THE PANORAMA …IN THE HEAVENS

 Seeking to Understand Revelation

When the disciples saw Jesus ascending to heaven, ten days before Pentecost, two angels promised them He would “come again in like manner as He had left”!  “Every eye will see Him, visibly, and the tribes of earth will mourn”. Acts 1:11; Rev.1:7. He had revealed the signs by which end-time believers will “know His coming is near”!! Matt.24:15,33. Today, popular belief anticipates His coming in secret to rapture believers to heaven…without anticipating specific pre-signs!!!

If we are not to look for specific signs, why do preachers constantly refer to “signs” that indicate the nearness of Christ’s return? He “comes suddenly” and, in return for “keeping His word to endure to the end, saints will be kept from the HOUR of trial that comes suddenly, as He appears, to try those dwelling on all the face of all the earth”. Rev.3:10; Luke 21:35. These verses are Jesus’ own irrefutable words.

Events on earth reach a crisis as armies gather to Armageddon! When the critical events of Rev.16:12-17 occur and God decrees “It is Done”, Jesus immediately fulfills Rev.6:12-17 by opening Seal Six!! The HOUR of Trial follows the Signs He gave of His coming: signs that occur after the 7^th Plague empties!!!  Rev.16:17.

These signs in heaven are part of the Panorama in the Heavens “in the days after the great tribulation”. They happen without warning. Jesus did not warn us against being “overtaken” by these signs. The specific signs of Christ’s imminent return will unexpectedly overtake only the wicked as a “snare” when they wrongly think they are safe! But believers and millions of Jews will be prepared for these signs!! For 1260 days the Two Witnesses will have based their “prophesies” on the same OT signs to which Jesus refers in three Gospels and in Revelation. Rev.6:12-17.

To understand Revelation we must recognize that the Panorama in the Heavens present events of the Lastday interspersed with five major Flashbacks! When Seal 7 opens on the Lastday, armies from the East have already killed a third of mankind in the 6^th Trumpet and have invaded Israel in the 6^th Plague!! The 7^th Seal presents the first Flashback to the Trumpet Angels; but only six of the Trumpet Judgments had occurred as of the half hour of silence mentioned in Rev.8:1-2!!!    

Instead of 7 Trumpets succeeding 7 seals, the armies of the 6^th Trumpet Judgment had already killed a third of mankind! That Judgment is described in Rev.9:14-21 as part of the Flashback in Seal 7 to present incriminating evidence against the wicked!! The Court’s half hour of silence in the Temple of heaven allows the review of the inner CONTENTS of the Scroll when the Lamb breaks the last seal!!!

Seal 7 presents the evidence of guilt from 6 of the 7 Judgments before the Angel of Fire offers the prayers of all the Saints to God, mixed with incense, to complete the 7^th Seal and to render his Verdict by casting coals of fire off the Altar to earth! It seems premature that John sees all 7 Angels at the start of Seal 7 in Rev.8:2 …immediately after mentioning the half hour of silence in the Temple of heaven…and four verses before beginning to describe the Flashback at Rev.8:6!! Note that Seal 7, like Seal 6, opens on the Lastday after the sun turns dark and the moon is blood-red and great quakes produce raging seas that batter the surfs; islands and mountains begin moving out of their places!!!  Rev.6:14.

The onset of the Hour of Trial is as much unknown as the signs of the Day Christ Appears! But we will find the description of the 2^nd Flashback climaxes with the 7^th Trumpet Angel proclaiming that “God’s wrath has come”!! That proclamation occurs immediately after the Court’s Verdict in Seal 7 given by the Angel of Fire!!! 

Endtime events begin with a War in heaven prior to events on earth; but Lastday events begin with the Decree out of the Temple of Heaven “It is Done”! Of the 7 Seals, only the 5^th and 7^th take place in heaven…the 5^th to record the prayer of the Martyrs to be avenged and the 7^th for the Verdict of heaven’s Court as it sits in judgment on the wicked!! Of the 7 Trumpets only the 7^th takes place in heaven and records the immediate result of the Angel’s Verdict as the 7^th Trumpet Angel proclaims “God’s wrath has come”!!! [Rev.11:15-19 follows Rev.8:1-5].

