| |
THE RAPTURE, THE END TIME EVENTS AND THE DAY OF THE LORD.
This study was revised and corrected from a previous study that had a view of a pre-tribulation rapture. But, after much study I found over whelming scriptures that supported and confirmed a post-tribulation rapture. To the contrary, no biblical scriptural support for a pre-tribulation rapture only theological interpretations . There is overwhelming scriptural support in this study to confirm a post-tribulation rapture , please read on......
THE COMFORT OF CHRIST'S COMING ( THE RAPTURE ):
"13. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15. For this WE say to you by the word of the Lord, that WE who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then WE who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus WE shall always be with the Lord. 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words. "
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The "WE" in verse 15 of course is the elect who are saved in Jesus Christ.
Our Final Victory:
“50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
Many preachers today preach in the pulpit this:
“There is not any instruction given to the church about how to endure the future time of Tribulation. We (the elect of Christ) don’t even get addressed as to how to survive in an antichrist world, how to survive when the whole universe is collapsing, since we won’t be here. In fact, all that comes to us is about our blessed hope, looking for Christ, waiting for His appearing, longing to be with Him. Titus 2:13, the glorious appearing of Christ, this blessed hope. So what is told to the church (those who belong to the Spiritual body of Christ not the corporate institutions) is not strong on warning; it is strong on hope.”
But there is much given on warnings of what is coming and we are told to endure to the end and keep the faith and we will receive the crown of life. I expound more on this in detail with many verses that are strong on warning and that we are to be focused on above in the Kingdom to come and not on the suffering of this worlds tribulations.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelations 2:10
“12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”Matthew 24:12-13.
Here we have in Matthew 24:32-35:
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
What branches? “When you see ALL THESE THINGS” HAPPENING, the events and warnings in Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, Daniel 12, and the Trumpet events in Revelations leading up to the “LAST TRUMPET”. If you read the scriptures correctly there is plenty of warning and the mere fact that all this is in the scriptures for the elect to read and it be made known to them , is a warning. This is so clear, as black and white.
In each case of the different views on the rapture, it is the elect in Christ taken out of the world, and taken to heaven. There’s no judgment of the elect. Of course, if we are raptured, "caught up" we are regenerated, justified, transformed and sanctified. "WE", are the elect in Christ, so there is no judgment from Christ or we would not quality to be raptured, "caught up". Our names were in the book of life before the foundations of the Earth, as God chose those whom would be the elect of Christ long before the world was even made. Remember there is no time in eternity in Gods kingdom. God says in 2 Peter 3:8 giving us a glaring example of this.
“8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
There is overwhelming scriptural evidence to support a post tribulation rapture of the elect. A pre-tribulation rapture teaching is a theological interpretation, not a direct biblical teaching. There is no scriptural support for this teaching.
The rapture study here is not an exhausted study but just enough with points and authorities from the bible to confirm it is a post tribulation rapture.
In either case 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 is a given fact and will happen!
When we go to Revelations 3:10, which is often used in sermons to preach a pre-tribulation, the verse actually uses the word "Trial" in the actual NKJV, and the word "temptation' in the KJV .
"10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Revelations 3:10 NKJV.
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelations 3:10 KJV.
This has nothing to do with the tribulation to indicate a pre tribulation rapture as preached at the pulpit. This is all about testing and temptation in which the Lord through the Holy Spirit refines us in the fire for the final product through all the warnings and events that are coming our way, throughout all of time to the very end included. This has nothing to do with the rapture. There is no cross-reference verses below revelations 3:10 to connect it with any of the other verses that speak clearly about the rapture.
The Tribulation is at the last Trumpet, which indicates this is after the Tribulation, as stated in Matthew 24:29-31 and is cross referenced with verses 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:52 "at the LAST TRUMPET".
All tied together connecting Mathew 24:31, which is connected to and speaking about the same time and event in Matthew 24:29-30.
Many preachers try to connect Revelations 3:10 to a pre tribulation rapture. But, how do you connect the rapture to a pre-tribulation event in Revelations 3:10 ? You can not. You need to take everything here and combine them together in content and related context with their cross-reference verses, showing the connection that this is at the Last Trumpet, at a time of trials and enduring through a period of tribulation and Satan’s temptations on the world which consummates After the Tribulation. Stated in Matthew 24:29-31.
