., Joel 3:14; 2 Pet. 3:10) and variations of this phrase (e.g., Isa. 61:2; Rev. 6:17). A very fitting title for the Seven Sealed Book would be THE DAY OF THE LORD - or simply - THE END (PROPOSITION H).
After the ceremony and Jesus' taking possession of the book, John's attention is brought to bear upon His opening of its seals. With the opening of each one, he beholds things that were to happen (Rev. 6:1-8:1ff). Quite naturally, those of the early churches could have rightly gathered that at least one of the seals—perhaps more—perhaps all—could be opened at any time. Just as naturally, the opening of the seals and what is then seen to happen could have rightly been expected to precede the unfolding of the book and whatever was contained therein.
There is both biblical and historical support that The Lamb opened the first four seals not long after The Revelation was given, perhaps just after John's death. When these are opened, activities relating to the realm of evil are revealed, activities that have impacted history and the Church ever since (PROPOSITION L, M, N, O, and P).
As the case was with Job and as it has been since the beginning, Satan would have no liberties to do what he does unless granted some by Almighty God for His ultimate plans and purposes. The four horsemen of the first four seals are like Satan's henchmen in his schemes to bring about the tribulations, persecutions, and martyrdom of which Jesus warned His disciples in the opening part of His Olivet Discourse (e.g., Matt. 24:4-11).
In the face of all that the Church has experienced, its continued existence unto this day has been remarkable. As Jesus assured Peter and the rest of His disciples, "the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This has been ensured by the times of God's intervention and the "fourth part" (Rev. 6:8) geographical limitation on the martyrdom that the pale horse rider has been able to inflict (PROPOSITION Q).
As the time of God's last days' judgment draws ever nearer, so will the time of the opening of the 5th Seal, which reveals the cry of all the Church Age martyrs for justice. There is solid support that The Lamb has now opened this seal as well (PROPOSITION R).
While it is evident that the 6th Seal has not yet been opened, The Lamb may open it at any moment. The convergence of the many related prophetic puzzle pieces (e.g., Joel 2:31/Acts 2:20; Matt. 24:29-31; Mk. 13:24-27; Lk. 21:25-28; 1 Thess. 4:16-5:3) supports that the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH will happen at this time. This will be barely preceded by the resurrection of the bodies of the saints who have gone on before (1 Cor. 15:51-52). The Church Age will end on this day that the 6th Seal is opened (PROPOSITION S).
Unsurprisingly, there will be a great earthquake (Rev. 6:12) that will happen simultaneously with the resurrection and the rapture. Concurrent with this, the sun will be darkened, the moon will appear blood red, and there will be a massive meteor shower. All of this will be accompanied by a phenomenon that will occur with the sky, unlike anything that has ever been witnessed (Rev. 6:14).
AT THIS SAME MOMENT, the unsaved in Israel's hemisphere will see "the face of Him that sitteth on the throne" and "The Lamb" (Rev. 6:15-17). This will be "THE SIGN of the Son of man in heaven" that Jesus spoke about in His Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:30) in answer to the disciples' question, "what shall be the sign of Thy coming" (Matt. 24:3). This heralding sign of His later Second Advent (PROPOSITION T) will be like a flash of reality that is gone "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." While the saved will be gone as well, all the unsaved will be left behind (Matt. 24:40-44; Lk. 17:34-36). They will no doubt be momentarily blinded by the brightness of what they just witnessed as they scramble for their lives.
ALSO IN THIS SAME MOMENT, 144,000 Orthodox Jews from "all the tribes" (Rev. 7:4; Matt. 24:30) will see the Lamb and realize that it is Jesus—their Messiah indeed—whom their nation rejected and crucified some 2000 years ago. These will be "the firstfruits" (Rev. 14:1-4) of the later harvest. Upon believing, these will be sealed, but left to bear witness to The Lamb (PROPOSITION X).
MEANWHILE, on the United States' side of the earth, the unsaved will be perplexed at the sudden vanishing of so many, some who were family and friends. The unsaved throughout the world will be gripped by their deep inherent fear that the time of God's judgment has come.
