The Coming Times

Last Updated: 12/29/2022 02:22    | Print This Page | |


Disclaimer: I do not claim to have all the answers. As with everything there is a certain amount of growth that happens over time and this page is my journey to find those answers. Acts 17:11 speaks to what I hope from anyone reading this page as I also attempt to strive toward the goal of being a compitent watchman.

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 and what to watch for. This will 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.

I’ve recently been digging into some great research by Chris White that has brought new light to the importance of this first warning of the time of the end by Christ. It has caused a paradigm shift in my view of how the end times will unfold and I think it’s important to understand and consider the idea laid out in great detail in his book False Christ: Will the Antichrist Claim to Be the Jewish Messiah? I plan on further researching and documenting that journey on the Jewish Antichrist page.

With that change in perspective, several things have begun to line up regarding what I think we have to watch for so we’re not in darkness about the signs of the end. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 It’s a joining of the signs Yeshua lays out in the Olivet Discourse along with John’s visions of the seals on the scroll and Chris White’s research on the false christ and coming great deception.

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.


Apostasy

Apostasy is the falling away from Truth in relation to Biblical teaching. The only other place that Greek word is used is Acts 21:21 regarding teaching to forsake Moses, so it is the idea of forsaking the truth. 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. More and more I’m leaning toward this being some kind of clearer short period of time, more on that later.

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 that holds the teachings of the Bible or with a little grey in their hair can look at the scriptures above and see the truth in them because they’ve been alive long enough to compare the world they grew up in with the world today. 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. I think that technology, politics and things like the pandemic further push those divisions as we’re forced apart. Communicating with perceived virtual people tends to bring out the worst in some.

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)

Jewish Antichrist and Apostasy

If the view 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. In this paradigm, we would see a man come on the scene, conquering Israel’s enemies and righting some of the wrongs done to Israel in history. The man of sin is said to be unstoppable and the world will wonder at him and the great power he wields. It would be a very powerful deception indeed. We as Christians should not be expecting the Messiah on the Earth, but coming in great power and glory in the clouds to gather us to Him.

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, oppinionated with all kinds of different perspectives that can cause division with some. 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.

I wanted to share a podcast from Michael Heiser’s Naked Bible podcast from July 14, 2018 that I just recently heard titled The Falling Away and the Restrainer. It covers the topic of the falling away and the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 from a more scholarly perspective and it really triggered a lot of thoughts in support of what I understand of the Jewish antichrist paradigm.

The only other place that Greek word is used is Acts 21:21 regarding teaching to forsake Moses, so it is the idea of forsaking the truth. However, he talked of a perspective I hadn’t heard or thought of regarding the falling away, or apostasia, and its timing coinciding with the revealing of the man of sin such that they are essentially the same event. (starting at 9:40 in the podcast) That brought to mind the fact that God will send a strong delusion that the world would believe a lie. The man of sin will be revealed when he declares himself to be god and I believe the strong delusion may be tied to his death and resurrection. Revelation 13:3-5 The world will see, probably literally, a resurrection of the dead. It could be either view based on the text, but ultimately Michael Heiser leans toward two separate events where the apostasia is related to Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 24:10-15.

While Michael Heiser doesn’t agree with the conclusion of Michael the Archangel being the restrainer. (starting at 31:40 in the podcast) He brings up a couple scholarly articles from Roger D. Aus in 1976 that relate Isaiah 66 to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, Revelation 12 and 2 Thessalonians 1. The restraining passage includes both a neuter and masculine describing the restrainer so it seems to be describing both a thing and a person restraining.

Aus points out the similarities between 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and Isaiah 66:15-16 and that this was in Paul’s mind when writing to the Thessalonians. So in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 the man of lawlessness opposes and exhalts himself against every so-called god. the term oppose is found in the Septuagint of Isaiah 66:6 where His enemies are opposed to God and associated with the Jewish temple in some way. So Paul is painting the Jews who are opposing his ministry in Thessalonica as the enemies of God from Isaiah 66:6, they are denying the true Messiah. He is associating the Jews of that time with this antichrist behavior. "Jews rejecting the very Messiah that their own God had sent. And rejecting the idea that He will come again because he rose from the dead."

