Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
It’s interesting to write about this subjects as we watch prophetic fulfillment from our homes. Imagine how interesting the prophecies were to watch during Jesus’ life and ministry. Due to Israel’s blinding in part (Romans 11:24-29) Jesus was likely one of few individuals of that day to see God’s plans come to fruition.
How fortunate are we? Very, for we are living in Bible-Times!
Excerpt from, “This Side of the Whirlwind, The Coming Apocalypse” chapter 14, pages 266-269.
Excerpt from, “This Side of the Whirlwind, The Coming Apocalypse” chapter 14, pages 265-266.
When referring to the Wrath of God, it is important to be clear, The Wrath of God in question refers specifically to that period of judgment that will come over the whole earth during the Latter Days as outlined in Revelation 6:15–17.
And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of his wrath has come: and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16–17 NKJV) Continue reading →
Excerpt taken from, “This Side of the Whirlwind, the Coming Apocalypse” chapter 14, pages 263-265.
The Great Tribulation Versus the Wrath of God
Many a pastor, teacher, or layman believer has proclaimed the Body of Christ will not go through the Great Tribulation. This grand proclamation is based on the premise the Great Tribulation is the Wrath of God! If this declaration is true, then God’s Word will support such facts. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:9, the Body of Christ will not enter the period known as the Wrath of God.
“For God did not appoint us (The Body of Christ) to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 NKJV emphasis added).
So the question must be answered, are the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God the same event, two distinctly separate events, or some other variation on the theme altogether?
The goal for this chapter will be to confirm either the distinct divisions between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God or the common ground that will conclusively unite the two concepts. Once the facts are all in, God’s Word will bear witness as to whether or not the Great Tribulation is or is not the Wrath of God or if the Great Tribulation doctrine itself is even a viable biblical concept.
In order to form a better understanding of each concept, let us examine separately and in detail elements for both the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. As we examine each piece of information, take a moment to consider who is doing to whom. For example, one of the elements pertinent to the tribulation period is, “A time when family and friends will betray one another.” Will this happenstance be perpetrated by humanity against humanity or God against humanity? Another example taken from elements known to represent the Wrath of God is: “A time when men’s hearts will fail them for fear of God’s wrath.” Who is causing the fear and frustration? Who is doing or going to do the action or lack of action to whom, and who will receive the negative results? Another way of studying the question is to consider whether the author of the calamity might be God or other humans? Is the specific element the result of humans afflicting other humans, or is the element something only God could do to humanity or to the earth? The answers to these questions will determine whether the events are part of the separation process taking place during the Great Consummation or simply a part of God’s Wrath, which will fall during the Great Tribulation. It should not be difficult to determine the answers for each element.
The Tribulation Period
Based on God’s Word, the following elements, events, or circumstances will take place during the Great Tribulation. The Tribulation Period will present a time:
of trouble unlike any time in the history of the world (Daniel 12:1–2, Joel 2:2, Matthew 24:21, and Mark 13:19)
when false prophets will manifest false signs, wonders, and potential miracles (Matthew 24:11, 24, and Mark 13:22)
when false Christs or Messiahs will display false signs and wonders (Jeremiah 23:1–4, Matthew 24:5, Mark 13:6, and Luke 21:8)
when wars and rumors of wars will span the globe (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7, and Luke 21:9)
when family and friends will betray Christians (Matthew 24:9, 10; Mark 13:9–13; and Luke 21:16)
with an abundance of earthquakes in odd and various places around the globe (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, and Luke 21:11)
of famines, possibly throughout the world (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, and Luke 21:11)
for great political upheaval, most likely on a global scale (Matthew 24:7, Mark13:8, and Luke 21:10)
with global financial distress and upheaval (Revelation 13:14–18)
when the Mark of the Beast will be issued throughout the world and imposed by every nation (Revelation 13:15–18)
of tremendous persecution for Christians and Christian-based ministries; many countries will even put Christians to death for their faith (Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:11–13, and Luke 21:12–15)
when scorners and mockers of the faith will become commonplace and acceptable in the mainstream and even preferred to street preachers or evangelists (2 Peter 3:3)
