READ THE FIG LEAVES

Signs of the Times

STUDY 3

TOPIC 20—HARVEST of the EARTH—CAUGHT AWAY

No One Knows that Day and Hour—He Will Come Like a Thief

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. MATTHEW 24:36

Jesus makes it clear in the scripture above that no one but the Father knows that day or hour he is coming and that he is coming like a thief in the night—unexpectedly—Paul and Peter witness that he will come like a thief.; but there is scripture that gives us insight into the time of his return.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. MATTHEW 25:13

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. MARK 13:32

Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! REVELATION 16:15

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

I THESSALONIANS 5:2

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 PETER 3:10

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. MATTHEW 24:29-30

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. LUKE 21:25-27

the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. ACTS 2:20

The Heavens are Shaken—Then Jesus Christ Appears

Joel prophesied in three places in scripture that the “sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Jesus says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” All of these scriptures were given as a prelude to the appearing of Jesus Christ!

The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. JOEL 2:31

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. JOEL 3:14-15

The events that Joel prophesied about and that Jesus foretold are mirrored in the sixth seal:

Caught Away!

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. REVELATION 14:14-16

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. REVELATION 1:12-13

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. REVELATION 1:7

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. HEBREWS 9:28

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. I JOHN 3:2

Everybody wants to be raptured—caught away! Rapture’s original meaning is: a feeling of intense pleasure or joy; but in North America it has come to mean: the transporting of believers to heaven at the appearing of Christ! Although rapture or raptured is not in the Bible, this is still what believers want to hear. And it is easy to believe that Jesus will appear in the clouds and we will be “caught up” to meet him in the air—before Tribulation starts—escaping all suffering, persecution and wrath. This favored view is that we will be raptured before Tribulation starts and that it will not be known to those left behind until they miss those who are gone; but is that what is going to happen?

To know what is going to happen, first, I want to learn the lesson of the fig tree and to be able “read those fig leaves.” I want to understand what the Bible says about believers being “caught up” to meet Jesus Christ in the air. I would like to know where being “caught up” fits in God’s timeline; but I want my beliefs to be based on scripture—in context—without supposition, transference or opinions.

The Church—Spirit filled believers—has been proclaimed to be the Bride of The Lamb, Jesus Christ. Paul told the Corinthians “…I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” II CORINTHIANS 11:2 John tells us in Revelation: “Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” REVELATION 19:7 So we can rejoice that we are the Bride of Jesus Christ and that there is going to be a marriage!

Jesus is preparing a place for us and promises to come again and take us for Himself so we may be with Him throughout eternity. JOHN 14:1-3 In keeping with Jewish wedding traditions, Jesus tells us only the Father knows the day and hour when our place has been made ready. MATTHEW 24:36 When the place he is preparing for us is finished, then He will return for us. Since we do not know when He is going to appear, we must stay awake and watch! MATTHEW 24:42 and MATTHEW 25:13 We do know how He is going to return for us!

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 And “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.” I CORINTHIANS 15:51-53

Most scripture that speaks to Jesus’ appearing says he is coming on the clouds of heaven or with the clouds. MATTHEW 24:30 Some scriptures say every eye will see him. REVELATION 1:7 Others say he is coming with his angels and will repay [reward] each person according to what he has done. MATTHEW 16:27 Still other scripture says he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather his elect from one end of heaven to the other. MATTHEW 24:31 [Regardless, it should be noted that He will not return to the earth at his second 'appearing.' He will descend from heaven but he will stop at the clouds above earth. It is at His second 'coming' that He sets foot on earth!] There is a scripture In Revelation, the harvest of the earth, that gives a slightly different picture than most of us may have in our mind about His 'appearing.' REVELATION 14:14-16

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.” REVELATION 14:14 This is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ who is ready to “harvest” the earth. Son of man was a reference Jesus often used about Himself. MARK 14:62 & JOHN 3:13 “And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come…’” REVELATION 14:15 Jesus said no man knows the day or the hour when He would come. Only the Father knows that day and hour. MATTHEW 24:36 But the messenger angel from the temple, from the presence of God, tells the one on the cloud that it is the ‘hour.’ The time to harvest the earth has come. [the rapture—caught away I THESSALONIANS 4:16-17] The Father is saying, go get Your bride. “So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.” REVELATION 14:16

While scriptures on being caught away—or gathered by the angels—or reaped by a sickle may not agree word for word, we can be sure that for some reason—possibly known only to God—that clouds, angels, and trumpets will be a part of Jesus’ appearing to “take his bride” to be with him; and every eye will see Him. Even though we do not know the day nor the hour, does scripture give us a clue?

