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Revelation Chapter 12 - A Grand Synopsis of the Rapture and Daniel's 70th Week



Ooooh, you guys!  I just love Revelation 12 so much.

Over the last few years we have had SO much excitement over this little chapter - particularly with verses one through five.  You know you're a watchman when your point of reference for events is "pre-Rev12" and "post-Rev12" - referencing the Revelation 12 sign that occurred on September 23, 2017.  If you are just joining us here, you just have to read through these amazing articles - you just HAVE to!!!!


Revelation 12 is a fascinating chapter.  Up to this point in the book of Revelation, we have seen views of end time events in the throne room of God in heaven (the “third heaven”, where God dwells).  We have also seen views on earth and in the atmosphere (the “first heaven”).  Now, in chapter 12, we are privileged to see a view of end time events as they appear in the universe/space (the “second heaven”), as well as in the first and third heavens.

Revelation 12 uniquely gives an overview of the entire Tribulation Week (Time of Jacob’s Trouble) from all 3 vantage points – the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd heavens.

An overview of the entire tribulation period, you say?  Well, I want you to consider the structure of the book of Revelation itself.  It seems that in his visions, John is first given a sweeping overview, followed by what I call "detail pop-outs".  These details are given in separate parts of his visions, after the overview.  I believe this is the structure of Revelation chapter 12 as well.  I suggest to you that verses 1-6 give an overview, and the rest of the chapter fills in the details.

In this post I hope to visually demonstrate what I mean by rearranging the verses in what I suggest is chronological order.  Some of this may challenge what you currently believe.  I don't want to be dogmatic about it, I just want to see what you think!


Visual Rearrangement - Revelation 12


1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.  3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.  4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.  And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.  7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.  And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,  10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.  [Chapter 7: 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”]

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.  6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.  14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.  15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.

17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.  13:1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads... 13:5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 13:6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 13:7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 13:8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.




Verse-By-Verse Commentary - Revelation 12


Verse 1 - And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

  • There is no reason to believe anything other than that this is a literal alignment that appears in the heavens (constellations – second heaven – space).  God placed the sun, moon, and the stars deliberately, and He controls their movements (Genesis 1:14).  
  • The only woman constellation is Virgo.  While “Virgo” is the corrupted astrological name for the constellation, in the Mazzaroth (God’s redemption plan in the heavens) Virgo is generally considered to represent Israel.  At this point in time, the woman is in unbelief (believing Jews are instead considered part of the church).  
  • This vision of John’s is reminiscent of Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11.  
  • This sign, in its completion, seems to appear in the heavens in one time only in human history – September 23, 2017.

Verse 2 - She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.

  • The heavens obviously can’t be pregnant, but the theme of labor pains and birth is used to describe the “discomfort” of the end of the age in multiple places in scripture. (Isaiah 26; Matthew 24).  It’s interesting that the woman is described as already in birth pains and in the agony of giving birth here, before the dragon is described.  
  • It’s possible the crying out in verse 2 illustrates the early fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), where Israel is restored nationally and physically before she is restored spiritually.  This is described in Isaiah 26 as Israel laboring by herself (without God) to attempt to obtain deliverance.  The woman is clearly Israel, and it is her who is in pain.
  • God is not about to bring to the point of birth without delivery (Isaiah 66:9).  Israel is about to enter TRUE birth pains, and receive TRUE deliverance.

Verse 3 - And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.

  • This is “another sign”, separate and distinct from the “great sign” in verses 1-2.  This sign has prompted a whole host of speculations as to what it might be!  
  • The dragon constellations include Draco, Serpens, and Hydra.  Will any or all of these be involved in the sign of the red dragon?  What about the yearly Draconid meteor showers in the fall?  What about Planet X?  Some people suspect a mysterious planet or planetary system could be involved.  
  • Maybe the dragon sign won't be in the sun, moon, and stars at all - maybe it's a separate kind of sign from the "great sign".  As of the time of this post, no one is truly sure how the dragon sign will play out, although it will likely become clear as the time of its fulfillment is imminent.  I am inclined to agree that we probably won't physically see a sign.
  • The seven-headed, ten-horned dragon, however the sign plays out, is clearly a reference to satan.  (We are explicitly told this in Revelation 12:9 and 20:2)  
  • Elsewhere, we see a seven-headed, ten-horned Beast (Daniel & Revelation), which is also satan, or the human kings he controls.  The heads are wearing diadems (like crowns); we are told they are kings. 

