End-Time

End-Time

SURVIVAL

An Easy to Understand Interpretation of the

Apocalypse

(c) 6/7/2000 with 8/20/2000 update and Addendum

J. Stanley McCluskey

This is a short study of the prophecy in which the Levitical order of Revelation’s sanctuary scenes is shown to be the key to an end-time application of chapters 4-11. An understanding of this may be critical for End-Time Survival. My own comments have been liberally supplemented by those of E. G. White, a well known Bible scholar of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with God-given insights into the end-time significance of this prophecy from a historical perspective.

While there will be some "time of trouble" similarities with futurist interpretations - as taught by many Christian churches - there is no reference here to a 7-year period of tribulation or to what they call a "secret" rapture before that time. Paul makes it clear that "we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep." We will be "caught up together with them" to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thes. 4:15-17 NASB. When Christ comes, every eye will see Him. Revelation 1:7. This will not be a secret event.

Those with comments or suggestions and those with questions are encouraged to correspond by e-mail: homes@yvn.com

INTRODUCTION

When Moses was told by God to build a sanctuary, he was instructed to build it "after the pattern" of the heavenly. Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, tells how Christ has become our High Priest in this heavenly sanctuary by virtue of being the One with God who became One with us, by virtue of His life without sin while on this earth, by virtue of His death on the cross as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins, and by virtue of His resurection as evidence of His lifegiving power. Christ’s gift of Himself in this expression of self-sacrificing love is the source of His power to inspire us and to change us - to transform us into fit citizens for heaven.

The SYMBOLIC sanctuary had two sections - the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Exodus 25-26. The High Priest ministered throughout the year in the Holy Place section. Then at the end of the year he would go into the Most Holy Place for a day of judgment and cleansing. This involved the removal of sins recorded. However, those who did not humble themselves or did not obey the command to consecrate this day to the Lord, were "cut off" from God’s people. Leviticus 16 and 23:27-30. It was obviously a Day of Judgment, and was so recognized by the Jewish people. This DAY of ATONEMENT - or Judgment - was preceded by the FEAST of TRUMPETS - a warning of the coming judgment. And the Day of Atonement was followed by the FEAST of INGATHERING - the AFTER-HARVEST feast and most important feast of the year - which is an appropriate symbol for Christ’s second coming. Leviticus 23:24 & 34. This entire process represented, IN SYMBOLS, Christ’s heavenly ministry for His people; and provides an important key for an understand of the Revelation prophecy.

Christ’s disciples watched as He was taken up into heaven. The beginning of His ministry as our High Priest was made evident ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:32,33. As in the typical sanctuary service, Christ began this spiritual leadership of His people with a "holy place" ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, from where He has closely and constantly directed His work on earth. Revelation 1:10-20. Please note that Christ "was recieved up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" on His mercy seat "throne of Grace." Mark 16:19 NASB; Exodus 26:34; Hebrews 4:16. Christ "longs to see gratitude welling up in our hearts because we have access to the mercy-seat, the throne of grace." EGW in AU 6-1-1900. So while Christ is pictured as walking among the symbolic candlesticks, representing His church on earth, He also is pictured as sitting on the throne of grace and mercy beside His Father. Revelation 1:13; 3:21.

Daniel was told that a "cleansing" of the heavenly sanctuary would begin at the end of a 2,300 year period of time, which began in 457 B.C. and ended in 1844. Daniel 8:14. This is when Christ added a "most holy place" ministry to His other responsibilities - as illustrated by the Day of Atonement in the symbolic sanctuary services. Leviticus 16. Christ alone has the responsibility of deciding who will be saved and who will be eternally lost. John 5:22. But before He makes that decision, there is an investigation of the records before witnesses, as shown in Daniel 7:9-10. GC 421-2 Then Christ will "cleanse" the heavenly sanctuary by blotting out the names of those who reject Him, and blotting out the record of sins for those who have accepted and honored Him. Paul said that God "has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed." Acts 17:31 NIV. "Christ tells us when that day shall be ushered in...’This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world...and then shall the end come.’" DA 633. This "day" that is "ushered in" is "the end of probationary time" just before the seven last plagues - which precede Christ’s second coming. It is Christ’s "harvest" time. Matthew 13:30; COL 71. "For when He comes, every case has been decided." GC 352.

(It has been generally understood that the "harvest" represents Christ’s second coming when "every eye" shall see Him; so let’s compare texts and see: When Christ comes in the clouds, His angels will "gather together His elect from the four winds." Matthew 24:31. Notice that "His elect" are gathered together. But at the harvest time, Christ's angels will "gather out of His kingdom" all that do iniquity. Matthew 13:41. Here it is those "which do iniquity" who are gathered out. So, instead of representing the second coming of Christ after the final plagues fall, "the harvest is the end of probationary time" just before those plagues fall. COL 71. It is that very short end-of-probation period of time during which Christ blots out the names of "them which do iniquity" from the Book of Life in heaven and, on earth, the "tares" are being removed from His church. Compare this with Malachi 3:17-18. The second coming of Christ is symbolized by the feast of harvest which was celebrated after the harvest).

With both groups - those saved and those eternally destroyed - the final decision will be made by Christ alone: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed ALL judgment unto the Son:...And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man." John 5:22, 27. Notice the importance of our Judge being "the Son of man" here and in the following text: "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers...Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil...For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:11, 13-14, 17 NIV.