The 7^th Plague suspends in air while Seal 6 opens with a great quake on earth and with signs of impending doom in the heavens! That’s why the armies gathered in Rev.16:12-17 must set the stage for launching Lastday events in Rev.6:12-17!! Plague 7, Seals 6 & 7 and the 7^th Trumpet occur on the last day…the Day God decrees “It is Done”, the 7^th Angel empties his Plague in the air and Christ opens the 6^th Seal to fulfill 100 verses in the Book of Revelation on the Day of Wrath!!!  

The Endtime begins at the opening of Seal Two after a War in Heaven between the angels of Michael and Satan and Michael casts them from heaven forever!  The conflict continues on earth 3½ years until the Beast kills the Two Witnesses… but with up to 3½ or more days remaining while the Beast’s armies invade Israel and Saints wait for the great quake that kills 7000 in a tenth of Jerusalem…and for the Witnesses to rise up!! Then they “watch for Christ’s coming at any moment”!!!

The Decree from the Throne, “It is Done”, the 7^th Plague suspended above earth and the great quake of Seal 6 will set the stage for the 7^th Seal’s Court scene in heaven! Armies that have just killed a third of mankind and invaded Israel set the stage for the Lamb to open Seal 6!! This launches the signs of impending wrath!!!

We must realize Jesus is as much concerned about Jews as about Believers! It is Jews whom Jesus urges not to be “overtaken by the cares of this life; but to look up, stand erect and be begging to escape; to prevail to stand before the Son of Man”!! Luke 21:28-36. His warning applies to those who heed “the sign” of His Presence!!! [The purpose of the great tribulation is to prepare Jews to embrace their Messiah and to ensure that all Believers are ready and “worthy to meet Him at His Presence”!! Mark 8:38; I Thess.3:13; I Thess.5:23; 2 Thess.1:5-11.

Panorama in the Heavens Continues for Hours   

Since no one knows the Hour, even after “the signs appear”, that Day’s events will continue to warn the wicked and prepare mankind to repent or totally reject Christ! The wicked “believe a strong delusion” that Antichrist is invincible!! They continue to “blaspheme God” after gathering to Armageddon; so when the last (7^th) Plague implodes, God sends great blocks of hail to punish them!!! Rev.16:9-11, 17-21.

This is the context when Jesus “blesses” Believers as they watch for His imminent return. The scene quickly changes from events on earth to events in the heavens …after armies are gathered to Armageddon. Rev.16:14-16. Daniel reveals the Son of Man must be “presented to the Ancient of days by coming first on the clouds of heaven” (with the 144,000 Firstfruit redeemed from earth) to receive authority to take earth’s kingdoms on that Day! The 7^th Trumpet is the last trump to sounds “in the days” after prophetic time ends and God’s mystery was finished!! There is a short space between Seal 6 and the 7^th Trumpet and its “appointed kairos-time for Resurrection and Rewards to the prophets and saints and all who fear God and for Retribution upon earth’s destroyers!!!  Dan.7:13-14; Rev.10:6-7; Rev.11:15-18.

As 7 classes of men acknowledge “the Day of God’s Wrath has come, the 4 winds are held back and 144,000 Jews, gathered to Mt. Zion, are sealed with the name of the Lamb; having been sealed with the Father’s name long beforehand. They are “redeemed from earth as the Firstfruit unto God and the Lamb and follow Him wherever He goes”. So Rev.14:1-5 must immediately follow Rev.7:1-8. The 4^th of 5 Flashbacks reveals the Martyrs and 144,000 join in the heavenly “presentation and Coronation of the King” before He descends to earth. Dan.7:13-14; Rev.11:15-17.   

Only after the description of the Beast having “persecuted all the saints for 42 months (in Daniel and Revelation) do they present the Son of Man to the Ancient of Days”! Rev.13:5-7; 15:1-4; Dan.7:9-13. Events of Rev.14:1 to 15:5 portray what happens between earth and heaven when Christ rescues 144,000 blameless Jewish Firstfruit of the Endtime Harvest, reaps the earth and is presented to God!! Sacrificial Lamb and victorious Son of Man declared worthy as King of kings!!!

The rescue of the “Firstfruit unto God and symbolic reaping of the wicked” by the Son of Man in Rev.14, during signs of the Lastday, authorize Christ’s Coronation as their worthy Bridegroom and King of nations. Believers know the approximate day in advance since He is crowned on one of the Feast days of Tabernacles at the fall Harvest…at the 7^th Trumpet...after the Two Prophets arise because “God’s mystery was finished” and armies will have invaded Israel for history’s climactic “unique day”.  An angel “proclaims the everlasting good news across the heavens” that, at last, “God’s Hour of Judgment has come”! Rev.14:6-7. “God’s mystery was finished” when the Prophets completed their 1260-day task in the 2^nd Flashback!!  Rev.14:1 to Rev.15:5 ends the 3^rd Flashback and immediately precedes the Temple Drama from Rev.7:9 to Rev.8:5 and Rev.11:15-19!!!

