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It Came Without Warning
Appendix I
Historical Sequence
of the Last Days
The following reflects the sequence of events that take place
during the last days. These events span a period of just over three and a half
years. They begin with the emergence of a beast power and conclude with the
return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.
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A great beast power emerges during
the last days and exercises great power over the earth. (Rev. 13)
A great religious leader emerges and causes all to worship
the beast (Rev. 13:11-12). Those who refuse to worship the beast will be
killed (verse 15).
The mark of the beast is given. This mark permits people to
buy and sell. Those who refuse it will be subjected to great persecution.
(Rev. 13:16-17)
God’s people refuse the mark, resulting in extraordinary
persecution. Many true Christians are martyred. (Rev. 6:9-11)
God’s true church is taken to a place of safety where it
is nourished for three and a half years. (Rev. 12:13-14)
Satan pursues God’s church by "casting out of his
mouth water as a flood." This flood may be a great army which pursues the
church. (Rev. 12:15)
God opens the earth and swallows the flood. (Rev. 12:16)
Satan turns his wrath on the remnant of the church. This
remnant was not taken to the place of safety, perhaps because of lethargy, but
it will keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
(Rev. 12:17)
The great tribulation begins. This tribulation is
identified in the book of Revelation as the fifth seal. During this time,
there will be great religious persecution and martyrdom. (Rev. 6:9; 12:17)
This great tribulation will last three and a half years and will end with the
return of Christ.
Included in this tribulation is a horrible captivity
inflicted on the physical descendants of Israel. This captivity is referred to
as "Jacob’s trouble." (Jer. 30:7)
Two witnesses testify against the nations of the earth for
1260 days (Rev. 11:1-6). These witnesses testify during the last three and a
half years of man’s reign on earth. Their witness takes place while God’s
church is in a place of safety and the remnant of that church is suffering
persecution and martyrdom during the great tribulation.
Great signs appear in the heavens. The sun will become
black as sackcloth, the moon will become as blood and the stars of heaven
shall fall into the earth. This is referred to as the sixth seal. (Rev.
6:12-13)
The servants of God are sealed in their forehead. This
sealing will protect them from God’s wrath which is reflected in the seventh
seal. The total number of servants which will receive God’s seal is 144,000.
(Rev. 7:1-4)
There is silence in heaven for approximately one half hour.
(Rev. 8:1)
The Day of the Lord begins. This is also described as the
day of God’s wrath and is pictured by the opening of the seventh seal. This
period will last for one year and occurs during the final year of the great
tribulation. Additionally, it will be a time of enormous devastation inflicted
upon man because of his defiance toward God. This seventh seal will include
seven trumpet plagues and seven vial plagues.
The first trumpet plague is unleashed. This plague consists
of hail, fire, and blood. (Rev. 8:7) The result is that one third of the earth’s
trees are burnt and all grass is destroyed.
The second trumpet plague is unleashed consisting of fire
cast into the sea. (Rev. 8:8-9) The result is that one third of the sea
becomes blood, one third of sea life dies, and one third of the ships are destroyed.
The third trumpet plague is unleashed. "Wormwood"
falls on a third of the earth’s waters and many men die. (Rev. 8:10-11)
The fourth trumpet plague is unleashed. The sun, moon, and
stars are darkened. (Rev. 8:12)
An angel flies through heaven and cries out, "Woe,
woe, woe!" These three woes represent the fifth, sixth, and seventh
trumpet plagues. (Rev. 8:13)
The fifth trumpet plague is unleashed (the first woe).
During this plague, "locusts with the power of scorpions" inflict
great damage. This represents a great military attack. (Rev. 9:1-3)
The sixth trumpet plague (second woe) is unleashed. A
massive army (200 million soldiers) launches a counter-attack, resulting in
the death of one third of mankind. (Rev. 9:12-19)
The two witnesses are killed and lay dead in the street for
three and a half days. (Rev. 11:7-9)
People will celebrate the killing of these two witnesses.
(Rev. 11:10)
The two witnesses are resurrected in plain view of those
who celebrated their death. They then ascend into the clouds. (Rev. 11:11-12)
The seventh and last trump is sounded. This is the third
woe. At this trump, voices in heaven declare, "The kingdoms of this world
are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign for
ever and ever." (Rev. 11:14-15)
The saints are resurrected and meet Christ in the air.
Those who are alive will be miraculously changed and join them. (1Cor.
15:51-52; 1Thes. 4:16-17)
There is a great marriage supper. It is possible this
supper takes place in heaven at the very residence of God the Father. This
supper celebrates the marriage of Jesus Christ (the Lamb) and His church (the
bride). (Rev. 19:6-9).
The seven last plagues are inflicted upon the earth (Rev.
16). These plagues are poured out of seven vials by seven angels.
Jesus Christ returns with a great army of His saints. (Rev.
19:11-16)
The battle of Armageddon takes place in which God’s army
crushes man’s final rebellion. (Rev. 19:11-21)
The beast and false prophet are overcome and cast into a
lake of fire and brimstone. (Rev. 19:19-20)
Satan is bound for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2).
The Millennium Begins
This begins a period of one thousand years in which Jesus
Christ and his saints will rule (Rev. 20:4-5). This millennial kingdom will be
a time of great peace, prosperity, health, and hope. It will be a time when
the knowledge of God will be available to all who dwell on the earth.
The Millennium Ends
A second resurrection takes place in which all those who
never knew God will be raised to a physical life and be given an opportunity
to learn of God’s plan for all mankind. At that time, those who are
resurrected will choose for themselves whether they will obey God. (Rev.
20:13; Ezek. 37)
Satan is loosed for "a little season." (Rev.
20:3, 7) At that time, he goes out and deceives the nations which are in the
four quarters of the earth.
A great battle ensues. (Rev. 20:8)
Satan’s final rebellion is crushed. (Rev. 20:9)
Satan is cast into a lake of fire to be tormented forever.
(Rev. 20:10)
A third resurrection takes place in which all who are not a
part of the first resurrection will appear before God’s judgment seat to
receive His final pronouncement concerning them. This is also referred to as
the Great White Throne Judgment. (Rev. 20:11, 13-15)
A new heaven and earth are created. (Rev. 21:1)
The New Jerusalem is brought down by God out of heaven. (Rev. 21:2)
Directory | Appendix II
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