Putting It All Together (Part 2)
I. THE THREE DISTINCT PROPHETIC TIME FRAMES IN GOD’S END-TIME PLAN
A. Scripture describes three distinct prophetic time frames in the End-Times. We clearly find these when comparing
Matthew 24 with 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 and Daniel 9:27.
B. They all relate to the final _______ period of natural history and are compared to the labor pangs that a woman
endures just before the birth of her child. This is a prophetic picture of the trauma that all on the earth will endure just
before the birthing of the Millennial Kingdom.
C. The angel Gabriel spoke to the prophet Daniel about the final 7 years of natural history immediately before the
Messiah would rule the world from Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24-27). Gabriel spoke of these seven years as a ________. This
was a common expression in ancient Israel. They thought of both a week of years (7 years) as well as a week of days
(7 days). This final seven year period just before Jesus’ return is often referred to as “Daniel’s prophetic week.”
D. The first prophetic time frame is referred to as the “beginning of birth pangs” (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8,
Luke 21:7-18). During this time, the nations will have _______________ with one another. My opinion is that the beginning
of birth pangs began in either 1948 (when Israel became a nation) or 1967 (when the city of Jerusalem came under Jewish
control).
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…8 All these are the beginning of sorrows
(birth pangs). (Matthew 24:7-8)
E. The second prophetic time frame is referred to as a worldwide period of counterfeit __________ ____ (increased
labor pangs) which starts at the beginning of the final 7 years and continues for 3½ years (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3;
Daniel 9:27).
For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they
say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains (Great Tribulation) upon
a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)
F. Paul described the world as celebrating peace and safety immediately ______ the time of sudden destruction
(Great Tribulation). This is a temporary counterfeit world peace that will suddenly end when the Great Tribulation starts.
No nation will escape.
G. The third prophetic time frame is referred to as the Great Tribulation (hard labor pangs) and lasts for 3½ years
(Matthew 24:21; Jeremiah 30:5-7).
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time,
no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)
H. Why do we care about these 3 time frames? God in His mercy, revealed these to the Church in Scripture to give us
understanding of what is coming and its general sequence to prepare us.
II. WORLDWIDE COUNTERFEIT PEACE AND SAFETY (1 THESSALONIANS 5:2-3; DANIEL 9:27)
For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they
say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains (Great Tribulation) upon
a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)
A. The second prophetic time frame will be a time of peace and safety. It comes just before the third prophetic time frame
(Great Tribulation). This period will continue during the ____________ of the last 7 years of this age. This will be a time of
peace and safety for unbelievers only. The Church will be persecuted at this time.
B. Twice, Paul refers to “they” as those who rejoice in peace and then those who will not escape. This “they” refers to
all the _____________ nations on the earth, including Israel. Those who are deceived think the time of peace was God’s
blessing instead of the work of the Antichrist.
C. The time of peace will be the result of the Antichrist making a 7 year ____________ (Daniel 9:27). One of the
implications of this covenant or peace treaty will be to allow Israel to offer animal sacrifices (commanded by Moses) in their
temple in Jerusalem.
Then he (Antichrist) shall confirm a covenant (peace treaty) with many (Israel and Middle East nations) for one
week (7 year period); but in the middle of the week (after 3½ years) he shall bring an end to sacrifice (in the
Jerusalem temple, thus breaking the covenant). (Daniel 9:27)
D. Since the Jerusalem temple does not currently exist, this prophecy implies that it must first be ______
(Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1-2; 13:12-18; Daniel 9:26, 27; 11:31; 12:11).
E. The Antichrist shall establish a political peace treaty with many nations including Israel and Middle East Islamic
nations. This peace treaty will be designed for a 7-year period. However, in the middle of the week or seven year period
(after 3½ years), the Antichrist will break the treaty. The result will be to bring an end to the Israel’s religious activity in
the Jerusalem Temple.
F. This peace treaty will end the first prophetic time frame, called the beginning of birth-pangs, in which the nations
of the world will be fighting each other (Matthew 24:7-8).
G. No one knows when the last 7-year period of natural history begins. However, we do know how it starts and how it
ends. It will start as a result of the Antichrist making a covenant with Israel and various Middle East nations (Daniel 9:27).
The angel Gabriel prophesied to Daniel of this last 7-year period (often called Daniel’s 70th week) that will initiate this time
of peace and safety.
H. The Antichrist’s credibility to establish his worldwide empire will come partially by being able to establish peace in
the Middle East, which will be the most volatile place in history. He will seen as the man who ended the time of international
conflict when the nations of the world rose up against each other in military conflicts (Matthew 24:7-8).
