The Top Misinterpretations Causing The Most Confusion in the Timing and Details of Prophetic Events

[Rev2015]

The top misinterpretations causing the most confusion in the timing and details of prophetic events. 

I believe most here adhere to a future period of time as described in Daniel as a 7 year period called the covenant with many.  This is the period of time describing the last kingdom of man’s rule before the return and rule of Jesus Christ as King of the earth for a 1000 years. This last kingdom will have 10 kingdoms and 10 kings over these kingdoms, and they will give their power and authority to the antichrist. These kingdoms are described as 10 toes in Daniel, and they are the 10 kingdoms described in Revelation. Most of the events in Revelation take place during this last 7 year period. There are many belief systems based on the exegesis of students of prophecy regarding the timing and details of prophetic events. The misinterpretations of the context and subject matter of the verses and their true meanings, have led many students down the wrong path of having a full correct perspective of how the timing and details of these 7 years will unfold.

1. Matthew 24 verse 36: As I have stated in other posts, this verse in my opinion is the most misinterpreted in the Bible. Most believe and base their prophetic exegesis on this verse being the resurrection and rapture and/or the physical return of Christ. The day no one knows but the Father only is revealed by Christ in the context of what you are reading in Matthew 24: 34-36. It is the day the heavens and earth pass away. This verse is used out of context more than any other in prophetic discussions, and is the cause of most of the errors in many exegesis of prophetic belief systems.

2. Ezekiel 38 and 39: Many miss the placement of this battle in the prophetic perspective. Some place this event after the 1000 years reign of Christ. Some place it at the mid point of the tribulation. God tells us in Ezekiel 38 and 39, this battle takes place just prior to a 7 period, in the latter days. This battle will subdue the 3 kingdoms described in Daniel, and set the world’s condition for 10 kings to arise and place antichrist in power. The covenant with many will be presented to the earth’s people after the Ezekiel battle.

3. The seal, trumpet, and bowls of wrath judgments. Most adhere and believe these 3 series of judgments are consecutive. I believe they are concurrent in their unfolding. The 1st of each series start at a different point during the 7 year period, but the 7th of each series happens at the same instant, immediately following the 6th seal. The 1st seal releases antichrist to rise to power. The 2nd seal parallels Ezekiel 38 and 39. The covenant with many follows the 2nd seal and the Ezekiel battle. Seals 3-5 are opened throughout the remaining years of the tribulation. The 6th seal is opening at the end of the tribulation as Christ IS returning to the earth. The 1st trumpet is blown near the midpoint of the 7 years (AOD) and trumpets 2 through 6 are blown through the last half (3 1/2 years) of the 7 years. The 1st bowl is poured out near the end of the tribulation, these 7 judgments are so severe (IMHO) no life could be sustained for any long period of time. The bowls 1-6 will be poured out in the last months and days before Christ returns.
The 7th seal, the 7th trumpet, and the 7th bowl of wrath, are opened, blown, and poured out at the same instant in time as Christ feet touch the ground causing the great earthquake described in each event, ending the 7 year period.

4. Paul’s descriptive of the last trump. Most believe this is the 7th trumpet, or as happening near, or at the end of the 7 years. However, if you place yourself there in the audience at that time, as a student of prophecy, you would have known from the O.T. and the celebrated feast and traditions of that time, exactly what day Paul was referring to, when he said the resurrection and rapture happens at the last trump. The people there knew it was the feast of trumpets. Paul actually revealed the exact day and hour the resurrection and rapture will occur on, only the year is not revealed.

5. The wicked servants. Many believe these are Christians who have some how fallen away from their faith, but I believe they are the lost. The good servants are the saved, the bad/wicked servants are the lost. The sheep and the goats. 

[Ezra]

Rev2015,

In trying to correct what you deem are misinterpretations, I believe your conclusions themselves are not supported by the quoted Scriptures.

The day no one knows but the Father only is revealed by Christ in the context of what you are reading in Matthew 24: 34-36. It is the day the heavens and earth pass away.

That is certainly not what the context reveals. Please take another look at the context below and see that this is talking about the Second Coming of Christ, NOT the day the heavens and earth pass away (which will be quite distant from the Second Coming)

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory... But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

God tells us in Ezekiel 38 and 39, this battle takes place just prior to a 7 period, in the latter days.

As a matter of fact, there is no such Scripture which ties in a 7 year period with the battle of Gog and Magog.  On the other hand, we are told clearly in Rev 20 that after the thousand years of the Millennium are completed, Satan is loosed and gathers all the armies together under Gog and Magog.  That is the only time the New Testament refers back to Ezekiel.

The seal, trumpet, and bowls of wrath judgments. Most adhere and believe these 3 series of judgments are consecutive. I believe they are concurrent in their unfolding.

