TRUMPETS, HARPS, THUNDER, FIRE, ANGELS, AND CHRIST’S RETURN BEFORE GOD'S WRATH (PRE-WRATH RAPTURE)
I am writing this study to show why I came to the belief that the rapture will take place sometime during the last half of the seventh week of Daniel’s prophecy, referred to by some as the seven-year Great Tribulation period. I did not come to this conclusion by listening to Tele-evangelists, reading books or by listening to Bible commentators, but by carefully studying the Bible
.
I realize there are many very strong views on the timing of the rapture, so I’m not going to try and disprove anyone’s view but only present my view.
Many years ago, I was reading the fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians and this phrase “at the last trumpet” caught my attention. “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” If the rapture takes place at the “last trumpet” as Paul states, then if I could determine which is the last trumpet, then I would know which scriptures refer to the rapture. This is a simple approach, but after many years of study this is how I came to my conclusion.
THE LAST TRUMPET
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.
This is the classic rapture verse, describing the rapture, however it does not describe the events that take place just before and after the rapture.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
This verse not only tells us that the trumpet will sound, but it will be the last trumpet. Jesus in Mathew chapter 24 gives more details about this event.
Let me say at this point I believe the scriptures are inspired by God and that there are no accidental words or phrases in the scriptures. That is why I believe the phrase “last trumpet” means the “last trumpet”. Also, I do not believe that the book of Revelation was written in a chronological order of events.
Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Jesus tells us that He will come after the tribulation, so we can conclude that his return will be at the last trumpet and after the tribulation of those days and immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken and then He will send His angels to gather his elect from the four winds.
The last trumpet in the scriptures is the seventh trumpet of Revelation and I believe also that the seventh trumpet is referring to the rapture.
Revelation 11:15-18 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
…and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
I concluded that the seventh trumpet is referring to the rapture because kingdoms of the world have become of the kingdoms of our Lord and He will reign for ever and ever” and because “the time has come for the judging of the dead for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small and for destroying those who destroy the earth, and the time for your wrath has come."
The saints receive their reward at the last trumpet.
Revelation 21:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
THE SEVEN SEALS
I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. Revelation 6:1-2.
Many commentators believe the rider on the horse is the Antichrist. The white horse represents peace. This most likely is when the Antichrist signs a seven-year peace agreement with Israel.
When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. Revelation 6:3-4 This rider is undoubtedly the Antichrist.
When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Revelation 6:5-6
This famine is probably a curse from the two witnesses appointed by God in Revelation chapter eleven. “And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Revelation 11:3 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.” Revelation 11:6
It seems to me that some of the seal judgements are judgements called down by the two Prophets and are not directly the seven vial judgements from God.
When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:7-8. I would guess that the two witnesses were the ones causing the famine and plagues, and the killings by wild beasts. No doubt the Antichrist was responsible for the death of many.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each one of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." Revelation 6:9-11 It seems that God has a certain number of saints to make up his kingdom, when that number is reached the rapture will take place.
I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like a sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Revelation 6:12-14.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is when the rapture occurs. Studying the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet, I believe both these events are referring to the rapture, just from a different point of view. Notice how closely related Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-16 are to each other.
SIGNS IN THE SUN AND MOON
Luke 21:25-27 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
The apostle Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, declared in Acts 2:19-20 “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come”.
Jesus says in Matthew 24 “Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” It is my belief that these events are just prior to the rapture. After studying the seven trumpets, it is my belief that this is when the seven trumpets are sounded. According to this scripture there is going to be terrible disturbances from the heavens.
That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness—
16 a day of trumpet ___.Zephaniah 1:15-16
These scriptures coincide with Matthew 24:29-31 and trumpet of Matthew, the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15 and seventh trumpet of Revelation being the same trumpet as the above trumpet. This trumpet I believe is referring to the rapture.
The seven trumpets describe more clearly the events that happen to the unrepentant mankind, but the people that have the seal of God on their foreheads are protected just prior to the rapture. I believe Christians are going to see the beginning of the wrath of God but will have the seal of God on their foreheads and be protected from God’s wrath. However, they will face the full wrath of the Antichrist, and many will lose their lives.
It seems that the seven trumpets are the cosmic disturbances referred to by Jesus. It is my humble opinion, that the trumpets are a countdown to the rapture. With the rapture occurring at the seventh trumpet. Notice how closely the trumpets follow Luke 21:25-27.
When the first trumpet sounded there was hail and fire mixed with blood hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth, a third of the trees and a third of the green grass was burned up. Revelation 8:7
When the second trumpet sounded something like a giant fiery mountain was thrown into the sea. and the sea became like blood, a third of living creatures died. Revelation 8:8-9
When the third trumpet sounds a great star fell from the sky and fell on the rivers, which became bitter, and many people died because of the bitter waters. Revelation 8:10-11
When the fourth trumpet sounds a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars became dark. Therefore, a third of the day and night became dark. Revelation 8:12
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man. And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. Revelation 9:1-11. These are without doubt demonic aliens.
