Future Prophecy in Scripture

In passages like Isaiah 46:10 & Isaiah 48:5-8, God notes that prophecy is what distinguishes Him from all other beings—that He can “declare the end from the beginning.”

And, of course, many of the prophecies detailed in Scripture (such as the arrival, torture and the death of the Messiah as found in Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Daniel 9:25-26, Micah 5:1-2) enable us to have the confidence that prophecies yet to be fulfilled in the future will become fulfilled.

In the table below are detailed numerous passages of Scripture that address some significant prophetic events that are yet to be experienced in the future of humanity.

The key events, as we understand them chronologically, present in the following order:

·         The Rapture of the Church

• A 7-year period that includes the time of the Great Tribulation
• The Day of the Lord (marks the end of the Great Tribulation and heralds the arrival of Messiah)
• Armageddon (an invasion by many nations of Israel to plunder and eliminate it)
• The 2^nd Coming of Christ (note that orthodox Jews understand this event to be the first arrival of the Messiah)
• The Millennial Reign of Christ (a 1,000-year period wherein the Messiah reigns over the entire world from Mount Zion in Jerusalem)
• Great White Throne judgment (follows Christ’s crushing of the final rebellion as described in Revelation 20:4-13)

These events are detailed in numerous prophecies scattered throughout Scripture—most of which are detailed below.

