Did you know that the Last Trumpet of Revelation was Blown almost 2,000 years ago Most Christians do NOT Believe that but according to the Bible it has to be a Past Event. IF the Bible is WRONG then we should throw it in the trash and forget about it or find another belief system. Read on to see how the Bible and History prove that the Blowing of the Last Trumpet was in the PAST.
All the New Testament scriptures below were copied from the New King James Version unless noted otherwise and the Old Testament scriptures were copied from Brenton's Septuagint unless noted otherwise.
THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM
Revelation 11:15 Then THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER!"
Daniel 2:44 is also a prophecy about a kingdom that stands forever... Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings THE GOD OF HEAVEN SHALL SET UP A KINGDOM WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED: and his kingdom shall not be left to another people, but it shall beat to pieces and grind to powder all other kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER.” What "KINGS" is Daniel writing about? Answer: The Kings of the 4th Kingdom or the Roman Empire... Daniel 2:40 and a fourth kingdom, which shall be strong as iron: as iron beats to powder and subdues all things, so shall it beat to powder and subdue.
Daniel 7 is also a prophecy about Christ's kingdom which lasts forever... Daniel 7:13 I beheld in the night vision, and, lo, one coming with the clouds of heaven AS THE SON OF MAN, and he came on TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, and was brought near to him. Daniel 7:14 And TO HIM WAS GIVEN THE DOMINION, AND THE HONOUR, AND THE KINGDOM; and all nations, tribes, and languages, shall serve him: HIS DOMINION IS AN EVERLASTING DOMINION, WHICH SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND HIS KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED.
Daniel 7:17 These four beasts are four kingdoms that shall rise up on the earth: Daniel 7:18 which shall be taken away; and THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL TAKE THE KINGDOM, AND POSSESS IT FOR EVER AND EVER.
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and the power and the greatness of the kings that are under the whole heaven were given to the saints of the Most High; and HIS KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM, and all powers shall serve and obey him.
So according to scripture, Christ's Kingdom will be set up during the time of the 4th kingdom or the Roman Empire and it will NEVER BE DESTROYED.
The Angel Gabriel told Mary, the mother of Jesus, that her son's Reign would be FOREVER... Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. Luke 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. Luke 1:33 And HE WILL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOREVER, AND OF HIS KINGDOM THERE WILL BE NO END."
A HEAVENLY KINGDOM
What did Christ say about the LOCATION of his kingdom?
John 18:36 Jesus answered, "MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now MY KINGDOM IS NOT FROM HERE." Therefore, Christ's Kingdom is a HEAVENLY KINGDOM!
The phrase "kingdom of heaven" is used 33 times in the book of Matthew. The phrase "kingdom of God" is used instead in the other synoptic gospels (Mark & Luke). John the Baptist and Christ both preached that the kingdom of heaven was AT HAND... Matthew 3:1 In those days JOHN THE BAPTIST came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, Matthew 3:2 and saying, "Repent, for the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!" Matthew 4:17 From that time JESUS began to preach and to say, "Repent, for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." Before Christ's Resurrection people did not go to Heaven or the Lake of Fire when they died. They went to Hades... (ESV) John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
At the time of Christ the nation of Judea was part of the Roman empire. There were 9 Roman Emperors or Kings from the time of Christ's birth to the Destruction of the Jewish Temple and the City of Jerusalem in AD 70.
The Roman Empire ended over 1,500 years ago but some Futurists are still looking for Christ to come and set up his kingdom on earth. Since the Roman Empire no longer exists some Prophecy Preaching PIMPS have deceived some Believers into believing that Christ will return during a "Revived Roman Empire".
Their Failed Predictions NEVER END!
Were the Old and New Testament Saints looking for an Earthly Kingdom?
The Writer of Hebrews (probably the Apostle Paul) wrote that "HERE WE HAVE NO CONTINUING CITY"... Hebrews 13:14 "For HERE WE HAVE NO CONTINUING CITY, but we seek the one to come." The Writer of Hebrews also wrote about the Faith of Abraham and what he was waiting for... Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; Hebrews 11:10 FOR HE WAITED FOR THE CITY WHICH HAS FOUNDATIONS, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD.
The Writer of Hebrews also wrote the following about the Old Testament Saints... Hebrews 11:13 THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH.
Hebrews 11:16 "But now THEY DESIRE A BETTER, THAT IS, A HEAVENLY COUNTRY. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for HE HAS PREPARED A CITY FOR THEM." Notice in Hebrews 11:16 that the Old Testament Saints were still waiting to receive the promise of A HEAVENLY COUNTRY. Evidently that meant they weren't in Heaven yet.
WHEN were the Saints going to receive the Heavenly Kingdom?
The Writer of Hebrews said that THEY (the Audience, the Hebrews) would receive the "PROMISE" because Christ was "COMING" in "A LITTLE WHILE"... (KJV) Hebrews 10:36 "For YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE, that, after ye have done the will of God, YE MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE. Hebrews 10:37 For yet A LITTLE WHILE, and HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME, and WILL NOT TARRY." If Christ wasn't Coming for 2,000 years then why would those Hebrews need patience? Are they still alive somewhere patiently waiting for Christ's 2nd Coming? I don't believe that "WILL NOT TARRY" can mean 2,000 years later! Do you?
The Apostle John revealed what Christ had promised his followers... 1 John 2:25 And this is the PROMISE that He has promised us — ETERNAL LIFE.
The Apostle Peter wrote about an INCORRUPTIBLE INHERITANCE RESERVED IN HEAVEN... 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again TO A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:4 TO AN INHERITANCE INCORRUPTIBLE and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, 1 Peter 1:5 who are kept by the power of God through faith FOR SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME." Notice in 1 Peter 1:5 that their SALVATION was READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME. Peter was writing to Christians so they had already been Saved from their Sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. They were waiting for the Goal of their Salvation or the End of their Faith which is ETERNAL LIFE! It was READY TO BE REVEALED and THEY were IN THE LAST TIME!
The Apostle Peter also spoke of the SALVATION OF SOULS (Eternal Life) and said that the Prophets had Prophesied by "THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHO WAS IN THEM" that GRACE would come during the days of Peter and those to whom he was speaking. The GLORIES would follow the Sufferings of Christ... 1 Peter 1:9 "RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH—THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS. 1 Peter 1:10 OF THIS SALVATION THE PROPHETS have inquired and searched carefully, WHO PROPHESIED OF THE GRACE THAT WOULD COME TO YOU, 1 Peter 1:11 searching what, or what manner of time, THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHO WAS IN THEM was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and THE GLORIES THAT WOULD FOLLOW. 1 Peter 1:12 TO THEM IT WAS REVEALED THAT, NOT TO THEMSELVES, BUT TO US they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you THROUGH THOSE WHO HAVE PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO YOU BY THE HOLY SPIRIT sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and REST YOUR HOPE FULLY UPON THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST;" Peter indicated that "RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH" was the same as "THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS". Notice that Peter and his audience were to "REST YOUR (their) HOPE FULLY UPON THE GRACE" (the Salvation of their Souls or Eternal Life) that it was to be "BROUGHT" to them "AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST".
12 EVENTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUNDING OF THE LAST TRUMPET
1) CHRIST REIGNING
Revelation 11:17 saying: "We give You thanks, O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, THE ONE WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, Because YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR GREAT POWER AND REIGNED." How do we know that verse 17 is referring to Christ? Because of Revelation 1:8... "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY."
We already saw in Daniel 7:13-14 that Christ received his kingdom after his ascension to the Father.
In the Parable of the 10 Minas (Luke 19:11-27) Jesus described his going away to receive the kingdom and his return after having received his kingdom... Luke 19:11 Now as they heard these things, HE SPOKE ANOTHER PARABLE, BECAUSE HE WAS NEAR JERUSALEM AND BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WOULD APPEAR IMMEDIATELY. Luke 19:12 Therefore He said: "A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN WENT INTO A FAR COUNTRY TO RECEIVE FOR HIMSELF A KINGDOM AND TO RETURN. Luke 19:13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' Luke 19:14 BUT HIS CITIZENS HATED HIM, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'WE WILL NOT HAVE THIS MAN TO REIGN OVER US.' Luke 19:15 "And so it was that WHEN HE RETURNED, HAVING RECEIVED THE KINGDOM, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Luke 19:27 "BUT BRING HERE THOSE ENEMIES OF MINE, WHO DID NOT WANT ME TO REIGN OVER THEM, AND SLAY THEM BEFORE ME." Notice in Luke 19:27 what happened to those who rejected Christ as their King.
