When Does God’s Wrath Begin?

 

 

Over the years I have heard many prophecy sermons and read prophecy articles that have put forth the idea that the rapture occurs before God’s wrath is poured out. I agree with this premise, for it is clearly stated in scripture that Christians will not be subject to God’s wrath and thus, the rapture must occur before God’s wrath.

 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thes 5:9.

 

Where I differ with most other preachers is the timing of when God’s wrath begins. Most preachers believe that the wrath of God begins with the opening of Seal 1.

 

This is impossible.

 

Here is why; If God’s wrath begins at Seal 1, as they believe, then Seal 5 would be part of God’s wrath too. But Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians. God’s wrath does not include the persecution of Jews and Christians.

 

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

 

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Rev 6:9-11

 

Therefore, God’s wrath cannot begin until after Seal 5, because God’s wrath cannot be poured out upon His children. And that is exactly what scripture tells us, that God’s wrath begins after Seal 5 at the opening of Seal 6.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal…For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12,17

 

So, I pretty much believe exactly the same as the pretribulation preachers, I just differ on when God’s wrath begins and thus when the rapture occurs. 

They say God’s wrath begins at Seal 1, which I showed was a scriptural impossibility. I say that since Seal 5 includes the persecution of Jews and Christians, God’s wrath cannot start until after Seal 5 because God’s children cannot be subject to His wrath. 

Therefore, the rapture which occurs before God’s wrath must occur after the opening of Seal 6. And that is exactly what God’s Word tells us—that the rapture occurs after the opening of Seal 6, that is why the people of the earth hide in the dens and caves, because they see Jesus in the sky at the rapture event.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

 

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

 

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

 

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

 

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

 

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12-17

 

Here is a summary:

 

Pretribulation: God’s wrath begins at Seal 1 and continues to Armageddon.

 

Prewrath: God’s wrath begins at Seal 6 and continues to Armageddon.

 

Since Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians, it cannot be part of God’s wrath. Thus, God’s wrath cannot begin until after Seal 5.

 

Thus, the pretribulation rapture theory creates a contradiction and is not correct.

 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal…For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12,17

 

Scripture clearly tells us when God’s wrath begins and the rapture occurs—after Seal 6 is opened—why do so few believe it?

 

So, when does God’s wrath begin? God’s Word clearly states it begins after the opening of seal 6—For the great day of His wrath is come. The fact that Seal 5 is the persecution of Jews and Christians supports that fact.

 

Why do so few believe what God’s Word clearly states and continue to adhere to their false pretribulation theory?

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." — Luke 21:36

Are you uncertain about your eternal destination?

The end times are knocking on the door, but so is Jesus. He wants to save you—will you let Him? Do not wait until the door is closed.

Find out what you must do to be saved: Click Here

New to End Times Prophecy?

Get a solid grasp on what is coming and learn how to prepare physically and spiritually. Download our FREE guide, 'Escape God's Wrath: A Beginner's Guide to the End Times', and find out how to navigate the future with confidence.

• → Download your FREE eBook here
• Also available on Amazon in [Paperback] and [Audiobook].

The Future Is Not for You to Fear—It Is for You to Know









If you are tired of confusing theories and failed predictions, discover the clarity you've been looking for. The Coming Epiphany, trusted by thousands of readers since 2004, offers a comprehensive and literal explanation of end-time prophecy grounded firmly in scripture.

This updated edition goes far beyond our blog articles to reveal the critical answers you need right now, including:

• The true nature and timing of the Day of the Lord.
• The key events that must precede the rapture.
• America's surprising end-times fate.
• Practical ways to prepare for what is coming.
• An end-times chronology reconciling the date parameters of 1260, 1290, 1335, and 2520.

In a world filled with questions about the future, you do not have to guess what happens next. Know exactly what the scripture reveals.

