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Is the popular teaching concerning Bible prophecy and the last days true? Will there be signs of the end times? Will there be a secret rapture of the church? Will the Antichrist rise up and bring the great tribulation upon the earth? Will Jesus come, raise the righteous dead and destroy him in the battle of Armageddon? Will Israel be restored to Palestine and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem? Will Jesus sit on David’s throne for a thousand years bringing peace to the earth? Will the devil gather Gog and Magog for a final attack against Christ’s kingdom? Will there be another resurrection, this time of only the wicked dead, before the final judgment and end of the world?
These are some of the questions that we hope to explore as we examine end time teachings with the Bible. This is an extensive and difficult study that will require a great deal of effort. I believe this is important, not only because so many are so confused about these things, but because to err here may cause some to lose their souls. Only the truth of God’s word will properly encourage us to prepare to meet the Lord and give us the blessed assurance of eternal life.
What Are The Last Days?
In the Old Testament we have many prophecies concerning the last days, or latter days as it is sometimes translated. These prophecies show that the last days are associated with the first coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. For example:
The beginning of the last days was marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2. Peter explained: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:16-21).
The last days were ongoing during the time of the first century church and continue until this day.
We are not waiting for the last days to come, they are already here, they have been going on since the first century, we are still living in them today.
The last days will end when Christ returns and the last enemy, death, is destroyed in the resurrection.
When Jesus comes again it will not be the beginning of the last days but the end of the last days when the last enemy, death, is destroyed, at the very last trumpet, on the very last day when all the dead are raised, and judged, and the world comes to an end (2 Peter 3:10).
To summarize, the last days began in Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, His church, and they will end when Christ comes to judge all people at the end of the world. Christ is not coming once to rapture His people, then come again later to reestablish the nation of Israel and the temple; nor is He coming to reign on this earth for another thousand years, or even one day!
Will There Be Signs Of The End Times?
Whenever there is an international crisis or military conflict or famine or earthquake there are those who see it as a sign of the end of the world. Will there be signs of the end times? Can we know by seeing these signs that the Lord is about to come? Is the Lord going to come in our generation?
Throughout these last days, there have been those who have claimed to know when Jesus is coming again. Their predictions have largely been based upon the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24. Yet, one by one, they have all failed in their predictions. We should not be surprised because the Bible teaches us that there will be no signs of the end times.
In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple that then stood in Jerusalem (vv. 1-2). The disciples wanted to know when this would happen (v. 3). They thought that this would not happen until Jesus came at the end of the world, but they were wrong.
This prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70 by the Roman army. The Roman commander, Titus, “gave orders that they should now demolish the whole city and temple…it was laid so completely even with the ground by those who dug it up from the foundation, that there was nothing left to make those believe who came hither that it had ever been inhabited” (Josephus).
In Jesus’ answer to His disciples, He first deals with the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the signs that would precede that event (vv. 4-34). Then, He told them that there would be no signs to indicate His coming at the end of the world (vv. 35ff).
All of the signs which the Lord mentioned (vv. 4-14) took place before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 (see J. Marcellus Kik, “The Eschatology Of Victory”), not at the end of the world.
The desolation was “in the holy place” (i.e., the Temple) and the city of Jerusalem (v. 15; cf. Luke 21:20); the desolation was not of the whole world. This obviously refers to the Romans surrounding Jerusalem and then finally destroying the temple in 70 A.D. “And now the Romans, upon burning of the holy house itself, and of the buildings round about it, brought their ensigns to the Temple, and set them over against its eastern gate; and there did they offer sacrifices to them” (Josephus). Daniel 9:24-27 connects the desolation of Jerusalem with Christ’s first coming, His crucifixion, and the people of the prince (namely Titus, the Roman commander), not at His second coming and the end of the world.
Jesus’ instructions show that He was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 16-22). There will be no place to run, no time to take things out of your house or go back and get clothes when the Lord comes. It will not matter if you are pregnant or nursing, if it is in winter or on the Sabbath when the world ends because nobody will escape on that day. There will be no “ever shall be” at the end of time, and those days would not have had to be shortened if they were at the end of time. Those days were shortened because continued war would have spread throughout the land making it impossible for Christians to escape. But following Christ’s instructions they fled to Pella (Eusebius) and there is no evidence that any were killed or captured by the Romans. The Jews, on the other hand, sought safety within the walls of the city and 1,100,000 died and 97,000 were enslaved.
Jesus’ warnings of false Christs show that He was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 23-28). When Jesus comes at the end of the world everybody will see it (cf. Rev. 1:7)!
Jesus uses apocalyptic language to describe God’s judgment upon the Jewish nation and their fall at Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 29-31; cf. Isaiah 13:10 as Babylon; 19:1 as Egypt; 34:4 as the nations; Ezekiel 32:7-8 as Egypt; Joel 2:1-10 as Judah; Amos 8:9 as Israel). It was the sign of the fact that the Son of Man was reigning in heaven (v. 30 literally “and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven”; cf. Psalm 97:1-6).
Jesus spoke all these things so they would know the time for the fulfillment of His prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 32-33).
Jesus explicitly said that all these things would take place before that generation passed away, and not at the end of the world (v. 34). Some want to redefine generation to mean race (e.g., the Jewish race) but this is not how the term is used (cf. Matthew 1:17; 11:16; 12:38-45; 16:4; 17:17; 23:36). It would be unreasonably redundant for Jesus to tell His disciples what was going to happen to the Jews then to say their race would not pass away until it did.
Jesus explicitly said that no one but His Father alone knows when the world will come to an end (vv. 35-36).
His coming at the end of the world will be like the days of Noah (vv. 37-39). Everything was going on as normal, nothing unusual. There were no signs.
It will be sudden and unexpected like when an army comes through taking some and leaving others (vv. 40-41; cf. 1 Samuel 11:11; Matthew 13:30, 41-43, 47-50) or like a thief who breaks in a house (vv. 42-44; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; 2 Peter 3:10). They would not give any signs to indicate when they were coming.
It is not something you can wait to prepare for when you see some signs but rather you must always be prepared because there will be no signs (vv. 45-51; cf. Matthew 25)!
Will There Be A Secret Rapture Of The Church?
Perhaps you have seen the bumper stickers that read, “In case of rapture somebody grab the wheel…In case of rapture this car will be unmanned.” No doubt you have heard preachers talk about The Rapture, read a book or seen a movie on The Rapture. Have you ever wondered just what this is all about?
The Rapture is the teaching that Jesus will secretly come for all His saints. He will raise the dead saints and then lift them up together with the live saints to meet Him in the air. All the lost, who remain on the earth, will not know where they have gone. They won’t be able to explain the empty graves.
While the saints are with the Lord, there will be a period of great tribulation on the earth like never before. During this time the Antichrist will come to power and rule the world. There will be fear, suffering, and death on a mass scale. This will last seven years.
At the end of the seven years Jesus will come back with His saints, conquer the enemy and reign on the earth for a thousand years. After which time there will be a final judgment.
The secret coming of Christ and catching away of the church for seven years is called The Rapture. Is there any biblical basis for The Rapture? Will graves suddenly open and be vacated? Will the highways be strewn with wrecks because drivers have been secretly taken away? Will some find children and mates, friends and coworkers missing but themselves left behind?
The passage most used as a basis for The Rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, which speaks of the coming (Gk. parousia) of Christ. This passage actually refutes The Rapture.
The coming, appearance, and revelation of Jesus Christ and the resurrection and judgment of all people will all occur on the last day at the end of the world. Jesus will not come for His saints and then return with them seven years later but will come to take all the faithful to the Father’s house forever!
Will The Antichrist Rise Up And Bring The Great Tribulation Upon The Earth?
Some believe that before Jesus returns the greatest political leader in history will arise and establish an empire over the entire world that will stand against God and His people causing great tribulation throughout the planet like never before.
Who is the Antichrist? In the past, some thought Hitler, Stalin, and Saddam Hussein were the Antichrist. People are still trying to identify him. We will consider every passage where the term “antichrist” appears in the Bible, but first let’s look at some other passages that some believe also speak of the Antichrist.
Some go to Daniel, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. He is not the little horn of Daniel 7:3-8. That one comes out of the fourth kingdom, Rome (cf. Daniel 2:37-40) and speaks of Domitian (cf. Revelation 17:9-11).
He is not the small horn that grew into the great horn of Daniel 8:3-9. This one comes out of the third kingdom, Greece (8:20-21) and speaks of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
He is not the prince who destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem in Daniel 9:26. This passage speaks of the first coming of Christ, His death, and the destruction of Jerusalem led by the Roman commander, Titus, in 70 A.D. (vv. 24-27; cf. Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20).
He is not any of the kings of Daniel 11-12. This passage discusses the history from the time of Darius, the Mede (11:1-2) until the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (12:6-7, 11). “The time of the end” (8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9) means the time appointed by God for the fulfillment of the prophecy (cf. Habakuk 2:2-3), not the end of time or the end of the world.
Daniel’s prophecies are about the end of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires, the end of the Jews as God’s covenant nation and the establishment of God’s kingdom, the church, during the days of the Roman kings, not the end of the world. The term Antichrist is never used in Daniel.
Some go to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. This passage speaks of the man of sin. Paul says, “he is already at work”, therefore he cannot be some future Antichrist that only arises at the end of the world. Some see him as evil personified in many different persons through the ages, but I believe he is Catholicism (the apostate church) personified in the Pope. Notice:
This passage is not about a man who arises at the end of the world but of the falling away of the church that began in the first century resulting in the Catholic Church with her popes and will continue until Christ comes again. The term Antichrist is never used in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
Some go to Revelation, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. Revelation speaks of things “which must shortly take place…for the time is near…for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1, 3; 22:6). For this reason, the book was not to be sealed (22:10). When Daniel received a revelation about 550 B.C. (Daniel 8:1) concerning the work of Antiochus Epiphanes in about 164 B.C. (vv.13-14) he was told, “Seal up the vision for it refers to many days in the future” (v. 26). Therefore, Revelation should not be understood as referring to things far removed in time from John’s day but to that which was soon coming upon the church.
We must also realize that Revelation was written in apocalyptic language (1:1). The word revelation comes from the Greek word apocalypse which means an unveiling or uncovering, a revelation. This word came to be used of writings which were like Revelation in their use of symbolic language. Other books in the Bible such as Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah contain much apocalyptic language. An understanding of how the symbols are used in these other books will help us in understanding Revelation.
