Rapture Chronicles Part III: Who Dwells in the Millennium? :: By Wilfred Hahn

Published on: November 17, 2020 by RR7

We continue with Part III of the Rapture Chronicles. To this point, we have established two key foundational perspectives. According to Bible prophecy, there are two main streams of Christians that respond to the gospel. However, these two streams are often confused.

As we explained previously, first, there are the New Testament Christians—the Church Age believers— who ALL will be raptured, dead or alive.

Second, there are those that come to accept Christ as their eternal Savior and Messiah during the first half of the Tribulation period. This occurs post Church Age. As we have shown, they are a large number. Since they missed the Rapture, this latter group are those that remain earth-dwellers. It is these “holy people” that were certainly seen in the visions of the Prophet Daniel. We must also remember that the Church is a mystery … and is not directly mentioned in the Old Testament.

According to the Bible, all Tribulation Christians will perish in the flesh. Both Apostle John and the Prophet Daniel (to name only the main support references that we reviewed) mention that the “holy ones” will be overcome by the Antichrist. As we will show, this perspective leads us to the deductive conclusion that the Rapture can occur at no other time than shortly before the start of the Tribulation (or thereabouts).

The second key foundational perspective we had established in the previous Part II was that ALL who come to recognize Christ in the Tribulation period will perish by the mid-point (three and one-half years into the Tribulation or thereabouts). We presented both direct literal evidence as well as deductive arguments. The Bible firmly indicates that ALL who “refuse to take the mark” (these being Christians; see Revelation 13:15; 20:4) will be slain. Also, following the chronology and events of the trumpet and bowl judgments, it is again plainly evident that there could be no Christians alive upon earth during this time—the latter half of the Tribulation.

This writer believes that it is a correct view that all Tribulational Christians—the Post-Church Age gospel recipients—will not endure past the first half of the Tribulation. However, admittedly, this view appears to be shocking to some readers. In the past, we have received much correspondence on this issue. Consequently, a frequent question that we encounter is this: If ALL Christians die, then what humans will survive the Great Tribulation and populate the world during the Millennium?

Therefore, we turn our attention to this question in this Part III. We will next identify all the different sources of people that end up populating the Millennium. We count as many as four groups or streams of people that end up in the Millennium period, according to the Bible. Some will be in physical form—others in a resurrected new-body form that will also reign with Christ.

Tribulational Christians

They are a large number of martyrs (the Bible refers to them as the Great Multitude, Revelation 7:9). But does the reader know that they will all experience the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4-5) at the start of the Millennium? This group would also include Messianic Jews, were they to come to Christ during the first half of the Tribulation period.

The Bible says that these martyrs “[…] will reign with him [Jesus] for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4, 6). They all died during the Tribulation period and therefore have already experienced the First Death (the death of the physical bodies that we have today). Since the Bible says that “man is appointed to die once” (Hebrew 9:27), it would then follow that they are no longer subject to another First Death. (We must take care to note, however, that the Bible mentions a number of one-off individual exceptions to this general rule of “dying once.”)

In any case, Revelation 20:4 and 6 mention clearly that these resurrected ones will reign a “thousand years.” That means they will remain upon the earth for the entire Millennium. These Tribulational Christians are also exempted from the Second Death, as are their Church-Era brethren that were raptured earlier. Says the Bible, “The second death has no power over them […]” (Revelation 20:6). At the end of the Thousand-Year Reign, they will experience the Second Resurrection.

These resurrected martyrs would account for a significant number of earth-dwellers during the Millennium period. How many? The Bible is silent on this question, according to our studies. An open question also remains as to whether the resurrected martyrs will be able to procreate during their 1,000-Year Reign upon earth.

2 & 3. Tribulation Survivors

A second and third group to enter the Millennium period are the small remnants of Jews and Gentiles that survived the Tribulation. No one can know how many people actually perish through the Tribulation or how many survive. Some have estimated only as little as 5% or less of the population living at the onset of the Tribulation survive this period. We can definitely know that not many will remain alive. Says Isaiah: “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:11-12).

At the beginning of the Millennium, all the nations “bow their knees” (Isaiah 45:23) to Christ, as at this point, His Second Coming has occurred. Specifically, this is also the time that the Jews “[…] will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10; cf. John 19:37).

