Overview of the Main People and Events in the End Times
I. WHY STUDY THE END TIMES: INTRODUCTORY PREMISES
A. We must study the Scriptures on the end times because it is the most dramatic generation in human history with two
great extremes. Before Jesus returns, the nations will witness the greatest revival and the most severe pressures (God’s
judgments, Satan’s rage, man’s sin) in history.
B. We must study the Scriptures on the end times because they reveals Jesus’ heart and leadership. The four
Gospels (totaling 89 chapters) give us a record of Jesus' heart and power at His first coming when He accomplished
redemption. In a similar way, the end of the age (over 150 chapters) reveals Jesus’ heart and power as He takes over the
leadership of the whole earth. The Gospels and the end-time Scriptures reveal the same Jesus and the same power of
the Holy Spirit in the same Bible.
C. We must study the end times because it is the one generation that God has chosen to announce with prophetic
signs that increase in intensity as we get closer to Jesus’ return. These prophetic signs include supernatural signs in the
heaven, trends in society, and political, military, religious, scientific, technological, and economic developments. God calls
it wisdom to understand (Rev. 13:18, 17:9) because this not mere curiosity but it is an issue of life and death.
1. The Scripture requires those in the generation the Lord returns to know it and prepare accordingly. Jesus and
Paul emphasized the know-ability of the prophetic signs of the end times (Mt. 24:32-34; Lk. 21:25-29; 1 Thes. 5:1-6;
2 Thes. 2:1-11)
2. God promised to give prophetic signs in the generation that the Lord returns as an expression of His mercy, so
people can make heart preparations for what is coming.
For days will come…when your enemies will…44 level you, and your children to the ground…because you did not know
the time of your visitation. (Lk. 19:43-44)
3. These prophetic signs serve the Church like a weather station that signals trouble before it comes so people can
prepare and save lives. The example of the Southeast Asia Tsunami caused by the Sumatra earthquake on Dec. 26,
2004 illustrates this. Jesus rebuked Israel for being unable to read the prophetic signs at Jesus’ first coming (Mt. 16:3).
Jesus taught that Israel came under judgment for being unresponsive to God because they did not know the time of their
visitation from God.
D. Studying information about the end times is one of the keys to preparedness for it. It is important to study the end
times because it prepares the Church to be victorious. It provides the Church a compass in the storm. We gain
confidence in God’s sovereignty and the certainty of victory.
E. The prepared Church alone will have the answer to keep multitudes from being offended at God in the end times.
We will be able to answer the question of why a God of love would allow and even orchestrate the events in the Great
Tribulation. The Church also must know how to live in a way that avoids or minimizes this judgment. The purpose of God's
judgments is to remove all (false props) that hinders love so that multitudes would be saved and grow mature in love.
F. A common misperception is that most generations believed they were in the end times. It is true that a very small
group (probably less than 1%) of every generation thought they were at the end. Only twice has there been a universal
sense that it was the time of the end, in the generation of the early apostles and this one (over 50 million books in the Left
Behind series have been sold).
G. I do not believe the view that the Church will be raptured at any minute and therefore, will miss the coming revival
and crisis in the Great Tribulation. We honor the genuineness and godliness of many who hold this view, but we see it as
a mistake that will leave multitudes unprepared.
H. I do not ask anyone to quickly accept my views. Rather, I urge you to challenge them fiercely and boldly as you
refuse any idea that you cannot clearly see in Scripture for yourself. The old saying, “Be a Berean” is an appropriate one
as we study Jesus’ leadership in the end times. The Bereans searched the Scriptures to see if the things that Paul said
were so (Acts 17:10-11). I urge you to take time for the small group discussions. The learning process is greatly
enhanced by wrestling with the various ideas in dialogue with others who are hungry for truth.
I. Summary: Why study the end times? It prepares the Church to be victorious in love with power during the most
dramatic time in history. It prepares the Church to participate in the coming revival. It prepares the Church to rightly
interpret the crisis instead of being offended at God by it. It awakens the Church to urgency in intercession in knowing
their prayers can minimize evil and increase victory in specific regions (Joel 2:13-14; Zeph. 2:3). It strengthens our
confidence in God’s sovereignty by knowing that He is in control and is never surprised.