These verses help us understand why Christ alone can be our Judge and Redeemer. Daniel 7 shows a judgment process by God and several others, sitting on thrones as the books were opened. Then Christ, as "One like a Son of Man", is given a kingdom. But even a casual observer will find the execution of judgment by Christ and the vital atonement-redemption detail lacking in this Daniel 7 investigative judgment scene. However, it is abundantly evident in the Revelation 4-5 scene, where (at the end of the Daniel 7 investigation) the search is for a "man" - a near relative - qualified to take the scroll and purchase (redeem) those recorded within. Christ is found worthy because He has overcome, He is a Man - a near relative from the tribe of Judah - and He has already paid the purchase price with His own blood. Then He alone takes the scroll and prepares to execute judgment. This includes a blotting out of names from the Book of Life and a blotting out of sins from the records of those who will be saved. It will include a sealing process for the living - meaning their acceptance or rejection by Christ is determined while they live. Revelation 7. So understanding Revelation 5 "is of great importance...for these last days." 9T 267. It is the key to an application of Revelation 6-11 to end-time events; and a proper understanding of this will build that faith and endurance so essential for End-Time Survival.

There will be another investigation in heaven by God and the saved during the millennium, reviewing the records of those not saved. Revelation 20:4, 11-13. And again, Christ alone will make the final decision - this time a punishment decision.

Paul, in Hebrews, explained at length that Christ is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary and has provided, once for all, the complete sacrifice for our sins. But nowhere in the New Testament do we find a more direct, historic timeline of Christ’s heavenly sanctuary ministry than in the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" vision given to John. An understanding of these activities in heaven, following one another in a Levitical and logical order, can help us better understand the entire vision. Earthly events correlate in time with related heavenly events in the vision.

I accept a historicist approach to this prophecy and believe with E. G. White that Revelation 2 and 3 is a continuous historical view of the Church during the past 1,900+ years. Christ is here applying characteristics of selected churches in Asia to the good and bad qualities of His church throughout the Christian era. AA 585. Several statements made by Christ in Revelation 2 & 3 can only apply to his church throughout the ages. This provides the clear and complete historic link for an end-time application of chapters 4-11. Then a new historic line starts with chapters 12 & 13. This time it is primarily a prophecy of satanic powers in opposition to God’s church. The dragon and beasts provide the historic link to the end-time and beyond for the rest of the vision. However, Christ’s sanctuary ministry ends when the temple in heaven is "opened" in Revelation 11:19 and 15:5. Both texts describe the same end-of-probation event, just as the rending of the temple veil from top to bottom when Christ died - exposing the Most Holy Place to view - signified the end of the symbolic services. Matthew 27:51.

Remember that there are clearly many similarities between the Revelation 4-5 scene and the investigative judgment scene of Daniel 7:9-14 & 22. But while Daniel was shown the beginning of the pre-advent judgment, John was shown its close - with the vital detail of Christ taking the scroll and opening it to begin an execution of judgment by the eternal blotting out of sins or the names of sinners. This is a transitioning from His mercy seat/throne of grace to His judgment seat/throne of glory. Hebrews 9:5; 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:34; John 5:22,27. His grace period for the living is then rapidly coming to a close. Let’s now view the prophecy from the beginning of John’s vision.

CHRIST’S HOLY PLACE MINISTRY

John was taken in vision to heaven and saw Christ as a spiritual leader instructing His people and symbolically ministering in the heavenly sanctuary among the seven golden lamps, representing His church throughout the Christian era. This illustrated Christ’s priestly "holy place" ministry in heaven and the direct oversight connection with His church on earth. He supervises the work of angels and the Holy Spirit in making people aware of His self-sacrificing love and desire to save them. He is intimately concerned about the welfare of every living person.

This scene is clearly in heaven. Paul explained that if Christ were on this earth, He would not be a priest, but that He truly is a priest and has entered "into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Hebrews 8:1-4; 9:24. The seven golden lampstands are symbolic of a holy place ministry by Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Christ retained the confinements of a human body when He rose from the dead and cannot be everywhere-present - although He can see everywhere and does work through the omnipresent Holy Spirit. After His resurrection, Christ said: "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have." Luke 24.39. This is why Christ said it is to our advantage that He go away and send the omnipresent Holy Spirit to be with us on this earth. John 16:7.

Christ told John to "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." Revelation 1:19. Christ ministering in and from the holy place represented the "things which are" status in the heavenly sanctuary at the time of the vision. The Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit signaled that Christ’s "holy place" ministry had begun.

Christ’s messages to the seven churches, in chapters 2 and 3, described the condition of those churches in Asia at the time of the prophecy, but are also symbolic of the condition of the church in successive periods of the Christian era; starting with the Ephesus message applying in the time of the Apostles and ending in our day with the Laodicean message. AA 585. This provides a complete historic time line from the time of the vision to the events in chapters 4 to 11.

We need to read these chapters from time to time because of Christ’s many promises there to the one who "overcomes" the power and deceptive influences of Satan. Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7. Then in Revelation 12:11 we are told three all-time essentials on how to overcome - the essentials for end-time survival! This verse says they "overcame" Satan:

1). "By the blood of the Lamb." Christ gives us both forgiveness and power to overcome. While we are eternally saved by His grace alone, through our faith in Him, we are to demonstrate that faith by yielding fully to Him and His instructions, so as to become His workmanship - created in Him "for good works." Ephesians 2:8-10.

2). "By the word of their testimony." Sharing the good news of salvation by faith in Christ will strengthen our faith and endurance. It is part of becoming Christ’s workmanship: By "speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15 NIV.

3). "They loved not their lives unto the death." This is a statement of perseverance and obedience to God under all circumstances. "This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." Revelation 14:12 NIV. Christ said: "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." "All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Revelation 2:10 NIV; Mark 13:13 NIV.

WORK OF THE ANTICHRIST

A new historic timeline begins in Revelation 12 with the dragon, symbolizing both pagan Rome and Satan, which persecuted the church during the first centuries of the Christian era. But little by little, "at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, ‘the mystery of iniquity’ carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions.

"The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ." GC 50.