ON THIS SAME DAY, the 7th Seal will be opened as well, readying the covers of the Seven Sealed Book to unfold (PROPOSITION 1). In perfect harmony with what the Seven Sealed Book is all about, the time of God's judgment will have come indeed—THE GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD (Joel 2:31/Acts 2:20/Rev. 6:17). While there will be a sudden calm of sorts—like in the eye of a hurricane—within "about the space of half an hour" (Rev. 8:1), there will be a second wave of destruction.
Eleven times John writes that a "third part" will be destroyed or affected at this time (Rev. 8:6-12). Various evidences support that this particular destruction will be to one side of the earth, the side opposite that of the Bible lands (PROPOSITION 2 and 3). Interestingly, the land area on the Americas' side of the earth (which includes half of Antarctica) equals an exact third part of the earth. This is a geographical reality that holds true now as it did then (PROPOSITION 4).
That the Americas will be removed from the final last days' picture is in intriguing harmony with Scripture. Just as the Americas—and the United States—had no role in the fulfilling of the first 69 weeks of Daniel's 70 Weeks' prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27), it fits the prophetic pattern that they will also be absent from the picture of the final week.
The destruction of this third part will commence with another meteor shower that is like a fiery bombardment (Rev. 8:7). A "great mountain burning with fire" (perhaps a mountain range, like the Rockies or the Andes) will be "cast" into the ocean (Rev. 8:8), conceivably the result of a sudden and immense internal pressure buildup within the earth under one of the continents.
Like a tumbling domino display, this will be followed by the largest asteroid impact ever, again, on the Americas' side of the earth. The damage done will be beyond recovering from. It will be a fatal blow to the lands of the Western Hemisphere. Any remnant of survivors won't make it for long, a matter of days or weeks at the most (Rev. 8:10-11). The extent of smoke, vapor, and dust in the atmosphere will cause the days and nights to be much darker the world over (Rev. 8:12). WHAT A DAY (PROPOSITION 5).
Meanwhile, on Israel's side of the earth, it may be realized that something catastrophic has happened in the Western Hemisphere—just not what. Whereas everything will already be darkened, things will become darker still (Rev. 9:2). The pandemonium and time of suffering will be unlike anything that has ever occurred. For "five months" (Rev. 9:5, 10), while the earth itself will begin to stabilize somewhat, all else will be in a critical state. Hopelessness will abound.
West and southern Africa, the west coasts of Europe, and the east coasts of Asia will have become flooded ruins as a result of enormous tsunamis. All of Australia will undoubtedly be swept away. As if providentially spared, Israel and the lands of the old Roman Empire that were far enough inland to endure will be the only lands where any kind of lasting refuge is conceivable.
As a result of all the devastation and flooding on the eastern and southern coasts of Asia, the survivors—millions of them—will begin migrating westward. Relating to this migration, an event will take place in the area of the Euphrates River (Rev. 9:14) that will result in the death of a third part of the world's remaining population (Rev. 9:15-18).
The situation upon the earth will be like a quantum leap backwards. While things will be like on a wobbly teeter every day, a semblance of times reminiscent of the Bible days—like a WORLD STAGE RESET—will emerge (PROPOSITION 6).
There will be many Jews talking about the prophecies of the "little book open," which is DANIEL (Rev. 10:2; Dan. 12:4, 8-10), and it will all be making more sense now, like never before (PROPOSITION 7). Notably, a leader will have been on the rise, a real standout, like a godsend. He will command the world's attention with his charisma and intrigue. The Israelites will even begin to say that he is their long-prophesied Messiah—all but two prophets of note (Rev. 11:3) and the 144,000. They will be saying something else.
This leader will even establish a seven year covenant with the Jews and spearhead the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem (PROPOSITION 8). When finished, they will worship him there (Rev. 11:1; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Matt. 24:15). Again, all but the two prophets (Rev. 11:7) and the 144,000. And, and...