The Pretribulation Rapture—Todd Strandberg and Jack Ward
1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed)
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. in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed).
OT saints are resurrected at the end of the tribulation. They will be the guests of the bridegroom as John the Baptist was called. They will not go through the judgment seat of Christ as they were not Christians so to speak. They will be the guests of the bridegroom and will be invited to the kingdom. Daniel 12:2 Isaiah 19:26- Matthew 8 they will come from the east and the west.
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die. For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).
1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: “Death is destroyed; victory is complete!” And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished [h]forever) in and unto victory.
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
“Where, Death, is your victory?
Where, Death, is your power to hurt?” O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [i][upon the soul] through [j][the abuse of] the Law.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
The rapture is an event that will take place sometime in the near future. Jesus will come in the air, catch up the Church from the earth, and then return to heaven with the Church. The Apostle Paul gave a clear description of the rapture event in his letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians.”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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess, 4:16-18).
“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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
The timing of the rapture is not known. From the Word of God and from sound reasoning–something Jesus used quite frequently–I hope to prove the reality of the pretribulation rapture.
The word “rapture” comes from Paul’s “caught up” remark in verse 17. The words “caught up” are translated from the Greek word harpazo, which means “to carry off,” “snatch up,” or “grasp hastily.” The translation from harpazo to “rapture” involved two steps: first, harpazo became the Latin word raptus; second, raptus became the English word “rapture.”
Scriptural Evidence for the Pretribulation Rapture—Todd Strandburg Rapture Ready.com
The Unknown Hour
When we search the Scriptures and read the passages describing the Lord Jesus’ return, we find verses that tell us we won’t know the day and hour of that event. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 indicates that the Jews will have to wait on the Lord 1,260 days, starting when the Antichrist stands in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God (2 Thes 2:4). This event will take place at the mid-point of the seven-year tribulation (Dan 9:27). Note that some people only see a three-and-a-half-year tribulation. In a way, they are correct because the first half of the tribulation will be relatively peaceful compared to the second half. Nonetheless, peaceful or not, there still remains a seven-year period called the tribulation. When the Jews flee into the wilderness, they know that all they have to do is wait out those 1,260 days (Mat 24:16). There is no way to apply the phrase “neither the day nor the hour” to this situation. The only way for these two viewpoints to be true is to separate the two distinct events transpiring here: 1) the rapture of the Church, which comes before the tribulation; and 2) the return of Jesus to the earth, which takes place roughly seven years later.
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
In Luke 12:36, the Word states that when Christ returns, He will be returning from a wedding. In Revelation 19:7-8, we read about the marriage itself. The marriage supper takes place before the marriage. According to Jewish custom, the marriage contract, which often includes a dowry, is drawn up first. The contract parallels the act of faith we use when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase us. When it’s time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride’s house unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father’s house. This precisely correlates with the events according to the pre-trib scenario. Jesus, the Groom, comes down from heaven and calls up the Church, His Bride. After meeting in the air, He and His Bride return to His Father’s house, heaven. The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the final events of the tribulation will be playing out. After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth accompanied by an army “clothed in fine linen, white and clean” (Rev 19:14).
OT saints will be the guests of the bridegroom. John the Baptist was a guest. I don’t know if this takes place in heaven during the tribulation or after the tribulation when the OT saints are resurrected. OT saints are NOT raptured but resurrected.
What They Didn’t Teach You in History Class
Many groups try to discredit the pre-trib rapture by saying most of the end-time events in the Bible have already taken place. A group of people called preterists claims that the Book of Revelation was mostly fulfilled by 70 AD. If the events described in the Book of Revelation took place in the past, I’m at a loss to explain some of the current situations I see around us: the rebirth of Israel, the reunification of Europe, the number of global wars that have occurred, and the development of nuclear weapons. During history class, I must have slept through the part where the teacher talked about the time when a third of the trees were burned up, 100-pound hailstones fell from the sky, and the sea turned into blood (Rev 8:7-8, 16:21). I think several people would have to question their opposition to the pre-trib rapture doctrine if they knew that the evidence provided to them was based on the understanding that most tribulation prophecies have already occurred.
The People of the Millennium
If Christ were to come back after the tribulation, rapture all the saints, and slay all the ungodly, who would be left to populate the earth during the millennium? Only the pre-trib viewpoint can account for this post-trib problem. The Church is raptured before the tribulation, a vast number of souls are saved during this seven-year time frame, and those who make it through the tribulation go into the millennium while the unsaved are cast into hell.
The Saint U-Turn
In the pre-trib scenario, after we rise to meet the Lord in the air, we will go to heaven and abide there seven years. At the end of that period, Christ will come down to earth, defeat the Antichrist, and cleanse the temple. In a post-trib rapture, we would rise in the air to meet the Lord, then do a 180-degree U-turn and come back down to earth. Revelation 1:7 states that Christ will appear out of the clouds and come down to earth. Zechariah 14:4 says that His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. If He’s already headed our way, why would we need to be caught up to meet Him?
“Come Up Hither”
Many pre-trib writers cite Revelation 4:1, which says, “come up hither,” as a prophetic reference to the rapture of the Church, leaving Revelation chapters 1 through 3 as a description of the Church Age. After the shout to “come up hither,” the Church is not mentioned in Scripture at all. The attention of Scripture switches from the Church to the Jews living in Israel.
Armies in Fine Linen
When Jesus returns (Rev. 19:18), an army follows Him. The army’s members are riding on white horses, and they are clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. In Revelation 19:8, we are told that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-trib rapture without us running into ourselves as we are coming and going.
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
In several passages, the Bible refers to the tribulation as a time of trouble for the Jews. The phrase “Jacob’s trouble” pertains to the descendants of Jacob. Jeremiah 30:7 says that this time of trouble will come just before the Lord returns to save His people. The final week of Daniel’s 70th week is yet to take place. An angel told Daniel that, “70 weeks are determined unto thy people” (Dan 9:24). Scripture never mentions that the tribulation is meant to be a time of testing for Christians. However, some post-tribbers try to claim that they are the ones being tested during the tribulation. To make this so, they need to spiritualize the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God’s protective seal. Placing the Church dispensation into the same time frame as the seven-year Jewish dispensation, as the post-tribbers do, raises one good question: Can two dispensations transpire at the same time? In the past, God has only dealt with one at a time. Having both present during the tribulation would have to be an exception.
We must understand that Daniel 9:24-27 is the final history of Israel after returning from Babylonians captivity in 516 BC. 70 weeks of years or 490 years are determined for Israel. Four kingdoms will dominate her. Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece and Rome. Then the prince will be cut off….Jesus died on the cross….that ends 483 years. Seven years are left. The church is started and completed and raptured and then God will direct His attention to world Judgment and judgment against Israel. But God will save Israel (1/3) will survive the tribulation and bring them into the Millennial kingdom of one thousand years.
“He” That is Taken Out of the Way
Before the Antichrist can be revealed, Paul said a certain “He” must be taken out of the way. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the “He” that must be removed is widely thought to be the Holy Spirit. It has been promised that the Holy Spirit would never leave the Church, and without the working of the Holy Spirit remaining on earth, no one could be saved during the tribulation. The removal of the Church, which is indwelt by the Holy Ghost, would seem the best explanation for this dilemma. The working of the Holy Spirit could go on during the tribulation, but His influence would be diminished because of the missing Church.
War or Rapture
(Rev 19:19-21) When Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation, He will be coming for battle. For those who believe in a post-trib rapture, it would be strange to meet your Lord and Savior just as He’s rushing into battle. The idea that war and rapture could occur together is difficult to imagine, especially since they transpire at the same moment.
The Five Foolish Virgins
The wedding story that Jesus gave in Matthew 25:2-13, I believe, is a parable of the rapture of the Church. It explains how some will not be ready. Jesus clearly states that a group of people will miss out on an event, and will cry out to God to let them into the place where He resides, heaven. Although some try to put this parable in a post-trib context, it doesn’t fit very well. The ones left behind in a post-trib rapture will not need to seek the Lord because they’ll immediately be confronted by Him and His army of angels.
God Hath Not Appointed Us to Wrath
In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul assures us that God has not appointed His people to wrath. This wrath is plainly God’s anger that will be poured out during the tribulation. Pre-trib believers interpret this as meaning that Christians will be removed from the earth. Post-trib believers tell a different story. They describe this as meaning that God will protect Christians during the tribulation and pour this wrath out on the unbelievers only. This idea runs against the statement made in Revelation 13:7, in which the Antichrist is given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them. A post-trib view would make God’s promise of protection from wrath into a lie. In years past, it was possible to think of being protected from the guns and swords of that day. Today, when any major war would involve nuclear and chemical weapons, it’s impossible to expect that same kind of protection. When Nagasaki, Japan was bombed during World War II, the bomb exploded over a Catholic church. Everyone who was in the center of the explosion died–both Christians and non-Christians. The only way to validly interpret God’s promise of protection from wrath is by viewing 1 Thessalonians 5:9 as the bodily removal of the Church from this world.
The Salt of the Earth
Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). When the believers are supernaturally removed, the earth will be plunged into spiritual darkness. When this happens, the Antichrist will then be free to control the world.
God Takes an Inventory
In Revelation 7:3, an angel descends to earth and seals the servants of God. Two bits of information about this sealing highly disclaim a post-trib viewpoint. The first item is the number of people sealed: 144,000. The second one is that all those who are sealed are from the 12 tribes of Israel. For the events in Revelation 7:3-8 to be true in a post-trib interpretation, either the Church has turned against God or God has turned against the Church. A post-tribber could write a thousand-word commentary about why the Church doesn’t need to be sealed. Instead of trying to argue about why the Church is not mentioned or sealed, a pre-trib proponent could just say, “We’re already in heaven.”
Noah and Lot as Examples
The tribulation period is compared to the times of Noah and Lot by Jesus in Luke 17:28. Most people argue over whether the time frame Jesus was talking about in that passage was pre-trib or post-trib. In doing so, they miss an important point. The two circumstances that the Noah and Lot situations have in common are the removal of the righteous and the judgment of the unbelievers. From these two accounts, we see that God prefers to remove His own when danger is involved.
Common-Sense Reasons for Believing in the Pretribulation Rapture
The World Test
One way to check the soundness of a doctrine is to see how the world reacts to it. One company put out a questionnaire that was used to screen prospective employees. One of the questions was, “Do you believe in the rapture?” If you answered “yes,” your chances of getting hired would not be good. Some internet sites do not allow the topics of Rapture or Second Coming. They do allow topics such as sex, gays, and drugs. The only time the news media mentions the rapture is when someone sets a date and is proven to be wrong.
That Old-Time Religion
It used to be a rule of thumb that when one was visiting a church or listening to a preacher, one could assume the preacher believed in repentance, prayer, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost if he taught the rapture doctrine. It was also true that the churches on fire for God worshipped out of storefronts. Today, many of those storefront churches have moved into marble palaces and have strayed from their principal doctrines.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Whenever I look at all the groups that teach false doctrine and are highly focused on end-time events, I cannot find any that support the rapture theory. Some organizations, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, teach a false gospel and are heavily into Bible prophecy. Why, then, don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses teach a false doctrine that would be right up their alley? Could it be that the demonic forces that influence these groups know something that Christians opposed to the rapture don’t know? The list of prophetically minded cults that reject the idea of a rapture goes on and on. Here are some more: the Mormons, the Worldwide Church of God and the Moonies, as well as leaders like Jim Jones and David Koresh.
Proponents of the Pre Trib rapture theory….
King James Study Bible
Ryrie Study Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
Scofield Reference Bible
Holman Study Bible
Nelson Study Bible
The Believers Study Bible
The Disciples Study Bible
Well known popular Preachers and Bible Teachers on radio, TV and Youtube…..
