The Book of Revelation (page 3)

STUDY INDEX

Page 1 Introduction, Rapture, Judgement of Christians, Marriage Supper

Page 2 Daniel's Dreams and Prophecies

Page 3 Daniel's Vision of Seventy Weeks; Great Tribulation Period

Page 4 Seven Trumpet Judgements; Middle of Tribulation Period

Page 5 Seven Vials; Great Whore; Second Coming; The Millennium

Page 6 Judgement of the Wicked; New Heaven and Earth; Conclusion

Daniel's Vision of Seventy Weeks

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24).

The angel Gabriel came to Daniel and told Daniel that seventy weeks were determined upon Israel and Jerusalem. In this prophecy, one week means 70 years (each day of the week representing 10 years). So the entire seventy week period actually represents 490 years. During this time, many events are to happen which serve the purpose of (1) finishing the transgression; (2) making an end of sins; (3) making reconciliation for iniquity; (4) bringing in everlasting righteousness; (5) sealing up the vision and the prophecy; and (6) anointing the most Holy.

"Know therefore and understand," the angel told Daniel, "that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (49 years), and threescore and two weeks (62 weeks or 434 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (1 week or 7 years); and in the midst of the week (after 3 1/2 years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27). This total period of 70 weeks or 490 years began with Nehemiah's decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Though this was accomplished quickly, the total restoration of the streets was not for 49 years. From the time of Nehemiah's decree until Jesus was crucified was 483 years. At sometime in the future, the angel spoke of another week (7 years) during which another prince will come and make a covenant with Israel. But in the middle of the week, he will cause the sacrifices in the temple to cease and will make it desolate. This last week, Daniel's seventieth week, is also know as the period of Great Tribulation.

The Great Tribulation

After the Rapture of the Church, the revealing of the Antichrist will begin the Tribulation period, during which there will be tremendous suffering, especially in the latter 3 1/2 years. "For then shall be great tribulation," Jesus said, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21). The disciples asked Him, "Master, but when shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?" (Luke 21:7). Jesus told them that there would be wars, rumors of wars, that nation would rise against nation, there would be pestilences, famines and earthquakes, fearful sights and great signs from heaven; Jerusalem would be encompassed by armies, and there would be signs in the sun, moon and stars. It will become so terrible and frightening that men will look to the mountains and cry for the rocks to fall down on them. Now let's look at some of the events that will occur.

The First 3 1/2 Years and The Seven Seals

While the second half of the Tribulation will be the most terrible, the first half will not be pleasant by any means. The Seven Seal judgments and six of the Seven Trumpet judgments will occur during the first half; the seventh trumpet marking the middle of the Tribulation. Jesus Himself opens the seals (Revelation 6:1). The First Seal releases a white horse with a rider holding a bow and wearing a crown, going forth conquering and to conquer. It is believed that this rider represents the Antichrist, for he is wearing a crown signifying a ruler or king, and he goes forth to conquer. The Second Seal releases a red horse whose rider was given authority to take peace from the earth, so that the inhabitants would kill each other. As the Antichrist rises to power, three of the "horns" or nations in the conglomerate of ten are uprooted. This will be the war symbolized by the red horse.

During war and following war comes famine and shortages of food and basic supplies for living. This is symbolized by the black horse released by the Third Seal, whose rider carries a balance for measuring out bread. And naturally following war and famine comes death represented by the pale horse released by the Fourth Seal. Death and Hell are the riders of the pale horse, and they have power over one-fourth of the earth to kill with the sword, with famine, and with the beasts of the earth. When Jesus opens the Fifth Seal, the souls of them that were slain for their belief and testimony of Jesus cried out for revenge. White robes are given to them, and they are instructed to rest a little longer until their fellow servants and brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

This represents people who are saved during the Tribulation period. Missing the Rapture, they are forced to give their lives for their belief in Christ and for not taking the mark of the Beast. When the Sixth Seal was opened, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black, the moon became as blood, the sky is rolled back like a scroll, meteors fall to the earth like figs from a fig tree during a strong wind, and mountains and islands are moved out of their places. At the sight of such great and terrible wonders, the kings, rulers, military men and statesmen of the earth, and everyman both free and bond, hide themselves among the rocks and caves and cry out, "Fall of us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17).

Before the Seventh Seal is opened, John saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth and holding the four winds so that the wind would not blow on the earth, nor the sea, nor upon any tree. Then John saw 144,000 Jews sealed with the mark of God in their foreheads, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These are people of Israel who are saved during the Tribulation. The mark of God in their foreheads keeps them from enduring the wrath of God as later judgments come upon the earth. From John's vision in Revelation 7:9, when see that many people will be saved during the Tribulation, in addition to the 144,000 Jews. "After this, I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number," John described, "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." John said they "cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." We know they are saints saved during Tribulation because the scriptures state in Revelation 7:14, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Then John saw Jesus open the Seventh Seal, and Heaven fell into complete silence for half an hour. During this time of silence, the seven angels which stand before God, quietly, but with serious determination, move about getting their trumpets ready. John saw another angel come having in his hand a golden censer with much incense. The angel offered it upon the golden altar, its smoke mingling with the prayers of the saints as it went up before God. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and cast it down to the earth. There were voices and thunderings and lightnings, and a great earthquake. Then the seven angels stepped forth with their trumpets ready to sound.