In the visions of John, numbers (1-unity, 2-strength, 3-Deity, 3½-trial, 4-creation, 5-limited, 6-sinful man, 7-perfection, 8-revival, 10-completeness, 12-God’s people), colors (white-purity, red-bloodshed, black-sin, pale-death), animals (lamb, lion, dragon, frogs), cities (Sodom, Egypt, Jerusalem, Babylon), persons (Balaam, Jezebel, Gog and Magog) and other things (angels, demons, stars, clouds, winds, waters, fire, thrones, crowns, swords, chariots, armies, plagues, alters, temples, garments, trees, oil, wine, gold, silver, precious stones, ships, coins, books, musical instruments, eye salve, time periods) are all used symbolically. John sees vivid images which are meant to convey a message. You will read of a dragon that casts down stars from heaven and a flood that proceeds out of its mouth. Frogs come from the mouth of a false prophet and lead armies into battle. The sun is darkened, the moon becomes blood, and the heavens are rolled up like a scroll. We must not get too bogged down in the details of the image that we miss the big picture. As is characteristic of most apocalyptic literature Revelation was written to comfort God’s people in their trial with the assurance that their enemies would be judged and that they would be victorious if they remained faithful (Revelation 2:10).
Revelation 13 speaks of a beast that rises out of the sea (vv. 1-10). It is the fourth beast of Daniel, the Roman Empire with her emperors (cf. Daniel 2; 7). Revelation begins where Daniel left off, with the Roman persecution of the saints because they refused to bow to the emperor and to worship the many Roman gods.
It also speaks of the land beast. This was the cult of priests used by Rome to promote and enforce emperor worship (vv. 11-16). The emperor was identified by the number 666, as were all those who bowed to him. The number 6 is symbolic of sin because it is one short of 7, the perfect number (Romans 3:23). The number 666 is sin multiplied. The emperor was a very evil man, not a god to be worshipped. God’s people who did not bow to the emperor were persecuted, not being allowed to trade and even killed, but they would be delivered because they had God’s seal (Revelation 7; cf. 2 Timothy 2:19).
Revelation is not about someone who arises at the end of the world to destroy God’s people. It is about the Roman Empire with its emperors who severely persecuted the church for many years. The term Antichrist is never used in Revelation.
The Bible uses the term “antichrist” only five times (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). According to these passages there were many antichrists, not just one. They lived in John’s day, not just at the end of the world. They were anti-Christ, literally against Christ; they denied Jesus Christ and the Father; they denied Jesus Christ came in the flesh. These passages never mention a world ruler who rises up against God and His people to bring the great tribulation before Jesus comes at the end of the world.
What is the Great Tribulation? Some believe that there will be a terrible time of great suffering during the reign of the Antichrist culminating in Armageddon at the coming of Christ and the beginning of His millennial reign on the earth. The Bible speaks often of tribulation, even great tribulation but it nowhere mentions the great tribulation at the coming of Christ in the end times.
The term “great tribulation” is only found three times in the Bible (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 2:20-23; 7:14). We will first look at these passages and then at some other passages used to support the false idea of the great tribulation.
Matthew 24:21-22 (cf. Mark 13; Luke 21) – This prophecy of Jesus refers to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. which had already been prophesied by Daniel (Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20). The Christians were not “raptured” but were told to flee Judea. Jesus used a hyperbolic proverbial saying, like was used by the Old Testament prophets when God sent Babylon upon Jerusalem (Jeremiah 30:7; Ezekiel 5:8-9), to describe the destruction. Josephus, an eyewitness, wrote, “neither did any other city suffer such miseries…from the beginning of the world” (Wars of the Jews, vs. 10, 5). The phrase “nor ever shall be” shows that Jesus had in mind a time near His own day, not at the end of the world. As He said, “this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34; cf. 23:36-38).
Revelation 2:20-23 – This passage speaks of God’s judgment upon a wicked false teacher, and her followers, that was troubling the church at Thyatira (vv. 18, 24).
Revelation 7:14 – This passage speaks of the faithful Christians who endured the awful persecution of the Roman Empire upon the church (Revelation 1:5; 3:5), which as we have already learned is the subject of Revelation. This tribulation had already begun and was only going to grow worse (Revelation1:9; 2:9-10), until the fall of Rome (6:9-11; 17:4-6, 18; 18:2, 20-21, 24).
Jeremiah 30:7 – This passage mentions “Jacob’s trouble” which refers to the captivity of Judah in Babylon which began in 606 B.C. “He shall be saved out of it” refers not to some supposed “rapture”, but to the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon which began to take place 70 years later in 536 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel (cf. Jeremiah 29:10).
Daniel 9:23-27 – This prophecy of “seventy weeks” (7x10x7) is symbolic of the perfect (7=perfect) and complete (10=complete) determination of God concerning the Jews and their city. The Bible often uses these numbers figuratively (e.g., Genesis 24:60; 41; Deuteronomy 33:2; 1 Samuel 18:7; Job 5:19; 19:3; Psalm 3:6; 12:6; 119:164; Proverbs 24:16; 26:16, 25; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Isaiah 4:1; 30:26; Daniel 1:20; 3:19; 4:16, 25, 32; 7:10; Micah 6:7; Matthew 18:21-22; 25:1; Luke 14:31; 17:4; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 14:19; Jude 14; Revelation 1:4; 2:10; 5:1, 11; 10:4; 12:3; 13:1; 15:1).
The prophecy includes these points: To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness (Matthew 23:31-36; John 17:4; 19:30; Romans 1:16-17; 3:20-26; 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16; Hebrews 9:26; 10:11-12), to seal up vision and prophecy (i.e., concerning the Jewish nation, Jerusalem, and the temple, and finding their fulfillment in Christ and His church (Luke 21:20-24; 24:44-49; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-2; Jude 3), and to anoint the Most Holy One (i.e., Jesus Christ, the Anointed One; Isaiah 61:1-2 w/Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 10:36-42) and/or the Most Holy Place (i.e., the church of Christ; 1 Corinthians 3:15-16; 6:19-20; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:8-12, 23-28; 10:1-22).
The prophecy began with the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon “to restore and build Jerusalem” (Ezra; Nehemiah). These were “troublesome times” because of the opposition of Sanballat, satrap of Samaria (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1, 8, 11; 6:2, 6-7).
The prophecy continued “until Messiah (Gk. Christ)” came and was “cut off, but not for Himself” (i.e., He was put to death for us; Isaiah 53; Acts 8:32-33; 1 Cor. 15:1-3), confirming “a covenant with many” (the New Covenant; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 26:28) and bringing “an end to sacrifice and offering” (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9-10).
The prophecy was finished not long afterward when the city and the temple in Jerusalem were “destroyed…made desolate, even until the consummation [or its utter end].” This destruction was led by “the prince of the people”, the Roman commander, Titus, “on the wings of abomination” (viz., the ensign of an eagle carried by the Roman armies; Matthew 24:15, 28; Luke 21:20). The “end of it” was with a “flood” (i.e., an act of God’s judgment causing complete destruction; cf. Nahum 1:8; Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 19:41-44).
The “seventy weeks” may be understood as seventy weeks of years (490 years), counting from the command to restore Jerusalem (Ezra 1, 539 B.C., cf. Isaiah 44:24-28; 45:13; Ezra 7, 457 B.C.; Nehemiah 1-2, 444 B.C.). They were divided into seven weeks of years (49 years during which Jerusalem was rebuilt), followed by sixty-two weeks of years (434 years to the time when Christ began His ministry, 26 A.D.) and one week of years (7 years in the middle of which Christ was crucified, 29 A.D.). Finally, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed (70 A.D.).
Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks does not speak of a great tribulation at the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. It speaks of the return of Judah from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem, continues until the first coming of Christ when He died for the sins of the world, and concludes with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans.
Daniel 12:1 – The time is the days of the Roman kings (Daniel 11:36-45) and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (12:6-7, 11) from which the Christians fled and escaped (Matthew 24:15-22). See our earlier discussion of Daniel regarding the Antichrist above.
In summary, we have learned that there is no end time prophecy concerning the Antichrist and the great tribulation. The Antichrist is not mentioned in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, or Revelation. The term antichrist is only mentioned five times in the Bible where it speaks of the many who were against Christ in the first century. The great tribulation is only mentioned three times in the Bible. The phrase was used of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, of God’s judgment on the wicked false teacher, and her followers, at Thyatira, and of the persecution of the church by the Roman Empire. Jeremiah spoke of troublesome times for the Jewish nation when they were taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel spoke of such times when they returned from captivity to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem until its later destruction by the Romans in 70 A.D.
What Is The Battle Of Armageddon?
Some believe that it is a great worldwide battle in the end times that threatens to extinguish all of mankind but for the coming of the Lord.
With all the talk of Armageddon, you may be surprised to learn that it is only mentioned one time in the Bible (Revelation 16:16) and the battle is described in just two verses (19:20-21).
We have already learned that Revelation is a highly figurative book of symbols written to the churches that were persecuted by the Roman Empire to assure them of victory through Jesus Christ. It was not about the end times but was shortly to take place (1:1-3).
Revelation 16 records the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth. They are reminiscent of the plagues God sent upon Egypt (e.g., sores, blood, darkness, frogs; Exodus 7-11) and symbolize God’s judgment on the Roman Empire.
With the pouring out of the sixth bowl, we read of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).
In this vision, the drying up of the Euphrates enables the kings of the east to gather at Armageddon (Compare Exodus 14:21-22 crossing of Red Sea; Joshua 3:15-17 crossing Jordan; 2 Kings 2:7-14 Elijah and Elisha crossing Jordan; Isaiah 11:15-16 Jewish remnant crossing Red Sea, viz., given a way to Christ).
We have previously identified the dragon as Satan (Revelation 12), the beast as the Roman Empire personified in her emperors, and the false prophet as the teachers and enforcers of emperor worship (Revelation 13).
The frogs are identified as unclean spirits coming from the mouths of this terrible trio. This speaks of the lies and deceptions used by Satan in the Roman Empire (cf. 1 Kings 22:19-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).
Just as the dragon, the beast, the false prophet, and the frogs are symbolic, so is Armageddon.
Armageddon literally means mountain of Megiddo.
Megiddo was a fortified city located on a plain near Mount Carmel. It is where Jezebel’s false prophets of Baal were defeated (1 Kings 18). There also Joshua defeated the Canaanites (Joshua 12:21), Deborah defeated the kings of Canaan (Judges 5), Gideon defeated the Midianites (Judges 7). Saul and Jonathan were defeated at Megiddo (1 Samuel 31). Evil King Ahaziah of Judah died there (2 Kings 9). King Josiah disobeyed God and was mortally wounded in battle against Necho of Egypt at Megiddo (2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35).
Megiddo was one of the great battlefields of the world, like Waterloo, Normandy, or the Texas Alamo. Revelation uses it as a symbol of the defeat of the Roman Empire.
The defeat of the Roman Empire comes with the pouring out of the seventh bowl (Revelation 16:17-21). It is poured into the air, where Satan rules (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:12), indicating God has completely defeated Satan in his work through Rome against the church.
With the fall of the Roman Empire came horrible chaos and destruction (cf. Micah 1:2-4 Samaria and Jerusalem; Nahum 1:5 Ninevah, capital of Assyria; Psalm 18:7-15 David’s enemies) like never before (cf. Ezekiel 5:8-9 destruction of Jerusalem 596 B.C.; Matthew 24:21 destruction of Jerusalem 70 A.D.).
