The Book of Revelation can be a very sad and depressing book for those people who have loved ones who have rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is understandable that none of us ever go to a funeral where we are told that the dead person is now in hell for rejecting Christ the Messiah, because our human nature wants to speak words of comfort for the bereaved family. Yet Jew who don’t make Jesus their Lord die in their sin because there is no temple to make atonement for sins. Jesus’ blood is the only atonement we have for our sins and we are cleansed by His sacrifice on the cross. But there are still some people who do not wish to partake in Jesus’ blood atonement. So it is with heavy hearts that we study what the future holds for those on the earth. Yet there is hope for our unsaved loved ones.
We have all seen many people attempt to use human logic and human wisdom to judge the Living God. They rationalize “If God is a good God then he would do …..” Or “How can a Loving God do …”. It is obvious that the understanding of judgement being weighed and measured has been forgotten, meaning the way we judge is the way we will be judged. That by itself is scary, however to judge the Creator of the heavens and earth with human logic is dangerous. Likewise there are some who dissuade others in reading and studying their Bible, attempting to make a joke of the written text. Again, human logic and reason should not attempt to invalidate and dismiss the Bible. A created being does not have super knowledge or above knowledge over the Creator. This leads to the invention of “new religions”, ones that are more palatable, ones that are nicer, and far more agreeable to our weak hearts. Humans rationalize “This sounds nicer, I’ll believe this instead of what is written in the Bible”. Again this is a very dangerous place to be.
Some would rather take a figurative approach to the Bible instead of a literal approach. There are problems with this as well. Was Jesus’ birth literal or figurative? Were the prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth literal or figurative? Jesus quoted the old testament, literally. Did Jesus heal blind eyes? Is that literal or figurative? Before Jesus’ birth, some had thought the word of God had been broken, that the Messiah was not coming. Yet all young girls believed they could bring forth the Messiah, as per Isaiah’s prophecy. The young girls believed literally, but some people turned that into a figurative idea as they thought the word of God had been broken. Jesus’ birth and first coming were literally, and quite accurately, fulfilled. This is how we understand that even though some things prophesied in the Bible seem quite crazy, they will occur as literally as Jesus’ first coming. The scripture is more literal than we have realized. There is a figurative element to scripture and prophecy. Scripture is not literal or figurative, it is both literal and figurative. However, the literal supersedes the figurative in fact and fulfillment. (Don’t eat certain animals or birds as they are figuratively unclean, not in their flesh, but their behavior is literally unclean. This is a moral lesson. Not eating animals whose behaviors are sinful keeps men spiritually clean with figurative guidelines. See the Letter of Aristeas.) Peter tells us that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20 G3778 This G4412 first G1097 knowing, G3754 that G3956 every G4394 prophecy G1124 of scripture G2398 [3by private G1955 4explanation G3756 1does not G1096 2take place].
4394 LSJ Gloss:προφητεία the gift of interpreting the will of the gods
Dodson: προφητεία prophecy prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth.
Thayer:
1) prophecy
1a) a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events
1b) Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets
1b1) of the prediction of events relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the prophetic faculty is due
1b2) of the endowment and speech of the Christian teachers called prophets
1b3) the gifts and utterances of these prophets, esp. of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ
προφητεία
prophēteia prof-ay-ti'-ah From G4396 (“prophecy”); prediction (scriptural or other) KJV Usage: prophecy, prophesying.
1124 LSJ Gloss:γραφή representation by means of lines
Dodson:γραφή a writing, passage of scripture, the scriptures
(a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures.
Thayer:
1) a writing, thing written
2) the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents
3) a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture
γραφή
graphē graf-ay' From G1125; a document, that is, holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) KJV Usage: scripture.
2398 LSJ Gloss:ἴδιος one's own, pertaining to oneself
Dodson:ἴδιος one's own, private, personal one's own, belonging to one, private, personal; one's own people, one's own family, home, property.
Thayer:
1) pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self
ἴδιος
idios id'-ee-os Of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, that is, one's own; by implication private or separate KJV Usage: X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private (-ly), proper, severally, their (own).
1955 LSJ Gloss:ἐπίλυσις release from
Dodson:ἐπίλυσις solution, explanation, interpretation solution, explanation, interpretation; release.
