Lastday Events Continued       Event #6 of the Outer Concentric Path

DAY OF THE LORD - - - Twenty-Two Major Events in 100 Verses
Presented in 3 Concentric Paths – Outer, Middle and Inner

VICTORIOUS SAINTS  -  Sep. 05  -  (Pub. Senior Experience)

“Here is the Patience, Endurance and Faithfulness of the Saints.” Rev.14:12-13.

REWARD for Patience of the Saints - #6 of 22 Events of the Lastday’s 100 Verses.

Revelation 14 is a crisis-point in the Book of Revelation. The Beast had finished killing the Saints for 42 months as recorded in Rev.13. The Lamb had opened the 6^th Seal to launch the Lastday’s major events. He rescues the “Firstfruit of 144000 Jews unto God and the Lamb. They follow Him as the Son of Man reaps the wicked into the Winepress of God’s great anger.” Three angels fly thru the heavens to announce impending doom upon Babylon and Beast-Worshipers. “Here is the Patience of the Saints who endure.” 

The promise to Martyrs is Event #6 in 2 of the 40 verses of the Outer Concentric Path.  

This text reveals Martyrs are Revelation’s prime subjects. They face death during Satan’s Endtime gathering of the nations to invade Israel. I have been indebted since childhood to Dispensationalism for reviving the Early Church Doctrine of Christ’s Millennial Reign. From Augustine to Darby, A-Millennialism prevailed as the leading doctrine.  

Materially blessed Christians don’t realize Revelation’s 1^st Blessing that “reading and keeping the things written herein applies to those who know the End is near.” Rev.1:3. Nor that a 2^nd Blessing is for those “dying in the Lord who from NOW on will rest from their labors and their works follow them.” On the final day of “patience” God will keep survivors from the Hour of Trial and allow millions to escape His wrath. Luke 21:35-36

The Martyrs’ reward, announced by a 3^rd angelic messenger on the last day, follows his warning that Beast-worshipers will perish. Rev.14:9-11. Saints will “come with Christ to destroy the destroyers of earth.” The Lamb first rescues 144,000 Firstfruit from Mt. Zion. Joel 2:32 and Rev.14:4. They “follow Him wherever He goes” during 25 verses of the Outer Concentric Path from Rev.14:1 to 15:5. From the 12 tribes of Israel, these Firstfruit of the Endtime harvest will be with the Lamb as three angelic Messengers flash warnings across the dark sky. This is the setting for the 2^nd “Blessing to those who die.”

Before arriving in heaven with the Firstfruit, the Lamb fulfills the Son of Man’s role to reap the wicked to the winepress of God’s great anger (thumos; not orgay). He anticipates the impending Drama in the Temple (the Middle Path’s 22 verses) and the climactic Inner Path’s 38 verses for destroying the wicked in flaming fire at His triumphant revelation. On that Day He delivers the Saints from tribulation and comes with all the Saints “by whom He is glorified on that day.” I Thess.3:13; 2 Thess.1:7-10.

Between these two references in I Thess. and 2 Thess. Paul wrote, “By the word of the Lord…those alive and remaining until the Presence (Parousia) of the Lord will not rise up prior to those who have died in Christ. He refers to the “blessed hope” of reunion with those who die in the Lord. The word of the Lord was that “all believers rise up on the last day.” John 6:40. Paul adds: “Survivors will be “caught up to meet those who have died.”

This truth is more than knowing survivors will escape the Hour of Trial; for that is a sure factor when Christ appears. Matt.24:14. Its “comfort” is in knowing all Believers will be “caught up” to meet their loved ones. Jesus gathers them from earth and sends the angels to gather them out of all 4 directions in the heavens to Jesus at the Synagogue in the Sky. Mark 13:27. Raised up first, the dead in Christ are reunited with their loved ones before the angels gather them from around the globe. (Same Greek word used in Mark 13:27, Matt.24:31 and 2 Thess.2:1; verb: episunago, gathered together above to the meeting place for His wedding; noun episunagog, unto Jesus at the Synagogue in the Sky).