And the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, “Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand and I heard the number of them. And thus, I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men were killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. Revelation 9:13-
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET AND THE RAPTURE
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and was, and art to come: because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy great servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:15-18
Revelation 10:5-7 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
What is the mystery of God? According to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
The mystery of God is referring to the fact that not everyone will see death but will be caught up to Heaven and be with the Lord forever. There seems to be three groups that are caught up in the rapture.
My guess is that the trumpets will be blown in rapid succession.
RAPTURED SAINTS
Revelation 7:9-17 After this I looked and beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, “Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?” And I said unto him, “Sir, thou knowest.” And he said to me, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”.
Therefore, are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sunlight on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”.
The Elder told John that the great multitude had come out of great tribulation, Jesus also told his disciples “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31.
144,000 JEWS IN HEAVEN
Revelation 14:1-5 “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing
on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.”
MARTYRS FOR JESUS
The third group are the ones who gave their lives as a testimony for Jesus Christ. Revelation 15:2-4 “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:”
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
THE WRATH OF THE ANTICHRIST
For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again Matthew 24:21. We can judge from these scriptures that Christians and Jews are going to face severe persecution just before Jesus returns.
Will Christians face the wrath of the Antichrist?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. Revelation 13:15 Could the second beast be using artificial intelligence to do these miracles?
Is this image set up in the Temple in Jerusalem by the Antichrist and referred to in scripture as the “abomination that causes desolation?" Matthew 24:15 Although not so stated in scripture, I believe that by placing this image of the Antichrist in the Jewish temple could be the “abomination that causes desolation”.
Where does the Antichrist get his power? Revelation 13:2 The dragon (Satan, the Devil) gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Revelation 13:16-18 He also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.Revelation 14:9-11
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” Revelation 14:9-11
Daniel 9:27 He (the Antichrist) will confirm a covenant with many (Israel) for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.
Many bible scholars interpret this to be a period of seven years in which the Antichrist signs a peace agreement with Israel, but after three- and one- half years he breaks this agreement. He then begins a period of intense persecution against the Jews and Christians like the world has never before seen. It is after this, I believe, at some unknown time but before the seven years end that the days are cut short, and the rapture of the Saints takes place.
THE DAYS CUT SHORT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE
Luke 21:36 Be always on the alert, watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Mark 13:19-20 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. I believe this is when the last trumpet sounds, the rapture takes place and God’s saints are delivered. The Christians will face the wrath of the Beast but will not face the wrath of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:9-10 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be from God’s wrath through him. For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. We can conclude from this scripture that Christians will be protected from God’s wrath just prior to the rapture.
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
THE TWO WITNESSES
“And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two olive trees and the two lampstands,” and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. Revelation 11:3-6
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending to each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. Revelation 11:7-12
This scripture has led many to speculate who these two witnesses are. One thing is for sure, they are hated worldwide because of the plagues and droughts they caused. Could it be possible that they are modern day Jewish prophets who are endowed with the spirits of Old Testament prophets such was as John the Baptist who had the spirit of Elijah? No doubt they have mortal bodies because they were killed, resurrected after three and one half days and called to heaven in a cloud. Could this be when God's saints are raptured?
THE WRATH OF GOD
The ungodly will suffer the full wrath of a holy God. Revelation 15:5-8 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” Revelation 16:1 I do not believe at this time there will be any Christians left on earth to face God’s wrath because they will be caught away by God’s holy angels. Matthew 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
THE BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH
The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Revelation 16:2
The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. Revelation 16:3
The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Revelation 16:4
Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; Revelation 16:5
for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” Revelation 16:6
And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments." Revelation 16:7
The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. Revelation 16:8
They were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. Revelation 16:9
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done. Revelation 16:10-11
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Revelation 16:12
Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Revelation 16:13
They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:14
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Revelation 16:15
Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. Revelation 16:16
The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away, and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. Revelation 16:17-21
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15
THE GREAT BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON
Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelation 16:16
Revelation 19:11-21 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. The Great Battle of Armageddon will bring to an end the seven-year reign of the Antichrist and there will be a thousand years of peace.
I cannot say that Jesus told me to write this study, but what would He say when I come stand before Him, and it was his will for me to write this? I am 90+ years old and realize I do not have much time left. I do not think I have taken any scripture out of context, at least not intentionally.
Many Bible scholars have many different interpretations of end-time events and not all, if any are completely correct. I realize that there is much speculation in Biblical interpretation. However, it can be hard to prove one’s view is right, and the other’s view is wrong. After years of careful study, one has a tendency to be dogmatic about his own conclusions. I do realize that I could be wrong in some, or many, but not all of my interpretations.
I am not a member of any religious organization, and I am not a minister or Bible teacher, however I am a born again, evangelical, full gospel, Spirit-filled Christian.
Bobby Reider
Scriptures that I believe are referring to the rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:12-14. Revelation 11:15-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Luke 21:25-27, Mark 13:19-20, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 14:14-17
Comments