This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:18).
Many Christians are expecting the mark of the beast to occupy a major part of the great tribulation. The teaching that the image and mark of the beast comes into effect at the same time, or shortly after the Antichrist proclaims himself to be God at the mid-point of the 70th week of Daniel is widespread. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-4). However, the scriptures suggest a late implementation of the mark of the beast that challenge the widely accepted mid-point position. This information does not affect the timing of the rapture or the persecution of Christians during the great tribulation, but only the time that the mark of the beast is implemented.
The mark of the beast is found in the following verses of scripture: Revelation 13:15-18, 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20 and 20:4. The fact that the mark is not mentioned at all in the first twelve chapters of the Book of Revelation is perhaps worth noting.
Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image foreshadows the image of the beast: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. Six musical instruments summoned the people to worship the image. (Daniel 3:1-7). Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c.215-164 BC), partially fulfilled Daniel's prophecy when he erected the statue of Zeus Olympios in the temple. Antiochus holds an important key to the final abomination of desolation.
The Antichrist is "revealed" at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel:
Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image foreshadows the image of the beast: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. Six musical instruments summoned the people to worship the image. (Daniel 3:1-7). Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c.215-164 BC), partially fulfilled Daniel's prophecy when he erected the statue of Zeus Olympios in the temple. Antiochus holds an important key to the final abomination of desolation.
The Antichrist is "revealed" at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel:
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. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).
The covenant the Antichrist makes with many at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel will be broken at the half way point. This event coincides with his self proclamation of deity.
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27).
Certain things will happen after the Antichrist is revealed at the mid point of the week and before the mark of the beast becomes compulsory as a condition of buying and selling. As such we can safely rule out an immediate implementation of the mark at the mid point. Firstly, the second beast, the false prophet, deceives those who dwell on the earth by performing great signs. After the people are deceived by the signs, the false prophet instructs them to make an image for the beast. Those who refuse to worship the image are martyred. The third element, the mark i.e. the name of the beast or the number of its name, seems to coincide with the image of the beast. The following is a synopsis of these events rather than a specific timeline:
11Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18).
Various scriptures seem to contradict the implementation of the mark of the beast at or around the mid point of the 70th week.
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. (Daniel 12:11-12).
The length of the tribulation is 3.5 prophetic years or 1260 days (cut short). Various theories exist regarding the 1290 and the 1335 days. We know that Daniel 12 refers to the time of the end, rather than to Antiochus Epiphanes. Jesus referred to the "abomination that makes desolate" (abomination of desolation), in Matthew 24:15: “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).. In this verse, Jesus referred to and validated Daniel 9:27. If the "abomination of desolation" is the Antichrist as the scriptures suggest, then the later implementation of the image/mark of the beast is excluded from the stated timeline. (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. (Daniel 12:11-12).
The length of the tribulation is 3.5 prophetic years or 1260 days (cut short). Various theories exist regarding the 1290 and the 1335 days. We know that Daniel 12 refers to the time of the end, rather than to Antiochus Epiphanes. Jesus referred to the "abomination that makes desolate" (abomination of desolation), in Matthew 24:15: “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).. In this verse, Jesus referred to and validated Daniel 9:27. If the "abomination of desolation" is the Antichrist as the scriptures suggest, then the later implementation of the image/mark of the beast is excluded from the stated timeline. (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
The pre-wrath view places the three angels proclamations before the great tribulation is cut short, when God's wrath upon unbelievers becomes imminent. (Revelation 14:6-14). The reason for this view is that the rapture (the harvest of the earth) Revelation 14:14-16, presumes that Revelation 14:6-16 is chronological. However since Revelation 14 is parenthetical, I am unsure of the exact timing of the angels proclamations.
The first angel (Revelation 14:7) proclaims the everlasting gospel and warns of the impending wrath: the hour of his judgement has come. The second angel (Revelation 14:8) proclaims in the prophetic aorist that Babylon the great is fallen. The people of the earth are given one last opportunity to make the critical decision to turn from their sin and trust in Christ to receive His gift of everlasting life. Revelation 14:6 refers to every nation, tribe, language and people. (Matthew 24:14). In particular, the third angel warns people of the consequences of worshipping the beast and its image and taking the mark. It is unlikely that the angels would proclaim the gospel worldwide and give such dire warnings about the mark ex post facto. It seems reasonable to assume that if the mark was compulsory prior to this proclamation, the majority would have taken it rather than face the prospect of starvation. (Revelation 13:17). In other words, if the mark had been compulsory prior to the third angels proclamation, then the warning would be superfluous.
