Whose End
Matthew 24:13-15
(my notes in red)
13 But he that shall endure unto the end (of the gentile church age, which is the beginning of
tribulation), the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
readeth, let him understand:)
These notes that I have
included in red are interesting because from verse 15 and on, Jesus specifies
that tribulation begins thus it could be argued that verses 4-14 predate the
tribulation period. Now I am not trying
to add to the Word or cause offense but am challenging you to consider a train
of thought I believe applies to this discourse.
When Jesus refers to “the end,” in verses 13 and 14, I will argue He is
indeed talking about the end of the age, but within that end is His churches
preparation toward that end. I will
clarify in the rest of this interpretation that Matthew 25:1-13 describes those
who have oil and those who don’t. This
fact is integral to our understanding.
To have oil is to be sealed in God and to be without is to be found
wanting. I believe this sealing takes
place at mid-tribulation before the last half of the great tribulation. Therefore, those who have oil will indeed be
sealed. It will become their destiny to
endure to the end yet with oil (sealed).
Please be willing to read the rest of this interpretation with
discerning eyes. There is no
pre-tribulation rapture so the end Jesus is referring too is at the end of the
7 year tribulation. I will prove
scripturally according to Matthew 25 and other verses that “the fulness of the gentile church” who obeys sound doctrine
will have oil in their vessels at mid-tribulation, and at that time, it will
become their destiny to allow everything to be played out over the next 3 ½
years according to God’s plan. No doubt
with oil in their vessels these men and women will “endure unto the end and be
saved.”
Clarification
The tribulation is a 7
year period but has two very distinct time periods within those 7 years. In fact, the tribulation is more like two 3½
year periods of time. The close of the first
3½ years ushers in the “fulness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25). Most
believe this mid-tribulation marker, “the fulness of the Gentiles,” signifies
the closing of the Gentile church age; meaning no more Gentiles will be saved
beyond this point. I want to add this
“fulness” can also be interpreted as the Gentile church which has reached its
full potential as a result of a preparation process, meaning it has matured and
ripened through years of purging, that it might serve God’s purposes more fully
during the tribulation. Of course, this
would also mean, by default, that the door would still remain open for more
Gentile believers to be saved during the last 3½ year period. It could also mean both… “the fulness of the
gentiles” could mean both the full maturity, as well as the full number, of the
gentile church. That said, the first 3½
years has much to do with the Gentile churches purging. During this time, God will purge His gentile
church and will raise it up to become a surrendered church, a church without
spot or wrinkle. Also, during the first
3½ years the two witnesses will minister to
Peter talks about judgment
coming first to the house of God, and then to the world. The tribulation is a 7 year period. According to my notes, the end of the first
3½ years will fully conclude the purging of God’s Gentile church, basically
bringing about the “fulness” of the Gentile believers. After the Gentile church has reached its
“fulness,” at mid-tribulation, all those Gentile Christians who have endured
unto “this end” or unto “this fulness” will be saved and consequently sealed
(Matthew 24:13-15, 25:1-13) as they continue toward the last 3½ years of
tribulation. There will be no rapture
before or at mid-tribulation, and all those who refuse to be purged and who
consequently fall away during the first 3½ years (or previous to that) will
possibly become antichrists as well as false prophets and vessels of dishonor
(1 John 2:18-19, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, John 6:66). These people will not be able to endure the
last half of the tribulation without succumbing to the mark of the beast (They
will probably be more than willing to take it, because they will be furious at
God who has called them to this end), which will equal their damnation
(Revelation 14:9-11). In other words,
all who fall away (2 Thessalonians 2:3) before or during the first 3½ years
will not make it through the last 3½ years without yielding or succumbing to
the mark of the beast. The last 3½ years
of tribulation will usher in the mark of the beast, the abomination of
desolation as well as the antichrists full reign. As God saves and exiles His Israel
firstfruits (144,000 saved or “sealed”), the sealed “fulness” of the Gentile
church, now existing in the last half of the tribulation, will either be
martyred (beheaded) or will be driven into captivity. The “fulness” of the Gentile church at this
time will be led as lambs to the slaughter during the tribulation – mimicking a
holocaust like scenario (Hosea 6:2), while God nourishes His newly born-again
Israel firstfruits who have given birth to their
Messiah “received their Messiah” (Revelation 12:14-17). This type of scenario is Gods perfect state
of grace, and is exactly why God seals His faithful gentile saints at
mid-tribulation (Matthew 25:1-13 – with enough oil in their vessels to endure
the darkness… oil symbolizing their salvation and the light of their lamps to
enlighten (them) and their (way) during the darkness… which darkness will be
the last 3½ of tribulation).
