End Times-
putting the pieces in place
by Sonny Bowman
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Chapter 13 (part 3)
Miscellaneous Information
(part 3)
Psalms 119:130 (NKJV) The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Will heaven and
earth be rejuvenated rather than replaced? [Return to topic list]
The Bible teaches that the present heaven
(i.e., the universe) and earth will pass away and be replaced
by a new heaven and earth (Rev. 20:11;
21:1) This must refer to the literal heaven and earth (rather
than governments) since one of the features of the new earth
is the absence of seas—a literal, physical
characteristic (Rev. 21:1). The New Jerusalem will come down
to the new earth (Rev. 21:23). There will be no need for the
sun or the moon for the glory of the Lord will illumine it
(Rev. 21:23) and there will be no night there (Rev.
21:24-25). The absence of night also shows that the old earth
has passed away since God made a covenant which promises that
seasons, day, night, cold, and heat would not cease as long
as the earth remains (Gen. 8:22). Other passages indicating
that the earth and heavens will be replaced with new ones are
as follows.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NKJV) But the day of
the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the
heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and
the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore,
since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and
godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming
of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be
dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells.
Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV) "For behold, I
create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall
not be remembered or come to mind.
Isaiah 66:22 (NKJV) "For as the
new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall
remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall
your descendants and your name remain.
Hebrews 12:26-27 (NKJV) whose voice
then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying,
"Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also
heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once
more," indicates the removal of those things that
are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the
things which cannot be shaken may remain.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV) while we do
not look at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Mark 13:31 (NKJV) "Heaven and
earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass
away.
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 (NKJV) Another
parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom
of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 "but while men slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 "But
when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the
tares also appeared. 27 "So the servants of
the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not
sow good seed in your field? How then does it have
tares?’ 28 "He said to them, ‘An
enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him,
‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 "But he said, ‘No, lest while you
gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 ‘Let both grow together until the harvest,
and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
"First gather together the tares and bind them in
bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my
barn."’ "
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude
away and went into the house. And His disciples came to
Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares
of the field." 37 He answered and said to
them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are
the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of
the wicked one. 39 "The enemy who sowed them
is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the
reapers are the angels. 40 "Therefore as the
tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be
at the end of this age. 41 "The Son of Man
will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice
lawlessness, 42 "and will cast them into the
furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of
teeth. 43 "Then the righteous will shine
forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who
has ears to hear, let him hear!
This parable of Jesus describes end-time
events. Notice that the tares (planted by the devil) grow
together with the wheat (those planted by God). At harvest
time the tares are gathered first and bound together in
bundles. They are then set aside to be burned (not and burned). Notice that they are not burned immediately
since this would interfere with the harvesting of the wheat.
The gathering of the tares into bundles
serves to separate them from the wheat. In a similar sense,
the Great Tribulation will serve to
make a clear distinction between those who belong to God and
those who do not. Everyone whose name is not written in the
Book of Life (i.e., those who do not belong to God) will
worship and follow the Beast during the
Great Tribulation (Rev. 13:8). The people of God will not
worship or follow the Beast.
The binding of the tares serves to identify
the tares for later burning. In a similar sense, the mark of the Beast serves
this purpose during the Great Tribulation. Those who do not
belong to God will accept the mark of the Beast so they can
buy and sell (Rev. 13:16-17). All who accept the mark of the
Beast are identified for future burning in the Wrath of God (Rev. 14:9-11). This burning
corresponds to the plagues of the
Wrath of God and will occur after the gathering of the people
of God (the harvest, Rev. 14:14-20). The saints (i.e., people
of God) will persist in refusing the mark (Rev. 14:12).
According to the Book of Revelation,
144,000 servants of God are sealed with 12,000 coming from
each of the tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:2-8). They have a song
that only they can sing (Rev. 14:3). They are without fault
and were redeemed from mankind as a firstfruits offering to
God (Rev. 14:4-5, compare with Lev. 23:10-11) If the number
(144,000) is literal, then the people are probably literally
Israelites. This is especially probable since Israel is
called the firstfruits of God’s increase (Jer.
2:3).
These 144,000 are sealed to protect them
from the plagues of God’s wrath
(Rev. 7:2-8). They ride with Jesus wherever He goes (Rev.
14:1,4). Apparently, they are the armies of Heaven who go to
battle along with Jesus during the Wrath of
God (Rev. 19:11-15). Possibly, they are witnessing
against the people by explaining why God is sending the
plagues. This would be a similar function to that performed
by Moses when he explained to Pharaoh that the plagues were a
result of God’s judgment upon Egypt (Ex. 7:14-18; Ex.
8:1-4, 20-23; Ex. 9:1-4, 13-21; etc.).
The sealing of 144,000 from all the tribes
of Israel takes place as part of the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12;
7:1-8). They are sealed after those who were killed (for the
word of God) appear in Heaven during the fifth seal (Rev.