Flashbacks are important as Daniel sees the Court sitting in judgment before as well as after Christ is crowned. Dan.7:9-22. And John references Martyrs “sitting in judgment” before and after the Coronation in Rev.11:15-17. Rev.8:1-5; Rev.20:4. The Lamb rescues 144,000 Firstfruit and then the Son of Man reaps the wicked on earth.  While the rescue of these Firstfruit is prerequisite to the Court-Scene of Rev.8:1-5 (Dan.7:9-22), their redemption and the reaping of earth are part of a Flashback from Rev.12:1 to Rev.15:5. The 144,000 and the Martyrs present the Son of Man to God in the two songs of Rev.15:3...after the Beast reigns in Rev.13.

Keys to Understanding the Book of Revelation

My website gives 10 Keys for Understanding Revelation. The basic key, we have noted, requires events of the Day of Wrath to begin with the signs of Seal Six. Another key is the plight of Martyrs whose blood will be avenged by God within a few days after the Two Prophets are killed.  Another key concerns the order of Lastday events that fulfill one hundred verses of Revelation. These events, I believe, lead quickly to the 7^th Trumpet...the “last trump” of I Cor.15:52.

Panoramic events in the heavens reveal a progressive buildup to a climax on the Lastday. Prior to the beginning of the Endtime, a scene in heaven finds the Lamb alone “worthy to open the 7-sealed Scroll”! But before the Lastday begins, 1260 Endtime Days and God’s mystery must be finished!! Rev.10:6-7. “No one enters the Temple until the 7^th Plague empties in the air in the days after God’s mystery was finished”!!! Rev.10:7; Rev.15:8.

The Beast kills the Two Witnesses and the countdown-time of 1260 days ends with 3½ days’ or more remaining until Trump 7 sounds! On the Lastday the 7^th Plague empties in the air to finish the waiting time for the Lamb to open the last two Seals!!  At the 7^th Seal, 6 of the 7 Trumpets go on display for about a half hour and then the Court of  Seal 7 gives way to the triumphant blowing of the 7^th Trumpet - - “God’s wrath has come” and the appointed time for Resurrection - Rewards - Retribution!!!   

When Does the Temple Open for its Three-Act Drama?

This determines the order of events after the 7 Plagues empty; for “no one enters the Temple” prior to the last Plague! John describes the Temple Drama prior to the 7 Plagues because Temple scenes from the start of the Lastday are Revelation’s Centerpiece!!  Martyrs come out from under the Altar for the songs of Rev.15 and  enter the Temple at Rev.7:9…nine chapters before the Plagues are described!!!  

Plagues are seen in the 4^th Flashback! Martyrs are seen in a final Flashback “sitting on thrones to judge” in Rev.20:4!! But they sit in judgment after the last Plague empties, after they join the 144,000 to sing before God in Rev.15:3 and after they praise God and the Lamb and learn of their reward in Rev.7:9-17!!!

Then Seal 7 opens for the Tribunal

Flashbacks show the centrality of the Temple Drama on the Lastday. The third one shows 3 angels sent from the Throne to aid the Son of Man at the Hour to Reap. The Hour to Reap in Rev.14 precedes the Temple Drama which John had already described from Rev.7:9 to Rev.8:5 and Rev.11:15-19. The Martyrs of Rev.15 come out from under the Altar and join 144,000 Jews to present the Son of Man to God before entering the Temple to judge the wicked in Seal 7! Rev.8:1-5. The events of Rev.14:1 to Rev.15:5 occur before they enter the Temple in Rev.7:9 and before the Court of Seal 7 convenes!! Therefore, the Court does not immediately succeed the opening of Seal 6 on the Lastday!!!  

After Seal 6 opens the 144,000 are sealed with the Lamb’s name. He comes to Mt. Zion to rescue them. Rev.14:1-5. As He returns to heaven the Son of Man reaps the Harvest at the End of the Age. Matt.13:30-42; Rev.14. Symbolically, He reaps the earth from a white cloud. The Firstfruit of 144,000 accompany Him as Angels cast the wicked (gathered to Armageddon) into “the winepress of God’s great anger”.  The Temple Drama follows after the two songs of Rev.15:3.