Thayer:
1) a loosening, unloosing
2) metaph. interpretation
ἐπίλυσις
epilusis ep-il'-oo-sis From G1956; explanation, that is, application KJV Usage: interpretation.
No gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth that is written and documented is of one’s own explanation. As I mentioned in the beginning of this series, Revelation is the culmination and fulfillment of all the prophesies of both the old and new covenant. Overall the revealed knowledge in this book is the revealing of the Messiah, of which knowledge was stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac, (the literal definition of apocalypse). Just as Jesus’ birth and earthly ministry was revealed by the prophets of old, so is his apocalypse. If he came the first time the way they wrote it for us, then he will come the second time the way they wrote it for us. The prophecies were not written by the will of man but by the will of God.
2 Peter 1:21 G3756 For not G1063 G2307 by will G444 of man G5342 was [2borne G4218 3at some time or other G4394 1prophecy], G235 but G5259 by G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy] G5342 being borne G2980 [5spoke G3588 1the G39 2holy G2316 4of God G444 3men].
2307 LSJ Gloss:θέλημα will
Dodson:θέλημα will, wish, desire an act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires.
Thayer:
1) what one wishes or has determined shall be done
1a) of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ
1b) of what God wishes to be done by us
1b1) commands, precepts
2) will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure
θέλημα
thelēma thel'-ay-mah From the prolonged form of G2309; a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination KJV Usage: desire, pleasure, will.
5342 LSJ Gloss:φέρω to bear
Dodson:φέρω I carry, bear, bring, lead I carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known.
Thayer:
1) to carry
1a) to carry some burden
1a1) to bear with one's self
1b) to move by bearing; move or, to be conveyed or borne, with the suggestion of force or speed
1b1) of persons borne in a ship over the sea
1b2) of a gust of wind, to rush
1b3) of the mind, to be moved inwardly, prompted
1c) to bear up i.e. uphold (keep from falling)
1c1) of Christ, the preserver of the universe
2) to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one's conduct, or spare one (abstain from punishing or destroying)
3) to bring, bring to, bring forward
3a) to move to, apply
3b) to bring in by announcing, to announce
3c) to bear i.e. bring forth, produce; to bring forward in a speech
3d) to lead, conduct
φέρω
pherō̄ fer'-o A primary verb (for which other and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely οἴω oiō̄̄ and ἐνέγκω enegkō̄ to “bear” or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively KJV Usage: be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold.
It was the will and desire of the Holy Spirit to lead men to utter these written words for us. This holy writ was not written by men’s will or desire. It was not mans idea. It was not the brainstorm of a few people who desired to chronicle history. It came from the Holy Spirit. It is not up to men to interpret the writings of the Holy Spirit with their own explanations. The Bible interprets itself. In this instance of the Book of Revelation, the multitude of the prophets of old spoke and wrote via the Holy Spirit and the culmination of those written words interpret Revelation. Where Daniel tells us of a daily perpetual sacrifice, we understand the future altar. Where Zechariah tells us of horsemen keeping peace on the earth we understand the change of the horsemen’s assignment. Where we see Isaiah informing us of the day of vengeance and recompense, we see the day of vengeance in the future written in Revelation. When many prophets spoke of the Day of the Lord, we see the Day of the Lord explained in Revelation. Jesus himself told us of things that will take place in the time period of the tribulation which we see attested to in Revelation.
No one is forced to study the Bible, that is not a requirement of salvation. However, if one wishes to spew their knowledge of the Creator to the world, one should at least know what the Holy Spirit has documented for us. Paul tells us that every scripture, graphe, is God breathed and is profitable.
2 Timothy 3:16 G3956 Every G1124 scripture G2315 is God inspired, G2532 and G5624 beneficial G4314 for G1319 teaching, G4314 for G1650 reproof, G4314 for G1882 correction, G4314 for G3809 instruction-- G3588 the one G1722 in G1343 righteousness;
2315 LSJ Gloss:θεόπνευστος inspired of God
Dodson:θεόπνευστος God-breathed, inspired by God God-breathed, inspired by God, due to the inspiration of God.
Thayer:
1) inspired by God
1a) the contents of the scriptures
θεόπνευστος
theopneustos theh-op'-nyoo-stos From G2316 and a presumed derivative of G4154; divinely breathed in KJV Usage: given by inspiration of God.
