Introduction The purpose of this book is to clarify the basics concerning prophecy in the Bible without overburdening the truth with too much conjecture. My hope is that as you venture through these words, they will ignite a passion for Jesus and a desire to share the story of salvation. This is a “snapshot” at prophecy and a basic theological perspective on the rapture, tribulation, Antichrist, and the second coming of Jesus.

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Rapture 2 Pet 3:8-13 – But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (NIV)

Biblical Time PeriodsOne-third of the Bible contains predictive prophecy and two-thirds is historic prophecy.

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Kingdom RuleRev 20:1-7-1000 yearsSatan boundDivine Gov.Saints reign with ChristSatan LoosedSatan cast in Lake of FireGreat White Throne Jdgmt God’s dealing with man ended

GraceActs 2:1-Rev 19:21-Length-Length-Ascension to 2nd ComingPentecostChurch AgeRaptureTribulationArmageddonReturn of ChristDefeat of AntichristSalvation of Israel

LawEx 14:22-Christ-1700 yearsWilderness JourneyPromised LandDavid/SolomonBabylonian CaptivityJerusalem Temple RestoredDispersion into the worldIncarnation- Birth Public Ministry Trial/Crucifixion Burial Resurrection

PromiseGen 12:1-Ex 12:41-430 yearsCall of Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph Egyptian Bondage Moses (Aaron) Exodus

Human Gov.Gen 8:15-11:32-427 years Flood Recedes Nohaic Cov Nimrod Tower of Conscience Gen 3:7-8:15--1656 yrsCain & AbelSethNoahInnocenceGen 1:27-3:7Length-?Adam EveSerpentExpulsion-

Timeline

The word “rapture” No matter how hard you look you won’t find the word Rapture in scripture, but you will find a massive amount of scripture pertaining to this event that is yet to happen. We get the word “rapture” from a Latin word “Raphere”, which means “to siege by force” or “caught up”.

Jesus Christ will come in the cloudsActs 1:11 – “Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (NIV)Once the rapture takes place we will be with Christ from that point on forever1Thes 4:16-18 – For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. (NIV)Christ will come without any warning2 Pet 3:8-13 – But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (NIV)

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You Must Be Dead To Be Raptured Based on Paul’s statement here, being dead in body is not the only “dead” that applies. We must be dead to sin and dead to self.Rom 6:10-11 – The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (NIV)Rom 6:4 – We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (NIV)

Physical death is a fact of Life. Job describes death as the “King of Terrors” (Job 18:4). Death is a mystery to natural man. Adam was warned death would take place if he entered into disobedience. Gen 2:16-17 – And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Abel died as a result of his brother’s violence (4:8). An interesting point is that one of Cain’s descendants murdered as well. Genesis 5 is one big funeral- “and he died…” Only Enoc was the exception. Genesis 5:24 says that “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (NIV) Some of the words the Bible uses are; die, death, died, deadness, deadly, dying, slept, deceased, gave up the ghost, yielded up the ghost, soul departing, slay, kill, slain, murder, destroy, smite, perish, perdition, fell, devoured, destruction, body without spirit.

There are a number of theories out there concerning death and the “intermediate state” (the time between death and the rapture). We will take a look at four of the more common ones, then see what the Bible says about what really happens.

The “Spiristic Theory “denies any future resurrection. Salvation is simply a spiritual thing, nothing physical will ever happen.

The “Soul-Sleep Theory”, the Seventh-Day-Adventists believe this, that the soul cannot be conscience without the body.

The “Purgatory Theory”. Roman Catholicism believes this, that the saved are ready to go to heaven at death, after you

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pay for all the bad you did in a place of punishment first then you go to heaven.

The “Stupor Theory”, the soul is not completely unconscious.

The fact is that if we are saved, when we die we are immediately in heaven with Jesus. 2 Cor 5:8 – We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (KJV)

Jesus shows us this in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. He relays the fact that Lazarus and the rich man are immediately in their eternal state when they die.2 Pet 3:3-10 – First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (NIV)

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The Seventh SealThe trumpet judgmentsThe bowls of wrath

The ministry of the two witnessesThe ministry of the 144,000Six of the seven seals

ArmageddonSatan BoundMillennial Reign

Rapture of the churchBefore judgment

3½ Years

There are three major theories concerning the time of the rapture: Before the Great Tribulation, known as the “Pre-Tribulation Theory”, in the middle of the Great Tribulation, known as the “Mid-Tribulation Theory” and after the Great Tribulation, known as the “Post-Tribulation Theory”.

I have put the timing of the rapture before the Great Tribulation period for a number of reasons:

Christ promised the disciples that he was going back to the father where he would prepare a place for them. Then he would come again and receive them to himself that they might be ever with him.

