Inyigisho zanditse

Rev. Rickey Martin Lesson One
IS THE APOCALYPSE AND SIGNS OF THE END

MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?

 What’s happening with this Covid-19 pandemic? Is it the beginning of the Apocalypse? In recent poll during this 2020
pandemic: 26% said it (considering the pandemic an end-of-the-age event) increased their faith, 31% said it was a signal or sign
from God, 36% said it increased their evangelical fever (to reach others since “time is short”, 7% had no opinion about it at all.
 On another current dilemma, what will be the effect of America’s Political Division and Partisan Wars? All this political
infighting, and unwillingness to work together for the benefit of all . . . what will be its impact on the future of the U.S.? A civil
war of sorts? Anarchy?
 If this pandemic is the “beginning of sorrows”, what’s the next “major event to happen” in Bible Prophecy? Or is “this”
(pandemic) the start of it?
 What could happen next? What will its effect be on YOU—and what will the effect be on Your kids, and family?
ALL OF THIS SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCE A “QUESTION” INTO YOUR MIND: “HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE”?
Most of us have heard the word “apocalypse” mentioned before. In times like these, when the world is in the midst of a global
pandemic called Coronavirus or Covid-19 – the idea of the end of the world can move quickly to the front of our mind.
WHY SOME PEOPLE DON’T CARE ABOUT ESCHATOLOGY
 People who study eschatology are weird. (A few people get too obsessed, talk about judgments and people being too
selfish and bringing the judgment of God upon themselves. They convey through their speech that they are the real true
believers and that others are not saved, while they have the real truth and that others are heretics for not believing as they
themselves do.) Question: Is this why we are presenting a study on end-times? My answer is “No”!
 Eschatology is impossible to understand. (It demands too much. Its allegorical or symbolic with too many possible
interpretations to be sure of its meaning or application. It causes too much strife between people of various views . . . so
you’re better off to just ignore it and remain at peace with everyone.) Question: Do you view end-times-messages the
same way? Did God intend for it to be “impossible” to comprehend? Studying it, brings about understanding!
 Studying End Times is irrelevant; there are other far more important and threatening issues to attend to. (Ministering and
serving the needs of people is far more important than staring at the clouds looking for Jesus. Focusing upon “life issues”
and “problems of today” is a far superior and lofty goal for finding answers to.) Question: But if these present things are
indicators and preparations for our escape, wouldn’t you like to know a little more?
 I’ve already studied that once. (Understanding something tends to be progressive. Meaning, that by studying something
several times one becomes more convinced of the need to modify or adjust what we are convinced of. Gaining insight here
a little, there a little, line on line, and precept on precept . . . we finally arrive at a more precise definition of truth or God’s
view.) Question: Do you want to review your study of something which culminates in the most amazing Kingdom the earth
has ever known? Are you planning to join with him and rule alongside of him?
SO, WHAT IS “THE APOCALYPSE”?
What we need to consider at this time is this, “what is the Apocalypse” and what are the signs of it as mentioned in the Bible? As
believers, and students of the Bible, we have to take look at this topic through a different lens than conspiracists or anarchists. While
others may look at the events of the end-times and become even more fearful . . . as a Christian with Biblical knowledge you “can
understand what is going on” around you. . . and can at the same time “still have faith and hope” a part of your future, whatever the
future. For you see that God is “in it”. Yes, He’s a part of it!
SO WHERE DOES OUR ENGLISH WORD “APOCALYPSE” COME FROM? It comes from the Greek word apokolypsis which actually is
directly interpreted as “revelation” in the New Testament, and thus is the title of the book of Revelation as we know it.
More specifically, the Greek word apokalypsis means: an uncovering, unveiling, a revealing, a disclosure; and indicates that
something previously unknown or having previously been hidden as a mystery is now uncovered and illuminated and
available for viewing.

Rev. Rickey Martin Lesson One
THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK CALLED “REVELATION”
The first segment of the very first verse in Revelation (Revelation 1:1) reveals to us God’s real PURPOSE OF THE BOOK as being “The
revelation [apokalypsis] of Jesus Christ”. This verse then, reveals . . . the book was not written to reveal mere events, but rather the
“revealing and uncovering of Jesus Christ” himself: who he is, what he is doing to fulfill God’s purposes on the earth, and to then
expose the greatness of “his power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 3:20).
When studying Revelation we can clearly see God’s plan for us and for exalting Jesus, but likewise when studying Eschatology we
understand more fully, more completely, the very person and place the Lord Jesus Christ holds in the Kingdom of God as well as here
on Earth in our future!
Important Note: As a young man John had seemingly been one of the closes of disciples relationally to Jesus. He had seen
the way he walked, talked, ate, shared his heart, related to others, healed people . . . and how often he washed, brushed or
cleaned his teeth, etc. Yet, he did not recognize him in his “glorified state” when he was unveiled in Revelation chapter one
. . . in his white robe, golden sash or girdle belt, completely radiant, beaming full of light, and “fully manifesting as God!”
THE TRUTH TO GLEAN FROM REVLATION CHAPTER ONE: We too, just like John, must see him as he ‘is”, and not through mere
physical eyes, but with spiritual eyes of understanding which comes by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We too must get a
revelation that He, Jesus, “is God” . . . and not hold onto the view that Christ is our best bud or friend. Of course, he is, but that is
only one small aspect of who he is to us. He is God, our God!
Revelation 1:12-19 “ 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13
and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash
around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like
bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming
out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his
feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living
One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 “Write, therefore, what you
have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”
By reading Daniel chapter 2, we gain special insight and help in understanding the future lying ahead. These scriptures reveal that
all revelation and understanding of the times and seasons comes from God himself. In other words, if we are going to get a grip on
the future, we can get that revelation only from Him. Which then means, for us to comprehend the purposes of God within “time”
we must look to Him, and believe that His plans supersede any plans, revelations, and understandings or teachings of mankind trying
to set a specific event’s specific time in which it occurs.
Revelation 1:1 “ 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it
known by sending his angel to his servant John . . . “
Daniel 2:20-23, 28 “ 20 “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21  He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22  He reveals deep and hidden
things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23  I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me
wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you . . . “
John 14:19-21 “ 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day
you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one
who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show (unveil) myself to them.”
These insights given John, and his scribing them for us to read, bodes some questions:
 What DOES GOD HAVE IN MIND for our future?
 What ARE HIS ETERNAL PURPOSES he’s working to fulfill?
 WHERE ARE WE AT in His timetable?
From Genesis onward we see God moving to fulfill His ultimate intents and purposes of fully redeeming mankind and restoring him
back to his rightful place as one having dominion over the earth while still being in submission to God. Every book of the Bible
reveals His progression toward that eventuality; and is ultimately expressed and fulfilled in the book of the Revelation of Jesus
Christ.