You might ask if I believe
if any of the gentile saints who endure everything leading up to
mid-tribulation (the purging) will eventually fall away during the last half of
the tribulation? At this time, according
to the revelation I possess, and according to the knowledge and understanding I
possess, I believe if a gentile saint endures everything leading up to
mid-tribulation, that God will indeed save and seal this gentile believer at
mid-tribulation, and this gentile believer will faithfully endure anything and
everything during the last 3½ years, including martyrdom or captivity (Matthew
24:13-15, 25:1-12). I actually believe
oil in the vessels symbolizes God’s sealing and protection, and those who
“suddenly” realize they don’t have oil (it will be too late) will seek to find
it but won’t be able to. During the last
3½ years of tribulation, a purged Christian won’t be able to buy or sell. This Christian will have nothing to rely on
except for God’s supernatural provision.
From mid-tribulation on, the only way a gentile saint can “fall away” is
to succumb to the mark of the beast. I
do not believe any gentile saint who endures everything leading up to
mid-tribulation (who as a result of listening to the two witnesses will indeed
have oil in their vessel) will then “fall away” after mid-tribulation, once the
rapture is proven false and the antichrist is fully exposed (establishing the
abomination of desolation and the mark of the beast). I believe the full “falling away” will take
place during the purging process, which will occur before and even during the
first 3½ years of tribulation. The
saints who are not truly a part of God’s church will at this time “fall away”
(because they will reject the truth of God’s two witnesses and as a result,
will have no oil in their vessels – Zechariah 4:12-14, Revelation 11). This action of rejecting the two witnesses
will expose them as false (1 John 2:18-19, John 6:66). The two witnesses will first minister toward
the church and then during the first 3½ years of tribulation will minister
toward
God saves and cleanses
(purges) the Gentile church before and during the first 3½ years (His judgment
on His House) and then sends the same Gentile church, now sealed, as lambs to
the slaughter to become the antichrists focus during the last 3½ years (while
God judges the inhabitants of the world for persecuting His
people). While God is simultaneously
judging the world He is simultaneously using the “fulness” of the sealed
Gentile church to become lambs to the slaughter in order to turn away the
antichrists focus (Revelation 12:17) from “newly born-again - saved”
These things happen during
the first 3½ years of tribulation.
These things happen during the last 3½ years of
tribulation.
You might ask.
Why does the Gentile church need to be a decoy and be led as lambs to
the slaughter? The Gentile church as a
result of the unbelievable purging process (perhaps lasting upward to 15 years)
will be “green berets” or soldiers in God’s spirit. They will have much oil in their
vessels. They know His ways and
understand His cross to bear. They are
the “fulness” of the Gentiles (the light to endure the darkness), well equip of
God to endure martyrdom and to endure for such a time as this. They will be those who… “…came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
(Revelation 7:14, 5:9-11) In other
words, the Gentile church will be prepared to endure martyrdom, for they have
been purged and prepared by God (the two witnesses and mighty men will prepare
the gentile church and make everything very clear). Hopefully, this next section will clarify a
lot for you and encourage you as to why God is allowing this for His
purposes. We must also remember many
have endured martyrdom over the last 2000 years including many of the early
believers. Just because the “fulness” of the Gentile church will die on a much larger
scale does not mean God is unjust. It
just means there will be much glory in the overall work (John 21:19).
Scapegoat
The closer we get to the end, the more help and
revelation the Lord will offer to His people who show a desire for His truth
(again, oil through the two witnesses - Zechariah 4:12-14, Isaiah 49:5-6). I would like to say a few words to the
Gentile church for edification.