IF Revelations 3:10 were meant by the Holy Spirit to refer to the tribulation, the word tribulation would of been used in that verse instead of “trial” and “temptation”. The word tribulation is used in other verses relating to the tribulation’s events, its just not there in Revelations 3:10. There is NO cross reference to other verses at the end of this verse, but in Revelations 3:11 just below it, it does give a verse cross reference to Revelations 2:10 which says this:
“10 DO NOT FEAR ANY OF THOSE THINGS WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, AND YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelations 2:10.
Now does that look like a pre-tribulation event? Of course not!
Where in the scriptures of the Bible does it say anywhere that we will be spared from Tribulation and taken out before the end times Tribulation/Great Tribulation? On the contrary it says we will suffer much during our lives in this sin cursed world at any and all points in time prior to the 1000-year reign of Christ. But our blessed hope is in Jesus Christ for eternal life to those who endure in the faith, the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating proof of true salvation .
The actual Tribulation becomes the Great Tribulation in the second half of that total seven-year period of tribulation events, which is supported by scriptures. The second half time period called the Great Tribulation becomes a living hell on earth. In Mark 13:20 however it says “20 and unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days."
This verse is repeated in Matthew 24:21-22 for emphasis added here "21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. "
Matthew 24:22. Strongs G2856
Vines Expository: “said of the "shortening" by God of the time of the great tribulation.”
Examine what the scriptures teach and support and not theological interpretations by misguided pastors that are not direct biblical teachings.
All the elect are raptured at one time, the dead in Christ and those elect who still remain alive at that time, The issue that is the defining question regarding who are the "elect” ? That is crystal clear here in Ephesians 1:4-5 below: All the elect were predestined before the foundations of the earth’s beginning.
Ephesians 1:4-5. “4 just as HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL”.
God’s timing for the conclusion of the last elect person who was predestined before the foundations of the world, whom the Holy Spirit has activated that new spiritual birth in that person at a time and choosing by Christ, is ripe for when the rapture will occur. No elect will be remaining on earth after the rapture. When the Holy Spirit has applied the imputed grace of Christ through faith to all the elect believers chosen by the Father and given to Christ. The scriptures are very strong on warnings and events that will be occurring in that generation, which says : “34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Matthew 24:34.
There is no biblical support indicating two separate events, two groups of the elect to be raptured, taken out. Also the event of the gathering of the elect from the four winds by the Angles in Matthew 24:31 shows that this is after the Tribulation and Christ coming in the clouds, just as this event says we will be caught up with Christ in the clouds. “ in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. “Then WE who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” So what may SEEM like two different events are in fact THE SAME EVENT. The only difference is the presumed timing by some to think the rapture will happen before the elect experience any of the Tribulation or Great Tribulation events. What seems to be two different events with two different outcomes ending in the same Kingdom are in fact the same event with full scriptural support. Clearly stating all this happens at the “LAST TRUMPET”. Any other teaching on this is nothing more than a theological interpretation, not a direct biblical teaching supported by scripture.
You have the issue with the tie in of the trumpets blasting as it says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”.
The Bible DOES NOT SAY anywhere THAT THE RAPTURE IS A SILENT EVENT. Even though it says in 1 Corinthians 15:52 it happens in the “twinkling of an eye”. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 describes above, the rapture as a loud event with the sounds of a shout, a trumpet, and the voice of an archangel. In Matthew 24:30 it says all will see Him in the clouds as He gathers His elect to he taken up.
“30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, AND THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:30-31. Note that Matthew 24:31 is cross referenced at the end of the verse to 1 Corinthians 15:52 showing this is in context and content referring to the rapture. And it WILL happen in the twinkling of an eye.
“52 IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, AND THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED.” 1 Corinthians 15:52. There is no way of getting around this , it is what it is !
It seems that Christ glory will be put on FULL display as He appears in the clouds for all to see, and then He actually raptures up the elect saints dead in Christ first and immediately after that the remaining elect in Christ who are alive will be raptured. The actual rapturing itself happens “in the twinkling of an eye” as 1 Corinthians 15:52 says.
Many preachers say it does not make any sense if we just go up and come right back down again if the rapture was at the end of the tribulation, but were not dealing with sense here. Were dealing with the word of God here. Christ is not the author of confusion. He establishes all things and sets the times and events to His choosing.
Who are we to dictate to Christ, who is the mind of God as He says in Isaiah 55:8-9. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” And remember THIS IS ALL ABOUT CHRIST AND HIS GLORY, not us.
Furthermore, a pre-tribulation understanding can only be reached by excluding what scriptures say and those who have that view show they did not do their homework correctly. When you add in what scripture says about this event it is completely justified by Christ when seen in the context of eternity, not this temporal passing away earth and its evil existence.
