The Revelation of the Sealed Book

Copyright © 2014 Aníbal Vélez.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author and publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover design by Diane Sheats and Ariel Vélez.

Original cover image of John on Patmos by Gustave Doré (1832–1883).

Scriptures taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2417-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2418-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2416-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901593

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/12/2014

Contents

About the Author

Preface

Acknowledgments

Notes

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 What the Old Prophet Saw

Chapter 2 What the Old Prophet Did Not See

Chapter 3 Book of Daniel

The Image of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Vision of the Four Beasts, the Ram, and the Male Goat

The Antichrist: His Ancestry

The Antichrist: His Traits and Actions

The Seventy Weeks and the Prophetic Clock

The Third Temple of the Jews

The End Time

Chapter 4 Gospel According to Matthew

Chapter 24 of the Gospel According to Matthew

Chapter 5 Book of Revelation

The Prophetic Book

The Vision of the Son of Man and the Things Which Are

The Seven Churches

The Vision of God’s Throne

The Twenty-Four Elders

The Four Living Creatures

Jesus, the Only One Worthy to Open the Scroll

The First Six Seals

First Seal

Second Seal

Third Seal

Fourth Seal

Fifth Seal

Sixth Seal

Final Note to Chapter 6

The 144,000 Sealed

The Multitude Clothed with White Robes

Seventh Seal

The First Four Trumpets

Fifth Trumpet

Sixth Trumpet

The Angel with the Little Book

The Two Witnesses

Seventh Trumpet

The Woman Persecuted by the Dragon

The Beast from the Sea

The Beast from the Earth and the Mark of the Beast

The Proclamations of Three Angels

Order to Reap the Earth

The Seven Angels with the Seven Bowls of the Wrath of God

The Seven Bowls of the Wrath of God

The Great Harlot

Preparation of the Lamb’s Wedding

The Final Battle

The Millennium

The Last Rebellion

The Final Judgment

New Heaven and New Earth

The Holy City, the New Jerusalem

The Last Exhortation

Chapter 6 Russia Will Attack Israel Soon

Chapter 7 The Church of the Lord

Chapter 8 The Rapture of the Church

References

List of Figures

Figure 1: The Prophetic Eye

Figure 2: Image of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Figure 3: Correlation of the Prophecies in the Book of Daniel

Figure 4: First Beast–The Lion (Babylonian Kingdom)

Figure 5: Second Beast–The Bear (Medo-Persian Kingdom)

Figure 6: The Ram (Medo-Persian Kingdom)

Figure 7: Third Beast–The Leopard (Greek Kingdom)

Figure 8: The Male Goat (Greek Kingdom)

Figure 9: Fourth-Dreadful Beast (Roman Kingdom)

Figure 10: The Prophetic Clock

Figure 11: Seventy Weeks

Figure 12: Division of Years in the Great Tribulation

Figure 13: The Dragon (Satan or Devil) 

Figure 14: Map of Israel

Figure 15: Beast Rising up from the Sea (Antichrist)

Figure 16: Kingdoms of the Earth

Figure 17: Beast Coming up from the Earth (False Prophet)

Figure 18: Map of the Millennium’s Land

Figure 19: The Holy City, the New Jerusalem

Who is worthy to open the scroll

and to loose its seals?

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,

the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

About the Author

Aníbal Vélez, author of this book, was born on the island of Puerto Rico, where he also began his walk and life in the Lord Jesus. His first encounter with God occurred in 1974, when he was completing his university studies in chemical engineering. Since then, he has been a fervent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, with great zeal for God’s word, which is powerful to open the eyes of those who with sincere heart surrender to Him.

During his fruitful career, together with his beloved wife and six children (four sons and two daughters), he has experienced the goodness and grace of God in all the aspects of his life. He has travelled to several countries to share the word of God, including several times to remote places in Philippines, Nigeria, and Kenya in Africa, where his stay lasted two months for each visit.

His deep interest in the topic of prophecy began when, at the time of his first steps in the Lord, he had a dream where several related end-time events were shown to him. This brother saw an Elder with white garments and hair as snow, and as He approached him, his body was trembling. The Old Man tenderly took him to a cleft of a rock which was on the side, and then said: Look beyond, at what I show you.

