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Angels/Demons & the End Times Lesson #6

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In case you’re wondering, if our study is about angels why are we now touching on the Book of Revelation? In chapters 1 & 2 of Revelation, Jesus has a message for each of the angels of the 7 churches in Asia Minor. Angels are mentioned 23 times throughout the Book of Revelation. Demons (i.e., fallen angels) are mentioned in 3 different chapters of Revelation (Rev. 9:20, 16:14, 18:2). Our study of angels wouldn’t be complete without this overview of angelic activities during the End Times, i.e., the spiritual realm. Demons and God’s angels are very much a part of the End Times. 

This and the next lesson constitute the end of our study of angels (I think), the spiritual realm of angels, End Times including Rapture and Tribulation. We can’t see angels or demons, but they are very active on planet earth. Most Christians have an image of what is meant by the End Times, including the Rapture and the Millennium. When I concluded the last lesson I wondered if I had enough material for another full lesson. Actually, it turned out that I have too much content to fit into a single lesson; which means there will be yet another lesson following this one. I hope you get as much out of it as I tried to put into it.

This is not intended as a study of the Book of Revelation except where it refers to Satan, demons and angels. The chart highlights key points of the Book of Revelation and the spiritual realm. Where the chart notes “Rapture (Rev. 4:1)”, v.4.1 is in reference to John being taken into heaven (raptured) during his vision. It is an interesting chart and good place to start this lesson. You can click on the chart to enlarge it and esc to return. 

Most Christians in the Evangelical world believe in a literal Rapture. This view was highlighted and gained popularity in the “Left Behind” TV and book series. Not all branches of Christianity believe in a literal Rapture. We will look at the various views, principally Protestant including Lutheran, as well as Catholic and Orthodox views. 

This slide shows a commonly held view of the Millennium (means 1,000 yrs.) by many Christians. Rev. 20:4-5 makes note of the Millennium, giving rise to various interpretations and understandings. Some see it as a literal 1,000 years, others see it as symbolic representing a period of time. Some believe Jesus will return to earth and rule for 1,000 years; while others believe He will rule through His church. We will look at the different views and rationale for each.

The Garden of Eden must have been exactly like this before Adam’s fall dragging the whole world order into chaos, decay and death. Some associate Isaiah 65 with the Millennium, when God restores what it was once like—before Adam’s fall—for a 1,000 years … Some believe the Millennium is symbolic and not literal. In either case, according to Isaiah, the lion will be lying down with the lamb—which makes for one happy lamb. Isaiah could very well be referring to the New Earth noted in Revelation 21:1. Isaiah 65 doesn’t specify a 1,000-year timeline. 

Chart shows the three most popular views in regard to a “literal Rapture” and sequence relative to the Tribulation and Millennium. Certain branches of Christianity do not believe in a literal Rapture, which we will look at, but enough do believe, making it worthy of discussion within the context of our study. 

What does the Book of Revelation say about the Millennium? The 1,000-years (millennium) is noted in Revelation 20:1-10. Again, some believe it is symbolic, others take it as stated, as a literal 1,000 years. The thousand years (i.e., millennium) is only mentioned in Revelation 20, but it’s mentioned six times. 

Whether literal or symbolic, Satan and his influence on the world system is real. Revelation 20 clearly indicates a time when Satan’s reign ends and can no longer influence the world. Not only is Satan’s influence real, but so is his rage against God and the world. Is Satan in denial about his defeat? Does he still believe—as when he revolted in heaven—that he can ultimately defeat God. Not only is Satan’s influence turned loose on the world, but so is his rage and determination to destroy everything.

I see Satan mirrored in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, his attempt to exterminate the Jews, and his decisions at the end of WWII—i.e., not allowing his armies to withdraw from the battlefield even on the verge of defeat. When it became apparent that Germany was defeated, and the Russians had entered Berlin, Hitler ordered the total destruction of all of Germany’s infrastructure, and ordered the German army and German people to fight to the bitter end, which many did. This is the same hatred and rage we can expect from Satan, knowing defeat was imminent. I see history as a learning tool; I believe this one can be applied to the End Times.