Verse 4 - His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.  And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

  • The Bible refers to angels as “stars of heaven” multiple times, such as in Job 38:7.  It seems that this third of the stars of heaven is quite possibly referring to the portion of the angelic host that joined satan/Lucifer in his initial rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17).  When they fell, they were cast to the earth, where they are now the powers, principalities, and rulers of this present world (Ephesians 6:12).  
  • If verse 4 is giving an overview of the "war in heaven", then this casting down of stars to the earth would suggest the fallen angelic host will no longer have access to the third heaven, where God dwells.  While satan has this privilege currently, we are not told if his horde does or not.
  • There may be a connection between this event and Seal 6, in which “stars fall from the sky” (Revelation 6:13).  If this connection is valid, then it seems that the fallen angels will somehow be involved in the fulfillment of the so-called dragon sign.  ("alien invasion" anyone?)
  • Note that the dragon isn’t actually devouring the woman or her child, but is anticipating devouring her child.  He wants to, but the child hasn't been born yet.
  • One might say the dragon is being restrained from devouring the child (wink, wink). 

Verse 7 - Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.  And the dragon and his angels fought back,

  • “Now” brings us to a different part of the vision, referencing back to the dragon of verse 3-4.  This seems to lend credence to the view that verses 1-6 are an overview, and we are about to be filled in with the details, starting with the dragon.
  • Is the war in heaven when the child is snatched?  Is it when the woman flees?  We are not told what causes the battle, but the most likely scenario in my opinion would be the rapture of the Church.  John MacArthur makes the interesting suggestion that the prince of the power of the air and his demon hosts may try to hinder the passage of the raptured believers as they pass through their realm (Rev 12:3-4), which would trigger the battle with Michael and the holy angels (Rev 12:7-8).  I believe this has strong merit, as the dragon is poised to devour the child as it is being born.  
  • This is a monumental war, guys.  It's not like war erupts in heaven every day, like it does on earth.  This war is over something BIG.

Verse 8 - but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

  • There is no longer any place for Satan and his demons in heaven.  Now listen, until this moment, there apparently WAS a place for them in heaven.
  • “Place” here doesn’t so much refer to space or room, but to purpose (Strong's 5117, topos).  Biblehub describes this as "the condition or station held by one in any company or assembly" or "opportunity, power, occasion for acting".  
  • What was satan's purpose in heaven?  Satan, after his initial fall, retained access to God’s throne in order to accuse believers before Him (remember the book of Job?).  
  • There’s no longer any purpose/place for him to do so all of a sudden.  Why?  
  • I would suggest there is momentarily no longer any believers left to accuse on earth - as they have all just been raptured.  Think about it...  Big event, big war, no purpose for satan in heaven anymore...

Verse 9 - And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

  • As we learned in verse 8, since there is no longer purpose for them in heaven, they are cast to the earth.  There is still purpose for them there, which is a "woe" for the inhabitants of earth.  Note that verse 12 is coincident with this event.
  • I see possible connection between the casting down of Satan and his horde in verse nine with Seal 6, where the “stars” fall from heaven to the earth (Rev 6:13 - "and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind").   In v4 we have already been introduced to the fallen angels as being “stars”, and we know Satan and the demons are cast down to the earth.  Are the figs dropping as part of the "fig tree generation"?  Is the strong wind the Holy Spirit ascending to heaven with us - the reverse of the Holy Spirit descending as a strong wind from heaven on Pentecost, detailed in the book of Acts?  What do you think?