when the body of Christ will be scattered and nearly destroyed (Daniel 7:15–25, 12:7; Luke 21:24, and Revelation 13:1–14)
when conversions to Christianity (people getting saved) will cease to take place; genuine conversions to Christianity will cease worldwide when He Who Lets is taken out of the way (Joel 1:1–20; Revelation 9:20–21, 16:9, and 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12)
when the Two Witnesses will begin their ministries throughout Israel (Revelation 11:3–13)
when the Beast and False Prophet will gloriously rise to power (Daniel 11:1–45, 12:11; Revelation 13:1–18, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1–10)
when the gospel has been preached throughout all the earth (Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10)
when the new temple has been erected on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem; it may only be a tented tabernacle, but it will be established (2 Thessalonians 2:4, Psalms 137, and Revelation 11:1–2)
when the Abomination of Desolation will be placed in the Most Holy Place in the Temple in Jerusalem; this will likely happen thirty days prior to the beginning of the Great Consummation (Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:15, and Mark 13:14)
immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, and Luke 21:25)
Tomorrow’s blog will present “The Wrath of God” followed by a comparison between both the Tribulation Period and the Wrath of God.
We, the Saints of the Living God need to prepare for the coming Storm.
No one likes the bearer of bad news; nevertheless, sometimes news and the truth are “heavy Man”!
As strongly supported by elements of the text, the Tribulation Period is not likely to be the Wrath of God. Rather the Tribulation Period and Wrath of God are two totally separate and distinct components of the Great Consummation. The distinctions are obvious when all scriptures are fully considered within the Word of God. Should the Tribulation Period and the Wrath of God overlap at any point, scriptures would be violated. The primary function for the Tribulation Period is to separate true Christians from pseudo-Christians in order to exclude the faithful followers within the Body of Christ from the Wrath of God and prepare the saints for the Rapture, thereby fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 13:24–30). When considering these truths, it should be obvious true Christians are removed before the Wrath of God comes upon the wicked. By the time of God’s Wrath, the entire Body of Christ will reside at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Such scriptural truths confirm the Body of Christ’s role during the Tribulation Period of the Great Consummation. Continue reading →
We will be looking at a breakdown of this parable.
Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28 and Luke 21:29
Jesus said:
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – even at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:32–35 NKJV)
Verse 32
Here, Jesus instructs every believer to learn the parable of the fig tree when He says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree.”
“The fig tree” is Israel. In Mark 11:12–14 Jesus also recognized the symbolism between the nation of Israel and the bare fig tree before Him. Jesus became unhappy with “Israel’s” representative lack of fruit.
The scripture continues, “when its branch has already become tender” referring to Israel’s newly formed sovereign State. Interestingly, fig trees often produce fruit during two growing seasons:
1) The spring season or early rains fulfilled during Christ’s ministry
2) and the summer through fall growing season or latter rains represented by Israel’s reemergence and the subsequent coming of the Great Consummation.
During the fall season, when the fig tree’s branches have become established, it should represent a developing tree with an abundance of leaves and a steady production of fruit. According to the parable of the fig tree, the nation of Israel should eventually become a self-sufficient, practical and productive spiritual society. Primarily, this section of the parable reflects Israel new growth during the Latter Days as seen from 1948 to today.
When the parable says, “And puts forth leaves”—the clause relates to Israel’s growth and development during the beginning of the Latter Days. Based on previous verses within the chapter, Israel should be in the process of being restored among its peer nations during the Latter Days and before the Great Consummation.
When the text states, “You know that summer is near …” Summer reflects a prolific time of growth following the spring harvest. Typically, the heart of summer takes place after the first harvest and before the last, or around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles which is representative of the final gathering of productive fruit or the Rapture.
The planting and growing seasons referenced here cover the Time of the Gentiles when salvation has become available to the world and not just for Israelites.
With this in mind, the summer you know is near is the period just prior to the final harvest of the Latter Days.