II. DAY OF THE LORD: THE 2 EXTREMES RELATED TO JESUS RETURNS
11 For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11)
5 I will send you Elijah…before…the great and dreadful day of the LORD. (Mal. 4:5)
A. The great Day of the Lord refers to the unusual events (positive and negative) that will escalate in the final 3½
years before Jesus returns. It is one of the prominent themes in the Scripture (mentioned nearly 100 times). It is “His Day”
because it is a unique time frame in which Jesus acts in the earthly arena in great power for His people and against His
enemies. He openly shows Himself as the warrior King who aggressively confronts sin. (Is. 2:10-22; 4:1-6; 11:1-15; 13:
6-9; Ezek. 13:5; Joel 1-3; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph l:7, 12, 14-18, 20; Zech. 14:1-4; Mal. 4:5; 1 Thes. 5:2-3; 2 Thes. 2:2-3;
2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 6:17).
B. Great Day: Those who call on Jesus’ name will participate in the greatest revival in history (Joel 2:28-32).
C. Terrible Day: Those persisting in rebellion will experience the most severe judgments in history. Jesus’ judgments
will shake all that can be shaken on earth (Hag. 2:6-8; Heb. 12:26).
D. The prophets asked, “Who can endure the Day of the Lord events?” In other words, who can experience God’s
favor, deliverance and power in this unique time frame. This will be the most relevant question that must be answered by
all as the best and worst time for the Church and all nations (including the USA and Israel) are soon to come.
III. GREAT DAY OF THE LORD: POSITIVE TRENDS
A. Greatest revival: The Church will be victorious and full of God’s glory (Eph. 4:13; 5:26-27; Mt. 16:18; Jn. 17:21-26;
Acts 2:17-21; Rev. 7:9; 12:11; 15:2; 19:7-8; 22:17). It will include miracles that were seen in the Book of Acts and the
Book of Exodus combined and multiplied on a global scale.
B. Great Harvest of souls: There may be over 1 billion souls (Mt. 24:14; Rev. 5:9; 14:6).
9 A multitude...no one could number of all nations...out of the Tribulation... (Rev. 7:9, 14)
C. Salvation of Israel: Will occur as the Church provokes Israel to jealousy by standing with her in affliction and
operating in the power of God (Rom. 11:12-15, 25-26)
D. Bridal revelation: The Church will see Jesus as the Bridegroom God (Rev. 22:17).
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" (Rev. 22:17)
E. Worship and prayer movement: Will operate in great authority (Lk. 18:7-8; Mt. 21:13; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-5; 22:17;
Isa. 62:6-7; 25:9; 27:2-5, 13; 30:18-19; 42:10-13; Joel 2:12-17).
F. Spirit of prophecy: Will operate in the Church and rest on every believer (Acts 2:17; Jer. 31:9; 23:20;
Dan. 11:33-35; Isa. 26:9; Rev. 11:3-6; 18:20; Mt. 17:11; Mal. 4:6)
17 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17)
G. Supernatural direction: By a great outpouring of prophetic revelation (Jer. 31:9; Joel 2:28) as the Lord directs
His people to safety, to provision, to reconnect in relationships, to be at the right place to escape earthquakes, bombs,
or the ambush of the enemy.
H. Supernatural provision: God will provide food and water and do great signs as He did in the Exodus. God provided
all the needs of His people as they journeyed in the wilderness. He caused food to fall from the sky and brought water
from a rock.
As in the days when you came out of...Egypt, I will show them wonders. (Mic. 7:15)
I. Supernatural protection: The “Goshen principle” refers to areas where God’s people are protected from God’s
judgment as seen in the time of the plagues of Egypt (Ex. 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 26; 10:23; 11:7). God did not allow His
judgments to touch Goshen, where His people lived. Israel’s livestock did not die (Ex. 9:4-6), they had no hail (Ex. 9:26),
no swarms of flies (Ex. 8:22), and they had light (Ex. 10:23).
22 I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there...23 I will make a
difference between My people and your people. (Ex. 8:22-23)
J. I refer to such geographic areas as pockets of mercy. The saints will be sealed by God (Rev. 7:2-3; 9:4;
Ezek. 9:4-6). God’s judgments can be minimized or averted in various regions by prayer and obedience. Our prayer
make a difference in our quality of life (Joel 2:13-14; Ps. 91:5-7). The disaster zone can become a revival center.
Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth…it may be that you will be hidden (protected) in the day of the LORD's anger
(judgments) (Zeph. 2:3).
I also withheld rain from you...I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and
where it did not rain the part withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water... (Amos 4:7-8)
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night…6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that
lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come
near you. (Ps. 91:5-7)
IV. THE PRIMARY POSITIVE PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE END TIMES
A. Rapture of the Church: Jesus will catch up all believers in the air (1 Thes. 4:13-17). The rapture will not be a
secret event, but a dramatic one witnessed by all (Mt. 24:29-31).