6:9-11). Possibly, the 144,000 come from those martyrs who
may be a type of firstfruits offering to God. (This might be
the better resurrection mentioned in Hebrews
11:35-39.) Their sealing also occurs after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Rev.
6:12-14; 7:1-8). Apparently, the 144,000 are sealed before
the gathering of the Christians during the Rapture.
The first indication of this is that they are sealed before
the great multitude is shown before the throne (Rev. 7:1-14).
The second indication of this is that they are with the Lamb
and follow Him before the reaping of earth’s harvest
(i.e., the Rapture) (compare Rev. 14:1-5 with 14:14-20).
The Day of the Lord is a day of
salvation for the people of God and a day of vengeance and
wrath for those who oppose God or His people (Isa. 2:12,
17-21; 13:1-16; Jer 46:10; Joel 1:15). It will be a dark and
terrible day for those who do not belong to God (Joel 2:1,
11, 31; Amos 5:18, 20; Zeph. 1:14; Mal. 4:5) As such, the
term is sometimes used to refer to the time period called the
Wrath of God. However, in some cases,
it appears to refer to a localized instance of God’s
deliverance and judgment.
The Day of the Lord begins with certain signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Joel
2:30-31; Amos 8:9; Joel 3:9-16). It will come as a thief in
the night (1 Thes. 5:1-9; 2 Pet. 3:4-14). The Day of the Lord
is also called the Day of Christ (2 Thes. 2:1-3; Phil.
1:6,10). The Day of the Lord begins on the day when Jesus comes (Luke 17:24). However,
its length is not limited to a single day (compare 2 Pet.
3:9-13 with Rev. 20:10-11).
In the Book of Revelation there is a
description of a scroll that is written on the inside and on
the back. This scroll is sealed with seven seals (Rev. 5:1).
The seven seals on the scroll are probably similar to wax
seals used in the past to protect letters from being read by
unauthorized persons. The technique involved the placing of
some hot candle wax on the edge of the letter to seal it
together. To guard against tampering, a signet ring or other
device was used to impress a unique image into the wax before
it completely hardened. The Lamb (i.e., Jesus) was the only
one with the authority to break the seals and open the scroll
(Rev. 5:2-10).
When Jesus opened the first seal on the
scroll, a white horse was seen with a rider who had a bow
(for shooting arrows). The rider was given a crown and he
went out conquering and to conquer (Rev. 6:1-2). Apparently,
this represents authority given to subdue and control many
kingdoms on the earth.
When Jesus opened the second seal, a fiery
red horse went out. Authority was granted to the horse’s
rider to take peace from the earth so that people would kill
each other. The rider was given a great sword (Rev. 6:3-4).
Authority is being given to increase discord among the
earth’s inhabitants.
When the third seal was opened, a black
horse was seen with a rider carrying a pair of scales. Scales
were used in buying and selling to determine the worth of
goods. A voice declares that a quart of wheat will be sold
for a denarius (about one day’s wages for a worker).
Three quarts of barley will also be sold for a denarius (Rev.
6:5-6). Possibly, these high prices are the result of control
exercised by certain individuals over buying and selling. If
this occurs during the Great Tribulation,
then it may be connected with the mark of the Beast (Rev.
13:16-17). The price increase may be the result of food
shortages caused by natural or artificial occurrences. The
oil and wine will not be harmed (limited or high priced?) as
a result of the opening of this seal (Rev. 6:6).
When the fourth seal is opened, a pale
horse appears with a rider named Death. Hades (the grave) is
following after this rider (Rev. 6:7-8). Authority is given
to this rider to kill more than a fourth of the people of the
earth. Hunger, the sword, the beasts of the earth and death
will be used to kill those of the earth.
When the fifth seal is opened, the souls of
people who have been killed for their testimony for God
appear beneath the altar (Rev. 6:9-11). There will be others
who are killed in service to Jesus after this point (Rev.
6:11). Maybe the 144,000 who are sealed are taken from this
group of people who have been killed in their service for
Jesus (Rev. 7:1-8).
When the sixth seal is opened, certain
signs are seen in the sun, moon, and stars
(Rev. 6:12-14). This is a very important set of signs since
it is also given in relationship to the end of the Great
Tribulation, the coming of Jesus, and the beginning of the Wrath of God. The people of the earth will
attempt to hide from the presence of the Lord, realizing that
the day of His wrath is upon them (Rev. 6:16-17). This takes
place when Jesus comes (Rev. 1:7; Mat.
24:30). To protect them from the plagues during the Wrath of
God, 144,000 Israelites are sealed (Rev. 7:1-8). A great
multitude who came out of the Great
Tribulation also appear in Heaven as part of the opening
of the sixth seal (Rev. 7:9-17).
When the seventh (last) seal is opened,
there is silence in Heaven for about thirty minutes (Rev.
