What to Expect… When the World is Ending

What to Expect… When the World is Ending

Overview of the End Times:
New Heaven & New Earth Return Of Christ Rapture of the Church(?) Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium Deception Devastation Declaration Satan bound Jesus reigns Martyrs rule When people think of “The End of the World” various images and feelings come to mind: persecution, earthquakes, the Antichrist, the wrath of God, Armageddon, the final judgment and eternity. At the forefront of our thoughts is the question: could it be soon? But the Biblical question related to the coming “Day of the LORD” is not when but how should we live? The return of our Master and the accompanying signs, traumatic events and judgment provide a strong sense of urgency to our devotion and ministry. Jesus’ parables of the 10 virgins, the talents and the sheep and the goats (Mathew 25) all convey the need to stay alert in the face of increasing deception to stand firm no matter how fierce the persecution and to serve our Lord faithfully. Yet most of our attention and energy related to the End Times has more to do with satisfying our curiosity and looking for “signs of the times.” While there is certainly a place for this (i.e. a seminar like this one) our focus must remain steady upon Jesus, the coming King, and the mission he gave us that is the only hope for a world lost in darkness whose doom approaches. AntiChrist Revealed Armageddon Peace Treaty

Overview: 1. The Millennium 2. The Tribulation 3
Overview: 1. The Millennium 2. The Tribulation 3. The Rapture / nd Coming 4. The Final Judgment 5. The New Heaven & Earth There are numerous issues and questions surrounding the End, but these five categories sum up the main points of discussion.

1. The Millennium

Revelation 20:3,4,6 “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years… And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus… They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years… they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” While the Millennium is not the first event in the End Times sequence, the way one interprets this passage has a dramatic impact on the other events foretold in Scripture. If this 1,000 years is symbolic for a long period of time (and let’s remember that most of the numbers in Revelation are symbolic – built largely on combinations of 4,7,10 and 12 which all variously convey wholeness and completion) then it is natural to interpret the Tribulation as a symbolic age of suffering, given its designation as Daniel’s 70th “Seven.” On the other hand, if we take the plain reading of this text then it seems that a literal period of time is intended even if the exact duration of it is symbolic. Our conclusion then would be that this long period of time will come after the events described in Revelation 1-19 which would also appear to describe actual events and people rather than merely symbolize nations and leaders such as Rome and Hitler.

The Pre-Millennial View:
New Heaven & New Earth Return Of Christ Rapture of the Church(?) Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium Deception Devastation Declaration Satan bound Jesus reigns Martyrs rule The Pre-Millennial view is my basic position and a historic distinctive of the EFCA. But keep in mind that for both our denomination and our church this is NOT considered a core doctrine. The EFCA statement of faith (both the 1950 and the 2008) was carefully crafted to front load the doctrines essential for salvation that require unity among churches and believers (the doctrines of God, Scripture, humanity, Jesus, the Spirit and salvation) while leaving room for different views on secondary matters like the mode of baptism and various views on the End Times. The primary attitude that should characterize our discussion of apocalyptic prophecy is humility. In the days leading up to Jesus’ first coming the people least prepared were the most educated who had studied the relevant teachings about Messiah to excess. Yet when Jesus was born and when he began teaching and he did not fit their pre-conceived ideas about Messiah, these religious leaders quickly rejected him and worked against him. As Paul taught, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1). So as we study these things, we must let love be the driving pursuit, not knowledge. And we must beware of pride that fosters disunity. The visions and prophecies in Scripture are clear in what they are intended to convey but they are intentionally unclear on the details we are most eager to know. So even as we explore the different views that believers have held throughout church history we must leave open the possibility that God may do something that blows us all away and shatters all of the categories that scholars have constructed. The Pre-Millennial view expects a literal period of time (probably an actual 1,000 years) during which Jesus Christ himself will reign on earth, following the teaching of Revelation 20:1-10. So the days we are currently living in are Pre-Millennial – before this 1,000 year reign of Christ. And the return of Christ will be Pre-Millennial, just before his physical reign he will come back in bodily form to gather his elect, defeat his enemies, see Satan bound and rule with the saints for 1,000 years. AntiChrist Revealed Armageddon Peace Treaty

The Post-Millennial View:
Return Of Christ New Heaven & New Earth Increasing Proclamation The Millennium Gradual conversion of most of the world conquers evil and injustice, prompting the return of Christ. Advantage: Optimism A high view of the power of the gospel to change lives and change the world. Final Judgment In contrast, many Christians throughout history have held to a Post-Millennial view that expects the second coming of Christ after (post) the Millennium. In other words, the “1,000” year reign of Christ is most likely a symbolic age of time during which Satan’s activities are limited, the gospel will be preached and the church spread throughout the world gradually conquering the enemies of God through the power of the risen Christ active through his people. When this world transformation is complete and the prayer, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” has become a reality, Jesus will return physically to judge all people and re-create the heavens and the earth.

The A-Millennial View:
Return Of Christ New Heaven & New Earth The Millennium Advantage: Realism Recognizing the conflict between good and evil in this age. The resurrection of Jesus started the symbolic period of time called the Millennium – a long age of conflict between the people of God and the enemies of God. Final Judgment The A-Millennial view is very similar to the Post-Mill. Position since it sees the 1,000 years as a symbolic period of time in which we are currently living. So in that sense we are not waiting for or expecting a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ during human history – there will be “No Millennium.” Based on a symbolic interpretation of Revelation 20, this view presents a clear contrast with the Pre-Millennial position. The main difference between A-Mil and Post-Mil is the expectation for history. A-Mil proponents are actually closer to Pre-Mil in their expectation that the world will not increasingly become a better place before the return of Christ but that it will most likely get far worse and His return is the only thing that will bring true and lasting change. So A-Mil believers are sometimes called “Pessi-Millennialists” by Post-Mil folks who see themselves as “Opti-millennialists.”

