The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now doing a study of the last days which we define as the days that started with the beginning of Jesus' ministry until his return.
The seven seals are one of a series of end-times judgments from God. The seals are described in Revelation 6:1–17 and 8:1–5. In John’s vision, the seven seals hold a scroll in heaven, and, as each seal is broken, a new judgment is unleashed on the earth. Following the seal judgments are the trumpet judgments and the bowl or vial judgments.
Last week we talked about the four horsemen of the first 4 seals
The First Horseman
Revelation 6:1-2 NIV [1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
When the Antichrist comes on the scene, he initially looks like a charismatic and visionary world leader. He brings solutions to the economic woes of the world. But ultimately, he shows his true colors. Remember, he will be successful in brokering a peace treaty between the Israelis and Palestinians that they will live by for a period of time. He will help the Jews rebuild their Temple, and some will even herald him as the Messiah of Israel. But at the halfway point of the Tribulation period, the Antichrist will commit what is called the “abomination of desolation”
The Second Horseman
Revelation 6:3-4 NIV [3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.
The next horseman, riding a red horse, will bring war: When the Lamb opens the second seal, great warfare breaks out on the earth.
Revelation 6:5-6 NIV [5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. [6] Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”
This is a description of global famine. Scientists have predicted that, in the aftermath of a nuclear war, the world’s food supply would be affected. These verses possibly could be describing such a condition, giving you an idea of the radioactivity that would be present after the detonation of nuclear
The Fourth Horseman
Revelation 6:7-8 NIV [7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” [8] I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
The result of this fourth seal is that one fourth of the earth’s population are killed “by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
We are not going to go through the other three seals in study, we are not going to talk about all the imagery and metaphors in the descriptions of what will take place during the tribulation. There is some interesting stuff there about those who are martyred during the tribulation period there are the witnesses the martyrs a lot of good stuff that you can read and study for yourself, but since all this will happen after the church is raptured and our study is about the last days we are going to concentrate on the end of the last days and that is when Jesus returns to the earth to reign and we will reign with Him.
The Second Coming of Christ is a prophesied event that will allow the Savior to reign with His covenant people for a thousand years, cleansing the earth of corruption. The Second Coming is mentioned over 1,500 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in the New Testament.
Revelation 5:9-10 KJV [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Let’s take a look at the event that causes Jesus to come back to the earth and that is to end the conflict that would result in the complete desolation and Israel and the entire world spoken of at
Matthew 24:22 NIV [22] “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Just a little background. There will be the war to end all wars. Revelation tells us that a massive superpower, or superpowers, known as the king of the East, will march through the dried-up Euphrates River to meet the combined forces of the Antichrist to fight this war to end all wars.
Revelation 16:12-21 NIV [12] The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. [13] Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. [15] “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” [16] Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. [17] The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” [18] Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. [19] The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. [20] Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. [21] From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Many people believe that the kings of the east is China simply because of the size of the army.
Revelation 9:16 NIV [16] The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
It could be China, but it could be India, whose population will surpass China in a few years unless Jesus returns.
When John wrote these words, there were not even 200 million people on the face of the earth.
The kings of the east will join up with what most scholars believe to by 10 nations unified under the Antichrist,
Daniel 7:23-25 NIV [23] “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. [24] The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. [25] He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
Revelation 17:12-14 NIV [12] “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. [13] They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. [14] They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Many believe the 10 nations unified under the Antichrist will come out of what we know as the European Union today. We really have no idea.
Where is the US
Here’s my point: we can't find any reference at all about the US. We can’t find anything in scripture anywhere that has any reference to the US. Why not?
Why is it that we can read of relatively small nations like Iraq, Iran and Libya in Bible prophecy and can possibly find China And Russia, but we cannot find the United States of America? I want to offer three plausible answers.
Nuclear War
Perhaps the United States is not mentioned in Scripture because it will be devastated by a nuclear war.
