“The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” – Thomas Fuller, Ralph Stanley, & Bob Dylan

Actually… the quote isn’t quite accurate, at least from a literal standpoint. The darkest time of the night is 12-2am, depending upon the season and location within a time zone. But nerdiness aside, the quote is true from a prophetic standpoint and, though the fellas who quoted it had different perspectives, there’s a reason why it relates to us.

When darkness falls, folks retire and go to sleep. Pretty normal. Been happening for thousands of years. Sometimes, if a party is planned, folks will stay up late and “party-on”. But, eventually they, too, will go to sleep (hopefully back at their house, not at the host’s, on a lawn, or in jail). The transition between being awake and asleep generally occurs when the night is darkest, around midnight. However, for the individual, the “darkest hour” is when the sleep is deepest, usually in the last hours of the night, just before dawn.

Night, and the inclination toward sleep, or partying (then sleep), is paralleled with the days leading up to Jesus’ return. The Apostle Paul’s instructions regarding this time are unique…

1Th 5:6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

let us not sleep – Not a big deal except for the fact that, at night, the majority of folks are asleep, so staying awake is abnormal, socially and physically. Here, Paul is exhorting believers to go against the norm with regard to the increasing darkness, sin, and godlessness in the world. And this will be doubly difficult as 1) social ridicule and the alienation of believers becomes more prevalent, and 2) sinful behavior becomes more acceptable, with opportunities to sin more available and inviting. Nevertheless, our instructions are clear: “let us not sleep”, and let us not risk sleep by closing our eyes in weariness.or in blindness.

let us watch – To counter the temptation to fall-in with the majority, Paul teaches vigilance and attentiveness, both of which emphasize engagement. Specifically, he’s speaking of watchfulness regarding the Lord, His return, and the accompanying indicators. In the third verse preceding Paul likens the events of the Day of the Lord to a pregnant woman – the day and the hour may be unknown, but what’s about to take place is inevitable. Therefore, let us not be lethargic and indifferent with regard to His eminent return, but “let us watch”.

and be sober – There are different ways to watch. Paul advocates that we watch “and be sober”. As the world grows darker, believers are to avoid the indulgences of the flesh in compensation for the world’s woes. Is it any coincidence that the liberties in which we indulge result in fatigue and weariness? Our liberties are really just distractions that create more distractions from the Lord! No; instead, “be sober”.

Drawing near to the day of the Lord, the world will become increasingly dark. And it’s pretty dark already! But while the darkness continues to fall, believers are exhorted to be awake, attentive, and vigilant regarding the Lord and His return. Contrary to the disciples who slept in the darkness of Gethsemane, whose “spirit was willing but their flesh was weak”, may we, by being attentive to Him, remain steadfastly “awake” unto the break of day when the Son will appear!

Who is The Church who will be Raptured? Where better to find the answer than the words of Jesus addressed to the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation 1-3.

Re 1:11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Broadly: The Seven Churches were located in Asia. While being comprised of Jews and Gentiles, all were generally regarded as Gentile congregations. Historically, the Church has carried-on this distinction, even to today. Therefore, given the context of Jesus’ address, The Church who will be Raptured will be predominantly Gentile.

Re 1:13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Re 1:20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Specifically: The Church who will be Raptured is a congregation of individuals who have the collective characteristics found in the Seven Churches, among whom Jesus is in the midst.

Identifying The Church who will be Raptured – 7 characteristics Jesus will seek

1.  Intimacy with Him [Ephesus]

Re 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

2. Fearlessness [Smyrna]

Re 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

3. Rejection of False Doctrine [Pergamos]

Re 2:14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
 15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

4. Abstinence from Sexual Immorality & Idolatry [Thyatira]

Re 2:20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

5. Watchfulness [Sardis]

Re 3:3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

6. Faithfulness Keeping His Word [Philadelphia]

Re 3:10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

7. Zealousness [Laodicea]

Re 3:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
 16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Re 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Pretty handy to know Jesus’ list for ID’g The Church who will be Raptured in advance of the event, isn’t it?

There’s a good amount of controversy surrounding the Tribulation and the Church. Some believe the Church will be absent, having been raptured in advance (a.k.a. pre-tribulation rapture). Others believe that the Church will endure for a period of time, and then will be raptured (a.k.a. mid- or post-tribulation rapture). And some even believe that the whole of Revelation was already fulfilled in the 1st Century (preterist non-rapture)! Remarkably, upon examination of the Scriptures it becomes evident that the Church does not have a role in the Tribulation or Wrath, and will therefore be removed beforehand. Hopeful news if you’re a born-again believer!