Get your copy of The Coming Epiphany today:

[Paperback] | [eBook] | [Audio]

What You Might Not Know About the Rapture: According to Jesus

 

In Matthew 24 the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the world and Jesus gave them an overview of what would happen and in what order the events would occur. And he specifically told them what events would precede His return at the rapture. Let’s listen to the Word of God and see what it reveals. 

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 

Tribulation; Seal 1 to 4 

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

 

Great Tribulation; Seal 5

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

25 Behold, I have told you before. 

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

 

Seal 6 

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:

 

The Rapture 

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. 

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

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. 

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

Jesus made it clear that the rapture occurs after the Sixth Seal is opened. Why do so few believe it? Maybe it is because they have been taught the wrong thing for so long that they are unwilling to listen to what Jesus actually said.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36 

Not sure that you will go to heaven? The end times are knocking on the door and so is Jesus. He wants to save you; will you let him? Find out what you must do to be saved, click here. 

The future is not for you to fear, but for you to know.

If you're tired of confusing theories and failed predictions, discover the clarity you've been looking for. The Coming Epiphany, trusted by thousands since 2004, offers a comprehensive and literal explanation of end-time prophecy, grounded firmly in scripture.

This updated edition goes far beyond our articles to reveal critical answers you need now:

The true nature and timing of the Day of the Lord.

The key events that must precede the rapture.

America's surprising end-times fate.

How you can escape the wrath to come.

In a world filled with questions about the future, this book aims to provide a clear perspective. Don't guess what's next. Know what the scripture reveals. Get your copy in softcover, eBook, or audio and join thousands of readers finding understanding today.

I know When Jesus Will Appear!

 

Most Biblical theologians will tell us that Jesus will appear two times during the end times. He will appear once at the rapture when He comes the clouds, and once at Armageddon when He comes to the earth. 

The Biblical evidence for His first end times appearance in the clouds at the rapture is recorded in three of the Gospels. 

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. Mt 24 

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 

27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven… 

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. Mark 13 

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21 

The Son of Man—Jesus—comes to the clouds at an unknown time and He gathers His elect—that is the rapture. This is confirmed in each passage with a “one was taken one was left” scenario as exampled in the Mt 24 passage. 

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Mt 24 

This confirms the fact that when Jesus appears in the clouds and gathers the saints it is the rapture. This fact is also repeated in other places in the New Testament such as 1 Thes 4:17. 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

So, the first time Jesus appears during the end times is at the rapture when He comes to the clouds. The other time Jesus appears is when He comes back, not to the clouds, but to the earth at Armageddon. This is when Jesus rides down out of heaven on a white horse along with the saints to defeat the antichrist and his armies. After the defeat of the evil forces Jesus will set up His Millennial kingdom and rule and reign on the earth. 

11 And 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… 

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

19 And 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. 

20 And 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. Rev 19 

So, those are the two times that Jesus will appear during the end times—once He will come to the clouds and once He will come to the earth. 

Now, consider this question, how about the timing of these events, when in the end times will these events occur? 

The second time Jesus appears during the end times is an easy one to figure out, He appears at Armageddon, which is at the end of the last 7 years and just before the Millennium begins. 

When will the first time Jesus appears in the end times occur? That is, when in the end times will Jesus come to the clouds and the rapture occur? 

Ask yourself this question, besides His appearance at Armageddon, does scripture specifically state any other time in the book of Revelation that Jesus appears and men see Him? Yes, it does! 

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Rev 6 

Why do the men of the earth say hide us from the face of Jesus? They say that because they just saw Him appear in the sky! That is the first time that Jesus appears in the end times—that is the rapture—and everyone sees Him in the sky. 

And what proceeds this appearance of Jesus in the sky? The opening of the Sixth Seal, a great earthquake, the sun darkened, the moon to blood, stars fall, the heavens departing as a scroll, and every island and mountain being moved. 

