CET: 6 The Sequence of Endtime Events According to Revelation 6-7 

Chapter 6

The Sequence of Endtime Events According to Revelation 6-7

Contents

A) The Revelation of Jesus Christ is for the Church

B) The Beginning of Birth Pains, Christ’s Return & the Church’s Rescue in Revelation 6-7

Primary Points

• In Revelation, the description of saints being persecuted by the Antichrist refers to the Church.
• Revelation chapters 6-7 demonstrate the same sequence of Endtime events as Jesus taught in His Endtimes Teaching.
• The Church’s Rescue is described in Revelation 7.

A) The Revelation of Jesus Christ is for the Church

Previously, we have confronted the popular view that Christ’s Endtime Teaching (Matt 24) has no application for the Church (ch. 3, sec. D). Unfortunately, the Revelation is often viewed the same way. For example, Pre-tribulationism teaches that because the word “church” is not used after Revelation 3:22, that therefore, the Church has no part in any events described afterwards. ^[1]

However, there are many reasons to reject this view. This would include the fact that the word “church” is never used in the OT either. Are we to conclude from this that nothing in the OT applies to the Church? The OT predictions about Christ certainly do. Likewise, there are several reasons that the Revelation applies to the Church.

First, most will agree that the first 3 chapters of Revelation apply to the Church, including the seven letters to local churches. Likewise, most would agree the last 3 chapters of Revelation apply to the Church, including the descriptions of the Resurrection (ch. 20) and the New Jerusalem (chs. 21-22). If such large parts of the beginning and end of Revelation clearly apply to the Church, then it seems questionable to assume that much of the remaining Revelation does not.

Secondly, let us note who the Revelation was written for. The very first verse of Revelation describes it as: The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants [doulois] what must soon take place (1:1 NIV). This purpose is repeated in the last chapter of the book where we read: The Lord … sent his angel to show his servants [doulois] the things that must soon take place (22:6 NIV).

This same Greek word (doulos) is translated throughout the NT over 30 times to refer to a servant (even slave) of God. ^[2] For example, we read, Paul, a servant [doulos] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle (Rom 1:1 NIV). Likewise, Peter writes, Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves [douloi] (1 Pet 2:16 NIV). Therefore, servants, is practically a synonym for Church members throughout the NT. Therefore, Christ’s servants in Revelation 1:1 and 22:6 certainly include the Church. This would be an odd way of introducing and summarizing the purpose of the Revelation if the vast majority of the book has nothing to do with the Church.

Granted, the servants of our God (Rev 7:3 NIV) can refer specifically to Jews or to his servants the prophets (Rev 10:7 NIV). But there are six other times the Revelation uses servants (doulois) to refer to a group of people and it is clear the term included the Church (cf. 1:1; 2:20; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3). Therefore, when we read that the martyrs in Revelation 6 must wait until the number of their fellow servants [syndouloi] and their brethren [are] killed (v. 11 NIV), should we automatically deny these servants are members of the Church? No, we should not.

Likewise, it is odd how easily so many ignore the use of the saints throughout the Revelation. Again, throughout the NT the Greek word for saints (hagios) refers to members of the Church over 50 times. ^[3] For example, Paul writes: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints [hagiois] (1 Cor 1:2 ESV). Likewise, in Revelation chapters 5 and 8 we read of the prayers of the saints [hagiōn] (5:8; 8:3, 4 NIV ^[4]). Does anyone want to deny that these include the prayers of Christians in the Church?

Later in chapter 11 we read: The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your … saints [hagiois] and those who reverence your name, both small and great (v. 18 NIV). Surely these saints to be rewarded include those in the Church.

In chapters 16-18, God is said to punish the world because they poured out the blood of saints [hagiōn] and prophets (16:6 NIV) and martyred saints [hagioi] and apostles and prophets (18:20 NIV; cf. the saints in 17:6; 18:24 NIV). Again, these saints certainly include the Church. In chapter 19 it is the saints [hagiōn] who participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb (vs. 8-9 NIV) and come to Earth on white horses (v. 14 NIV). The Church is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Revelation!