All graphe, all documents that are holy writ, are divinely breathed, inspired by Theos. They have benefit. They have profit. They are for teaching. How can one teach about the Living God when one rejects His God-breathed scripture? These written words are also for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfect.
2 Timothy 3:17 G2443 that G739 [5complete G1510.3 4should be G3588 1the G3588 G2316 3of God G444 2man] G4314 for G3956 [2every G2041 4work G18 3good G1822 1accomplishing].
Humans can be perfect, accomplishing every good work. This is not a requirement for salvation, but it is a benefit to studying. We can present ourself approved to our Creator.
2 Timothy 2:15 G4704 Hurry G4572 [2yourself G1384 3unadulterated G3936 1to present] G3588 G2316 to God! G2040 a worker G422 unashamed, G3718 cutting straight G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G225 of truth.
We are to dissect correctly the logos of aletheia. Surgeons attempt to dissect correctly when they operate. Daniel gave us the exact day that the Messiah was crucified. That is literal, not figurative. (Here is a clue, use the 360 day calendar of the Zadok/Zedek priesthood, as Daniel was of that order. [364 days minus 4 intercalary days {one for each quarter}]) If we haven’t done our homework, if we have decided not to study, then we should not attempt to profess our knowledge of the Bible. We don’t stand approved in laziness, we stand approved in work.
With these things in mind we may be wondering about our loved ones who reject Jesus today due to some of these misunderstandings of the Bible. Paul helps us in our understanding, but he is very clear; this is not the Lord speaking, but Paul himself who is speaking here.
1 Corinthians 7:12 G3588 And to the G1161 G3062 rest G1473 I G3004 say, G3756 not G3588 the G2962 Lord; G1536 if any G80 brother G1135 [3wife G2192 1has G571 2an unbelieving], G2532 and G1473 she G4909 assents G3611 to live G3326 with G1473 him, G3361 he is not G863 to leave her! G1473
571LSJ Gloss:ἄπιστος not to be trusted
Dodson:ἄπιστος unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian, unbeliever
unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian; sometimes subst: unbeliever.
Thayer:
1) unfaithful, faithless, (not to be trusted, perfidious)
2) incredible
2a) of things
3) unbelieving, incredulous
3a) without trust (in God)
ἄπιστος
apistos ap'-is-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4103; (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing) KJV Usage: that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever (-ing).
Unbelieving is faithlessness. If one does not have the faith of Jesus as Lord and Savior, then that one is called an unbeliever. If a believer and an unbeliever are married, then the believer should not leave the unbeliever. Again this is Paul’s recommendation.
1 Corinthians 7:13 G2532 And G1135 a woman G3748 who G2192 has G435 [2husband G571 1an unbelieving], G2532 and G1473 he G4909 assents G3611 to live G3326 with G1473 her, G3361 she is not G863 to leave G1473 him!
14 G37 [5is sanctified G1063 1For G3588 G435 4husband G3588 2the G571 3unbelieving] G1722 by G3588 the G1135 wife; G2532 and G37 [4is sanctified G3588 G1135 3wife G3588 1the G571 2unbelieving] G1722 by G3588 the G435 husband; G1893 since G686 then G3588 G5043 your children G1473 G169 are unclean, G1510.2.3 G3568 but now G1161 G39 it is holy. G1510.2.3
37 Dodson:ἁγιάζω I make holy, sanctify I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.
Thayer:
1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
2a) consecrate things to God
2b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
3a) to cleanse externally
3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
ἁγιάζω
hagiazō hag-ee-ad'-zo From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate KJV Usage: hallow, be holy, sanctify.
169 LSJ Gloss:ἀκάθαρτος uncleansed, unclean, impure
Dodson:ἀκάθαρτος unclean, impure.
Thayer:
1) not cleansed, unclean
1a) in a ceremonial sense: that which must be abstained from according to the levitical law
1b) in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life
ἀκάθαρτος
akathartos ak-ath'-ar-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2508 (meaning cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specifically (demonic)) KJV Usage: foul, unclean.