The Bible Commentary, Robertson's Word Pictures, says this about the Parable of the 10 Minas... "Apparently this parable has the historical basis of Archelaus who actually went from Jerusalem to Rome on this very errand to get a kingdom in Palestine and to come back to it. This happened while Jesus was a boy in Nazareth and it was a matter of common knowledge."
The Nobleman (Christ) who went away to receive a kingdom returned during the lifetime of the servants to whom he gave the minas to reward them according to their works. He wasn't gone for 2,000 years! Jesus told his disciples that some of them would still be living when he returned... Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and THEN HE WILL REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO SHALL NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM.
* Back to the Events associated with the Last Trumpet...
2) WRATH of Christ/GOD HAD COME Upon His Enemies
3) JUDGMENT of the DEAD
4) REWARDING the Prophets and the Saints
Revelation 11:18 The nations were angry, and YOUR WRATH HAS COME, And the TIME OF THE DEAD, THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED, And that You should REWARD YOUR SERVANTS THE PROPHETS AND THE SAINTS, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.
(2) When the 7th Trumpet was blown the Wrath of the Lamb against those in the Land of Judea who had rejected him was finished. Other translations make this clear... (ESV) Revelation 11:18 The nations raged, but YOUR WRATH CAME, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” (English Standard Version)
(3) & (4) The Apostle Paul said that Jesus was ABOUT TO JUDGE LIVING AND DEAD... (YLT) 2 Timothy 4:1 "I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is ABOUT TO JUDGE LIVING AND DEAD at his manifestation and his reign" (Young's Literal Translation). The phrase "about to be" is translated from the Greek word MELLO. The LIVING, UNBELIEVING JUDEANS were judged during the PAROUSIA and the DEAD were judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. So those UNBELIEVERS were JUDGED TWICE and they also DIED TWICE!
Scripture Reveals WHEN Christ would "REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS"...
For the JUST - They would be at REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION... Luke 14:13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. Luke 14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for YOU SHALL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST." The Apostle Paul was expecting to receive the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS... 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His APPEARING.
For the LIVING JUDEANS who KILLED & PERSECUTED CHRIST and His CHURCH - They would be REPAID during the DAY OF THE LORD which resulted in the DESTRUCTION of their Temple, the City of Jerusalem (Mystery Babylon) and their Country (Judea) in the Jewish-Roman War.
For Proof that Mystery Babylon is the Old Covenant Jerusalem of the 1st Century - Please Read my article: WHO IS MYSTERY BABYLON IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
The Great White Throne Judgment was WHEN the DEAD would be Rewarded According to Their Works... Revelation 20:11 "Then I saw a GREAT WHITE THRONE and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And THE DEAD WERE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And THEY WERE JUDGED, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:26: "THE LAST ENEMY THAT WILL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH." What "DEATH" was cast into the Lake of Fire? Evidently, it wasn't physical death since Believers are still dying... The "DEATH" that was cast into the Lake of Fire was NOT Physical Death but Death in Hades. When people died before Christ's Resurrection they went to Hades to await The Great White Throne Judgment. When people die now they don't go to Hades to await Judgment. Hades was thrown into the Lake of Fire in Revelation 20:14. I believe that when people die now, they are judged immediately and the Believers go to Heaven and the Unbelievers go to the Lake of Fire... Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Paul also said in Romans 14:10, "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? FOR WE SHALL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST." I don't think that I have to convince anyone that the Great White Throne Judgment was After the Resurrection. I believe EVERY EYE will see Jesus but it will not be at the same time but Everyone must stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Jesus revealed that the REWARDS based on WORKS would be before all of those He was speaking to had died... Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and THEN HE WILL REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO SHALL NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM."
5) The TEMPLE in HEAVEN is Opened
Revelation 11:19 Then the TEMPLE OF GOD WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
People have searched for the "lost ark" and movies have been made about it. However, Revelation 11:19 reveals its location. Actually, I don't know if the ark that was seen in the temple of heaven was the same ark that was in the temple on earth. The ark on earth was most likely a copy of the ark in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 9:8... "the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing." Some Bible Commentators interpret this to mean that people could not enter Heaven while the Jewish Temple was still standing.
JOHN WESLEY: The Holy Ghost evidently showing - By this token. That the way into the holiest - Into heaven. Was not made manifest - Not so clearly revealed. While the first tabernacle, and its service, were still subsisting - And remaining in force.
ALBERT BARNES: That the way into the holiest of all - Into heaven - of which the Most Holy place in the tabernacle was undoubtedly designed to be an emblem. It was the place where the visible symbol of God - the Shekinah - dwelt; where the blood of propitiation was sprinkled, and was, therefore, an appropriate emblem of that holy heaven where God dwells, and whence pardon is obtained by the blood of the atonement.
Was not yet made manifest - The way to heaven was not opened or fully understood. It was not known how people could appear before God, or how they could come with the hope of pardon. That way has now been opened by the ascension of the Redeemer to heaven, and by the assurance that all who will may come in his name.
While as the first tabernacle was yet standing - As long as it stood, and the appointed services were held in it. The idea is, that until it was superseded by a more perfect system, it was a “proof” that the way to heaven was not yet fully and freely optioned, and that the Holy Spirit “designed” that it should be such a proof.
(YLT) Hebrews 9:8 the Holy Spirit this evidencing that not yet hath been manifested the way of the holy places , the first tabernacle having yet a standing; (Young's Literal Translation).
The veil of the temple was torn when Jesus was crucified and I believe that indicated that the temple no longer had standing or validity. Here's what Cambridge Bible Commentary says about Hebrews 9:8...
Cambridge Bible Commentary: [that the way into the holiest … was not yet made manifest] Entrance into the Holiest symbolised direct access to God, and the “way” into it had not been made evident until He came who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is “the new and living way” (Hebrews 10:19-20).
[while as the first tabernacle was yet standing] Rather, “while yet the outer Tabernacle is still standing,” i.e. so long as there is (for the Temple, which represented the continuity of the Tabernacle and the Old Covenant, had not sunk in flames, as it did a few years later) an outer Tabernacle, through which not even a Priest was ever allowed to enter into the Holiest. Hence the deep significance of the rending of the veil of the Temple from the top to the bottom at the Crucifixion. (Mat_27:51).
Where does scripture say that Heaven was the Most Holy Place? Couldn't the Most Holy Place be in the temple in Heaven like it was on earth? The temple on earth was a copy of the temple in Heaven and it had a Most Holy Place. Therefore, the temple in Heaven had a Most Holy Place. Besides there were people in Heaven when John got there and the Temple in Jerusalem was still standing (Rev. 11:1). There were the 24 Elders (Rev. 4:4) who had been redeemed from the earth (Rev. 5:9) and there were the Martyrs who were under the altar of sacrifice which was outside the temple... Revelation 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SLAIN for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "HOW LONG, O LORD, HOLY AND TRUE, UNTIL YOU JUDGE AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH?" Revelation 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed... John saw the Martyrs BEFORE the Wrath of the Lamb had begun... Revelation 6:16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from THE WRATH OF THE LAMB! Revelation 6:17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Notice that the Martyrs were wearing white robes. Doesn't that indicate that they have a body? Many believe that those in Heaven don't have a body until some resurrection in the future. Maybe they were just spirits and wore robes so that they could see each other like Casper the friendly ghost. LOL – That was one of my favorite cartoons when I was a child. The martyrs had their blood avenged with the Destruction of Jerusalem who was Mystery Babylon, the great harlot of Revelation 17-18... Revelation 19:2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because HE HAS JUDGED THE GREAT HARLOT who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and HE HAS AVENGED ON HER THE BLOOD OF HIS SERVANTS SHED BY HER."
Be sure to read my article: WHO IS MYSTERY BABYLON IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
The 144,000 who were SEALED (Rev. 7:3-8) were able to stand. After they were marked for GOD and BEFORE the Wrath of the Lamb began (Rev. 8), John saw a Great Multitude in Heaven who had come out of the Great Tribulation... Revelation 7:13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "WHO ARE THESE ARRAYED IN WHITE ROBES, AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?" Revelation 7:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "THESE ARE THE ONES WHO COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, AND WASHED THEIR ROBES and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:15 Therefore THEY ARE BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, AND SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT IN HIS TEMPLE. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them... Therefore, the Great Tribulation that the Great Multitude came out of was NOT the Jewish-Roman War or the Wrath of the Lamb. It was the great tribulation or persecution of the saints by the Beast Nero... Revelation 13:7 “IT WAS GRANTED TO HIM TO MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS AND TO OVERCOME THEM. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Revelation 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The Apostle John said that he was in the tribulation... Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion IN THE TRIBULATION and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Did you notice in Rev. 7:15 that the saints served GOD in His temple? Therefore, the doctrine that NO ONE went to Heaven before the Resurrection of the Just & Unjust in AD 70 is NOT BIBLICAL!
