ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS THE ANTICHRIST AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST

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Bunnings has had a win in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, having a decision overturned that it breached privacy rules by using facial recognition to combat violent retail crime. Even so, the AAT says it failed to properly tell customers their images were being collected.

The tribunal found Bunnings met the necessary thresholds to suspect unlawful activity, and reasonably believed the collection of sensitive information could help its quest to address the crime issue.

People are being programmed to take the mark of the Beast

As prophesied, the world has moved into moral and spiritual decline—where truth is rejected, sin is celebrated, and even many in the visible church drift from biblical truth. This prepares humanity for a global deception and the rise of the Antichrist.

The Antichrist arises during a time of worldwide turmoil—offering peace, unity, and stability through a one-world system.

  • Revelation 13:16–17 – “He causes all, both small and great… to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark.”

This prophecy predicts an economic control system requiring allegiance to the Beast. In our modern world, technologies like microchips, digital identification, and centralized financial tracking have made such control technologically feasible for the first time in history.

5. The Great Tribulation and Rapture

Key Passages:

  • Matthew 24:21–22 – “Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world.”
  • Daniel 12:1 – “There shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.”

During this period, the Antichrist persecutes believers and the Jewish people. This time of tribulation, even great tribulation God uses to purify His church. Then God takes them out with the trumpet blast at the opening of the seventh seal before He pours out His wrath upon the unrepentant with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. God also preserves a remnant of Israel (144,000).

6. The Gathering of the Nations Against Israel

Key Passages:

  • Revelation !6:16 “For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty… And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

As global hostility toward Israel intensifies, a massive coalition gathers in the region of Megiddo (Armageddon). The Antichrist’s goal is to annihilate Israel and defy God’s covenant promises.

7. The Return of Jesus Christ

Key Passages:

  • Zechariah 14:3–4 – “Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations… and His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.”
  • Revelation 19:11–16 – “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse… and the armies in heaven followed Him.”

At Israel’s darkest hour, when destruction seems unavoidable, Jesus Christ returns in power and glory. The heavens open, and He descends as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Antichrist and False Prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). His Word alone destroys the armies gathered against Jerusalem.

8. The Liberation and Restoration of Israel

Key Passages:

  • Romans 11:26 – “And so all Israel will be saved.”
  • Ezekiel 36:24–28 – “I will sprinkle clean water on you… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

Jesus delivers Israel and establishes His righteous reign from Jerusalem. The Jewish people recognize Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10), and the Kingdom of God on earth begins—the Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1–6). Go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net to learn more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth and to prepare to rule and reign with Jesus for the next 1000 years. We have had 6000 years of Satan’s rule, ahead is 1000 years of Jesus and the Saints ruling the world. Sadly, it needs to be with a rod of iron as the curse is not lifted off the Cosmos. Moreover, we know that when Satan is released at the end of the 1000 years he is still able to raise an enormous army to come against Jesus and the Saints.

Conclusion – The Hope of His Coming

For believers, the promise of Jesus’ return is not one of fear but hope. Though deception, tribulation, and judgment will come, God’s plan ends not in destruction but in restoration—of Israel, of creation, and of His people dwelling forever in His presence.

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.”
— Revelation 1:7

SCRIPTURE SUPPORTS A PREWRATH RAPTURE

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Key Foundational Scriptures

The PreWrath Rapture distinguishes God’s refining trials (tribulation, even great tribulation) for believers from His wrath poured out on the ungodly, as supported by Scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 5:9: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Below, I’ll provide the timeline of events prior to Jesus’ return at Armageddon, drawing from key Scriptures. This sequence is based on the final seven-year period of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27), with the seven seals unfolding progressively in those seven years, the rapture occurring after the sixth seal and the sixth year. Just as the seven seals show us what is unfolding in each of the final seven years so do the seven churches show us the state of the church in those seven years (Revelation 2-3).