This order comes by reading I Thess.4:13-17 and Mark 13:26-27 before Matt.24:30-31. Tribulation Martyrs “die in the Lord” and will be raised up in the “first resurrection.” Rev.20:4-5. Subjects of 6 of 7 "blessings", they are Blessed in reading this Book and Blessed in the promise of their final 1000-year reward. Rev.14:13. The 3^rd “Blessing” is watching for Christ’s coming as a thief with armies gathering to Armageddon. Rev.16:15-16. The 5^th Blessing, Rev.20:6, applies to taking part in the “first resurrection.” The 4^th Blessing in Rev.19:9, prior to the final two Blessings in Rev.22:7,14, is for those invited to the Lamb’s wedding supper on the earth.

The 24 elders represent O. T. and N. T. Saints. Each has a harp and carries a golden bowl filled with the Saints’ prayers. The prayers have a vital role in the Tribunal of Seal 7 and Court of Dan.7. They focus on the Martyrs’ concern while under the Altar: “How long will it be until God avenges their blood upon those who killed them? `They must wait a short time until the rest of their brothers and fellow-servants who must be killed, are killed.’” Rev.6:9-11. God avenges their blood after the Three-Act Open Temple Drama.

This means God will not pour out His wrath upon those who persecute the Saints until all the Martyrs have been killed! Six Trumpets and 6 Plagues allow men to repent prior to facing God’s wrath. Rev.9:20-21; 16:9-11. None of those who die in the Lord will face God’s hour of wrath. A debate concerns whether there are two “last days;” one for Pre-Trib Saints to be raised up and one for Trib-Martyrs. Will “overcomers to the End,” Rev. 2:26, be caught up with Endtime Martyrs” to meet the Lord? Or does He come twice?

Martyrs are featured in the prayer of Seal Five, in the Patience of the Saints (Event #6), in the Song of Moses (Rev.15:2-4), during the first meeting with O.T. Saints and the 144,000 Firstfruit standing before God and the Lamb in Act One of the Temple Drama (Rev.7:13-17) and in Seal Seven, Act Two of the Temple Drama. The Martyrs and 144,000 Jews present the Son on Man to God and then join all the Saints in praising God and the  Lamb. The first meeting of all the Saints before God and the Lamb occurs just before Christ is crowned King of kings by the Angel of the 7th Trumpet.

Why are the Martyrs given so much prominence? Is it because their reward is greater than that of those who “overcome to the End” in Rev.2:25-26? Survivors will reign with Christ on earth but Martyrs will “serve God in heaven's Temple” for 1000 years until the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven. Rev.7:15-17.

The answer emerges in this text about dying in the Lord. The rejoicing in heaven is not just for those who go to heaven before the Tribulation. All the Saints must rise up and meet together for the first time at the Synagogue in the Sky. “God brings the souls of all  who die in the Lord with Jesus.” Survivors and fellow-servants of Trib-Martyrs will meet at Christ’s Presence on a cloud. The Rapture sees “All the Saints, the called, the elect and the faithful,” united as the Lamb’s eternal Bride. I Thess.3:13; Rev.17:14; Rev.21:2, 9.

His Presence on a cloud occurs *before* Jesus sends angels to gather the Saints so that ALL of them come with Him to earth. It is little understood that His Presence precedes His meeting with His Bride. Paul urges us to be counted worthy of the Kingdom when He comes. This worthiness applies at Christ’s “Presence and His Apocalypse.” Being worthy at His Presence occurs in I Thess.3:13 and I Thess.5:23. Being worthy at His Apocalypse occurs in I Cor.1:7; I Pet.1:7 and I Thess.1:7 (note vs.5,11).

The Apocalyptic passage in 2 Thess.1:5-11 uses two Greek words requiring worthiness. One is Strong’s #2661, vs.5 and Luke 21:36 as men pray to be worthy (to “prevail”) and to stand before the Son of Man. Two is #515 in vs.11. The Son of Man would be ashamed of anyone not walking worthy of Him at His “coming.”

Saints will prepare for the Lamb’s wedding, clothed in righteous linen of their deeds. Prevailing is the Key. Those UNBELIEVERS who “prevail” on God for mercy do so too late to become part of the Bride at the Lamb’s wedding, but they will be invited to the supper. Luke 17:33; Luke 21:36; Rev.19:9. Prevailing with God, being counted as worthy, is far more rewarding for those who endure and who are included in the “first resurrection” as the Lamb’s Bride.