The Pre-Millennial View: Advantage: Literalism
Return Of Christ Rapture of the Church(?) Advantage: Literalism The plainest interpretation of Revelation 20. New Heaven & New Earth War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium Deception Devastation Declaration Satan bound Jesus reigns Martyrs rule Final Judgment The primary critique of the Pre-Mil view is that it is based on only one passage of Scripture in a highly symbolic book filled with images that are difficult to interpret with certainty. For example, most – if not all – of the numbers in the book of Revelation appear to by symbolic: the 144,000 sealed in chapter 7, the three-fold sequence of seven judgments in the seals, trumpets and bowls, the 24 elders around God’s throne, the 2 witnesses against the 2 beasts, etc. The Pre-Millennial response to this challenge is simply this: just because a number or vision uses symbols does not mean that those symbols have no literal referent. For example, the 2 witnesses of Rev. 11 could very well be symbols of the prophetic and priestly ministries of the church – but that interpretation does not rule out the likelihood that they may also be two literal men testifying in the capitol city of the Antichrist who are killed and then raised to life as the tribulation concludes. Similarly, it seems the two beasts that emerge to serve the devil are presented as Daniel-like creatures but almost certainly depict real, literal men who become world leaders because of other teachings in Scripture like 2 Thess. 2 on the “man of lawlessness.” Therefore, a “1,000” year reign of Christ is certainly symbolic of a long, complete, peaceful age. But this doesn’t mean that it won’t last 1,000 years (or so) according to our calendars. In many ways, a literal 1,000 years is the most natural thing to expect based on the simple reading of Revelation 20. AntiChrist Revealed Armageddon Peace Treaty

Historic Views on the Millennium
Pre-Mill. Adherents: Plymouth Brethren, Fundamentalists, Evangelicals Ladd Scofield Calvin (a-Mil) Darby Edwards Augustine Justin Martyr Irenaeus Tyconicus Pre-Mill. Warfield A-Mill. Pre-Mill. Post-Mill. Post-Mill. WWI Historically speaking, most believers in the early church were Pre-Millennial in their expectations. In fact, many were convinced Jesus would return in their own lifetimes based on his teachings in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24). This is a central reason that Paul wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians – to explain the apparent “delay” in the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to return. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus taught Christians to expect a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ after his return. But in the mid fourth century, the prominent Bishop Augustine grew increasingly concerned with the frenzied Pre-Millennial expectations and celebrations – feeling they were too focused on hopes for this world – so he followed and developed the symbolic understanding of the Millennium first presented by another early leader named Tyconicus. This view predominated almost exclusively in the church for 1,000 years and formed the basis for Post-Millennial beliefs all the way up to WWI and also the emergence of the A-Millennial camp in the Reformation and beyond. In the end, the reason the Post-Millennial view faded from its longstanding prominence had more to do with history than it did with Scripture. The revivalism of the 18th century and the optimism of the 19th century gave way to the global carnage of the 20th century in two world wars. A-Millennialism’s more realistic expectations of history moved it to the forefront for most branches of Christianity, while Pre-Millennialism re-emerged as the prominent view of Fundamentalists and then Evangelicals, built largely on the prophecy movement inspired by John Darby and made popular through the Scofield Reference Bible. 1500 1900 350 A-Mill. Adherents: Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Methodist

2. The Tribulation

The Great Tribulation “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation.” Revelation 7:14 “For then there will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again..” Matthew 24:21 (ESV) “Cries of fear are heard – terror, not peace… How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:5,7 “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” Daniel 12:1 For those who see the Millennium as a symbolic age of time, it is very natural to interpret the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:14, etc.) as a similarly symbolic picture of what Christians throughout the ages have gone through and should continue to expect. On the other hand, for those of us who anticipate a literal reign of Christ after his return, The Tribulation is the next critical event of prophecy to understand. The passages above and numerous others present the general expectation of trials and tribulations (Greek: thlipsis) – “In this world you will have trouble (thlipsis), but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33); “We rejoice in our sufferings (thlipsis),” (Rom. 5:3). But Scripture also presents a specific period of time that has been called The Great Tribulation – the culmination and outpouring of all of the resources of the devil and also the overwhelming flood of God’s Wrath. The question surrounding this terrifying period of time is “What will happen to believers?” Many evangelicals (largely in the school of Dispensational thought) are convinced that Christians will be “raptured” or snatched away by Jesus before the Tribulation begins – this is the Pre-Tribulation view of the Rapture. Others modify this position and see the rapture taking place halfway through the Tribulation (the Mid-Trib view) or 5/7 of the way through (the Pre-Wrath view). Still others hold to the Post-Tribulation Rapture that expects all believers to live (or die) through the Great Tribulation and then to be raised up at the return of Christ that will conclude the tribulation and begin the Millennium.

Daniel 9:26-27 “After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” To understand the nature and timing of the Tribulation we must go back to the visions of Daniel in the 6th century BC. This prophet of the Lord was taken into Babylon as a slave when he was a young man, in 605 BC. Serving through the reigns of 6 kings he witnessed the rise and fall of Babylon, as the Medes and Persians rose to power and conquered the impregnable city in 539 BC. Continuing to serve under Darius the Mede (likely another name for Cyrus the Persian, or a delegate of Cyrus), Daniel foresaw that the restoration of Israel after the 70 years in exile prophesied by Jeremiah. This prophecy of the 70 “sevens” expounds the insights God granted Daniel in response to his prayer of confession and repentance on behalf of the nation. Essentially it reveals that while the restoration of Israel would begin after the 70 years of exile (which should probably be measured from 586 to 515 BC, when the temple was rebuilt; keep in mind that our dates won’t match the Jewish dates exactly because they used a 360 day calendar) God’s plans for His people were far more involved and far more significant than simply returning them to the land. His plans would involve not just 70 years, but 70 “sevens” or “weeks” of years. The first 7 “weeks” were roughly what were required to rebuild the city of Jerusalem – first the temple and later the buildings and walls. These were followed by 62 “sevens” that led up to the coming of “The Anointed One” or Messiah who was “cut off,” to pay for our sins. In retrospect we can see that these 69 “weeks” of years have been completed but the final “week” of history is still awaiting fulfillment. This is why we expect the Tribulation to unfold in a seven year period of time as the culmination of God’s plan.