The sacrifice the “fulness” of the Gentile church
will make during the tribulation mirrors the sacrifice Jesus made on the
cross. As you well know, God esteems
this highly. Have confidence and faith
that as you endure the first 3½ years of chastening and purging and as you
endure the last 3½ years of persecution and martyrdom, that God will not only
honor you, but as He glorifies you He Himself will be glorified (John 12:28,
13:31-32, 17:1-5, 21:18-19).
What did Jesus say?
1 John
3:16
Hereby
perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren.
And again,
John 15:13
Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends.
We are living in a time when we ourselves will see
the salvation of Jacob. Jesus himself
wept over
Leviticus
16: 7-10
And he
shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle
of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for
the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot
fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to
make an atonement with him, and to let
him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
This scenario outlines the process of the “fulness”
of the Gentile church versus the process of the 144,000 firstfruits (Revelation
14:4) of redeemed
I would now like to highlight some of the
scriptures I have used thus far. I
believe it is obvious that the 144,000 sealed/firstfruits referenced in Revelation 7/14 is the
same as
The word “remnant” is used a few times in the book
of Romans to describe
Revelation
7:1-4
And after
these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,
holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the
earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the
living God: and he cried with a loud
voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed
the servants of our God in their foreheads.
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed
an hundred and forty and four thousand of
all the tribes of the children of
I want to first clarify verse 4 specifically says…
“… of all
the tribes of the children of
Daniel
12:1, Jeremiah 30:7
And at
that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the
children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in
the book.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even
the time of Jacob's trouble, but he
shall be saved out of it.
So, regarding
Four
Points for Edification
In closing I would like to again, bring edification
to the Gentile church. If you have any
questions regarding this last section, or in order for you to dissect this last
section properly, you might want to read my other Bible interpretation titled
“Outskirts,” located in volume 3.
All the “fulness” of the Gentiles who endure the first
3½ years of purging and who are consequently martyred as well as the Jewish
remnant who are martyred during the tribulation will become partakers of some
special blessings. I believe biblically
that these individuals will:
Revelation
20:4-6
And I saw
thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for
the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had
received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand
years were finished. This is the
first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests
of God and of Christ, and shall reign
with him a thousand years.
This verse implies it is the martyred tribulation
saints who reign with Christ 1000 years, the rest don’t live again until the
first 1000 years have expired. I will
explain more on this later. The book of
Hebrews gives further evidence why the tribulation martyred saints have a
special privilege.
Hebrews
11:35
Women
received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might
obtain a better resurrection:
Clearly, those who are martyred during the
tribulation will have part of the first resurrection. In essence they will return with Jesus Christ
to the battle of Armageddon, and will be with Him to set up His earthly reign.
I outline in my Bible interpretation, “Outskirts,”
how the church that endures martyrdom during the tribulation will become the
church that has, according to Revelation 19:7, made herself ready for marriage with the lamb. Now, a lot of people will have a problem with
this. I am not saying that only the
tribulation martyred church gets to be Christ’s bride, all Christians are
Christ’s bride (Revelation 21:9,27). But
I am saying that the church that is martyred during the tribulation becomes the
church that not only gets to take part in the actual ceremony (marriage supper,
Matthew 25:1-13 emphasis on v. 10), but they also get to embrace the Lord
during that ceremony. Here is an
example. If I marry my wife, and her
family and my family are not present, does this mean that our families have not
been unified? Of course not, our
families have indeed been unified, because the marriage took place! Just because our families are not present
doesn’t mean our families have not been unified… it just means that they were
not present at the actual ceremony. In
other words, when the ceremony happens, the unification of the body with Christ
takes place. When the marriage of the
Lamb is come, only the tribulation martyred saints will be present, but they
will represent the whole body of Christ so that indeed the whole body of Christ
at that time will become unified with Jesus Christ in marriage.
This is the easiest point to clarify. From Revelation 6 to 7 and then from
Revelation 19 to 20. Jesus’ Revelation
paints a picture of the tribulation martyred church reigning with Christ for a
thousand years. Now there might be
others present during that thousand years, but the scriptures specify that the
tribulation martyred saints absolutely get to reign with Christ for that
thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).
