Chapter Six

The Proper Order of the 21 Events.

As I previously said and I will keep repeating throughout this book, no one knows all the mysteries of Revelation, and no one will know until God reveals them. I can only state what has been revealed and in this case that the idea of a pretribulation rapture is absolutely not revealed in the Book of Revelation or any other place in the Scriptures. The chronological order of the twenty-one events will greatly assist in substantiating this fact. There are three sets of events in Revelation, the Seal, the Trumpets and the Bowls. Most Dispensationalists Bible scholars call these events "judgments." In fact, they are not all judgments and it is improper to define them as judgments. These sets of events are interpreted by Dispensationalist’s as occurring sequentially, one set immediately following the other. I consider this to be an erroneous interpretation of the twenty-one events. This faulty interpretation may fit well with the mixture of fiction and scripture-twisting so prevalent in Dispensationalism, but there is a clearer answer from the Scriptures themselves. The proper chronological order of the twenty-one events has the Trumpet events concluding near the end of the Tribulation period and that is important for several reasons. First, it harmonizes the scriptures in Revelation with other eschatological scriptures that prophesy about the Parousia of Christ by establishing that the event occurs at the sounding of the seventh or last trumpet. The proper chronological order of the twenty-one events will reveal that the Parousia of Christ and the catching away occurs in the days of the sounding of the seventh and final trumpet and before the last of the seven bowls are poured out. Several points must be considered in order to see this clearly.

First, from a surface observation, it may appear that the twenty-one events follow each other in succession because that is the way that they are listed in Revelation. However, one must consider that the book of Revelation is just that, a revelation, a vision of coming events. It is not an eye witness account of actual happenings because the events haven't taken place yet. The Preterist folks would disagree with me, but they cannot prove that I am wrong without symbolizing most of Revelation. Even though there appears to be some symbolism in John's vision, I do not believe that it is intentional and for the purpose of disguising the true identity of the events. The symbolism is there because of natural confusion that John incurred when he saw the unfamiliar things in the vision such as the high technology and other modern implements. Let me explain.

If we were given a vision of the year four thousand, how do you suppose that we would describe what we saw? Our speech would by then be archaic and inadequate to present a completely clear description. John saw at least over nineteen hundred years into the future and we now know that he at viewed events as far into the future as the twenty-first century. That means he viewed technology and modern military equipment that was at least two thousand years into the future! How would John describe a jet airplane, tanks and missiles, or other high technology? When the most common means of transportation is a camel and an arrow is the fastest thing on earth, one would have been at a loss to describe high technology in action. What appears to be symbolism in many instances are most likely John's best attempt to describe wonders that are completely out of the reach of his archaic language and limited knowledge. Therefore, the symbolism of Revelation for the most part is not some mystical coding of events, but the efforts of a first century Christian to describing twenty-first century events.

We have to also understand that John probably did not write most of the vision down at the time that he received it. It is important to understand that he was in exile on a desolate island. Writing materials were scarce enough in a highly populated area and I'm sure that there was even greater scarcity of materials for writing on Patmos . Most Bible scholars agree that he probably wrote most of Revelation in Ephesus after being released from his exile on Patmos . This means that he did not write it all down in one setting, but probably wrote as he was able to obtain writing materials. Obviously, this has the potential to cause the facts to be recorded in somewhat random order. We have to take this into consideration when chronologizing the order of the twenty-one events.

Therefore, since Revelation is a two-thousand year old vision, and it is not necessarily written in chronological order, and most definitely not written with language adequate enough to describe exactly what he saw, we can safely declare that the three sets of events are not necessarily occurring in the order that they may appear on the surface. Based on this assumption and the fact that the last event in each of the three sets appears to contain the Parousia, there must be another concept of when the twenty-one events occur than the one presented by Dispensationalism.

One such alternate theory has the events occurring in absolute concurrent fashion. For example, a seal is opened, a trumpet sounds, and a bowl is poured out in each year. This continues throughout the seven years until the very last portion of the Tribulation. At first I believed that this was the proper sequence, but with further study I came to the conclusion that this is probably not the case either. Although I do believe that some of the latter events will happen concurrently, I do not believe that there will be a seal, trumpet and bowl in the first year. My theory as to the order of the twenty-one events is based on several key points that are supported by the Scriptures.

