Chapter 10 - Understanding Revelation and the timeline of events

To prove this point, we can look at several places in Revelation that show how John writes and explains some things in a circular type of way.

Some of these may seem frivolous, but some are major points. I'm including them all just to show the style of writing used in this book.

1. Revelation 13:1-10 Tells us about the “beast” which is the Antichrist and the One World Government he will be leading in the final 42 months (verse 5). The dragon (who is Satan (Rev 12:9 and Rev 20:2)) gives him (the Antichrist) his power, and “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him” (except for the Saints). Then, in verse 12 John is telling us about the false prophet and how that man “causes them that dwell on the earth” to worship him (the beast). He does miracles and wonders like fire coming down from the sky to cause the people to believe in him. John tells us one thing, and then goes back to explain something else that was happening at the same time. It's not a chronological account, but is somewhat circular in that he goes back to show what is going on in the same time period.

2. Revelation 13 is showing us events that happen in the same time period (3.5 years) as some of Revelation 12 events and the same time period as Revelation 11 events. This is not some future 3.5 year time period. John explains a particular time and events of a certain level of understanding or viewpoint in chapter 11, then different events of the same time period in parts of chapter 12, and then shows us different events from a different perspective of the same time period in chapter 13.

3. At the 5^th Trumpet (Rev 9:2) an angel opens the Bottomless Pit. Then in Rev 11:7, the beast that ascends out of the Bottomless Pit kills the Two Witnesses who prophesied for 1260 days (3.5 years), which is at the end of the same 3.5 year period that Satan is cast to earth and the Antichrist is reigning (Rev 12 and 13). Then in Rev 17:8 we see an explanation of the same beast (the Antichrist/the Devil) who ascends out of the Bottomless Pit, and subsequent explanation of where he gets his military power to take over the world. John has told us about this in several places but it's definitely not a chronological order. He goes back to explain things that he's already told us about in previous chapters.

4. Revelation 7:15-17 shows us the same declarations as Rev 21:3-4. The end of things prophesied in Revelation is the beginning of eternity with God, and is mentioned in both chapters, but is not a chronological timetable. God doesn't conclude all things in chapter 7, and then all the events between chapters 7 and 21 happen after that. It's a statement about the same time period in both places.

5. In Revelation 8:2, John records 7 trumpets given to 7 angels. Then in Rev 8:3-5, he explains a whole other angel with things that happen with that angel; and then in Rev 8:6, he returns to the 7 angels with the 7 trumpets. He starts a subject, then explains something else that is happening or has happened prior to this, and then goes on with the subject he started on.

6. Revelation 15:1 states that John saw 7 angels having the 7 last plagues, filled up with the wrath of God. But then in verses 6 and 7 we see the 7 angels come out of the temple and are given the vials full of the wrath of God. John starts the subject stating that they are there, goes to another vision of the saints in heaven, and then returns to the angels and gives more information on how they got the vials.

7. The 7^th trumpet (Revelation 11), 7^th vial (Revelation 16), Revelation 7:15-17, Revelation 21:3-6, and Ezekiel 38-39 all show us the same events. First of all, the statement, “It is done”, appears in Revelation 21:6, Ezekiel 39:8, Revelation 16:17, and the same statements about it being “done” and/or how the Kingdom of God is come and what it will be like when all is finished are made in the 7^th trumpet, Revelation 7, and Revelation 21. Revelation 15 also shows us those who have gotten the victory of the beast (came out of great tribulation) just as Revelation 7; this is the same group of people who are with God when it's all over.

8. The Seals, Trumpets and Vials ALL have something explained in between the 6^th and 7^th. The Seals have the vision of the 144k and the multitude of saints in heaven with the vision of Gods love, mercy and kindness after it's all over. The Trumpets have the vision of the Seven Thunders, the Mystery of God being finished, the little book, measuring of the Temple, the Two Witnesses. The Vials have the gathering of the “kings” for the battle of Armageddon. These are all things explained by John that are not in a consecutive time line, but are explanations of things that have already happened or are happening at the same time, and things that will be after the fact.