John 14:1-3 – "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. NIV

Later, the Bible explains how the church will be brought into His presence. Believers living and dead, will be “caught up together…to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:17)

All members of the church will participate in this event. 1 Cor 15:51-52 – Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (NIV)

In a promise to the Philadelphia church, and through that local congregation to the entire church, Christ states that believers will be “Kept”

Rev 3:10 - Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (NIV)

This will take place just prior to the tribulation. The restrainer, the church under the Holy Spirit anointing, where He dwells in people is to be taken out of the world (2 Thess 2:6-7). Then in verse 8 He says

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and “then” (a particle of time), shall that “wicked” (antichrist), be revealed.

Since we are saved we are not under judgment, the Great Tribulation is Judgment on the world

John 5:24-"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (NIV) Rom 8:1-Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (NIV)1 Cor 15:51-54 – Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." (NIV)

AntichristRev 6:1-2 – I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (NIV)

The first rider is the Antichrist This first rider on the white horse is not to be confused with the rider in Rev 19:11, which is obviously a reference of Christ on a white horse. This rider is the Antichrist bent on conquest and begins the devastation that comes to the world. How do we know this? Because this rider is bent on conquest during a time of curse and plagues. He precedes the remaining curses and because of him, some of the curses are poured out.

What will the characteristics of the Antichrist be?Materialistic Pantheist- He will embrace all religions and all gods.

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II Th 2:3-4 – Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)

Dan 11:38 - But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Dan 11:38-Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.

1-In his estate shall he honor the god of forces2-a religious rebellion will prepare the way for His appearance in society3-destroy all moral and Spiritual distinction

Origin - all the details of this are not insisted upon in scripture however we do have tremendous insight.

He will come from social chaosDan 8:21-25 – "And the shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 – "And the broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power. 23 – "And in the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise Insolent and skilled in intrigue. 24 "And his power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; He will destroy mighty men and the holy people. 25 "And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency. (NAS)

He will be a citizen of revived Roman Empire Dan 9:26- “The people of the prince shall come” These were those who destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD, so he must belong to the old

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Roman Empire. The ten horns and little ones of Dan 7:7-8, can only have reference to the Roman Empire.

He will be from Jewish decent Although there is no decisive answer to this question. It could be that he is a JewDan 11:37 - "And he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. (NAS)“Not regard the god of his fathers” (Jews), nor the “desire of women” (Christ). Remember the antichrist comes as “messiah” so it is very probable that he is a Jew. He will negotiate with Israel (John 5:43 & Dan 9:27)

He will be revealed II Th 2:7-For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. This clearly refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the church. Once the rapture takes place, the church will be removed and the spiritual climate of the world will change. I have heard it taught that the Holy Spirit is the one removed, how could this be since many are still saved during the tribulation? The time of grace will remain until Jesus actually sets His foot on the earth after the great tribulation.

He will break his covenant, secure worship, persecute Jews, destroy the church, and rule the world What will Antichrist be like?“Who is like the beast?” (Rev 13:4); “Diverse” from all who precede him.” (Dan 7:7, 19, 23, 24) As the final king of the fourth world empire Daniel says he is the fourth beast.

Highly intelligent (Dan 7:8, Ezek 1:18; Rev 4:6) “Eyes like the eyes of man”

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-After rising from the sea of nations (Rev 13:1), he will demonstrate his ability among ten kings; so they will decide to give their power into his hands. (Rev 17:13)-Satan himself will give the beast, his power, his seat and great authority Rev 13:2-Dan 8:23-understanding dark sentences

Great Orator and Demagogue - (an unprincipled agitator)Dan 7:8 – “A mouth speaking great things”Rev 13:2 – “A mouth as the mouth of a lion”Rev 13:5 – The content of his speaking is “Great Things”-Blasphemy against God, Christ, Saints, Church will characterize most of his speech

Rev 13:1 – “Upon His heads the name of Blasphemy”Rev 13:6 – “There was given to him a mouth

speaking…blasphemies”

Clever politicianDan 8:25 – “Through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand…_

“In their security shall he corrupt many” –NASHe convinces the ten kings of the world to form a confederation and turn their power over to him, (Rev 17:16-17) they will assist him in destroying the great whore, (Rev 17:16-17) and finally they will help him in the great battle of Armageddon and meet their destruction. He will eventually climb up to rule the world.

Perfect physical specimen Dan 7:20 – “Whose look was more stout than his fellows”Dan 8:23 – “A King of fierce (Heb-Strong) Countenance”2 Thess 2:4 – “showing himself” (to show off; or to make a public exhibition or display)The whole world will marvel at him & worship HimHe will be an exceptional physical specimen

Military GeniusDan 7:8 – “were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots” “He shall subdue three kings”

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Rev 13:4 – “Who is able to make war with him?”

