The command to John in Revelation 1, verse nineteen gives the key to the book of Revelation. Understanding revelation is dependent upon using the key.
Understanding Revelation Commentary 2
These verses are speaking to Israel
Verse 20 mentions the sabbath which identifies the intended recipient of the message as Israel. They help in understanding revelation.
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:
The Lord will supernaturally care for and protect this Jewish remnant a thousand two hundred and threescore days or 3 and a half years during the tribulation period. Revelation 12:6.
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.
This isn’t the tribulation of John 16:33 which is worldly and a result of sin. This is the great tribulation wrath of God poured out on the earth during the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy. The Church is missing during this period. It has been delivered from God’s wrath by the precious blood of Jesus. 1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
The elect are those who will enter the millennial period and repopulate the earth.
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 show 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 shines 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.
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 second half of the tribulation period will be the worst. The last 3 and 1/2 years.
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.
This is when the protected Jewish remnant acknowledges the one whom they pierced and receive their Messiah. The feast of Trumpets Yom Teruah (“Day of the Shofar”) and Day of Atonement Yom Kippur are realized at this time. The last feast of Booths Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles will be realized when they are escorted into the Millenial Kingdom by the Savior Himself!
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.
All those who refused the mark of the beast and survived. All the saints of old. The resurrected and those alive on the earth.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
The fig tree is Israel. The Lord had just cursed the fig tree in front of His disciples for failing to bring forth fruit. So the disciples were convinced He was once again speaking of Israel. Israel is now coming alive but still without fruit. This event corresponds with Israel’s national revival in 1948.
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
When we see Israel become a nation once again, 1948, we can know that the end of the world is near. Even at the doors!
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
The generation that witness’ the rebirth of national Israel will not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. The exact length of a generation is not clear. The bible speaks of a generation of 70 years, 80 years, 100 years. The important thing is that we make ourselves ready as a bride for His soon coming. Living each day as if it were the Day!
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.
Know one knows the exact day or hour of His coming. Not even Satan. But the Father only. Bet we can clearly see that we are living in the season of His coming. Prophecy and world events testify of His soon coming!
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.
Things were normal in the days of Noah. People eating, drinking, giving in marriage, working. The day came upon them suddenly and unexpectedly. The secret coming of the Son of man will be in the same manner. This is the secret coming down of the Lord. The last trump for the Church will sound. Jesus will come down to meet us. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive will be changed and rise to meet Him in the air. 1 Thess 4:16, Rev 4:1. He will come back at the end of the tribulation period. That’s a different coming. Everyone knows when that will happen. The end of the tribulation period. He will come back and defeat His enemies and establish His Millennial Kingdom on the earth.
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.
Two in the field. Two people working. One is taken, rapture, one is left to experience the tribulation and wrath of the almighty.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman, master, 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.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.