Where then does Pre-tribulationism want to exclude the Church in the Revelation? Any place the book mentions the suffering of God’s people. Therefore, we can understand why this view is popular. It is tempting for modern interpreters of Revelation to find a way to exclude themselves personally from the warnings of great persecution. But the saints throughout the NT and the Revelation include the Church. And so do the saints in Revelation 13. The Church will be on the Earth for these events:

He [the Antichrist] was given power to make war against the saints [hagiōn] and to conquer them. (Rev 13:7 NIV)

If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints [hagiōn]. (Rev 13:10 NIV)

So much for the common claim that the Church is absent from the Revelation after chapter 3! There are a total of 21 references to saints and servants referring to Christians in the Church in the Revelation. There is no biblical support for claiming otherwise. In fact, as we will see, the saints in the Revelation are the same Church members as the elect in the Christ’s Endtimes Teaching. ^[5]

We can pause here and ask why the word “church” (ecclesia) is not used in the Revelation after chapter 3. First, let us notice where the word church is used in Revelation. In chapters 2-3 where it refers to the local church in various cities. But notice that many of the people in these churches were not real Christians. He describes those in the church in Laodicea as spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Rev 3:14, 17; cf. Rev 2:20; 3:1-6; esp. v. 3 with Matt 24:50). That could not describe real Christians. Which is why Jesus essentially invites these church members to have a real relationship with Him when He says: “be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (vs. 19-20).

So why doesn’t Revelation use the word “church” to describe who will be persecuted in The Greatest Persecution? First, it will not be local churches in general who will be persecuted. Many false Christians in churches will abandon their faith when the Antichrist’s persecution begins (cf. Matt 24:9-10). It will only be the true servants and saints of God who will be persecuted. ^[6]

Secondly, the reason there are no references to the local church in much of Revelation is because it is describing The Greatest Persecution when local churches will be scattered and destroyed.

B) The sequence of Endtime events in Revelation 6-7

B.1) The Beginning of Birth Pains, The Greatest Persecution, & Christ’s Return & Wrath in Revelation 6

The book of Revelation is, The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show his servants what will happen in the future (Rev 1:1 NIV). ^[7] Therefore, we would expect Christ’s Endtimes Teaching in Revelation to be in harmony with His Endtimes Teaching in the Gospels. Both are on the exact same topic by the exact same Author. This correspondence is precisely what we find. When we compare the sequence of Endtime Events portrayed in Revelation 6 with that found in Matthew 24, we see that Jesus is confirming Jesus. ^[8] Both of these prophetic passages reveal the same sequence of Endtime events: 1) The Beginning of Birth Pains, 2) The Greatest Persecution, and 3) Christ’s Return.

[Stop and read Revelation 6:1-17]

In Matthew 24 Jesus said the first birth pain of the Endtimes would be “many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many” (v. 5 NASB). Likewise, the first seal describes a rider on a white horse emerging onto the world scene bent on conquest (Rev 6:2 NIV). It is rather clear that this rider will be attempting to imitate the rider on a white horse described in Revelation 19 (v. 11) who will be Jesus Christ. Therefore, the First Seal portrays the first birth pain of False Christs coming into the world. Elsewhere it will be argued that the emerging Antichrist will be the first and foremost False Christ. ^[9]

In Matthew 24 Jesus said the second birth pain would be unprecedented wars and nation rising against nation (vs. 6-7). Likewise, the second seal portrays a rider with a large sword who is given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other (Rev 6:4 NIV). That is war.

In Matthew 24 Jesus said the third birth pain would be famines and plagues (Luke 21:11 NLT; cf. Matt 24:7). Likewise, the third seal describes a severe shortage of food when it will cost an entire day’s wages for two pounds of wheat (Rev 6:4 NIV). With the opening of the fourth seal we read that famine and plague contribute to people living in a fourth of the earth being killed (v. 8 NIV).

In Matthew 24, Jesus said after these beginning of birth pains, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death” (v. 9 NIV). Likewise, the fifth seal portrays those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony for Jesus they had maintained (Rev 6:9 NIV). This is The Greatest Persecution following The Beginning of Birth Pains. Then Jesus described what will happen after the completion of the greatest persecution:

Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution, then ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the sky. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. (vs. 29-30 ^[10])

Likewise, with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6 we read:

The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth… Then … everyone … called to the mountains and 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! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Rev 6:12-13, 15-17 NIV; cf. Isa 2:19-21)

This is describing the Cosmic Signs that will immediately precede Christ’s Return and the beginning of Christ’s Wrath. Revelation 6:16-17 makes this clear. With the appearance of the Cosmic Signs, unbelievers will recognize “the wrath of the Lamb … has come.”