Understanding God’s Purposes Helps us to Trust in His Plans
Understanding is the result of prayer (9:20-23) Purposes (9:24) Plans (9:25-27) Finish transgression End sin Atone for wickedness Bring righteousness Seal up prophecy Anoint Most Holy Salvation In response to Daniel’s humble prayer of confession, which he knew was necessary for the restoration of God’s people (2 Chr. 7:14), God sent an angel to give Daniel the gift of understanding. The visions Daniel saw would have been impossible for him to comprehend, though many elements of them are understandable to us as we look back through the lens of history (especially ch. 11 and its detailed description of the intrigues between the Seleucids and Ptolymies, leading up to the atrocities committed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes around 167 BC). While the outer circle of the prophecies would have been fuzzy and unclear to Daniel and the people of God, the central focus of his vision would have been crystal clear: God’s purpose was to bring Salvation through the Revelation of the Messiah. Revelation

“Finish transgression.”
“End sin.” “Atone for wickedness.” “Bring in everlasting Righteousness.” “Seal up prophecy.” Prophecy creates a constellation through the progressive revelation of God’s purposes and plans. The six purposes presented to Daniel create a perfect outline of the life and ministry of Jesus – the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. God has chosen, throughout history, to reveal Himself and His ways progressively over time. As a result, prophecies created a “pattern of expectation” that provided the people with hope and motivation as they sought to follow God in their day. For example, God’s promise to David of a King to reign on his throne provided the people and kings of Israel with a model to look for and aspire to. Kings like Hezekiah and Josiah would have fostered great hope in the nation as these kings reigned in the ways of their forefather, David and experienced God’s blessing as a result. But the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to David would not be in a Jewish King but in a helpless baby who was descended from the tribe of Judah and the line of David – a baby that would be worshiped, rightfully, as a king – but who would not reign physically on earth until after the dramatic conclusion of history. Instead, he would reign spiritually, as the suffering servant of Isaiah’s vision (ch. 53), humbly paying the price for your sin and mine. Similarly, the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel and others created patterns of expectation that saw partial fulfillments in historical figures like Antiochus IV (for Daniel 7,9 and 11) that pointed all the more clearly to the complete fulfillment to come in the person the NT identifies as the Antichrist. “Anoint Most Holy.”

God’s Purposes: Revelation Salvation
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 God’s purposes have always been to bring Salvation through the Revelation of Himself. These purposes found their ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ – the Son of God who became fully human in order to atone for the sins of humankind. Salvation

Jesus Daniel 605 539 519 444 300 200 100 1 Cyrus: Temple
“The word that goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:25 Cyrus: Temple Jesus Daniel 605 539 519 444 300 200 100 1 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation… “‘The Lord, the God of heaven …has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.’” Chronicles 36:22-23 When we understand God’s purposes it helps us greatly to trust in His plans. Daniel was told that a word or decree would be issued “to restore and rebuild Jerusalem” (9:25), but whose word it would be and when would not have been clear to him or anyone else in Israel. They could well have believed that Cyrus’ decree allowing Jews to return to Israel was that very word, in 539 BC.

“The word that goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:25
Jesus Daniel Darius I Cyrus: 605 539 519 444 300 200 100 1 “Let the temple be rebuilt… I, Darius, have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.” Ezra 6:3,12 However, another decree was issued around 20 years later, confirming the previous one and granting the Jews authority to continue rebuilding the temple in the face of growing opposition.

444 Jesus Daniel 1. Restoration 605 539 519 300 200 100 1 Darius I
“The word that goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:25 Jesus Daniel Darius I Cyrus: Artaxerxess 605 539 519 444 300 200 100 1 “Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters.” Nehemiah 2:8-9 Then a third “word” was granted, this time to Nehemiah. And it seems, looking back, that this was the decree to which Daniel was referring. Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah with letters of authorization in 444 BC to finally rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Without walls a city has no defenses and is therefore completely dependent on protection from the controlling Empire. So the restoration of Jerusalem was not really ordered until this decree.

444 Jesus Daniel 1. Restoration 605 539 519 395 33
“Count off 7 Sabbaths of years – 7 times 7 years – so that the 7 Sabbaths of years amount to a period of 49 years… It shall be a jubilee for you” Lev. 25:8,10 Jesus Cyrus: Daniel Darius I Artaxerxess 7 62 605 539 519 444 395 33 “From the word that goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One… “...The ruler comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’ and sixty-two ‘sevens’.” Daniel 9:25 It could well be that behind the 70 “sevens” Daniel saw regarding God’s plans for his people was the OT teaching of the Jubilee. Every seven years the people were to observe a Sabbath year, giving their fields a rest from planting. Modern farmers discovered the necessity of this and continue to apply it through crop rotation. Failing to do so causes fields to become unproductive and result in great famines and droughts like the mid-western “dust bowl” of the 1930s. Then, every 7 Sabbath years, or every 49 years, the people were commanded to celebrate a Jubilee. In this year all land was to return to its ancestral owners who had to sell it for various reasons. Based on Jewish records and traditions there is no evidence that such a Jubilee was ever observed. This could explain why the first 7 “sevens” are separated from the following 62 as the time frame to fully “restore and rebuild” the city of Jerusalem.

33 444 Jesus Daniel 1. Restoration 2. Rejection 605 539 519 395
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing.” Daniel 9:26 Jesus Daniel Artaxerxess 7 62 605 539 519 444 395 33 “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 God’s plans went far beyond the restoration of Jerusalem – His purpose was to bring salvation through the internal transformation of a New Covenant on their hearts (Jer. 31:31-33). But this could only be accomplished through the infinitely valuable sacrifice of a perfect Lamb – so the Anointed One, the Messiah, had to be rejected and “cut off.”

