Is there a certain day and hour that you are meant to die? Are there "grim reapers" like this photo who are waiting their next assignment? A lot of people believe that. I've heard them say things like, "When your numbers up there's nothing you can do about it." or "When it's your time to go then God's going to take you." I've even heard this in regards to accidental deaths as though God was using the accident to "take you". If you believe that, then you have some serious issues with the following: what about diseases - is God using the disease to slowly kill you so you die at the "right" time. If so then why are you trying to be cured of the disease? Is God manipulating accidents so they kill all the right people at just the right time? Even hundreds on airplanes? How about murders? Is the murderer fulfilling God's will by killing someone at just the right time? Then how can he be found guilty of murder because he was doing what God wanted. If someone kills themselves by any means then was that their time to go? People believe and say a lot of things that are not right. Let's see what God says...

Hebrews 9:27,28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.

This verse is not referring to an "appointment" to die on a certain day and time, it is rather simply referring to the fact that you will die someday, sometime. There is no appointment, but it will happen. (It also refers to the fact that there is no reincarnation for the human soul, but rather you face judgment when you die.  You don't come back to Earth to try again to do better - nonsense. The Biblical teaching is that no matter how good you are you will never be good enough - that's why you need a Savior because you cannot save yourself from the judgment.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;...

Again, it is not referring to a particular time to die just as there is no appointed time to pluck up that which was planted, but it is referring to the fact there there will come a time when you die. In fact this verse says there is a season not a specific time.  Such as when you get old and have lived your life and fulfilled your purpose then you will enter the final season of life and you should prepare for death.  Make a will, settle your affairs, etc.

It is God's will that you live a long and prosperous life.

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Perhaps some are dying too early because they have chosen to ignore God's promises and therefore are not enjoying a long and prosperous life.  That would certainly be true for someone who abuses themselves with alcohol, and drugs and suicide.

I Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Elijah was being persecuted and marked for death and he prayed that he might die.  Instead God sent an angel who gave him something to eat and later he went on his way to fulfill his purpose in life.

II KIngs 20:1-6 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’” Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years.

Now It was not Hezekiah's time to die, but the prophet said he would die - the sickness was killing him not God! Then Hezekiah turned to God who healed him and said he would live fifteen more years.  Again God is not setting an appointment for him to die he is just giving him the information to him that he will live fifteen more years. Remember God knows when you will die, but that does not mean has appointed that for you. It just means that's what's going to happen - just as the prophet told him he was going to die, but then it was changed by his prayers!

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

There is a real devil and he wants to kill and destroy you physically, mentally, emotionally, and steal your future and your life from you.  You need to be aware of this and resist his efforts against you whether they come from someone else committing a crime against you or if they come from the devil himself such as through confusion, depression, drugs, or your behavior that might lead to your death such as committing murder, armed robbery, suicide, or risk taking.

I went on a canoe trip and at a certain place on the river there was a big sign that said DANGER 7 PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED HERE - GO AROUND.  Even so some people continued to attempt to go down that way and many more have drowned.  Accidents occur when the possible consequences of death and injury have not been properly avoided or prepared for. People drive on ice and even though they may be excellent and capable drivers, the person next to them is not and runs them off the road. My cousin was killed by someone who was using a laptop while driving.  Their wrong choices resulted in my cousin losing her life. None of these people died because it was their time to die.  No, they died because of choices and consequences that could have been avoided were not.

Also, there is no such angel of death mentioned in the Bible. I have heard many stories of people who died and came back.  Some came back from hell and some came back from heaven.  In all cases there was an angel escorting them, but not a dark demonic being such as in the photo above.  In the Bible angels are created by God and are sent on assignments or tasks to minister to people.

There is not a certain time for you to die, but death could occur at any time. Are you ready to die? I ask because you will die someday and after that comes the judgment. Your life may be cut short at any moment. So be ready for that day by believing and surrendering to Jesus as your Savior and Lord and the only one who offers you eternal life. You must have eternal life before you die. It is a gift that Jesus gives you when you surrender yourself to him. Why not do that today?  Do it now.