Notice something very important. Many popular views on the Endtimes teach that all of the preceding Seals of Preparation will be Christ’s Wrath. But this is impossible. The fifth seal includes The Greatest Persecution of God’s people. This could never occur in the time of Christ’s Wrath because Scripture promises we are to wait for his Son from heaven … Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath (1 Thess 1:10 NIV). Contrary to both Pre-tribulationism and Post-tribulationism, there will not be any members of the Church on the Earth during Christ’s Wrath. This is why the wrath of the Lamb does not come until the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6. The nature and timing of Christ’s Wrath will be further explained in chapter 14 of this book.

It is clear in both Christ’s Endtimes Teaching and His Revelation that Jesus taught the Endtimes would begin with the first birth pain and the first seal of a False Christ(s), and be followed by wars and famines making up the beginning of birth pains. These then will be followed by Christians being persecuted in The Greatest Persecution with the opening of the fifth seal. In both accounts the Cosmic Signs, Christ’s Return, and Christ’s Wrath will follow in the sixth seal.

B.2) The Church’s Rescue in Revelation 7

In Christ’s Endtimes Teaching what did Jesus say would immediately follow the Cosmic Signs and Christ’s Return? The Church’s Rescue. Jesus taught:

He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet sound, and they will lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth (Matt 24:31 ^[11])

Therefore, if the Cosmic Signs and Christ’s Return were described at the end of Revelation chapter 6, then what would we expect to see described in Revelation chapter 7? The Church’s Rescue before Christ’s Wrath begins. And that is exactly what Jesus reveals.

[Read Revelation chapter 7. Notice especially verses 9 & 14]

Revelation 7 describes two events that occur at Christ’s Return. The first event was not mentioned by Christ in His Endtimes Teaching. At Christ’s Return, 144,000 Jews from all the tribes of Israel (v. 4 NIV) will be chosen to remain on the Earth and be “sealed” for protection. Why? Because Christ’s Wrath to punish the world is about to begin, as described in Revelation chapter 8. These 144,000 Jews are described elsewhere as the first fruits (Rev 14:4 NIV) of God’s Endtime plan to spiritually restore the nation of Israel. ^[12]

After this (Rev 7:9) John sees a multitude of Christians! from all over the world in Heaven. They are Christians who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ (v. 14 NIV). They are the Church from every nation, tribe, people, and language (v. 9 NIV). Where did these Christians come from? The Angel tells John, “These are they who have come out of the great persecution [thlipseōs]” (v. 14). For reasons given earlier (ch. 3, sec. E), persecution, not “tribulation” is the best interpretation of the Greek word thlipsis here.

Therefore, notice where these Christians will come from. They were in The Greatest Persecution. They are among the same members of the Church depicted a few verses earlier as those who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony for Jesus Christ (6:9 NLT). Notice that both the martyrs in Revelation chapter 6 and those coming out of the great persecution in chapter 7 are wearing white robes. These are the same people. They are fellow servants [syndouloi] of Christ and Christian brothers and sisters (6:11). Therefore, this multitude who had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb and was from every nation, tribe, people, and language (7:9, 14) is describing the Church’s Rescue after The Greatest Persecution. ^[13]

Finally, what would we expect to see next in the Revelation after the Church’s Rescue? Christ’s Wrath. And what do we read next starting in Revelation chapter 8?

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. (Rev 8:7 NIV)

That is the beginning of Christ’s Wrath on the Earth.

B.3) Comparing the sequence of Endtime events in Matthew 24 & Revelation 6-7

It should be obvious that Jesus intended to teach a very specific sequence of Endtime events in both Christ’s Endtimes Teaching and Christ’s Revelation. It should also be obvious that the sequence He taught in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-7 is the same.

Granted, there are some minor differences. In Matthew 24 Jesus mentions earthquakes as a part of The Beginning of Birth Pains, but a great earthquake is not mentioned in Revelation 6 until Christ’s Return (v. 12). In Revelation 6 deaths by wild beasts are mentioned as part of The Beginning of Birth Pains, but this is not the case in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching. Likewise, Jesus did not talk about the sealing of the 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:2-8) in His Teaching. Christ’s exclusion of this event in Matthew 24 is another reason to reject the popular view that it is primarily for the Jews and not the Church. Likewise, in Revelation 6-7 Jesus did not reveal anything about Antichrist’s Claim to be God (Matt 24:15). Although this event is described later in Revelation chapter 13 (cf. vs. 5-6). But the overall sequence of events in Matthew 24:4-31 and Revelation chapters 6-7 are identical. This can be summarized in the following table:

Sequence of Endtime events in Matthew 24 & Revelation 6-7

The similarities between Christ’s Endtimes Teaching and Revelation 6-7 can be portrayed in the following graphics:

1. For example, the popular Pre-tribulation writer Mark Hitchcock writes: “Revelation is largely silent about the church, and ‘the silence is deafening’” (quoted in Knoor). Likewise, the Pre-tribulationist John Walvoord writes:It is significant that the church, that was so prominent in [Rev] chapters 2 and 3, is not mentioned again until 22:16, except as the wife of the Lamb at the close of the tribulation. Nowhere in scenes of earth that describe the end time (chaps. 6–19) is the church pictured as involved in the earthly struggle. (Rev, loc. 1874)

   On the contrary, Walvoord’s point is not “significant” at all because “the church” is “pictured as involved in the earthly struggle” in chapters 6 and 12-14 as servants or saints in the Church experiencing The Greatest Persecution.

   Finally, John MacArthur has written:

   For many reasons, the pre-tribulation view seems most faithful to New Testament teaching. First of all, chapters 2-3 of Revelation speak of the church on earth, and chapters 4-5 speak of the church in heaven. But beginning with chapter 6, which introduces the Tribulation, there is no further mention of the church until chapter 18. (MNTC, Matt 24)

   Again, this is a false statement made by a rightly respected teacher. ↑

2. BDAG. ↑
3. Ibid. ↑
4. Unless otherwise noted, texts from Revelation in this section are from the NIV 1984 version because it retains the translation of hagios as the saints. ↑
5. Not surprisingly, it is difficult to find clear statements in commentaries that reflect the fact that these references in Revelation to saints, bond-servants, and those who proclaim the word of God and the testimony of Jesus are describing members of Christ’s Church.Osborn only refers to those making a testimony as a “Christian witness to the gospel message” (56). Thomas, a Pre-tribulationist, refers to “the testimony as a badge of allegiance to Christ” (723). MacArthur is willing to call those in Rev 6:9 “believers” (193). To most people these descriptions would refer to members of the Church. But as discussed in ch. 14 (sec. C), Pre-tribulationists oddly label these Christians in Revelation 6 as “post-rapture” Christians who are not members of the Church. Do not be deceived. The martyrs in Revelation chs. 6 and 13 are the Last Generation Church on the Earth before the Church’s Rescue.

   Interestingly, Mounce comments on Rev 6:9, “Note that John knows nothing of a ‘rapture’ of the church by which Christians are spared the tribulation that normally accompanies a godly life (cf. 2 Tim 3:12)” (147).

   Walvoord makes an odd comment about the members of the Church who are “raptured” and who have come out of the great persecution described in Revelation 7:14:

   Though these are never described by the term “church,” they are constantly called saints—those set apart as holy to God and saved through the sacrifice of Christ… They, like all others, must rest alone in that sacrifice that Christ provided for them. What is true for them is true for the saints of all ages; only the blood of Christ is able to wash away sin. (Rev, loc. 2159, 2301).

   Those people are the Church, Dr. Walvoord. Likewise, the Pre-tribulationist Thomas Ice makes a similarly silly (and offensive, if not borderline heretical) statement:

   We are saying that the Holy Spirit will be present in His trans-dispensational ministry of bringing the elect of the tribulation to faith in Christ, even though they will not be part of the body of Christ—the Church. (quoted in Knoor, as “Ice, 2015e”). ↑

6. Van Kampen adds to why Matt 24 and Rev differentiate between elect, saints, and servants, and using the term “church.” Regarding the Revelation he writes:The fact that the word church is not used in the heart of the book [of Revelation] only validates once again the fact that it will not be the church in general that undergoes Antichrist’s persecution. On the contrary, it will be the faithful remnant within the church that will stand true to Christ during these difficult times.

   That is why the word “saint” is used thirteen times in the heart of the book (see 5:8; 8:3–4; 11:18; 13:7, 10; 14:12; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9). In fact, the book of Revelation isn’t even addressed to the church in general, but to the true bond-servants of Christ. It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him [Christ] to show to His bond-servants” (1:1). [This is why in Rev 2-3] Christ separates those “who have ears to hear”—genuine bond-servants of Christ who listen carefully to what the Spirit is telling these churches—from the specific church that He is reprimanding.

   Likewise, regarding the Olivet Discourse, he writes:

   A possible explanation of why the term “church” is not used … is that when the church is faced with the tribulation [better “persecution”] associated with Antichrist (Matt. 24:9; cf. vv. 21–22), it will not be the church in general that “endures to the end” (vv. 10–13); instead, it will be the genuine bondservants of Christ (His elect or saints) who will prefer to endure the wrath of Satan rather than the wrath of God (v. 9). This is why Christ refers to them as “you” throughout the teaching.