When taking into consideration Revelations 9:20-21 and Matthew 24:29-31 below, whereby the elect are taken out before the final earths demise and destruction in its present form. This earth at that time are inhabited by all the ungodly people who survived until that time, awaiting the finality of all the destructions to come upon the earth. After that final event and the rapture happening just before that, Christ comes and REMAKES the earth a paradise, where only the elect will come back with Christ to inhabit it, as a newly remade earth where righteousness dwells. It clearly states in the verses below that the unsaved do NOT repent of their sins, even after all these plagues and unprecedented tribulations. See Revelations 9:20-21 below.
You see in Revelations 9:20-21 here quoted below, that if the Trumpets were a visible and audible sight with actual Angles being seen, you would think men would believe and repent.But they are dead in their sins and remain hardned in their hearts. Here in Revelations 9 at the 6th Trumpet they do not repent or believe, regardless it being a visible or invisible event . Quite the opposite.
“20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” Revelations 9:20-21.
Also NOTE Matthew 24:29-31 The Coming of the Son of Man”
“29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 THEN THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN WILL APPEAR IN HEAVEN, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, AND THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
This IS A VISIBLE EVENT for all to see and clearly and indisputably says so, just before Christ raptures all of His elect up in the clouds to meet Him. Since scriptures in 1 Corinthians 15:52 says the elect will be raptured up “ in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet”.
This is AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION as verse 29 declares. When you consider from scripture that there is only ONE “elect” God is speaking about here, then there is no confusion. Matthew 24:22 completely conforms to all of the context outlined in Matthew 24:29-31,
“22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
NOW look at the connection as mentioned above in Daniel 12:12 and Matthew 24:29-31 which is referring to those “elect” in verse 31 that have survived the Great Tribulation events after the three and a half years of the first part of the Tribulation. The second half of the Great Tribulation which is 1290 says , which is 3.5 years. In Daniel 12:12 says: 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.” Which is 45 days after the end of the Great Tribulation when the elect return to earth with Christ from the rapture. Christ remakes the earth a paradise and dwells in righteousness at that time for a temporal 1000-year reign with the elect who are the Blessed who come back with Christ on the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days (mentioned above in Daniel 12:12).
The Coming of the Son of Man:
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31. See also Mark 13:24-27 and Luke 21:25-28.
The connection here in verse 12:12 of Daniel mentioned above:
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:11-13.
This one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days is 45 days after the one thousand two hundred and ninety days which is three and a half year time period of the Great Tribulation .
The Bible scriptures do not explicitly state anywhere that there are two different groups of Christ's elect raptured at different times, and the idea of two separate rapture events is a theological interpretation, not a direct biblical teaching and not supported by scripture anywhere.
Interpretations Vary:
Different theological viewpoints exist regarding the timing of the rapture (before, during, or after the tribulation), but none are explicitly supported by the Bible.
"Rapture" is a Single Event:
The concept of the rapture, or the gathering of believers to meet Christ in the air, is generally understood as a single event, not a series of events.
Focus on the Church:
The focus of the rapture is often understood as the church, which is made up of believers from all backgrounds, not a specific group of Jews or Gentiles.
The Second Coming:
The second coming of Christ is understood to be a single event that occurs at the end of the tribulation period, when Christ remakes the earth a paradise for a 1000-year reign, it is not a second rapture event.
A period that happens 45 days after all the ungodly are destroyed from the final horrors and destructions that are unleashed on the world.
The elect will be saved for the New Heaven and Earth that Christ reigns for 1000 years. Christ remakes the earth in righteousness and perfection as it was made in the beginning before sin, where only the elect will inhabit it during that time period. “13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13.
So just be ready at all times and don’t stress on this issue and its timing, because tomorrow is not promised for anyone. If we die in our flesh before these appointed times, we still will be immediately with the Lord, just awaiting our glorified spiritual bodies. Those who endure on in this life will experience tribulation.
…..“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. That’s the plan, go with it !
Continue to worship Christ by glorifying Him in selflessness, by the transformation of your lives, how you live, and what you live and stand for and that will be manifested by the fruit of the Spirit.
Jesus Said:
“38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38.
God does not make mistakes and there is no contradictions in His Holy word. What seems to be two events of the elect being raptured from scriptures is not understood correctly. It is a single event of the elect in Christ. There is only one rapture. Since there is only 2 resurrections. One for the elect in Christ and one for the unsaved which is the second resurrection after Christ reign for 1000 years when the unsaved are formally judged, and the books are opened then cast into the Lake if Fire. Two resurrections as it clearly says in Revelations 20:4-6 and Revelations 20:14.