Reference	Concepts Addressed in the Passage	Commentary
Genesis 3:15	Satan’s Assault on the Messiah (strike His heel), and the Messiah’s Crushing of the Head of Satan	Partially fulfilled by the nailing of Christ’s feet to the cross; the balance to be fulfilled when Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 2:10).
Psalm 2	Millennial Reign of Christ	Refers either to the Messiah’s crushing of the nations at His 2nd Coming or in the final rebellion as described in Revelation 20:7-10.
Psalm 9:5-11	Millennial Reign of Christ	Refers either to the Messiah’s crushing of the nations at His 2nd Coming or in the final rebellion as described in Revelation 20:7-10.
Psalm 12:1, 5, 7	Rapture?
Psalm 14:7	2nd Coming of Christ	Reference to Zion is a key indicator
Psalm 17:11-13	The final assault of the nations against Israel	Includes a call to God to provide deliverance (2nd Coming of Christ)
Psalm 18:6-17	The final assault of the nations against Israel followed by the 2nd Coming of Christ	Describes some elements of the Day of the Lord, such as earthquakes, darkness, hail, smoke and fire.
Psalm 24:7-10	2nd Coming of Christ
Psalm 27:5	Rapture and/or some tribulation saints
Psalm 33:18-22	Great Tribulation	Prayer of tribulation saints
Psalm 37	Great Tribulation	Solace for tribulation saints
Psalm 45:3-7	Invitation to 2nd Coming of Christ
Psalm 46	2nd Coming of Christ and start of His Millennial Reign	Reference to raging nations, earthquakes and devastation to the earth. Reference to the river in the City of God.
Psalm 47	Millennial Reign of Christ	Reference to reigning over the nations.
Psalm 48	Millennial Reign of Christ, including a brief reference to Armageddon and the 2nd Coming	Note the references to Zion. Reference to kings assembling to attack.
Psalm 50:1-15	Millennial Reign of Christ, including a brief reference to the 2nd Coming	Note the references to Zion.
Psalm 51:18-19	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the references to Zion.
Psalm 53	Tribulation and prayer for the coming of the Messiah.	Note the references to Zion.
Psalm 54, 70, 74	Great Tribulation	Examples of many Psalms wherein a person is calling to God for vindication from the person’s enemies—typical of the prayers of a saint living in the time of the Great Tribulation.
Psalm 61:7	Millennial Reign of Christ
Psalm 66:1-5	Millennial Reign of Christ	The whole earth is invited to praise and worship Him.
Psalm 67	Millennial Reign of Christ	The nations praise God.
Psalm 68	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	References to God’s conquest of His enemies. Reference to earthquakes. Reference to the temple in Jerusalem. Reference to nations praising Him.
Psalm 69:34-36	Millennial Reign of Christ	Reference to salvation of Zion.
Psalm 72	Millennial Reign of Christ	Reference to His reigning over the earth and all nations worshipping Him.
Psalm 76	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Reference to Zion, and His tent in Jerusalem (Amos 9:11). Reference to His conquest of enemies, nations and wrath.
Psalm 79-80	Armageddon and invitation to 2nd Coming of Christ	Reference to the nations, desecration of the temple, and attack against Israel.
Psalm 82:8	Invitation to the Day of the Lord
Psalm 83	Armageddon and invitation to the Day of the Lord
Psalm 86:9-10	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the fact that “all nations” come to worship God.
Psalm 87	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the emphasis on Zion.
Psalm 89:15-16	Rapture?	Note that the ones who hear the shout are happy and walk in the light of God’s presence; they are made righteous by God.
Psalm 96-97	Praise for the 2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Note references to Zion, a new song and the fact that all nations are invited to worship.
Psalm 100	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note that all nations are invited to worship.
Psalm 102:12-22	Invitation to the Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the references to Zion.
Psalm 106:47	Plea for God to gather Israel from the nations.
Psalm 110	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Note reference to Zion and a particular “day.”
Psalm 117	Millennial Reign of Christ	Call for praise to all nations.
Psalm 118:10-12	Day of the Lord?
Psalm 124	2nd Coming of Christ	Providing deliverance from the evil attackers.
Psalm 125	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the reference to Zion and “now and forever.” Evil is banished.
Psalm 126	Millennial Reign of Christ	Zion is restored. “The nations” recognize that Yahweh has blessed Israel.
Psalm 129:5	2nd Coming of Christ	Those who attack Zion will be punished.
Psalm 130:7-8	Millennial Reign of Christ	Israel will be specially forgiven for their sins.
Psalm 132:13-18	Millennial Reign of Christ	Based in Zion per the desire of God.
Psalm 133:3	Millennial Reign of Christ	Yahweh accords everlasting life to the remnant of Israel. (See the promise in the prior chapter of forgiveness of sins.)
Psalm 134	Millennial Reign of Christ	Blessings extend to Yahweh’s servants from Zion.
Psalm 135:21	Millennial Reign of Christ	A call for praise to Yahweh Who reigns from Zion.
Psalm 138:4-5	Millennial Reign of Christ	All kings on earth will worship Yahweh.
Psalm 140:10	Final Judgment	Evil are cast into the Lake of Fire.
Psalm 144:5-8	Plea for the 2nd Coming of Christ	To provide deliverance from the enemy.
Psalm 145	Millennial Reign of Christ	A praise that may be presented during the reign of Yahweh.
Psalm 147:2-3	Millennial Reign of Christ	He rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers Israel.
Psalm 148-149	Millennial Reign of Christ	An extensive praise that will be proclaimed during His reign.
Psalm 150	Eternity	An eternal praise to Yahweh.
Isaiah 2:1-4	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the references to the “last days,” “Zion” and “all nations.” Marked by peace.
Isaiah 2:10-22	The Day of the Lord	All mankind and human pride will be brought low; people will flee into caves; the earth will be terrified.