Tim Thompson
Andy Woods
Tom Hughes
James Cadiz
JD Farag
Randy White
Amir Tsafati
Brandon Holtzhaus
Gary Stearman
Gary Kah
Billy Crone
Ron Rhodes
Eric Barger
Mark Hitchcock
Todd Strandberg
Curtis Bowers
Bill Keonig
Barry Stagner
Leo Hohmann
David Fiorazo
Jack Hibbs
Chuck Smith
Skip Heitzig
Jack Hayford
Don Perkins
David Reagan
Ed Hindson
Don Stewart
Jan Markel
LA Marzuli
Chip Ingram
Billy Graham
Franklin Graham
Erwin Lutzer
Jimmy Deyoung
Mark Dehan
Geoff Grider
Jan Markel
Daymond Duck
Randall Price
Terry James
Tom Horn
Adrian Rogers
Charles Stanley
David Jeremiah
Greg Laurie
Tim Lahaye
Hal Lindsey
Jack Van Impe
Chuck Missler
Thomas Ice
John Macarthur
John Hagee
J Dwight Penecost
J Vernon McGee
Perry Stone….and many more
The Church Would Rebuke the Antichrist
If the Antichrist came to power with the Church still here, I do not see how he could operate. When Hitler was fighting to take over England, a number of Christians were praying for victory. Hitler made mistake after mistake, and England outperformed its enemy at every stage of the conflict. It is difficult to measure the impact of intercessory prayer in physical warfare. Little is known of how great a role praying saints played in the defeat of Nazi Germany. If the Church were to reside on earth during the tribulation, I am sure she would give the Antichrist fits. In Revelation 11:3, the two witnesses alone give the Antichrist enough headaches. Millions of Christians who know their Bibles well would recognize the man of sin and pray fire down on his head. The post-trib view would have to plan on the Church just rolling over and playing dead the whole seven years.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2:7-8 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The man of sin cannot be revealed unless there is a falling away first. That phrase falling away means that there is a “departure.” Many study Bibles will say that it is a departure from the faith. But what does that have to do with the appearance of the man of sin since the whole context is about the church of Thessalonica fearing they had missed the coming of the Lord. It’s not about apostosy but it about the coming of Christ. Clearly verses 7 and 8 are talking about the Anti-christ again. So when we he be revealed. When He who now letteth will let until HE be taken out of the way. The Holy Spirit restrains sin and He indwells the church. When He is removed the church is removed with it. Remember you will have no restrainer in the days after the Man of sin appears. So how can the church be there?
I am not going to argue with anyone about this. I understand a little bit of how you can arrive at at Post-Trib, mid trib views of the rapture. But the main thing is to be ready “in an hour ye think not the son of Man cometh.”
We should all remember one thing: Knowing the Antichrist’s mother’s maiden name isn’t the primary goal. Knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and having your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life should be your number-one priority. The jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30-31).
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Arguments against the Pre Trib Rapture
After messages and articles that attack the pre-trib rapture, I’ve noticed a certain number of arguments that are repeated.
The most commonly mentioned points of debate……….
Nowhere in the Bible, can you find the word “rapture”
It amazes me that some folks write to me, questioning the validity of the rapture, simply because the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible.
With 1 Thes 4:16-18 giving us such a clear description of the rapture, you would have to conclude that some people are just playing games with the Word of God. I could change the name of my site to “Catching Up Ready” to satisfy these folks, but I hardly think that would improve things.
Their logic fails because there are a huge number of words that don’t appear in the Bible, including the word “Bible.” Because God’s Word was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, one could truthfully say that no English words are in the Bible. Let’s take a look at 1 Thes 4:16-18 in the original Greek:
416A. I don’t see the dead in Christ rising, Jesus descending from heaven, and us meeting Him in the air. So the cynics are right: the word “rapture” is nowhere to be found. All I see is gobbledygook.
For the record, the word “rapture” comes from the Latin word “rapturo,” which in turn was a translation of the Greek verb “caught up” found in 1 Thes 4:17. You can call it the pre-trib rapture, the pre-trib rapturo, or the pre-trib caught up–it’s all the same thing.
Nowhere in the Bible does it directly say that the Church will be raptured before the tribulation.
Pre-trib opponents should have thought this one through because any pre-tribulationist has the same right to say, “Nowhere in the Bible does it directly say the Church will go through the tribulation.”
Jesus did say, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). The only time frame I can think of when we believers would not be expecting Jesus to return would have to be before the tribulation.
The Margaret MacDonald Origin
One of the most widely circulated attacks against the pre-trib rapture is the notion that a girl named Margaret MacDonald started this theological view back in 1830. The claim is typically made that MacDonald received a demonic vision, passed it on to John Darby, who in turn popularized it. Disproving this assertion proves rather easy. Pre-trib scholars have discovered a host of rapture writings that predate Margaret MacDonald.
Epharaem the Syrian said, in 373 AD, “For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins.”
One post-trib author offered a reward to anyone who could find a quote that predated MacDonald. He had to quickly cough up the money when someone identified a scholar who wrote about the pre-trib rapture several years before MacDonald. As of late, dozens of examples have been found, and the literary surface has hardly been scratched.
With the revealing of all these pre-MacDonald writings, you would think that this argument has been debunked. Unfortunately, this is not the case. We seem to be involved in a tug-of-war with the truth. Apparently, due to their lack of research, pre-trib opponents continue to pump out publications that cite MacDonald as the originator of the pre-trib rapture.
The Last Trumpet Argument
Because Paul, in 1 Cor. 15:52 and 1 Thes 4:16, said believers would be raptured at the sounding of a trump, many folks have tried to make it appear that the rapture trumps are the same trumpets found in Revelation 11:15-18, Joel 2:1, and Mat 24:31–which all occur during the tribulation.
When you have trumpets commonly used throughout the Bible, I think it’s foolish to just assume any two of the 62 trumps or trumpets are prophetically related. To be able to make the claim that the tribulation trumpet soundings are the same as the rapture trumps, you would need a direct statement saying this is the case.
In the movies Ben-Hur and The Wizard of Oz, I recall hearing the sounding of trumpets. Are both these trumpets somehow prophetically related?
If your friend John said he went to his favorite restaurant last night, and another friend Larry said he also went to his favorite restaurant last night, is it logical for you to assume they both went to the same restaurant? Obviously not, because even though John and Larry went to their favorite restaurants, they may have had two different eating establishments in mind. The same logic should apply with the word trumpet.
With such a blind devotion to this one similarity, I have to wonder if these last-tumpeters are able to distinguish the difference between Tylenol and Exlax. They’re both over-the-counter drugs, they come in pill form, and they can also be found in a medicine cabinet. Of course, one will make your headache disappear and the other will make your toilet paper disappear.
Pre-wrath proponents say that the Seventh Trumpet blown in Rev 11:15-18 is the same last trump Paul spoke of in 1 Cor 15:52. However, they fail to take into account the fact that John wrote Revelation 40 years after Paul wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians. How could Paul refer to something that was not yet revealed?
Post-tribbers use a trumpet sounding in Joel 2:1 as evidence for a post-trib rapture on the Day of the Lord. I have three problems with Joel 2:1:
Joel clearly says that the purpose for blowing the trumpet is to “sound an alarm.”
According to 1 Cor 15:52, the rapture is something that occurs in the twinkling of an eye. Joel 2:1 says the Day of the Lord is nigh at hand. In order for Joel’s trumpet to be the same one in 1 Cor. there would have to be a time delay between the sounding of the trumpet and the rapture of the Church.
The fact that there is another trumpet being sounded in Joel 2:15 further clouds the possibility that these trumpets could have anything to do with the rapture.
When Paul was writing to the Corinthians, he specifically said “the” last trump. During the Feast of Trumpets, the Jews blow short trumpet blasts. They end the feast with a long blast from what is called the last trump, which is blown the longest. Judaism has traditionally connected this last trump with the resurrection of the dead. Paul also made the connection. For many Christians, the association between the rapture and the Feast of Trumpets is so strong, they look for the rapture to someday occur on this feast.
The Day of the Lord Argument
A number people have attempted to refute the pre-trib rapture by trying to associate the “Day of the Lord” with a catching-up of believers at the end of the tribulation. They base their rapture views solely on the idea that the “Day of the Lord” and the rapture are either synonymous or somehow linked together.
The Achilles heel of their argument has to be the notion that the “Day of the Lord” and various other “days” of an end-time context refers to a 24 hour period that occurs at or near the end of the tribulation. Probably the most commonly cited verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:2 where Paul tells us the “Day of the Lord” will come “as a thief in the night.”
I’ve read countless articles that describe the “Day of the Lord” as Christ’s advent at Armageddon. These articles go on to say that, because Paul also tells us the Lord will come “as a thief,” we have a direct link to the same description that is applied to noted rapture verses.
It’s rather obvious that those trying to rely on the “Day of the Lord” never bothered to validate the meaning of this particular day. I’ve checked a number of commentaries on the “Day of the Lord” and many of them define this as being an all-encompassing period that begins with the Great Tribulation. Let’s examine some verses that clearly indicate that the term “day” is used to represent a broader time period.
II Peter 3:10-13
The “Day of the Lord” Peter spoke of in second Peter, cannot be a one day event because it mentions the destruction of the earth by fire and its renovation. Rev 21:11 tells us the earth will not be renewed until after Christ’s 1000 year reign.
Joel 2:11-20
The “Day of the Lord” Joel describes, includes the defeat of the northern army. Ezk. 38 and 39 is parallel passage. Most scholars would time the destruction of the Gog army as occurring before in the first half of the tribulation.
John 12:48
In the book of John, Jesus uses the term “last day” to indicate when the lost would be judged. Rev 20 makes it clear that the unsaved will not be judged until after the millennium–yet another 1000 year gap.
Hebrews 10:25
One of the best indications that most of the various “day” references are citing a general time period can be found in Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Surely, Paul would not be warning us to watch for a day that would be coming at the end of the tribulation. That type of logic would be like warning children, as they cross the road, to watch out for tail lights.
The First Resurrection
I’ve heard some folks say, “There cannot be a pre-trib rapture because to have one would require a second resurrection at Christ’s return to earth.” This conclusion is drawn from Revelation 20:“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev 20:5-6).
One pre-trib writer, explaining this passage, said, “The first did not mean first in time, but rather first in kind.” The first resurrection was for God’s people the second will be for the unsaved.
A quick way to shoot down the notion that the first resurrection is tied to a specific date, as opposed to a more general time frame, is to take note of the tribulation rapture of the two witnesses and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. At the mid-point of the tribulation, the two witnesses are killed by the Antichrist, resurrected by God, and then caught up into heaven (Rev 11:3-12).
Revelation chapter 7 describes the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists just before the Beast issues his mark. Sometime during the latter half of the tribulation, Revelation chapter 14 indicates they will be “redeemed from the earth,” standing before the throne of God.
Confusion over Confusion: 2 Thes 2:1-6
Because Paul, in 2 Thessalonians, said the Antichrist would be revealed before the Day of the Christ, post and pre-wrath adherents frequently try to cite this passage as one that refutes the pre-trib rapture.
To quell the Thessalonian’s misunderstanding that they had somehow entered the tribulation, Paul told them the Antichrist must first be revealed. By telling them they had no reason to panic, Paul is clearly disputing the idea that the Thessalonians could someday find themselves facing the tribulation hour.
I’m constantly being irked by Post-trib and pre-wrath folks’ consistent, or better yet deliberate, failure to accept the simple fact that the pre-trib doctrine calls for a rapture and a second coming. Because they only glean the prophetic word for one event–the second coming–they’re unable to recognize pre-trib rapture passages.
