Part 1
In this series of articles entitled “Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not?” we focus on the sequence and chronology of events occurring during the future time found in Scripture known as the “Seventieth Week,” which is outlined briefly in the Book of Daniel. You may be familiar with this future period by its common name, “the Tribulation.” However, this widely-used designation is biblically incorrect, and is one of the reasons there has been such a great deal of confusion and conflict within the Church in understanding the timing of the rise of the Antichrist, the rapture of believers, and the wrath of God. We’ll dig deeper into the specifics of these issues further in this series.
In this series of articles entitled “Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not?” we focus on the sequence and chronology of events occurring during the future time found in Scripture known as the “Seventieth Week,” which is outlined briefly in the Book of Daniel. You may be familiar with this future period by its common name, “the Tribulation.” However, this widely-used designation is biblically incorrect, and is one of the reasons there has been such a great deal of confusion and conflict within the Church in understanding the timing of the rise of the Antichrist, the rapture of believers, and the wrath of God. We’ll dig deeper into the specifics of these issues further in this series.
As Christians, we should live with the expectation that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will take place within our lifetime. When God brings this era to a close, He will punish the world for its wickedness, and usher in a new era where He establishes His Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom on Earth and rules the world from Jerusalem. This will be a time of unmatched peace, justice, and glory, and is wondrously described in Isaiah Chapter 11.
But before Jesus Christ takes His rightful place upon the throne of Israel, there will be a climactic seven-year period during which unbridled wickedness, satanic deception, and cataclysmic destruction will devastate much of the earth. And when the stench of mankind’s iniquity has reached its threshold and ignites the fury of God’s wrath, divine judgment will rain down from heaven to purge the earth of all which has defiled it.
But before Jesus Christ takes His rightful place upon the throne of Israel, there will be a climactic seven-year period during which unbridled wickedness, satanic deception, and cataclysmic destruction will devastate much of the earth. And when the stench of mankind’s iniquity has reached its threshold and ignites the fury of God’s wrath, divine judgment will rain down from heaven to purge the earth of all which has defiled it.
A Future Seven Years Identified
Having said this, how do we know human history is heading toward a climactic period of events with a duration of seven years – as opposed to five, eight, ten, or more years? The answer is found within the pages of the Old Testament Book of Daniel, which gives us the crucial chronological framework necessary to understand this significant period of time.
As Daniel and the Jewish people were nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon, this beloved prophet of God petitioned the Lord to understand what would become of his people, the Jews, after their captivity had ended. The answer was revealed to Daniel through an angelic vision. He was told:
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [the Jews] and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness … and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).
These seventy weeks (or literally, 70 sevens of years) add up to 490 total years. So, in reality, Daniel was told through the words of the angel Gabriel that God would restore His people, punish evil, enthrone Jesus Christ as King of the earth, and bring history to a proper consummation – all within 490 years.
At first look, this seems to be an implausible scenario. However, in the very next verse, the crucial starting point of this 490-year prophecy was given to Daniel. It was to begin with the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem. We know this historic proclamation was issued by Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus in 445 B.C. (read Nehemiah 2:1-8). On that occasion, Artaxerxes granted the Jews permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s city walls.
We also have another crucial piece of information given to us in Daniel 9:26. Daniel is told the Messiah would be cut off after 69 weeks (69 sevens of years), which equals 483 years. In other words, the first 483 years of Daniel’s prophecy ended with the death of Jesus on the cross at Calvary.
This brings us to an important question. If the entire prophecy given to Daniel consists of a total of 490 years, and if 483 years of the prophecy were completed at the time of our Lord’s crucifixion, what are we to understand regarding the final seven years? They, obviously, did not occur immediately after Christ’s crucifixion. The answer is this: The final seven years of Daniel’s prophetic vision have yet to occur and are still in the future.
Today, we are living in the period of time between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s prophecy. This “gap” in time is known biblically as the Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). We also know it today as the Church Age. The Old Testament prophetic writers most likely had no idea there would be such a large span of time until the ultimate fulfillment of their prophecies. But they did understand there would be one, final, climactic period at the end of the age when God would judge wickedness and vindicate Himself before all nations.
Having said this, how do we know human history is heading toward a climactic period of events with a duration of seven years – as opposed to five, eight, ten, or more years? The answer is found within the pages of the Old Testament Book of Daniel, which gives us the crucial chronological framework necessary to understand this significant period of time.
