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ur study of the seven churches of Revelation
has come to an end, and we are now living in the white space
on the page between Revelation 3 and 4. There is a gap of time
between chapters three and four. Chapter 3 ended with the last
of the seven churches (about A.D. 100). Revelation 4 will take
us to the throne room of God in heaven where we will see a
vision of the events that will occur before the start of the
Tribulation. We do not know how much time will occur between
Rev. 3 and 4, but so far 2,000 years have elapsed. In Rev.
1, 2, and 3 we saw many references to “church” or “churches;” but
from Revelation 4 to the end of the book in Rev. 22:16, there
is no reference to church or churches on this earth but only
in heaven. Why are there no references to the church on earth
between Rev. 3 and Rev. 22? The answer to this question will
be given in this study.
The Tribulation.
What is the Rapture? The Rapture is the next major event in
God’s timeline of the future. Christians are waiting
for it because Jesus Christ will return and remove them from
this evil world before the Tribulation starts. The Tribulation
is an event the entire world will experience. It is a seven
year period of suffering, war, famine, destruction, pain,
and great sorrow. The prophet Daniel tells us that the first
part of the seven year Tribulation lasts for 3.5 years. It
begins when a government leader makes a peace treaty that
includes Israel. This brings peace to the Middle East.
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And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one
week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop
to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of
abominations will come one who makes desolate, even
until a complete destruction, one that is decreed,
is poured out on the one who makes desolate. (NASB)
Dan. 9:27
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However, in the middle of the Tribulation, the leader ends
the peace with Israel and so divine judgment comes onto the
world. Jesus warned us about the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation.
He called these years the “Great Tribulation.”
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