Having had a desire to communicate
prophetic truths from the Scriptures to those who have an “ear to hear” the
truth concerning many issues related to the prophetic timetable, I recently
undertook the writing of These Prophets
and the Revelation (Mindstir Media, 2013 available through Amazon.com). The words of the prophets are not well
understood even by those who would claim to have theological credentials. Much
doctrinal confusion exists to the detriment of those who should have access to
an understanding of these truths. Many issues, topics and hidden mysteries are
contained in the words of the prophets and most particularly the Book of
Revelation. Through much diligent study and the elements of openness, time and
enduring patience one can gain wisdom.
As was found in a recent treatment the
“rapture” question where the popularly held doctrine of a pre-tribulation rapture of the entire church
cannot be supported by the Scriptures. So then the logical progression is to the
subject of resurrection to uncover the truths of this events occurrence as to
time and context. The prophet Daniel lays a foundation for us. “And at
that time shall Michael stand up (Compare Rev.12:7), the great prince which
stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even
to the same time and at that time the people shall be delivered, every one that
shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of
the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2) .The times determined then is after
“a time of trouble” and it will
include Daniel’s people. The time of trouble has been emphasized to coincide
with that which is revealed and supported by the Lord Jesus. “Then shall be great tribulation, such as
was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor shall ever be.”
(Matthew 24:21). And later in that
same discourse of teaching to the disciples on the Mount of Olives he reveals: “Immediately
after the tribulation of those
days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall all of 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 gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of
heaven to the other”.(Matthew 24:29-31).(emphasis added).
The
teaching of the apostle Paul is consistent with this order in time. “Behold, I
show 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.” (I Corinthians 15-51-52). Paul later reassures and encourages the
faithful in the Thessalonian assembly where we read at I Thessalonians 4:14-17: “But if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even to them who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we day
unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which sleep. For the Lord will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God and the dead in Christ will 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.”
The apostle John confirms the
reality of the event at Revelation 11:11-12 where we read: “Aster
three * days (years) and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them,
and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying come up hither: and they
ascended up to haven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” This is the blessed hope of each and
every one (Old Testament and New) who have truly been found faithful to their
calling in Christ through their lives and unto the end. “And the Spirit and the bride say come…..Amen,
Even so come Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:17(part) and 22:20( part).
*The reason
for changing the word from days to years is that the context requires it: forty
and two months, or one thousand two hundred and three score days is equal to
three and one half years (See verses 2 and 3 of the text in chapter 11). The
word means the passing of time or a season, which is determined more or less by
the context (See Strong’s Concordance). It is elsewhere translated years. The
context of the first thirteen verses of the chapter is the great tribulation.
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