Before the timeline, here are core passages:

  • Daniel 9:27 (start of the seven years): “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.“
  • Revelation 6 (the fifth and sixth seals): “9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. 12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the 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 their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?'”
  • Joel 2:30-31 (celestial signs preceding the Day of the Lord): “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
  • Matthew 24:29-31 (celestial signs and gathering/rapture): “29 ‘Immediately after the distress of those days “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they 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 loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.’“
  • Revelation 8:1-5 (seventh seal and transition to trumpet judgements): “1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Note the censer is no longer needed for the Saints prayers (raptured).  
  • Revelation 7:9-17 (raptured multitude in heaven): “9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. … 14 … ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'” (full passage describes their eternal reward and protection).
  • Revelation 3:7-13 (sixth church, Philadelphia raptured): Key verse 10: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
  • Revelation 3:14-22 (Laodicea church, left behind): Key verse 16: “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.“
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (rapture description): “16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.“
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (events before the Day of the Lord): “3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (full passage emphasizes the Antichrist’s revelation precedes the gathering/rapture and Day of the Lord).

PreWrath Timeline Prior to Jesus’ Return at Armageddon

This timeline integrates the seals and churches representing the unfolding of the seven years, with the rapture after the sixth seal (post-tribulation but pre-wrath). The Great Tribulation refines the church (as in Daniel 12:10 and Revelation 7:14), but believers are kept from God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The sequence ends with Jesus’ physical return to Earth with the glorified saints for Armageddon and the Millennium.

Phase/EventDescriptionKey Scriptures
Start of the 7 Years (Daniel’s 70th Week)Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel, initiating the final seven years before Christ’s return. This aligns with the first churches (e.g., Ephesus to Sardis) representing early church readiness or decline.Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:4-8 (beginning of birth pains); Revelation 2:1-3:6 (churches 1-5 as preparatory).
Seals 1-4 (Beginning of Sorrows)Global conquest, war, famine, and death affect a quarter of the earth. A time of tribulation, as unbelievers persecute Christians under Satan’s influence, refining the church,Revelation 6:1-8; Matthew 24:4-14 (wars, famines, persecutions); 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (lawlessness at work).
Midpoint (3.5 Years In)Antichrist revealed, abomination of desolation in the temple, start of Great Tribulation (Satan’s persecution of the saints and Israel). Full number of martyrs begins to accumulate.Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13 (beast’s rise).
Seal 5 (Martyrs Under the Altar)Souls of slain believers (without resurrected bodies) cry for justice, told to wait until the full number is complete. This ties to the refining tribulation.Revelation 6:9-11.
Seal 6 (Celestial Signs)Earthquake, sun darkened, moon blood-red, stars fall, heavens shake. People hide, announcing “the great day of their wrath has come.” Precedes the Day of the Lord.Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:29; Joel 2:30-31.
Rapture and Resurrection (After Seal 6, Before Wrath)At the trumpet call, dead in Christ rise, living believers caught up. The faithful church (Philadelphia) is kept from the hour of trial; lukewarm (Laodicea) face wrath. Raptured saints appear in heaven as a multitude from the Great Tribulation.1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 3:10 (Philadelphia), 3:16 (Laodicea); Revelation 7:9-17.
Seal 7 (Transition to Wrath)Silence in heaven, trumpets given to angels, fire hurled to earth—initiating God’s wrath via trumpet and bowl judgments on the ungodly.Revelation 8:1-5; followed by trumpets (Revelation 8-9, 11) and bowls (Revelation 16).
Trumpet and Bowl Judgments (Day of the Lord Wrath)God’s punitive wrath poured out: hail, fire, locusts, plagues, earthquakes, etc. This shortens the days for the elect’s sake but destroys Antichrist’s kingdom.Revelation 8-9 (trumpets 1-6), 11:15-19 (trumpet 7), 16 (bowls); Joel 2:1-11 (Day of the Lord).
Jesus’ Return with Glorified Saints (After Wrath, at Armageddon)Christ returns on a white horse with heavenly armies (raptured saints). Destroys Antichrist’s gathered armies, throws Antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire.Revelation 19:11-21: “19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet … The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur.” Zechariah 14:1-5; Jude 1:14-15.
Millennial Reign BeginsSatan bound, first resurrection (including tribulation martyrs) reign with Christ for 1,000 years of righteousness.Revelation 20:1-6: “4 … They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. … 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.” Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 14:16-21.