“The great city…and the nations…great Babylon” speaks of Rome and her allies (cf. 1 Peter 5:13). Revelation 11:8 compares Rome to Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified. Revelation 17-18 compares Rome to Babylon calling her the mother of harlots and abominations, who is guilty of the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, as sitting on seven hills, mentioning her eight emperors from Augustus to Nero to Domitian (17:5-11), and speaking of her as that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth (v. 18).
At the collapse of the Roman Empire, there was worldwide panic and confusion. Civilization was set back for centuries. The world was plunged into the Dark Ages.
In the chapters which follow, the great city, Rome (symbolized by Babylon), is identified as the persecutor of the saints (Revelation 17), her fall is announced and mourned over by the nations (Revelation 18), and there is a great celebration of victory (pictured as a wedding feast) in heaven with Christ and His church (Revelation19:1-10).
Christ is pictured as a warrior on a white horse followed by the armies of heaven on white horses (Revelation 19:11-16). All the birds of heaven were called to feast upon the flesh of the enemy and their horses, as their immediate defeat was certain (vv. 17-19). There is no mention of modern warfare (e.g., nuclear weapons, guns, tanks, helicopters, planes) which many want to bring to Armageddon.
The final two verses provide the only description of the battle (Revelation 19:20-21). The beast and the false prophet in the fire serve as an example of utter defeat. Their sentence is so certain they are pictured as already in the fires of hell (cf. Matthew 25:41, 46). The beasts’ allies “were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse” (i.e., by Christ’s word; cf. Ephesians 6:17) but they are not in the fire, yet. Their sentence to hell is pictured in chapter 20 (vv. 10, 14). This is obviously symbolic of a spiritual battle and God’s judgment upon the enemy, not a physical battle (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-20).
Armageddon is not a holocaust in the Middle East at the end times. Such visions would have been absolutely meaningless to the persecuted churches to which Revelation was written. But visions of the fall and judgment of the Roman Empire and the victory of the faithful with Christ would bring much comfort and hope to them in their suffering.
Will Israel Be Restored To Palestine And Rebuild The Temple In Jerusalem?
According to some, all of the twelve tribes of Israel from every place on earth will be gathered back to Canaan land, the city of Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, and its worship will be restored. All of this, they contend will begin to take place at the coming of the Lord just prior to His thousand year reign on earth in the end times.
God promised Abraham and his descendants, Israel, the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-7; 13:14-15, 17; 15:7, 13-16, 18; 17:8; 28:1-4; Exodus 6:4-6; 23:30-31).
This promise has already been completely fulfilled (Deuteronomy 19:7-9; Joshua 11:23; 20:7-8; 21:43-45; 23:14-16; 2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Kings 4:21; 2 Chronicles 9:26; Nehemiah 9:7-8, 23-24; Acts 7:2-5, 17, 34-36, 44-46). These passages teach us that Abraham will not be raised from the dead to possess the land as some contend but that it was promised to him as an inheritance for his descendants, and that, not at the end times, but soon after Moses led them out of Egypt during the days of Joshua.
The possession of the land by Israel was always conditioned upon their faithfulness to God (Numbers 14:27-35; Deuteronomy 4:25-28; Joshua 23:11-16; 1 Kings 9:3-7; Nehemiah 9). In time, they were removed from the land because of their disobedience (2 Kings 18:11-12; 25:21).
God promised to return those who were removed from the land when they returned to Him (Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 30:1-10; 1 Kings 8:46-53; Jeremiah 3:18-22; 29:10-14; Ezekiel 36:25-38; Hosea 3:5; 11:10-11), but this would only be a remnant of Israel (Isaiah 1:9; 10:22; 11:11, 16; Jeremiah 23:3; 31:7; Zechariah 8:6; Romans 9:27). The influx of Jews to Palestine in modern days consists largely of those who hold to a liberalized Judaism, including a few atheists; not of those who have returned to the Lord. There will be no national conversion of the Jews as some contend from Romans 11:25-26. “All Israel” is not the entire Jewish race but the remnant of Jews and the many Gentiles who come to faith in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, 25-27, 30-33; 10:12-13; 11:1, 5, 7). The church made of Jews and Gentiles is “the Israel of God”, His nation, His people today (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7-8, 16, 26-29; 6:15-16; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
The temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt and its worship restored when Israel returned from Babylon. This was prophesied (Isaiah 44:28) and fulfilled (Ezra 1:1-5; 6:14-22).
Some contend that “the lost tribes of Israel” were never restored to the land, only Judah. But ever since the division of Israel in the days of King Rehoboam, Judah had always included some from the other tribes (2 Chronicles 11:1-17; esp. vv. 3, 14, 16). Others came to join themselves with Judah during the reforms of Asa (2 Chronicles 15:9) and Hezekiah (30:1, 18, 25; 31:1). Later, when Israel was taken captive by Assyria, some were left in Samaria (Amos 5:1-3) and returned to Judah during the reforms of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:16-17). The fact is that a remnant of all the tribes of Israel returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:1-3; Ezra 1:1-5; 2:70; 6:16-17; 7:7; 8:35; Nehemiah 1:4-10). By the time Jesus came to the earth and established His church, Jews from every tribe and place had come to Jerusalem (Luke 2:36; Acts 2:5-11).
Though the land promise was “forever” or “everlasting”, the term used (Hb. olam) does not always mean without end but often refers to a “long time” (Strong’s Hebrew). For example, it is used to describe how long a slave would serve his master (Deuteronomy 15:17). In this case, “forever” cannot mean without end but only as long as the slave lives. The term is also used to speak of a long time in the past (Isaiah 63:11). Here, translated “the days of old”, it has reference to the days of Moses but not to the eternal past. Just as circumcision (Genesis 17:13), the Passover (Exodus 12:14), and the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 25:13) were “forever” or “everlasting” but came to an end with the abolition of the Law (Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 2:14; cf. also Romans 2:25-29; 7:1-6, Galatians 3:24-25; 5:2, 6, Hebrews 7:11-28; 8:6-13; 9:15; 10:9), having been fulfilled so did the land promise. Even those who propose a future restoration of Israel to the land believe it will all come to an end after a thousand years. Indeed, not only the land of Palestine, but the whole world will come to an end when the Lord comes (2 Peter 3:10-13).
But what about Ezekiel’s vision of a new temple (Ezekiel 40-48)? This was an apocalyptic vision, comparable to John’s (Revelation 21-22), which emphasized holiness (e.g., the many measurements and details given), blessing (e.g., the flowing river, Ezekiel 47) and the presence of the Lord among His people (e.g., the glory of the Lord returned and filled the temple,43; “the Lord is there”, 48:35). A literal interpretation of this temple must be ruled out (e.g., the impractical siting of the temple on a very high mountain, 40:2; the impossible source and course of the river, 47:1-12; the boundaries of the tribes which could never be worked out geographically in hilly Israel). Ezekiel 36:35 and 38:11-12 both speak of Israel's security, first of fortified cities, then of no walls, bars, or gates. Ezekiel's temple had massive walls (40:5; 42:20) and several gates along the walls (40:6, 8, 20, 24). Taken literally, Ezekiel contradicts himself, but taken figuratively he uses two ways to express the same idea, namely the peace, security, and safety of God's people. Ezekiel 40-46 speak of Levitical priests making sin offerings according to the Law of Moses for the acceptance of the people (46:19, 27). This contradicts the fact that Jesus is the One and only sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:10-12). Ezekiel 44:31 reads, "The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that died naturally or was torn by wild beasts." This contradicts Ezekiel 34:25 that says there will be no wild beasts in the land. Its offerers killing and eating these sacrificial animals and wild animals killing other animals contradicts Isaiah's vision of the animals in perfect harmony with each other and mankind (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25). To rebuild the temple and restore its worship in the end times would be a complete denial and rejection of the finished work of Christ (Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:24-29; 5:1-6; Ephesians 2:14-22; Colossians 2:14-17; Hebrews 7-10).
The land promise and the many prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel have both a temporal fulfilment and a spiritual fulfilment. The temporal fulfilment took place before the first coming of Christ, the gospel of the New Covenant, and the establishment of the church, and it serves as a type of the greater and complete spiritual fulfilment found in Christ and His church (e.g., Genesis 12:1-5 w/Hebrews 11:10, 13-16; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21-22; and Ezekiel 37:15-28 w/John 10:11, 16; Ephesians 2:13-17; 2:20-22; Hebrews 8:1-13; 13:20; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; and Hosea 1:10-11 w/Romans 9:24-26; and Hosea 2:11 w/Colossians 2:14-17; and Amos 9:11-14 w/Acts 15:13-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5).
Will Jesus Come To Reign On Earth For A Thousand Years?
Some teach that Jesus will establish an earthly kingdom ruling from David’s throne in Jerusalem that will last for a thousand years.
The Old Testament prophets spoke of the beginning of Christ’s kingdom. It would begin at Jerusalem in the latter/last days when the word of the Lord would go forth (Isaiah 2:2-3; cf. Micah 2:1-2; Zechariah 1:16). It would begin in the days of the Roman kings (Daniel 2:44). It would begin at the ascension of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14). It would begin when the Holy Spirit would be poured out and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:28-32).
Christ’s kingdom was announced just before it began. It was at hand (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:7; cf. Luke 10:9, 11 “near”). The time had come (Mark 1:15). It was going to come with power while some of the twelve apostles were still alive (Mark 9:1; cf. Matthew 16:28; Luke 9:27). It was to be after the resurrection of Christ when power would be given to the apostles and repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49). It was to be not many days after the ascension of Christ when the apostles would receive power to bear witness to Him (Acts 1:1-11).
The beginning of Christ’s kingdom was recorded in Acts 2. It was just as had been prophesied and just as had been announced. It began in the days of the Roman kings about ten days after the ascension of Christ on Pentecost (v. 1a; cf. Leviticus 23:9-22; Acts 1:3). It began while eleven of the original twelve apostles were still alive (v. 1b; cf. Acts 1:26). It began at Jerusalem (vv. 1c, 5; cf. Acts 1:12). It began when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles, and they received power to speak the word of the Lord and bear witness to Christ (vv. 2-13). It began in the last days when whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (vv. 14-21). It began when repentance and remission of sins was preached in Christ’s name (vv. 22-41). It is His church (v. 47; Matthew 16:18-19).
The kingdom of Christ has come (Colossians 1:13-14; 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 8-9, 13; 8:1; 10:12-13; 12:28-29; Revelation 1:6, 9; 2:26-27; 3:21). Jesus Christ is already reigning as King over His kingdom (Acts 2:33-36; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5-6) and He will continue to reign as King over His kingdom until He comes again (1 Corinthians 15:23-26).
Christ’s kingdom is not an earthly but a heavenly, spiritual kingdom (Luke 17:20-21 He rules in our hearts; John 18:36-37 He is the King of truth and His kingdom those of the truth; Hebrews 12:22-24, 28-29 He rules from the heavenly Jerusalem, in the church registered in heaven, by the New Covenant, in the kingdom that cannot be shaken.).