The only other accountings of being caught up or called up was with the two witnesses after three and a half days being dead in Revelations 11:11-12 , Elijah in 2 Kings 2:11 and Enoch in Genesis 5:24 in the old testament. These three were all isolated, singular, and remote events having nothing to do with judgment and redemption. Then in 2 Corinthians 12:2 the Apostle Paul was caught up for a brief time in a vision but remained on earth afterwards. The Apostle John in Revelation 4:1-2 is called up to heaven to see a vision after hearing a voice like a trumpet say, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things". These events listed here have nothing to do with the same relationships and meaning of the two resurrections from Christ . One to call up the redeemed elect in new glorified bodies at the rapture where there is no judgment, and the other, when Christ brings up all the unsaved dead spirits to pronounce judgement on them after the 1000-year reign to cast then into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
The Witnesses:
“11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.” Revelations 11:11-12.
Elijah:
" 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
2 Kings 2:11
Enoch:
"24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Genesis 5:24
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years:
“4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelations 20:4-6.
“ 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelations 20:14-15.
In Revelations 20:4-6 it clearly defines the first resurrection for the Elect who have died and those still alive at the time of the Rapture, as verse 6 makes clear, “6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
Now in Matthew 24:27,29-31 here;
“27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be”29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:27,29-31.
DO you see that!
Now in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 give the same cross scriptural references to
1 Corinthians 15:51-52. They are all tied together in the SAME EVENT!
“15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
AND:
“51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Now look in Matthew 24:22 it says this:
“ 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
Now at the end of that verse it gives cross reference to Isaiah 65:8-9 which says this:
“8 Thus says the Lord:
“As the new wine is found in the cluster,
And one says, ‘Do not destroy it,
For a blessing is in it,’
So will I do for My servants’ sake,
That I may not destroy them all.
9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob,
And from Judah an heir of My mountains;
My elect shall inherit it,
And My servants shall dwell there.”
Isaiah 65:8-9
Now at the bottom of Matthew 24:31 there is a direct scriptural cross reference showing 1 Corinthians 15:52 to the context relating to the same event, which says this: “51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”
Do you see this. At the LAST TRUMPET, which is after the Great Tribulation.
Also remember in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 : Once gain>>
Our Final Victory:
“50 Now this I say, brethren, THAT FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NOR DOES CORRUPTION INHERIT INCORRUPTION. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, AND THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED. 53 FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
All those who remain alive after the rapture consist of those who are now under the judgment of Christ. It says all the dead in Christ (the elect) are raised first then those elect who are still alive are caught up, alive to meet Christ in the clouds and both are changed. In Revelations 20:5 “5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” Since all the elect dead who were saved and those elect who remained alive were all taken out in the rapture, there is no more elect of Christ that dwell on the earth again. Not until Christ returns with them in his 1000-year reign, when Christ remakes the earth in righteousness for all the elect to dwell with Him. The rest of the dead who are all the unsaved sinners who have died from the beginning of time are judged on the final Day of the Lord when Christ formally judges the unsaved do not live again until AFTER the 1000-year reign. They are all judged and cast into the Lake of Fire as it says here. “12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelations 20: 12-15.
With that said in scripture how could there possible be any unsaved people who still remain to populate the earth in the 1000-year regin of Christ, where by the earth is remade in perfection,where total righteousness dwells? They cannot! The unsaved do not populate the remade earth during Christ 1000-year reign with all the elect. No where does scripture say that in any definitive description.
No where in the scriptures does it teach that the non-elect will populate the remade earth with Christ and that any one in flesh and blood will populate it or procreate. Since “WE” the elect are not flesh and blood anymore when we return with Christ for the 1000-year reign, since we were raptured and changed. And as it says in 1 Corinthians 15:50
“50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” Christ is fully capable of remaking this earth and conforming our new bodies, other than flesh and blood in such a way whereby we can inhabit it.That part remains a mystery.
The “WE” here in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 are the elect of Christ, who inhabit the new earthly kingdom for that 1000 years to live in Righteousness with Christ as he restores the world to the original paradise it was before the fall of man into sin.
This leaves us with the scriptures that say that all the unbelievers who survived the horrors of the Great Tribulation will die after the rapture takes place and just before the 1000-yeare reign of Christ ,"29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken…." Matthew 24:29. They will all be destroyed BEFORE the New World is being transformed at Christ return. The unsaved do not live again until after the 1000-year reign of Christ is finished. All the unsaved will be formally judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, the second death, That is exactly what the bible teaches.