9. Revelation 16 starts the battle of Armageddon, but then chapters 17 and 18 are devoted to explaining the Great Whore, then in chapter 19 he picks up the battle of Armageddon again.

10. Revelation 16:12 states that the Euphrates river is dried up to make way for the kings of the east, and then verses 13 and 14 state that the three spirits go out to gather the kings of the whole world to battle. Which happens first? Or are they happening at the same time?

11. Revelation 11:19 and 15:5 both state that the temple in heaven is opened. When we study the events surrounding both statements, we see that it is not that the temple is opened twice, but that we are seeing the same event written about in both places.

12. In Revelation 14:20 the winepress of the wrath of God is trodden. Then in Revelation 19:15 Jesus treads the winepress of the wrath of God. This is the same event in both places. It's not something that happens in chapter 14 and then again in chapter 19.

13. Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound... Rev 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. The 7^th Trumpet does not sound until after the 6^th, but we hear about it in Revelation 10 before the statement that the second woe (6^th trumpet) is past in Revelation 11. Definitely not a chronological record.

But, before we make any decisions, let's look at a few other things.

If we follow the 7 year chronological order theory does it make sense?

Does Babylon fall once or twice?

Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 18:2 both state that Babylon is fallen.  If it fell in chapter 14, and Revelation is chronological, did it get rebuilt before chapter 18 so it could fall again?  Did it fall twice or are there simply two accounts of this event?

One Earthquake or five?

Revelation 6:12, Revelation 8:5, Revelation 11:13, Revelation 11:19, and Revelation 16:18 all record an earthquake or a great earthquake.  Is there really 5 earthquakes or just one with several accounts of it?

Will there be great darkness twice?

Revelation 6:12 and Revelation 16:10

Will great hail fall twice?

Revelation 11:19 and Revelation 16:21

Will mountains and island move twice?

Revelation 6:14 and Revelation 16:20

When will the wrath of God be poured out?

Revelation 6:17, 11:18, 14:9-10, 14:19, 15:1, 16:1, and 19:5 all speak of the wrath of God.  In Revelation 6, 11, 14, 16 and 19 God's wrath is poured out, and in chapters 14 and 15 God's wrath is presented as a future event.  Will the great day of God's wrath really be poured out 5 separate times?  And why would John, the writer of Revelation, present God's wrath as a future event in the middle of the book?

Jesus Christ Himself appears to John and speaks with him.

In verse 7 of chapter 1, we see how Jesus will arive at His second coming, on the day of the Lord. In the clouds, just as He left (Acts 1:9-11), and every single person on the planet will see Him, even the Jews (those who pierced Him).

Verses 8, 11 and 17-18 show us explicitly that Jesus is the Almighty God.

The description of Jesus that John saw in Revelation 1:13-15, is a very similar description of the Ancient of Days that Daniel saw in Daniel 7:9.

Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

This also helps us understand that Jesus is the Ancient of Days, the Mighty God.

Verse 1:3 states that the “time is at hand”. In God's time, a thousand years to God is as a day to us (Ps 90:4, 2 Pet 3:8). And, if the first Seal is opened around 325 AD with the founding of the Catholic church, then a couple hundred years after this was written is really “at hand” in God's time.

1:19 states that things “shall be hereafter”. Does this mean that it's going to be a long time in the future, or shall start shortly after this was stated? It certainly doesn't prove that it either way but seems to indicate that it won't be a long time. Especially since 1:1 says they must "shortly come to pass", and 1:3 says the "time is at hand".

Another interesting point is in verse 20, where we see that the churches each have an angel assigned to them. If you watch my Angels video, you'll see that angels are used by God for many things, and that we can fully expect that angels are very busy on the earth right now!

Chapters 2 and 3 are the letters John delivered to the seven churches that existed at that time, 2000 years ago. They are very useful to us in that they give us great instruction on how to be pleasing to the Lord and how we should obey Him and cease from sin, and should not be lukewarm.

I highly recommend studying them deeply.

