Pentecost Resurrection #6

Pentecost Resurrection

Fred R. Coulter—June 8, 2008

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We'll continue where we left off yesterday, after going through Revelation two and three and seeing how that the seven weeks of the harvest of the firstfruits then coincides with the seven churches. And the seven churches are a prophetic history of the Churches of God—and that's how God views them. And, as we saw yesterday, we've all seen various aspects of the different churches take place within our lifetimes.

Now, let's come to Revelation, the fourth chapter. Now what we're going to do is review just a little bit and go forward and we're going to talk a little bit about the 144,000 of Revelation 7. Before we do that, we're going to talk about the event that takes place just prior to the events in Revelation 7. And remember how we covered in one of the sermons—and I think it's also interesting that when we put it together, there's an awful lot that takes place leading up to the fulfillment of Pentecost and what takes place after the fulfillment of Pentecost and as it pictures the first resurrection.

Now today we're going to see that there is, after the forty-nine days, the fiftieth day we will see there is a separate harvest of God. And we will see that in Revelation 7. But what I want to cover before we get there is beginning in Revelation 6:12—and with that then we are going to ask some questions. As we've already seen how the tribulation—we've established the three and a half years as the last part. Then we've also seen that the tribulation against Israel itself, as prophesied in Hosea, the last part of chapter five and the first part of chapter six, that God ends the tribulation against Israel after two years. And then in the third year God says that He would raise them up. So let's see how that fits into Rev. 6 & 7.

Let's begin in Revelation 6:12—the sixth seal. This is going to be a tremendous thing that's going to take place on the earth, in the events that take place; and in the heavens because something's going to happen in the heavens that has never happened before, and it's going to create a great consternation on the earth. So let's read it: "And when He opened the sixth seal… [Now remember the prophecies do not unfold until God says it's time for it to unfold. That's why we have Rev. 4 & 5, and the scroll with the seals, and then Christ opens the seals. So here's the sixth seal]: …I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as the hair of sackcloth, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its untimely figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the heaven departed like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place" (vs 12-14).

Now let's look at some prophecies about this. Let's come back to Isaiah, the thirteenth chapter, because this is revealing the beginning of about the last year and four months of the events that are going to take place. And Christ is going to reveal Himself—we actually have several prophecies in Isaiah: 2 & 13, so let's go to Isaiah 13 and we'll see where God says He's going to shake the heavens, shake the earth and also in the book of Haggai, chapter two.

Isaiah 13:6—this is the beginning of God's judgment against Babylon the Great, but it's not finished until sometime later: "Howl! For the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty…. [The day of the Lord has not quite come at this point, but it is 'at hand.'] …Therefore, all hands shall be faint, and every man's heart shall melt… [We'll see how that is expressed in Rev. 6] …And they shall be afraid. Pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them. They shall be in pain like a woman who travails. They shall be amazed at one another, their faces are like blazing fire. Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger… [So in order for the day of the Lord to be finished, there has to be the wrath of God. And we'll also cover that.] …to make the earth a desolation; and He shall destroy the sinners out of it, For the stars of the heavens and their constellations shall not give light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not reflect its light. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the tyrants" (vs 6-11).

Verse 13: "Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall move out of its place… [This is why no one knows—even though we can look at it from the point of view of the Holy Days—at this time you don't know which day is which, as I've explained before.] …in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger."

Now let's come to the Minor Prophets, and let's come to the prophet, Haggai, the second chapter, which begins on page 691 (new Bible). Haggai 2:6: "For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once again—it is yet a little while—I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land…. [And we see that fulfilled in the sixth seal in Rev. 6] …And I will shake all the nations; and the desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than that of the former,' says the LORD of hosts…." (vs 6-9). And we saw last year during the Feast of Tabernacles, what will the temple be like on earth during the Millennium. So if you need to go back and review that, go ahead and do that.

Now let's come back here to the book of Revelation, chapter six, and we will see, again, the parallels of it. And remember that the book of Revelation, as we've covered yesterday, is the seventh division of the Bible because all the prophecies in the Bible relate to the events that are described in the book of Revelation. And the book of Revelation is the only book which gives us a timeframe of the events to take place, especially as they are related to the framework of the Holy Days. You start out Revelation, the first chapter, what do you have? You have Passover and the resurrection of Christ. Then you have Revelation two and three, which combines the spring Holy Days and Pentecost because of the seven weeks of harvest. We have the harvest of the seven churches and we know that in Matt. 13 it says that the harvest will take place at the end of the age.