Scripture states that "NO ONE WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE TEMPLE TILL THE SEVEN PLAGUES OF THE SEVEN ANGELS WERE COMPLETED" I guess they had to come out during GOD'S WRATH because it was just too smokie in there... Revelation 15:5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. Revelation 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Revelation 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. Revelation 15:8 THE TEMPLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE from the glory of God and from His power, and NO ONE WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE TEMPLE TILL THE SEVEN PLAGUES OF THE SEVEN ANGELS WERE COMPLETED.
6) The RESURRECTION occurs at the Last Trumpet and the Dead Saints are Raised with Incorruptible Bodies
7) The Living Saints Bodies are CHANGED from Corruptible to Incorruptible
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED - 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED. 1 Corinthians 15:53 For THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY.
Philippians 3:20 For OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:21 WHO WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODY THAT IT MAY BE CONFORMED TO HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
8) The 2nd Coming of Christ also occurs at the time of the Resurrection
1 Thessalonians 4:16 “FOR THE LORD HIMSELF WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and WITH THE TRUMPET of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.” This is the same Coming (Erchomai) as Matthew 24:30-31, Matthew 25:31, Mark 13:26-27, Luke 21:27-28, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, and Revelation 1:7. This was the “Gathering of the Elect” that occurred on the Last Day of the Old Covenant Age (“this age” NOT the “age to come” - Matthew 12:32). The Elect are gathered from 3 locations: Heaven, Hades and the Earth. It occurred within the PAROUSIA (Presence of Jesus) which is also translated as “COMING” and that causes confusion. The PAROUSIA began in AD 66 and it included the Great Tribulation or Jewish-Roman War or the Wrath of the Lamb and the Gathering of the Elect afterwards. The Wrath of the Lamb came upon the Unbelieving Jews for the vindication of the martyrs and because they had rejected the Messiah.
This Coming (Erchomai) or Gathering of the Elect occurs AFTER the Great Tribulation of Matthew 24:21, Mark 13:19, Luke 17:30-37, Luke 19:43-44, Luke 21:20-24 and Daniel 12:1... Matthew 24:21 “FOR THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Some Preterists place the “Gathering of the Elect” at the beginning of the PAROUSIA in AD 66 after the Great Tribulation of the Saints mentioned by John in Revelation 1:9 & 7:14 but that is easily refuted. The great multitude in Heaven (Revelation 7:9) were martyrs who came out of the great tribulation (Revelation 7:14) BEFORE the Wrath of the Lamb began when the seventh seal was opened in Revelation 8:1. They went to Heaven when they were martyred. Remember what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8... "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD." Furthermore, to put the "Gathering of the Elect" in AD 66 you must make the "tribulation of those days" in Matthew 24:29 to be about the tribulation of the saints instead of the tribulation of the unbelieving Jews which is what the preceding text (Matthew 24:21-28) indicates. This is also confirmed in the gospels of Mark and Luke.
In the gospel of Mark the Persecution or Tribulation of the Saints occurs in Mark 13:9-13 and then the Tribulation of the Unbelievers / Jewish-Roman War / Wrath of the Lamb begins after the Abomination of Desolation (Mark 13:14). “After THAT tribulation” (Mark 13:24) is when the “Gathering of the Elect” occurs... Mark 13:27 And then He will send His angels, and GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the farthest part of EARTH (includes HADES) to the farthest part of HEAVEN.
In the gospel of Luke the Persecution of the Saints occurs in Luke 21:12-19 and then the “days of vengeance” (Luke 21:22-24) or Wrath of the Lamb begins after Jerusalem is surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20) the first time and the wise flee Judea (Luke 21:21). The “COMING” (Erchomai) of Jesus to REDEEM the Saints or Gather the Elect occurs (Luke 21:27-28) next just like it does in Matthew & Mark.
So there was 2 Great Tribulations: (1) the Persecution of the Saints (Revelation 7:14) and (2) the Wrath of the Lamb (Matthew 24:21). I have heard some of the CBV (Confused Body View) persuasion claim that the Great Tribulation of Revelation 7:14 is also the Wrath of the Lamb but that will NOT work because the seventh seal had not been opened yet.
9) The Living Saints are CAUGHT UP in the Clouds to meet the Resurrected Saints and the LORD
1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Then WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.” After the living saints met the LORD and the other saints, all of them were taken to Heaven for the Great White Throne Judgment. Many Preterists teach that the living saints were left behind and that Christ never left but that is NOT Biblical! I believe the “WE” in the phrase “ WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD” includes the living believers, the dead believers and Jesus. Therefore, all would remain together and I haven't seen Moses or Abraham or any of the other saints who have died walking around on earth. Have you? Maybe they are walking around as ghosts and that's why I haven't seen them. Maybe they are reigning from Heaven with Jesus like the Bible says!
10) The LORD JESUS CHRIST is GLORIFIED and ADMIRED by the BELIEVERS
2 Thessalonians 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, TO BE GLORIFIED in His saints and TO BE ADMIRED AMONG ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE, because our testimony among you was believed.
According to Hebrews 9:28, Christ was supposed to APPEAR a "SECOND TIME" to THOSE WHO EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIM... Hebrews 9:28 “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. TO THOSE WHO EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIM HE WILL APPEAR A SECOND TIME, apart from sin, FOR SALVATION.” Does that mean that he would APPEAR a "SECOND TIME" to the Believers who were still living and saw him before his ascension? Matthew 16:27-28 would support that... Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and THEN HE WILL REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO SHALL NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM." Hebrews 9:28 says that Christ would appear the second time "FOR SALVATION". Does this mean that the Believers were not yet saved from their sins? NO! The Salvation of Hebrews 9:28 is NOT about sin just as the verse states but some Preterists make it about atonement or reconciliation anyway. Scripture states that the Believers already had it... Romans 5:11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION.
(KJV) Romans 5:11 “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.” I believe that the 1st century believers were in the same situation as the believers of today... They were persevering in the faith until they received the prize or accomplished their goal. What is the Goal of Salvation? Is it not ETERNAL LIFE with GOD in his Heavenly Kingdom? Remember what the Apostle Peter said... 1 Peter 1:9 “RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH—THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.” I could be wrong but I believe that Christ was ADMIRED by the LIVING BELIEVERS when they were taken to Heaven at the time of the Resurrection.
11) Death & Hades are Defeated and Cast into the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgment
1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY." 1 Corinthians 15:55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?"
Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a GREAT WHITE THRONE and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:12 And I saw THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STANDING BEFORE GOD, AND BOOKS WERE OPENED. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And THEY WERE JUDGED, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Revelation 20:14 Then DEATH AND HADES WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. This is the second death. Revelation 20:15 AND ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
Here's what Jesus said about the Great White Throne Judgment in Matthew 25... Matthew 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, THEN HE WILL SIT ON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY. Matthew 25:32 ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE GATHERED BEFORE HIM, AND HE WILL SEPARATE THEM ONE FROM ANOTHER, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'COME, YOU BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD:
Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'DEPART FROM ME, YOU CURSED, INTO THE EVERLASTING FIRE PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS:
Matthew 25:46 AND THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO ETERNAL LIFE."
12) The Marriage and Marriage Supper of the Lamb after the Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, and His wife has made herself ready. Revelation 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE SAINTS. Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Notice that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb occurs after the Destruction of Babylon in Revelation 17-18.
Jesus also revealed that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb was after the Destruction of Jerusalem in the The Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22:1-14... Matthew 22:2 "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A CERTAIN KING (GOD the Father) WHO ARRANGED A MARRIAGE FOR HIS SON (Christ), Matthew 22:3 AND SENT OUT HIS SERVANTS (Disciples) TO CALL THOSE WHO WERE INVITED (Hebrews) TO THE WEDDING; AND THEY (Unbelievers) WERE NOT WILLING TO COME.
Matthew 22:5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. Matthew 22:6 And the rest (Hebrew Persecutors) SEIZED HIS SERVANTS, TREATED THEM SPITEFULLY, AND KILLED THEM. Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And HE SENT OUT HIS (Roman) ARMIES, DESTROYED THOSE MURDERERS, AND BURNED UP THEIR CITY (Jerusalem).
