The Tribulation: The Conclusion

[Robert]

21 judgments upon the planet.

3 Sets of judgment.

The world lies in ruins.

Were Revelation to end here, it would be the most depressing of stories. And sadly, many folks think exactly that.

But scripture says differently...


"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” " (Revelation 19:1-10, NIV)

Heaven bursts out into celebration, as God has won the victory over Babylon. And this takes place right after her destruction.


But God is FAR from done yet, because he has ONE MORE thing to do:

The reclaiming of his rightful possession, The Planet Earth:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh." (Revelation 19:11-21, NIV, capitalization mine)

In triumph and glory, Jesus Christ returns at Armageddon to take back the Earth. The armies of the world, standing ready to oppose him, fall in a split second of time, disintegrating where they stand. The Beast and the False prophet are thrown straight into hell; they don't even get to die first.

Of all the judgments to strike the earth, the 21 judgments are horrible indeed. But for those that despise God, the coming of Jesus Christ is in of itself THE judgment. The Creator God, who came to Earth to die for man, now comes as its' king. He comes not in mercy, but in victory, and those that have faithfully clung to him as their saviour follow behind him as he wipes away what remains to oppose him

God has waged his war, and WON.

In writing this series, I have tried to stick as close to scripture as I could, and interjected at certain points as little as possible. But I am merely a human, and subject to many faults. I know there will be points you will disagree with, and that's okay. One of my purposes in writing this is to spark folks' interest in the Tribulation, and if it gets you reading revelation, then that purpose is done! If i get you to look in scripture and point things out, then you're reading it and you're examining it for yourself!


At any rate, this story has a happy ending, but only for those who trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation, If you are reading this and you are not saved, I implore you while there is yet time to come to the Lord. The Tribulation is not here yet, but once the Rapture happens, you will be left behind and will most likely die in the catastrophes to come.

Don't take that chance.


I thank all of you for taking the time to read this; it was an honor for me to write it.

YBIC,


-Robert

[Robert]

For those looking for the links in this series, I have placed all of them here:


http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...nning-end.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...es-scroll.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...aks-seals.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...are-sound.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...-trumpets.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...woe-earth.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...pet-blast.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...ar-heaven.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...t-emerges.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...ess-wrath.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...loves-off.html

http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/p...n-babylon.html

[Saved Through Jesus]

Thank you bro for taking the time to write and post these. Commented to let you know that and to bump this thread up so others may have a chance to look as well.

For those not saved - as Robert said, i beg of you - do not delay. Time is so short. As it is written in Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Jesus loves you so much he died for you to provide you a way to spend eternity with Him and those that love Him. He is the only way to salvation. The ONLY way. Don't risk being left behind after the rapture to face the almost certainty of death. Even worse, don't risk going to the place of no return and utter hopelessness - hell.

God Bless.

[WKUHilltopper]

21 judgments upon the planet.

3 Sets of judgment.

Not sure I've caught this before.

3 sets of judgments=7 judgments per set for a total of 21. More symbolicology (is there such a word? LOL).

[Robert]

:

[makememeek]

:

Not quite.

Do you believe in conspiracy theories?
Here's one that's not so secret: most of the politicians (kings, rulers, premiers, presidents)
in the world hate Christ.
You don't believe me? Read Psalm 2 and that part of Daniel that refers to 1290 days and 1335 days.
Subtract 1290 from 1335, you get 45 days.
What happens in those 45 days after Christ returns to set foot on Mt. Olivet and Rule with a Rod of Iron?
In those 45 days Christ Jesus, His angels, and those of us who are saints, will...separate the (proverbial) sheep from the goats. Matthew 25.
Woe are you if you are one of the goats.
In those 45 days, the Temple in Jerusalem polluted by the antiChrist will be cleansed.
Jesus Christ will enter through the East Gate in Jerusalem and undergo the official Coronation
as King of the Universe and all creation.

AND...in 'secret,' surviving politicians around the world will conspire to try to overthrow Christ.
God will laugh at their attempts and then give them a very hot reception.
Read Psalm 2.
Read Psalm 2.
Read Psalm 2.
And then the 1000 years of peace, blessing, joy and prosperity.

[Robert]

Not quite.

Do you believe in conspiracy theories?
Here's one that's not so secret: most of the politicians (kings, rulers, premiers, presidents)
in the world hate Christ.
You don't believe me? Read Psalm 2 and that part of Daniel that refers to 1290 days and 1335 days.
Subtract 1290 from 1335, you get 45 days.
What happens in those 45 days after Christ returns to set foot on Mt. Olivet and Rule with a Rod of Iron?
In those 45 days Christ Jesus, His angels, and those of us who are saints, will...separate the (proverbial) sheep from the goats. Matthew 25.
Woe are you if you are one of the goats.
In those 45 days, the Temple in Jerusalem polluted by the antiChrist will be cleansed.
Jesus Christ will enter through the East Gate in Jerusalem and undergo the official Coronation
as King of the Universe and all creation.