I. The second prophetic time frame of peace and safety ends when the Antichrist and his 10-nation confederation
break the covenant in making a sudden change in policy. He will begin to go forth to conquer many nations, as seen in the
First Seal (Revelation 6:2). The First Seal signals the aggressive pursuit of the Antichrist and his reign of terror. When the
nations are rejoicing in peace, then sudden destruction will come and none will escape.
J. The Antichrist will make a deceptive _______________ with End-Time Israel (Isaiah 28:14-18).
Hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men (leaders of End-Time Israel), who rule this people who are in
Jerusalem, 15 because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we are in
agreement. When the overflowing scourge (of the Antichrist) passes through, it will not come to us, for we
have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves"…18 Your covenant with death
will be annulled (Antichrist will betray his promises to Israel), and your agreement with Sheol will not stand;
when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. (Isaiah 28:14-18)
K. Israel will have a season of peace until __________________ the Antichrist (Ezekiel 38:8-12).
“In the latter years you (Antichrist) will come into the land (Israel) of those brought back from the sword and
gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out
of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like
a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples (nations) with you." 10 Thus says the Lord GOD: "On that
day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say,
'I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them
dwelling without walls…’ 12 to take plunder…to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again
inhabited…” (Ezekiel 38:8-12)
L. This covenant will seem to “guarantee” the End-Time unsaved ___________ of Israel, political, economic and spiritual
prosperity and protection from the Antichrist.
M. Today, the world is not enjoying the sense of universal peace and safety described by Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
The peace and safety will be established by Antichrist just prior to a sudden "coming of destruction" of the day of the Lord,
but after an escalating "nation against nation" season with the beginning of birth pangs.
N. The time of counterfeit peace and safety
1. Peace – comes after a season of military conflict, civil strife and terrorism of the period known as the
beginning of birth pangs. This peace and safety will be for unbelievers. The prophetic Church will see through this
as false.
2. Safety – there is a reprieve from the beginning of birth pangs with wars, famine, economic collapse, disease,
earthquakes.
O. This will be a time when non-Christians are living without the turmoil of the first prophetic time frame (beginning of
birth pangs), nor the third prophetic time frame (the Great Tribulation). Jesus described the people as occupied with
"eating, drinking and marrying." This expresses a sentiment of peace and safety which will be common ________ the
beginning of birth pangs yet _________ God’s judgments arrive in the Great Tribulation (the final 3½ years). The people
will feel safe and at peace. In other words, it will be a temporary period of economic, social and military peace. Notice in
this time frame there are no wars, economic problems, or diseases as described in the beginning of birth pangs.
But as the days of Noah were, SO ALSO will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before
the flood, THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, until the day that Noah
entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, SO ALSO will the coming
of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two
women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. (Matthew 24:37-41)
P. The counterfeit peace and safety will be a noticeable and distinct time in history. When the Church proclaims this
period as being a counterfeit time of peace under the leadership of a demonized man called the Antichrist, then we will
appear absurd and even dangerous.
Q. Even some within the prophetic prayer movement will not clearly discern Satan's role in this time of counterfeit
peace and safety. Why? The Church will be praying against wars. Suddenly a time of peace will break forth that causes
"wars and rumors of war" to cease. What joy some will have as we pray and wars cease. This will clearly be seen as a
righteous answer to our prayers rather than being a time of counterfeit peace and safety.
R. The global pressures during the first prophetic time frame (beginning of birth pangs) will set up the situation, in
which the Antichrist will _____________ as he appears to solve world problems. During this time, he will take control of
many governments in order to fix their economy, etc. He will appear to have the answers for a short time.
III. PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS DURING THE TIME OF PEACE & SAFETY
A. The period of worldwide counterfeit peace and safety is for ________________. This is a time of increased birth
pangs for the Church. Yet, it is not the time of heavy labor (Great Tribulation). The pressure during this season is focused
on separating the true from the false believers in Jesus. It will be a time of __________________ or increased birth pangs
(Matthew 24:9-14, 36-41).
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's
sake. 10 And then many will be offended (at God and Christians), will betray one another, and will hate one
another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will
abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this
gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will
come. (Matthew 24:9-14)
B. The falling away will occur in the pressure of this spiritual conflict. The world will be offended at Jesus and His
standards of intolerance that are promoted by the prophetic Church. Some believers will rationalize the need to collaborate
with the Antichrist’s regime. This will open the door for betrayal between close relationships. Offenses will abound and
escalate into hate. The Church must take a stand on the fact that this seemingly brilliant and dignified world leader will
eventually demand to be worshipped as God.
C. Spiritual __________ will be widespread through all the nations. Prophetic believers will not see this as a good
time of peace. The Antichrist’s policies will be filled with deception, as he seeks to win many from their commitment to Jesus.