As Daniel and the Jewish people were nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon, this beloved prophet of God petitioned the Lord to understand what would become of his people, the Jews, after their captivity had ended. The answer was revealed to Daniel through an angelic vision. He was told:
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [the Jews] and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness … and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).
These seventy weeks (or literally, 70 sevens of years) add up to 490 total years. So, in reality, Daniel was told through the words of the angel Gabriel that God would restore His people, punish evil, enthrone Jesus Christ as King of the earth, and bring history to a proper consummation – all within 490 years.
At first look, this seems to be an implausible scenario. However, in the very next verse, the crucial starting point of this 490-year prophecy was given to Daniel. It was to begin with the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem. We know this historic proclamation was issued by Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus in 445 B.C. (read Nehemiah 2:1-8). On that occasion, Artaxerxes granted the Jews permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s city walls.
We also have another crucial piece of information given to us in Daniel 9:26. Daniel is told the Messiah would be cut off after 69 weeks (69 sevens of years), which equals 483 years. In other words, the first 483 years of Daniel’s prophecy ended with the death of Jesus on the cross at Calvary.
This brings us to an important question. If the entire prophecy given to Daniel consists of a total of 490 years, and if 483 years of the prophecy were completed at the time of our Lord’s crucifixion, what are we to understand regarding the final seven years? They, obviously, did not occur immediately after Christ’s crucifixion. The answer is this: The final seven years of Daniel’s prophetic vision have yet to occur and are still in the future.
Today, we are living in the period of time between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s prophecy. This “gap” in time is known biblically as the Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). We also know it today as the Church Age. The Old Testament prophetic writers most likely had no idea there would be such a large span of time until the ultimate fulfillment of their prophecies. But they did understand there would be one, final, climactic period at the end of the age when God would judge wickedness and vindicate Himself before all nations.
Seven Years and the Importance of Timing
To reiterate once again, this seven-year period is commonly – but incorrectly – referred to as “the Tribulation.” This name has been superimposed on the “Seventieth Week” of the Book of Daniel, but there is absolutely no justification for it. This is far more than simple semantics. As a student of Scripture, if you regard the entire seven years as a time of “tribulation” enacted by God, it is but a small jump to reason that all seven years represent the “wrath” of God.
This is critically important in light of the apostle Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 which confirms the fact that “God hath not appointed us [the Church] to wrath.” In other words, Paul is saying to Christians: God will not leave you on the earth to endure His fury – you will be raptured beforehand.
Paul’s teaching is clear: The Church (believers) will not be on Earth during any part of God’s wrath. There can be no room for disagreement on this point. However, if you then make the assumption that the entire seven-year, so-called “Tribulation” is the wrath of God, you will be forced to conclude the Church will be raptured “pretribulationally” – that is, before the seven-year “tribulation” begins.
Conversely, if God’s wrath begins well inside this final seven-year framework – and its duration is significantly less than seven years – then we must look to the Scriptures to determine when it begins, and how long it will last.
This is the core issue when it comes to understanding the timing of the rapture of the Church and Christ’s second coming. The question all Christians must ask themselves is this: If the Church is not destined to be the recipient of God’s wrath, then when does the wrath of God actually begin?
Again, we cannot stress enough just how critically important it is for believers to have a clear understanding from Scripture about this future time. The Scriptures teach believers will enter the Seventieth Week, will encounter the Antichrist, will endure persecution, and will be raptured by God before He pours out His wrath upon the earth.
There is an urgency in this hour of history – but most Christians in the West have been desensitized to the danger ahead. If believers think we’re going to be taken out of here before things get tough, we will not prepare as we should – like a well-trained soldier who knows he or she may be called to the frontlines.
Furthermore, the realization that the Church will encounter the Antichrist and endure a significant portion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week will dramatically impact the way you live today.
For most believers, life is centered on the daily issues of managing finances, improving marriage, achieving career goals, raising kids, and planning for retirement; obviously, these are all vitally important. But if you understand you and your family may be among the final generation of believers who will face the difficulties associated with that future seven-year period (which will begin centered in Israel), you will far more intentionally watch and be discerning when you see earth-shaking events begin to unfold in the Middle East.
Sadly, many Christians today are not looking toward God’s covenant nation, Israel. As a result, they are missing out on a great deal of knowledge and prophetic understanding given to us by God in Scripture, which is invaluable for this hour of history. The land of Israel, and the Jewish people, have been – and will be – at the epicenter of God’s prophetic plan, especially as it unfolds in the days ahead.
