CHART INSTRUCTIONS

The first main line of prophecy in Revelation deals with the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. During different periods, the Christian church fell into the conditions represented by the various churches. "The symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world." -AA 585. Any time God's people fall into the condition represented by a certain church, then that message would apply to them. Thus the message to Ephesus is applied to "Seventh-day Adventist churches in their present condition."-4 RH 385.

1. The last two churches have a special application to our time as they represent the two classes among God's professed people at the end of time. A close comparison of the description of the Philadelphians, with other inspired statements about the true people of God, indicates that they are the 144,000 who will be translated. (See GC 619, TM 446, EW 15, etc.) They are also represented by the wise virgins who went in to the marriage.

2. It is clear that the Laodiceans are the foolish virgins (RH 8-l9-90) who will be spewed out and finally lost if they remain in that lukewarm condition. No one needs to remain in that condition if he will accept God's remedy. When one has truly repented and been converted to the experience of "brotherly love," God no longer considers him a Laodicean any more than a converted cannibal is still a heathen.

INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT

3. Revelation 4 describes the throne room; chapter 5 sets the scene for the investigative judgment; and the opening of the seals in chapter 6 to 8 reviews the different generations or classes of people who are being judged. Those who have never professed Christ are not judged until the 1000 years. Individuals are judged by the amount of light they had available with God's eternal law as the standard. The seals depict different groups of people who had the light available during that particular period of the world's history.

4. In 1884 Ellen White wrote prophetically: "The Judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years (40) this work has been in progress. Soon-none know how soon-it will pass to the cases of the living."-GC 490. From statements made by the servant of the Lord since that date, as well as other evidence, it is clear that the living professors of Christ are now being judged. Their judgment is a little different from that of the dead as their cases remain open until probation closes. It is a process rather than an event. It is a "solemn period" during which the saints overcome every defect as God brings them up to different testing points. (1T 187.) Rev. 11:1 gives the order of the judgment-first, the church as an organization, then the leadership, and last the laity. 'The time of the Judgment is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares." -TM 234. "Every case is coming in review before God: He is measuring the temple and the worshipers therein."-7T 219. "Angels of God are weighing moral worth. They are watching the development of character in those now living."-7BC 960. "Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you."-7BC 972. Solemn thought indeed.

5. This is the period of the "harvest''-the time of separation. This sifting experience is prophetically called "the shaking". Contrary to popular opinion, it has no reference to a departure from a church organization but rather a division in principle and practice and standing in the sight of God. The wheat is bound "by the truth" "in bundles or companies" by the third angel, the "sealing" angel. (EW 88-89.) The righteous are "receiving the heavenly mold" and "the wing garment" that is "put upon every repenting, believing soul." (ST 216; COL 311.) As the "King comes in" to examine the guests at the marriage feast, He sees who are wearing the "wedding garment"-Christ's "own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour."-COL 310.

6. At this time, Sunday law agitation will be on the increase. Calamities by earthquake, floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, pestilence, and accidents will become more frequent and more disastrous. In the religious world great and spectacular counterfeit revivals will sweep through the churches, including the S.D.A. This is Satan's last effort to deceive church members and leaders into thinking "that God is still working for the churches", and "is with them", (EW 33,261)~when in reality His presence has departed because of their apostasy and rejection of the message from heaven. (5T 210.) "There will be a series of events revealing that God is master of the situation."-9T 96.

FINAL WARNING

7. The series of events which lies directly ahead of us is dealt with in Revelation 10 and 11. Certain points in these chapters are unlocked by a close study of Daniel 12. There we find several periods which begin with a twofold starting point-the taking away of the "daily" and the setting up of the "abomination that maketh desolate." (Dan. 12:10.) The first period is three and a half years during which the "Loud Cry" is given. It is the time of the "latter rain" or "refreshing from the presence of the Lord." The message will go forward in spite of hardships. It will become difficult to buy or sell or carry on the normal affairs of life. This "little time of trouble" will include persecution and even martyrdom. "A sudden and unlooked-for calamity" will reveal who has made the necessary preparation. (COL 412.)

8. The Sunday law issue develops in several phases. Religious leaders begin the agitation, presenting Sunday as the solution to all our problems. Then they blame those who do not comply as the cause of the increasing calamities. At the close of the loud cry period the death decree is attached to the Sunday law. This brings the final test, the "silence in heaven about the space of half an hour" (Rev. 8:1), and the close of probation. The execution date is announced three and a half days before it is to be carried out, which will be the "time of Jacob's trouble" because, like Jacob, the saints agonize for deliverance. Notice that this takes place after probation has closed. It is only by faith that they know they are on the right side. Nothing would be accomplished by martyrdom after the close of probation, but again it is only by faith that the saints have confidence that they will not be killed as some of their brethren have been just previously. The "voice of God" delivers the saints just at the midnight hour of the execution date. See TM 446.

TIME OF TROUBLE

9. One may wonder why there are three periods referred to as the "time of trouble." In fact, several other prophecies come in steps of increasing intensity. The "little time of trouble" involves the things that are happening in the world during the loud dry. The "time of Jacob's trouble" is the internal agony experienced by the saints for three and a half days prior to their deliverance. (Rev. 11:11) The "great time of trouble" is the pouring out of the plagues-the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. The first six are concentrated into 30 days (Dan. 12:11 with Rev. 11) and the last one is falling when Jesus comes.

10. A complete description of the seven last plagues is found in Rev. 15 and 16. A comparison with the seven trumpets of Rev. 8 and 9 shows that they are parallel with the plagues as if they were a warning or an announcement of each one in advance. Reminiscent of Moses and Aaron announcing the plagues on Egypt.

11. At the midnight hour of the date for the universal destruction of God's people, the wicked hordes are in position, ready to strike the death blow. But suddenly "God utters His voice from His holy habitation. . . The captivity of the righteous is turned, and with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one another, 'We are delivered. It is the voice of God."'-1T 354. There is also a partial resurrection at that time. "Those who had died in the faith under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth."-EW 285. Also "the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory."-GC 637. After the saints are delivered, they remain on the earth glorified for another 45 days. (Dan. 1212.) The wicked turn on each other and especially upon the false shepherds. (EW 290,282.)

12. As Christ descends he raises all the righteous dead, and with the living saints they ascend to the holy city in heaven. The judgment of the wicked then convenes and continues for a thousand years with the saints taking part as kings and priests. (Rev. 20.) Then Christ with all the saints returns to the earth, raises the wicked dead, who with Satan acknowledge God's justice, and then they are forever destroyed.

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Revelation for Children's Lips to Proclaim

A refreshing new look at all 22 chapters of Revelation through the eyes and understanding of a Seventh-day Adventist layman. One who refuses..."To share in the honor of repeating twaddle, true or false, which passes for truth, in the school or sect which has made them what they are." William Miller page 16. Download this I60 page book that the world is now reading. Or Send for a Last Days Event Chart ( 11x17)[ and website info below]

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