I want to clarify something regarding Revelation
20:4-6. I want to talk about the first
resurrection of Revelation 20:4-6 and the “catching up” of 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18. Some have reasoned since
Revelation 20:4-6 only includes the martyred of tribulation and excludes those
who endure unto the end (Matthew 24:13-15) who are “caught up” (1 Thessalonians
4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54), then there must be a flaw. But there is no flaw. Revelation 20:4-6 is talking about the first
resurrection of the dead and how they reign with Christ for a
thousand years. Those who are “caught
up” when Jesus returns do not die, but are “caught up” and translated like
Enoch (Hebrews 11:5). Simply put… if you
do not die, there is no need for resurrection.
Only those who are dead will require resurrection. So understanding this, it is clear to me
Revelation 20:4-6 specifies the martyred of tribulation and excludes those who
are “caught up” for the simple reason those who are “caught up” never die so
they require no resurrecting. Now I want
to make clear I do not have knowledge regarding what happens to those who are
translated or “caught up” per (1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Corinthians
15:50-54). Perhaps they will reign with
Christ 1000 years? Perhaps they will be
in heaven wearing white robes with palms in their hands (Revelation 7:9)? Perhaps, just like the tribulation martyred saints
did for a time, their souls will spend time under the alter wearing white robes
(Revelation 6:9-11)? I don’t know their
fate because the Bible does not reveal it and I meekly believe it is
counter-productive to speculate.
Revelation 20:4-6 makes it very clear those who are martyred during the
tribulation will be resurrected first (first resurrection) and will reign with
Christ for a thousand years. Those who
are alive and remain at Jesus’ second coming will be “caught up” and become
immortal according to (1 Corinthians 15:52-54).
They will indeed be “with the Lord” per (1 Thessalonians 4:17) but what
they will do and where they will go is pure speculation and in my opinion is
not edifying to attempt to reason. The
book of Revelation 20:4-6 gives clear revelation and we shouldn’t presuppose or
add to the scriptures by implying something that just isn’t there. We should leave it to 1 Thessalonians 4:17
which clearly reveals they will be “…with the Lord.” Amen.
Again, if you read Revelation 6 and 7 and then
compare that to Revelation 19, 20 and 21, you get a picture of how God has used
the tribulation martyred saints to become His redeemed to join Him at the
battle of Armageddon, the marriage supper of the lamb and then to reign with
him for a 1000 years. Just to clarify,
all Christians are priests unto God through Jesus Christ our mediator (1 Peter
2:5-9, Revelation 1:6, 1 Tim 2:5, Heb 7:26-27, 9:24-28, Eph. 2:18). The only distinction made here is that these
tribulation martyred saints will be part of the first resurrection and will
consequently be priests living and reigning with Christ during His 1000 year
reign. It is my opinion right now (and I
might be incorrect) that the rest of the churchly priests who sleep in Jesus
will rise but not yet be resurrected (John 11:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 – emphasis on v. 14, Revelation
20:5). It says in 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18 that those who sleep in Jesus will rise. But Revelation 20:4-6 implies they might not
be resurrected. A possible answer
to 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18 as opposed to Revelation 20:4-6 is this. Because many don’t understand Revelation
20:4-6 and want to believe since 1 Thessalonians 4 says all who are asleep in Jesus
will, upon Jesus return, “rise” and be “with the Lord,” this automatically
implies they must be resurrected at that time.
I believe this is an assumption and I want to explain. If this is true, it would perfectly explain
the conundrum. Please consider the
following…
During
the Tribulation period, Revelation 6:9-11 describes souls under the alter
(implying they are not yet resurrected) who cry out to God awaiting judgment
and their justification. These souls
under the alter are “with the Lord” and even receive white robes and are told
to “rest yet for a little season.”
So, these martyred souls (during the tribulation period) are resting and
waiting in heaven for their number to be complete and are also waiting for
their eventual resurrection (which happens at the first resurrection according
to Revelation 20:4-6). I want to
clarify… for them to be given white robes and for them to be told to “rest”
makes it pretty obvious they are in the presence of the Lord. Their bodies are dead, their souls are in
heaven, waiting…for their resurrection.
So, considering such, how can anyone automatically assume 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18 implies resurrection?
The verse says God…“will bring them… they will rise…they will be with
the Lord.” I assure you, the exact same
thing can be said of those martyred saints whose souls are “resting”
under the alter awaiting resurrection.
Their souls rose to heaven under the alter…God must have done
that…they’re obviously with God. It all
fits. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 implies
all the same things as Revelation 6:9-11… and those in Revelation 6:9-11 are
not yet resurrected… so it’s possible those in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are also
not yet resurrected. All I am trying to
prove is it is very possible those who sleep in Jesus who were not martyred
during the tribulation period can in fact, “rise, be brought of God and also be
with the Lord” all without being resurrected.
I believe Revelation 6:9-11 proves this absolutely. For
those who think a thousand years is a long time to rest in God’s presence,
please remember the words of Peter:
2 Peter
3:8
But,
beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and
a thousand years as one day.
According to my belief, those
who sleep in Jesus and are bidden to rise per 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (perhaps only to “rest”
under the alter – Revelation 6:9-11) will… during the 1000 year reign be
“with the Lord” according to 1 Thessalonians 4:17. I believe Revelation 6:9-11 is evidence as to how this
is possible… to in fact be, “with the Lord” and not yet resurrected. If this is true, since they are “with the
Lord” their wait will not be a 1000 years as supposed, but only one day. In other words, all who are martyred during
the tribulation will live and reign with Christ on earth for a 1000 years
(first resurrection – Revelation 20:4-6), all the rest who sleep in Jesus and
rise will be “with the Lord” in heaven during that 1000 year wait and because
they are indeed “with the Lord” that 1000 years will be to them as one
day. They will possibly be “resting” under the alter of God or even
worshipping in heaven during the 1000 year reign of Christ… awaiting the white
throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Just to bring clarification… the Bible says in Revelation 20:6… “Blessed and holy is he who hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…” I believe this is correctly interpreted that
since the tribulation martyred saints take part in the first resurrection, they
do not stand before the great white throne judgment 1000 years later. They will reign with Christ during that 1000
years and any judgment from the white throne judgment (second death) will have
no power over them. This is because they
are exempt from the white throne judgment having taken part in the first
resurrection… previously reigning and ministering with Christ for a 1000
years. Please reread all of Revelation
20 for understanding of what I have explained.
Last Admonishment
I want to first say I am
not infallible. In no way shape or form
do I believe this interpretation is based on 100% truths. The Bible says we know in part and we
prophecy in part. I have written these
end time interpretations not because I believe I have all the knowledge, but
simply because I believe the church needs to consider all the evidence and then
go forward dutifully. I read a lot, and
I have read some end time literature which I believe is very inaccurate. I believe my interpretations have a lot more
truths then they do errors… and I also believe they become edifying. I do not see how someone can read my
interpretations and then walk away worse for the wear. If anything, my interpretations will spurn
and inspire people to study the scriptures for themselves… so hopefully, in the
future, we can (as a church) come fairly close to that 100% accuracy.
Others may ask why I
specifically wrote this interpretation.
Here is my direct answer. I am
not living to minister to fallen saints.
I am accountable to minister to the living, and to those who can be
reproved and admonished by the truth. I
do believe we are living in the last days.
Even if judgment does not hit my generation… it can’t be too many
generations behind. I write these words
to edify the living. I believe the
living are the ones who need instruction.
I have singled out revelation from the Bible relating to the end times
that I believe will affect the living, rather than the dead.
It is my hope to encourage
the living to discern the times ahead so that they can make the choices the
Lord requires of them. They can’t do
this without the proper knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
I believe I have given the living church knowledge that will comfort
them regarding the hard times ahead. I
believe this knowledge will equip them with the Godly understanding to see
things for what they are, and not for what sinful man wants them to become
(Matthew 16:23). Make no mistake about
it… hard times lie ahead for the Gentile church, but my desire is to put these
things into prospective so the Gentile church can become strengthened and
enlightened for those hard times. May
God bless you and give you speed as you accept His direction and His will for
your lives.