The Coming Times

Last Updated: 10/12/2020 22:26 | | |

Israel & The End Times

I think the first important thing to point out is that the Old Testament is a collection of Hebrew writings about God’s relationship with Israel and is full of foreshadowing to the future redemption of mankind through His chosen people. The New Testament is a revelation of that Jewish Messiah and a revealing of the spiritual nature of love that naturally falls in line with the law of the Old Testament, the shadows of love.

Furthermore, the New Testament contains even more confirming prophecies of the Old Testament that are still related to Israel and her redemption. Christ’s first coming as the suffering servant to die for the sins of mankind is still not accepted by most of the very people through which that salvation came. For this reason, God is not done with Israel and it is critical when looking at prophecy to understand this. Just because the Hebrews are God’s chosen people doesn’t mean they are right with God, far from it. They will go through a great many tribulations before they put aside their traditions for the Truth and finally accept the Messiah they were blinded to the first time around.

In general though, events foretold in the Bible that have not yet come to pass yet will primarily involve Israel and her promised redemption. (Romans 11) That doesn’t mean there’s nothing outside of Israel in scripture related to prophecy, but she is the focus of much of it. As followers of Yeshua, we are no more Gentile or Jew but one in Christ, grafted onto the same root, which is Yeshua. For us, our future is certain and we will escape the wrath of God to come, but God is not done with unbelieving Israel and they will be refined through fire. (Zechariah 13:9)

Fulfilled Prophecies

I think it helps build faith in future prophecy to be fulfilled if one can see the track record. There are about 2,500 prophecies in the Bible and of those about 2,000 of them have already been fulfilled. Here’s a short list of 353 prophecies fulfilled in Yeshua. Here’s also some that were fulfilled in 1948 and more.

In general terms, the following are those things we are possibly in the midst of and are yet to come in the order as I understand it.

Wars & Rumors of Wars

Matthew 24:6-8
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 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.

It was the Sumatra earthquake in December of 2004 that initially started my journey to understand Bible prophecy because of the severity of it and a recollection of this passage regarding the pre-signs to the end. It really is a subjective thing to say wars and rumors of wars, but it was the rise of technology and several world wars that triggered the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and since then it only seems to be a constant threat of war.

Since 2001, America has been on a “War on Terror” campaign in response to 9/11 and growing terrorism. It has continued wars, division and contention throughout the Middle East. Then there is the increased concern of nuclear-capable nations like Iran and North Korea that I would consider rumors of war.

I wouldn’t really put this in a particular order ahead or behind the next sign, but because it’s a different category I separated it out. It’s been going on for some time and I think we are still in the midst of this sign.

Apostasy

Apostasy is the falling away from Truth in relation to Biblical teaching. This is one of only two events Paul tells us that must happen before the coming of Yeshua and our gathering to Him at the Day of the Lord. The other will be covered later.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling awayG646 first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Because I feel that a falling away from faith in God and His Word will take some time, and indeed we have seen it happening over recent generations and this very day. I place this as the first noticeable sign currently under way that will only get worse over time.

Matthew 24:5; 9-13
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many...
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The appearances of false christs and false teachers in Christianity has been happening since after Yeshua’s time on earth. Only with recent technology and the ability to travel to all the corners of the earth has the Gospel had the chance to preached to the whole world. In Western culture different forms of Christianity were the norm and with America's founding, a nation with freedom of the individual and personal accountability was kept in check by the morals of the people founded in obedience to God.

This moral foundation has been eaten away as the world becomes more self-centered, cold and divisive. The Word is still there, but faith and belief in the Judeo-Christian God seems to be waning, and with it the moral foundation.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

I think just about anybody born before 2000 can look at the scriptures above and see the truth in them. Self-centered attitudes have taken the world by storm and as a result, the spiritual climate is a growing anger and hatred, the love of many growing cold.