   The rest of the professing church will escape this terrible time of persecution because they will “fall away” (v. 10) and their love for Christ “will grow cold” (v. 12) as they choose to worship Antichrist rather than die for the sake of the true Christ.

   It will be the church in general that will fall away into apostasy in the last days. It is the elect of God (the saints) who will endure Antichrist’s persecution. That is precisely why terms such as “the elect” and “the saints” are used instead of the word church to describe the faithful who will choose death over compromise! (Rapture, loc. 1836 ff.) ↑

7. The full text of Revelation 1:1 reads, The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place (NIV). The fact that Jesus said His predictions were to occur soon (v. 1) and the events were near (v. 3) is the primary reason that some (Preterist) believe most of the prophecies in Revelation have already been fulfilled. Admittedly, these are difficult statements, but a helpful answer is the near/far and double nature of prophecy fulfillment in Scripture. For more on this see ch. 12, sec. B.3. ↑
8. Joseph Jurgensmeier has noted regarding the comparison of Endtime events between Christ’s Endtimes Teaching and His Revelation:Something I noticed as I read Revelation 6-7 is that it specifically focuses on a heavenly viewpoint of the events while Matthew 24 seems focused on an earthly viewpoint. John is watching God decree and orchestrate the end times from heaven. We see riders leaving heaven (ch. 6) and saints being brought in (7:14). While in Matthew 24 the narrative is more focused on what an inhabitant of Earth will experience. The Antichrist will come, there will be persecution, but then Jesus will come to rescue his people and bring judgement on the Earth. ↑
9. For more on the meaning of the First Seal Preparation (cf. Rev 6:1-2) see The Beginning of Birth Pains (BBP), ch. 10. ↑
10. For an explanation of the suggested translation of Matt 24:29-30 see ch. 3, sec. E. ↑
11. For an explanation of the suggested translation of Matt 24:31 see ch. 4, sec. C.2. ↑
12. God’s plan for Israel during the Endtimes is perhaps the most complex topic in prophetic Scripture and beyond the scope of the Endtimes Essentials series. ↑
13. Regarding those described as coming out of the great persecution (Rev 7:14) commentaries are rather disappointing. Morris and Mounce take a symbolic (Idealist) approach suggesting it primarily applies to all persecuted saints throughout history (Morris, 114-15; Mounce, 164). Likewise, Beale writes: “it would be best to view them as representative of all believers who must suffer” (433). But Jesus made it clear that the great persecution was a specific Endtime event (cf. Matt 24:21-22, 29-31).Pre-tribulationists try to force the Church out of this passage. Walvoord believes “the multitude represents a different body of saints [than the Church]” (Rev, loc. 2254). Rather, he claims they are Christians who are saved after the Church has been “raptured” or “post-rapture” Christians. Again, this serious error will be addressed in ch. 14, sec. C.

    Likewise, MacArthur is disappointing here, claiming, “the Rapture of the church is not in view in this verse” and adding, “If these believers were part of the church, why would the elder not have so identified them?” (230-1). Contrary to MacArthur, “the elder” did identify them as “part of the church” by describing them as those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

    Likewise, Thomas reflects his Pre-tribulationism when he writes: “The best solution is to identify this vast crowd as Gentile and Jewish believers who have died either natural or violent deaths during the period of the first six seals and come out from the Great Tribulation” (792). Unfortunately, by “Great Tribulation” he means the entire period of Endtime events as corrected earlier in this book (ch. 3, sec. E). More specifically, this is the Church coming out of The Greatest Persecution. Therefore, it is not referring to “Jewish believers” as Thomas claims.

    Osborne is better and writes:

    With the article [“the”] it does denote a particular “tribulation,” and in the context of Revelation it most likely refers to the final war against the saints waged by the dragon (Rev 12). (324 underlining added)

    Osborne interprets Rev. 12 as describing the persecution of “the church … in this final three-and-a-half-year period of history” (485).

    Some have suggested those described in Rev 7:9, 14 represent the post-rapture evangelistic efforts of the 144,000, but even the Pre-tribulationist Thomas writes:

    (“After these things I looked”) indicates a vision that is distinct from the preceding one (Alford; Ford). It is not a connective phrase advancing what John has just seen by way of a causal connection, i.e., the fruit of the ministry of the 144,000 being the Gentile multitude of the second vision. Conditions depicted in the two visions appear to be simultaneous rather than consecutive. (790) ↑