Prophecy Overview

Compiled by David Brewer

The Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Can Remind Us That God is Sovereign and That He is Indeed in Control

Sovereignty

In a world that seems so chaotic and so completely in the grip of wickedness, we need to remember that our God sovereignly controls it all. 

See Psalm 2:1-12; Isaiah 40:12-16; 46:9-11; Dan. 9:27; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:23; 4:25-29; Rev. 1:18.

The Bible tells us God is all-powerful and sovereign and reminds us that His sure purposes for the future will definitely come to pass / occur.

Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Produces Spiritual Stability

In the midst of uncertain and troubled times the church today needs spiritual stability.  Knowledge of Bible prophecy can provide this.  Prophecy can have a stabilizing effect as we see current events and circumstances from God's perspective -- 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Thess. 2:2. 

Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Is a Proof of the Truthfulness of Scripture

  1. Throughout the time of the Bible, God has used prophecy as the means to authenticate His truth.
  2. In Isaiah 41:25; 44:28-45:4, the Persian ruler Cyrus is called by name 150 years before his birth.  Also in these verses the place of his birth is described, his future military campaigns, conquest of Babylon, and his treatment of the Israelites. 
  3. In 1 Kings 13:1-3 an unnamed prophet gives one of the most remarkable prophecies in Scripture.  The reason it is so incredible is that he predicted the name and actions of a king (Josiah) who would not appear on the world scene for 290 years. 
  4. Also see 2 Peter 3:4-13

Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Presents a Proper View of Our Age

By studying prophecy we can clearly discern where we are now and where God plans to take His world and us in the future.  It is impossible to relate our current activities to His ultimate realities unless we understand His overall plan.  Compare 1 Cor. 7:31; Eph. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Jn. 2:18. 

Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Can Remind Us That God is Good

  1. The goodness of God means God is the final standard of good, and all God is and does is worthy of approval. 
  2. Life can very painful.
  3. But it is very encouraging to realize that God has written the final chapter of our history and the ending of this story is good for the children of God.
  4. Taking us home is the ultimate good. 

Knowledge of Bible Knowledge Can Motivate Us To Holy Living, Can Help Us To Establish Biblical Priorities

  1. 1 John 2:28 -- Jesus' sudden return for His children will result in either joy to some believers or shame to others.
  2. See Matt. 25:6f.; Phil. 4:5; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23; Titus 2:12-13; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 1 John 3:3
  3. The reality of future things sheds significant light on the great issues of life and helps us see what is most important. 
  4. 2 Peter 3:10-13 — the coming judgments give ample reason for godly living.  This type of piety will manifest itself by a continual anticipation of a desire for Jesus' second coming and the new heavens and new earth. 
  5. Living our life with conscious thought and a continual awareness about future realities.
  6. This thought should change what we do with our time, money and resources.
  7. The knowledge of future events can greatly help us in making better choices / decisions in the present as it reminds us of things that have eternal value. 

Knowledge of Bible Prophecy Can Give Us Hope and Comfort in Our Sorrow

  1. In this world it is very difficult in the midst of injustice, crimes unpunished, and sin running rampant.  God's prophetic promise of victory can comfort our sorrows and gives us incredible and lasting hope. 
  2. How encouraging to know that someday our troubles will someday end and we will be reunited with those believing loved ones who have died.
  3. If there is anyone who ought to live with a positive confidence in this world, it is the child of God.  See Titus 2:13.
  4. If there is anyone who ought not to live constantly under a blanket of defeat, fear, and depression, it is the child of God.
  5. God will accomplish everything that He has promised!
  6. God wants us to change the way we think, behave, and the way we view Him as a result of what we know will happen in the future. 
  7. See 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Pet. 1:7-9. 

Knowledge of Prophecy Promotes Evangelism and Can Be a Stimulus to Service

This kind of knowledge can be a great stimulus to service — see Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 19:13; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10f.

In early days of the church thousands came to salvation in Christ as they listened to the first two sermons that were mainly prophetic in nature — see Acts 2:16-36 and 3:18-26.

Also see Heb. 9:26-27 

Bible Prophecy Is Important in Biblical Revelation

  1. 25% of the Bible was prophecy when written; 20% of Paul's writings is prophecy
  2. In his classic study, Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, J. Barton Payne identifies some 1239 predictions in the OT involving some 6,641 verses or 28.5% of the OT text.  In the NT he finds 578 predictions in 1,711 verses or 21.5% of the text.  So for the entire Bible's 31,124 verses, 8,352 contain predictive material, or 27% of the whole Bible.

