Overview of the End-Time Events
I. WHY STUDY THE END TIMES: INTRODUCTORY PREMISES
A. We must study 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) that have ever been seen.
B. We must study the End-Times because it 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. In other words, the Gospels and the End-Time Scriptures reveal the same Jesus and the same power by the same
Holy Spirit in the same Bible. The Book of Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus because it reveals His heart, power
and leadership. The Book of Revelation is not an optional subject for the Church.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place.
(Rev. 1:1)
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 the necessary preparations for what is coming. 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.
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)
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 in the most extreme glory and pressure in history. It provides
the Church a compass in the storm. We need to rightly interpret the crisis for the majority. We gain confidence in God’s
sovereignty, and knowing Scripture inspires the certainty of victory. It gives us revelation of Jesus’ beauty and provides
fuel for the prayer movement.
E. The prepared prophetic 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. Scriptures on End Times are literal unless specifically indicated as symbolic by the Scripture.
G. The Scriptures on the End-Times were written to be understood by all, since they were written for all nations. The
majority of people throughout history have been uneducated peasants. It is not true that the End-Time Scriptures are too
complicated. All believers can and must understand the book of Revelation and End-Time prophecy. These are not
optional reading designed for eccentric Christians.
H. I believe we are in the beginning stages of the End-Times, but whether the Great Tribulation followed by Jesus’
Coming begins in 5 years or 50 years, I do not know. It is probably closer to 50 than 5.
I. 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).
J. 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 instead of neglecting or resisting it. 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.
K. Some common lies related to End-Time prophecies are that they are not relevant but are just for the curious, that
they are to be interpreted symbolically instead of taken literally, and that they are impossible to understand except only by
scholars, and that the Church in every generation believed they were the final generation.
II. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
A. 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
serious mistake that will leave multitudes unprepared and offended at Jesus during the Great Tribulation.
B. If you are new in studying the End-Times, be braced that the Jesus seen in many End-Times Scriptures is very
different from the Jesus that some in the Western Church think of. It is important that we are loyal to what Scripture says
and not to our traditions or religious sentiments.
C. 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.
III. DAY OF THE LORD: THE 2 EXTREMES RELATED TO JESUS’ RETURN
For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11)
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. It will be a great Day to those who call on Jesus’ name because they will experience the greatest outpouring of the
Spirit in history (Joel 2:28-32).
C. It will be a very terrible Day to the rebellious who will witness the most severe outpouring of God’s judgments ever
seen (Rev. 6-20). 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.
IV. THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD: POSITIVE TRENDS
A. The greatest revival and outpouring of the Spirit in history results in a victorious Church 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. The Great Ingathering of souls will possibly be over 1 billion (Mt. 24:14; Rev. 5:9; 14:6).
A multitude...no one could number of all nations...out of the Tribulation... (Rev. 7:9, 14)
C. The salvation of Israel (Rom. 11:12-15, 25-26) will occur as the Church provokes Israel to jealousy by standing with
them in affliction and operating in the power of God.
D. The 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)
E. The bridal paradigm of the Kingdom will strengthen the Church resulting in believers with courageous love as
they encounter Jesus as the Bridegroom God (Rev. 22:17).
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" (Rev. 22:17)
F. The 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)
.
G. There will be supernatural provision of food and water God will manifest His provision like 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)
H. There will be supernatural direction by prophetic revelation (Jer. 31:9; Joel 2:28) as the Lord directs His people to
safety, to provision (food, water), to reconnect in relationships, to be at the right place to escape earthquakes, bombs,
or the ambush of the enemy.
I. There will be supernatural protection (pockets of mercy). The “Goshen Principle” (Ex. 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 26; 10:23; 11:7)
was seen in the time of the plagues of Egypt. 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).
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. There will be pockets of mercy which refer to areas where God’s people are protected from God’s judgment
(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 prayers 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)
V. THE PRIMARY POSITIVE PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE END-TIMES
A. Jesus’ Second Coming to establish His Millennial Kingdom is the ultimate prophetic theme in the End-Times
(Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14; 1 Thes. 4-5; Matt. 24; Lk. 21; Mk. 13).
1. Jesus will physically appear in the sky to all the people of the earth when He returns to permanently 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.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:10)
2. The next stage of the Father’s plan is for Jesus to 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)
3. 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)
4. Resurrected believers with glorified bodies will rule with Jesus over the governments of the Millennial earth.
(Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:5; Mt. 19:28; 20:21-23; 25:23; Lk. 19:17-19; 22:29-30; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rom 8:17).
B. The Rapture of the Church occurs as Jesus “catches up” all believers in the air from one end of the sky to the other.
The Rapture will not be a secret event, but a dramatic one witnessed by all believers and unbelievers. It will occur in
context to Jesus’ Second Coming (1 Thes. 4:13-5:11). The fact of the rapture is agreed on by nearly all believers through
history. The timing of it as before the Tribulation is an error that confuses some.
C. The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:3-6) are two prophets who will preach with great power for 3½ years during the
Great Tribulation. They do great miracles like Moses and Elijah did (Mal. 4:5).