The view not previously shown is Amillennialism, that sees much, if not most, of Revelation as symbolism, including the thousand years (millennial) noted in Rev. 20:3. Nor does it believe in a literal reign of Christ on earth; that His influence is through His church and evangelism of those born during that 1,000-year period.

The word millennium doesn’t appear in the Bible, it is used in reference to the “thousand years” noted several times in Revelation 20.

A view of the Rapture is linked to the Millennium. There are different views on the Millennium, one being that the people entering that 1,000-year period, are born-again Christians who lived through—actually, suffered through—the Great Tribulation. Others do not see it as a literal 1,000 years of Christ’s reign on earth, but that He rules through His church, which evangelizes those born during that period. 

Since Rapture isn’t mentioned in the Bible, where does the term come from? Belief in a Rapture is rooted in 1 Thessalonians 4. Advocates point to it as a strong indication of a literal Rapture. Others believe it refers to the final resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ after the 7-year Tribulation, to establish His kingdom here on earth, at the end of which the New Heaven descends on earth (Rev. 21:1) thus giving us a New Heaven and New Earth.

Hopefully, the next two slides answer that question in the slide.

This and the next slide explain why I believe God establish a millennium period after the Tribulation. Even Lucifer and his angels in heaven and man in the Garden of Eden, though created perfect and sinless, and in a perfect environment, sinned of their own free will. 

It is God’s final lesson to humanity. The Millennial period would be everyone’s dream… if Jesus reigned on earth, things would be perfect is every way, a world of perfect social justice and world order, free of strife under Jesus as Lord. And yet… some people willingly sinned. 

All of which takes us to the Rapture. When and where does the Rapture take place? Or does it? Where does it fit in respect to the Millennium?  

I find it necessary to repeat myself at times, that some believe and others do not believe in a literal Rapture and literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth. This slide reflects the view that appears to be the most widely held one within Christianity. Some believe John was writing in regard to the Roman Empire, which ended around 480 AD. Some see Revelation as mostly symbolism. Others see it as a literal reference to future events. If John was only addressing 1st century Christians and the Roman Empire, what relevance would it have for us? If it was for 1st century Christians, what would its principle message have been for Gentile converts if its understanding rested on O.T. prophesies as some believe? In other words, it’s complicated. 

Of course there is a lot of symbolism in the Book of Revelation, but perhaps we don’t get it because it hasn’t unfolded yet. Revelation would certainly serve as a warning if those events started to unfold, especially if the antichrist gained political power. 

At some time or other, many if not most Christians have pondered what is described as the “Rapture”. Is it a literal event yet to come? I think one of the first things that come to mind when we hear End Times is the Rapture. As mentioned, there was a TV series and a number of books depicting the Rapture and the aftermath, which certainly influenced many Christians’ opinions. There are several different views within the Church body which we will explore further in our next lesson. 

We can only imagine the headlines if the rapture was to occur. You’ll get the drift of it by also reading the sub-headings shown on this illustrated front page—especially the one on “top religious leaders”. The message being, not everyone in the Church is of the Church, including church leaders and clergy. It speaks volumes about certain liberal denominations that have replaced the biblical gospel with a social gospel, which does not lead to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but Jesus as a social worker with a focus on physical well being and not salvation of souls. 

What do the main branches of Christianity profess about the End Times? The following slides tell us in their own words, downloaded from the web.

As a former MS Lutheran, I held to this particular view for many years; primarily because I never had insight into or thought about the other views until the “Left Behind” TV series. So, why do Lutherans reject a literal Rapture?  Principally because the Rapture view is about 200 years old and is not the historic position of the Church nor was it proposed, discussed or debated by the early church fathers. Nor is it a doctrinal issue like grace versus works or the nature of Christ. 

Others, beside Catholics, share the amillennial view. Both Lutherans and Catholics hold the “amillennial” view as the historic view of the Christian Church, which is a sizable part of Christianity.  

