• One of the difficulties of studying a book of the Bible in great depth is that it can be difficult to keep up with the flow of the whole book while spending a great deal of time in small parts of it. We have just completed studying the letters Christ sent to the seven churches of Asia, and we spent seven weeks doing it! Now we are finished, and we need to begin our study anew with the question, “Where are we in the flow of the Book of Revelation as a whole?” So, let us recall together.

• One of the difficulties of studying a book of the Bible in great depth is that it can be difficult to keep up with the flow of the whole book while spending a great deal of time in small parts of it. We have just completed studying the letters Christ sent to the seven churches of Asia, and we spent seven weeks doing it! Now we are finished, and we need to begin our study anew with the question, “Where are we in the flow of the Book of Revelation as a whole?” So, let us recall together.

• One of the difficulties of studying a book of the Bible in great depth is that it can be difficult to keep up with the flow of the whole book while spending a great deal of time in small parts of it. We have just completed studying the letters Christ sent to the seven churches of Asia, and we spent seven weeks doing it! Now we are finished, and we need to begin our study anew with the question, “Where are we in the flow of the Book of Revelation as a whole?” So, let us recall together.

• In Rev. 1:9, John the Apostle tells us that he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos on the Lord´s Day, Sunday, when the Risen Christ spoke to him. A critical part of what Jesus said to John is recorded in verse 19.

• 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

• In Rev. 1:9, John the Apostle tells us that he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos on the Lord´s Day, Sunday, when the Risen Christ spoke to him. A critical part of what Jesus said to John is recorded in verse 19.

• 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

• In Rev. 1:9, John the Apostle tells us that he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos on the Lord´s Day, Sunday, when the Risen Christ spoke to him. A critical part of what Jesus said to John is recorded in verse 19.

• 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

• This one verse gives us an outline of the entire book:– The things which you have seen – Chapter 1– The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3 (Letters

to the churches)– The things which will take place after this –

Chapters 4 – 22

• This one verse gives us an outline of the entire book:– The things which you have seen – Chapter 1– The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3 (Letters

to the churches)– The things which will take place after this –

Chapters 4 – 22

• This one verse gives us an outline of the entire book:– The things which you have seen – Chapter 1– The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3 (Letters

to the churches)– The things which will take place after this –

Chapters 4 – 22

• This one verse gives us an outline of the entire book:– The things which you have seen – Chapter 1– The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3 (Letters

to the churches)– The things which will take place after this –

Chapters 4 – 22

• This one verse gives us an outline of the entire book:– The things which you have seen – Chapter 1– The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3 (Letters

to the churches)– The things which will take place after this –

Chapters 4 – 22

• Wow! We have already completed the first two/thirds of Revelation!

• Therefore we now start the final, although by far the longest, part of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The text itself indicates to us that we have come to the “after this” part of the message from our Lord.

• Wow! We have already completed the first two/thirds of Revelation!

• Therefore we now start the final, although by far the longest, part of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The text itself indicates to us that we have come to the “after this” part of the message from our Lord.

• Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

• Whose voice tells John to come up? It is the first voice John heard like a trumpet. Let us go back and remember whose voice it was before.

• Revelation 1:10–13 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

• 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

• Let´s break Rev. 4:1 into a series of questions and answers.

• Who was it that called John up? The Risen Christ• To where did He call John? Up to Heaven• And when did He call John to go up to heaven?

After these things• After what things? Jesus called John to come up

to heaven after He gave John the letters.

• Let´s break Rev. 4:1 into a series of questions and answers.

• Who was it that called John up? The Risen Christ• To where did He call John? Up to Heaven• And when did He call John to go up to heaven?

After these things• After what things? Jesus called John to come up

to heaven after He gave John the letters.

• Let´s break Rev. 4:1 into a series of questions and answers.

• Who was it that called John up? The Risen Christ• To where did He call John? Up to Heaven• And when did He call John to go up to heaven?

After these things• After what things? Jesus called John to come up

to heaven after He gave John the letters.

• Let´s break Rev. 4:1 into a series of questions and answers.

• Who was it that called John up? The Risen Christ• To where did He call John? Up to Heaven• And when did He call John to go up to heaven?

After these things• After what things? Jesus called John to come up

to heaven after He gave John the letters.

• Let´s break Rev. 4:1 into a series of questions and answers.

• Who was it that called John up? The Risen Christ• To where did He call John? Up to Heaven• And when did He call John to go up to heaven?

After these things• After what things? Jesus called John to come up

to heaven after He gave John the letters.

• What did Jesus tell John He would do after John came up? He promised to show John what would take place after this.

• What does after this mean? After the events described in the letters to the seven churches.

• What did Jesus tell John He would do after John came up? He promised to show John what would take place after this.

• What does after this mean? After the events described in the letters to the seven churches.

• What did Jesus tell John He would do after John came up? He promised to show John what would take place after this.

• What does after this mean? After the events described in the letters to the seven churches.

• What did Jesus tell John He would do after John came up? He promised to show John what would take place after this.

• What does after this mean? After the events described in the letters to the seven churches.

