Prophetic Journal Publishing *All rights reserved by Author * November 12,2005 * All Verses taken from KJV

 

The Order of things to come   

By R.S. Neaville

 

 

   

 

Introduction

Order of things to come

By R.S. Neaville


 

The fact that we are late in the game should not be a surprise to any Christian. The events of the Bible’s prophecies for the return of Christ and the beginning of his millennial kingdom are close at hand. God in his infinite wisdom and biblical portrayal of these events have made the revelation of the times a matter of obvious certainty.

In this brief study we will concern ourselves only with short descriptions of the events foretold and the chronology these events follow. The details and meanings of each of these articles will be dealt with in “the Last Days series” study booklets. This particular study is focused on the identifying and order of events in the final seven years that bring the world into the last day or “millennium” (The Day of the Lord). It is my fervent hope that Christians everywhere will follow this study with Bible in hand and have an open mind to what the word of God actually says so that the truth will set us free from men’s opinion, denominational dogma, and speculations with no basis in fact: All of which currently pass for Christian teaching where prophecy is concerned. God bless you in your studies.

Section One: The Final Seven Years

The final seven years before the return of Jesus at his second advent is basically a countdown to the day of the Lord. It starts with the antichrist coming on the scene and ends with the return of Jesus. It is meant to picture the larger 7000 year period of man’s creation and progress. The 7000 years starts with Adam’s creation and ends with Jesus. The final 7 years starts with antichrist and ends with Christ. The Antichrist or “beast of Revelation 13” like Adam is a picture of man corrupted. The Apostle Paul calls him:

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Adam was also corrupted and was the first man. He was a “son of perdition” and “man of sin” He came first, Christ came last. Notice the Pattern in scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The final seven years mirror this pattern. It starts with a corrupt man and ends with a perfect one. This final seven year period is also divided in the same way as the 7000 years. The 7000 years are divided into the old covenant and the new covenant. The final seven is divided into these two periods as well. The first 3 and1/2 years is a time of growth and the second a time of famine. The great tribulation is a picture of famine for the physical. It is the second 3 and ½ years of the final seven. The 7000 years is divided similarly. The first half is a time of growth physically, the second a time of decline physically. In both second half periods the spiritual is highlighted as the physical declines. This final seven years until is detailed in Daniel:

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The “He” in this verse is a reference to the “Prince who shall come” in Dan. 9:26. This is the beast or antichrist. He comes on the scene to begin this final seven by confirming the covenant with many of the Jews. You can see that this final seven is divided into two 3 and1/2 year periods. The covenant he confirms in the first 3 and ½ years is the Mosaic Law where temple worship is concerned and which is basically an agreement with the Jews to rebuild their temple. The second 3 and ½ year period is the great tribulation. This period ends with the Return of Christ. Revelation 6 also concerns this same time period in the first 6 seals of the 7 sealed scroll. The first seal is the beast coming on the scene and the 6th is the coming of Christ.

Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Notice how the 6th seal parallels the events that immediately precede Jesus’ coming in Matthew.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.


 

This final seven is therefore observed in both places in the above scriptures. It is the final countdown to Jesus’ second coming.


 


 


 


 

Review Questions

  1. What is the “final seven”?

  2. How is the “final seven” divided?

  3. Where do we find the only reference to the “final seven” in scripture?

  4. What half is the great tribulation and how do we know? Discuss this with the class.

  5. What event begins the final seven?

Section Two: The prince who will come

We see the anti Christ is this “Prince who will come” when you read Daniel 9 in its context. The Antichrist is a destroyer and a false God. He is Satan’s attempt to consolidate his power manifested on earth to rule creation.

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The people of the prince who shall come” is a reference to Rome. It was indeed the Romans who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary of the temple in 70 AD some years after “Messiah was cutoff” (Jesus’ death). Further evidence is in recognizing that this ruler does come later after Rome, yet is of Rome. So the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem were his people. The fourth beast of Daniel 7 and the feet of the statue in Daniel 2 make this plain.

