Recently I found myself between a rock and a hard place in my comparative study of the Seals of Revelation to the sermon on the mount

Recently I found myself at what seemed an impasse in my comparative study of the Seals of the book of Revelation to the signs of the Second Coming of Christ Jesus given in the Three Gospels of Matthew24, Mark13, & Luke 21.

Having spent many years researching the Seals of Revelation 6, and the correlation between their appearance in the same given order in Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 (as well as bits here & there, mostly in, but not limited to, the 'Minor Prophets'). How was it this book I've read countless times remains an enigma? Why does every answer seemed to ask only more questions? Surely God has REVEALED all things, as He had said (Deu 29:29, 1Cr 2:10). What was I not 'seeing'...?

The entire purpose of the giving of this book called Revelation, from God, thru Jesus, to John was to REVEAL!!!

Understood correctly, Revelation agrees perfectly with the accounts of the Second Coming contained in the other three Gospels...!

Though the Three Gospels & Revelation have one obvious thing in common, in that all four books speak of the same six events that Revelation calls 'Seals', and all four books agree that the return of the Christ occurs at the Sixth Seal, as is plainly written in Revelation 6:16-17, Matt 24:27-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28...

...The agreement between the 4 books seemed to end at the Sixth Seal of Revelation 6:9-11, as there seemed to be so very many more events still to transpire in the book of Revelation that were not mentioned in the 3 other Gospels. But everything is not always as it seems!

There must be an explanation why Revelation, which agrees up to the 6th seal with these 3 respective gospels, seems to go on much further...

It was suddenly that the answer I sought came to me, as I spoke to a colleague, and it just seemed to flow, as if my eyes had just been opened after years of stumbling in darkness!

The period of the Fifth Seal, in the book of Revelation is a look inside the period of the "Great Tribulation"...! The period of the Fifth Seal is a 'Revelation' of the event's that would immediately proceed the Second Coming of Christ...!

Revelation 8:1 thru Revelation 18:24 is an Expanded View of the Fifth Seal...!!!

This period is the entire duration of the "Great Tribulation", which Luke 21:24 also refers to as "the times of the gentiles!"

"Immediately after" signifies the end of the 'great tribulation' period of the Fifth Seal, and the actual return of Christ Jesus after the opening of the Sixth Seal!

The period of the Fifth Seal is the Revelation of events that would transpire during the 'Great Tribulation', which takes place from the opening of the Fifth Seal until the opening of the Sixth Seal! (with Chapters 7 & 12 being self-contained, parenthetical books, more on these later)

What was arguably the most cryptic book of the Bible is now just this simple! Understand, just as Genesis 2:4-on, & Genesis 5 are expanded views of Genesis 1, so is Revelation 8:1 thru 18:24 a much more detailed description of the 'Great Tribulation', which will take place after the opening of, and during the duration of the Fifth Seal! (with chapters seven & twelve to be discussed briefly below)

Remember, the first Four Seals have already been opened, as the Lamb's first action upon overcoming death & entering Heaven was to begin to open the Seals(Rev5:6,7), and they are even now acting upon mankind. When the Fifth Seal is opened, it greatly compounds the calamities already transpiring on earth, beginning the period Luke 21:24 describes as the "times of the Gentiles (aka. 'Great Tribulation')", which leads to the glorious return of Messiah at the Sixth Seal...!

(The "times of the Gentiles", aka "the*Great Tribulation", or what Luke also calls "the days of *vengeance" in Luke21:22 "For these be the days of *vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.")

Let me be clear.... After the opening of the Fifth Seal in Rev. 6:9-11, *everything written in Revelation from chapter 8:1 on, until the actual answering (or fulfilling) of the question of Rev 6:9-11, in Rev19:1,2, are details of events that take place during the "Great Tribulation", which embraces that very same period!

( *Chapters 7 and 12, both of which are, imho, self standing stories, independent in their own right, will be addressed below, and in "Firstfruits")

In Rev 6:9,10, at the opening of the 5th Seal, unlike any other Seal, Trump, or Vial, a *question is asked, which requires an answer...

Rev 6:9 "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:"

Rev 6:10 "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?"

...notice this question is answered with only the vague and indeterminate time-frame of *"until" in 6:11...

Rev 6:11 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 *fellowservants also and their *brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be *fulfilled.

But, this question is BOTH specifically answered AND *fulfilled in Rev 19...

Rev 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Rev 19:2 For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy *fellowservant, and of thy *brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

In Rev 6:9,10, at the opening of the 5th Seal, unlike any other Seal, Trump, or Vial, a question is poised, which requires an answer...

The question asked at the Fifth Seal is now answered!, ...the fifth Seal is now fulfilled!

Therefore, the opening of the 6th & 7th Seals may continue, now that all these events contained in the period of the Fifth Seal, also known as the *Great Tribulation, which precipitate Rev 19:1,2 have been fulfilled! Now the book of Revelation continues in perfect agreement with the other three gospels.

Only through the fulfillment of prophecy can the marriage of the Lamb come. The Bride, comprised of those "which *came out of great tribulation (*martyrs, tried, Dan 12:20, Rev 7:14)", and also those Saints still living who are "gathered" (Mat 24:31, Mar 13:27) at Christ's return at the Sixth Seal "hath made herself ready (Rev19:7)", having "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14)" by overcoming.

