We have made it through Revelation 12 and understanding the Great Tribulation (GT) (Matthew 24:15-22) from the perspective of Israel fleeing to the wilderness and being sustained by God for 1,260 days (v.6) or a time, times, and half a time (v.14, Daniel 7:25) = 42 months = 3 1/2 years. I know, by now, you all see that in your dreams. The Great Tribulation (GT) begins at the Abomination of Desolation (AoD) (Matthew 24:15), and ends at the 2nd Advent, when Jesus returns to establish the millennial kingdom.
So, let’s recap what we have learned:
1. The rapture of the Church occurs in Revelation 4:1 with a vision of heaven in ch. 4 & 5. The Judgment Seat of Christ occurs at this time.
(1 Cor. 3:11-15; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:50-54; Romans 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10)
**Ch. 6-18 all occur, on earth, during the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the preparation for the Marriage of the Lamb!**
2. The Seal Judgments are opened in ch.6. The first seal is false peace that lasts the first 3 1/2 years, until the Abomination of Desolation is placed in the Temple. The Jews reject the Antichrist and flee into the wilderness. This begins the Great Tribulation. The next 5 seals all have to do with events in the GT, culminating in the 2nd Advent in ch.6:12-17 with the 6th Seal. The first 6 seals give us a start to finish “overview” of the entire 7 year tribulation. We see the souls of the slain martyrs under the altar waiting to be invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in v.9 – 11.
3. Ch. 7 is a parenthetical chapter giving us information concerning the 144,000 sealed servants and a description of those who were under the altar suddenly now in heaven, invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 11:12 & 19:9).
4. Ch. 8 begins with the 7th Seal being opened and circling us back to the midpoint of the tribulation, and opening the Trumpet Judgments, pouring out God’s wrath upon creation, and upon man. The Trumpet Judgments take us through ch 8 – 11, culminating in the same event as the 6th Seal — the 2nd advent of the Jesus Christ. (ch.6:12-17 & ch. 11:15-18).
5. Ch. 10 is a parenthetical chapter where John has an encounter with the Lord himself.
6. Ch. 11 is the 2nd look at the GT through the events surrounding the Two Witnesses. The Trumpet Judgments gave us the first look at the GT. Seals 2 – 6 give us the general overview of the GT, but the Trumpet Judgments and the Two Witnesses give us more detail of the 1,260 days of God’s wrath being poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. The Two Witnesses are the same two men who stand with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-6 — Moses and Elijah!
7. Ch. 12 records the repentance of Israel and obedience to Christ’s command in Matthew 24:15-22! This is the 3rd look at the GT — this time from Israel’s perspective. This is where God’s wife, who has been in rebellion since the invasion of the Assyrians in 722 BC, and the Babylonian captivity from 586 BC. Her heart was turned from God and she has walked in rebellion ever since. But, she will repent, and acknowledge Christ as Messiah Savior, and flee to the wilderness, as Jesus prophesied. Jerusalem will be trodden under foot of the Gentiles for 42 months (ch.11:2).
Next time…
8. Ch.13 will give us the 4th look at the GT giving us insight to the Dragon and the Antichrist – the first Beast, and the False Prophet – the 2nd Beast. Please read 2 Thess 2:3-12 in preparation for our look into the government and personalities that will rule the one world government of the tribulation.