This timeline reflects the PreWrath position that the rapture “cuts short” the Great Tribulation before wrath, allowing the church to be refined but protected from divine judgment.

Below is an updated and expanded chart incorporating the seven churches. I’ve added a dedicated column for the churches’ alignment with the seven-year timeline, including the key Scriptures for Philadelphia and Laodicea (NIV). The rest of the timeline remains consistent with PreWrath sequencing.

Phase / PeriodTiming Corresponding Church (Prophetic Alignment)Key Events & SequenceSupporting Scriptures (Core Verses, Including Churches)Notes on PreWrath Distinction
Beginning of the 7 YearsYear 1Ephesus (faithful but lost first love)Covenant confirmed; birth pains begin (conquest, war, famine, death)Daniel 9:27; Rev 6:1-8 (Seals 1-4); Matt 24:4-8; Rev 2:1-7Early trials test love for Christ; church urged to return to first works.
Early TribulationYear 2Smyrna (persecuted, poor but rich)Increasing persecution, martyrdom beginsRev 6:1-8 (cont.); Matt 24:9-14; Rev 2:8-11Faithful endure suffering; “be faithful unto death” promise.
Rising ApostasyYear 3Pergamum (faithful amid compromise/Satan’s throne)False teaching, idolatry infiltrateRev 2:12-17; 2 Thess 2:3 (apostasy buildup)Church warned against compromise with world/Antichrist influences.
Midpoint / AbominationYear 4 (mid-3.5 years)Thyatira (tolerating Jezebel/false prophetess)Antichrist revealed; abomination; Great Tribulation startsDaniel 9:27; Matt 24:15-21; Rev 13; Rev 2:18-29Intense spiritual deception; call to hold fast amid corruption.
Great TribulationYears 5–6 (cut short before end)Sardis (reputation of alive but dead; few faithful)Intense persecution, widespread martyrdom; refining of saintsMatt 24:21-22; Rev 6:9-11 (Seal 5); Dan 12:1,10; Rev 3:1-6Lukewarmness/deadness exposed; remnant urged to wake up; full martyrs accumulate.
Cosmic Signs (6th Seal)End of Great Tribulation (transition)Philadelphia (faithful, kept from hour of trial)Sun/moon darkened, stars fall, earthquake; God announces wrath has comeRev 6:12-17; Matt 24:29; Joel 2:30-31; Rev 3:7-13 (esp. v10: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”)Faithful remnant (Philadelphia) raptured here; “open door” and protection promise fulfilled via rapture before wrath.
Rapture & ResurrectionImmediately after 6th seal, before 7th sealPhiladelphia (raptured faithful)Trumpet call: dead rise, living caught up; multitude in heaven from Great TribulationMatt 24:30-31; 1 Thess 4:16-17; Rev 7:9-14; Rev 3:10-13 (v11-12: promises to overcomers: pillar in temple, new name)Gathering of elect; Philadelphia kept from wrath hour (not through it); Laodicea not included.
Transition to WrathAfter raptureLaodicea (lukewarm, left behind)Silence in heaven; 7th seal; fire hurled to earthRev 8:1-5; Rev 3:14-22 (esp. v16: “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”)Lukewarm professing believers face wrath; call to repent ignored by many; “buy from me gold refined by fire.”
God’s Wrath (Day of the Lord)Post-rapture to end of 7 yearsUnbelievers and Laodicea church (enduring judgments)Trumpet/bowl judgments; plagues, Armageddon setupRev 8–9, 11:15-19, 16; Joel 2:1-11; Rev 3:16-19Explicit wrath on ungodly/world; church absent (raptured faithful); refining for any who turn.
Christ’s Return to EarthAfter wrathN/A (saints return with Christ)Jesus with glorified saints; destroys Antichrist/false prophet at ArmageddonRev 19:11-21; Zech 14:3-5Physical return; Antichrist thrown into lake of fire.
Millennial Reign BeginsImmediately after ArmageddonN/ASatan bound; saints reign with Christ 1,000 yearsRev 20:1-6; Isa 2:2-4Righteousness restored.

