When Shall These Things Be?
(An end-time summary)
A Message by "Liaf"
If we turn to Matthew 24, we see that the disciples asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things be?" What Jesus answered thereafter parallels Revelation and the book of Daniel. The book of Daniel is one of the major prophetic keys to understanding end-time prophecy. In a nutshell, the book of Daniel, specifically chapters 2,7, 8,9,11 and 12 speak of Kingdoms, rulers, and ultimately Antichrist. This message is not to focus on where Antichrist will come from, and who he is, but rather to make the major point that this character is prophesied. The main chapter of Daniel in this message focuses specifically on Daniel 9:27. I will say more on that soon. Meanwhile, it is important to understand that Matthew 24 and 25 is an exact summary, in order, of end-time events.
Before we look at those chapters, let me say this about Revelation. John, who saw these visions on the isle of Patmos, recorded Jesus’ own testimony as to how this book should be divided and thus understood. In Revelation 1:19, Jesus said, "Write the things which thou hast seen [past tense visions of Jesus in chapter one], and the things which are [the present tense visions of the churches in chapters two and three], and the things which shall be hereafter [this is future tense from chapter 4 onward]. Immediately, John represented a ‘type’ of church and was told to come up hither. This foreshadows the rapture [the translation into a glorified body] of the church before the Tribulation. Now I said before that I part company with the mainline church regarding the eternal throne of David, Lost Tribes of Israel, the Pyramid, and so forth. However, this "pre-Tribulation" rapture thing is where I part company with most groups that teach about the Lost Tribes. Some seem offended that Christians should be removed to avoid persecution when the saints of other generations had to endure hardship. But we must remember that the Tribulation is God’s wrath on this world. Christians are exempt from that wrath being it was taken at the cross. The tribulation of Christians that Jesus mentioned is from the Enemy. Even at that, some seem to feel that if the church is removed, that they would not have been tested as previous generations. After all, what did they do to deserve escaping all this? How would they be tested? My answer is, "As if God would not know who his people are and who would be faithful or not." No, I’m not into S&M Christianity. Besides, there are many logic problems with a "post-Tribulation" rapture. One is that according to the Bible, we are to meet the Lord in the air. However, if he’s coming back to Earth, then all I must say is that there must be a "U-turn" rapture if we are coming back with him. Even the non-canonical book of Enoch, quoted by Jude, says, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints". These are the white-arrayed army returning with Jesus in Revelation 19:14. The description of these characters is not that of angels. Another problem is that in the Kingdom, there will be real, live, red-blooded people there. If Jesus judges the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25:32, we must note where each one goes. The sheep (believers) must have been raptured at his return if we believe in a post-Tribulation rapture. The goats go to eternal fire. So where does that leave real, live, red-blooded people? None are left. I’m getting ahead of things a little, but the point is there are these and even other logic problems that I did not mention.
The book of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 show the glories of heaven. The 24 elders represent God’s people symbolically. The number twelve always represented God’s government and people. Therefore, it is my belief that double this number represents Old Testament saints of faith and New Testament saints (the church). Notice these guys are conscious of their existence and they precede the coming Tribulation since they witness the punishments that God will inflict. Therefore, [and again is where I part company with other lost tribes folk], there must be either consciousness after death OR the resurrection of the saints [at the rapture of the church before the Tribulation] or possibly both. I believe both, but there are many that believe neither. They have Jesus all alone out there with his angels until soul-sleeping saints are resurrected at his Second Coming. Well then, what are these elders doing there in the beginning of the Tribulation?
Turn to Matthew 24:5-15. Jesus said what signs to watch for. Many will come in his name. That sounds like Revelation 6:2 white horseman. There are those who think that white is representative of Christ. No. That horseman is Antichrist. He comes in with a bow, but no arrow (a military man of peace). He will trick the world into believing he is the solution to the problems in the middle east and elsewhere as well. The book of Daniel speaks about this man of intrigue. Notice that wars and rumors of wars soon follow. Antichrist’s "peace" will not last (Revelation 6:4). Then in Matthew 24:7 we have natural disasters, famines, etc. These sound like the remaining horsemen of Revelation 6 which comprise the first 4 seals of Revelation. Then in Matthew 24:9 Jesus said that they will deliver you up to be afflicted. See!! I told you!! The church is here during the Tribulation. Don’t believe what Liaf tells you!! No. The "you" Jesus is addressing is to Israel. See the message "Go Ye" and understand that Jesus was addressing Israel at this point. There will be 144,000 people sealed from each tribe according to Revelation 7:4. These are the ones who bring the gospel of the Kingdom in Matthew 24:14, in which many converts will be saved during the Tribulation. These converts will be martyrs for their testimony (Revelation 6:9-11, 7:13-14). That is the same as the fifth seal in Revelation. Jesus then moves onto the middle of the Tribulation in Matthew 24:15. Jesus’ reference is to Daniel 9:27. The Antichrist will make a 7 year covenant with Israel, specifically in Jerusalem, where he will allow them to rebuild the temple there with sacrifices and all. Remember how he came onto the scene as a peaceful, military man? That will be when the covenant will be made, but midway in the Tribulation he will break it. That’s where Jesus says in Matthew 24:16, "Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains." In Luke Jesus said