3:3 says that if we don't watch, He will come as a thief and you'll be surprised. If we succumb to false doctrine we aren't watching, in my opinion, and we'll be surprised. When He comes for the whole world to see, we will be taken off-guard, and we should not be.

See my article and/or video on What and When is the Rapture

Jesus said; John 4:24 God is a Spirit...

And Jesus is the body where God dwells:

Col 2:9 For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

He is the image of the invisible God.

2 Corinthians 4:4 … Christ, who is the image of God

Hebrews 1:3 (Jesus is) ... the express image of his (God's) person

Colossians 1:15 (Jesus) Who is the image of the invisible God

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

God is Jesus, and Jesus is God. The Father is the Holy Spirit which dwells within Jesus. Jesus is the human body God created for Himself! For an in-depth study on this, Click Here

Verse 11 says that all things were created for God's pleasure, which means we are as well. God loves us and plans to spend eternity with us, for His good pleasure. Revelation 7:14-17 and Revelation 21:1-7 show us that God will dwell among us and there will be no pain or sorrow ever again. Life with God will be more amazing than we can even imagine.

Matt 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Revelation 7:15-17 shows us the same declarations as Rev 21:3-4. The end of things prophesied in Revelation is the beginning of eternity with God, and is mentioned in both chapters, but is not a chronological timetable. God doesn't conclude all things in chapter 7, and then all the events between chapters 7 and 21 happen after that. It's a statement about the same time period in both places.

Note that the sixth Seal is when the great day of God's wrath is come. Same as the seventh Trumpet and seventh Vial. They are all describing the same event, at the same relative point in time, at the end of the Tribulation.

This symbolic picture most likely is the representation of how Jesus is the Power of God, so He is worthy to open the book and break the seals.

Matt 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

The "right hand" indicates the power of a man in the culture of that day.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The statement that Jesus is on the right hand of God means that He's the power of God unto us and all things in heaven and earth. It does not mean that He's physically sitting next to God.  The Spirit which is God dwells in Jesus bodily (Col 2:9).

It's interesting to note that Jesus, when He was here on the earth, was not a good looking man or a man one would respect or give a second thought by looking at Him. Isaiah 53 says, “Isa 53:2 ...he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” God didn't want people to look up to Him because He was beautiful or had physical might.

As stated above, the events documented between the sixth and seventh seals do not represent a specific period of time that actually takes place after the sixth seal and before the seventh. Instead, it is more likely that these are events that have already happened during the opening of the seals and other events that happen after all has been concluded. The great multitude is described as “they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. Then we see the depiction I mentioned earlier where this is the same description as Revelation 21, describing the beginning of eternity with God, after all things have been finished. The 144 thousand sealed by God are also mentioned in the fifth trumpet (Revelation 9:4), where we see that they are definitely sealed before the final events (sixth seal, seventh trump, seventh vial) and shown to be with God, standing on Mount Sion, after the tribulation in Revelation 14 where we see they are the “first fruits unto God”. This picture we're seeing is definitely not in a chronological time line, but it's showing us things that happened prior to the sixth seal (the 144 thousand), but also things that do happen after the sixth seal (the great multitude), and we already know that the sixth seal is the same time frame as the seventh trumpet and seventh vial.

We have another record of the sealing of the 144 thousand in Ezekiel 9:4. In Revelation 14 they are not defiled, have no guile in their mouth; and in Ezekiel they sigh and cry for the abominations being done in Jerusalem.

Read Revelation 6:12-17, Zechariah 14, Joel, Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 17, 21. All of these prophetic passages are referring to the same period of time.

CHART B

Matthew 24 explicitly tells us that it's immediately after the tribulation that the sun is darkened, etc. Since we know that these events all coincide with the same events of the Seventh Trumpet and Sixth Seal, etc., we can know absolutely for sure that this record of the Seals is not chronological within the book of Revelation and that these events are not something that happens prior to any of the other events recorded in Revelation.