Of course, when you fuse the two advents together, you end up with verses that appear to contradict each other: 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” and Revelation 13:7, “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.”
Reverse Logic Stuck In Reverse
Many people are against the pre-trib rapture simply because they see it as being the dominant view on the timing of Christ’s return for the Church. The anti-pretribulationists often think they are the last remaining true believers. I’m simply dumbfounded over why some people choose rebellion against the majority view as their guide for finding truth.
The measurement of popularity alone is a terrible way to determine something’s validity. It is particularly strange when people solely rely on the contrarian view to judge truth from fiction. I utilize contrarian views all the time to help determine what is truthful; however, it would be a terrible mistake on my part if I made Contrarianism the core foundation of any of my beliefs.
If you’re using reverse logic, you need to support your conclusions. The vast majority of the population would agree that apples grow on apple trees and cherries grow on cheery trees. The pure novelty of the opposite being true does not in any way help make it so. Unless you see farmers gluing apples onto cherry trees or picking cherries from apple trees, you have no basis to think that these two fruits do not grow on anything but the trees that share the same name.
Some people are clearly more in love with the idea of a conspiracy than they are the truth. Every time an airplane crashes to the earth there’s someone who will proclaim it was caused by anything from an act of terrorism to a bizarre government plot. It’s just not exciting enough to say it was a mechanical problem that led to the crash.
The idea that the pre-trib rapture is the dominant view is not correct in the first place. Most evangelicals would say they look for a pre-trib rapture, but if you include all Christians, pretribulationists would rank third behind post-trib and preterist adherents.
Persecute Me Please
You would think the desire to go through the tribulation would be as popular as the desire to jump into a pit filled with vipers and broken glass. As illogical as it may seem, there appears to be a large number of Christians that fully expect to get roughed up before Christ returns.
Many Christians argue strongly for the right to suffer persecution at the hands of the Antichrist and the one world government. These tribulation saint wannabees constantly harp, “Because Jesus and His disciples suffered persecution, we should expect no better.” It’s been my experience that people with the weakest faith are generally the ones that talk the boldest. When the slightest difficulty comes their way, they cry to high heaven.
I hate to be the bearer of good news, but the word of God clearly states that believers will escape the tribulation bloodbath. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:9). “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev 3:10).
In one regard, people who think the Church will go through the tribulation are somewhat correct. I believe a huge number people–who are Christians in name only–will find themselves left behind. By having the rapture before the tribulation, all those who find themselves facing the wrath of God will be without an excuse.
No Secret Rapture
“There is no secret rapture” is the beginning declaration of a large percentage of messages that attack the rapture. Rarely is this statement backed by supporting scriptural evidence. A few people will cite Rev 1:17, “every eye shall see him,” as proof that the rapture will not be a secret event. Of course, I would immediately note that “every eye shall see him” is the second coming.
I have a hard time understanding how these folks could think pretribulationists preach a secret rapture. We seem to be doing our very best to popularize the rapture before it takes place. I doubt that, afterwards, with all the car wrecks, plane crashes, and missing persons reports, the rapture will remain a secret occurrence.
The only people I know who are attempting to keep the pre-trib rapture a secret are its critics. Pre-wrath and post-trib folks have the national media and the liberal churches as their allies in their ongoing effort to silence all knowledge of the “blessed hope.”
No Imminency
Because an imminent or any moment rapture is one of the major teachings of pre-tribulationists, opponents of this view attempt to dismantle the imminency of the rapture.
Although Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Mat 24:42), advocates for knowing the “day” will claim this only applies to the unsaved. I hear arguments like, “Surely a loving father would tell his own children when he’s coming for them.”
To try to get around “no man know the hour,” a popular scripture often cited is: “But yea brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thes 5:4).
Despite all their monkeying with scripture, pre-trib detractors just cannot escape Jesus’ restriction against knowing the timing of the rapture. In fact, our Lord was so restrictive about the rapture, He said its occurrence would come as a total surprise. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).
Now as far as the second coming goes, the Bible couldn’t be plainer. It clearly states that Jesus will return 1260 days from the moment the Antichrist sits in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God. Because there exists both a known and an unknown date, many scholars have logically concluded that there must be two different events occurring–the rapture and the second coming.
The Restrainer
In 2 Thessalonians the Apostle Paul speaks of a “he” that will restrain the advent of the Antichrist. The restrainer’s removal is required before the Antichrist can be revealed.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only hewho now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
A debate has erupted over the identity of the Restrainer because if this “he” is the Holy Ghost, the only real explanation for his removal would be the rapture of the Church, which is indwelled by him. The strongest argument offered against the Holy Spirit being the Restrainer is the belief that if God’s Spirit was ever removed from the earth, no one could then be saved. The removal of the Holy Ghost does not have to be an all or nothing proposition. I believe his being “taken out of the way” will only be a degree of removal.
Before the Church Age, people were able to find salvation, which obviously meant the Holy Spirit was at work on earth. When the outpouring of the Holy Ghost occurred at Pentecost, we didn’t have a second Holy Spirit come to earth. His removal at the rapture will only be a reversal or ending of the Pentecostal outpouring.
Replacementism
Because Revelation places a strong emphasis on Israel during the tribulation, and not on the church, most post-tribulationists have adopted a replacement theology view in order to maintain the focus on them.
Replacementism is the view that Israel, having failed God, has been replaced by the Church. The Church is now seen as spiritual Israel and spiritual Jerusalem. This teaching claims that all the promises and blessings, in fact Israel’s entire inheritance, now belongs to the Church. However, all is not lost for Israel; it gets to keep all the curses.
Dispensational theology, taught by nearly all pre-tribulationists, teaches that God has separate strategies for dealing with the Church and the Jews. When you consider the change in focus, during the tribulation, from the Church to Israel, the pre-trib rapture provides a good explanation for this transfer of attention.
To say that Israel is no longer God’s chosen people is really playing with fire because the Antichrist will likely be saying the same thing when he tries to destroy the Jews during the tribulation. I look for people that hold to replacementism to be in the cheering section when the Beast goes on his Jew-killing campaign. “The Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (Psalm 94:14).
“This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord Almighty is his name: ‘Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,’ declares the Lord, ‘will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me’” (Jeremiah 31:35-36).
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Revelation Outline.
Chapter 1.
It was the day the Lord resurrected. The early church met for worship on that day. Early church fathers called Sunday the first day of the weed as the Lord’s day.
He had a voice like roaring waters. Demonstrating the power of His word.
Jesus puts His hand upon John and says “fear not I am the first and the last” third reference to the Alpha and Omega.
Chapter 2
Peramos verses 12-17
Thyatira verses 18-29
Chapter 3
Letter to Sardis verses 1-6
Letter to Philadelphia verses 7-13
Letter to church of Laodicea verses 14-22
Chapter 4
The call to ascend in verse 1. The rapture? Most believe it is.
The Creator on the throne. The scene switches to heaven. And a glorious description of the throne of God which I believe is heaven but is it future or present?
The 24 elders could be the church in heaven or a heavenly ruling council since the church is not prepared to rule until Revelation 19. Or it could be heaven in the future after everything is consummated. There are many parentheses or pauses in the book of Revelation.
Four Beasts around the throne could represent the four gospels or all of living creation animal and human.
The Beast descriptions are also in Ezekiel 1:4-10.
Worship from the four beasts and 24 elders. 24 elders most likely the raptured church.
Chapter 5
The Redeemer on the Throne. Are we going back in time to the time just before the ascension of Christ. AD 30? Interesting thought.
The book with the seven seals. Why seven seals? Seven is the number of completion. “Who is worthy to open the book?” If Jesus is already in heaven, why would they be asking this question? It could be just for emphasis that the Lamb has done His work.
John weeping in heaven because no one was worthy to open the book until….
The Lamb and the book. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David prevailed to loose the seals of the book and open it. When did He get there? If Jesus was there for over two thousand years then why would they be looking for someone who is worthy? I believe Jesus just arrived after the ascension. So this has to be Heaven in the first century.
The Lamb in the middle of the throne, the beasts and the elders. The Lamb is Jesus. The four beasts and the 24 elders are unknown. 12 apostles? Not there yet. 12 Jewish tribes? Plus 12 major and minor prophets? Maybe.
Four beasts? Four corners of the earth? Four gospels? All of living creation. We do not know.
The worship of the beasts and the elders along with the vial of the prayers of the saints.
All creatures worship the Lamb in a glorious display of devotion and praise.
Chapter 6
Chapters 6-18 are the tribulation period. Rapture then tribulation. Chapters 19-22 are the return of Christ and the millennium and new heaven and a new earth and eternity. Rapture then tribulation……Return of Christ and the millennium.
The seal judgments and chapter six are a review of the history of the world that will unfold from the ascension of Christ until His return to the earth.
The seal judgments are opened by the Lamb, Jesus
The four horsemen of the Apocalypse. They have been riding from the 1st century until the return of Christ.
The first seal is the white horse. We have always had false Christs and men who would be world rulers culminating with the Beast of Revelation, the Anti-Christ.
The second seal is the Red horse. We have always had war and It will get worse during the tribulation.
The third seal is the Black horse. We have always had famines and economic collapse. It will get much, much worse during the tribulation.
The fourth seal is the Pale horse. We have always had disease and untimely death that has killed millions up to today…..but it will culminate during the tribulation. ¼ of the world’s population will be killed. This has happened during many world wide plagues in past history. Spanish Flu 1918. The Black Plague. It will happen again during the tribulation and will kill ¼ of the world’s population. ¼ is two Billion people today. Some experts have already predicted that 2 billion will die from the Covid 19 vaccinations in the near future with Antibody Dependent Enhancement syndrome.
The fifth seal Martyrs are revealed. Martyrs have been killed since the 1st century. The tribulation martyrs are in chapter seven. Millions will die for their faith then.
The sixth seal is upheaval in nature, people cry out for the rocks to fall on them. The judgment on the world coming during the tribulation and the return of Christ.
So then Chapter six is a summary of world events from AD 30 and until and leading up to the return of Christ.
Chapter 7
Parenthesis
144,000 sealed saints of Israel who preach the gospel to the whole world. They will preach and win many to Christ.
Many millions believe their preaching and trust in Jesus due to the fact that Tribulation saints are described as a great multitude dressed in white. These are different than the martyrs mentioned in chapter six.
Chapter 8
The seventh seal of the scroll opened
Silence for ½ hour for things are going to get really bad. The seal and bowl judgments are a part of the tribulation only. The seal judgments are world history including the summary of the tribulation trumpet and bowl judgments.
The angel with the golden censor
The seventh seal reveals the seven trumpet judgments by seven angels
First four trumpet judgments described.
1st Trumpet. Hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up
2nd Trumpet. 8 The second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
3rd Trumpet. 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
4th trumpet 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Verse 13 warning about the next two trumpets.
Chapter 9
The fifth and sixth trumpet judgments
Fifth angel sounded. Star falls from heaven
Angel has the key to the bottomless pit and opens it.
Smoke and locusts with tails like scorpions come out to torment only those who do not have the mark of God. They are not to harm the grass or the trees. This is the FIRST WOE.
Bottomless pit opened and locusts unleashed who torment but not kill people for five months. Men will seek death but cannot die.
The locusts were like horses, their head were like crowns of gold and their faces like men. The hair was like women, teeth like lions, tails like scorpions, hurt people for five months. The name of their leader is the Hebrew name Abbadon, the greek name is Apollyon.
Sixth angel sounded. A voice from the four horns from the golden altar. It tells the angel to loose the four angels which are bound in the river Euphrates. The angels are loosed and prepare for One year, one month, one day and one hour so that they might kill one third of all mankind. This is the SECOND WOE.
A two hundred thousand, thousand man army on horses with 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.