Daniel 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Compare the fourth kingdom (of iron) in Daniel 2 and in Daniel 7 (the fourth beast with iron teeth). In both Dan 2 and Dan 7 the 5th kingdom is the 4th kingdom continued. The 4th is Rome and the 5th kingdom is Rome raised again. This is the proof that the ones who destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD (Rome) are the “people of the prince who shall come” in Dan.9:26


 

This antichrist or “beast” is therefore the leader of a revived Roman empire. In the middle of this final 7 year period he is revealed for who he is when he causes the “abomination of desolation” which in turn starts the great tribulation where he sets himself in the Temple and proclaims himself God.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. :24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. :3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

So you see the Antichrist or”beast” is revealed when he causes the Abomination of desolation which occurs in the middle of the final 7 year period.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. He will rule for the last 3 and1/2 years (42 months) until Jesus destroys him at his return.

Daniel 9:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The end of the great tribulation is the end of antichrist and the end of the final seven years. They end with the return of Christ.


 


 

Review Questions

  1. Who are the people of the Prince who will come?

  2. What nation is represented in Daniel seven as the “fourth beast”?

  3. What is the 5th kingdom?

  4. What reveals the beast to the world?

  5. What event marks the middle of the final seven?


 

Section Three: The two great witnesses and the Church

In the first half of the final 7 year period until the return of Christ it is a time of relative peace and prosperity. This time will see not only the rebuilding of the Jewish temple but also the beginning of the “Last days Church”. It is then that the two great witnesses will come on the scene to confirm the church’s true foundations and teaching in order to bring those Christians together who will submit to a unity of the faith and one pure Gospel message. The two witnesses are patterned in the books of Haggai and Zechariah in Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua the High priest. The governor pictures the Law and the priest the Prophets. These two were given the charge by God to build the second temple after Judah came out of its captivity to Babylon. This second temple pictures the “Last day’s church” and our exodus from our current captivity to division (denominations, sects) just as the first temple of Solomon pictured the early church.

Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

In the next book of Zechariah these same two men are compared to the two olive trees.

Zechariah 4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Zechariah 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Later in the book of revelation these two olive trees are spoken of again.

Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

It is easy to see the significance. The role of the Law and the Prophets are foundational in their collective testimony to Christ. They reveal to us the physical and spiritual truth of Christ combined as one. It is the revelation of Christ as both God and man. The two witnesses will come and during the first 3 and a1/2 years of the final seven they will re-lay the foundations of the Gospel and give us a basis to return to a unity of the faith. During the second part of this final seven the two will testify to world and the Antichrist. We will speak more on that later.


 

 

Review Questions

  1. What do the two witnesses represent?

  2. What role do they play in the first half of the final 7?

  3. What books of the bible can we see the two witnesses patterned?

  4. What is the connection between the second temple and the Church? Discuss this with the class.

  5. What are the two olive trees?


 


 

Section Four: The Great Tribulation and the Abomination of Desolation

In order to understand the timing of the great tribulation spoken of in Daniel 12 and Matthew 24 you must understand what starts this event. The “abomination of desolation” is the tribulation's beginning. Put these two facts together from scripture. Daniel tells us that the “abomination of desolation” is what marks the “middle” of the final 7 years.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jesus then tells us that when you see the “abomination of desolation” then begins the great tribulation.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

So Jesus and Daniel made two points clear here with their combined testimony. The great tribulation starts with the 'abomination of desolation” and the length of the tribulation period is 3 and ½ years.

So what is the abomination of desolation? This is where the “beast/antichrist “of Revelation 13 takes his seat in a rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be God. This is what reveals him for who he is to the world. It is sad that most of the world will not understand.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.