In the fifth trumpet, the bottomless pit is opened and the sun and air are darkened because of the smoke from the pit, the locusts are told not to hurt those with the seal of God in their foreheads, and the angel who opens the pit is called the “destroying angel”, which is the meaning of the names “Abaddon” and “Apollyon”. The angel is mentioned again in Revelation 20:1-3. Notice that the angel is given the key to the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:1, opens the pit in 9:2, is named as the “king” over the locusts in 9:11, then comes down from heaven again to bind Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years in Revelation 20:1-3.

In Revelation 11:7 we see that the beast comes out of the bottomless pit, becomes or possesses a man to become the Antichrist shown in Revelation 17:8-11, kills the two witnesses at the end of the final 3.5 years (Rev 11:7), and then in Revelation 20:1-3 we see that the “angel” who was given the key locks up the devil in the bottomless pit for 1000 years.

Joel 2 also speaks of things described in the fifth trumpet! If you read the 2^nd chapter of Joel verses 1-11, you'll find very similar events described.

In these days, men will seek death... Revelation 10:7 says that “in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound”. Revelation 9:6 says that “in those days shall men seek death”. In Joel, Revelation 6, 9, 11, 16, Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Ezekiel 38 we see that the people of earth will seek death, will be angry, have great fear, will mourn, shake at the presence of God and will blaspheme God. The timing of the events given us in prophecy overlap in many places and sometimes span a long period of time.

Revelation 9:20-21 shows us that people will still not repent even after all these things have come to pass. This is also the same declaration we see during the Vials in Revelation 16:9 and 16:11.

Ezekiel 2:9 through 3:4 has a very similar description of a book eaten, which has lamentations, mourning and woe written on it, which is sweet as honey, and then the prophet is sent to prophesy.

The Mystery of God is discussed in detail in chapter 12.

The 7th trumpet (Revelation 11), 7th vial (Revelation 16), Revelation 7:15-17, Revelation 21:3-6, and Ezekiel 38-39 all show us the same events. First of all, the statement, "It is done", appears in Revelation 21:6, Ezekiel 39:8, Revelation 16:17, and the same statements about it being "done" and/or how the Kingdom of God is come and what it will be like when all is finished are made in the 7th trumpet, Revelation 7, and Revelation 21. Revelation 15 also shows us those who have gotten the victory of the beast (came out of great tribulation) just as Revelation 7; this is the same group of people who are with God when it's all over.

Note that the seventh Trumpet brings God's wrath. Same as the sixth Seal and seventh Vial. They are all describing the same event, at the same relative point in time, at the end of the Tribulation.

Zec 4 has the same two olive trees (anointed ones) shown to us.

When they have finished their testimony, the beast from bottomless pit, which is opened in the fifth trumpet, kills them; so we can know for sure that the 5^th trump has sounded before this event.

Daniel 11 and 12 show the Antichrist's reign and specifically states that there will be 1290 days (3.53 years) from the time of the Abomination of Desolation until the “end of these things”. And another specifically stating that there will be “a time (one year), times (two years) and an half (half a year)” (3.5 years) till all things shall be finished. There will be a time of trouble (Dan 12:1) such as never was (the great tribulation), the people that know God will be strong (Dan 11:32), some of those shall fall (Dan 11:35), but the wise shall understand while the wicked will not (Dan 12:10). Blessed is he who waits until 1335 days (Dan 12:12). When we look at all the scriptures describing this period of time, we see that the 3.5 years will be the time of the wrath of Satan, and the last 45 or 75 days will be the wrath of God (the 7 Vials), sometime between the 1260^th day and the 1335^th day.

In Revelation 13:5 we see that power is given to the Antichrist for 42 months (3.5 years).

In Revelation 12 we see that the devil will be cast to earth, having great wrath because he knows his time is short, and that it will be for 1260 days in v.6, and a time, times and half a time in v.14, or 3.5 years.