Jesus warned that instead of sitting down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the Wedding Feast - the Unbelieving Hebrews would be cast out of the Kingdom of Heaven... Matthew 8:11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Matthew 8:12 BUT THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM (The Hebrews) WILL BE CAST OUT into outer darkness. THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH."
Luke 13:25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' Luke 13:26 then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' Luke 13:27 But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' Luke 13:28 THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH, WHEN YOU SEE ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB AND ALL THE PROPHETS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND YOURSELVES THRUST OUT. Luke 13:29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
TIMING FOR THE LAST TRUMPET EVENTS
I've covered the events that are associated with the last trumpet and the timing for some of the events but let's see what else the scriptures say about the TIMING of these events. Let's start with the Book of Revelation... Revelation was written to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor so it had to apply to them and it was important for them to understand.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, WHICH GOD GAVE HIM TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS - THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, Revelation 1:2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
SHORTLY does not mean 1,900+ years later and neither does THE TIME IS NEAR.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; FOR THE TIME IS NEAR.
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
(YLT) Revelation 1:19 'Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME after these things (Young's Literal Translation).
The Greek word MELLO is used in the original text and it means "TO BE ABOUT TO": STRONG'S G3195
So according to Revelation 1:19, the Apostle John was to write about things in the Past, Present and things that were ABOUT to take place. You will not find any verses in Revelation that state that any of the prophecy is for thousands of years in the future!
THE 144,000 SEALED FROM THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL
Before the WRATH OF GOD or WRATH OF THE LAMB (6:16) began there were 144,000 from the 12 tribes who were SEALED or Protected from GOD'S WRATH... Revelation 6:17 FOR THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH HAS COME, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 7:1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Revelation 7:2 Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, Revelation 7:3 saying, "DO NOT HARM THE EARTH, THE SEA, OR THE TREES TILL WE HAVE SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD ON THEIR FOREHEADS." Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND OF ALL THE TRIBES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE SEALED... The 144,000 number may have been symbolic or it may have been literal. Their sealing meant that they were marked for GOD. They were also protected from the Wrath of the Lamb since GOD does NOT appoint Believers to His Wrath... 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For GOD DID NOT APPOINT US TO WRATH, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 who died for us, that WHETHER WE WAKE (live) OR SLEEP (die), WE SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM.”
Had anything like this sealing or marking for GOD ever happened before? YES! Just look at what happened on Passover (Read Exodus 12). An event that more closely matches what happened in Revelation 7 occurred just before the Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed the first time in 586 BC... (Brenton's Septuagint) Ezekiel 9:1 And he cried in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, THE JUDGMENT OF THE CITY HAS DRAWN NIGH; and each had the weapons of destruction in his hand. Ezekiel 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the high gate that looks toward the north, and each one's axe was in his hand; and there was one man in the midst of them clothed with a long robe down to the feet, and a sapphire girdle was on his loins: and they came in and stood near the brazen altar. Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel, that was upon them, went up from the cherubs to the porch of the house. And he called the man that was clothed with the long robe, who had the girdle on his loins; Ezekiel 9:4 And said to him, GO THROUGH THE MIDST OF JERUSALEM, AND SET A MARK ON THE FOREHEADS OF THE MEN THAT GROAN AND THAT GRIEVE FOR ALL THE INIQUITIES THAT ARE DONE IN THE MIDST OF THEM. Ezekiel 9:5 And he said to the first in my hearing, GO AFTER HIM INTO THE CITY, AND SMITE: AND LET NOT YOUR EYES SPARE, AND HAVE NO MERCY. Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old man and youth, and virgin, and infants, and women: BUT GO YE NOT NIGH ANY ON WHOM IS THE MARK: begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the elder men who were within in the house. Ezekiel 9:7 And he said to them, Defile the house, and go out and fill the ways with dead bodies, and smite. Ezekiel 9:8 And it came to pass as they were smiting, that I fell upon my face, and cried out, and said, Alas, O LORD! WILT THOU DESTROY THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL, IN POURING OUT THY WRATH UPON JERUSALEM? Ezekiel 9:9 Then said he to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Juda is become very exceedingly great: for the land is filled with many nations, and the city is filled with iniquity and uncleanness: BECAUSE THEY HAVE SAID, THE LORD HAS FORSAKEN THE EARTH, THE LORD LOOKS NOT UPON IT. Ezekiel 9:10 THEREFORE MINE EYE SHALL NOT SPARE, NEITHER WILL I HAVE ANY MERCY: I have recompensed their ways upon their heads. Ezekiel 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with the long robe, and girt with the girdle about his loins, answered and said, I HAVE DONE AS THOU DIDST COMMAND ME.
So here we have a perfect example of scripture interpreting scripture regarding what it meant to be marked or sealed for GOD. However, many Preterists do not interpret the “Sealing” of the 144,000 as Protection. Why is that? Answer: Maybe it is because it would refute their false doctrine of NO RAPTURE at the Resurrection.
Most Preterists believe that all prophecy was fulfilled by the end of AD 70... Luke 21:22 “For these are the days of vengeance, that ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.” The "days of vengeance" was the Wrath of the Lamb which was the Jewish-Roman War that resulted in the Destruction of Jerusalem including the Temple in AD 70... Luke 21:20 "But when YOU (Disciples) see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR. Luke 21:21 THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.” The Wrath of the Lamb (Jesus) was on the Unbelieving Judeans... Luke 21:23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND (Judea) and WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE (Judeans). Luke 21:24 And THEY WILL FALL BY THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, AND BE LED AWAY CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Most Preterists don't believe that the living believers were taken to Heaven with the dead believers at the Resurrection. They believe that they were left behind... I DISAGREE! Scripture states that the living believers would meet the dead believers and the Lord in the clouds and would remain with them... 1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then WE WHO ARE ALIVE and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM (those who sleep in Jesus) in the clouds TO MEET THE LORD in the air. AND THUS WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD." Furthermore, Paul also wrote to the Corinthians and told them that not all of them would die... 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP (die), but we shall all be changed— 1 Corinthians 15:52 IN A MOMENT, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 are the gathering together of the elect of Matthew 24:31... “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds (North, South, East & West, NOT just straight up out of Hades) from one end of HEAVEN (Some were already in Heaven) to the other.” So ALL of the “Elect” were gathered together and taken to Heaven for the Great White Throne Judgment. They were gathered together from Heaven, Hades and the Earth. Remember that Paul said that Jesus would come WITH ALL HIS SAINTS... 1 Thessalonians 3:12 “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness BEFORE OUR GOD and Father at the coming (Parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH ALL HIS SAINTS.” The Saints hearts were established BLAMELESS before GOD IN HEAVEN because of the BLOOD of the LAMB!
The 144,000 are written about again in Revelation 14 and THEY ARE IN HEAVEN and we are told that they were FIRSTFRUITS REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN. That means that they were the first Christians from the 12 Tribes of Israel. The Gospel was preached to the Hebrews before it was preached to the Gentiles... Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, A LAMB STANDING ON MOUNT ZION, AND WITH HIM ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. Revelation 14:3 THEY SANG AS IT WERE A NEW SONG BEFORE THE THRONE, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and NO ONE COULD LEARN THAT SONG EXCEPT THE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND WHO WERE REDEEMED FROM THE EARTH. Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. THESE WERE REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN, BEING FIRSTFRUITS TO GOD AND TO THE LAMB. Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD.
Scripture confirms that the 144,000 were the 1st Christians from the 12 Tribes. James, Christ's half-brother, revealed that THEY were the Firstfruits... James 1:18 "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that WE MIGHT BE A KIND OF FIRSTFRUITS OF HIS CREATURES." The Book of James was written to the 12 Tribes so I don't guess they were lost after all... James 1:1 “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” Since the 144,000 FIRSTFRUITS were STILL ON EARTH and were SEALED AFTER the 6th Seal had been opened it is NOT POSSIBLE for this Event to be in the FUTURE... It was in the 1st Century!
Do you realize that what John the Revelator wrote about the 144,000 was in the near future to him and therefore a PROPHECY? If all prophecy was fulfilled by the end of AD 70 then the 144,000 were in Heaven by the end of AD 70! Were the 144,000 among those who were STILL ALIVE (1 Thessalonians 4:17 & 1 Corinthians 15:51) and taken to Heaven with those who were Resurrected OR...
Did the 144,000 DIE during the War (Wrath of the Lamb) and that's why they were in Heaven in Revelation 14? If so they were NOT PROTECTED and they DIED and were Resurrected.