Does the Bible really refer to a rapture? What is it? What will it be like? Are there any places in the Bible that give a clear indication as to when Jesus will return or is His return completely shrouded in mystery and uncertainty?

Do not confuse fictional novels with the truth. Be certain of this one thing: Jesus is coming again to this earth in judgment to reign with those who are His whom He gathered together with Him. Are you His? Don’t wait because there will be a time when it is too late. Let’s examine this step by step.

The Rapture

I Thessalonians 4:16,17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

In this scripture we see that the event which is called the rapture is clearly described and foretold as that which will take place. The Greek word translated ‘caught up’ is ‘harpazo’ and means “to seize, to catch (away, up), to pull, to take (by force)”. The English word ‘rapture’ means “to be caught up, to be taken up, to be overtaken.”

Matthew 24:30-31 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Here the word ‘gather together’ is ‘episunago’ and means “to collect upon the same place”.

Matthew 24:37- 42 But as in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for you know not what hour your Lord does come.

Jesus says that he when returns it will be a normal day with everyone carrying on their normal activities such as work and celebrations. When he returns he will take those who are his. Then he warns us to be ready because we do not know what hour he is coming.

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ‘You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

Two beings (either angels appearing as men or two men) clearly tell us that Jesus will return just like he left - that is he will return in the clouds which is what the other scriptures also tell us.

Signs of the Rapture

While it is true that Jesus says that “you do not know what hour your Lord comes,” he also went on to describe and tell us the events that will take place before he returns in the clouds to take (rapture) his saints. When Jesus was on the earth even he did not know exactly when these things would take place, the Father had not revealed them to Him. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no man knows, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. However after he rose from the dead there is an indication that He knew that information then.

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.

Now this verse might also seem to say that it is not for us to know the times or the seasons either, but Jesus was speaking to those disciples 2000 years ago. He knew these things were far off in the future and he knew they could not understand, but he specifically told us to watch for the signs of his coming.

Matthew 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh: So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

What generation? The generation that sees and understands the signs of his return and the end of the world. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel. One of the signs of Jesus’ return is the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948.

Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel... (vs.21) then there will be a great tribulation... Then in verse 29 Jesus says, immediately after the tribulation of those days ...the sign of the Son of man will appear in the sky and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory...and with a great trumpet the angels will gather together his elect.

Notice the sequence of events here: First the abomination of desolation; then a great tribulation; immediately after the tribulation Jesus returns. Notice that Jesus says after the tribulation not before or during. Other scriptures refer to the saints suffering great persecution during this time and are tempted to being deceived. Notice also that He says that people will see Him coming in the clouds! When Jesus comes to gather His elect it will not be a secret, people will not simply “disappear”, the whole world will see Him and they will see the resurrection of believers. They will see the transformation of mortals being changed into immortals and they will see them (us) rising into the air to meet Jesus. Then they will mourn because they know the end has come and they missed him.

Revelation 20:4, 5, 6 ...those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. All believers who have died will be resurrected (including the “they” mentioned above who went through the tribulation) and those who are alive at his return. Since “the first resurrection” occurs after the tribulation there could not have been one before that could there! Those who believe the rapture takes place before the tribulation completely ignore this verse in Revelation. They come to a false conclusion basing their beliefs on I Thessalonians 5:9 “God has not appointed (or destined) us for wrath...” They view the tribulation as a time of wrath and use this verse to proclaim that therefore we will not go through it. The tribulation is indeed a time of wrath; it is the wrath of Satan upon the earth against mankind especially Christians and Jews. Both Christians and Jews have always historically gone through times of great persecution. Our present time is actually some of the worst persecution that has ever taken place on earth. The above verse in Thessalonians is referring to the wrath of God at the judgment not the wrath of Satan on earth. Be warned about these things dear believer. Those who teach such things are mistaken - They want to believe that they will not go through the tribulation and so they have invented an interpretation of scripture to suit their own desires. This scripture in revelation is very clear – the first resurrection and the rapture take place at the end of the tribulation.

