The Sequence of End-Time events

False prophets, man-made religion, the end of the world and Jesus Christ's ultimate return.

The books of Daniel and Revelation are the starting point for most scholars and researchers. Revelation describes God's final harvest or 'threshing' of mankind vividly.

Day in and day out we live our lives as if there will be a tomorrow... another day to do our chores and pursue our dreams. But The Bible says that one day this world will come to an end. We will no longer live out our lives as we had before. No one knows the day or hour when the world will end (Mark 13:32) instead he simply warns us, "Be on your guard" (Mark 13:23)

Most of the signs predicted in scripture involve Israel. Passages like Isaiah 11:11-12:6; Ezekiel 20:33-44; and Zephaniah 2:1-3 deal with the regathering of Israel before the Tribulation.  Israel, as God's chosen, is God's timepiece.  People who are concerned about staying abreast of the signs of the times must always keep a watchful eye on the Middle East.

The Bible tells us in some detail what signs will indicate that the end is drawing near. The increase in warfare, tyranny and the rise of false prophets are only some of these signs.

Signs of the End Times  

SIGN

REFERENCE

People living as if God didn't exist

Genesis 6:1; Luke 17:26

Vacuum in world leadership

Psalm 2:1-3; Revelation 13:4-9

Explosion of knowledge and freedom of travel

Daniel 12:4

Wars and rumours of wars

Mark 13:7

Widespread acceptance of immoral behaviour

Luke 17:26-30; 2 Peter 2:1-8

Increased demonic activity

1 Timothy 4:1-3

Widespread abandonment of the Christian faith

1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Evidence of breakdown in families

2 Timothy 3:1-3

Spirit of selfishness and materialism

2 Timothy 3:1-2

General disrespect for others

2 Timothy 3:2-4

People ridiculing God's word

2 Peter 3:2-4; Jude 17-18

Significant shifts in political power and influence       

Revelation 13:3-7

A Biblical overview and general End Times background

The Book of Revelation isn't the only source of information for End Time events.  The Bible is full of prophecies and passages that shed light on the last days of this world. Here are some of the best-known passages

End Time prophecies

PASSAGE

WHAT IT DESCRIBES

Daniel 9

Daniel provides a timeline of world history and end-time events in his vision of the seventy sets of seven time periods, including The Tribulation.

Matthew 24

Jesus tells his followers about the signs that will mark the end times

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Paul describes the resurrection at Jesus' second coming

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Paul describes the man of sin who will appear during the end times. It is important to note that this passage speaks of a gathering of Christians to meet the Lord (The Rapture), which cannot happen until the AntiChrist is revealed.

2 Timothy 3:1-4

Paul offers a telling description of society during the last days

1 John 2:18-27

John warns us about the antichrist

Revelation 1-22

John describes his eye-popping vision of what will occur during
the end times what the next world will be like, the antichrist and much more

2 Thess 2: 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That 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 has already come. 3Let 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; 4Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Jesus on the End Times

Jesus had quite a bit to say about the end of the world. He could see into the future, knew how the world would end and gave his followers a hint of what would come. He painted vivid pictures of what will occur at the end of world history for his disciples and ultimately for us. Here is what he said:

Matt 24: 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And 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. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9Then 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. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Jesus on the end times

WHAT JESUS SAID

WHERE TO FIND IT

Many False Christs will arise to deceive many.

Matt 24
There will be wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes.
Many Christians will be hated and martyred.
Many false prophets will deceive many "Christians".
The Gospel will still be preached to all the world.
Christians will see the abomination of desolation committed by the AntiChrist; they are told to flee.

Many false prophets/teachers will deceive people.

Luke 17:2-30

A loud trumpet-blast will accompany Jesus' return. Everyone in the world will know Jesus has returned.

John 5:28-29

All the dead will be raised from their graves.

John 5:28-29

The final judgment will reveal all secrets - even what people have whispered.

Luke 12:2-3

Jesus is preparing a beautiful place for his followers to live forever.

John 14:2-3

Immeasurable joy and blessings await believers in the next life.

Matthew 19:27-30

 

Antichrist is revealed and signs a covenant with Israel, which issues in the Tribulation (the final seven of Daniel's 70 sevens).
In the middle of the 7 year Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks the covenant and commits the abomination of desolation - NB: Christians will see this happen before the Rapture.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Daniel 9:27

 Revelation - how will the world end?

1. Revelation overview

Revelation - revealed to John on the isle of Patmos

Revelation Chapter

Summary

1-3

John dictates critical letters from Christ to the seven churches. 

4-5

A throne appears in heaven, as does a scroll, and Christ the lamb.

6-7

Scroll seals 1-6 are broken open.
7 144000 servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. These are chosen from the 12 tribes of Israel.
7 A great multitude of all nations, which no man can number, appears suddenly in heaven, having come out of Great Tribulation. (This must be the RAPTURE?).

8, 9

Seventh seal is broken open revealing 7 angels who each have a Trumpet, the first 6 Angels blow their Trumpets.
10 This chapter needs to be taken in parentheses, since there seems to be a break in the Sequence of events here, where John receives instructions from a Mighty Angel to prophesy and to warn people on the earth.
11 The 2 Witnesses appear with great power and after they have testified 1260 days, they are killed by the beast from the pit.
They are resurrected after 3.5 days, raptured and an earthquake destroys 1/10 of Jerusalem.
The 7th Angel blows his trumpet.