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Rev 6 

And God does not only reveal that the first appearance of Jesus and the rapture occurs after the events of the sixth seal, but that timing is also revealed in all the passages in the gospels that have Jesus appearing in the clouds and our gathering to Him at the rapture. 

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. Mt 24 

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 

25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mk 13 

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Lk 21 

God makes it abundantly clear that the first appearance of Jesus, which is to the clouds and involves the rapture, occurs after the Sixth Seal is opened. This first appearance of Jesus is the beginning of the time period known as the Day of the Lord. 

And here is another confirmation that the rapture occurs after the sixth seal is opened. Consider the ramifications of this verse. 

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:20 

God says in that verse that the events of the sixth seal occur before the Day of the Lord, which includes the rapture. Therefore, the Day of the Lord and the rapture occur after the sixth seal is opened. 

So, God has revealed to us the timing of the first appearance of Jesus in the clouds at the rapture in five separate Biblical passages. And all five passages confirm that His appearance and the rapture occur after the events of the sixth seal. 

In other words, God has made it abundantly clear that the rapture occurs after the sixth seal is opened.

 

And we see a further confirmation of this fact in the chapter that immediately follows the Revelation sixth seal passage. 

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;… 

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7 

They are the raptured saints, and they appear in heaven after the opening of the sixth seal. 

Conclusion: Jesus will appear two times during the end times, once to the clouds at the rapture and once to the earth at Armageddon. The first will be after the opening of the sixth seal, the second at the end of the last 7 years. 

Why won’t most Christians believe these facts? Is it because they will be ridiculed, shunned, looked down upon, kicked out of their church? Isn’t it more important to believe what God’s Word says regardless of anything? 

I hope you realize there can be serious consequences to not believing what God reveals in His Word. And God has revealed that the rapture will not occur until after the opening of the sixth seal.  …the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 

And why does it matter what you believe about the rapture? Suppose one day you are faced with not being able to buy or sell if you do not allow yourself to be chipped, and people reason, well the rapture has not occurred yet, so this cannot be the mark. Hmm…the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36 

Not sure that you will go to heaven? The end times are knocking on the door and so is Jesus. He wants to save you; will you let him? Find out what you must do to be saved, click here. 

Have you had your epiphany? You need to be prepared for the end times! Read The Coming Epiphany;—Your Guide to Understanding End Times Bible Prophecy

…Before the Day of the Lord

 

What occurs during the Day of the Lord and what happens before the Day of the Lord? Those are two very important questions that have profound implications. 

Let’s answer the first one; what happens during the Day of the Lord. Consider God’s Word. 

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thes 4:15-5:2

 

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thes 2:1,2

 

(Note: The Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ use the same Greek word and are thus synonymous.) 

So, what is an event that occurs during the Day of the Lord/Christ? The Lord descends with a shout, dead in Christ rise, and Christians that are still alive are caught up to meet the Lord in the air—we are gathered together unto Him. That is the rapture, and scripture makes it clear that it happens during the Day of the Lord! 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout…Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds… For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 

…by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him… the day of Christ 

Now let’s consider what happens before the Day of the Lord. Here it is, the most neglected end times verse in the Bible. 

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:20. 

So, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will be turned to blood before the Day of the Lord, which includes the rapture. 

And when is the sun darkened, and the moon turned to the color of blood? 

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Rev 6:12 

The sun is darkened, and the moon is turned to blood after the sixth seal is opened. 

So, here is the timing that the Lord reveals to us in His Word. Seal 6 is opened, the sun is darkened, the moon is turned to blood the Day of the Lord/rapture occurs. 

Do you believe what God’s Word reveals to us about the timing of the rapture? 

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36 

Not sure that you will go to heaven? The end times are knocking on the door and so is Jesus. He wants to save you; will you let him? Find out what you must do to be saved, click here. 

Have you had your epiphany? You need to be prepared for the end times! Read The Coming Epiphany;—Your Guide to Understanding End Times Bible Prophecy