Verse 5 - She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,

  • Rapture time!!!
  • Using an interlinear translation, we see the woman give birth to a male huion arsen (Strong’s 5207 and 730).  This male child is to shepherd the nations with a rod of iron.  The woman is  identified as Israel (the corporate entity), who brings forth Jesus (the male child – huion arsen).  A child, teknon (Strong’s 5043), is then caught up to God and to His throne.  
  • When Jesus ascended to heaven, He was not seized suddenly with great force, nor was He in any danger from the dragon.  In Acts 1:9, Jesus is lifted up (eperthe – Strong’s 1869) until He is hidden from view.  We see this word in 19 other instances in scripture, and it means "exalts;  lifts itself; lifting up voice or eyes; lifting up; turning gaze".  
  • The child in Rev 12:5 is "caught up" - herpasthe (Strong’s 726), not eperthe .  Where else do we see Strong’s Greek 726?  1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Those who are alive and remain will be caught up together…; 2 Cor. 12:2, 4 Paul is caught up to the third heaven; Acts 23:10 – take him away from them by force; Acts 8:39 – Philip is snatched by the Spirit of the Lord.  There are 14 instances of this word in scripture and it means "plucked; seized; snatched suddenly and forcefully".  There is quite a difference between being lifted or raised and being snatched or seized, isn’t there?
  • Let’s take a look at the child who is snatched.  Is it the same child as the male child – huion arsen?  Well, no, in fact, it isn’t.  This child that is snatched is a teknon (Strong’s 5043).  This is a commonly used word to mean children, child, descendant (gender neutral).  
  • If Israel represents the corporate entity of Israel, the child (neutral gender) represents the corporate entity of the church – Jew and Gentile made one in Christ.  It is the church that is snatched up, suddenly and forcefully.  It is the church to whom Jesus has promised to share His iron-rod rule with (Revelation 2:26-27).
  • The woman, currently unbelieving, is left behind.
  • Are you stunned?  From Isaiah 66 we know that “before she was in labor she gave birth”.  This is entirely consistent with Jesus telling us that when we BEGIN to see all these things (the beginning of birth pains sign He describes on the Mount of Olives), that our redemption draws near.  As Israel enters her birth pains, the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the body of Christ will be delivered.  The nation that is born in one day is the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:9).  
  • Listen folks - the rapture IS equivalent to salvation at this one moment in human existence - there is no partial birth, no partial rapture!  
  • Still not convinced:  Please see these amazing articles on Unsealed:




Verse 10 - And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

  • Woohoo!  Celebration in heaven as the accuser has been cast down.  Note that this is coincident with verse 12 - heaven is rejoicing.  
  • Salvation has come through the power of Christ – the power of resurrection and eternal life – our blessed hope, the rapture!  

Verse 11 - And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

  • Who is the "they" that have conquered the accuser?
  • Okay guys, I'm going to have to do some fast talking here not to lose you.  I realize this but please, hear me out!
  • Who is it that conquers satan by the blood of the Lamb?  Don't we all, as believers?  I mean, we don't conquer satan by our own strength.  It is the blood of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, that gives us victory over sin and death.
  • Who is it that conquers satan by the word of their testimony?  Don't we all, as believers?  The word of our testimony is that we confess that Jesus is Lord.
  • Check out the comparison with Romans 10:9-10 - "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."  Is not this conquering by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony?
  • Those who persisted in faith until the end (death for those who died, the moment of the rapture for those yet living) are the overcomers!  The conquerors!  "For everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believers that Jesus is the Son of God."  1 John 5:4-5
  • I do believe that the reference to not loving their lives even unto death is reference to the martyrs in Christ, but that is a topic for another post!

[Chapter 7:9-10 - After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”]

  • Just dropping this bomb here... note the close association with verse 10 - singing about salvation...
  • Vast multitude... largest group ever seen in heaven by far... from every nation, tribe, people, and language... clothed in white and singing about salvation... immediately post-birth event... pre-tribulation... as Israel is about to enter her true birth pains...
  • Big event, war in heaven, no purpose for the accuser anymore...
  • Just chew on it :)



Verse 12 - Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

  • This verse is coincident with verses 9 (dragon cast down - woe to the earth) and 10 (salvation celebrated with the accuser having been thrown down - rejoicing in heaven).
  • We see here the extremes of rejoicing in heaven contrasted with the woes on earth.  This is a theme throughout the book of Revelation.  
  • With the Restrainer removed (the Holy Spirit indwelling in the body of Christ), satan will now unleash his deception upon the remainder of humanity - who refused to be saved. (note yet another connection between salvation/rapture).   "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.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
  • God will use satan for His purposes, to fulfill the time of Jacob’s Trouble and the Day of the Lord.