Prophetic Overview — From Now To Eternity Future — Getting The Big Picture

Events Before The Seven-Year Tribulation

  1. The following is a list of the major passages that discuss the last days (this term in the context of 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3; 2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 18 refers to the time between the writing of the NT letters up through Jesus' 2nd coming; these days are "last" in comparison to OT days) of the church:  1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:3-4; James 5:1-8; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; 3:3-6; Jude 1-25
  2. Presently believers are waiting for the imminent coming (i.e., an event that is always hanging overhead, is constantly ready to take place) of the Lord Jesus Christ.  At any time the door of heaven or the sky / heavens could open (for this image, see Ezek. 1:1; Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Luke 3:21; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev. 4:1; 19:11). Something may happen before an imminent event occurs but nothing must take place before it happens.  The Church is not to watch for SIGNS (like in the case of the Second Coming) but for the SAVIOR.  See 1 Cor. 1:7; 16:22; Phil. 3:20; 4:5; 1 Thess. 1:10; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:13; Jude 21; Rev. 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20   
  3. Text Box: Side note ¡V 1 Thess. 4:13-18, five aspects to the ¡§rapture¡¨: (1) Jesus Return (v. 16), (2) Resurrection (v. 16), (3) Rapture (v. 17), (4) Reunion (v. 17), (5) Reassurance (v. 18). Side note -- MATTHEW 24:40-41 AND LUKE 17:34-37 DO NOT REFER TO THE RAPTURE. The ones who are ¡§taken¡¨ are taken to judgment (cf. Matt. 24:39) after Jesus¡¦ Second Coming, the ones who remain, enter into the Millennial Kingdom in their physical unresurrected bodies to propagate (Matt. 25:34; Zech. 14:11). During the Church's "last days" there will be an increasing spiritual apostasy and deception regarding the prophetic truth promising Christ's return — 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1; 2 Pet. 3:3-4
  4. The Church Raptured — Jn. 14:1-3; Rom. 8:19; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 15:51-53; 16:22; Phil. 3:20-21; 4:5; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 4:13-18; 5:9, 23; 2 Thess. 2:1; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:7, 13; 5:4; 1 John 2:28-3:2; Jude 21; Rev. 2:25; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 17, 20.  Also see Rev. 3:10 (this verse is not just to the church in Philadelphia [in Asia Minor/W. Turkey about 75 miles inland from the Aegean Sea, not in PA], but to the "churches," see Rev. 3:13).  The aforementioned verses naturally fit into four categories:  (1) those verses that directly refer to the rapture, (2) those that indirectly refer to the rapture, (3) those that are subtle references to the rapture, and (4) those that probably refer to the rapture.  Please note that "divine deliverance is a pattern often exercised by God preceding His judgment.  This is clearly illustrated in the cases of Enoch, Noah, Lot, Rahab and others (2 Peter 2:5-9) (Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 112) 

Beware of people setting dates for the Lord's return

  1. See Matt. 24:36, 42, 44; 25:13; Acts 1:7 to learn what Jesus thought about date-setting (these references refer to the Second Coming, not the Rapture)
  2. Before World War I, Jehovah's Witnesses predicted Armageddon would occur in 1914.  When this did not happen, Charles T. Russell's followers assumed He had returned secretly, revealing Himself only to Jehovah's Witnesses, thinking they were the 144,000 faithful witnesses in the book of Revelation.  Later on they predicted Armageddon for September 1975. 
  3. Others predicted Christ's return in 1982 because of the so-called "Jupiter Effect" (at that time the positioning of the planets in relation to the sun was said to cause cosmic disturbances). 
  4. Edgar Whisenant specified September 11, 12, or 13, 1988, for the 2nd Coming (in his book, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988). 
  5. Harold Camping came out with a book in 1992 called "1994?"  In his book he stated, "the month of September of the year 1994 is to be the time for the end of history" (p. 532) (also see Camping's book, Are You Ready?,pp. 314-6).  If that was not enough, he more specifically stated Sept. 6 (pp. 516-7), Sept. 15 (pp. 518, 521), Sept. 27 (p. 525), or "any time between September 15 and September 27, 1994" (p. 525).  He does say that there was a very remote possibility that he was wrong (p. xv in his introduction). 
  6. Judgment Seat* of Christ in heaven for the good and bad (i.e., "worthless" — 2 Cor. 5:10) deeds we did since becoming believers, resulting in rewards or deprivation of rewards — Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 4:1-5; 9:24-27; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:2-4; 2 John 8; Rev. 2:10; 3:11; 4:4, 10; 22:12
  7. *The believer will not be condemned with regard to his/her sins (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 8:1).  During this life believers are chastened / disciplined for the sins he / she commits (1 Cor. 5:5; 11:32; Heb. 12:7); this judgment has to do with the gaining or loss of rewards for service. 
  8. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb — Rev. 19:6-8 (cf. Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 11:2)

Events At The Beginning of the 7-Year Tribulation

  1. The Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel (this event probably begins the Tribulation, i.e., the 70th week of Daniel) — Dan. 9:27
  2. The Middle East ruler rises to power as the 11th ruler within the already-formed ten-division confederation that will constitute the revived Roman Empire — Dan. 7:7-8, 20, 23-24
  3. As the Middle East ruler rises to power, he will overthrow three of the original ten rulers of the revived Roman Empire -- Dan 7:8, 20, 24
  4. After overthrowing the three rulers, the Middle East ruler becomes the dominant ruler of the revived Roman Empire and unites them into a ten-nation confederacy — Dan. 7:7, 20, 24, 26; Rev. 17:3, 12-13, 16-17
  5. The Middle East ruler has a fatal wound, but the wound is healed.  This results in worldwide influence and acceptance for the Middle East ruler and the false prophet -- Rev. 13:3-4
  6. After the formation of the ten-nation confederacy, Israel is pressured into signing a covenant with the Middle East ruler.  This covenant will result in a false sense of security and pseudo-peace — 1 Thess. 5:2-3

