Introduction

This article seeks to address the timing of the seven-year marriage consummation period (seven days in the traditional Jewish-Galilean wedding) between our Lord and His bride – the church – in heaven after the rapture and how this will correlate to the seven-year Tribulation.

Many tend to equate this seven-year marriage consummation with the seven-year Tribulation, but there are logical and rational explanations for why this will not be the case. These reasons will be explored in our attempt to arrange the timing of this glorious seven-year consummation period and the celebratory Marriage Feast of The Lamb and His bride that follows.

We will also be looking into the seven seals of Revelation 6 and their probable position in relation to the seven-year Tribulation.

The Gap Between the Rapture and the Beginning of the Tribulation

There are many reasons why a gap between the rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation must happen, not the least of which is the subject of our study. We are given clues in Revelation, and other prophecy passages, for why this is.

The 7 Seals – Seals One Through Four

The seven seals, that Christ opens after the rapture of the church, I expect to be opened in a rather quick procession.

When it comes to the first four seals, I don’t see much time in between the four horsemen’s activities – a fairly succinct and rapid series of events seem to commence.

Let’s examine the seven seals that Christ will open as the Lamb (Revelation 5:6).

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:1-2).

The first of the “four horsemen of the Apocalypse” – the first four seals that Christ opens in heaven – is the Antichrist upon a white horse. He has a bow but no arrows, yet he was given a crown and “went forth conquering, and to conquer.” This pretty much encapsulates the career of the Antichrist from the rapture of the church until he achieves absolute dominance in the last half of the Tribulation.

The same Greek word – 3528 νικάω “nikaó” – is used for both “conquering” and “conquer” in this verse and means to conquer, prevail. Which is exactly what Antichrist will do as he fills the power vacuum that has been left after the rapture of the church and moves up in power and prestige on the world’s stage.

Within the gap of time between the rapture and the signing of the seven-year covenant (Daniel 9:27) – by my calculations – Antichrist will come on the scene and, through “peace,” rise up and “prevail” in the ranks of politics through the United Nations and the European Union. It’s not as if, after the rapture, he just rises up and immediately offers Israel and “the many” a covenant of “peace” for seven years which initiates the seven-year Tribulation.

The other three “horsemen of the Apocalypse” also come into view during these hectic times as the world is in a state of confusion resulting from the rapture of the church and needs to be remedied. Of course, it will be Antichrist that ultimately rises to the top with all of the solutions to the world’s troubles. But, until he does, it will be absolute chaos and turmoil as the pieces of globalism will need to be put into order – or back into place, depending on how far globalism advances before the rapture of the church.

The second red horse of Revelation 6:4 will see kingdom against kingdom, struggling and vying to fill this power vacuum associated with the calamities and repercussions of the rapture. Many countries, I suggest, will see opportunities to invade nations they had always coveted but felt constrained to act upon until this unique and opportune time presents itself.

It is soon after this second seal is opened that I expect the Ezekiel 38 Gog/Magog invasion of Israel to occur.

“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword” (Revelation 6:3-4).

The third black horse of Revelation 6:5-6 will see worldwide economic collapse, and extreme famine will prevail. Yet, as with all of human history, the elite and the rich will be unaffected.

“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:5-6).

The fourth pale horse of Revelation 5:7-8 sees the culmination of the effects of the first three seals – that of physical death and Sheol (or hades/hell) being filled up with the souls of unrepentant sinners.

“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:7-8).

Again, these first four seals could happen so rapidly that they would seem to be one right after another, just as Christ is unsealing them. In essence, they are all linked to each other.

Other Events That Should Occur Within The Gap

Attempting to alleviate the anxiety of those who have been left behind and offering up explanations for why many millions of people were taken off of the earth will be job number one for Antichrist and the globalists. Job number two will be addressing the wars, economic collapse, and famine, as death will be prevalent in these initial stages. As a “peacemaker,” during this gap of time, Antichrist will do his part in trying to put the world back together again.

