Compact Overview of End Time Events
Seven Steps from Today until Heaven and Earth Are No More
by Pastor John E. Dubler
www.johndubler.com
1. Things get worse:
World begins to fall apart economically and socially. War and famine are common. Even the elements seem to be out of control with severe earthquakes and unusual weather phenomenon. Some people are falsely claiming to be Jesus, come again to earth. The situation seems desperate to some, but instead of calling on God they look for a human savior. The Antichrist makes his appearance. He has deceptive, but plausible and convincing answers to every problem, including the Arab and Israel conflict. Indeed these are perilous times. But in the midst of the gathering gloom, the brightness of the Gospel is being proclaimed to every people group on earth. There is a great harvest of souls.
Matthew 24: 4-8, 14; 2 Timothy 3: 1-5; 2 Peter 2: 1; Revelation 6:3-6.
2. Things get better:
There is a momentary upturn as the world seems to be pulling out of its descent into chaos. The Antichrist is revered everywhere. People are dancing for joy and everyone is saying "Peace and Safety!" The believers are not fooled by this rhetoric, and are not surprised by what is taking place. A one-world religious system is established (which the Bible calls the Great Whore and Mystery Babylon) reconciling all world religions except those pesky Born Again Christians. Believers are hated by all nations. Something must be done about their perceived intransigence, and plans are underway involving a mark on the forehead or the hand for the worshippers of the Beast to distinguish them from the hated Christians. This mark is refused by the believers with the consequence that it is impossible for them to buy, sell, obtain medical care or even hold jobs. To the masses they deserve this treatment as they are non-cooperative with their leader and have become an impediment to world peace.
Matthew 24:9; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12; Revelation 13: 16-17.
3. Some Christians Disappear:
This is not yet the rapture of the church, but a hiding of some believers in a secluded place called "The Wilderness." The rapture will come later. The Antichrist knows where they are and tries to get to them and wipe them out. However, a strange event happens: The earth opens up its mouth and swallows up everyone he sends to apprehend them. He makes no further attempt to get them, but instead turns on the remainder of the believers who were not taken out, and with a great deal of wrath, starts systematically persecuting them. God seals all the redeemed so that whatever judgments he brings upon the earth, the believers are not harmed by Him.
Luke 17: 34-37; Revelation 12: 6, 13-15.
4. Things get unbelievably worse.
The Antichrist wants to be worshipped and has demanded that all bow down to him. He has even attacked the Great Whore, desiring all worship for himself. Christianity is outlawed totally. Spiritual deception is common. There are many false prophets speaking lies. The Antichrist and the False Prophet are performing signs and wonders. Everyone who still claims to be a believer is rounded up and summarily executed. Many are martyred in this way. Sadly, many others have denied their faith and have fallen away. Some of them have betrayed other believers. Even parents are betraying their children and children betraying their parents. Lawlessness is common, resulting in a great lack of love among people. The great Tribulation of Satan is now in full swing. It will last 3-1/2 years in all. Among the Tribes of Israel, a remnant turn to the Lord and remain faithful even though Israel is surrounded by hostile armies. During this time, God provides two witnesses who faithfully testify to God's goodness and His coming judgment on the Antichrist. They stand in the streets of Jerusalem and are a constant problem for the Antichrist as he is unable to kill them. Finally, near the end, the Antichrist is able to overcome them and kill them. However, unbelievably, they rise again and are called up to heaven. Great endurance is required of the believers, but the Lord Jesus is true to His promise to never leave them nor forsake them.
Matthew 24: 10-13, 21-28; 28: 20; 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-7; Hebrews 13: 5-6; Revelation 6:9-11; 7: 4-17; 11: 3-13; 13: 7; 14: 1-5; 17: 5-6, 18.
5. God moves against the Antichrist.
Like nothing the earth has ever seen before, the Great Day of God's wrath has begun. Believers are not subject to the wrath of God. These events of God's wrath, known as the "Bowls of God's Wrath" or the "Vials" are poured out by mighty angels who carry out His will. These events have been taking place even during the Great Tribulation of Satan upon the earth. These events are indeed awesome, moving entire mountains, valleys and islands. Huge hailstones fall which weigh 100 lbs each. Men hide in caves and the rocks exclaiming "The great day of His wrath has come." Yet for all this they just gnaw on their tongues from the pain of it all, cursing God and refusing to repent of their wicked deeds.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1: 6-8; Revelation: 6: 12-17; 8: 1-13; 14: 9-11; 15: 6-7; 16: 1-12, 17-21.
6. The Lord calls for His church. The Second Coming of our Lord.
The only believers left on earth at this point are those hiding out in "The Wilderness." They hear the seventh trumpet sound as does everyone else on earth. It is the 7th or "last trump." The rapture of the church is about to begin. As the redeemed look up, there He is, the Lord Jesus, coming for them on the clouds. But the dead in Christ, including all those martyred by the Antichrist, have also heard the trumpet call. Even all the righteous dead hear it and are raised from the dead. Millions upon millions stand to their feet, coming out of the tombs and out of the sea. They rise in the air to meet the Lord, and those who were alive and remain rise to join them in the air. But the unrighteous dead are not raised at this time. They will come to life in a thousand years and face the White Throne Judgment.
The believers all now join the Lord Jesus Christ as He is in the clouds coming back to earth. He is seeking His enemy, Satan. The battle of Armageddon is joined. It is over almost instantly as Satan is bound and thrown into the pit where he will be for 1,000 years. Hallelujah! The battle is over. The Lord Jesus has come a second time, and his redeemed are with Him. We are all here on the earth. But the earth changes as He returns and we with Him. It is renewed like it was at Eden. Here we live with Him on earth for 1,000 actual years. Our works are judged (not our souls; we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb) at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Some see all their works go up in a puff of smoke-wood, hay and stubble. Others are building with gold, silver and precious stones. Their work endures. But all are redeemed.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 2: 8; Revelation 1: 7; 11: 15-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 3: 12-15; 15:52; Revelation 16: 13-16; 19: 11-21; 20: 1-7.
7. Satan released from the pit.
The Lake of Fire and the New Jerusalem appear. At the close of the millennium Satan is released from the pit and allowed to gather once again anyone who wants to follow him in a final showdown with the Lord of Glory. The unrighteous dead are resurrected and permitted to join up with Satan in his final attack. Jesus easily defeats His old foe and consigns him to the Lake of Fire. The unrighteous dead are judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. The judgment is based on only one thing: whether or not their names are found in the Lamb's book of life.
We see it happen, but since our names are found in the Lamb's Book of Life, we are not judged at all. Satan and all the unrighteous are thrown into the Lake of Fire which burns forever and ever. There is no getting out of it; no release from it. Hell is also thrown into the Lake of Fire. This lake is one of two perpetual states.
The other is "The New Jerusalem." At this time the material realm is done away with. Heaven and Earth pass away. God's Word never passes away and is the foundation for the New Jerusalem. We, the redeemed, are with the Lamb and we are in the New Jerusalem where we live with the Lord, beholding His face forever.
Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Revelation 20: 7-15; 21: 1-7, 16; 22: 3-4.
End of Story.
Glory!
© 2001 , All rights reserved. This overview may be reproduced, in print or by electronic means, provided it is reproduced in its entirety and is used within the Body of Christ for non-commercial purposes.
Good Shepherd Bible Chapel
P.O. Box 271158
Fort Collins, CO 80527-1158