12-13

A pregnant woman with twelve stars on her head appears, about to give birth.
A Red Dragon appears with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns - Satan.
A war in heaven erupts, Archangel Michael defeats Satan and casts him down to earth, where his wrath is poured out.
A beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns rises out of the sea.
The whole world worships the Dragon.
Another beast with 2 lamb horns rises up out of the earth and causes unbelievers to worship the first beast and to take his mark on their forehead or right hand.

14

Three angels appear and proclaim their instructions:

  • One preaches the Gospel to all those left on the earth.

  • Another proclaims the fall of Babylon.

  • The third warns everyone against worshiping the beast and against receiving his mark.

Jesus appears on a cloud and reaps the saved on the earth with a sickle. 3 Angels also appear, one of which gathers those unto God's wrath.

15-16

The time of God's wrath. Seven angels announce seven final plagues which are poured out of bowls onto the earth.

17-18

Mystery Babylon - a kind of false religion - falls

19

The wedding supper, the two beasts are thrown down

20

The day of judgment for all mankind

21-22

The New Jerusalem described - God's face is revealed

2. When the seals are broken - Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1

All heaven pauses. Before God's work can be completed on earth a mysterious scroll must be opened. All of heaven awaits the only person in heaven or on earth who is worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll-Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. The opening of each one of these mysterious seals wreaks destruction and havoc on earth.

Revelation - when the seals are broken

Seal

What happens when the seal is broken

First seal

A person riding a white horse rides out to victory

Second seal

World wars break out. The rider of the red horse carries a gigantic sword and gallops over the entire world

Third seal

Food and drink become scarce. A person riding a black horse rides over the earth holding a pair of scales

Fourth seal

A fourth of the world's population dies. The fourth horseman is called death and rides a pale horse

Fifth seal

The martyrs of the Word cry out for judgement, but are told to wait until all those who are still to be martyrs for the Word of God are killed.

Sixth seal

A massive earthquake shakes the foundation of the earth

Seventh seal

Heaven grows silent as the seven angels prepare to blow the trumpets of judgment

3. When the trumpets sound - Revelation 8:2 - 9:20

Seven angels carrying seven trumpets will introduce God's judgment on the earth.  Each trumpet blast produces unprecedented destruction on the earth and unspeakable misery for its inhabitants.  With each successive trumpet blast the agony and the suffering of the earth's population increases.

Revelation - when the trumpets sound

Trumpet

What Happens

First trumpet

Fiery hail falls onto the earth: one third of the earth is burned; one third of the trees are burned; all grass is burned

Second trumpet

A fiery meteor falls into the sea: one third of the ships are destroyed; one third of the fish die; one third of the sea is turned into blood

Third trumpet

A flaming star named Wormwood falls to the earth: one third of the earth's rivers are poisoned

Fourth trumpet

One third of the sun, moon and stars become dark

Fifth trumpet

Flying scorpion like creatures torture people for five months

Sixth trumpet

A violent war breaks out: one third of the earth's population dies

Seventh trumpet

The seventh trumpet announces the misery of the seven bowl judgments. The final struggle between good and evil begins

4. When the bowls are emptied - Revelation 16

God's judgment on the world climaxes with the seven bowls of wrath.  The final toll of death and destruction in the wake of these judgments is nearly impossible to comprehend. The world will never be the same after these bowls of fury are poured out on the earth and its inhabitants

Revelation - when the bowls are emptied

Bowl

What Happens

First bowl

Painful sores break out on those who have the brand of the beast

Second bowl

The sea turns into blood and all sea life dies

Third bowl

All fresh water turns into blood

Fourth bowl

The sun scorches human skin

Fifth bowl

Complete darkness envelops the earth

Sixth bowl

The Euphrates river dries up

Seventh bowl

An earthquake and hailstorm devastate the planet

Heaven: Our Eternal Home

Have you ever dreamt what living with God in eternity would be like? Fluffy Clouds? Golden Halos? Streets of Gold? What will it be like to enjoy God's presence? In other words, what will heaven be like? The apostle John caught a glimpse of heaven in a breathtaking vision of New Jerusalem. This was part of the book of Revelation, when Christ brought a vision to him at the end of the first century on the Greek island of Patmos, when John was an old man.

In addition to the stuff below there are Christ's words from John 14:2: 'In my father's house there are many places to live... I am going there to prepare a place for you.'

What will heaven be like?

Description

Revelation Passage

The city is called the New Jerusalem.

21:2

Its overall appearance is of gray quartz and pure gold.

21:11, 18

The city is shaped like a huge equilateral cube.

21:16

The size of the structure is about 1,400 miles along each side.

21:16

The foundation of the city is composed of twelve layers of stones inlaid with jewels.

21:19-20

The names of each of the twelve apostles are engraved on the foundation layers.

21:4

The walls around the city are made from gray quartz.

21:18

The walls are over 200 feet high.

21:17

There are twelve solid pearl gates, three along each wall.

21:12, 21

Each gate is named after one of the twelve tribes of Isreal.

21:12

The river of life flows in the city

22:1

The tree of life grows in the city

2:7; 22:19

The throne room of God occupies the central palace.

4:2; 22:1

The city's main street is made of transparent gold.

21:21

The dazzling light of the city comes from God's glory.

21:11, 23; 22:5

God himself will live in the city among his people.

21:3; 22:4

God's people will live in the New Jerusalem in the presence of God forever.

22:5