This uniting of paganism with Christianity as found in the Catholic church is represented by the first beast of Revelation 13. After several hundred years of deception and persecution, this papal power received a "deadly wound" in 1798 when the Pope was taken captive by the French. The second Revelation 13 beast represents Protestant churches uniting with political powers. The Bible predicts that the papacy will again come to life (power) and unite with this apostate Protestantism and the spiritualist characteristics of the dragon to again persecute God’s faithful people. This persecution may be precipitated by the overwhelming catastrophic conditions soon to be brought about by such events as large-scale wars, famine, disease, and disruption of the forces of nature. Then our "adversary the devil, as a roaring lion," will "walk about, seeking whom he may devour" through fear, deception, persecution and death. At the same time, Christ will symbolically ride forth in purity and love "conquering, and to conquer" through the witness and testimony of His people. 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 6:2. The end will then be very, very near.

THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT

Christ opened a symbolic door in 1844 to His most holy place ministry. Revelation 3:8; Daniel 8:14; 7:9-10. Bible students everywhere thought the Daniel 8:14 prophecy, predicting a cleansing of the sanctuary, signaled Christ’s return in 1844. Then, they said, He would judge every person. So the announcement of Christ’s second coming in 1844 was loudly proclaimed "to every civilized nation of the world" between 1831 and 1844. This compared to the Feast of Trumpets warnings of coming judgment, just prior to the typical Day of Atonement - or day of cleansing. The year 1844 actually came during a time represented by the Revelation message to the Philadelphia church - sixth and next to the last. Concerning those in this period of time, Christ said: "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." Revelation 3:10 NIV.

It has been during the period represented by the seventh church - the lukewarm church of Laodicea - that the work of investigation has gone forward in the heavenly sanctuary. This, however, will not be the condition of Christ’s church as the final warnings are given to the world. As investigation of the records in heaven nears an end, the coming physical and spiritual "hour of trial" will serve to purify the church on earth as Christ cleanses the records in heaven by blotting out sins or the names of sinners. "In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark." 9T 16. This is a cleansing process.

John said that "after" the Revelation 2 & 3 description of the church down to the end time, he was taken in vision through a previously opened door into God’s throne room in heaven - the most holy place. John was then shown symbols and illustrations of, as Christ said, "things which must be hereafter." Revelation 4:1. Read again Christ’s own words here, "I will show you things which must be hereafter." This has been interpreted to mean either "after" the vision was given in about 96 A.D. or "after" the Laodicean period of church history; but it cannot represent what some call a "flashback" to Christ’s coronation that took place some 60 years before.

John saw God sitting on His throne with 24 "elders" sitting around Him on thrones. Daniel had seen this judgment scene in one of his visions: He saw the thrones being set up; then after God took His seat, "The court sat and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9,10. This beginning of the investigative judgment, and antitypical Day of Atonement, took place in 1844. But John was shown, in Revelation 4, this very same court session already under way, after 1844, with God and the elders already seated on their thrones, and with the investigative judgment in progress. Christ then takes the scroll to execute judgment. In chapters 6-11 emphasis is given in the vision to events as man’s probationary period and Christ’s ministry of grace come to an end.

CHRIST, OUR ONLY JUDGE

John saw a sealed scroll, the book of life, in God’s right hand. The seals mean that all those recorded within were found to be sinners - slaves of sin. None are free to enter heaven on their own merits. To "seal" and to "shut up" have the same meaning in the Bible: "Shut up the words, and seal the book." Daniel 12:4. Paul said, "God has shut up (sealed) all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." Romans 11:32 NASB. God has "shut up" or "sealed" all in disobedience by recording our individual life histories in His book. This helps explain why John would weep when no one could unseal the scroll to blot out sins and set repentant sinners free. "My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity." Job 14.17. "The past is contained in the book where all things are written. We cannot blot out the record." 6T 149.

When commenting on the choice of the Jewish leaders in Christ’s day, E. G. White wrote: "Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah." COL 294. Notice that she here places the Revelation 6 unsealing of the book in the future from her time. This will be the time for the "unrolling of the scroll." 6T 17. Then "the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position." TM 235.

Notice again these words by EGW: "Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne." What book is this? Compare with the following EGW statement: "Every deed is registered in the book of life, and according as we have treated others, it will be registered we have treated the King of kings." RH 2-20-1894. "Time is fast hastening on, and every work will soon be brought into judgment, and either our sins or our names will be blotted out of the Book of Life." YI 1-13-1898.

After Christ, as the Revelation 5 Lamb, takes this book of life from His Father it is called "the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" and "the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 13:8 and 21:27.

Each of us has been "sold as a slave to sin." For "a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." Romans 7:14 NIV; 2 Peter 2:19 NIV. All must be "purchased" back by a qualified being. It must be a "man" - a being who is a near kinsman. Ruth 3:9-12 and 4:1-5. Jesus qualifies: "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-15 NIV.

Notice that John weeps when no "man" is found "worthy" to take the book and break its seals. Then he is told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has "overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." Revelation 5:5 NASB. Christ is described here as the essential "man" who also qualifies because He has "overcome" and is the sinless One.

Christ, as our only sinless near kinsman, has now been shown to qualify as a redeemer for those sold in bondage to sin and recorded in the scroll; but will He pay the purchase price? "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22. The answer immediately follows. Christ, whose sacrifice had been accepted as sufficient when He died, now appears "in the midst" of this throne room setting as a Lamb who had been slain, but came back to life. He tasted death for every man. Hebrews 2:9. "And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15 NASB. We have been "bought with a price." 1 Cor. 6:20.

The event shown in Revelation 5 was foretold through Isaiah: "And He (God) saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him...And the Redeemer (a near relative, both qualified and willing to pay the purchase price for redemption) shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." Isaiah 59:16, 20. The price was fully paid at Calvary; but the redemption process is not completed until after the investigative judgment, when sins are blotted from the records of heaven. Revelation 11:15.

So John was told in his vision to cheer up because a near kinsman - the Lion from the tribe of Judah - has been found worthy. This is Christ, and He then appears as One who has paid the price of redemption. He is the "Lamb" who had been slain at Calvary and came to life, and purchased by His blood "whosoever" will believe in Him, from every people and nation. Revelation 5:2-9; John 3:16.