Mankind will believe “the lie”II Th 2:9-12 – The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (NIV)

What then is the “strong delusion”? What will be so compelling that will make people worship the antichrist? What would be so commonly accepted by everyone on earth to unify all false religions that have been left behind? Simply put, he will act the part of the Messiah. Remember, He is envious of God, His power and Glory. The Antichrist will covet and will have the worship of the world. He will take the seat of Christ. He will offer false sacrifice in the newly constructed temple to look as though he is keeping the law. Antichrist is the lie – he is the masterpiece of Satan. Even though the Antichrist is released to do his mission of deception and war against Christ, remember Christ is providential. He is in control; he is the one who tore open the first seal to begin with.

Mark of the Beast The “Mark of the Beast” is the most commonly referred to prophecy in scripture; Christians should know what it means so that we are able to avoid much of the contemporary “hocus-pocus” commonly associated with it. Many people get their theology more from horror movies and pop culture than they do the Bible. Christians as well have used the mark to suggest things like chips under the skin (like we have in our pets), satellite identification and marketplace palm scans. Not suggesting that some or even all of these things may be used for commerce or identification, however the mark has a deeper spiritual significance than we may realize. Let’s take some time to break it down and really see what the Bible says about it.

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The “Beast” – the Antichrist, a symbol of empire controlRev 13:1 – And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. (NAS)

Ten horns, the horns stand for power, ten kingdoms. The beast with 7 heads represents the false prophet.

Rev 13:11-12 – And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. 12 – And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. (NAS)

1st horn = False church2nd horn = Pagan religions

Rev 13:15 – And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (NAS) The false prophet was put in charge of making a statue and give the statue some sort of life

The “Mark”Rev 13:16 – And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, (NAS)

What is the mark? Is 666 what the Bible requires? Is it in English? What if it were Roman numerals? What if it were Arabic? The numbers 666 in Arabic look like 777. What if it is in Hebrew, the numbers are letters and the value of the word equals 666, it would be see, shamit, sing-sing 100 + 200 + 300, and then it wouldn’t add up correctly. What if it is in Greek, in Greek the mark of the beast is in letter form, so would it look like letters? We are not dealing with numbers with the “mark of the beast” we are dealing with a name. Rev 15:2 – And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image

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and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. (NAS) The numerical value may be 666, but the characteristic we could be most able to identify this mark is by what the name means more than what it looks like.

The mark is the name of the beast and his name is blasphemy.

(Rev 13:1 – “His name is blasphemy “)

Those who take the mark of the beast will not be savedRev 14:9-10 – And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 – he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

It is interesting to note that even in this eternal state of torment that Jesus is still there. The torment is excruciating and to make things even more unpalatable this is all happening in the presence of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Don’t take the markRev 16:1-2 – And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth." 2 – And the first angel went and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

God specifically pours out this vial on those who take the mark, and the results are severe; worship the beast, or his image, or receive his mark and you will reap the undiluted wrath of God, and ultimately suffer hellfire in the sight of God, the Lamb and the angels. It seems God is giving one last offer to the world to persevere and not give in to the Beast.Everyone with the mark will be at Armageddon fighting ChristRev 19:19-21 – And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the

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horse, and against His army. 20 – And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 – And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. (NAS)

All the goat nations and those with the mark have no place of repentance, not because of the look of the mark or the specific nature of its appearance, but rather because of what it means, blasphemy.

What is “Blasphemy”?Blasphemy is to lie about or reverse any attribute of GodWebster says it means to speak irreverently to God. I make no quibble with Webster but do wish to define his word “irreverently” in the scope of scriptural principle.

Mark 3:28-29 – I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29 – But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."Luke 12:10 – And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.Matt 12:31 – And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

If taking the mark of the beast is blasphemy and sinning against the Holy Spirit is blasphemy, are there then two unforgivable sins? No, Jesus quite clearly says there is only one unforgivable sin, lying against the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, Sin against me you can be forgiven, Sin against the Father you can be forgiven, but sin against the Holy Spirit, you will not. WHY? We must then conclude that there is a direct connection between the unpardonable sin of lying about the Holy Spirit and taking the mark of the beast.

The mark of the beast is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

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Rom 8:11 – But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. (NAS) Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit so damnable? If blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, we ought to determine the source of the greatest irritation of God. In order to know why blasphemy against the HS is unforgivable, we should know what the Holy Spirit does and why it so offends God.

What then is the job of the Holy Spirit that makes this work so important to God?1 – To bring people to salvationRom 8:15-16 – For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

2 – To show us His righteousnessJohn 16:8-11 – When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 – In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 – In regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 – and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

3 – To help us prayRom 8:26-27 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 – And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. There is so much more, to be our counselor, encourager, comforter, spiritual healer, guide, gifts to the church. There is so much the HS does. But the overwhelming commonality to all of these things is this.

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4 – The Holy Spirit puts us in right relationship with GodRev 13:1 says that the antichrist has a blasphemous name on his forehead.Rev 13:5-6 – And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 – And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (NAS)

The spirit of antichrist is one that speaks blasphemous things, just in these verses he blasphemes, God, His name, His dwelling, heaven, and his people. He calls evil good and good evil. Sounds like today’s headline, because the spirit of antichrist is alive today.