Events During The First Half of The Tribulation

  1. Israel living in "peace" in their own land — Ezek. 38:8, 11, 14
  2. The sacrifices of the future third Temple are instituted, and the third Jewish temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem.  This rebuilding could be part of the provisions of the covenant the Middle East ruler makes with Israel — cf. Dan. 9:27
  3. The false church (ecclesiastical Babylon) will continue to strengthen and have a lot of influence; it will try to kill all those who follow the true faith.  The apostate church unites with the political empire of the beast to subjugate the entire world; their goal is world domination — Rev. 17:1-6

The First Four Seal Judgments

Some scholars place the seal judgments in the second half of the Tribulation (most notably, John F. Walvoord).  Those that place most of the seal judgments in the first half see a connection between these judgments and Matt. 24:4-14. 

Another significant debate is whether Matt. 24:4-14 refers to general signs in the present Church age or to the first half of the Tribulation.  

Scholars also debate about which verse in Matt. 24 begins the description of the Great Tribulation (the last half of the Tribulation).  Some scholars see verse 9 of Matt. 24 as the beginning of the description of the Great Tribulation and others see verse 15 as the beginning.

The first four seals judgments can be connected to "the beginning of birth pains / pangs" in Matt. 24:8.  The rabbis spoke of "birth pains" as sufferings that would come before the coming of the Messiah.   For more detail, see Showers' Maranatha, pp. 21-29.  

The seven seal judgments (Rev. 6 and 8) (the first four seals are considered a unit):

Events Possibly Just Before the Middle of the Tribulation

  1. Gog of the land of Magog* and his allies attack Israel from the uttermost north (the timing of this event has been debated by scholars) — Ezek. 38:2, 5-6
  2. *Magog is the ancient Scythia, near the Black Sea or the Caspian Sea; today this area is made up of former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kirghiza, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan (Price, 165).  There are least six different views within premillennialism on the timing of this event.  Right before the middle of the Tribulation for this event makes the most sense (when the Middle East ruler's covenant is still in effect). 
  3. Gog and company destroyed by God — Ezek. 38:17-23

Events At the Middle of the Tribulation

  1. Satan thrown out of heaven (he fought God and unsurprisingly lost), he empowers the Antichrist (Rev. 12:7-11) and intensifies his persecution of the saints (Rev. 12:12-17).  God will protect the Jewish people who flee to a place of asylum (Rev. 12:13-16), but the ones who do not flee will suffer (Rev. 12:14-17).
  2. The Middle East ruler is now identified as the Antichrist.  He becomes a world dictator.
  3. Regarding the term "Antichrist," the Greek preposition anti means that not only is the Antichrist opposed to Christ but he also will try to Text Box: Some Side Notes God¡¦s wrath extends throughout THE ENTIRE seven-year Tribulation (not just a part of it); it begins at the 1st seal. The term ¡§wrath¡¨ does not appear in the book of Revelation until 6:16-17 but the concept of God¡¦s wrath is there from the beginning (see Rev. 5:9, 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1 ¡V Jesus breaks all of the seven seals, which begins God¡¦s wrath). Christ ¡V NOT Satan, the Antichrist, or rebellious mankind ¡V will institute the terrible things that occur when all seven seals are broken. It is important to remember that many times in the book of Revelation God uses human instruments and activity through war to carry out His sovereign purpose against His enemies (see Rev. 17:17). Many times in the OT God did this very thing: He raised up Assyria to judge the northern kingdom of Israel in the 700s B.C. (Amos 5:18, 20), Babylon to judge the southern kingdom of Judah in the 600s/500s B.C. (Lam. 1:12; 2:1, 21-22; Ezek. 7:19; 13:5; Zeph. 2:2-3), and Medo-Persia to judge Babylon in the 500s B.C. (Is. 13:6, 9). So, in other words, God¡¦s wrath includes those types of judgments that are direct supernatural acts (i.e., great disturbances in the heavens and 100 pound hailstones) as well as those forces, elements & individuals that God uses in an indirect way (such as war, famine, the Antichrist, and Satan). imitate Christ.
  4. The Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27).
  5. The 144,000 Israelites are sealed (i.e., a guarantee of ownership, protection, and security) — Rev. 7:1-8.  Also see Rev. 14:1-5 in which passage this group is described after their work of testimony from their moral purity has been completed.

 Events During The Second Half Of The Tribulation (i.e., "The Great Tribulation," which lasts for 3 ½ years, 42 months, or 1260 days; compare Daniel 9:27 with Matt. 24:15-21).  Also see Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5).  The ancient world of the Bible considered a month 30 days (cf. Gen. 7:11, 24; 8:4).