Rev. Rickey Martin Lesson One
One place to initially see this ultimate purpose of God – can be found in two scriptures. Philippians 2:9-10, and in Revelation 17:14.
Philippians 2:9-10 “ 5  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6  Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place … and gave him the name that is above
every name, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Revelation 17:14 “ 14  They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King
of kings—and WITH HIM will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
It is this REWARD for humility, obedience, and righteousness by Jesus Christ . . . that God the Father is implementing in the Last
Days. Yet, God has also chosen us to be blessed in this reward. Yes, we see Christ triumphing over them and being Lord of lords and
King of kings . . . but we are right there with him at his side. It’s time we recognize that we too are: called, chosen, and faithful
followers, in the same way He views us.
NOTE: Two of these qualities are the result of God’s intention and response—but the last one is dependent upon our response.
 “called”: (kletos) invited (to banquet); called (to discharge some duty)
 “chosen”: (eklektos) picked out (to elect); selected (the choice or best of kind or class)
 “faithful”: (pistos) trusty (in a transaction); faithful (in discharge of some duty); reliable
He is fulfilling this reward by ensuring that “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.” As other scripture says, “by him, and for him, all things consist”, and continue to exist. Once all is
brought under Christ’s control . . . the scripture reveals that in further submission to the Father, JESUS WILL ONCE AGAIN YIELD IT
ALL TO GOD SO THAT HE (GOD) MAY ONCE AGAIN HAVE ULTIMATE SUPREMACY.
Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV) “ 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things,
and by him all things consist.”
1 Corinthians 15:28 “ 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.”
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF THERE’S A RAPTURE OR NOT? WHY SHOULD IT MATTER IF WE COMPREHEND THE
FUTURE OR NOT?
Answer: Because if you’re not looking for him—you’re not likely to be going with him! “To those who look for him will he

appear a second time.” 2 Timothy 4:8

Answer: Because we are exhorted that we must “Watch and pray that you be counted worthy to escape…” Luke 21:36
Answer: Because the Bible says, “If the righteous scarcely be saved . . . where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1

Peter 4:18
SO, WHAT IS THE APOCALYPSE?
According to Dictionary.com one of the meanings of apocalypse is a prophetic revelation. As Christians, this revelation points to the
eventual second coming of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom on the earth. For those who are nonreligious or
nonbelievers, the apocalypse is seen as the end of the world, the day of doom, or a disaster.
For clarity’s sake, we will define the Apocalypse not just as the “end of the world as we know it”, but more importantly, we will
define it by “Christ’s triumphant return to the earth”. Quite simply, as Christians we should be excited by Christ’s return because we
understand what that end means. However, for those who don’t know Christ, that ending is far different, and honestly, far more
frightening.
Revelation 19:15-16

Rev. Rickey Martin Lesson One
“ 15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and
He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:
There are at least 333 prophecies relating to Christ’s first coming. Yet, there are over 500 prophecies regarding His 2 nd Coming! If
the 333 of his first advent were true, then it follows that the 2 nd Coming will happen as a matter of fact, too!
Here is a brief short list of fulfilled prophecies concerning his first advent.
Genesis 3:15 (Bruise Satan’s head) Fulfilled in Hebrews 2:14
Genesis 49:10 (From Tribe of Judah) Fulfilled in Luke 3:23-33
Isaiah 9:6 (Would be GOD) Stated in Matthew 1:23
Isaiah 9:7 (Occupy throne of David) Seen in Matthew 1:1
Micah 5:2 (Born in Bethlehem) Fulfilled in Matthew 2:1
Isaiah 7:14 (Born of a virgin) Stated in Matthew 1:18
Hosea 11:1 (Comes out of Egypt) Matthew 2:14-15
Here’s just two verses among five hundred prophecies concerning his “2 nd Coming”!
Daniel 7:13-14
“ 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.”
Matthew 19:28
“ 28  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have
followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Rev. Rickey MartinLesson Two
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES – WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The history of mankind has been forever changed by the person of Jesus Christ. We know he came, died and rose again
to pay the ultimate price for our forgiveness and freedom from sin. Once he left and ascended into heaven, the clock
began ticking until when he would return again (See below). Between the time of his ascension and his second coming
many things would happen in the earth. It also reveals that as his second coming draws near, the conditions in the earth
and within the heart of man would get worse.
Acts 1:9-11 (KJV) “ 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him
out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in
white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 11 this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Signs We Are in the Terminal Generation
1. The Increase of Knowledge: Daniel 12:4 “ 4 Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the
end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
2. Previously-unknown Means of Transportation: From the garden of Eden to the turn of 20th century there were
only horse and buggy—today “planes, trains and automobiles. Rocket ships and space shuttles.”
3. New “means” of visible Light and non-visible Light: From earliest records to turn of 20th Century there was only
flame—then came light bulbs, LEDs, and now even lasers are being used in some surgeries. What will be next?
4. New means of Communication: From Garden of Eden to 20th Century there was only smoke and mirrors. Then
in the 1900’s came the telegraph, radio, walkie-talkie, TV, cell phones, fiber optics and satellites. Now there’s
3G communications are being replaced with 5G networks based upon a new way of linking equipment together
in new faster and wider broadband ways.
5. The rise of Humanism, Satanism, Occult, and Self-worship: It is common accepted belief that educated man can
create his own paradise, determine his own destiny, and determine his own outcomes. 2 Timothy 3:6-8 “ 8
…always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” NIV
6. The Birth and Use of Nuclear Warfare and Electrical Power. Zechariah 14:12-13 “ 12 The LORD will strike all the
nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will
rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD
with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other.” NIV
 15 Million degrees Celsius fireball and flash taking place in one millionth of a second. (escape)
 The potential fall of star (rocket) named “Wormwood” [Which interpreted means ‘Chernobyl’]
 There seems to be something akin to a nuclear blast near enough that it is associated with Jerusalem?
7. The Sign of the Rebirth of Israel As an Identifiable Nation on May 15, 1948. As of this moment, no other nation
has risen to existence again after a nearly 2000-year demise. Only God’s intervening hand, and determined will
could bring that to pass.
 “Can a nation be reborn in a day…” - Isaiah 66:8
 “This generation shall not pass away until all be fulfilled.” - Matthew 24:22
 “Jerusalem shall be trampled underfoot of Gentiles…” – Luke 21:24