Once again you are off base. Everything concerning these judgments is sequential, so to claim that they are concurrent is simply conjecture.  Furthermore it is during the 7^th seal period that the seven trumpet judgments occur, and it is during the 7^th trumpet judgment that the seven bowls (or vials) of wrath are poured out.

The people there knew it was the feast of trumpets. Paul actually revealed the exact day and hour the resurrection and rapture will occur on, only the year is not revealed.

Once again there is no Scripture connecting the Feast of Trumpets to the resurrection and rapture. The silver trumpets which summoned the assembling and journeying of Israel in the wilderness are a type of the last trump which summons the Church to Heaven.

[Montana Marv]

Ezk 39:9b - For 7 years they will use them for fuel.  (The weapons of war)  v.11 - On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward the sea.  (the valley of Hamon Gog) - (most likely the Dead Sea)

So this Ezekiel war must happen before the 70th Week begins.  For those of Israel are regularly employed for 7 months (180 days if you remove the Sabbaths) to cleanse the land, and others will bury those that remain on the ground.  How many can say 2-4 million individuals (those of Israel) bury in a day??? and multiply times 180.

Just a side note: The A/C, lawless one, beast, the one who is to be worshiped, will allow Israel to build a new Temple (as part of his 7 year covenant/pact/decree) with many, which he will defile 1,260 days later.

In Christ

Montana Marv

[Rev2015]

 

 

Hello Ezra, In our study, I am sure most agree Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, are parallel summations of the book of Revelation. The contextual parallel verses can be observed in any side by side comparison. However this doesn't mean we have to agree on the timing and details of these events.

KJV
Matthew 24:
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Verses 29-31 are a direct parallel of the 6th seal in Revelation 6: This happens as Christ returns to the earth as described in the 6th seal.

Matthew 24:
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mark 13:
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Verses 35 & 36 in Matthew 24, and as witnessed in Mark 13:31 & 32, are a direct parallel to Revelation chapter 21, and as described in detail in 2nd Peter chapter 3. The mentioning of the day the heavens and earth pass away, should point your direction to their fulfillments in Revelation 21 and 2nd Peter 3. Verse 35 of Matthew 24, and verse  31 of Mark 17 indicate in the contextual content, what day and hour is being referred to.

I do not argue there are verses that seem to be misplaced in there context, Revelation 8:2, comes to mind, as well as Matthew 24 verse 28 (should be with verses 40 & 41), compared with the contextual parallel verses in Luke 17:34-37.

However I do not believe we have this instance with verses 36 of Matthew 24, or verse 32 of Mark 17. Both indicate a non misplaced contextual content. So, I am not sure why you chose to place verse 36 of Matthew 24, as a continuance of verse 30, in your post. (below)

"That is certainly not what the context reveals. Please take another look at the context below and see that this is talking about the Second Coming of Christ, NOT the day the heavens and earth pass away (which will be quite distant from the Second Coming"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory... "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

This completely changes and ignores the contextual meaning of what is actually being read. In context, the day and hour only the Father knows, is revealed in verse 35 of Matthew 24, as well as verse 31 in the Mark 13 parallel, both in the actual context of what we are reading.

Edited October 25, 2015 by Rev2015

[Rev2015]

Hey Ezra,

These are the verses in Ezekiel, some believe indicate God is telling us when this battle takes place. In the latter days/years, and just before/prior to a 7 year period where Israel will burn the weapons for fuel for those 7 years. Many believe this is a parallel to the 7 year covenant with many in Daniel, and the 7 year period described in Revelation. Again we don't have to agree, but these are the verses as to why I and others believe as we do. There are also many comparison studies of why this battle is not the battle after satan is released after the 1000 year reign of Christ. I will leave it to other threads for that endeavor.

 

KJV
Ezekiel 38:
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:
9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

[Ezra]

When you carefully note the conditions prevailing in Israel in Ezekiel 38 and 39, it is impossible that such would be the conditions at any time before Christ establishes the kingdom of Israel for the Millennium. Therefore the battle of Gog and Magog occurs AFTER the Millennium, and the seven years of burning would be AFTER that. Naturally those details will not be found in Revelation 20 which is extremely brief.

[missmuffet]

I believe that there are two gog and magog.The one in Ezekiel 38 and 39 and one in Revelation 20:7-8 which are two separate events.

[WilliamL]

I believe that there are two gog and magog [wars]. The one in Ezekiel 38 and 39 and one in Revelation 20:7-8 which are two separate events.

Agree. Exodus 17:6 ... the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Gog is a derivative of Agag, the titular head of Amalek. (For example, Haman of the Book of Esther was called "the Agagite.") There will be one war against Amalek/Agag/Gog at the commencement of "the Last [7th] Day" = the Millenium, and a final one at the end of the Millenium. The former is the Ezekiel 38-39 war, not the latter.