Remember when Jesus told His Disciples that He would go and prepare a place for them and come back and all of them would be DEAD? That's NOT the way I remember it either... John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU to Myself; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO.
So are you Preterists who believe that ALL PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED by the end of AD 70 sure about that? I AM! The ONLY WAY to have your cake and eat it too is to believe that all prophecy WAS FULFILLED by the end of AD 70 and the living believers were taken to Heaven! The 144,000 were REDEEMED FROM THE EARTH (Revelation 14:3), REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN (Revelation 14:4)... Remember what Jesus told His Disciples in Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and lift up your heads, because YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR."
THE WRATH OF THE LAMB CAME UPON THAT GENERATION
Jesus warned the Scribes and Pharisees that GOD'S WRATH was going to come upon THEM... UPON THIS GENERATION! Matthew 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, Matthew 23:30 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' Matthew 23:31 "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Matthew 23:32 FILL UP, THEN, THE MEASURE OF YOUR FATHERS' GUILT. Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Matthew 23:34 Therefore, indeed, I SEND YOU PROPHETS, WISE MEN, AND SCRIBES: SOME OF THEM YOU WILL KILL AND CRUCIFY, AND SOME OF THEM YOU WILL SCOURGE IN YOUR SYNAGOGUES AND PERSECUTE FROM CITY TO CITY, Matthew 23:35 THAT ON YOU MAY COME ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD SHED ON THE EARTH, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Matthew 23:36 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION.
Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, Revelation 6:16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE AND FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB!
When Jesus was being led to his crucifixion he warned the women of Jerusalem that this would happen in their generation... Luke 23:27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. Luke 23:28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, "DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM, DO NOT WEEP FOR ME, BUT WEEP FOR YOURSELVES AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN (THEIR GENERATION). Luke 23:29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' Luke 23:30 THEN THEY WILL BEGIN 'TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, "FALL ON US!" AND TO THE HILLS, "COVER US!" '
Jesus had already warned his Disciples that THEY would be persecuted and that His COMING would occur before they had gone through the cities of Israel... Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:17 But beware of men, for THEY WILL DELIVER YOU UP TO COUNCILS AND SCOURGE YOU IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES.
Matthew 10:22 “And YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME'S SAKE. But he who endures to the END will be saved. Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. FOR ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, YOU WILL NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CITIES OF ISRAEL BEFORE THE SON OF MAN COMES.” What “END” was Jesus talking about in 10:22? Was it the “END” of their LIVES or the “END” of the World? Answer: NEITHER! It was the same “END” that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:13... "But he who endures to the END shall be saved." The “END” that Jesus was talking about was the END of the AGE... Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming (Parousia), and of the END OF THE AGE?" So Christ's Coming (Parousia) was at the END OF THE AGE and it included the Wrath of the Lamb and the Gathering of the Elect on the LAST DAY... John 6:39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should RAISE IT UP at the LAST DAY. John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will RAISE HIM UP at the LAST DAY."
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will RAISE HIM UP at the LAST DAY.
John 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will RAISE HIM UP at the LAST DAY.
Back to the time statements in Revelation...
Let's look at the time statements in the last chapter of Revelation... Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE. - THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE does not mean 1,900+ years later and neither does QUICKLY... Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I AM COMING QUICKLY! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Believing that Jesus has not come back yet is NOT what I would call keeping the words of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation!
Revelation 22:10 And he said to me, "DO NOT SEAL THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.” Compare verse 22:10 with what the prophet Daniel was told... Daniel 12:4 And thou, Daniel, close the words, and SEAL THE BOOK TO THE TIME OF THE END; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased.
Daniel 12:9 And he said, “Go, Daniel: FOR THE WORDS ARE CLOSED AND SEALED UP TO THE TIME OF THE END.” If Daniel’s message was to be SEALED because it belonged to a time over 500 years away, how can John’s message, which he was told NOT TO SEAL, belong to a time 1900+ years in the future?
Do you realize that the PROPHECY that Daniel was told was "SEALED UP TO THE TIME OF THE END" (Daniel 12:9) is part of the SAME PROPHECY that John was told "DO NOT SEAL" (Revelation 22:10)?
1) Great Tribulation/Jewish-Roman War/Wrath of the Lamb: Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21, Revelation 6:16-17, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 14:18-20, Revelation 15:1 & 7, Revelation 16-18, Revelation 19:11-21, Revelation 20:7-9
2) Deliverance for Believers: Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:15-20, Revelation 7:1-8, Revelation 12:6 & 14
3) Resurrection of Just/Unjust: Daniel 12:2, Matthew 24:30-31, Revelation 20:12-13
4) Great White Throne Judgment: Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:11-15
5) Wise/Righteous Shine in Heaven: Daniel 12:3, Matthew 13:43, Revelation 22:5
Revelation 22:11 “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. Revelation 22:12 And behold, I AM COMING QUICKLY, AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:11 reveals that the time was so short that there wasn't time for a change in behavior!
Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, "SURELY I AM COMING QUICKLY." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” So beginning with the first verse of Revelation and ending with the next to last verse and several places in between we see time restrictions. These restrictions do NOT allow for the events of Revelation to be projected 1900+ years and counting into the future!
TIMING FOR THE EVENTS OF DANIEL 12
In Chapter 12 of the Book of Daniel, Daniel writes what he was told about the TIMING of the Great Tribulation, the Deliverance of the Believers, the Resurrection of the Just & Unjust and their Judgment... Daniel 12:1 "And at that time (TIME OF THE END) Michael the great prince shall stand up, that stands over the children of thy people: and THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TRIBULATION, such tribulation as has not been from the time that there was a nation on the earth until that time: at that time THY PEOPLE SHALL BE DELIVERED, even EVERY ONE THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK.” When Daniel writes about the "TIME OF TRIBULATION" he is writing about the Jewish-Roman War that caused the Destruction of the Jewish Temple and Jerusalem. Daniel had already prophesied about the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in THE WAR in Daniel 9:26... "And after the sixty-two weeks, the anointed one shall be destroyed, and there is no judgment in him: and HE SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY WITH THE PRINCE (Titus) THAT IS COMING: they shall be cut off with a flood, and to the end of the war which is rapidly completed he shall appoint the city to desolations." It's easy to see that Daniel is writing about the Great Tribulation or War when you read what Jesus said about it... Matthew 24:21 FOR THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS HAS NOT BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD UNTIL THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Jesus instructed his Disciples to FLEE JUDEA/JERUSALEM in order to escape the war... Luke 21:20 "BUT WHEN YOU SEE JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR. Luke 21:21 THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS, LET THOSE WHO ARE IN THE MIDST OF HER DEPART, AND LET NOT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ENTER HER.
In Daniel 12:1 there's a Prophecy about the Deliverance of the Believers (EVERY ONE WHO IS FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK). This may be the same prophecy that's mentioned in Revelation 12:14. It is for the same amount of time given in Daniel 12:7... And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and sware by him that lives for ever, that IT SHOULD BE FOR A TIME OF TIMES AND HALF A TIME: when the dispersion is ended they shall know all these things.
Revelation 12:14 “But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a TIME AND TIMES AND HALF A TIME, FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE SERPENT.” This event is also mentioned in Revelation 12:6 but the time given is ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS... Revelation 12:6 “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS.” The 144,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel must have been included in the DELIVERANCE since they had been SEALED or PROTECTED (Revelation 7:1-7:8).
The following is quoted from the book - THE CHURCH HISTORY OF EUSEBIUS, REV. ARTHUR CUSHMAN McGIFFERT, Ph.D., pp. 271-272.
"But the people of the church in Jerusalem had been commanded by a revelation, vouchsafed to approved men there before the war, to leave the city and to dwell in a certain town of Perea called PELLA.(631) And when those that believed in Christ had come thither from Jerusalem, then, as if the royal city of the Jews and the whole land of Judea were entirely destitute of holy men, the judgment of God at length overtook those who had committed such outrages against Christ and his apostles, and totally destroyed that generation of impious men."
(631) PELLA (See MAP 1) was a town situated beyond (EAST OF) the Jordan, in the north of Perea, within the dominions of Herod Agrippa II. The surrounding population was chiefly Gentile. See Pliny V. 18, and Josephus, B. J. III. 3. 3, and I. 4. 8. Epiphanius (De pond. et mens. 15) also records this flight of the Christians to Pella.
For more information on the Flight to Pella GO TO: Pella Flight Tradition Study Archive
According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, Cestius Gallus, the Roman General, took his army and pursued Jews to Jerusalem. He set up camp about 7 furlongs outside of Jerusalem and waited for 3 days. On the 4th day which was the 30th of Tishrei in the Jewish Year 3827 or October 5th, AD 66, the Roman Army entered the city.