Rev. Rickey MartinLesson Two
8. The Sign of the Scoffer . . . saying, “ 3 Where is the sign of His coming?” 2 Peter 3:3-4 “First of all, you must
understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say,
"Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning
of creation." NIV
9. The Gathering of Jews from around the World coming back to reside in Israel. Note for you to gain
understanding in the verse which follows. “Russia is directly to the North of Jerusalem, as is many Slavic peoples
which were primarily of Jewish lineage and were a part of the dispersal upon the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans
in AD 70.” Jeremiah 23:7-8 “ 7 So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer
say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, 8 'As surely as the
LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries
where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land." NIV
10. The Re-Unification of Jerusalem. From the Diaspora (70 A.D.) until the Six Day War (1967) Jerusalem had
previously been “under the complete political and military control of Gentiles.”
 Previous to the Six Day War Jerusalem was segmented (part controlled by Palestinians, and the other half
controlled by Jews).
 Now these segments are united, and Jerusalem has been acknowledged by the United States as Israel’s
capital. Luke 21:24 “…shall be trodden of Gentiles…”
 Jerusalem will be the “center” of the universe, politically, and spiritually, from now until Jesus comes.
Psalms 102:16 “ 16 When the Lord build up Zion (The HIGH hilled section of Jerusalem), He shall appear in His
glory…”
11. The Invention of International Television and Proliferation of the Internet. ~ I.e. The first placement in orbit of a
Satellite called Telstar became operational in Fall of 1960 - developed by AT&T. For example, now it is readily
possible for the entire world to view within seconds what is described in Revelation. Revelation 11:9-10 “ 9 The
whole world sees [the death of God’s special witnesses] in one hour, 10 and will give gifts one to another.”
12. The Increase of ‘Deception and Manipulation’ as a means of controlling the population’s thoughts, actions,
values, and political resolve. There are varied forms of this within our own U.S. culture, as well as around the
world in almost every nation. Matthew 24:4 “ 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many
will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.” NIV 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 “ 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…” KJV
13. The Rising Influence of Humanism/Secular Humanism: A philosophy permeating our society, which is founded
upon “man being in the center position; in which all things revolve around him and his innate ability to
determine his own destiny and future. [They hate the Bible because it puts a line in the sand regarding ‘moral
values’ and gives ‘statements to live by’ that center around God—not man.]
14. Natural Healing/Environmentalism. Man must (there for “can”) save the World and this Planet. The idea
centers around man’s ability to adapt, and use their wisdom and discovered technologies to change ‘nature
itself’ and be independent of ‘the principles in the cosmos’.
15. The Rise of Wicking, Occult, Sorcery and Satanism within our Western Thought. Recognition there is power in
darkness; which can be asserted over others. A returning to pagan practices and religions of demons.

Rev. Rickey MartinLesson Two
16. The Deceptive insurgence of Spirits of Religion: “persuasive enough to . . . deceive the elect.” You can be
religious and still be lost. You can wear a Christian t-shirt, or a crucifix on your chest—and still be lost.
Mark 13:22-23 “ 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it
were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” KJV
17. Increased pestilence, famine and earthquakes. Matthew 24:7 “ 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
 Pestilence: (Incurable virus, germs and other agents whether impacting agriculture or humans.) includes
things as Aids (transmitted by contact) and SARS, MERS, AND COVID-19 (transmitted in air) to infect people’s
respiratory system.
 Famine: In spite of America’s productive agriculture, and ‘feeding the world’, we still have World
Famine—as seen nightly on the Evening News. Famine (Riding on black horse is described in Revelation
chapter 6) says he causes a loaf of bread to be sold for an entire day’s wage.
 Earthquakes: Geologists await the mother of all quakes, where the whole western seaboard of California will
slide into the ocean. Another group within the Corps of Engineers have discovered a fault line extending
from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico under the Mississippi River—that would cause a riff the size of the Royal
Gorge in Colorado. In our own Puget Sound, there has been a discovered fault extending from out in the
ocean to Snoqualmie.
Revelation 16:18, 20 “ 18 And there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so
mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations
fell . . . 20 and every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” KJV
18. The Party Spirit of “the Days of Noah”. Hedonistic people will abound: striving to satisfy their inner self with
revelry, entertainment, personal gratification . . . “but then cometh sudden destruction.” Matthew 24:37-39 “ 37
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before
the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the
ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.” KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 “ 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh
upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness,
that that day should overtake you as a thief.” KJV
“QUESTION”: HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?
Luke 21:28 “ 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near!”
2 Peter 3:10-14 “ 10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will
be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11  Since everything will be destroyed in this
way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12  as you look forward to the day of God
and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the
heat. 13  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness
dwells. 14  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless
and at peace with him.”
WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE OF OTHERS TO THESE THINGS?

 “Fear and Anxiety”? “
 Sleeplessness”? Fight or flight responses kick in.
 Lethargy? “Nothing I can do about it!” It’s all
predetermined anyway!

 “I don’t want to hear about it”. If I don’t think
about it . . . it doesn’t exist!

Rev. Rickey MartinLesson Two
 “Buy everything I can on credit” . . . since I won’t be
here to have to pay for it later.
 “Party Harty” since there’s only a few days left
anyway!
 “I better get ready, now . . . while I have the chance
to be ready!”
 Castigate others and isolate from those who are
“not ready!” Considering them too hardened, and
stiff-necked to respond!

HOWEVER, WE SHOULD:
 “Live Life” with expectancy and faith.
 “Live a Prayer Life” daily, ensuring it has a top priority in our lifestyle.
 “Live as Role Models” because of the observation of non-believers.
 “Live as Testifiers” of the grace of God being interactive within our life and existence.
 “Live as Witnesses” whom are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ at every opportunity.
 “Live as Creators” generating new opportunities where they do not currently exist by having a ‘spirit of initiative’
as we extend and expand our zone of influence during our lifetime.
 “Live as Faithful Ones” by consistently doing what we know to do.

R. D. Martin, Sr Lesson Three

1

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE RETURN OF CHRIST
There are many scriptures that point to the “signs of the times,” indicators that Christ’s 2 nd Coming and return to earth in power and
glory is drawing near. Some of these scriptures include: Matthew 24, Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3, 1 Thessalonians 4, 2 Peter 3 and Jude
1:18-19. You should familiarize yourself with them because of the times in which we live.
Matthew 24:3-13 “ 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will
this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives
you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of
wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time
many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many
people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be
saved.”
Luke 21:7-18 “ 8 Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do
not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not
come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great
earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 14 But make up your mind not
to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be
able to resist or contradict. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.”
2 Timothy 3:1-15 “ 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-
control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of
godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 6 They are
. . . 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these
teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get
very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for
you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and
how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
THERE ARE REASONS TO STUDY AND COMPREHEND EVENTS OF THE END OF THE AGE
 Preaching of the 2 nd Coming and End Time Events moved me to be saved. (Reading John Walvoord’s book drove me into
discovering more about the Bible and finding more out about Jesus Christ. It was presented as a vital and important part of
scripture, and as being relevant to the things happening in my lifetime. And it continues to be even more so today.)
 Jesus, our example, studied and preached eschatology. (Jesus not only knew eschatological portions of scripture, he applied
many of them to himself. If scripture could be applied to himself, then the things in scripture should apply to me too. I.e.
Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 24:3)
 God had these things placed within the book and considered them important enough to speak about. (If the Holy Spirit
moved upon men to write these things then they are significant for the believer’s life. Christians cannot afford to be cynical
or dismissive for the same Holy Spirit spoke about and revealed both the specifics of current sanctification and application
of scripture as He also did when referring to Last Day events and eternal goals of God.)
Now consider the Spirit of God’s insight when He moved upon men to write:
1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18 “ 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who
have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the

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Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who
are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the
Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
2 Peter 3:3-14 “ 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of
creation.” 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction
of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are
like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear
with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be
destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of
God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then,
dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
WHILE THE BREADTH OF THIS TOPIC IS FAR GREATER THAN ONE STUDY, LET’S BUILD A FRAMEWORK THAT YOU CAN BUILD UPON.
In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus directly for these signs. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to
him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” If
you read the rest of Matthew 24 and Luke 21 Jesus begins to lay out for the disciples the signs that will point to his return.
Matthew 24:4-7 “ 4  Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the
Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must
happen, but the end is still to come. 7  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and
earthquakes in various places.”