33 444 Jesus Daniel 1. Restoration 2. Rejection 605 539 519 395
Doing the Math… (see Daniel 12:11; Rev. 11:3; 12:6) Jesus Daniel Artaxerxess 7 62 605 539 519 444 395 33 Jewish Calendar 69 x 7 x 360 477 modern years Using the 360 day Jewish calendar and counting from the decree of Artaxerxes in 444, Daniel’s prophecy leads precisely to AD 33 and the execution of Jesus by Pontius Pilate. One scholar actually demonstrated that the prophecy works out to the very day of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Destruction of Jerusalem
2. Rejection 3. Destruction 4. Devastation Destruction of Jerusalem Daniel Artaxerxess Jesus 7 62 605 539 444 395 33 70 “The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” Daniel 9:26 Jesus echoed this quote from Daniel 9:26 when he described the “Birth pains” that would precede the arrival of the Day of the Lord – the destruction caused by war and the devastation of natural disasters (Matt. 24:6-8). Jesus also picked up on the “flood” comparison saying, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away” (Matt. 24:37-39) As the persecution under Antiochus IV ( BC) provided an initial fulfillment of this “pattern of expectation” so the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was another fulfillment, confirming the accuracy of Biblical prophecy and giving a preview of what the ultimate fulfillment will look like in The End.

Antiochus IV (Epiphanes)
4. Devastation 5. Deception 6. Desecration Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) Anti-Christ Christ 1 7 62 ? 444 395 33 1000 2000 “The ruler who will come… will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering… and he will set up an abomination...” Daniel 9:27 Like Hitler and other ruthless dictators throughout history, Antiochus IV embodied the spirit of antichrist in his opposition to the people of God. Along with the destruction and devastation that will mark the time of the end and the immediate approach of the Great Tribulation we should expect a significant increase in deception and desecration: and specifically, a massive, systematic persecution of Jews or Christians or both. The rage of Antiochus IV killed tens of thousands of Jews over roughly three years in 167 BC and ended with the revolt of the Maccabees. The insane fury of Hitler cost the lives of 6 million Jews and millions of other minorities. Yet even these horrific genocides will pale in comparison to the deceptive power and malicious “victory” of the antichrist when he finally arises.

? 4. Devastation 5. Deception 6. Desecration “Peace” Tribulation
3.5 years 3.5 years ? “The ruler who will come… will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering… and he will set up an abomination...” Daniel 9:27 It seems clear from Daniel and Revelation that the Tribulation will be a seven year period of time (assuming literal, calendar years) divided in the middle by a great betrayal and violation of a covenant with the Jews / Christians. This time of “peace” will almost certainly be marked by decreasing freedom for and increasing persecution of the people of God – leading up to the full unveiling of the Antichrist, along with the false prophet, who will defile God’s sanctuary (or His people, if the sanctuary is symbolic) and demand worship and allegiance through some kind of mark (whether a physical mark on the body or ID card people carry…).

? 5. Deception 6. Desecration 7. Domination
“But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet… the two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” Revelation 19:20 “Peace” Tribulation 3.5 years 3.5 years ? “He will set up an abomination that causes desolation until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Daniel 9:27 The central message of Daniel’s whole book is that God alone is the One True King. As Nebuchadnezzar, the Great King of Babylon, learned the hard way, “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he chooses” (Dan. 4:17,25). Though the “ruler to come” is seen as ruthless, conniving and powerful, his ultimate doom is absolutely certain – his end is decreed by The King and it will be “poured out on him” like a bowl full of flaming coals and molten lava. Revelation 19 describes how the story of the Antichrist and False Prophet ends – with their fiery condemnation and eternal torment. (Satan’s doom awaits the final battle and judgment after the Millennium.)

Understanding God’s Purposes Helps us to Trust in His Plans
Understanding is the result of prayer (9:20-23) God’s Purposes Presented: (9:24) Salvation: “end sin, bring righteousness” Revelation: “seal prophecy, anoint Holy One” God’s Plans Outlined: (9:25-27) Restoration; 2. Rejection; 3. Destruction; 4. Devastation; 5. Deception; 6. Desecration 7. Domination Daniel 9 may be one of the most helpful passages for understanding God’s purposes and plans for the End of the World. His desire, right up to the final judgment of every man, woman and child, is to bring salvation through the revelation of His Son. Understanding these purposes helps us to trust in His plans – even though the path to God’s final victory and vindication appears to pass through terrible suffering, loss and martyrdom. This plan should not surprise us, since it was the same solution God provided for our sins: the rejection, suffering and death of His Son that produced his victory, our salvation and the exaltation of God’s name. In the same way the faithful people of God who are killed for their faith, “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Rev. 12:11)

“Peace” Tribulation 3.5 years 3.5 years
“He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.” Daniel 7:25 “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed… From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” Daniel 12:7,11-12 The seven year time frame for the Tribulation from Daniel 9 and supported by Daniel 7:25’s “time, times and half a time,” would not necessarily lead us to expect a literal 7 year period of time. But the closing words of Daniel 12 add two additional time markers: 1290 and 1335 days. Interestingly, these are longer than the comparable time markers in Rev. 11:3 and 12:6, which provide the more round 1260 days (3.5 years of 360 days each) along with the equivalent 42 months. All of this together makes it likely that the 7 year time frame, divided in half, will be a literal, measurable time.

“Peace” Tribulation 3.5 years 3.5 years
“It will be for a time, times and half a time… there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” Daniel 12:7,11-12 “They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3 “No one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22 As the Great Tribulation unfolds in the closing 3.5 years of Daniel’s final week of history, God’s wrath will be poured out – not on a portion of the land, sea and air, but on everything. Were this process to completely run its course, there would be no survivors. But, Jesus said, “for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (Matt 24:22). This is probably Jesus’ explanation of the “time, times and half a time” of Daniel’s prophecy – explaining that those years will feel like long, seemingly unending “times” but in the end, they will be cut short at the sovereign decree of God who will say, “It is done!” (Rev. 16:17)

3. The Rapture

The Pre-Millennial View:
New Heaven & New Earth Return Of Christ Rapture of the Church(?) Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium Deception Devastation Declaration Satan bound Jesus reigns Martyrs rule Having established the purpose and probably time frame of the Tribulation, the primary question surrounding this “dark and terrible Day of the Lord” is whether Christians will have to go through it or not. AntiChrist Revealed Armageddon Peace Treaty

3 Views on the Rapture New Heaven & New Earth Pre-Trib. Rapture
Mid-Trib. Rapture Post-Trib. Rapture Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium Deception Devastation Declaration Satan bound Jesus reigns Martyrs rule There are two primary views on this: those that believe Christians will be “raptured,” or caught up into heaven, with Jesus (the Pre-Tribulation view), and others who think believers will go through the tribulation (the Post-Tribulation view). There are moderating views in between, such as a Mid-Tribulation rapture when the antichrist is fully revealed and a Pre-Wrath rapture before either the Trumpets or Bowls are poured out. But most of the arguments for those views are drawn from either the Pre or Post-Trib camps, so we will focus our discussion on those two positions. AntiChrist Revealed Armageddon Peace Treaty

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture
New Heaven & New Earth Secret Coming of Christ FOR the Church Return of Christ WITH the Church Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3 Those who hold to a Pre-Trib view of the rapture see a clear distinction between the coming of Christ for the church in John 14 and 1 Thess. 4 and the coming of Christ with the church in Matthew 24 and Revelation 19. The former passages convey deep reassurance and comfort while the latter texts strike more of a tone of threat and judgment.