Gog/Magog Invasion of Israel: Ezekiel 38 and 39. I believe that this invasion will happen very soon after the rapture and will be the catalyst for the seven-year covenant between Antichrist, Israel, and the many (Daniel 9:27) that will initiate the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation. How much time will elapse between the ill-fated invasion — that will be repelled by God and the Israeli Defense Forces — and the signing of the covenant is unknown.

The setting-up of the 10 regional kingdoms of the earth through the auspices of the United Nations:

Antichrist propelling himself upward on the world’s stage as a major political leader and globalist savior; most probably rising somewhere in the European Union – although not as one of the 10 kings – through working hand-in-hand with the United Nations and the 10 regional kings and their kingdoms.

The Fifth Seal

Another confirmation of a gap happens at the breaking of the fifth seal:

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled“ (Revelation 6:9-11). (emphasis mine)

These saints are those that have come to Christ after the rapture of the church and have stayed faithful to “the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” We know this because everyone up to this point has their state of affairs laid out for us in Scripture: The Old Testament saints are in heaven awaiting their resurrection, and the church has been resurrected and raptured in their glorious, everlasting bodies. Therefore, these people’s souls that are under the altar are those who have died in persecution since the rapture of the church.

The question asked from those under the altar would not have been asked if they had been killed during the seven-year Tribulation, as they would know how much time was left by calculating the time from their deaths since the covenant was signed and how much time remained of the seven years.

They were also told to “rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were [during the same timeframe – the gap between the rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation], should be fulfilled.”

Sixth Seal – A Great Earthquake

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places” (Revelation 6:12-14).

Here we have our first of several earthquakes recorded in Revelation. I’m going to throw out a few observations for the reader to consider when it comes to this earthquake and the consequences found in these verses.

First, as far as the earthquake itself, we may be looking at an earthquake generated by a nuclear exchange or a divinely timed geological event. I personally suspect that this a divinely timed earthquake centering in the Pacific Ocean region that ignites the entire “Ring of Fire” volcanic structure in eastern Asia and western North America, and possibly triggering the Yellowstone Caldera super-volcano.

This would definitely produce the characteristics that John reported, as “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” because of the massive ejection of fire and volcanic ash into the atmosphere. This geologic catastrophe that John witnessed, as he would be looking at the region where it emanates, would produce “every mountain and island [moving] out of their places,” which would include islands and island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Hawaii, and numerous other islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Secondly, when it comes to the phrase, “and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind,” there seem to be three possibilities.

1. The natural effects of fire ejecting out of the volcanic eruptions into an ash-filled atmosphere and falling back to earth would most certainly give the illusion that stars were falling from the sky.
2. If this is a nuclear exchange – which, again, I don’t lean toward – it could give this appearance as the missiles are passing through the atmosphere. But we have to note that in this passage, the earthquake happens first, so the likelihood of missiles being sent after the earthquake hits – or while the earthquake is taking place – seems quite out of sequence.
3. As we should know, “stars” are often representative of angels in Scripture (Job 38:7, et al.). Therefore, some may suggest that John is witnessing Satan and his angels being kicked out of heaven by Michael and his angels and being thrown down to earth (Revelation 12:7-9).

Obviously, I lean toward number one.

And, as far as the phrase, “the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together,” a divinely timed geological event with a massive ejection of volcanic ash and fire into the atmosphere (along with the effects of a great earthquake shaking the earth), or a nuclear exchange, would both give this appearance.

For all intents and purposes, I really do think we are looking at a divinely timed geologic event with this earthquake.

“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” – Revelation 6:15-17

We see the effect this earthquake has on the people of the earth globally: absolute terror as they recognize that “the great day of [the Lord’s] wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Even though Christ has been opening the seals and allowing, through His sovereignty, the Antichrist to come upon the scene, wars to break out all over the earth, and economic collapse and famine to occur – it isn’t until the earthquake hits that the inhabitants of the earth recognize that this is all the Lord’s wrath!