The first angel (Revelation 14:7) proclaims the everlasting gospel and warns of the impending wrath: the hour of his judgement has come. The second angel (Revelation 14:8) proclaims in the prophetic aorist that Babylon the great is fallen. The people of the earth are given one last opportunity to make the critical decision to turn from their sin and trust in Christ to receive His gift of everlasting life. Revelation 14:6 refers to every nation, tribe, language and people. (Matthew 24:14). In particular, the third angel warns people of the consequences of worshipping the beast and its image and taking the mark. It is unlikely that the angels would proclaim the gospel worldwide and give such dire warnings about the mark ex post facto. It seems reasonable to assume that if the mark was compulsory prior to this proclamation, the majority would have taken it rather than face the prospect of starvation. (Revelation 13:17). In other words, if the mark had been compulsory prior to the third angels proclamation, then the warning would be superfluous.
6Then 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. 7And 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.”
8Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
9And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:6-9).
Following the proclamations of the three angels there is a call for the endurance of the saints. (Revelation 14:12). This indicates a relatively short period of time before the tribulation is cut short and the wrath of God is implemented. Some will die in the Lord during this unknown, but brief period of time. (Revelation 14:13). These particular believers who die in the Lord appear to be the fifth seal martyrs. The fifth seal is a critical marker that refers to the fifth seal martyrs:
9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:9-11).
Those who take the mark of the beast will not be saved. (Revelation 14:10-11 cf. Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:26-27; Revelation 11:15). The eternal gospel proclaimed by the first angel in Revelation 14:6 is the final appeal to unbelievers before the wrath of God is executed on the beast and on those who worship him. The scriptures are unequivocal.. this particular group of people have utterly rejected the eternal unalterable truth of the gospel, and their opportunity to receive eternal salvation has come to an end. This is further confirmed in Revelation 16. Revelation 16:2 is the first instance that refers to those who have taken the mark. The first bowl describes a specific judgement upon the people who have taken the mark after the seventh seal is broken. This does not begin until after the mark of the beast is enacted.
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelation 16:2).
Those who take the mark of the beast will not be saved. (Revelation 14:10-11 cf. Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:26-27; Revelation 11:15). The eternal gospel proclaimed by the first angel in Revelation 14:6 is the final appeal to unbelievers before the wrath of God is executed on the beast and on those who worship him. The scriptures are unequivocal.. this particular group of people have utterly rejected the eternal unalterable truth of the gospel, and their opportunity to receive eternal salvation has come to an end. This is further confirmed in Revelation 16. Revelation 16:2 is the first instance that refers to those who have taken the mark. The first bowl describes a specific judgement upon the people who have taken the mark after the seventh seal is broken. This does not begin until after the mark of the beast is enacted.
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelation 16:2).
The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9).
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. (Revelation 16:10-11).
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21).
"The rest of mankind", seems to be an inclusive statement that does not allow for exceptions.
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| http://www.redmoonrising.com/prewrathview.htm |
Very well-written and thought-provoking article Treena. Looking forward to the next installment. My best to you, Mike
ReplyDeleteThank you Mike. I have been thinking about this subject for quite a while. As you have guessed it is a work in progress. I will write a further post rather than go back and add to this one again I think. God bless.
ReplyDeleteTreena,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, pre-trib teachers have to talk about the mark of the beast as if it were a present reality, (no doubt it is under development!) for they believe in an any moment rapture. Likewise with the literal re-building of Babylon, that doesn't fit in with their scheme, for it has to rise to great prominence before it can be literally destroyed as described in Rev.18.
Does Rev.15:8 pose any problems for pre-wrath? for would not the glorified saints have access to the temple at THAT moment, i.e. BEFORE the seven plagues were fulfilled?
God bless.
The pre-trib teachers have a lot to answer for Colin. I was going to say something about it in my follow up post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=949q5fnTh4A&feature=share
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about your question.. the particular part of the temple referred to in v5 is "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony", i.e. the Holy of Holies. Those who have overcome the beast are beside the "sea of glass"? v 2 I will definitely give it some further thought.
God bless.
Revelation 15:8 presents no problems with the historic pre-millenial post-tribulation Coming of Jesus Christ; that is the one Second Advent of the Saviour.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy of Holies; the inner sanctuary of the earthly temple was the place where a man (the high priest) COULD enter, but that only once a year, on the Day of atonement (Yom Kippur).
