The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, continued
To understand better the details of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, it is important to see how Jesus' discourse on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24) parallels the vision which He gave to John, as recorded in Revelation 6. Because this has been touched on previously, I will present only a brief outline here. Matthew 24:5 compares to Revelation 6:1-2; Matthew 24:6-7a compares to Revelation 6:3-4; Matthew 24:7b compares to Revelation 6:5-6; Mathew 24:7c-8 compares to Revelation 6:7-8; Matthew 24:9 compares to Revelation 6:9-11; Matthew 24:29 compares to Revelation 6:12-13; Matthew 24:30-31 compares to Revelation 6:15-17. To compliment this, may I remind you that Jesus, quoting the prophet Daniel (Matthew 24:15-16), places the event called "the abomination which causes desolation" BEFORE the sign of the Lord's coming and the Rapture. Daniel places this event squarely in the middle of his 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Paul, states clearly: "Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him........Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion (apostasy) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed...." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Then in verse 4 Paul describes how he is revealed - by committing "the abomination which causes desolation" which he describes.
As Revelation 6 closes, we are on the brink of the Coming of Christ and the Rapture (which includes the resurrection of the saints), and the unleashing of God's wrath on the planet. Before that happens, one other event must take place - the sealing of 144,000 Jews who will be left on earth during that time. You see, the closing verse in Revelation 6 is a rhetorical question. "....who can stand?" The answer is, "No one!" Without God's intervention, no one will be able to successfully stand against the wrath to come. For the Christians of all ages, He intervenes with the Rapture; for these faithful Jews, He intervenes with this seal of protection (Revelation 7:1-8)
Revelation gives no details about the Rapture. For that one must look to Matthew 24:26-44 and 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 for those details. We know that the rapture has taken place in Revelation someplace between 6:17 and 7:8 because of what we see in 7:9 and following. Here we see a great multitude out of "every nation, tribe, people and nation.....wearing white robes.....crying out in a loud voice: salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (v. 9-10) The description is that of humans and may I remind you that only humans, created in the image of God are the recipients of salvation. Also those in white robes are identified as "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation..." (v. 14) If you will remember, the first 3-1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week are correctly identified as "the beginning of sorrows (or birth pangs). From the mid-point on is called "The Great Tribulation" which is cut short (amputated) for the elect's sake. The Great Tribulation is cut short by the Rapture. So, here we are, ready to look at the rest of Revelation from heaven's vantage point, except for a parenthetical insertion or two which goes back to a time when the saints are still on the earth.
This is where we will begin next time. Until then, be encouraged by this Word of the Lord: "Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:15-17). It will be worth it all my friends, so remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
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