B. Jesus’ royal procession: Jesus will make a royal procession to His throne in Jerusalem, which will involve a 3 stage
process which will include many events.
1. First, His procession will be across the sky in great glory that will be seen by every eye as His kingship is
proclaimed with great authority over each nation.
7 He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him…and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
(Rev. 1:7)
2. Second, His procession will be on the land as He marches up through Jordan warring against the Antichrist’s
armies (Isa. 63:1-6, Hab. 3:12-13; Ps. 110:5-6; Rev. 19:15-19).
3. Third, He will make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem by way of the Mount of Olives to be crowned King of kings
(Ps. 24:7-10; Zech. 6:12; 14:3-5, 9).
4. I refer to these events as Jesus’ royal procession because He will come in great glory and flaming fire and
trumpets blasts with billions of angels and saints as He travels on clouds across the whole earth for all to see the
overwhelming power of His kingship (Mt. 16:27; 24:29-31; 25:31; 1 Thes. 3:13; 4:14-16; 2 Thes. 1:8).
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:10)
C. Jesus’ second coming: Jesus will return to Jerusalem to establish His millennial kingdom (1000-year reign on
earth) and is the primary end-time theme in the Scriptures (Rev. 20:1-6; Zech. 14; 1 Thes. 4-5; Matt. 24; Lk. 21; Mk. 13).
1. Jesus will rule as king on the earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4-6). This is commonly referred to as the millennial
kingdom of Christ. The term millennium is from the Latin mille (a thousand), and annus (a year).
They shall be priests of God….and shall reign with Him a 1,000 years. (Rev. 20:6)
2. Jesus will rule the world from Jerusalem in perfect righteousness and continual peace as He restores it to the
conditions of the Garden of Eden. His kingdom on earth will affect every sphere of life (political, economic, educational,
agricultural, family, media, arts, technology, environment, social institutions, etc; Rev. 20:1-6; Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16;
51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Ps. 2; 110; Mt. 6:10; 17:11; 19:28; 28:19; Acts 3:21).
Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD,
to Jerusalem. (Jer. 3:17)
3. Jesus will return to live on the earth. He will sit on a Throne as King and rule over all other kings (Rev. 19:15-16).
He will establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
D. Two Witnesses: Two prophets who will preach with great power for 3½ years during the Great Tribulation
(Rev. 11:3-6). They will do great miracles like Moses and Elijah did (Mal. 4:5).
E. 144,000 sealed Jewish believers: Are prophetic singers who will preach the gospel in power during the last
3½ years (Rev. 7:4-8; 14:1-5). They will be supernaturally sealed or protected by the power of God so that they can not
be harmed by them. Other believers (Gentiles) will also be supernaturally protected by God from harm (Rev 9:4; Ezek 9:6).
F. Marriage supper of the Lamb: Occurs in context to Jesus’ coming (Rev. 19:7-10). The first descent of the New
Jerusalem to earth also occurs at this time (Rev. 21:2, 9; 3:12).
V. VERY TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD: GREAT TRIBULATION
A. In the Great Tribulation, pressure will come from four sources. First, by the wrath of God on the rebellious
(7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls of wrath); Second, by the rage of Satan who will persecute the saints through the Antichrist’s
reign of terror; Third, by the actions of evil people against one another; and Fourth, by convulsions in nature
(earthquakes, storms, etc).
B. God’s judgment: Will be poured out on the Antichrist’s empire in 21 specific events (Rev. 6-19). The fullness of
God’s judgment (Rev. 14:7; 15:7) will be released in 7 seals (Rev. 6) 7 trumpets (Rev. 8-9) and 7 bowls of wrath (Rev. 16).
10 The wrath of God which is poured out full strength… (Rev. 14:10)
C. There will be two severe waves of death. The first wave will claim one fourth, of earth’s population. The second
wave will kill an additional one third of the earth. This will total 50% of the population (or 4 billion based on a possible
population of 8 billion people).
8 Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the
earth. (Rev. 6:8)
15 The four angels...were released to kill one-third of mankind. (Rev. 9:15)
D. Satan’s rage: Will be released against the nations (Rev. 12:12; Dan. 7:21, 25; Rev. 13). The fullness of Satan’s
rage will be vented on earth.