After mentioning these signs, Jesus lets them know “these are the beginning of birth pains.”. This means these things point to what
eventually will happen, just like a woman going into labor. I.e. When a woman goes into labor, we know the baby is coming, we just
don’t know when. In like manner, all these signs give evidence and proof that Christ will return soon. Our responsibility is to
recognize them . . . and be ready for his return.
FIVE COMPONENTS OF THE END OF THE AGE
When you consider the Apocalypse and the signs mentioned in the Bible, there are four things I want to consider. Look at these as
the shell of the events to come. 
1. “LAST DAYS” – The period of time that began with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and will continue until
Christ’s return. Acts 2:16-18 “ 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my
Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 “ 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of
money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
2. “THE RAPTURE” – Although this word ‘rapture’ is not found in the original manuscripts, it is a Latin word which encapsulates
the ideas presented in scripture when all believers will be caught up to meet Christ in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “ 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left

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will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
3. “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” – A seven-year period of unimaginable distress, misery and persecution that falls upon the
earth just prior to Christ’s return. The first half of these 7 years will probably be a time of prosperity and acceptance of the
Antichrist as the great deliverer from political, military, and economic chaos. This first half will focus upon a “man’s wrath” as he
pursues his agenda of gaining power. But the last half of the period will witness various intense plagues as described in
Revelation 15:1-16. This last half will focus upon “God’s wrath” being poured out upon unregenerate man shaking his fist at
God.
Again, this Tribulation period is divided into two sections each lasting three and a half years as described above. The first half of
this period includes a series of world-wide events, unfathomable disasters and building human emotional distress of nations all
the while the antichrist positions himself as the answer-man for all of God’s woes. The second half is identified with totalitarian
control over the earth and the rise of the Antichrist himself, but also where the power of God’s wrath and judgment begins
being exercised over him and the earth.
Matthew 24:21-23 “ 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to
be equaled again. 22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be
shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-10 (KJV) “ 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 opposes and exalts himself above all that is called
God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” “ 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, 10 And with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved.”
Scriptures like these above convey descriptions of many things, including the Antichrist and his agenda and his chosen methods
for gaining global control. He will do this through several means: militarily, politically, and religiously and socially just to name a
few. Some ask, “Why does God insist upon a time of such distress, turmoil, pestilence, and destruction, if He’s such a loving and
caring God?” There could be many answers to such a question, but the following verses help us understand why this seven-year
period of the Tribulation exists in God’s time-table.
Psalms 149:7-9 “ 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with
chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written.”
Micah 5:15 “ 15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me."
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 “ 7 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!” KJV
4. “THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST”
This 2 nd Coming occurs when Jesus physically returns to the earth and establishes his kingdom and reign on the earth. While
some contend we should establish his kingdom by our efforts during this our lifetime, scripture may seem to conclude
otherwise: that He will establish it.
Revelation 20:1-6 “ 1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great
chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw
him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years
were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given
authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of
the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.
They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years

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were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has
no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
NOTE: THE SECOND COMING IS DIFFERENT FROM THE RAPTURE OR CATCHING AWAY.
The second coming of Christ is the visible, bodily appearance of Christ as He returns to the Mount of Olives from which He
ascended back to heaven after His resurrection (as is described in Acts chapter 1 by the two angels).
5. “THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB”
What is this? A wedding and marriage between the raptured saints and the Lamb in heaven [during the time of Tribulation]
taking place on earth. Afterward, Christ, the groom, goes forth to claim “all of His kingdom whether in Heaven or Earth. Here
we see Christ rides on a white horse, followed by the saints, also on white horses.
Revelation 19:6-16 “ 6  Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of
thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7  Let us rejoice and be glad (agallio: “ecstatic joy, leap,
skipping”) and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8  Fine linen, bright
and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
To have a more complete understanding compare this same Greek word as used and found in the Gospel of Luke:
Luke 22:14-18 “ 14  When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15  And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired
(agallio: “ecstatic joy”) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16  For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment
in the kingdom of God.” 17  After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18  For I tell you I will
not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
WHO ARE THESE INVITED? There are three primary views regarding this:
Revelation 17:14 “ 14 the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his
called, chosen and faithful followers.”
 The “raptured” church? [I.e. those whose sins have gone before via the cross and their penalty has been paid by the
faith they have in the accomplished work of Christ’s salvation.]
 The raptured and “martyred of the Great Tribulation”?
 All believers: Pre-covenant worshippers, Old Testament era saints, New Testament believer to our present day, and
future Messianic converts of the Great Tribulation?
Isaiah 6:10 “ 10  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns
herself with her jewels.”
Hosea 2:19-20 “ 19  I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.
20  I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.”

NOW REVELATION CHAPTER 19 CONTINUES WITH A VIEW OF THE GROOM – This will be a sight of great wonder and majesty as
Christ himself descends with His followers to reclaim that which Satan has temporarily wrested from His hand. However, Satan
through the Antichrist will not simply give up, but will try and contend physically with the Christ even in His glory.
Revelation 19:6-16 11  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
With justice he judges and wages war. 12  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on
him that no one knows but he himself. 13  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14  The armies of
heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15  Coming out of his mouth is a sharp
sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the
wrath of God Almighty. 16  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
THE CONCLUSION IS THIS: “WE WIN!” - The ensuing conflict between the world of righteousness and the world of darkness is
called the Battle of Armageddon (written about more fully in Revelation chapter 16). At the conclusion of this battle, defeated Satan
is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years.

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Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 “ 10  I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has
also set eternity in the human heart; yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12  I know that there is nothing
better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all
their toil—this is the gift of God.”
Psalms 90:1-2 (Message) “ 1-2  God, it seems you’ve been our home forever; long before the mountains were born, Long before you
brought earth itself to birth, from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come”—you are God!”
THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR VIEWS REGARDING THIS MILLENIAL REIGN
The various views are distinguished by what they think about the thousand years reign of Christ. Here is my attempt to explain the
major components of these views.
1. POST-MILLENNIALISM (“post” means “after”) teaches that the thousand years reign of Christ will precede the Second Coming.
Historically, most who hold this view have believed that the preaching of the gospel and expansion of the church will take place
throughout the present age until the whole world comes under the influence of the gospel. When the gospel has triumphed
universally, then there will be an age of unprecedented peace and prosperity among the nations and peoples of the world as
Christ exercises his saving rule from heaven. Some who hold this view believe that the thousand years is literally 1,000 years.
Others think that the thousand years reign is a figurative number referring to an extended period of blessedness in the world.
But all who hold this view believe that John is describing a period that occurs before the Second Coming, the Final Judgment,
and the New Heavens and New Earth.
2. THEONOMY: In the last century there arose a variation of this view. It arose in connection with a theological view called
“theonomy.” “Theonomy” is a word that brings together the Greek words for “God” and “Law” and means “God’s Law.” The
distinctive thing about theonomy in relation to post-millennialism is its view of the Old Testament “judicial” or “civil” laws.
These Laws are the statutes and the penalties that God told Moses to put in place to govern the national life of Israel.
Theonomists believe that those laws that governed Israel as a nation give a timeless and universal pattern of righteous law for
the nations. So, when all or most of the world becomes Christian, the blessedness of this age will include the introduction of
“Biblical Law” among the nations which will lead to the blessings of both national and personal righteousness. When this period
ends, the end as described in the previous paragraph will occur.
3. PRE-MILLENNIALISM (“pre” means “before”) believes that the thousand years reign of Christ will take place after his Second
Coming. Christ will come and set up his millennial reign on earth. Usually this reign is understood to involve the restoration of
Israel to its Old Testament status of privilege. All the nations will acknowledge a descendant of David as their King. Christ will sit
on the throne in his capital city of Jerusalem in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Under Christ’s 1000 years reign the age of
blessing will descend on the world. At the end of the 1000 years reign, Satan will be set free and will lead a short-lived rebellion
which Christ will put down. Then the Final Judgment will take place and the everlasting Kingdom will begin. This view is
sometimes known as Historic Pre-Millennialism.
There was a further development of this view during the 19th century. It was such a significant development that pre-
millennialists become divided into two camps, some holding the older view and others the newer view. They share the view that
Christ’s Second coming would precede the millennial kingdom, but they differ on other significant matters.
 This newer view was developed in England and spread through the English-speaking world in part by the popularity of a
study Bible called the Scofield Reference Bible. This view introduced the concept of two comings (sometimes three) of
Christ. He would come in the air (not all the way to earth) for his church and take it out of the world, leaving behind only
non-believers. This is called the Rapture. This would end the period of history known as “the Church Age” which began after
Christ’s ascension. With the removal of the church there will be a seven-year period of worldwide, unprecedented time of
trouble, called the Great Tribulation. It will involve times of plague, pestilence, and persecution. During this time Israel will
at last recognize that Christ is their Messiah. Israel, already gathered to Palestine, will resume its central place in God’s plan.
 Also, there will be Gentiles, left behind, who will turn to Christ and ally themselves with the Jews and Israel. The Anti-Christ
will arise and create a great alliance of nations against Christ and Israel and believing Gentiles. All this will come to a
climatic end with the Battle of Armageddon. When it seems all is lost, Christ will come, rescue Israel and defeat the Anti-