This “time of trouble” that will last 3.5 years, is the time of the wrath of Satan. The Vials, which are the wrath of God, will be poured out in the last 75 days, between the 1260^th and 1335^th days, possibly just in the last 45 days. The 3.5 years of great tribulation will be for the saints of God, not the world as a whole (Luke 17:26-30, 1 Thess 5:1-4, Rev 7:9-14). Matthew 24:15-21 shows us that when we see this abomination of desolation that then there shall be great tribulation, and then (Matt 24:29) immediately after the tribulation we will see the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet and we will be gathered to the Lord at that time. This also most likely begins the pouring of the vials. The saints will NOT be here for the vials (the wrath of God)(1 Thess 1:10 and Rom 5:9). The wrath of God will be to “destroy them which destroy the earth” (Rev 11:18).

The Wrath of God is described in Revelation 15 and 16 as the 7 Vials.

The time of the two witnesses is the same time period as the Tribulation which is the 3.5 years of the reign of the Antichrist and the same 3.5 years of the time of the wrath of Satan. This leads me to think that the two witnesses are God's way of offsetting the False Prophet and the Antichrist (Satan's minions), with two men wielding the power of God!

The seven trumpets are discussed in detail in chapter 6 of this book.

The 2000 year gap appears to be between verses 5 and 6. The first 1260 days is likely the first half of Daniel's 70th week, the final 7 years after the Confirmation of the Covenant (signing of the peace treaty). The first half of that week probably brings the rebuilding of the Temple and resumption of animal sacrifices by the Jews.

This is the same 2000 year gap that we see in Daniel 9:24-27 where the first 69 weeks (these are weeks of years totalling 483 years) are fulfilled up to the time of Jesus, and there's a 2000 year gap between the 69th week and the last week (the final 7 years).

In the midst of the week the Antichrist will cause the sacrifice to cease and will break the treaty and set himself up as god (the Abomination of Desolation). This is when the second half of the final 7 years begins, which is the Great Tribulation and the time of the rule of the Antichrist and False Prophet, and the time of the wrath of Satan.

The bible tells any Jews still in the area of Judea (the West Bank) to flee when they see the Abomination of Desolation! It tells them not to even get a change of clothes but to flee immediately! During this final 3.5 years, Israel will be carried on Eagles Wings. Many people teach that this is the US, and it could be. The US is Israel’s only friend today and it looks like the US will continue to be her friend. This definitely does not mean for sure that the US will be the protective force that the bible is referring to here, however. There are two reasons for saying this:

1. The combined end time one world government that is ruled by the Antichrist (depicted in Revelation 13:2) does not have the eagles wings we saw in Daniel. This might mean that the US is not part of that system. The Antichrist will be fighting wars during his reign and it's possible that the US is one of those battlefronts. It's also possible that the US will not come out of the 6th Trumpet war unscathed. The US could be destroyed or hurt so badly that it isn't a major player in the world after that.

2. The description of the eagles wings in Revelation is very similar to the wording used in Exodus when Israel was brought out of Egypt.

Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

We cannot know for sure that the "wings of a great eagle" in Revelation is definitely referring to the US. If you live in the US and you're still riding the fence and/or haven't decided if you really believe all this or haven't fully committed to God, I would give it some very serious thought.

What is coming next, is discussed in detail on the (Chapter 8) What is Next page of this website.

Also see, What's Happening Right Now on the What is Going on Right Now page of this website.

The devil, through the antichrist, makes war with the saints after he is cast to the earth. (Rev 12:17, Rev 13:7, Daniel 8:24, Daniel 7:21, Daniel 11:33, Daniel 12:7)

3.5 years of the persecuting the saints...

This will be the time of the Great Tribulation, where the saints of God will be persecuted, hunted and killed for the name of Jesus.

The Antichrist will persecute the saints of God, try to kill the two witnesses (succeeding only at the end when God allows it), implement the “mark”, and cause the world to worship him, etc. (Daniel 7:21, Daniel 8:24-25, Daniel 11:33, Daniel 12:1 and 12:7, Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 and 21, Rev 11, Rev 12, Rev 13, Rev 14, Rev 17)

The false prophet will help him gain the world's awe...