As opposed to those things of the world and of the flesh, what is its opposite? We’re told that God is Love and I believe we can see in the 10 Commandments the actions, or lack thereof, tied to the fruits of the Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

There are some who believe that Christians will take over the world for Christ and that He will then return to take ownership of the world again only after that. I have heard Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10 used to support this idea.

I do not hold this view. We’re told prior to the end we would be hated by the nations and deceived by false prophets. (Matthew 24:9-24) I think it’s dangerous for the church to try and conform to the world to gain growth. While it may give the appearance at times of a growing church, it will undercut what makes it the bride of Christ in the first place. Furthermore, the parable of the 10 virgins would seem to indicate that of those awaiting the Bridegroom’s coming, only half are prepared and go with Him to the marriage. (Matthew 25:1-13)

On top of that, if the theory of a Jewish Antichrist is accurate it could potentially be dangerous to hold this view, leading those who don’t know what Yeshua said about His return to fall into the great deception. It would be a very powerful deception indeed. We as Christians should be expecting Him not on the Earth, but coming in great power and glory in the clouds.

Matthew 24:23-27
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mark 13:21-27
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

These passages confirm 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, stating that Christ’s coming in great power and glory and the gathering up of His elect will come after the time of great tribulation, which is during this apostasy. However, Bible prophecy is not something the majority of the church deals with because it can be confusing and there’s all kinds of different perspectives. Given that we are warned so many times about deception though, there are some aspects that need to be clarified so we are not in darkness about what is to come. That is partially the goal of this site.

Gospel Preached

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This sign is somewhat subjective too since some might consider it already fulfilled with Christianity having been taken to just about everywhere and modern technology making travel less of an obstacle and unknown peoples pretty much non-existent. But just how can you know in a legalistic sense?

Romans 11:25-27
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

In a dispensational view, there has been a pause since the end of the first 69 weeks of Daniel before the 70th week of Daniel and as a nation Israel is blinded until God has finished with the Gentiles. This would seem to tie in with the idea that the Gospel would be preached throughout the world before the focus goes back on Israel and her final 70th week determined to bring about the completed plan of God for His chosen people. (Daniel 9:24-27)

Again, this doesn’t provide an exact time or anything, but once the Gospel has been given to the Gentiles, I believe that God will again turn to redeem His people, bringing into play the final week of years.

The First Seal & The Temple

I believe the first physical sign that will be clear may be some combination of the rebuilding the third temple and a series of conquests of the enemies of Israel to bring peace to the region.

This is based on the idea that future prophecy revolves around the 70^th week of Daniel and the big sign in the midst of that seven years being the abomination of desolation. Scripture is very clear that there will be a temple present during the end times. (Revelation 11:1-2) In order to have an abomination of desolation, there must be a temple in which to perform it.

The First Seal: The Man of Sin

However, there is a start to that seven years that I believe may be tied to the first of seven seals in Revelation.

Revelation 6:1,2
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Rider has a bow^G5115 (from base G5088; a bow (apparently as the simplest fabric): - bow. [G5088 is: to produce (from seed) literal or figurative: bear, to be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail])

A crown^G4735 (as a badge of royalty) is given to him.

He spreads out conquering victoriously overcoming his enemies.

Genesis 9:13
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant^H1285 between me and the earth.

Covenant: alliance, pledge, [treaty, alliance, league (man to man)], [constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)], [agreement, pledge (man to man)]

Daniel 9:27, which ties the 70^th week of Daniel to the prophecies of the abomination of desolation, states that “he [antichrist] shall confirm^H1396 the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” From the language of this sentence, it would seem then that the “strengthening” or “binding up of the broken” covenant, would have something to do with the later stopping of the sacrifices.

The theory that the antichrist will deceive the nation of Israel into believing that he is the long awaited Messiah plays perfectly into this. If you research what religious Jews are expecting in relation to the Messiah, you begin to see how primed Israel is for a false messiah. They have a lot of extra-Biblical writings that I think will deceive many if this is the case.