New Heaven & New Earth Secret Coming of Christ FOR the Church Return of Christ WITH the Church Final Judgment War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Thessalonians 4:15-17 The word “rapture” comes from this passage in 1 Thess. 4. Translated in the NIV as “caught up,” it means to “snatch away” or “seize” and can have a violent connotation – though here it clearly communicates suddenness rather than violence.

Arguments for a Pre-Trib. Rapture
Imminence – “So you also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matt. 24:44) Protection From Wrath– “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord…” (1 Thes. 5:9); “I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” (Rev. 3:10) Promises to Israel – “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved.” (Rom. 11:25-26) “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” (Revelation 7:4) Mark Hitchcock presents seven reasons to support the Pre-Trib view: (101 Answers to Questions about the End Times p. 96) P – Place of the church in Revelation (not after ch. 3) R – Removal of the restrainer = the Holy Spirit; how could the church / believers function without Him? E – Exemption from Divine Wrath T – Twenty-four elders – represent the fullness of the church R – Rapture as distinguished from the “revealing” or return of Christ I – Imminence – Jesus’ coming “like a thief” B – Blessed Hope – enduring the tribulation would not provide much comfort…

Classical Dispensationalism Secret Coming of Christ FOR the Church Return of Christ WITH the Church The Millennium Israel The Church Israel “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:25-26 7 yr. Tribulation Promises to Israel Fulfilled Most people who hold to Pre-Trib view of the rapture ascribe to a school of theology called Classical Dispensationalism. This view was initially founded by John Darby in the 1830s and spread through the Brethren movement and the Scofield Reference Bible in the early 1900s. It grew rapidly among fundamentalists because of its literal approach to Scripture, somewhat in response to the liberal movement that was following a symbolic approach to get around some of the historically core doctrines of Christianity. Dispensationalism itself has been developed and refined, but its primary feature is a clear distinction between Israel and the Church. To oversimplify, the promises God made to Abraham, Moses, David and others about the ethnic nation of Israel must be (at least primarily) applied to ethnic Israel. Unlike Covenant theologians, they do not see everything fulfilled in Jesus and the church (though, to be fair, neither do all Covenant theologians). According to Dispensational thought, the present church age is a temporary “parenthesis” in the unfolding plan of God, brought on by the persistent rebellion and disbelief of the Jews, who ultimately rejected Jesus Himself. Expounded by Paul in Romans 9-11, the church age is intended to foster jealousy in the Jews and eventually result in the salvation of “all Israel.” This results in the expectation of a great revival among ethnic Jews during the Great Tribulation. The Rapture of the church is God’s way of removing Gentile Christians from the picture so He can resume His primary story line with the Jews. Israel Refined and Revived.

The Post-Tribulation Rapture The Church: The New People of God
Historic Pre-Millennialism Return of Christ The Church: The New People of God The Millennium Israel 7 yr. Tribulation “I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them…” Matthew 5:17 “Everything had to be fulfilled that was written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets.” Luke 24:44 The Church Revived & Refined, The World Condemned Promises to Israel and the Church Fulfilled In contrast to the Pre-Trib view, Post-Tribulation thinkers see much greater unity between the covenants – as in the fulfillment passages quoted from Matt. 5 and Luke 24. Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness presents him as successful where Israel failed. And the reconstitution of the 12 apostles in Acts 1 is the establishment of a “New People of God” in the church. As such, the church age is not a “parenthesis” in God’s plan, it is the fulfillment of God’s plan. So He will not resume his storyline with ethnic Jews by setting aside the advance of the church, but will revive Israel and enfold ethnic Jews into the only haven for salvation: the church! Post-Trib advocates agree that God will fulfill certain OT prophecies to Israel regarding restoration to the land and a king to rule on the throne of David during the Millennium – but they do not see this as a basis to believe in the removal of the church through a “secret rapture.”

The Rapture / 2nd Coming Matthew 24 1 Thess. 4 Revelation 19
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather his elect.” 1 Thess. 4 “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God… and we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Revelation 19 “I saw… a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war… The armies of heaven were following him… He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Most Post-Tribulation teachers hold to their view because it seems to be the most straightforward way to interpret the key passages on the return of Christ. Notice the many parallels in the three passages above. All of these descriptions appear to be loud, globally visible theophanies (revelations of God). It is hard to imagine that Paul could have remotely expected the church in Thessalonica to decipher a “secret rapture” in the teachings of ch. 4. In fact, 1 Thess. 5 and 2 Thess. 2 provide some of the clearest teachings that seem to indicate Christians will have to be aware of and deal with the “man of lawlessness,” which would not have been relevant if they would simply be “snatched away.”

Arguments for a Post-Trib. Rapture
Awareness – “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” ( 1 Thess. 5:4); “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matt. 24:33) Perseverance – “In this world you will have trouble [tribulation] but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “He who overcomes will… be dressed in white… a pillar in the temple of my God… sit with me on my throne…” (Rev. 3:5,12,21) Victory through Tribulation – “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” (Rev. 6:9); “They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) In response to the Imminence teaching of the Pre-Trib view, the Post-Trib school quotes Jesus’ reference to the fig tree and Paul’s teachings in 1 Thess. 5. It is not Jesus’ coming itself that could happen at any moment, but the arrival of this sequence of End Times events. Whereas Post-Tribbers affirm that Christians are not “appointed to suffer wrath but to receive salvation,” they understand this teaching and others (e.g. Rom 8:1) related to salvation from God’s condemning verdict in judgment, not from the various trials of the End Times. They point to the many teachings in Scripture that call God’s people to endure and persevere through many trials. In fact, it is this very perseverance and steadfastness even in the face of persecution and widespread martyrdom that will most powerfully demonstrate God’s glorious victory. The way we win is by losing. (Rev. 3:10 can grammatically be translated, “I will preserve you through the hour of trial...” instead of “keep you from.” The Greek is tereo ek – it’s most natural reading would be “keep you from” but the preposition “ek” is far more flexible than our English “from.”)

