THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

2 Thessalonians  2:1-12

The gathering up of the church (God’s people, both who have died and are alive); will not take place until after the tribulation comes and the Antichrist is on the scene. The only thing keeping him back now is the “Restrainer”.

Only God can restrain the Devil and evil, so this must be referring to the Holy Spirit. God even now allows Satan and evil to exist and increase in the world. “The secret power of lawlessness is already at work.”

This “removal” of the “restrainer” has only to do will holding back Satan and evil not the “removing of the Holy spirit from believers.”

It is only by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that the elect will not be deceived by the “man of Lawlessness”.

It is only be the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that the elect will endure to the end.

Think of the Holy Spirit as a dam holding back the torrent waters of Satan and evil, only letting out what He chooses to let out.

Think of the Holy Spirit as a dam holding back the torrent waters of Satan and evil, only letting out what He chooses to let out.

As a result the full force and furry of Satan’s evil will be poured out on the world and against the visible church like a mighty flood through the “Man of Lawlessness.”

THE SEVEN TRUMPETS Part 6

Revelation 8:2-11:19

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET 11:15-19

When the seventh seal was opened we expected the climactic judgment to begin. Instead there was half an hour of silence in heaven, out of which came the seven trumpets. Now as the trumpets reach their climax we are still kept in suspense.

The difference between the opening of the seventh seal and the blowing of the seventh trumpet is that in the blowing of the seventh trumpet there are “loud voices” instead of silence. But we do not reach the final judgment or anything like it. Instead we have a chorus of heavenly voices praising God.

The voices announce the climax, but there is no mention of this actually taking place. In fact just as the seven seals led into the seven trumpets so the trumpets lead into a series of visions, the seven significant signs.

15 The Seventh Angel Sounded

These loud voices no doubt are the myriads of heavenly angels. They proclaim the replacement of the kingdom of this world with the kingdom of the Lord and His Christ.

In the New Testament as a whole “our Lord” usually refers to Christ, but in Revelation as a whole it refers to the Father.

The past tense is used, (the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ), because it is as good as having already occurred. Also, this is no temporary event (and He will reign forever and ever).

16 The Twenty-four Elders

At the acknowledgment that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ who will reign forever and ever the twenty-four elders (either a superior order of angels, Isaiah 24:23 or the sum of the twelve patriarchs and the twelve apostles who represent the entire church of the old and new dispensation) fell on their faces and worshiped God.

Satan is about to be dethroned as ruler of this world as he, his demons, and the ungodly dead and alive will be moved from this world to the lake that burns with eternal fire.

17 The Elders Utter Thanksgiving to God

The elders thank the Almighty, eternal God who by His great power reigns over the heavens and the earth.  Psalm 9:7-8, 93:1, 99:1

This is the time of consummation. The Lord God has decisively dethroned evil and His reign will not be contested as it was when the ruler of this world (Satan) reigned in wickedness over the earth.

18 The Lord God Almighty Is Coming In Wrath against the Enraged Nations

God’s punishment of this evil world fits the crime. God’s wrath is not illogical, but the fitting reaction to the conduct of the nations.

There is nothing arbitrary about the judgments of God. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will reap. If he sows to the flesh he will from the flesh reap destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

 Galatians 6:7-8.

The right time had come to both judge the wicked and reward those who fear God’s name (God’s elect). Whether small or great the elect are all on the same footing, the unmerited love and favor of God.

19  The Ark of God’s Eternal Covenant Appeared in His Temple

Through Christ (the mediator of the New Covenant) the way into God’s presence is opened wide.  Hebrews 10:19-23

In the earthly sanctuary the veil permanently covered the ark, thus making it clear that men had no rights of access. Hebrews 9:8

Christ through His death and resurrection has changed all that and now the way is wide open to enter the Most Holy Place, the presence of God.

The reference to the “covenant” is also important. The covenant is eternal. God has worked out His redemptive purpose throughout history and now at the consummation the symbol of His faithfulness is publicly disclosed. Hebrews 13:20

John is setting forth a tremendous moment in redemptive history and highlights it with flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.