Many of the writings and teachings [scripture excluded] I researched say being “caught up” will occur before the Tribulation starts; but I have found the scripture used to support this view to be largely taken out of context. Although many scriptures were used in most commentary, three scriptures that were common to many of the pre-tribulation views say “… God has not destined us for wrath…” I THESSALONIANS 5:9 “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” REVELATION 3:10 “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” ROMANS 5:9 These scriptures tell us that believers will not suffer God’s wrath and not that we will be “caught up” before Tribulation starts. Again, these three scriptures do not tell when we will be caught away! “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials…” II PETER 2:9 without having to “catch” us away! Further, the undiluted wrath of God does not start until around mid-Tribulation. The Church will be gone by then! [1, 2, 3]

I believe that with many of those with a pre-tribulation view of the rapture and those that believe we are being saved from God’s wrath by being caught away, an overriding consideration is that it “fits” better with Jewish wedding traditions, in that the seven days in the bridal chamber “fits” with the seven years of tribulation; but fitting with tradition does not trump scripture witness. In particular, scripture in Matthew chapter twenty-four and scripture in Revelation chapter six that tells us about the coming of the Son of Man!

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ROMANS 5:9

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. I THESSALONIANS 5:9

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. REVELATION 3:10

Again, these three scriptures are often used to posit a pre-tribulation rapture view. God has often saved his people from his wrath poured out on others. The children of Israel did not suffer all of the plagues poured out on Egypt nor did they suffer God’s final wrath on Egypt—the taking of all firstborns! The Bible makes a distinction between Egypt and Goshen, the land where Israel resided. So they did not suffer all of the plagues. If one took the position that references to Egypt included the land of Goshen also, then they still did not suffer all of the plagues. They are specifically excluded from three of the plagues and God gave them a “passover” for the final plague—the taking of all firstborns! Nevertheless, these chapters in Exodus show, not only is God able to keep us from His wrath, God does keep us from His wrath. EXODUS 7-12 We will be saved from the wrath of God; but our catching away will be solely because that “day and hour” has come and Jesus is fulfilling His promise to us—no other reason!

God’s wrath is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. ROMANS 1:18 Godly and righteous men will not suffer the wrath of God! “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” REVELATION 2:10 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” II TIMOTHY 3:12 While we still do not know the day nor the hour, there is scripture that gives insight into when the rapture will take place!

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming [His Second Coming]. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. II THESSALONIANS 2:1-10

In the first part of this scripture Paul is addressing some confusion on the part of the Corinthians as to when the day of the Lord would be. Then he tells them that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed. Until he is revealed he will try to exhibit himself as a man of peace and will help broker, as a part of the last empire, a peace treaty with many [Israel and their enemies]. DANIEL9:27

When the little horn, in the book of Daniel, plucks up the three ‘horn’ kings, this could be when the Antichrist is revealed; for it will be obvious at that time that he is not a man of peace. If any doubt remains, it will be erased when his true character emerges at the abomination of desolation.

When the dragon gives the Antichrist his authority, his true character emerges! REVELATION 13:2-6 Then is there no doubt he is the Antichrist! He takes his seat in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be God! That is referred to by Jesus and Daniel as being the abomination of desolation. MATTHEW 24:15 and DANIEL 11:21, 36 Then, the day of the Lord will come—the day when he pours out his wrath on all evil; but before all of this, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” MALACHI 4:5

First, Elijah and Moses, the two witnesses, will come and preach for 1,260 days. Then the kingdom of the Antichrist will take control.

So where in the timeline will we be caught away? A scripture in Matthew gives some additional clarity.

The events described in this passage parallel some of the same events described in the opening of the sixth seal.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” REVELATION 6:12-17

Then after these events “…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” These scriptures in Matthew and Revelation seem to mirror the same event—the events of the sixth seal—as do these verses in Luke:

Many prophetic events are predicted as happening in “the day of the Lord.” The appearing of Jesus Christ to catch away the church will happen within certain of those prophetic events.