The top misinterpretations causing the most confusion in the timing and details of prophetic events. 

I believe most here adhere to a future period of time as described in Daniel as a 7 year period called the covenant with many. 

This belief rates at or near the top of the false teachings "causing the most confusion in the timing and details of prophetic events." Detailed evidence for why Daniel 9:26-27's 70th week has already been fulfilled is found here: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/d/dummies/index.php?p=1_10_Daniel-s-70-Weeks

Here is a brief excerpt, with some additons:

Daniel 9:24-27 provides an accurate summary of events in Judea from the First Coming of the Messiah up to the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. It doesn’t mention at all

– any abomination of desolation of the Holy Place;

– the time of the end/latter time/latter days, or any similar term;

– the Great Tribulation/time of trouble such as never was;

– the saints, or any flight of God’s people;

– Messiah’s coming in the clouds, Divine Judgement, and/or the establishment of God’s kingdom;

– the coming prince’s demise;

– or the raising of the dead.

These topics are discussed elsewhere in Daniel’s End Time prophecies. Why not here? Because this is not a prophecy for the end of Church Age, but rather for the end of the Jewish Age.

There is no scripture about the End Times that prophesies the building of the Temple prior to the Second Coming of the Messiah. There is no scripture about the End Times that says Jerusalem will be destroyed in the End Times. Both of these things would have to occur in order for this passage in Daniel to be End Time: but they are nowhere mentioned in any End Time prophetic passage.

The reason for this is clear: neither of those events will take place before the Second Coming. However, the traditions of men in our day are well-entrenched, just as were the false traditions of the Jews at the First Coming of Christ.

[Montana Marv]

William

Why is it then that Israel (Daniels people) and Jerusalem (Daniels holy city) have not completed any of the six tasks (Dan 9:24).

In Christ

Montana Marv

[Rev2015]

 

The seal, trumpet, and bowls of wrath judgments. Most adhere and believe these 3 series of judgments are consecutive. I believe they are concurrent in their unfolding.

Once again you are off base. Everything concerning these judgments is sequential, so to claim that they are concurrent is simply conjecture.  Furthermore it is during the 7^th seal period that the seven trumpet judgments occur, and it is during the 7^th trumpet judgment that the seven bowls (or vials) of wrath are poured out.

The people there knew it was the feast of trumpets. Paul actually revealed the exact day and hour the resurrection and rapture will occur on, only the year is not revealed.

Once again there is no Scripture connecting the Feast of Trumpets to the resurrection and rapture. The silver trumpets which summoned the assembling and journeying of Israel in the wilderness are a type of the last trump which summons the Church to Heaven.

 

Hey Ezra,

In reading Revelation 6, when the 6th seal is opened, it is very apparent Christ has returned at the 6th seal at the end of the 7 year period. The elite hide themselves in the rocks and dens of the mountains pray for them to hide them from The Father and the Lamb, for His day IS come. If you hold to the consecutive view then you have to explain why there is a need to inflict the trumpet and bowls of wrath judgments on the earth after Jesus has arrived. He wins the battle against the world’s armies that have already gathered to fight Him and his armies. There is no need to continue the trumpets judgments or the bowls of wrath if Christ has returned to the earth as the 6th seal indicates. This is why I believe the concurrent view. In this view the trumpets and bowls of wrath have been being blown and poured out concurrently in parallel with the seals, the trumpets from around the midpoint and the bowls of wrath near the very end of the 7 years, so by the time the 6th seal is opened, the trumpet and bowls of wrath judgments are wrapping up also, with the 7th of each series of judgments happening at the same moment as Christ feet touch the ground immediately following the 6th seal causing the great earthquake described at the 7th of each judgment.

I have found that God teaches Revelation like He did Genesis. He started out summarizing the 6 days of creation followed by the 7th day of rest. He then backs up and fills more information on what occurred during the creation week. I believe Revelation is the same way. The seal judgments are a summarization of the 7 years. Notice how after the 6th of each series of judgments, there is a gap before the 7th judgment, I believe this is to back up to fill in more information on what else was happening in the same period of time. 

I once held the consecutive view. I was shown and explained the concurrent view to study. As I delved more into the view, I believe it explained the timing and details of how the events in Revelation unfolded in a more accurate manner than the consecutive view.

Anyway, we don’t have to agree, but if you get the time to study the view, just to understand its merits, I believe you may possibly discover some answers to questions you may have.

 

Your comment about the two silver trumpets are also valid, I believe if the Feast of Trumpets isn't the representation of the last trump Paul is referring to, then I believe the description in the scripture on the blowing of the two silver trumpets is a possible fulfillment. I still believe the Feast of Trumpets is the more probable fulfillment, but I believe your assessment is an accurate possibility. 

God Bless

Edited October 27, 2015 by Rev2015