Today, we’ll look at the Fifth Seal of Revelation, which takes place during the second half of the 70th Week of Daniel. This second 3 ½ years is also referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24, as the “Great Tribulation.”
The Church MUST understand what the Bible teaches about the final days, if they are to be prepared! I understand that these biblical truths do not sit well with those who have been mis-taught, and misled, to believe that we will escape tribulation altogether. We will not!
According to Scripture, the rapture of the Church will not occur until the beginning of the sixth seal, which will be discussed in detail, when teaching on the next Seal is shared.
Nobody would welcome tribulation and persecution of any kind, let alone of the magnitude described in the fifth seal. So, it is little wonder that the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture is appealing and so widely taught and accepted! But tragically, this leaves the Church largely unprepared for what is ahead.
Many may already know of the events I am discussing here. But sadly, they are not looking at them from the position of going through them personally, which they will, if they are still alive at the time these things unfold. The anticipation of having a personal experience tends to change how we perceive these things.
We are promised escape from God’s wrath, while told we will have to endure Antichrist’s wrath—against Israel and the Church—during the Great Tribulation. Endurance requires that there is something to endure—like tribulation.
In Matthew 24, Jesus both warns and prepares the Church, when He states: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13.
Let’s step back and take a broader look at what transpires at the midpoint of this final seven years—setting the stage for the Antichrist’s wrath. Satan will be permanently cast out of Heaven and will fully possess the person of Antichrist at that time. Satan will be furious, knowing his time is short.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” Revelation 12:7-9.
The fourth seal occurs immediately following the midpoint, after the Antichrist is fully revealed and asserts himself as god. Since Scripture teaches us that the body of Christ will not be raptured until the opening of the 6th seal, it is critically important that the Church understand what will unfold… and in what order (Revelation 6:12, and 7:9,14).
The opening of the fifth seal—which is our teaching today—refers to the multitude of believers who will be killed for their faith in Christ Jesus… martyred, for holding fast to their testimony, even in the midst of trial and persecution.
“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” (Revelation 6:9).
During the final 3 ½ years of this 70th week, which includes seals 4, 5, 6 and 7, The fully possessed antichrist will be given power over the earth—to persecute the nation of Israel as well as the saints who are alive at the time. This will be a season of testing for the Church, to determine their faithfulness toward Jesus Christ. Will they buckle under the pressure and become part of the Antichrist system to save their lives and their way of life? Or will they be found faithful… even if their confession of Jesus Christ costs them their lives?
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36.
In fact, so unprecedented and great, will be the tribulation and persecution that the Church will experience during this period, that Jesus himself says, “For there will be great tribulation such has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Here Jesus is describing to His followers, the great tribulation that begins at the mid-point of the last seven years …. when the church experiences Satan’s wrath. This is not God’s wrath—which is reserved for the unrighteous—and begins immediately following the rapture. This is Satan’s wrath against God’s chosen nation, and the Church.
The Church will experience a painful, yet necessary testing and purifying process, through God’s refiner’s fire. For those who walk the wide, easy path, and remain compromised by false and dangerous doctrines, as well as their love of the world… they will experience the tribulation of Satan’s wrath as a time of testing.
The remnant, who walk the narrow, difficult path, and are faithful to persevere to the end, will experience God’s provision and supernatural protection during that hour.
God reminds His faithful… “Because you have kept my command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
At the midpoint, prior to the rapture, God allows a test to come on the entire world to determine who is worthy. Scripture tells us that Satan—or Antichrist possessed—will wage war with the Holy Ones and overcome them! Seal four and five are part of this time of testing.
“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 13:7).
Who are the Holy Ones? YOU AND ME! Any who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior… Redeemer. All who are spiritually covered by the righteous blood of Jesus.
God gives us His Scripture to warn and teach us. Let’s use this information to re-evaluate our spiritual condition. Do not love the world or put anything above God in your life. Be a lover of the TRUTH and check every doctrine against Scripture. This is a time of recommitment and faithfulness to the One we serve.
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Dale and Paula Black
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This message is RIGHT ON! God has taught me the same things through the study of Matthew 24 and Revelation just as he has you. Your knowledge and insight surpasses mine but is consistent. I, too, have been very concerned about TV preachers who are promoting the easy escape through a pre-tribulation rapture. Jesus and Scripture do not teach this! But it is a dangerous teaching, as you said. WE AS A CHURCH MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE COMING SATANIC PRESSURE. We must know in our hearts that God loves us and will protect us, even if we lose our physical life. They can’t kill us; they can only free our spirits from our body to enjoy eternal loving fellowship with Him in His kingdom. It may hurt and be painful but God has said he will protect us. Whatever pain we are called to endure cannot come close to the pain Jesus endured for our salvation. No matter how tempting and rational it seems, WE MUST NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST. Though we can’t buy or sell, God will be there just like He shows us throughout His Word, e.g. the manna in the desert, the widow of Zerapheth’s oil, and the five thousand by the sea. We must know in our heart that God will fully take care of us, and not trust the new Satanic one world government.