DATE CESTIUS GALLUS ENTERED JERUSALEM
Christians may have fled the city of Jerusalem before the Roman Army entered Jerusalem or they may have fled after the Roman Army left the vicinity or both.
Josephus wrote: "But when Cestius was come into the city, he set the part called Bezetha, which is called Cenopolis, [or the new city,] on fire; as he did also to the timber market; after which he came into the upper city, and pitched his camp over against the royal palace; and had he but at this very time attempted to get within the walls by force, he had won the city presently, and the war had been put an end to at once; but Tyrannius Priseus, the muster-master of the army, and a great number of the officers of the horse, had been corrupted by Florus, and diverted him from that attempt; and that was the occasion that this war lasted so very long, and thereby the Jews were involved in such incurable calamities.
5. In the mean time, many of the principal men of the city were persuaded by Ananus, the son of Jonathan, and invited Cestius into the city, and were about to open the gates for him; but he overlooked this offer, partly out of his anger at the Jews, and partly because he did not thoroughly believe they were in earnest; whence it was that he delayed the matter so long, that the seditious perceived the treachery, and threw Ananus and those of his party down from the wall, and, pelting them with stones, drove them into their houses; but they stood themselves at proper distances in the towers, and threw their darts at those that were getting over the wall. Thus did the Romans make their attack against the wall for five days, but to no purpose. But on the next day Cestius took a great many of his choicest men, and with them the archers, and attempted to break into the temple at the northern quarter of it; but the Jews beat them off from the cloisters, and repulsed them several times when they were gotten near to the wall, till at length the multitude of the darts cut them off, and made them retire; but the first rank of the Romans rested their shields upon the wall, and so did those that were behind them, and the like did those that were still more backward, and guarded themselves with what they call Testudo, [the back of] a tortoise, upon which the darts that were thrown fell, and slided off without doing them any harm; so the soldiers undermined the wall, without being themselves hurt, and got all things ready for setting fire to the gate of the temple.
6. And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch that many of them ran out of the city, as though it were to be taken immediately; but the people upon this took courage, and where the wicked part of the city gave ground, thither did they come, in order to set open the gates, and to admit Cestius as their benefactor, who, had he but continued the siege a little longer, had certainly taken the city; but it was, I suppose, owing to the aversion God had already at the city and the sanctuary, that he was hindered from putting an end to the war that very day.
7. It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world. But when the robbers perceived this unexpected retreat of his, they resumed their courage, and ran after the hinder parts of his army, and destroyed a considerable number of both their horsemen and footmen" - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 2, Chapter 19, Sections 4-7.
"So the Jews went on pursuing the Romans as far as Antipatris; after which, seeing they could not overtake them, they came back, and took the engines, and spoiled the dead bodies, and gathered the prey together which the Romans had left behind them, and came back running and singing to their metropolis; while they had themselves lost a few only, but had slain of the Romans five thousand and three hundred footmen, and three hundred and eighty horsemen. This defeat happened on the eighth day of the month Dius, [Marchesvan,] in the twelfth year of the reign of Nero." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 2, Chapter 19, Section 9.
"After this calamity had befallen Cestius, many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to sink;" - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 2, Chapter 20, Section 1.
DOWNLOAD THE WARS OF THE JEWS by Flavius Josephus
NERO
Nero was the Roman Emperor when the Jewish-Roman War began. He reigned from AD 54-68.
Nero was probably the 6th king of Revelation 17:10, the one presently reigning, when John wrote the Book of Revelation. The 1st king would have been Julius Caesar and the 7th king would be Galba who followed Nero and only reigned for 7 months.
Revelation 17:10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
From Wars Of The Jews...
"When Nero was informed of the Romans’ ill success in Judea, a concealed consternation and terror, as is usual in such cases, fell upon him. And as he was deliberating to whom he should commit the care of the East, now it was in so great a commotion, and who might be best able to punish the Jews for their rebellion, and might prevent the same distemper from seizing upon the neighboring nations also, - he found no one but Vespasian equal to the task, and able to undergo the great burden of so mighty a war. So Vespasian sent his son Titus from ACHAIA (See Map 2), where he had been with Nero, to ALEXANDRIA (See Map 2), to bring back with him from thence the fifth and. the tenth legions, while he himself, when he had passed over the Hellespont, came by land into Syria, where he gathered together the Roman forces, with a considerable number of auxiliaries from the kings in that neighborhood." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 3, Chapter 1
"And now Vespasian took along with him his army from ANTIOCH (See Map 2), (which is the metropolis of Syria, and without dispute deserves the place of the third city in the habitable earth that was under the Roman empire, both in magnitude, and other marks of prosperity,) where he found king Agrippa, with all his forces, waiting for his coming, and marched to PTOLEMAIS (See Map 1). At this city also the inhabitants of SEPPHORIS (See Map 1) of Galilee met him, who were for peace with the Romans. These citizens had beforehand taken care of their own safety, and being sensible of the power of the Romans, they had been with Cestius Gallus before Vespasian came, and had given their faith to him, and received the security of his right hand, and had received a Roman garrison; and at this time withal they received Vespasian, the Roman general, very kindly, and readily promised that they would assist him against their own countrymen. Now the general delivered them, at their desire, as many horsemen and footmen as he thought sufficient to oppose the incursions of the Jews, if they should come against them. And indeed the danger of losing Sepphoris would be no small one, in this war that was now beginning, seeing it was the largest city of Galilee, and built in a place by nature very strong, and might be a security of the whole nation’s [fidelity to the Romans]. - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 3, Chapter 2, Section 4.
"But as to Titus, he sailed over from ACHAIA to ALEXANDRIA, and that sooner than the winter season did usually permit; so he took with him those forces he was sent for, and marching with great expedition, he came suddenly to PTOLEMAIS (See Map 2), and there finding his father, together with the two legions, the fifth and the tenth, which were the most eminent legions of all, he joined them to that fifteenth legion which was with his father. When all were united together, amounted to sixty thousand, besides the servants, who, as they followed in vast numbers, so because they had been trained up in war with the rest, ought not to be distinguished from the fighting men; for as they were in their masters’ service in times of peace, so did they undergo the like dangers with them in times of war, insomuch that they were inferior to none, either in skill or in strength, only they were subject to their masters." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 3, Chapter 4, Section 2.
Titus arrived in PTOLEMAIS (See Map 1) with the 5th and 10th legions in the late winter of AD 67.
The following was copied from Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 3, Chapter 6, Sections 1 & 2.
1. AND now Vespasian, with his son Titus, had tarried some time at PTOLEMAIS, and had put his army in order.
2. But as Vespasian had a great mind to fall upon Galilee, he marched out of PTOLEMAIS, having put his army into that order wherein the Romans used to march.
Look at MAP 1 and Notice how close PTOLEMAIS is to the VALLEY OF JEZREEL.
The Valley of Jezreel is also known as the Valley of Armageddon.
When people think about Armageddon they think about a great battle at the end of the world but let's look at what the scripture actually says... Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Revelation 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, TO GATHER THEM TO THE BATTLE OF THAT GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY.
Instead of using the word "battle" the New American Standard Bible uses the word "war"... (NASB) Revelation 16:14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, TO GATHER THEM TOGETHER FOR THE WAR OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD, THE ALMIGHTY. (New American Standard Bible)
WAR - STRONG'S G4171
Word Summary: polemos: war
Phonetic Spelling: (pol'-em-os)
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Short Definition: war
Meaning: war
Strong's Concordance: battle, fight, war.
From pelomai (to bustle); warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series) -- battle, fight, war.
Revelation 16:16 AND THEY GATHERED THEM TOGETHER TO THE PLACE CALLED IN HEBREW, ARMAGEDDON.
Therefore, the scripture could be interpreted to mean that ARMAGEDDON was NOT the name of the battle or war but it was the name of the place where the armies were gathered together to go to war. This actually makes more sense when you know that the war was in the past and you have a written history of it. Also, there's what appears to be the same prophecy in chapter 20 of Revelation... Revelation 20:7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison Revelation 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, TO GATHER THEM TOGETHER TO BATTLE, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
(NASB) Revelation 20:8 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. (New American Standard Bible)
THE WAR BEGINS
The following was copied from Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 3, Chapter 7, Sections 1 & 3.