Christ was to sit on David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33) but not on the earth (Jeremiah 22:28-30; cf. 1 Chronicles 3:15-17; Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27 Jesus is both legally and by blood a descendent of Coniah.). He sits upon David’s throne in heaven (Psalm 89:35-37; cf. Acts 2:29-36). He has the key of David (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7). He is a priest on His throne (Psalm 110:1, 4; Zechariah 6:12-13) but He is a priest in heaven (Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 5:6; 7:17, 21-28; 8:1) and cannot be a priest on earth (Hebrews 8:4), therefore His throne is in heaven not on the earth. David’s throne is God’s throne (1 Chronicles 29:23; 1 Kings 1:46-48; 2:12) but God’s throne is in heaven (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49). The throne of God and the throne of Christ are inseparable (Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 1:8).
We are not to look for Jesus to come again and establish an earthly kingdom because the present rule of Christ from heaven is the fulfillment of God’s promise concerning David’s seed coming to sit on His throne (Isaiah 11:10 w/Romans 15:12; Isaiah 55:3 w/Acts 13:23, 34).
A misunderstanding of Revelation 20 has led many to think that Christ will rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. We have already learned that Christ now rules from David’s throne in the heavenly Jerusalem at God’s right hand and will continue to rule until He comes again, at which time He will deliver the kingdom out of this world unto His Father. He will not return to the earth to reign for a thousand years.
It is important here to emphasize again two keys to help us in understanding Revelation that were discussed earlier regarding the Antichrist: 1) It was written in apocalyptic language (1:1), a highly symbolic language not to be taken literally. 2) It was written about things “which must shortly come to pass…for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1, 3; cf. 22:6, 10), and therefore should not be understood as referring to things far removed in time from John’s day but to that which was soon coming upon the church.
Revelation 20 begins with a picture of the complete defeat of Satan’s work by the Roman persecutors (Revelation 20:1-3).
In the next verses there is a picture of the complete victory of the faithful over their Roman persecutors (Revelation 20:4-6).
This is not some rapture before a great tribulation but takes place after the great tribulation and at the beginning of the millennium!
Picture all on the battlefield, the martyrs for Christ rise to reign with Him…then 1,000 years later those who served the beast rise to be thrown into the lake of fire. All this is just symbolic of the complete victory of the saints and utter defeat of the persecutors. The “resurrection” and “1,000 years” are not literal, but just a picture!
Please notice that Revelation 20 does not mention the second coming of Christ, the earth, the establishment of a kingdom, an earthly reign or regime, nor a literal throne of David in Jerusalem. Also, it is a strange interpretation that contends for a figurative serpent bound with a figurative chain thrown into a figurative pit, locked with a figurative key, confined for a literal thousand years! Obviously, there is no literal thousand-year reign of Christ to come on this earth.
Will The Devil Gather Gog And Magog For A Final Attack Against Christ’s Kingdom?
Some teach that a great evil military force will attack Christ’s kingdom in Israel at the end of the world but will be completely destroyed by God.
Magog was a grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2) whose descendants settled in the North.
The identity of Gog is uncertain. The identification of this evil entity has long been a point of controversy among Bible scholars. Clearly, though, Ezekiel’s “Gog” represented a sinister power that came against ancient Israel but was defeated.
According to Ezekiel, Gog lived in the land of Magog and was the prince of Rosh [or chief prince] of Meshech and Tubal, tribes in Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey (Ezekiel 38:1-3).
In Ezekiel, he comes against Israel in the last days with a vast army (Ezekiel 38:4-9) at a time when Israel was dwelling in peace and safety, in cities without walls (Ezekiel 38:10-17). God would totally defeat Gog and his armies with great natural disasters so that all would know that He is the Lord (38:18-39:29).
This prophecy is apocalyptic and should not be taken literally. Gog’s identity is less significant than what he symbolizes, namely the personified head of the forces of evil intent on destroying God’s people. The description of an ancient army with ancient weapons (Ezekiel 38:21; 39:3, 9) is only symbolic of the greater spiritual war that Satan wages against the church of God (Ephesians 6:12). Those who insist on a literal interpretation cannot consistently argue for a modern-day war at the end times. The repeated use of the number seven is another indication of the symbolic nature of this prophecy (Ezekiel 39:9, 11-12, 14).
Ezekiel had already spoken of the captivity of Judah, their return to their land, and the new day of peace under the Messiah. This prophecy was a warning that enemies would attack God’s people again but no matter how great the enemy God would defeat them. This was the same message of all the prophets concerning the Messiah and His everlasting kingdom, the church (Ezekiel 38:17; 39:8). This was also the promise of Jesus (Matthew 16:18-19).
The only other place we read about Gog and Magog is in Revelation (20:7-10). As in Ezekiel, this is apocalyptic not a literal description. Here, Gog and Magog represent the nations of the earth deceived by Satan and gathered to attack the camp of the saints and the beloved city with a vast army, but God devours them with fire.
John had just described how Satan was totally defeated in his effort to destroy the church through the Roman Empire and how that the faithful saints were totally victorious over them (Revelation 20:1-6). But Satan will never give up on attacking God’s people (20:3). This vision is given to assure all Christians that no matter how great an attack Satan may bring upon the church, God will completely defeat him and ultimately cast him into hell.
Neither Ezekiel nor Revelation speak of a literal military war against the physical nation of Israel at the end of the world. They are both apocalyptic visions given to assure God’s people in this last period of history that He will put every one of Christ’s enemies under His feet (Acts 2:33-36). Satan will be completely defeated by God in any and every attempt to destroy Christ’s church.
What Have We Learned?
The last days of Bible prophecy refer to the last period of history which began with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2 and will continue until Christ comes again on the last day of the last days at the end of the world.
There will be no signs of Christ’s coming at the end of the world. The signs mentioned in Matthew 24 would precede the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Only God knows when Christ will come at the end of the world. He will come suddenly and unexpectedly like a thief in the night; therefore, we must always be ready for His coming.
Christ will not come secretly to rapture the church leaving all others behind. Rather, when He comes every eye will see Him, the dead will be raised, all will be judged, and this world will be destroyed.
The Bible does not speak of a great tribulation led by the Antichrist destroyed in the battle of Armageddon at the end of the world. There have been many antichrists in the world since the first century and there always will be. The world and the church have suffered great tribulation many times, including the destruction of Jerusalem. The battle of Armageddon is a symbol in the book of Revelation for the fall of Rome, the enemy and persecutor who brought great tribulation upon the church.
The many prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel and Judah to Palestine to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem were fulfilled in their return from captivity in Babylon and in their coming to Christ in the church.
Christ will not come again to the earth to establish the kingdom of God and reign on David’s throne for a thousand years. His kingdom is not an earthly, military, or political kingdom but a heavenly, spiritual kingdom. He established His kingdom upon His first coming, after His crucifixion and resurrection, when He ascended into heaven to sit on David’s throne at God’s right hand ruling over His kingdom, the church. He will continue to reign until the last enemy, death, is put under His feet at His coming and the resurrection of the dead, at which time He delivers the kingdom from this world to His Father.
The vision of Gog and Magog in Revelation does not refer to a great military war launched against Christ’s kingdom at the end of the world. It refers to the ongoing spiritual battle between Satan and the church and it assures us that no matter how great an attack Satan may bring against God’s people he will not be successful.
In summary, most of the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled before or with the first coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom, the church (cf. Luke 24:44-49). The last book of the New Testament, Revelation, is especially concerned with the persecution of the church by Rome in the first centuries after Christ, assuring the fall of this enemy and the victory of the faithful (Revelation 1:1-3, 4, 9; 2:10; 17-20; 22:6, 10). Many New Testament passages make reference to the final coming of Christ (e.g., John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). No one but God knows when Christ will come (cf. Matthew 24:36). His coming will be sudden and unexpected without any signs (Matthew 24:37ff; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). It will be on the last day (1 Corinthians 15:23-24, 52; 2 Peter 3:10). All the dead will be raised (John 5:28-29). All will be judged and sent to heaven or hell for eternity (Matthew 25:31-46). At the same time, this world will be completely destroyed (2 Peter 3). It will be no more (Matthew 24:35; Revelation 20:11; 21:1).
Written by Robert Dodson
These are some of the questions that we hope to explore as we examine end time teachings with the Bible. This is an extensive and difficult study that will require a great deal of effort. I believe this is important, not only because so many are so confused about these things, but because to err here may cause some to lose their souls. Only the truth of God’s word will properly encourage us to prepare to meet the Lord and give us the blessed assurance of eternal life.
What Are The Last Days?
In the Old Testament we have many prophecies concerning the last days, or latter days as it is sometimes translated. These prophecies show that the last days are associated with the first coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. For example:
- Genesis 49:1 – see v. 10 “until Shiloh [lit. to whom it belongs, or Peaceful One] comes” the Messiah
- Numbers 24:14 – see v. 17 “A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter [Ruler] shall rise out of Israel”
- Jeremiah 23:20 – see v.5 “[the LORD] will raise to David a Branch of righteousness, a King”
- Isaiah 2:1-3; Micah 4:1-2 “the LORD’S house [the church] shall be established” for all nations at Jerusalem
- Deuteronomy 4:30; Hosea 3:5 “Israel will turn to the Lord”; Jeremiah 30:24; 48:47; 49:39 a spiritual restoration of Israel and Judah
- Daniel 2:28; 10:14 – see 2:44 “in the days of these [Roman] kings…God will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed”
- Ezekiel 38:16 an attack by “Gog” against “Israel” spiritual Israel, Christ’s kingdom, the church
The beginning of the last days was marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2. Peter explained: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:16-21).
The last days were ongoing during the time of the first century church and continue until this day.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 “the ends of the ages have come”
- 1 Timothy 4:1-3 “in the latter times some will depart from the faith”
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “in the last days perilous [dangerous times marked by immorality, godlessness, hypocrisy] times will come”
- Hebrews 1:2 “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” not by law of Moses but New Covenant of Christ
- James 5:3 “You have heaped up treasure [become filthy rich by defrauding workers and hoarding the things of the earth] in the last days”
- 1 Peter 1:19-20 “Christ…was manifest [appeared to apostles and they bore witness to Him, made known by preaching of the gospel] in these last times for you”
- 2 Peter 3:3 “I now write to you…that scoffers will come in the last days”
- 1 John 2:18 “it is the last hour…antichrists have come...it is the last hour”
- Jude 18 “the apostles…told you there would be mockers in the last time”
We are not waiting for the last days to come, they are already here, they have been going on since the first century, we are still living in them today.
The last days will end when Christ returns and the last enemy, death, is destroyed in the resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:23-26, 51-57 “at [Christ’s] coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God…He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death…at the last trumpet [not 7 more years, not 1000 more years of trumpets]…the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed…then…’Death is swallowed up in victory.’”
