Some significant things to note once the 7th trumpet has sounded.
1) The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
2) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come
3) 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
4) there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
If 2) is already true, thy wrath has come, followed by the 42 month reign of the beast, why is Revelation 13:4 asking the questions---Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? Why would something silly like that be being asked if His wrath has already come before this is even asked?
If 2) is already true, thy wrath has come, followed by the 42 month reign of the beast, how is that Revelation 13:7 is able to be fulfilled, especially the part about---and to overcome them? Wouldn't that make the beast far more powerful than God, that despite God's wrath having already come, the beast possesses even greater power since it not only is it able to make with with the saints, it is also able to overcome them, and all of this while 1) and 2) above are already supposed to be true since 1-4 is meaning mid 70th week, and that Revelation 13, the 42 month reign of the beast, is meaning the remainder of the 70th week?
Clearly, the 42 month reign of the beast is meaning the remainder of the 70th week, so at least that part is correct. What is not correct is that the 7th trumpet is meaning mid 70th week. It's meaning at the end of/after the 70th week. That way we don't encounter all of these contradictions I brought up above.
But maybe some people simply don't care to try and logically reason through things first, before making a final determination as to how something should be understood and interpreted?
Yes, clearly the 42 month reign of the Beast is the remainder of the 70th week. On this we agree.
What is not correct is that the 7th trumpet is meaning mid 70th week. It's meaning at the end of/after the 70th week. That way we don't encounter all of these contradictions I brought up above.
WRONG! They are only human reasoning contradictions, not real. The 7th trumpet does mark the midpoint. You can take that to the bank - so to speak.
Did Jesus tell those in Judea to flee the moment they see the abomination? Certainly He did. Did Daniel tell us the week would be divided by the event that would stop the daily sacrifices? He did. Putting these two thoughts together, we see that the fleeing (because they just saw the abomination event that would divide the week) is in 12:6. Therefore that verse is only seconds after the abomination event that will divide the week. If we back up looking for a timeline event, we find the 7th trumpet..
Next, all 5 events that start at the midpoint and countdown to the end are found in chapters 11, 12, and 13, proving these are midpoint chapters.
how is that Revelation 13:7 is able to be fulfilled, especially the part about---and to overcome them?
What you missed: Parenthesis: when we consider the 1260 days of testifying, and the 42 months of authority; once John introduces these two countdowns, he then gives more information in a parenthesis. In other words, the image is NOT created in the timeframe of chapter 13 (very near the midpoint) nor will be mark be created then either: these things happen LATER in the second half of the week. (but not much later.) Once God introduced John to the Beast, He then took John on a "side journey" outside of chronology down the last half of the week with the two beasts only - showing John what they would be doing during the last half of the week.
Therefore, everything you read in chapter 13 does not happen at the midpoint. It is the same with chapter 11: after verse 3, when God introduces John to the two witnesses, He then took John on a SIDE JOURNEY (outside of His chronology) to show John what would happen to them near the end of the week.) It is done via a parenthesis.
For chronology:
The man of sin arrives in Jerusalem just days before the midpoint. (42 mon)
The Two Witnesses show up (3 1/2 days before the midpoint) (1260 days)
The man of sin abominates (7th trumpet marks that time) week divided
Those in Judea begin to flee (12:6)
Michael goes to war with Satan (chapter 12)
John sees the Beast arise.
All these events take place within a few days of each other right at the midpoint of the week.
Why would something silly like that be being asked if His wrath has already come before this is even asked? What God has caused to be written is certainly not silly. Don't even think such a thing. The wrath of God will begin when the DAY of His wrath begins - and that is at the 6th seal before any part of the 70th week will begin (at the 7th seal).
Is it possible God sees into the future and caused John to write "who is able to make war" with the Beast before the Beast has proven himself in war? Or, perhaps he already took out three kings, but at the time, they did not know this great military leader would end up being the Beast of Rev. 13? Daniel tells us He will take out three kings. But WHEN? My guess is, VERY SOON after he is seen rising as the Beast. It is only a guess.
especially the part about---and to overcome them? Wouldn't that make the beast far more powerful than God, that despite God's wrath having already come, the beast possesses even greater power since it not only is it able to make with with the saints, it is also able to overcome them, and all of this while 1) and 2) above are already supposed to be true since 1-4 is meaning mid 70th week, and that Revelation 13, the 42 month reign of the beast, is meaning the remainder of the 70th week?
I am beginning to get a picture here: You don't believe Revelation as written! You question the very word of God. These events have NOTHING to do with the power of God. The world has wanted a world WITHOUT GOD for some time now - so God is going to give them exactly what they want: a world without God - for 3 1/2 years. It is written in two different verses: the Beast will be given power over the saints. We may not understand it or why it will be so, but we must believe it. It is going to happen. It SEEMS to say,
all saints, or the vast majority of them. That is why I won't even entertain a posttrib rapture theory.
The ONLY WAY the Beast will be able to overcome the saints is that GOD WILL ALLOW it. It is written in His word. Who is this "remnant" of believers that will be overcome? It is simple: a subset of those left behind at the rapture. WHY were they left behind? Again it is obvious: they were not "in Christ." They COULD have been, but were not. God had been standing -as it were - with outstretched arms saying COME. He is not willing that ANY should perish. But He will not force people to come to Him.
There are MILLIONS of people who call themselves "Christian" that have never been taught that they must be "born again." They are going to be left behind. They will be forced to choose between staying alive by taking the mark, or losing their head and making heaven their home. This may offend some people. That is between them and God. He is the one who has declared that the saints will be overcome.
Note: human reasoning will not alter what is written.