[SIZE=medium]Americans want to get to the point. This should satisfy that. “How does it all play out?” you might ask; this will lay out a whole book in a few pages. The technique here was developed over time; it is a new paradigm in eschatology. The work presented here is substantiated with the rest of a book for a more in-depth study. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]When we’re looking at diverse linear narratives about the end-times, it’s like a mosaic with individual pictures shuffled around the canvas. By picking specific and unique events, multiple and parallel accounts can be lined up and an overall sequence-of-events can be discerned. It’s a little like this puzzle: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]In the local beauty contest, all contestants received prizes based on their standing. Jane was not first. Alice came up immediately behind Betty. Carol scored higher than Alice but not Tiffany. Sally lost to Betty but not Jane. No one tied in scoring.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Can you discern the correct order the girls ended up? (Answer at bottom of page 2.) The problem here is that we have a lot of disjointed information. Each sentence holds only a partial bit of information and not all of it is essential to solve the puzzle. Each sentence acts like an end-time narrative account in that it conveys information, but is not complete; individual sentences omit needed information – they skip key facts we would like to have. The only way to arrive at the correct order is to sift through the whole and piece them together. The Sequence-of-Events Analysis operates in this manner.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]To assemble a Sequence-of-Events, major linear narratives are assembled in bullet point form, distilling descriptive language to get to the heart of the action: events. Descriptive verses are not unimportant; they fill in necessary voids in understanding. However, they concentrate on detail too much, so that the big picture gets lost. Centering on the action, or events, gives a big picture perspective and end-time prophecy can be assembled as a whole in outline form. Once the overall framework is in place, columns and beams to use and architectural analogy, walls and floors can be filled in, and then such details which distinguish one room from another more naturally find their mark.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This aspect of going from big-to-small is how I was trained to rapidly find a deep interdiction target behind enemy lines as a fighter-pilot in the 1980’s. “Popping up,” from our low-altitude ingress, we’d only have 3-5 seconds to acquire and target a building or infrastructure we’d never seen before except through intelligence photos. Knowing the color of the building was not important; knowing its placement in regard to larger geological features was vital to acquiring the correct target.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The Bible is written largely as a series of linear narratives; this is the beauty of Hebrew: it is a wonderful language in which to tell a story with its word pictures and double entendre. In the Bible, especially its historical books, events are laid out in linear fashion. Much of prophecy does not share that aspect; Isaiah and Zechariah are two books which present prophecy in a Kaleidoscope fashion. However, there are books and passages in prophecy which do conform to linearity of narrative. These make up the main portion which forms the framework for the Sequence of Events.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]End-time prophetic books and passages which are set as a linear narrative are as follows:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This preview will not be able to fully develop all the tools being used in the book; that follows in painstaking detail. Various aspects tools of interpretation such as linearity, specific and unique events, multiple accounts, parallel accounts, gaps, dual focus will be glossed over in this opening section. In addition, some word study, while done in the rest of the book will be largely omitted in this brief synopsis. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The keystone for the Sequence of Events is Jesus’ prophetic Olivet Discourse. This passage is the fifth major discourse of the book of Matthew as it is constructed. This discourse also follows parallel construction with a broad overview beginning with Jesus’ answer to the disciple’s question at Mt 24:4 leading to the “end” at verse 14. A detailed parallel account follows which gets to the same “end,” namely the gathering of the Elect. The detailed parallel portion of the Olivet Discourse, covering the final end of the Church Age, reveals five specific and unique events which are the bridge between the one ‘seven’ of the book of Daniel and the chronology of the Seals/Trumpets in the book of Revelation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]15 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]—let the reader understand— 16 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]17 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house[/SIZE][SIZE=medium].[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]18 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]19 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers![/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]20 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]21 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]22 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]23 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]24 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For false [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]25 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]See, I have told you ahead of time.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]26 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]27 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]28 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]29 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"Immediately after the distress of those days " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]30 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]31 [/SIZE]And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