We must not lose sight of the fact that the earthly temple was a pattern of the heavenly one. There were two cherubims "on the two ends of the mercy seat" Exodus 37:7-8, now this was a "pattern shewed to thee in the mount" (Moses) Hebrews 8:5. This was a pattern of the heavenly temple: the cherubim there are the real thing! In the resurrection, we will be "as the angels of God in heaven" Matt.22:30. In fact, we will be judging them (fallen ones, at any rate!) 1 Cor.6:3 (a humbling thought!). The holy angels always had access to God; Job 1:6, 2:1. How is it then that men can't enter the temple before "the seven plagues were fulfilled" when angels are able? Pre-wrath doctrine would have us believe that you can be glorified in an imperishable body, meet to approach God (1 Tim.6:16) yet cannot approach Him in His temple, how can this be? I assume we are agreed that at the catching up (1 Thess.4:17) the Lord's true people will receive their glorified bodies?
The "sea of glass" (emblem of separation from earth- B.W.Newton), the song of redemption Rev.15:2-4, as you know was sang after these overcomers passed through the great tribulation.
God bless
This is a question I cannot immediately answer Colin.
ReplyDeleteVarious explanations are given on the following link: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/15-8.htm
I agree with you about 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
I am thinking that all the saints will be together when the seven plagues are released by the angels i.e. the martyred saints and the raptured saints?
God bless.
"...all the saints will be together WHEN the seven plagues are released by the angels, i.e. the martyred saints and the raptured saints?" (my emphasis).
ReplyDeleteHow CAN it be that martyred saints (and ALL His dead, 1 Thess.4:16) and caught up saints (alive at His Coming 1 Thess.4:17), "will be together WHEN the seven plagues are released by the angels"?
For the catching up has not yet taken place! Think about it, the reunion of God's saints; dead and alive at His Coming, can ONLY take place at the "last trump" 1 Cor.15:52, and WHEN does that take place? WHEN "this mortal shall have put on immortality" (the next verse).
Are you agreed with me that the "last trump" in the aforementioned verse is the SAME as the seventh trumpet in Rev.11:15 when the Day of the Lord is come?
Now, these things aren't easy (an understatement!) and we must proceed with great humility, and it is true that when God's people NOW die they are "present with the Lord" 2 Cor.5:8 & Phil.1:23, yet they cannot enter the temple in Rev.15:8, nevertheless, they will NOT be reunited with their bodies (glorified!) until the "last trump" when they will be able to.
It is interesting regards Rev.15:8; the AV renders it "no man" as opposed to the RV's "none", but the AV is correct, for the cherubim were ever present in the holiest place.
God bless.
The rapture will take place between the sixth and seventh seal according to the pre-wrath view Colin.
ReplyDeleteThe seven plagues are part of the seven bowl judgements i.e. seven bowls of God's wrath. When the rapture occurs pre-wrath: "..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." The dead in Christ include the martyrs since no one has a new body until after the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
I quote Alan Kurschner in 'Antichrist Before The Day Of The Lord' p216
"Posttribulationism has mistakenly identified the 'last trumpet' in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and the 'trumpet of God' in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 with the last trumpet in Revelation 11:5. There are fundamental problems with this identification.(1) There are two unrelated purposes for Paul's Parousia trumpet and the seventh trumpet. Paul's last trumpet serves the godly in deliverance in the resurrection and the rapture, while the seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation serve the ungodly in judgement, with the seventh trumpet announcing the reclamation of God's kingdom. (2) The timing is different.."
I can scan this page and send it to you by email if you would like? It is a bit laborious typing it out and he does add some further details.
God bless.
Alan Kurschner explains it on the following link Colin:
ReplyDeleteWhy Paul’s ‘Last Trump’ Is Not the Seventh Trumpet in the Book of Revelation.
https://www.alankurschner.com/2018/08/04/why-pauls-last-trump-is-not-the-seventh-trumpet-in-the-book-of-revelation/
God bless.
It would appear to me that Kurschner is in perfect agreement with E.W. Bullinger on the trumpets, for that teaching originated with him, so I believe.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I will studiously analyse everything in that link on the subject in hand before commenting further. Hopefully in the next couple of days.
God bless.
Alan Kurschner's response:
ReplyDeleteHi Treena,
The temple in this context is described as a special construction in heaven: “After these things I looked, and the temple (the tent of the testimony) was opened in heaven” (Rev 15:5). This would be the heavenly equivalent of the tent or tabernacle in the wilderness with Israel. The text indicates that the angels came out of the temple (Rev 15:6–8), so evidently not even angels can be in the temple in during the bowl judgments, but they are still in heaven in God's presence. So there is no reason not to think that God's redeemed people cannot be in heaven at that time. Moreover, the context conveys that redeemed saints are in heaven at this time praising God for their salvation (Rev 15:2–4).
I hope this helps, Treena. Maybe this person can explain further how this is problematic for prewrath. That way, I could respond more specifically to the question.
