The prophetic unfolding of the end times

These two biblical expressions refer to two different periods.

The ‘end times’ correspond to the end of a long period between the first and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, during which he builds his Church (Matthew 16.18).

Throughout Scripture, and especially in the New Testament, we find several expressions synonymous with the ‘end times’:

- ‘But whoever endures to the end will be saved’ Matthew 24.13

- ‘in the last days’ 2 Timothy 3.1

- ‘in these last days’ Hebrews 1.2

- ‘the last hour’ 1 John 2.18

- ‘at the end of time’ Jude 1.18.

The biblical notion of the end times evokes a period during which a major event, the rapture of the Church, will trigger a succession of upheavals continuing until the end of the world.

It is essential to understand clearly the order and sequence of events concerning the end times; this correct understanding requires precise identification of each of these specific and distinct events, in terms of how they take place, when they occur and their purpose.

Note that the events to unfold will concern, in the following order:

1.1 The Assembly of God, the Body of Christ, the Church:

1.2 Israel

1.3 The nations

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This ‘Day’ begins with the rapture of the Church:

The departure of the Church is the first stage of the first resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18) and takes place before the tribulation and the great tribulation. The first rapture therefore concerns the Bride of Christ; other groups of people will take part in the first resurrection, as we will see later.

Here, the salvation of the righteous is not in question (Romans 8.1). This is the place for rewards in the form of crowns:

- ‘an imperishable crown’ 1 Corinthians 9.25, 1 Peter 5.4

- ‘a crown of glory’ 1 Thessalonians 2.19

- ‘a crown of righteousness’ 2 Timothy 4.8

- ‘a crown of life’ James 1.12, Revelation 2.10.

All our victories, all our rewards belong to the Lord, for everything comes from him, everything is possible through him, and everything rightly returns to him,

This is the beginning of the tribulation on earth, lasting three and a half years, to be followed by the great tribulation for another three and a half years (Daniel 7.25, Daniel 9.27, Revelation 7.14, Revelation 13.5, Revelation 13.7, Revelation chapters 15, 16, 17).

In the middle of the tribulation, 144,000 men belonging to the twelve tribes of Israel are marked with the divine seal (Revelation 7.4). They will be caught up in the middle of the great tribulation (Revelation 14.1, Revelation chapters 3 and 4).

The apostle John sees their souls under the altar (Revelation 6.9-11); they will rise after the great tribulation along with the martyrs of that terrible period (Revelation 20.4).

The 144,000 who are sealed and protected during the great tribulation and then caught up to heaven, the conversions of the martyrs of the various tribulations and their resurrection, confirm the presence of the Holy Spirit, who will regulate the actions of the antichrist — afficher la définition INF265 during his terrible reign.

Another stage of the first resurrection is that of the two witnesses, who will minister for 1,260 days (42 months or three and a half years) (Revelation 11.3-12). Defeated by the vile beast from the abyss, the two witnesses rise again and ‘ascend to heaven in the cloud’ before the eyes of their enemies (Revelation 11.7, Revelation chapters 11 and 12).

At the end of the great tribulation, all the righteous of the First Covenant (the friends of the Bridegroom, John 3.29), as well as all the martyrs of the tribulation and the great tribulation who belong to the Bride, will rise again (Revelation 19.2, Revelation 20.4). Then the noces de l’Agneau — afficher la définition INF201 will begin (Revelation 19.7-9), followed by a supper (Revelation 19.9; the Lord’s Supper, meaning the evening meal, refers to the Lord’s meal, (1 Corinthians 11.20), where all the participants will previously have put on the habit de noces — afficher la définition INF199 (Matthew 22.2, Matthew 22.11-12). The history of humanity will end with a wedding rather than a funeral (Revelation 19.7-8).

Between the armies of Gog, king of Magog (Ezekiel 38.2), and the heavenly armies following Christ, accompanied by all the elect (Revelation 19.11-16, Revelation chapters 19, 20 and 21), one of the greatest battles in all human history will take place: the battle of Armageddon. It will unfold in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (known today as the Plain of Esdraelon). These international armies, assembled at the instigation of Satan, the antichrist — afficher la définition INF265 and the false prophet with the aim of exterminating Israel, will be annihilated.

Victory over the armies of Gog will be followed by Christ’s return in glory to the mont des Oliviers — afficher la définition INF305. He will then establish his 1,000-year reign from present-day Jerusalem (Revelation 20.1-3). At the end of the Millennium, our Lord Jesus Christ and all the righteous will ascend to heaven again; Satan will be released from his prison (Revelation 20.7). One last time, he will deceive and lead the humanity that has not been converted during the Millennium, setting it against Israel.

Fire descending from heaven will annihilate the satanic armies of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20.9-10). Condemned for eternity, Satan will join the beast (the antichrist — afficher la définition INF265) and the false prophet in the lake of fire and sulphur.

The earth, emptied of all its inhabitants, will be destroyed. Then will come the last judgement of those who take part in the second resurrection. They will be condemned to live without God for eternity Revelation 20.11-15). Then a new heaven and a new earth will appear (Revelation 21.1).

From the new earth, from the new Jerusalem resplendent in glory, an eternity of peace and joy will begin in the presence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, with all the redeemed (Revelation 21.2-4).

This study was prepared by Pastor Alain Michel Trichard. We thank him for his kind participation.