Isaiah 66:7 speaks of a woman in labor, Zion, who delivers a son. The result is the rebirth of the people of God. Aus suggests this is a reference to the Messiah, which Heiser agrees with. So it is the Messiah born from Zion who will come at the day of the Lord and restore the kingdom of God. McKenzie notes in his commentary that the author is sure that the saving act will come suddenly, it’s like a conception and birth in a single day.

Aus concludes "that which is restraining," the neuter form, is the mission to the Gentiles or God’s will and plan. The Word of the Lord must be carried to all men before the day of the Lord arrives. He then concludes that the masculine restrainer is God Himself. Isaiah 66:9 speaks of the woman in labor bringing forth a son. The Hebrew verb for "shut" h6113 means to restrain, delay or hinder. If Paul is drawing so heavily on Isaiah 66 in his writing to the Thessalonians, then it follows that God would be the one restraining the revealing according to His plan. Romans 11:17-27

Ultimately I can see Heiser’s perspective and that of Michael being simpatico as angels do the will of God to carry out His plans. Given the other passages that seem to connect that unparalleled time of Jacob’s trouble, Daniel 12:1 | Revelation 12:7-17,  I can see Michael being the agent of God and keeping His plan according to His timing. And imagine the place that Israel will be in if Chris White’s view of the False Christ is correct. This man of sin will have been setting himself up for years to fulfill Old Testament prophecies the Jews are expecting the Messiah to fulfill including defeating their enemies. Perhaps the the apostasia and the cutting off of 2/3 of Israel when they fall away will be the result of this great deception. Those who reject the man of sin will be target of the dragon, his beast and all those who fell into apostasy, accepting the false messiah and rejecting the true Messiah. And perhaps this apostasia is indeed focused on the natural branches seeing this false Messiah who deceptively fulfills some of the prophecies they rejected Yeshua as fulfilling and in this corporate acceptance by the majority of Israel the natural braches are cut off, the man of sin is revealed and those who say they are Jews but are not become the enemy of those that reject the man of sin and become the army of the antichrist persecuting the seed of the woman and those that hold the testimony of Christ.

John 5:43
I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Global Governance: Consolidating Power Through Fear

This has no solid data to point to, but taking the contemporaneous view of Daniel 7 I expect to see some kind of consolidation of global power into four leaders or heads of government. In short Daniel’s vision sees four distinct beasts from the sea, lion with plucked eagle wings, bear with 3 ribs devouring flesh, the leopard with four wings and four heads and the dreadful beast with iron teeth and 10 horns. Later in Revelation 13:1-3, we see these four characteristics combined into a single beast from the sea and tied to a time after one of its heads was wounded to death.

It also seems that for power to be consolidated so quickly and elements like restricting the buying and selling for those without the mark of the beast during his reign, the would need to be further interdependence politically and finanically to accomplish this quickly and even things like a digital block chain currency replacing physical money so that social credit scores could be used to restrict access to anything in the modern financial system. This would cause those who reject the mark to resort to bartering to survive.

How this ends up looking, whether these are political kingdoms with rulers or areas of control over governments more generically I’m not sure and I don’t expect we will know until it happens, perhaps some time after it happens. However it seems in these unsure times with the great reset, global warming, pandemic controls and other such areas the governments are using to coordinate more control over the population. As hard as it may be to believe it is possible that control of the earth’s population could end up in four heads of control, it seems to be getting easier to imagine as time goes on.


Rise of the Antichrist: Guard Against Deception of False Christs

There are many subjective signs, but because the unmistakable signs all center around the revealing of the man of sin at the abomination of desolation, the first glimpses we will start to see of that impending time will be surrounding the rise of the Antichrist.

Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

The first thing that Yeshua said to His disciples in regards to their question of the sign of His coming and the end of the world was to not be deceived  by anyone coming in His name saying they are the Christ. There have been many who claimed the title of Christ through history, but there is a future personality that will come on the scene with great deception and the power of the dragon behind him. Revelation 13:2

The First Seal: Daniel’s 70th Week

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.