5 – Jesus Himself was filled with the HS and relied on that power to do everything He did So blaspheme against father and son will be forgiven, but not HS. Jesus gives us truth, when he confronted the Pharisees in their accusation toward Him. The work of the HS in restoring the demon possessed was being called evil.Matt 12:27-31 – And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 31 – And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Jesus gave up His divine attributes to be human (Phil 2). He became flesh and blood just like you and I. He had no more power to heal someone than you and I do. He surrendered His supernatural power, He was flesh and blood. But notice what happens after he is baptized and the Holy Spirit descends to him. It was only after he was filled with the Spirit that any miracles took place. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is deliberate. The person who blasphemes has no conviction over sin left. It is not possible to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit in ignorance, sin is by knowledge, or purposeful action knowing the consequences or the measurement of right or wrong associated with it.

James 4:17 – Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (NIV)

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Paul told Timothy that he was shown mercy because the sins he had committed were in ignorance. So then, because blasphemy is sin, one deliberate in doing it. When someone lies about the work of the Holy Spirit, they blaspheme. This won’t happen overnight, the beast and the false prophet will be clever in their deception practices, luring people to align themselves against the work of the Holy Spirit.

Review:1 – The mark of the beast is a name2 – The letters have the numerical value of 6663 – There is only one unpardonable sin, blasphemy against the HS4 – The mark is blasphemy5 – At Armageddon all those with the mark will be slain by Jesus Himself, the Word of God.

TribulationDan 9:24 – "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. (NIV)

The tribulation hasn’t happened yet The Seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy which has still to happen. There is no reference of the church mentioned in scripture when speaking of the Tribulation period. The timing of the tribulation period is immediately following the completion of the church during the age of grace. The tribulation period of seven years after the rapture of the saints is broken down into two parts, the first half 3 ½ years and the second 3 ½ years. We will look first at the first half and the things that will be happening during that time.

The Anti-Christ will be already present. He is a real person that will come from a very small beginning to the full-fruition of deception.

God will send two witnesses among His people with the message of the GospelRev 11:3-And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

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Matt 24:14-And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (NIV)

These two witnesses have characteristics of Moses and ElijahRev 11:4-5 – These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. (NIV)

Mal 4:4-5 – "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 – "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. (NIV)

2 – God will protect these two witnesses during the days of their ministry. It also seems very likely that through their ministry, during the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation 144,000 of them will be saved and sealed.

Rev 7:1-4 – After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 – "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (NIV)

Rev 14:1-5 – Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 – And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 – And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

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They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

3 – In the middle of the trib-the Antichrist will kill the two witnesses. And the antichrist will begin a persecution of the Jews that the world has never seen. Dan 12:1 – "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-- everyone whose name is found written in the book-- will be delivered. (NIV) As a result many Jews will flee to the wilderness for protection. In this they will be enabled of the Lord. Mark 13:14-19 – "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong-- let the reader understand-- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now-- and never to be equaled again. (NIV)

D – The antichrist will assimilate his kingdom Who will be part of the Antichrist’s power team? The international aspect will gather about the four great powers of the end time. These four powers (Dan 11:36, Dan 7:24, Rev 17:12-13) will correspond roughly to the geographical divisions of the earth; Western, Southern, Northern and Eastern. When studying this remember that the center point of reference is always Palestine, which is regarded as the center of the earth (Ezek 38:12). As a result of the increasing severity of persecution from Antichrist, at last this people will cry out for the coming of the Messiah. Finally at the siege of the nations will reach its height against Jerusalem (Rev 14:1-4), scripture says Zech. “The spirit of grace and of supplication”

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(Zech 12:10) will be poured upon the remnant and a great company will be saved at once

Zech 12:10 – "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (NIV)

The Tribulation Judgments

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The Seventh SealThe trumpet judgmentsThe bowls of wrath

The ministry of the two witnessesThe ministry of the 144,000Six of the seven seals

Rapture of the churchBefore judgment

3½ Years

Seven seals1-the rider on the white horse2-the rider on the red horse3-Great famine on the earth4-The bruised horse5-The martyred tribulation saints6-God’s wrath from heaven7-Silence in heaven

Before judgment is poured out God puts a seal on those who belong to HimEph 1:13-14 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who a deposit is guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory. (NIV)

Today, as believers we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus, how can a man be born again? Jesus told him, by the Spirit. We are identified right now before the almighty God, because of the indwelling spirit that lives in us.