The final harvest as previously mentioned consists of two separate times of reaping and harvesting. There will be one harvest for the children of God and one for the lost.[1] The harvest for the children of God will take place during the time of the Rapture when Christ gathers His chosen elect from the four corners of the earth.[2] The second harvest will take place for the unsaved at the end of the Great Consummation near the conclusion of the Battle of Armageddon.[3]
Both harvests will take place during a period known as the Day of the Lord. Bear in mind, the Day of the Lord does not take place in a single day but during a period spanning at least one year.
Be aware, the Israelites are not part of either harvest but are delivered by Christ (Romans 11:24-29) following His return with the Body of Christ at the Second Advent.
Verse 33a
“…So you also, when you see all these things…”
The period in question represents the time when the individual Christian starts to see prophetic events coming to pass. Understand – “these things” – as mentioned in the text represents the newly formed “fig tree,” or State of Israel, along with fulfilled End Times prophecies as Israel takes root and prospers during summer or the time of harvest.
Verse 33b
The passage continues,
“Youknow that it (summer) is near, even at the doors!”
Note the exclamation point. That which is near or even at the doors is the time of harvest, the Rapture. The time of harvest is drawing to a close when the Wrath of God is about to begin and the Second Coming of Christ is imminent.
Scripturally, the Wrath of God will take place immediately after the Rapture (Matthew 24:29). The Rapture is “that” which is even at the doors.
The parable of the fig tree is repeated three times within the gospels. Each occurrence takes place immediately following a discussion on the Great Consummation (Often mistaken for the Great Tribulation) and just prior to a discussion on the Rapture.
The placement of this parable and prophecy is not a coincidence. Its placement confirms the parable is referring to a period during the Latter Days (Hosea 3:4–5).
The parable of the fig tree is warning the world the harvest of the Saints is near and the Time of the Gentiles is coming to its close.
Both harvests take place during the Great Consummation, the first at the Rapture and the second as the Wrath of God draws to its close.
Verse 34a
“Assuredly [truthfully], I say to you,this generation …”
Jesus spoke to this generation of the Body of Christ, those born after Israel will be reconstituted as a nation. The lives of these people were tethered to the prophecy, which began a seventy to eighty year or less countdown toward fulfillment: the Tribulation Period, the Rapture, the Wrath of God and Armageddon and all that follows into the Millennial Reign (Psalm 90:10).
Verse 34b
“Will by no means pass away …”
Indicates, this generation (The Latter Days generation) will not all die before every or all of the End Times prophecies are fulfilled.
Note: the Parable of the Fig Tree will be fulfilled before the average life span of the people living during this Latter Days generation has elapsed.
Verse 34c
“Till all these things take place …”
Before this Latter Days generation dies, this prophecy and all related elements or components (prophecies, visions and or Words of knowledge) will be fulfilled.
Verse 35
“Heaven and earth will pass away, butMywords will by no means pass away …”
According to the parable the world is more likely to be destroyed or vanish than for these specific prophecies to not be carried out.
The following paragraph is a transliteration of the previous verses and their breakdown based on an understanding of the language which was used to state the prophecy:
When Israel has reappeared on the earth as a sovereign nation and begins to prosper, be aware, Jesus is about to return for the Body of Christ within the next eighty years or less (Psalms 90:10). When all the End Times prophecies and visions begin to come to pass, the world should know and prepare for the Time of the Gentiles to come to its end. Before the span of one generation, when eighty years or less has elapsed, the world will drastically change leadership. Christ’s return will then be imminent.
Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is instructing the Body of Christ and the rest of humanity to get ready for His return. No matter how many people may die or how many calamities may take place, God’s Word will be accomplished in accordance with God’s perfect will.
Just as prophecies were laid down in ancient Hebrew writings predicting the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) in the little town of Bethlehem followed by the horrible slaughter of those children two years and under before the Messiah’s ministry would take place; so too, this generation has a multitude of prophecies which have, are and are going to come to pass before the Great Consummation begins. The Parable of the Fig Tree is one of these prophecies which is in the process of coming to pass and has been coming to pass since 1948 and Israel’s restoration as a nation.