Current events are rocketing us toward the last days. If you want to understand the sequential flow and general timing of God’s prophetic plan, then you must seek the answer to this question: When does the wrath of God begin? Does it start at the outset of the Seventieth Week, or sometime inside of it? Once we determine from Scripture when the wrath of God begins, the other prophetic pieces fall into place.
What follows is a chronology of end-time events which lead to the rapture of the Church as seen in the Book of Revelation.
To reiterate once again, this seven-year period is commonly – but incorrectly – referred to as “the Tribulation.” This name has been superimposed on the “Seventieth Week” of the Book of Daniel, but there is absolutely no justification for it. This is far more than simple semantics. As a student of Scripture, if you regard the entire seven years as a time of “tribulation” enacted by God, it is but a small jump to reason that all seven years represent the “wrath” of God.
This is critically important in light of the apostle Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 which confirms the fact that “God hath not appointed us [the Church] to wrath.” In other words, Paul is saying to Christians: God will not leave you on the earth to endure His fury – you will be raptured beforehand.
Paul’s teaching is clear: The Church (believers) will not be on Earth during any part of God’s wrath. There can be no room for disagreement on this point. However, if you then make the assumption that the entire seven-year, so-called “Tribulation” is the wrath of God, you will be forced to conclude the Church will be raptured “pretribulationally” – that is, before the seven-year “tribulation” begins.
Conversely, if God’s wrath begins well inside this final seven-year framework – and its duration is significantly less than seven years – then we must look to the Scriptures to determine when it begins, and how long it will last.
This is the core issue when it comes to understanding the timing of the rapture of the Church and Christ’s second coming. The question all Christians must ask themselves is this: If the Church is not destined to be the recipient of God’s wrath, then when does the wrath of God actually begin?
Again, we cannot stress enough just how critically important it is for believers to have a clear understanding from Scripture about this future time. The Scriptures teach believers will enter the Seventieth Week, will encounter the Antichrist, will endure persecution, and will be raptured by God before He pours out His wrath upon the earth.
There is an urgency in this hour of history – but most Christians in the West have been desensitized to the danger ahead. If believers think we’re going to be taken out of here before things get tough, we will not prepare as we should – like a well-trained soldier who knows he or she may be called to the frontlines.
Furthermore, the realization that the Church will encounter the Antichrist and endure a significant portion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week will dramatically impact the way you live today.
For most believers, life is centered on the daily issues of managing finances, improving marriage, achieving career goals, raising kids, and planning for retirement; obviously, these are all vitally important. But if you understand you and your family may be among the final generation of believers who will face the difficulties associated with that future seven-year period (which will begin centered in Israel), you will far more intentionally watch and be discerning when you see earth-shaking events begin to unfold in the Middle East.
Sadly, many Christians today are not looking toward God’s covenant nation, Israel. As a result, they are missing out on a great deal of knowledge and prophetic understanding given to us by God in Scripture, which is invaluable for this hour of history. The land of Israel, and the Jewish people, have been – and will be – at the epicenter of God’s prophetic plan, especially as it unfolds in the days ahead.
Current events are rocketing us toward the last days. If you want to understand the sequential flow and general timing of God’s prophetic plan, then you must seek the answer to this question: When does the wrath of God begin? Does it start at the outset of the Seventieth Week, or sometime inside of it? Once we determine from Scripture when the wrath of God begins, the other prophetic pieces fall into place.
What follows is a chronology of end-time events which lead to the rapture of the Church as seen in the Book of Revelation.
The Throne in Heaven
In Revelation Chapter 4, the apostle John is summoned by a trumpet up to Heaven. From this vantage point he sees a throne upon which God the Father is seated, surrounded by magnificent sights, colors, sounds, and high orders of angelic beings. The One seated upon the throne is declared to be “holy, holy, holy.” The threefold proclamation is the way of emphasizing the superlative of holiness. The One who is seated upon the throne is also spoken of as “Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” so that the attributes of omnipotence and eternality are added to His holiness.
The 24 elders seated around this awesome throne in an act of worship proclaim: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). The point is this: Because God the Father created the earth and all things for His good pleasure, and because He is holy, omnipotent, and eternal, He has both the right and the power to bring the earth and all therein to the consummation He has determined. This truth is the first of two foundational, doctrinal platforms upon which a proper understanding of Revelation and the timing of end-time events must stand.
