Now, you may notice some problems with these things happening concurrently. The biggest problem is that the sixth seal is the return of Christ but the 7th seal reveals 7 trumpet judgments. So, obviously the 7 trumpets have to be after at least the 1st 5 seals. And there is a second issue.
If you read each list; seals, trumpets, and bowls, they seem to get more intense as each set unfolds. Notice that the seals describe general judgments; war, famine, death and martyrs. In fact, until you get to the 6th and 7th seals, the plagues described could simply describe normal life on earth at various times in history. There has always been war, famine, death, and martyrs.
But when you get to the trumpets, things get more intense, and specific. Hail and fire mingled with blood, burning mountain thrown into the sea, great star falling from heaven, sun, moon and stars reduce light, locust like creatures released, 2 million horsemen released.
And when you get to the bowls it gets even more specific and intense. Sores on everyone, all the water of the earth turning to blood. Great heat, and darkness. In fact, people wouldn’t survive some of what comes out of the bowls for more than a few days.
So, taking all of that into consideration, this is the chronology that I suggest; The seals are judgments spread out over the seven years of the Tribulation. The trumpets are judgments that begin at the midpoint, or 3 ½ years in the Tribulation. Or at the start of the Great Tribulation. And I think the bowl judgments take place very quickly over the final days and weeks of the Great Tribulation. That makes it so that the last judgments happen at the same time. And it also somewhat maintains the chronology of the book of Revelation. So, let me lay that out in a table for you. (Show it and send it)
7 Seals-opened primarily during the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation 7 Trumpets-opened at the 7th seal, in the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation 7 bowls-opened in the last 6 months of the Great Tribulation, right before the return of Christ. 1st – conquest of nations by the antichrist 2nd – violence and killing 3rd – worldwide famine 4th – death 5th – Christian martyrs The end of the 1st 3 ½ years. The last 3 ½ years This is the start of the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation, 2 witnesses begin prophecy against the earth, Antichrist marches on Jerusalem, Jews escape into wilderness, 144,000 marked for protection 1st trumpet –Hail and fire mingled with blood, 2nd trumpet – burning mountain thrown into sea 3rd trumpet – great star falls from heaven 4th trumpet – sun, moon, and stars give a third less light 5th trumpet – locusts like creatures released The last 6 months of the Tribulation 1st through 5th bowls happen rapidly over the last days and weeks of the Great Tribulation 1st bowl – sores on those with the mark of the beast 2nd bowl – sea becomes blood 3rd bowl – rivers and springs become blood 4th bowl – sun scorches with great heat 5th bowl – painful darkness At this point, the 6th trumpet and 6th bowl happen at the same time. In fact, the 6th trumpet and 6th bowl may involve the same event. We’ll look at more on that later. 6th trumpet – two hundred million horsemen released for Battle of Armageddon Beginning of march on Jerusalem 6th bowl – Euphrates dried up to allow armies to cross for the Battle of Armageddon Battle of Armageddon Battle of Armageddon Battle of Armageddon 6th seal - Return of Christ- Great earthquake, sun darkened, etc. Men cry for rocks to fall on them and hide them from the judgment of God and the Lamb 7th trumpet – The return of Christ – the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ. Great Earthquake 7th bowl – Jesus’ return, great earthquake and disaster
I think this order allows us to make more sense out of the events of Revelation. Now, do I know that it will happen in exactly this way? No, but this is just to give you an idea of what to expect.
So, that is a general overview of how I approach the book of Revelation. First, I approach it through the lens of Jesus Mount of Olives Discourse, then I take it as literally as possible, and finally I look at the chronology of plagues as overlapping as described in the previous table. And incidentally, if this confuses you, or you disagree with how I’ve laid it out, it’s not a big deal. It’s going to happen the way it’s going to happen, whether you or I figure it out or not.
But before we get into details, let’s return to address what some of you may be thinking.
Why do I need to worry about it? I’m going out in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church.
Now, I’ve already stated that I believe the rapture will be after the Tribulation. Now I want to present to you my top reasons for believing that.