AND...in 'secret,' surviving politicians around the world will conspire to try to overthrow Christ.
God will laugh at their attempts and then give them a very hot reception.
Read Psalm 2.
Read Psalm 2.
Read Psalm 2.
And then the 1000 years of peace, blessing, joy and prosperity.

(emphasis mine)

Actually, it is the conclusion of the Tribulation. Psalm 2 is speaking of the time at the end of the Millennium when Satan will gather people from all over the planet to march against "the camp of the saints":

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:1-10, NASB, emphasis mine)

The problem is that those who would seek to "overthrow" the Lord are not going to be very old by millennial standards:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed." (Isaiah 65:17-20, NASB, emphasis mine)

Those who would seek to overthrow the Lord will be dying at a considerably young age as far as the kingdom goes. This means that those who actually rebel are those who were born 900 years or later into the millennium.

Why does this fact have any bearing?

Because nowhere does it ever mention in scripture that the Lord has any resistance to His throne being set up after Armageddon. No one, after seeing what Christ is capable of at that battle, would try to rebel. It is those born later, who haven't seen the Lord "roll up His sleeves" who would try a stunt like that. And especially when Satan once again is free to nudge and persuade.

Yes there are 45 days between the return and the setting up of the kingdom. But do you truly think rebellious man is so slick as to "get one by" on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to bypass His perfect discernment and "sneak under the wire"?

"“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I shall be king over you. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” declares the Lord GOD. I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Thus you will know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 20:33-38, NASB, emphasis mine)

If the Lord is going to do this with His chosen nation of Israel, and no rebels will be allowed amongst them in His kingdom, them what makes us think He would tolerate that from the Gentiles that He allows in?

The Millennium comes, then the rebellion; scripture is clear on that. But the Tribulation is over; Man's era of self rule is gone.

[caleb_matthau]

If the Lord is going to do this with His chosen nation of Israel, and no rebels will be allowed amongst them in His kingdom, them what makes us think He would tolerate that from the Gentiles that He allows in?

The Millennium comes, then the rebellion; scripture is clear on that. But the Tribulation is over; Man's era of self rule is gone.

My question to you is, If one is in Christ, then how can be one referred to as a Gentile? And here is a Jewish site about prostitution in Israel: Prostitution in Israel Is this what God favors?

[mattfivefour]

Question 1: In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile. But until they enter in there is still Jew and Gentile.

Question 2: There is no Millennial reign, yet. Israel is , as yet, unconverted. Thus they do what all unsaved people do. But there will be a national-level conversion of true repentance when Christ returns at the end of the Great Tribulation. Such things as occur now will not occur again there.

[Robert]

Question 1: In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile. But until they enter in there is still Jew and Gentile.

Question 2: There is no Millennial reign, yet. Israel is , as yet, unconverted. Thus they do what all unsaved people do. But there will be a national-level conversion of true repentance when Christ returns at the end of the Great Tribulation. Such things as occur now will not occur again there.

Thanks for the answer bro; couldn't have said it better myself!

Now, as to the original comment:

My question to you is, If one is in Christ, then how can be one referred to as a Gentile? And here is a Jewish site about prostitution in Israel: Prostitution in Israel Is this what God favors?

If God favored by merit, this whole planet would be ashes. Scripture makes it plain that He made that promise to Abraham, and that it was not anything the nation of Israel did that caused Him to choose her as His own nation. In fact, God dealt with her on two separate occasions because of her sins.


Now my question to you: what does "prostitution in Israel" have to do with the end of the Tribulation?


It sounds very much to me that you are suggesting through the site you posted that Israel does not deserve to have the promises kept to her. Frankly, NONE of us deserve the mercy of the Lord, nor His provision; if you want to find someone who is worthy of gifts from the Father, start with the Lamb of God who died for all of us, Jew and Gentile alike. None of us deserve any good thing from the Lord, PERIOD.


That said, I would greatly appreciate it if you kept you "replacement theology" attempts out of serious study topics meant to help believers; this is about the Tribulation, not your personal agenda.

[Tom Bonvie]

It is beyond me, as a born again Christian, one who faithfully holds to a PRE-TRIB' RAPTURE, to carry forth a continuous dialogue on a subject that has absolutely no consequence in my life now, or thereafter. I am so blessed and persuaded by our most Holy God thru HIS righteousness imputed to me by the sacrificial work of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What is to take place during the Tribulation is applicable only to the "lost' and the Jews.

What we, as children of the King must concentrate on, is our service and dedication to the cause of Christ so that we may, in turn, direct the unsaved to what really happened at the Cross..and WHY it happened.
We can do nothing...nothing at all about what MUST come to pass, however, as BELIEVERS in Christ, there is much we can do to ensure that the inevitability of the Tribulation will not be their final woe.

in Christ....and for His sake..

[Robert]

It is beyond me, as a born again Christian, one who faithfully holds to a PRE-TRIB' RAPTURE, to carry forth a continuous dialogue on a subject that has absolutely no consequence in my life now, or thereafter. I am so blessed and persuaded by our most Holy God thru the righteous imputed to me by the sacrificial work of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What is to take place during the Tribulation is applicable only to the "lost' and the Jews.