39Strong’s:ἅγιον a sacred thing (i.e. spot) Derivation: neuter of G40;
KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
Thayer:
1) reverend, worthy of veneration
1a) of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned
1b) of persons whose services God employs, for example, apostles
2) set apart for God, to be as it were, exclusively his
3) services and offerings
3a) prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean
4) in a moral sense, pure sinless upright holy
ἅγιον
hagion hag'-ee-on Neuter of G40; a sacred thing (that is, spot) KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
The unbeliever is made holy by the believer and the children of that marriage are made clean by the believing parent. What Paul is suggesting is that the believing parent’s children are holy and the unbelieving spouse is set apart as long as they are together.
1 Corinthians 7:15 G1487 But if G1161 G3588 the G571 unbeliever G5563 separates, G5563 let him be separated! G3756 [3 is not G1402 4enslaved G3588 1the G80 2brother], G2228 or G3588 the G79 sister G1722 in G3588 G5108 such cases . G1722 But in G1161 G1515 peace G2564 [2has called G1473 3us G3588 G2316 1God].
16 G5100 For what G1063 G1492 do you know, G1135 O wife, G1487 if G3588 [2the G435 3husband G4982 1you shall deliver]? G2228 Or G5100 what G1492 do you know, G435 O husband, G1487 if G3588 [2the G1135 3wife G4982 1you shall deliver]?
The believer does not know if the unbelieving spouse might be saved, sozo. Since we do not know if the unbeliever may be saved, Paul suggests that the believer not leave. But if the unbeliever wants to leave, let them leave.
1 Corinthians 7: 17 G1508 Except G1538 to each G5613 as G3307 God portioned, G3588 G2316 G1538 each G5613 as G2564 [3called G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G3779 so G4043 walk! G2532 And G3779 so G1722 in G3588 [2the G1577 3assemblies G3956 1all] G1299 I set an order.
3307LSJ Gloss:μερίζω to divide, distribute
Dodson:μερίζω I divide, part, share I divide into parts, divide, part, share, distribute; mid: I share, take part in a partitioning; I distract.
Thayer:
1) to divide
1a) to separate into parts, cut into pieces
1a1) to divide into parties, i.e. be split into factions
1b) to distribute
1b1) a thing among people
1b2) bestow, impart
μερίζω
merizō mer-id'-zo From G3313; to part, that is, (literally) to apportion, bestow, share, or (figuratively) to disunite, differ KJV Usage: deal, be difference between, distribute, divide, give part.
2564 LSJ Gloss:καλέω to call, summon
Dodson:καλέω I call, invite, name (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name.
Thayer:
1) to call
1a) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice
1b) to invite
2) to call i.e. to name, by name
2a) to give a name to
2a1) to receive the name of, receive as a name
2a2) to give some name to one, call his name
2b) to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men)
2c) to salute one by name
For Synonyms see entry G5823
καλέω
kaleō kal-eh'-o Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) KJV Usage: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called]).
4043 LSJ Gloss:περιπατέω to walk up and down, to walk about
Dodson:περιπατέω I walk, conduct my life I walk, hence Hebraistically (in an ethical sense): I conduct my life, live.
Thayer:
1) to walk
1a) to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
1b) Hebrew for, to live
1b1) to regulate one's life
1b2) to conduct one's self
1b3) to pass one's life
περιπατέω
peripateō per-ee-pat-eh'-o From G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary) KJV Usage: go, be occupied with, walk (about).
If the Lord called you to walk a certain path, then walk it, just as the Lord has portioned it to you. Since these are Paul’s words and his recommendations for the Corinthians, we cannot be certain that our unbelieving relatives are set apart or what that means exactly. But this is the best we can understand on this subject. Will our loved ones go through the tribulation or spend the entire millennial reign in hades before the white throne judgment? Unless they confess Jesus as Lord before men, we don’t know. But there is another provision during the tribulation for the people of earth to be able to enter the kingdom of God. Martyrdom.
Revelation 7:9 G3326 After G3778 these things G1492 I saw, G2532 and G2400 behold, G3793 [2multitude G4183 1a great] G3739 which G705 [3to count G3762 1no one G1410 2was able] G1537 from out of G3956 every G1484 nation, G2532 and G5443 tribes, G2532 and G2992 peoples, G2532 and G1100 languages, G2476 standing G1799 before G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G1799 before G3588 the G721 lamb, G4016 wearing G4749 [2robes G3022 1white], G2532 and G5404 palms G1722 in G3588 G5495 their hands. G1473
Remember where we are in time; there were people martyred under the altar, then the announcement of the wrath of the Lamb was made, and then there were 144,000 sealed young men from the twelve tribes. Now we see a mega multitude from all nations and tribes of the earth who are standing before the throne wearing white.