As he looked at a large valley, from the hill where he was, he saw several apocalyptic events which caused him great shock. Upon waking from sleep, the brother was amazed, and although it was still night, he proceeded to write the dream on a paper and save it. At that time he had not yet read or heard about those events to happen in the future; so he did not understand anything he had seen in the dream.

Over time, while he was reading the Book of Revelation in the Bible, he found various passages which described some events he remembered from his dream. He looked for the paper with the dream and could see that they were the same events described in the Scriptures.

Although Aníbal does not depend on dreams to walk in the Lord, this dream sparked his interest to study end-time prophecies more deeply. He dedicated more than fifteen years to complete this book, considered as a fascinating and comprehensive research of end times.

Preface

The Great Tribulation is a long period of sufferings that will be experienced by all inhabitants living on the earth during the latter times. In the past, many catastrophic events and terrible wars have been registered in the history of humanity, such as the First and Second World Wars, where millions of human beings died.

Although these conflicts were disastrous, none of them is to be compared to the events prophesied to start soon. Jesus said, For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matt. 24:21). The word of God is real and true to point out the specific events that will happen and the scope that these will have in the entire world.

This book is the product of more than thirty-nine years of contact with the Scriptures, and has been written under the teaching and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. After feeling a deep yearning in my heart to share with others what God has let me see by His grace and kindness, I have completed this book, which I hope in the Lord will be of great blessing to everyone who reads it. I spent more than fifteen years completing this job.

An interesting note is that when I felt I had almost all the information to start writing, I decided to read the whole Bible again with only one thought in my mind: the end times. This offered me an excellent opportunity to see again a fresh panorama of God’s plan for the church, the people of Israel, and all the other nations. It was the most wonderful reading I have experienced in my years serving the Lord Jesus. I could see the plan and goal of God from a macro point of view—from Genesis to Revelation.

There is relevant and fascinating information in this book, in such a way that the reader will enjoy it very much. You will find the most complete information about the end times in only one book. The book includes historical issues, detailed and deep explanation of the most relevant scriptures (some chapters of Daniel and Ezekiel, Matthew 24, the whole Book of Revelation, and others), as well as an explanation of one of the last prophecies to be fulfilled before the judgment of God commences—Russia’s attack on Israel.

I pray before the Lord that He may light up our lives and guide us, in this time we live in, to a place where we can please and serve Him with all our minds and hearts. Oh Lord, we pray that we may know You and be part of what You are doing at this time in the body of Christ, Your church, which You will keep from the hour of trial that will come over the whole world, to test those who live on the earth! Father, blessed are You forever, for Your great mercy and love to Your children, those who love You and obey Your word with a sincere heart. Amen.

Acknowledgments

I am very thankful to God for allowing me to complete this writing, which after many years of study and work, I know will be of great benefit and blessing for many.

I thank Sister Diane for her contribution in the cover development and design, and for her great job in editing and some other related jobs. I thank also my son Ariel for his help with the cover design and the interior figures. I thank all of those who through their prayers have also partaken in the completion of this book.

Original cover image of John on Patmos by Gustave Doré (1832–1883).

Notes

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references in this book are taken from the New King James Bible version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. (Used by permission. All rights reserved.) This bible was used through the online version: http://bible.gospelcom.net or http://www.biblegateway.com.

Translations to English are made when references from other languages Bible versions are used. The abbreviations of Bible versions are used for some quotations, according to References.

When a Bible reference is quoted and it is written between parentheses, the abbreviation v. or vv. may be used to replace the word verse or verses, respectively. When a comment, word, or phrase is inserted within a Bible reference, it will be written in square brackets. To give more emphasis to some words or phrases in Bible references, boldface or italic types are used by the author.

In many cases, the referenced passage is too long and not included in the book. I suggest that all biblical references be read to obtain the greatest benefit.

Dedication

Although I have written this small book with all my heart, all inspiration and revelation to produce it are from God. It has not been conceived by means of human reasoning or private interpretation. Therefore, I believe that there is no person to whom I can dedicate this writing, but only to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all honor and glory. He paid the great price for our salvation; therefore, it is He who deserves to be recognized and honored.

I only feel I am His servant, grateful for the work He has done. Oh Lord Jesus, receive this writing with pleasure, that You may use it for the blessing and edification of those who with sincere heart come close to You, our only God and Savior! Blessed are You, Lord, blessed be Your holy name forever.