Verse 13 - And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

  • Satan immediately starts pursuing Israel.  I want you to note that the word is pursuing, not devouring or attacking.
  • Let's go to the interlinear, because I'm not quite sure you believe me!  Pursued is Strong's 1377 - dioko.  While Strong's lists the definition as "to put to flight, pursue, by implication to persecute", HELPS Word-studies has a different take - "1377 diṓkō – properly, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). 1377 (diṓkō) is used positively ("earnestly pursue") and negatively ("zealously persecute, hunt down"). In each case, 1377 (diṓkō) means pursue with all haste ("chasing" after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend)."
  • Satan will aggressively and zealously pursue Israel, earnestly desiring to overtake her.  Instead of viewing the pursuing as open and hostile aggression, though, I tend to view it as manipulative and cunning.  Think of it as deceptive infiltration.
  • I would suggest in the first half of Daniel's 70th week, satan will try to make this pursuing look positive.  Imagine satan trying to woo Israel as her long-awaited Messiah.  Israel is expecting a Messiah and I believe that satan will have his antichrist attempt to step into that role

Verse 6 - and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

  •  Admittedly, the placement of verse 6 can cause some consternation.  Without viewing verses 1-6 as an overview, with details following, it can seem that the rapture might not be until mid-tribulation.  But is that what the rest of scripture tells us?  Clearly, a literal interpretation of scripture describes a pretribulation rapture.  So what gives?  There is a gap in the overview between verses 5 and 6.
  • In verse 6 we skip forward to view the fate of the woman, at some point (approximately 1260 days, or 3.5 years) after her child has been snatched. 
  • John Abent in his book “Signs in the Heavens” suggests that the 144,000 sealed Jews flee to the wilderness right away after the rapture event.  He sees the 2 witnesses as instructing them there in the wilderness, teaching them as Jesus taught His disciples for 3.5 years.  If this is correct, it would give an amazing key to the timeline in Revelation – defining two consecutive 1260 day time periods.  After the initial 1260 days, the abomination of desolation would occur, and the watching faithful Jews would join these in the wilderness for the last 1260 days  of “Greatest Tribulation” described in Matthew 24.  I'm not sure that I agree with this view, but I thought that it was worth considering.
  • Because we are viewing a grand panorama, I believe that verse 6 is more than likely an identification marker.  It is used to positively identify the woman as the elect remnant - faithful, believing Israelites - by clearly connecting her identity to later verses.  
  • Verse 6 positively identifies the woman, and tells us what will become of her.
  • [Totally unrelated, but I have heard speculated that God will again provide manna for the people of Israel in the wilderness – wouldn’t that be so wonderful!]

Verse 14 - But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.

  • Here we have the detail of how the woman (faithful Israel) will flee to the wilderness.
  • When the abomination of desolation is placed in the Third Temple, and the antichrist claims to be “god”, observing Jews will recognize the warning of Jesus from Matthew 24/Daniel 9 and flee to the wilderness. 
  • The wings of the eagle and flight here refer to the speed with which she flees.  There is also connection to being sheltered under the wings of the Lord (for further discussion please see: The Woman Flees to a Place Prepared).  
  • I would suggest that this is when Michael stands up (Daniel 12:1), to defend and protect Israel in the wilderness for the duration of the 1260 days of Beast rule.  Guys, it makes sense.  Michael is Israel's angelic prince.  He's not relieved of his duties for the worst time of her life.  Instead, he gets an extra-special assignment!
  • Verse 14 confirms what verse 6 stated - believing Israel will be securely protected by God in the wilderness throughout the time of "greatest tribulation".
  • This verse also gives us confirmation that time, times, and half a time is equivalent to 1260 days, when related back to verse 6.

Verse 15 - The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.

  • Will this be literal water?  Possibly, but I don't think so.
  • I think a more likely explanation might be armed troops, as the same word for water (Strong's 5204) is used in Revelation 17 to represent many peoples.  "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters... And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages." (Revelation 17:1,15)  So the serpent (dragon) could send forth many peoples after Israel, to try to drown her out before she reaches safety.
  • Another possibility for the water that the serpent sends forth might be demonic entities that chase elect Israel as she flees. Why demonic entities?  I base this interpretation from a similar description during the 6th Bowl judgment, where impure spirits flow from the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet –  “Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  They are demonic spirits that perform signs” (Revelation 16:13-14).  Note the similarities of pouring out of the mouths of the serpent versus the unholy trinity (dragon, beast, false prophet).  This is not the SAME event, as verse 15 is at the midpoint of the 7 year period, and Bowl 6 is near the very end of the 7 year period.

Verse 16 - But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.

  • I don't see why this couldn't refer to the earth literally opening its mouth, with sinkholes or an earthquake.
  • Whatever this “earth opening its mouth” is, God saves the fleeing Jews from the serpent/dragon/satan in this way.  