This period will witness new measures of spiritual resistance against the Kingdom of God. It will seem to be a positive time
with international peace treaties, yet with new legislation against the Church and Israel.
D. With peace established between Israel and the Islamic nations, they have a new ______________ of the Church.
Why? Because the Church will expose Satan's role in the counterfeit world peace. Imagine how hard it will be for
unbelievers to understand this. For the first time in history the world is at peace. The Church will be viewed as elite,
extreme, proud, and judgmental. This pressure will purify the Church (Daniel 11:33-35). The Church will appear fanatical,
extreme and dangerous to world peace. The Church will be opposed on several different points.
IV. THE BEGINNING OF BIRTH PANGS
All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Mathew 24:8 – NKJ).
All these are the beginning of birth pangs. (Matthew 24:8 – NIV, NAS ).
A. Jesus spoke of a specific period of time called the “beginning of birth pangs.” The Greek word “birth pangs” is
translated as “sorrows” (NKJV). It is to be compared with the increasing trauma a woman experiences during childbirth.
This trauma will result in a new world order being birthed at the Millennium. Paul spoke of creation as groaning before the
Millennial earth.
The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
children of God (Millennial Kingdom). 22…The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together
until now. (Romans 8:21-22)
B. My opinion is the beginning of birth pangs began in either ____ (Israel became a nation) or ____ (city of Jerusalem
under Jewish control). The premise for the timing of all events in the End-Times is God’s plan for Israel. Israel is the
timetable for the unfolding of God’s prophetic plans. In other words, Israel is the reference point for understanding
redemptive history past and future. It is the filter for interpreting the significant contributions to God’s ultimate plans for
establishing the Messianic Kingdom on earth.
C. The 3 most significant prophetic dates before the Great Tribulation are 1948 (re-birth of the nation of Israel),
1967 (recapturing the city of Jerusalem) and the beginning of the 7-year period initiated by the Antichrist's peace treaty
with Israel and other nations (Daniel 9:27).
D. There are twelve major worldwide trends that are to be discerned and received as prophetic signs to help the Church
prepare for the coming years (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8, Luke 21:7-18).
1. False christs – false leaders in the Church (Matthew 24:5; Mark 13:6; Luke 21:7).
2. War – military and political conflict (Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9)
3. Ethnic conflict – civil disorder and racism as nation (ethnos) rises against nation (Matthew 24:7)
4. Economic warfare – economic related hostility and conflicts in kingdoms competing against kingdoms.
(Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8).
5. Famines – massive food shortages (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). Famines in Ethiopia and Sudan are
well known today. Many of the 6 billion people on earth are underfed.
6. Pestilences – fearful epidemic diseases (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11). Bio-technology and
worldwide pestilence will rise. Tuberculosis, Legionnaires, AIDS and other diseases are
becoming more resistant to manmade inoculations and drugs.
7. Earthquakes – various places (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).
8. Troubles – events that cause pressure (Mark 13:8)
9. Commotions – chaotic events (Luke 21:9)
10. Fearful sights – unusual (Luke 21:11)
11. Great signs from heaven – cosmic or atmospheric signs (Luke 21:11)
12. Persecution – (Luke 21:12-19). The significant increase of martyrdom of believers in
Jesus. Revelation 6:9-11; 7:13-14; 9:21; 13:7, 10; 16:6; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2; 2 Timothy 3:3 (brutal); Daniel 7:21, 25;
8:24; 11:33-35; 12:7, 10; Mark 13:12:13; Luke 21:12, 16-17.
V. THIRD PROPHETIC TIME FRAME: FULLNESS OF BIRTH PANGS (MATTHEW 24:15-31)
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time,
no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)
A. The third prophetic time frame is the Great Tribulation or the fullness of birth pangs or the heavy labor. It occurs
during the last 3½ years of the 7-year period (Matthew 24:15-31; Revelation 6-19).
B. This is the time when the Antichrist shows his hostility openly without needing to deceive unbelievers. The
Antichrist requires all people on earth to worship him.
VI. THE LAST 3½ YEARS BEFORE THE SECOND COMING: 6 EXPRESSIONS
Scriptures for the last 3½ years of this age use 6 different expressions: 42 months (Revelation 11:2; 13:5), 1260 days
(Revelation 11:3; 12:6), time, times and half a time (Revelation 12:14; Daniel 7:25; 12:7), and Middle of the Week
(Daniel 9:27), the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14), Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). NOTE: The 3½ year time
period is designated in three different ways so as to render it impossible to spiritualize, thus making it symbolic of
something other than 3½ years