Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

After the 7th Trumpet, Revelation 14 gives 7 visions describing the final outcomes of different groups of people in the Great Tribulation. Then, Revelation 15-18 describe the 7 Bowls of Wrath poured out in the final months. Finally, the order of events of the war of Armageddon, climaxing with Christ's Return (Revelation 19).

Revelation 10-13 describe a series of dramatic events that happen at Mid-Tribulation, setting the stage for the Great Tribulation, including the death and resurrection of the 2 witnesses, 7th Trumpet, the war in heaven and escape to Petra (Bozrah), the rise of antichrist to world-dictator, the mark and image of the beast.

God has 3 Purposes for the Tribulation: (1) to judge wickedness, (2) a world-wide Soul-Harvest, (3) the Salvation of Israel. The key to Revelation 6-19 is understanding the Scroll with 7 Seals is the Title Deed of the earth. Derek explains the 7 Seals and first 6 Trumpets, and summarises the events at Mid-Tribulation.

Jesus Christ taught much on eternal rewards (treasures in heaven), like the Parable of the Talents. Rewards include thrones of authority, garments of glory, and 5 crowns (the crowns of rejoicing, righteousness, life, glory and the incorruptible crown). Pastor Derek also answers objections to the teaching of eternal rewards.

Immediately after the Rapture all believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account and be judged for their works as servants of God to receive their eternal rewards. There are 4 main passages on this momentous event (Romans 14:10-13, 2Corinthians 5:9-11, 1Corinthians 4:2-5, 1Corinthians 3:10-15).

The Bible predicts events at the closing of the Church Age: (1) The Latter Rains & completion of the Church Harvest (Jas 5:7). (2) Israel's Regathering to her Land & Rebirth as a nation. (3) Jerusalem's Recapture (1967), (4) Plans to rebuild the Temple, (5) an Invasion of Israel from the north (Ezekiel 38).

Jesus Christ brought in the New Birth by His Death and Resurrection, so that now when believers die they do not go through the Gates of Hades, but to Heaven. Before the Cross, believers went to Paradise in Hades, but on the resurrection morning Jesus made their spirits perfect and took them with Him to Heaven.

Is the Partial Rapture theory correct? Who are the overcomers? What are the contrasts between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ? What does the Bible say about Life after Death for believers and unbelievers? Man's Eternal Judgment takes place in 2 stages, at (1) his death and (2) his resurrection.

Pastor Derek summarises a number of arguments for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture: (1) The Church is not appointed to go through the Day of the Lord, a time of Divine Wrath; (2) ambassadors are always removed before a war; (3) Psalm 110:1; (4) the 70 Weeks Prophecy; (5) the Millennial Population; (6) the Blessed Hope; and (7) imminence, which motivates us to holiness and evangelism.

After completing his study on Paul's teaching of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2), Pastor Derek looks at Peter's teaching (the Morning Star), and John's teaching in Revelation, which agree perfectly. Then he discusses the 4 views on the timing of the Rapture (the Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath and Post-Tribulation Rapture).