Eschatology 101 Part Fourteen
Last week we discussed the Rapture of the Church and how this would occur pre-tribulational. It only takes a serious examination of God’s Word to realize that the Rapture of the Church is a promise made by Jesus Himself,
Promise of the Rapture.
John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Promise before the seven years of Tribulation.
Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
These two quotes from Jesus’s own mouth indicate that the Rapture of the Church will happen, and it will happen prior to the seven years of tribulation.
However, there is a unique scene in Heaven that must happen for the seven years of tribulation to start. Imagine, the Rapture has happened and now all believers from past to the moment Jesus shouted for us are in Heaven. What a glorious moment, and yet we are part of the very scenario to kick start the needed players for the seven years.
Revelation 4:2-4 “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”
John witnesses a scene in Heaven, a moment in time. Unfortunately, many today depict Heaven based on moments of time. The term for this is Falsus Caelum Assidue (FSA). Many people have been duped into believing we will stand for eternity only saying “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty” Pastors who commit FSA need to recognize that some scenes in Heaven are events. Instead of only looking at verses in a snapshot, we should examine the scene for what it is.
John is witnessing an event. This event is the opening of the title deed of earth.
Revelation 5:1-4 “I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it.”
Why is John weeping? Because he understands that nothing will change on earth until those seals are broken and the title deed of earth is written. Yet, man gave up his rightful place as ruler of this world when we sinned. We gave this deed to Satan. Only a perfect man who is without sin can purchase and acquire the title again. There is only one person who can, and John is reminded immediately.
Revelation 5:5-8 “But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Now we come to a point in our scripture reading that translations differ. I am quoting from the New King James Version. I think in this one occasion the translators got it right with the NJKV.
Let’s examine the song that is being sung.
Revelation 5:9-14 “ And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power [Be] to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.”
The key here is “For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” There can only be one group of people that this is, and that is the Church. The New Testemant is littered with verses backing this statement of position and employment by this group singing. However, what is more unique, is what happens next.
Revelation 6:1-2 “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” The Church will witness the first seal being opened and the rider on the white horse coming and going to earth. This is the antichrist, this means two things. The antichrist must arrive before the seven year tribulation so that he can establish his power in order to produce a treaty. Thus, we know two things from this. First, the Church is not in The Tribulation, (it will go through tribulations but not The Tribulation). Second, this means there must be a gap. We as Christians need to recognize that only in Christ can we escape the coming judgement sent forth by God. Yet, this should make us ever the more get out and witness and proclaim and shine for Christ, because what is coming will truly be devastating. So next time, someone tells you the Rapture isn’t true, or that the Rapture is in the middle of or at the end of the Tribulation, ask them to read the Bible with the verses we discussed tonight and they will either agree and repent or excuse it out of context.
We the Church will not be in the Tribulation, however we will see the starting points and movements that are needed for the final week.
Next week we wrap up our study in a unique fashion, capturing the highlights of study and reasons for individual callings to go deeper regarding God’s Word and the events following the Rapture.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL