The Tribulation
Part 1

The Tribulation

In the web page "The Rapture" we explained what will next happen to the True Believers. According to the Bible this is the next event to take place, there are no prophecies given which must happen before this event of the Rapture.

We have briefly given several passages which bring this out:
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

"15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

1 Corinthians. 15:51-53.

" 51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

As we approach this event there will be many people who will claim to have the answers to the world troubles or even claim they are the Messiah, Jesus warned us of these possibilities and we are not to be fooled.
In fact as you are reading this it may have already taken place and you are wondering what is about to happen to you and the world. You have been "left behind" and now are to face the Tribulation which are described in the following text.
Throughout history there have been many attempts to work out the future plans of God by interpreting the Scriptures in the Bible and what appears to be prophecies for the future. We must remember that many actions or events prophesied would probably not make sense to someone living over 2000 years ago, especially if the prophecy involved the description of any object involved from today. So some words or descriptions may not make sense, even to us, until the situations or the event occurs.
There are over eighteen hundred prophecies in the Word of God, the Bible, concerning the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. In love God has revealed to us what is the future, He has given us these signs so that we can understand His plans for Mankind.
Certain nations in particular are involved, - Israel, Europe, Russia and Babylon. Ezekiel prophecies of Russia leading an alliance of other nations to attack Israel. We can expect that the financial world will be based upon a city called Babylon. The city of Babylon is mentioned throughout the Bible, it was a pagan city against God from the beginning. It became a very important city for nearly two thousand years before being destroyed. Yet its influence is still apparent and the prophecies indicate it will rise again and become the centre for trading.

The Tribulation Period now commences.

Most of the information concerning the Tribulation period is found in the book of Revelation.

In chapters 1-3, we are given details of the vision that John was given concerning the Lord Jesus Christ followed by the messages Jesus gave for the seven churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and finally Laodicea.
In chapter 4 and 5, John is transferred into heaven where we hear about the great scroll with the seven seals which could not be opened until the appearance of the Lamb of God. It was stated that he is the only one who was able to open the seals on this scroll.

What is this scroll?

When God created Mankind He gave them the title deeds to the world and this is written on the scroll, but unfortunately when Satan tempted Adam and Eve and they failed to obey the rules set by God, then Satan won these title deeds to the world. When Jesus, the God/man died on the cross, he took the punishment and claimed back the title deeds from Satan.

As the Lamb of God He has the right to open the seals upon these deeds and release the contents.

As these seals are opened we are shown the future events as planed by God, His judgements on Mankind, and the future of Mankind on earth, the Tribulation period is now commencing.
God appears to be allowing the world to have its own way. Having lost from the earth the many millions of True Believers into heaven, their presence and effect on the earth has been taken away, the presence of the Holy Spirit has also left with them.
As each Seal is opened various events happen in heaven and on the earth.

The First Seal is opened.

The Four Riders.

Revelation 6:1,2.

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

Following the first seal we see someone who comes in great power to rule the world, the white horseman, who conquers. The bow shows his power, the crown indicates dominion, he has great power. Who is this person? This horseman is imitating the Lord Jesus, who does not actually appear until later. This is the AntiChrist, the devil’s false Messiah.

Daniel 8:24,25.

"24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."

The Second Seal is opened.

Revelation 6:3,4.

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

A Red Horse is released who had the power to take peace away from the earth. We think that the world is bad today. The Bible prophesied that it will get worse and worse. Just consider the weapons which are even now available to mankind, what will the future hold, the world might be about to suffer a nuclear war or biological war.

The Third Seal is opened.

Revelation 6:5,6.

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

In the time of John, a quart or "measure" of wheat was about the daily food required for each person to survive. The "penny" would be about a days wages for a normal worker. This is indicating that the price of food will rise so much that a person would just about earn enough for himself each day. Widespread famine is the obvious result.

The Fourth Seal is opened.

Revelation 6:7,8

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

John now sees two persons riding out towards the earth, "Death" is on the pale horse and "Hades" is following behind. They have great power and the result is that a fourth of the world population is killed as a result of the actions of the previous three horses, the sword, the famines, and possible plagues etc.
I urge you to make sure that you do not see these first events by repenting of your sin and asking Jesus to forgive you and come into your heart today. We will now have a closer look at the those involved in the opening of the first four seals.

The Antichrist.

Over history there have been many people who appear to be the AntiChrist, some actually claiming to be that person. Hitler often referred himself as the messiah. It appears that at first the Antichrist brings peace to the earth because war and death does not appear until the opening of the second seal. The AntiChrist, or "against Christ," is a man who has been taken over by the power of Satan, he will offer himself as the answer to the problems of the world. There are over one hundred passages which describe the Antichrist, yet the actual word only appears in four verses found in the letters by John.

1 John 2:18;

"18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."

1 John 2:22;

"22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

1 John 4:3;

" 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

2 John verse 7

"7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."

There are more than twenty-five names or titles given to the Antichrist in the scriptures, all help show the evilness of this man. We know that Satan gives him his power, his authority and throne, is he Satan incarnate?
Here are some of these names.

Daniel 7:7-8.

"7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things."

See also Daniel 7:24,25;

2 Thessalonians. 2:7-12.

"The Antichrist is described in great detail, yet we are not given any idea of his identity. However, you will know when he appears after the Rapture of the church. "

Revelation 13:5.

We also know that he will be a great,charismatic leader whose enhanced words will turn the people to him. Note that his words will also be against God, blasphemies. Daniel prophecies that the Antichrist will be cruel and take over the whole world, any who turns to God will be persecuted.
As he will make a covenant with Israel we must assume that he will come from a Gentile nation.

The False Prophet.

The Antichrist will rise to power but he will not be alone, he will be accompanied by a person called the "False Prophet," a worldwide spiritual person who will control and provide signs and miracles which will deceive the world and give world power to the Antichrist.
In Revelation 13:1ff we are told that John the Baptist is standing upon the sand of the seas when he sees the first Beast rise up from out of the sea, which represents the people, this is the Antichrist, John sees another Beast rise from out of the earth, this is to be known as the False Prophet.
We must note that both beasts originate from the earth, the Antichrist from out of the seas, the people of the world, while the False Prophet comes from the earth, neither come from heaven and must therefore be human, not angelic beings, they therefore must both receive their power from Satan.

Revelation 13:11-15.

"11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

In Revelation 13:1ff John the Baptist is using symbols to explain the evilness of th False Prophet, it appears that he will initially appear with a humble but attractive personality, he will combine politics and religion with careful but subtile words, giving very convincing arguments so that the people believe him, thus he will be able to control the peoples minds with his speeches.

With the addition of Satan we now have the false, unholy trinity of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Authority comes from Satan to the Antichrist, the False Prophet receives his power via the Antichrist and is enabled to lead the people to worship the Antichrist. In addition to having the ability to lead the minds of the people with his words, the False Prophet will be able to demonstrate and use the great power given to him, produce great signs and wonders, so with the words and signs he is able to quickly deceive the people of the world, using the power which was being given through the Antichrist, who gets his power from Satan, the Dragon, Rev 13:2-8.

The False Prophet is able to copy Elisha's action by calling fire from heaven, possibly he is pretending to be Elijah. He will later create an image in the Jewish temple, what it will look like we are not told but could be made to be an image of the Antichrist, Revelations 13:14. This image will be able to breath and speak, Rev 13:15. This action must be accomplished by demonic power.
This indicates that Satan has the power to work real miracles, they are not tricks, read Matthew 24:24.

We are not told much about the False Prophet in the scriptures except that he is a religious leader of some sort and has the ability to perform these miraculous signs. This power, we are told comes, from Satan via the Antichrist. These powerful demonstrations convince the world to follow and ultimately worship the Antichrist, they believe that he must be the world leader that they have been searching for.
Revelation 13 lists some features associated with the False Prophet:-

1) There is no identity of which nation the False Prophet comes from, he appears to be some sort of a religious leader. Some think he must be Jewish, as the two horns suggest a lamb, a ’false sacrifice,’ but seeing the Anti-Semitic behaviour and actions later by the Antichrist, it is unlikely. The two horns indicate that he appears to be gentle and timid, yet spake as a "dragon," like Satan.

2) v11 He rises from the earth.

3) v11,12 He is controlled and motivated by Satan.

4) v12 He controls world religion.

5) v12 He encourages worship of the Antichrist.

6) v13,14 He is able to perform great miracles and signs.

7) v14 He is full of lies and falsehoods and so is able to deceive the people of the world.

8) v15 He has the power to make the image of the beast behave as if alive and to speak, then it appears to have the ability and power to kill any who do not worship it.

9) v16 The False Prophet creates some sort of identity for those who have worshipped the Image, a "Mark" or possibly a electronic device, connected somehow with the number 666. Using this identity mark he is able to control the economy, because without this "Mark of Identity" that person will not be allowed to work or purchase food etc.

The words used in the original scripture for the two "Beasts" has the same meaning, "one of a kind," indicating that they are very similar in attitude and behaviour. For the Antichrist to appear the world must be prepared in two ways, the Rapture must occur first,this is when all the millions of True Believers are removed from the earth into heaven, secondly, the Holy Spirit’s controlling action against Satan is removed from the earth. Satan will be allowed a free hand with those left on the earth. The Holy Spirit will still be bringing salvation to any who ask for it.

The Work and Political power of the False Prophet

The main task of the False Prophet will be to make the Antichrist and become an acceptable and a credible world leader, to deceive the world into worshipping the Antichrist. We are not told much about the work of this "beast" but there are many other scriptures about "false prophets."

In Revelation 17 we are told about a very specific woman with the title, "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

Verse 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. We are told that she is "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:" so it is obviously some religious, anti-church system which will be controlled by the False Prophet. A copy of the True Church, which is now in heaven, but hating all that it stood for, hating Christian teaching, forgiveness and the worship of God.

John tells us that the False Prophet will introduce sweeping economic plans for the world.
Revelation 13:16,17.

"16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

No one will be allowed to trade in any way without this license Mark. Anyone who refuses to worship the Image and so accept the Mark will not be allowed to buy or sell anything.

With the addition of Satan we now have the false, unholy trinity of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Authority comes from Satan to the Antichrist and the False Prophet leads the people to worship the Antichrist.

What is the location of the Antichrist and False Prophet?

There is some disagreements over this information, the scriptures refer and seem to indicate that the Antichrist will be based at a city called Babylon. Babylon has existed for many thousand years, records shows it back to 2300 B.C., and was possibly the location which was involved with the Tower of Babel.
It stood on the banks of the river Euphrates, which flowed through the middle of the city and so divided it into two almost equal parts. The city was about 200 miles above where the river Euphrates joined the river Tigris. Babylon was the capital and it gradually grew in extent and grandeur, but in the process of time it became controlled by Assyria.

On the fall of the Assyrian city of Nineveh (606 B.C.) Babylon became free off the Assyrian control and became the capital of the now growing Babylonian Empire. Under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar it became one of the most greatest and splendid cities of the ancient world. It eventually ceased to be the capital of an empire, over the years it was attacked again and again by the visiting enemy armies, ultimately the inhabitants were driven from the city, and so the original city became a complete desolation, the location and site being forgotten about. However, 1 Peter 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. indicates that there was a town called Babylon, was this the original Babylon in some form? Recently some attempts have been made to rebuild the main city of Babylon by the now deposed leader of Iraq.

Against this idea that the Bible is talking about a rebuilt Babylon we find scriptural references which appear to be associated with the Roman Empire, now the European Union, and the city from which the Antichrist will rule is built upon seven mountains, which points to Rome, which was very much involved with the old Roman Empire and the formation of the now European Union.

"8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."

Time will answer this problem, but it is more important that you were part of the Rapture and now in heave with our Lord.

Beware of false Prophets.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.

"3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Matthew 7:15..

"15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

2 Timothy 4:2-4.

"2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

"14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

2 Peter 2:1-3

"1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving’s while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."

2 Timothy 3:10-17.

"10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

The Martyrs.

The Lamb now opens the fifth seal.
Revelation 6:9-10.

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

After the True Believers have been taken up to Heaven in the Rapture there are many who now realize how wrong they have been and turn to Jesus as their Saviour. Satan and the Antichrist cannot tolerate these and destroy any who refuse to worship the Antichrist. These martyrs are the believers who turned to Jesus after the Rapture. Following the Rapture, God will apparently redirect His point of focus upon Israel, as a result there will be many Jews who turn towards Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Who will be able to tell them about Jesus, as all True Believers will have gone? There will be many Gentiles who went to church but never put their faith truly in Jesus and have now realize how foolish they were and turned to Christ. In addition there must be millions of copies of the Word of God in all major languages and distributed around the world, many will have these copies and will read these Bibles and find the truth.

God will also raise up two witnesses special men who will proclaim Jesus to the Jews and the world. According to the prophet Zechariah, in the period of the Tribulation, two-thirds of the Jews on the earth will be killed. Zechariah 13:8,9.

"8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."

Jesus told his disciples when they asked about the end times. Matthew 24:9,10..

"9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."

In the time of the Tribulation there will be many who turned to Jesus after the Rapture and become faithful Christians who must be prepared to die for their faith.
Revelation 6:9..

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

John tells us that these martyrs are waiting under the alter of God, a place of safety and honour, until He carries out His planned punishment. Each will be given a white robe.
Revelation 3:5.

"5 He that over cometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

The Sixth Seal is opened.

Revelation 6:12-17..

"12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

God now releases many events which involve both cosmic objects and earth bound events upon the people on the earth. Other scriptures contain references to these events.
Isaiah 34:1-5.

"1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcase's, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea (Edom), and upon the people of my curse, to judgment."

The Edomites were often at war against the Jewish nation.
Joel 2:30-31.

"30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come."

The world and the people of the earth are beginning to suffer the anger of God for His rejection.

144,000 Witnesses.

Revelation 7:1-8..

"1 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.
2 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,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 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 Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand."

God now releases His angels to control the climate of the world, but first He arranges a method of protection and care for the people who are on the earth and turned to Him in worship.
God is about to raise up 144,000, specially chosen, probably celibate, dedicated Jewish evangelists, 12,000 from each Jewish tribe. The number 12 has many connections with the Jewish nation, for example:- The breastplate worn by the High Priest had twelve precious stones. There were twelve holy loaves upon the showbread table in the tabernacle. The future city of God will have twelve gates.
God has chosen to use His special, chosen nation, the Jews, for a special ministry during these terrible times.
The angel tells John that the 144,000 will be specially sealed by God,
Revelation 7:2,3.

"1 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.
2 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,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

What is this seal?

In Rev 14:1 we are told that the seal identifies them as God’s own people and the seal obviously gives them great protection as the world is punished.

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. "

These witnesses will not worship the Antichrist or take the mark of the Beast, they will be totally dedicated to the work of God during this Tribulation time. All true Believers were also sealed by the Holy Spirit,
2 Corinthians 1:22.

"22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

Ephesians 1:13.

"13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."

Ephesians 4:30.

"30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Their preaching and dedication to God will bring millions of Jews and Gentiles to Christ,

"9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

The Seventh Seal is opened.

Revelation 8:1.

"1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."

What caused the half hour of silence in heaven? We are not told but with the breaking of the seventh seal comes the second series of judgments -the seven trumpets, was it so terrible it shocked those in heaven or did God introduce a delay for those on earth to think before the next stage?

The Censer and Trumpets

A single angel now approaches the altar and given a golden censer. He fills this censer with the prayers of the saints and fire from the alter. Seven angels have been given trumpets and now prepare to sound as the censer content is thrown onto the earth.
Revelation 8:5-13.

"5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"

The worse is yet to come!!!!

Gog and Magog.

In Ezekiel chapters 38 to 39 there is a prophecy that a massive confederations of nations will attack and invade the nation of Israel while it is having a time of peace and prosperity. The only time that we believe Israel will have peace is when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty as part of his rule following the Rapture.
So this event must take place during the first half of the Tribulation Period. The countries involved are listed in,
Ezekiel 38:1-6.

"1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee."

Some of the names may not be recognizable today, but taking the location of the names we find the following countries in these areas.
Gog (became "Rosh"). Russia. Magog. Central Asia. Meshech/Tubal/Gomer. Turkey. Persia. Iran. Ethiopia, ancient Cush. Sudan. Put. Libya.
Most of these countries are predominately of Muslim faith. They attack Israel. Ezekiel 38:9.

"9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee."

When they attack Israel it appears that God intervenes and destroy the army. Read Ezekiel 38:1 to 39:29.

Note that Iraq is not apparently involved, why? If you follow the plan of God you will see that Babylon is involved in the final destruction and Babylon is in Iraq. God may deal with Iraq then.
Revelation 9:1-21..

"1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."