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We are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit by believing Our inheritance is guaranteed by the deposit of the Holy

Spirit

Rev 7:2-3 – Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 – "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." (NIV)

God does not permit the judgments to occur until Christ has sealed the servants of God with a seal.Rev 9:4-6 – They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. The seven-sealed scrollThe first seal There are sixty-two distinct events recorded beginning with chapter six through chapter 20:3. All of these occur in the 7 year period of the tribulation.Rev 6:1-2 – I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. Sword represents war. Antichrist is the one on the white horse. This is his impersonation of righteousness, and later as the true God all under the guise of peace as he begins to conquer.

The second sealRev 6:3 - When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4-Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. Antichrist on a red horse. More like his true personality. As he moves closer to his full power on earth, the white horse nature will

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revert and the Antichrist will take peace from earth, and there will be war. Much death will be the result, and the machinery of this warfare is typified as the “great Sword” that is given to him.

The third sealRev 6:5 - When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"-Antichrist on a black horse. This shows the natural result of such warfare, and rightly pictures the Antichrist in his role of bringing economically difficult times, and the worst famine in history.

The Fourth SealRev 6:7 - When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Antichrist on the white horse-this shows the ultimate soul of the Antichrist. It reveals that the combination of the judgments of the white, red and the black hose will result in much death by several means. Death is the opposite of life. Jesus said that he was the way the truth and the Life. So it is appropriate that his evil counterpart be named death. Everything Christ touches lives, and everything Satan touches dies. Satan’s real personality will never be more revealing than it will be in his puppet, Antichrist. Especially as he is seen in the four horsemen of the first four seal judgments, Death is the name of the fourth rider, and when it says that death and hell follow him, it is saying that human deaths and the grave are results of his mission.

The Fifth Seal – The voice of the martyrsRev 6:8 – When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

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This fifth seal points to the fact that the saints labeled as tribulation saints don’t die solely to the judgments of God upon the physical world, but that they are martyred because of their testimony they had maintained.

Rev 6:9 – When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. 12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

Verse 10 is an incredible verse because this is the first time we see those saints who are saved on the earth, during the tribulation. John only sees here a portion of the whole class of tribulation martyrs. These probably are those slain under the first four seals. Keep in mind however, that these are specifically killed because of their alliance with Christ and refusal to deny him. Not just fatalities because of war, famine, disease, and animal attacks.

The scripture says here, “slain” for the word of God and for the “testimony” they held. These were a special class of people, who were executed for teaching and preaching the word, of God. It also is specific in showing that they did not have to die, if they would deny Christ, but the scripture says they “held” their testimony.

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The cry for revenge, verse 10 says “how long Lord before you avenge our blood?” God’s answer, He gives them white robes to wear, they are told to rest, and be patient until the rest of the Tirb. Saints are killed as they were, and with them in heaven. This is another interesting point because it shows that there will be saints martyred throughout the entirety of the tribulation period. To sum up the fifth seal, the martyred under seal # 5 are a distinct, separate group of believers.We also know that there will be no rapture for these saints, as they are held under the altar of God, but they will be resurrected at the end of the great tribulation and the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ.

The sixth seal Here is where we finally see the judgments of God upon the earth, up to this point, seals 1-5 were a result of the Anti-Christ. From here on things only get worse on the earth. The remaining judgments from heaven will include this sixth seal, and seal number seven, along with the seven trumpet judgments, and the seven last vials of wrath judgment. The closing act of the Tribulation period will see the Battle of Armageddon, the Second Advent of Christ, and the Installation of the Millennial Reign.

Rev 6:12 – I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (NIV)

To gain a clear understanding of the true terror of this, let’s read again verses 13 & 14.

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Rev 6:13 – and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Speculation Alert Here is where some believe that this sixth seal depicts nuclear destruction. God can bring about these things on his own, but to this point we have always seen him use human instrumentality to accomplish his plan. There is a descriptive here in scripture that seems to corroborate this idea. It says the heavens (atmosphere) parting and rolling together as a scroll of course reflects what we now know could describe the detonation of a nuclear bomb. The Greek word for earthquake is equally correct if translated as a great severe and catastrophic shaking. John’s limited knowledge of technology could have been seen as stars falling to the earth. Now a star falling to the earth would not be possible as stars are hundreds of times larger than the earth, however meteors are a possibility, but the scripture says, “even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind” Perhaps the 600mph wind that comes from a nuclear blast? Still speculation, the catastrophe is so great that islands are removed, that would have to be a pretty big bomb.

(The sixth seal continued) Also, the mountains of the earth, and the islands of the sea being moved out of their places shows us that this sixth seal judgment will be world-wide. It also depicts the strength, and the awfulness of this judgment. This sixth judgment is the worst of all to this point, and they don’t get any better.