This passage doesn’t explicitly speak to a false christ, but it’s generally accepted to be speaking of the Antichrist. Given that he’s conquering, the bow could be taken as a weapon, however there could be additional meaning based on the word bow.

G5115 - a bow (apparently as the simplest fabric): - bow.
From the base of G5088; to bring forth, bear, produce (fruit from the seed)

And when looking in the Bible for where and how the word bow was used, I came across several uses in the Old Testament as well where it’s referred to in weapon form, but also this.

Genesis 9:12-13
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

So this word used as a weapon and based on the word to bring forth is also used as a token of a covenant. Putting it all together with what I think this may be speaking to, we look to Daniel’s prophecy of the coming Antichrist.

Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

To this point I believe we’re looking at the first seal and Christ’s warning of deceiving false christs to be the start of the 70th week of Daniel. 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 Third Temple

In the paradigm of the Jewish Antichrist, the confirming the Mosaic covenant and and restarting the daily sacrifice would necessitate the building of the third temple in Jerusalem. I believe this will be the first clear physical sign that we are at the beginning of the end. There are already people building the temple instruments and searching for a spotless 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 such as the unearthing of the Ark of the Covenant or other events that make more real to the Jews of Israel their heritage and future.

Daniel 9:27 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. Again, I highly recommend Chris White’s book False Christ. In the Jewish expectation of the Messiah, there are 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.

“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.

As a believer that Yeshua is the Messiah, He told us himself in Matthew 11:7-19 that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this, but what if you believe the Old Testament scriptures but have rejected Yeshua as being the promised Messiah?

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 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."

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.

The going forth to conquer is, I believe, revealed in Chris White’s presentation of Daniel 11:40-44, what he terms the wars of the Antichrist, which likely leads into the second seal and Christ’s warning of wars and rumors of wars. I believe the surrounding nations would take great offense to the rebuilding of the temple and trigger the wars of the Antichrist.

Daniel 11:40
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: 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.

The Second Seal: Wars & Rumors of Wars

Matthew 24:6-7a
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:

It really is a subjective thing to say wars and rumors of wars, but a study of the parallels of the Olivet Discourse, the seals of John’s vision and the idea of the wars of the Antichrist bring potential clarity and alignment to this that I would be remiss not to point out.

Daniel 11:40-44
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: 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.

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. Ezekiel 38 & 39 are part of the Old Testament and expected by the Jews. From their perspective, this would be a groundbreaking event, potentially fulfilling what they’re expecting from the Messiah. I recently changed my belief on when the Gog Magog attack would take place, I believe Ezekiel 38 & 39 are tied to Revelation 20:7-10 after the millennium is over. However that doesn’t rule out the possibility that an attack looking somewhat similar would be perceived along with the lying signs and wonders as being that prophesied event.

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.

On a more global scale, it seems that polarization is already ramping up for many reasons and it’s not hard to imagine that conflict could break out all over the world as emotions snap and hopeless people turn against each other over real or perceived crisis, especially a religious one.


The Third Seal: Famine and/or Return to Mosaic Law

I used to hold solely to the more traditional view that at some point during the wars of the Antichrist there will be a lot of events that will cause famine, disease and earthquakes, which could still be the case assuming the parallel of the Olivet Discourse and the seals.

Matthew 24:7b-8
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
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 balancesG2218 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.

However there is also another possibility after looking more at the possible meaning of the balances, wheat, barley, oil and wine in the third seal. First we see the rider has a pair of balances, speaking to a yoke of servitude by law or obligation. Looking where else in the New Testament this word is used would seem to verify this. Christ speaks of taking His yoke on us to find rest and that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30 We also see in Acts 15:5-11 and Galatians 5:1 this "pair of balance" word used relating to the yoke of bondage that couldn’t even be borne by their fathers not being put back on believers.

So in the first half of the 70th week of Daniel, could this be pointing to a time before the Antichrist declares himself to be God where the nation of Israel is returning back to the Mosaic law and the related edicts to the daily sacrifice once the third temple is completed? And would this be about the time we would expect God’s two witnesses to show up at the temple to set the record straight?


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.

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.

They are likely present during the time of 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, perhaps coinciding with the completion of the temple and the start of the daily sacrifice. They would be prophesying through all the wars of the Antichrist and 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.