In Revelation Chapter 4, the apostle John is summoned by a trumpet up to Heaven. From this vantage point he sees a throne upon which God the Father is seated, surrounded by magnificent sights, colors, sounds, and high orders of angelic beings. The One seated upon the throne is declared to be “holy, holy, holy.” The threefold proclamation is the way of emphasizing the superlative of holiness. The One who is seated upon the throne is also spoken of as “Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” so that the attributes of omnipotence and eternality are added to His holiness.
The 24 elders seated around this awesome throne in an act of worship proclaim: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). The point is this: Because God the Father created the earth and all things for His good pleasure, and because He is holy, omnipotent, and eternal, He has both the right and the power to bring the earth and all therein to the consummation He has determined. This truth is the first of two foundational, doctrinal platforms upon which a proper understanding of Revelation and the timing of end-time events must stand.
The Scroll in God’s Right Hand
The second theological, foundational platform is found in Chapter 5. John informs his readers that he saw a book (literally, a scroll) in the right hand of God the Father who was seated upon the throne. The scroll had writing on the inside and the back. The scroll John saw was sealed with seven seals. It was not unusual for important ancient scrolls to be sealed with one, two, or even three seals. In contrast, it was extremely rare to find a scroll with seven seals.
Each seal normally had the combined appearance of a piece of twine tied around the outside of the scroll, and a small piece of clay pushed and flattened against the twine and scroll. But before the clay hardened, a brief message was written or etched into the clay itself. If a seal was broken, it could not be put back together again to conceal the intrusion.
The seven seals were all on the outside of the scroll so all seven seals had to be broken to unravel the scroll. It was a matter of all or nothing. None of the scroll could be opened until all seven seals were broken. Concerning the scroll John saw, a strong angel proclaimed with a loud voice: “Who is worthy [has the right or authority] to open the book [scroll], and to loose the seals thereof?” (Revelation 5:2).
The search for a qualified man was universal. The search was in heaven, earth, and beneath the earth. No man was found worthy to open the scroll by breaking the seven seals. The initially unsuccessful search caused John to begin to sob uncontrollably. He realized the scroll was the title deed to Earth and if the scroll could not be opened by breaking the seals – because no man was found worthy to open it – all was lost.
Then, unexpectedly, a strong angel mildly rebuked John with this command: “Weep not,” or literally, “stop weeping.” Then the reason for the command to cease weeping is given: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book [scroll], and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5). At the moment of humanity’s greatest need, Israel and the Davidic lineage are summoned to provide help for the world.
Again John beheld the throne in heaven, but this time he saw something on the throne he had missed in his earlier description. He said: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6).
The second theological, foundational platform is found in Chapter 5. John informs his readers that he saw a book (literally, a scroll) in the right hand of God the Father who was seated upon the throne. The scroll had writing on the inside and the back. The scroll John saw was sealed with seven seals. It was not unusual for important ancient scrolls to be sealed with one, two, or even three seals. In contrast, it was extremely rare to find a scroll with seven seals.
Each seal normally had the combined appearance of a piece of twine tied around the outside of the scroll, and a small piece of clay pushed and flattened against the twine and scroll. But before the clay hardened, a brief message was written or etched into the clay itself. If a seal was broken, it could not be put back together again to conceal the intrusion.
The seven seals were all on the outside of the scroll so all seven seals had to be broken to unravel the scroll. It was a matter of all or nothing. None of the scroll could be opened until all seven seals were broken. Concerning the scroll John saw, a strong angel proclaimed with a loud voice: “Who is worthy [has the right or authority] to open the book [scroll], and to loose the seals thereof?” (Revelation 5:2).
The search for a qualified man was universal. The search was in heaven, earth, and beneath the earth. No man was found worthy to open the scroll by breaking the seven seals. The initially unsuccessful search caused John to begin to sob uncontrollably. He realized the scroll was the title deed to Earth and if the scroll could not be opened by breaking the seals – because no man was found worthy to open it – all was lost.
Then, unexpectedly, a strong angel mildly rebuked John with this command: “Weep not,” or literally, “stop weeping.” Then the reason for the command to cease weeping is given: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book [scroll], and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5). At the moment of humanity’s greatest need, Israel and the Davidic lineage are summoned to provide help for the world.
