I am sorry that this may be a bit long but if I may I would like to contribute to this discussion with the following:
It starts with Thlipsis (Greek) (tribulation Matt 24:4-8) and continues to the Mega Thlipsis (Greek) (great tribulation starts (Matt 24:9-21 Emphasis verse15 & 21 it is good to read these synoptically with the other gospels)), and when the abomination of desolation is set up in the temple the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) will persecute the Jews and all born again Christians. This is Satans last ditch attempt to prevent the second coming of Christ. When all the nations are gathered together against him (Israel) and have surrounded the city of Jerusalem they will not have any other hope but to call on their Messiah. Doing so then brings about His return to take His rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem. Consider David and Goliath. This is a picture of what will transpire when Jesus Christ returns. Israel is confronted with the Philistines and their leader Goliath. Goliath is a picture of the Antichrist and the Philistines a picture of the nations gathered together under one head to attack and destroy Israel. The leadership in Israel at that time is the same as their leadership today. A leadership without Gods anointing. Saul was without God (God had rejected him as king because of his blatant disobedience) and without an effective army. The leadership in Israel today is not anointed and is without God and by the time the nations gather against her their army and other defence mechanisms will be ineffective against a vast army surrounding Jerusalem. Then David, a type of Christ at His second coming, takes on and overcomes Goliath (a picture of the Antichrist) and the Philistines flee in fear. So then, when Jesus Christ returns He will take on Antichrist and God will supernaturally destroy the nations coming against Israel. These are the judgements of God seen in the book of Revelation starting at chapter 8. The book of Revelation is not a chronological book so one cannot start at chapter one and see the events happening one after the other chronologically. The first chapter is an introduction. Chapters 2-3 are letters to the seven churches in Asia minor but are also the condition of the church at different stages throughout church history.
Chapters 4-5 show the throne room with the 24 elders which are the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.
The first 6 seals are things happening here on earth regarding the tribulation and the great tribulation. They match Dan 7:25; Matt 24:4-8; Mk 13:8 and Matt 24:9-28 respectively. Between the 6th and the 7th seal we see the resurrection and the rapture happening. Israel’s repentance and receiving their Messiah happens after this (See the verses below the text).
Friend,
I separated, bolded, and underlined this portion for an inquiry I would like to make with you.
The Scroll and the Lamb
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[
a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[
b] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.
If the 24 are the 12 patriarchs and 12 Apostles, and the 12 Apostles being those whom God ordained and which Jesus the Christ built up and established in the office of the Most High, then is the Lamb Jesus? If Jesus is the Lamb (whom He is), then how is it that the 12 Apostles could fall down and give worship to Him before being established as 12 of the 24 elders, the 12 Apostles whom Jesus built up in the most Holy Faith of the Most High?