Rev 6:15 – Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits

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on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (NIV) This shows to us that this particular judgment will not only affect the geographical world, but also every inhabitant of the earth. Every class of mankind seeks shelter from the effects of the wrath of God, by hiding themselves in caves, and the rubble of the earth. We find something interesting revealed in this verse. Under the severity of this seal, men on earth pray. But notice to whom they pray; the rocks! This is a great mystery because they are still unwilling to call on the Lord in repentance. They must be obviously aware that these judgments are from God. They are also aware of Jesus Christ, for their prayer to the rocks; they pray to be hidden from the “Face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” There is also a powerful awareness of everyone on earth that there is a God in heaven and Jesus Christ is at his side. This can be none other than the effect of the great 144,000 evangelists, and the impact they have in relaying the prophecies of the scripture. Apparently they have been effective in not only conversions, but also effective in pointing out to the lost world the reasons for the tribulation. Very briefly here, we need to mention again the 144,000, even though they do not appear in scripture until chapter seven, this doesn’t mean they have been idle, in fact quite the contrary. They have been busy, probably since the appearance of the Antichrist. This portion is in parenthesis just to show us that it is going on and their work is being effective. Notice something else very important. These judgments are compounded. Scripture never closes one judgment before it starts another

Rev 7:1-4 – After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 – “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads

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of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (NIV)

The 144,000 will be God’s evangelists and here again we see another seal, one that sets these apart from any other. These seals of God are specific, as we saw that the saints are sealed with a seal, but here the unique seal of God on these 144,000 male virgin Jews is God’s seal of approval.

These evangelists have a target of Israel, but apparently their influence is world-wide.

John states that they affect every race, tribe tongue, and nation.

Rev 7:9-17 – After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-- who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (NIV)

There are many things here in the scripture, the 144,000 keep up with their ministry at least through the first half of the tribulation and the Antichrist will grow weary of them. Notice something else;

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the result of the ministry of the 144,000 has been growing and this means the killing of the saints on the earth has become a wholesale slaughter. Side Note: From this there is a powerful thought; while it is more obvious that multiple thousands of souls will be saved and give their lives for their testimony, there is no clue whatsoever that part of this group will be made up of those who knew the plan of salvation during the time of grace and rejected it. In fact there is scriptural proof that the opposite is true.

II Th 2:9-12 – The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (NIV)

Notice the order and time of the facts being presented in the scripture. It is being written to everyone for the time period of Grace, meaning all of us living during the “church age” and those living during the “Great Tribulation”. All those who hear the message of Jesus and reject Him will be hardened against Jesus and unable to repent for salvation once the Tribulation period begins. “They perish because they refused the truth and so be saved.” In fact, God is the one who sends them a “powerful delusion”, so that they will believe “the lie”. Why would God do this? Because He so loved the world that gave His one and only Son. Jesus came, walked, taught, loved, healed, and was tortured, crucified and rose from the grave. And just like Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus, and the rich man’s plea to send someone from the grave to tell his family about the tortures of Hell so they could avoid such a place, Jesus rose from the grave. He has already sacrificed, He has already given, and He has already showed his justice and love. The fact is, Jesus has already done everything there is to save us, and the rest is up to us.

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The Seventh Seal Rev 8:1-5 – When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. NIV

Remember, there is no indication that one judgment stops before the next one begins. In fact, it appears as though they cross over and continue completely unrelenting. Seals 1-5 have been a result of the work of the Antichrist, but from six on God takes over. The imagery and environment of heaven are nothing less than astonishing. At the seventh seal all the worship, sound and the moving of heaven stops for about half an hour. An angel burns incense and we find the prayers of the saints and fire on the altar that is in heaven, and together they are combined and used as a fireball of wrath against sin hurled like a fastball from a strong-armed angel to the earth. This seventh seal is an introduction to the trumpet and bowl judgments.

Side Note: Notice that the prayers of the saints are used to overwhelm wickedness. Friends, every prayer you pray will be answered. The curse of sin on this world has brought you pain, sickness and death. But one day, either in life and certainly in death, the power of prayer will change the world. I will not take the time to detail each one but it is interesting to note some of the similarities between some of the trumpet judgments and the bowls of wrath with the plagues on Egypt that God worked through Moses. Remember the Seventh Seal introduces the Trumpet and Vile judgments and begins at the mid-point of the Great Tribulation.

Seven trumpets1-Vegitation destroyed

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Seven vials of wrath1-Putrid running sores2-Sea becomes as blood3-Fresh water turns to blood4-Sun scorches men5-Darkness on the beast6-The Euphrates dries up7-A great earthquake

2-Death in the Mediterranean3-Poisoned waters4-Heavenly bodies Darkened5-Demon locusts6-Four demonic angels (No more delay-Two witnesses)7-The temple in heaven

At the end of the Tribulation period Jesus returns. This is called the “Second Coming of Christ”, and is different from the rapture of the church. The end of the Great Tribulation marks the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ. Remember, with the exception of a few parenthetical (descriptive parts; i.e. chapters 14 & 17) the book of Revelation is in perfect chronological order and should be approached that way. Since my purpose in this book was to address the end of the church age through the Great Tribulation I will simply give an abbreviated comment on the Marriage Supper of the Lamb through the eternal state (now that’s funny).