Following the fifth trumpet sounding we see a "star" falls from heaven, but it is obviously a living being, an angel who has a key to the bottomless pit and releases creatures which John describes as "locusts," but as they come from the bottomless pit they must be demonic angels. As proof that God is still in full control, these "locust" are given power to hurt the people, without His seal of protection who have rejected God, for the next five months, but they are not to hurt nature in any way or those people with His seal of protection.
John tries to describe what these "locust" look like, it is difficult to understand what he saw but they seem to be able to sting like scorpions. They have something in their tail with which they can attack a person, the sting gives great pain but appears not to be life threatening to the person stung.

The Sixth Trumpet sounds.

As the trumpet sounds a commandment comes from the altar to release four demonic angels which had been locked up by God sometime previous. They are given the power to kill one third of the world&146s population that do not have the protection of God.

We are now told that an army of 200,000,000 "horsemen" has appeared, from the description given by John they are a human army, using modern weapons, probably from the nations to the East on the way to attack the Antichrist.

And yet those still alive would not repent or turn to God, preferring to still worship their idols, who obviously did not have any power and therefore could not help the situation in anyway.
Is something still withheld?
Revelations 10:1-10:.

"1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. "

A very large angel appears and places himself upon the earth. He makes an announcement and thunders speak, but John is forbidden to record the words spoken by the angel and the thunders.
The angel spoke again, "There will be time no longer," i.e. there will be no more delay. When the seventh trumpet is sounded judgement will be poured out and the end of the tribulation time will rapidly come.
Rev 10:7, "the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Truth about God will be revealed when His kingdom is established on earth. John is told to eat the little book (scroll), this is to remind him that what he is seeing may be pleasant to his taste, but bitter as it involves great judgement on the creation of God.

The Two Witnesses.

Revelation 11:3-13.

"3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindred's and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."

Considering the trouble that people have made for God He could easily have left the unbelievers to their fate, but God does not write off the many millions who are left on the earth, He sends two people with the message of salvation, reaching out to all who are willing to listen. It appears that they will be preaching during the first half of the tribulation period.

From the words of Revelation we are not told about the two messengers until halfway through the tribulation time. Their ministry is to witness the love of God for Mankind for a very specific period of a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Due to the love of God for His creation, they were present, preaching, on the earth from the time of the Rapture.
John reveals that these two witnesses will have great power and God refers to them as the two Olive trees as well as His messengers. These will give the message from God for three and half years:-

The Two Olive trees

"4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."

Most Bible students identify one of them as Elijah, because God took him up to heaven and because of the prophecy of Malachi 4:5.

"5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: "

Note that Elijah also used similar powers and miracles to those used by the Two Witnesses.

The second witness is usually identified as Moses, as both Elijah and Moses were present at the transfiguration of Christ.
Matthew 17:3.
In addition Moses also showed a similar type of power and miracles.

These Two Witnesses message will be meant for the whole world that may be left by now, both Jews and the Gentiles, because the judgement of God is about to come on any who do not worship God.
The preaching of these two witnesses will create intense hatred in many people and demand their deaths, but God has given them power to defend themselves, fire from their mouth, plagues and they can effect the climate, things like drought and water turned to blood.
God protects these two witnesses until their ministry is complete. We then hear of "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." The Beast, the Antichrist as such, has not been mentioned up to now but he has been at work on the earth, he signed a peace treaty with the Jews, he has taken control of governments and nations.
Revelations 11:8,9.

"8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindred's and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves."

The death of the Two Witnesses makes the Antichrist very popular and it shows how evil the people on earth have become. Most cultures bury their dead very quickly but these bodies were left to rot out in the open and the people had a celebration party, showing their contempt for their message and for God.
The "great city" is obviously Jerusalem, it is describe to be "like Sodom and Egypt," a place of evil.
We are told that the two bodies will be visible around the world, a situation which is very available today via satellites and the Internet.
After three and half days of celebration and joy by the world, God makes His next move and breaths life back into the two dead bodies, and "great fear fell on all those who saw it."; at this demonstration of the power of God.
A loud voice from heaven now summons them up to heaven. "And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. " Very visible to the world and this event will be followed by a very severe earthquake, which will destroy a tenth of the city of Jerusalem and seven thousand men. The word used for "people" actually has the meaning of "men of name." This could indicate that they were people of power or famous leaders who had come to gloat over the dead witnesses of God.
Would this event make the people turn to God? and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. verse 13. Unfortunately I doubt if this is a true turning to God, just emotion. However, some may turn truly to the loving call of God.

The seventh angel trumpet is sounded. The action now turns back to heaven.