4749 LSJ Gloss:στολή an equipment, armament
Dodson:στολή a long robe a long robe, worn by the upper classes in the East.
Thayer:
στολή, -ῆς, ἡ, (στέλλω [q. v.] to prepare, equip, 2 pf. ἔστολα);
1. an equipment (Aeschyl.).
2. an equipment in clothes, clothing; spec. a loose outer garment for men which extended to the feet [cf. Eng. stole (Dict. of Christ. Antiq. s. v.)], worn by kings (Jon. iii. 6), priests, and persons of rank: Mk. xii. 38; xvi. 5; Lk. xv. 22; xx. 46; Rev. vi. 11; vii. 9, 13, [14a, 14b Rec.; xxii. 14 L T Tr WH]. (Tragg., Xen., Plat., sqq.; Sept. chiefly for נֶּגֶד.) [Cf. Trench § 1.]*
1) an equipment
2) an equipment in clothes, clothing
2a) spec. a loose outer garment for men extending to the feet, worn by kings, priests, and persons of rank
στολή
stolē stol-ay' From G4724; equipment, that is, (specifically) a “stole” or long fitting gown (as a mark of dignity) KJV Usage: long clothing (garment), (long) robe.
These people are wearing the same robes as the martyrs from Revelation 6:11. These two groups are different. The group martyred under the altar were Jews partaking in the sacrifices at the altar. When they opposed the son of perdition they themselves were martyred upon the altar of sacrifice. This second group of people were not sacrificing at the altar, they are from all over the earth. These martyrs are people refusing and rejecting the forced government and religion on earth at that time, meaning Islam. At this time the angels are not doing anything to the earth, men are killing men.
The trumpets will bring natural disasters, causing mayhem. Remember the earth groans and travails until the revealing of the sons of God, meaning the day the saints come back with Jesus on the Day of the Lord. The amount of sin that takes place at this time increases exponentially and these people who are of the mega multitude recognize they made a mistake in not confessing Jesus as Lord prior to the harpazo. How do they know they made a mistake? It is possible that when they saw the sixth seal open, they realized all the things their friends and relatives told them about Jesus was true. Remember the whole earth sees the event of the sixth seal. So this is a happy time for these martyrs, as they go directly to heaven. They yell praises in heaven and the other sons of God join in.
Revelation 7:10 G2532 And G2896 they cry out G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great], G3004 saying, G3588 G4991 Deliverance G3588 to G2316 our God, G1473 G3588 to the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G3588 to the G721 lamb.
11 G2532 And G3956 all G3588 the G32 angels G2476 stood G2945 round about G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G3588 the G4245 elders, G2532 and G3588 the G5064 four G2226 living creatures. G2532 And G4098 they fell G1799 before G3588 the G2362 throne G1909 upon G3588 G4383 their faces, G1473 G2532 and G4352 they did obeisance to G3588 G2316 God,
12 G3004 saying, G281 Amen; G3588 the G2129 blessing, G2532 and G3588 the G1391 glory, G2532 and G3588 the G4678 wisdom, G2532 and G3588 the G2169 thankfulness, G2532 and G3588 the G5092 honor, G2532 and G3588 the G1411 power, G2532 and G3588 the G2479 strength G3588 to G2316 our God G1473 G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons. G281 Amen.
The angels, the elders, the living creatures all worship when these martyrs are presented before the throne. The Lamb is in the throne room with the Father as these people have been robed and join the sons of God watching and waiting for the seventh seal to be opened.
Revelation 7:13 G2532 And G611 answered G1520 one G1537 of G3588 the G4245 elders, G3004 saying G1473 to me, G3778 These G3588 G4016 wearing G3588 the G4749 [2robes G3588 G3022 1white], G5100 who G1510.2.6 are they, G2532 and G4159 from where G2064 came they?