  1. The Antichrist desecrates the third temple in Jerusalem by setting up his image in it (i.e., the abomination [an image or an idol] that causes desolation) and puts an end to her sacrifices (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; Rev. 13:6-8, 14ff.).  This setting up of the image will begin the second half of the Tribulation (the Great Tribulation). 
  2. The beast (the Antichrist) and the 10 horns (10 kings) will kill the prostitute (religious Babylon, the apostate church) as a result of their hatred for her (Rev. 17:16-18) and "as has often been the case historically, when a tyrant reaches his goal of total political control, he destroys those who helped him reach that point" (Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 163).
  3. The destruction of the apostate church by the ten kings supporting the Antichrist paves the way for his worship.  In other words, the Antichrist will demand that his subjects worship him (this will be promoted by the false prophet) and he will wage war against the saints of that time — Dan. 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 9:27; 11:36-37; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:3-4 ,11; Rev. 13:4-8, 11-17.
  4. Many Gentile and Jewish believers are martyred since they refuse to worship the Antichrist (Rev. 7:9-17; 13:15)
  5. The Jews flee Jerusalem when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with them and sets up his image in the third temple — Matt. 24:16-22; Mark 13:14-20.
  6. The ministry of the two witnesses who are empowered by God to serve as prophets for 1,260 days or 42 months — Rev. 11:3-6 (see 11:7-10 — their death, 11:11-12 — their resurrection, and 11:13-14 — the resulting judgment of God on Jerusalem) (compare Zech. 4:11-14).  The prophecy of the two witnesses continues during the same period of time that the world ruler possesses the temple, turns it into a religious center, and causes people to worship his image (see below).  Also during this same period of time thousands of Jewish people will die as martyrs. 
  7. The Protection of the Jewish remnant — halfway through the seven year Tribulation the Jewish remnant will flee when the Antichrist sets up his image in the Temple (i.e., the abomination that causes desolation) (Matt. 24:16; Rev. 12:6, 14).  Some say that they will flee to the Jordanian village of Bozrah* (see Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 168).  See Micah 2:12 -- the words translated "sheep in the fold" in the NASB are literally in the Hebrew "Bozrah."  It is debatable whether this refers to a geographical location or just "sheep in the fold".
  8. *city in north Edom located along caravan routes.  An early king of Edom was from this city (Gen. 36:33; 1 Chr. 1:44).  It is the focus of prophecies of judgment (Is. 34:6; 63:1; Jer. 49:13, 22; Amos 1:12).  It is 25 miles SE of the southern tip of the Dead / Salt Sea in the mountains of Edom.  There was also a Bozrah in Moab (see Jer. 48:24), this latter Bozrah is possibly the same as Bezer (Rasmussen, 230). 
  9. The Antichrist will start to force people to receive his mark (some type of identification as a sign of unbelievers' slavery and subjection to the Antichrist).  This mark is used to promote his worship -- Rev. 13:16-18.  It is (on people's foreheads or right hands) intended to counterfeit the seal of God on the foreheads of the saints in Rev. 7:2-4.  People will need this mark in order to buy or sell (Rev. 13:16-17).
  10. The symbol of the Antichrist will be "666" (Rev. 13:18).  My personal belief is that people miss the intended meaning by speculating and conjecturing (by using "Gematria," deriving mystical meanings by assigning letters numerical values) to whom this number refers.  More than likely only those people who are alive during the Tribulation when the Antichrist is active will understand the intended meaning and significance of this number.  The number "6" is one less than the number "7," which is the number of perfection and completeness.  No matter how hard the Antichrist will try to imitate Christ who is God, he will still fall far short of perfection.  No matter how powerful a man he is, he is still a man and not God.  This idea of incompleteness and imperfection is intensified by the three 6s.  This is in harmony with the statement of v. 18 that this number is the "number of a man."  The three 6s could also be a reference to the unholy trinity (Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet); all three fall short of the perfect Godhead. 

Parenthetical Units in the book of Revelation

There are a number of parenthetical units in the book of Revelation that do not advance the narrative chronologically but pertain to prophetic revelation relating to individuals and situations — 7:1-17; 10:1-11:14; 12-14; 17:19:10 (Walvoord, Every Prophecy of the Bible, p. 593). 

The Remainder of the Seal Judgments

  1. 5th Seal (6:9-11) (Matt. 24:9-10) -- converted multitudes from every nation are martyred (see 7:9-12).  They are wondering how long it will be before they would be avenged, how long the Great Tribulation will last and when the 2nd Coming would occur. 
  2. 6th Seal (6:12-17) -- natural disturbances, catastrophic judgment, and a universal fear of divine wrath (cf. Rev. 6:12-14 with Matt. 24:29 and Rev. 6:15-17 with Matt. 24:32-25:26).  The catastrophic judgment includes: a great earthquake, the sun turning black (cf. Joel 2:2, 10, 30-31), the moon becoming as blood, the stars of heaven falling like ripe figs, the heavens appear like a scroll rolled up (cf. Is. 34:4), and every mountain and island on the earth moving because of the earthquake.
  3. 7th Seal (8:1) — this seal contains the trumpet judgments, so it is a conclusion to the seal judgments and a preparation for the seven trumpets.  After this seal is opened there is silence in heaven for about half an hour (contrast this with 4:8).  This ominous silence is an indication of the horrible events to follow (an eerie silence before the terrible upcoming terrible storm) and this silence is possibly to allow the prayers of the saints to be heard.  