Introduction

Much has been written and preached about the future events that await humanity and the entire earth. For many this is a worn-out subject, for others it is a frightening subject, and others view it with indifference. But for those who believe by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek and live each day a life closer to God, this is a subject of great edification.

What we hear today more and more from the leaders of the nations is related to the so-called New World Order, the New Global Community, or Globalization. In February 2009, the members of the seven greatest nations of the world, the so-called G-7, met and in a unanimous voice declared that it is necessary to develop a New Economic World Order to deal with the economic problems being experienced worldwide.

Through these leaders, the foundations are being set, so that the direction or government of a single leader will be widely accepted—a wise and charismatic one capable to accept this great responsibility.

While I was searching for certain information, I encountered some articles mentioning a famous historian, who apparently has stated that the nations of the world are ready to give their governments to a man who offers a solution to the current problems that they are experiencing.

In an article about another leader, who was in the highest positions of the United Nations Organization (UNO) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), who once apparently said that what they wanted was a man that had enough maturity and influence to gain the support of the people, and bring the world out of the economic morass in which it is sinking, and when this man appears, no matter where he comes from, he would be welcomed.

The nations of the world are under the effects of a convulsion and do not know where the end of the tunnel is. They do not even understand the alternatives or processes they can implement to solve the many complex problems that distress society. That is why they are allowing themselves to be led by leaders with revolutionary ideas with great cost consequences. Those who have no knowledge of biblical prophecies, whose lives are not given to God, are the ones who will be deceived by this stream of ideas—many of which reflect a lack of value of human life.

But you, beloved reader, may open your eyes in time, and come in and live an abundant life in the Lord Jesus, because if God is for us, who can be against us?

Through this book, I have wanted to present what I understand is clear according to the word of God. I have not wanted to echo interpretations that have no clearness and foundation in the Scriptures. I have searched out these apocalyptic topics with all sincerity of heart for many years, in order to write with the most biblical foundation possible.

This book has not been prepared to criticize other authors or expositors, who understand these topics in a different way, but to encourage and edify, specifically those who with sincere hearts walk close to God.

To have more understanding of apocalyptic subjects, it is necessary to consider certain topics related to the purpose that God had in the past and continues having for the people of Israel. There are prophecies directly related to the nation of Israel which have not been fulfilled yet. Many people think that Israel is already out of the focus or purpose of God, but this is not so; God has not yet finished His dealing with His chosen people.

To understand more clearly what will happen in the world in latter times, I believe it is necessary to touch these areas. To accomplish this purpose, I have included in this book those events that the ancient prophets saw and those that they did not see: events related to issues that in some way changed the history of the whole world.

Also, some prophecies of the Book of Daniel have been included, such as what I call the prophetic clock, which describe the fulfillment time of apocalyptic events. Chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew is included too, since the message contained in it, along with the Book of Revelation, describes what God has purposed to happen by the end of this generation.

I included in chapter 6 some interesting information related to a battle where Russia will attack Israel soon. This battle is prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel. The destruction of Russia and its coalition military forces by a direct intervention of God will produce such a great spiritual awakening in the people of Israel that many of them will believe in God.

This book presents a great amount of information related to catastrophic events prophesied to happen soon. It will be of great relief for our souls to see that God is great in mercy and yes, He has remembered those who love and serve Him with a sincere heart. For this reason, the last two topics included in this book are related to the church that the Lord designed and the catching up of the faithful believers by Jesus. I believe it is indispensable to clearly understand what kind of church the Lord will take up when He delivers her from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world.

I do not pretend to include in this writing all the biblical references related to this topic; neither will I present myself as one with special wisdom to teach others. All published writings may have points of view which sometimes at first look strange or different from others, and I think this writing will not be exempt from that.

However, before the reader rejects something written here, I invite him to have a little patience, and consider each part in the light of a mind and heart enlightened and directed by God. It is my intention to share these riches in Jesus Christ manifested by the Holy Spirit and made known to those who get nearer to God, who recognize His word and the revelation of the eternal purpose of God for mankind.

The Scriptures tell us in Romans 16:25–26 that since ancient times, the prophets (the men through whom God chose to declare His word) spoke the word of God in mysteries.