“The rest of the dead [those who were not saved] did not live again until the thousand years were finished” Revelation 20:5. This is also speaking about the unsaved who remained alive after the Great Tribulation, who mourned and did not repent of thier sins, since they can not inherit the new world which Righteousness dwells in paradise for Christs 1000-year reign.
As you see in Revelations 20, Satan is thrown into a pit with a seal put on it. He can NOT dwell in the new world where Christ reigns for 1000-years. After he is released for a short while at the very end of Christ 1000-year reign, to try to torment THE SAINTS and wage war with them, but God Immediately destroys him and cast him into the Lake of fire.
Satan Bound 1,000 Years:
"1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." Revelations 20:1-3.
Bottom line. BE READY AT ALL TIMES, and don’t put off your repentance and turning to Christ for a later date, thinking you can choose the time of your salvation. Christ is in full control of that too!
Now back to Matthew 24 again:
“21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened”. Matthew 24:21-22.
Then here is the cross reference that mentions “the elect” again:
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken….
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31.
After the 1000-year reign is finished Satan will be released from the pit that he was placed in, with a seal put on it, as you see in Revelations 20:7-10, he tried to cause chaos with “the Saints” as he surrounds their camps (dwelling places). Notice it says Saints. Saints are the elect, the saved , there will be no Unsaved people alive on earth at the time during Christ 1000 year reign. At that time Satan is finished and judged with his demons and cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
“7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the SAINTS and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelations 20:7-10
AMEN TO THAT!!
NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR:
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:36-44.
As we see here in Revelations 14:14-16 below that Christ takes out the Elect first, as He reaped the “Earth’s Harvests” in verses 16. But then in Revelations 14:17- 20 Christ thrust His sickle in and gathers out the grapes of Wrath, which is obviously all the antichrist, non believing , unredeemed sinners.
Reaping the Earth’s Harvest.
“14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come [j]for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.”
Reaping the Grapes of Wrath
“17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred [k]furlongs.”
The prophecy in Matthew 24:14 was also a prerequisite to qualify when would be the last days and not just another time in an endless spin wheel of evil and chaos that has been going on nonstop for thousands of years. However, there is some preachers who seem to think from their understanding of the scriptures that this is referring to the time at the end of the 1000 years of Christ's reign on Earth, just before the Day of the Lord, which is judgement time and the destruction of the universe when it is mentioned in 2 Peter 3:10-12.
That is not consistent with Roman 10. Romans 10:14-21 clarifies that it is people before the end of the age who are preaching the gospel since the days of Christ earthly dwelling until the end of the age in view.
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But to Israel he says:
“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”
Romans 10:14-21.
Jesus said:
14. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME .” Matthew 24:14
Romans 10:14-18 below, clarifies what confirms the meaning of preaching the gospel to all the world as a witness to all the nations..... This prophecy very likely has been fulfilled or in its final conclusion of becoming so. This word "END" is not referring to the end of everything as in just prior to the Day of the Lord in 2 Peter 3:10-12. but only to "THE END" before these events of the Tribulation/Great Tribulation begin.
This "End” when taken in context with chapter 24 in Matthew, clearly is referring to the end of the ages from the status quo, the end of the mouse in the spin wheel, and the commencement of the final Tribulation/Great Tribulation days to begin.
STRONGS G5056:
τέλος, τέλους, τό (cf. Curtius, § 238), from Homer down, the Sept. mostly for קֵץ;
1. end, i. e.
“a. termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be, (in the Greek writings always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time,”
"the consummation of the age," is correct. The word does not denote a termination, but the heading up of
events to the appointed climax. Aion is not the world, but a period or epoch or era in which events take place".
Therefore, do not confuse the word "THE END" in Matthew 24:14 as the final end of the world but, I repeat from above, as it clearly means :
"the consummation of the age," is correct. The word does not denote a termination, but the heading up of events to the appointed climax. Aion is not the world, but a period or epoch or era in which events take place".
There is also another reference to the Day of the Lord in the final destruction of the material universe mentioned in 2 Peter 3:10-13. After Christ 1000-year reign is finished when all the ungodly are formally judged and sent to the Lake of Fire, and the entire universe in completely destroyed before the Kingdom of God/Heaven appears in Heaven .
The Day of the Lord: The end of the universe after the 1000-year reign of Christ.
“10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:10-12.
