No One Knows the Day Nor the Hour

Now many people use Matthew 24:36 to support the idea that no one can know the time of the Lord's return. However, it is one scripture, taken out of context:

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

However, just a few seconds before saying this, and followed by a lengthy description of the events leading up to the coming of the Son of Man, the Lord said:

Mat 24:32-34  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  (33)  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  (34)  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Here He is saying that we will be able to identify the timing or season (since He mentions "summer") by looking for these signs.

Even before that in describing the signs with which we will be able to identify the nearness of His return, He clearly states:

Mat 24:29-31  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  (30)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  (31)  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Notice that? "Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days..."

Then He describes the very same events as described throughout the Bible as the Day of the Lord.

You can read a more indepth earlier study of the Day of the Lord and another study on how the events Jesus describes in Mat 24:29 are also part of the 6th, 7th trumpet and 7th vial in Three Descriptions But One Event

Three Descriptions But One Event

The standard teaching on the 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet and 7th Vial in Revelation has always been that these are three separate events. However, recently I've begun to believe that they are three different descriptions of the same event.

Of course, the only way this would be possible is if you understand that the Seals are an overview, like being out in space and seeing the United States land mass on the spinning blue marble called earth. You can see the mountains, rivers and clouds, and at night even the lights of the large metropolitan areas.

The trumpets are a closer look at what is happening, and would be like flying over the landscape on the US in a helicopter. You can see what happening in a lot more detail, and actually notice that there are lights in areas outside the metropolitan areas visible from space.

The Vials would then be a close up look at the lightbulb or candle emitting the light. Close enough to reach out and touch and get burned.

If that's the case, then there should be some descriptions in these three events that are the same. Well there are:



6th Seal:

Rev 6:12-17  And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on 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?


Two Witnesses Earthquake:

Rev 11:11-13  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Could this actually be describing the rapture of the saints?
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.



7th Trumpet Sounds:

Rev 11:14-19  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.



7th Vial

Rev 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.
Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21  And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.


Are these three describing the same event? All three describe an earthquake:

Seal: a great earthquake
Trumpet: and an earthquake
Vial: a great earthquake

Other things described as occurring in the Seals, the Trumpets or the Vials:



Sun darkened - 6th seal,
Moon as blood - 6th seal
Stars of heaven fell unto the earth (meteorites?)
Mountains and islands were moved out of their places - 6th Seal, 7th Vial
Lightnings - 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Voices- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Thunderings- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Great Hail- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Mentions wrath has come/it is done: 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet, 7th Vial


Now above you can see that three of those items are only mentioned in the 6th Seal: sun darkened, the moon into blood, and the stars falling. However, you can see that throughout the rest of the Bible the Day of the Lord mentions those three things.

Day of the Lord:

Sun darkened - Isa 13:10, Mat 24:29
Punish wicked (wrath?) - Isa 13:11
Moon darkened - Joe 2:10, Mat 24:29
Stars fall from heaven - Mat 24:29
Moon into blood - Joe 2:31
Earthquake - Joe 2:10

Sound of trumpet:
Mat 24:31, Joe 2:16 (description of rapture?)

I would suggest that you study the following scriptures that describe the Day of the Lord:

DAY OF THE LORD...
WHAT "DAY" IS IT?

Eze 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.


The Day of the Lord


Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 6th Seal


Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: Matches what's happening in the Vials where the vials are pouring out on the wicked


Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.


Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.


Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.


Isa 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.




Day of Wrath/Anger


Isa 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.


Lam 2:21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.


Lam 2:22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD's anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.


Job 20:28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.


Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.


Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,


Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.


Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;


Job 21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.


Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.


Pro 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Now notice what Jesus Himself said:
 
Mat 24:29-31  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  (30)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  (31)  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

That is describing the rapture of Believers!!!

Pre-Wrath or Post-Tribulation Rapture

Here's a message I posted in Facebook in response to a question about the timing of the Rapture. I share some insights I believe the Lord has given me (and believe me, I'm not thrilled about some of it!). However, it is what I understand of the Word at this point:

You know, Mike, after the Holy Spirit showed me the truth in the Word, I said I was "pre-wrath" as well. Then a few weeks ago, I was reading Revelation, and while I'd already seen that the 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet seemed to be describing the same event, I suddenly noticed that the 7th Vial also seemed to be describing the same event: earthquake, darkness, "it's done", sky falling...many, many similarities to the Day of the Lord described throughout the Bible.