14 G2532 And G2036 I said G1473 to him, G2962 O my Lord, G1473 G1473 you G1492 know. G2532 And G2036 he said G1473 to me, G3778 These G1510.2.6 are G3588 the ones G2064 coming G1537 from out of G3588 the G2347 [2affliction G3588 G3173 1great], G2532 and G4150 they washed G3588 G4749 their robes, G1473 G2532 and G3021 whitened G1473 them G1722 in G3588 the G129 blood G3588 of the G721 lamb.
2347 Dodson:θλῖψις persecution, affliction, distress
persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation.
Thayer:
1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
θλίψις
thlipsis thlip'-sis From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
This word thilpsis is used of men afflicting men, or people suffering at the hands of human oppressors. Jesus explains it well in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24:9 (KJV)
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
In verse 9 Jesus is speaking to the disciples as they would be afflicted after his crucifixion. Remember Jesus is answering three questions posed by the disciples, when would Jerusalem be destroyed, when would he return, and when would there be a new heaven and earth. Jesus says the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all nations, then the end will come. He then speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Luke records this time as well.
Luke 21:16-21 (KJV)
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Jesus warns of the terrible civil war that would take place prior to the Romans destroying the temple.
Matthew 24:21 (KJV)
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
As Josephus records, the city was surrounded and the people who refused to join the fascist zealots were killed. They couldn’t even leave the city as the zealots killed entire families along the road. The city was surrounded by Idumaeans, and the zealots were held up in the holy of holies, defiling it. Then Jesus talks about the end of the tribulation period and the Day of the Lord.
Matthew 24:29-31 (KJV)
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:
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.
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:
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.
This affliction is not affliction from the Living God upon man, nor is it affliction from the wrath of the Lamb. This affliction is men killing men, humans killing humans. Notice that Jesus puts the timing together for us. After the affliction/tribulation of those days, the powers of heaven will be shaken. Isn’t that what we see in the trumpet judgements? After men afflicting men the heavens are shaken, the trumpets bring the wrath of the Lamb upon the earth. The bowl judgements are directly poured out on men, this is the wrath of the Father. Then the Apocalypse of Jesus and His saints. The whole earth will mourn.
What we see is people who are martyred coming out of the earth either under the altar (Jews) or the great multitude from all nations and tribes. These are the people who are confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior after the harpazo. They are killed for their witness, but they overcome. Meanwhile there are sealed servants on the earth.
Revelation 7:15 G1223 Because of G3778 this G1510.2.6 they are G1799 before G3588 the G2362 throne G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3000 they serve G1473 to him G2250 day G2532 and G3571 night G1722 in G3588 G3485 his temple; G1473 G2532 and G3588 the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2362 throne G4637 shall encamp G1909 over G1473 them.
16 G3756 They shall not G3983 hunger G2089 any more, G3761 nor G1372 thirst G2089 any more, G3761 nor G3766.2 in any way G4098 shall [3fall G1909 4upon G1473 5them G3588 1the G2246 2sun], G3761 nor G3956 any G2738 sweltering heat.
17 G3754 For G3588 the G721 lamb, G3588 the one G303.1 in the midst G3588 of the G2362 throne, G4165 shall tend G1473 them. G2532 And G3594 he shall guide G1473 them G1909 unto G2222 [3of life G4077 1springs G5204 2of waters]. G2532 And G1813 [2will wipe away G3588 G2316 1God] G3956 every G1144 tear G1537 from G3588 G3788 their eyes. G1473
If we have loved ones who reject Jesus, there is still hope for them to be with Jesus in eternity. This is the way they can attain to eternal life. Is this nice? No. Is this desirable? No. We all want our loved ones to join us in the harpazo, but not all will. From our perspective this is a shame. However, if by patient endurance they buy back their souls (Luke 21:19) then Jesus will tend to them. Jesus will wipe away their tears. Jesus will lead them to springs of living waters.
We can talk to people about Jesus now, we can explain the scriptures to them, and show them how accurate they are, but some may still not believe. What do we do? We can write letters for those people “to be opened in the event of my death” so that when the harpazo occurs they will be able to read what the future holds. Meanwhile we can love them. Let’s consider Paul’s words.
Romans 15:2-5 (AMP)
2 Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].
3 For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.
4 For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.
5 Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