The Seventh Seal

This is when I believe the seven-year Tribulation is about to commence.

“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets” (Revelation 8:1-2)

I’m sure that many have conjectured what may be taking place when “there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” I have two theories, and they may actually both be in play.

First, I suggest that this half an hour of silence may indicate that heaven is witnessing the signing of the covenant between Israel, Antichrist, and the many (Daniel 9:27).

If this is the case, then when “… the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake” (Revelation 8:5) could very well be God’s response to this covenant.

Secondly, “the silence in heaven about the space of half an hour” is very probably the sealing of the 144,000 Israeli evangelists (Revelation 7:1-8).

(For a study on Revelation 7 and when the 144,000 Israeli evangelists are sealed – when it comes to the judgments of God – please see Revelation 7: Bookends of the Tribulation).

Again, both the signing of the covenant between Israel, Antichrist and the many and the sealing of the 144,000 Israeli evangelists could be in view during this silence in heaven.

And, of course, the breaking of the seventh seal will usher in the seven trumpet judgments, all of which I believe will occur in the first half of the Tribulation.

Note: The seventh seal that ushers in the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:1-2) and the seventh trumpet, which ushers in the seven vial judgments (Revelation 11:15 and Revelation 15:6 – separated by three parenthetical chapters), are showing the reader that these judgments are chronological in scope. This is very important for the student of the Bible to understand when it comes to interpreting the book of Revelation and making the attempt to insert the other events into the chronological pouring-out of God’s wrath.

When Does the Seven-Year Marriage Consummation Begin?

In short, the answer is right after the rapture of the church. This is when the clock begins ticking.

But there are two events that will take place soon after our Lord takes us back to heaven.

1. The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ for rewards to His bride.
2. The breaking of the seven seals of Revelation by Christ that we just looked at – which, as I said, I believe will happen rather rapidly.

The Bema Seat, the Seven Seals, and the 144,000

It seems more than reasonable that Christ will immediately escort His bride into the Father’s house to purify His bride and give her gifts and rewards for her service to Him on earth. This would initiate the seven years of consummation immediately after the rapture of the church.

Our Bridegroom – the savior of the world, King of kings and Lord of lords – will have the duty of opening the seven seals. While not mentioned in the text, we know we are with our Lord because, as Paul says of the rapture:

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord“ (1 Thessalonians 4:17). (emphasis mine)

Immediately following the opening of the seal judgments, we can have confidence that our Bridegroom returns with His bride to the Father’s house to complete the ongoing seven-year consummation period.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also“ (John 14:2-3). (emphasis mine)

The only other time we see the Lord Jesus Christ, from then on, is when He comes back to earth to escort the 144,000 Israeli evangelists from Jerusalem to heaven in Revelation 14:1-5 at the midway point of the seven-year Tribulation. This is the only other place where we see Jesus in the chronological events before the Marriage Supper of The Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9) and His subsequent Second Coming to the earth (Revelation 19:11-21).

Therefore, it appears that the Lord will only come out of the Father’s house, with His bride somewhere close by to Him, to open the seven seals and, later, for His mission alone to come to earth momentarily to escort His beloved 144,000 Israeli evangelists to heaven in the middle of the Tribulation.

The Marriage Supper of The Lamb

In my article, Resurrections and The Marriage Supper of The Lamb, I discuss the Marriage Supper, how I see the resurrections occurring, and who will be the Bridegroom’s distinguished guests at this glorious Supper.

In relation to the seven-year consummation period, which will begin with the rapture of the church, the Marriage Supper of The Lamb would have to follow the completion of those seven years.

This is why I suggest – depending on how long the gap of time is between the rapture and the signing of the covenant between Antichrist, Israel, and the many (Daniel 9:27) – that The Marriage Supper of The Lamb would have to occur in the presence of the Father sometime in the last half of the seven-year Tribulation, known as The Great Tribulation, the last three and one-half years before Christ comes back to earth. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb, followed by Christ’s Second Coming, is chronologically laid out in Revelation 19:6-21.

