The RAPTURE . . . at the end of the Trib.

[Gregg]

Several passages in the Revelation mention the Rapture of believers. My thoughts are that they indicate:
1. the presence of the Church on earth during the last 3.5 years of Daniels 70th week (Dan 9:24-27)
2. and that the Rapture occurs on the Feast of Trumpets, 10-15 days before the end of Daniel's 70th week.

- "And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev 6:14 LITV).

- "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to trumpet, was even ended the mystery of God, as He preached to His slaves, the prophets" (Rev 10:7 LITV).

- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

- "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto the earth, and the earth was reaped" (Rev 14:16 LITV).

 

[Gary]

The RAPTURE . . . at the end of the Trib.

Yup.

 

[Kathi]

Several passages in the Revelation mention the Rapture of believers. My thoughts are that they indicate:
1. the presence of the Church on earth during the last 3.5 years of Daniels 70th week (Dan 9:24-27)
2. and that the Rapture occurs on the Feast of Trumpets, 10-15 days before the end of Daniel's 70th week.

- "And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev 6:14 LITV).

- "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to trumpet, was even ended the mystery of God, as He preached to His slaves, the prophets" (Rev 10:7 LITV).

- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

- "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto the earth, and the earth was reaped" (Rev 14:16 LITV).

Are you pointing at a post-trib view Gregg?

 

[Gregg]

Are you pointing at a post-trib view Gregg?

Yes, post Trib. I am thinking that Daniels 70th week is as follows:

- The first 3-1/2 years began on/near a Feast of Tabernacles, and ended 3-1/2 years later at the Passover/Crucifixion of Jesus.

- [Then the Church age, about 2,000 years.]

- The last 3-1/2 years might begin on/near a Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread, and end 3-1/2 years later on/near a Feast of Tabernacles.

Feast of Trumpets - Rapture on the 1st day of a seventh month
Day of Atonement - the LORD's wrath or sacrifice on the 10th day of that same month
Feast of Tabernacles/Booths - on the 15th day of that same month, where the LORD sets foot on the Temple Mt. and takes His seat.​

 

[FreeGrace]

Several passages in the Revelation mention the Rapture of believers. My thoughts are that they indicate:
1. the presence of the Church on earth during the last 3.5 years of Daniels 70th week (Dan 9:24-27)
2. and that the Rapture occurs on the Feast of Trumpets, 10-15 days before the end of Daniel's 70th week.

- "And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev 6:14 LITV).

- "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to trumpet, was even ended the mystery of God, as He preached to His slaves, the prophets" (Rev 10:7 LITV).

- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

- "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto the earth, and the earth was reaped" (Rev 14:16 LITV).

I would be interested in the several passages in Revelation that mention the rapture of believers. The ones you did quote aren't about believers from the church age.

I do believe that the rapture of the church occurs at the end of the Trib, based on a comparison of Matt 24:30-31, 1 Cor 15:51-52 and 1 Thess 4:13-18. They all describe the same event. Of particular interest is 1 Cor 15 and the phrase "at the last trump". Since there will be 7 trumpet judgments during the Trib, it seems that what Paul wrote will occur after that.

Furthermore, 2 Thess 2:1 begins with: "1Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him", which occurs after the "rebellion" of v.3: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction".

Seems clear: The coming of our Lord and our being gathered together to Him will occur after the apostasy (Trib) comes first.

 

[Gregg]

I would be interested in the several passages in Revelation that mention the rapture of believers. The ones you did quote aren't about believers from the church age.

I do believe that the rapture of the church occurs at the end of the Trib, based on a comparison of Matt 24:30-31, 1 Cor 15:51-52 and 1 Thess 4:13-18. They all describe the same event. Of particular interest is 1 Cor 15 and the phrase "at the last trump". Since there will be 7 trumpet judgments during the Trib, it seems that what Paul wrote will occur after that.

Furthermore, 2 Thess 2:1 begins with: "1Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him", which occurs after the "rebellion" of v.3: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction".

Seems clear: The coming of our Lord and our being gathered together to Him will occur after the apostasy (Trib) comes first.

An account of the Rapture is given from several different perspectives. I understand that the two witnesses of Rev 11 are believers, who die 3-1/2 days before a Feast of Trumpets; to be resurrected on the day of the Feast of Trumpets.

I also believe that one or both of the 2 witnesses are gentile.