4. The Judgment

3 Views on the Judgment Judgment of Believers Judgment Of Gentiles
Final Judgment New Heaven & New Earth War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matthew 25:31-33 The question of how people will be judged by God is closely related to question of the millennium and second coming of Christ. There are basically three views of the judgment that follow the three primary views of the Millennium and rapture: A-Mill.: there will be one final judgment of everyone – the righteous and the wicked – when Jesus returns and creates a new heaven & earth; Pre-Mil, Post-Trib.: there will be two judgments: one of believers at the 2nd Coming and “first resurrection” that precedes the Millenmium and one of non-believers at the end of the Millennium when the rest of the dead are raised. Pre-Mil, Pre-Trib.: there will be three judgments: one of believers at the rapture; one of Gentiles after the Tribulation to determine who will enter the Millennial kingdom; and one of the wicked after the Millennium.

The A-Millennial View:
Return Of Christ New Heaven & New Earth The Millennium "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev 20:11-12 Final Judgment Following the symbolic understanding of the Millennium and Tribulation of the A-Millennial school of thought, we are only awaiting the return of Christ to judge the living and the dead. So this is the simplest approach to final judgment- seeing that everyone will stand before Jesus when he returns to separate the wheat from the weeds (Matt. 13:40-43) the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31-46).

Pre-Mill, Pre-Trib View Judgment of Wicked Dead
Judgment of Believers Judgment Of Gentiles Judgment of Wicked Dead New Heaven & New Earth War & Wrath Increasing “Birth Pains” 7 yr. Tribulation The Millennium “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 For those who expect the Rapture of believers before the Tribulation, our appearance before Jesus and the judgment of our works will take place separate from the other judgments and will have some bearing on our “rewards” but not on our salvation: “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Cor. 3:12-15 Another judgment will follow when Christ returns “with” the church after the Tribulation – to determine who is worthy to enter the Millennial kingdom (Matt. 25:31-46) based on their treatment of the saints during the Tribulation. Thus, the sheep – those who are saved because their works have proven the authenticity of their faith in Christ –will be separated from the goats – those who are condemned because their works failed to prove their faith. Still a third judgment will take place specific for the Jews: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. 34 I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. 35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. 36 As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 37 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezek. 20:33-38 This passage explains much of the purpose for the Tribulation and the Millennium from a Dispensational perspective: God is re-gathering, renewing and refining His people in order to restore them fully to the land and fulfill every promise he made to the nation of Israel. Then a final judgment will take place after the Millennium and the final battle when Satan is released. “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:11-15

The Nature of “Rewards.”
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Jesus often spoke of “storing up treasure in heavens,” rather than on earth (Matt. 6:19-20; 19:21). He was contrasting the short-lived results of living for earthly comforts or praise from men, saying that those who pray to be seen by men will receive their fleeting reward on earth – while those who pray in secret will be rewarded by the Father (Matt. 6:4). There are two views on the rewards Jesus was referring to. Some believe there will be some kind of concrete, literal advantage for those who serve most faithfully and sacrifice the most during their lives on earth – possibly in the form of “jewels in a crown” as pictured in Revelation 4:10; or in the form of greater responsibility in the Millennium, the New Creation or both, following Rev. 20:1-10 and Jesus’ teachings about the “last being first” and the “greatest in the kingdom,” (Matt. 18:4, etc.). The other view is that the “reward” is simply salvation itself and the blessing of a relationship with God. Those who hold to this view object to the pursuit of heavenly accolades based on some kind of point system that might make Christians into spiritual mercenaries, serving with the selfish agenda of “improving their eternity.” C.S. Lewis provided a possible middle ground between these views, suggesting that the character we develop in our lives now will affect the degree to which we are able to fully experience and enjoy the presence of God in heaven. Those that grow closer to the Lord through devotion and ministry now will have a greater capacity for the spiritual glories of eternity. As with other prophecies it seems that God does not want us to fully understand but He does want us to be faithful. There is a healthy fear of standing before our master and giving an account for how we have used the “talents” and time He has given us (Matt. 25:14-30). Yet this must be held alongside the blessed assurance we have that Jesus is our defense attorney – our advocate before the Father. He is both judge and legal counsel. And for those he represents, there is no fear of condemnation (Rom. 8:1), for He has paid the price fully for us. Rather there is a passionate desire to give our Lord the unhindered devotion and obedience he deserves for the infinite price he paid on our behalf.

5. The New Creation

The New Heaven & Earth Revelation 21:1-4
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4

What WON’T Be in the New Creation
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away… But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:1,4,8 There will NOT be: Natural Evil – the choas and disorder of our fallen world, symbolized by the sea, will be no more. So there will be no more death, illness, suffering, sadness and pain. Institutional Evil – the spiritual rulers and authorities will be permanently consigned to suffering and destruction, bound in the lake of fire for eternity. Likewise, the wicked people who carried out the will of the enemy will be punished and bound in outer darkness. Personal Evil – finally, all sin and rebellion will be removed forever, consumed by the justice and holiness of our God, who is a consuming fire. The time for repentance and forgiveness of sins is NOW – “today is the day of salvation,” but the time soon approaches of the “Day of Vengeance of our God.” (Luke 4:15-21; citing Isaiah 61:1-2).