2.8 years to gain power...

In Daniel 9:27 we see that “he”, the Antichrist, will confirm the covenant with many for one week (a week of years, or 7 years). In the midst of the week he will cause the sacrifice to cease and will place the abomination that makes it (the temple) desolate, as known as the Abomination of Desolation.

He will be with many at the beginning of that week, confirming the Abrahamic covenant; which means setting borders of Israel and settling the status of Jerusalem as it's capital.

In Daniel 8:13-14 we see that it will be 2300 days for the “vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot” to happen. This part of the vision is Daniel 8:9-12. 2300 days = 6.3 years. The interpretation of this part of the vision is Daniel 8:23-26. What this means is that the Antichrist will “wax great”, or “a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.” The Antichrist will see his moment and will begin gathering power to himself. The “vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation” is the time period of the Antichrist's rise to power and his rule of the world.

The Antichrist will be a part of a group that will “confirm the covenant” and we won't necessarily know who he is at that point. That event begins the final “week” of years from Daniel 9. Then about 8 months after the confirmation of the covenant the Antichrist will “stand up” (Dan 8:23) and begin gaining the power he needs to take over the world. At the half way point of the week of years, he will be given power by the devil and will have the support of the false prophet to actually claim to be God himself and take over the world. (Matthew 24:15, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, and 2 Thess 2:4)

If we carefully study Rev 13, 16 and 17, along with Daniel 8, and 11, we can learn a lot about where the power of the Antichrist comes from. It comes from the devil himself. Very likely he is possessed by the devil.

1. Rev 13:2 – The beast (the antichrist and his one world government) gets his power and his seat from Satan.

2. Rev 16:13-14 – Three spirits of devils go out from the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, working miracles to gather the kings of the earth to battle against Jesus. We have three spirits, from the devil, the antichrist and the false prophet. If the antichrist is possessed by Satan, it makes sense because there are still two entities within a single body, making 3 spirits.

3. Rev 17:8-17 – The beast (the Antichrist / the Devil) that ascends out of the bottomless pit, opened in the 5^th trumpet, who kills the two witnesses, is the antichrist. He “was, and is not”, “is the eighth, and is of the seven”. This strange wording leads me to think that there is another involved, like the devil possessing him, very possibly.

4. Daniel 11:37-39 – The Antichrist honors a “strange god”, but at the same time does not regard any god because he magnifies himself above all, and will actually claim to be God. Possessed by the devil?

5. Daniel 8:24 – The Antichrist's power shall be mighty, but not by his own power.

The Antichrist will almost certainly be a Muslim. He will be the Mahdi of Islam and will team up with the Pope to create a universal Islamic world religion. See Islam in the Bible.

Joel 3:13 also talks about the reaping. Shown in Chart B above (under the section "Chapters 5 through 7 – The Seals"), we see that it's the same event, which takes place immediately after the tribulation.

In Revelation 19 we see the battle of Armageddon, with the saints in heaven with Jesus, and the winepress of the wrath of God being tread by the Lord at that time. This passage is showing us events of the same time period.

Note that Vials are God's wrath and that the seventh Vial brings the same events as the sixth Seal and seventh Trumpet. They are all describing the same event, at the same relative point in time, at the end of the Tribulation.

One thing to note is that the first Vial (Revelation 16:2) states that the mark of the Beast has already been implemented. This is a great point on the timing since we can know from this scripture that none of the Vials are poured out until after the mark of the Beast in the later part of the final seven years. We also see that some of the Seals and some of the Trumpets have almost certainly already come to pass. This is another point that helps us to understand that the book of Revelation is not chronological from start to finish.

Zech 14:1-4 shows us that the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will cleave in half, which is the earthquake of Revelation 16:18. The whole world will feel this earthquake. Zech 14 is another depiction of the battle of Armageddon. He will have all His saints with Him and will fight the nations.

As discussed earlier, this period of time between the gathering of the saints and the touching down on the Mount of Olives is probably the 75 to 45 days we see between the 1260^th or 1290^th days, to the 1335^th day.