The wrath of the Lamb begins!

The Lord has judged and will avenge the blood of his servants on "them that dwell on the earth".

In Rev 19:11, in the exact order of events given in 1Cr 15:20-28 ( see "Firstfruits" below) , we see the return of Christ as the conquering Lion of Juda in Rev 19:11-19, to "smite the nations", leading to the battle of Armageddon...

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the *winepress (ref. *Rev 14:19.20) of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make *war against Him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (This is the battle of Armageddon, distinct from the battle of *Gog/Magog which is explained below)

Revelation 20
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the *thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a *little season.

This *"little season" is after the thousand-year reign of Christ explained in detail in Ezekiel 34-end, and culminates in the final "Wrath of God" (distinct from the prior "Wrath of the Lamb"(see 6:16,17)) at the battle of *Gog/Magog, occurring at the end of the so-called *Thousand Year Kingdom of Ezekiel 34-on.

The *144,000 of Revelation 7 appear with Christ at His coming (Rev14:1). They are also referred to as Christ's "Firstfruits" in Rev 14:3,4, now, compare that to...

1Cr 15:20 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept"

Considering the firstfruits... If the 144,000 are indeed the "firstfruits" described in the below verse, ....and I believe they are, here is why I tried to explain this in language that might be more closely intended, as calling "Christ the firstfruit'S* (*plural)" makes no sense, imho.

The two words "[and] become" were not in any of the critical texts, but were added later, therefore I would read said verse as...

1Cr 15:20 "But now is Christ risen from the dead the *firstfruits of them that *slept".

(*Slept signifies these "firstfruits" have lived & *died.)

Though a popular belief, nowhere in scripture are we told that the 144,000 are all alive & sealed at once!

To say that they are is pure assumption! I believe these 144,000 were specific individuals, of the original 12 tribes of Israel, whom God used as specific 'signposts', for lack of a better word, to keep His plan moving forward, and in order, thru the many generations. Who else could these be? It's likely that some were great world leaders, yet others who may have passed the truth from generation to generation &/or had special 'missions' to keep God's plan on track. (i.e., possibly the Remnant ?)

This is how I, personally, based on the facts presented, believe these related verses should be read, & they agree as such, regarding the 144,000 being the "firstfruits" of both Rev 14 &1Cr 15, & the only group I see being protected (i.e., sealed {Rev7}) when they were alive.

Then "afterward, *they that are Christ's at his coming", which, along with those saints killed "for the testimony they [held] (Rev 6:9 )" comprise His Bride (i.e., the "church" of Grace").

I would also add that, imho, this group of 12X12,000 (144,000) are the "armies" that return w/ Christ (vs.'s Rev 14:1, Rev 19:14)

So we can now plainly see two different & distinct groups, the 144,000 Sealed of the 12 tribes of Israel, & "they that are Christ's at his coming" (i.e., the "church" of Grace)

1) Rev 6:16 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:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

2) (Prophecy of His coming given...) Rev 10:7But 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.
(Prophecy of His coming fulfilled...) Rev. 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

3) Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

4) Rev. 14:1 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.

5) Rev.14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

6) Rev 16:15 Behold, *I (*who?) come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 16:16 And *He *(who?) gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done._
(To verify this is another "return"...) Rev. 17:14 These shall make war with the *Lamb (*who?), and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

7) Rev. 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

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Now, you might ask, "But Theo, I thought Christ returned just *once?"

Your right, He does...! Just once. At the 6th Seal..! (Rev6:17,18)

Though it did plainly state in chapter six that the "Lamb" returned at the Sixth Seal (note the use of the word "face" in vs. 16, proving a defacto return...!), it also stated that Christ returned in six or seven other places in the book of Revelation as well!

*Either we are being shown DIFFERENT VIEWS of DIFFERENT, YET RELATED EVENTS, some possibly being CONCURRENT, or at least overlapping, that happen during the *Great Tribulation (aka. the Fifth Seal), which all lead to the SAME ENDING, the *ONE FINAL RETURN OF CHRIST...!

*Or Christ keeps coming back over & over & over...!

Does anyone really believe that Christ returns six or seven times...?

So, by necessity, this would require the book of Revelation to be PARENTHETICAL...!

Understand: Just because John says "after this I saw [this &/or that]", DOES NOT NECESSARILY LOCK EVENTS IN ORDER (consider Chpt. 12), but the Seals and the 3 Gospels agreeing together DOES LOCK THESE EVENTS IN ORDER...! (see the "Sixth Seal" in Rev6:16,17, compare to Matt24:30, Mark13:26,27 & Luke21:27)

John is just relating things as he was shown them! It's up to us to be wise enough to realize this.

The above 6 or 7 examples of Christ's returns are all individual stories, stories of the Trumps, the Reapers, the Thunders, The proclaiming Angels, the great wars, the overcomers, etc., each adding up into a much clearer picture of the period of the *Great Tribulation! which transpires entirely during the period of the *5th Seal !

Each story ultimately leading to one same conclusion, Christ's "coming in the clouds", when He "shall gather together his elect ", and then, Armageddon...!

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be". (Matthew 24:27)