So here we are when God intervenes now, we have come to the point of the first five seals being open, which then ended with the martyrdom of saints with the fifth seal. And of course, Satan is going to be furious, as we know (Rev. 12). So a lot of these things I'm going to mention that we have also covered in other sermons, but we can't put all the Scriptures together all in one sermon because it would be ten hours long—or better. And we saw that when the martyrdom of the saints is complete, the fifth seal, then what does that tell us? Let's ask the question: With the technology that's available on the earth today, can they find anyone anywhere at anytime that they desire? Yes, indeed! And, will they be able to find all of those who refuse the mark of the Beast, because if you refuse the mark of the Beast you're going to be martyred—just no way around it. We find that also in Rev. 13.

But, Revelation 12 tells us that there are going to be some taken to a place of safety for the entire tribulation period of three and a half years. Remember, we already covered that. Now IF—now there is some suppositions made, so I'm going to ring my cowbell once; you notice I rang it delicately because I'm pretty sure of this. When it comes to the point of the final martyrdom of the saints, there is one Scripture that has to be fulfilled that Christ promised concerning His Church. And that has to do with the place of safety, because the fifth seal, I believe, tells us that there is going to be a worldwide hunt for all Christians and they're going to martyr them; because we are going to be blamed for all of the disturbances against the world government and against the world-religion. So all of those not in a place of safety will be martyred. Who that will be, in the place of safety; and who are those who are going to be martyred? God is going to make the decision Himself because He alone knows the hearts and minds of men. And we won't get into a discussion of Petra boxes and things people used to be consumed with. As we have seen, that has all gone by the wayside with the misunderstanding of men. So this is why we have to put it together carefully with the Scriptures and make sure that we are making sense as we are going along.

Yes, we have to take some here and take some there and put it together and build the whole picture. But nevertheless, whoever are those who are in a place of safety they are not going to experience a martyrdom, are they? If all of those outside of a place of safety are martyred, what prophecy do those in a place of safety and still living in the flesh fulfill? Matt. 16, Jesus said, "I will build My Church and the gates of the grave shall never prevail against it." So as long as there are some still living in the flesh, in a place of safety, while the rest, it says, Satan goes out and "makes war against them" (Rev. 12). Rev. 13 says that the Beast has "power to overcome" the saints and they "love not their lives unto death." So that means the only Christians in the flesh, who are alive, are those in a place of safety.

Since we're all concerned about our own lives, many people want to escape. No one wants to go through all of this. But nevertheless, that's a decision God is going to make for us—it's not one that we're going to make. So when that takes place, after the martyrdom is completed, then we have the sixth seal that is opened. And we read it down here to Rev. 6: 13—now let's read here and see what else is going to happen.

A special event is going to take place in heaven that has never occurred! Revelation 6:14: "Then the heaven departed like a scroll that is being rolled up… [then the whole earth shakes because of that—because God said He's going to "shake the heavens, shake the earth and the sea, the dry land' and everything. Now what's it going to be like to see the heavens rolled back? What is this going to reveal? What is this going to show?] (Let's read on a little bit more the description here and then we'll find out some more about it—v 15): …And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the powerful men, and every bondman, and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains… [You can tie that together with Isa. 2] …And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb Because the great day of His wrath has come, and who has the power to stand?'" (vs 14-17).

Now, we're going to look at some other things in just a minute. However, let's understand something: Is Christ ready to stand on the earth at that point? No! That doesn't take place until Rev. 19. Are the saints resurrected at this point? No! That doesn't take place until Rev. 11 with the last trump. Now, let's put this together with the seven weeks of the harvest being the harvest of the Church. When the last of the martyrs are killed—not counting the two witnesses, they're a special case—that ends the Church Age; that ends the Church harvest—and that includes all who have the Holy Spirit of God now and who survive into that time and become martyrs. No one who has the Holy Spirit today will become one of the 144,000 in Rev. 7.

So let's see what God does. Here's another principle: Does God always honor repentance? Yes! Always does, even in some of the worst cases! That's why we have the record and the history of King Manasseh who reigned for 55 years and was one of the most evil and wicked kings of Judah. And when he was sent off into captivity to Babylon, he repented; and his repentance was so deep and sincere that God even inspired that the king of Babylon raise him up out of the dungeon and send him back to Jerusalem to rule as a vassal king under the Babylonian aegis. What did he do when he got back? He destroyed all the idols that he made, cleaned up the temple, which he had polluted and dedicated to Baal the sun god.

Now, think about all the events that are taking place on the earth beginning with the second seal, the third seal, the fourth seal, the fifth seal. And then here's the sixth seal and the "heavens roll back as a scroll." What are a lot of people on earth going to do? I mean, what would you do? Besides being absolutely terrified, there are going to be a lot of people repenting! And God promised that He would raise up Israel after two days and in the third day—the third year, probably toward the beginning of the third year or sometime shortly after that, which would put it on the time-period close to Pentecost. That's why if you don't have the series on Daniel and Revelation be sure and write for it—it's 38 messages, so you write for it, you'll see the sequence there.