Those who believe the Lamb’s wedding takes place in heaven insist that Saints who endure to the end will be left behind on earth in mortal bodies to populate the kingdom. In that case, the final faithful Saints would be denied the comfort of knowing they will be caught up to meet their martyred loved ones. If only surviving Believers are shown mercy and are “kept alive” as Christ returns, they would be the only ones “blessed” by invitation to the wedding supper. What short-change for faithfulness! What a slap in the face for all who “mourn and pray” but who allegedly have no 2^nd chance for salvation. Luke 21:36

Left Behind fiction books agree to include Trib-Martyrs in the “first resurrection” but do not include Trib-Survivors among those “caught up” to meet Christ at His Presence. The prophecies of Zech.13:8-9 & 14:16 include a remnant of Israel and those “left behind” of the nations that must come to worship God. Instead of Trib-Surviving Saints becoming the guests at the Lamb’s wedding supper and non-resurrected progenitors of the Millennial population, I believe God will “show mercy to ALL mankind who are left behind and they will come to Jerusalem each year to worship God at the Feast of Tabernacles.” Zech.14:16; Rom.11:32.

Martyrs are featured in Revelation because they are the first ones, along with 144,000 Jews, standing and singing before God on a crystal-like sea mixed with fire. Rev.15:2; Dan.7:9-10. Martyrs come out from under the Altar as soon as the last one is killed who must be killed; even before the Son of Man arrives from earth with the “Firstfruit unto God and the Lamb.” Countless in number, Martyrs will “serve God day and night” in heaven’s temple for 1000 years. This truth is being perverted to challenge Islamic suicidal martyrs for Allah.

Islam’s Jihad against Christians and Jews for rewards in paradise will inspire wholesale beheadings. Deceived into killing “infidels, they win the pleasures of paradise with 72 virgins for serving Allah. Islamic paradise is described in great sensual detail by the Koran, Sura 56 vs.12-40; Sura 55 vs.54-56 and Sura 76 vs.12-22. They shall recline on jeweled couches face to face, and there shall wait on them immortal youths with bowls and ewers and cups of purest wine (that will neither pain their heads nor take away their reason); with fruits of their choice and flesh of fowls they relish. Theirs shall be dark-eyed houris, chaste as hidden pearls: guerdon for their deeds. [Houris: Virgins, love companions]. Muhammad was heard saying: `The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode with 80,000 servants and 72 wives under a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Damascus to Yemen.’"

Those who belong to Christ are invincible until their work is completed. Knowing this becomes the challenge for overcomers. God determines life and death for those whose names are “written in the Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8; Rev.17:8. Not one of the 144,000 chosen by God will die and not even the Beast is able to kill the Two Witnesses until their 1260-day task “was finished”! Rev.11:7.

“Some will not taste death until after they have seen God’s kingdom power” manifested for 1260 days. Mark 9:1; Rev.12:10-11. No greater Kingdom Power can be imagined than that exercised by the Two Witnesses. As they lie dead for a few days, “some will face death, not loving their life unto death. They overcome Satan by their testimony and the blood of the Lamb.” That’s why this phrase, “patience of Saints,” had also occurred during their persecution by the Beast. Rev.13:5-7.

“Chinese Christians remain the world's largest persecuted community. Around 1900 the Boxer Rebellion saw 188 foreign missionaries and 32,000 Chinese believers butchered. Among them were Albazinians whose ancestors had carried the light of Holy Orthodoxy to Beijing in 1685. Christians numbered just 4 million in 1949, but may be 80 million now with up to 20,000 daily converts. What’s the explanation? The theologian Tertullian (circa 160-229), not a martyr, wrote: `The more we are mowed down by the enemies of Christianity, the more we increase in number. The blood of martyrs is the seed.’ David Aikman in Charisma Magazine wrote: `Martyrdom always was, and always will be, the highest honor of a Christian life.’” I believe this honor makes End-timers worthy.

In the fifties, the story of Nora Lam’s faith in Christ and miraculous escape from a firing squad inspired Christians. She exemplified the purpose of the Book of Revelation relative to the “Patience of Saints.” She survived physical death among millions of Believers who perished under godless rulers. The seed of the Church is due to Saints like Nora Lam.

Why do Saints suffer? It convicts the wicked of their rebellion toward God. The Gog and Magog armies of Ezekiel 38-39 will realize why God sent His people into exile. Israel needs to realize that, while God is anxious to forgive, sin does not go unpunished. The rest of the natural seed of Abraham need to learn that Christ is their only supreme ruler. They will stand in awe and utter amazement at the Presence of Jesus with all the Saints.