that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies. Lots of stuff happens at mid-Tribulation. Antichrist turns especially nasty. That’s because Satan is cast to the Earth and this parallels Revelation 12. The woman in Revelation 12 represents Israel, specifically those in Judea who will flee to the wilderness the last half of the tribulation. Many think the woman is the church. No she is not. The symbolism here would never represent the church since a similar allusion to these astronomical bodies was symbolic of Israel (compare Joseph’s dream). Besides, those who believe that the woman is the church also believe the manchild of hers is Christ. When did the church produce Christ? Although Israel did produce Christ, we must remember that these visions are future relative to John’s time. The manchild is really the 144,000 in symbolic form, and this explains how the sealed 144,000 in Revelation chapter 7 end up in the heavenly mount Zion in chapter 14. What happened to the 144,000 if they are indeed the manchild? They were caught up unto God and his throne. They were raptured at mid-tribulation! Maybe we should not limit our rapture thinking to one event, although as most folk often do, the rapture is oftentimes understood as something relative to this church in this age of grace and therefore other raptures are overlooked. In addition to these 144,000 being raptured, the two witnesses of Revelation 11 will be resurrected and raptured. Putting it all together, Antichrist will be infuriated at these missing (raptured) folk, break the covenant, and vent his anger on the remaining ones of Israel which will cause them to flee to the wilderness. Empowered by Satan (and the beast or demon which rises out of the sea according to Revelation 13), Antichrist will put an abominable idol in the temple and even seat himself there while his sidekick will promote the worship of Antichrist worldwide. From that point onward, terrible Tribulation (The Great Tribulation) will happen. These are the remaining judgements recorded in Revelation and Jesus’ reference "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time" (Matthew 24:21).
Near or at the Second Coming of Jesus, several things happen. First of all, people are gathered for Armageddon. Revelation 16:14 says that these are both kings and the whole world. Jesus says in Revelation 16:15 that he would come as a thief. The admonition is for the converts that made it through the Tribulation without being killed (many from Israel and the Lost Tribes). The church was raptured at the beginning of the Tribulation and only the manchild and witnesses were raptured mid-Tribulation. The remaining ones are those real, live, red-blooded folks who will inherit the Kingdom (otherwise known as the sheep as previously mentioned). In Armageddon, the world will be mustered thinking to do defeat Israel and to fight one another only to face God’s judgement! Jesus’ reference to this event is in Matthew 24:28 and explained more fully in verse 40. How many of you thought that this ‘taking away’ was reference to the rapture? This taking away is for judgement for Armageddon. The ones taken here are especially unlucky! The second big event associated with Christ’s return is the regathering off all Israel who were taken captive and plundered during the Tribulation. They will come out of hiding so-to-speak and return. As Christ would say in Matthew 24:31. "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other". Isaiah says it similarly in 11:12 "And he shall set up and ensign for the nations [who are these nations?] and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah." Ah! That’s who the nations are. Notice the split of Israel and Judah even in end-times (but we already knew that J ) Lastly, there will be a sheep v.s. goat judgement In Matthew 25:32. This chapter started off with the parable of the ten virgins who represent Israel. This is the parable form of Revelation 16:15 and they should be ready for the Lord’s coming for the marriage supper here on Earth. The same general picture applies to the servants and the talents. Jesus wraps it up plainly with the sheep and goat judgement, and the parables were meant to instill readiness for this judgement, lest they were "goats". The beast (Antichrist) and his false prophet will also be judged and cast into a lake of fire and Satan will be bound for 1000 years. With all this judgement, only sheep, our real, live, red-blooded people, specifically the regathered Israelites (but others are included) come to inherit the Kingdom, the land promised and restored that Israel only had nominal possession of previously. See the message "where do we start" for the purpose in the millenium. Jesus, along with the church, the manchild, and the martyred saints that were resurrected will then rule and reign here on this Earth for 1000 years.
Alas, after God’s will be done here on Earth, the sheep’s offspring will again rebel (Revelation 20:7-8) under the influence of Satan who will be released again. After that, Satan will also be cast into a lake of fire, and according to Peter, this is when the Earth shall pass away with ‘fervent heat’. (II Peter 3:12). The result will be the Great White Throne Judgement. All the unsaved dead prior to all of this will be raised for judgement. Although this passage says they will be judged by their works implying a judgement for unbelievers, I personally believe this will be the time to judge the righteous (those sheep) from the millennium whose lives post-dated the rapture and resurrection events. Otherwise, why mention the passage saying whosoever was not found written in the book of life?
Jesus’ summary of end-time events basically end with the Kingdom here on Earth. However, he does promise that the righteous will ultimately inherit eternal life. What is that life like? Revelation 21 and 22 show what the new heaven and new Earth will be like. This is the best description of the ultimate heaven And Earth there is. And notice one other thing. The New Testament ends with the theme of grace. The Old Testament ended with the word curse. So the description of this new heaven and Earth where the righteous will be is a fitting way to reveal the final results of grace! We are therefore to praise God for His grace and thank Him for calling us unto salvation for this marvelous world to come. That, my friends, is a summary of end-times. If you know this overall outline, the rest are just the details.