There are quite a few strange people running around with all kinds of
theories about what will happen during the End Times. These people love to talk
about end-time events with anyone who will listen. Since we devote here to this
subject, some people will probably think we are just other bunch of those
persons with an unnatural interest in weird prophecies and theories. Actually, we
are somewhat conservative Christians who have largely tended to avoid the more
spectacular and controversial teachings in the Bible. After all, there is
plenty to keep us busy learning to love others as the Lord Jesus loves us.
As we have grown to love the Lord Jesus more, we have also grown to love
and care for the people He died for (that's all of us). As a result, we feel a
responsibility and desire to share those things that we have learned in the
hope that it will help others avoid the efforts of the enemy to deceive and
destroy them and their loved ones.
Over the years, we have compiled some of that information to share with
others. Recently, we have felt a desire to organize as much of that information
as possible into a resource book that may be helpful to others who love our
Lord Jesus.
The information in this book is compiled with four types of people in
mind.
For those people who desire only an overall view of the End Times, a
chronological chart of end-time events is provided. Charts are used in the book
to help explain relationships between the various events.
For those people who want general information on each of the end-time
events, a general description of end-time events is provided at the beginning
of most chapters.
For people who want an end-time reference book that is easy and fast to
use, an event summary is included at the end of many chapters.
Finally, for those who desire to study the End Times in detail,
Scripture references are supplied throughout and detailed information on
several topics is provided in the appendices. (Numbers used in word definitions
refer to the Strong's Concordance numbering system.)
While the material in this book can be read straight through, it is
primarily designed as a handy reference that provides easy and nearly complete
access to end-time information. This book is divided into several major
sections as follows.
Introduction and General Information
This section includes chapters one, two, and three.
The information in these chapters provide background and other information that
is helpful when studying end-time events.
Major End-Time Events
This section includes chapters four through twelve. Each chapter in
this section provides detailed information on one of the major aspects of the
End Times. The chapters are placed in chronological order based on the material
covered.
Miscellaneous Information
This section (chapter thirteen) is a collection of information on
various end-time issues. Specific details of some end-time issues and questions
are explained in this chapter. The beginning of the chapter has a topical list of
the issues covered - to be used to locate desired information.
Preparing for the End Times
This chapter addresses some basic issues necessary
for preparing for the possibly soon beginning of the End Times.
Appendices
The appendices contain supporting details for several premises in this
book. References are provided throughout the book directing you to these
appendices where applicable.
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING END TIMES
Why is it important to understand end-time events?
Probably the most significant indication of the importance of
understanding end-time events is simply that they are included in the Bible. If
God did not consider them important, they would not be included in the Bible.
Second, our Lord Jesus told us to watch for certain events related to the End
Times and the apostle Matthew cautioned us specifically to understand the
prophecy concerning the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15-27). Finally,
failure to correctly understand end-time events can cause a Christian to be
shaken in mind or troubled unnecessarily (2 Thessalonians 2:2-5). Some have
even had their faith overthrown by incorrect teachings concerning end-time
events (2 Timothy 2:17-18). A proper understanding of end-time events seems to
be important for effective Christian living and service. Fortunately, as
explained in this book, end-time events are not nearly as difficult to
understand as some people think.
On the other hand, correct understanding of end-time events is not a
requirement for salvation (Romans 10:9-10). When the Lord returns for His
people, He will gather them whether or not they think it is the correct time.
If God‘s people go through the Great Tribulation, then He will go with them and
comfort them (Hebrew 13:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Psalm 23:4). As God was
encouraging and strengthening the early Christians under Roman persecution, he
will also strengthen and encourage each of us in persecutions we may suffer for
His name.
Pieces to a Puzzle
Descriptions of various end-time events are scattered throughout the
Bible. These descriptions provide significant, but incomplete information if
they are viewed individually. The effect is similar to that of a box full of
puzzle pieces. Individually, they convey important, but incomplete information.
When assembled in the proper order, the overall picture becomes very clear.
Passages describing end-time events are similar to puzzle pieces
scattered throughout the Bible. When an individual passage (i.e., piece of the
puzzle) is studied, it is obviously important. However, it is sometimes
difficult to understand how the pieces fit together.
With picture puzzles, the manufacturer provides clues called
interlocking pieces. These clues must be studied along with the picture on the
puzzle piece to determine which piece connects to which other pieces. As more
pieces are linked together, the overall picture becomes clear and it begins to
get easier to put the remaining pieces in their proper location. The Bible
descriptions of end-time events are similar to a puzzle in this sense.
Too often, not enough end-time events are interlocked together to get a
clear overall understanding of the End Times. That is part of the reason why
there are so many theories about when the Lord Jesus will return to gather His
people. Like the picture puzzle, as events are interlocked together it becomes
easier to connect other pieces. As proper relationships between the individual
pieces are established, the overall view becomes more clear.
Like puzzle manufacturers, God provided some interlocking pieces for
establishing relationships between individual end-time events. These
interlocking pieces are certain events that serve as reference points to other
events. These interlocking events provide the keys necessary for putting the
individual parts of the end-time picture together correctly.
As with assembling a puzzle, anyone who desires to understand End Times
must concentrate first on putting the interlocking portions of the pieces
together. These provide the information necessary to snap the pieces together
in the proper order. After as many pieces as possible are snapped together, the
overall picture is much clearer. This makes it easier to place the other pieces
in their proper positions. So what are the interlocking parts that help make
sense of end-time events?