Again John beheld the throne in heaven, but this time he saw something on the throne he had missed in his earlier description. He said: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6).
The Kinsman-Redeemer
The Lamb alone was worthy to take the scroll and break the seals because He was slain and redeemed us to God by His blood; as a result, we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10). The Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the fullness of time became a man to become our kinsman. Man was created to be king of the earth, and only an innocent, sinless man who needed no redemption Himself could redeem man’s lost inheritance. Jesus is worthy to open the scroll because He redeemed us to God by His blood. The heavenly choir breaks out into unrestrained singing with these words:
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne [God the Father], and unto the Lamb [God the Son] for ever and ever (Revelation 5:12-13).
The first foundation upon which to understand Revelation and end-time events is that the Father is to receive blessing, honor, and glory because He created the earth and all therein. The second foundation is that the Son is to receive blessing, honor, and glory because He redeemed that fallen creation.
In ancient Israel, a man known as a goel (“kinsman-redeemer”) could redeem a family member’s lost inheritance if he met three criteria. First, he must be a kinsman. Second, he must be willing to redeem (not all kinsmen were willing). Third, he must have the redemption price. First, Jesus became a man to become our Kinsman. Second, Jesus was willing to redeem. Third, Jesus had the redemption price – His shed blood. We were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold (1 Peter 1:18).
A goel sometimes had one more responsibility. Sometimes there were squatters, living on the land which had to be forcibly driven from the land. When Jesus, as the Kinsman-Redeemer, began to break the seals to unravel the scroll, he was beginning the process, which would continue throughout the Book of Revelation, of driving squatters off the land such as wicked men, corrupt nations, counterfeit religions, the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan himself. This is all done during the Day of the Lord (which is the time of God’s wrath). When finished, He will establish a Golden Age upon the earth.
The Lamb alone was worthy to take the scroll and break the seals because He was slain and redeemed us to God by His blood; as a result, we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10). The Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the fullness of time became a man to become our kinsman. Man was created to be king of the earth, and only an innocent, sinless man who needed no redemption Himself could redeem man’s lost inheritance. Jesus is worthy to open the scroll because He redeemed us to God by His blood. The heavenly choir breaks out into unrestrained singing with these words:
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne [God the Father], and unto the Lamb [God the Son] for ever and ever (Revelation 5:12-13).
The first foundation upon which to understand Revelation and end-time events is that the Father is to receive blessing, honor, and glory because He created the earth and all therein. The second foundation is that the Son is to receive blessing, honor, and glory because He redeemed that fallen creation.
In ancient Israel, a man known as a goel (“kinsman-redeemer”) could redeem a family member’s lost inheritance if he met three criteria. First, he must be a kinsman. Second, he must be willing to redeem (not all kinsmen were willing). Third, he must have the redemption price. First, Jesus became a man to become our Kinsman. Second, Jesus was willing to redeem. Third, Jesus had the redemption price – His shed blood. We were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold (1 Peter 1:18).
A goel sometimes had one more responsibility. Sometimes there were squatters, living on the land which had to be forcibly driven from the land. When Jesus, as the Kinsman-Redeemer, began to break the seals to unravel the scroll, he was beginning the process, which would continue throughout the Book of Revelation, of driving squatters off the land such as wicked men, corrupt nations, counterfeit religions, the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan himself. This is all done during the Day of the Lord (which is the time of God’s wrath). When finished, He will establish a Golden Age upon the earth.
The Breaking of the Seals
In Revelation 6, Jesus, the Kinsman-Redeemer, begins to break the seals around the scroll. When broken, the first four seals permit four horses and riders – one after another – to gallop onto the earth. In sequence, they portray false christs, wars, famines, and increasing death from pestilence. These four horses and riders begin their ride during the first half (3½ years) of the seven-year Seventieth Week. The fifth seal, when broken, begins the Great Tribulation, which is also called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), and starts at the midpoint of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. (Note: The term “Great Tribulation” is a biblical term, but it is never used to describe the entire seven-year period of time.)
After starting at the midpoint, the Great Tribulation does not last for the remaining 3½ years as popularly taught. It is amputated, or “cut short,” before the end of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, by the breaking of the sixth seal. The sixth seal initiates cosmic disturbance.