Key Insights on the Churches in This View

  • The progression mirrors the seals: early churches face “beginning of sorrows,” later ones the Great Tribulation’s intensity.
  • Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) represents the faithful, patient-overcoming believers who endure tribulation but are promised exemption from the “hour of trial” (global wrath/testing). The “open door” (v8) symbolizes opportunity/escape via rapture; overcomers made pillars (v12).
  • Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22) depicts self-satisfied, lukewarm professing Christians left to face wrath (spit out, v16). They must buy refined gold (purified through fire/judgment) and repent (v18-19), but many won’t.
  • This supports PreWrath: Tribulation refines (faithful endure/persevere), but wrath is for the world/ungodly; faithful removed before it pours out.

This interpretive layer adds depth to why the rapture occurs post-Great Tribulation (refining complete for the faithful) but pre-wrath (protection promise fulfilled).

JESUS AND PAUL AGREE ON TIMING OF THE RAPTURE

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When are the elect gathered (“raptured“) according to the 3 main “gathering” texts:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, “For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Revelation 1:7, John says, “Behold, he is coming on the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him.” Notice that this verse is parallel to the language of Matthew 24:30. The same coming on the clouds, the same mourning by all the tribes of the earth. But it adds one detail to the tribes. It adds language about those who pierced God. That language is not new. It comes from the book of Zechariah 12:10 where God says, “They will look on me whom they’ve pierced and they will mourn for him.” And the Gospel of John, chapter 19, explicitly connects this prophecy to Jesus’s crucifixion. You know, that’s when Jesus was pierced. In Zechariah 12, the mourning of Israel is not despair. Rather, it’s a mourning unto repentance. It is regret or mourning leading to a changed heart.

Revelation 7 is after the great tribulation just like Matthew 24. In fact, after the gathering, it specifically says these folks were gathered out of the great tribulation. Now, those are ways it’s parallel, but Revelation 7 adds new information to Matthew 24. It describes two distinct groups: the 144,000 Jews for evert tribe and then an enormous number of gentile believers.

Watch this Nelson Walters video for the answers.

WHEN WILL THE BIBLICAL END TIMES RAPTURE HAPPEN?

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David Rosenthal gives evidence of a rapture position that may surprise you. He systematically explores Matthew 24 and the 7 Seals of Revelation. He then gives evidences and a Scriptural basis for select events tied to the return of Jesus in, “6 Proofs of a Pre-Wrath Rapture.” Most of my followers would know that I hold the PreWrath Rapture position and came to it largely due to Dr Nelson Walters and I strongly recommend his YouTube channel.

Please let me know your Rapture view in comments.

EVIDENCE FOR THE PRE-WRATH RAPTURE POSITION

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The Bible clearly teaches a specific sequence of events before Jesus Christ returns to Earth. Some of those events will be bad, and they will be aimed directly at believers, therefore Christians must prepare themselves for very tough times in the 70th Week. Join Zion’s Hope President David Rosenthal as he outlines 10 proofs, or touchstones (evidences), of the Pre-Wrath rapture.

As many of you know I believe in the Pre-Wrath rapture position. David Rosenthal is not the only end times scholar supporting this position. I have posted Nelson Walters videos and promoted Alan Kurschner’s books on the PreWrath Rapture. I think you will agree after watching this video that Scripture supports this position.

TIMING OF THE RAPTURE

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Is the Rapture Pretrib, Prewrath, or Post-trib? Believe it or not, 3 Words written by the Apostle Paul prove this without a doubt – it is THE forgotten proof. Click here to watch this Nelson Walters video and discover the evidence that will possibly end the Rapture Debate.