CHRIST TAKES TITLE TO HIS KINGDOM

When Daniel saw this judgment session begin, he saw Christ ("One like the son of man") coming to God on His throne. Christ was then given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Daniel 7:13, 14. Note that Christ is in heaven at this time and the people of His kingdom are still on this earth. He is "given" a kingdom in the same way anyone is given (or purchases) property of considerable value. He is given title papers - the book of life - as in Revelation 5. Compare this with Jeremiah 32:6-14. Christ is given a kingdom that He purchased with His blood - the Blood of the Lamb. Revelation 5:9. Again, this cannot (as some say) be the priesthood inauguration of Christ, because He already appears as a priest in chapter 1. And Christ said this scene takes place "after" the time of the vision. It is also not a "flashback" to Christ’s inauguration ceremony in heaven. This is evident when we compare Revelation 4-5 with that inauguration event:

"Christ's ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised (Holy Spirit) blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people." AA 38. Being given a scroll, as in Revelation 5, is hardly the same as being enthroned and sending the Holy Spirit to empower His followers. The Revelation 4-5 heavenly throne room scene is very clearly not the inauguration-enthronement of Christ as Priest and King that took place sixty some years before the vision..

Compare the above with what Christ told His disciples before his death and then when He was about to go to heaven; and also with what Peter later proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost. Before Christ was crucified, He said: "I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7 NASB. Then just before He went to heaven, He said: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4-5 NASB. Then Peter confirmed that Christ’s enthronement in heaven was complete, when he said on the Day of Pentecost: "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God (enthroned), he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." Acts 2:32-33 NIV. Please read Revelation 4-5 and note that Christ is already "in the center of the throne." There is no exalting of Him to God’s right hand or outpouring of the Holy Spirit, either in fact or symbols in that scene. It cannot, therefore, be Christ’s enthronement - although His enthronement would have been in the same throne room and in a similar setting, with God the Father, angels, and other witnesses all present. See DA 834-5. Judgment of the wicked will later also take place in this same throne room and setting. Revelation 20:11-15; 4.

CHRIST BLOTS OUT SINS OR THE NAMES OF SINNERS

This is near the end of probationary time and is probably judgment time for the living, starting with those in His church - the "household of God" (1 Peter 4:17) - which is the spiritual "Israel" of Revelation 7. Christ at this time unseals the book of life and cleans up the records by blotting out the names of those who have turned away from Him, and blotting out sins from the records of those to be saved. Revelation 3:5; Exodus 32:33; Acts 3:19. This compares with the symbolic removal of sins from the sanctuary that came near the close of a Day of Atonement ceremony. Leviticus 16:20,21. "Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration." GC 422. E. G. White frequently referred to this as the coming "grand review" of heaven’s records by Christ. While war and distress will come, it will be held in check until this sealing time is over.

Let’s review again what Isaiah saw concerning this event, and described in language familiar to the people of his day: "And He (God) saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto him; and His righteousness, it sustained him...And the Redeemer (a near relative qualified to pay the purchase price for redemption) shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." Isaiah 59:16, 20. This is then followed by the symbolic "forever" sealing of the people and the "arise, shine" time of the Loud Cry after Christ sends the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit: "As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and forever. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." Isaiah 59:21-60:1.

E. G. White wrote that "the actual cleansing of the heavenly (sanctuary) is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement...Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration," and "in the final atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven, no more to be remembered or come into mind. GC 421-2, PP 358. This is clearly an execution of judgment by Christ, just as much as a report-card grade is an execution of the teachers judgment. Christ in this judgment act seals each persons destiny forever.

While this execution of judgment by Christ takes place in heaven, there will be a clear series of events on this earth that should make people more and more aware of this final decision time by Christ in heaven. "Revelation 6 and 7 (while Christ blots out sins or names in heaven) are full of meaning. Terrible are the judgments of God there revealed." E. G. White then goes on to say these "judgments" will be followed by Revelation 8-11 events: "The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth." Maranatha 284.

SEAL ONE

As Christ unseals the scroll in heaven, He also continues to direct His work on earth. He rides forth "conquering and to conquer" to win more converts from among the living for His kingdom. He desires that all have a clear understanding of His will, His love and His offer to save. It is often difficult to recognize fulfillment of prophecy until after the events foretold take place, and the symbol of Christ riding forth "conquering and to conquer" to win even more for His kingdom can surely apply throughout history. But it will have greater significance as the last warning message swells to a loud cry. Even now people are turning to Christ in greater numbers and from more areas of the globe than ever before, and the means of spreading the gospel have greatly increased. We may already be in the period represented by the first seal. We understand this will swell to a loud cry during Christ’s sealing work, as persecution and troubles increase.

SEAL TWO

John was shown a series of other events that will take place during the time when Christ unseals the book of life in heaven. "God cannot forbear much longer. Already His judgments are beginning to fall on some places, and soon His signal displeasure will be felt in other places. There will be a series of events revealing that God is master of the situation." 9T 96. Peace will be taken from the earth; perhaps never to return until Christ comes. This is comparable to the end-time series of conflicts described in Daniel 11:40 to 12:1. These verses in Daniel describe a war that starts in the time of the end with an irritating but relatively insignificant "push" and quickly builds until it becomes the worst worldwide conflict of all time.

SEALS 3 and 4

War will be followed by famine which will lead to violence, disease, and widespread destruction from many sources, including wild animals. E. G. White said that "events come in order. War, and rumors of war, sword, famine, and pestilence are first to shake the powers of earth, then the voice of God will shake the sun, moon, and stars, and this earth also." EW 41. This pretty much takes us through seals 2 through 6. She also saw in vision that "War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence." 1T 268.