12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that
he has a short time. (Rev. 12:12)
VI. VERY TERRIBLE DAY: NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND EVENTS
A. Harlot Babylon: The emergence of the harlot Babylon as a one-world religion of tolerance (Rev. 17:1-6) will
seduce the nations and persecute the righteous. She will be a counterfeit justice movement that will feed the poor and be
deeply involved in humanitarian projects. It will inspire acts of compassion but for all the wrong reasons. It will unify the
world’s largest religions. It will prepare the nations to receive the Antichrist. It will be a religion of toleration without absolutes.
B. The voluntary Harlot Babylon religion will be replaced by a mandatory Antichrist religion.
First, people will voluntarily join the Harlot Babylon one-world religion of tolerance (Rev. 17). Second, all will be forced to
be Satan worshippers in the Antichrist religion (Rev. 13:4, 8, 15).
C. Antichrist: The final world leader, in this age, who wages war against God and persecutes His people
(Rev. 13:1-10). He will have a vast political, military, and economic alliance with a ten-nation confederation. He will have
the greatest political coalition, the largest army, the biggest religious network and the most money of any man in history.
He will use demonic miracles to deceive and will use economic oppression (Rev. 13:12-17).
D. The Antichrist will be the most evil and cruel man that ever lived. It will be impossible to negotiate with him for
mercy, because he will reason and behave like a wild beast. The Antichrist is called the “Beast” 36 times in the Book of
Revelation.
E. Antichrist’s 10-nation confederation: Will be a political, military and economic alliance of ten nations that will
provide him with the greatest power base of any leader in history
F. Head wound: The great catalytic event that thrusts the Antichrist into worldwide prominence will be a dramatic
head wound and apparent healing (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14). He will seemingly be killed and healed before all, causing them to
be overwhelmed with awe so as to worship him.
G. False Prophet: The Antichrist’s primary associate and the leader of a worldwide network that will be devoted to
causing all to worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:8, 11-18). The False Prophet’s plans to accomplish this will include giving
demonically empowered speeches that are confirmed by great miracles (Rev. 13:12-14), using the image of the Beast
(demonically empowered image) and using the mark of the Beast (global economic system).
H. Image of the Beast: Will be a statue (image or idol) that is demonically empowered so that it will seem to think, talk,
breathe, and make laws (Rev. 13:14-16). The main idol will be set up in the Jerusalem Temple and will be connected to
a global network of idols. The image will be a significant prophetic sign in the End-Times. John emphasized this image
ten times (Rev. 13:14, 15 [three times]; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4).
I. Mark of the Beast: will be a public mark on people’s right hand or forehead. It will be used to regularly identify the
people that promise to worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:16-17). It will be one’s personal access to the global economic
system. Those who refuse this mark will not be allowed to buy or sell the necessities of life. They will be viewed as
criminals of the state who are guilty of the death penalty. As a wedding ring is a symbol of one’s marriage covenant, so
this mark is the outward proof of one’s covenant to worship Satan and the Antichrist. No one will accidentally take this
mark.
J. Abomination of desolation: Will occur when the Antichrist declares himself to be God by setting up his image or idol
(which is the abomination) in the Jerusalem Temple (Dan. 8:13; 9:26, 27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14;
2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:12-18).
1
. It will be an abomination to God, because the Antichrist will demand to be worshipped as God and because many
will fully respond to this demand. This image will be the greatest abomination to God in history. It will be confirmed by
demonic miracles.
2. The desolation will occur in two different ways. First, the Antichrist will seek to desolate or destroy any who refuse
to worship him. Second, God will desolate or destroy in judgment all those who yield to the pressure to worship the
Antichrist.
3. After the Antichrist’s head wound is healed, the abomination of desolation will be the key piece of legislation that
begins his aggressive plan to rule the whole earth as God. This act of abomination will occur in the middle of the last
7 years before Jesus returns.
4. The abomination of desolation is referred to 7 times in Scripture, 5 times by Daniel (Dan. 8:13; 9:26, 27; 11:31;
12:11) and 2 times by Jesus (Matt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14). Paul taught about the Abomination of Desolation (2 Thes. 2:3-4).
K. Martyrdom of Christians: The Antichrist will kill many, but not most of the saints (Dan. 7:21, 25; 8:24; 11:33-35;
12:7, 10; Rev. 6:9-11; 9:21; 11:7; 13:7, 15; 16:5-7; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2).
L. Falling away from the faith: (Mt. 24:9-13; 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:3-5; 2 Pet. 2:1-3)
Let no one deceive you…for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin (Antichrist)
is revealed... (2 Thes. 2:3)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons… (1 Tim. 4:1)
VII. JUDGMENTS ON THOSE WHO PERSIST IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD
A. The Great Tribulation consists of God’s judgment as seen in the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and the 7 bowls of wrath as
described in Rev. 6-19. They constitute the core judgment activities of the Great Tribulation period that lasts for 3½
years ending with the Battle of Jerusalem and the Second Coming of Jesus (Rev. 19:11-21).
