For years, I have wanted to go through Matthew 24, parallel that with Mark 13 and Luke 21, and then compare those to Revelation and a few other portions of Scripture.
I have always put it off, because it seemed a daunting task. Every once in a while, I searched the internet, but could never find anything like what I'm looking for.
Well, this past weekend I felt like doing some in-depth Bible study, and with the help of my kiddos, I got it done. We had a lot of fun searching the Scriptures.
I wrote all of this up in charts on my computer, but I am going to just share this in text form here. This way, I'll be able to interject more information easily, and it won't take me hours to write this article.
The main trouble I had, through the years, was that it seemed to me like the events in Matt. 24 were somewhat out of order, or repetitive. Well, I was looking it over, and had already spent a few hours on it, when I got stuck. I prayed to the Lord to help me with this, and He did.
The idea dawned on me that the verses I was having trouble with were parenthetical, and that would explain why the order was off. I decided to try on that idea, and see if it fit. It worked with Matthew 24 and Mark 13, but I wanted confirmation that this could be accurate. I then checked Luke 21.
To my surprise, the parenthetical verses were not in Luke 21, but were in Luke 17, confirming that my parenthetical theory seems to hold water. It turns out the events are in order, and Luke 21 makes a perfect template for understanding Matthew 24 and Mark 13.
Below are the scriptures I paralleled. Have a nice study. I hope this helps you, like it did me. This study brings a lot to the surface, which may otherwise be missed.
Comparing the Scriptures
Matthew 24
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mark 13
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Luke 21
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
There are many deceptions, even now. When antichrist comes on the scene, it's possible that pre-trib rapturists could be tricked, because they'll think it couldn't be the tribulation, because they are still on the earth. For more detail on this, see my article Pre-Trib Rapture Deception.
Matthew 24
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mark 13
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Luke 21
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Revelation 6
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
I believe the first seal matches here, especially, since the next three seals seem to come in order after this one. This is the first horse of the four horsemen. I believe this is antichrist at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation. Different religions are looking for their versions of different saviors, or "christs." Many will think antichrist is a christ. He first comes in, looking peaceable - hence the white horse, but he is actually coming in to conquer.
Matthew 24
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:
Mark 13
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places,
Luke 21
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places,
Revelation 6
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
The second horseman - the second seal. War.
Matthew 24:7
and there shall be famines,
Mark 13:8
and there shall be famines
Luke 21:11
and famines,
Rev. 6
5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The third horseman - the third seal. Famines.
Matthew 24:7
and pestilences,
Mark 13:8
and troubles:
Luke 21:11
and pestilences;
Rev. 6
7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Fourth horseman - fourth seal.
Matthew 24:7
and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13:8
these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Luke 21:11
and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Rev. 6
12-13 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.
Not every single seal, trumpet, and vial is in these chapters. If they were, then these chapters would almost be as long as the book of Revelation. In fact, only about half of the tribulation is in these chapters, as you will see. The above seems to fit seal six.
Matthew 24
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.
Mark 13
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luke 21
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke makes the Matthew and Mark passages more clear. This portion may not be in Revelation, because this looks to be before the tribulation - "before all these." Luke says "some of you shall they cause to be put to death," but then it also says "there shall not an hair of your head perish." This would seem to be that some are destined for martyrdom, while others will not even have a hair on their head touched. I give no Revelation parallel to the above passages, because I believe the part of Luke that says "But before all these," indicates this is a sign, or birth pang, which precedes the seven year tribulation.
Matthew 24
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:
Mark 13
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Luke 21
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Rev. 12:6 - And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Dan. 9:27 - And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
At this point in the scriptures, we are nearing into the abomination of desolation, and the middle of the tribulation. This is one of the signs that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 says to look for to happen before the rapture. Those who believe that this happens after the rapture are deceived, as 2 Thess. 2 tells us.
Matthew 24
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.
Mark 13
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Daniel 11:45
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
The elect are the people of God. Under the Old Covenant, those who followed Judaism were the elect. Under the New Covenant, it's Christianity, which is Judaism fulfilled. For Christians, the days have been shorted, because there will be a mid trib rapture, which we will read about a little later in this article. The next two sections of parallels, below, are the parentheticals that I mentioned at the beginning of this article. If you skip the parentheticals, and go straight to the verses that come after those, you'll see how the days are shortened for the elect. The elect only need to be here for the first half of the tribulation.
Parenthetical Passages
Matthew 24
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.
Mark 13
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Luke 17
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
Notice the above Luke passage is from chapter 17, and not chapter 21. This is because Luke 21 does not include these parentheticals.
Matthew 24
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.
None in Mark 13
Luke 17
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
Rev. 19
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
This is Armageddon. Look again at the underlined words in the above Matthew 24 passage, and compare those to the above Revelation passage. There will be multitudes of dead bodies at Armageddon, and scavenger birds, such as eagles, and invited to eat the flesh of the fallen men. The above Matthew and Luke passages are not describing rapture, for the birds and carcase make it clear that this is when Jesus comes back and ends the battle of Armageddon. This occurs at the END of the tribulation, and ends the seven-year tribulation itself.