The interpretation of this vision was given to Daniel in part in the same chapter:

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

It is plain from Daniel, Jesus, and Paul the apostle that the abomination of desolation is the revealing of the son of perdition, the beast or “Little Horn”

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

It is clear therefore from the scriptures that the “little horn” or “beast” shall not only desecrate the temple and stop the daily sacrifice, but shall also persecute the people of God. He will carry on this 3 and ½ years:

Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

It is immediately after this 3 and ½ year period that Jesus will return “and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book”. This is the gathering of the elect. It is plain this event occurs after the great tribulation.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The great tribulation is therefore a time a trial that tests the people of God and their faith. It is also a time of great deception for most of mankind. This time period will begin with the revealing of the son of perdition the Antichrist.

 


 

Review Questions

  1. What begins the great tribulation?

  2. What is the abomination of desolation?

  3. What does the abomination of desolation reveal?

  4. What is the little horn? Discuss this with the class.

  5. Who will be persecuted in the tribulation period?


 

Section Five: The Testimony of the two Witnesses

Understanding now a basic picture of the great tribulation in the latter half of the final seven years we can go on to the testimony of the two great witnesses in this latter 3 and ½ years.

Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

During the time of their prophecy the two will display the Old Testament powers of Moses and Elijah. Like Elijah they can call fire from heaven and seal up the heavens so it doesn’t rain. Like Moses they can turn water to blood and strike the earth with plagues. This is in contrast to the first 3 and ½ years of the final seven. During the first half of the final seven they deal spiritually with the people of God but during the latter half they deal with Antichrist and the unbelieving world in a very literal way. They will then be delivered into sinful man’s hands like Jesus, put to death, and then ascend into heaven.

Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

The three and a half days pictures the 3 and ½ years the saints will suffer and die at the hands of evil men. Within these two rising and being taken up to heaven in full view of the world pictures the hope of the resurrection that comes after the suffering of the body of Christ in the tribulation period. Let God be praised amen!

 

Review Questions

  1. What will the two witnesses do in the tribulation?

  2. What powers with the two witnesses display? Discuss this with the class.

  3. Can you compare and contrast the ministry of the two witnesses in the two halves of the final seven?

  4. When are the two witnesses revealed to the world?

  5. What does the three and ½ days signify in Revelation 11:11?



 

Section Six: The whore of Babylon

Without speculation or fear of contradiction we can see from the scriptures that the whore of Babylon mentioned in Revelation 17 is in fact Jerusalem. She is the mother of harlots and the great CITY that rules over the kings of the earth.

Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The whore of Babylon is a picture of the wayward heart of man. The Antichrist is a picture of the sin nature. Whoever sits on the throne of a man’s heart will also rule over his body. The corrupt nature of Adam rules in the hearts of those who will follow the beast. In fact the Antichrist is called the “beast” because it is the carnal nature of man. It walks by brute instinct and not the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The carnal nature promises freedom but instead deceives us and takes our hearts and bodies into captivity to please itself. In the same way the Antichrist will take his seat in Jerusalem and take the whole world into captivity to please himself. The end of the sin nature is wrath and destruction and so the end of Antichrist is wrath and destruction for all who follow him. Jerusalem pictures the heart. The heart is where Jesus is supposed to rule and reign from. The Jews submitting to the deception of the beast is the same as you or I submitting to the desires of the sin nature. The scripture tells us that Jesus will rule from the throne in Jerusalem (Throne of David) during the Millennium. Antichrist will be overthrown just as he must be overthrown in the hearts of believers.

Isaiah 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

Jeremiah 17:25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain forever.

Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

The Lord, the son of David, shall sit upon the throne of Jerusalem and take the world into submission after his return. He does now sit on the throne of the hearts of his people to take their bodies into submission through faith. It is easy to see that whoever sites on the throne of the heart will rule over the body. It is therefore apparent that whoever sits on the throne in Jerusalem will have the whole world in submission. The heart of itself under the deception and bondage to the desires of the sin nature is indeed a whore. Jerusalem is a whore in the same way. Just as Jesus held Jerusalem accountable for all the righteous blood shed in the earth, so the whore of Babylon is drunk with the blood of the saints.