In Daniel 2:31- 45, Daniel tells king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon the dream that the king had and its interpretation. The king saw a statue of a man whose head was gold, arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. God says that these are five kingdoms which arise and rule one after the other. But then there is a sixth kingdom which appears after those five. In the dream there came a stone made without hands that struck the statue on the feet, crushed all other kingdoms, became a great mountain and filled all the earth. Notice that the rock appeared after the kingdom of iron and clay was established and reigning on the earth. Verse 44 says, “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed...and it will endure forever.” Notice it says “In the days of those kings”, not before the days, but in the days of those kings. What kings? The kings of the kingdom of iron and clay for the rock struck the statue on the feet. This means that that kingdom must be on the earth and reigning when Jesus returns. This ten nation or ten person ruling kingdom must be running the earth both before during and after the rapture.

Summary

The abomination of desolation takes place.
Three and one half years tribulation begins following the abomination of desolation.
Jesus returns toward the end of that 3 ½ year period known as the great tribulation.
Jesus returns in the clouds just as he left.
His appearing will be visible to all.
His appearing will be accompanied by trumpet blasts and shouting!
The dead “in Christ” will be resurrected and ascend into the clouds to meet Jesus. Immediately with them those who are alive and in Christ will be changed (transformed) and will also rise into the air to meet Jesus.

Why is knowing the time of the rapture important? It is important because you dear believer will go through the tribulation here on earth if you are alive at that time. So you must be aware of the things (current events) that happen right before your eyes (in the news). By the way do not make the mistake of believing that everything that is mentioned in Revelations is a world wide event, most of them are signs that occur in a locality not the entire world. You must understand and know the fulfillment of these prophesies when they happen and make the right choices. You must not take the mark of the beast. You must be able to recognize when that mark is being presented to you and refuse it with your very life. We are warned many times throughout scripture that false prophets, (proclamations, sayings, teachings, etc.), false Christ’s, false signs and wonders will appear at the end, and you must be able to recognize them and not be deceived by them. Jesus will reign on the earth for a thousand years. The resurrected believers will serve his administration. You have an opportunity to believe right now dear friend. Will you choose to believe Jesus today? Take Him up on His offer of eternal life before it is too late.

Remember too that some of you are closer to the end than others. Your personal end of your time on earth may come at any time unless God has revealed something differently to you (God is giving dreams and visions during this time in history.) So no longer be living your lives for the things of this world, but rather “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you!” Matthew 6:33. This does not refer to salvation, but to His Kingdom - that is - His ruling and reigning in you and through you toward others that your life may be a glory and wonder for Him!

© 2007 GODSAYS

What happens to my body when I die? What about the resurrection - how are our bodies changed? Can a person who is cremated or disintegrated in war be resurrected?

I Thessalonians 5:23 I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are made up of three components: we are a spirit being, we have a soul, and we live in a body.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead...

When God created Adam's body it was not alive until God breathed life into that body. God placed Adam's soul into that body. Our body is just the physical suit that we live in. It is a physical suit made to function in a temporary earth environment. When a human body leaves the environment of earth and travels into space it must put on a space suit in order to function in the environment of space. When your spirit leaves your body it will need a new spiritual eternal body to dwell in. How does that happen?

I Corinthians 15:35-57 But some will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When an acorn is planted, it dies and an oak tree grows. You cannot find the acorn seed after it dies and gives rise to an oak tree. In the same way your body is sown into the ground as a seed. It dies, decomposes, and is resurrected a spiritual body. All bodies decompose. If your body is buried it will decompose over time. If your body is burned it will decompose quickly by fire. If your body is disintegrated it will decompose immediately. The amount of time it takes is not a factor. Once your spirit leaves your body your body dies. At that moment your body is sown. At the moment of resurrection your body is raised a new spiritual body to fit a spiritual eternal environment.

II Corinthians 5:1-4 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

John 6:39,40 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (and vs.44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Jesus’ Resurrected Body

Luke 24:34-45 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

Jesus said touch me and see a spirit does not have flesh and bone! He did not say flesh and blood! This is because in the physical body the life is in the blood, but not so in a spiritual body. After Jesus was resurrected He had a new spiritual body. His disciples recognized him as Jesus (he looked the same), they could touch his new body and yet Jesus seems to have the ability to appear and disappear at will. And notice he also ate!