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Christ Alliance. At this point what will follow is along the lines of the pre-millennial view described in the previous
paragraph.
4. A-MILLENNIALISM (“a” means “no” or “non”) is sometimes considered as a variation of Post-Millennialism. It teaches that the
millennium of which John wrote is a picture of the rule of Christ that was instituted at his ascension into heaven until he comes
again. In other words, the millennium is now, not future. Christ is King, Christ is ruling, and will continue to rule until all his
enemies are placed under his feet. However, the reign of Christ does not mean the end of all opposition (as Post-Millennialism
believes).
Satan, though his defeat is sure, will continue to fight throughout this age. His (Satan’s) position is like that of Germany
following D-Day (June 6, 1944). Germany’s defeat became sure when the Allies got their foothold on the coast of France. But
there was almost a year of war remaining before Germany’s total and final defeat. So, the present age is an age of conflict
between the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingdom of Satan. The outcome is certain, but there are many battles during the war,
and there will be ebb and flow in the war. The war will end when Christ comes again. Then there will be the last judgment
followed by the new heavens and new earth.
 Now there are some differences among a-millennialists that have to do with their expectations concerning the present age.
Both agree that the total defeat of Satan and complete triumph of the Kingdom of Christ will not occur short of the Second
Coming.
 But some a-millennialists are more optimistic, believing that, while there will always be conflict, looking at the big picture,
the Kingdom of Christ will advance and win many victories. Others are more pessimistic believing that the whole age will
involve conflict, perhaps increasingly intense conflict, until the end when Christ will utterly defeat Satan and evil and bring
into being the rule of righteousness.
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
Let me remind you, what I’ve tried to do here is simply to give you the “lay of the land” or a “large picture” with regard to the
various views of the Second Coming held by sincere Christians.

Rev. Rickey MartinLesson Fourm

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CONCEPTS OF THE TIMING AND SEQUENCE OF

EVENTS
REVIEW: “FOUR MAJOR VIEWS OF THE MILLENIAL REIGN”
The various views are distinguished by what they think about the thousand years reign of Christ. Here is my attempt to explain the
major components of these views.
1. POST-MILLENNIALISM: all who hold this view believe that John is describing a period that occurs before the Second Coming, the
Final Judgment, and the New Heavens and New Earth.
2. THEONOMY: Theonomists believe that those laws that governed Israel as a nation give a timeless and universal pattern of
righteous law for the nations. Including its view of “judicial” or “civil” laws. So, when all or most of the world becomes Christian,
the blessedness of this age will include the introduction of “Biblical Law” among the nations which then lead to the blessings of
both national and personal righteousness.
3. PRE-MILLENNIALISTS believe the thousand-year reign of Christ will take place after his Second Coming which is when he arrives
to set up his kingdom and thus, the age of blessing will descend on the whole world. After this comes the Final Judgment
followed by the everlasting Kingdom.
4. A-MILLENNIALISM is sometimes considered a variation of Post-Millennialism. It teaches that the millennium of which John
wrote about is a picture of the rule Christ instituted at his ascension into heaven until he comes again. In other words, the
millennium is “now”, not a future reigning. Christ is King, and is ruling, ruling through his Church and their influence, and will
continue to rule until all his enemies are placed under his feet (by the efforts of the last-days Church(?).
A BRIEF STUDY ON “DAY OF THE LORD”
Intelligent discussions of end-time events as spoken about in the Bible reveal a “central question” of: What is meant by the term,
“the Day of the Lord”?
Isaiah 13:9 “ 9 See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy
the sinners within it.”
Ezekiel 7:19 “ 19 ‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will
not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them
to stumble into sin.”
Ezekiel 30:3 “ 3 For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.”
Zephaniah 2:3 “ 3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”
And it further demands an understanding of the sequence of events referred to in end-time discussions. Many teachers have
proposed that the Day of the Lord is the entire 70th week of Daniel or as the final 7 years until Shiloh (the Messiah) comes to
establish the kingdom of God on the earth.
Amos 5:18-20 “ 18  Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord?  That day will be darkness,
not light. 19  It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the
wall only to have a snake bite him. 20  Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?”
Amos 8:9-10 “ 9 In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad
daylight. 10  I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear
sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.”
Revelation 6:12-13 “ 12 And I looked when He broke the 6th seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as
sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its
unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”