Matthew 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Yes, Jerusalem pictures the heart of man always chasing its own desires. Jerusalem like the heart accepts the one who comes in his own name. They reject the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus, the son of David: A man after God’s own heart. Jerusalem is the great city that rules over the Kings of the earth.

Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

It is this great city where the blood of the innocent and the prophets have always flowed; yes even God’s own son.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

It is the city where our Lord was crucified and where the two witnesses will be killed.

Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Jerusalem is the heart of the world. And the world is in bondage to the sin nature of Adam (antichrist). The heart is deceived just like the whore is by the Beast. The heart is cast down by the sin nature just as Jerusalem is cast down and destroyed by the beast.

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Revelation 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
 

 

Review Questions

  1. Is the whore of Babylon a city?

  2. What city compares with it?

  3. What does this city represent? Discuss this with the class.

  4. Does Jesus hold this city accountable for the blood of the saints?

  5. In Matthew 23 how did Jesus say he would leave this city?


 


 

Section Seven: The Return of Christ Jesus and the Millennium

The Hope of the Gospel

The end of the “great tribulation “period marks the end of the final seven years and then Jesus will return as he promised.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

As you can see from the above scripture this is when Jesus gathers the “elect” to himself for the resurrection of the first fruits of the Church. This event is sometimes referred to as the “rapture”. It is more accurately called the “blessed hope”. The “blessed hope” is the fact that at Jesus’ return he will bring to those of us who hope in him the resurrection of the dead. It is where our lowly bodies will be transformed like his glorious body.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

It is then we shall all be changed, whether dead or still alive at the time od Christ' return. This is the blessed hope of the Christian.

1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for it? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Yes the hope of the Gospel is the hope of the resurrection at the return of our savior Jesus!

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

This all happens when? At his return! It’s all in the context of Matthew 24:29-31

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

The 144,000 and the great crowd

Then we will see the true elect of God! The 144000 first fruits of Israel and the great crowd from the nations who hope in Christ showing that the promise of Christ is true. This will end the seventieth seven of Daniel, up to and including the “anointing of the most holy” of Daniel's people. These are the 12000 from each tribe making up 144,000 Israelites.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

It is easy to see that the 144,000 are the “most holy” of Daniel’s holy people. And with these most holy are also the “great crowd of Gentile believers who are among the first fruits of the resurrection. These all together are redeemed out of the great tribulation at the return of Christ.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Revelation 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The Day of the Lord

At the return of Christ, the Antichrist is destroyed, ending the great tribulation. Armageddon is stopped before all flesh is destroyed.

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

It is at this point that Jesus begins his ruling and reigning over the nations for a thousand years. This is called the “millennium” or “the day of the Lord”.

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.


 

It is the “last Day” Jesus spoke of in John chapter six It starts with the return of Christ and the elect being resurrected and it ends the resurrection and judgment of everyone else. The saints of the first resurrection will rule with Jesus for these thousand years. The end of this thousand year day will see the destruction of heaven and earth.

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.


 

2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 3 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Gog and Magog

Near the end the thousand years Gog and Magog will arise. This is the final rebellion at the end of the world. Here Jesus will put down the final revolt of the nations against his rule.

Ezekiel 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

Ezekiel 38:8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. 9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

Ezekiel 38:22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Conclusion

The scriptures are clear. Jesus’ return will see the thousand year day of his rule. He will subdue all creation and yield it to the resurrection, judgment and destruction of what is proclaimed in the word of God. In this time all prophecy will be fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.


 

This is only an outline of the events in the final seven years that precede the return of Christ. The order of these events is exact. I encourage you to compare it with the scriptures. Each of the events in this booklet will be detailed individually in future publications (The last Days Booklet Series). God Bless you in your search.

R.S. Neaville

Review Questions


 

  1. What is the hope of the Gospel?

  2. Who are the elect?

  3. When are the elect resurrected?

  4. Will the earth be destroyed? Discuss this with the class.

  5. When does Gog and Magog march on Jerusalem?