A Decline as a World Power
As our country becomes more and more secular, systematically eliminating God and His Word from our government, judicial system, educational system and the arts, we will begin to reap the inevitable results of sin and will begin to rot from the inside out. Historian Will Durant pointed out that a great nation is not destroyed from the outside until it has first fallen apart on the inside. Certainly, we can see the moral decay in the United States today.
A Great Revival Takes Place
There is one more possibility that I find a lot more hopeful. I think you will too. In this scenario, a great revival takes place in the United States. If the United States were to have a revival, it would have a far-reaching impact when the Rapture Occurred.
Let's be realistic and suppose that 25 percent of all Americans today are believers.
This would mean that the United States has a population of some 75 million true believers.
When the Rapture occurs, don’t you think this would have an impact on our country if 75 million people disappeared? Imagine what would happen if people in every level of government, the military, the economic and business community, agriculture, medicine and communications suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth. It undoubtedly would have a crippling effect on our nation’s entire infrastructure. Of course, once the Rapture has taken place, every nation will be affected. Think about that for a moment. This could be the explanation as to why the Bible does not mention United States in prophecies concerning the last days.
The Second Coming
There are three important points that we need to realize about the return of Jesus.
Matthew 24:22-31 NIV [22] “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. [23] At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. [24] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you ahead of time. [26] “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. [27] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [28] Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. [29] “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ [30] “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. [31] And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
First, when Jesus comes back, it will be public and seen by all. There will be no mistaking it when it happens.
Matthew 24:27 NIV [27] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
The Bible predicts that in the last days there will be cult like groups that will claim Christ has returned and revealed Himself to them or that a certain person is Jesus who has come back to the earth. Jesus Himself warned that there will be people who will make statements like these
Matthew 24:26 NIV [26] “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
Trust me, people will definitely know when Christ returns.
Second, Jesus will come immediately after the Tribulation period
Matthew 24:29-30 NIV [29] “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ [30] “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
As the Battle of Armageddon is in full swing, Christ will visibly and physically return to the earth to establish His kingdom.
Third, Jesus’ return will be accompanied by sadness and weeping.
Zechariah 12:10 NIV [10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
This time, Christ will return in judgment to execute righteousness and justice on the earth.
Remember when we talked about the four horsemen. I didn't want us to be confused about the one at the beginning of the tribulation and the one who comes to end it.
Here's the first one
Revelation 6:1-2 NIV [1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
Here's the second one
Revelation 19:11-12 NIV [11] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. [12] His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. This rider is Jesus.
Here’s the difference: the first rider has one crown and the second has many crowns. In the original language, the word “crown” used in Revelation 6:2 speaks of someone who is conquering. In contrast, the word used for the crowns worn by Jesus in Revelation19 speaks of royalty.
This is the first time people were expecting Him to come. They expected the Messiah to come in power and glory.
Although the Bible teaches this, it also teaches that the Messiah first would come to suffer.for the sin of the world. So when Christ came the first time, instead of coming in the clouds, He was born in a humble Bethlehem stable to Mary and Joseph.
He walked this earth for 33 years and ultimately went to the cross and was tortured and murdered for the sins of the world.
Because Jesus’ disciples believed that He would establish His earthly kingdom then and there, they thought things had gone awry when Jesus was arrested and crucified.
It was only later that they realized He was born to die so that we might live. He came for the purpose of dying on the cross.
Hebrews 9:23-28 NIV [23] It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. [25] Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. [26] Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
The first time Jesus came to Earth, He came in humility. The next time, He will come in glory. When Jesus had finished His ministry of being crucified and resurrected from the dead, He ascended up into heaven.
Acts 1:6-11 NIV [6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. [10] They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. [11] “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
HEAVEN’S ARMIES
When Christ returns, the believers will return with Him.
Colossians 3:4 NIV [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Although Christians will be caught up to heaven in the Rapture, we will return with Christ to the earth in the Second Coming.
There will be survivors of the Tribulation period who will be alive for the millennial reign of Christ. And as improbable as it may seem, there will be unbelievers during the millennium who will be part of one final rebellion at the end of the millennium.
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