“Rabbi Alshekh’s claim is true where it pertains to the last three verses of chapter 52. The Targum begins its paraphrase with: Behold my Servant the Messiah shall prosper. (15) The Targum continues into the 53rd chapter of Isaiah: And He will build the Temple that was polluted because of our sins. (16) This must be the Messiah, for no one else was to build the Temple according to Jewish religious tradition, but the Messiah. Additionally, several Midrashim take the threefold expressions contained within those scriptures, “exalted, and extolled and be very high,” (17) as an indication that “Messiah shall be more exalted than Abraham ... more extolled than Moses ... and be very high; that is, higher than the Ministering Angels. ...” (18)” | Menorah.org

“Jewish tradition alludes to four messianic figures. Called the Four Craftsmen, each will be involved in ushering in the Messianic age. They are mentioned in the Talmud and the Book of Zechariah. Rashi in his commentary on the Talmud gives more details. Rashi explains that Messiah ben Joseph is called a craftsman because he will help rebuild the temple.[3] Nahmanides also commented on Messiah ben Joseph’s rebuilding of the temple.[4][5] The roles of the Four Craftsmen are as follows. Elijah will be the herald of the eschaton.[6] If necessary, Messiah ben Joseph will wage war against the evil forces and die in combat with the enemies of God and Israel.[7] According to Saadia Gaon the need for his appearance will depend on the spiritual condition of the Jewish people.[8] In the Sefer Zerubbabel and later writings, after his death a period of great calamities will befall Israel.” | Wikipedia.org

“The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David (Jeremiah 23:5). The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David). He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11:2-5). He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33:15). But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.” | jewfaq.org

The Messiah and the Temple

For many, the anticipation towards the building of the Holy Temple is linked to the arrival of the messiah. For under the harsh conditions of the exile, it had always simply been assumed that there could be no other way of returning to Israel and rebuilding the Temple. How else would the circumstances that would permit the rebuilding come about, the people believed, short of “Divine Intervention” and the messiah’s appearance on the scene?

Messiah in Biblical Sources

Let us begin by examining the Biblical foundation for the concept of messiah. We find that the concept of messiah first appears in the prophecy of Bilaam: “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17).

The Hebrew word used here for scepter, shevet, is translated into Aramaic as “messiah.”

The idea of “messiah” is described in the various writings of the prophets with varying attributes.

In the book of Daniel, he is described as one who arrives with the clouds of heaven. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like a son of man came with the clouds of heaven...” (Daniel 7:13).

However, in Zechariah (9:9), the messiah is described as “lowly, riding upon an ass.”

Our sages understand this seeming contradiction to indicate that both visions are essentially correct - and that anything is possible. Perhaps when the messiah arrives, grandeur and splendor will accompany his appearance. Alternatively, perhaps he will come in a quiet and unassuming fashion. The Talmud indicates that much of this depends upon Israel: If they are deemed worthy and deserving, he will arrive in a grand manner to befit their status; if not, the opposite is true (Sanhedrin 98:A). | templeinstitute.org

Now you may be thinking, “well you can’t base prophecy on non-Biblical sources or Jewish beliefs.” However, what I’m suggesting is that the great deceiver will fit in perfectly with the strong delusion so that those without an understanding of the Truth of God’s Word will be deceived. It seems that a lot of what Israel is expecting is open to interpretation to some extent. With all the adding to scripture and guestimation, how easy would it be to fall into deception?

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God’s Word has given us plenty of warnings, if we trust it. The question is, just how many people of the world today actually trust God’s Word, let alone know what it actually says? Even for those that read God’s Word all the time but reject the fulfillment in Yeshua, is it possible to be deceived? What about those Christians who have faith, but don’t know His Word?