The seven trumpet judgments occur which increase the devastation to the earth — Rev. 8:1-9:21; 11:15-19

The first four trumpets are considered a unit

The bowl judgments (the most severe and intense series of judgments) begin; it seems like these judgments will occur in quick succession near the end of the Tribulation — Rev. 16

Events Toward The End of the Seven-Year Tribulation

Commercial / Political Babylon is destroyed — Rev. 16:19-21; 18:1-24

The Campaign (i.e., "a series of battles," "an extended war or campaign," in the Greek polemos) of Armageddon begins — see Dan. 11:40-45; Joel 3:9-17; Zech. 14:1-3; Rev. 16:14-16

In my opinion the best explanation for the events of the Campaign of Armageddon is in Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps, 216-53 in Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 187-97.  The following is a summary of this complex campaign:

  1. The Antichrist's Allies Assemble (at the same time as the 6th bowl judgment) at the "Mountain of Megiddo" (i.e., Armageddon), in northern Israel about 20 miles S-SE of Haifa and 50 miles north of Jerusalem).  The counterfeit trinity (Satan, The Antichrist, and the False Prophet) summons these forces — Rev. 16:12-16. 
  2. Babylon Destroyed — at this point the Antichrist hears that his capital city was attacked and destroyed by his enemies, which are an alliance of forces from north of Babylon (Jer. 50:9, 41-42).  Jer. 50-51 look beyond its destruction by the Medo-Persian Empire on Oct. 12 [16th of Tishri] 539 B.C. to this time period at the end of the Tribulation (Rev. 18).
  3. Jerusalem Falls — the Antichrist will move southward against Jerusalem instead of eastward to protect his capital — Zech. 12:1-3; 14:1-2.  The Antichrist will initially prevail but will soon be destroyed by Christ. 
  4. The Antichrist Moves South Against the Jewish Remnant.  The Antichrist moves down to the desert and mountains, probably to a place about 80 miles south of Jerusalem; 25 miles SE of the lower end of the Salt / Dead Sea (Bozrah / Petra) — Micah 2:12 (God's gathering and protection of this remnant)
  5. The Regeneration of Israel -- "All Israel" (i.e., the remnant; the third that are left from the original number of Jewish people living at the beginning of the Tribulation — see Zech. 13:7-9) turn to the Lord and are forgiven and cleansed — Lev. 26:40-42; Deut. 4:29-31; 30:6-8; Isaiah 53:1-9; 59:20-21; Jer. 3:11-18; Ezek. 36:25-27; 37:1-14; Joel 2:28-32; Zech. 12:10-13:2; Matt. 24:30; Rom. 11:26-27; Rev. 1:7.  This cleansing is a "prerequisite" for Christ's Second Coming (cf. Matt. 23:37-39)
  6. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ with the armies of heaven (angels and the church — see Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14; Zech. 12:10; 14:1-15; Matt. 13:41; 24:15ff.; 26:64; Mark 13:16; 14:62; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 3:13; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:8; 1 Peter 4:12-13; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:7; 19:8 with 14) — Zech. 14:4-5; Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 19:11-16.  This coming will be accompanied by the appearance of signs in the earth and sky — Is. 13:10; Joel 2:10, 30-31; 3:15; Matt. 24:29
  7. The Final Battle.  Earthly armies in Israel unite against Christ and the armies of heaven — Psalm 2:1-3; Joel 3:9-16; Zech. 12:2-9; 14:1-6, 12-14; Rev. 16:16; 19:17-19
  8. Earthly armies destroyed by Christ and the armies of heaven — Rev. 19:19, 21.  For other passages referring to the Christ's Second Coming, see: Is. 63:1-6; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14; Zech. 14:1-15; Matt. 13:41; 26:64; Mark 13:24-27; 14:62; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 1:7; 22:7, 12, 20
  9. The nations that attack Jerusalem will be severely judged by God for coming against Jerusalem — Zech. 12:9; 14:3, 12; Dan. 2:44; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 19: 11-13, 15, 17-18; cf. Gen. 12:3; 27:29; Num. 24:9.  These nations will be judged because when you touch (i.e., in order to produce harm) Israel, you touch the "apple of God's eye", i.e., "the pupil, a delicate part of the eye that is essential for vision and must be protected at all costs" (Zech. 2:8; cf. Deut. 32:10; The NIV Study Bible, 283; see Feinberg, 39-44).  The pupil is "the part of the eye most easily injured" and is "the most demanding of protection" (Zuck, OT, 1553).  Obviously, this is a figure of speech and God's doesn't have eyes, but the message is clear and it shows how extremely important Israel is to God!
  10. The Ascent to the Mount of Olives — Zech. 14:3-4.  "With the destruction of the Antichrist and his forces complete, the campaign will over.  Jesus will go and stand on the Mount of Olives in a symbolic victory ascent" (Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 196). 
  11. God will destroy the armies of the nations gathered toward the end of the campaign of Armageddon for several reasons:  (1) these nations are determined to destroy Israel, the apple of God's eye (cf. Joel 3:2), (2) these nations have refused to repent of their sins (cf. Rev. 16:9), and (3) God will judge these nations for their total abuse of the Earth and its resources (cf. Rev. 11:18) (Jeffrey 1991, 280-1).
  12. The "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24) (the time beginning in 586 B.C. when Jerusalem was dominated and controlled by Gentiles) comes to an end at Christ's return
  13. An earthquake will split Jerusalem into two sections (Zech. 14:4-5)
  14. Jews fleeing Jerusalem is made easier by changes in its topography — Zech. 14:5