The Seven-year Tribulation?

Before we get to the twenty-one events, there is another point that must be cleared up and that is the Seven-year Tribulation period that dispensationalists divide into two parts—tribulation and great tribulation. In my opinion it is just great tribulation and it begins near the halfway mark. However, let’s look at the way dispensationalists present this idea of a seven-year tribulation period.

One of the key points that pretribbers insist on is that the Coming of the Lord and the rapture will occur immediately before the Seven-year Tribulation. My question is: “What seven-year tribulation?” There are no scriptures that declare the length of the tribulation itself, which are catastrophic events that affect most of humanity and the earth. A period of tribulation may be included in a seven-year period, but the entire seven years is definitely not filled with tribulation. In fact, the persecution of the Church doesn’t begin until the halfway mark.

The first three and a half years are mostly peace as the Antichrist sets himself up as a peacemaker. However, pretribbers state emphatically that tribulation begins immediately after the pretrib rapture. If this is true, then all the bad stuff occurs at the beginning of the seven-year period and not at the end as the Revelation clearly states. Where do pretribbers get this idea of seven years of tribulation? They get it from a misinterpretation of the scriptures.

(1 Th 5:1-3 NKJV) But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. {2} For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. {3} For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Notice that people are saying; “peace, safety,” when the sudden destruction comes. After the death of the two prophets there is three days of peace. People send gifts to each other and rejoice in the death of the two prophets. This could possibly be the time when they are crying "peace, safety" because after three days the two prophets come back to life. Immediately afterwards, the Coming of the Lord is announced by the Seventh Trumpet.

And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. {11} Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. {12} And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. {13} In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. {14} The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. {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!" (Rev 11:10-15 NKJV)

Sudden destruction comes upon the unbelievers immediately after the two prophets arise. The great earthquake occurs and then the Lord comes.

Now if the persecution of the Church begins at the midway point and tribulation on the kingdom of the Antichrist begins at the same point, plus the Coming of Christ at the end of the age, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 could not possibly be about the beginning of a seven-year period of tribulation. Most of the tribulation for the church will begin near the halfway mark and tribulation from the wrath of God will occur near the end. After the Antichrist has afflicted the people of God he will then begin to suffer tribulation on his kingdom from the seven trumpets. The people that are saying “peace, safety,” are the ones who have committed to the Antichrist. They are happy because the two prophets who plagued the earth are dead. They believe that they have ended all their troubles by killing the two prophets, but it isn’t long before they discover that the worst is yet to come.

Thus, the chronological order of events does not depict a pre-seven-year tribulation rapture, but instead it is the Coming of Christ prior to the outpouring of God’s wrath. On this point I agree with Marvin Rosenthall, but I do not agree with his timing of the Parousia. The following verse declares when the coming of the Lord will be and it lines up perfectly with the previous scriptures in Thessalonians.

(Mat 24:29-31 NKJV) "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. {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. {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.

For the sake of clarity for people who have become used to hearing and reading the term “Tribulation Period,” I will also use the term throughout this book albeit in protest since it is not a proper term. The reader should understand that I do not believe that the entire seven years will be filled with tribulation.

Time of the Seven Seals

Now let’s turn to the time of the Seven Seals. A careful study of Revelation makes it obvious that the Seven Seals are a prophetic overview that span the full length of the Tribulation period. This concept is supported by the Mt. Olive discourse where Jesus taught His disciples concerning eschatology. Marvin Rosenthal also presents this parallel in his book, The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. I can declare honestly that I did not come to my understanding of the parallel between the Mt. Olive Discourse and the Seven Seals from reading his book. I have talked with other people who have come to the same conclusion, yet have never read his book. The Scriptures are clear enough that all one has to do is to read them with a mind that is honestly seeking the truth.

The following chart depicts the teaching of Christ that parallels the Seals. It is significant that the Lord Jesus is the only one who has made these prophecies. In Revelation five, Christ is proclaimed to be the only one worthy to open the prophetic scroll containing the seven prophesies.