At that time (the breaking of the sixth seal) the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven. The cosmic disturbance is the clear indication the “Day of the Lord” (which is the time of God’s wrath) is about to begin. This will be the direct intervention of God for judgment in the earth. He will purge the earth of all that has defiled it since the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden.
The six seals of Revelation 6 are a clear parallel to the teaching of the Lord Jesus about His second coming in His Olivet Discourse, which includes false christs, wars, famines, death by pestilences (Matthew 24:3-8), great tribulation (Matthew 24:9-22), and cosmic disturbance (Matthew 24:29-30).
IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH TAKES PLACE BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS NOT APPOINTED UNTO GOD’S WRATH (Matthew 24:31). THEREFORE, THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH OCCURS FOLLOWING THE BREAKING OF THE SIXTH SEAL – JUST BEFORE GOD BEGINS TO POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON A SINFUL WORLD.
In Revelation 6, Jesus, the Kinsman-Redeemer, begins to break the seals around the scroll. When broken, the first four seals permit four horses and riders – one after another – to gallop onto the earth. In sequence, they portray false christs, wars, famines, and increasing death from pestilence. These four horses and riders begin their ride during the first half (3½ years) of the seven-year Seventieth Week. The fifth seal, when broken, begins the Great Tribulation, which is also called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), and starts at the midpoint of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. (Note: The term “Great Tribulation” is a biblical term, but it is never used to describe the entire seven-year period of time.)
After starting at the midpoint, the Great Tribulation does not last for the remaining 3½ years as popularly taught. It is amputated, or “cut short,” before the end of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, by the breaking of the sixth seal. The sixth seal initiates cosmic disturbance.
At that time (the breaking of the sixth seal) the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven. The cosmic disturbance is the clear indication the “Day of the Lord” (which is the time of God’s wrath) is about to begin. This will be the direct intervention of God for judgment in the earth. He will purge the earth of all that has defiled it since the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden.
The six seals of Revelation 6 are a clear parallel to the teaching of the Lord Jesus about His second coming in His Olivet Discourse, which includes false christs, wars, famines, death by pestilences (Matthew 24:3-8), great tribulation (Matthew 24:9-22), and cosmic disturbance (Matthew 24:29-30).
IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH TAKES PLACE BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS NOT APPOINTED UNTO GOD’S WRATH (Matthew 24:31). THEREFORE, THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH OCCURS FOLLOWING THE BREAKING OF THE SIXTH SEAL – JUST BEFORE GOD BEGINS TO POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON A SINFUL WORLD.
What Happened to the Seventh Seal?
It would be reasonable to assume the seventh seal would be a focal topic in Chapter 7. But it is absent. Six seals were broken in sequence in Chapter 6, but no mention of the seventh seal is in Chapter 7. Instead, it opens with an urgent command to four angelic beings, which were about to begin to hurt the earth, to refrain from their harmful activity for a time:
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads (Revelation 7:1-3).
The sixth seal, which is cosmic disturbance, indicates God’s wrath is about to begin. (Many Old Testament passages clearly link cosmic disturbance with the impending wrath of God during the Day of the Lord.) But two events must occur before His wrath. First, 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, must be sealed for protection during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 7:4-8). Second, the Church (believers), which is not appointed to God’s wrath, will be raptured. These raptured believers are described as a great multitude which no one can number, from out of all nations, who came out of the Great Tribulation, who are now in Heaven, clothed with white robes, palms in their hands, and saying, “Salvation to our God … and unto the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-17).
It would be reasonable to assume the seventh seal would be a focal topic in Chapter 7. But it is absent. Six seals were broken in sequence in Chapter 6, but no mention of the seventh seal is in Chapter 7. Instead, it opens with an urgent command to four angelic beings, which were about to begin to hurt the earth, to refrain from their harmful activity for a time:
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads (Revelation 7:1-3).
The sixth seal, which is cosmic disturbance, indicates God’s wrath is about to begin. (Many Old Testament passages clearly link cosmic disturbance with the impending wrath of God during the Day of the Lord.) But two events must occur before His wrath. First, 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, must be sealed for protection during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 7:4-8). Second, the Church (believers), which is not appointed to God’s wrath, will be raptured. These raptured believers are described as a great multitude which no one can number, from out of all nations, who came out of the Great Tribulation, who are now in Heaven, clothed with white robes, palms in their hands, and saying, “Salvation to our God … and unto the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-17).
