How I differ from those who claim (at least) 'seven years' after the Rapture to the Second Coming of Jesus
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Subject: How I differ from those who claim (at least) 'seven years' after the Rapture to the Second Coming of Jesus--
 
 
The dividing point is in Revelation 4:1, where "Come Up Here" is the order-- and that is claimed to be the point of the Rapture. Actually, I agree. But where we dissent is in the first five seal judgments of Revelation chapter six. Revelation chapters four and five are in heaven, not on earth. Revelation six brings us back down to earth, and there are specific verses regarding the 'beginning of sorrows' or 'birth pangs' in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and other places. These specifically clarify the same parallels that we see in the first five seal judgments. We KNOW these things have gone on for 2000 years, since Jesus was here, and that they are escalating in intensity and frequency now. We also can easily tell that they equate with the first five seal judgments in Revelation six. But that's not all. It's very clear that the sixth seal judgment has not happened, and if you read the contents of it closely, you see the RAPTURE contained in these verses. But even that's not all. Right after the completion of the sixth seal judgment, still in Revelation chapter six, you notice that the wrath of God begins. There's yet more. You also notice that the first verse of Revelation chapter seven gives the half hour of silence that will happen just after the Rapture and the chaos that results. And you notice this again in the first verse of Revelation chapter eight. Revelation eight allows the seventh seal judgment, which contains the trumpet judgments from God's angels on assignment, to begin right after the half hour of silence. You can also tell that the first several trumpet judgments will involve asteroids or comets, and that there is the requested vengeance on behalf of the martyred saints from the CURRENT fifth seal judgment, who are NOW being placed under the altar begging for God to 'get 'em', and the promise is that it will be done (right AFTER THE RAPTURE). Now, back to Revelation chapter 7. This is tucked into the 'right after the Rapture' events. Notice there are two groups mentioned here. There are the 144,000 Jews who where JUST left behind because they were NOT Christians (or "Messianic") and they become Christians REAL FAST. You can tell from the verses at the end of Revelation chapter 6 that people know what just happened, if they wish to acknowledge the truth. The become sealed, for their service over the next three and one half years (and you notice in Revelation chapter 14 that they have their OWN Rapture then, and the OTHER group mentioned in Revelation fourteen are the martyred great tribulation saints, and those who have died saved during THIS after the Rapture period). The other group in Revelation chapter seven are clearly the dead in Christ and the newly Raptured church or saints.
 
Now, that being clarified, there is a huge area of contention I have with the ones who claim any seven year period. There is NOT a seven year period left after the Rapture before Jesus' Second Coming. Yes, the Rapture IS IMMINENT, we know that. But if you read and study Daniel nine, there are only two references in the whole Bible to 'seven years', and they, too, are clarified. The seventieth week mentioned in the verses before Daniel 9:27 tell us that it is a seven year span, but when Jesus was 'cut off' (crucified) the first three and one half years of it stopped. (That was the length of time of His ministry.) This was 'not for his own sake' --actually, it was for all of our sakes, esp. the Gentiles, who have been added on, and wouldn't have been if the whole seven years had taken place then, and then His millennial reign would have begun. Besides, look at all of the other implications of His having NOT been crucified ("cut off") -- none of us would even be saved! Anyway, we know that the seventieth week of Daniel WILL RESUME, only under the horrible reign of the coming Antichrist. So there are three and one half years left of that. Now, what about the seven year covenant mentioned in Daniel 9:27? Well, even though I am too lazy to look it up for spelling, the 'heptad' is not the same seven year period as Daniel's 70th week. It is indeed seven years. But it will be broken in the 'midst', and if you look at the verses in Daniel chapter twelve, you can figure out that it will be broken 75 days into it, not three and one half years into it. So there is the Rapture, and 75 days, then the three and one half years' long period known as great tribulation, or the day of the Lord (beginning) or the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble, and God's wrath actually will last three and one half years plus 75 days. We know that the three and one half years are 360 day years, 30 day months. THERE IS NO SEVEN YEAR PERIOD IN THERE LEFT AT ALL! I believe the last three and one half years will begin with the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, called the three woes. The seventh trumpet judgment, of course, contains the seven bowl or vial judgments. It, too, has a pause before it, and I think Daniel 12 tells us it and the seven horrible bowl or vial judgments begin 45 days before Jesus' second coming. This means a couple of things- first of all, that the first four trumpet judgments occur within a 75 day span, before the last three and one half years, and after the Rapture of the church. It also, I think, means the fifth trumpet judgment or first woe, will 'kick off' the last three and one half years. The Antichrist will be in control, but the FIVE MONTHS OF TORTURE FOR EVERYONE except the 144,000 newly sealed Jews will begin. What a test of faith! It also means the 144,000 sealed Jews will be Raptured, as indicated in Revelation chapter 14, 45 days before the Second Coming. The beheaded, martyred great tribulation saints will also be in heaven at the wedding feast by this time. The only ones left alive after this who will be saved will be the elect remnant, and those COULD all be Jews hiding at Petra or Bozrah, although I believe there are indications that perhaps a few other survivors will be around in other places. -"Cheyenne Cin"- P.S. SUMMARY: The first five seal judgments are going on NOW, and are the same as the BIRTH PANGS OR BEGINNING OF SORROWS.  The RAPTURE is IMMINENT, but begins during the sixth seal judgment. (I also believe there are indications this will be in synchrony with the attempted invasion of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39, when God will supernaturally intervene on behalf of Israel, and that the coastlands of America will likely be attacked, as indicated from a verse there, too.) I do NOT believe there is a seven year period left until the Second Coming of Jesus, but instead three and one half years plus 75 days. I believe the Bible to be clear and specific about this. This STILL gives leverage for the Revelation 4:1 Rapture, but the 'seven year' people are ignoring the other facts.