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.

Nevertheless, the fuller revelation has been brought through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Savior. The ancient prophets did not understand many things of which they spoke. We might say that they saw through the prophetic eye, so that even in seeing the things to come, they could not discover their meaning. Daniel 12:4 says, But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. Daniel 12:8–9 also says,

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

But glory to God, who sent Jesus Christ to give us understanding! Hallelujah, to Him be the glory and honor forever! God did not leave us orphans and lacking understanding. He sent His Spirit who, among many other things, teaches and directs us to green pastures and waters of rest.

The end time has come, the time to open the book which Daniel was commanded to seal. For this, God raised another prophet, the apostle John. This man was chosen by God to open the book that the prophet Daniel had closed and sealed. In Revelation 22:10 we read, And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’

As it says in the above-mentioned scripture of Romans chapter 16, made known to all nations … for obedience to the faith, God reveals His purpose and will to those who are capable of obeying and experiencing the riches of His glory. The simple knowledge of facts and the experiences of others do not make us partakers of His promises. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has to be experienced by each of us in an individual way.

Each one must know the Lord and must have the capability to live in Him and experience Him in a real and continuous way. We are property of the Lord, and in this way we must walk, expressing His true image in this world. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6). Therefore, when God reveals His purpose and will, He does it so that we can obey Him.

Why is this word of the end times for the church, if she will not go through the trials of the Great Tribulation? God chose the church for a great mission: to spread the gospel and to bring understanding of His purpose and will to all people. Ephesians 3:9–11 says,

and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore, it is the church which must have a full understanding of all future events, in order to teach and proclaim them in a sound and clear way. He who loves God and walks in His will can know and understand the mysteries of God, since they are understood not through human intelligence or ability, but by the revelation of God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority (John 7:17).

The Book of Revelation was written for the church.

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come.

What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 1:4, 11; 2:7

Therefore, all members of the church have the responsibility to understand and keep this word of God. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near (Rev. 1:3).

Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’

Revelation 22:6–7

In addition to this, in the last two chapters of Revelation we find one of the most wonderful and glorious pictures of God’s final purpose—the full union (wedding) of the Lord Jesus with His bride, the church. With this final event, God fulfills His goal for mankind as He states it in Ephesians 1:9–12,

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

How great and wonderful is the plan of God for us! Amen.

CHAPTER 1

What the Old Prophet Saw

P rior to Christ, God selected servants and prophets to be torches shining the way of men. These were faithful people given to the will of God, who heard the voice of the Lord and immediately obeyed Him. Part of the plan of God for future generations was revealed through them. I say that part was revealed, because not the entire plan of God for all times was revealed to them. The revelation of God to the ancient people before Christ was a shadow of things to come (Col. 2:17).

Then what did the ancient prophets see in relation to God’s promises? They saw what I call the revealed mystery through the prophetic eye, which did not provide a total understanding of its meaning. Many of the events they foretold were experienced in their age, while others were to be fulfilled in the future. Still other prophecies were fulfilled more than once. God is a supreme God who does things in a way that sometimes we do not understand with total clarity. But this is what is marvelous about Him.

This is like many of the parables told by the Lord Jesus in the gospels. Many people did not understand His words. On the other hand, Jesus told His disciples that He would not speak in parables to them but would speak clearly to them.

He who loves God and walks in His will shall understand and know the mysteries of God, since they will be understood and known not by human intelligence or ability but by the same revelation of God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority (John 7:17).

The ancient prophets who lived before the Lord Jesus and prophesied about future events on earth did not see all the coming events, especially those related to the church of the Lord.

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 1:10–12

In order to give the clearest possible expression of what I am saying, let us consider the diagram in figure 1: The Prophetic Eye. (This figure was conceived using an idea or example of one chart found in the book Dispensational Truth by Clarence Larkin—Ref. 1.)

In this diagram, each peak represents an important event that affected or will affect the earth and its inhabitants. The ancient prophet saw the peaks presented in this diagram, but he did not see what I call the valley, nor did he see the short peak that represents the catching up (rapture) of the church.

Let me mention some examples of events that the ancient prophets saw, which are represented by the peaks of the diagram in figure 1.

•   The great flood, prophesied by Noah, was to be fulfilled in the time of the prophet Noah.