God's two witnesses prophesy 1260 days (Rev 11:3), power is given to the Antichrist for 42 months (Rev 13:5), the devil is cast to the earth having great wrath for 3.5 years and the woman (Israel) is protected for 1260 days (Rev 12), Daniel 11 and 12 show the Antichrist's reign and specifically states that there will be 1290 days (Dan 12:11) from the time of the Abomination of Desolation until the “end of these things”. And another specifically stating that there will be “a time (one year), times (two years) and an half (half a year)” (3.5 years) till all things shall be finished. Blessed is he who waits until 1335 days (Dan 12:12). When we look at all the scriptures describing this period of time, we see that the 3.5 years will be the time of the wrath of Satan, and the last 45 or 75 days will be the wrath of God (the 7 Vials), sometime between the 1260^th day and the 1335^th day.

The saints of God will be with the Lord, and will have the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19). When the Lord comes down and stands on the Mount of Olives and destroys those coming against Israel, He will set up His kingdom at that time. This is the 7^th Vial where they are gathered at Armageddon to battle against Israel. The same is recorded in Joel, Zech 14 and Ezekiel 38, as shown in the charts above (both A and B).

Gods wrath will be unleashed on the earth in several ways.

1. The sun, moon and stars will be darkened.

   Rev 6:12, Zech 14, Joel, Matt 24:29, Mark 13:24-25

2. There will be great hailstones that weigh as much as a couple hundred pounds!

   Rev 11:19, Rev 16:21, Ez 38:22

3. A very great earthquake, bigger than the earth has ever seen and will split the Mount of Olives and go all the way to Europe and destroy Mystery Babylon (I believe this is Rome).

   Zech 14, Joel, Rev 6:12, Rev 11:19, Ez 38:19-20, Rev 16:18

4. Mountains and islands moved out of their places (from the huge earthquake).

   Ez 38:19-20, Rev 16:20, Rev 6:14

5. Voices, thunders and lightnings. Heavens shaken.

   Joel, Rev 6:14, Rev 11:19, Rev 16:18, Matt 24:29, Mark 13:25, Luke 17 and 21:26

6. The plagues of the vials; sores on men, water turned to blood, creatures die, great heat, darkness.

   Rev 16:2-12

7. Men will be angry, blaspheming God, trembling in fear and hiding from Gods wrath.

   Joel, Rev 6:16, Rev 9:4, Rev 11:11-18, Matt 24:30, Luke 21:26, Rev 16:21, Ez 38:20

When the Antichrist gains his power and takes over the world, it may be in the aftermath of the devastation of the 6^th Trumpet war where the world will be clamoring for peace and safety after 2 billion people die in that war. But, we see in Revelation 17:17 that it is God who puts it in their hearts to fulfill His will. I find this very interesting because there are a lot of people who teach that God no longer takes part in the events of the world like He did in the old testament, but we see that He is still very much in control.

In Ez 39:17-20 and Rev 19:17-21 we see declarations that the fowl of the air and beasts of the earth come to eat flesh of kings and mighty men. This is a good point to show that the two events are the same event.

If we compare scripture where God returns:

• Rev 11:14-19 (7 ^th trumpet); Rev 6:12-17 (6 ^th seal); Rev 16:17-21 (7 ^th vial)

  • The coming of the Lord will be a very big and calamitous event.

  • Wrath of God, great shaking or earthquake, etc.

• Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11, 12

  • 2:34-35 – The last world dominating power is the iron mingled with clay and will be in power when Jesus returns.

  • 7:8-12 – The four kings will be on the earth when Jesus returns.

  • 8:25 – The Antichrist will cause craft to prosper, by peace will destroy many of Gods people, will stand up to Christ when He returns, but shall be broken without hand.

  • 11:21 through 12:1 – The antichrist will establish himself but shall come to his end, and at that time there will be a time of trouble such as never was, and at that time the people of God will be delivered.

• Matthew 24:30, Mark 13, Luke 17:24

  • Immediately after the tribulation -

  • Sun, moon, stars darkened.