Verse 17 - Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

  • In this chapter, we have already seen the woman (believing Israel) and the Church (gender neutral child/descendant).  Who then are the "rest of her offspring"?  Here we see the woman's other offspring (spermatos - gender neutral - Strong's 4690), that have come after the baby that was snatched up to heaven.  Since the woman is securely hiding in the wilderness at this point, these offspring must be the post-rapture gentile followers of Christ - the "tribulation saints".   
  • We find out in Revelation chapter 13 that these saints will be given into satan’s hand.  Most will become “tribulation martyrs” during the "greatest tribulation" period - the last half of Daniel's 70th week.

Chapter 13:1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads... 13:5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 13:6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 13:7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 13:8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

  • Throughout the duration of the last half of Daniel's 7th week (3.5 years, or 1260 days), the antichrist has global rule, blasphemes the one true God and His followers, and slaughters the tribulation saints.  He is not allowed to touch the believing remnant of Israel, who is hiding in the wilderness under God's hand of protection.

And thus concludes our study on Revelation chapter 12, with a little sneak peek at chapter 13.  I hope I've given you some food for thought!


Post A Comment

27 comments:

  1. I will be the first to comment! Yehey!

    So, where are we now? Purim done. Golan now with Israel and recognized. Russia is fuming because the spoils at his fingertips is now snatched away by US for Israel's behalf.

    Technology is fast fulling the Mark of the Beast system.

    Society at downward spiral in morality.

    Signs in the heavens keeps on popping - Mazaroth!

    Church is sleeping.

    70th year ending on May 13, 2019 as on the next day Israel is 71 years old.

    So....where are we now?

    Maranatha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One thing that should twist people's spine around the back half of their cerebral cortex at this point is that this number 70 has popped up in a big way. It is a very prophetic and significant number. Not only is this year still the year in which Israel is 70 years old ending in May, but when announcing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Mike "Pompeo" just "happens" to be the 70th Secretary of State. This is significant for a few other reasons as well. When Gary published his last article, Mike's last name kept tinkering with my curiosity given Netanyahu's remarks about America being a "new Jerusalem" and a "new Rome while standing beside him. After then doing a little research about Mike Pompeo, some very interesting things started to surface. I've just completed a major prophecy update to my Hale-Bopp comet article in light of this development. For those who have already read the article, you can skip down to prophetic update number 4 titled "POMPEII AND POMPEO: THE 70 AND 9 CODE."

      THE HALE-BOPP COMET: A DRAMATIC SIGN OF THE COMING GLOBAL JUDGMENT
      https://endtimesdarknessdescending.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/the-hale-bopp-comet-a-dramatic-sign-of-the-coming-global-judgment/

      Delete
  2. Hopefully living out our very very last days of grace here on this earth. Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting patiently for the number of souls he seeks but, there is a dead line. The door of grace is closing. Which side will you be on....... Maranatha

    ReplyDelete
  3. What about the first 5 seals? I know what I’m going to say isn’t the dominant view of the rapture but bear with me, I’ve been a pre-trib believer since the first tome I read the Bible, I’m simply offering a possibility I’ve been seeing more and more.

    I’m not so sure that the whole of Daniels 70th week is also entirely the time of Jacobs trouble. Could it be that the Time of Jacobs trouble is only that Great tribulation, the last 1260 days? If you take into account that the timing of the 6th seal aligning with Satan and his angels being cast to the Earth, that it occurs immediately before we see the multitudes in heaven this seems to make sense. Theres also strong cases to be made that the fullness of the gentiles comes just prior to the last 3 1/2 years, and that the 2 witnesses (lampstand and olive tree) are the church having the spirit poured out on them (the bookend event to the pouring out in Acts prophesied bun joel). Think about it, we’re warning the world and preaching the gospel for 3 1/2 years as we explain the prophecies unfolding (covenant with death, temple being built, wars, etc) prophesying about the signs in the heavens and then bam! Signs in the heavens in the most major way- we go up, they come down, the heavens are shaken! The light is gone out, up to heaven, the sun darkened in the exchange. Then the abomination, fleeing to the wilderness and the great tribulation prior to Jesus’ glorious return. I could get deep into scripture but for tone sake I’ll leave it this.