What WILL Be in the New Creation
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God…He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son… I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.” Revelation 21:1,3,6-7,22-24 There WILL be: The Presence of God – the primary feature of the New creation will be the full revelation of God in His glory, and unlimited access to His presence. Night will be abolished because God’s light will permanently shine. As Adam and Eve walked with the Lord, naked and unashamed, so God’s people will again be restored to perfect relationship with Him! The Peace of God – the imagery of Revelation, the details of the city of Jerusalem, the tree of life blooming in season, the prophecies of animals living together in harmony – all of this visually presents the Shalom of God, the wholeness and fullness of God’s original design for the world He made. The People of God – the crown of God’s creation was humankind, made in His image. With the problem of sin finally and completely removed, the children of God will finally be able to meet the potential for which they were made. We are not meant to know what God has for us to do for all of eternity (and the main thing will simply be to enjoy the glorious presence of God), but it is safe to assume that our infinitely creative God has limitless plans and surprises in store – so that people can work, grow, fellowship with him and each other; delighting forever in the everlasting interchange of glory and love among the Triune Godhead and overflowing upon His children.

An Overview of Revelation

Revelation 1:1-3 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” What follows are notes on my sermon on Sept. 2, 2012 –The Wrath of God – a summary of Revelation leading up to a brief exposition of Rev. 16:

Revelation 1:5,7 “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth… Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.”

Revelation 5:5,13 “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power.’ ”

Matthew 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

“All these are the beginnings of birth pains.” (Matt. 24:8)
“The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain… He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.” Revelation 5:5-7 (ALL) 7 Bowls 1/3 7 Trumpets Earth – sores on all people w/ mark of the beast (Deut. 28:15,22,27,35) Sea – All turned to blood, all creatures die (Ex. 7:19-21) Rivers & Springs – All turned to blood Sun – scorches people w/ fire (Matt. 25:41; Jude 7; Is. 66:24) 7 Seals 1/4 Earth – Hail, fire, blood – 1/3 trees, grass Sea – Fiery mountain turns 1/3 sea to blood killing 1/3 sea creatures & ships Rivers & Springs – 1/3 bitter, many die 1/3 Sun, 1/3 moon, 1/3 stars darkened (Joel 2:10-13) 7 Trumpets White horse – Antichrist – conquest – “False Christs and false prophets will appear… to deceive” (Matt. 24:24) Red horse – War – sword to slay – “Nation will rise v. nation” (Matt. 24:7) Black horse – Famine – scales, inflation “There will be famines” (Matt. 24:7) Pale horse – Disease – ¼ of people die Darkness – on kingdom of beast; people in agony (Matt. 25:30) Euphrates dries up, frog-demons gather armies for Armageddon Air – “It is done.” Great earthquake divides city; mountains and islands removed; 100 lb. hail (Jn. 19:30) 1st WOE: 5. Abyss – Locust-demons torture all people without God’s seal 5 months 2nd WOE: 6. Army– 200 million mounted (demonic) troops kill 1/3 mankind 3rd WOE: 7. Temple – heaven opened, voices: “the kingdom of Christ has come.” Martyrs cry, “How long?” – “You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death” (Matt. 24:9) Earthquake, sun, moon & stars removed – “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” (Matt. 24:29) Silence – 30 minutes; incense rises; censer thrown on earth “The end will come like a flood: war will continue to the end and desolations have been decreed.” (Daniel 9:26; 11:10,40; Hos. 5:10; Matt. 7:24) “Then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now.” (Matt. 24:21) “All these are the beginnings of birth pains.” (Matt. 24:8)

One artist’s rendition of the four horsemen of the apocalypse

The 7 Seals White horse – The Antichrist – “A conqueror
bent on conquest.” (6:2) Red horse – War – a sword “to make men slay each other.” (6:4) Black horse – Famine – “a quart of wheat for a day’s wages” (6:6) Pale horse – Plague – “power over ¼ of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague.” (6:8)

The 7 Seals “Birth Pains” Increasing: Deception Devastation
Persecution Declaration Matthew 24 White horse – The Antichrist Red horse – War Black horse – Famine Pale horse – Plague Martyr’s cry – “How Long?” Earthquake, etc.

Mark of the Beast 144,000 Sealed
“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor… to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark…” Revelation 13:16-17 “ ‘…Until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” Revelation 7:3-4

The 7 Seals The 7 Trumpets The Antichrist War Famine Plague – ¼
Martyr’s cry Earthquake, etc. Silence Earth – 1/3 trees… Sea – 1/3 dies Rivers – 1/3 bitter Sun – 1/3 dark Abyss – Torture Army – 1/3 Death Announcement

Revelation 9:20 “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols…”

Revelation 9:20 “I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth… If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.”

Revelation 11:13 “7,000 people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

The 7 Trumpets Earth – 1/3 trees… Sea – 1/3 dies Rivers – 1/3 bitter Sun – 1/3 dark Abyss – Torture Army – 1/3 Death Announcement “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

The Trinity The False Trinity Devil Father False Prophet Antichrist
Holy Spirit Antichrist Son “And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea… The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.” Revelation 13:1,3

3 Angelic Announcements
“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7

3 Angelic Announcements
“He will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day and night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:10-11

Revelation 14:19-20 “The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.”

The 7 Bowls The 7 Trumpets Earth – All people Sea – All die
Earth – 1/3 trees… Sea – 1/3 dies Rivers – 1/3 bitter Sun – 1/3 dark Abyss – Torture Army – 1/3 Death Announcement Earth – All people Sea – All die Rivers – All blood Sun – All scorched Darkness Armageddon “It is done.”