SEALS 5 and 6

Religious leaders will probably have a significant influence on our government during this time. As conditions continue to get worse, they will begin to blame both non-Christians and God’s commandment-keeping people for the problems. Revelation 12:17. This will lead to a Sunday law and martyrdom by many Christians who observe God’s seventh-day Sabbath rest - along with His other commandments. Revelation 6:9; 13:15; 14:12. "To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law....The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob's trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs' graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’" 5T 451. This "How long, O Lord" cry is taken from the fifth seal words of Revelation 6:10. "When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the alter the company that were slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17). After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon." E. G. White in 7BC 968. It is "when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth," as in Isaiah 2:19 and Revelation 6:12-16, that the Loud Cry "words of Rev. 18:1-3 will be fulfilled." LS 411.

There is certainly an overlapping of sixth seal events with those in Revelation 8-11 as angels symbolically sound the loud final trumpets of warning before probationary time closes. The four winds are still held back until the sixth trumpet sounds. Revelation 7:2-3 and 9:13-14. As Christ breaks the sixth seal on the scroll in heaven, He will cap this series of events on earth with a great earthquake and signs in the sun, moon and stars.

TRIALS PREPARE GOD’S PEOPLE FOR THE LATTER RAIN

The Revelation 6 period of worsening trials will be judgment time for the living. God’s faithful people (the spiritual "Israel" of chapter 7) will be the first ones - "first fruits" - "purchased" from among the living and receive the "seal" of acceptance. Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5. They will then receive the Joel 2:23 "latter rain" of Holy Spirit power. These saints, figuratively 144,000 in number, will then represent Christ to the world in a most effective way, just as believers did after the "early rain" Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Revelation 18:4 call out of spiritual Babylon, during a period of "great tribulation," will then draw "a great multitude" to Christ. Revelation 7:9-17. Most of these new converts will no doubt demonstrate loyalty to Christ through martyrdom. They will not have time to develop character traits needed to faithfully endure through the time when the seven last plagues are poured out. This critical and final call to come out of "Babylon" ends shortly before these final plagues start. After the plagues, Christ comes on His symbolic white horse to claim His pure bride from among the living and the dead. Revelation 19:11; 6:2; Psalms 45; Ephesians 5:27.

CHRIST SENDS THE LATTER RAIN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The next symbolic sanctuary scene John saw was an angel standing by the golden alter of incense. Revelation 8:3-5. The angel took burning coals (a symbol of Divine presence) from the alter and threw them to the earth. This was followed by thunder, lightning, and an earthquake - also symbols of God’s presence, as when He appeared to ancient Israel on Mt. Sinai. This is the refreshing, Latter Rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s power that follows a blotting out of sins, (Acts 3:19), and is followed by the "loud cry" and final trumpets of warning. Revelation 8-11; Isaiah 27:12,13 NASB. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit in the early rain came in the form of fire accompanied by the sound of a violent, rushing wind. Acts 2:2-4. The fire and wind did not cause destruction then, nor will latter rain events cause destruction now. It’s like the burning bush Moses saw that did not consume the bush. Exodus 3:1-6.

Consider what one burning coal from this golden alter did for Isaiah: "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:6-8. Notice how Peter ties this to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our time: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3.19. The censer full of live coals from the alter being thrown to the earth in Revelation 8:3-5 is a special kind of holy fire and clearly is a symbol of a cleansing and Spirit-filling experience. It is the latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

During the short period of time represented by the seven seals and seven trumpets, "tribulation will come of a character that will drive to God all who wish to be His, and His alone." 6T 396. "The time of these judgments is a time of mercy for those who have not yet had opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; his hand is still stretched out to save. Large numbers will be admitted to the fold of safety who in these last days will hear the truth for the first time." RH 11-22-1906. Activity continues in connection with the golden alter of incense during the sounding of the trumpets. Revelation 8:3-5; 9:13-16. This is a symbol that, as with Isaiah, Christ still offers forgiveness to sinners. Isaiah 6:6-7. Then as the sixth trumpet sounds, the four angels held in check in chapter seven until the sealing work is done, are finally released. The seventh trumpet events, "coming quickly" after the sixth, signal that probationary time is completely at an end. It is significant that Paul connects the alter of incense with the Most Holy place. Hebrews 9:3-4.

THE LOUD CRY AND CHRIST’S LAST WARNINGS TO REPENT

The seven trumpets, coming after the latter rain, represent the time of the Revelation 18:2 loud cry and a period of "great tribulation" during which "a great multitude" will be drawn to Christ. Revelation 17; 18; 7:9,14. A majority of people in Christian lands do not now adequately understand Bible truths and see no reason for change. Most people in non-Christian lands do not believe in Christ. Christ will give all of these people reason to search for a better understanding of His will so that those who continue to reject Him will have no excuse. All will be given sufficient information to make a clear choice during this final period of probationary time. They will either choose to worship God or to worship the beast and his image. Revelation 14:9-11. This may be the time E. G. White referred to when she said, "Tribulation will come of a character that will drive to God all who wish to be His, and His alone." 6T 396. "Then a multitude not of their faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with them in serving the Redeemer." RH.2-25-1902.

Trumpets were used in ancient Israel to summon the congregation, to sound an alarm, as a reminder of God’s blessing, and as a loud call "reminder" of coming judgment during the Feast of Trumpets that came just before the Day of Atonement. Numbers 10:1-10; Leviticus 23:24. When Israel marched around Jerico, seven priests blew on seven trumpets. Those inside the city were given six days of warning and probation before their city was destroyed on the seventh day. The seven trumpets of Revelation have a similar last call significance. "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." Joel 2:1.