The Patience of Saints is the background for God’s purpose to show mercy to all men after restoring Israel as head of the nations. She will be made envious that God’s blessing is attained only in Christ. The New Israel of the New Covenant awaits fulfillment. The Patience of Saints is NOW the warp and woof of the fabric of suffering with Christ in order to win men from every nation to Christ before He restores the fortunes of Israel.

While God has already shown mercy to Manasseh by a coalition of international Jewish and Gentile believers footing the bill [at $800 a person to bring 3000 back from the mountains of southern China and while 12000 of them will be among the 144000 rescued from Mt. Zion on the Lastday], Ephraim’s tribe remains in darkness of the Hope of Israel. Israel’s last prophet, Hosea, calls God’s faithless wife “idolatrous Ephraim” 37 times!

The gospel must first be witnessed to gentile nations. At Ephraim’s restoration and her reunion with Judah as “one stick” God will show mercy to all mankind. Rom.11:32. The “knowledge of the Lord will be universal for all from the least to the greatest.” The New Covenant makes the old obsolete and it will be extended to all men once “God restores Israel’s fortunes as they were at first.” Jer.31:31-37; Jer.33:11-26; Heb.8:8-13.   

The Patience of Saints draws attention to God’s purpose for millions who mourn and beg and prevail for mercy when they see Christ appear and all the Saints gathered from earth to His Presence. Angels gather the Elect from all extremities of the heavens and those left behind see them appear with Christ. “The tribes of earth mourn. God will relent of punishing and will rescue all who call on the Lord.” Matt.24:31; Rev.1:7; Rev.17:14; Joel 2:14,32; Luke 17:33; Luke 21:36.

“Overcomers to the end” will reign with Christ 1000 years over the nations. Rev.2:25-27. But much more awaits the Martyrs whose works follow them. Rev.14:13. In their 1^st meeting with God, Event #9, Martyrs stand before God along with the 144,000 rescued from Mt. Zion. Victorious over the Beast, they present the Son of Man to God. Rev.15:2; Dan.7:9-10,13. Standing on a river/sea of fire, they sing that all nations must come to worship God. Ushered into the presence of God and the Lamb for Act One of the Open Temple Drama, they join the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruit and 2 resurrected Witnesses in Act Two and Three to judge the wicked already reaped to the winepress of God’s great anger. Event #7, next month, shows the wicked first being reaped to the winepress.

Martyrs are winners of the greatest reward to faithful Saints in Rev.3:12. They bear the names of God, the Lamb and the New Jerusalem. They not only “serve God in heaven; but reign with Christ. The Lamb will shepherd them in heaven’s Temple 1000 years.” Rev.7:15-17; Rev.20:4-5. Paul taught believers they must “enter God’s Kingdom thru much persecution.” Peter added: “Judgment must begin with the household of God.” Acts 14:22; I Pet.4:17. But the “sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory yet to come.” Rom.8:18.

Martyrs in Seal Five, as souls under the altar and clothed in white robes, will finally exit and stand before God on a crystal sea mixed with fire. Having harps of God they will sing the song of Moses. In *Act One* of the Temple Drama, they stand in white robes to praise God and the Lamb. In the Court of *Act Two* they “sit on thrones and are given judgment” against the wicked. In Rev.20, they are seen in a flashback “sitting on these thrones and judging” the wicked moments before they take part in the “first resurrection.”

They are still “souls” in this flashback to the Court of Rev.8 as God sentences the wicked. The Angel of Fire renders the verdict calling for *Act Three* as the 7^th Angel trumpets:  “God’s wrath has come and the appointed time to judge the dead (which requires the resurrection of all who have died in the Lord) and reward the Saints (since He brings His rewards with Him.” Rev.11:18; Matt.16:27; Rev.22:12.. Then they “live again and serve God for 1000 years in heaven’s Temple"). Rev. 7:15; Rev.20:4. In this flashback to Act 2 and Act 3, prior to the “first resurrection,” God justifies His impending wrath, finally announced in the 7th Trumpet, to avenge their blood by “destroying the destroyers of earth.” Rev.11:18.

See next for more on Concentric Paths.    Mel