Revelation, Tribulation, Rapture 6

Short synopsis:

God's primary thought appears to be that 'all men come to repentance, that no man perishes'.  Upon leaving 'this world, there is God's kingdom in and through Christ - - and there is hell. 

The book of Revelation pertains to the events of the final three fall feasts of God - Yom Teruah (Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Atonement for the land of Israel), and Sukkot (the Millenial reign of Christ)

There are seven churches that set the outworking of the whole book of Revelation, their repentance and reward or non-repentance verifying Leviticus 26 - - if you obey, all will be well, and if you do not obey, then 'seven times more'.

Once the scroll is opened, seven seal judgments take place - war, famine, persecution and cosmic disturbances signaling that the time of God's wrath is about to be experienced by men who choose evil ways.  The opening of the 7th seal signals that the 7 trumpet judgments are about to begin.  The first five trumpets begin events of major destruction and the 6th trumpet notes that 1/3 of mankind is killed.  The first 6 trumpets encompass the first 3 1/2 years of tribulation.  During this time 2 witnesses will be seen prophesying from Jerusalem.  Their testimony, death and resurrection complete the 6th trumpet.

When the 7th trumpet is blown, the woman (Jerusalem / Israel) has given birth to a 'male child' who is caught up to the throne.  Rev 12:11 says of this child,  'they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, the Word of their testimony, and loved their lives 'not to the death'.  This was Satan's mission against Job (the hated / persecuted) - 'touch his skin and he will blaspheme you'.  This 'child' did not - and at that heavenly victory - Satan is thrown out of heaven coming down to earth, pursuing the offspring of the 'woman' and all who have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  This presents the beginning of the last 3 1/2 years of tribulation [Rev 13-18], the worship of the beast and the taking of the mark of his name will be mandatory under the penalty of death.  The 144,000 sealed witnesses of Revelation 7 and now seen in Revelation 14, standing on Mt. Zion in heaven.  Revelation 16 finds God's wrath being poured out full strength with the 7 bowl judgments.  The 6th bowl judgment yet warns 'I am coming as a thief', letting the reader know He has not yet come for his church - - longsuffering that ALL men come to repentance and that none perish.

When looking at the seven churches:

1  Ephesus:     'permitted':  to allow, give leave                                LOVELESS
2  Smyrna:       'myrrh':  martyrs (to completely envelop / cover)     PERSECUTED / FAITHFUL
3  Pergamos:   'married tower':  purgos (tower) gamos (married)   COMPROMISING
4  Thyatira:      'odor of affliction'  (tribulation)                                  CORRUPT

The first four churches are seen throughout Rev 6 thru 12.  Persecution of believers is noted with the 5th seal.  The 'loveless' who leave the faith, join the 'compromising'.  Yet they will drink the 'water of gall' for their doings.  The 4th church Thyatira is warned to repent, by this time seeing 1/3 of mankind killed,  or that they will be thrown into GREAT TRIBULATION - the time of Revelation 12 when the devil is thrown out of heaven coming down to earth 'having GREAT WRATH'.

5  Sardis:             'red ones' [dead / sold birthright /
                                     (who pray with head uncovered)]
6  Philadelphia:   brotherly love
7  Laodicea:        justice of the people

The Scripture says that at the blowing of the 7th trumpet that it is 'the time of the dead to be judged'.  The 5th church Sardis is the 'dead church'.  Those who have 'sold birthright' in Jesus Christ are told to repent - - or have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.  The church of Philadelphia is God's witness during the time of the anti-christ reign, holding fast to their confession even in the time of mandated death for those who do not take the mark of the beast.

In Revelation 3 - to the church of Laodicea:

¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—
     and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—  
¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; 
     and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your 
     nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.   
¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  
²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, 
     I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

In [Rev 16] the pouring out of the 6th bowl of wrath just previous to 'Armageddon':

¹⁵ “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

In Revelation 18 the 'hour of trial' (that Philadelphia was promised to be spared from) comes up 'Babylon' (an unholy world system orchestrated from Jerusalem, Satan intent on usurping Christ's rightful kingship).  God's longsuffering has reached its climax.  The unrepentant are blotted from the book of life, and the repentant will dine with Christ [Rev 19].

When Christ does return - the resurrection of the dead will take place, and any alive and remaining - - - will be 'raptured'.  [1Thessalonians 4; 1Co 15].  The 'Day of the Lord' [Christ's return] comes as a 'thief in the night'.