What we, as children of the King must concentrate on, is our service and dedication to the cause of Christ so that we may, in turn, direct the unsaved to what really happened at the Cross..and WHY it happened.
We can do nothing...nothing at all about what MUST come to pass, however, as BELIEVERS in Christ, there is much we can do to ensure that the inevitability of the Tribulation will not be their final woe.

in Christ....and for His sake..

This topic was written for those who had questions about the events described in the book of Revelation. And while I have written in the past that we should focus on our work here and now, at the same time we are not to ignore what the Lord has chosen to place in Scripture. If we choose to pick what parts of scripture we will read and what parts not to, if we ignore Revelation, what other parts will we then choose to ignore?

Keep in mind what Scripture says:

"Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”" (Revelation 19:9-10, NASB, emphasis mine)

One reason the Lord chose to reveal the last times before they happen is to let those who believe know that He has not forgotten about the evil on this planet, and that indeed, God has a master plan that will come to fruition by His own hand. I think while we must indeed focus on doing what we can with the time we have left, the events yet to come do impact us, as we will be with the Lord when they happen.

[mattfivefour]

Exactly, Robert! God has His purpose in giving us the one-quarter of all Scripture that is prophecy, including the entire book of Revelation. We ignore it to our detriment. We also have the opportunity to leave here, and in our homes, in people's minds, and in other places, a wealth of information and exposition of God's Word relevant to the Tribulation period for those left on earth following the Rapture. Who knows what souls may be brought to Christ during that horrific time by something we have said or written before we are taken? Let us never despise speaking of what is to come.

[weluvhmscl]

I am so confused. I keep trying to understand the Millennial Kingdom. Who will be a part of it?

"Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth"

I know we who are here when the rapture occurs will be in heaven. So do we live in the MK? I have heard so many teachings on Revelations but this part seems to be never fully explained. Thank you so much!

[mattfivefour]

According to Zechariah 14:1-5 and Revelation 19:11-14, we will accompany Christ when He returns from Heaven to earth.

[Noah Cotterill]

And then in Revelation 20:4-6 we see the saints reigning with Messiah.

[weluvhmscl]

I think it's Revelation 20:5

5*But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Who are the rest of the dead? And thank you for answering so quickly!

[mattfivefour]

It is Zechariah 14:4-5, speaking of the Great Day of the Lord, it says that when Christ comes He will come to the Mount of Olives and his saints will be come back with Him: "In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!"

So we will accompany Him, unless the word "saints" (Hebrew qodeshim "holy ones") refers to the angels who will accoompany Him ... which fits with other verses such as Matthew 16:27; 25:31; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7. But even if Zechariah 14:5 refers to us, that does not mean we will reign. According to Revelation 20:4 it is the Tribulation martyrs who reign with Christ for 1000 years: "Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." The idea that we would reign with Him perhaps comes from Matthew 19:28 where Jesus says, ""Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." This sounds as though all who follow him will sit on thrones; but when we compare it with Luke 22:28-30 we find it is clear that Jesus is speaking only to His disciples. The event is the Last Supper and His words are addressed to those disciples who are present, to those who "have stood by Me in My trials."

Nevertheless, while we may not sit on thrones of our own, we who are Christ's WILL sit on His throne with Him: "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Revelation 3:21).

Frankly, I do not care where I sit or what I do. Once I am eternally home with Christ, free from all sorrow, sickness, suffering, and sin, I will gladly sit wherever He places me and do whatever He gives me to do. I fail so often in this life as I attempt to fight my old nature in the power of the Holy Spirit who has created in me Christ's new nature. In eternity I shall be free of that old man completely, and just as I am now free from the penalty of sin and am being freed from the power of sin, there I shall be free from the very presence of sin! Hallelujah!!!

The rest of the dead are those who died unsaved. Only the saved have a part in the first Resurrection (Revelation 20:6). The second resurrection is before the Great White Throne and is based on not faith in Christ but on individual works (Revelation 20:11-15) by which no man can be saved.

[weluvhmscl]

Thank you!! That's what I thought but wasn't sure. I've read and heard different interpretations in my 51 years and I wasn't sure who was where. In the last 30 years, I've drifted from church to church and denomination to denomination, trying to find where God wanted me to be. Unfortunately, all that drifting has left me confused on some points. I've been reading 6-8 chapters of the Bible a day here lately and it's absolutely amazing. I'm seeing things and understanding things I never understood before. It's almost like I'm reading some of God's word for the first time. And I am so thankful, more than any of you will know, for the forum. I have learned so much. I always feel like I'm home here. I don't know enough to join in on conversations, but the way y'all are, I always still feel welcome!

Okay, sorry, didn't mean to go on a tangent...thank you for the answers!
Amy

[Robert]

Okay...where did my study go? All my links to the parts of this say "no thread specified".


Not funny.