• The Risen Savior says, “I´ll show you what takes place after the age of the church, when there are no more churches.” You ask, “Is there such a time?” Absolutely. In fact, the last mention of the church in The Revelation is in 3:22, except for the closing words of Jesus at the end of the book, when He authenticates the message He has sent to the churches.

• The Risen Savior says, “I´ll show you what takes place after the age of the church, when there are no more churches.” You ask, “Is there such a time?” Absolutely. In fact, the last mention of the church in The Revelation is in 3:22, except for the closing words of Jesus at the end of the book, when He authenticates the message He has sent to the churches.

• The Risen Savior says, “I´ll show you what takes place after the age of the church, when there are no more churches.” You ask, “Is there such a time?” Absolutely. In fact, the last mention of the church in The Revelation is in 3:22, except for the closing words of Jesus at the end of the book, when He authenticates the message He has sent to the churches.

• So every part of the prophecy of the things to come in the Book of Revelation takes place when there is no church on earth.

• So every part of the prophecy of the things to come in the Book of Revelation takes place when there is no church on earth.

• Why is the church no longer present? Has the church been defeated? Has it become obsolete? Has it been abandoned? No, my friend, it has been raptured! Every born again believer whose body is in the ground or sea is going to be reconstituted into a resurrection body and rise to meet the Lord in the air.

• Why is the church no longer present? Has the church been defeated? Has it become obsolete? Has it been abandoned? No, my friend, it has been raptured! Every born again believer whose body is in the ground or sea is going to be reconstituted into a resurrection body and rise to meet the Lord in the air.

• Why is the church no longer present? Has the church been defeated? Has it become obsolete? Has it been abandoned? No, my friend, it has been raptured! Every born again believer whose body is in the ground or sea is going to be reconstituted into a resurrection body and rise to meet the Lord in the air.

• And every born again believer who is still alive at that moment will suddenly be changed into a resurrection body and his or her feet will lift off the earth and rise to meet our Lord in the sky.

• And every born again believer who is still alive at that moment will suddenly be changed into a resurrection body and his or her feet will lift off the earth and rise to meet our Lord in the sky.

• John heard the voice like a trumpet and so shall we. • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 16 For the Lord Himself will

descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.

• And the dead in Christ will rise first. • 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

• And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

• The first event “after this” (the church age) is the rapture of the church. The Book of Revelation only offers this fleeting reference to this momentous event, possibly because the Holy Spirit had already revealed the truths about the rapture through the words of Jesus and Paul.

• The first event “after this” (the church age) is the rapture of the church. The Book of Revelation only offers this fleeting reference to this momentous event, possibly because the Holy Spirit had already revealed the truths about the rapture through the words of Jesus and Paul.

• The first event “after this” (the church age) is the rapture of the church. The Book of Revelation only offers this fleeting reference to this momentous event, possibly because the Holy Spirit had already revealed the truths about the rapture through the words of Jesus and Paul.

• The first event “after this” (the church age) is the rapture of the church. The Book of Revelation only offers this fleeting reference to this momentous event, possibly because the Holy Spirit had already revealed the truths about the rapture through the words of Jesus and Paul.

• However, because of its importance, we should pause here long enough to review what is said elsewhere in Scripture about this, because it is assumed the reader already knows these things as he reads the rest of what will happen after the church is taken out of the world.

• However, because of its importance, we should pause here long enough to review what is said elsewhere in Scripture about this, because it is assumed the reader already knows these things as he reads the rest of what will happen after the church is taken out of the world.

• WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?• The rapture is that event when The Risen Christ

returns in the sky to take all of the saved to their home in heaven.

• The bodies of the dead believers are raised first.

• WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?• The rapture is that event when The Risen Christ

returns in the sky to take all of the saved to their home in heaven.

• The bodies of the dead believers are raised first.

• WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?• The rapture is that event when The Risen Christ

returns in the sky to take all of the saved to their home in heaven.

• The bodies of the dead believers are raised first.

• WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?• The rapture is that event when The Risen Christ

returns in the sky to take all of the saved to their home in heaven.

• The bodies of the dead believers are raised first.

• These bodies are miraculously transformed into glorified, resurrection bodies.

• 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

• The glorified body is reunited with the soul and spirit of the person which has been with Jesus in heaven since their death.

• 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

• The glorified body is reunited with the soul and spirit of the person which has been with Jesus in heaven since their death.

• 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

• The glorified body is reunited with the soul and spirit of the person which has been with Jesus in heaven since their death.

• 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

• Then believers who are alive will also rise to meet the Lord in the air.

• They will be given their resurrection bodies as well.

• Then believers who are alive will also rise to meet the Lord in the air.

• They will be given their resurrection bodies as well.

• 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die physically), but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

• The removal of all believers from the earth allows the Antichrist to begin his rise to power.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

• The removal of all believers from the earth allows the Antichrist to begin his rise to power.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

• The one restraining the rise of Antichrist to power is the church. When the church is taken out of the way by the rapture, Antichrist will be free to begin his evil work.