Timing is Everything: Our Marriage in Heaven

Concerning our marriage in heaven, I would like to summarize this subject in the following way:

Even though both the Tribulation and the consummation between Jesus and His bride are seven years in duration, they are not equal in relation to each other. That is, they don’t coincide, but they do overlap.

The seven-year consummation of Christ and His church will begin immediately after the rapture, proceed exactly seven years, and end somewhere in the last half of the seven-year Tribulation on earth so we may be revealed in heaven, in the presence of the Father, for our long-awaited, glorious and exuberant Marriage Supper!

Once the Marriage Supper of The Lamb is completed, then the armies of heaven – consisting of the Holy angels, the bride of Christ, the resurrected Old Testament saints, and saints resurrected up to the midway point of the Tribulation – will prepare for our Lord’s magnificent Second Coming. How long that will be in relation to the Marriage Supper and the Second Coming will be entirely dependent upon how long the gap is between the rapture and the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation.

As we complete this study, I must confess that I’m getting a little excited about all of this, and I pray you are, too!

So, until we hear that trumpet of God, let’s be about our Bridegroom’s business of bringing the glorious gospel message to a lost and dying world who so desperately needs to hear it, and grow the bride of Christ while we still can.

Are you with me? I pray that you are.

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

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➢ If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and are seeking answers about God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and salvation, please email me at mab10666@yahoo.com for information.

➢ I am still taking questions for the Questions from the Body of Christ series. If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.

➢ A listing of past articles may be found at my Article Listings on Rapture Ready or my Home Page on FaithWriters.

 

 

Summary: There has been a tremendous amount of literature, testimony, and fascination with the subject of angels and their purpose and mission in this world. The Word of God alone teaches the truth about these beings and their service to God and His people.

The symbols of God’s majesty, promises, and acts toward His creation have been hijacked and misused by fallen humanity to promote agendas and teachings that are in total opposition to His Holy purposes and Being. The rainbow, the visible symbol of His promise not to destroy the earth with water as He did in the days of Noah (Genesis 9:11-17), has been abducted by the homosexual community to display their “pride” and “lifestyle” before an approving world. This is in clear violation of God and His commandments towards sexual purity and the established role of men and women.

It needs to be emphasized that it was pride that got Satan thrown out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-17) and consigned him and his fallen angels to a future punishment in hell (Matthew 25:41). I do not want to follow his example, and neither should anyone with an ounce of sense.

The specific role and work of Satan and his demonic hosts will be presented in a later message, but since they are part of the angelic creation, it would be worth our while to look at the doctrine of angels in general and their service to God.

Even the fallen angels are subject to His will and need His permission to do anything in this world. No one nor anything is out of the control of the Sovereign LORD of all creation. We need to remember this as we witness this world falling not just into visible chaos and increasing evil, but that all of it is proof that the words of the Bible are true as it pertains to future events and the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both the faithful angels and the fallen ones play an active role in the events of history and will fulfill the Sovereign plans and will of the LORD. The world has abducted the idea and work of angels as well and has twisted and warped them to fit ideologies and teachings that are contrary to the Word of God.

The truth about who angels are and what they do needs to be shown in the light of God’s Word, and His Word alone.

The Scriptures teach that the angelic hosts are real and authentic. 37 books of the Bible describe them and their work, and the word “angel” appears 275 times. Jesus taught about the existence and work of the angels, and they were of service to Him during His time of ministry (Matthew 18:10, 26:53). They are created beings (Colossians 1:16), they were in existence before the foundation of this present world (Job 36:6-7), and they were all created in a state of holiness (Jude 6). Angels have emotions, intellect, and will (Luke 2:13; 1 Peter 1:12; Jude 6). Angels are spirit beings without the ability to reproduce after their own kind (Mark 12:25; Hebrews 1:14).