Events Occurring Right Before or At the Time of Jesus' Second Coming

  1. Final regathering* of Israel — Deut. 4:29-31; 30:1-10; Is. 11:11-12; 27:12-13; 43:5-7; Jer. 16:14-15; 23:3-4, 7-8; 30:3; 31:7-10; Ezek. 11:16-18; 20:33-38; 36:22-24; 37:21; Amos 9:14-15; Micah 4:6-7; Zeph. 3:18-20; Zech. 8:7-8; 10:8-12; Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27
  2. *The Jewish people will return to their land in stages, initially in unbelief (see Ezek. 36:24ff.; 37:1-14).  The first stage of this return will be to the Land (geographical; by man) (before the Tribulation in unbelief) and then to the Lord (spiritual; by God) (before the Millennium in belief (Price, 1998, 207; Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 62-4).
  3. *1st stage — Ezek. 11:17; 36:22-24; 37:21; Jer. 23:3; also see Ezek. 20:33-38
  4. 2nd stage — Ezek. 11:14-19; 36:25-27; 37:23; Jer. 23:4; also see Deut. 4:29-31; 30:1-10; Is. 27:12-13; 43:5-7; Jer. 16:14-15; 31:7-10; Amos 9:14-15; Zech. 10:8-12; Matt. 24:31  (Price, 1998, 209-11; Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 62-4)

The 75-Day Interval Between the End of the Tribulation and the Millennium (see Dan. 12:11-12)

  1. Some scholars say that the Jewish survivors will be judged at this point, others (like Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum) say that the Tribulation itself will be their judgment (both sides use Ezek. 20:34-38
  2. The despicable image, which the Antichrist set up in the Tribulation Temple, will be removed after 30 days (1290 days) - Dan. 12:11. There are three different number of days used in the Bible that all begin in the middle of the Tribulation (the 70th week of Daniel):
  3. 1260 days - the time from the middle of the Tribulation (when the Antichrist will end the regular sacrifices at the Temple and will set up his image in the Temple) to the 2nd Coming.
  4. 1290 days (Dan 12:11) - the time from the middle of the Tribulation to 30 days after the 2nd Coming; during the 30 days after the 2nd Coming, the Gentiles who survive the horrors of the Tribulation will be judged (Matt 25:31-46). The purpose of this judgment will be to separate the believers (who will enter the Millennium in their physical bodies) from the unbelievers (who be removed from the earth in judgment).
  5. 1335 days - the time from the middle of the Tribulation to 75 days after the 2nd Coming, probably on the day the Millennium begins (Dan 12:12). After Jesus is finished with judging the Gentiles, it seems like it will take another 45 days to form the government structure needed to run the kingdom. We know from Rev 20:4-6 that the saints will reign with Messiah Jesus in the Millennial Kingdom. After the believers have been separated from the believers, it will take time (45 days) to give various government positions to saints and to let them know what their responsibilities will entail.
  6. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be thrown into the Lake of Fire - Rev. 19:20
  7. Satan thrown into the abyss and bound for 1000 years (for the duration of Christ's millennial reign) - Rev. 20:1-3
  8. OT saints resurrected - Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:2; cf. Job 19:25-26
  9. Tribulation saints resurrected - Rev. 20:4-6

Characteristics And Events Of The Millennium  (Side Note -- The Millennium will last for 1,000 years (six times in Rev. 20:2-7 this is stated). 

Environmental and Geographical Characteristics

  1. Topography and geography of the earth changed — Is. 2:2; Ezek. 47:1-12; 48:8-20; Zech. 14:4, 8, 10
  2. Jerusalem is at the center of the government (Is. 2:3), is exalted (Zech. 14:10), and is a place of great glory (Is. 24:23)
  3. Jerusalem as center of world's worship — Is. 2:2-3; Mic. 4:1-2; 7:12; Zech. 8:3, 20-23; 14:16-21
  4. Jerusalem made the world's capital — Jer. 3:17; Ezek. 48:30-35; Joel 3:16-17; Mic. 4:1, 6-8; Zech. 8:2-3
  5. Israel united as a nation -- Jer. 3:18; Ezek. 37:15-23
  6. Israel exalted above the Gentiles and becomes the center of their attention — Is. 4:3; 11:9; 49:22-23; 60:14-17; Zech. 8:23; 14:20-21
  7. Jerusalem is enlarged — Ezek. 48:35
  8. Abrahamic Covenant land-grant boundaries established — Gen. 12:7; 13:15, 17; 15:7, 18; 17:8; 24:7; 26:3; 28:13-14; 35:12; 48:4; 50:24; Ezek. 47:13-48:8, 23-27
  9. Israel at peace in their land* — Deut. 30:1-10; Is. 2:4; 19:23-25; 26:1-4; 32:18; Jer. 23:4; 30:10b; Ezek. 28:26; Amos 9:14-15; Mic. 4:4; Zech. 3:10; 8:4-5; 14:11
  10. *The land promised to Israel according to the Abrahamic Covenant is estimated to be about 300,000 square miles; a little bigger than Texas (House, 24; 1998 World Almanac).  Israel is now 7,876 square miles; Texas is 268,601 square miles
  11. A fountain or river of life will flow out of the Jerusalem Temple — Ezek. 47:1-12; Joel 3:18b; Zech. 14:8; the Dead Sea will become fresh — Ezek. 47:8-12
  12. Wild animals tamed / the animal kingdom will be transformed (Is. 11:6-9; 35:9; Ezek. 34:25), crops are abundant, and the earth becomes increasingly productive (Is. 27:6; 35:1-2, 6-7; Ezek. 36:29-30; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13)