1. So Vespasian marched to the city GADARA (See Map 1), and took it upon the first onset, because he found it destitute of any considerable number of men grown up and fit for war. He came then into it, and slew all the youth, the Romans having no mercy on any age whatsoever; and this was done out of the hatred they bore the nation, and because of the iniquity they had been guilty of in the affair of Cestius. He also set fire not only to the city itself, but to all the villas and small cities that were round about it; some of them were quite destitute of inhabitants, and out of some of them he carried the inhabitants as slaves into captivity.
3. Now Vespasian was very desirous of demolishing JOTAPATA (See Map 1), for he had gotten intelligence that the greatest part of the enemy had retired thither, and that it was, on other accounts, a place of great security to them. Accordingly, he sent both foot-men and horsemen to level the road, which was mountainous and rocky, not without difficulty to be traveled over by footmen, but absolutely impracticable for horsemen. Now these workmen accomplished what they were about in four days’ time, and opened a broad way for the army. On the fifth day, which was the twenty-first of the month Artemisius, (Jyar,) Josephus prevented him, and came from TIBERIAS (See Map 1), and went into JOTAPATA, and raised the drooping spirits of the Jews.
21st of Iyyar, 3827 = Sun, 22 May 0067
So the Jewish-Roman War was well under way by May, AD 67. We know the dates of the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem so all one needs to do is go back 3 & 1/2 years to see when THE WAR began.
DOWNLOAD THE WARS OF THE JEWS to read more about THE WAR.
I am going to skip ahead to the END of THE WAR...
END OF THE WAR
According to the Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, the Jewish Temple was burned on the 9th & 10th of the month of Av. The 10th of Av converts to Sunday, August 3rd, AD 70 if the following Hebrew Calendar Converter is correct.
10th of Av, 3830 = Sun, 3 August 0070
The following was copied from Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 6, Chapter 4, Sections 5-8
5. So Titus retired into the tower of Antonia, and resolved to storm the temple the next day, early in the morning, with his whole army, and to encamp round about the holy house. BUT AS FOR THAT HOUSE, GOD HAD, FOR CERTAIN, LONG AGO DOOMED IT TO THE FIRE; AND NOW THAT FATAL DAY WAS COME, ACCORDING TO THE REVOLUTION OF AGES; IT WAS THE TENTH DAY OF THE MONTH LOUS, [AB,] UPON WHICH IT WAS FORMERLY BURNT BY THE KING OF BABYLON; ALTHOUGH THESE FLAMES TOOK THEIR RISE FROM THE JEWS THEMSELVES, AND WERE OCCASIONED BY THEM; for upon Titus’s retiring, the seditious lay still for a little while, and then attacked the Romans again, when those that guarded the holy house fought with those that quenched the fire that was burning the inner [court of the] temple; but these Romans put the Jews to flight, and proceeded as far as the holy house itself. AT WHICH TIME ONE OF THE SOLDIERS, WITHOUT STAYING FOR ANY ORDERS, AND WITHOUT ANY CONCERN OR DREAD UPON HIM AT SO GREAT AN UNDERTAKING, AND BEING HURRIED ON BY A CERTAIN DIVINE FURY, SNATCHED SOMEWHAT OUT OF THE MATERIALS THAT WERE ON FIRE, AND BEING LIFTED UP BY ANOTHER SOLDIER, HE SET FIRE TO A GOLDEN WINDOW, THROUGH WHICH THERE WAS A PASSAGE TO THE ROOMS THAT WERE ROUND ABOUT THE HOLY HOUSE, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IT. AS THE FLAMES WENT UPWARD, the Jews made a great clamor, such as so mighty an affliction required, and ran together to prevent it; and now they spared not their lives any longer, nor suffered any thing to restrain their force, since that holy house was perishing, for whose sake it was that they kept such a guard about it.
6. AND NOW A CERTAIN PERSON CAME RUNNING TO TITUS, AND TOLD HIM OF THIS FIRE, as he was resting himself in his tent after the last battle; whereupon he rose up in great haste, and, AS HE WAS, RAN TO THE HOLY HOUSE, IN ORDER TO HAVE A STOP PUT TO THE FIRE; after him followed all his commanders, and after them followed the several legions, in great astonishment; so there was a great clamor and tumult raised, as was natural upon the disorderly motion of so great an army. THEN DID CAESAR, BOTH BY CALLING TO THE SOLDIERS THAT WERE FIGHTING, WITH A LOUD VOICE, AND BY GIVING A SIGNAL TO THEM WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, ORDER THEM TO QUENCH THE FIRE. BUT THEY DID NOT HEAR WHAT HE SAID, though he spake so loud, having their ears already dimmed by a greater noise another way; nor did they attend to the signal he made with his hand neither, as still some of them were distracted with fighting, and others with passion. But as for the legions that came running thither, neither any persuasions nor any threatenings could restrain their violence, but each one’s own passion was his commander at this time; and as they were crowding into the temple together, many of them were trampled on by one another, while a great number fell among the ruins of the cloisters, which were still hot and smoking, and were destroyed in the same miserable way with those whom they had conquered; and WHEN THEY WERE COME NEAR THE HOLY HOUSE, THEY MADE AS IF THEY DID NOT SO MUCH AS HEAR CAESAR’S ORDERS TO THE CONTRARY; BUT THEY ENCOURAGED THOSE THAT WERE BEFORE THEM TO SET IT ON FIRE. As for the seditious, they were in too great distress already to afford their assistance [towards quenching the fire]; they were every where slain, and every where beaten; and as for a great part of the people, they were weak and without arms, and had their throats cut wherever they were caught. NOW ROUND ABOUT THE ALTAR LAY DEAD BODIES HEAPED ONE UPON ANOTHER, as at the steps
7. AND NOW, SINCE CAESAR WAS NO WAY ABLE TO RESTRAIN THE ENTHUSIASTIC FURY OF THE SOLDIERS, AND THE FIRE PROCEEDED ON MORE AND MORE, HE WENT INTO THE HOLY PLACE OF THE TEMPLE, WITH HIS COMMANDERS, AND SAW IT, WITH WHAT WAS IN IT, WHICH HE FOUND TO BE FAR SUPERIOR TO WHAT THE RELATIONS OF FOREIGNERS CONTAINED, and not inferior to what we ourselves boasted of and believed about it. BUT AS THE FLAME HAD NOT AS YET REACHED TO ITS INWARD PARTS, BUT WAS STILL CONSUMING THE ROOMS THAT WERE ABOUT THE HOLY HOUSE, AND TITUS SUPPOSING WHAT THE FACT WAS, THAT THE HOUSE ITSELF MIGHT YET HE SAVED, HE CAME IN HASTE AND ENDEAVORED TO PERSUADE THE SOLDIERS TO QUENCH THE FIRE, AND GAVE ORDER TO LIBERALIUS THE CENTURION, AND ONE OF THOSE SPEARMEN THAT WERE ABOUT HIM, TO BEAT THE SOLDIERS THAT WERE REFRACTORY WITH THEIR STAVES, AND TO RESTRAIN THEM; YET WERE THEIR PASSIONS TOO HARD FOR THE REGARDS THEY HAD FOR CAESAR, AND THE DREAD THEY HAD OF HIM WHO FORBADE THEM, AS WAS THEIR HATRED OF THE JEWS, AND A CERTAIN VEHEMENT INCLINATION TO FIGHT THEM, TOO HARD FOR THEM ALSO. MOREOVER, THE HOPE OF PLUNDER INDUCED MANY TO GO ON, AS HAVING THIS OPINION, THAT ALL THE PLACES WITHIN WERE FULL OF MONEY, AND AS SEEING THAT ALL ROUND ABOUT IT WAS MADE OF GOLD. AND BESIDES, ONE OF THOSE THAT WENT INTO THE PLACE PREVENTED CAESAR, WHEN HE RAN SO HASTILY OUT TO RESTRAIN THE SOLDIERS, AND THREW THE FIRE UPON THE HINGES OF THE GATE, IN THE DARK; WHEREBY THE FLAME BURST OUT FROM WITHIN THE HOLY HOUSE ITSELF IMMEDIATELY, WHEN THE COMMANDERS RETIRED, AND CAESAR WITH THEM, AND WHEN NOBODY ANY LONGER FORBADE THOSE THAT WERE WITHOUT TO SET FIRE TO IT. AND THUS WAS THE HOLY HOUSE BURNT DOWN, WITHOUT CAESAR’S APPROBATION.