Malachi 3-4 speaks to the messenger to prepare the way for the Lord, the messenger of the covenant, whom they seek to suddenly come into his temple. Malachi 3:1

Malachi 4:3-6
And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Imagine for a minute that this religious leader came on the scene and started to bring Israel back from their secular ways and back into line with the Mosaic law. Then some time after, a leader from the line of David came on the scene and either started the process of building the third temple and/or successfully held back attacks from the surrounding nations. Do you sense a pattern here after the John the Baptist and Yeshua connection we know? Recall also that "a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."

Daniel 11:40-45
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him (antichrist): and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

Note that many of the above mentioned nations could fit with the prophecied Gog Magog attack, who attack from the North, but include countries from all four corners including Libya, Ethiopia Persia to the East. From the perspective of the religious Jews, this would be a groundbreaking event, potentially fulfilling what they’re expecting from the Messiah. (I believe Ezekiel 38 & 39 are tied to Revelation 20:7-10 after the millennium is over.)

There is also the possibility in the Jewish expectation of the Messiah, two different people. Messiah Ben Joseph, the suffering servant who is believed to build the temple and be killed and Messiah Ben David the conqueror. How exactly this would play out is difficult to guage, but it brings to mind the warning of Yeshua not to believe those pointing to false christs on the earth because Yeshua will come in the clouds in great power and glory. (Matthew 24:23-27)

It also brings to mind what Revelation says about the beast and the idea of the man who confirmed the covenant and built the temple being killed followed by the time of great tribulation where he goes after all those who reject him.

Revelation 13:2-5
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

The Temple

As to the temple, there are already people building the temple instruments and searching for the red heiffer. While this is a small group in comparison to much of the rest of the more secular nation of Israel, I think there are several factors that could start to grow the religious Israel over the secular.

Now from the perpective of the Muslims, this mere thought of an active plan to rebuilt the temple and start the daily sacrifice would be an outrage. It would most likely trigger all-out war with Israel, perhaps the Muslim nations mentioned in several end-times prophecies. And this leads to another potential apparent fulfillment that would be accepted by the Jews as a sign of the Messiah.

Ezekiel 38 & 39 are part of the Old Testament and expected by the Jews. I recently changed my belief on when the Gog Magog attack would take place, however that doesn’t rule out the possibility that an attack looking somewhat similar. Keep in mind also that both Elijah and the false prophet were known for calling fire down from heaven. 1 Kings 18:36-38 | Revelation 13:13 And Elijah is to prepare the way for the Messiah. Of course as Christians we have a different interpretation of many of these prophecies, but when it comes to deception, it’s about a little truth mixed with a big lie.

And of course some of these interpretations may be wrong, but I think that regardless of the details, one of the first signs we should expect to see will come from Israel and be related to a move away from secularism, a stronger push to rebuilt the temple and a lot of conflict growing in the region.

The Two Witnesses

The two witnesses are going to prophesy for 3 1/2 years in Jerusalem. Since they are killed sometime between the first and second woe (5th and 6th trumpets), their ministry must start sometime in the first half of the 70^th week of Daniel.

Timing of the Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:3-14
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

It is my believe that they are present during the great deception speaking the Truth of God’s Word for those who have ears to hear it and punishment to those who don’t. With the timing above, they would come on the scene some time after the covenant is confirmed and perhaps during or immediately after the rebuilding of the temple. All those in Jerusalem would know them and perhaps some would believe them over the great deception of the antichrist.

None will be able to stop them until their ministry is over during the wrath of God. I believe this is another example of God’s desire to still have the Truth spoken in the midst of great deception and darkness so there will be no excuse.

The Second Seal: War

Revelation 6:3,4
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

The Third Seal: Famine

Revelation 6:5,6
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The Fourth Seal: Death

Revelation 6:7,8
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The Fifth Seal: Martyrs

Revelation 6:9-11
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The Great Tribulation and Beyond

While I'm not sure exactly where the time of great tribulation fits in with the seals, my best guess at this point would be around seal 4. It could be that this coincides with the abomination of desolation that leads to the dragon going after those who reject him first in Israel, the time of Jacob’s Trouble, and then throughout the Middle East and the world. (Revelation 12:7-17)

This is basically a list of Bible studies from other pages in the order in which I believe they will happen according to my understanding of the Bible. Because each of these studies are much more involved, it seemed better to refer to them in the order of events and allow you to dig into the details of each study. This will also keep the site more consistent if there are any changes to be made in these studies in the future.