There’s an interesting prophetic reference to this in Isaiah: He tells how God will first gather His people from the land of Israel (a symbolic reference to the Church). This is comparable to the Revelation 7 sealing of a symbolic 144,000 from spiritual Israel. Then Isaiah said, "It will come about also in that day that a great TRUMPET will be blown; and those who were perishing...(outside His spiritual Israel Church) will come and worship the Lord." Isaiah 27:12,13 NASB. Emphasis mine. This is comparable to the Revelation 8 to 11 trumpet calls, the Revelation 18:4 call to come out of Babylon, and the typical Day of Atonement trumpet call: "Then shalt you send abroad the loud trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land." Leviticus 25:9

THE FIRST TRUMPET

Many Christians will no doubt be expecting Christ to appear and bring a millennial reign of peace - as erroneously taught by their churches. They will be expecting peace and safety after a period of tribulation - as described in Revelation 6. But, as Paul said, destruction will suddenly come upon them. 1 Thessalonians 5:3. This may be the meaning of first trumpet symbols of hail and fire mixed with blood, causing death and destruction. These destructive symbols are comparable to those described in Joel 2:30 during the period of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. This may be a period of anarchy that will weaken the most powerful nation in the world. "Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendancy of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin." RH.6-15-1897.

THE SECOND TRUMPET

As the second trumpet sounds, a great burning mountain is thrown into the sea. This is a symbol for the fall and destruction of apostate Protestantism (spiritual Babylon) with its base of political power in the United States. The papacy will then fully be restored to a church/state power. Revelation 17:11,12,16: 18:21,8. Jeremiah 51:24,25. "Rome is aiming to re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured." GC 581. "But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power." GC 578.

THE THIRD TRUMPET

The star falling from heaven as the third trumpet sounds is a symbol of Satan. Luke 10:18. Isaiah 14:12. He will then appear to many as a false Christ and as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14. Many Christians will still be expecting Christ to appear on earth and begin a thousand year reign of peace. They will easily be deceived by Satan’s false personation of Christ. "Disguised as an angel of light, he will walk the earth as a wonder-worker. In beautiful language he will present lofty sentiments. Good words will be spoken by him, and good deeds performed. Christ will be personified, but on one point there will be a marked distinction. Satan will turn the people from the law of God. Notwithstanding this, so well will he counterfeit righteousness, that if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. Crowned heads, presidents, rulers in high places, will bow to his false theories." RH.8-17-1897.

THE FOURTH TRUMPET

A third of the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened during the time of the fourth trumpet. The sun, moon, and stars symbolize God’s family on earth, as in Genesis 37:9,10 and Revelation 12:1. Many who are still connected with God’s people at this time will be deceived. Satan will then deceive "with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. "Spiritualism is a lie." 1T 301. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1. "They do not discern what spirit has taken possession of them." 8T 249.

THE FIFTH TRUMPET

Satan is the fallen star of the third trumpet. And now, at this fifth trumpet time, he is given a key to the bottomless pit. He is then said to release symbolic human-faced locusts with the stinging power of scorpions who will torment men, but will not destroy. These may be the spirits of devils posing as people come to life or, possibly, possessing living people - who will then long to die but cannot. Revelation 9:6. Whatever happens here, it will be a very painful period of time; but those who have the seal of God will escape. Revelation 9:4. When Christ was on this earth, "Satan raged like a chained lion and defiantly exhibited his power over the bodies as well as the souls of men." GC 513. The torture caused by demon possession is evident in references like Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; 9:17-27; Matthew 12:22; and Luke 4:33-36.

THE SIXTH TRUMPET

As the sixth trumpet sounded, John again saw the alter of incense and heard a voice say: "Release the four angels so that they might destroy and kill." (Revelation 9:13-15). In chapter 7, these same four angels were to be held in check until the servants of God were sealed. In Revelation 9:4, those already sealed are especially protected from harm as the fifth loud warning trumpet sounds. Releasing these four angels during the sixth trumpet signifies that Christ’s great battle against Satan, to win more people for His kingdom is nearly over. This is "quickly" followed by an announcement during the seventh trumpet that the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of Christ, the "conquering" One. Revelation 11:14,15;6:2.

When the four angels were released to destroy and kill, John was told that the armies totaled two hundred million. That was a very significant number to John, because it represented the total world population in his day. This is symbolic of worldwide conflict at the time of the sixth trumpet. "The four winds are held until the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshall their forces for the last great battle...the last mighty conflict, when all will take sides." 6T 14. "Every man’s hand will be against his fellow man." 3SM 41. There is a close parallel between these statements and sixth trumpet events.

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

The sixth trumpet is "quickly" followed by the concluding seventh, and "the mystery of God" - His plan for saving sinners - "is finished." Revelation 10:7. Voices in heaven then shout, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Revelation 11:15. All had once been "sold as a slave to sin" under the control of Satan - whom Christ called "the prince of this world." Romans 7:14; John 16:7. But now every person throughout the ages of probationary time who has accepted by faith Christ’s free offer of eternal life, has been permanently registered in heaven as part of His eternal kingdom of glory. "And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17. Christ’s second coming is soon to follow. He then takes His great power and begins His eternal reign of glory with His people. Revelation 11:17.

Now notice verse 18: "And (1) the nations were angry, and (2) thy wrath is come, and (3) the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and (4) that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and (5) shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

Let’s first consider item (5) above, with that significant word "destroy" rather than the common misunderstanding - continual torment for the wicked in the fires of an eternal hell. Put your trust in God’s word rather than popular misconceptions: "When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever." Psalms 92.7. "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, (they) shall be punished with everlasting destruction." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. Yes, God will destroy the wicked forever. They will not be tormented forever in hell. "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:1. "...and (they shall) become as if they had never existed." Obadiah 16 NASB.

Christ said the wicked will be cast "into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. Sodom and Gomorrah "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7. These cities were burned up and turned "into ashes." 2 Peter 2:6. "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 (destruction) of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.

Revelation 20.10 states: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." This simply means there will be no relief from torment. He will be eternally destroyed and blotted out of existence. Remember what Christ said: For those who die this second death, God will "destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28.

Item (4) above states that the time has come for Christ to give rewards to His people. This is a clear indication that Christ’s second coming is soon to follow: "And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22.12.