Isaiah 4:2-6	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the reference to “that day” and Zion. Zion is associated with Jerusalem. The glory of God will be present.
Isaiah 5:26-30	God’s invitation to the nations to come to the Battle of Armageddon.	Note the reference to “distant nations” to come to assault Israel and the reference to “that day” (the Battle of Armageddon occurs in connection with the 2nd Coming of Christ).
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7	Millennial Reign of Christ	Reigning from the throne of David
Isaiah 11	Millennial Reign of Christ – particularly its beginning.	Marked by peace, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, and all will know Yahweh. The remnant of Israel and Judah will be gathered from around the world and brought into the nation of Israel. Note the reference to “that day.”
Isaiah 12	Foretelling of the praise occurring during the Millennial Reign of Christ.	Note the reference to Zion and “that day.”
Isaiah 13:1-13	The Day of the Lord, which is the moments preceding the 2nd Coming of Christ.	The wrath of God unleashed on wicked mankind, marked by fear, horror, pain, agony, desolation of the earth, darkness, disaster, earthquakes, and shaking of the heavens.
Isaiah 14:12-19	Defeat of Satan; cast into the bottomless pit.
Isaiah 16:5	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note that the throne is established in the “tent of David.”
Isaiah 17:4-14	Armageddon and the Day of the Lord	Only a remnant in Israel will be spared; note the references to “that day” and “nations.”
Isaiah 18	Millennial Reign of Christ	Very unusually marked by a special gift by a special group of people from a powerful nation (whose land is divided by rivers) with an unusual language brought to Yahweh at Mount Zion; might possibly mark the return of the original Ark of the Covenant.
Isaiah 19:16-25	Millennial Reign of Christ	A special note regarding a special relationship created between Egypt, certain nations (comprising the former Assyria) and Israel.
Isaiah 24	Day of the Lord, and start of the Millennial Reign of Christ	A promise that the earth will be desolated.
Isaiah 25	The aftermath of the Day of the Lord and the 2nd Coming of Christ and the start of the Millennial Reign of Christ.	Notice that a great feast is promised for the people “on the mountain” [i.e., of Zion]. This is something of a parallel to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Note the reference to “that day.”
Isaiah 26:1-18	The Millennial Reign of Christ	Reference to the people of the world learning righteousness. Reference to the 2nd Coming of Christ in vs. 11. Reference to expansion of the borders of Israel.
Isaiah 26:19-21	Perhaps the Rapture	Note that the dead of God are indicated to rise and then other people are gathered and sequestered until the wrath of God has passed.  The wrath of God and the Day of the Lord is described in the succeeding verse. [Timing suggests pre-wrath rapture.]
Isaiah 26:20b-21	The Day of the Lord and the 2nd Coming of Christ.	Reference to wrath and judgment upon the earth.
Isaiah 27:1	Punishment of Satan	Note the reference to “that day.”
Isaiah 27:12-13	The start of the Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the reference to “that day” and the gathering of Israel from among the nations.
Isaiah 28:5-6	Millennial Reign of Christ	Referred to as Yahweh of Hosts; note the reference to “that day.” The reign is marked by justice and strength.
Isaiah 30:18-26	Millennial Reign of Christ	Special attention is given to the people of Israel.  Note the reference to Zion and “that day.”
Isaiah 30:27-33	2nd Coming of Christ	Note the judgment affects “the nations.”  There is particular judgment on Assyria (presumably the collection of nations that formerly comprised it).
Isaiah 33:20-24	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the reference to Zion.
Isaiah 34	2nd Coming of Christ and Millennial Reign of Christ	Judgment of the nations with a particularly pronounced judgment against Edom [now Jordan].
Isaiah 35	Millennial Reign of Christ	The land will be blessed, and God’s people will return to Zion.
Isaiah 40:1-11	Millennial Reign of Christ	God appears in Zion and comforts the people of Israel.
Isaiah 42:1-17	Millennial Reign of Christ	He is praised in the earth. A reference to the 2nd Coming of Christ in vss. 13-15.
Isaiah 43:1-7	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the gathering of the people of Israel.
Isaiah 45:14-25	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the special promise of special salvation and justification for the descendants of Israel.
Isaiah 46:13	Millennial Reign of Christ	The promise of splendor and salvation in Israel.
Isaiah 49:7-26	Promise of restoration of Israel.	As manifested in the Millennial Reign of Christ.
Isaiah 51	Promise of restoration of Israel.	As manifested in the Millennial Reign of Christ; note that justice will be brought “to the nations.” Note the reference to Zion.
Isaiah 52:1-12	2nd Coming of Christ and Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the statement: “Yahweh returns to Zion” (indicating that He has been there before. Note the reference to “nations.”
Isaiah 52:13 – Isaiah 53	Special discussion of the Messiah as the One who reigns.	Note that earlier He appalled people and was disfigured; now He sprinkles the nations; He was despised, rejected, stricken, struck down by God and afflicted; He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed; he bore the punishment for all; He was “cut off” from the land of the living (i.e., put to death); He will justify many; He submitted Himself to death; He bore the sin of many; He will be highly exalted.
Isaiah 54	Millennial Reign of Christ	Special promises to the people of Israel and Jerusalem.
Isaiah 55	Millennial Reign of Christ	Promise to fulfill the promise to David and promise for joy and peace everlasting.
Isaiah 56:1-8	Invitation to all to come and worship the Lord.	“A house of prayer for all nations.”