Nevertheless means “ in spite of that , without being affected by the particular factor mentioned. This then, of course is referring to the new heaven and earth that Christ transforms at His coming to reign for the 1000 years in righteousness. If anyone has scriptural evidence of a different meaning of this , please send it on in the “ contact us”box on the left of the website at the end of the studies index.
See: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-10 below:
The Day of the Lord:
5 "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10. who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10
Note here in verse 9 of 1 Thessalonians 5 the word “wrath” in Strongs indicates “indignation, vengeance” as the same meaning as wrath. This is once again confirming we the elect have not been appointed to the indignation the vengeance of Christ as the unsaved are, but “to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Matthew 24:14 is not connected to the end of Christ 1000-year reign on Earth, but happens before the return of Christ 1000-year reign, just prior to or during the time of the Tribulation but, before the Great Tribulation and not at the end of the Universe.
Matthew 24:14 is connected to Romans 10:18 which makes cross reference to it, designating the time period and a prerequisite for Matthew 24:14 to be ripe and mature. This coincides with a relationship to the other verses from Matthew and Mark of the timing of the Rapture.
Mathew 24:14 cross references to verse to Romans 10:18 , which declares that this preaching will be done by people on earth who are of the body of Christ, as well as many others who proclaim it. Today we have internet, radio, short wave, missionaries, churches, pastors, massive distribution of Christian literature and bibles, worldwide in every major language and countless dialects, etc... as the means of doing that, which it says here:
Once again Romans 10:14-18 repeated below for emphasis added:
14. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15. And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:"
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16. "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
18. "But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:14-18
Note that "THEIR" in verse 18 is referring to those people and human institutions of sorts who preach the word, throughout all the world since this command was given by Christ more than 2000 years ago.
Matthew 24:14, is an ongoing process that began more than 2000 years ago when Christ gave that command and is a progressive , ongoing event that eventually comes to a head which triggers the beginning of of the tribulation. We are given many signs of events of lawlessness abounding unprecedented, moral, social , spiritual , ethical breakdown on every level such as there has never been before or will be again. Transgender which is not a gender and an affront to our creator, an abomination of the worst perversion and completely contrary to Gods creation of Male and Female. Homosexual marriage made legal, LGBTQ, all affronts to God and under divine wrath, retribution. Lawlessness abounding with impunity, self-worship which is Idolatry etc., etc., .
God does NOT make mistakes !
Mark 16:15 was a verbal command given directly by Christ to the Apostle’s and all believers that follow after Him, to preach the gospel to ALL the nation. This is further support of Matthew 24:14
"15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to ALL THE NATIONS”.
This command in Mark 16:15 by Christ, has been going on now for more than 2000 years and still active, where it has literally, and by every other means been preached to all the world now. Currently still ongoing. But as you also see many false prophets and antichrist religions are on the rise now as well in full demonstration that evil and lawlessness is abounding everywhere in the church, government and societies at large worldwide. It is now unprecedented and escalating beyond anytime before in history.
Here below in Matthew 24:14 in Matthew 29:16-20, Christ gives this same command at the very end of Matthew chapter 28:16-19,
The Great Commission:
“16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 16-20. Amen
This is followed by the declaration and prophecy, that the gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME.
PROPHECY OF THE END TIMES:
1.“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Everyone who is found written in the book.
2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3. Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
4. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
7. Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
8. Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till THE TIME OF THE END.
10. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.” Daniel 12:1-11.
Note in Daniel 12:11 that “one thousand two hundred and ninety days” is three and a half years. The Tribulation and Great Tribulation is split up into two parts, consisting of three and a half years each.
Also in Daniel 12:7 “that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.”
A time, times and half a times is also three and a half years. And that portion speaks of being directly related to the Tribulation/Great Tribulation, perhaps the last half.
Here in Daniel 12:2 "Some to shame and everlasting contempt"
This verse has a relationship to the end time judgments and events in Revelations 20:5
"5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection." This first resurrection is referring to those elect who preceded this last group called "the rest of the dead” who are the unsaved and condemned.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says nothing about those unsaved souls who sleep, who are not the elect of God, which still currently exist awaiting judgement. The final judgement -- the Day of the Lord, when they will get there spiritual bodies suited in shame, to accompany their souls waiting in Hell for the final official judgement on the Day of the Lord and cast into the Lake of Fire, with Satan and his demons and all the false prophets. This all occurs just before or immediately after the entire universe is destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12) and when the final judgement of all the unsaved occurs, as prophesied (Revelations 20:11-15).