•   The prophets saw the birth of Christ (Isa. 7:14; 9:6–7; Mic. 5:2), His sufferings and death (Isa. 53:1–12, Num. 9:12, Ps. 34:20), His resurrection (Ps. 16:10), and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28–29).

•   After the death of the Messiah Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, something happened in Israel that was also prophesied. This event was of great importance, since it was the last event to happen before the coming of the final judgment over Israel and all the other nations. Daniel 9:26 says,

And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.

Figure 1: The Prophetic Eye

In year AD 70, this prophecy was totally fulfilled, when a Roman general named Titus Flavius Vespasianus destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple. At that time, thousands of Jews lost their lives and other thousands were scattered far.

According to history, when the temple was burned, the gold over the walls melted and spread over the stones. Trying to recover the gold, the Roman soldiers took away stone by stone, fulfilling in this way the prophecy of Jesus, who said, Not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Matt. 24:2).

•   The battle in which Russia attacks Israel is another surprising event prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezek. 38—39). This prophecy will have its fulfillment in the latter days before the Great Tribulation starts. The Lord will suppress all of Russia and its allies’ military forces with flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezek. 38:22).

•   Another event that the prophets saw was the so-called Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation will happen in the second half of a seven year period, during which all of the earth and its inhabitants will experience some events never seen before (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 7:19–25; 9:24–27; 12:1; Zech. 14:1–2).

•   The Great Tribulation ends with the visible second coming of Christ to the earth. This event was also seen by the prophetic eye (Rev. 1:7; Zech. 12:10–14; 14:3–4; Matt. 24:30; Dan 7:13–14; 26–27). For the Jews, this will be like the first coming of Christ, since they did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah when He came the first time.

•   The Millennium is another event prophesied by the ancient prophets (Zech. 14:16–19; Mic. 4:1–4). It consists of a period of one thousand years, which will take place after the Great Tribulation.

•   One of the last events that the ancient prophets saw was the creation of the new heaven and a new earth: in other words, a new world (Isa. 65:17–25; 66:22)—which will happen after the Millennium.

God had a purpose in each event prophesied by the ancient prophets. Although this topic will be touched on later, it is very important to understand the place that the nation of Israel and the church occupy in the promises of God. The fulfillment of God’s promises for Israel is not the same as that for the church. This is why the ancient prophets saw future events in a limited way.

CHAPTER 2

What the Old Prophet Did Not See

A s you see in figure 1: The Prophetic Eye, the ancient prophet did not see what is represented by the valley, the church age, and the peak of the rapture of the church. This valley represents the period between the coming of the Holy Spirit, after the ascent of Jesus to heaven, and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. In this period, very important events have happened, and others will continue to happen up to the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

The most outstanding event was the origin of the church of the Lord. The ancient prophet did not have any idea what the church could be, according to the hidden purpose of God. He could see what was related to his own nation of Israel, even without much understanding, but could not see what was related to the new covenant in Christ Jesus, which is the church as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians and Colossians talk about this mystery:

… which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.

Ephesians 3:5–6

… the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:26–27

The church, as the body of Christ and the habitation of the Holy Spirit, was hidden from the forefathers in the time before Christ until the coming of the disciples and apostles of Jesus. However, from the day of Pentecost, the purpose of God related to the design of His church has been available to those who love the Lord and live in obedience to His word.

Although there were men of God (prophets and kings) who loved God and had a relationship with Him (speaking in general terms), the Jewish people did not see the intimate spiritual communion that man could have with God. In ancient times, man communicated with God through other men (priests and prophets) and through sacrifices and rites. It was a very different relationship from the one established by Christ.

After the establishment of the church, man can now have a close relationship with God, in which he does not need sacrifices of animals or the intervention of other men. God has now made man capable of having direct communion with Him through the Holy Spirit.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26–27

The ancient prophet did not see the valley or parentheses of the church. The church is not only a people; it is more than a people—it will be the bride prepared by God for His Son. These are believers from all nations that will be saved, who are part of an organism (not an organization or system) which expresses the image and purpose of the Lord Jesus. The church waits for her Lord and Husband; on the other hand, Israel awaits the Messiah and King.

Another event the ancient prophets did not see was the catching up (rapture) of the church