Top Biblical Reasons Why the Rapture will be After the Tribulation
1. Because Jesus said that it would be after the Tribulation
Matthew 24: 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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 [a]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mark 13: 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
By the way, this passage is the only passage that describes “when” the rapture takes place. Despite what you’ve been told, Paul’s letters don’t give us any new information about “when” the rapture happens. It happens after the Tribulation.
2. Because it happens at the “last trumpet.”
1 Corinthians 15:52 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.
So, answer this; how can the trumpet that’s sounded at the rapture of the Church happen before the Tribulation if it’s the “last trumpet?” Because during the Tribulation there are 7 more trumpets sounded during the Tribulation.
Is the “last” trumpet, the last trumpet? Or is it the first trumpet? Let me illustrate with this table.
If the rapture is before the Tribulation If the rapture is after the Tribulation Last trumpet Dead in Christ rise Rapture of living Christians Tribulation begins Tribulation begins 1st – 7th seal judgments 1st – 7th seal judgments 1st – 7th trumpet judgments 1st – 7th trumpet judgments 1st – 7th bowl judgments 1st – 7th bowl judgments Jesus returns, another trumpet sounds, gathers His elect Jesus returns, last trumpet sounds, gathers His elect
So, which is a better candidate for being the last trumpet? The one that happens first, or the one that happens last?
3. Because the angels told Jesus’ disciples that His return would be visible, like His ascension.
Acts 1: 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Jesus ascended visibly, and when He returns, He will descend visibly.
4. Because a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church is never described in the book of Revelation.
You would think, that if Jesus was going to empty the world of all the Christians before the Tribulation, that Jesus might have given John a vision of that event. But it’s not there in the book of Revelation. There is no explicit promise or mention of it in Revelation.
5. Because the book of Revelation describes believers living and being persecuted and killed during the Tribulation.
Revelation 6: 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were 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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Revelation 9: 2 (5th trumpet) 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. 3 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. 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. (The implication is that there will be those who belong to God alive during the Tribulation) 5 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 striketh a man.
Revelation 12: 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 13: 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Again, there will be people alive who belong to the Lord.)
Revelation 16: 4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Revelation 17: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Revelation 20: 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
So, obviously, there are believers alive during the Tribulation. Now, many who teach that Christians will be raptured before the Tribulation say that these people are those who are saved after the rapture.
But again, let me ask, where in Scripture does it say that there will be a mass of people who become Christians during the Tribulation? Everything I read seems to indicate the opposite; that there will be a great falling away, and that the world will turn against Christians.
6. Because the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is described as occurring at the end of Tribulation, at the return of Christ, when all the saints, Jew and Gentile, are united as the Bride of Christ.
Revelation 19: 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Let me ask this; if the marriage supper of the Lamb happens in heaven, during the Tribulation, as many pre-trib rapture adherents contend, why does God wait to announce it, almost in the end of the book of Revelation? (chapter 19)
7. Because the “first resurrection” happens after the Tribulation, at the return of Christ.
Revelation 20: 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
So, ask yourself this; “How can the first resurrection be after the Tribulation, since we know that the dead in Christ will rise first, before the rapture?”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 King James Version15 For this we say 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 are asleep. 16 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: 17 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.
Let’s put that in a chart to make it simple.
If the Rapture is before the Tribulation If the Rapture is after the Tribulation Dead in Christ will rise first—1st resurrection? Rapture of living Christians 7- year Tribulation 7- year Tribulation 2nd coming of Christ 2nd coming of Christ 1st resurrection of the dead in Christ Gathering of the elect Gathering of the elect-the rapture Another resurrection as described in Revelation 20 of those who were martyred during the TribulationAgain, the question is, how can the resurrection that comes after the Tribulation, be the first resurrection, if there’s going to be another resurrection before the Tribulation?
8. Because Christians are watching for the coming judgment, not the rapture.
2 Peter 3:10-13 King James Version10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 5 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Let me clarify a little. Jesus comes as a thief in the night, not to the righteous, but to the wicked.
In fact, when Paul writes his second letter to the church in Thessalonica, the rapture of the church, and the visible return of Christ in judgment are described as happening at the same time.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 King James Version6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Let me put this another way. Paul said that the Day of the Lord, the day of judgment will come as a thief to the world, but not to believers. The Day of the Lord is the time of judgment. If Paul knew that believers would be raptured before the Day of the Lord comes, why would he tell them that they need to watch for it?