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Other noted teachers, such as Marvin Rosenthal and Robert Van Kampen, believe the Bible clearly shows that the Day of the Lord is
a specified period of time within the Great Tribulation and does not refer to the entire 7-year end-times period. (I.e. Five other seals
had previously been loosed upon the earth? This reveals a period of time had lapsed before the opening of the 6 th seal. How long of
time had transpired is not clearly stated or revealed in scripture.)
The Day of the Lord is tied together with the changing of believers in the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 to 5:1-10. Also notice
that those alive when Christ comes (4:13-18) shall be changed instantly into their immortal bodies when they are caught up to the
clouds to “meet the Lord in the air” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “ 13  Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do
not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15  According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who
are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16  For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise
first. 17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
so we will be with the Lord forever. 18  Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 “ 51  Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52  in a flash, in the twinkling of
an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53  For the
perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54  When the perishable has been clothed with
the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in
victory. 55  Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
PAULINE INSIGHTS TO THE ORDER OF THINGS
The writings of Paul go on to say in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, that believers are not to worry that the Day of the Lord has come like a
thief and overtaken us, because believers are not in darkness, that the Day of the Lord should come upon us; and goes on to say
that, "God has not destined us for wrath (taking place in the Day of the wrath of the Lord), but for salvation."
From such scriptures we garner that this particular Day of the Lord is totally associated with wrath coming from the actions of God
himself (Zephaniah 1:14-15, 18) and not the actions of men such as the antichrist. But we also see in these verses that there is a
sequence or order in these events where one thing happens prior to another.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 “ 1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2  for you know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on
them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so
that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5  You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night
or to the darkness. 6  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7  For those who sleep, sleep at
night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a
breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ. 10  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”
THE PROPHET ZEPHANIAH SEEMS TO AGREE WITH PAUL
Zephaniah 1:14-15, 18 “ 14 Near is the great Day of the Lord, near and coming quickly; listen, the Day of the Lord! In it the warrior cries
out bitterly. 15 A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and
gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry .... 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to
deliver them on the Day of the Lord's wrath; and all the earth will be devoured in the fire of His jealousy, for He will make a complete
end, indeed a terrifying one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”
The text in Zephaniah disproves that the Day of the Lord is the millennium, since the millennial reign of Shiloh, the Messiah, will be a
time of peace and prosperity for all the people of the earth, and the Zephaniah text states that the Day of the Lord is the time of
God's wrath.
PAUL’S ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Let's consider another text (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4) where Paul speaks of the catching away of saints and where the Epistle was
written to warn the church not to believe that the Day of the Lord had come.

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2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 “ 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and
sisters, 2  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or
by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3  Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come
until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4  He will oppose and will exalt
himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
IMPORTANT ORDER TO NOTE FROM OBSERVATIONS ABOVE
We are told specifically in the verse above that the snatching away of the church is “before” the Day of the Lord begins.
Additionally, we observe two signs must take place before the Day of the Lord begins; the apostasy or falling away, and the revealing
of the antichrist in the abomination of desolation in the Temple in Jerusalem. This explains the puzzle from Zephaniah which states
that the Day of the Lord is the time of God's wrath.
THE PROPHET JOEL CONFIRMS PAUL’S ORDER OF THINGS
When you consider Joel’s prophecies, we discover even more about this Day of the Lord and its timing and purpose.
Joel 2:31 “ 31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes.
The same statement of timing is restated again in Joel 3 but slightly differently with the same result.
Joel 3:14-15 “ 14 For the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars lose their
brightness.”
JOHN’S REVELATION ALSO ALIGNS WITH THE PROPHET JOEL AND WITH PAUL
What is this sign that the sun is turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the Day of the Lord comes? Is this darkened
sun and moon turning red stated elsewhere in the Bible? Yes, it is clearly enunciated in Revelation 6 among opening of the 6th seal.
Revelation 6:12-13 “ 12 And I looked when He broke the 6th seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as
sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its
unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”
This would mean that the Day of the Lord begins after the abomination of desolation in the middle of the 7-year period, but after
the 6th seal is opened and its signs bring about the sun becoming black and the moon looking like blood. Also notice verses 16-17
repeat the refrain of it being a time of wrath.
Revelation 6:16-17 “ 16 ... and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"
JESUS’ STATED ORDER OF THINGS BRINGS US INSIGHT TOO!
Next, consider the words of Jesus himself when revealing his future coming, as found in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.
Matthew 24:29-31 “ 29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its
light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, 30 and then the sign of the son of man will
appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky
with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the
four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Luke 21:25-28 “ 25 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among the nations, in perplexity at
the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world;
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And they will see the son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But
when you see these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
“QUESTION”: HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE IN LIGHT OF THESE THINGS?
Haggai 1:5, 7 “Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”
 “Live as Role Models” because of the observation of non-believers.
 “Live as Testifiers” of the grace of God being interactive within our life and existence.
 “Live as Witnesses” whom are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ at every opportunity.

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 “Live as Creators” generating new opportunities where they do not currently exist by having a ‘spirit of initiative’ as we
extend and expand our zone of influence during our lifetime.
 “Live as Faithful Ones” by consistently doing what we know to do.
 “Live Devoted Lives” by studying the Word, stay in fellowship and breaking of bread, and prayer.
SUMMARY “DEDUCTION” OF THE ORDER AS SEEN THUS FAR IN THIS SERIES
When considering these verses, and the intersection of the signs of the darkened sun and blood red moon, we can deduce the
following order of end-time events as:
a. In the middle of the end-times 7-year period, an abomination of desolation will be performed in a Jewish Temple rebuilt on the
Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This requires two things yet to transpire: a resolution of the current conflict with Moslems over
the Al Aqsa mosque (Dome of the Rock); and the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple where sacrificial system of worship will be re-
established and functioning by the time the antichrist comes.
b. After this abomination of desolation comes, a period of time referred to as the Great Tribulation in which God’s wrath is fully
revealed, begins. The abomination of desolation is an act of defilement of the temple (not yet existing) which will whip the Jews
into a fervor and infuriate God.
c. The sixth seal events occur; where the sun is darkened, the moon does not give its light, and the stars fall. These 7 seals are
only opened a search is made and Jesus, the worthy one, unseals the first of these seals.
d. After the opening of the sixth seal, there is a clear loosing and coming of Jesus and His Angels, where all the tribes of the earth
mourn because of His coming.
1.) Mid-Tribulation view: This the rapture of the church, as opposed to the Second Coming taking place later. At the Second
Coming, Jesus appears at the Mount of Olives and goes across the Kidron Valley to the Temple, and from there He acts to
destroy the armies of the earth which attack Him and Israel.
2.) Pre-Tribulation view: The coming referred to here, takes place later in the Great Tribulation just prior to Christ setting up
His kingdom and reign. They posit there is an interim of time prior to these events described.
e. The wrath of God is leashed against the antichrist and all who worship him. During this period, the restraint God has exercised
is loosed and his furor releases calamity after calamity and consequence after consequence . . . each successive event is worse
than the previous one.
f. Christ exercises all his prerogatives, takes control of all seats of government and authorities, then takes his seat on the throne,
establishing his millennial reign over the earth.
Revelation 6:12-17 “ 12 And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as
sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its
unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 And the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island
were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and
every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and
to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the
GREAT DAY OF THEIR WRATH has come; and WHO IS ABLE TO STAND?"
Revelation 7:14 “ 14 . . .they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 17:14 “ 14 . . . and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