8. Now although any one would justly lament the destruction of such a work as this was, since it was the most admirable of all the works that we have seen or heard of, both for its curious structure and its magnitude, and also for the vast wealth bestowed upon it, as well as for the glorious reputation it had for its holiness; yet might such a one comfort himself with this thought, that IT WAS FATE THAT DECREED IT SO TO BE, WHICH IS INEVITABLE, BOTH AS TO LIVING CREATURES, AND AS TO WORKS AND PLACES ALSO. HOWEVER, ONE CANNOT BUT WONDER AT THE ACCURACY OF THIS PERIOD THERETO RELATING; FOR THE SAME MONTH AND DAY WERE NOW OBSERVED, AS I SAID BEFORE, WHEREIN THE HOLY HOUSE WAS BURNT FORMERLY BY THE BABYLONIANS. NOW THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT PASSED FROM ITS FIRST FOUNDATION, WHICH WAS LAID BY KING SOLOMON, TILL THIS ITS DESTRUCTION, WHICH HAPPENED IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF VESPASIAN, are collected to be one thousand one hundred and thirty, besides seven months and fifteen days; and from the second building of it, which was done by Haggai, in the second year of Cyrus the king, till its destruction under Vespasian, there were six hundred and thirty-nine years and forty-five days.
As far as I know, Josephus was not a Christian but he did recognize that the Destruction of the Temple was an Act of GOD.
JESUS PREDICTED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND JERUSALEM
Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees that the Temple would be DESTROYED... Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:38 See! YOUR HOUSE (The Temple) IS LEFT TO YOU DESOLATE;”
Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and spoke about it's future... Luke 19:41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, Luke 19:42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:43 FOR DAYS WILL COME UPON YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES WILL BUILD AN EMBANKMENT AROUND YOU, SURROUND YOU AND CLOSE YOU IN ON EVERY SIDE, Luke 19:44 AND LEVEL YOU, AND YOUR CHILDREN WITHIN YOU, TO THE GROUND; AND THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IN YOU ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT KNOW THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION." The Unbelieving Jews rejected their Messiah and His Wrath came upon them at the end of their generation. Jesus gave them a grace period of about 40 years to accept Him. Some did and became the Firstfruits but most did not and were destroyed in the Lake of Fire!
Luke 21:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled... I have heard some Futurists claim that Jerusalem is still being trampled by the Gentiles so Luke 21:24 has not been fulfilled. The city known as Jerusalem today is not the Jerusalem of scripture. The Jerusalem that was to be trodden down or trampled by the Gentiles was the Jerusalem that existed when the prophecy was given. It was NOT some future city that was built on the ruins of old Jerusalem in AD 129/30 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and named Aelia Capitolina and then renamed Jerusalem later in the 4th century. Scripture reveals how long Jerusalem would be trampled by the Gentiles... Revelation 11:2 "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months." The city of Jerusalem and the Temple were Destroyed in the summer of AD 70.
When talking about the Destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus said: "THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED”... Luke 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Luke 21:22 FOR THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.” Only the Old Testament had been written at this time but the Resurrection, Judgment and the Everlasting Kingdom were written about in Daniel so what else was left to be fulfilled?
Jesus revealed in Luke 21:23 that the WRATH would be upon the Judeans or Jewish people... Luke 21:23 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! FOR THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND AND WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE.” According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, 1.1 Million Died in the siege of Jerusalem and 97,000 were taken captive during the war...
"Now the number of those that were carried captive during this whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of those that perished during the whole siege eleven hundred thousand, the greater part of whom were indeed of the same nation [with the citizens of Jerusalem], but not belonging to the city itself; for they were come up from all the country to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and were on a sudden shut up by an army, which, at the very first, occasioned so great a straitness among them, that there came a pestilential destruction upon them, and soon afterward such a famine, as destroyed them more suddenly." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 6, Chapter 9, Section 3.
AND thus was Jerusalem taken, in the SECOND YEAR of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. - WARS OF THE JEWS, Flavius Josephus, Book 6, Chapter 10, Paragraph 1.
Vespasian's reign began in AD 69 during the year of the 4 Emperors so his 2nd year would have been AD 70.
According to the Hebrew Calendar the date of 8 Elul 3830 (Jewish Year) converts to Sunday, August 31, AD 70...
* Back to Daniel 12...
Daniel 12:2 is surely about the Resurrection of the Just & Unjust and their Judgment and it occurred at the “time of the end”... “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproach and everlasting shame.” The End of What? Answer: The Age (“this age” to them but NOT us). We are in their “age to come” which has NO END!
Daniel 12:3 And THE WISE shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and SOME OF THE MANY RIGHTEOUS as the stars FOR EVER AND EVER... Compare Daniel 12:3 to Matthew 13:43 which occurs at the END OF THE AGE according to Christ... Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." Matthew 13:37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. Matthew 13:38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. Matthew 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE, AND THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS. Matthew 13:40 THEREFORE AS THE TARES ARE GATHERED AND BURNED IN THE FIRE, SO IT WILL BE AT THE END OF THIS AGE. Matthew 13:41 THE SON OF MAN WILL SEND OUT HIS ANGELS, AND THEY WILL GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, AND THOSE WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS, Matthew 13:42 AND WILL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:43 Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN IN THE KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Do YOU Have Ears to Hear? Well hear this with your eyes... The "KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER" is the "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"... Matthew 13:24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; Matthew 13:25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed TARES among the wheat and went his way."
Be sure to read my article - HOW THE BIBLICAL AGES PROVE THAT CHRIST'S 2ND COMING WAS IN THE PAST
Daniel was also told WHEN the Fulfillment would happen and HOW LONG it would last... Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, When will be the end of the wonders which thou has mentioned? Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and sware by him that lives for ever, that IT SHOULD BE FOR A TIME OF TIMES AND HALF A TIME: WHEN THE DISPERSION IS ENDED they shall know all these things.
The New King James Version says... Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "HOW LONG SHALL THE FULFILLMENT OF THESE WONDERS BE?" Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that IT SHALL BE FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME; AND WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.
What were the "WONDERS" mentioned in Daniel 12:6? Answer: The Great Tribulation or War, Resurrection and the Judgment mentioned in Daniel 12:1-2.
Like Daniel, Jesus also Prophesied that the RESURRECTION would occur AFTER THE TRIBULATION or WAR and it would happen in their GENERATION... Matthew 24:29 "IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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 24:31 AND HE WILL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER.
Matthew 24:34 Assuredly, I say to YOU, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.
What THINGS? Answer: The Great Tribulation or War, Christ Coming in his Kingdom, the Resurrection, Judgment and the End of the Age.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TRUMPET BLOWN?
According to the Book of Numbers the TRUMPET was to be Blown by the Priests IN YOUR APPOINTED FEASTS and OVER YOUR BURNT OFFERINGS AND OVER THE SACRIFICES OF YOUR PEACE OFFERINGS... Numbers 10:10 And in the days of your gladness, and in your feasts, and in your new moons, ye shall sound with the trumpets at your whole-burnt-offerings, and at the sacrifices of your peace-offerings; and there shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.
The last sacrifice was on Shemini Atzerat, the 8th Day... Leviticus 23:36 Seven days shall ye offer whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord, and the eighth-day shall be a holy convocation to you; and ye shall offer whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord: it is a time of release, ye shall do no servile work.
Therefore, one may think that the LAST TRUMPET was BLOWN on Shemini Atzerat in AD 70. However, there were NO MORE SACRIFICES after the Temple was Destroyed. Remember that the LAST TRUMPET was NOT BLOWN by a Levitical Priest. It was BLOWN by an Angel... Revelation 11:15 Then THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER!"
I think the LAST TRUMPET was BLOWN on the Feast of Trumpets (1st of Tishrei) in AD 70. I could be wrong though! As the Futurists like to say, "No one knows the day or the hour!"
Jesus ASSURED his Disciples at least 3 times that his 2nd Coming would occur while some of them were still alive...
1) Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. FOR ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, YOU WILL NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CITIES OF ISRAEL BEFORE THE SON OF MAN COMES.
2) Matthew 16:27 For THE SON OF MAN WILL COME IN THE GLORY OF HIS FATHER WITH HIS ANGELS, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:28 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO SHALL NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM."
3) Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER.
Matthew 24:34 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ's 2nd Coming was in the past?
If you say "NO" then you don't believe what Jesus said and you are implying that Jesus LIED or FAILED to do what he said that he was going to do WHEN he said that he was going to do it!
If you said "NO" then how can you trust in Jesus Christ for your Salvation if you don't believe Jesus DID what he said that he was going to do WHEN he said that he was going to do it?
Romans 3:4 ...Indeed, LET GOD BE TRUE BUT EVERY MAN A LIAR. As it is written: "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND MAY OVERCOME WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED."
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