I wanted to include all of the major branches of Christianity, which of course includes the Orthodox. One would think they would be consistent with the Roman Catholic view, but they aren’t as noted. They aren’t professing the Rapture as doctrine, but as a possibility that they haven’t ruled out.

What about Presbyterian? There are three views within the Reformed faith as noted. Premillennial, Postmillennial, and Amillennial are all included in Reformed thinking. In other words, since it is not a doctrinal issue, it depends on what theologian or pastor you talk to. But, it does rule out the view associated with “dispensational premillennialism” which we will look at in the next lesson. Aseity in position (b) means the “quality or state of being self-derived or self-originated; specifically: the self-sufficiency, independence, and autonomy of God.”  Ref: https://reformed.org/eschatology/

Chart presents a biblical timeline within the context of our study, from Adam’s fall, to the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20. It shows the rapture prior to the 7 years tribulation—when the antichrist rules planet earth. This may very well be the most popular view with Evangelicals—we get to escape the 7-year Tribulation. But, as the saying goes: “No pain, not gain!” Will the Tribulation be a time of spiritual growth for the Church and individual Christians? Will it take Christians from a state of indifference and apathy to a time of deep spiritual awakening and fervor? Scripture does mention rewards in Heaven for suffering here on earth: Rev. 2:10; Matt. 16:27; Luke 12:33-34; 1 Cor. 3:8; 1 Tim. 6:17-19. The chart also shows the reestablishment of the State of Israel, which leads us to the next slides. Some scholars DO NOT give any relevance to Israel’s reestablishment to Revelation. Nevertheless, there is a State of Israel that was established after the Holocaust and against great odds.

As someone who focused on the lessons of history, it's very existence is almost a miracle, and against, not some odds, but great odds. Did God permit a holocaust to compel the Jews to abandon Europe and return to their historic homeland? Satan instigated the holocaust, but God used it to accomplish His will. I can’t help but think, God used the creation of Israel as a vital part of the End Times. 

Again, I’m a strong believer that history reveals a lot about biblical lessons and events. There are those that look at history for its lesson and those that don’t. I am one that does. From my perspective, the map shows the odds against a state of Israel existing or even surviving, being totally surrounded by hostile nations that seek its destruction. Hitler’s efforts to exterminate the Jews began with the Holocaust, which led to the reinstatement of Israel after WWII, their historic and biblical homeland. They even won what’s called the six-day war in 1967 against overwhelming odds from a much larger united Arab army, determined to destroy Israel. I think even the very existence of Israel says a lot about the Jews and the End Time. That the very establishment of the State of Israel in and of itself is prophetic. 

In 1967 Israel fought a 6-Day War against overwhelming odds, for its very survival. This map shows the odds against Israel, and Arab armies building up to invade and destroy Israel. But, Israel struck first defeating and routing the combined armies of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel advanced into the Jordan-held West Bank and routed the Egyptian army in the Sinai, which they gave back to Egypt under an Egypt-Israel peace treaty signed on March 26, 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. Coincidence or prophetic? There will be a New Jerusalem (Rev. 3:12 & 21:2), also called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, the City Foursquare, and Heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. And it’s location is on the Jerusalem temple mount, where a mosque now stands.

This particular explanation of the tribulation, downloaded from the web, fits the previous slides concerning reinstating of the State of Israel in our times. 

The Jerusalem temple at the time of Jesus is shown on the left, on right is a mosque that now stands on the temple mount. The mosque was first built in 705 AD. It was destroyed by earthquakes in 746, 754, and again in 780. It was partially destroyed by another earthquake in 1033, and another one built two years later. It was restored again in 1187. Do you think God had a message? 

 Is there any relevance to the rebirth of Israel in our time? Many Bible scholars believe there is. 

Throughout the Old Testament, God did not abandon His people, Israel. Often God sent angels to protect them. 

I’ll let this slide speak for itself. 

We will pick up at this point in our next lesson. This chart lines up the four main views held by different branches of Christianity, which we will look at and why people believe as they do. The slide can be enlarged by clicking on it. We will discuss this further in our next lesson. Until then, blessings to all.  

                                                                        END OF LESSON #6