Interlocking Pieces in the End-Time Puzzle
One of the more obvious and important interlocking pieces in the
end-time puzzle involves certain signs in the sun, moon, and stars. According
to Matthew 24:29-30, these signs occur immediately
after the end of the Great Tribulation. In Isaiah 13:9-13, these signs
occur immediately prior to the Wrath
of God. In Revelation 6:12-17, these signs occur just before the 144,000 are sealed, a great multitude appears before
the throne of God, and the Wrath of God begins. Since the signs in the sun,
moon, and stars signal the end of the Great Tribulation, any events following
those same signs must also occur after the Great Tribulation. This means that
the sealing of the 144,000, the appearance of the great multitude in Heaven,
and the Wrath of God must all occur after
the end of the Great Tribulation.
The Great Tribulation precedes the signs in the sun, moon, and stars
which occur before the Wrath of God. All events that are part of the Great
Tribulation occur before the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. All events that
are part of the Wrath of God occur after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars.
Therefore, all events of the Great Tribulation must occur before any events of the Wrath of God. Unfortunately,
some who teach about end-time events list the plagues of the Wrath of God as
part of the Great Tribulation. This error has led to much confusion about the
End Times. To clear this up, a definite distinction must be made between the
events that occur during the Great Tribulation and those that occur during the
Wrath of God. The following chapters in this book will cover each of these
events in detail to help clarify the different events associated with each of
the two time periods.
Literal or Figurative?
When studying end-time events, it is important to make a distinction
between descriptions that appear to be literal and those that are obviously
figurative. Literal prophecies will occur exactly as described. Figurative
prophecies will also occur, but they may not be obvious on the surface. As a
general guideline when studying end-time events, assume that all descriptions
are literal unless the context insists upon a figurative understanding.
It is also important to distinguish between two types of literal
descriptions. The first type of literal event includes descriptions of what
will be observable on earth. For example, the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew
24:14), the signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Matthew 24:29), and the set up of
an image of the Beast (Revelation 13: 14-15) are all literal events. All of
these will be observable from an earthly vantage point.
The second type of literal event includes those that take place in the
spiritual or heavenly realm. On the surface, these may appear to be symbolic
since they describe strange events and creatures. Even though these are literal
events, they will not necessarily be observed on earth exactly as described.
Examples of these types of descriptions include the four creatures around the
throne of God (Revelation 4:6-8) and the angels pouring out the bowls
containing plagues (Revelation 15:6-8; 16:1). People on earth will not see the
angels as they pour out the bowls, but they will see the results.
Examples of descriptions that appear to be figurative include: the
harlot (representing all kind of false religious teachers, Revelation 17:1-6)
and the wine and winepress representing God‘s punishment of the ungodly during
the Wrath of God (Revelation 14:9-10; 19:15). The exact interpretation of a
figurative description is sometimes difficult to determine.
The Beast will be a literal person. In Daniel, the organization or
kingdom from which he comes is also figuratively described as a beast (Daniel 7:7-11). In this
description, the Beast (i.e., the Antichrist) is described figuratively as a
little horn that is part of this beast kingdom.
Problems develop when too many end-time events are thought to be
symbolic. Problems also occur if all end-time descriptions are taken as
literal. Generally, it is best to consider end-time descriptions as literal
(either spiritual or observable on earth) unless the context definitely
indicates that a figurative understanding is necessary.
It is important to remain open to other possible interpretations of
end-time descriptions. Many of these events may occur in several different ways
while still meeting the prophetic requirements. Often, prophecy is used to show
us when we reach a certain point
rather than to inform us of what to expect next. For example, the Abomination
of Desolation is used to signal that the Great Tribulation has started rather
than providing much information about what will happen (Matthew 24:15, 21). In
Daniel's day, these prophecies were sealed so that he could not understand them
(Daniel 12:8-9). However, as we get nearer to the time of the end, more will be
opened to our understanding.
USING THIS BOOK TO STUDY END TIMES
Much of the information in the following chapters is presented in a
consistent format to aid research and study of end-time events. A chapter will
usually begin with an overall description of the covered event to aid in
obtaining an overall understanding of the activity and significance of the
event. Following the description, specific information related to the event is
provided in the summary format shown below. This is most helpful when
attempting to determine specific information about the event such as how long
it lasts and what occurs prior to it. Several appendices are included in this
book to provide additional details on certain aspects of End Times for those
who desire more details.
The information format used to summarize the chapters covering major
end-time events is as follows.
SUMMARY
Term Definition:
Provides a definition of the term or event.
Significance:
Explains the major importance of this event.
Source:
Explains who is behind the event or the cause of it.
Length:
Explains the length of the event or period.
Events Prior:
Lists events immediately preceding this event or time period.
Events:
Explains the major events that take place as part of the event.
God During:
Lists God‘s activities during the event.
Christians During:
Lists the activities and conditions of Christians during this event.
Satan During:
Lists Satan‘s activities during the event.
Beast During:
Lists the Beast‘s activities during the event.
Non-Christians During:
Lists activities and conditions of non-Christians during the event.
Events Following:
Lists events immediately following this event or time period.
Scripture
references:
Bible
passages related to this person, time, or event.
~ end of introduction ~