As already covered, Paul gave a couple signs in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 that would precede our gathering to Him. The second was the revealing of the man of sin. When the disciples asked Yeshua on the Mount of Olives what the signs of the end would be, Yeshua first warned them not to be deceived and then listed several pre-signs. (Matthew 24:3-14) According to Christ, “the end” comes at the abomination of desolation, which begins the time of great tribulation.

Great Tribulation (3 ½ years [1260 days] Daniel 7:25) The time of great tribulation is split into two unequal parts as seen in Revelation 12:13-17. As a whole, the great tribulation represents Satan’s wrath against Israel and those holding the testimony of Christ.
- Abomination of desolation - This is the beginning of the great tribulation. The antichrist will enter the holy of Holies in the rebuilt Jewish temple, and declare himself God to the world. This is the abomination of desolation. He will establish worship of himself and idols of himself. This will start the great tribulation that Christ spoke about in Matthew 24:15-22.
  - [My theory on the details of the abomination of desolation: The Bible says the seventh head of the beast is wounded to death. I believe when he declares himself god in the temple, some of the Jews in Israel will view the declaration of the antichrist as blasphemy and a similar instance to the Maccabean revolt takes place. A Jew or group of Jews attempt to assassinate the antichrist for his blasphemy, giving him the mortal head wound. They think they succeed but Lucifer is cast from heaven to earth with 1/3 of the angels. He raises/heals the beast who they just attempted to assassinate, and with great wrath and newfound power, the beast takes the dragon’s charge and goes after the remnant of Israel that rejects him. This may include the Jews that haven’t rejected him given Satan’s hatred for the Jews. Thus starts the great tribulation. Revelation 12:7-9;13 He knows he has but a short time left and goes after Israel. For 42 months (1260 days) the dragon gives power to this beast Revelation 13:2 before Christ returns and throws him into the lake of fire. Revelation 13:5 This 3 ½ year timeframe is the same spoken of in Daniel 7:25. Those not taken in the harpazo will be given over to the beast.]
- The time of Jacob’s trouble ~ Revelation 12:13-16 (<30 days long: The dragon is only after the woman [Israel] until she is protected from him for 1260 days. Revelation 12:14 In Daniel 12:11 it says from the abomination of desolation is 1290 days, so the first 30 days or so are focused on Israel, the time of Jacob’s trouble. About the same time, the 1/3 remnant of Israel will be taken to the wilderness away from the dragon for 3 ½ years. Revelation 12:14-17) Jeremiah 30:4-7 talks of this time as unparalleled in all of history where 2/3 of Israel will be killed by the antichrist and those that follow him. Zechariah 13:8,9 I believe Islam is primed to be that group. I believe their rise, happening currently, is the 4th seal, the pale (green) horse. This is the time that if it weren’t shortened, no flesh would be saved. This unparalleled time is also written of in Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:15-21. It’s key to understand that Matthew 24:29 is speaking about this unparalleled time when it places the sixth seal “immediately after the tribulation of those days.” This is that unparalleled time where 2/3 of Israel is killed, the time of Jacob’s trouble which he is saved from. That is when Israel is taken to the wilderness. Revelation 12:14
Great Tribulation Transition ~ Revelation 12:17 is the part of the great tribulation that the church of Thyatira is warned they will be cast into in Revelation 2:22. It is also the time that the church of Philadelphia is promised to be kept from in Revelation 3:10. This transition has several events tied together. They may not occur at the same time, but I have a feeling they do. Remember that Israel is blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles. That is the day and hour nobody knows. When the Gentiles are removed, Israel will be unblinded.
- Israel taken to wilderness - Revelation 12:14
- Catching Away (harpazo) - Sometime after the revealing of the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5) and before the 6th seal, during or just after this time of great tribulation in Judea, the bride of Christ heads to the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) when the harpazo takes place. Anyone is welcome to be taken, but only those watching for His return with the Holy Spirit will be taken. Matthew 25:1-13 We are not appointed to God’s wrath, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, and are promised to escape that time and stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36 This is why I believe in a pre-wrath harpazo of the bride of Christ.
The 6th seal (Revelation 6:12-17) takes place, marked by a great earthquake, sun black as sackcloth, moon as blood, stars fall from the sky. It is this point that “the great day of his [God’s] wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17 (See also: Joel 2:31)
Day of the Lord Begins with The Wrath of God - (Isaiah 13:6-11) There is silence in heaven for ½ hour at the 7th seal before God’s wrath begins to be poured out. During this time, Israel is in the wilderness being refined through fire. Zechariah 13:9