B. The 3 judgment series are focused on the Antichrist’s worldwide empire as He purges the earth. They are literal
(actual events not to be explained away symbolically or historically), future (their greatest fulfillment is future), progressive
(they increase in intensity) and numbered (released in a sequential order as they follow one after the other in sequence
that we might know their order as they unfold on earth).
C. Jesus’ victory at the Battle of Jerusalem to end the Armageddon Campaign (which continues for 3½ years)
is a military conflict that destroys the Antichrist, the False Prophet and their armies (Rev. 16:16; 19:11-21; Joel 3:2-15;
Zech. 14:1-5; Zeph. 3:8).
D. God’s judgment on the Great Harlot Babylon (Rev. 17-18) is a judgment on a worldwide demonic economic and
religious network based in the city of Babylon. It will seduce many to do evil and to persecute the saints. The city of
Babylon to be located on the Euphrates River in Iraq (50 miles south of Baghdad), will be restored (Isa. 13-14;
Jer. 50-51; Rev. 17-18).
E. God will judge this city in two stages. First, this worldwide religious system of toleration and syncretism will fall in
the middle of the 7 year period, at the hands of 10 kings who will burn it (Rev. 17:16). They will replace it with the
Antichrist’s strict religious system and re-established it as one of the Antichrist’s headquarters. Second, it will fall when
Jesus returns (Rev. 18).
VIII. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE END TIMES
A. Israel became a nation (1948) and took control of the city of Jerusalem (1967).
B. There will be an emergence of a regional political leader (Antichrist) in the Middle East or Europe who has unusual
diplomacy and who initially works with a 3-nation coalition.
C. The formation of the European Union joins in the alliance of the ten-nation confederation in the Middle East.
A 3-nation coalition will be its original base, but that base will be uprooted early on (Dan. 7:8, 20, 24). The ten-nation
confederation will form the basis of a worldwide government.
D. The Antichrist will make a Middle East peace treaty with Israel and other nations that brings a worldwide counterfeit
peace and safety (Dan. 9:27; 1 Thes. 5:3). Israel’s covenant with the Antichrist will seem to them to usher in the promised
Millennial blessings.
E. Lord and Satan will work to gather the armies of all the nations of the earth to attack Jerusalem (Zech. 12:1-10;
14:1-2; Joel 3:2, 12; Zeph. 3:8; Rev. 16:12-16).
F. The temple in Jerusalem (referred to as the Tribulation temple) will be built and then desecrated by the Antichrist.
It shall be the context for the ministry of the Two Witnesses (Dan. 9:27; 11:36-45; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:4;
Rev. 11:1-2).
G. There is an increase of travel and knowledge (scientific, communication, technology).
Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and for (travel), and knowledge
(scientific, technology) shall increase. (Daniel 12:4)
IX. THE KEY NEGATIVE JUDGMENT EVENTS AGAINST THE EVIL PEOPLE
A. THE SEVEN SEALS (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1)
First seal (white horse): Antichrist's political aggression (Rev. 6:1-2)
Second seal (red horse): bloodshed and world war (Rev. 6:3-4)
Third seal (black horse): famine and economic crisis (Rev. 6:5-6)
Fourth seal (pale horse): disease leading to the death of one-fourth of the earth (Rev. 6:7-8)
Fifth seal (prayer movement): prayer movement strengthened by the martyrs (Rev. 6:9-11)
Sixth seal (cosmic disturbances): cosmic crisis (Rev. 6:12-17)
Seventh seal (anointed prayer): prayer movement strengthened to release judgments of Rev. 8-9
THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (Rev. 8:7-12; 9:1-21)
First trumpet (food supply): burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (food supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (water supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (light, energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth trumpet (torment): releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth trumpet (death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Seventh trumpet (defeat): beginning of Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19).
B. THE SEVEN BOWLS (Rev. 16:1-21)
First bowl (sores): painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist (Rev. 16:1-2)
Second bowl (food supply): destroying the sea with blood and killing all in it (Rev. 16:3)
Third bowl (water supply): poisoning the earth’s fresh water with blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
Fourth bowl (torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
Fifth bowl (destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
Sixth bowl (global guilt): deceiving the nations to come to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16)
Seventh bowl (annihilation): shaking by earthquakes and hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21)