With the emergence of a powerful leader involved in the rebuilding of the temple and defeat of Israel’s surrounding enemies, by the time of the two witnesses arrival, those watching should have surety that the end is very near.


The Fourth Seal: Death

Assuming the parallel of the Olivet Discourse and the seals, the Antichrist is given power over 1/4 of the earth to kill with sword, hunger and the beasts of the earth as stated regarding the fourth seal.

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.

In his presentation linked below, Chris White makes an interesting connection that would seem to point to this time just before the abomination of desolation. He believes Daniel 7 is a view of the overall global political power around the time of the end. The wars of the Antichrist then follow and after the abomination of desolation in the mid-point of the 70th week of Daniel, we see a unified beast in Revelation 13 with all the charactersistics of Daniel 7’s beasts merged into the Antichrist kingdom.

P1 - Daniel 7 - How to Find the Antichrist 101 - A Pre-Wrath Commentary
Daniel 7 to Revelation 13

In addition, if the parallel holds true, it is also during this time that persecution of believers will start to skyrocket, especially against those calling out the events they are seeing for what they are. And if all this is happening suddenly at once with increased frequency, the selfish nature of much of the earth will cause increased hatred.

Matthew 24:9-14
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. 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.

Assassination of the Antichrist

Keep in mind that at this point in time, events are going to start happening very quickly. From this time to the wrath of God starting is likely a matter of a month or so. That same person who confirmed the covenant, rebuilt the temple and pulled together a great army and destroyed Israel’s enemies enters into Israel to the West of Jerusalem, something the Jews are expecting the Messiah to do. It is here Daniel says he comes to his end and none help him.

Daniel 11:45
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.

Resurrection of Messiah ben Joseph

There are several places in Revelation 13 where we see the Antichrist prophesied to have a mortal head wound that is healed.

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.
Revelation 13:12
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Revelation 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Examining what’s expected according to Rabbinical tradition, there is a parellel here because Messiah ben Joseph is expected to die and be resurrected by Messiah ben David. Could the allowing of this resurrection be the strong delusion that God sends that much of Israel and the world would believe this lie, rejecting the true Messiah for this man of sin? John 5:43

2 Thessalonians 2:6-12
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 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.

Michael the Archangel Heads to War in Heaven

It should be noted that there are really no chapter breaks and Daniel 11:45 is directly related to the first in the next chapter.

Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

There’s a very interesting study on the Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2 I would recommend looking at. I believe that the restrainer that must be removed prior to our gathering to meet the Lord in the harpazo is Michael. We also see him in Revelation 12 casting the dragon out of heaven.

Revelation 12:7-8, 12-13
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.... Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].

The woman of Revelation 12 is Israel and I believe that when the restrainer has allowed the revealing of the man of sin and cast the dragon to the earth for a short time, that it coincides somewhat with the resurrection of the Antichrist and whether he is posessed by the dragon or is just given power by him, this triggers the stopping of the daily sacrifice and him declaring himself to be God in the temple.


The Fifth Seal: Abomination of Desolation and Time of Jacob’s Trouble

Following the resurrection comes the event that Daniel places in the midst of the 70th week and Yeshua warns of an unparalleled time of great tribulation unlike any other in history. It is when those in Judea see this event that they should immediately flee Jerusalem into the mountains. How long after the resurrection this will take place we don’t know, but given that he’s camped just West of Jerusalem and has just been resurrected and the dragon knows he has little time, I expect it to be almost immediate.

In keeping with the parallel order of Daniel and Matthew, the time just after the resurrection of the Antichrist and the abomination of desolation will begin an unparalleled time of great tribulation. Because of Jeremiah 30:7 and Revelation 12:13-17, I believe this time of great tribulation is split into two parts, the focus of the dragon’s wrath on God’s people, to the Jews in Judea first and then to the remnant and those that hold the testimony of Christ.

Matthew 24:15-22
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Speaking of our gathering to Christ at his coming, we’re told that it won’t happen until the man of sin is revealed by sitting in the temple claiming to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away 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.

If the parallel holds we see in the fifth seal a vision of martyrs asking when they will be avenged and are told to wait as there are more that must be killed.