(Rev 5:2-10 NKJV) Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" {3} And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. {4} So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. {5} But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."

By studying the Mt. Olive discourse, we can see that the Seals span most of the Tribulation period. They are a prophetic overview of the Tribulation period and its major events. Some Dispensationalists call the Seal events judgments and that is misleading. The Seals are not judgments, but are prophetic announcements. Although they do not go into great detail, the Seven Seals also foretell the Trumpet and Bowls. This leads me to the chronological order of the Seven Trumpets.

Time of the Seven Trumpets

The Seven Trumpets are not necessarily the wrath of God. Rather, six of the seven trumpets are judgment plagues for the purpose of bringing people to repentance and retribution on the Antichrist’s kingdom. They are initiated by two prophets sent by God, which is in line with Divine Order. Prophets in the Old Testament were sent by God to warn people of God's judgment if they did not repent. If the people failed to heed the warnings of the prophets, the judgments came as prophesied.

In order to clearly understand the timing of the Seven Trumpets, we have to consider the following scriptures in Revelation eleven.

"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." {4} These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. {5} And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. {6} These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Rev 11:3-6 NKJV)

The plagues that are prophesied or called forth by the two witnesses have to be listed somewhere in Revelation. The two prophets are certainly not causing the Seal events to occur since only the Lamb is worthy to loose the seals. They are certainly not causing the Bowl Events since those events are called the wrath of God, not the wrath of man. Since those events are ruled out as being caused by the two prophets the only other events termed plagues that are recorded in Revelation, and that could possibly be loosed by the two witnesses, are the Trumpets events. Therefore, since the two witnesses begin prophesying at the 3 ½ year mark of the seven-year period, that is when I believe the Trumpet events begin.

Time of the Seven Bowls

The timing of the Seven Bowls is near the end of the seven-years and they occur in rapid fashion. Pretribbers believe that to go through the seven-year period is to be afflicted by the wrath of God, and they chant their mantra, "We are not appointed unto wrath." Part of their misunderstanding is because they have erroneously thought the entire period was a time of tribulation. The other part of their problem is in misidentifying the wrath of God. However, if the Church leaves at the Seventh and final trumpet, then the Church is taken out before His final wrath is poured out, which comes with the Seven Bowls at the very end of the Tribulation.

The Scriptures seem to indicate that the previous judgments brought on by the two witnesses were attempts to get people to repent. It is most certain that the trumpet plagues are not being poured out on God’s people. However, the final outpouring of God's wrath is the end of His dealing with the Antichrist and his kingdom. Therefore, the last event in the tribulation is when the great battle against Satan occurs and Jesus defeats the Beast and False prophet and everyone who oppose God.

Similarity of the Last Events

Also, every serious student of Revelation should consider that the last event in each set of events contain similar occurrences. There is also an indication of the parousia toward the end of each set of events. At the Sixth Seal, there is a proclamation of the day of God's wrath. If the Seal events were completed before the Trumpet events begin, it would be much too soon in the Tribulation for the wrath of God, which arrives with the Seven Bowls, to occur at the Sixth Seal. Therefore, the sixth and seventh Seals must be fulfilled near the same time that the Seventh Trumpet and Seventh Bowl are being completed. Since the seals are prophecies and not necessarily events, they should not have to be forced into a narrow window of time. Also consider the following information.

Sixth seal:

"I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. {13} And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. {14} Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. {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, {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! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Rev. 6:12-17 NKJV)

Seventh Trumpet:

The same statement "the great day of His wrath has come" is declared at the sounding of the Seventh, or Last Trumpet.

"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!" {16} And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, {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. {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." {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." (Emphasis mine) (Rev. 11:15-19 NKJV)

Seventh Bowl:

Then there is this declaration that comes after the Seventh, or Last Bowl is poured out.

"Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" {18} And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. {19} Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." (Rev. 16:17-19 NKJV)

There are other similarities that exist in the final judgments, and there seems to be a pattern that flows from one judgment or event to the next. When the seventh seal is opened, there is an half-hour of nothing but silence. This is very unusual, and indicates to me that something very important is about to happen. After the half-hour of silence, then the same thing occurs as we see occurring at the end of the other two sets.

Seventh Seal:

"Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake." (Rev. 8:5 NKJV) (emphasis added)

We also see these things at the other last events. Consider the following:

Seventh Trumpet:

"And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail." (Rev. 11:19 NKJV) (emphasis added)

Seventh Bowl:

"And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth." (Rev. 16:19 NKJV) (emphasis added)

Something very strange is occurring if the last event of each set does not happen near the end of the seven-year period and very possibly simultaneously, or at least in rapid succession in the same time frame. There are other similarities that are even more convincing. Consider this occurrence that happens at the Sixth Seal.

Sixth Seal: "And every mountain and island was moved out of its place." (Rev. 6:14 NKJV)

Seventh Bowl:

"Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."(Rev. 16:20 NKJV)

Either these mountains and islands are being shuffled back and forth into and out of their positions, or the similarities indicate that the events happen in the same time frame. In my opinion, these events are occurring near the end of the seven-year period and in the same time frame. During these last events, a crucial event occurs which is the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. This is the point at which the Church is raptured according to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians, chapter fifteen.

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (Seventh Trumpet). For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Cor. 15:51-52 NKJV) (insert added)

Immediately afterward, the final incident of the twenty-one events is executed, the Seventh Bowl. Then appears a mighty display of the wrath of God on Babylon . So intense is the final Bowl of God's wrath that He takes the Church out of the way so that they will not suffer from the effects of it. The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew seems to bear this out.

"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. {22} "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." (Matt. 24:21-22 NKJV)

The fact that Gods wrath is poured out immediately after the Parousia of Christ is evident in the following scripture as well.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 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. (2 Thess 1:3-10 - NKJV)

The Parousia in the Last Events

I now want to point out that there are indications at each of these last events, the Sixth and Seventh Seals, the Seventh Trumpet, and the Seventh Bowl, that the Second Advent is also occurring. Although we do not know the exact day or hour and will never know, there is nothing in the Bible that indicates that we will never know the general time frame. In fact, the Scriptures seem to allude to our being able to know the general time frame. I will deal with that issue later in this book. First, we should consider the scriptures which indicate that the second advent of Christ with the rapture of the Church occurs at the sound of a trumpet.

Paul declares in first Corinthians that we are going to be changed at the last trumpet.

(1 Cor 15:51 -52 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {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.

He also declares that we will be changed at the appearing of Christ in first Thessalonians.

(1 Th 4:16 NKJV) 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.

Jesus taught that a trumpet would sound before He gathers His elect.

(Mat 24:31 NKJV) "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.

The Seals and Bowls are linked to the Seventh Trumpet because of the similarities of the events that occur at the last of the Seals and the final Bowl.

Sixth Seal:

"{14} Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 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, {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!'" (Rev. 6:15-16 NKJV)

Then the heavens open, they appear to see the Lamb. The only way that they could see the Lamb is if He were coming.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

When He comes, it will be in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who are opposed to His Lordship (2 Thess. 1:8). This sounds like wrath is poured out with His coming.

Seventh Trumpet:

Again, during the Seventh Trumpet the heavens are opened, and people actually see His covenant in His temple.

The mention of the Last Trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52 appear to coincide with 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Of course, there has to be a number of eschatological trumpets in order for there to be a last one. There is no other place in the New Testament that a number of trumpets are found except in Revelations 8:6-11:15. All other trumpets in the Bible are invalid to use as a substitute for these trumpets. The reason being, of course, that they are not eschatological trumpets and cannot be made so by human declaration. Many things that take place during the preparation for the sounding of the last trumpet correspond with 1 Corinthians, chapter fifteen and 1 Thessalonians, chapter four, including the mystery of God. Pretribbers want us to believe that Jesus is coming at the sounding of the first of eight last days trumpets instead of the last one in Revelation. I can only suppose that they are considering the scripture that says; "So the last will be first, and the first last." Matt 20:15-16 (NKJV)
However, there are seven things at the Seventh Trumpet that indicate that the Second Advent has come and Revelation does not mention eight trumpets. George Müller was right when he asked the rhetorical question, "Can there be any resurrection before the first one; and can there be another trump after this last one?"

