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December 2019

Timeline of the End Times

By Britt Gillete

 Much has been written about the last days and the end times just prior to the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But just how do these events fit together?  What is the chronology of events which will take place in the last days?  Following is a summary overview of the sequence of major events set to take place during this time period:

1) The Rapture of the Church

 In all likelihood, the next event on God’s prophetic calendar is the Rapture of the church.  Loosely translated, the word ‘rapture’ means to ‘catch up’ or ‘snatch away.’  Prior to the Tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return in the clouds to gather all earthly Born-again believers unto Himself.  Paul revealed this event in his letter to the 1st Corinthians 15:51-53.

 Paul is clear in his statement that not every Christian will die.  Some will be transformed “in the twinkling of an eye” before their earthly lives have come to an end.  But will this event happen before, during, or after the Tribulation?  The answer is clear when this passage is taken in context with other biblical passages.

When Least Expected

 Jesus taught His disciples to expect His return at any moment, for no one can know the day of His coming (Matthew 24:42-44).  We must be ready all the time. The Rapture will occur unexpectedly, much like a thief in the night.  This is consistent with the teaching of Jesus that no one will know the day or the hour of His coming: as we are also instructed in Matthew 24::36-39 that it would be as it was in the days of Noah.

      If the return of Jesus is a truly unexpected event which takes the world by surprise, then by definition most of the world can not be waiting in anticipation.  Therefore, the Rapture must occur before the Tribulation.  Why?  Because once the numerous and specific prophecies concerning the Tribulation are being fulfilled in world events, most of the world will take notice.

2) The War of Gog and Magog

 The next event on God’s prophetic timeline is the War of Gog and Magog.  The leader of Russia will form a military coalition which includes the nations Iran, Libya, Ethiopia, and Turkey and he will lead them against the nation of Israel.  We are provided with a detailed account in Ezekiel 38:1-16.  God will display His glory to all the nations of the world by personally destroying this Russian military coalition.  This will happen either at the beginning of, or sometime before, the tribulation.  How do we know?  Because God tells us the nation of Israel will use the leftover implements of this war as fuel for seven years in Ezekiel 39:9.

 Israel will not use these weapons as fuel during the Millennial Kingdom, since Jesus Christ will provide all the light and energy that is needed for daily living. And since the tribulation leading up to the Millennial Kingdom lasts a total of seven years, it’s only logical that the War of Gog and Magog either takes place before the tribulation or else marks it beginning.

3) The Antichrist’s 7-Year Covenant with Israel

 The Antichrist will reveal himself by confirming a covenant with the nation of Israel as recorded in Daniel 9:27.  The details and nature of this treaty are yet unknown, but many have speculated that in a bid for Middle Eastern peace, Israel will agree to rely on the Antichrist for its national defense.  It is generally accepted that the signing of this accord with Israel will mark the beginning of the Tribulation period.

4) The Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week)

 The War of Gog and Magog either occurs at the beginning of the tribulation or signals its approach.  The Tribulation is a period of seven years of turmoil and horror which will come upon the world.  The time period is also known as Daniel’s seventieth week, as the concept was laid out by God in the Book of Daniel 9:24.  This passage clearly states that a period of 490 years is allotted for the nation of Israel to accomplish God’s purposes.  It also reveals that 483 years after the command was given to rebuild Jerusalem.  The arrival of Jesus Christ fulfilled 69 of the prophetic 7-year periods outlined in the Book of Daniel, with one period yet remaining, Daniel 9:26.  Since the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the world has been living on borrowed time.  Once the Rapture of the church puts an end to the “Age of Grace,” the final seven year period will begin.  This is widely known as the Tribulation, and it officially begins with the Antichrist’s confirmation of a covenant with Israel.

5) Global Government

 During the Tribulation, the Antichrist will consolidate his power quickly and all the nations of the world will soon fall under his authority as we are told in Revelation 13:7.  Not one person will escape the reach of the Antichrist and his governmental dominion as we are clearly told in Revelation 13:16-17.

 The Antichrist will have unprecedented control over the world’s financial transactions.  He will have so much power that he will be able to determine on a case-by-case basis which individuals will be allowed to buy or sell anything.

6) Satan Thrown to the Earth

  At the midpoint of the Tribulation period, a war will break out in heaven that is described to us in Revelation 12:7-12.  Traditionally, people have believed Satan resides in Hell, but Hell is actually his future destination.  Up until the mid-point of the Tribulation, Satan will continue to run to and fro deceiving the nations.  Many have often wondered why God allows evil to exist.  They fail to understand that we live in the midst of an epic spiritual war, pitting the forces of evil (Satan) against the forces of righteousness (Jesus).  Satan’s rebellion is an event from the ancient past, but on God’s eternal timeline, it’s a relatively recent event.  God will not tolerate Satan’s rebellion, and the ultimate victor in this war is clear.  Satan will lose.  This event will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation, and it will mark a terrible time for those who live on the earth.