Silence in Heaven
Revelation Chapter 8 opens with these words: “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour” (Revelation 8:1). How strange to read of silence in heaven for 30 minutes. What would have caused this silence? The answer is provided in an obscure Old Testament text: “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand” (Zephaniah 1:7).
The wrath of God upon the earth, which begins with the breaking of the seventh seal, will be so devastating there will be silence in heaven just prior to its momentous unleashing. Those among the silent may include angelic beings, but clearly, it includes the Church, just raptured in the previous chapter and who are referred to in Chapter 8 as being in a mode of prayer. The prayer is not on behalf of wicked humanity but out of reverence for God, who, in the final judgment of the earth, is being vindicated throughout the universe (Revelation 8:2-6).
When the seventh seal is opened, the trumpet judgments of God begin to fall upon the earth. It is the seventh seal which contains the seven trumpets, and out of the seventh trumpet emerges the seven bowls. All of these judgments are the work of God the Father and the Kinsman-Redeemer who are driving squatters off the earth and purging it of all of sin’s defilement through the ages. All of this is being done by a God who is holy, holy, holy, infinite in power, and everlasting in longevity.
Revelation Chapter 8 opens with these words: “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour” (Revelation 8:1). How strange to read of silence in heaven for 30 minutes. What would have caused this silence? The answer is provided in an obscure Old Testament text: “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand” (Zephaniah 1:7).
The wrath of God upon the earth, which begins with the breaking of the seventh seal, will be so devastating there will be silence in heaven just prior to its momentous unleashing. Those among the silent may include angelic beings, but clearly, it includes the Church, just raptured in the previous chapter and who are referred to in Chapter 8 as being in a mode of prayer. The prayer is not on behalf of wicked humanity but out of reverence for God, who, in the final judgment of the earth, is being vindicated throughout the universe (Revelation 8:2-6).
When the seventh seal is opened, the trumpet judgments of God begin to fall upon the earth. It is the seventh seal which contains the seven trumpets, and out of the seventh trumpet emerges the seven bowls. All of these judgments are the work of God the Father and the Kinsman-Redeemer who are driving squatters off the earth and purging it of all of sin’s defilement through the ages. All of this is being done by a God who is holy, holy, holy, infinite in power, and everlasting in longevity.
Conclusion
It is our fervent belief that the Church (believers) will be on earth during the first six seals of this future seven-year period of time known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel. During that time, many believers will fall prey to intense persecution occurring on planet Earth, including persecution being unleashed by the Antichrist. Some believers will be martyred at this time (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). However, a proper understanding of the Scriptures makes it clear that this is man’s (Satan’s) wrath against believers – it is certainly not the wrath of God. Faithful Christians who lose their lives during Daniel’s Seventieth Week will be ushered immediately into the presence of God.
It is our prayer that this article has given you insight regarding the basic chronology of the final seven years of this era of human history, and in particular that of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. It is not our intention to be adversarial, to sound unnecessary alarms, or to foster a sense of fear within the true Church. Good and godly people can and do have differing views as to the timing of the Rapture.
It is our hope that this article has provided a firm foundation on which to understand the studies that follow in this series on the Pre-Wrath Rapture, the wrath of God, and the second coming of our glorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With a clear knowledge of God’s sovereign plan for the future should also come a quiet confidence that rests upon this truth: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
It is our fervent belief that the Church (believers) will be on earth during the first six seals of this future seven-year period of time known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel. During that time, many believers will fall prey to intense persecution occurring on planet Earth, including persecution being unleashed by the Antichrist. Some believers will be martyred at this time (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). However, a proper understanding of the Scriptures makes it clear that this is man’s (Satan’s) wrath against believers – it is certainly not the wrath of God. Faithful Christians who lose their lives during Daniel’s Seventieth Week will be ushered immediately into the presence of God.
It is our prayer that this article has given you insight regarding the basic chronology of the final seven years of this era of human history, and in particular that of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. It is not our intention to be adversarial, to sound unnecessary alarms, or to foster a sense of fear within the true Church. Good and godly people can and do have differing views as to the timing of the Rapture.
It is our hope that this article has provided a firm foundation on which to understand the studies that follow in this series on the Pre-Wrath Rapture, the wrath of God, and the second coming of our glorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With a clear knowledge of God’s sovereign plan for the future should also come a quiet confidence that rests upon this truth: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Watch David Rosenthal in this presentation on the Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not. You can find the entire series in our media collection!
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