Consider the events that occur at the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet.

1. The Seventh, or Last Trumpet sounds.

2. The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Antichrist has no kingdom at this point; he is defeated.

3. God's wrath has come.

4. The time of the dead to be judged has come.

5. The time to reward the prophets and the saints has come.

6. The time to destroy those who destroy the earth has come.

7. The mystery of God is finished. (Rev. 10:7)

If these are indications of Jesus' coming at the Seventh Trumpet (and I see no other explanation), then 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 belong to the posttribulation rapture position. It clearly pokes holes in dispensationalism, because they take away its "proof texts" for a pretribulation rapture. Also, it certainly fits well with Matthew 24:29-31, since some of the events that Jesus prophesied do occur at the last of the Seals which is also the last of the Trumpets and Bowls.

"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. {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. {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." (Matt. 24:29-31 NKJV)

It is spiritually logical to assume that 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 is the same event as the above mentioned events, since the same things are present there also.

"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. {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." (1 Thess. 4:16-17 NKJV)

It is difficult for Pretribulation Rapture proponents to explain away these Scriptures, yet they will try anyway. They will defy the very words of Christ and the Apostle Paul to do so, as we will see in Part Two of this book. Not only that, but they will declare the words printed on the pages of the Bible to be something other than what they clearly are in a bizarre, deluded attempt to force non-existent words into the print. You will rub your eyes and look again and say, "Where are these words that they claim are there?" I am not sure if this is an extreme case of denial being manifested or an attempt to speak into existence something that does not exist. If they tried the same mechanism with a legal contract, they would end up in court at the wrong end of a law suit.

Many leading proponents of pretribulation rapture seem to love charts. I can remember as a young Christian seeing a huge chart stretched across the front of the church building as a prophecy teacher taught the congregation why he believed in a pretribulation rapture. Everyone was so awed (and confused) by that chart, but they couldn't tell you what the man said after he rolled up his chart and left. Maybe my chart will be a bit clearer. In the following chart, I outline when that I believe that the twenty-one events of the seven-year period will occur. You may be able to see the relationship of the events, especially the last events. Consider the way these events seem to work together.

Although I have spent a lot of time in this chapter explaining my position, I want to reiterate as a brief explanation here for the above Chart. The primary reason I believe that the Seals span the entire length of the seven-year period is because the last two seals appear to occur near the end. They have some of the same events as the last Trumpet and last Bowl. The reason I believe the Trumpets begin at the midway point is because the two witnesses begin initiating plagues at this point. The only place we can find the sort of plagues that they are calling forth is in the Trumpets and Bowls. We know that the Bowls are the wrath of God, so the Trumpet plagues have to be the same one's that the two witnesses are bringing upon the wicked. The reason I feel the Bowls occur near the end is several fold. First, the Bowls are a swift judgment that appears to occur in rapid succession. Secondly, there seems to be no place during the seven-year period for the Bowls to fit except near the end. Third, the last Bowl judgment appears to occur about the time of the Seventh Trumpet because some of the same things are occurring. Therefore, I believe that the Bowl judgments begin in the "days of the sounding" of the Seventh Trumpet and the Seventh Bowl is poured out as the Seventh Trumpet sounds. God's judgment is swift as His catching up of the Church.

The Number Seven

I realize that the numbers argument is weak by itself. However, since pretribbers believe in eight trumpets, and use scores of various equations in their rampant numerology, I feel justified in pointing out some facts about the true numbers here. There are twenty-one events in seven years. Almost everything seems to be in sevens or multiples of seven. Seven is the number of completeness, and completeness is exactly what Revelation deals with. Holman Bible Dictionary says this about the number seven.

