This page is my estimation of the order of
future events based on Bible prophecy. I believe there are already
prophetic events that have happened such as the re-emergence of Israel as
a nation in 1948, but this page is more focused on the coming times than
all prophetic fulfillment. I’m not saying this is how events will unfold,
as we still see through a glass darkly. I’m simply taking what I’ve learned
of the framework of Bible prophecy to try and build out a greater understanding
of the coming times. This will probably change over time and in fact several
key aspects of how I viewed some prophetic events in scripture have changed
to date. As such, this page will likely continually be under construction.
If you haven’t
made
the choice to repent and follow Christ, then when what God said in His
Word comes to pass, I hope you will remember that God loves you with an
everlasting love. We are all prodigal sons. Luke 15:11-31 We must
repent
of our sins and transgressions against His Law and call on Yeshua
(Jesus) and He will save the truly repentant. He knows our hearts better
than we do. I will make every effort to link all scriptures and relevant
information on this page for easy following of the paper trails and
scriptures. I’m not claiming to know everything and could be wrong on
some of the order of events. Please open your mind while keeping it
guarded with the Word of God.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble
than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures
daily, whether those things were so.
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.
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
70th 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 bowG5115(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 crownG4735(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 covenantH1285
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
70th week of Daniel to the prophecies of the
abomination of desolation, states that “he
[antichrist] shall confirmH1396
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
70th week of Daniel.
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
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 GehenahG1067
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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