The remnant of Jews will then be forgiven. Here are two texts that affirm this. “But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the LORD and will make their boast in him” (Isaiah 45:25). Also, “‘In those days, at that time,’ declares the LORD, ‘search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare'” (Jeremiah 50:20).

Similarly, the remnant of the Gentiles who “bow their knees” will be allowed to enter the Millennium. But not without being put to shame. “They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone are deliverance and strength.’ All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame” (Isaiah 45:24).

How large could the population of Tribulation survivors become? They have not yet been resurrected and still have the bodies of flesh and blood that we have today. As such, they likely would be able to have children. There is nothing in the Bible that refutes that children would be born to them in the Millennium. Also to consider is that since “Elijah comes and will restore all things” (Matthew 17:11) during this time, this may indicate that lifespans will again lengthen to pre-Flood times.

Over the thousand years of the Millennial Kingdom, these remnant groups could therefore become quite large. These “earth-dwellers” would have bodies that are still subject to natural death (First Death) and, as mentioned, will bear children. Most certainly so the Jews. The LORD says, “I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased” (Jeremiah 30:19).

Eventually, even though they would have bodies that are still subject to natural death (First Death), these populations may outnumber the resurrected Tribulational “great multitude.” If the beginning of this period is indeed the time that “Elijah comes and “[…] restores all things,” then it is very possible that the human lifespan may again lengthen to what it was in pre-Flood times. The average age of the pre-Flood Patriarchs that the Bible mentions was 960 years … very near a millennium.

The 144,000 Hebrews

What happens to the 144,000 (Revelation 7:4)? These had been sealed against harm during the Tribulation and may possibly also go into the Millennium. No further information is given to us in the New Testament that expressly speaks to their future following the Tribulation period.

It may be possible that since the 144,000 “servants” are Jews (Israelites), that the Prophet Daniel may have seen them in his end-time visions. Could they be referred to as “those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3) or among those “whose name is found written in the book?” (Daniel 12:1).

Admittedly, this possibility is conjecture, and we cannot be certain of this identification. In any case, since the Bible does not tell us whether the estate and purpose of their election changes after the Tribulation period, it may not be unreasonable to assume that they enter the Millennium. Perhaps significant is that they all are shown to be on earth (on Mount Zion) with Christ in Revelation 14:1. Mount Zion definitely is situated upon the earth.

Another question would concern what type of bodies these “servants” will have. If they had been sealed against harm during the Tribulation period, will their bodies also be impervious to harm and death during the following Millennial period as well? Thus, it remains unclear whether the 144,000 will enter the Millennial kingdom on earth.

One characteristic of the 144,000 seems sure. Were they to reside on earth during the Millennium, they most certainly would not procreate. The Bible says that they are all males “[…] who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins” (Revelation 14:4a).

Why would this change? If they are indeed “firstfruits” (see Revelation 14:4b), then this would confirm that they will already have bodies that do not die. Could, in fact, the 144,000 be comprised of resurrected Hebrews from history, pre-Christ? They are said to be “redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3). Christ is also named a “firstfruits” from the dead.

As such, could it be that they are the first major group of Old Testament Jews to be translated as firstfruits (in this case, as an earlier 2nd Resurrection)? They indeed are identified as firstfruits.

In conclusion, ruminate as we may on these possibilities, there is little that can be confirmed about the destiny of the 144,000. We cannot be certain if they will enter the Millennial period.

Will the Raptured Return to Earth?

Readers, no doubt, may be wondering about the possibility of a fifth group. Here, we are thinking of the raptured who were snatched up. The Bible says that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable […] We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

Given that the raptured Christians are already imperishable and immortal at this point, we conclude that this group will remain with Jesus in the heavenly realms—being found wherever He is. It would seem retrograde to consider that they would live upon physical earth with their heavenly bodies.

Thoughts to Ponder

The above interpretations reconcile with this statement by Apostle Paul: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:22-24; cf. Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Daniel’s statement also aligns: “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).

It stands to reason that there will be many inhabitants upon the earth by the end of the Millennium. The fact that ALL Tribulational Christians will be slain in the Tribulation does not invalidate that conclusion.