 

[Gregg]

FreeGrace,

regarding:

- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

There are 2 events of reaping:
1. Reaping of the Wheat: "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto [επι - over] the earth, and the earth was reaped." (Rev 14:16 LITV). επι [over] seems to match up with Christians meeting the LORD in the air, as opposed to εις [into] in Rev 14:19.

2. Culling of the Tares: "And the angel thrust his sickle into [εις - into] the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw into the winepress of the great anger of God." (Rev 14:19 LITV)

 

[Kathi]

One strength of the post trib belief is that Jesus,in His extended discourse on the end times,says He will return after the "great tribulation" Matthew 24:21.The book of Revelation mentions only one coming of the Lord - and that occurs after the tribulation Revelation 19-20.Revelation 13:7 and 20:9 also tend to support a post tribulation view.Also the resurrection of the dead Revelation 20:5 is called "the first resurrection". Post tribbers think that since this "first" resurrection takes place after the tribulation,the resurrection associated with the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 cannot occur until then Matthew 19:27-30;Mark 10:28-31;Matthew 20-16.
The weaknesses in the Post trib outlook in Scripture is that they point out that historically,God's people have experienced times of intense persecution.They say therefore it will not be surprising that the Church will experience that.
The post trib teaching says that those who are in Christ are not under condemnation and will never experience the wrath of God Romans 8:1.Many of the Judgments of the tribulation such as earthquakes,falling stars and famines will affect the saved and the unsaved.Post tribbers also do not face the absence of the word "Church" in all biblical passages related to the tribulation.In Revelation 4-21 the lengthiest description of the tribulation in Scripture,the word Church does not appear.

 

[Malachi]

Several passages in the Revelation mention the Rapture of believers.

Except that none of the Scriptures you quoted have any relevance whatsoever to the topic heading.

The questions that Christians should ask themselves before deciding as to where the Rapture occurs, is "1. What exactly is the purpose of the Tribulation Period? 2. Who will experience God's wrath? 3. Who will not experience God's wrath? and 4. Who will be preserved through that period of wrath?"

For Christians, "God has not appointed us to wrath" is what we read in Scripture, therefore the Tribulation Period has no bearing on the fate of the Church. You will rarely hear any preaching or teaching on God's wrath against sin and evil, and on sinners, and how it is related to His wrath poured out on the Lamb of God on our behalf.

 

[Gregg]

Except that none of the Scriptures you quoted have any relevance whatsoever to the topic heading.

Any relevance? Whatsoever? I acknowledge your passion about the Lord and the Scriptures, but perhaps you do not understand these Scriptures.

- "And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev 6:14 LITV).

This verse occurs between the 6th and 7th seal, as does the Rapture. The time frame is near the end of the Tribulation, after the 6th seal and just before the 7th seal is broken. He comes with His heavenly host, as clouds filling the sky; which will be rend apart as the Lord enters to catch up believers. Perhaps the LORD removes the Prince of the air from the heavens at this time, and casts him and his angels to the earth.

The heavens departing may depict His appearing 10 days after the Rapture on the Day of Atonement, but I am thinking that it refers to the Rapture. This event is witnessed by non-believers (Rev 6:15), just before His wrath begins (Rev 6:16).​

- "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to trumpet, was even ended the mystery of God, as He preached to His slaves, the prophets" (Rev 10:7 LITV).

This verse occurs between the 6th and 7th trumpet, as does the Rapture. The "mystery of God' (Rev 10:7) is Christ in you, Christ's redemption and indwelling believers. The time frame is near the end of the Tribulation, just before the 7th trumpet is sounded.​

- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

This verse also occurs between the 6th and 7th trumpet, as does the Rapture. When the Church finished the testimony of the Gospel, then they are called to meet the LORD in the air. The two witnesses die 3-1/2 days before the Rapture; showing that the time frame is near the end of the Tribulation, just before the 7th trumpet is sounded.​

- "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto the earth, and the earth was reaped" (Rev 14:16 LITV).

Another reference to the Rapture of the Church.​

The questions that Christians should ask themselves before deciding as to where the Rapture occurs, is "1. What exactly is the purpose of the Tribulation Period? 2. Who will experience God's wrath? 3. Who will not experience God's wrath? and 4. Who will be preserved through that period of wrath?"

For Christians, "God has not appointed us to wrath" is what we read in Scripture, therefore the Tribulation Period has no bearing on the fate of the Church. You will rarely hear any preaching or teaching on God's wrath against sin and evil, and on sinners, and how it is related to His wrath poured out on the Lamb of God on our behalf.