[SIZE=medium]Analysis from a sequence of events point of view[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 15 – abomination (of) desolation standing in the Holy Place.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 16 – prayer for those in Judea (future Remnant)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 17 – warning to those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 18 – warning to those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 19 – descriptive [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 20 – warning prayer for those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 21 – “unequaled” great tribulation[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 22 – it is shortened for the sake of the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 23 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 24 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 25 – declaration of prophetic truth[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 26 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 27 – description of Jesus’ parousia (Greek for “coming”)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 28 – cryptic message (dealing with the nature of the Rapture)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 29 – immediately after great tribulation – (sequencing[/SIZE]) – sun/moon/star event
[SIZE=medium]v. 30 – sign of Son of Man[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium] – Son of Man coming on the clouds[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 31 – gathering of the Elect from the earth.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Dealing only with events; descriptive verses, simple declarations, various warnings and prayers are dropped. This distills the passage down to the actions which will happen. Taking just the simplest elements does not eliminate some of the other aspects… it’s just that they are not germane to the main plot in constructing the basic framework for a singular chronology. However, some important elements can later be woven into the sequence of events to cover some of the side issues which are present in the end-times, like concerning “those in Judea.” The order of events as Jesus listed the main ones are:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The aspects of those in Judea fleeing, the bit of cryptic information about carcasses, and even the sign of the Son of Man are important and have a place in the final analysis, however, for simplicity’s sake this list boils down the Olivet Discourse’s detailed portion to its essential elements which are not only specific and unique, but are repeated in the Bible in other linear narratives. This makes the Olivet Discourse the Keystone Passage because it has five crucial, specific and unique events culminating in the Rapture of the Church – which is everyone’s key interest. What is interesting is that Jesus adds crucial information as well about the midpoint abomination which marries with another linear narrative in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. Because of the details in each; there is a perfect match. Likewise, Jesus gives two important time elements: first the Great Tribulation is shortened, and immediately after it comes the sun/moon/star event.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]When we’re looking at diverse linear narratives about the end-times, it’s like a mosaic with individual pictures shuffled around the canvas. By picking specific and unique events, multiple and parallel accounts can be lined up and an overall sequence-of-events can be discerned. It’s a little like this puzzle: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]In the local beauty contest, all contestants received prizes based on their standing. Jane was not first. Alice came up immediately behind Betty. Carol scored higher than Alice but not Tiffany. Sally lost to Betty but not Jane. No one tied in scoring.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Can you discern the correct order the girls ended up? (Answer at bottom of page 2.) The problem here is that we have a lot of disjointed information. Each sentence holds only a partial bit of information and not all of it is essential to solve the puzzle. Each sentence acts like an end-time narrative account in that it conveys information, but is not complete; individual sentences omit needed information – they skip key facts we would like to have. The only way to arrive at the correct order is to sift through the whole and piece them together. The Sequence-of-Events Analysis operates in this manner.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]To assemble a Sequence-of-Events, major linear narratives are assembled in bullet point form, distilling descriptive language to get to the heart of the action: events. Descriptive verses are not unimportant; they fill in necessary voids in understanding. However, they concentrate on detail too much, so that the big picture gets lost. Centering on the action, or events, gives a big picture perspective and end-time prophecy can be assembled as a whole in outline form. Once the overall framework is in place, columns and beams to use and architectural analogy, walls and floors can be filled in, and then such details which distinguish one room from another more naturally find their mark.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This aspect of going from big-to-small is how I was trained to rapidly find a deep interdiction target behind enemy lines as a fighter-pilot in the 1980’s. “Popping up,” from our low-altitude ingress, we’d only have 3-5 seconds to acquire and target a building or infrastructure we’d never seen before except through intelligence photos. Knowing the color of the building was not important; knowing its placement in regard to larger geological features was vital to acquiring the correct target.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The Bible is written largely as a series of linear narratives; this is the beauty of Hebrew: it is a wonderful language in which to tell a story with its word pictures and double entendre. In the Bible, especially its historical books, events are laid out in linear fashion. Much of prophecy does not share that aspect; Isaiah and Zechariah are two books which present prophecy in a Kaleidoscope fashion. However, there are books and passages in prophecy which do conform to linearity of narrative. These make up the main portion which forms the framework for the Sequence of Events.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]End-time prophetic books and passages which are set as a linear narrative are as follows:[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]The book of Revelation, which itself is a series of parallel accounts[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]The book of Daniel with its various individual visions[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]The Olivet Discourse in the Synoptic Gospel accounts[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This preview will not be able to fully develop all the tools being used in the book; that follows in painstaking detail. Various aspects tools of interpretation such as linearity, specific and unique events, multiple accounts, parallel accounts, gaps, dual focus will be glossed over in this opening section. In addition, some word study, while done in the rest of the book will be largely omitted in this brief synopsis. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14pt](Answer: Tiffany, Carol, Betty, Alice, Sally, and Jane.)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14pt]The Olivet Discourse[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The keystone for the Sequence of Events is Jesus’ prophetic Olivet Discourse. This passage is the fifth major discourse of the book of Matthew as it is constructed. This discourse also follows parallel construction with a broad overview beginning with Jesus’ answer to the disciple’s question at Mt 24:4 leading to the “end” at verse 14. A detailed parallel account follows which gets to the same “end,” namely the gathering of the Elect. The detailed parallel portion of the Olivet Discourse, covering the final end of the Church Age, reveals five specific and unique events which are the bridge between the one ‘seven’ of the book of Daniel and the chronology of the Seals/Trumpets in the book of Revelation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]15 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]—let the reader understand— 16 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]17 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house[/SIZE][SIZE=medium].[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]18 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]19 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers![/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]20 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]21 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]22 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]23 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]24 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For false [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]25 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]See, I have told you ahead of time.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]26 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]27 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]28 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]29 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"Immediately after the distress of those days " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]30 [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]31 [/SIZE]And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
[SIZE=medium]Analysis from a sequence of events point of view[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 15 – abomination (of) desolation standing in the Holy Place.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 16 – prayer for those in Judea (future Remnant)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 17 – warning to those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 18 – warning to those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 19 – descriptive [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 20 – warning prayer for those in Judea[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 21 – “unequaled” great tribulation[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 22 – it is shortened for the sake of the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 23 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 24 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 25 – declaration of prophetic truth[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 26 – warning to the Elect[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 27 – description of Jesus’ parousia (Greek for “coming”)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 28 – cryptic message (dealing with the nature of the Rapture)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 29 – immediately after great tribulation – (sequencing[/SIZE]) – sun/moon/star event
[SIZE=medium]v. 30 – sign of Son of Man[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium] – Son of Man coming on the clouds[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]v. 31 – gathering of the Elect from the earth.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Dealing only with events; descriptive verses, simple declarations, various warnings and prayers are dropped. This distills the passage down to the actions which will happen. Taking just the simplest elements does not eliminate some of the other aspects… it’s just that they are not germane to the main plot in constructing the basic framework for a singular chronology. However, some important elements can later be woven into the sequence of events to cover some of the side issues which are present in the end-times, like concerning “those in Judea.” The order of events as Jesus listed the main ones are:[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]v. 15 [/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]Midpoint Abomination[/SIZE], which adds: standing in the “Holy Place”
- [SIZE=medium]v. 21[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]Great Tribulation,[/SIZE] which is shortened by the:
- [SIZE=medium]v. 29[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]Sun/moon/star[/SIZE][SIZE=medium] event[/SIZE], which heralds the Day of the Lord
- [SIZE=medium]v. 30[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]Sign of the Son of Man[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]v. 30[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]The Son of Man coming on the clouds[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=medium]v. 31[/SIZE] [SIZE=medium]Gathering Elect from the clouds[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The aspects of those in Judea fleeing, the bit of cryptic information about carcasses, and even the sign of the Son of Man are important and have a place in the final analysis, however, for simplicity’s sake this list boils down the Olivet Discourse’s detailed portion to its essential elements which are not only specific and unique, but are repeated in the Bible in other linear narratives. This makes the Olivet Discourse the Keystone Passage because it has five crucial, specific and unique events culminating in the Rapture of the Church – which is everyone’s key interest. What is interesting is that Jesus adds crucial information as well about the midpoint abomination which marries with another linear narrative in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. Because of the details in each; there is a perfect match. Likewise, Jesus gives two important time elements: first the Great Tribulation is shortened, and immediately after it comes the sun/moon/star event.[/SIZE]