D. 144,000 sealed Jewish believers (Rev. 7:4-8; 14:1-5) are prophetic singers who will preach the gospel in power
during the last 3½ years. 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).
E. The 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) .
VI. NEGATIVE TRENDS, PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE END-TIMES
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. 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).
Behold, a pale horse. The name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. 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)
The four angels...were released to kill one-third of mankind. (Rev. 9:15)
VII. VERY TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD: FOUR NEGATIVE TRENDS
A. The fullness of God’s judgment (Rev. 14:7; 15:7) includes 21 specific events against unbelievers (7 seals in Rev. 6;
7 trumpets in Rev. 8:9; 7 bowls of wrath in Rev. 16).
The wrath of God which is poured out full strength… (Rev. 14:10)
B. The fullness of Satan’s rage will be vented on earth (Rev. 12:12; Dan. 7:21, 25; Rev. 13).
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)
VIII. VERY TERRIBLE DAY: NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND EVENTS
A. The Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-10) is the final world leader who wages war against God and persecutes His people.
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 worldwide religious network and the most money and power of any man
in history. He will use demonic miracles to deceive (Rev. 13:12-14), the political process to kill resistors (Rev. 13:15) and
economic oppression (Rev. 13:16-17) to control the nations.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. The image of the Beast (Antichrist) 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).
E. The mark of the Beast (Antichrist) 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. In other words, people
will not accidentally take this mark, nor will it be given to them against their will.
F. The False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18) is the Antichrist’s primary associate and is the leader of the End-Time
worldwide religious network that will be devoted to causing all the people on earth to worship Satan and the Antichrist
(Rev. 13:4, 8). 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).
G. The Antichrist’s 10-nation confederation will be a political, military and economic alliance that will provide him with the
greatest power base of any man in history.
H. The 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).
IX. THE THREE NUMBERED JUDGMENT SERIES (7 SEALS, 7 TRUMPETS, 7 BOWLS)
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. There is an intensification of God’s judgments. They become more severe as they unfold i.e., the events of the
7 seals are surpassed in severity by the 7 trumpets; which are then surpassed by the 7 bowls of wrath (1/4 of the human
race dies in the seals, and then 1/3 die in the trumpets).
C. There will be different responses to God’s judgments. Many will respond in fear (6:15–17) leading them to curse
God (16:21) without repenting (9:20-21). Others will glorify God for His power and salvation (Rev. 7:9; 11:13; 14:6).
D. 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).
X. THE KEY NEGATIVE JUDGMENT EVENTS AGAINST THE EVIL PEOPLE
A. THE SEVEN SEALS (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1)
1. First Seal (White Horse): Antichrist's political aggression (Rev. 6:1-2)
2. Second Seal (Red Horse): bloodshed and World War (Rev. 6:3-4)
3. Third Seal (Black Horse): famine and economic crisis (Rev. 6:5-6)
4. Fourth Seal (Pale Horse): disease and death to 1/4 of the earth (Rev. 6:7-8)
5. Fifth Seal (Prayer Movement): spiritual atmosphere – releasing God's judgment (Rev. 6:9-11)
6. Sixth Seal (Cosmic Disturbances): natural atmosphere – cosmic crisis (Rev. 6:12-17)
7. Seventh Seal (Silence in Heaven): heaven atmosphere – release of seven Trumpets (Rev. 8-9).
B. SEVEN TRUMPETS (Rev. 8:2-9:21; 11:14-19)
1. First Trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
2. Second Trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the earth’s seas (Rev. 8:8-9)
3. Third Trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
4. Fourth Trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12-13)
5. Fifth Trumpet: (Torment): release of demonic locusts with a plague (Rev. 9:1-12)
6. Sixth Trumpet (Death): release demons that kill 1/3 of the earth’s population (Rev. 9:13-21)
7. Seventh Trumpet (Defeat): begins Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19)
C. SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH (Rev. 15-16) i.e., plagues in Egypt (Exod 7-12)
1. First Bowl (Sores): painful sores on worshipers of the Antichrist (Rev. 16:1-2)
2. Second Bowl (Food Supply): sea turns to blood and kills all in the sea (Rev. 16:3)
3. Third Bowl (Water Supply): all the fresh water turns to blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
4. Fourth Bowl (Torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
5. Fifth Bowl (Destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
6. Sixth Bowl (Global Guilt): demons lure the nations to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16)
7. Seventh Bowl (Annihilation): worst earthquake, 100 pound hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21).
XI. NEGATIVE EVENTS: JUDGMENTS ON THOSE WHO REBEL AGAINST GOD
A. 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).
B. 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).
C. 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).
D. The martyrdom of Christians comes as the Antichrist makes war with them (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).
E. Believers will fall away from the faith (the apostasy) – 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Mt. 24:12.
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)
XII. 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. The 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. A one-world religion will emerge that kills Christians who resist it (Rev. 13, 17-18). The rise of false christs and
prophets will help establish alliances between all the false religions which include the occult, New Age, Muslims, Hindu,
Buddhists, and liberal “Christianity” with a commitment to moral tolerance that paves the way for a one-world religion.
H. 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)