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WHO IS THIS ANTICHRIST?
QUICK REVIEW: Some teachers propose the Day of the Lord is the entire 70th week of Daniel, while other scholars believe it refers
to the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation only. We are specifically told in the verse below that the snatching away of the church is
“before” the Day of the Lord begins. Additionally, we observe two signs must take place before the Day of the Lord begins; the
apostasy or falling away, and the revealing of the antichrist.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 “ 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and
sisters, 2  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or
by letter—asserting that the DAY OF THE LORD has already come. 3  Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not
come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4  He will oppose and will exalt
himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
ANTICHRIST? WHO IS THIS EVIL FIGURE?
Ever since the time of the apostles there has been speculation who this antichrist would be. Some were persuaded it was one of the
Caesars: Nero, Domitian, Diocletian. Others have considered it to be Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Kurt Waldheim, Willy Brandt.
Still others Pope Paul VI, Saddam Hussein, Henry Kissinger, or even Barack Obama. Others think he will be a future Roman Catholic
Pope, member of the Illuminati, and now because of the Covid-19 pandemic – Bill Gates’ and his push for requiring vaccine-tattoos.
(Using ASCII code his name totals 666)
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “ 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 opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 “ 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an
end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs
and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth
so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order
that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
In three different parts of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul states that the primary attribute regarding this son of perdition, centers
upon “lawlessness”.
Vs. 3 - “the man of lawlessness is revealed”
Vs. 6 - “ 7  For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work”
Vs. 8 - “ 8  And then the lawless one will be revealed”
Before reading Revelation chapter 13, let’s pause for a moment and set the stage for what we’ll be reading.
 There is an “Evil Three” or “Triad” revealed in these verses: The Dragon (Satan), The Beast (Antichrist), and a Second Beast
(False Prophet).
 The Dragon, Satan, empowers, energizes, and moves through the Antichrist.
 The Antichrist leads a New World Order of nations which eventually gains dominance over the whole entire world.
 It is the False Prophet who empowers the Antichrist (Beast) by his supporting charisma, propaganda, and ideology.
Revelation 13:2, 4-8 “ 2  The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The
dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 4  People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority
to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” 5  The beast was
given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6  It opened its mouth to
blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7  It was given power to wage war
against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8  All
inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was
slain from the creation of the world.”

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Revelation 16:13-14 “ 13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of
the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the
whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.”
THERE ARE 13 BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ANTICHRIST AND HIS RISING GLOBAL AUTHORITY
Scripture reveals that the antichrist has some remarkable attributes: a seeming genius in his “intellect” (Daniel 8:23), have depth of
understanding in “commerce” (Revelation 13:16-17), is an amazing “strategist in war” (Revelation 6:2; 13:2), having ability to make
listeners spellbound by his “speech” (Daniel 11:36), and has a major grasp of “politics” and “polity” and how to use it for his ultimate
ends (Revelation 17:11-12).
Revelation 13:1-10 “ 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven
heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like
those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the
heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder
and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the
beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it? 5  The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and
blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6  It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and
his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7  It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.
And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8  All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all
whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. 9  Whoever has
ears, let them hear. 10  “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the
sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”
1. He is referred to as a Beast – “I saw a beast rising out of the sea” (13:1): Revelation pictures the antichrist as a beast 32 times.
The image points to the brutal, bloody, uncontrolled, and wild character of this diabolical dictator. The comment of the sea
from which he arises generally refers to Gentile peoples. Note: Where “The Lamb” saves sinners, the beast persecutes and
executes the saints. The Lamb is gentle, whereas the beast is ferocious. The Lamb is loving, but the beast is heartless and cruel.
2. Some say He Will Be a Gentile - This beast "rises out of the sea" - The sea refers to the Gentile nations (Revelation 17:15),
indicating that the antichrist will be a Gentile. “Anti” can mean “instead of” or it can mean “against” or “opposed to.” So
“antichrist” can mean “instead of Christ,” “against Christ,” or “opposed to Christ.” The antichrist is referred to in scripture as the
“man of lawlessness,” the “son of destruction,” who will lead the world into rebellion against God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10;
Revelation 11:7) and will deceive multitudes (Revelation 19:20).
3. He, the Antichrist, gains Consolidated Power - "With ten horns and seven heads" (13:1): Because animals use horns as weapons,
horns became symbols of power and then of dominion, representing kingdoms and kings. It would seem to be 10 consolidated
nations with historical ties to the 7 headed empires revealed to Daniel chapters 7 & 9. It is likely this group of nations is tied to
world economies, especially linked to “oil”.
NOTE: the nature of leadership is such that, in any group of leaders, there always emerges a leader who is looked up to,
charismatic, the chief spokesman and influencer of the others. He is usually the one getting the most recognition and is
thought of as “the leader of the group”. This is likely to be the nature of the antichrist. I.e. This beast (antichrist) is noted
as having great power and control over several kingdoms all simultaneously.
Daniel 7:7-8, 11 “ 7  “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening
and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was
different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. 8  “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another
horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the
eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully. “ 11  “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the
horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.”
Daniel 9:26-27 “The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood:
War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27  He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In
the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that
causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. ”

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 He will be charismatic, have a magnetic personality, have answers to problems yet be arrogant, will be boastful and proud.
 He will be a man of intrigue with knowledge of spying and have politically conniving ways, all while presenting himself as
affable and trustworthy . . . yet evil within.
HOW WILL HE RISE TO POWER? Questions remain as to “how” the antichrist gains such global power over all mankind, yet
according to the Hegelian Dialectic of Christian Philosopher Friedrich Hegel and the methodologies used by Karl Marx, Lenin,
Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Pol Pot, Deng Xiaoping (etc.) it will likely be based upon the following:
 “some severe universal problem” which there seems to be no immediate answer; which is then “reacted to” by the
populace at large which in turn produces civil unrest and rioting, to which he will offer a “solution” when no other leader
seems to have an answer.
 Thus, by offering a reasonable solution the antichrist becomes “noted as an authority on the subject and gains the support
of the masses”. The Bible has him described as being a man of financial, military and political understanding.
 Once in some recognized political power position he exercises some form of political and governmental control such as
“marshal law” in order to impose his solution . . . gains the backing of news media organizations issuing supportive
“propaganda” soliciting public support of his policies . . . then releases the “promised resources benefiting the general
public”.
 In so doing, he establishes his receptivity, ultimate right to authority and then eventually governs as one unchallenged.
NOTE: Since Father God “keeps the time of the consummation of all things to himself”, Satan must have someone ready from
every generation in the offing … whom he can quickly express himself through (willingly emulates Satan) whenever there is
some potential prophetic word, or prophetic event happening.
The fact seems, the Devil has always had someone through whom he can express his own full hatred for God’s people in every
generation: Pharaoh of Egypt, Haman, Antiochus Epiphanies, Herod the Great, Muhammad, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, the
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), or current day “Isis”!
4. He leads a Revived Kingdom – Upon comparing this text with Daniel 7:16-24, we conclude that the antichrist will rise up from
among ten unified kingdoms. Some Bible expositors suggest that the seven heads may be the successive world empires known
by history: — Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek, then Roman Empires. But what about the 7 th (or even 8 th )
empire(s)?
THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR VIEWS REGARDING THIS KINGDOM which is mentioned in Daniel 7:
a. This last empire may start with 10 nations in treaty together, but the antichrist consolidates his power over several of the
ten lesser rulers, and then becomes the one ruling the whole. This group of nations is thought by some to be yet
undetermined. However, Hal Lindsey and others believe it to specifically be a “Revived Roman Empire”, while other
scholars of Eschatology disagree.
b. There is another possibility with this “restored Roman Empire”. For example, secular history records there being another
long-lasting empire of great duration and power. The Ottoman empire – which met its final demise just after World War 1,
with the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Lasting well over 500 years, this empire and its territories were Islamic states. It
encompassed what is present day Turkey, the southernmost portion of Russia, Armenia, current day Syria, Iraq, Iran, Egypt,
Libya, and the northern region of Sudan. It is noteworthy that these are the nations which also currently surround the
nation of Israel today and have an aggressive posture against it.
c. Additionally, there is more to consider about the Roman Empire. One in which the Eastern segment of the Roman empire
needs understood. In AD 395 the Roman empire was divided into two portions. The Eastern portion became known as
“the Byzantine Empire” although it was an extension of the Roman empire. In 410 AD the Visigoths or Barbarians of the
Germanic tribes conquered the Western part of the Roman empire and particularly the City of Rome, but the empire
continued to exist; it did not cease. It merely shifted its capital from the city of Rome to Constantinople, a thousand miles
to the East, and . . . continued on for another thousand years (AD 1453) until it fell to the Turks. Even these facts easily fit in
with Ezekiel’s prophecies of end times.
Each of these regions and states are primarily Islamic nations today, too. When you consider the territories and city-states
referred to and listed by Ezekiel in chapter 38 it seems to contradict the general belief of the antichrist coming out of the
European Union or some other form of a revived Roman Empire. Rather . . . it may come from a revived Ottoman Empire