• The one restraining the rise of Antichrist to power is the church. When the church is taken out of the way by the rapture, Antichrist will be free to begin his evil work.

• WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OCCUR?• Three views:– Pre-tribulation: The rapture occurs before the

tribulation begins.–Mid-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the

mid-point (three and a half years into tribulation).– Post-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the end of

the tribulation, the beginning of millennium.

• WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OCCUR?• Three views:– Pre-tribulation: The rapture occurs before the

tribulation begins.–Mid-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the

mid-point (three and a half years into tribulation).– Post-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the end of

the tribulation, the beginning of millennium.

• WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OCCUR?• Three views:– Pre-tribulation: The rapture occurs before the

tribulation begins.–Mid-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the

mid-point (three and a half years into tribulation).– Post-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the end of

the tribulation, the beginning of millennium.

• WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OCCUR?• Three views:– Pre-tribulation: The rapture occurs before the

tribulation begins.–Mid-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the

mid-point (three and a half years into tribulation).– Post-tribulation: The rapture occurs at the end of

the tribulation, the beginning of millennium.

• Why I believe the rapture occurs before the tribulation begins:

• Because of the promises of God concerning the coming wrath of God.

• The wrath of God will be poured out during the tribulation. The wrath of God is referenced 10 times in Rev. from 6:16 to 19:15. (Rev. 6:16, 17; 11:18; 14:10, 19;15:1,7;16:1,19;19:15)

• Why I believe the rapture occurs before the tribulation begins:

• Because of the promises of God concerning the coming wrath of God.

• The wrath of God will be poured out during the tribulation. The wrath of God is referenced 10 times in Rev. from 6:16 to 19:15. (Rev. 6:16, 17; 11:18; 14:10, 19;15:1,7;16:1,19;19:15)

• But the wrath of God is for unbelievers only. • John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has

everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

• Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

• But the wrath of God is for unbelievers only. • John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has

everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

• Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

• Believers are promised that we are to be spared from the wrath to come.

• Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

• Believers are promised that we are to be spared from the wrath to come.

• Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

• Because of God's promises to the overcomers.• God promises to the whole church of overcomers

at Philadelphia in Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

• Because of God's promises to the overcomers.• God promises to the whole church of overcomers

at Philadelphia in Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

• Because of God's promises to the overcomers.• God promises to the whole church of overcomers

at Philadelphia in Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

• The only hour of trial for the whole earth revealed in Scripture is the tribulation.

• Who are overcomers? Born again believers 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• The only hour of trial for the whole earth revealed in Scripture is the tribulation.

• Who are overcomers? Born again believers 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• The only hour of trial for the whole earth revealed in Scripture is the tribulation.

• Who are overcomers? Born again believers 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• Because the church is missing from the account of the tribulation given in the Revelation.

• Rev. 2 – 3 contains Christ's message to the church through history.

• Rev. 4 – 5 is the scene in heaven just before the tribulation begins.

• Because the church is missing from the account of the tribulation given in the Revelation.

• Rev. 2 – 3 contains Christ's message to the church through history.

• Rev. 4 – 5 is the scene in heaven just before the tribulation begins.

• There is no mention of the church from Rev. 3:22 to Rev. 19 which covers the entire seven year tribulation. While there are many people saved during this period, God must use other witnesses to proclaim the gospel, for the church is not present on the earth to do it.

• There is no mention of the church from Rev. 3:22 to Rev. 19 which covers the entire seven year tribulation. While there are many people saved during this period, God must use other witnesses to proclaim the gospel, for the church is not present on the earth to do it.

• Because the rapture will occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Matthew 24:40–42 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

• Because the rapture will occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Matthew 24:40–42 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

• If the Scripture taught a mid or post tribulation rapture, then the rapture would not be a surprise because you could mark time from the beginning of the tribulation which is inaugurated by the signing of a covenant with Israel and then proceeds with a specific succession of events that anyone could follow.

• If the Scripture taught a mid or post tribulation rapture, then the rapture would not be a surprise because you could mark time from the beginning of the tribulation which is inaugurated by the signing of a covenant with Israel and then proceeds with a specific succession of events that anyone could follow.

• WHY WILL GOD RAPTURE THE CHURCH?• To protect God's people from the devastation,

disasters, and death that will come upon the earth as a result of the wrath and judgment of God.

• To give a dramatic testimony to the unbelievers who are left behind so as to encourage them to believe the gospel and turn to Christ before it is too late.

• WHY WILL GOD RAPTURE THE CHURCH?• To protect God's people from the devastation,

disasters, and death that will come upon the earth as a result of the wrath and judgment of God.

• To give a dramatic testimony to the unbelievers who are left behind so as to encourage them to believe the gospel and turn to Christ before it is too late.

• WHY WILL GOD RAPTURE THE CHURCH?• To protect God's people from the devastation,

disasters, and death that will come upon the earth as a result of the wrath and judgment of God.

• To give a dramatic testimony to the unbelievers who are left behind so as to encourage them to believe the gospel and turn to Christ before it is too late.