In item (3) we are told "the time of the dead (has come), that they should be judged." This cannot refer to the pre-advent judgment, for that is a judgment of both the living and the dead. The judgment referred to here is a pre-sentencing judgment of the wicked during the millennium, and is described in Revelation 20.12-15. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Item (3) is a statement that this time is about to begin. This judgment takes place after Christ takes His people to heaven - and they will participate in the judgment: "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them." Revelation 20:4.

Item (2) above ("And Thy wrath came") is an indication that the time has come for the seven last plagues to fall: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Revelation 15:1.

Item (1) above, about the nations being angry, has a general application throughout history; but there will be a marked increase as we approach the end of probationary time. Daniel 11:40-12::1. E. G. White made comments on this and on Revelation 6 events - such as: "In the last scenes of this earth's history, war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague, and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood." RH 10-19-1897. Note also this statement, which matches the words of Revelation 11:18. "The anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead (will be) separate and distinct, one following the other....The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues ("the wrath of God") will be poured out." EW 36.

John then saw the temple (sanctuary) of God in heaven opened - signifying an end to Christ’s sanctuary ministry and offer of grace. This is comparable in meaning to the tearing in two of the temple veil when Christ died. Matthew 27:51. "In the spring of A. D. 31, Christ the true sacrifice was offered on Calvary. Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain, showing that the sacredness and significance of the sacrificial service had departed. The time had come for the earthly sacrifice and oblation to cease." DA 233.

E. G. White applied this Revelation 11:19 opening of the temple to the start of the investigative judgment in 1844 because it directs people to the ark of God’s covenant, containing His 10 commandment law, and the keeping of this law is frequently referred to as of particular importance in our time. Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14. But notice that E. G. White later applied this opening of the temple to the future: "When God’s temple in heaven is opened, what a triumphant time that will be for all who have been faithful and true! In the temple will be seen the ark of the testament in which were placed the two tables of stone, on which are written God’s law. These tables of stone will be brought forth from their hiding place, and on them will be seen the ten commandments engraved by the finger of God. These tablets of stone now lying in the ark of the testament will be a convincing testimony to the truth and binding claims of God’s law. E. G. White Letter 47, 1902. "There are abundant evidences of the immutability of God's law. It was written with the finger of God, never to be obliterated, never to be destroyed. The tables of stone are hidden by God, to be produced in the great judgment-day, just as he wrote them." RH 3-26-1908. "When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every man shall be judged according to the things written in the books, then the tables of stone, hidden by God until that day, will be presented before the world as the standard of righteousness." RH 1-28-1909.

"The great judgment day," when Christ alone is Judge, is also called "the day of the Lord" in the Bible, and begins after Christ takes the scroll from His Father’s hand and sits on His judgment seat/glorious throne to begin the execution of judgment in the books of heaven and among the living on earth. 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46. This execution of judgment includes: 1) A separation in the books of heaven by blotting out the names of unrepentant sinners from the book of life. Exodus 32:32-34; Revelation 3:5. 2) A separation among the living through a spiritual and physical testing process to determine whether or not their names should remain in that book of life. Revelation 6-11; 12:17; 13:6-8, 12-17; 14:14; 18:; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4; Mark 13:19-26; etc. 3) The period of the seven last plagues after probation has closed. Revelation 16. 4) The second coming of Christ to take His people home. Revelation 19. 5) The determination of punishment and final destruction of the wicked after the millennium. Revelation 20:11-15.

"Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations.

"A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them And nothing at all escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run. With a noise as of chariots They leap on the tops of the mountains, Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, Like a mighty people arranged for battle. Before them the people are in anguish, All faces turn pale...They rush on the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief.

"Before them the earth quakes, The heavens tremble, The sun and the moon grow dark, And the stars lose their brightness. And the LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

"’Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.’ Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil. Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him." Joel 2:1-14 NASB.

"Through His prophet Zephaniah the Lord specifies the judgments that He will bring upon evildoers: ("day of the Lord" descriptions in Zephaniah 1:2,3,8-18 quoted)...God cannot forbear much longer. Already His judgments are beginning to fall on some places, and soon His signal displeasure will be felt in other places. There will be a series of events revealing that God is master of the situation. (as in the "series of events" described under the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 last plagues). The truth will be proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language." 9T 95-96. Zephaniah’s "prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah apply with equal force to the judgments that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the time of the second advent of Christ:. (Zephaniah 1:14-16 quoted)." PK 389. "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. 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. 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, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 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." Zephaniah 1: 12-18. There are many more prophecies about this time - such as Isaiah 2 and 13. " Mercies and judgments will be sent from heaven. The working of providence will be revealed both in mercies and in judgments." RH 10-13-1904.

"Many things that do not now appear in a correct light, will be made plain in the day of the Lord." E. G. White in RH 4-8-1902. "What revelations will be made in the day of Judgment!... that day when the Lord judges the cases of all." RH 1-5-1897.

John saw the ark of the testimony as a justice symbol, in Revelation 11:19; but Christ, the living Lamb that had been slain, is no longer there to offer mercy. He had already made the final changes in His book of life during the period of the seals and trumpets. While this "temple" is the room where the heavenly judgment takes place, there are no thrones set up or books opened for judgment at this time, as in Revelation 4-5, 20:11-15 and Daniel 7:9,10. It is time for the dead to be judged, but this judgment does not begin until after the saints are in heaven. Revelation 11:18; 20:4, 11-15. However, the battle for the souls of men has now ended. This probationary "time" ends when the seventh trumpet begins to sound, and God’s plan for our salvation (His "mystery") is complete. Revelation 10:6,7.

This "opening of the temple" as probation closes signals that the time for God’s great final wrath has come, Revelation 11:18, and is followed by "lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Revelation 11:19. John later saw this same opened temple scene, just before the Revelation 16 seven last plagues of God’s wrath. Revelation 15:5. Then as those plagues were ending, he saw the same lightnings, thunderings, earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 16:18, 21.