Matthew 24
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall
Mark 13
24 But in those days, after that tribulation,
Not in Luke
"Those days” brings us back to verse 22 of Matthew 24. Verses 23-28 (of Matthew 24) are parenthetical, to show some of what happens after the mid trib rapture. The phrase, “those days” marks the end of the parenthetical, and brings us back to before “those days should be shortened,” in verse 22. If you read Matthew 24 and Mark 13 without the parenthetical verses, then you'll find it in a chronological order. Luke 21 is chronological, without the parentheticals. The parentheticals are mentioned separately, in Luke 17. Therefore, for a chronological view that is easier to follow, use Luke 21 as your template.
Matthew 24:29
the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mark 13:24
the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Luke 21
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,
Rev. 8
12-13 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Before rapture can happen, we are told the above will happen, first. This seems to line up with part of Revelation 8.
Matthew 24:29
and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mark 13
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:25+
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.
Rev. 11:13-14 - And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
This is right before the mid-trib rapture.
Matthew 24
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.
Mark 13
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.
Luke 21
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.
Rev. 11:15-18 - And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Rev. 10:7 - But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
1 Cor. 15:51-52 - 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Dan. 11:45-12:1
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
After this last trumpet, mid trib rapture, there will be the seven vials of wrath.
Dan. 12:11
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Since Luke chapter 21 omits the parenthetical passages included in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, it can be easier to see the chronological order. Below is a parallel between Luke 21 and Revelation, with a few other scriptures here and there.
Luke 21
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
There are many deceptions, even now. When antichrist comes on the scene, it's possible that pre-trib rapturists could be tricked, because they'll think it couldn't be the tribulation, because they are still on the earth. For more detail on this, see my article Pre-Trib Rapture Deception.
Luke 21
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Revelation 6
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
I believe the first seal matches here, especially, since the next three seals seem to come in order after this one. This is the first horse of the four horsemen. I believe this is antichrist at the beginning of the seven year tribulation. Different religions are looking for their versions of different saviors, or "christs." Many will think antichrist is a christ. He first comes in, looking peaceable - hence the white horse, but he is actually coming in to conquer.
Luke 21
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places,
Revelation 6
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
The second horseman - the second seal. War.
Luke 21:11
and famines,
Rev. 6
5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The third horseman - the third seal. Famines.
Luke 21:11
and pestilences;
Rev. 6
7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Fourth horseman - fourth seal.
Luke 21:11
and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Rev. 6
12-13 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.
Not every single seal, trumpet, and vial is in these chapters. If they were, then these chapters would almost be as long as the book of Revelation. In fact, only about half of the tribulation is in these chapters, as you will see. The above seems to fit seal six.
Luke 21
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke makes the Matthew and Mark passages more clear. This portion may not be in Revelation, because this looks to be before the tribulation - "before all these." Luke says "some of you shall they cause to be put to death," but then it also says "there shall not an hair of your head perish." This would seem to be that some are destined for martyrdom, while others will not even have a hair on their head touched. I give no Revelation parallel to the above passage, because I believe the part of Luke that says "But before all these," indicates this is a sign, or birth pang, which precedes the seven year tribulation.
Luke 21
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Rev. 12:6 - And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
At this point in the scriptures, we are nearing the abomination of desolation, and the middle of the tribulation. This is one of the signs that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 says to look for to happen before the rapture. Those who believe that this happens after the rapture are deceived, as 2 Thess. 2 tells us.
Luke 21
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,
Rev. 8
12-13 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Before rapture can happen, we are told the above will happen, first. This seems to line up with part of Revelation 8.
Luke 21:25+
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.
Rev. 11:13-14 - And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
This is right before the mid-trib rapture.
Luke 21
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.
Rev. 11:15-18 - And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Rev. 10:7 - But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
1 Cor. 15:51-52 - 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Dan. 11:45-12:1
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
After this last trumpet, mid trib rapture, there will be the seven vials of wrath.
Dan. 12:11
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Let's wrap this up, and summarize...
Section One: The Four Horsemen
1) Luke 21:8 First seal, antichrist in the beginning of the tribulation.
2) Luke 21:9-11a Second seal, wars.
3) Luke 21:11b Third seal, famines.
4) Luke 21:11c Fourth seal, pestilences via sword, hunger, beasts, and more.
Section Two: Some things after the Four Horsemen
5) Luke 21:12-19 Sights and signs in the skies and an earthquake. Possible sixth seal described here.
Section Three: Before the Tribulation
6) Luke 21:20-24 "Before these things." Possible pre-tribulational sign.
Section Four: Heading Towards the Mid-Trib
7) Luke 21:25a Warning that the mid-trib abomination of desolation "is nigh." Judea "compassed with armies."
8) Luke 21:25b-26 Signs in the sun and moon, possibly the fourth trumpet being described.
9) Luke 21:27-28 Just before the mid-trib rapture, an earthquake, distress of nations, and perplexity.
Section Five: The Mid-Trib
10) Luke 21:27-28 The mid-trib rapture. "Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
It doesn't go beyond the mid-trib rapture in this chapter, or in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, except for a brief parenthetical in Mark 13 and Matthew 24, as shown in the first chart.
The first three and a half years, or so, is the tribulation. The second half is the great tribulation, or Jacob's Trouble.
Christians go through trials and tribulations every day around the world. The first half of the 7-year trib will be tribulation. The second half will be the unleashing of God's seven vials of wrath. For more scriptural proof of seventh-trumpet mid-trib rapture read my article The Rapture: Did You Know?