9. Because Matthew 24: 29-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 sound like the same event.
Look at the chart below. One side is Jesus describing His coming “after the Tribulation.” The other is Paul describing the rapture. If they are placed side by side, and highlighted, the events match up perfectly. They are even in the same order;
Jesus speaking
Jesus return
Jesus accompanied by angel(s)
The trumpet sounds
The rapture
Matthew 24:29-31 Jesus is speaking 29 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: 30 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. 31 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 15 For this we say 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 are asleep. 16 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: 17 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.There are two differences; In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus doesn’t mention the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and He says that angels will be dispatched to gather the elect. Paul does mention one angel as participating in the event; the archangel.
But is that enough to say that these are two different events? I think that what we have is two descriptions of the same event. Each has a detail or two that aren’t in the other. But nothing in those details would cause you to believe they are different events.
10. Because it has always been God’s way to preserve His people as they go through tribulation, rather than take them out of tribulation.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Many who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture will draw support for their belief by pointing to times when God removed the righteous from a time of judgment. They point to Lot being pulled out of Sodom and Gomorrah, to Noah being saved on the ark. Now I could argue that these two were not actually taken out of the world, but that they were protected in the world during judgment. That’s what I believe will happen during the Tribulation. Christians will be protected from the parts that are “God’s wrath.” But I want to point to one picture of judgment in the Old Testament that I believe is the best analogy for the Tribulation period. That is the saving of the children of Israel out of Egypt. This event is the event that most closely matches what the Tribulation will be like. You have the same characters in the stories. Pharaoh is a type of the antichrist. His magicians are types of the false prophet. He demanded that he be worshipped as a god. He oppressed God’s people. Moses comes and demands the release of the Israelites. And in the Great Tribulation there will be two prophets who come and call down judgment on the world. Moses announces 10 plagues. I believe that the two prophets will also announce the coming plagues. In the end, Egypt is destroyed, and the children of Israel are free. In the end of the Tribulation, Jesus returns, and the world is judged, and the people of God are emancipated. God saving the children of Israel out of Egypt God saving the Church out of the world The slavery of Israel in Egypt was foretold. The persecution of the Tribulation was foretold. Pharaoh rules the world empire of Egypt. Antichrist rules the world empire of the world. Pharaoh has magicians. The antichrist has the false prophet The Egyptian empire is dominated by pagan worship. The world is dominated by pagan worship. Pharaoh is worshiped as a god. The antichrist will be worshipped as a god. The children of Israel became a part of the system. The Church has become a part of the world. God used the plagues to spiritually separate His people. God uses the Tribulation to separate true from false. Moses is sent to tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” Two prophets are sent to call the world to repent. Moses proclaims coming plagues. The two prophets are able to bring down punishment. The children of Israel are protected from the worst of the plagues. The Church is protected from the worst of the plagues. The plagues almost destroy Egypt. The plagues almost destroy the world. The children of Israel are finally led out by Moses. The Church is caught away by the returning Christ. There is a final conflict where the Egyptian army is destroyed in the Red Sea. There is a final conflict where the armies of the world are destroyed in the battle of Armageddon. The children of Israel are now ruled by God. The world is ruled by Christ. All of those things make these two events the most similar judgment events in history. And there’s one thing you should notice about the judgments against Egypt; the children of Israel were not removed from Egypt during the plagues, they were protected through the middle of them. In fact, there is some evidence that they actually suffered some of the plagues. For example, the water of the Nile turned to blood. So, the children of Israel had to dig for water just like the Egyptians. But none of the cattle of the children of Israel died in the plague of the cattle disease. So, typically, God saves “through” trouble, not “out of” trouble.Now, this list of ten things just scratches the surface in regard to the proof for a rapture after the Tribulation. But I hope that it at least gives you a reason to consider that the rapture of the Church could be after the Tribulation.
But, as I said, we will come back to this argument later. Right now, I just want you to go into the study of the Tribulation with at least the idea that you could be there.