    It’s worth praying about and testing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob-

      We are learning more and more. To back your "thinking" 100%, see the HumbleSeeker YTC. In his latest, Mike goes through Scripture to helps us uncover Daniels 70weeks, does the math and determines the seals started back in 2015 (at the final blood moon which was part of the seventh tetrad since Jesus). This places us in the time of testing (i.e. tribulation) now... YET we will snatched BEFORE His WRATH. Seems like we are in some very trying times NOW: wars, floods, famine, hate, rebellion, Noahide Laws, darkness etc...

      Take a listen:

      Latest from HumbleSeeker YTC
      70mins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhuFUvcmDK4

      Also the latest from The Lord is My Shepard YTC to confirm tough days ahead:
      14min - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbPH87qsSqA

      Delete
    2. Rob,
      Very good catch, brother.
      This would be supported by 12:6, the fleeing of Israel after the Abomination, immediately following the rapture in 12:5, assuming no gap. Of course, there could be a gap of 3.5 years between 12:5 and 12:6, but that would only be speculative, not inspired since its not stated in the Bible.

      In addition, it appears the first 3 or so years after the “peace treaty” should be just that.....a time of peace. So when they are saying “peace and safety” ka-boom! Rapture could then be shortly followed by the Abomination and then God’s wrath being released.

      I agree, the raptured Saints going up together with the fallen angels (stars) coming down could then be the catalyst needed to move the man of sin to being revealed in the rebuilt temple as he shows his real self.

      Lastly, as to the first four seals, I think it is possible they have already ridden. But I agree with you also, the 6th seal sure does look to have rapture written all over it. And then come the 7th seal.....wrath is coming.

      FWIW, I’m not dogmatic about anything I’ve said, just throwing out my thoughts and thinking out loud here. I’m still undecided and seeking answers too as I consider the pre Trib v. Mid Trib (post Trib has been ruled out) rapture positions.

      Delete
    3. Rob, I agree with your analogy.
      For a very long time, I've tried and tried to 100%, believe in pre-trib rapture, but I continually get "checked" by the Holy Spirit to continue to pray and seek absolute truth because I continued to have doubts and was double minded on it. God is not the author of confusion and so, I feel like I finally have it settled and now, it seems so clear. I've been a born again believer for 40 years now and studied prophecy for most of those years. Recently, I asked God to hopefully, once and for all, let me know if there is to be a pre-trib rapture as the Revelation 12 sign compelled me to see that the baby (church) is caught up and immediately, the woman, Israel, escapes at the 3 1/2 years point at time of the dragon at mid Daniel's 70th week. Either the baby is not the rapture of the church, or it occurs mid-Daniel's 70th week. I don't think there is a parenthesis or a lag (as stated in article above) but this is, indeed the time of the rapture of the church. Then, He led me to web sites below that clearly point out rapture time and why. Read 2 Thessalonians 2: 3,4 as well as Mathew 24:15, and Daniel 9:24 - 27 relative to when abomination spoken of by Jesus and Daniel is.
      Paul told Thessalonians not to worry as if the rapture had already happened and they'd been left behind, but instead said, it won't happen until Anti Christ is revealed first!!! Then Jesus warned us NOT TO BE DECEIVED, but pointed to part in Daniel when you see the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel standing in the Holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains...for there will be GREAT tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time (this occurs mid 70th week or after.
      Jesus warns us to expect tribulation in this world, but we are to escape the wrath of God,
      It is so clear! We, as believers are not appointed unto wrath, but we are assured we will have tribulation in this world as Christians are experiencing now.
      It seems to me that we must look at what is explicitly written, not speculate or infer, but look at what is in Revelation and Thessalonians & Jesus' words addressing end times. When one reads in context and in sequence Jesus' words as well as Revelation, it seems pretty clear that the rapture of the church is before the WRATH of God and comes at the point of dragon going after Israel at the 3 1/2 years mark of 70th week. We need to be ready for meeting the Lord any day but rapture isn't until Abomination is in Holy place as in Daniel. Jesus said let us understand this.
      2 great web sites that explain better than I can. Be blessed!
      http://theendtimesunveiled.com
      http://www.theraptureofthechurch.com/understanding_2thes2.htm

      Delete
  4. AS IT HAPPEN.... GOLAN HEIGHTS RECOGNITION by DONALD TRUMP

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPz-g5NhC0A Russia, Syria, Iran, Turkey fuming mad. Will this be the catalyst for the Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38/39? We are just less than 2 months away before the 71st Birthday of Israel.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 2nd Peter 3:8-9 It is his timing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Does anyone have an incline that Trump could be the AC?
    The fact that he seems such a friend and dare I say "savior" to Israel..
    The fact that he made his Golan Heights announcement on Purim, and also, that it was pretty widely reported that the Jewish Rabbi's were expecting their Messiah to be revealed on Purim?

