Positive Trends, People and Events in the End-Times
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 the most talked about generation in Scripture. Over 100 chapters in the
Bible have the End-Times as their main theme.
C. 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 100 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. For example, 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.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take
place. (Revelation 1:1)
D. We must study the End-Times because 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 (Revelation 13:18, 17:9) because this not mere curiosity, rather 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 (Matthew 24:32-34; Luke 21:25-29;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 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 (Matthew 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. (Luke 19:43-44)
E. 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.
F. 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 why a God of love would allow and even orchestrate the events in the Great
Tribulation. The Church must also know how to live so as to avoid or minimize 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.
G. Scriptures on End Times are literal unless specifically indicated as symbolic by the Scripture.
H. 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.
I. 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.
J. 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).
K. 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;
Zephaniah 2:3). It strengthens our confidence in God’s sovereignty by knowing that He is in control and is never
surprised.
L. 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. This outline is a very general introduction, designed to acquaint people with the most important and basic trends,
people and events of the End-Times.
B. I have a conviction that differs from the popular view that the Church will be raptured at any minute and therefore,
miss the coming revival and crisis in the Great Tribulation. We honor the genuineness and godliness of many who hold
this view, but see it as a serious mistake that will leave multitudes unprepared and offended at Jesus during the Great
Tribulation. We must get our End-Time theology from the Scripture and not from popular trends.
C. 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. Jesus is not a heavenly Santa Claus committed to
make life easy and happy for all in this age, rather they will see a zealous warrior king coming to establish His Father’s
glory (Ezekiel 36:22-23) and vindicate His persecuted Bride (Revelation 19:2). He kills multitudes and dashes hostile
nations pieces as He takes over the leadership of the earth (Psalm 2:8-9; 110:6; Isaiah 63:1-6; Revelation 14:20). It is
important that we are loyal to what Scripture says and not our Christian traditions or religious sentiments.
D. 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 it the things that Paul said
were so (Acts 17:10-11).
E. 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.
F. Notice: I use the New King James translation unless stated otherwise.
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. (Malachi 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. (Isaiah 2:10-22; 4:1-6; 11:1-15;
13:6-9; Ezekiel 13:5; Joel 1-3; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah l:7, 12, 14-18, 20; Zechariah 14:1-4; Malachi 4:5;
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:10; Revelation 6:17).
B. The 2-fold nature of the day of the Lord is seen in the great blessing it releases for those who call on Jesus and it
is terrible in judgment for those who refuse Him.
C. 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).
D. It will be a very terrible Day to the rebellious who will witness the most severe outpouring of God’s judgments
ever seen (Revelation 6-20). Jesus’ judgments will shake all that can be shaken on earth (Haggai 2:6-8; Hebrews 12:26).
The nations of the earth will experience military invasions by the Antichrist’s worldwide evil empire (Revelation 13), while
God’s judgments are poured out as seen in the Book of Revelation with the 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets and 7 Bowls of wrath
(Revelation 6; 8-9; 16-19).
E. 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
(Ephesians 4:13; 5:26-27; Matthew 16:18; John 17:21-26; Acts 2:17-21; Revelation 7:9; 12:11; 15:2; 19:7-8; 22:17). It will
include miracles that were seen in the book Acts and the book of Exodus yet combined and multiplied on a global scale.
B. The Great Ingathering of souls will possibly be over 1 billion (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:9; 14:6).
A multitude...no one could number of all nations...out of the Tribulation... (Revelation 7:9, 14)
C. The salvation of Israel (Romans 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; Jeremiah 31:9; 23:20;
Daniel 11:33-35; Isaiah 26:9; Revelation 11:3-6; 18:20; Matthew 17:11; Malachi 4:6).
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 (Revelation 22:17).
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" (Revelation 22:17)
F. The worship and prayer movement will operate in great authority (Luke 18:7-8; Matthew 21:13; Revelation 5:8;
8:3-5; 22:17; Isaiah 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, etc. God will manifest His provision like He did in the
Exodus. God provided all the needs of His people as they journeyed through the wilderness. He caused food to fall from
the sky and He brought water from a rock.
As in the days when you came out of...Egypt, I will show them wonders. (Micah 7:15)
H. There will be supernatural direction by prophetic revelation (Jeremiah 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” (Exodus 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 (Exodus 9:4-6), they had no hail (Exodus 9:26), no swarms of flies (Exodus 8:22) and
had light (Exodus 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. (Exodus 8:22-23)
J. There will be cities of refuge (pockets of mercy) refer to areas where God’s people are protected from God’s
judgment (Revelation 7:2-3; 9:4; Ezekiel 9:4-6). God’s judgments can be minimized or adverted in various regions by
prayer and obedience. Our prayers make a difference in our quality of life (Joel 2:13-14; Psalm 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) (Zephaniah 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. (Psalm 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
(Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 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 (Revelation 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. (Matthew 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
(Revelation 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. (Revelation 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; Revelation 20:1-6;
Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Psalm 2; 110; Matthew 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. (Jeremiah 3:17)
4. Resurrected believers with glorified bodies will rule with Jesus over the governments of the Millennial earth.
(Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:5; Matthew 19:28; 20:21-23; 25:23; Luke 19:17-19; 22:29-30;
1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 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 Thessalonians 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 (Revelation 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 (Malachi 4:5).
D. 144,000 sealed Jewish believers (Revelation 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 (Revelation 9:4;
Ezekiel 9:6).
E. The Marriage supper of the Lamb occurs in context to Jesus’ coming (Revelation 19:7-10). The first descent of the
New Jerusalem to earth also occurs at this time (Revelation 21:2, 9; 3:12) .