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.

Throughout history believers have been killed and I think this fifth seal seems well placed at the time of great tribulation where all those killed for Christ’s sake will be joined by those during the time of great tribulation.

The antichrist, now claiming to be the promised Messiah, will have many very fervent followers. The dragon, who is wroth with Israel will use the man of sin and his followers to kill all who reject this freshly minted messiah. This is why Christ said to run to the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation. As mentioned above, there is a possibility that the apostasia is specifically that of Israel, by accepting the false messiah, rejecting finally the true Messiah, Yeshua. It may also be that in Zechariah 13:8-9, the cutting off and dying of 2/3 of Israel is more in the vein of Romans 11, where upon rejection of Messiah and acceptance of the antichrist, those who do now become part of the synagogue of Satan and will die the second death. They may be the instrument of death for those in Israel who do not accept the false christ and who don’t run to the mountains at this time.

Day of the Lord

The next event is actually a group of events that will likely happen around the same time, coming suddenly and unexpectedly to those not watching and aware. I’m calling this next phase the Day of the Lord, but I believe this "day" actually lasts for around 1,000 years.

2 Peter 3:8-10
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

This would seem to be placing the passing away of this heaven and earth to make way for the new heaven and new earth within the Day of the Lord. So the millennial reign of Yeshua on the earth following the events of the 70th week of Daniel would be “...one day which shall be known to the LORD...” Zechariah 14:7-9

Having said that, under this heading I’m just focused on the start of the Day of the Lord, it will be a busy time of great turmoil for the world and great hope for the bride of Christ.

The Sixth Seal: Signs in the sun, moon and stars

Revelation 6:12-17
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Here we see unmistakeable signs in the heavens recognized as God’s wrath and the people of the earth hide underground. This is tied

Isaiah 2:12, 17-21
For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: ... And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Christ’s Return For His Bride

Coinciding with the signs in the heavens, and part of them is the Day of Christ. This is the same unknown day or hour of the Day of the Lord, but the Christian version of it. While the Day of the Lord in scripture is tied to God’s wrath, woe and destruction, the Day of Christ is something to look forward to. You could almost call it a blessed hope. Titus 2:13 | 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Matthew 24:29-31
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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 we see the harpazo, the catching away of the bride of Christ, immediately after the tribulation and before the wrath of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
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. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The wording of this clearly promises we will neither be in darkness if we are sober and watchful, but also that we are not appointed to God’s wrath.

Revelation 6 ends with the sixth seal and the 7th seal is not mentioned until Revelation 8. There is a break to address a couple other events before the progression of seals, trumpets, thunders and bowls continues. I’m going to jump to the second part of Revelation 7 before the first part because this is the result of the catching away of the bride before the wrath of God is unleashed on the earth.

Revelation 7:9-17
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Sealing of the 144,000 of Israel

The remnant of Israel who ran for the mountains at the abomination of desolation and was saved from the dragon for 3 1/2 years are now protected from the dragon in the wilderness. However God makes a point of holding back the coming destruction until 144,000 of Israel are sealed.

Revelation 7:1-4
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Note that these are of the 12 tribes of Israel. We get a little more detail on them 7 chapters later.

Revelation 14:1-5
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

I know of only one type of people who fit this description, young men. They are virgins, male because they aren’t defiled with women, their mouth has no guile and they are without fault before the throne of God. In Jewish tradition, a Bar Mitzvah is held at the age of 13. The term means “son of the commandment.” It is at this age that Jewish children are obligated to observe the commandments. This would be the age of accountability. I believe these will be 144,000 Jewish boys who understand and love the Lord their God with all their hearts and minds. I believe God will use them as a witness among their parents in the wilderness to bring them to understand after the blindness of Israel has been lifted.

Calm Before the Storm

Revelation 8:1-2, 6
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. ... And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Here we see 1/2 hour of silence in heaven when the seven angels are given their trumpets, each triggering disaster for those that dwell on the Earth.

Great Tribulation and Beyond

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.
    • 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 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.
  • 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 70th week - 30 Days after Christ returns in glory, at the end of the 70th 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 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.