    Also, the talk about USA being like the New ROME..

    Is it just me, or does anyone else get this feeling?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really do not think that Trump is the AC. He may be paving the way for him to rise via his upcoming peace deal, but not AC himself. I think that Trump is a flashing signal, a prophetic sign if you will due to his last name (among other things as well of course).

      Delete
    2. With the little bit of research I've done on the Noahide laws and this talk about the USA being the new Rome; also my belief that the AC will be Jewish. Jared Kushner is definitely on my radar. That would explain the use of the Noahide during the tribulation, at least in my own head. John 16:2 Mathew 10:17-18 Mark 13:9 Revelation 20:4. But I choose Jesus Christ I'm covered by his blood so whoever's the anti christ, I know my King has already defeated him.

      Delete
    3. I've been feeling that Trump is a kind of Elijah or John the Baptist. As he said the day before his inauguration, 'I'm just a messenger.' I feel he's been trying to root out the corruption in government and that the establishment has been lying about him from before day 1. I have heard it said that after he was asked if he had ever asked God for forgiveness that he sought out preachers and gave his heart to the Lord and was born again right then. I hope that is true and it's not just a show. Only God knows his heart for sure.

      Delete
    4. Covered by the blood, but also the fact that you will not be here to see his rise and suffer his persecution anyway. As far as the AC's lineage is concerned, scripturally speaking, he is going to have more than one background. I wrote a bit on that in one of my previous articles.

      BLOODLINE OF THE ANTICHRIST
      https://endtimesdarknessdescending.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/bloodline-of-the-antichrist/

      Delete
    5. I don't believe that Trump and Kushner would be the antichrist. The antichrist will come from the EU and it is very likely that he will be chosen by the elections for the European Parliament in May. Keep a close watch on these elections. Very strange that this is all happening simultaneously, the Brexit, the elections in Israel and in Europe.

      Delete
  7. I've recently been given some seemingly supernatural signs or coincidences that only God could have orchestrated. What if the DATE of the Great Revelation 12 Sign, 9/23/17, is a SIGN. The 23rd may represent 2023! See 333-GodsEndTimeSOSMinistry.org / End-Time Signs/#18.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have to take issue with one point that you made, Stephanie.

    Chapter 7 verse 9 does not fit where you put it. I believe that you are implying that that verse is talking about the body of Christ who was raptured.

    It is clearly not talking about the body of Christ, this verse is clearly speaking of the tribulation Saints that have endure to the end of their lives, as evidenced in the verses that follow.

    Being placed in Chapter 7, after where Revelation was talking about the seals being opened and the 144000, it's just not the right placement for the body of Christ. We did not come out of Great Tribulation either(future tense).

    After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

    Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
    Revelation 7:9‭, ‬13‭-‬17 NKJV

    ReplyDelete
  9. If Revelation 7-9 was the body of Christ, those in opposition to a pre-tribulation rapture would have an easy time proving their Theory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. We have a very clear picture of the rapture occurring at Revelation 4:1 not 7-9. Revelation 4:1 is a major hint bomb from God to the Apostle John that this is the point where it happens. It is a veiled message to John. It opens a can of some powerful stink and vileness to the notion that it occurs anywhere else but Revelation 4:1. John delivered some serious ground N'pound with that one.

      https://endtimesdarknessdescending.wordpress.com/2018/01/14/the-imminent-return-of-christ-defending-the-doctrine-of-the-pre-tribulation-rapture/

      Delete
    2. Those described in Revelation 7:9 are those that were left behind at the rapture but then got saved some time after between Revelation 4:1 and 7:9.

      Delete
    3. Revelation 7:9 has to be converted Tribulation saints for the simple fact that you would have contradiction of Revelation 4:1 if 7:9 were the present church age saints. Left behind and converted Tribulation believers for 7:9 eliminates the problem of contradiction of the raptured church at 4:1. The Revelation 4:1 rapture narrative is some insurmountable lip-twisting stink for the narrative of a rapture anywhere else in my humble opinion.