One third of the population is killed by the power in their mouths of fire smoke and brimstone and their tails. Their tails were like a snake and their heads cause hurt.
Despite all this suffering and death, men do NOT repent of their idolatries, their murdering and their drug use, their sexual debauchery or their thieving.
Chapter 10
Parenthesis-
Another mighty angel comes down from heaven. Clothed with a cloud, rainbow on his head, face like the sun and feet like pillars of fire. In his had is a little book. He has his right foot on the sea (gentile nations) and his left foot on the earth (Israel)
The angel has a loud voice like a lion that roars and like seven claps of thunder. John was about to write: but he heard a voice from heaven that told him to seal up those things which the angel that sounded like seven thunders uttered, and don’t write them down.
The angel then lifts up his hand to heaven and swears unto the eternal creator God of heaven that time shall be no more. The angel says that when the seventh angels sounds his trumpet it will reveal all that God has told every prophet down through the ages.
The angel with the great voice tells John to take the little book from the angel that stood on the sea and the earth has and eat it. It will give him a stomach ache but will taste very good, very sweet. And John took the book and ate it and sure enough it tasted like honey but gave him a stomach ache.
John is told that he must prophesy to the people is many nations, languages and even kings.
Chapter 11
John measures the temple, the altar and those who worship
40 and 2 months Jerusalem shall be tread under by gentiles. 3 ½ years. This is the second half of the tribulation.
The two witnesses speak for 1260 days and then are killed. 3 ½ years. First half of the tribulation. Because after their death the Anti-Christ is empowered by the Devil and
The world rejoices over the death of the two witnesses and gives gifts to one another.
After 3 ½ days the two witnesses get up and ascend to heaven and everyone is astonished.
And angel announces the THIRD WOE which is the seventh trumpet.
This is the mid-point of the tribulation period. Next is the GREAT tribulation.
Chapter 12
The participants of the Tribulation
Pregnant woman in heaven clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a
Crown of 12 stars. This may be the Jews.
Great red dragon with seven heads
War in heaven. The dragon with his angels are cast out of heaven finally and forever. The devil is consigned to earth only and is enraged knowing his time is short. 42 months. Second half of the tribulation.
The dragon persecutes the man-child.
The woman (Israel) flees into the wilderness where she is protected for times, time and half a time.
The woman is the object of the wrath of the dragon during this 2nd half of the tribulation. Satan wants to destroy all the Jews so that Jesus cannot fulfill His Davidic promises to rule and reign on the earth.
Chapter 13
The Beast rises up out of the sea. Sea means the gentile world. Earth means Israel.
Ten means ten world elites or ten regions in the world
Seven heads. Seven Gentile nations that have dominated Israel through history
2. Assyria
3. Babylon
4. Medo-Perisa
5. Greece
6. Rome
7. Revised final Roman Empire of The Last days
The Beast is wounded but is healed. The False prophet is his evangelist.
“Who is like unto the Beast.” He is given power for 42 months. 3 ½ years. The last half of the tribulation.
2nd Beast from the earth (False Prophet)
The Mark of the Beast is described. Satan’s counterfeit of God’s eternal salvation is Christ. People must choose to worship the Beast to get the Mark. People will willingly choose to take the mark.
Chapter 14
144,000 singing
The angel preaches the eternal gospel for time is running out.
2nd angel preaches doom to Babylon for time is short.
3rd angel preaches doom to those who take the mark of the Beast for there isn’t much time.
Son of man uses a sickle to harvest the earth. Matthew 25?
Chapter 15
Seven angels with 7 plagues.
Sea of glass where those who have overcome the Beast sing the song of Moses and
Play harps. People only overcome by trusting in the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.
Seven angels come out of the temple with the seven golden vials (bowls) which are given
To seven angels.
Chapter 16
A voice from the Temple tells the seven angels to pour out their vials or bowls.
Seven vial or bowl judgments poured out by the seven angels.
1st vial. A noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the Beast.
2nd Vial. A plague on the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
3rd vial. The rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. The angel of the waters said, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And John heard another voice out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
4th vial. The fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to give men a terrible sunburn like they were on fire. But people blasphemed the name of God, and they repented not to give him glory.
5th vial. the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was plunged into total darkness. People were in so much pain that they gnawed their tongues. At the same time they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
6th vial. The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and dried the river up so that the leaders of the east might cross it. Also three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouths of the unholy trinity, the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
John tells the truth about the unclean frogs. They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the leaders of the earth and people of the whole world, to convince them and cause them to gather to the battle of Armageddon which will be the great day of God Almighty.
John as an aside tells the reader that Jesus will come as a thief. And promises Blessing to those who are watching for him, and keeps following Jesus so that He will not be ashamed when His Lord comes for Him.
It is God that will be gathering the worlds forces to a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
The seventh vial or bowl is released into the air. A voice from the altar in heaven says “it is done.” Voices, thunder and lightning follow Then the greatest earthquake in world history follows.
The city of Babylon is divided into three parts. And will face the wine of the wrath of God.
Islands go missing and mountains collapse and great hail from heaven with stone weighing 75 pounds and men blaspheme God because of it.
Chapter 17
The seven angels with the vials talk with John about Babylon the great about to be judged.
This Babylon has the whole world under her spell twice described as fornicating with her. She is full of blasphemy and has seven heads and ten horns which means this is a religious system. Which means she has great influence and control of the world leaders.
John sees a woman riding a Beast clothed in scarlet, gold, precious stones and pearls with a golden cup with represents all of her abominations and fornications.
On her forehead is written. MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. So she is not hiding anything she does. But does it openly and proudly.
She has martyred many of God’s true church down through the years. So many that she is drunk with their blood. John had a strange fascination for such a one so dedicated to their cause so much so that the angel asked John why do you marvel at her with the seven heads and ten crowns, I will tell you about her secrets.
The Beast will die and go to perdition so that people will wonder “where did he go?“ and then the Beast will come back. This is that deadly wound he receives.
The second secret is that the woman who rides the Beast sits on seven Mountains…not hills. Rome is a city built on seven HILLS. The angel goes on to describe the seven kings, five are done, one is still going but one is coming who will have power but a relatively short time. The Beast who went to perdition is the eighth king but comes from the seventh king. This woman I believe is all the false religions of the world united under the Catholic church but accepting all tenants of every faith into a mystic, mother earth, scientific, holistic, new age type of religion that pleases everyone. Islam will be mostly destroyed by the God-Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39. Those Muslims left will gladly align themselves with this group. She is on seven hill that becomes mountains which could mean the entire earth since seven is the number of completeness.
Ten horns which stand for power are ten kings who will rise up. Either ten national leaders or ten elite leaders who will align with the Beast and be given power for one hour which means a relatively short time.
So the woman is also aligned with the Beast. They will be devoted to the Beast. They will even eventually make war with Christ and His called, chosen and faithful followers at His second coming in Revelation 19 and be overcome by Jesus.
The angel goes back to the woman, now called a whore. She sat on waters which stand for people of the whole world. The ten national leaders will eventually hate the whore and make war with her and destroy her. After this these ten will give their power over to the Beast totally until God brings that alliance to an end.
The angel ends by telling John that the woman is actually a great city which leads the people of the earth into a false religion. This verse tells us so much. That the woman is a religious system that will be followed for a while then the world will turn from this system and worship the Beast only. That is why the whore is destroyed.
This is religious Babylon. A world religious system that will be of great influence until the False Prophet leads the world to worship the Anti-Christ and take his mark at the mid-point of the tribulation.
Chapter 18
Another angel comes down from heaven and announces that Babylon the great is fallen.
All nations have drunk the wine of the wrath of her fornication by doing business with her.
The worlds kings will lament for her and the merchants of the earth have done business with her. This the commercial Babylon. Babylon stands for the worldly attempts by man to usurp God. There is a religious Babylon to replace worship of God and a Commercial Babylon to replace dependence upon God.
A voice from heaven tells them to stop doing business with her for she has sinned and you will catch her plagues if you do, for God is aware of her sin and she will suffer double.
Commercial Babylon has lived a life of luxury feeding off of the merchants of the world but her day of judgment is coming and it will be swift and final.
Those who have done business with her will mourn for her and wail because of their lost business opportunities. There will be smoke as she burns up. A nuclear device destroys this city because they angel says to stand afar off. Get out of her like Sodom and Gemorha.
Merchants or the world trade partners will mourn for her destruction that comes on so suddenly like an angle casting a millstone into the sea that’s how fast it happens.
The description of merchandise indicates that this is indeed a commercial Babylon and clearly a city. A city that is destroyed by a nuclear blast, a volcanic eruption, or something. Religious Babylon is described as more of a system. Commercial Babylon is clearly a city.
This city once had music and dancing and was known for its great craftsmanship. No more weddings and the commerce of this city will be sorely missed and their great merchants and products. Whatever they sold it will be greatly missed and they evidently cornered the market on it. This city also lead in the murder of many followers of Christ during the tribulation. They may have manufacture tracking devices and did not tolerate anyone that didn’t go along with their wicked merchandise or merchandising.
Heaven is called to rejoice over her being destroyed.
Is it New York? Hollywood? London? Paris? Beshing, A New Babylon? We just cannot say for sure.
Chapter 19
Many rejoice that the great whore, religious Babylon is judged and the smoke means it is an eternal judgment just like a type of Gehenna in the Gospels.
24 elders praise God. Again is this the church? Maybe. The four beasts appear again.
A voice from the throne asks everyone to praise God. Both small and great.
A voice like many waters and thunders (very impressive) says Hallelueigh the Lord God all powerful reigns!
Now the bride of the lamb has made herself ready. This is the church. Dressed in white and fine linen.
Marriage supper of the lamb
This supper will occur in heaven during the tribulation on the earth. If we take the book of Revelation in chronological order as most of it is, The judgment seat of Christ, the supper, then the battle of Armageddon. They have cast their crowns at Jesus feet in Revelation chapter four so the supper will occur after that.
After the supper heaven is opened. Jesus is on a white horse. He is described with those flaming eyes again, many crowns and a name no one knew but Jesus Himself stands for the things of God that we will never know for that is His greatness and majesty. Think about it If we knew everything about God even in heaven we would be God! There is room for only one God and I’m glad of that!
He is called the word of God. Amen!
The armies that follow Him are dressed in that clean white linen that described the church.
Supper for the birds of prey, God’s cleanup crew to get ready for there is going to be great slaughter. This is not the marriage supper of the Lamb as verse 18 clearly points out.
The Beast and the armies of the world intend to make war against Christ and His army.
Christ takes the Beast and the false prophet, (miracles were done by these two) And those that received the mark of the Beast and cast the Beast and the false prophet alive into the lake of fire. The rest will be killed by the sword of Jesus. They will be judged at the resurrection of the dead.
Chapter 20
Another Angel comes with the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
Now the devil is about to get his just due. The angel gets a hold of him and bound him in the chain and cast him in the bottomless pit for one thousand years so that he cannot deceive the nations (there will still be nations in the thousand year reign of Christ) any more. But he will be loosed at the end of the one thousand years for a little while
John saw the souls of those who were martyred during the tribulation. They will reign be resurrected and reign with Christ for one thousand years. The wicked dead won’t be resurrected until the end of the thousand years. This is the second resurrection.
The First Resurrection takes place in various phases. Christ the first fruits, then the church at the rapture, then the martyrs at the end of the tribulation. Those who enter the millennial reign of Christ and those born during the millennial reign of Christ will be given their resurrection bodies at the end of the one thousand years. I believe this is in Revelation 20:5. The first resurrection is always talking about the righteous according to Revelation 20:6.
Flesh and blood shall not enter the kingdom of God so we assume that sometime between the transition from the millennium and the new heaven and the new earth they will get their resurrection bodies.