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God’s “wrath” is for the the ungodly (ref verses below), and the “tribulation” will be the Jews’ (Dt 4:30, Mt 24:21)

Throughout the Bible the term “wrath” is referenced specifically with the Tribulation period, where God’s wrath is poured out upon the unbelieving world, while the Jews are undergoing tribulation and testing (anti-semitism as never before – Dt 4:30, Mt 24:21). The terms, Wrath and Tribulation, can be essentially regarded as synonymous timeframes, with “wrath” being associated with the Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl events. It’s also worth noting that neither the Tribulation nor the Wrath should be confused with the Judgment (Re 20:11-15 White Throne Judgment), which will occur after the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ (ref Chronology).

“Wrath” is referenced early in the Tribulation [6th Seal]

Re 6:15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

“Wrath” is referenced later in the Tribulation [7th Trumpet = Bowls]

Re 11:18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Re 15:1 ¶ Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

“Wrath” is referenced at the end of the Tribulation [after 7th Bowl]

Re 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Additional references to “wrath”, pertaining specifically to the Tribulation period: Isa 9:19, 13:13, Jer 10:10, 50:13, Zep 1:15, Re 14:8, 14:10, 14:19, 15:1, 15:7, 16:1, 16:19, 18:3, 19:15.

The ungodly are appointed to wrath

Job 21:30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath.

Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Lots of additional references: Ps 79:6, Pr 11:23, Isa 13:9, Eze 7:12, 7:14, 7:19, 13:15, 21:31, 22:21, 22:31, 38:19, Na 1:2, Zep 1:18, Mt 3:7, Lu 3:7, Joh 3:36, Ro 2:5, 9:22, 1Th 1:10

The Church is not appointed to wrath

1Th 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Precedent: God doesn’t destroy the righteous with the wicked

Ge 18:23 ¶ And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Ge 18:25 “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

The church will be saved and delivered from the wrath to come

Ro 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Enoch is a “type” of the faithful church, having been removed prior to the Flood. Noah and his family, who prepared for and endured the Flood, are a “type” for the 144,000 Jews and Saints who will survive the time Tribulation.

Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

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Conclusion: The Church is not appointed to the wrath; therefore, born-again believers can live in hopeful anticipation of the Rapture preceding the Tribulation. And, knowing that the time is short, believers can be all-the-more inspired to boldly share the Gospel in order to save as many as possible from the coming Tribulation and final Judgment.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up [raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The Book of Revelation is remarkable, and the Tribulation will be a time like no other! The understanding of both is discovered in the chronological structure of the Book. When Revelation, and the Tribulation period detailed within, is seen this way (ie as it’s written), then the whole of “The End Times” comes into clear view.

The basis for the “chronological” hermeneutic is found in three points:

1. Revelation 1:19, where Jesus specifically tells John to write what he was about to see, which was defined linearly:

Re 1:19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

2. The repeated use of the phrase, after these things (Grk: meta tauta)… a) implies sequence and chronology, and b) recurs 9 times throughout the Book – Rev 1:19, 4:1, 7:1, 7:9, 9:12, 15:5, 18:1, 19:1, 20:3

3. The specific structure of “the Tribulation (seal, trumpet, bowl) events” reveals a “nesting” characteristic, where… a) the 7th Seal leads to the 1st Trumpet, and b) the 7th Trumpet leads the 1st Bowl. The “nesting” denotes sequence.

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“the things which you have seen”

Jesus is identified at the Alpha & Omega (Rev 1)

“the things which are”

Jesus’ letters to the churches (Rev 2-3)

“the things which will take place after this”

After the Church (implying after the Rapture)

View of God’s Throne (Rev 4)

Jesus takes the scroll with the 7 Seals (Rev 5)

The 7-year period of Wrath upon the Ungodly and Tribulation for the Jew (70th week of Daniel – Dan 9:27)

Seal 1 – White Horse (Rev 6:1-2)

Seal 2 – Red Horse (Rev 6:3-4)

Seal 3 – Black Horse (Rev 6:5-6)

Seal 4 – Pale Horse (Rev 6:7-8)

Seal 5 – White Robes given to early Tribulation Saints (Rev 6:9-11, 7:13-14)

Seal 6 – great earthquake, sun black, moon “blood”, stars fell, sky receded, mountains & islands moved (Rev 6: 12-17)

Seal 7 – 144,000 Jews sealed (Rev 7:1-8); silence for half-hour (Rev 8:1); 7 trumpets prepared to sound (Rev 8:6)

Trumpet 1 – Hail & fire, with blood: 1/3 trees and all grass burned (Rev 8:7)

Trumpet 2 – Great mountain into the sea: 1/3 sea, creatures, ships destroyed (Rev 8:8-9)

Trumpet 3 – “Wormwood” star falls: 1/3 fresh water made bitter (Rev 8:10-11)

Trumpet 4 – 1/3 sun, moon, stars, day, & night darkened; “3 woes” announced (Rev 8:12-13)