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where the Antichrist rises once again into prominence whereby the antichrist then marshals his armies to come against
Israel and Jerusalem.
d. Another view considers the possibility of it being the “Calif of the Mahdi of Islam”. Ezekiel’s listing of enemies whom
gathering against it includes the lands of Magog, Meshek, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer and Togarmah. It is interesting to
note that seven of these eight lands . . . are from descendants of Noah’s four sons.
Ezekiel 38:1-12 “ 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief
prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog,
chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole
army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their
swords. 5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, 6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth
Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you. 7 “‘Get ready; be prepared, you and all the
hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. 8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you
will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel,
which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. 9 You and all
your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. 10
“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. 11
You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living
without walls and without gates and bars. 12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the
people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.”
5. He gains Global Power - "With ten diadems on its horns" (13:1): The ten diadems, or crowns, point to the dominion of the
antichrist’s kingdom, in which will eventually embrace control of the entire globe.
6. He Will Blaspheme God - "and blasphemous names on its heads" (13:1): These point to the antichrist’s character — he will have
a mouth full of blasphemy (Revelation 13:5-6) and will exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped (2
Thessalonians 2:4).
7. He marshals a Great Army - "The beast was like a leopard" (13:2): Much of the imagery in this verse is from Daniel 7. The
leopard was known for swiftness, cunning, and agility (see Daniel 7:6). This imagery in Daniel represents Greece under
Alexander the Great, which had a swift, cunning, and agile army. Such will be the case with the antichrist as he comes into world
dominion.
8. He is Fierce - "its feet were like a bear’s" (13:2): The bear in Daniel’s account refers to Mede-Persia (Daniel 7:5), well known for
its strength and fierceness in battle (Isaiah 13:17-18). Such strength and fierceness will certainly characterize the antichrist and
his forces.
9. He Expresses Powerful Words - "Its mouth was like a lion’s" (13:2): The lion in Daniel’s account refers to Babylon (Daniel 7:4),
with lion-like qualities of power and strength. Babylon was known for its ability to move quickly (like a lion). Such qualities will
characterize the antichrist.
10. He is Motivated by Satan - "To it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority" (13:2): The ultimate source of
the antichrist’s power is Satan.
11. He appears to be Resurrected from the Dead? - "Seemed to have a mortal wound" (13:3): Some Bible expositors believe this
mortal wound refers to a pagan Empire (perhaps Roman or Ottoman), which died (ceased to exist) in the past but will be revived
in the end times. Others say the antichrist will actually be killed and then resurrected. Still other scholars say that perhaps the
antichrist will be severely wounded, and Satan will supernaturally heal this wound. Or, perhaps he will simply appear to be
killed, though he really is not, and through satanic trickery seems to be resurrected. He will be wounded and seem at the point
of death, only to be miraculously raised.
THERE ARE FOUR VIEWS CONCERNING HIS “FATAL WOUND”:
a. Symbolic: This fatal wound represents Christ having defeated him in Hell when He “led captivity captive and gave gifts to
men—yet was not entirely defeated, gaining influence and retaining sufficient power over “flesh” that he can still
manipulate those individual’s and believers whom fail to “walk in the spirit”.
b. Literal: The revived Roman Empire mostly being revived in the European countries of the EU, yet still to be fully realized in
the near future.

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c. Literal: a man (leader) whom will be assassinated or deemed as having a fatal flaw . . . whom miraculously recovers or is
healed.
d. A literal, but future Islamic Mahdi who will arise to great leadership in crisis and become Islam’s savior.
e. Symbolically already fulfilled by the death of Jesus, the Roman Emperor Nero, and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem by
Titus in 70 A.D.
As said earlier, the revived Roman Empire view seems unfeasible because Revelation 13:12 specifically refers to “the first
beast, whose mortal wound was healed.” The “first beast” is the antichrist. Then, in Revelation 13:14, we find a parallel
reference to “the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.” This verse is interpreted most naturally as referring
to a person — a unique anti-God person of the future.
Note: It is unlikely that the antichrist will actually be resurrected, but he may give the appearance of having been
resurrected. Satan has supernatural abilities (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2), but he is not powerful enough
to resurrect people from the dead. Only God can create life; the devil cannot! (see Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:21; Deuteronomy
32:39, Exodus 8:19) However, the devil has great power to deceive people (Revelation 12:9) and may reveal himself as a
master magician and a super-scientist.
MORE ABOUT THE DRAGON AND THE ANTICHRIST
With his vast knowledge of God, man, and the universe, he is able to perform counterfeit miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Some theologians believe Satan may be able to perform limited “grade-B” miracles. But only God can perform “grade-A”
miracles. Only God can fully control and supersede the natural laws He Himself created.
In any event, the antichrist will appear to be resurrected from the dead. For example, 2 Corinthians 4:4 informs us that
Satan can blind peoples’ minds. If Satan pulls off some kind of counterfeit resurrection, he may blind people’s minds so that
they accept this as an indication of the antichrist’s power and deity and subsequently worship him.
12. He somehow Gains World-Wide Attention - "The whole earth marveled as they followed the beast" (13:3): This event will no
doubt make headlines around the world. Internet videos of the event will go viral. Television reports of the event will be shown
around the clock.
13. He is Worshipped - "They worshiped the dragon" (13:4): During Christ’s three-year ministry, Satan tried to persuade Him to fall
down and worship him (Matthew 4:9) and here we see the Antichrist actually worshipping Satan. Satan will finally have what he
has yearned for—worship. They worshiped the beast . . . saying, "Who is like the beast?” (13:4)
BUT THERE IS MORE! Daniel chapter 7 shares about the Antichrist’s ultimate end and the victory of Christ and God over him.
He will be fully vanquished. His deception and manipulation will end and he will be cast into the place of eternal fire, Hell.
Notice in the following verses the dominion of God is fully established in the end.
Revelation 14:9-10 “ 9 And another Angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and
his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full
strength in the cup of His anger; 10 and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the
presence of the Lamb.
Daniel 7:26-27 “ 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his [Antichrist’s] dominion will be taken away, annihilated and
destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be
given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve
and obey Him.”
“QUESTION”: HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?
Haggai 1:5 “Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”