I'd already pretty much decided that the Seals were describing a distance view that encompassed a good deal of time, perhaps decades or even a century or two. Then the Trumpets were a closer look at a some events that were closer to the end and happened in a shorter length of time, perhaps decades or years.

I also believed that the Vials happened very quickly, as in when you pour out something it doesn't usually dribble out. Instead the container (vial) empties quickly. So I figure the vials are describing events that happen very quickly, perhaps months weeks or days.

So when I saw the similarity in the 6th Seal, the 7th Trumpet and the 7th Seal, I sought some clarification in the Word.

Most people base a "pre-wrath" designation on the fact that the Bible says we are not "call to wrath". However, since God doesn't change, perhaps there are examples in the Bible of God protecting His people during great judgment. Two off the top of my head: the children of Israel in Goshen when God was pouring on judgment on Egypt. Before that, when He poured out His wrath on the entire earth in the flood. Noah and his family weren't taken out...they were protected in the ark, a symbol of being protected in the arms of God.

Also, I noticed recently something interesting about the 7th trumpet. Rev 10:7  "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished..." Suddenly I saw "when he shall BEGIN to sound..." To me that implies a span of time involved in the sounding of the 7th trumpet.

Which since the 7th trumpet is the LAST TRUMP which is when the rapture is supposed to occur, it would make sense that we won't know the DAY or the HOUR...but we will know the season. When we see those thing happening, we can know that we are close, and can actually know, as events happen, that we are closer and closer.

Also notice in Rev 10:7 were it says "the mystery of God should be finished..." is similar in meaning to Rev 16:17 the 7th vial where we see "It is done".

Also, in Rev 16:15, we see Jesus saying "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

This is just before the pouring out of the 7th vial. We know that His coming as a thief in night is for those that are NOT watching. But here He say "Blessed is he that watches". To me this implies that the rapture has NOT taken place yet.

Check out this Bible study on the Day of the Lord to see whether the 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet and 7th Vial might possibly be describing the same event. One event, not two or three or more. One Event...the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming and Rapture of the Church all the same.

Day of the Lord e-study

If you've ever been confused by all of the different theories that you've heard concerning the end-times as described in the Bible, then you need to get my new e-study "Day of the Lord". This is a word study that pulls together all of the different variations of the term in the Word of God. Suddenly you will actually see how both old and new testament prophecies say exactly the same thing.

In some instances I have commented on what I understand, but always you are encouraged to study for yourself. However with this e-study guide the time you would have to spend has been virtually eliminated because all of the verses are there arranged by category.

If you have wondered about the timing of endtime events then you definitely want to have this! New information has come to light about the solar system that points to the fact that the year of 2008 could be extremely significant in prophetic events. There is no longer time to waste on getting ahead, pursuing a financial future...no we are on the edge of eternity and you need to prepare mentally and spiritually so that you can be counted an Overcomer. (Scroll down)

When Will the Day of the Lord Occur?

While the Bible says that no man knows the day or the hour of the Lord's return, we are also warned to be watchful that the day doesn't catch us unaware. We can know the season, and the Bible actually give some very specific markers for knowing when the Day of the Lord will occur.

After the Tribulation

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Jesus saying that AFTER the tribulation the sun will be darkened which describes the WRATH

It Comes As a Thief to them (the wicked)

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

But It is Not a Secret to the "Brethren"

1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Here Paul is identifying exactly who he is writing to and who he is warning not to be caught unaware
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. To "put on" something suggests "getting ready" or "preparing"
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

At the Trumpet

Joe 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; "Blow the trumpet?" As in the 7th trumpet?
Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Joe 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Is this the description of the "Rapture"? I believe so, since Jesus is described as the Bridegroom and the Church as the Bride
Zep 1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. "Rapture?"

Coincide with a "Battle?"

Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. "Spoil" is something that is taken by the victor in a battle
Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. This is evidently describing a time in the future when Jerusalem will be overrun
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. This perfectly agrees with scriptures describing the "nations" that go to battle at Armegeddon

The Second Coming Fulfilled

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Is this the same battle spoken of in Revelations? This is also the point upon which Jesus Christ sets foot upon the earth again.

Who is The Day of the Lord for?

Pro 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Oba 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Zep 1:8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel (this is not a dislike of fashion! Instead we are to be "clothed with righteousness" and to "put on the armor of God").