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

During this time, the 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, and 7 vials/bowls are poured out on the earth. This is God’s wrath on the children of disobedience. These are poured out over the course of the final 1230 days from the sixth seal until Christ returns in glory.
Also during this final almost 3 ½ years, this beast, the great diplomat, will demand worship and his people will behead anyone professing Christ or refusing to worship him. He will also have his false prophet doing miracles along with him to deceive the world.
The beast and false prophet gathers the armies of the beast to the Jezreel Valley where Armageddon takes place. Revelation 16:13-16
Armageddon: Christ Returns in glory - 1260 days after the abomination of desolation, Christ returns in glory from the marriage with His bride. We know to the day because Revelation 13:5 says the dragon gives the beast his power for 42 months. (Daniel 12:11 minus Revelation 13:5) See the charts below
- He wipes out the gathered armies and throws the beast and false prophet into the lake of fire. Revelation 19:20
Lucifer Bound in the bottomless pit - Revelation 20:1-3
Resurrection at the end of the 70^th week - 30 Days after Christ returns in glory, at the end of the 70^th week, the resurrection of Revelation 20:4-5 takes place.
The marriage supper of the Lamb - 45 days later after Christ returns in glory
The millennium - Yeshua rules from Jerusalem for 1,000 years!
- After the millennium, Lucifer will be released for a short time and the world of Christ’s perfect and just rule will be polluted by Satan’s evil. He will deceive many people and gather an army that comes at Jerusalem. There are still those on the earth who don’t like the new ruler or His ways. God wipes them out completely. (There is a reason for everything that happens. This span of about 7,000 years of earth history will be a testimony for all eternity of God’s vast love for His creation. Even the angels are watching expectantly! Romans 8:18-25)
The great white throne judgment takes place and all the dead that have not been resurrected are. They stand before Christ and are judged by the books. Anyone without the blood of Christ covering their transgressions from God’s Law will be found guilty under the law and separated from God’s presence forever. This will be based completely on their choice to either accept or reject Christ since only by accepting Him are our sins covered and we are then not under the law. This is Gehenah^G1067 the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. There is no love there because God is love and He does not inhabit this place. It was made for the fallen angels and all things who oppose God’s perfect rule. You don’t want to go here. God loves you and He doesn’t want you to go there either. 2 Peter 3:8-10. He desires your presence for eternity with Him. That’s why we were created, for communion with Him. You must ask Him into your heart though, because He doesn’t break laws and He made free will and gave it to each of us. He will not interfere with that. If you don’t know what it means to believe and be a Christian, pick up a Bible wherever you can and start reading the New Testament, about the God who became flesh so He could die for our sins and we could be with Him for all eternity, Yeshua the Christ. May His name be glorified in all things.

For these charts below, click on them to jump to a version with links to relevant scriptures and studies.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

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