  • Wrath of God, great shaking or earthquake, etc.

  • Jesus will come with power and glory as the lightning comes from the east to the west. The whole world will see him.

  • The angels will be sent with the sound of the trumpet and gather His elect.

• 2 Thess 2:1-8

  • The coming of the Lord and our gathering to Him will not come until the Antichrist is revealed by the Abomination of Desolation.

  • The Lord will consume him with a word.

  • His coming will be bright.

• 1 Thess 4:16-17

  • Descends with a shout.

  • Will catch up the elect to meet Him in the clouds.

• Revelation 1:7

  • He comes with clouds.

  • Every eye shall see him.

• Rev 19:11-16

  • Marriage supper of the Lamb.

  • Battle of Armageddon.

  • Jesus treads the wine press of the wrath of God as depicted also in Rev 14:20.

  • The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire.

• 1 Thess 5:1-4, Luke 17:24-30

  • Lord will come as a thief in the night, but only to those in darkness.

  • They (those who are in darkness) will say, “Peace and safety”, and then sudden destruction will come upon them.

• Zech 14

  • Mount of Olives will cleave in half.

  • Lord will come with all saints.

  • All nations gathered against Jerusalem (Battle of Armageddon).

  • The Lord shall fight against the nations (Battle of Armageddon).

• Joel

  • The Lord shall roar out of Zion.

  • Harvest is ripe, day of Lord at hand.

  • Wrath of God, great shaking or earthquake, etc.

  • All nations gathered in valley of Jehoshaphat to war (Battle of Armageddon).

• Ez 38 - 39

  • Verses 38:15-16; The Lord will bring the nations against Israel as a cloud to cover the land (Battle of Armageddon).

  • This is the day of the Lord.

  • Wrath of God, great shaking or earthquake, etc.

All of these scriptures tell us the same things:

1. When the Lord returns it will be as the lighting flashes across the sky. It will be with a shout, with the sound of the trumpet, with power and glory. Every eye shall see Him.

2. It will be a surprise to the world as the Antichrist is ruling a one world government and proclaiming peace and safety, then the Lord will come.

3. When He comes, the saints will be gathered to Him in the air, in the clouds.

4. Then we will see the wrath of God poured out on the world.

5. Then He will descend on the nations gathered against Israel and will wipe them out and destroy the Antichrist.

6. When He touches down on the Mount of Olives, there will be an earthquake bigger than the world has ever seen.

7. He will set up His kingdom and put down the leading nations and destroy Islam, the fourth beast of Daniel 7, the last ruling one world government that the Antichrist is using to rule the world (the iron mingled with clay of Daniel 2).

It is done... Rev 21:6, Rev 16:17, Ez 39:8

One of the things most people get mixed up about the Battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39, is that they don't recongnize the similarities of the events of the 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet, 7th Vial and the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19.

Compare: Ez 39:17-20 and Rev 19:17-18

Ezek 39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. 18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. 20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

It is definitely the same event, and the reference to Gog and Magog here in Revelation 20 shows us that "Gog and Magog" are the nations in the four quarters of the earth. Gog and Magog represents the nations of the world. See my eNewsLetter on this, The Gog and Magog War.

Isaiah shows the same prophecy of New Heaven and a New Earth:
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Revelation 7:15-17 shows us the same declarations as Rev 21:3-4. The end of things prophesied in Revelation is the beginning of eternity with God, and is mentioned in both chapters, but is not a chronological timetable. God doesn't conclude all things in chapter 7, and then all the events between chapters 7 and 21 happen after that. It's a statement about the same time period in both places.

Revelation 4:11 says that all things were created for God's pleasure, which means we are as well. God loves us and plans to spend eternity with us, for His good pleasure. Revelation 7:14-17 and Revelation 21:1-7 show us that God will dwell among us and there will be no pain or sorrow ever again. Life with God will be more amazing than we can even imagine.

Matt 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

The measuring of New Jerusalem is also detailed in Ezekiel 40-42