The sixth seal is opened just before the mid-point of Tribulation. We will be caught away after the sixth seal is opened! We will not have to go through God’s and the Lamb’s wrath—there is specific scripture witness for this. ROMANS 5:9 & I THESSALONIANS 5:9 In II Thessalonians chapter two, the Apostle Paul reassures us that the day of the Lord has not already come. II THESSALONIANS 2:2-3 Some believe “the day of the Lord” in that passage refers to the day of God’s wrath; II PETER 3:10 and JEREMIAH 46:10 and JOEL 2:1-2 but Paul adds some additional qualifications.

He tells us “…Only he who now restrains it [the day of the Lord] will do so until he [the Holy Spirit] is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed…” II THESSALONIANS 2:7-8 When the Bride of Christ is “caught up,” then they [the Holy Spirit that indwells the Bride] will not be here to restrain the Antichrist and his evil. Without “the restrainer” to restrain him—then the Antichrist—the lawlessness one will be revealed. Even though we are caught away at or near the mid-point of Tribulation, we still will not have to go through God and the Lamb’s wrath!

In Daniel chapter twelve—verse twelve it says, “Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.” One writer says this is 1,335 days before the end of Tribulations [He counts days back from the end of Tribulation instead of days into Tribulation]—if his supposition is true, then that would be 45 days before the mid-point of Tribulation and perhaps about the same time as the sixth seal is opened. REVELATION 6:12

The Great and Awesome Day of The Lord

Joel and Malachi prophesied about the day of the Lord. In Joel and in Acts both scriptures say the “great and awesome day of the Lord” will be proceeded by signs in the heavens. Malachi says Elijah will be sent before the “great and magnificent” day of the Lord comes. Elijah will we on earth as one of the two witnesses of Revelation eleven when the sixth seal is opened! Joel and Malachi and the scripture in Acts clearly refer to the coming of Jesus Christ as “the day of the Lord.” If there is still any confusion about “the day of the Lord,” then Paul, in II Thessalonians chapter two, provides additional clarity. In verse one he says, “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;” and in verse two he refers to the same event as “the day of the Lord.”

The “day of the Lord” may have meanings other than the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; but in those multiple places in scripture where it is preceded by signs in the heavens, then it is referring to His coming in the clouds to catch away his Church! [Note: Some believe that the Day of the Lord precedes a catastrophic event. For those not ready to meet Jesus Christ, His ‘appearing’ and second coming will be catastrophic!] Again, Scripture witness supports that the advent of Jesus Christ a second time will be after the sixth seal is open!

In summary, the Church will be caught away after the opening of the sixth seal. The heavens will shaken before He appears according to Jesus’ discourse in Matthew and at the opening of the sixth seal. After the heavens are shaken, then the Son of Man [Jesus] will appear in the clouds. Again, both in Matthew and the scripture on the sixth seal, His appearing is described.

Further, the Apostle Paul says in Second Thessalonians the day of the Lord will come when the lawless one [the Antichrist] is revealed. A study of scripture will reveal that the opening of the sixth seal, the revelation of the Antichrist, and the fleeing of Israel into the wilderness happen at or near mid-Tribulation. So my view is: a mid-Tribulation rapture of the Church. God is able to protect His Church until that point in time just as He was able to protect the children of Israel from the plagues on Egypt.

TOPIC 21—REWARDS CEREMONY

The Bema—Judgment Seat of Christ

I believe those “caught away” at Jesus Christ’s appearing will have, by reason of being caught away, already been judged to be righteous JOHN 5:24 and their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. “…The Lord knows those who are his…” II TIMOTHY 2:19 So there will be no judgement before he catches us away; but we will immediately go to a ‘rewards judgment’ or ceremony. Some call this the ‘Bema.’ [Bema is not in the Bible.] I believe there will be a ‘Bema’ or judgment seat of Christ immediately after Jesus Christ’s appearing!

In Romans Paul says, “…For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” ROMANS 14:10 And, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” ROMANS 14:12 This is often called “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” Then the righteous will be rewarded; but their only ‘judgment’ will be at the ‘rewards ceremony!’ “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” JEREMIAH 17:10 Again, we will be rewarded!

There will be only two judgments. There will be the sheep and goat judgment before the millennium. And the ‘dead’ will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment—no one else will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment REVELATION 20:11-15

Jesus tells us to “…lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” MATTHEW 6:20 He told the rich young ruler to “…sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…” MARK 10:21 Do you not think that He will return those treasures we have laid up in heaven to us in addition to those things He will give us as a reward?