- John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” 6:39, 40, 44, 54 “of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day…everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day…No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day…Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” 11:24 “Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’” 12:48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
When Jesus comes again it will not be the beginning of the last days but the end of the last days when the last enemy, death, is destroyed, at the very last trumpet, on the very last day when all the dead are raised, and judged, and the world comes to an end (2 Peter 3:10).
To summarize, the last days began in Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, His church, and they will end when Christ comes to judge all people at the end of the world. Christ is not coming once to rapture His people, then come again later to reestablish the nation of Israel and the temple; nor is He coming to reign on this earth for another thousand years, or even one day!
Will There Be Signs Of The End Times?
Whenever there is an international crisis or military conflict or famine or earthquake there are those who see it as a sign of the end of the world. Will there be signs of the end times? Can we know by seeing these signs that the Lord is about to come? Is the Lord going to come in our generation?
Throughout these last days, there have been those who have claimed to know when Jesus is coming again. Their predictions have largely been based upon the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24. Yet, one by one, they have all failed in their predictions. We should not be surprised because the Bible teaches us that there will be no signs of the end times.
In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple that then stood in Jerusalem (vv. 1-2). The disciples wanted to know when this would happen (v. 3). They thought that this would not happen until Jesus came at the end of the world, but they were wrong.
This prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70 by the Roman army. The Roman commander, Titus, “gave orders that they should now demolish the whole city and temple…it was laid so completely even with the ground by those who dug it up from the foundation, that there was nothing left to make those believe who came hither that it had ever been inhabited” (Josephus).
In Jesus’ answer to His disciples, He first deals with the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the signs that would precede that event (vv. 4-34). Then, He told them that there would be no signs to indicate His coming at the end of the world (vv. 35ff).
All of the signs which the Lord mentioned (vv. 4-14) took place before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 (see J. Marcellus Kik, “The Eschatology Of Victory”), not at the end of the world.
The desolation was “in the holy place” (i.e., the Temple) and the city of Jerusalem (v. 15; cf. Luke 21:20); the desolation was not of the whole world. This obviously refers to the Romans surrounding Jerusalem and then finally destroying the temple in 70 A.D. “And now the Romans, upon burning of the holy house itself, and of the buildings round about it, brought their ensigns to the Temple, and set them over against its eastern gate; and there did they offer sacrifices to them” (Josephus). Daniel 9:24-27 connects the desolation of Jerusalem with Christ’s first coming, His crucifixion, and the people of the prince (namely Titus, the Roman commander), not at His second coming and the end of the world.
Jesus’ instructions show that He was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 16-22). There will be no place to run, no time to take things out of your house or go back and get clothes when the Lord comes. It will not matter if you are pregnant or nursing, if it is in winter or on the Sabbath when the world ends because nobody will escape on that day. There will be no “ever shall be” at the end of time, and those days would not have had to be shortened if they were at the end of time. Those days were shortened because continued war would have spread throughout the land making it impossible for Christians to escape. But following Christ’s instructions they fled to Pella (Eusebius) and there is no evidence that any were killed or captured by the Romans. The Jews, on the other hand, sought safety within the walls of the city and 1,100,000 died and 97,000 were enslaved.
Jesus’ warnings of false Christs show that He was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 23-28). When Jesus comes at the end of the world everybody will see it (cf. Rev. 1:7)!
Jesus uses apocalyptic language to describe God’s judgment upon the Jewish nation and their fall at Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 29-31; cf. Isaiah 13:10 as Babylon; 19:1 as Egypt; 34:4 as the nations; Ezekiel 32:7-8 as Egypt; Joel 2:1-10 as Judah; Amos 8:9 as Israel). It was the sign of the fact that the Son of Man was reigning in heaven (v. 30 literally “and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven”; cf. Psalm 97:1-6).
Jesus spoke all these things so they would know the time for the fulfillment of His prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, not the end of the world (vv. 32-33).
Jesus explicitly said that all these things would take place before that generation passed away, and not at the end of the world (v. 34). Some want to redefine generation to mean race (e.g., the Jewish race) but this is not how the term is used (cf. Matthew 1:17; 11:16; 12:38-45; 16:4; 17:17; 23:36). It would be unreasonably redundant for Jesus to tell His disciples what was going to happen to the Jews then to say their race would not pass away until it did.
Jesus explicitly said that no one but His Father alone knows when the world will come to an end (vv. 35-36).
His coming at the end of the world will be like the days of Noah (vv. 37-39). Everything was going on as normal, nothing unusual. There were no signs.
It will be sudden and unexpected like when an army comes through taking some and leaving others (vv. 40-41; cf. 1 Samuel 11:11; Matthew 13:30, 41-43, 47-50) or like a thief who breaks in a house (vv. 42-44; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; 2 Peter 3:10). They would not give any signs to indicate when they were coming.
It is not something you can wait to prepare for when you see some signs but rather you must always be prepared because there will be no signs (vv. 45-51; cf. Matthew 25)!
Will There Be A Secret Rapture Of The Church?
Perhaps you have seen the bumper stickers that read, “In case of rapture somebody grab the wheel…In case of rapture this car will be unmanned.” No doubt you have heard preachers talk about The Rapture, read a book or seen a movie on The Rapture. Have you ever wondered just what this is all about?
The Rapture is the teaching that Jesus will secretly come for all His saints. He will raise the dead saints and then lift them up together with the live saints to meet Him in the air. All the lost, who remain on the earth, will not know where they have gone. They won’t be able to explain the empty graves.
While the saints are with the Lord, there will be a period of great tribulation on the earth like never before. During this time the Antichrist will come to power and rule the world. There will be fear, suffering, and death on a mass scale. This will last seven years.
At the end of the seven years Jesus will come back with His saints, conquer the enemy and reign on the earth for a thousand years. After which time there will be a final judgment.
The secret coming of Christ and catching away of the church for seven years is called The Rapture. Is there any biblical basis for The Rapture? Will graves suddenly open and be vacated? Will the highways be strewn with wrecks because drivers have been secretly taken away? Will some find children and mates, friends and coworkers missing but themselves left behind?
The passage most used as a basis for The Rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, which speaks of the coming (Gk. parousia) of Christ. This passage actually refutes The Rapture.
- Instead of saying that there will be a coming (Gk. parousia) of Christ for His saints and then seven years later an appearance (Gk. epiphaneia) and the revelation (Gk. apokalupsis) of Christ with His saints, it simply teaches that when Jesus comes with the saints that have already died, He will come for the saints that are still alive (vv. 13-17; cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:1). And when He does so He will also appear and be revealed to judge all people (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Titus 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:4). There will be no separation of the righteous from the wicked until the end of the world (Matthew 13:30, 41-43, 47-50; 25:31-46).
- Instead of saying the dead in Christ will be raised many years before the wicked are raised, it teaches they will be raised before the living are caught up in the clouds (vv. 15-17). When Jesus comes there will be one resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked at the same time (John 5:28-29; Acts 23:6; 24:15). The resurrection of the righteous will take place on the last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24), the same day that the wicked will be judged (John 12:48), at the end of the world (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 51-52).
- Instead of a secret coming, it will be very noisy (v. 16; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:52; 2 Peter 3:10). It will be like lightning (Matthew 24:27). There will be the brightness (or appearing, Gk. epiphaneia) of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:8). There will be the revelation (Gk. apokalupsis) of Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7; cf. Acts 1:9-11).
- Instead of being taken away by Christ for seven years, we will always be with the Lord (v. 17; cf. John 14:1-6). Why would we want to return to the earth having already arrived in the Father’s house? When Jesus comes the world will be destroyed (2 Peter 3).
The coming, appearance, and revelation of Jesus Christ and the resurrection and judgment of all people will all occur on the last day at the end of the world. Jesus will not come for His saints and then return with them seven years later but will come to take all the faithful to the Father’s house forever!
Will The Antichrist Rise Up And Bring The Great Tribulation Upon The Earth?
Some believe that before Jesus returns the greatest political leader in history will arise and establish an empire over the entire world that will stand against God and His people causing great tribulation throughout the planet like never before.
Who is the Antichrist? In the past, some thought Hitler, Stalin, and Saddam Hussein were the Antichrist. People are still trying to identify him. We will consider every passage where the term “antichrist” appears in the Bible, but first let’s look at some other passages that some believe also speak of the Antichrist.
Some go to Daniel, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. He is not the little horn of Daniel 7:3-8. That one comes out of the fourth kingdom, Rome (cf. Daniel 2:37-40) and speaks of Domitian (cf. Revelation 17:9-11).
He is not the small horn that grew into the great horn of Daniel 8:3-9. This one comes out of the third kingdom, Greece (8:20-21) and speaks of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
He is not the prince who destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem in Daniel 9:26. This passage speaks of the first coming of Christ, His death, and the destruction of Jerusalem led by the Roman commander, Titus, in 70 A.D. (vv. 24-27; cf. Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20).
He is not any of the kings of Daniel 11-12. This passage discusses the history from the time of Darius, the Mede (11:1-2) until the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (12:6-7, 11). “The time of the end” (8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9) means the time appointed by God for the fulfillment of the prophecy (cf. Habakuk 2:2-3), not the end of time or the end of the world.
Daniel’s prophecies are about the end of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires, the end of the Jews as God’s covenant nation and the establishment of God’s kingdom, the church, during the days of the Roman kings, not the end of the world. The term Antichrist is never used in Daniel.
Some go to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. This passage speaks of the man of sin. Paul says, “he is already at work”, therefore he cannot be some future Antichrist that only arises at the end of the world. Some see him as evil personified in many different persons through the ages, but I believe he is Catholicism (the apostate church) personified in the Pope. Notice:
- He is associated with the falling away of the church and poses as God (vv. 3-5; cf. Acts 20:28-30; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 2-3). The Catholic Church came from those who departed from the faith. They changed the organization of the church and introduced numerous false doctrines including purgatory, sprinkling and infant baptism, worshipping God with musical instruments, the worship of Mary, celibacy and the infallibility of the Pope. The Pope has been described as “God on earth, Lord God the Pope, more than God” (see Barnes).
- He was already at work and being restrained (vv. 6-7). The Roman empire restrained the apostate church until it came into Rome’s favor with Constantine who empowered Catholicism and caused it to be known throughout the world. When Rome fell, the apostate church rose in power.
- He is to continue until the coming of the Lord (v. 8). Catholicism is still present around the world.
- He is a deceiver (vv. 9-12). The Catholic Church is well known for her apparitions, false miracles, speaking and bleeding images, and many other deceptions.
This passage is not about a man who arises at the end of the world but of the falling away of the church that began in the first century resulting in the Catholic Church with her popes and will continue until Christ comes again. The term Antichrist is never used in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
Some go to Revelation, but the Antichrist is not mentioned there. Revelation speaks of things “which must shortly take place…for the time is near…for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1, 3; 22:6). For this reason, the book was not to be sealed (22:10). When Daniel received a revelation about 550 B.C. (Daniel 8:1) concerning the work of Antiochus Epiphanes in about 164 B.C. (vv.13-14) he was told, “Seal up the vision for it refers to many days in the future” (v. 26). Therefore, Revelation should not be understood as referring to things far removed in time from John’s day but to that which was soon coming upon the church.