Judgment at the Throne of God:
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. “Revelations 20:11-15.
The Destruction of Jerusalem:
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Luke 21:20-24.
14. “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18. And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. "
Mark 13:14-20
Notice here it says in verse 19 of Mark 13---" For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. " And this is repeated in Matthew 24:21.
The second half of the Tribulation becomes the Great Tribulation in unprecedented chaos and horror, a living hell on earth spoken of in Revelations in the bowels and trumpet judgments: death, destruction, plagues, famines, unimaginable disasters of all kinds from Gods wrath on earth and coming down from above in the heavenlies, in judgment. Concluding in a seven-year time period from the beginning of the Tribulation until the end of the second half known as the Great Tribulation.
THE FALL OF BABYLON THE GREAT ( all the sinful worldly systems ):
1. After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” Revelations 18:1-3
NOW WHAT IS BABYLON? THIS:
Babylon, which symbolizes the wickedness of the world, will be destroyed at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. If we follow God’s command to “come out of Babylon,” we will not partake of the sins of the world nor be overtaken in the plagues that will destroy it (see Revelation 18)
Because of the worldliness of Babylon, and because it was a place where the children of Israel were captive, the Lord often used the name Babylon in the scriptures to represent sin, worldliness, the influence of the devil on the earth, and the spiritual captivity that comes from these things.
Babylon is the almighty governmental power that takes the saints of God into captivity; it is the false churches that build false temples and worship false gods; it is every false philosophy … that leads men away from God and salvation. As you see Babylon in Revelations 18 that is what the world has become now in all nations.
At the very end, of Christ 1000-year reign on earth will come the final judgement day, which is "The Day Of The Lord", then the entire universe is destroyed, as it says here in 2 Peter 3:10-12:
THE DAY OF THE LORD ( Judgement )
Again:
10."But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, WHAT MANNER OF PERSONS OUGHT YOU TO BE IN HOLY CONDUCT AND GODLINESS, 12. LOOKING FOR AND HASTENING THE COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? " 2 Peter 3:10-12
Then the next verse in 2 Peter 3:13 speaks of the New Heavens and Earth, which is referring to the 1000-year reign of Christ, who comes AFTER the Great Tribulation has ended and final all hell breaks loose on earth in its remaining unlivable condition. Christ destroys all the remaining living ungodly at that time. Then Jesus Christ remakes it a paradise, sets up His Kingdom on Earth for the thousand years where righteousness dwells. At that time we the elect who have been raptured just before the earths final demise where no flesh could survive return 45 days after on the one thousand-two-hundred-ninety-days to inhabit it with Christ in righteousness. Here in Daniel 12 it says;
9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 BLESSED IS HE WHO WAITS, AND COMES TO THE ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE DAYS.
2 Peter 3:13 precedes the destruction of the universe as detailed in 2 Peter 3:10-12.
NOTICE, in 2 Peter 3:13, the word NEVERTHELESS, is at the beginning of that verse which means:
STRONGS G1161:
“1. universally, by way of opposition and distinction; it is added to statements opposed to a preceding statement: ἐὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε... ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε,”
Other definitions outside Strongs give a similar definition:
"in spite of that, without being affected by the particular factor mentioned".
13. "NEVERTHELESS, we, according to His promise, look for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH IN WHICH RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS". 2 Peter 3:13
And the "we" after the word nevertheless in verse 13 of 2 Peter 3, is none other than the elect, the saved in Christ. This verse is speaking to believers, true Christians in Christ. Since no unsaved person is mentioned in scripture that will occupy the new heaven and earth that Christ transforms for His 1000-year reign, nor can they look forward to ever going to a place where complete and total"righteousness dwells “ according to Gods promise. That promise is reserved only for the elect, the saved in Christ at the very end, before the destruction of the entire universe in all forms .
At the end of Christ reign Satan is released from the pit where he was confined for the 1000 years (see Revelations 20:7-10). At that time Satan and his demons try to make war with THE SAINTS, but is consumed by God and thrown into Hell, the Lake of Fire, with his demons forever, just before the Day of the Lord, sometime during the final official judgment is rendered on all the ungodly and the destruction of this entire universe, as prophesied in 2 peter 3:10-12.
17."....And thus WE shall always be with the Lord. 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words. " 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
41. "There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in in-corruption. 43. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44. It is sown a natural body, IT IS RAISED A SPIRITUAL BODY. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit. 46. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual."1 Corinthians 15:41-46.
Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelations 6:12-17
Couple this with Matthew 24:29-31 below:
The Coming of the Son of Man
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
A MULTITUDE FROM THE GREAT TRIBULATION:
9. "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10. and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11. All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12. saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
13. 'Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14. And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “THESE ARE THE ONES WHO COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, and 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 dwell among them. 16. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17. for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelations 7:9-17.
SEVENTH TRUMPET: THE KINGDOM PROCLAIMED:
15. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16. And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17. saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19. Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thundering’s, an earthquake, and great hail." Revelations 11:15-19.
SATAN BOUND FOR 1000 YEARS. REVELATIONS CHAPTER 20:
1. "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3. and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." Revelations 20:1-3
THE SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST 1000 YEARS:
4. "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Revelations 20:4-6
NOTE: "THE FIRST RESURRECTION" is the rapture of ALL the elect in Christ, those who died and those alive still, before the 1000-year reign that is mentioned above in 1 Thessalonians 4;13-18.
SATANIC REBELLION CRUSHED:
7. "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8. and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp OF THE SAINTS and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. “Revelations 20:7-10
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE:
11. "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire". Revelations 20:11-15
Now refer back to 2 peter 3:10-12, "the Day of the Lord "above. which is the final destruction of the universe at the time of the great white throne mentioned in verse 11 above in revelations chapter 20.
There you have it , the word of God, it all connects .
Remember eternity is timeless. There is no time: no past, present or future as we know it in eternity. This goes way beyond our feeble minds and our human ability to grasp any understanding of this outside our dimension of time and space.
Heaven and The Lake of Fire are both forever, for eternity. God chose, "predestined “the elect of Christ before the foundations of the earth was even created, way before we the elect were born. So, when you bring time back into the picture, which is where we exist now, in this present dimension, space and time, then that is comprehendible. We can grasp that . See Ephesians 1 below.>>
REDEMPTION IN CHRIST:
3. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4. just as HE CHOSE US in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6. to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:3-6
SALVATION IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS:
8. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD 9. not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
Once again. you see in verse 10 of Ephesians 2 above "which God prepared beforehand" , that He did this in Heaven where time does not exist. There is no time in eternity. So one way to easily understand this is in Isaiah 55:8-9 as God speaks, which clarifies it is beyond our ability to comprehend His ways and thoughts that extends to all things and creation.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.
It is all about Him, not us. God did this for His glory and praise, according to His will and good pleasure, by His mercy and love, through the atonement by the imputed Grace of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This regeneration, edification, justification, transformation and sanctification is done during this process by the work of the Holy Spirit. Once we leave these bodies of flesh and blood and are joined with Christ we received our Glorified Spiritual bodes.
“42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthains 15:42-45.
This is still the day of salvation, repent and embrace Christ as your Lord and believe .
10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
2 Corinthians 7:10
22. "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23. that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. "
John 5:22-23
7 "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. "
1 John 5:7
1."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-5
1"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
The "Word" here in these verses above is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ .
27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30. I and My Father are one.”
John 10:27-30
THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE:
14. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3. And 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. 4. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 "Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”6. Jesus said to him,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
AMEN !
A NOTE IN REGARDS TO "1000 YEARS": Literal or metaphorical in meaning?
I would like to add some concerning notes here. That there is some concerns of when Christ reigns for the 1000 years stated in Revelations 20 that it is not a literal 1000 years. Some understanding of numbers in the Bible and how they are used would shed some light on this possibility.
God is using the number 1000 to show spiritual consistency in representing the fullness of what is in view. Likewise in Revelation chapter 20, where it speaks of the one-thousand-year millennial reign of Christ. It is the perfect example of this numerical symbology. It signifies the fullness of time of the reign of Christ, the binding of Satan, and the rest of the dead live not again, before the second Resurrection.
The word thousand is merely being used to signify a very long time, but not necessarily a literal thousand. On the other hand, it could indeed be an actual 1000 years. Leave that part with the Lord.
But we do know that Christ will return for a period of time to reign and remake the earth in righteousness, which is inclusive of all the other events outlined in Revelations 20. It is not important to get hung up on this issue, but only to know the HE will return as described in Revelations 20 and all those events will happen SOON ! Put your focus on being there as a believer and being in the presence of His Glory weather your dead in Christ or among the living when He returns. You will be raised and raptured in Glory with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
AMEN !
If anyone has any biblical evidence that contradicts this study, send it on in the contact link below on the left side of the studies . But it must be based on and only from the word of God from the Holy Bible. No assumptions. Scriptures only accepted in a concise study, not just isolated verses taken out of context.
|
|