"In addition to their usage to designate specific numbers or quantities, many numbers in the Bible came to have a symbolic meaning. Thus seven came to symbolize completeness and perfection. God's work of creation was both complete and perfect--and it was completed in seven days. All of mankind's existence was related to God's creative activity. The seven-day week reflected God's first creative activity. The Sabbath was that day of rest following the work week, reflective of God's rest (Gen. 1:1-2:4). Israelites were to remember the land also and give it a Sabbath, permitting it to lie fallow in the seventh year (Lev. 25:2-7). Seven was also important in cultic matters beyond the Sabbath: major festivals such as Passover and Tabernacles lasted seven days as did wedding festivals (Judg. 14:12 ,17). In Pharaoh's dream, the seven good years followed by seven years of famine (Gen. 41:1-36) represented a complete cycle of plenty and famine. Jacob worked a complete cycle of years for Rachel; then, when he was given Leah instead, he worked an additional cycle of seven (Gen. 29:15-30).

A major Hebrew word for making an oath or swearing, shava , was closely related to the word seven, sheva . The original meaning of "swear an oath" may have been "to declare seven times" or "to bind oneself by seven things."

A similar use of the number seven can be seen in the New Testament. The seven churches (Rev. 2-3) perhaps symbolized by their number all the churches. Jesus taught that forgiveness is not to be limited, even to a full number or complete number of instances. We are to forgive, not merely seven times (already a gracious number of forgivenesses), but seventy times seven (limitless forgiveness, beyond keeping count) (Matt. 18:21 -22).

As the last example shows, multiples of seven frequently had symbolic meaning. The year of Jubilee came after the completion of every forty-nine years. In the year of Jubilee all Jewish bondslaves were released and land which had been sold reverted to its former owner (Lev. 25:8-55). Another multiple of seven used in the Bible is seventy. Seventy elders are mentioned (Ex. 24:1,9). Jesus sent out the seventy (Luke 10:1-17). Seventy years is specified as the length of the Exile (Jer. 25:12, 29:10; Dan. 9: 2). The messianic kingdom was to be inaugurated after a period of seventy weeks of years had passed (Dan. 9:24 )". (1)

Thus, I believe that each of the seven events is completed in the seventh year, and that the seventh year concludes the seven-year period. The seven-year period also completes the work of God concerning His Church, and brings about the Sabbath Rest that is spoken of in Hebrews.

"For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. {4} For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; {5} and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." {6} Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, {7} again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." {8} For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. {9} There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. {10} For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. {11} Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." (Heb. 4:3-11 NKJV)

Proof from the Book of Daniel

There is also proof from the Book of Daniel that the three sets of events run concurrently. As I was praying and studying Revelation, it came to my mind that Daniel established a timing for certain events that would occur during the seven-year period. This timing is confirmed by Scriptures in Revelation as well. Those certain ones of the twenty-one events that Daniel established a time for can be pinpointed in the seven-year period. For example, if Daniel said that something would happen at the three-and-a-half-year mark, that event in the twenty-one events signifies the three-and-a-half-year mark. One such event that Daniel described was the Antichrist's persecution of the saints.

Antichrist

"He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time." (three and a half years) (Dan. 7:25 NKJV)

"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." (three and a half years) (Rev. 11:2 NKJV)

"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." (Rev. 13:7 NKJV)

This seems to indicate that the saints will be persecuted around the middle of the Tribulation Period because time and times and half a time equals three and a half years. Since the end-times apocalyptic period is supposed to last seven years, this would have the persecution beginning somewhere near the halfway mark. It is certain that the Antichrist would not start persecuting the saints at the beginning of the seven-year period and end in the middle. All we have to do is see if any of the events indicate a persecution of the saints. There is an indication here that the persecution of the saints may have indeed begun sometime before the Fifth Seal.