It is important Christians realise we will see the Antichrist declare himself to be God and therefore experience tribulation. God states we will not experience His wrath but it is only poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements which start at the blowing of the trumpet at the opening of the seventh seal.

ANALYSING ALL RAPTURE PASSAGES

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Nelson Walters believes this is the greatest rapture discovery EVER? What happens if we analyse all rapture passages and the second coming passages at once? Nelson says we don’t know because no one has done it until TODAY. We learn what verses truly are rapture passages and which ones aren’t, whether the rapture truly happens in the twinkling of an eye, whether the rapture truly was a mystery until Paul wrote about it, and when it takes place (pre-trib., pre-wrath, or post-trib.). Click here to watch this Nelson Walters video and find the answers.

THE TIMING OF THE RAPTURE

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Jesus promises that in the end times, there will be tribulation, even great tribulation before His return but believers will be kept from the wrath of God that is poured out on unbelievers at that time.

Dr. Baruch Korman of Love Israel Ministries (www.loveisrael.org) explains the timing of the rapture and the wrath of God is poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. What happens and who is involved when the seven seals are opened and the four horsemen are released is enlightening.

Christians will be on Earth for six years of the final seven. The Wrath of God with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements will take one year and ten days which just happens to be the same time as the time God poured out His wrath the first time with Noah’s flood. Why one year and ten days? The length of a year before a Jubilee year is always one year and ten days on the Hebrew calendar.

A WAKE UP CALL FOR CHRISTIANS

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The following verse from Revelation should be a wake-up call for all Christians. John is given this revelation about the final 3 1/2 years before Jesus returns to Earth for the battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist is allowed by God to exercise authority over the Earth and to wage war against the Saints.

“If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:9-10

Surely, for nonbelievers, these prophetic Scriptures prove the Bible is the inspired word of God. Who would follow a God who allows his enemy to slay His followers? Only born-again believers who have received the Holy Spirit can understand and obey this instruction to endure even unto death.

“And the beast (Antichrist) was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” Revelation 13:5-8d

THE GOOD NEWS: The following words are written to the church of Philadelphia, the sixth church, the church that is raptured by God at the end of the sixth year before He pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11

This word given to the church of Philadelphia is so different from the word given to the church of Laodicea, the seventh church, which is left behind to face the Trumpet and Bowl judgements.

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:14-17

The good news for these people left behind to face the wrath of God is they still have a chance to repent and be saved.

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:18-19

Each of the seven seals and each of the seven churches reveals what transpires on Earth during the final seven years before Jesus returns to Earth. It is at the sixth seal and the sixth year, when the celestial signs appear in the sky and we are told the great day of God’s wrath has come.

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

It is the sixth church, the church of Philadelphia that is raptured at the end of the sixth year.

It is immediately after the sixth seal that the four angels are told not to pour out God’s wrath upon the Earth until the 144,000 Jews, servants of God are sealed on their foreheads.
“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:” Revelation 7:3-4

Next John sees all those who were raptured standing before the throne of God the Father and Jesus.

“After this, I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10

It is only after this scene, that the seventh seal is opened and the first of the seven trumpets is blown initiating the seven Trumpet judgements.

MORE ON THE COMING RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

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The Book of Revelation clearly shows a chronological order to the Resurrection and Rapture. Who are the first and who are the last to be caught up? What criteria does Jesus use? Does the Rapture truly happen in the twinkling of an eye, or is that a myth? Watch Nelson Walters’s groundbreaking video and discover if the last are first and the first are last as Jesus says.

This video does not address the timing of the Rapture which Nelson and I would put at the opening of the seventh seal which is the PreWrath Rapture position. Christians will go through much of the tribulation even great tribulation but will not experience the wrath of God which is poured out on the unrepentant with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. Note it is in Revelation 6, at the sixth seal, we see the celestial signs that precede Jesus’ return mentioned by Joel 2 in the O.T. and Jesus in the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24. Also Isaiah 34:4.

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Joel 2:30-31

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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.” Matthew 24:29-30

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12-17