Lesson 13: A Chronology of End Time Events
LESSON 13: A CHRONOLOGY OF END TIME EVENTS
Darryl Nunnelley & David R. Reagan
FACT: Bible prophecy gives us certain definite events to look for in the future.
Key Scripture: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets"
(1 Corinthians. 2:9-10, NLT).
The Bible Reveals some spectacular events that will happen in the future - not everything, but enough to give us a living and vibrant hope.
Compiling a Chronology
Constructing a chronology of future end time events is not an easy chore. That's because such a chronology is nowhere given in detail in the Scriptures. Instead, it must be pieced together bit by bit, like a jigsaw puzzle, drawing from passages in both the Old and New Testaments.
No one prophet is given the entire end time scenario. And keep in mind that when looking into the future, prophets see only mountain tops that God wants them to see, and not the valleys in between.
A good example can be found in 2 Peter 3:10-13. This passage portrays the return of the Lord as if it will be the time when the heavens and earth will be consumed with fire.
Now, if this was the only passage in the Bible about the Lord's return, we could conclude that the heavens and earth will be burned up when the Second Coming occurs.
But there are many other passages in both the Old and New Testaments that make it clear that the Lord will reign here on earth for a thousand years after His return, and then the heavens and earth will be renovated with fire.
As is the case with all biblical doctrines, all passages related to any doctrine must be considered, and not just isolated ones.
Because assembling an end time chronology is like solving a puzzle, it is not possible to chisel a particular chronology in stone. There is room for disagreement. This is not an area for dogmatism.
The chronology that follows is based on a literal or plain sense interpretation of what the Bible says about the end times. The exact timing of some of the events - like the War of Gog and Magog and the Rapture is not revealed in the Scriptures.
So, what is presented on the next two pages is based in some cases on inferences rather than outright declarations.
A Proposed Chronology
The War of Psalm 83
This is a war of annihilation against Israel that is launched by an inner circle of nations that have a common border with Israel. We know from passages like Zechariah 12:6-9 that Israel will win this war.
The war of Gog and Magog
Ezekiel 38 and 39 picture another war against Israel by an outer circle of nations led by Russia. All the Nations named as allies of Russia are Muslim states today. God will intervene and supernaturally destroy the attacking armies. Some place this war at the beginning of the Tribulation. Others put it three and a half years before the Tribulation.
The Rapture
This is the appearing of the lord in the heavens for His Church an event that could occur any moment - before, between or after the wars named above. There are no signs for this event and no prophecies that must be fulfilled before it happens. The only thing that appears certain about its timing is that it will occur before the Tribulation begins (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The Gap
It appears there will be a gap of time between the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation during which time a panicked world will respond to a dynamic leader in Europe (the Antichrist) who will seem to have all the answers.
Emergence of the Antichrist
The Bible says the Antichrist will come from the people who destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D. - the Romans (Daniel 9:26). Most likely he will emerge from the European Union since the Bible indicates that the Roman Empire will be revived in the end times (Daniel 2:36-45).
A Covenant
The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27) that will mark the beginning of the Tribulation. The exact nature of this covenant is not revealed, but it is usually assumed that it will constitute a guarantee of Israel's security and will enable the Jews to rebuild their Temple.
The Tribulation
The Antichrist will launch a military campaign to take over the world. During the first half of the Tribulation (Three and a half years), his conventional war (Revelation 8 & 9).
Desecration of the Temple
By the middle of the Tribulation the Antichrist will have conquered the whole world (Revelation 13:7). At that point, he will go to Jerusalem, enter the rebuilt Temple, and declare himself to be god.
The Revolt of the Jews
The Jewish people will reject the Antichrist as their Messiah, and he will respond by attempting to annihilate them (Revelation 12:13-17). The Jews will flee into the area that is known today as Jordan.
The Second Coming
At the end of the seven years of the Tribulation, Jesus will return in glory to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-8). He will speak a supernatural word that will instantly destroy the Antichrist and his armies (Zechariah 14:12-15).
Salvation of the Jews
When Jesus appears in the heavens, the remaining remnant of the Jews will repent (Zechariah 12:10) and Receive their Messiah (Matthew 23:37-39).
Resurrection
The New Testament saints were resurrected at the time of the Rapture. At the Second Coming, all Old Testament saints, as well as Tribulation martyrs, will be resurrected and glorified.
Judgment
Jesus will judge all Jews and gentiles who are left alive at the end of the Tribulation (Matthew 25:31-46 and Ezekiel 20:33-38). Those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior will be allowed to enter the Millennium in the flesh. Those who have not done so will be consigned to death and Hades.
Binding of Satan
Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit where he can no longer deceive the nations (Revelation 20:1-3).
Reign
Jesus and His glorified saints will reign for a thousand years over those in the flesh (Revelation 20:4-5). The earth will be flooded with peace, righteousness and justice as the waters cover the seas (Isaiah 2:1-4 and 11:4-9).
Revolt
At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released, and he will rally many of those in the flesh to rebel against the reign of Jesus. The rebels will be destroyed by God, and Satan will be thrown into Hell (Revelation 20:7-10).
White Throne Judgment
All those throughout history who died outside a faith relationship with God will be resurrected and judged on their works to determine their eternal destiny (Revelation 20:11-15). Since no one can be justified by works, all of these people will be consigned to Hell.
Renovation
The heavens and earth will be renovated by fire, burning away the pollution of Satan's last revolt. Out of this fiery inferno will come new heavens and a new, perfect and eternal earth (2 Peter 3:12-13).
Heaven
Heaven will come to earth. The redeemed will live eternally in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem located on the New Earth (Revelation 21:2-7).
Therefore, comfort one another with these words - (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Lamb & Lion Ministries
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