Satan bound o Divine Government

Saints Reign with Christ Satan Loosed

o Satan cast in Lake of Fire Great White Throne

Judgment Eternal

State

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:1-10) This is an actual celebration of Jesus being united with His church. The raptured saints along with, the martyred saints and those that are redeemed in the Tribulation period will gather together for a great celebration. Jesus finally has His bride with Him. This

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ceremony is filled with the singing of the saints, the presentation of the Bride of Christ and the fellowship of Jesus with His church at last.

Second Coming of Jesus/Battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:11-21) With the completion of the marriage supper, the King of kings now leaves heaven with his bride to descend to the earth. John says that heaven literally opens up in order that this huge military procession might make its way toward the earth and Armageddon. Can you imagine this? The King of kings and Lord of all lords in full array mounted on a white horse leads His army to battleground earth. His eyes like fire, crowned with many crowns, a name written that no one knows. His clothes are dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God. Amazing! The word “Armageddon” is only found in one verse in the Bible, Rev 16:16. The battle is described in many different portions of scripture. The name comes from two words “Har” and “Megiddo” which means “hills, heights or mountains”, and “gathering or rendezvous.” On a map you can easily spot Mt. Carmel at the northern end of Israel, just below the city of Haifa on the Mediterranean Coast. Below Carmel you find the Jezreel Valley near the ancient ruins of Megiddo. The battle is a simple one. The forces of evil versus the forces of righteousness is what it boils down to. Satan has used his unholy trinity of Himself, the Antichrist and the False Prophet to raise up an army of the remaining inhabitants of the planet to make war with an invading force of holy soldiers with the Creator of all things as their commander, he will not do well.

Rev 19:19-21 – Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. NIV

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So at this point the Beast and the False Prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and Satan is bound for a thousand years unable to tempt, create havoc or conjure any other mischief.

The Millennial Reign (Rev 20:1-2) The Millennial Reign begins immediately following the second coming of Christ (Mt 25:31-46; Dan 2:44-45, 7:13-14, 8:18-22,; Isa 9:6-7; Zech 14, Jude 14; Rev 17:14; 1 Thess 1:7), after the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:15-31; Zech 14:1-21; Dan 12:1-13; Rev 19:11-21), after the apostasy and destruction of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:1-12; Rev 19:11-21; Dan 7:18-27; 8:16-27; 9:27; 11:37; 1 Pt 5:8), after the temple has been restored (Ezek 40:1-43:7; (Millennial Temple); Isa 9:6-7; 25:6-9; Zech 9:9-11), when the Jews are delivered from the armies of Armageddon and they become a blessing to the whole earth (Gen 12:1-3; Ps 2:6-8; Isa 9:6-7; 25:6-9; Zech 9:9-11; 14:1-21; Acts 15:13-18; Lk 1:32-35).

The capital of the world will be Jerusalem and the Law will come from God. Mic 4:1-2 – In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains;it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. NIV It is absolutely certain that there will be laws of government during this thousand year reign. There are laws in heaven, and there are laws on earth. Although it will be difficult to sin under such perfect conditions, remember that the nations of the earth, who are the “sheep nations” (Mt 25), are still natural flesh and blood human beings, and there will be children born of them during this time as well. The environment that the new government produces will benefit everyone, but there will still be people that were not redeemed during the time of grace that will choose Jesus. The people running the new government are those redeemed by the blood of Jesus, those saved during the time of grace. There will be total prosperity (Isa 65:21, 24), there will be a change in the

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commerce system (Isa 65:22), there will be universal peace (Mich 4:3), the knowledge of the Lord will prevail (Isa 11:9), wild animals will be tamed (Isa 11:6-9), the light of the sun will increase (Isa 30:26), the curse will be lifted and the land restored (Isa 35:17; Joel 2:22-25, 3:18). It will be like the Garden of Eden on nearly the entire planet, total peace, prosperity and the glory of God.

Satan LoosedRev 20:7-10 – When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth — Gog and Magog — to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. NIV The obvious question is why? After a thousand years of no death, suffering, toiling is Satan released to deceive people again? The question is answered in the same reasons there are during this time of grace, people must choose to love Jesus. Salvation is still a free gift, but must be accepted. For a full thousand years, Satan has been out of the way, and could not in any way conduct his warfare against mankind. No temptation has been available to tempt man to sin. All the reason for rebellion and sin has been absent. The earth has been a blessed planet, with no violent weather, no famine, no disease, no war, no crime, no accidental death, no infant death, and no unfulfilled needs of any kind. No corrupt politics, and no bigotry, for Jesus is King over all the earth. Access to the visible presence of Jesus, the continual presence of the glorified bride of Christ, the curse placed on the ground is lifted, no weeds, thorns now only fruit, flowers and vegetation grows. With Satan out of the way, and Jesus reigning over the earth, there will be multiplied millions of people born during the thousand year reign. No death will cause the depleted numbers of natural man during the Tribulation to more than be replenished. These new

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generations will learn of the Rapture, Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, and the Second Coming of Christ as historical facts. Much in the same way we now view Calvary, the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus. ALL mankind must still personally receive Christ in order to have eternal life. Still the same covenant of blood applies for every age; it’s still all about Jesus! This time there is no real battle, fire simply comes out and consumes these armies that have been led astray by Satan and he is bound for eternity and cast into the Lake of Fire. Whoohoo!