Finally, we again briefly state the significant positional differences between those Christians who are raptured and those who later become Christians during the Tribulation period. While Christ is the “firstfruits” raised from the dead, He is the forerunner of all those who have “fallen asleep” during the Church Age (1 Corinthians 15:20-21). These “dead in Christ” saints are raptured first.

Then, those who are living—a unique and small group—are raptured. This latter group faces neither the First nor the Second Death (physical death nor spiritual damnation), but a translation to a new body.

What a wonderful reward to the Christians of the apostate, hostile world that exists at the time of the Rapture! These saints have prevailed and are being kept “[…] from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

The only other “firstfruits” group that is given a similar special dispensation (in part) is the 144,000 prophets. They are sealed, being already redeemed as a type of firstfruits (what we take to mean as resurrected with eternal bodies). Therefore, wherever their location—heaven or earth—they will not perish during the Tribulation.

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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

The Gospel According to Luke: Part 56 :: By Dr. Donald Whitchard

Published on: November 17, 2020 by RR7

An Exposition

Luke 19:45-20:8: “Shaking Up the Service- Temple Edition”

“And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were selling, saying to them, ‘It is written, and My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a robber’s den.’ And He was teaching daily in the Temple, but the chief priests and the leading men were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging upon His words.

“And it came about on one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, ‘Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave you this authority?’

“And he answered them and said to them, ‘I shall also ask you a question, and you tell Me. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?’ And they reasoned among themselves saying, ‘If we say, ‘from heaven,’ then He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ then the people will stone us to death, for they are all convinced that John was a prophet.’ And they said that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’” (Luke 19:45-20:8, NASB).

What I love reading and teaching about the life and work of the Lord Jesus is that He never was one to waste time or excuse bad behavior from anyone; and when He spoke, He got directly to the point and made people think about what they heard and witnessed. He had no time or energy to waste on people who only wanted to argue, rebuke, resist, and mock Him when He taught the truth of Scripture and the consequences of disobeying the Word of God. He did not consult religious “experts” or “fact checkers” like we are bombarded with on social media and those who feel it is their sacred duty to tear everything apart online in order to give their egos a stroke. He never discussed the interpretation of traditions and Scripture with the Pharisees, nor did He tremble in fear of what people might say or think about Him.

No doubt He would be the biggest critic of “political correctness” and its aftermath of raw censorship and fear were He here in the flesh today. He certainly would not support the lame and godless issues and concerns with which the modern church seems to be infatuated, such as social justice, critical race theory, the acceptance of behaviors and lifestyles that are in direct conflict with the Scriptures, and the odd desire of some congregations to be friends with the world for the sake of looking relevant or with the trends of the day.

I am also of the persuasion that He would rebuke and condemn the frankly ungodly and self-centeredness of some so-called churches that use everything but the soundness of the Gospel and the doctrines of the faith to train, educate, and mature those who profess to follow Him. Instead, they substitute fake signs, emotional cacophony, gibberish, falling on the floor, maniacal laughter that sounds more demonic than mortal, barking, rolling around, gyrations and moves that resemble a pagan ceremony more than it does worship of the Sovereign, Holy, Almighty Lord God Who, in the Scriptures, never at any time condones, approves, blesses, or affirms such nonsense and vulgarity disguised as a church service.

The Holy Spirit Himself is mocked and ridiculed by the antics of jesters and fools that occupy pulpits around the world who claim that the chaos and debauchery within the place is a sign of approval from Him. None of this garbage glorifies or honors the LORD in any way, shape, or form; and you know it to be as such.

I am not letting anyone off the hook because there are some of you who have been members of congregations that are so dry and lifeless that the only “Fire” that would come from you was if the building went up in flames. I have been subject to services that were about as exciting and fruitful as participating in a grass-growing contest in the middle of winter. I have heard preaching that is about as dynamic and uplifting as a bag of rocks. I literally ran from the first church I was invited to preach at after I started seminary because the atmosphere was slightly above a deep freeze at the Arctic Circle, and the people left a lot to be desired in terms of friendliness and hospitality; and I will leave it at that.

Surely this is NOT what our Lord Jesus had in mind or expected when it came to the call to worship the LORD in Spirit and in truth, and it is also an effective tool of the devil to blind people to what authentic Christianity teaches.

When Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem, it was not the sight or sound of people praying before the LORD, or of reverence towards His Holiness, or of genuine worship, but what was a mix of an irreverent carnival, marketplace, animal sounds and stench, shouting, chaos, coins being dropped in coffers, confused looks on people who did not know really what to do or were hopelessly lost about everything for which the Temple allegedly represented. All that was needed was a coffee bar and a sandwich shop near the entrance for those in between service snacks. If you are getting upset and angry over what I have just described, and have confirmed in your soul that this is in no way any kind of acceptable or worthy type of reverence before the LORD, then stop and consider what Jesus was seeing and thinking at that moment.

He was in a state of righteous anger and indignation over what was a clear and unmistakable act of evil, wickedness, and treachery done in the name of religious activity. However, Jesus did not go “ballistic” and lose control in His display of godly wrath and rebuttal of these blatant displays of greed and borderline blasphemy. Here is where His true Holy nature and act of judgment on the wickedness of people is best demonstrated and should cause us to shudder in holy fear for what their foolish and irreverent actions have produced.

With nothing more than His Divine nature and authority, He chased the money lenders, animal breeders, hucksters, and the means by which the High Priest and his cronies made their living, primarily through high-interest money exchange, high-priced sacrificial animals, and other schemes that had become a racket of corruption and internal rot within the Temple structure over the years. This did not go over well with the authorities or religious leaders, to say the least. If they were determined beforehand to get rid of Jesus, this action fanned the flames of their hate for Him and the satanic desire to destroy Him.

I am convinced that men such as Annas and Caiaphas, the High Priests at that time, knew perfectly well Who Jesus was and what He came to do, yet due to their greed, evil minds and hearts, and desire to keep power in their hands, chose to reject Him, His salvation, and be content with the pittance of the world they held in their grubby hands until it was too late.

It is no different than the hucksters in the media who are making a profit off of the story of Jesus as an excuse to fill their pockets while promising phony blessings and rewards to those who are gullible, naïve, and easily swayed by pretty words and colorful tales of miracles, moves of God, signs and wonders, promises of reward for “sowing a seed” or “giving a vow” of set amounts of money, or are hypnotized by the sound of “prosperity,” “total healing,” “no problems,” and show some antics disguised as worship, prayer, and preaching to make it look legitimate. These well-dressed and well-off shysters would probably curse and reject the Lord Jesus were He to take a whip to their “ministries” and remove everything they have as a punishment for their wicked use of the Holy and Sacred Name of God.

I do not like these characters one bit, but at the same time, I pray that their eyes will be open to what they are doing and will genuinely repent of their sins and truly turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior. I pray that they have not crossed the line, given over to a depraved and irredeemable mind.

The officials could do nothing to Jesus at that time due to His enormous popularity among the people. They also had to undergo a question by Jesus when He was asked about the source of His authority (as if they did not already know). He asked them a question concerning John the Baptist’s credentials as a man of God, and for them to give Him a direct answer would have gotten them into trouble with the people, and force them to admit that they had sinned in not listening to John’s message of repentance and preparation for the arrival of God’s Messiah. He put them in a deliberate bind and crisis of response, and they had to go on the defensive to save their worthless hides.

Do not be so smug and sure that anything you ask or declare will be sufficient or successful when it comes to challenging the Lord Jesus Christ. He has all power and authority to twist your ego in the wind and put you on the defensive to explain your motives and assumptions. Nothing surprises or gets by Him.

He has put more than one smart-aleck in his place over history, and He always will have the final word, despite what you may say or think. He can and will humble you if need be. He does not bow to any ruler, despot, dictator, pope, prelate, theologian, or officials or their concepts and ideas. He does offer all who come to Him in repentance real peace, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of a new heaven and earth free from the rot we see and experience. To ignore and mock this gift of mercy and grace is to run a fool’s errand, and receive nothing in the end but misery, terror, torment, hatred, unforgiveness, and the eternal thought of what might have been if you had just closed your yap and given your life to Him.

Take care of this NOW. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. I would rather see the Lord Jesus embrace you than condemn you. If you are smart, you will agree. Now get on it and go serve your King.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com