Greek meta tauta, after these things (used in John 5:1). This Greek phrase is used at the beginning and at the end of this verse thus: “After these things (after writing the things concerning the churches of Revelations 2 thru 3). I looked … a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice … said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be after these things”, that is, after the churches (Rev. 4:1). This confirms and settles the question as to the time of the fulfillment of all the events of Rev. 4 thru 22. They must be after these things of the churches, or after the rapture of the church. The church is no longer on earth when the events of Revelations 4 thru 22 take place.

I just typed out what is in my bible, King James Version. I’m sharing my bible with you. Far be it from me to even try to figure this out. I just believe what I read in my bible to be the truth, to be God’s Word, as shared through Jesus, and Jesus to His apostles and God to the prophets. And I rely on the Holy Spirit to give me understanding, and pray and ask God for understanding, and read His Word in my bible every day, asking for guidance and leaning on God. Some people never read the chapter of Revelations in their bible because they have been told it’s all prophecy. But when you read it, the Old Testament and the New Testament all seem to ‘come together’, and you realize the Lord God is speaking to us in the here and now. God is speaking to us through the letters to the churches, and through every bit of Revelations. Jesus said those with ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

1) Christ said the things of Revelations chapters 4 thru 22 must be hereafter, that is, after the churches, as proved above and also in Rev. 1:19. There is so much to read about this event in my bible. I know you will do the research if you really want to learn more. I hope to share a little bit more of what I’ve learned in this series.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 - “7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now the above scriptures are talking about the 2nd Advent, when Christ shall come at the end of the 7 year tribulation, explained in Revelations 19:11-21 “11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Revelations 19:11-21; see also Matthew 25:31-46.

But the 2nd Advent of Christ won’t come until the man of sin is revealed (and he has to exalt himself in the temple in Jerusalem), which will be after the church is raptured up ! And no one knows when that will be! “Let no man deceive you!”

Jesus said “13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25:13 KJV

More to come next week. Thank you for your comments. May the Lord God bless you! Merry Christmas!