Malachi,

There are a 1000 questions one may ask. And those questions may very well have been asked and answered in the mind of the OP, but not posted here - because the topic is more narrowly defined.

The Topic is the Rapture occurring at the end of the Tribulation. Nonetheless, I welcome a brief answer to the questions you posed if you can tie them into the topic of this forum.

Otherwise, If you wish to talk about God's wrath, then please begin another forum.


.

 

[Kathi]

If the rapture comes pre-trib,mid-trib or post-trib it is a very debatable subject.Everyone wants to think it is coming in their timing.It is frosting on the cake.It will happen in God's timing.No one is going to be in heaven giving someone else a nasty hand gesture and saying "see I told you I was right".

 

[FreeGrace]

An account of the Rapture is given from several different perspectives. I understand that the two witnesses of Rev 11 are believers, who die 3-1/2 days before a Feast of Trumpets; to be resurrected on the day of the Feast of Trumpets.

My understanding is that the 2 witnesses are OT prophets who God sends back to earth at that time. Not church age believers.

I also believe that one or both of the 2 witnesses are gentile.

What evidence would suggest that?

Thanks.

 

[FreeGrace]

FreeGrace,

regarding:
- "And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they went up into the heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them" (Rev 11:11-12 LITV).

There are 2 events of reaping:
1. Reaping of the Wheat: "And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto [επι - over] the earth, and the earth was reaped." (Rev 14:16 LITV). επι [over] seems to match up with Christians meeting the LORD in the air, as opposed to εις [into] in Rev 14:19.

2. Culling of the Tares: "And the angel thrust his sickle into [εις - into] the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw into the winepress of the great anger of God." (Rev 14:19 LITV)

Sorry, I'm just not seeing how these verses indicate a post rapture event.

 

[FreeGrace]

One strength of the post trib belief is that Jesus,in His extended discourse on the end times,says He will return after the "great tribulation" Matthew 24:21.The book of Revelation mentions only one coming of the Lord - and that occurs after the tribulation Revelation 19-20.Revelation 13:7 and 20:9 also tend to support a post tribulation view.Also the resurrection of the dead Revelation 20:5 is called "the first resurrection". Post tribbers think that since this "first" resurrection takes place after the tribulation,the resurrection associated with the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 cannot occur until then Matthew 19:27-30;Mark 10:28-31;Matthew 20-16.
The weaknesses in the Post trib outlook in Scripture is that they point out that historically,God's people have experienced times of intense persecution.They say therefore it will not be surprising that the Church will experience that.
The post trib teaching says that those who are in Christ are not under condemnation and will never experience the wrath of God Romans 8:1.Many of the Judgments of the tribulation such as earthquakes,falling stars and famines will affect the saved and the unsaved.Post tribbers also do not face the absence of the word "Church" in all biblical passages related to the tribulation.In Revelation 4-21 the lengthiest description of the tribulation in Scripture,the word Church does not appear.

When I took my class through the book, I researched and compared the various judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls) with the 10 plagues in Egypt. There are some noteworthy similarities between the two. And…Israel did not experience any of the plagues. And…there are several references in Rev that specifically note that believers will not experience specific judgments.

It seems reasonable that God can and will protect His people from His wrath. That said, we also know that there will be many martyrs during the Trib, so believers aren't really "off the hook".

 

[FreeGrace]

If the rapture comes pre-trib,mid-trib or post-trib it is a very debatable subject.Everyone wants to think it is coming in their timing.It is frosting on the cake.It will happen in God's timing.No one is going to be in heaven giving someone else a nasty hand gesture and saying "see I told you I was right".

While I think the rapture is at Christ's Second Coming, if it is pre-trib, the smile on my face will be at least as big as those who thought it was pre-trib.

However, if it is post-trib, how will that effect the faith of those who were convinced it would be pre-trib? Not positively, I'm afraid.

 

[Gregg]

My understanding is that the 2 witnesses are OT prophets who God sends back to earth at that time. Not church age believers.

What evidence would suggest that?

Thanks.

I have no evidence that the two witnesses are either Jew or gentile, only thoughts; and I will share them.

The LORD compares the 2 witnesses to two olive trees and two lamp stands. In the Temple there are 2 features/elements which have two of something - the two bronze pillars on the porch, and the two cherubim in the inner sanctuary.

The two pillars overlook the courtyard wherein are the bronze laver and bronze altar. The laver and altar are types representing Christ, who is the God of the earth. The two bronze pillars stand before the God of the earth (Rev 11:4). The two bronze pillars on the porch of Solomon's temple seem to resemble two lamp stands (1 Kings 7:15-22). Solomon named the pillars Yachin [He will establish] and Boaz [in Him is Strength] (1 Kings 7:21); perhaps looking forward to when Christ, who is the true Temple (Jn 2:19), establishes the Church in His strength. The Church, believing Jews and gentiles, are members of Christ; pillars in the Temple (Rev 3:12).​

The two cherubim in the inner sanctuary are made of olive wood and veneered in gold (1 Kings 6:23-28). The two cherubim with wings outstretched stretch across the breadth of the inner temple, wherein is the ark and mercy seat. The ark and mercy seat are also types representing Christ, who is the God of the earth. The two cherubim [made of olive trees] stand before the God of the earth (Rev 11:4) in the inner sanctuary.​

The two lamp stands and the two olive trees are representative of NT saints being made kings and priests to God in Christ (Rev 1:6, 5:10), similar to the OT saints (Exo 19:6). These two witnesses (Rev 11:3) are present during the last half of Daniel's 70th week. The timing of their death 3-1/2 days prior (Rev 11:7-11) to the Feast of Trumpets when Christ raptures the Church (Rev 11:12), indicates that the rapture is at the tail-end of the Tribulation.

I think it is highly unlikely that the Lord would send 2 OT saints as these two witnesses. But then, many things that He has done also seemed highly unlikely; namely the Son of God becoming a Man. What creature could have conceived such a marvelous salvation? Hallelujah!

 

[Malachi]

Otherwise, If you wish to talk about God's wrath, then please begin another forum.

Gregg,

In a nutshell, God's wrath is now reserved for the unbelieving world and for Satan and his demonic forces which will take control of this earth for a season. God's wrath is past for His Church, since they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Therefore the Scriptures you have alluded to have no relevance whatsoever to the Rapture. Everything that is written from Revelation 6 to 19 pertains to God's judgments, and is a result of His wrath against sin and evil. You made reference to the "sickle" above. Well here is what it says in Rev 14:19: "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and CAST IT INTO THE GREAT WINEPRESS OF THE WRATH OF GOD". What exactly does this have to do with the Rapture?

 

[Gregg]

Gregg,

In a nutshell, God's wrath is now reserved for the unbelieving world and for Satan and his demonic forces which will take control of this earth for a season. God's wrath is past for His Church, since they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Therefore the Scriptures you have alluded to have no relevance whatsoever to the Rapture. Everything that is written from Revelation 6 to 19 pertains to God's judgments, and is a result of His wrath against sin and evil. You made reference to the "sickle" above. Well here is what it says in Rev 14:19: "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and CAST IT INTO THE GREAT WINEPRESS OF THE WRATH OF GOD". What exactly does this have to do with the Rapture?

The Rapture occurs in Rev 14:16 where His sickle is swung 'over' the earth; different than the sickle that is swung 'into' the earth (Rev 14:19).

Portions of Rev chapters six to nineteen may have to do with God's judgments, but it also identifies and places the Church on earth during that time. For instance:

- Rev 6:9 regards martyred saints, to which other martyred saints are added, "the number of their fellow-slaves and their brothers" (Rev 6:11). Therefore a portion of Rev 6 regards the saints, and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 7:14 mentions saints who come out of the tribulation, "These are those coming out of the great tribulation". Therefore a portion of Rev 7 regards the saints, and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 8:3 "that he give them with the prayers of all the saints"; all would seem to include those with Christ in heaven and those saints living on the earth. Therefore a portion of Rev 8 regards the saints, whether they have passed, or whether they are alive here; and not all of it regards the wrath of God.

- Rev 9:4 infers that there are men living in the earth who have the seal of God, "except only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads." Therefore a portion of Rev 9 regards the saints, those having the seal of God on their foreheads; and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 10:7 says "even ended the mystery of God", which I believe [think, perceive, estimate] refers to Christ and His indwelling of believers. Rev 10 identifies the time frame in which the Church will be taken from the earth; therefore a portion of Rev 10 regards the saints, and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands, standing before the God of the earth. These witnesses are Christians, who are raptured (Rev 11:12). Therefore a portion of Rev 11 regards the saints, and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 12:5 and Rev 12:17 describes the saints who are born of the faithful woman, the Church; "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony. And they did not love their soul even until death" (Rev 12:11). In that the rapture occurs at the end of the Trib, these who have died here in Rev 12:11 before the rapture would be saints. Therefore a portion of Rev 12 regards the saints, and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 13:7 "And it was given to it to war with the saints, and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation." The saints, therefore a portion of Rev 13 regards the saints and not the wrath of God.