1Th 5:3 For when they (the unsaved) shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, The Day of the Lord/the Wrath of God is Not for the "Brethren" (which is how Paul addresses the readers of this letter).

This is a good indication that Believers will not suffer the Wrath of God, which is why many believe that the Word shows a different timing for the rapture of the church than that which is popularly taught. Instead of a pre-tribulation catching away, leaving before the appearance of the anti-christ and the great tribultion, they believe the Word shows that Christians will go thru tribulation and will suffer Satan's wrath (look it up!). However, when God decides that enough is enough and begins to pour out His wrath that that will be the time of the gathering of the saints.

2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

The "wrath" of the "day of the Lord" is clearly for the unjust people of the world...those who have turned their back on Jesus and rejected Him.

Day of the Lord - What Happens

Here are a couple of other phrases used to describe the Day of the Lord. Fire and heat are also elements associated with the Day of the Lord's Wrath.

Day of Fire/Heat

Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Although this doesn't specifically say "Day of the Lord" it does mention "time of thine anger" and "Lord...wrath" both phrases directly associated with describing the "Day of the Lord"

Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Those (especially Christians) who are focusing their attention on things and wealth are going to have a rude awakening. The fire of God's judgment is going to level the playing field making everyone equal and subject to the same judgment.

Isa 34:9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. Kind of sounds like a Supervolcano

Joe 2:30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. Nuclear mushroom clouds or supervolcano???

2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. "fervent heat", "pillars of smoke"...could all of this be describing a world-wide nuclear exchange at the end?

Earthquake
Joe 2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

DAY OF THE LORD...

WHAT "DAY" IS IT?

Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Isa 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

Take particulare note of how the Day of the Lord is described:

1. will cause the mighty to cry bitterly
2. will bring low the proud and lofty
3. will come as destruction from the Almighty
4. will be cruel
5. will come with wrath and fierce anger
6. will desolate the land
7. will destroy sinners
8. stars will not shine
9. sun will be darkened
10. moon will not shine (naturally since the sun is darkened)
11. world will be punished for evil
12. wicked punished for iniquity
13. the terrible (persons) will be humbled

Next we'll see the tie between the "Day of the Lord" and phrases regarding the wrath of the Lord.

Prepare for the Day of the Lord

Part of the reason for this blog is not just to help people prepare for disaster, it's to help Christians prepare to live through the tribulation. Now if you are a believer in the pre-tribulation rapture "theory" then you're going to laugh haughtily and say proudly "but I won't be here!"

No? Are you really sure about that? Have you read it for yourself or are you just accepting what you've been taught? And if you say you've read it for yourself have you read the word like you would read any book, one sentence leading to another to another "and then, after that, etc." or is it a verse here and another verse from somewhere else, with an explanation of why it's a stand-alone verse?

Since I was brought up believing that the "catching away" occured before the tribulation I know the scriptures that are used to support the teaching. Believe me, I much prefer the idea of a heavenly escape route than the thought of persecution, torment, hunger, deprivation and martyrdom.

Imagine my shock when the Holy Spirit led me to search the Word for myself and I found that if I read the Word like I would any other book. One phrase after another leading to the next and taking nothing out of context caused a different picture to emerge as to the timing of the event called the "Rapture of the Church".

Over the next few days I'm going to be giving you scriptures that layout what I discovered in the Word. And lest you think that I'm the only one who believes such a thing, there are a host of Believers around the world that recognize the truth of the Word and do not believe the theory of pre-tribulation rapture.

Although there may be many differing ideas as to when the "gathering of the saints" will occur, most agree that it will take place before the Wrath of God is poured out on what the Bible describes as the day of the Lord. Which also corresponds biblically with the "last trump".

Stick around. You might learn something that could reveal on what shaky ground you are building you and your family's future. And if you are in the ministry you may learn something that will change what you teach your flock. Just remember if you learn the Truth, you will then be held accountable as to what you do with the Truth.

In fact, I urge everyone of you to do the research for yourself. What does the Word really say? In fact, do what I did to get started: on a sheet of paper make three columns and write at the top of the first column "pre-trib", the second column "mid-trib" and the third column "post-trib or pre-wrath". Then list every verse in the Bible that could possibly support each of the various positions. Do that and then come back tomorrow as we begin our study of "The Day of the Lord".