Political and Social Characteristics

  1. Universal language (Zeph. 3:9), unimpaired labor (Is. 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Ezek. 48:18-19)
  2. Human longevity increased (Is. 65:20-25) and children are born (Is. 65:20, 23; Ezek. 47:22)
  3. Worldwide knowledge of God — Is. 2:2-3; 11:9; 54:13; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 4:5; Hab. 2:14
  4. Jesus Christ personally and visibly reigns on earth in righteousness over the affairs of all mankind; Davidic Covenant fulfilled (Christ on David's throne) — 2 Sam. 7:8-17; Ps. 2:6-8; 72:8; 89:3-4, 19-37; 110:2; 132:11-18; 146:10; Is. 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 24:23; 32:1; Jer. 23:5-6; 33:14-17, 20-21; Dan. 2:35, 44-45; 7:13-14; Amos 9:11-12; Mic. 4:7-8; Zeph. 3:15; Zech. 2:11; 9:10; 14:9; Luke 1:31-33; Rev. 11:15; 20:4
  5. David apparently is a regent (a prince under the authority of Christ, THE KING) in this kingdom — Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25
  6. The 12 Apostles have authority over the 12 tribes of Israel — Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:28-30
  7. The church has a part in governing the earth and will reign with Christ — 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; 20:4, 6; 22:5
  8. Resurrected saints reign with Christ — Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; 20:6

Spiritual

  1. Unparalleled filling of and empowerment by the Holy Spirit on Israel — Is. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 36:24-29; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29
  2. Millennial temple built — Ezek. 40:5-43:27 (cf. 37:26-28); Zech. 6:12-15.  Gentile nations will assist in this project — Is. 60:10-12; Zech. 6:15; cf. Is. 66:12
  3. New Covenant with Israel fulfilled — Jer. 31:31-34; 32:35-39; Ezek. 11:18-20; 16:60-63; 36:25-28; 37:26; Rom. 11:26
  4. The glory of the Lord/the Shekinah glory returns to the Temple — Ezek. 43:1-7; cf. 48:35 (cf. 11:23 when the Shekinah left the first temple)
  5. Evidently the aforementioned Shekinah glory will serve as Jerusalem's independent light source — Is. 24:23; 60:19-20; Rev. 21:23
  6. Feasts of the New Year, Passover & Tabernacles reinstituted — Ezek. 45:18-25; Zech. 14:16-21
  7. Animal sacrifices offered as memorials (cf. The Lord's Supper) to Christ's death — Jer. 33:17-18; Ezek. 43:18-27; 45:13-25; Mal. 3:3-4
  8. Satan confined in the abyss — Rev. 20:1-3

Events Following The Millennium

  1. Satan released from the abyss (from bondage) as "a demonstration of the incurable wickedness of Satan and the fact that even a thousand years' confinement have not changed his rebellion against God" (John F. Walvoord, Major Bible Prophecies, 405, as quoted in Ice & Demy, Prophecy Watch, 235) — Rev. 20:7

2.      Satan deceives the nations — Rev. 20:8

  1. Global armies besiege Jerusalem (Rev. 20:9a) and are destroyed by fire (Rev. 20:9b)
  2. Satan cast into the Lake of Fire — Rev. 20:10
  3. Evil angels judged — 1 Cor. 6:3; also see 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6.  Believers will be involved in some capacity in this particular judgment
  4. The wicked dead resurrected — Rev. 20:5, 13; cf. Dan. 12:2b; John 5:29b
  5. The wicked dead judged at The Great White Throne by Christ the Judge — John 5:22, 27, 29; Rev. 20:11-15. The books of works are opened to prove that all who are being judged deserve eternal condemnation (see Psalm 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-20 — God's general revelation).
  6. The wicked cast into The Lake of Fire for eternal torment and extreme agony — Rev. 20:14-15; 21:8; cf. Matt. 5:22; 8:12; 10:28; 13:42, 50; 18:8-9; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30, 41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 13:28; 16:24; Jude 7; Rev. 19:20

Eternity Future

  1. Christ delivers the mediatorial / millennial kingdom to God the Father — 1 Cor. 15:24
  2. Present heavens and earth destroyed — Rev. 21:1
  3. New heavens and earth created — 2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1f.; also see Is. 65:17 and 66:22. 
  4. New Jerusalem* descends to the new earth — Rev. 21:2, 10-27
  5. *The dimensions of New Jerusalem are 1,500 miles equally in every direction (Price, 312)
  6. Christ rules forever in the eternal kingdom — Is. 9:6-7; Ezek. 37:24-28; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15

Sources Used To Compile These Study Sheets

Ankerberg, John, John Weldon, Dave Breese, & Dave Hunt.  One World: Bible Prophecy and The New World Order.  Chicago: Moody, 1991.

Armerding, Carl E. & W. Ward Gasque (editors).  Handbook of Biblical Prophecy.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977.

Barker, Kenneth (General Editor).  The NIV Study Bible.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985.