Paul tells us how we should work while we are here on earth. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 Jesus tells us what we can expect if we are faithful in the parable of the talents. “…Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” MATTHEW 25:23

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I CORINTHIANS 4:5

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. II CORINTHIANS 5:10

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. I CORINTHIANS 3:11-14

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. II JOHN 1:8

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. MATTHEW 16:27

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. REVELATION 22:12

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. REVELATION 3:11

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. JAMES 1:12

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. REVELATION 2:10

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MATTHEW 5:12

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. I PETER 5:4

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. II TIMOTHY 4:8

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. HEBREWS 11:26

Reading the above scriptures in the order presented is in itself a commentary on what could happen immediately after we are caught away—the Judgment Seat of Christ—rewards ceremony. Reading the scriptures below tells us what others have done with their rewards!

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. REVELATION 4:4

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” REVELATION 4:9-11

TOPIC 22— THE TWO WITNESSES KILLED

The Two Witnesses Killed After 1260 Days

And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. REVELATION 11:7-13

No one can kill the Two Witnesses until their 1,260 day ministry is complete. No one could kill Jesus until his three and one-half years of ministry was completed. The Two Witnesses will be killed on the streets of Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified on Golgotha. When Jesus’ ministry was completed, he was killed and placed in a tomb; but the Two Witnesses will be allowed to lay dead in the streets for three and one-half days—they will have no tomb. The world will see, on satellite TV, them lying on the streets. Then there will be rejoicing and merry making and exchange of presents, much like some countries did after the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City on Nine Eleven! Jesus tells us “… whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” And that the world will rejoice! JOHN 16:20 Then they will be “caught up” into heaven. REVELATION 11:7-13 They could be meeting the raptured Church in the clouds.

The Second Woe Has Passed

The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come. REVELATION 11:14

TOPIC 23—THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT the WHOLE WORLD

The First Messenger Angel—The Gospel Has Been Preached to the Whole World

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” REVELATION 14:6-7

The First Messenger Angel will give his message after the church is caught away I THESSALONIANS 4:17 and the restrainer is removed. II THESSALONIANS 2:7 It will happen before the bowls of God’s wrath are poured out. REVELATION 16:1-21 That will be the last chance for those on earth to hear the eternal gospel, to fear God, to give him glory, and to worship God! They will be warned that his judgment has come. REVELATION 14:6-7

Jesus declared in Mark “…the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.” MARK 13:10 And he said to them, [the disciples] "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” MARK 16:15 Then in Matthew Jesus declared, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [emphasis added] MATTHEW 24:14 All of this has been fulfilled by the apostles, evangelist and missionaries since Jesus made this declaration. The world, every nation, tribe, language and people has heard the gospel; but this messenger angel, in the absence of Christians on the earth, will for one last time "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” MARK 16:15

The First Messenger Angel is bringing the eternal gospel in order to proclaim it to every nation, language and people. [This includes places like China—a place where missionaries have been unable to scratch the surface in recent years.] Futurists believe this shows that at this time all Christians have been caught away or killed. There are no Christians left on earth to proclaim the gospel so an angel has to deliver the message. This is the only appearance of the word gospel in Revelation. The gospel that is being delivered is: “…Fear God and give him glory… and worship him who made heaven and earth…” REVELATION 14:7

While this message is essential and simple, it is powerful in its simplicity, especially, when you consider it is a call to worship God to those who are living in an evil kingdom where obeisance to the evil ruler and his image will be commanded. This first angel also proclaims that the hour of judgment has come! This angel is warning those on earth, who have partaken of the wine of the passion of Babylon the Great, the apostate church, and her sexual immorality but have not worshipped the beast nor taken the mark of the beast that, it is not too late. He is saying turn and worship the true God. One more time mankind can reject the lies of the devil and respond to the eternal truth of God. These warnings of the Messenger Angels will be their last warnings before the bowls of God’s wrath are poured out on earth and its inhabitants. If they obey the call of this angel, they will probably join that group of martyrs under the altar.

This First Messenger Angel will cover the earth—every spot on earth will hear his message—and every person will hear it in his own language. No one will be missed! When this angel is finished, that will be “The end of the matter; all has been heard…” ECCLESIASTES 12:13 “…then the end will come…” MATTHEW 24:14

Written by Mallard E. Guy Jr.

Over a Period of Two + Years

Finished October 28, 2023

Edited November 8, 2023

Last Edited May 31, 2024

STUDY TWO

STUDY FOUR