Notice how E. G. White ties the Revelation 11:19 and 15:5-8 sanctuary scenes together: "The law was written with the finger of God upon tables of stone, and John saw the temple of God open in heaven, and in the temple the ark of his covenant (11:19). ‘I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened; . . . and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.’ (15:5-8)." ST 3-12-1896. This opening of the temple in heaven is the same event in both verses, and obviously occurs just before the seven last plagues - it marks the close of Christ’s priestly ministry and of probationary time.

CHRIST DEMONSTRATES HIS JUSTICE WITH SEVEN LAST PLAGUES

John was shown events of the past, present, and future in greater detail or from a different perspective in Revelation 12 through 19, with the dragon and beasts of chapters 12 and 13 providing a historic link to the rest of the vision. He described characteristics of the 144,000 and of God’s final warnings in chapter 14, and again watched, in chapters 15, as the temple was opened. Then in chapter 16 he saw the seven last plagues - ending with the same Revelation 11:19 lightning, thunder, earthquake, and a great hail storm. Revelation 16:17-21. He was here shown that between the close of probation and the final lightnings, thunderings, earthquake, and hail there will be a series of seven final plagues of God’s wrath. Warning plagues that precede this final series will cause many to seek God’s mercy. But these seven last plagues, coming after the close of probation, will demonstrate to the universe that all who are then living have made their choice for or against God. The wicked during this time will not repent and will continue to blaspheme God. (Revelation 16:9,11,21).

Please note that Christ first gave seven messages to His church predicting its strengths and weaknesses throughout the Christian era. He then proceeded to show John what would follow at the end of this long period of time. Christ is going to take the scroll of life from His Father - purchased by His blood - and break the seven seals. During the final events described while the seals are being broken, the seven trumpets will be blown. Then during the final period represented by the blowing of these trumpets, the seven last plagues will fall. So all these series - the seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven last plagues - end together as Jesus comes to take His people home.

CHRIST COMES FROM HEAVEN TO CLAIM HIS BRIDE

There were three annual symbolic feasts in ancient Israel at which all the men were to appear together in one place before the Lord. The Passover was a symbol of Christ’s death for all men, Pentecost (or early Harvest) a symbol of Christ’s enthronement and sending the Holy Spirit to empower all who believe on Him, and the Feast of Ingathering - the final and greatest gathering of the year that came just after the Day of Atonement - was a symbol of Christ’s second-coming "ingathering" when He will take to heaven all who are found written the Lamb’s book of life. Exodus 23:16; Matthew 24.31; Daniel 12:1.

Concerning the future symbolic significance of this Feast of Ingathering (also called Feast of Tabernacles in the Bible), E. G. White wrote: "The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner. At that time the wicked will all be destroyed. They will become ‘as though they had not been.’ Obadiah 16." PP 541.

Christ had begun His marriage ceremony by reviewing the records of His church/bride before witnesses. Daniel 7:9-10; Ephesians 5:25. He then will take (or, has taken) the book-of-life title to His kingdom (the marriage certificate) and ride forth on His white horse "conquering and to conquer." Revelation 5:7; 6:2. (Compare the Psalms 45 prophecy about the marriage of Christ - as a King riding to victory before taking His bride). This is Christ’s final great battle against Satan’s forces for more souls from among the living to make up His bride/church/kingdom. John saw the climax to this battle, with Christ coming from heaven on that same symbolic white horse to claim His bride. Revelation 6:2; 19:11. The wicked are then destroyed and the saints taken to heaven. This is His bride-church in all her glory. Ephesians 5:27.

THE WICKED ARE JUDGED AND DESTROYED

WITHOUT BENEFIT OF CHRIST’S FORGIVING GRACE

John then saw another judgment scene in heaven: Thrones are set up and the saints sit on them for judgment. God is the presiding Judge and the books of record are opened. Then another book is opened - the Lamb’s unsealed book-of-life. This is the title to His "purchased" kingdom of saints. Revelation 20:4,12-15. Names have been blotted out of this book. Revelation 3:5; Exodus 32:33. But every purchased person whose name is still found written in this book of life, by virtue of the the Lamb’s blood sacrifice, "shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24. All others will be judged by God’s law without the mercy and intercession previously offered by the Revelation 5 Lamb. They will then be raised to life to hear the verdict and die a second, everlasting death. Before they die, however, the wicked will no doubt say with the saints: "Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways." Revelation 15:3. God said: "I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." Isaiah 45:23.

CHRIST GIVES HIS BRIDE A NEW HOME

John saw a new city for the saints in a new heaven and earth. Revelation 21:1,2. The saints will then live eternally in a universe untainted by sin or the memory of sin. "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21.27. Christ’s mission of redemption and restoration is complete.

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John saw the revelations of Christ’s heavenly ministry in the uninterrupted, orderly, and complete historic progression we would expect them to occur. As we correlate these scenes with events described as taking place on this earth at the same time, then the prophecy becomes easy to understand - and we discover that a greater portion of Revelation refers to our time and the near future than many previously understood.

Friends, it’s time for us to think more seriously about spiritual things. But while the worst is yet to come, so also is the best - Christ is coming soon, and all sorrow and hardships will end. And He has told us how to overcome Satan and survive the worst:

"And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Revelation 12:11.

"And you will be hated by all on account of My name,

but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."

Matthew 10:22 NASB

"And because iniquity shall abound,

the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end,

the same shall be saved."

Matthew 24:12-13

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"It was needful that men should be awakened to their danger; that they should be roused to prepare for the solemn events connected with the close of probation. The prophet of God declares: ‘The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?’ Who shall stand when He appeareth who is ‘of purer eyes than to behold evil,’ and cannot "look on iniquity’? Joel 2:11; Habakkuk 1:13....