So God says He's going to begin dealing with Israel (Hos. 6) after two years because they repent. Since the church age has ended and the seven-week harvest has already taken place, there's one more day of harvest, which is the fiftieth day. So this is why I have proposed in the chronology that the events in Rev. 7, with the 144,000 and the great, innumerable multitude, take place on the next to the last Pentecost before the resurrection on the last Pentecost when everything is completed.

So let's see how this fits. Now, we've already covered a great deal of Rev. 7 in these sermons that I've done leading up to and what's going to happen before Pentecost and so forth. So what we are going to do is: We will quickly summarize Rev. 7 and then we will look at a parable which will help explain the 144,000. So we will have several things to explain it.

Number one: the last fiftieth day harvest of God, because we see that they're going to be resurrected and come before the throne of God. It says "they came out of great tribulation." Now, that's why it doesn't include any of us. None of us have come out of great tribulation even though we may have had a great many difficulties in our lives. So let's read it. God honors repentance, so here's what He does. And the whole world is going to know that this is going to take place, because they are going to see something in the heavens—we'll get to that in just a minute. But this is why they will repent, because not everyone is going to repent, but the one's who are listed here are going to repent.

Let's read it: Revelation 7:1: "And after these things… [So it follows right along, right after the sixth seal is opened] …I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that the wind might not blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree." So imagine this now: Here the great earthquakes take place, the earth is shaking, the heavens have been shaking, the sea has been shaking, islands have moved out of their place and then all of a sudden, a great calm! Not even the wind is blowing! That's going to get their attention, isn't it? Those who repent will use it for an opportunity to repent. Those who won't repent will take it as an opportunity to re-gather their armies and their forces. And we can be convinced of this, too: that the False Prophet of Rev. 13 is going to proclaim—even though it says here "the wrath of the Lamb"—he's going to proclaim that this is the antichrist in the great deception that comes upon the whole world. So here's this great calm! No wind at all.

"Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to damage the earth and the sea, Saying, 'Do not damage the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads'" (vs 2-3). Now, sealing is receiving the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). We are sealed with the promise of the Spirit until the redemption of the purchased possession. So this means that these people were NOT converted until they were sealed at this particular time.

Now, v 4: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed: one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel…. [Now that's who the 144,000 of Rev. 7 are. Now we've already sent out the sermon about the 144,000 of Rev. 7 and 14, so go back and go over that because there is a strong indication that the 144,000 in Rev. 14 have to do with a different set of people out of the earth. And it's not put in a timeframe that we have here in Rev. 7. So just to give you a partial answer of that; there's more to it, but we can't give everything in one day.] (v 5): …From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed…" (vs 1-5). God promised there in Zech. 12 that He would save the tents of Judah first. And you read all the rest of the way through it, then you have, v 9: "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one was able to number, out of every nation and tribe and people and language, was standing before the throne and before the Lamb…" This shows that they will be resurrected! But they can't be resurrected to stand before the Lamb until what? What has to occur? The last trumpet—because the resurrection doesn't take place until the last trumpet. So this is a prophecy showing that they will be resurrected. And that's why it says that 'these are those who are saved out of great tribulation.'

Now just hold your place here and let's come back to Matthew 20, and let's look at a parable that helps explain this to us. We've also seen the parable in Matt. 13 about the planting of the grain and the harvest at the end of the age, etc.; and that is fulfilled by the Feast of Pentecost. Now, here in Matthew 20—here is a parable that tells us something that's important, and, I think, fits in directly with the 144,000 and the great, innumerable multitude. So let's read the parable here and Christ's explanation of it. And I think we can apply this to the next to the last Pentecost, the harvest of God. And I've also asked the question: Since it is the harvest of God, the work of God directly intervening, could it be that in God's harvest on the 50th, as pictured by the 50th day Pentecost, the next to the last Pentecost, that there are actually more people who are given salvation on that day than any of the work of all the preaching of the Gospel by the ministers and Church down through time? Very possible. Remember, I rang my cowbell.

Matthew 20:1—here's what Christ says: "The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to a man, a master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard. And after agreeing with the workmen on a silver coin for the day's wage, he sent them into his vineyard. And when he went out about the third hour… [So this must have been early morning just after sunrise—which was about 9 o'clock] …he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; And he said to them, 'Go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' And they went. Again, after going out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did likewise. And about the eleventh hour… [Right at the end, just before sunset] …he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all the day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'Go also into my vineyard, and whatever is right you shall receive.' And when evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the workmen and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first'" (vs 1-9). Now we saw how that tied in with the resurrection of the two witnesses—remember? Yes!

"And when those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, they each received a silver coin. But when the first ones came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a silver coin. And after receiving it, they complained against the master of the house, Saying, 'These who came lasthave worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have carried the burden and the heat of the day'" (vs 10-12). Now this is symbolizing receiving eternal life. There are going to be some who will be saved out of great tribulation that have not gone through all of the things that all of us have gone through and He's going to give them eternal life. Now that's God's judgment.

And you know, you can tie in there also the parable of the "prodigal son"—and the son that remained back. The prodigal son went out and spent everything, ruined his life, ended up being a slave—and for a Jew, the worst thing possible is feeding swine. Having nothing himself to eat. And then he came to his senses and repented and went back to his father. And the son that was faithful, when he found out there was a celebration for the son who had sinned and returned and repented, he got mad and wouldn't go in. Well, here's another parable that says God is going to decide what He's going to do, and be thankful that you have been called. And the most important thing in life is to be faithful unto the end, whether your life is long or whether you life is short; or whether you're still living at the time of the resurrection or not.

Now notice: "But he answered and said to them, 'Friend, I am not doing you wrong. Did you not agree with me on a silver coin for the day? Take what is yours and go, for I also desire to give to the last ones exactly as I gave to you. And is it not lawful for me to do what I will [or desire] with that which is my own? Is your eye evil because I am good?'…. [Then He gave the lesson of it.] …So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last; for many are called, but few are chosen" (vs 13-16). Now He also says that in the parable concerning the wedding feast, which I will cover. I don't think I can get to that today, but I'll cover that a little later so we can have another complete series on the events before and after Pentecost. Hopefully explained in a little different way so everyone can get the point.

All right, now let's come back to Revelation, the sixth chapter. Let's see what event is going to perpetrate this, and how the earth will view this event of the heavens being rolled back as a scroll. Now it's going to be an astonishing event! And where is the other Scriptures which give us an understanding as to what is going to happen. Now, we've already read it there in Rev. 6, so let's come to Matthew 24. Now, some have taken umbrage to the way I translated this portion of Matthew 24, but let's look at it—and the Greek verifies that the translation that is here is the correct translation. So how are the heavens going to be affected when it's rolled back as a scroll? They're going to see something that they have never seen before.

Matthew 24:26: "Therefore, if they say to you, 'Come and see! He is in the wilderness'; do not go forth. 'Come and see! He is in the secret chambers'; do not believe it. For as the light of day, which comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be" (vs 26-27). It's going to be an event that the whole world is going to see. What was their reaction to it? We saw back there in Rev. 6. Now let's analyze this just a little bit:

• 'The light of day'—now the King James has "lightning"—and that can mean a burst of light, a flash of light.
• But then the other verb here is: "comes forth from the east"—isn't it interesting: it starts in the east and comes to the west. And that lines up with everything that was set up with the temple. God always came into the gate on the east—and when He was in the temple the priest would worship toward the west. That's why it was a sin for them to worship the sun to the east, in addition.

Now, let's analyze this a little bit:

• "and shines"—now the Greek there means to shine as an asteroid. And as the Greek word is 'astrape'—which is equivalent to the English word 'asteroid.' Now when there are asteroids out in the heavens they look like another sun, don't they? That's why it shines as far as to the west. Now when the heavens roll back as a scroll, they can look up into the heavens and see something they never saw before, which is this, as I have said, looks like another sun or a huge asteroid that is coming to the earth.

Now as the earth is turning, because it doesn't stop turning on its axis, it gives the same appearance as the sun shining or rising in the east and setting in the west. Now the question is: How long will that take place? There would be no purpose in just having a flash, zoom, bim bam boom! and Christ sets His feet on the earth immediately. Too many events have to take place. So I think that the Scriptures are telling us that right here in v 27, this is the event which shows the beginning of the return of Christ.

Now, let's come down here to v 29 and let's read this: "But immediately after the tribulation of those days… [and we can put in there that we have seen, which is against Israel—because He's talking about the events that are centered around Jerusalem.] …the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken…. [That's what Rev. 6 tells us, correct? Exactly the same thing!] (Now notice): …And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven…" (vs 29-30). What is the 'sign of the Son of man in heaven'? This great flash of light that takes place when the heavens are rolled back as a scroll, and then shines from the east to the west as an asteroid. Now that'll get everyone's attention! Have there even been movies on this? Remember there was a movie: there's a great asteroid coming to the earth, and it's going to destroy the earth. And lo and behold, Russia and America all cooperated and they all aimed their rockets with their atomic bombs up to this asteroid and they shot it out of the heavens and saved the earth! A little mental preparation! So that's the "sign of the Son of man" in heaven, not on earth.

"and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (v 30). Now question: Does this give us any timeframe as to how long it takes before they see the coming of Christ to the clouds? It first starts where? In the heavens, they're parted as a scroll. Then it gets closer to the earth and comes to the clouds. Now what happens?

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Understand something: In the verses we just read—from v 27-31—it gives us a sequence, but it doesn't give us a time-setting. And we have to find the time-setting in Revelation. And just because it says: "And" (v 30), "And" (v 31), does not tell us that these events happen quickly, one after the other. There could be a timeframe involved. So we'll look at Revelation here in just a minute and we will see. For example: Verse 29 says ""But immediately after the tribulation of those days…" And we tied that together with Hosea 5 & 6 about "after two days" and then the third day—a day in prophecy is a year, so the tribulation against Israel is lifted after two years, and somewhere after the beginning of the third year, which ties in very, very sequentially with the book of Revelation, chapter 6 & 7. But even though as we saw, they will be resurrected and come before the throne of the Lamb, they are not resurrected until everybody else is, at the same time—correct? Yes! So that's the time-setting that we have.

So here we have Rev. 6 [transcriber's note for clarity: the same time-setting] Matthew 24:29: "But immediately after the tribulation of those days… [Then we have v 30]: …And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven… [That's when the heavens are rolled back as a scroll.] …and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…. [So we start out with what? Verse 27]: …For as the light of day, which comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be." So we have an extended period of time of the return of Christ to the earth. This not two comings!It is ONE elongated coming until the resurrection, as we will see. And then Zech. 14 says: "…in that day He shall set His feet on the Mt. of Olives…" When is the day that He sets His feet on the Mt. of Olives? Only after Christ and the saints come down from heaven to the earth—from the Sea of Glass.

So that's why I have kidded many times that when I travel and fly in a plane, I'm in heaven. Are the clouds in heaven? Yes! We're going to see we're going to meet Him in the clouds. There's going to be a meeting. And what will the meeting involve? Well, I'm getting ahead of myself, but we'll get there. So what I'm saying is: You have sequence of events, but you do not have a time-setting here in Matt. 24.

Verse 31: "And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet…" What is that called? What did Paul call it? The last trump! If there's 'the last trump' that means there are other trumps—right? Have to be! Otherwise you couldn't have the last trump. If there was only one trumpet blown, you wouldn't have to distinguish the first, the second, the third, the fourth, and so forth and then come to the last. For example: If Harry Curly walked in the door and he was the only one here you wouldn't say he was the last one here, you would say he's the only one here. But if we are all here and Harry Curly walks in the back door, he's the last to come. So then, that gives us a time-sequence. So that's why we need to pay close attention to the Scriptures and put them together properly.

"…and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (v 31). When we are resurrected what happens? Let's answer that question here. We're kind of getting ahead of ourselves, but that will help us when we get there.

Come to 1-Thessalonians 4—which is right before the book of Hebrews (pg. 1,202 in the new Bible). We're just a little ahead of ourselves, but let's read these things first, and then we'll go back and look at the time-sequence in the book of Revelation. 1-Thessalonians 4:13: "But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in exactly the same way also, those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him…. [How do they get there with Him? We just found out. The angels will take them there (Matt. 24). That's going to be exciting, isn't it? You're resurrected, the angel's taking you up, and you say, 'Oh, what's your name?' Tells you his name. 'Whooo, look down there on the earth, where we going?' You'll know when we get there, because there's a big sea of glass up there.] (v 15): …For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep… [The dead in Christ shall rise first (1-Cor. 15)—we'll see that in just minute.] …Because the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout of command… [one event—is that the rolling back of the heavens as a scroll?] …with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…" (vs 13-17).

Where is Christ coming to after the sign of the Son of man appears in heaven? And for the length of time, let's just say this: Since the heavens depart as a scroll, and that event takes place after two years, the sign of the Son of man in heaven must appear at the time of the rolling back of the heavens. So if the [resurrection of the] [transcriber's insert for clarity] 144,000 of Rev. 7 and the great innumerable multitude of Rev. 7 takes place on the next the last Pentecost, how long does the sign of the son of man appear ending up with Christ in the clouds above the earth? One year—from Pentecost to Pentecost—but we haven't come back to the earth yet. They will still see something from the last Pentecost to Trumpets.

Now let's go on, let's continue here: "…in the clouds for the meeting with the Lord in the air; and so shall we always be with the Lord" (v 17).

Now, turn back to 1-Corinthians 15:49—just a few pages back. That's what this day is all about. It is about the resurrection and the events leading up to the resurrection. So let's pick it up beginning in 1-Corinthians 15:49: "And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust… [that's us now, we're flesh] …we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one." We're going to be changed.

I tell you what, I'm going to do a sermon on change and hope and it's going to make Obama look like a piker, because you can't solve spiritual problems by political means.

• And we have the greatest hope,
• and we will have the greatest change,
• and we will affect the greatest change on the earth when we come with Christ to rule on the earth.

And if Obama's still alive, he's going to be on his knees repenting. And whoever's put in charge of Obama, he's going to say, "Yes sir! Yes sir! Yes sir! What do you want me to do? Oh, I repent of all that I ever said and did." Because what's wrong with the world is not a political solution—that's the problem! The solution is the right God! Out in the world they look at the last six commandments and say, 'Well, we can agree on almost all of these.' But it's first four that are most important, because you can't keep the last six unless you have the first four; and unless you have the right God. So that means that we, as true Christians, have the greatest hope, the greatest change.

Let's read it here, this is something! Verse 50: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed…" (vs 50-51). That's what it says there in Phil. 3, that He's going to transform our bodies to be made like His glorious body. Now if you want change, that's the greatest change you could ever have or hope for—right? Yes!

• We've got the greatest message on hope.
• We've got the greatest message on change.

and it's not just a change from Republican to Democrat. It is to change the whole world with the Kingdom of God! And we've got to be prepared for that.

Let's go on: "…we shall all be changed, In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed…. [Now that's going to be a fantastic event. And God is not going to let this thing take place just in one day—there's a lot to be done! Do you think that any group of people anywhere, after 6,000-plus years of God, with the prophecies and everything that has been done on the earth, do you think that in one day He could prepare everyone to come and rule in one day? As we supposed with a Trumpet's resurrection? No! We've got to know what to do, where to go—we'll talk about that in just a little bit.] (v 53): …For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality. Now when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptibility, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: '"Death is swallowed up in victory.'" (vs 51-54).

We're going to have a victory celebration. And every time you see someone win the Super Bowl, there's a great celebration; or someone win a basketball final and they're champions of the NBA and there's a great celebration; don't you think there's going to be a fantastic celebration, all of us resurrected? Yes, indeed! That's why Pentecost is a feast day!

"O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" (v 55). That's why it starts out in the first part of the book of Rev. where Jesus told John, 'Don't worry, I've overcome death and the grave.'

Sometimes when you watch some of these commercials you can pick up things that are very interesting. How about the one for UPS: Don't you worry about a thing. Well, apply that to God. If you're on God's side and Christ is going to resurrect you, don't you worry about a thing! NOTHING! And if you're temporarily worried because there are a few troubles in your life right now, remember God has promised: "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." So, don't worry about a thing! Don't go to the UPS Store. Go to the place where you pray and study and thank God for all that He's going to do.

Now, let's come back to the book of Revelation because we still have some ground to cover here. So we will propose that—and I think that we're on safe ground in proposing that that is so: That Rev. 7 occurs right at and shortly after, beginning right at the time that God determines that next to the last Pentecost is going to be—and this is His last minute harvest as depicted by the laborers of the eleventh hour. Now then, we come right back into sequence, Rev. 8. And just like the first four seals came in quick order, so likewise now we have the first four trumpet plagues. Now when do they start? I'll ring the cowbell once again. Could it be that the trumpet plagues start on the next to the last Feast of Trumpets? Possible, very probable. Now, I will go through these in the events leading up to Trumpets.

Nevertheless we come through all of the trumpets, different events take place—which we will cover—and that has to do with the world ending up fighting Christ. Now let's come here to Revelation 11:15—the seventh angel. Now if there are seven trumpets to be blown, which one is the last trumpet? The seventh trump—right? Have to be. It doesn't tell us about eight or nine does it? No! Just seven. Let's notice what happens at the seventh trump:

Revelation 11:15: "Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying… [Now this is when we're going to be resurrected. It's introduced with this]: …'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity'…. [The end of human rule and human governments. And since this has been planned going way back into the time before the creation of the world…] …And the twenty-four elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshiped God, Saying, 'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come; for You have taken to Yourself Your great power, and have reigned" (vs 15-17).

And all the nations fell on their knees and repented. And all their armies threw down their weapons and ran. NO! NO! After the seventh trump is blown and the resurrection takes place, events keep going on because it's not at the end. And if the seventh trump pictures the resurrection—which it does, everyone will agree to that—and if that takes place on the last Pentecost, how much time is there left before the next Feast of Trumpets? Four months! Let's see what happens during those four months. Because events take place and here's why:

"For the nations were angry, and Your wrath has come… [Rev. 6 announced the wrath of God, but His wrath does not fully come until after what? They're completed with what? The seven last plagues are called 'the wrath of God.' So the resurrection takes place and the wrath of God has not yet come on the earth.] …and the time for the dead to be judged… [Our final judgment will be the resurrection] …and to give reward to Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to all those who fear Your name, the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth'" (v 18).

Now then, an event takes place that John sees. We don't know if the rest of the world sees this, but at least John sees it. And if we are resurrected at the seventh trump will we see this? Which also begs another question, which is: How far away is God's throne from the earth? Now most people imagine that since the first heaven is where the clouds are, and the second heaven is the universe out there as far as the eye and telescopes can see, or man's vision can encompass, that the third heaven must be way, way, way off someplace. But is it? You read other prophecies, like we saw there in Rev. 4, that the seven spirits are the seven eyes of God that go through the whole earth. I'm going to have to give a sermon on that God is closer to the earth than we imagine, but just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't closer. So here is something that takes place.

"And the temple of God in heaven was opened… [so he saw the temple in heaven] …and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple… [Now, question: Is this the Ark of the Covenant in heaven? As differentiated from the Ark of the Covenant that God instructed Moses to make on the earth, which everyone is trying to find. And I can guarantee you it's not in Ethiopia.] …and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake and great hail" (v 19).

Now, we're going to see there are other earthquakes and there's more hail to come. All right, let's come over here to Revelation 15. Now some people have questioned about the Sea of Glass. All right, they said, "Well, the Bible doesn't tell us much about it." Okay, I have a question for you: Do you believe that Revelation talks about the False Prophet? Yes! Guess how many times that the False Prophet is mentioned by the name "False Prophet"? Twice! (Rev. 16 & 19). Now if you take the same logic, just because the Bible doesn't talk much about the Sea of Glass that we shouldn't believe in it, why then should you believe that there's going to be a false prophet, when the Bible names him "False Prophet" twice? (Rev. 16 & 19). Did we see the Sea of Glass in Rev. 4? Yes we did! Did we see a sea of glass in Exodus 24? Yes, we did! So why should it be thought so strange that all of those who are going to be in the first resurrection, to meet Christ in the air in the clouds, that there's going to be a sea of glass up there in the clouds? Think about that for a minute! Here's the sign of the Son of man that appears like an asteroid that is coming closer and closer and closer to the earth. We don't know if they're going to try and send up rockets to get rid of it or not. They may try and do that.

Now when the seventh trump is blown and the saints are resurrected, is the world going to see this? And if they see this, are they going to think aliens from outer space are snatching bodies big time off the earth? And when they look up and see the Sea of Glass—which if it's in the clouds they can see it—what are they going to think? Well, the Beast and the False Prophet are going to say this is the antichrist.

So let's read about the Sea of Glass. Revelation 15:1: "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and awesome: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is filled up…. [So at the time of the resurrection the wrath of God has not been finished—right? This is the finality of the wrath of God, is it not? Yes, it is.] …And I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gotten the victory over the beast… [As we have covered before: the Beast in the form of Satan began when? The Garden of Eden.] …and over his image… [And that's all idolatry down through time, is it not?] …and over his mark… [Which comes at the end of the age] …and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass" (vs 1-2).

Now, who are the ones who are standing there? What is the victory? We just read it (1-Cor. 15): over death! Which means those of the saints whom God had perfected for the first resurrection, raised from the dead.

"…standing on the sea of glass, having the lyres [harps] of God. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and awesome are Your works, Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints…. [Who is on the Sea of Glass? The saints! Singing to God for His greatness.] (v 4): …Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You only are holy; and all the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been revealed'" (vs 2-4).

Well, they don't come and start worshipping before God until after Christ is on the earth with the saints—correct? Then you tie in Isa. 2, etc., etc.

"And after these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened…." (v 5). Now, is the throne of God going to be just above the Sea of Glass? Let's ask some questions:

• If we are spirit beings, can we look upon God in the person of Christ, face-to-face? Yes, because we'll be there with Him.
• Who resides in the Holy of Holies in heaven above? God the Father
• If that is opened, as spirit beings will we be able to see God the Father?
• Why not?

Now let's see some of the things that have to take place after we're resurrected. We're going to have a spirit body. We're going to have to learn how this thing functions. How do we turn up the glory in power? And how do we turn down the glory in power? How do we know who we are? Let's ask another question: Are we then the new creation in God? Yes, we are—finalized, complete! When God created Adam and Eve, did He give them a new language in their heads? Yes, He gave them a language. How are we all going to communicate unless all the saints in the grave right now are taking lessons in English? I ask that as kind of foolish question. It's meant to bring home a point. The only way we're all going to be able to communicate is, is when we are resurrected God gives us a heavenly language. Can He do that? Yes, He can, just like He put in an earthy language in Adam and Eve.
All right, what next is going to take place? I've got seven things listed here that have to take place on the Sea of Glass before we come back to the earth with Christ. Now, these are found on page 152 of the first edition of the Occult Holidays or God's Holy Days, Which?

• You're going to receive a new name so you know who you are. Didn't Jesus promise to give us a new name? Yes, indeed! We're going to have to understand the name. And if we don't have a heavenly language, which God gives to us at the time we're resurrected, how are we going to know what our name is? So we have to have a language.
• The saints are given their rewards. You can tie the Scriptures in there: Matt. 25, the parable of the pounds; Luke 19, the parable of the talents. We'll be given rewards. They will vary, won't they? Some greater, some less.
• The saints will receive their assignments as kings and priests. Because when it comes time for all of us to come back to the earth, we've got to know where we're going and what we're going to do, right? Do we not? Can you imagine the mass confusion without the preparation?
• The marriage of the Lamb and His bride will take place. I'll cover that in a subsequent sermon.
• The marriage supper will take place. We're going to have great feast. We're going to have a great celebration. We're going to rejoice in being spirit beings!
• The saints will witness the seven last plagues poured out—which is the vengeance of God. And what is the seventh plague? Battle of Armageddon.
• They will be gathered into God's army and will fight with Christ as they return to the earth with Jesus to establish the kingdom and government of God on the earth.

All organized, all assigned, all together in spirit and in unity as to what we are going to do.

Now it's going to rather exciting to understand and realize all the saints of all time. Remember how many times God said what? "Vengeance is Mine, wait on the Lord." And in their lifetimes they never saw the vengeance of God. And maybe the last thing they saw was the ground as their head was in guillotine slot, just before their heads were removed. But God says we're going to see the vengeance of God. That's what the seven last plagues are all about.

Now the question is: Where will the Sea of Glass be located? Well, if Christ is going to put His feet on the Mt. of Olives in the day that He puts feet on the earth, where is the Mt. of Olives? Just to east of Jerusalem. So where will the Sea of Glass be? Over Jerusalem! Where are all the armies going to be gathered to fight against Christ? All around the Holy Land.

Let's come to Psalm 149 and let's see one of the Psalms, and let's see one of the songs that we are going to sing just before the seven last plagues are poured out—which is the vengeance of God. And Psalm 149 is a prophecy—v 1: "O praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints." Now this will be the resurrected congregation of the saints. And Jesus is going to present us to the Father as recorded there in Heb. 2, that He will say to God the Father, and to all of us in our presentation to the Father, 'Behold! The children that You have given Me.' And I don't know what blessing the Father's going to give at that time, but I'm sure He is.

"Let Israel rejoice in his Maker… [apply all of this spiritually to us resurrected] …let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name in the dance… [Now, I don't know if we're going to dance on the Sea of Glass or not, but I'm sure we're not going to be strapped to chairs.] …let them sing praises to Him with the drum and lyre, For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation…. [So this is a spiritual Psalm.] …Let the saints be joyful in glory… [Isn't that going to be something, having the glory of God in your very being? Yes!] …let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand… [To come back to the earth to do what?] …To execute vengeance upon the nations and punishments upon the people, To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with iron bands, To carry out upon them the judgment written—this honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!" (vs 2-9).

Now next week I'm going to continue on in Rev. 16, and we'll carry the events on from there.

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 6-20-08

Scriptural References:

• Revelation 6:12-14
• Isaiah 13:6-11, 13
• Haggai 2:6-9
• Revelation 6:14-17
• Revelation 7:1-5, 9
• Matthew 20:1-16
• Matthew 24:26-31
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
• 1 Corinthians 15:49-55
• Revelation 11:15-19
• Revelation 15:1-5
• Psalm 149:1-9

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Revelation 4, 5
• Hosea 5, 6
• Isaiah 2
• Matthew 13, 16, 25
• Revelation 12, 13, 19,
• Ephesians 1:13-14
• Zechariah 14
• Philippians 3
• Exodus 24
• Luke 19
• Hebrews 2

Also referenced:

Sermons:

• The Millennial Temple—Day 2 & 3 FOT 2007
• Difference between 144,000 of Revelation 7 & 14

Book:

• Occult Holidays or God's Holy Days, Which? by Fred R. Coulter