We must also realize that Revelation was written in apocalyptic language (1:1). The word revelation comes from the Greek word apocalypse which means an unveiling or uncovering, a revelation. This word came to be used of writings which were like Revelation in their use of symbolic language. Other books in the Bible such as Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah contain much apocalyptic language. An understanding of how the symbols are used in these other books will help us in understanding Revelation.
In the visions of John, numbers (1-unity, 2-strength, 3-Deity, 3½-trial, 4-creation, 5-limited, 6-sinful man, 7-perfection, 8-revival, 10-completeness, 12-God’s people), colors (white-purity, red-bloodshed, black-sin, pale-death), animals (lamb, lion, dragon, frogs), cities (Sodom, Egypt, Jerusalem, Babylon), persons (Balaam, Jezebel, Gog and Magog) and other things (angels, demons, stars, clouds, winds, waters, fire, thrones, crowns, swords, chariots, armies, plagues, alters, temples, garments, trees, oil, wine, gold, silver, precious stones, ships, coins, books, musical instruments, eye salve, time periods) are all used symbolically. John sees vivid images which are meant to convey a message. You will read of a dragon that casts down stars from heaven and a flood that proceeds out of its mouth. Frogs come from the mouth of a false prophet and lead armies into battle. The sun is darkened, the moon becomes blood, and the heavens are rolled up like a scroll. We must not get too bogged down in the details of the image that we miss the big picture. As is characteristic of most apocalyptic literature Revelation was written to comfort God’s people in their trial with the assurance that their enemies would be judged and that they would be victorious if they remained faithful (Revelation 2:10).
Revelation 13 speaks of a beast that rises out of the sea (vv. 1-10). It is the fourth beast of Daniel, the Roman Empire with her emperors (cf. Daniel 2; 7). Revelation begins where Daniel left off, with the Roman persecution of the saints because they refused to bow to the emperor and to worship the many Roman gods.
It also speaks of the land beast. This was the cult of priests used by Rome to promote and enforce emperor worship (vv. 11-16). The emperor was identified by the number 666, as were all those who bowed to him. The number 6 is symbolic of sin because it is one short of 7, the perfect number (Romans 3:23). The number 666 is sin multiplied. The emperor was a very evil man, not a god to be worshipped. God’s people who did not bow to the emperor were persecuted, not being allowed to trade and even killed, but they would be delivered because they had God’s seal (Revelation 7; cf. 2 Timothy 2:19).
Revelation is not about someone who arises at the end of the world to destroy God’s people. It is about the Roman Empire with its emperors who severely persecuted the church for many years. The term Antichrist is never used in Revelation.
The Bible uses the term “antichrist” only five times (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). According to these passages there were many antichrists, not just one. They lived in John’s day, not just at the end of the world. They were anti-Christ, literally against Christ; they denied Jesus Christ and the Father; they denied Jesus Christ came in the flesh. These passages never mention a world ruler who rises up against God and His people to bring the great tribulation before Jesus comes at the end of the world.
What is the Great Tribulation? Some believe that there will be a terrible time of great suffering during the reign of the Antichrist culminating in Armageddon at the coming of Christ and the beginning of His millennial reign on the earth. The Bible speaks often of tribulation, even great tribulation but it nowhere mentions the great tribulation at the coming of Christ in the end times.
The term “great tribulation” is only found three times in the Bible (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 2:20-23; 7:14). We will first look at these passages and then at some other passages used to support the false idea of the great tribulation.
Matthew 24:21-22 (cf. Mark 13; Luke 21) – This prophecy of Jesus refers to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. which had already been prophesied by Daniel (Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20). The Christians were not “raptured” but were told to flee Judea. Jesus used a hyperbolic proverbial saying, like was used by the Old Testament prophets when God sent Babylon upon Jerusalem (Jeremiah 30:7; Ezekiel 5:8-9), to describe the destruction. Josephus, an eyewitness, wrote, “neither did any other city suffer such miseries…from the beginning of the world” (Wars of the Jews, vs. 10, 5). The phrase “nor ever shall be” shows that Jesus had in mind a time near His own day, not at the end of the world. As He said, “this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34; cf. 23:36-38).
Revelation 2:20-23 – This passage speaks of God’s judgment upon a wicked false teacher, and her followers, that was troubling the church at Thyatira (vv. 18, 24).
Revelation 7:14 – This passage speaks of the faithful Christians who endured the awful persecution of the Roman Empire upon the church (Revelation 1:5; 3:5), which as we have already learned is the subject of Revelation. This tribulation had already begun and was only going to grow worse (Revelation1:9; 2:9-10), until the fall of Rome (6:9-11; 17:4-6, 18; 18:2, 20-21, 24).
Jeremiah 30:7 – This passage mentions “Jacob’s trouble” which refers to the captivity of Judah in Babylon which began in 606 B.C. “He shall be saved out of it” refers not to some supposed “rapture”, but to the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon which began to take place 70 years later in 536 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel (cf. Jeremiah 29:10).
Daniel 9:23-27 – This prophecy of “seventy weeks” (7x10x7) is symbolic of the perfect (7=perfect) and complete (10=complete) determination of God concerning the Jews and their city. The Bible often uses these numbers figuratively (e.g., Genesis 24:60; 41; Deuteronomy 33:2; 1 Samuel 18:7; Job 5:19; 19:3; Psalm 3:6; 12:6; 119:164; Proverbs 24:16; 26:16, 25; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Isaiah 4:1; 30:26; Daniel 1:20; 3:19; 4:16, 25, 32; 7:10; Micah 6:7; Matthew 18:21-22; 25:1; Luke 14:31; 17:4; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 14:19; Jude 14; Revelation 1:4; 2:10; 5:1, 11; 10:4; 12:3; 13:1; 15:1).
The prophecy includes these points: To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness (Matthew 23:31-36; John 17:4; 19:30; Romans 1:16-17; 3:20-26; 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16; Hebrews 9:26; 10:11-12), to seal up vision and prophecy (i.e., concerning the Jewish nation, Jerusalem, and the temple, and finding their fulfillment in Christ and His church (Luke 21:20-24; 24:44-49; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-2; Jude 3), and to anoint the Most Holy One (i.e., Jesus Christ, the Anointed One; Isaiah 61:1-2 w/Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 10:36-42) and/or the Most Holy Place (i.e., the church of Christ; 1 Corinthians 3:15-16; 6:19-20; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:8-12, 23-28; 10:1-22).
The prophecy began with the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon “to restore and build Jerusalem” (Ezra; Nehemiah). These were “troublesome times” because of the opposition of Sanballat, satrap of Samaria (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1, 8, 11; 6:2, 6-7).
The prophecy continued “until Messiah (Gk. Christ)” came and was “cut off, but not for Himself” (i.e., He was put to death for us; Isaiah 53; Acts 8:32-33; 1 Cor. 15:1-3), confirming “a covenant with many” (the New Covenant; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 26:28) and bringing “an end to sacrifice and offering” (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9-10).
The prophecy was finished not long afterward when the city and the temple in Jerusalem were “destroyed…made desolate, even until the consummation [or its utter end].” This destruction was led by “the prince of the people”, the Roman commander, Titus, “on the wings of abomination” (viz., the ensign of an eagle carried by the Roman armies; Matthew 24:15, 28; Luke 21:20). The “end of it” was with a “flood” (i.e., an act of God’s judgment causing complete destruction; cf. Nahum 1:8; Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 19:41-44).
The “seventy weeks” may be understood as seventy weeks of years (490 years), counting from the command to restore Jerusalem (Ezra 1, 539 B.C., cf. Isaiah 44:24-28; 45:13; Ezra 7, 457 B.C.; Nehemiah 1-2, 444 B.C.). They were divided into seven weeks of years (49 years during which Jerusalem was rebuilt), followed by sixty-two weeks of years (434 years to the time when Christ began His ministry, 26 A.D.) and one week of years (7 years in the middle of which Christ was crucified, 29 A.D.). Finally, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed (70 A.D.).
Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks does not speak of a great tribulation at the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. It speaks of the return of Judah from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem, continues until the first coming of Christ when He died for the sins of the world, and concludes with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans.
Daniel 12:1 – The time is the days of the Roman kings (Daniel 11:36-45) and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (12:6-7, 11) from which the Christians fled and escaped (Matthew 24:15-22). See our earlier discussion of Daniel regarding the Antichrist above.
In summary, we have learned that there is no end time prophecy concerning the Antichrist and the great tribulation. The Antichrist is not mentioned in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, or Revelation. The term antichrist is only mentioned five times in the Bible where it speaks of the many who were against Christ in the first century. The great tribulation is only mentioned three times in the Bible. The phrase was used of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, of God’s judgment on the wicked false teacher, and her followers, at Thyatira, and of the persecution of the church by the Roman Empire. Jeremiah spoke of troublesome times for the Jewish nation when they were taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel spoke of such times when they returned from captivity to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem until its later destruction by the Romans in 70 A.D.
What Is The Battle Of Armageddon?
Some believe that it is a great worldwide battle in the end times that threatens to extinguish all of mankind but for the coming of the Lord.
With all the talk of Armageddon, you may be surprised to learn that it is only mentioned one time in the Bible (Revelation 16:16) and the battle is described in just two verses (19:20-21).
We have already learned that Revelation is a highly figurative book of symbols written to the churches that were persecuted by the Roman Empire to assure them of victory through Jesus Christ. It was not about the end times but was shortly to take place (1:1-3).
Revelation 16 records the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth. They are reminiscent of the plagues God sent upon Egypt (e.g., sores, blood, darkness, frogs; Exodus 7-11) and symbolize God’s judgment on the Roman Empire.
With the pouring out of the sixth bowl, we read of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).
In this vision, the drying up of the Euphrates enables the kings of the east to gather at Armageddon (Compare Exodus 14:21-22 crossing of Red Sea; Joshua 3:15-17 crossing Jordan; 2 Kings 2:7-14 Elijah and Elisha crossing Jordan; Isaiah 11:15-16 Jewish remnant crossing Red Sea, viz., given a way to Christ).
We have previously identified the dragon as Satan (Revelation 12), the beast as the Roman Empire personified in her emperors, and the false prophet as the teachers and enforcers of emperor worship (Revelation 13).
The frogs are identified as unclean spirits coming from the mouths of this terrible trio. This speaks of the lies and deceptions used by Satan in the Roman Empire (cf. 1 Kings 22:19-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).
Just as the dragon, the beast, the false prophet, and the frogs are symbolic, so is Armageddon.
Armageddon literally means mountain of Megiddo.
Megiddo was a fortified city located on a plain near Mount Carmel. It is where Jezebel’s false prophets of Baal were defeated (1 Kings 18). There also Joshua defeated the Canaanites (Joshua 12:21), Deborah defeated the kings of Canaan (Judges 5), Gideon defeated the Midianites (Judges 7). Saul and Jonathan were defeated at Megiddo (1 Samuel 31). Evil King Ahaziah of Judah died there (2 Kings 9). King Josiah disobeyed God and was mortally wounded in battle against Necho of Egypt at Megiddo (2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35).