The primary message behind the parable of the fig tree is not to point out the millions who will likely die or to note how the world will come to its catastrophic end. Rather, the parable of the fig tree is an open invitation from God to every man, woman, and child on the planet WHILE THERE IS YET TIME.
The invitation informs and confirms God’s timetable and purpose for the Great Consummation, the Rapture, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Day of the Lord, and the end of the Time of the Gentiles.
God has invited each member of the world to the wedding feast where it matters not if they are a Jew or a Gentile. All who accept God’s invitation by receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Lord are welcomed.
An important facet to the fulfillment of the parable of the fig tree is that it confirms every prophecy and vision pertaining to the Time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled by the end of the Latter Days. According to the parable, the date is set and Christ will return within the 80 or less year timeframe.
At His return, Christ will gather His saints from every corner of the earth and carry us away to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb for one year as the Wrath of God falls on the balance of humanity.
There are numerous nuances to the parable of the fig tree which are difficult to convey in one or two short blogs. It is not a single prophecy or section of scripture which confirms the validity of this or any prophecy within This Side of the Whirlwind; rather, it is the overall message found within the entire book which confirms the complete message and validates its continuity.
Read “This Side of the Whirlwind” and discover the message hidden/concealed for millennia but available to you now.
Hey everybody, welcome back to This Side of the Whirlwind’s blog on the End Times, the Great Consummation or Great Tribulation as most label it.
I did tell you guys why I changed the name, right?
Because the mistaken Pre-Tribulation teaching common referred to as the Great Consummation doctrine is littered with Biblical errors or twisted scripture or worse yet, utterly ignored sections of scripture. Hard to believe, I know, but such is the truth.
Not my truth… the Bible’s truth.
Many of the most powerful errors, those which make the Pre, Mid and Post-Tribulation Rapture Doctrines impossible have been outlined in detail in my book, “This Side of the Whirlwind, The Coming Apocalypse.”
You can also find many of these errors outlined in many of my blogs dealing with prophecy and such.
This Side of the Whirlwind is a prophetic message given by God during these last days of the Church Age. Though we are not yet there, the World will soon enter a period which is most often and egregiously portrayed as the seven years of the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation or seven years of judgment is represented as a period solely dedicated by God for bringing judgment, God’s Wrath on a sinful and rebellious world.
This Side of the Whirlwind reveals the numerous errors in the Great Tribulation Rapture doctrines as well as negating the false teachings of Preterism, A-Millennialism. Continue reading →
Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed the Chronology of Revelation series. I’ll connect them next blog into one blog containing every link.
I hope you’ve kept you Bible handy and open during this study of Revelation’s timetables.
Excerpt from, “This Side of the Whirlwind, The Coming Apocalypse” chapter 19, pages 370-373.
Revelation Chapter 19
19:1–10
Chapter 19 begins on the Day of the Lord with the Rapture. Verses 1 through 10 depict the celebratory introduction for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Tribulation Period and the Wrath of God overlap at any point, scriptures would be violated. The primary function for the Tribulation Period is to separate true Christians from pseudo-Christians in order to exclude the faithful followers within the Body of Christ from the Wrath of God and prepare the saints for the Rapture, thereby fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 13:24–30). When considering these truths, it should be obvious true Christians are removed before the Wrath of God comes upon the wicked. By the time of God’s Wrath, the entire Body of Christ will reside at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Such scriptural truths confirm the Body of Christ’s role during the Tribulation Period of the Great Consummation. 
every prophecy and vision pertaining to the Time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled by the end of the Latter Days. According to the parable, the date is set and Christ will return within the 80 or less year timeframe.
This Side of the Whirlwind is a prophetic message given by God during these last days of the Church Age. Though we are not yet there, the World will soon enter a period which is most often and egregiously portrayed as the seven years of the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation or seven years of judgment is represented as a period solely dedicated by God for bringing judgment, God’s Wrath on a sinful and rebellious world.