Trumpet 5 – Woe #1 (Rev 9:12): Bottomless pit opened (Rev 9:1-12)

Trumpet 6 – Woe #2 (Rev 11:14): “Four Angels” released; 1/3 mankind killed 3 plagues – fire, smoke, brimstone  (Rev 9:13-21); Mighty Angel with Little Book [pertaining to 7th Trumpet] (Rev 10); Temple measured, Holy City [Jerusalem] under foot 42 months (Rev 11:1-2); 2 Witnesses prophesy 1260 days (Rev 11:3-13)

Trumpet 7 – Woe #3 (Rev 12:12): Heavenly temple opens, Jesus begins His return (Rev 11:15-19); the devil “comes down” (Rev 12:12); parenthetic lesson regarding Satan & the Beast [Anti-Christ] (Rev 12-13); Jesus on Mt Zion with 144,000 Jews (Rev 14:1-5); 3 Angels preach to the world (Rev 14:6-12); the great winepress of the wrath of God (Rev 14:13-20); sign of the last plagues [Bowl Judgments] (Rev 15)

Bowl 1 – foul & loathsome sore on the Marked (Rev 16:2)

Bowl 2 – sea to blood, all creatures die (Rev 16:3)

Bowl 3 – rivers & springs to blood (Rev 16:4-7)

Bowl 4 – sun scorches, men blaspheme (Rev 16:8-9)

Bowl 5 – darkness over throne and kingdom of the beast, men blaspheme (Rev 16:10-11)

Bowl 6 – Euphrates dried, demonic activity, Armageddon staged (Rev 16:12-16)

Bowl 7 – “It is done” (Rev 16:17-19:4) – greatest earthquake, islands & mountains leveled, great hail (Rev 16:17-21); Mystery Babylon described & judged (Rev 17-19:4)

Upon Jesus’ return

Marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:5-10)

Jesus & the armies in heaven on white horses conquer, Beast & False Prophet cast into Lake of Fire (Rev 19:11-21)

Satan captured, thrown into Bottomless Pit (Rev 20:1-3)

1000-yr Reign, ending with Satan’s release and rebellion (Rev 20:3-9)

Satan cast into Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10)

White Throne Judgment, Death & Hades cast into Lake of Fire, unrighteous cast into Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11-15)

New Heaven & New Earth (Rev 21-22)

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Re 22:20 ¶ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

At significant moments in Biblical history, God changed the name of a few characters to correspond with their relationship, identity, and future related to Him:

Abram (high/exalted father) to Abraham (father of a great multitude) – cf. ACC Ge 17:5

Sarai (my princess) to Sarah (princess of nations) – cf. ACC Ge 17:5

Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (prince with God) – cf. ACC Ge 32:28

Lucifer (morning star) to Satan (adversary) – cf. ACC Isa 14:12 & ACC Job 1:6

Simon (hearing) to Peter (rock/stone fragment) – cf. SC Grk4613/Heb 8095/Heb8085 & cf. ACC Mt 16:18

Joseph (let him add) to Barnabas (son of encouragement/exhortation) – cf. SC Heb3130 & ACC Ge 30:24 & cf. ACC Ac 4:36

Saul (asked/sought) to Paul (Latin: little/dwarf -or- Heb: extraordinary/ wonderful) – cf. ACC Ac 13:9

ACC = Adam Clarke Commentary, SC = Strong’s Concordance

Similar to a bride whose name and identity changes to her husband’s when wed, God will, at a significant moment in history, change His bride’s name to correspond with her new relationship, identity, and future in Him.

Re 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Re 3:12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

And, although the bride may not know the new name yet, God already does!

This Sunday, May 27, 2012, is Pentecost, a significant day for the Church, particularly in these last days.

• The Church was born on Pentecost when the overflowing power of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon believers to bear witness to Jesus.
• Just as the Church began on Pentecost, some believe its work will be completed with the the Rapture on Pentecost, after which the “70th Week of Daniel” [Tribulation] will begin.

Insights pertaining to The Church, Pentecost, and The Rapture:

• Enoch (whose name means “teaching”, and is regarded as a type of the church), according to tradition, was born and “raptured” (Ge 5:24) on Pentecost
• Israel arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai on Pentecost, where Moses received the Law on Mt Sinai and the nation was born (Ex 19:1)
• Unlike all the other Jewish Feasts that call for unleavened bread, Pentecost requires bread baked with yeast, regarded as “firstfruits to the Lord” (Le 23:17)
  
• Ac 2 occurred prior to 9am in Jerusalem. What time would that have been in your time zone? [EDT: prior to 2am]

Bottom line: Whenever the Rapture takes place, on Pentecost or on some other seemingly “random” day, we can be certain that the Lord is coming for those who are watching for Him.

Lu 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

Maranatha! (1Co 16:22)