Satan is loosed from prison at the end of the millennium. He shall deceive the nations one more time. And gather Gog and Magog for a battle. This is different that the Gog-Magog of Ezekiel 38-39 even though some believe it is the same battle. Many millions will gather for this final battle of God vs. Evil.
Naturally they will attack Jerusalem where Jesus rules and reigns from.
It doesn’t last very long and Satan is cast into the lake of Fire with the Beast and the False Prophet.
Jesus is on a white horse showing His power and majesty and there is obviously no place for the wicked any more in His presence. The time of tolerance for the wicked has ended forever!
The great white throne judgment. The dead bodies in the sea and in the ground were all resurrected and judged.
Death (people dead in sins and trespasses and physical death) and hell, the realm of the dead are ended. Now they are all cast into the lake of Fire.
Very simply… those who are not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of Fire.
Chapter 21
The new heaven and the new earth.
New Jerusalem comes down from heaven
From now on God will dwell with His people.
All sorrow, death, crying and pain will be no more.
Description of the ungodly is given.
An angel shows John the new Jerusalem.
John describes it in detail.
Chapter 22
River flowing from the throne of God.
The paradise of God
The tree of life.
The removal of the curse of man.
The throne of God and the Lamb
Concluding comments
“These things must be done shortly”
“I am Alpha and Omega…”
“whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”
“if any man add to the words of this prophecy of this book God shall add unto
Him the plagues that are written.”
“behold I come quickly”
“Blessed are those who read this book” Two blessings for the readers of the book of Revelation. READ this book often!
3/1/2026
Revelation 21:1-27 and 22:1-6 The New Jerusalem
Intro: There are many questions about the New Jerusalem of which we don’t have many answers but the basics. It’s size, It’s shape and it’s inhabitants. We know the bride of Christ will be there. We think that eventually includes the OT saints and the Tribulation saints. It is described as a bride adorned for her husband and the church is the only bride of Christ. Are the OT saints the church?….Not technically but they will be in heaven with the church…during the Marriage supper of the Lamb……. they are friends of the bridegroom. John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. Are the Tribulation saints the bride? Not likely because most likely the marriage supper of the Lamb occurs in heaven during the tribulation. Be we will look at what we know and use Biblical speculation on what we don’t know. Eventually all redeemed with be together or at least be able to fellowship with each other.
Got Questions.org–The New Jerusalem, which is also called the tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the city of God, the Celestial City, the city foursquare, and heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places. Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all; Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 12:22–23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect; and Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. It is most fully described in Revelation 21 and 22.
Some scholars believe that the new Jerusalem will descend from heaven and hover over the Millennial Kingdom as a satellite city of the glorified church during Christ’s thousand-year reign. Scripture offers no evidence for this position. Some believe including me…..that the new Jerusalem is presented in Revelation chapter 21 and 22 is as it will be in the eternal state, not in the Millennial Kingdom. So Paul tells us that the Jerusalem is above. Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. So right now there is a city of Jerusalem in heaven and that’s where it will be during the tribulation when it come down OUT of heaven. Revelation 21:1 which we will see shortly.
In Revelation 21, the recorded history of man is at its end. All the ages have come and gone. Christ has gathered His church in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17). The tribulation has passed (Revelation 6—18). The battle of Armageddon has been fought and won by our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:17–21). Satan has been chained for the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1–3). A new, glorious temple has been established in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40—48). The final rebellion against God has been quashed, and Satan has received his just punishment, an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7–10.) The great white throne judgment has taken place, and mankind has been judged (Revelation 20:11–15).
In Revelation 21:1 God does a complete make-over of heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:12–13). The new heaven and new earth are what some call the eternal state and will be “where righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Who are the residents of the New Jerusalem? The Father and the Lamb are there (Revelation 21:22). Angels are at the gates (verse 12). We know the city will be filled with the bride, the Lambs wife. Revelation 21:9 let me show the bride, the Lambs wife.…His church, God’s redeemed children.
The New Jerusalem is the righteous counter to the evil Babylon (Revelation 17), destroyed by God’s judgment (Revelation 18). The wicked had their city, and God has His.
The Holy City
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. After the tribulation and the thousand year reign. There will be a New heaven and a new earth.
The question is what does the New Jerusalem have to do with heaven? The heavenly Jerusalem is in heaven right now. Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. But a New heavenly Jerusalem is coming down to earth. We will look at that. The things in the New Jerusalem. It will have God’s throne the Lamb and God’s people in it.
No more sea…..The sea is according to many mythological stories is where the demons dwell. They hide in the depths of the sea. They are disembodied Nephilim according to some. Jesus sent the demons into the swine and where did the swine go? Into the sea. No need for sea in a city. Today we have three heavens. The sky, outer space and God’s home. Is heaven coming down to the new Earth. But God said we will have a new heaven. It is outer space and a new sky?
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. As a Bride….coming down out of heaven. Heaven comes to earth. Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Both Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 21:2 describe the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. Notice that the kingdom of God is called New Jerusalem. Not New New York, New Washington, New London, New Paris, New Moscow, New Bejing, New Paris not even the new Rome.….It the New Jerusalem. Indicating it is Jewish in the land of the Jews.
Paul said that in Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above….. a heavenly Jerusalem is in heaven. It is the place of God’s presence. And His throne is in heaven and it comes down with the New Jerusalem. So let’s see how many questions the Bible will answer about this New Jerusalem.
A Voice From Heaven
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. A tabernacle is the place where God came in the Old Testament and met with His people…this time God tells us that His goal is to dwell with His people. Ezekiel 37:27-28 says My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
God never leaves. We will never leave God and He will never leave us. He is our God, our Savior, Our redeemer, our Father, our Lord, Our life and our Jesus! It’s a voice out of heaven. Who’s voice? An angel again is given the task to describe introduce something.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. No tears there…..no death there……no pain there….no former earthly fleshly things. No doubt, no fear, no dread, no aggravation, no desperation, no regrets, and no weariness. Former things of fallen man on earth are gone forever! “It came to pass” is a refrain throughout the Bible. This time everything passes at once.
God Speaks
Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me………. Now God is talking the one on the throne…Everything is new. Which are things we have never experienced before. New to us? or to God also? Nothing is new to God…… and neither is anything old to Him. All things are new to Him.
Revelation 21:5………….Write: for these words are true and faithful Write these words. God’s words are recorded for our benefit and guidance and assurance. God’s words are written so that we might believe in Jesus Christ. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Without God’s infallible, inerrant word….we would be at the whim of next week’s so called prophet. God’s word was established by prophets whose words were tested. How did they test a prophet? If his prophecies came true or not. If they did one hundred percent His words were from God. Today we have the Bible. And it is 33 percent prophecy for a reason. To prove the other 67 percent is reliable!
Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done…… God is who is doing the talking here.
Prophecy is done. It is fulfilled. No more prophecies. The end of Revelation is the end of prophecy. There will be no Revelation chapter 23 or 2 Revelation.
Jesus is Revealed And Speaks
Revelation 21:6…..I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end……..Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia. This is Jesus! In Revelation 1:8 He says He is the Almighty. In Revelation 22:6 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. The Alpha and Omega is Jesus Christ. Tell that to Jehovah’s Witnesses out of their own Bible. They will look so puzzled.
Revelation 21:6……..I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He offers salvation once again to those who read this. The concern and love of God always leads Him to offer salvation even in the last part of the Bible. The last invitation in the Bible comes at the end of the book. Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Again, God continues to offer Salvation to those who read the book of Revelation all the way to the end.
Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ can overcome. Nobody has the power or the ability to overcome sin and it’s dread. God adopts us into His family as His own. His son not His possession but His son. His child. We are also called His bride. All units of the family. We are a part of God’s family. You can never undo family blood. We are related by blood. God and His family are related by blood….the blood of Jesus Christ!
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. If you have committed sins you will always be known for those sins. A Bank robber is always a bank robber on this earth. If your sins are not covered by the blood of Christ you will remain forever in your sins. A terrible fate for sure. But these are people that never trusted in Christ. We are all of these things…… before we met Jesus Christ by faith and trust.
The Angel Who Poured Out The Bowl Judgements Introduces The Bride Of Christ
Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The same angel that had the seven bowl last judgments tells John He will show Him the bride the Lamb’s wife. This is the church! How do we know that? Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
The bride is mentioned in Revelation 19:7-9: 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.
Isaiah 6:25 or as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. John 3:28-29 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Revelation 19 describes the church as a Bride….Revelation 19:7-9 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.
John 14:1-6 decribes a Jewish wedding. Jesus prepares a place for His bride and comes for her when the Father tells Him it’s time.
If the book of Revelation is chronological and I believe it is…..then the marriage and the marriage supper happens before Christ returns to the earth. Revelation 21:11-21 is the return of Christ with His armies from heaven. They are clothed in fine linen, white and clean is the bride…the raptured church. The OT saints are not resurrected until after the time of trouble, the tribulation…. according to Daniel 12:1-2. This is the battle of Armageddon.
The New Holy Jerusalem
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, John is carried to a great High mountain. John is carried away to a desert in Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. This time John is carried away to a mountain. Where is this mountain? Is it in heaven? Is this a view from the earth as the New Jerusalem descends to the earth? If so it must have been a glorious sight for sure. It is called THAT great city, the HOLY Jerusalem. For those Jew haters today…what do they think about Revelation 21:10? There is only one Jerusalem that is a holy city!
Revelation 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. This city has the glory of God all over it. It is glorious because He is glorious! The city is described as her because it contains the bride of Christ. It’s light was like a jasper stone that was clear as crystal. Lots of precious stones described in heaven. So this city descends out of heaven.
Angels Guard Each Gate with the Names of The 12 tribes Of Israel
Revelation 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
The gates have the names of the twelve patriarchs…the twelve tribes of Jacob. Twelve angels are standing by these gates. John described the various components of the city. He described its walls as “great and high” (v. 12). It is obvious that high walls will not be needed for defense because the city will have no enemies. It is symbolic that only those who trusted in Christ are allowed in. No sin can enter the sin…no evil can enter the city. Angels guard each gate. The twelve tribes have many different listings.
Genesis listing is: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad, Asher, Dan, Nephtali, Joseph and Bejamin.
Deuteronomy listing is: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Benjamin and Joseph.
In Joshua these were the tribes appropriated land: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephriam and Manasseh (Joseph’s two sons) and Benjamin. The tribe of Levi had no land appropriated.
The last listing is in the book of Revelation chapter 7 concerning the 144 thousand Jewish preachers. Those tribes are….Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Nephthali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin.
Dan and Joseph’s 2nd son Ephraim are omitted from the final listing, perhaps because of their gross idolatry during the period of the judges, demonstrated by the incident in Dan. Joseph and his son Manasseh are both included, as is Levi, bringing the number of tribes to twelve.
Revelation 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. The descending city has a great high wall with twelve gates and each gate had a angel there were names written on each gate of each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Again what do the Jew haters of today think about that? Why the twelve tribes of Israel have to do with the bride of Christ? They are the fore runners of the church, the bride! Three gates on each side with angels most likely guarding the gates symbolically. Three gates on each side tell us that it is square and we find out later it is a cube shape.
Gates allow entrance into the city. Without the twelve patriarchs no one would get into the city…there would be no city if God had not first revealed Himself to the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His twelve sons represent all the OT patriarchs.
A Wall With The Names of The Twelve Apostles
Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The wall twelve foundations. How does it have twelve foundations? What does that mean? Are they stacked? Are they side by side? We don’t know? All we know is that each foundation had the name of an apostle. Jesus Christ is the corner stone, the apostle the foundation and the church is the building in this case the walls. Hence the city contains the church the bride of Christ. The gates are the twelve tribes that opened up access to God.