God’s Wrath Demonstrates His:
Sovereignty (16:1-4) “And they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues…” (v. 9)

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) “You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.’ And I heard the altar respond: ‘Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) Mercy (16:8-11) “They cursed the name of God…but they refused to repent and glorify him… Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven… but they refused to repent of what they had done.” Revelation 16:9,11

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) Mercy (16:8-11) “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (16:15)

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) Mercy (16:8-11) Holiness (16:12-16) “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) Mercy (16:8-11) Holiness (16:12-16) Power (16:17-18) “Out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘It is done!’ ” Revelation 16:17 “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Sovereignty (16:1-4) Justice (16:5-7) Mercy (16:8-11) Holiness (16:12-16) Power (16:17-18) Faithfulness (16:19-21) “God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.” Revelation 16:19 “Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms… will be overthrown by God.” Isaiah 13:19

God’s Wrath is: Necessary, not Optional 2. Real, not Symbolic
3. Imminent, not Distant 4. Eternal, not Temporary

The Signs of The Times

An Increase in Deception
What to Expect… An Increase in Deception Jewish Messiah Claimants: Simon of Peraea – 4 BC Athronges – 3 AD Menahem ben Judah – 1st C. “Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers dispersed, and it all came to nothing.” Acts 5:36 These are notes on my sermon that introduced the series, What to Expect When the World is Ending on August 26, 2012, which expounded the beginning of Matthew 24. Basically, Jesus said to look for “birth pains” that would increase in frequency and intensity as the Day of the Lord approaches: an increase in deception and false teaching; an increase in destruction – wars, disasters and especially persecution of Christians; and an increase in the declaration of the gospel

What to Expect… An Increase in Deception Jewish Messiah Claimants: Simon bar Kokhba – 135 AD Moses of Crete – 470 AD David Alroy – 1160 AD Moses Botarel – 1413 AD Sabbatai Zevi – 1676 AD Jacob Joseph Frank – 1791 AD Menachem Mendel Schneerson – 1994 AD

What to Expect… An Increase in Deception Christian Messiah Claimants: Simon Magus – 1st C. Tanchelm of Antwerp – 1110 AD Ann Lee – 1784 AD – the “Shakers” Bernhard Muller – 1834 AD Baha’u’llah – 1864 AD Ahn Sahng-hong – 1985 AD Jung Myung Seok – present

Growth of World Religions
3.65% Baha’i 2.65% Zoroastrianism 1.84% Islam 2.74% Islam 2.28% Baha’i 1.7% Baha’i 2.34% Hinduism 2.13% Islam 1.62% Sikhism 1.67% Buddhism 1.87% Sikhism 1.57% Hinduism 1.64% Christianity 1.69% Hinduism 1.32% Christianity 1.09% Judaism 1.36% Christianity 1.09% Buddhism 2008 World Christian Encyclopedia – World Pop. Growth = 1.41%

“Fastest Growing” Deists grew at a rate of 717% from but only totaled 49,000 people Wicca grew at 143%/year from , from 8,000 – 134,000 people and now totals an estimated 1 million worldwide The “LDS Church” (Mormons) grew at nearly 5% from and continued at 2.5% annually from but still total less than 14 Million worldwide

“Fastest Growing” Deists 717% 49,000 Wicca 143% 1,000,000
Mormons 2.5% 13,600,000 Islam % ,000,000 (1990) ,600,000,000 (2010)

“Fastest Growing” Deists 717% 49,000 (2001)
Wicca % 1,000, (2010) Mormons 2.5% 13,600,000 (2010) Islam % ,000,000 (1990) ,600,000,000 (2010) Christianity 1.36% 1,700,000,000 (1990) 2,100,000,000 (2010)

The Spread of Christianity
1910 – ,000,000 / 1,800,000,000 = 35% 66% Europe 27% the Americas 2010 – 2,100,000,000 / 6,900,000,000 = 32% 37% the Americas 26% Europe 24% Sub-Saharan Africa 13% Asia / Pacific

An Increase in Devastation
What to Expect… An Increase in Devastation 20th C. Deaths from war and conflict: 231,000,000 Natural disasters in the ‘80s – 120/year Natural disasters in the ‘00s – 500/year (NaturalNews.com – 400% increase)

What to Expect… An Increase in Devastation The Denver Post – September 3, 2011 “Unprecedented triple-digit heat and devastating drought. Deadly tornadoes leveling towns. Massive rivers overflowing. A billion-dollar blizzard. And now, unusual hurricane-caused flooding in Vermont. If what's falling from the sky isn't enough, the ground shook in places that normally seem stable: Colorado and the entire East Coast. On Friday, a strong quake triggered brief tsunami warnings in Alaska. Arizona and New Mexico have broken records for wildfires. “Total weather losses top $35 billion, and that's not counting Hurricane Irene, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. There have been more than 700 U.S. disaster and weather deaths, most from the tornado outbreaks this spring. Last year, the world seemed to go wild with natural disasters in the deadliest year in a generation. But 2010 was bad globally, and the United States mostly was spared. “This year, while there have been devastating events elsewhere, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Australia's flooding and a drought in Africa, it's our turn to get smacked. Repeatedly… “The insurance company Munich Re calculated that in the first six months of the year there have been 98 natural disasters in the United States, about double the average of the 1990s... Add to that, oppressive and unrelenting heat. Tens of thousands of daily weather records have been broken or tied and nearly 1,000 all-time records set, with most of them heat or rain related.” Read more:Natural disasters in U.S. have been extreme this year - The Denver Posthttp://

What to Expect… An Increase in Devastation “Then you will be handed over to persecution and to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Matthew 24:9 “Then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now…” Matthew 24:21 “Immediately after the distress of those days…” Matthew 24:29

What to Expect… An Increase in Devastation “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints… The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.” Daniel 7:25 “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” Daniel 12:7

What to Expect… An Increase in Devastation More Christians were killed in the 20th Century than the 1,900 years before combined. 75 / 100 religion based killings are Christians 100,000,000 Christians are currently being persecuted in more than 45 countries Persecution.com and UCG.org

An Increase in Declaration
What to Expect… An Increase in Declaration 6,900 Unreached People Groups 3,000,000,000 Unreached People (Definition: less than 2% Evangelical) 86% live in the 10/40 Window only 2.4% of missionaries go there The Joshua Project

An Increase in Declaration
What to Expect… An Increase in Declaration World Population: World A – 1.6 B (28%) World B – 2.4 B (40%) World C – 2.0 B (32%) Missionaries: World A – 10, (2.4%) World B – 103, (24.5%) World C – 306, (73.1%) Global Frontier Missions: State of the World 2011

Of 6,800 Languages Wycliffe.org

Bible Translation Progress
5% of the world has no Scripture – 350,000,000 people

Unreached, Unengaged People Groups
Dr. Alex Abraham

What to Expect When the World is Ending:
Increasing… Deception (Distraction) Devastation (Persecution) Declaration (Demonstration) Therefore, Stay Alert Stand Firm Serve Faithfully

World Religions

What to Expect… When the World is Ending

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