Benson, John L.  Who is The Antichrist.  Schaumburg, IL: Regular Baptist Press, 1978.

Benware, Paul N.  Understanding End Times Prophecy:  A Comprehensive Approach.  Chicago: Moody, 1995.

Campbell, Donald K. (editor).  Walvoord: A Tribute.  Chicago: Moody, 1982.

Chafer, Lewis Sperry, revised by John F. Walvoord.  Major Bible Themes.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974, 1979.

________.  Chafer Systematic Theology, volume 4 of an 8-volume set.  Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1948.

Couch, Mal (general editor).  Dictionary of Premillennial Theology.  Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1996.

Elwell, Walter A. (editor).  Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985.

Enns, Paul.  The Moody Handbook of Theology.  Chicago: Moody, 1989.

Erickson, Millard J.  Christian Theology.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

Famighetti, Robert (Editorial Director).   The 1998 World Almanac and Book of Facts

Feinberg, Charles L.  Israel:  At the Center of History & Revelation.  Portland: Multnomah, 1980.

Ferguson, Sinclair B.,  David F. Wright, & J. I. Packer (editors).  New Dictionary of Theology.  Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. The Footsteps of the Messiah:  A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events.  Tustin, CA: Ariel Press, 1982.

________.  Israelology:  The Missing Link in Systematic Theology.  Tustin, CA: Ariel Press, 1993.

Gromacki, Robert G.  New Testament Survey.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974.

Grudem, Wayne (Grudem is a premillennial, post-Tribulational scholar).  Systematic Theology:  An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

Hiebert, D. Edmond.  The Thessalonian Epistles.  Chicago: Moody, 1971.

Hindson, Ed.  End Times, The Middle East & The New World Order.  Wheaton: Victor, 1991.

House, H. Wayne (General Editor).  Israel The Land and the People.  Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1998.

Hoyt, Herman A.  The End Times.  Chicago: Moody, 1969.

Ice, Thomas and Timothy Demy.  Prophecy Watch:  What to Expect in the Days to Come.  Eugene, OR: Harvest, 1998.

________(editors).  When the Trumpet Sounds:  Today's Foremost Authorities Speak Out on End-Time Controversies.  Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1995.

Ice, Thomas and Randall Price, Ready to Rebuild:  The Imminent Plan to Rebuild the Last Days Temple.  Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1992.

Jeffrey, Grant R.  Messiah: War in the Middle East & The Road to Armageddon.  Toronto: Frontier Research Publications, 1991.

Kaiser, Walter C., Jr.  Back Toward the Future: Hints for Interpreting Biblical Theology.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989.

Karleen, Paul S.  The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church:  Is It Biblical?   Langhorne, PA: BF Press, 1991.

LaHaye, Tim.  No Fear of the Storm.  Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 1992.

Larsen, David.  Jews, Gentiles & The Church:  A new perspective on history and prophecy.  Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1995.

Lewis, Gordon R. & Bruce A. Demarest.  Integrative Theology: Historical, Biblical, Systematic, Apologetic and Practical.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

Payne, J. Barton.  Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy:  The Complete Guide to Scriptural Predictions and Their Fulfillment.  New York: Harper & Row, 1973.

Pentecost, J. Dwight.  Things To Come:  A Study in Biblical Eschatology.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958, 1980.

Price, Randall.  Jerusalem in Prophecy.  Eugene, OR: Harvest, 1998.

Radmacher, Earl D. (General Editor).  The Nelson Study Bible.  Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997.

Rasmussen, Carl G.  Zondervan NIV Atlas of The Bible.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.

Ryrie,  Charles C.  Basic Theology:  A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth.  Wheaton: Victor, 1996.

________.  Come Quickly, Lord Jesus:  What You Need To Know About The Rapture.  Eugene, OR: Harvest, 1981, 1996.

________ (consulting editor), Joe Jordan and Tom Davis (general editors).  Countdown to Armageddon.  Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1999.

________.  The Ryrie Study Bible.  Chicago: Moody, 1976, 1978. 333

Showers, Renald.  Maranatha:  Our Lord, Come!  A Definitive Study of the Rapture of the Church.  Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel, 1995.

________.  There Really is a Difference:  A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology.  Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel, 1991.

Stanton, Gerald B.  Kept From the Hour.  Miami Springs: Schoettle, 1991.

Swindoll, Charles R., John F. Walvoord, & J. Dwight Pentecost.  The Road to Armageddon.  Nashville: Word, 1999.

Thiessen, Henry Clarence (revised by Vernon D. Doerksen).  Lectures in Systematic Theology.  Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979, 1987.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck (editors).  The Bible Knowledge Commentary, OT and NT volumes.  Wheaton: Victor, 1983 (NT), 1985 (OT).

Walvoord, John F.  Armageddon: Oil and the Middle East Crisis.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974. 

________.  Every Prophecy of the Bible (formerly titled, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook).  Colorado Springs, Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999

________. The Rapture Question, revised and enlarged edition.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1957, 1979.

Willis, Wesley R. and John R. Master (editors).  Issues In Dispensationalism.  Chicago: Moody, 1994.

Willis, Wesley & Elaine, John & Janet Master (editors).  Basic Theology Applied.  Wheaton: Victor, 1995.

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