8:1). Following this, seven angels are given trumpets to
announce the seven plagues of the
Wrath of God (Rev. 8:2-6).
The first four seals are releasing certain
authority against the people of the earth. Since the Wrath of
God does not occur until the seventh seal is opened, this
release of authority is not associated with the seven plagues
of the Wrath of God. The signs in the sun, moon, and stars
that occur immediately after the Great Tribulation take place
when the sixth seal is opened (Mat. 24:29; Rev. 6:12-14).
This means that the first four seals are probably connected
with the Great Tribulation. Possibly, this is the spiritual
release of authority that is given to the Beast to permit him
to act for forty-two months (Rev. 13:5; compare Job 1:9-12;
2:3-7). The fifth and sixth seals both show people taken to
Heaven. The final seal begins the seven plagues of the Wrath
of God.
Seven plagues are
described twice in the Book of Revelation. These plagues are
poured out upon the people of the earth by angels of God as
judgment for following the Beast. This
time period is called the Wrath of God.
The three woes are the last three of the
seven plagues of the Wrath
of God (Rev. 8:13; Rev. 9:12; Rev. 11:14). Apparently,
plagues number five, six, and seven are especially hard on
the people on earth. The first woe is the plague of locust.
These hurt men with their stings for five months (Rev. 9:1,
3-6). The second woe follows after the first (Rev. 9:12). The
second woe is the plague that releases the four angels at the
Euphrates River (Rev. 9:13). These angels and their army kill
a third of mankind (Rev. 9:15-19).
The third woe follows when the second woe
is completed (Rev. 11:14). The third woe is the completion of
the outpouring of God’s wrath (Rev. 11:15; 16:17). It
includes a terrible storm with great hail and an earthquake.
The Book of Revelation describes two
witnesses who testify against the Beast and his followers.
They have the power to create serious problems for those who
try to harm them (Rev. 11:3-9). These two witnesses will
testify for 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3).
Toward the end of the Wrath
of God, between the sixth and seventh plagues,
the Beast will finally kill the two
witnesses (Rev. 11:7). There will be much rejoicing over
their death (Rev. 11:10). After 3½ days, the two witnesses
will be brought back to life and called to Heaven while their
enemies look on (Rev. 11:8-12). This is followed by a great
earthquake and then the seventh plague of the Wrath of God
(Rev. 11:13-15).
If the Wrath of God lasts only five months
(i.e., about 150 days), then the two witnesses will testify
against the Beast and his kingdom for about 1,110 days during
the Great Tribulation (1260 - 150 =
1110 days, see How long is
the Great Tribulation?). If the Wrath of God is
longer than five months, the time that the two witnesses
testify during the Great Tribulation would be proportionally
decreased. This means that the two witnesses will begin their
testimony no earlier than about five months after the start
of the 3½ year Great Tribulation.
These two witnesses are the two olive
trees who are, "... the two anointed ones, who stand beside
the Lord of the whole earth." (Rev.
11:4; Zech. 4:11-14). The Bible does not otherwise identify
these two witnesses. Some have guessed that they may be Moses
and Elijah—possibly based upon the passage at Matthew
17:1-3. However, this would mean that Moses dies twice (Deut.
34:5-7; Rev. 11:7). Some have theorized that the two
witnesses may be Enoch and Elijah since it appears that
neither of these two individuals died (Gen. 5:24; 2 Kings
2:11). If this is the case, then they would finally die after
finishing their testimony for God (Rev. 11:7). However, there
is nothing that says that these two witnesses are not some
unknown individuals who will fulfill this call upon their
lives.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus says, "And
this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world
as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will
come." This may be fulfilled by Christians going to all
peoples of the world with the Gospel message. If this is the
case, much of this world-wide spread of the Gospel may be a
direct result of the persecution of Christians during the
Great Tribulation. These persecutions will cause many
Christians to leave the comfort of big cities and go to more
remote locations (Mat. 24:15-16). Persecution during the
first century was a significant factor in Christianity’s
rapid spread throughout the earth (Acts 8:1-5).
Another method of possible fulfillment for
this prophecy is explained in the Book of Revelation. This
involves an angel who preaches the Gospel to every nation,
tribe, tongue, and people on earth (Rev. 14:6-7). This event
appears to take place at the end of the Great Tribulation
(see the detailed chronological
list).
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End Times - putting the pieces
in place
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from
the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
NKJV indicates quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New
King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
KJV indicates quotations taken from the King James Version
of the Bible.
Numbers associated with Greek (italic) or Hebrew (upright)
words refer to the corresponding words in the Strong's Exhaustive
Concordance of the Bible, by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.
Please make copies of this book to give to your friends. (A
searchable and printable version in Adobe Acrobat format is
available for download.) Your comments
and suggestion are also welcome. Thank you for helping others to
understand the Bible teachings on the End Times.
God bless you.
Sonny Bowman
If you have questions or comments, please contact
Sonny Bowman.
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