7) The Abomination of Desolation 

 Satan’s crushing defeat and subsequent fall to earth will coincide with another prophesied event — the Abomination of Desolation as described in Daniel 9:27.  In fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy, the Antichrist will enter the Jewish Temple and proclaim himself to be God.  He will set up an image in the Holy Place and demand the world to worship it.  Our Lord Jesus warned His disciples of this terrible event in Matthew 24:16,  The apostle Paul also described this abominable act in 2nd Thessalonians 2:4 with Antichrist exalting himself above God claiming to be God.  The Bible is clear that the Abomination of Desolation will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation where Daniel 9:27 tells us it will occur.

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8) The Jews Flee Israel

 Following the Abomination of Desolation, the Jews flee Israel from the great persecution as recorded in Matthew 24:15-21.  The Jewish people will flee into the wilderness where God Himself will supernaturally protect them from a second holocaust at the hands of the Antichrist.  You can read about this in Revelation 12:5.  The Jews who escape will remain under God’s protection for the duration of the Tribulation period, three and a half years.

 

9) The Mark of the Beast

 As part of his nefarious system of self-worth the Antichrist will establish a global financial system by which no one can buy or sell without his permission as we are told in Revelation 13:16-17 where no one can buy or sell without his mark.  The Antichrist and his followers will pay a hefty price for accepting the mark of the beast.  The Bible tells us that ALL who accept the mark of the beast will face eternal judgment for their decision.  The following verses reveal the consequences of this rebellion against God (Revelation 14:9-11).

 

                                                                                                      Acceptance of the mark is not a matter to be taken lightly.  Anyone who accepts the mark denies Christ in favor of a false god.  This decision, once made is irrevocable, and the consequences are everlasting.

10) The Great Tribulation

         

 The final three and a half years of the Tribulation will be known as The Great Tribulation, a time of unrivaled horror.  The 7 Bowl Judgments (Revelation 16:1-21) will take place during this time.  And the Antichrist, demanding the world worship him as if he were God Almighty, will institute a world-wide campaign to murder and destroy all those who worship the one true God.  This period is known as The Great Tribulation, and it comprises the final three and a half years of the seven year Tribulation (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:14).  The Bible is clear in stating the the Great Tribulation will occur in the last three and a half years before the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.

11) The Appearance of the Two Witnesses

 During the tribulation period, God will give power to two of His special witnesses, who will prophesy throughout the Great Tribulation (Revelation 11:3-6)).  For 1,260 days, these two witnesses will prophesy to the world, and despite a plethora of enemies, no one will be able to harm them.  During that time, they will have the power to end rainfall, turn the rivers and oceans to blood, and send every kind of plague upon the earth.

12) Babylon Destroyed in One Hour

  In the last days, the City of Babylon will not only rise to worldly prominence once again, but it will face the judgment of God Almighty in a single day (Revelation 18:8-10).  The merchants and kings of the world will mourn the destruction of this worldly city, which had been the apex of human rebellion. The city of Babylon will become a city of unparalleled wealth and opulence, as well as a city of debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, sexual immorality, and every other sort of unholy abomination.  In the aftermath of its judgment, those who reveled in its sins will literally sob because of its loss.

13) The Death of the Two Witnesses

  At the end of the Great Tribulation, when their testimony is complete, the two witnesses of God will be killed.  Their bodies will lie unburied in the main street of Jerusalem as the world celebrates its good fortune (Revelation 11:7-10).  However, what happens next will strike fear in those who dare to celebrate, when God brings them back to life and with a loud voice from heaven shouts, “come up here!”  Then a huge earthquake takes place where 7,000 people die.  Just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days and three nights, so will His two witnesses be resurrected after three and a half days.  The Book of Revelation tells us that terror will strike all those who are staring at them.

14) The Gathering at Armageddon

     In the aftermath of Satan being thrown to the earth, mankind will attempt to cast off every restraint of God’s authority.  The evil demons under his command will convince the leaders of the world to gather together in order to do battle against God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:13-14).  The final gathering place for this battle will be a geographical location in the nation of Israel, known by everyone as Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).

  It is here at Armageddon, that the final human attempt at world government will come to an end.  In fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the statue which represents human government will be smashed by the supernatural.  The Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ will take its place, and it will never be destroyed.

15) The Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ

                       While gathered at Armageddon rebellious humanity will witness the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:27).  The appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sky will be unmistakable to the people of this world.  As they gather to do battle with Him, Christ will take up their challenge and take on the entire human race (read Zechariah 14:3-5 for this grand scene).  As the Lord’s feet touch down on the Mount of Olives, a giant earthquake will split the ground.  Jesus Christ will come in vengeance against His enemies, as the Commander of Heaven’s Armies.

16) The Birth of the Millennial Kingdom

 Following His victory over the enemies of God, Jesus Christ will establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth as it is described for us in Zechariah 14:6-9.  What a glorious day that will be.  The world will rejoice, because the world will finally be filled with peace and justice!

                                                       (Britt Gillette is founder of BrittGillete.Com, a website examining the relationship between Bible prophecy and emerging trends in technology.)

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the December 2019 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Timeline of the End Times.” www.JohnBarela.com