Megiddo was one of the great battlefields of the world, like Waterloo, Normandy, or the Texas Alamo. Revelation uses it as a symbol of the defeat of the Roman Empire.
The defeat of the Roman Empire comes with the pouring out of the seventh bowl (Revelation 16:17-21). It is poured into the air, where Satan rules (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:12), indicating God has completely defeated Satan in his work through Rome against the church.
With the fall of the Roman Empire came horrible chaos and destruction (cf. Micah 1:2-4 Samaria and Jerusalem; Nahum 1:5 Ninevah, capital of Assyria; Psalm 18:7-15 David’s enemies) like never before (cf. Ezekiel 5:8-9 destruction of Jerusalem 596 B.C.; Matthew 24:21 destruction of Jerusalem 70 A.D.).
“The great city…and the nations…great Babylon” speaks of Rome and her allies (cf. 1 Peter 5:13). Revelation 11:8 compares Rome to Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified. Revelation 17-18 compares Rome to Babylon calling her the mother of harlots and abominations, who is guilty of the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, as sitting on seven hills, mentioning her eight emperors from Augustus to Nero to Domitian (17:5-11), and speaking of her as that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth (v. 18).
At the collapse of the Roman Empire, there was worldwide panic and confusion. Civilization was set back for centuries. The world was plunged into the Dark Ages.
In the chapters which follow, the great city, Rome (symbolized by Babylon), is identified as the persecutor of the saints (Revelation 17), her fall is announced and mourned over by the nations (Revelation 18), and there is a great celebration of victory (pictured as a wedding feast) in heaven with Christ and His church (Revelation19:1-10).
Christ is pictured as a warrior on a white horse followed by the armies of heaven on white horses (Revelation 19:11-16). All the birds of heaven were called to feast upon the flesh of the enemy and their horses, as their immediate defeat was certain (vv. 17-19). There is no mention of modern warfare (e.g., nuclear weapons, guns, tanks, helicopters, planes) which many want to bring to Armageddon.
The final two verses provide the only description of the battle (Revelation 19:20-21). The beast and the false prophet in the fire serve as an example of utter defeat. Their sentence is so certain they are pictured as already in the fires of hell (cf. Matthew 25:41, 46). The beasts’ allies “were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse” (i.e., by Christ’s word; cf. Ephesians 6:17) but they are not in the fire, yet. Their sentence to hell is pictured in chapter 20 (vv. 10, 14). This is obviously symbolic of a spiritual battle and God’s judgment upon the enemy, not a physical battle (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-20).
Armageddon is not a holocaust in the Middle East at the end times. Such visions would have been absolutely meaningless to the persecuted churches to which Revelation was written. But visions of the fall and judgment of the Roman Empire and the victory of the faithful with Christ would bring much comfort and hope to them in their suffering.
Will Israel Be Restored To Palestine And Rebuild The Temple In Jerusalem?
According to some, all of the twelve tribes of Israel from every place on earth will be gathered back to Canaan land, the city of Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, and its worship will be restored. All of this, they contend will begin to take place at the coming of the Lord just prior to His thousand year reign on earth in the end times.
God promised Abraham and his descendants, Israel, the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-7; 13:14-15, 17; 15:7, 13-16, 18; 17:8; 28:1-4; Exodus 6:4-6; 23:30-31).
This promise has already been completely fulfilled (Deuteronomy 19:7-9; Joshua 11:23; 20:7-8; 21:43-45; 23:14-16; 2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Kings 4:21; 2 Chronicles 9:26; Nehemiah 9:7-8, 23-24; Acts 7:2-5, 17, 34-36, 44-46). These passages teach us that Abraham will not be raised from the dead to possess the land as some contend but that it was promised to him as an inheritance for his descendants, and that, not at the end times, but soon after Moses led them out of Egypt during the days of Joshua.
The possession of the land by Israel was always conditioned upon their faithfulness to God (Numbers 14:27-35; Deuteronomy 4:25-28; Joshua 23:11-16; 1 Kings 9:3-7; Nehemiah 9). In time, they were removed from the land because of their disobedience (2 Kings 18:11-12; 25:21).
God promised to return those who were removed from the land when they returned to Him (Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 30:1-10; 1 Kings 8:46-53; Jeremiah 3:18-22; 29:10-14; Ezekiel 36:25-38; Hosea 3:5; 11:10-11), but this would only be a remnant of Israel (Isaiah 1:9; 10:22; 11:11, 16; Jeremiah 23:3; 31:7; Zechariah 8:6; Romans 9:27). The influx of Jews to Palestine in modern days consists largely of those who hold to a liberalized Judaism, including a few atheists; not of those who have returned to the Lord. There will be no national conversion of the Jews as some contend from Romans 11:25-26. “All Israel” is not the entire Jewish race but the remnant of Jews and the many Gentiles who come to faith in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, 25-27, 30-33; 10:12-13; 11:1, 5, 7). The church made of Jews and Gentiles is “the Israel of God”, His nation, His people today (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7-8, 16, 26-29; 6:15-16; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
The temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt and its worship restored when Israel returned from Babylon. This was prophesied (Isaiah 44:28) and fulfilled (Ezra 1:1-5; 6:14-22).
Some contend that “the lost tribes of Israel” were never restored to the land, only Judah. But ever since the division of Israel in the days of King Rehoboam, Judah had always included some from the other tribes (2 Chronicles 11:1-17; esp. vv. 3, 14, 16). Others came to join themselves with Judah during the reforms of Asa (2 Chronicles 15:9) and Hezekiah (30:1, 18, 25; 31:1). Later, when Israel was taken captive by Assyria, some were left in Samaria (Amos 5:1-3) and returned to Judah during the reforms of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:16-17). The fact is that a remnant of all the tribes of Israel returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:1-3; Ezra 1:1-5; 2:70; 6:16-17; 7:7; 8:35; Nehemiah 1:4-10). By the time Jesus came to the earth and established His church, Jews from every tribe and place had come to Jerusalem (Luke 2:36; Acts 2:5-11).
Though the land promise was “forever” or “everlasting”, the term used (Hb. olam) does not always mean without end but often refers to a “long time” (Strong’s Hebrew). For example, it is used to describe how long a slave would serve his master (Deuteronomy 15:17). In this case, “forever” cannot mean without end but only as long as the slave lives. The term is also used to speak of a long time in the past (Isaiah 63:11). Here, translated “the days of old”, it has reference to the days of Moses but not to the eternal past. Just as circumcision (Genesis 17:13), the Passover (Exodus 12:14), and the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 25:13) were “forever” or “everlasting” but came to an end with the abolition of the Law (Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 2:14; cf. also Romans 2:25-29; 7:1-6, Galatians 3:24-25; 5:2, 6, Hebrews 7:11-28; 8:6-13; 9:15; 10:9), having been fulfilled so did the land promise. Even those who propose a future restoration of Israel to the land believe it will all come to an end after a thousand years. Indeed, not only the land of Palestine, but the whole world will come to an end when the Lord comes (2 Peter 3:10-13).
But what about Ezekiel’s vision of a new temple (Ezekiel 40-48)? This was an apocalyptic vision, comparable to John’s (Revelation 21-22), which emphasized holiness (e.g., the many measurements and details given), blessing (e.g., the flowing river, Ezekiel 47) and the presence of the Lord among His people (e.g., the glory of the Lord returned and filled the temple,43; “the Lord is there”, 48:35). A literal interpretation of this temple must be ruled out (e.g., the impractical siting of the temple on a very high mountain, 40:2; the impossible source and course of the river, 47:1-12; the boundaries of the tribes which could never be worked out geographically in hilly Israel). Ezekiel 36:35 and 38:11-12 both speak of Israel's security, first of fortified cities, then of no walls, bars, or gates. Ezekiel's temple had massive walls (40:5; 42:20) and several gates along the walls (40:6, 8, 20, 24). Taken literally, Ezekiel contradicts himself, but taken figuratively he uses two ways to express the same idea, namely the peace, security, and safety of God's people. Ezekiel 40-46 speak of Levitical priests making sin offerings according to the Law of Moses for the acceptance of the people (46:19, 27). This contradicts the fact that Jesus is the One and only sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:10-12). Ezekiel 44:31 reads, "The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that died naturally or was torn by wild beasts." This contradicts Ezekiel 34:25 that says there will be no wild beasts in the land. Its offerers killing and eating these sacrificial animals and wild animals killing other animals contradicts Isaiah's vision of the animals in perfect harmony with each other and mankind (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25). To rebuild the temple and restore its worship in the end times would be a complete denial and rejection of the finished work of Christ (Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:24-29; 5:1-6; Ephesians 2:14-22; Colossians 2:14-17; Hebrews 7-10).
The land promise and the many prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel have both a temporal fulfilment and a spiritual fulfilment. The temporal fulfilment took place before the first coming of Christ, the gospel of the New Covenant, and the establishment of the church, and it serves as a type of the greater and complete spiritual fulfilment found in Christ and His church (e.g., Genesis 12:1-5 w/Hebrews 11:10, 13-16; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21-22; and Ezekiel 37:15-28 w/John 10:11, 16; Ephesians 2:13-17; 2:20-22; Hebrews 8:1-13; 13:20; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; and Hosea 1:10-11 w/Romans 9:24-26; and Hosea 2:11 w/Colossians 2:14-17; and Amos 9:11-14 w/Acts 15:13-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5).
Will Jesus Come To Reign On Earth For A Thousand Years?
Some teach that Jesus will establish an earthly kingdom ruling from David’s throne in Jerusalem that will last for a thousand years.
The Old Testament prophets spoke of the beginning of Christ’s kingdom. It would begin at Jerusalem in the latter/last days when the word of the Lord would go forth (Isaiah 2:2-3; cf. Micah 2:1-2; Zechariah 1:16). It would begin in the days of the Roman kings (Daniel 2:44). It would begin at the ascension of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14). It would begin when the Holy Spirit would be poured out and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:28-32).
Christ’s kingdom was announced just before it began. It was at hand (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:7; cf. Luke 10:9, 11 “near”). The time had come (Mark 1:15). It was going to come with power while some of the twelve apostles were still alive (Mark 9:1; cf. Matthew 16:28; Luke 9:27). It was to be after the resurrection of Christ when power would be given to the apostles and repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49). It was to be not many days after the ascension of Christ when the apostles would receive power to bear witness to Him (Acts 1:1-11).
The beginning of Christ’s kingdom was recorded in Acts 2. It was just as had been prophesied and just as had been announced. It began in the days of the Roman kings about ten days after the ascension of Christ on Pentecost (v. 1a; cf. Leviticus 23:9-22; Acts 1:3). It began while eleven of the original twelve apostles were still alive (v. 1b; cf. Acts 1:26). It began at Jerusalem (vv. 1c, 5; cf. Acts 1:12). It began when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles, and they received power to speak the word of the Lord and bear witness to Christ (vv. 2-13). It began in the last days when whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (vv. 14-21). It began when repentance and remission of sins was preached in Christ’s name (vv. 22-41). It is His church (v. 47; Matthew 16:18-19).