      Delete
    4. I’m not so sure you are correct brother in saying the rapture is shown in Rev 4:1 and can’t be Rev 7:9-17. I don’t worry about “opening up a can of stink worm” as you alluded to because I have no agenda here; I’m merely an open-minded seeker here just trying to figure out what God is saying, while exploring all possibilities.

      Do you really think there will be that many post rapture Saints? I’m not so sure it will such a great multitude as you seem to think. And for those people who do see the rapture written all over the 6th seal, guess what follows the 6th seal? Rev 7:9-17! Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

      Having said all of this, you might be right in that maybe the rapture is in 4:1. I just happen to think that exegesis (interpretation) is very thin indeed. I don’t see it, but like I said, I’m still searching and pondering. I do Appreciate reading your thoughts.

      Delete
  10. Kushnerd doesn't even have a 'fierce countenance' despite him looking quite creepy. That little pipsqueak couldn't be the chosen one. It's useless to look for him, like a needle in a haystack game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha I actually laughed out loud at this one. But once a man is fully possessed by the enemy his countenance will surely change.

      Delete
  11. Stephanie, thank you for this article and all the helpful links! There is much to chew on here and I look forward to coming back when I have more time and digging in--Bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How long is the wrath of God poured down onto the earth for? (By this I mean when the 7th seal is opened, after the 1/2 hour silence in heaven.) If it is for 3.5 years, that puts the rapture of present-day believers at the start of the 7 year tribulation, with the Great tribulation saints popping up in heaven at the halfway mark, the same time as the Jews flee into the desert for the last 3.5 years. That clears up the earth nicely for God to pour down his wrath upon Satan and the rest of the people.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Stephanie...thank you for all your hard work here.
    I have another perspective I hope you and others will consider. Hope it makes sense.
    For a very long time, I've tried and tried to 100%, believe in and prove pre-trib rapture in scripture, but I continually get "checked" by the Holy Spirit to continue to pray and seek absolute truth because I continued to have doubts and was double minded on it. God is not the author of confusion and so, I feel like I finally have it settled and now, it seems so clear.
    I've been a born again believer for 40 years now and studied prophecy for many of those years. Recently, I asked God to hopefully, once and for all, let me know if there is to be a pre-trib rapture as the Revelation 12 sign compelled me to see that the baby (church) is caught up and immediately, the woman, Israel, escapes at the 3 1/2 years point at time of the dragon at mid Daniel's 70th week. Either the baby is not the rapture of the church, or it occurs mid-Daniel's 70th week. Why would there be a pause or parenthesis which is confusing and God is not author of confusion. I don't think there is a parenthesis or a lag but this is, indeed the time of the rapture of the church. Then, I found two web sites below that clearly point out rapture time and why. Read 2 Thessalonians 2: 3,4 where anti-christ must appear first, as well as Mathew 24:15 where Jesus refers to anti-christ as spoken by Daniel 9:24 - 27 relative to 70th week and when abomination is.
    Paul told Thessalonians not to worry as if the rapture had already happened and they'd been left behind, but instead said, it won't happen until Anti Christ is revealed first!!! Then Jesus warned us NOT TO BE DECEIVED, but pointed to part in Daniel when you see the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel standing in the Holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains...for there will be GREAT tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time (this occurs mid 70th week or after and matches the events of Revelation 12.
    Jesus warns us to expect tribulation in this world, but we are to escape the Great Tribulation or Wrath of God.
    It is so clear! We, as believers are not appointed unto wrath, but we are assured we will have tribulation in this world as Christians are experiencing now and have been since early disciples day during the church age of grace.
    It seems to me that we must look at what is explicitly written, not speculate or infer, but look at what is in Revelation and Thessalonians & Jesus' words addressing end times. When one reads in context and in sequence Jesus' words as well as Revelation, it seems pretty clear that the rapture of the church is before the WRATH of God and comes at the point of dragon going after Israel at the 3 1/2 years mark of 70th week. We need to be ready for meeting the Lord any day but rapture isn't until Abomination is in Holy place as in Daniel; Jesus said let us understand this.
    2 great web sites that explain better than I can. Be blessed!
    http://theendtimesunveiled.com
    http://www.theraptureofthechurch.com/understanding_2thes2.htm

    ReplyDelete


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