Regards,
Alan E. Kurschner
Eschatos Ministries
P.S. The Greek word used for "temple" is naos, which commonly refers to only the inner sanctuary not necessarily to the larger complex. I talked about this in my book concerning the man of lawlessness sitting in the "temple" (naos).
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Alan E. Kurschner
Eschatos Ministries
This is as I thought Colin.
God bless.
Treena,
ReplyDeleteI read that link by Kurschner. And as I see it, pre-wrath stands or falls on the trumpets. His treatment of this subject is in full agreement with E.W. Bullinger.
Kurschner shows a total lack of regard for the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures:
I quote him;
"because 1 Corinthians was written about AD 55, while the book of Revelation was written some forty years later about AD 90-95. Accordingly, the book of Revelation depicting seven trumpets would NOT have been in the mind of Paul when he penned Corinthians." (my emphasis)
On this vein he continues on with his sophistry.
Many of the OT Scriptures, Prophets & Psalms were written hundreds of years apart, yet as we SHOULD (I REPEAT-SHOULD) know; there was but ONE Spirit speaking, and ordering events through them all.
"The Scripture is not of any private interpretation" 2 Pet.1:20-21.
The book of Revelation is so-called because it was written "to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." Rev.1:1. How very strange then, if such an important subject of the trumpet woes were left to our own "private interpretation"? To believe (as Kurschner certainly asserts) that Paul's understanding of "the last trump" was entirely down to his OWN reasoning; beggars complete and utter belief! It would be tantamount to saying that God is "the author of confusion". The "last trump" of 1 Cor.15:52 HAS to be the seventh of Revelation, otherwise the Revelation hasn't revealed upon what was written earlier! Paul wrote "by the will of God" 1 Cor.1:1, and by "the word of the lord" 1 Thess.4:15. In other words, what he wrote was of NO private interpretation!
Kurschner is being totally disingenuous when he asserts "trying to force the seventh trumpet to occur BEFORE the seventh seal results in contradictory narrative elements." It does no such thing.
Kurschner has a problem with the 2000 year old truth of the Second Advent of Christ. He would seem to be constantly attacking the so-called post-tribulation 'view' of Christ, but this is NO 'view' but, rather a biblical fact; and that IS the Second Advent of Christ. It is important to remember that the term "post-tribulation" is actually a nonentity, as such. It is NOT a biblical term, for it only came into usage AFTER the novel pre-tribulation theory came on to the scene. Until THAT point, the Church was only ever looking for ONE Second Advent of Jesus Christ, Heb.9:28. We shouldn't lose sight of the veritable fact that pre-wrath is a further development of errant pre-trib Dispensational theology.
God bless.
I have to disagree Colin. The pre-wrath position is not a development of the pre-trib view, rather it is a rebuttal of pre-trib. It is not a question of "private interpretation", but rather of "..rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.
ReplyDeleteAlan Kurschner is not in agreement with Bullinger generally I think. Because Bullinger was an ultra-dispensationalist does not mean that everything he said was in error.. though of course we should be wary of anyone in that camp.
Regarding the trumpets, I have to agree with AK that the context of the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 is different to that of Paul's trumpets. (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15). "..in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled." Revelation 10:7.
I am sure that we will not readily agree on this Colin.
God bless.
When I say pre-wrath is a further development of pre-trib, I am well aware of the fact that both schemes place their rapture in VERY different positions with regard to great tribulation! nevertheless, would pre-wrath have come to the surface without pre-trib? We mustn't lose sight of the fact that both schemes posit two 'Comings' of Christ, one for His people to meet Him "in the air" 1 Thess.4:16, and one back to earth Matt.16:27, Acts 1:11 etc. It is in this regard that they share much common ground. Also, both schemes talk much of the rapture whereas, what subsequently came to be be known as post tribulation Second Advent believers never mention the word!
ReplyDeleteRegarding "private interpretation" Kurschner says in no uncertain terms that the Revelation "trumpets would not have been in the mind of Paul" (however does he know this??), yet the inspired apostle KNEW as much that there must be trumpets blowing previously to the last one, yet the Holy Spirit inspired him to pen only the last one!
God bless.
It seems likely that Robert Van Kampen, the man who developed the pre-wrath position in the 1970's, did want to oppose the false pre-trib theory. I do have his book 'The Rapture Question Answered Plain and Simple'. He goes into all three of the main positions. Since the subject concerns the rapture, then it is inevitable that the word will be mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMy conjecture is that since Paul had not read the book of Revelation, then the Revelation trumpets would not be in his mind, but only Alan Kurschner could explain to you why he wrote that these particular trumpets "would not have been in the mind of Paul".
Could you address any further questions you have about pre-wrath to Alan Kurschner on his website: https://www.alankurschner.com/contact/