The kingdom of Christ has come (Colossians 1:13-14; 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 8-9, 13; 8:1; 10:12-13; 12:28-29; Revelation 1:6, 9; 2:26-27; 3:21). Jesus Christ is already reigning as King over His kingdom (Acts 2:33-36; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5-6) and He will continue to reign as King over His kingdom until He comes again (1 Corinthians 15:23-26).
Christ’s kingdom is not an earthly but a heavenly, spiritual kingdom (Luke 17:20-21 He rules in our hearts; John 18:36-37 He is the King of truth and His kingdom those of the truth; Hebrews 12:22-24, 28-29 He rules from the heavenly Jerusalem, in the church registered in heaven, by the New Covenant, in the kingdom that cannot be shaken.).
Christ was to sit on David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33) but not on the earth (Jeremiah 22:28-30; cf. 1 Chronicles 3:15-17; Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27 Jesus is both legally and by blood a descendent of Coniah.). He sits upon David’s throne in heaven (Psalm 89:35-37; cf. Acts 2:29-36). He has the key of David (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7). He is a priest on His throne (Psalm 110:1, 4; Zechariah 6:12-13) but He is a priest in heaven (Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 5:6; 7:17, 21-28; 8:1) and cannot be a priest on earth (Hebrews 8:4), therefore His throne is in heaven not on the earth. David’s throne is God’s throne (1 Chronicles 29:23; 1 Kings 1:46-48; 2:12) but God’s throne is in heaven (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49). The throne of God and the throne of Christ are inseparable (Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 1:8).
We are not to look for Jesus to come again and establish an earthly kingdom because the present rule of Christ from heaven is the fulfillment of God’s promise concerning David’s seed coming to sit on His throne (Isaiah 11:10 w/Romans 15:12; Isaiah 55:3 w/Acts 13:23, 34).
A misunderstanding of Revelation 20 has led many to think that Christ will rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. We have already learned that Christ now rules from David’s throne in the heavenly Jerusalem at God’s right hand and will continue to rule until He comes again, at which time He will deliver the kingdom out of this world unto His Father. He will not return to the earth to reign for a thousand years.
It is important here to emphasize again two keys to help us in understanding Revelation that were discussed earlier regarding the Antichrist: 1) It was written in apocalyptic language (1:1), a highly symbolic language not to be taken literally. 2) It was written about things “which must shortly come to pass…for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1, 3; cf. 22:6, 10), and therefore should not be understood as referring to things far removed in time from John’s day but to that which was soon coming upon the church.
Revelation 20 begins with a picture of the complete defeat of Satan’s work by the Roman persecutors (Revelation 20:1-3).
- Verse 2 – “thousand” symbolizes complete or total (cf. Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 1:10-11; Job 9:3; Psalm 50:10; 90:4; 105:8; Revelation 5:11).
- Verse 3 – “deceive the nations no more” (i.e., by the Roman Empire through emperor worship); “released for a little while” symbolizes the fact that Satan will again seek to destroy the church (Revelation 20:7-10).
In the next verses there is a picture of the complete victory of the faithful over their Roman persecutors (Revelation 20:4-6).
- Verse 4 – “souls” are the faithful Christians under Roman persecution who died in the Lord (cf. Revelation 6:9), “lived” (cf. Luke 20:38) God is not the God of the dead but of the living; “reigned” (cf. 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 2:26; 3:21); “for a thousand years” symbolizes the complete victory now in heaven at the fall of Rome, not at the second coming as in Revelation 22:5.
- Verse 5 – “the rest of the dead” refers to the nonChristians and unfaithful Christians who bowed to the Roman emperors (cf. 19:2); “the first resurrection” symbolizes the revival and triumph of the persecuted church at the fall of Rome (cf. Revelation 11:7-12; also compare Isaiah 26:19; Ezekiel 37; Luke 15:24,32; Romans 11:15; 6:3-5; Ephesians 2:1, 5-6; Colossians 2:12 where restoration/salvation is pictured as a resurrection), not the literal bodily resurrection of God’s people at the end of the world (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 1 Corinthians 15: 23-24, 52).
This is not some rapture before a great tribulation but takes place after the great tribulation and at the beginning of the millennium!
- Verse 6 – “second death” symbolizes condemnation in hell (Revelation 2:11; 19:20; 20:10, 14; 21:8; Matthew 25:41, 46).
Picture all on the battlefield, the martyrs for Christ rise to reign with Him…then 1,000 years later those who served the beast rise to be thrown into the lake of fire. All this is just symbolic of the complete victory of the saints and utter defeat of the persecutors. The “resurrection” and “1,000 years” are not literal, but just a picture!
- First death = all who died in service of the beast or of Christ
- First resurrection = the triumph of the faithful who died in Roman persecution not to experience the second death
- Second resurrection = of the rest of dead who served the beast to face judgment at the end of the world
- Second death = the judgment of them at the end of the world in the lake of fire
Please notice that Revelation 20 does not mention the second coming of Christ, the earth, the establishment of a kingdom, an earthly reign or regime, nor a literal throne of David in Jerusalem. Also, it is a strange interpretation that contends for a figurative serpent bound with a figurative chain thrown into a figurative pit, locked with a figurative key, confined for a literal thousand years! Obviously, there is no literal thousand-year reign of Christ to come on this earth.
Will The Devil Gather Gog And Magog For A Final Attack Against Christ’s Kingdom?
Some teach that a great evil military force will attack Christ’s kingdom in Israel at the end of the world but will be completely destroyed by God.
Magog was a grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2) whose descendants settled in the North.
The identity of Gog is uncertain. The identification of this evil entity has long been a point of controversy among Bible scholars. Clearly, though, Ezekiel’s “Gog” represented a sinister power that came against ancient Israel but was defeated.
According to Ezekiel, Gog lived in the land of Magog and was the prince of Rosh [or chief prince] of Meshech and Tubal, tribes in Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey (Ezekiel 38:1-3).
In Ezekiel, he comes against Israel in the last days with a vast army (Ezekiel 38:4-9) at a time when Israel was dwelling in peace and safety, in cities without walls (Ezekiel 38:10-17). God would totally defeat Gog and his armies with great natural disasters so that all would know that He is the Lord (38:18-39:29).
This prophecy is apocalyptic and should not be taken literally. Gog’s identity is less significant than what he symbolizes, namely the personified head of the forces of evil intent on destroying God’s people. The description of an ancient army with ancient weapons (Ezekiel 38:21; 39:3, 9) is only symbolic of the greater spiritual war that Satan wages against the church of God (Ephesians 6:12). Those who insist on a literal interpretation cannot consistently argue for a modern-day war at the end times. The repeated use of the number seven is another indication of the symbolic nature of this prophecy (Ezekiel 39:9, 11-12, 14).
Ezekiel had already spoken of the captivity of Judah, their return to their land, and the new day of peace under the Messiah. This prophecy was a warning that enemies would attack God’s people again but no matter how great the enemy God would defeat them. This was the same message of all the prophets concerning the Messiah and His everlasting kingdom, the church (Ezekiel 38:17; 39:8). This was also the promise of Jesus (Matthew 16:18-19).
The only other place we read about Gog and Magog is in Revelation (20:7-10). As in Ezekiel, this is apocalyptic not a literal description. Here, Gog and Magog represent the nations of the earth deceived by Satan and gathered to attack the camp of the saints and the beloved city with a vast army, but God devours them with fire.
John had just described how Satan was totally defeated in his effort to destroy the church through the Roman Empire and how that the faithful saints were totally victorious over them (Revelation 20:1-6). But Satan will never give up on attacking God’s people (20:3). This vision is given to assure all Christians that no matter how great an attack Satan may bring upon the church, God will completely defeat him and ultimately cast him into hell.
Neither Ezekiel nor Revelation speak of a literal military war against the physical nation of Israel at the end of the world. They are both apocalyptic visions given to assure God’s people in this last period of history that He will put every one of Christ’s enemies under His feet (Acts 2:33-36). Satan will be completely defeated by God in any and every attempt to destroy Christ’s church.
What Have We Learned?
The last days of Bible prophecy refer to the last period of history which began with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2 and will continue until Christ comes again on the last day of the last days at the end of the world.
There will be no signs of Christ’s coming at the end of the world. The signs mentioned in Matthew 24 would precede the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Only God knows when Christ will come at the end of the world. He will come suddenly and unexpectedly like a thief in the night; therefore, we must always be ready for His coming.
Christ will not come secretly to rapture the church leaving all others behind. Rather, when He comes every eye will see Him, the dead will be raised, all will be judged, and this world will be destroyed.
The Bible does not speak of a great tribulation led by the Antichrist destroyed in the battle of Armageddon at the end of the world. There have been many antichrists in the world since the first century and there always will be. The world and the church have suffered great tribulation many times, including the destruction of Jerusalem. The battle of Armageddon is a symbol in the book of Revelation for the fall of Rome, the enemy and persecutor who brought great tribulation upon the church.
The many prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel and Judah to Palestine to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem were fulfilled in their return from captivity in Babylon and in their coming to Christ in the church.
Christ will not come again to the earth to establish the kingdom of God and reign on David’s throne for a thousand years. His kingdom is not an earthly, military, or political kingdom but a heavenly, spiritual kingdom. He established His kingdom upon His first coming, after His crucifixion and resurrection, when He ascended into heaven to sit on David’s throne at God’s right hand ruling over His kingdom, the church. He will continue to reign until the last enemy, death, is put under His feet at His coming and the resurrection of the dead, at which time He delivers the kingdom from this world to His Father.
The vision of Gog and Magog in Revelation does not refer to a great military war launched against Christ’s kingdom at the end of the world. It refers to the ongoing spiritual battle between Satan and the church and it assures us that no matter how great an attack Satan may bring against God’s people he will not be successful.
In summary, most of the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled before or with the first coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom, the church (cf. Luke 24:44-49). The last book of the New Testament, Revelation, is especially concerned with the persecution of the church by Rome in the first centuries after Christ, assuring the fall of this enemy and the victory of the faithful (Revelation 1:1-3, 4, 9; 2:10; 17-20; 22:6, 10). Many New Testament passages make reference to the final coming of Christ (e.g., John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). No one but God knows when Christ will come (cf. Matthew 24:36). His coming will be sudden and unexpected without any signs (Matthew 24:37ff; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). It will be on the last day (1 Corinthians 15:23-24, 52; 2 Peter 3:10). All the dead will be raised (John 5:28-29). All will be judged and sent to heaven or hell for eternity (Matthew 25:31-46). At the same time, this world will be completely destroyed (2 Peter 3). It will be no more (Matthew 24:35; Revelation 20:11; 21:1).
Written by Robert Dodson
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