One of the most often asked questions in Bible prophecy is "What is
going to happen next?" as it relates to the end times and last days.
While there is considerable debate among prophecy teachers, we will
attempt to give a scriptural interpretation of the sequence of end times
events as they relate to Bible prophecy.
One even that can't be put into sequence is the rapture of the church.
While we do know that the rapture of the church is a pre-trib event, we
can't pinpoint it's location in an end times timeline because the
rapture is an imminent event that could literally happen at anytime.
Here's how I see events unfolding during the end times:
1. World Wars I and II - Matthew 24:1-8
In our view, WW1 and WW2 are considered part of the end times events as
they are referenced in the Book of Matthew. The world wars are referred
to as "nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom".
While this might sound like a typical description of war, Dr. Arnold
Fruchtenbaum notes that in the context of Jesus' day that this was a
common Jewish idiom for "world wars". As we know, WW2 was considered by
many historical authorities as simply a continuation of WW1. The
significance of WW2 for Bible prophecy is that it provided the
motivation for the Jews to re-establish a state for themselves
fulfilling the prophecies of Ezekiel 20.
2. The Re-Birth of Israel - Ezekiel 20:33-38; 22:17-22; Zephaniah 2:1-2
As mention in event #1 WW2 served as the motivation for the Jewish
return to their ancient homeland exactly as the Bible described in
Ezekiel 20. Israel must also be in the ancient homeland so that many
other prophecies can be fulfilled and today we can see the modern
miracle of Israel. No other nation in the world has been essentially
erased from the world map only to be "reborn" hundreds if not thousands
of years later. But the Bible made this astonishing prediction long
before it happened.
3. Jerusalem Under Jewish Control - Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; II
Thessalonians 2:3-4; and Revelation 11:1-2
The re-capture of the city of Jerusalem in the 6 day war of 1967 has
laid the foundation for the eventual rebuilding of a Third Jewish Temple
in the city.
4. Israel destroys surrounding enemies and reaches temporary "peace and
safety" setting up Gog/Magog invasion
Stalemates in the Middle East peace process and other influences result
in the fulfilment of the ancient prophecies in Psalm 83. Israel is
forced to deal with the modern day terrorists and "Palestinians" who
refuse to make peace with her. Jerusalem becomes an object of
contention.
5. The Russian (Gog/Magog) Invasion of Israel - Ezekiel 38:1 - 39:16
The "Gog/Magog" war is another name for the Russian led invasion of
Israel in the end times. The Bible predicted that Russia followed by her
islamic allies will attempt to come from the north parts for a "spoil"
but are soundly defeated when God suddenly intervenes for Israel. God
states in Ezekiel 38-39 that he intervenes in order to sanctify his Holy
name and as a result saves Israel from what would be certain
destruction.
6. The One-World Government - Daniel 7:23
In Daniel 7:23 we are given the exact sequence of the next three
prophetic events in chronological order. Many people have missed this
and as a result have misplaced other end times events. But the
scriptures are clear that as a result of the defeat of Russia and her
islamic allies in Ezekiel 38-39, a power vacuum will exist that will
provide the perfect opportunity for the rise of a one world government.
7. The Ten Kingdoms - Daniel 7:24
After the formation of a one world government, the Bible is clear that
the world government will split into ten "kingdoms" or regions. There
are numerous high profile groups like the "Club of Rome" who have
already broken the world down into ten regions. With the rise of the
European Union, African Union, etc. we are slowly but surely seeing the
prophetic puzzle pieces move into place for this prophecy to be
fulfilled.
8. The Rise of the Antichrist - Daniel 7:24; II Thessalonians 2:1-3
Once the world has been divided into ten regions, the "Antichrist" or
"man of sin" will begin to rise. The Antichrist will be the most wicked
man ever and will be indwelt by Satan himself during the Tribulation
period. The Antichrist will be one part of the unholy satanic trinity of
Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. It is likely the
Antichrist will be revealed sometime shortly before the Tribulation
period starts and before the signing of the covenant for seven years.
9. A Period of Peace and False Security - I Thessalonians 5:1-3
The period of false peace will come upon to the world as the one world
government and Antichrist arrive onto the world stage. The period of
false peace and safety is used in I Thessalonians in reference to
happening before the "Day of the Lord" which refers to the Tribulation
period or the 70th week of Daniel.
10. The Seven Year Covenant (permission to rebuild the Temple?) - Daniel
9:27; Isaiah 28:14-22; Acts 15:14??
The seven year covenant with the "many" is likely to be the event that
formally allows Israel to gain permission to build the Third Temple.
However, there is much debate about whether the Third Temple is built
during the Tribulation period of before the Tribulation period. I
believe that this is a detail that will have to be revealed when it
happens. But it is the seven year covenant that will kick-off the
Tribulation period. Some people have mistakenly thought that it was the
rapture that started the Tribulation period, but this is simply not
correct. It is the "confirming" of the covenant with many that starts
the Tribulation period.
11. The Abomination of Desolation - Daniel 9:27; 2 Thes. 2:4; Matt.
24:15-16
This event takes place at the middle of the Tribulation period when the
Antichrist stands in the newly rebuilt Third Temple and proclaims that
he is God on earth. This is the event in which Israel is specifically
warned about and that when they see it happen to flee to the hills.
12. Armageddon - Revelation 19
The campaign of Armageddon is the event where the Lord Jesus returns to
earth and makes his way from Bozrah to the valley of Jehoshaphat where
he defeats the armies of his enemies.
13. The Second Coming - Revelation 19
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur at the end of the
Tribulation period. Israel will finally mourn for the one that they
pierced and they will accept him as the Messiah.
14. The Millennium Kingdom - Revelation 20
The Millennium kingdom is the 1,000 year period of peace and prosperity where the Lord rules from Jerusalem with an iron rod. Satan and his evil sidekicks the Antichrist and False prophet will be confined and the earth will be renovated.