The teaching that fallen angels took physical form to procreate with human women, producing the pre-flood beings known as the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1-4), is a popular belief in many Christian circles and has some validity as a theory. These beings, who were also known as “giants,” were not pure angelic offspring but an unholy mutation that led to their eternal imprisonment for attempting to pollute and destroy the Messianic bloodline promised by God at the time of the Fall (Genesis 3:15; 1 Peter 3:18). There is room for disagreement on this particular interpretation, but it does seem that the fallen demons have been at work ever since Eden to thwart the work of God, and this might have been just such an attempt. Anything beyond what we read in the Word of God is mere speculation.

The Bible teaches that angels cannot die, are distinct from us, innumerable, and are extremely powerful (Psalm 8:4-5; Luke 20:36; Hebrews 12:22; 2 Peter 2:11). They are organized and have specific responsibilities, all centered on the worship and service of God.

One angel is named in Scripture, the Archangel Michael (Jude 9), who is the protector of God’s chosen people, Israel (Daniel 12:1). There are the chief princes (Daniel 10:13), ruling angels (Ephesians 3:10), and guardian angels for both people in general and children (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14). The Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-3) are shown in light of the worship of God, and the cherubim are responsible for guarding the holiness of God (Genesis 3:22-14). There are also the “elect angels” mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:21.

We are also warned not to give worship to angels since they are created beings in the service of God (Revelation 22:9). This is the sin that drove Satan out of heaven based on his pride and arrogance to defy the person and rule of God. He tried to have the Lord Jesus bow to Him in exchange for the kingdoms of this world (Matthew 4:8-11, 16:26; Luke 4:6-8), to no avail.

The Scriptures teach that angels have specific ministries:

1. Their Ministry to Jesus

• They predicted HIs birth (Luke 1:26-33).
• They announced HIs birth (Luke 2:13).
• They protected Him when He was a baby (Matthew 2:13).
• They strengthened Him after His series of temptations by the devil (Matthew 4:11).
• They were ready to defend Him at a moment’s notice (Matthew 26:53).
• They strengthened Him during His ordeal in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).
• They rolled away the stone from His tomb (Matthew 28:2).
• They announced HIs resurrection (Matthew 28:6).

1. Their Ministry to Believers

• They have a general ministry of rendering aid to us (Hebrews 1:14).
• They are involved in answering our prayers (Acts 12:7).
• They observe our experiences (1 Corinthians 4:9; 1 Timothy 5:5:21).
• They encourage us in dangerous times (Acts 27:23-24).
• They assist us in evangelistic efforts (Luke 15:10; Acts 8:26).
• They care for the righteous at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

III. Their Ministry to the Nations

• The Archangel Michael is the guardian of Israel (Daniel 12:1).
• They are God’s agents in the execution of His Divine will and providence (Daniel 10:21).
• They will be involved in the judgments of the coming Tribulation (Revelation 8, 9, 16).

1. Their Assignment toward the Unbelievers

• They announce impending judgments (Genesis 19:13; Revelation 14:6-7).
• They inflict punishment (Acts 12:23).
• They will be the reapers in separating the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age (Matthew 13:39).

Again, anything beyond what the Sovereign LORD has decreed in His Word does not need our attention or time. The fact is that time as we know it is running out, and the approaching wrath of God upon this wicked world is a certainty. Are you prepared to meet God, and have you come to Him for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)? Will God’s holy angels welcome you into heaven with joy along with the redeemed? Or will you join the devil and his fallen angels in eternal hell for your rejection of the Gospel message and the ONLY hope you have of escaping the coming judgments promised in the Scriptures?

He offers you eternal life, peace and rest (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30). How will you respond this day?

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

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My YouTube broadcasts titled “The Reality City Review” will be posted on Facebook, GETTR, Parler, and on my website when completed. My main area of discussion will be on the basics of the Christian faith but will also deal with prophetic issues and other topics as the Lord impresses upon me to handle.