A Comparison Of The Synoptic Eschatological Discourses And Revelation 6-20 -- By: Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.

Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 13:1 (Spring 2008)
Article: A Comparison Of The Synoptic Eschatological Discourses And Revelation 6-20
Author: Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.


A Comparison Of The Synoptic Eschatological Discourses And Revelation 6-20

Ron J. Bigalke Jr.

Ron J. Bigalke Jr. (M.Apol., M.T.S., M.Div., Ph.D.) is an author, lecturer, and pastor. Dr. Bigalke currently pursues a second Ph.D. (New Testament) through the University of Pretoria. Ron is the founder and director of Eternal Ministries, Savannah, GA, a parachurch organization devoted to discipleship and evangelism through teaching and proclaiming the Word of God. Dr. Bigalke has served as professor at Moody Bible Institute, Christian school administrator and teacher, and professor of Bible and Theology at Tyndale Theological Seminary.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate parallels between the synoptic eschatological discourses (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 17:22-37; 21:7-36) and Revelation 6-20 in a sequential format, focusing upon the first half of the Tribulation period, or Daniel’s seventieth week.1 Correlation of each event of Revelation 6-20 with its timing in the eschatological discourses provides a better understanding of the current age (in regard to the signs of the end times, or stage setting), the wrath of God, and the return of Christ and His judgment.

Sequential Judgments

There is an expanding development of the judgments in the Book of Revelation.2 In other words, the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments have a sequential relationship. The series of judgments are not parallel and simultaneous in the sense of recapitulation. It is best to interpret each series as generally following its antecedent. This means that the seventh seal judgment leads into the series of the seven trumpet judgments and the seventh trumpet judgment leads into the series of the seven bowl judgments.

The evidence for a sequential order of the judgments is that each series of judgments increases in destruction and intensity. For instance, the second trumpet judgment destroys one-third of the sea creatures, whereas the second bowl judgment turns the sea into blood (Revelation 8:8-9; 16:3). The fourth trumpet judgment darkens the sun partially, whereas the fourth bowl judgment intensifies its heat so as to make it scorching to humanity. The same is evident with the third and sixth trumpets, and the third, fourth, and sixth bowl judgments (there are no similarities between the first, fifth, and seventh trumpet and bowl judgments). The seal judgments, ho...

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