Fifth Seal:

"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. {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?" {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." (Rev. 6:9-11 NKJV)

There are two more points that I want to make about these Scriptures. First of all, when the Fifth Seal is opened, the persecution of the saints has already begun, because the words "had been slain" are used. In other words, they have already been persecuted before the opening of the Fifth Seal. If the twenty-one events are in proper order, then their persecution would have to begin after the Fourth Seal. Also, the Fourth Seal might occur about the middle of the tribulation period. This is based on the Seal Judgments being spread out over the whole seven-year period. Besides, there is no indication at the Fourth Seal that there are saints being persecuted. However, if the twenty-one judgments run concurrently, then the Fourth Seal would come during the first four months of the fourth year, and be followed by the fifth seal. The Fifth Seal would be at the beginning of the fifth year, 6 months after the persecution is supposed to begin! There is plenty of time for the persecution to begin at the halfway mark after the opening of the Fourth Seal and for many souls to be martyred before the Fifth Seal is opened.

My second point is to remind the reader that the Seals are prophesies, not judgments. As such, they are not the wrath of God, but they do foretell the wrath of the Antichrist. One does not have to look very far in history to recognize that God's people have suffered at the hands of despots. The Jewish nation suffered when Hitler launched his demonic hatred against them. Right now there are many Christians suffering in the world. The Fifth Seal is a prophecy about the persecution that Christians will endure from the Antichrist during the tribulation period.

Another significant event that Daniel mentions that should be noted is the Abomination of Desolation.

Abomination of Desolation

"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate." (Dan. 9:27 NKJV)

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days." (Dan. 12:11 NKJV) (1290 days equals approximately 3 ½ years)

We can then see if there is anything in the twenty-one events that indicate that the Abomination is set up in the holy place. Perhaps the Scriptures in Matthew can shed some light on the subject.

"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), {16} "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. {17} "Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. {18} "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. {19} "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! {20} "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. {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." (Matt. 24:15-21 NKJV)

Obviously, persecution begins at the time the abomination is set up in the holy place. The rapture, i.e., gathering together unto Him, could not have occurred before this point because the Scriptures declare that these events have to happen first.

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, {4} who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2 Thess. 2:3-4 NKJV)

There is also no rapture presented at the Fifth Seal, because we now see the martyred saints in Heaven and the angel declaring that there are more martyrs to come. If there are more martyrs to come, then there are still Christians on earth.

Conclusion

In my opinion, there is no doubt that the twenty-one events run concurrently and that the Church will be caught up at the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. I do not consider the voices of the Seven Thunders to be an extra set of judgments that was withdrawn. However, I do believe that they may be the missing knowledge that we need in order to fully understand the book. The fact that John was not permitted to write what the voices of the Seven Thunders said does not imply that they will not still speak at the appointed time. God allowed them to be included in Revelation at the appropriate spot, which is right before the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet, so that we would know that this event will also take place. If God did not want us to know this, He would not have even allowed the voices of the Seven Thunders to be mentioned. God does not make mistakes.

The come again, come again doctrine has to be in the Bible somewhere if it is to be a valid doctrine. Of course, there is nothing there to even remotely indicate that there is a separate coming of Christ, a rapture and resurrection, that occurs before the seven-year period. There is a rapture/resurrection and the Second Coming at the Seventh or Last Trumpet that we can clearly see in the Book of Revelation. Over and over again, the Scriptures prove that dispensationalism and its offspring, pretribulation rapture, are not valid doctrines of the Bible. They need the enormous help that they are getting from their main proponents in order to keep their position as the most popular eschatological interpretation of the coming of Christ. Popularity is all they have to hold onto their top billing; and fiction is all that is presented to keep them there.

Dr. LaHaye and the others who were at that fateful meeting early in this decade made the right choice to write fictional books and produce fictional films to inundate the masses if their goal, as stated, was to keep Pretribulation Rapture from falling on hard times. However, no Biblical truth need ever suffer the need to be supported by fiction, because the Holy Sprit will defend and promote it. These individuals should redouble their efforts, because more and more people are discovering just how badly they have been deceived and are abandoning PTR as if it were the Titanic. No one need feel sorry for PTR, since it has had a much longer life and enjoyed more fame than most false doctrines. It is time to bury it in the graveyard with other deceptions and to get busy warning people to be prepared to face a terrible time of great deception and tribulation such as this world has never seen and will never see again.

1. Joel F. Drinkard Jr., Number Systems and Number Symbolism, Holman Bible Dictionary

Chapter Seven