- Rev 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus." Again, a scripture to the saints living ion earth during this time frame described in Rev 14; therefore a portion of Rev 14 regards the saints, and not only the wrath of God.

- Rev 15 ?

- Rev 16:15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is the one watching and keeping his garments, that he does not walk naked, and they may see his shame." Perhaps a reference to Christians and those who will come to know Him during the Trib.; and here again a reference regarding the saints and not God's wrath.

- Rev 17:1 ". . . until the words of God shall be fulfilled." This surely has to do with His wrath, but may also have to do with the completion of the ministry of the two witnesses. ". . . And those dwelling on the earth will marvel, the ones whose names have not been written on the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, . ." (Rev 17:8 LITV). Perhaps this infers that there are those whose names have indeed been written in the Book of Life, the saints. Perhaps a portion of Rev 17 has to do with the saints.

- Rev 18:4 "And I heard another voice out of Heaven saying, My people, come out of her, that you may not share in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues;" Did I miss another reference to the rapture, or is this a general calling towards God's people to seperate themselves from fellowship with the whore or Babylon?

Rev 18:23 "And the light of a lamp will never more shine in you. And the voice of the bridegroom and bride will never more be heard in you. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were misled." Never more after the saints are raptured up to meet Christ in the air, but yes, before that the saints will be heard.

Surely "My people" and the "bride" refer to the saints. Yes, again, another chapter of the Revelation from ch's 6-19 which do so wonderfully regard the saints; as not all portions of ch's 6-19 have to do with the wrath of God.

- Rev 19 By the time frame of this passage the rapture has occured. "Let us rejoice and let us exult, and we will give glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb came, and His wife prepared herself. And it was given to her that she be clothed in fine linen, pure and bright; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints" (Rev 19:7-8 LITV). Oh the righteousness of the saints, clothed in the righteousness of the Son of God, our LORD and Savior. Here is another portion of ch's 6-19 that have to do with the saints - not the wrath of God

- - -

Malachi,

So when you wrote "Everything that is written from Revelation 6 to 19 pertains to God's judgments, and is a result of His wrath against sin and evil", you were only making a naive comment, overly sweeping with a broad generalization, and with a tone that was a tad more proud than should have been

In another nutshell, please do not discourage Christians from reading all of the Revelation, as much of it has to do with us, the saints of the Most High God.

 

[gr8grace3]

Several passages in the Revelation mention the Rapture of believers. My thoughts are that they indicate:
1. the presence of the Church on earth during the last 3.5 years of Daniels 70th week (Dan 9:24-27)

Dan 9:24-27~~Where do you see the church in these scriptures?

2. and that the Rapture occurs on the Feast of Trumpets, 10-15 days before the end of Daniel's 70th week.

The beginning or the end of the feast of trumpets?

- "And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev 6:14 LITV).

Where do you see the rapture in this verse?

 

[Gregg]

Dan 9:24-27~~Where do you see the church in these scriptures?

For those who are alive and remain, present on earth until the Feast of Trumpets at the end of Daniel's 70th week. In that month, it is likely that the LORD will consecutively fulfill [in total, as they are now fulfilled in part] each of feasts of that month - begining w/ Trumpets on the 1st day, then the Atonement on the 10th day of that same month, then the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles beginning on the 15th day of that month.

The beginning or the end of the feast of trumpets?

I am not sure what you are asking, but did I answer it above?

Where do you see the rapture in this verse?

Somewhere between the opening of the 6th seal (Rev 6:12) and just before the seventh seal is opened (prior to Rev 8:1). In Rev 6:14, John mentions seeing the sky depart as a scroll when it is rolled up; and I believe that verse indicates at least two things:

1. I think that the [mention of the] scroll being rolled up is an indication that the testimony of the two witness is complete, having fully preached the content of that metaphoric scroll, that which was given to them in Rev 11:3.

2. I think that the mention of the sky departing is a clearing out of Satan and his demons from that domain, cast to the earth; this in preparation of the place where the saints will meet the LORD in the air, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1Th 4:17 KJV).

I would add that Rev 6:14 (along with Rev 6:13 )is a narrative explaining events mentioned in Rev 6:12, "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, [here] lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;" (Rev 6:12 KJV). I think that the LORD's appearing to gather the Church, the Rapture on the first day of that 7th month, occurs in Rev 6:12 where I added this - [here] - between 'and' and 'lo.'