The city will have “twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (v. 14). The mention of one of the twelve apostles on each foundation links the church to a major role in the new Jerusalem. Although Israel and the church are brought together in the New Jerusalem, they will have distinct identities in eternity and should not be lumped into one group.
The Size Of The City
Revelation 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. The angel had a golden reed and measuring stick and he measured the gates of the city and the walls thereof. The gates are the Twelve tribes….. the walls contain the bride, the church. To measure the city means it is huge and full. God’s house is finally filled. No one else can ever be saved.
What you are is what you will be forever. Revelation 22:10-12 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. It is settled for all eternity. This is why it is so serious that you come to Christ now! Don’t put it off another minute. You don’t have any guarantee of another second!
Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. It is a cube four squared means each side is equal. No one side is greater than the other. All are treated positionally equal. In this city neither the twelve tribes nor the Church is greater than the other.
The city is an incredible 12 thousand furlongs. A furlong is 1/8 of a mile. Which is about 15 hundred miles!! One thousand five hundred miles high….. and one thousand five hundred miles wide on each side! Again everything is equal. Perfect cube. No side bigger than the other. In ancient times a cube was considered the perfect object.
They say that you can fit billions of people into this cube easily! With everyone an acres of space! Remember it’s One thousand five hundred miles wide, One thousand five hundred miles high! The distance from HERE to Albuquerque, New Mexico is 1500 miles. From Tampa Florida to Toronto Canada is 1,500 miles. From Albuquerque to Cananda is about 1,386 miles. From Albuquerque to 150 miles into the border of Canada is 1500 miles.
Now you think of this…… 1,500 miles high…..7 million 920 thousand feet. A story is ten feet. So this city will have 792,000 stories!!! So you got a building that stretches from HERE to Albuquerque, from Albuquerque to inside Canada that is 792,000 stories High!
How high is 1,500 miles? 1,500 miles puts you into outer space. Low earth satellites are around 1,200 miles high. The international space station is only 250 miles high. This New Jerusalem stands one thousand five hundred miles high! How many people live from HERE to Albuquerque and from Albuquerque to inside Canada? About 175 million! Take 175 million times 792 thousand floors. That is 138,600,000,000,000,000. 138 quadrillion, 600 trillion. That’s how many people could live in the New Jerusalem if each story is ten feet high! So we know each floor or level will be much taller than that. Perhaps we will be much larger.
The Earth has 57 million square miles of which 24 million is habitable.
The New Jerusalem is 3.3 billion square miles.
The New Jerusalem is 137.5 times more habitable area than the earth!
Needless to say….. this New Jerusalem can easily hold billions upon billions of people easily with acres of room to spare. That tells us one of three things. Billions will be saved…………. or millions will be saved or……….. it tells us that everyone will have plenty of room to explore forever and ever or…….. it tells us that we will be much larger in size than six feet tall for men and 5-4 for women! Maybe ten feet tall.
Revelation 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Great things must be measured. We know how tall the tallest buildings are….we know how big the biggest ships are. The measurement is used in standard human measurements of the day. The angel measures it according to his measuring stick. It is 144 cubits or 216 feet high. The wall is 216 feet high around the city but the city itself is 1,500 miles high. So the gates are much smaller than the city itself.
The angel measured the wall at 216 feet high. Very small in comparison to the city itself. This wall surrounds the city. Its small size indicates that it is limited as to who can go in and out. Access to the city is only the bride of Christ and the guests of the bridegroom. I’m assuming angels will be there also.
This city comes down to the earth. So you have a new earth and a New Heaven in addition to the New Jerusalem. No measurements are given for the New earth and the New Heaven. We must assume they are cannot be measured or it is not important to know.
The Wall Around The City
Revelation 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. The wall was made of jasper. Jasper is a translucent quartz stone know for it’s beauty, brilliance and symbolizes God’s holiness and glory! The city was pure gold as clear as glass! John was given a description of the materials used to construct the city. “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass” (v. 18). Together, the walls of jasper and the city of pure gold would look like a sparkling diamond in all its crystalline beauty, designed to reflect the effulgence of God’s radiant glory in every area of the city.
Revelation 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; Each foundation will be made of one of the following stones, layered on top of the next, extending around the city, as described in verses 19–20.A further description was provided of the materials making up the foundations, gates, and streets of the city. There will be twelve foundations, “garnished with all manner of precious stones” (v. 19). The jasper stone is clear crystal, like a diamond, and refracts all the colors of the spectrum in wondrous brilliance. The sapphire is blue in color (possibly flecked with gold). The chalcedony is a translucent milky or grayish quartz with colored stripes running through it. The emerald is a brilliant, grass-green, transparent variety of beryl.
Revelation 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
The sardonyx is an onyx stone with alternating brown and white bands running through it. The sardius is a translucent red stone, like a ruby. The chrysolite is gold in color, resembling a golden jasper stone. The beryl is a translucent bluish or sea-green colored stone. The topaz is a translucent yellow or yellow-green stone. The chrysoprasus is a translucent apple-green stone. The jacinth is a translucent, bluish-smoke, violet-colored stone. The amethyst is a brilliant purple or violet transparent stone. The twelve foundations will be structured to refract the effulgence of God’s glory and holiness. Such beauty will transcend anything mankind has seen since the inception of God’s creation.
Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. There will be “twelve gates” (v. 21), each made of one huge pearl, attached to the city walls that will open into streets made of “pure gold, as it were, transparent glass” (v. 21). This is where we get the term “Pearly Gates” from. Pearls were highly valued in the ancient world for their natural beauty. Each pearl gate will bear the name of one tribe of Israel, and these gates will never be closed.
The pearl is the only Jewell not made of stone….. but is organic from pearl oysters. Why a pearl at the gates? A pearl is formed from the secretion and wounding of the oyster. Christ gave “secreted” His life and was wounded for our transgressions.
No Temple In The City
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. After describing the dimensions of the city, John detailed some of the city’s distinctives. He said, “And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple [sanctuary] of it” (v. 22). In eternity, there will be no need for a Temple because God Himself will dwell in the midst of His people, who will have direct, immediate, and intimate communion with Him.
Temple of IT…..IT is the New Jerusalem
No More Sun Nor Moon
Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The city will have no need of creative light from the sun or moon because “the glory of God did light it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it” (v. 23). God’s glorious presence in the city will illuminate every corner of the new Jerusalem; nothing will be hidden. Scripture does not say that the sun and moon will be absent in eternity, but that there will be no need for them.
Shine in it…Lighten it……..IT is the New Jerusalem.
Nations Will Come To The City
Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. Even though the city contains the church the nations of those who are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God can go into the city and kings of the earth during this time can go in and out of it. We will walk in and out evidently.
The Light of it….glory and honur into it. IT is the New Jerusalem….
So who are the nations and who are the kings of the earth? Is this during the millennial reign of Christ or is this in eternity? Well verse one tells us this is the new heaven and the new earth. This is eternity…the first earth first heaven is passed away……. gone already. So who are the nations and the kings? Where do they come from? Evidently from the new earth. The nations are probably those saved before the church and during the tribulation? We do not know for sure. Why are nations mentioned? Evidently there will be kings as Jesus said He will allow the faithful to rule and reign with Him. Are these people always there? The kings of the earth seem to be bringing their glory into it…so they must be traveling there to visit.
These are probably gloried saints who served during the Millennial kingdom for Christ. It could be some sort of Gentiles appointed as rulers on the New earth. We don’t know for sure.
All the “nations … who are saved shall walk” in the physical and spiritual “light” (v. 24) of God’s glory. The word nations means Gentiles and is used, not in a political sense, but referring to saved Gentiles living in the eternal state who are not part of Israel or the church. At that time, “the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into” the new Jerusalem (v. 24). Those holding positions of honor among the saved Gentiles in eternity will give their glory and honor, once it is bestowed upon them, to God the Father and Jesus Christ.
No Shut Gates, And No Night There
Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day….. The gates won’t be shut meaning continual safety inside and out. Not shut means that there are no threats to this city. Gates are symbolic. To keep sin out and righteousness in. Remember there will be angels at the gates. So nothing gets past them. But it’s all symbolic. This verse also tells us there will be a measure of time called day. Does that mean 24 hours days? Probably not. But some measure of a day will be there. This is to give life a rhythm and purpose.
The gates of It….that Little word It….IT is the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:25 for there shall be no night there.
We cannot imagine no night. But there will be a rhythm to life. In Revelation 22 tells us that there will be months. So time will continue to be measured to give life a purpose and rhythm. No night probably means no darkness there…. and no rest of sleep is needed. Also we all fear the night. There will be no fear of the dark of night there.
No need to hide. No modesty needed. Will there be private moments in heaven? Times for reflection and meditation? Will we be sent on assignments that will require us being alone? I don’t know. But we know there will never be a time we are not with Christ or near to Him. But I’m sure there will be times of private devotion and service.
Only The Righteous Are Allowed In The City
Revelation 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. John recapped what had already been alluded to: “The city will be open to all believers. Nations means……he saved as we saw in verse 2 of the Gentile nations will be in the city, and the redeemed great men, the kings of world history, will bring their earthly glory and honor into the city. This may indicate that what a person was on earth during the millennial reign of Christ will be recognized in eternity, though of course, that would not include the works of flesh that one did in his earthly life. Kings who were just in their rule will be honored. Or as we said it could be redeemed who will be honored for their faithfulness on earth being awarded a kingdom on the new earth. But we cannot be certain of this.
…..the glory and honour of the nations into it…. that little word “IT” is important as we move forward.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Eternity will not be a place of idleness, boredom, or wearisome labor, but of joyful service and worship.
Nothing of an evil nature will ever enter the city. One thing for certain, only the redeemed, whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will be there. There will be complete safety and security.
Nothing on this old earth is ever truly safe and secure. Isn’t that what people crave? When they shall cry “peace an safety…” That’s why people accept the Beast, the Anti-Christ…… is their desire for safety and security. We will never have any fear in heaven and the New Jerusalem and the New Earth.
“No wise enter in to it” is the New Jerusalem. Again that little word “IT” is important as we move forward.
The Throne Of God Is There
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Chapter 22 seems to be discussing the Throne of God in heaven that is in the New Jerusalem as we will see in Revelation 22:3. Some think chapter 22 is a continuation of the New Jerusalem. I believe the throne of God is in heaven….. but here it seems to be in the New Jerusalem. But if it is in the heavenly city then who is in heaven? Is the New Jerusalem and heaven the same place? In Revelation 21 it describes the New Jerusalem coming down OUT of heaven. So the throne seems to come with it.
We know for sure the Throne of God is in heaven from these passages……
Psalm 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Psalm 103:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Revelation 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
There will be a new Heaven and a New Earth. Is New Jerusalem the New Heaven where God will dwell? Is the New heaven the new outer space? We know there will be a new Earth. Is the New heaven the atmosphere of the New Earth including the depths of outer space. Will it be full of planets where we can serve God? Things to ponder for sure.
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. John then divulged the paradise qualities of the new Jerusalem. That which was lost in the Garden of Eden, because of mankind’s sin, will be recreated by Jesus Christ. The angel revealed to the apostle “a pure river of water of life, clear [i.e., bright and shining] as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb”. This will be a life-giving river, providing those living in the city with a deeper quality of spiritual life and symbolically portraying the eternal life manifested to them in eternity. This river will flow “out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1), indicating that Christ will be enthroned with God the Father in eternity.
Many have described the New Jerusalem as HEAVEN coming down to earth. That seems to be the case here.
The Tree Of Life Is There
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Street of It…..what is it? Cities have streets. The City is the New Jerusalem. The street is in the midst of It….the city!
Why does New Jerusalem have tree of life and the 12 fruits for the healing of the nations?