The Great White Throne Judgment Rev 20:11-15 – Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. NIV

This is where God’s dealings with man ends. The Great White Throne Judgment is a judgment of the lost. Everyone will stand before God to give an account of their sin and why they didn’t choose to accept salvation through Jesus.

Eternal State What can be said about eternity? The picture of the New Heavens and New Earth is best described in the words of scripture itself.

Rev 21:1-5 – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her

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husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." NIV It is really best if you grab a Bible and read Revelation 21 & 22. Both chapters are an amazing picture of the beauty of power of this new place we will live. You can tell that John does his very best to articulate all the colors, sounds and magnitude of this place. It is truly incredible!

Final WarningsDon’t be deceived by sin!Rev 21:6-8 – He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." NIV Once again Jesus reminds us that salvation is free, that He is the water of life. And He also gives us a warning to understand the deception of sin and how it will destroy us send us to hell. And it is as much a warning to the church as those who are deliberately walking away from His grace.Don’t be deceived by good works!Luke 13:23-30 – Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, 24 – "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 – Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26 – "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank

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with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 – "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' 28 – "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 – People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 – Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last." (NIV)

Jesus says enter through the narrow door. What does that mean? We have often thought that the narrow door represented how holy and right we could live in comparison to everyone else. It was about how well we could walk the straight and narrow, but no, it is not! Jesus defines the narrow door by explaining those who are not permitted to enter. He says these people say, Lord, I served you, I ate with you, I associated with you and once the owner of the house shuts the door no one will be able to enter again. All their thinking, I did what was right; I followed the law, I taught a class and organized the pot lucks. What a hard way! To think one is justified through works rather than grace. That is why Jesus said that broad is the way that leads to destruction! Because people who do not know Christ do good works! They justify themselves as well, thinking of all the good they have done in order to be justified, but Jesus says in the parable of the Pharisee and Tax collector that he was justified because of repentance, simply God’s grace. We find a deeper truth here in verse 28 – “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” Jesus uses this same kind of speaking in Rev to the churches that if you hear the grace, repent. If you do not, be lost in our works. What a dry useless religion that carries the burdens of doing good without the power of the Holy Spirit.

God says there are two attitudes of those not permitted into the kingdom of heaven:

Weeping There are those who will be sorrowful because they are not permitted inside, the realization that they are lost forever hits and

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the weakness of words becomes obvious, yet it does not say that they repent! Because even though they are sad their sorrow is self-centered. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. 2 Cor 7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (NIV)

Gnashing of teeth28 – “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” In Acts 7:54 Stephen is preaching and he gets to the part about then crucifying the messiah they get angry because they don’t believe in Jesus. They were angry at the message of grace rather than the law. They could not receive the fact that Jesus was the only God who could fulfill the law and justify them through his blood. They were angry because the works of the law was becoming null and void as to earn any kudos with God. Scripture says when they heard this; they gnashed their teeth at Stephen. (Gnashing - brucho (broo'-kho); - to grate the teeth in pain or rage).

Matt 8:12 – But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 13:42 – They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 22:12-13 – 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. 13 – "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (NIV)

The man was invited to the wedding feast, but how did he get in with the wrong clothes on? What does that mean to have wrong clothes, no wedding garment? The robes that the saints of God wear are washed in the blood of Jesus. He was trying to enter by His own works; he had engineered his own garment, finding the fashionable works a good place to shop. This is why there is gnashing of teeth. They are angry! They have the same attitude of those who living in the tribulation period see the wrath of God poured out on this earth, and even though they

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know it is God doing it, they gnash their teeth and curse God. Why are they angry? Because all their work didn’t earn them heaven. Their entire righteous attitude never purchased their salvation.

Eph 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV The fact of all of it is, it is never about you, it’s all about Jesus. Your money, goodness and all your work combined could never make Him love you more and certainly won’t save you. We cheapen the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross when we measure our goodness and believe we have enough good in us to make the rapture. God loves everyone and wants them all to be saved.

Don’t change this book!Rev 22:18-19 - I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. NIV

John gives us a final warning to pay attention to what is written and to not make any changes to it. The book of Revelation is the Word of God, it should not be tampered with, maligned or its meaning changed. As part of the canon of scripture Revelations uniquely crafts together so many prophecies in the Old and New Testaments that it’s thoroughness and congruency cannot be denied.

Come Lord Jesus!

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