The Martyrs and 144,000 “redeemed from earth” present the Son of Man to the Ancient of Days. Dan.7:13. They sing the songs of Moses and the Lamb after the Plagues finish manifesting God’s righteous deeds! Rev.15:1,4. The action in the Temple begins with praise to God and the Lamb and then the Court sits in judgment!! Dan.7:9-22; Rev.8:1-5 (Seal 7); Rev.20:4. At the Verdict by the Angel of Fire, the 7^th Angel sounds the last Trumpet from within the Temple!!!

Christ’s Coronation occurs because “God’s wrath has come and the appointed time to judge and reward the dead in Christ” (First Resurrection)! Rev.11:15-18; Dan.7:14; Rev.20:4-6. The 5^th Flashback ends (Rev.17:1 to Rev.18:19) with Heaven and the Saints being summoned to rejoice; for “Babylon has fallen and the Lamb’s Wedding has come”!! Rev. 18:20 to Rev.19:8. Heaven opens and the Lamb descends with the “called, elect and faithful”!!! Rev.17:14; Rev.19:9-11.

The Panoramic scenes in heaven highlight the Centrality of the Temple Drama! We must recognize that signs of Seal 6 launch the DAY of God’s wrath; not wrath itself!! The Lastday begins “after great tribulation; in the days when time shall be no longer; the mystery of God was finished and the 7th Trumpet is about to sound”!! Mark 13:24; Matt. 24:29; Rev.10:6-7. God’s long patience is exhausted and with the 7th Trumpet, the Hour to execute “God’s wrath has come”!!! Rev.11:18. 

The greatest intensity of God’s anger occurs as He sits on His throne, ablaze with fire over a crystal sea/river of fire in heaven (not in the Temple)! This occurs only after His patience was finished” at the last Plague and the Temple opens for the Court’s Judgment and Trump 7’s decree of wrath!! So the Court’s Verdict (Rev.8:1-5; Dan.9:22) occurs after six Trumpet Judgments and 7 last Plagues even though: ONE: John sees the Verdict (Rev.8:5) three chapters before Christ’s Coronation; TWO: John reveals “God's wrath has come”, text-wise, long before the Beast and his armies and the wicked are destroyed!!! Rev.11:15-18; Rev.19:15-21; Rev.16:18-21.

A view of the climactic character of Panoramic Events in the Heavens on the Last Day requires 100 verses as the Last Plague empties in the atmosphere above earth! A voice out of the Temple in heaven, from the Throne, decrees the “End has Occurred”!! The Lamb causes the sun to darken, the moon turns blood-red and stars fall from heaven!!!

Mountains collapse, the seas roar and islands begin to shift. The Lamb comes to Mt. Zion; He rescues 144,000 Jewish Firstfruit “unto God and the Lamb”; they accompany Him to a white cloud and 3 angels flash messages across the sky of imminent doom on Babylon and Beast and Beast-Worshipers because the “Hour of Judgment has come”! The Son of Man reaps the earth and 3 more angels come from heaven’s Temple to assist in “collecting” the wicked to the “winepress of God’s great anger”!! With the last Plague having “completed God’s patience”, the Martyrs and 144,000 sing the songs of Moses and the Lamb!!! Rev.15:1-4.

“The Temple was open”; but now they enter for the Three-Act Drama of the Tribute of Praise, Testimony of Prayer and Triumph of Promise! This is the moment of Christ’s Coronation and rejoicing by the Saints and Prophets!! Rev.18:20. The rejoicing and announcement of the Lamb’s wedding having come occurs moments before Christ descends. Rev.19:1-10.

“Heaven Opens”, Christ descends and gathers the elect from earth to heaven! He sends the angels to complete the Panorama by gathering them out of the 4 winds from all extremities of the heavens!! As every eye beholds millions of Saints who pierced Him coming in the glory of the Son of Man, and the tribes of earth mourn and beg to escape God’s wrath, the Lamb “treads the winepress of God’s anger and wrath”!!!  Rev.19:1-15; Mark 13:27; Matt.24:31; Rev.17:14; 2 Thess.2:1; Matt.24:30; Rev.1:7; Lk.21:36; 2 Thess.1:10.

February: Praise and Prayers of the Saints in Heaven’s Temple.   Mel Miller