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

We that are resurrected to eternal life will have a body like Jesus’ resurrected body.

Two Different Resurrections

John 5:21-29 for as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Rev 20:7,11-15 And when the thousand years are expired...I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hades delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jesus said, “this is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.” You will not be judged according to your good works, you will be judged according to doing the work of God, which is believing in Jesus. Those who have believed and received Jesus into their hearts are resurrected and transformed when Jesus returns. Jesus and his saints rule the earth for a thousand years, then at the end of that time the rest of the dead will be resurrected. The rest of the dead includes all unbelievers since the beginning and those believers who died during the millennium.

Conclusion:

You are a spirit being living in a temporary physical body designed for earth.
When your spirit leaves your body, then your body dies and is sown.
Everyone will be resurrected. When you are resurrected you will be reunited with your new spiritual eternal body.
There are two different resurrections - some to eternal life some to eternal damnation - occurring at two different times.
After your resurrection comes the judgment. There are two different judgments. One to receive rewards the other to receive sentencing.

You can avoid the judgment to come by believing in Jesus with your whole heart and surrender to him as Lord.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Revelations was one of the first books of the Bible that I studied intensively for an entire summer.  However it wasn't until a few years ago that I came to understand that it was given to John in a unique way.  Most of us understand that books are usually written in chronological order, as in history or a biography, or they are written in a an analytical fashion such as a manual of instructions or policies.  The book of Revelation was not given to us like that.  It is a book of visions or revelation that John received from angels. Now here is the kicker.

Not necessarily a sequential order
The visions which John received were given to him one after another; however they are not necessarily in chronological order.  Have you ever watched the drawing for the lottery?  They draw numbers out at random. There's the first number drawn, then the second number drawn, then the third number drawn and so on.  But the first number drawn is not the first number in the sequence.  The first number drawn might be 24.  The second number drawn might be a 9.  They display them in the order that they are drawn, but then when they tell you the numbers they put them in numerical order.  This is much the same way that John received the visions.  The visions were given to him one after another but not necessarily in a chronological or sequential order.

Layers upon layers
When painting a picture you paint the background first, then the foreground showing more detail.  Most operation manuals (such as your work) will start by giving you a broad understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of various departments.  Then the further you read more details are revealed as to exactly how this all works and fits together and some details are left out because it is above your pay grade and is on a need to know basis and you don't need to know.  The same is true in building a house:  first there is excavation, grading, and the installing of underground utilities; then a foundation is poured, Others do framing, some plumbing, some electrical, roofing, drywall, cabinets, texture, painting, brick, landscaping.  Each person does their part and does not usually know how to do the others job.  All this is coordinated by a contractor who is following a blueprint designed by an architect.

This is much how John received these visions.  One angel comes along and shows him something.  Then another angel shows him something.  He writes these visions down as they are given to him, he does not place them in a sequential order.  One angel gives a background, another angel comes along and gives some detail.  Then another comes along and gives more (maybe a broader picture and some detail.)  The book of Revelations is more like a painting or a construction.  A lot of stuff scattered around all of which is necessary for the completing of the finished product.

An example in Genesis
In the book of Genesis we see the same thing and I believe God did it that way that we might understand and receive what he is telling us.  That is, he purposely gave us an example in Genesis to understanding the book of Revelation. The first instance of this is in the creation of man and woman.  In Genesis chapter one God gives us an overview of the creation then in Genesis chapter two he gives us the details.  It is not another creation, he is retelling the creation again in a different way. The second instance of this is when God talks with Noah concerning the ark and the flood.  In Genesis chapter six God tells Noah what he is going to do and what he wants Noah to do.  Then in chapters seven, eight and nine God reveals more details about those events.

Some basic background and understanding of the Bible is very helpful in understanding Revelation. God wants you to understand the book of Revelation otherwise why would he give it to you, for God says...
"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."  (Revelation 22:6