God Is a God of Order

One of the greatest mistakes we can make when studying Bible prophecy is to think that God works randomly. Nothing could be farther from the truth. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals a God who plans, prepares, and fulfills His purposes in perfect order. He has never acted by chance, nor will He begin doing so at the end of the age.

The Apostle Paul reminds us,

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…”

That verse is often applied to the church, but it also reflects the very character of God. He is a God of order.

God’s Order Is Seen Throughout Scripture

When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He did not simply say, “Build Me a place to worship.”

He gave precise measurements.

He specified the materials.

He determined where every piece of furniture would stand.

He described the garments of the priests.

He established the sacrifices.

He appointed the feasts.

Nothing was left to human imagination.

The Lord commanded Moses,

Exodus 25:40 (KJV)

“And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.”

Why?

Because every detail pointed to Christ and God’s redemptive plan.

Even the yearly feasts were arranged by God. They were not merely Jewish holidays but prophetic appointments. Christ fulfilled the spring feasts with remarkable precision in His first coming. He became our Passover Lamb. He fulfilled Firstfruits in His resurrection, and the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost just as God had ordained.

God did not fulfill those feasts randomly. He fulfilled them according to His appointed order.

Why Should Prophecy Be Different?

If God followed His revealed pattern in creation, in the tabernacle, in the priesthood, in the sacrifices, and in the first coming of Christ, why would we expect Him to ignore the prophetic order He has revealed concerning Christ’s return?

I do not believe He will.

When I read Revelation, I do not see a collection of disconnected events thrown together without purpose. I see the orderly unfolding of God’s plan as history moves toward its appointed conclusion.

The Beginning of Sorrows

Jesus Himself described the last days this way:

Matthew 24:6–8 (KJV)

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars… For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Notice His words.

The beginning of sorrows.

The Lord did not say these would be the end.

He said they were the beginning.

The picture is that of birth pains. They begin gradually. They increase in intensity. They become more frequent. They overlap one another until the birth finally takes place.

That is how I understand biblical prophecy. The signs Jesus described do not suddenly appear all at once. They intensify as God’s prophetic plan unfolds.

Progressive and Overlapping Judgments

As I study the seals, trumpets, and vials, I see progression rather than isolated events.

The trumpet judgments affect a third of the earth, the sea, and the rivers.

The vial judgments reveal a greater outpouring of God’s wrath.

The judgments become more severe as history moves toward its climax.

Some judgments are directed at particular people rather than the entire world.

The first vial falls upon those who have received the mark of the beast.

Revelation 16:2 (KJV)

“…there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”

Others refuse to repent despite God’s warnings.

Revelation 16:9 (KJV)

“…and they repented not to give him glory.”

These judgments are not random acts of destruction. They reveal both God’s justice and man’s continued rebellion.

Watching the Signs

When I observe increasing wars, natural disasters, famine, persecution, economic instability, and moral rebellion, I do not immediately declare that a particular seal or vial has begun. Scripture calls us to be careful and discerning.

However, neither do I believe we should ignore what Jesus told us to watch for.

He told His disciples to recognize the signs.

He expected them to understand that prophecy unfolds according to God’s revealed plan.

Why I Do Not Believe Christ Returns Before the Prophetic Order Is Fulfilled

I realize many sincere Christians believe Christ could return at any moment in a pre-tribulation rapture before these prophetic events occur.

After many years of studying the Scriptures, I have come to a different conclusion.

I believe the church will remain on earth until the visible return of Christ at the last trumpet.

Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump… and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Likewise,

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…”

Jesus also declared,

Matthew 24:29–31 (KJV)

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days… they shall see the Son of man coming… And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet…”

In my understanding, these passages describe one glorious appearing of Christ, following the unfolding of the prophetic events He revealed.

This is not because God lacks the power to return whenever He chooses. God is sovereign over all things. Rather, it is because I believe God is faithful to the order He has revealed in His Word. The God who established the pattern of the tabernacle, fulfilled the appointed feasts, and carried out every promise concerning Christ’s first coming will also fulfill the events surrounding His second coming according to His perfect plan.

A Final Thought

These thoughts are the result of many years of studying Scripture, comparing passage with passage, and observing history. I do not claim to possess perfect understanding, nor do I ask anyone to accept my conclusions simply because I have written them.

Instead, I encourage every believer to follow the example of the Bereans:

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Whether my understanding proves correct in every detail is not the most important question.

The most important question is this:

Are we watching?

Are we ready?

Are we faithfully serving Christ until He comes?

The God who has never broken a promise will not begin now. Every prophecy will be fulfilled in His appointed time, in His appointed order, and for His eternal glory.