The healing of the nations is linked to the tree of life, as God reestablishes Eden. It is the leaves of this tree that are said to be “for the healing of the nations.” It is possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is literal and that its leaves and various fruits will somehow enrich our existence in the eternal state. All the nations represented there will be “healed” of their divisions and strife in their equal access to the tree of life.
It is also possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is symbolic and that its “healing” signifies the eternal life that all will enjoy there. The different fruits it bears could represent the unlimited variety of our existence in heaven. The clear flowing river that waters the tree could picture the spiritual life of God’s redeemed—the “living water” We will enjoy food and fellowship there.
John’s attention was then drawn to “the tree of life” located in the middle of the street, whose branches will be large enough to spread on both sides of the river of life. The “tree of life” will bear “twelve kinds of fruits, and [yield] her fruit every month” (v. 2). This tree will produce an annual harvest of twelve different fruits. The mention of twelve months would indicate that time will be calculated in eternity. There will be a daily rhythm of life there. Since days equal months.
The “tree of life” was first seen in Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever…..Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden so that they could not partake of the tree of life. By eating from the tree, they would have lived eternally in their natural bodies, which possessed the sin nature.
Leaves from the tree will provide “healing [for] the nations”. The word healing comes from a Greek word that means therapeutic or health-giving. There will be no disease in the new Jerusalem because the “curse”. will be removed; therefore, the leaves will, in some unknown way, enhance the joy of life in eternity.
Jesus promised in John 4:13–14. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The healing the tree of life’s leaves provide is not the healing of the wounds of battle—warfare will have ended. The healing is not needed for combating sickness—there will be no more sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4). The “healing” is a reference to the perpetual blessing of the new heaven and earth; never again will the world be plagued by physical disorders or spiritual malaise or corruption.
The Curse Of Man’s Fall Is Over
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: There will be no more warfare, no strife, no conflicting factions. God will heal all that ails His creation, and there will be no more curse. John said, “the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [the new Jerusalem], and his servants shall serve him”. Eternity will not be a place of idleness, boredom, or wearisome labor, but of joyful service and worship.
Shall be in it…..there is that word “it” again. It is the city.
We Shall Behold Him
Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
In eternity, believers will be able to “see his (God’s) face”. God told Moses, “Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). Jesus said, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (Jn. 1:18). Believers will be able to look on His face in the new Jerusalem because they will be in their glorified bodies. They will be easily identified because God’s “name shall be in their foreheads” (v. 4). This is a seal of ownership, showing that they are God’s possession, identifying them as citizens of the new Jerusalem.
No Night, No Sun….. Only The Glorious Light Of God
Revelation 22: 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. John concluded by revealing the greatest privilege of all for glorified believers: “and they shall reign forever and ever”. In the eternal state, there will be perfect sinlessness, perfect government, perfect service to God, perfect communion, and perfect glory. It is impossible for us in our mortal lives here on earth to imagine being totally separated from sin and living in a glorified state before God. But we are going to not only be with Jesus there but we will rule and reign with Him!
No night there…..where is there? The city!
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
What a glorious promise to believers! Only eternity will reveal the exact role and responsibility of glorified believers in ruling and reigning over the universe. What a blessed new home awaits believers in eternity!
These Things Are True
Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true….This is the truth of God. The Lord assures us that “these words are Faithful (trustworthy) and true.” Who could make up anything like this? Who could imagine such things? It had to come from the mind of God. The same God who gave us His inspired word as he spoke to men by His Spirit. We have seen many wonders in this sinful fallen world…so how difficult is it to believe the incredible wonders behind the curtain…… that God will pull back one day!
Revelation 22:6….and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. God sent His angel. Angels get the important messages. Shortly……. is the message to those who are alive when these things begin to take place. There are birth pangs that Jesus talked about in the Olivet Discourse at the beginnings of prophecies of the last days. “Behold I come Quickly” is Jesus message in the book of Revelation. When it starts it will be a cascade of events.
Remember also that God’s time line it’s not a long time to Him. A thousand years is as a day…….as a passing of the night. But when these things begin to happen in the book of Revelation they will conclude quickly. Remember God shortens the time or all flesh would be destroyed. When these things…begin to happen look up your redemption draweth nigh….
A Final Word…..
When you don’t take the Bible in the literal sense you wind up with literal nonsense.
A lot of information is given in the Bible. One rule you must follow that when the Bible can be taken literally it should be! When it is not taken literally the Bible will tell you. Jesus gave parables and always gave an introduction to the parable. There is no reason not to take all these passages about the end time literally. If you don’t you will wind up in confusion and in chaos. Take the Bible for what it says and don’t add to or take away from!
Israel…..God’s People Forever
Israel today. We love them…we don’t always love what they do…but they are part of our blessed Biblical family and we always will look out for them. God said they are a “stiff necked people.” Our job is to love them and pray for them and support their right to the land. God will discipline His people. That’s not our job. After all…where would we be without the Jews.
The Bible came from the Jews. The ten commandments are Jewish. The prophets are all Jewish. The Apostles are all Jewish. Jesus Christ Himself was a Jew. Jerusalem is a special city with nothing outwardly special about it. Everyone knows it’s a holy place. The Bible says we are going to a New Jerusalem after we die in Christ. Seems to me if God was through with the Jews then we would be going to a heavenly New York or Paris…but no it’s Jerusalem.
First let me say that Christian Nationalism (the belief that the church will prepare the world for Chrit’s return) sounds great but often leads to replacement theology. That the church has replaced Israel and the covenants of God are for the church now. They think because the murderous Jews killed Jesus Christ that God is done with them. But it was the Romans who actually killed Jesus. The Jews consented to it. But it was all of us who killed and rejected Jesus Christ.
No people group in the history of the world has suffered more persecution than the Jewish people. No people group has more Nobel prizes than the Jewish people. Surely the world can see the hand of God upon these people. No people group was the object of more blatant attempt at extermination ………to the extent of the Jewish people in World War 2.
But instead of world support for these harangued people…..the world today thinks the Jews are out to run and control everything and there’s a Jew behind every bush. There is an abnormal hatred for Jewish people. There are 12 to 14 million Jews in the world today. Six million or so live in Israel. That’s 0.01 percent of the world’s population. There are more people living in Pheonix Arizona than there are Jews in Israel. They are surrounded by billions of Muslims and still they survive in a land no bigger than New Jersey. Think about that.
Many people today claim that God has replaced the Jews. It is called “Replacement Theology” or “Fulfillment Theology.” God has replaced Israel. The New Testament has replaced the Old and Christians have replaced the Jews. The Bible does NOT support this. We will see what the Bible has to say about Israel. But first……
The secular view of Israel Today
Before we look at the Biblical facts about the land……Let’s look at what secular people are saying today about Israel. Secular people say you can’t use the Bible to push a political agenda about Israel. Then let’s use secular arguments to totally disprove what they claim. That there is no historical basis for the Jewish right to the land and that the land of Israel never belonged the Jews.
They say “show me Israel was in the land without the Bible.” Historically there is proof that the land was occupied by Jews for around two thousand years. Ever heard of Abraham? Every heard of Jesus Christ? Ever heard of King David? Solomon? Ever heard of Moses? Historical figures.
Who was in the land during the time of Christ? Jews. Who was in the land at the time of King David? Jews. Where was Moses leading His people to….the land of Israel. Historical facts.
Ever heard of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Medes and the Persians and the Greeks? They all met and fought Jews in the land of Israel. The Assyrians and the Babylonians even dispersed Jews from the land of Israel. In 722 BC the northern tribes of Israel were overcome by the Assyrians and in 586 BC the Babylonians took most of the Jews captive to Babylon. Historical facts.
But….. the Jews remained a distinct people group. They even came back to the land by legal decree by Persian King Cyrus around 515 BC and continued to return until 444 BC. The Jews were still in the land even when it was controlled by the Persians and the Greeks until the Romans took control in around 64 BC. Jews were in the land even while Syrians, and the Egyptians fought each other across the land of Israel until the Romans took Asia Minor in 188 BC and took control of Israel in 64 BC. The Jews were still in the land at the time of Christ and continued after Christ under Roman control until AD 70. Jews were still in the land until the diaspora of AD 70. Historical fact.
Lord Balfour believed that Jews in 1917 were Biblical Jews. Hitler Believed the Jews of 1933 were Biblical Jews. World leaders in 1948 believed the Jews were actual Jewish descendants. Hollywood was founded by real Jews who had to change their names to protect themselves from Jewish hatred. The Muslims today believe that Jews today are real Jews. Muslims don’t want the land of Israel…they just want dead Jews! Why is there anti-semitism today if the Jews are not in fact Genetic Biblical Jews?
Secular people ask “Show me where Israel has a right to the land.” I would say because they are in the land right now proves that. No nation has a right to any land unless they have set up government in that land. It’s your land until someone takes it from you. That’s how mostly ALL nation states were formed and stay independent. Some smaller nations were given their land and no one fought them over it. it was by decree. But by far most valuable real estate has been coveted and taken from another. Even Israel took the land from the Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites and so on. That is the origin of most every nation state in the past and today.
The Indians lost their land to White Europeans. Americans have set up a government. Now the Native Americans have no right to the land anymore. If someone buys your property…you have no right to that property anymore. If someone takes your home by force, you have legal methods to get your home back. That’s because of citizen rights. But once the Chinese or the Russians take the United States as their own and set up their government…..you are no longer a citizen of the United States. The Russians and the Chinese can take your home. You can try to defend it….. but you will most likely lose your home and your life that you knew forever. I know it sounds crass but if the Indians want America back come and take it…..if you can.
Until then America is our land until someone takes it from us and sets up their government. After that…. we have no right to the land anymore. No Nation has a right to a land that was taken from them by force unless they take it back by greater force. That’s the law of nation states. Incidentally that why the Bible says there will be no more wars in the New Heaven and the New Earth. All wars are fought over land. All of them….
Israel is very unique. After World War 2 Jewish refugees were placed back in Israel by the nations of the world because……. the world felt guilty over the holocaust. So they wanted to put the remaining displaced European Jews somewhere. But no nation wanted them. And the plain fact is that no one wanted the barren vacant land of Israel in 1948.
Did you know that the British government gained the land of Israel from the Turks in the 1917 Balfour agreement. The British didn’t want Israel either, but amazingly Lord Balfour felt that the land legally belonged to the Jewish people. Another proof that the land belonged to Israel in the past.
So the Balfour agreement was created to establish in Israel a national home for the Jewish people. British government was operating there until May 14th, 1948. Israel was given the land by agreement of the nations of the world after the war. And on May 14th, 1948 they were declared an independent state. They were immediately officially recognized as a nation state by the United States and the majority of the world.
Israel is not unique to this. There are a few nations today that exist on land that was given to them by decree. The nations of the world agreed to Jews living in Israel. The plain fact is….. historically it was well known by the people of that time that Israel was the land of the Jews. Remember that no one wanted that land in the early 20th century. It had no natural resources, no oil, no gas, no trees, no rivers. A wasteland. Now today everyone wants that land. Only because it’s a political pawn that nations use to push an anti-Jewish agenda.
Israel after being recognized as a nation in 1948 then had to fight three wars to keep it. 1948, 1967 and 1973. And even recently a fourth war in 2025 to keep that land. Remember it’s your land until someone takes it from you. Israel was given the land by world decree and they have kept the land by winning three wars. The land is doubly theirs by world decree and war. It is theirs until someone takes it from them.
Even secularists have to see that Israel is like no other nation in the world. No other nation state has ever defended their land rights in war after war and still others claim it is stolen land and continue to place other people groups among them. Most every nation in the world is living on land won from war. Is that stealing? Not really…Most every war is fought for national survival. They are protecting themselves. Wars are for necessity. Wars are fought for peace and safety. Conquering lands for their survival, strength, and security. But stealing? I’ve never heard an historian say that a land was stolen in a war. Did America steal the land from the Indians? For two thousand years no one bothered the Indians. They fought constant wars with each other over land for centuries. So naturally when Europeans came over the warring Indians fought the intruders. But the Europeans overwhelmed the Indians who had no centralized government. No moral laws of the land to unite them. No organized modern cities. No organized military with modern weapons. No navy. No fortified buildings. Not even a single wagon. So did they own America? Well, they lived there, that’s about it. They were doomed to lose the war with the Europeans. It was just a matter of time.
Should American’s feel guilty and pay reparations? Absolutely not! What would the world be like if Europeans had not have taken this land and left it to the pagans? Where would you and I be? We would not be! There would be no Israel today. There would be no churches in America today! What would Europe be if the Muslims conquered it? (well the Muslims are back again trying to conquer Europe) War is never pretty. It’s never nice! It’ cruel, disgraceful and disgusting. But it is necessary in a fallen sinful world to keep mankind in check.
The world claims Israel is Palestinian land. Well….. let them win it in a war and it’s theirs. But they know the Palestinians can’t do that …..so instead of giving up…… in today’s modern world the Palestinians force the issue with terrorism and political pressure. To repeat….. every nation state in the world gained their land by war and it’s their land until someone takes it from them. Except…..the world has decided that they will not let Israel be at peace with the land they conquered!
So to answer critics that we use just the Bible to prove the land belongs to the Jews….even without the Bible you can prove the land belongs to the Jews. Because of past history for sure….. but the main reason that no one can dispute…..they possess the land now! Possession is nine tenths of the law. That is the secular view.
Replacement Theology
Hermeneutics–the science of Biblical interpretation…the path of Biblical interpretation. These three Biblical interpretations lead to the false replacement theology belief.
Replacement theology believes that the Jews crucified Jesus and therefore God is done with them. After the Church was born no longer did God have a purpose for the Jews. Martin Luther was a Jew hater. John Calvin was a Jew hater. If you believe in dispensationalism. The fact that God works His purposes in different emphasizes with mankind throughout history and a direct strict and separate future for Israel and the church……you are hated by the replacement theology crowd.
Historical Dispensational Eras
Innocence–the creation of man
Conscience—the fall of man
Human Government—Civilization of Man
Promise—The Separated Jewish man
Law—The expectations of Man
Grace—Salvation of Man
Millennium—The kingdom of God For Man
Eternity—All Redeemed Man
Replacement Theology leaves out the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic promises and the millennium and goes straight to eternity. Believing the Davidic promise of a coming kingdom is for the church. And of course they don’t believe in the rapture and that the church will go through the tribulation and even some believe the tribulation has already taken place. They are waiting for the return of Jesus, and that they must get the world ready for His return.
The Biblical View Of The Land Of Israel
We believe the Bible is the final word about Israel. Forget all the secular arguments. Our final authority as a Christian is the word of God. Whatever the Bible says about Israel is what we should believe. If we don’t believe what the Bible says about Israel, then why would we believe anything else in the Bible? If we have a problem with the Bible and God’s promise to Israel we have a problem with God. Let’s see what the Bible says about Israel.
First of all 201 times in the KJV God says He is the “God of Israel.” Twice in the NT Matthew 15:31 and Luke 16:8. That has not changed and never will change.
Jesus is the vine (the Source) and Israel is the branch and the church is grafted in to the branch. The church is NOT the branch but grafted in to the branch. Israel is the branch. They first received the oracles and commandments of God. Romans 11:17-27.
Israel is now in unbelief. But they will come to know the Lord and serve Him for one thousand years.
Abrahamic Covenant- the land. Genesis 12, 15, 17, 26 and 28, 35, and 48
Mosaic Covenant- The Law. The ten commandments Exodus 20 Exodus 34:26-28 and more specific laws relating to God’s people being separate from the world.
Davidic Covenant—The Kingdom. Psalm 89:3-4 Jeremiah 33:1
New Covenant—All flesh can know God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 31:31 Hebrews 12:24
Genesis 12:1-3 Blessing and cursings. People are saying today that the promise was made to Abraham alone and is referring to those who have faith in Christ in the future…..not his physical descendants. But Abram had not even exhibited that faith yet. Total misapplying the passage. God will make His seed a great nation and then God proceeds to bless Abram.
Genesis 12:7 Genesis 13:15-16 Abraham’s seed are given the land
Genesis 15:18 The boundaries of their eternal land
Genesis 17 Abrahamic Covenant covers his descendants. See Exodus 32:13 Exodus 33:1
Exodus 12:12 and 24 The Passover will be a memorial forever and ever! Israel will be recognized as a separate people forever and ever! We will have this memorial during the Millennial reign of Christ also.
Deuteronomy 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 26:19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
2 Samuel 7:12-16 David’s heir will be King forever! Jesus Christ. The Davidic Covenant.
Psalm 78:6-7 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. The God of who? Jacob….Israel!
Psalm 83 The nations around Israel come against them and want them cast off the earth forever! And Israel be no more remembered forever! That’s the goal of the world today!
Psalm 89:3-4 Israel and David are forever!
Psalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 122:6 If you Pray for Jesus to bring peace to Jerusalem and Israel you will prosper.
Psalm 125:1-2 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
Psalm 130:8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalm 131:3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.
Psalm 132 the whole Psalm is about God’s provision for Jacob. Verse 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Isaiah 11 He will bring them back a second time
Isaiah 27:6 (Isaiah 27 talks about in that day three times. A day far into the future.) He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
Isaiah 55:3 Everlasting Covenant
Jeremiah 3:14 says that God is married to Israel.
Jeremiah 30:7-11 Time of Jacobs Trouble and I will not make an end of thee.
Jeremiah 31 God’s eternal land and eternal people….if the sun, moon and stars fall then God will not love Israel.
Jeremiah 32:40 Everlasting Covenant
Jeremiah 33:23-26 If day and night should cease, only then would God cast away the great multitude of the descendants of Jacob.
Jeremiah 46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished
Ezekiel 11:16-20 God will scatter His people among the Heathen and will protect them while they are scattered and will bring them back to the land of Israel and one day they will have one heart and walk with God as a nation.
Ezekiel 12:15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
Ezekiel 16:59-60 Everlasting Covenant…… even if Israel didn’t keep their covenant with God, God will keep His covenant with them.
Ezekiel 20:5 In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; Verse seven God says to Israel “I am the Lord your God.”
Ezekiel 20:12 and 20. God gave Israel the sabbath as a sign of God’s covenantal relationship with Israel.
Ezekiel 20:23 and 34 God scattered them among all the nations due to their failing to honor the Sabbaths. Which meant they failed to keep all of the other covenants also.
Ezekiel 20:40-44 Future regathering of Israel in their land.
Ezekiel 22:15 Another verse about God scattering His people to other nations.
Ezekiel 36 God brought them back to their land
Ezekiel 37 The dead land and dead people will live again in the last days.
Ezekiel 37:26 Everlasting Covenant
Ezekiel chapters 40-48 describes a Jewish temple during the thousand year reign of Christ.
Daniel 2 the metal man represents all those nations that will dominate Israel. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.
Daniel 7 the four beasts the Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome to dominate Israel.
Daniel 8 the Anti-Christ will seek to eliminate the Jews!
Daniel 9 Seventy weeks are determined for THY people Israel. Daniel describe Jesus as the Jewish messiah. And that’s what He still is. That has not changed.
Daniel 12 The Tribulation and restoration of Israel.
Joel 3 They divided MY land Israel
If God is done with Israel why is Jesus still the Jewish Messiah?
Zechariah 2 Apple of God’s eye
Zechariah 12 The whole world will hate Israel and gather together against them. Zecharaiah 12 specifically talks about Jerusalem.
Zechariah 13:8-9 says that two thirds of people in Israel will die and one third will be brought into the Millennial kingdom. This is clearly referring to God’s people Israel.
Zechariah 14 They (the Jews) will see Him-Jesus whom they have pierced when He returns to the earth.
Malachi 1:2 God loved Jacob over Esau. God loves His chosen selected for His own purposes…..people.
Malachi 2:4 God has a forever covenant with the tribe of Levi.
Malachi 2:16 God is the God of Israel. One of 201 times God refers to Himself as the God of Israel!
Malachi 3:6 God does not change. His promises and covenants are forever!
Matthew 1 and Luke 3 Jesus Genealogy is Jewish (there are exceptions like Rahab the Harlot and Ruth)…….. and it traces back to David in both Mary’s and Joseph’s line. He is Jewish and He will be King!
John 4:22 Jesus said that Salvation was of the Jews.
Matthew 10:6 and 15:24 Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Jesus weeps for His people. HIS people. Jesus ministry was in Israel, to the Jewish people. Of course the goal was to save the whole world. But God placed Him IN ISRAEL for the sole purpose of being their messiah. Which He still IS!!!
Matthew 24-25 All written to the Jewish people specifically and the world generally. A time is coming for Jewish Judgment to fulfill Daniel’s seventieth week. And Jews will have to flee Jerusalem in order to be safe.
Matthew 25:31-46 the people of the world (Gentiles) are going to be judged as sheep and goats. Basically how they treated God’s Jewish people and Israel during the tribulation.
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The gentiles have a limited time and God will again turn His attention to Israel.
John 1 Philip called Him the Jewish Messiah and Philip called Him the King of Israel. Jesus is still is both king and Messiah to the Jewish people.
Romans 3:1-4 The word of God was given to the Jews. Just because they did not all believe does not mean what they did was not of God. God is true and men are liars. His word is true no matter how many reject it. Do the Jews then have any advantage over the Gentiles? Or is there any value in being circumcised? In the first place, God trusted his message to the Jews. But what if some of them were not faithful? Does this mean that God will not be faithful? Certainly not! God must be true, even though all human beings are liars.
Romans 9-11 God is not done with Israel.
Revelation talks about the Synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not. They were either not really Jews or they were Jews who rejected Jesus Christ. Most early Christians were Jews.
Revelation 7 and 14…..the 144,000 are Jewish men!
Revelation 12 The woman and the child and the protection of the woman (Israel)
Revelation 12, 13 and 17 Israel, the Jewish people to be dominated by seven Gentile nations leading up to the final revised or revived Roman empire. Seven heads…(1).Egypt, (2) Assyria, (3)Babylon, (4) Medo-Perisa, (5) Greece, (6) Rome and the (7) Revived or Revised Roman Empire of the Beast.
Revelation is about Jesus coming with His church to rule and reign over His people Israel!
Revelation 21 New JERUSALEM….not New York, London or Paris.
The Millennial reign of Christ will include sacrifices in the Millennial temple of Jesus Christ.
Adolph Hitler believed the Jews He killed from 1938 to 1945 were true Jews! The Balfour agreement of 1917 believed that the Jews of the 20th century were true Jews! The United States and the world believed the Jews of 1945 were true Jews and they gave them their land back! Muslims today believe that Israel today are the true Jews! The world today hates the Jews….. they don’t hate fake Jews. That would not make any sense!
In 1948 JEWS returned to their land. Who else would have done this? Why if you are not a Jew would your leave your home and return to a desert to start all over again?
The Bible says there is neither Jew nor Greek….there is only one way to salvation for ALL people.
Jews do not lose their Jewishness when they become Christians. And Gentiles don’t become Jews by accepting Judaism. Jews as a genetic people have promises from God that will be fulfilled….. separate from and in addition to their Christian blessings.
Israel is in their land in unbelief. That is another sign. We don’t have to accept everything they do…but we believe in their ancestry, their right to the land, and their glorious future.