Isaiah 60	Millennial Reign of Christ	Descendants of Jacob will return to Israel along with great wealth.  The temple will be beautified. The light of Yahweh will render the sun and moon unnecessary. Note the reference to Zion.
Isaiah 61-62	Millennial Reign of Christ	The descendants of Jacob will be abundantly blessed in the witness of all nations. Emphasis on righteousness. References to Zion. Jerusalem will be a praise in the earth.
Isaiah 63:1-6	2nd Coming of Christ and Armageddon	“Day of vengeance”
Isaiah 64:1-2	Invitation for the 2nd Coming of Christ	References to His coming and earthquakes and fire.
Isaiah 65:17-25	Millennial Reign of Christ	Earth and heaven to be re-made by God. A time of peace. People will live longer during this time.
Isaiah 66:12-14, 18-24	Millennial Reign of Christ	Jerusalem restored; the whole world will worship God.
Isaiah 66:14-16	Day of the Lord and 2nd Coming of Christ	Reference to His coming, wrath, fire and judgment on all flesh.
Ezekiel 14:12-20	Great Tribulation	Describing a basis for time of desolation of the earth; the whole earth (except for the remnant) will have acted faithlessly against God.
Ezekiel 28:11-19	Satan and his Final Judgment	See also Revelation 20:10.
Ezekiel 28:24-26	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note the gathering of the people of Israel from among the nations.
Ezekiel 34:11-31	Millennial Reign of Christ	Like a shepherd, God will search out and gather the descendants of Jacob to Israel. He will give them peace and restoration. King David will be their shepherd and Yahweh will be their God. The land and the people will be blessed and protected.
Ezekiel 36:8-12, 22-38	Millennial Reign of Christ	God will restore the nation, land and people of Israel.  He will gather the people from the nations and bring them to Israel.  He will give them salvation, a new heart and a new spirit and His Spirit. God will also cause the land to become fruitful for them. God will restore the cities from their desolation.
Ezekiel 37:1-14	Millennial Reign of Christ	God will cause the people of Israel who have died to come alive; He will give them His Spirit, and they will live and come into the land.
Ezekiel 37:15-28	Millennial Reign of Christ	God will call all of Israel from the nations to which they were scattered and all of Judah from the nations to which they were scattered and unite them again into a single nation. King David will reign over them forever. They will follow God’s statutes. There will be a perpetual covenant of peace. God will dwell with them forever.
Ezekiel 38-39:24	A Massive Invasion of Israel (Armageddon)	A group of nations invades Israel to plunder it.  Included in the group of nations is Gog/Rosh (Russia), Persia (Iran), Put (Libya), Cush (Sudan), Gomer (Turkey) and Beth Togarmah (Armenia). It will be a massive army and ground assault. [Opponents of the idea that this is Armageddon indicate that this battle is against Israel whereas the Battle of Armageddon as described in Revelation 19:17-21 is against Christ Himself.  However, Zechariah 14:1-15 reconciles the battles—suggesting that the battle starts against Israel, but then Christ comes to rescue Israel and defeat the invading army.] Some nations (including possibly nations in Northern Africa as well as other nations known for their merchants—i.e., possibly the U.S.) will inquire about the purpose of the invasion. Scholars differ as to whether this invasion occurs at the start of or at the midpoint of the Great Tribulation or whether it is indeed the Battle of Armageddon. The succeeding passage of Ezekiel 39:25-29 suggests that this battle is Armageddon. God addresses the enemy of Israel with an earthquake (so severe that all living creatures tremble), rain, hailstones, plague and burning sulfur. [Note that the battle as described in Zechariah 14 includes a massive earthquake, a plague and panic.] It will take 7 months to bury the dead of the invading army and 7 years to burn the weapons (which points to a date at the start of the final 7-year period of Tribulation).  Birds (see also Revelation 19:17-18) and wild animals will assist with the cleanup of the deceased. The world will recognize that God saved Israel. Note that the battle in Revelation 20:7-9 involves all nations (unlike this attack that involves less than all nations), and Satan is leading the charge—indicative of the fact that the Revelation battle is the final rebellion, while this battle appears to be distinct from the final battle. Note that the assault is on Israel, after the land has been restored from war and which has been “regathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel” (which appears to be after the resurrection of Israel in 1948).
Ezekiel 39:25-29	Millennial Reign of Christ	God will restore the fortunes of Jacob and gather the people of Israel from the nations. God will demonstrate His holiness to Israel in the sight of many nations. God will pour out His Spirit on the House of Israel.
Ezekiel 40-46	A New Temple	Ezekiel describes a new temple along with its dimensions. This temple will likely be the temple of Yahweh as built at the start of the Millennial Reign of Christ.
Ezekiel 47	The Special Life-Giving River flowing out from the Temple Area in the Millennial Reign of Christ	Provides fresh, restorative water that produces life, and special trees providing healing.
Ezekiel 48	Allotments of Land in Israel During the Millennial Reign of Christ
Daniel 2	Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of Future World Kingdoms	According to Daniel’s interpretation (Daniel 2:31-45), a series of world kingdoms would arise after the Babylonian kingdom, each becoming inferior to the prior kingdom; the final kingdom (of the antichrist) has 10 elements and is partly strong and partly brittle; a stone from God (Christ) crushes the final kingdom and establishes “a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (v. 44).
Daniel 7:7-27	Daniel’s Vision of the Final World Kingdom and its Destruction by the Messiah	Appears to be the final world kingdom; its 10 horns represent its 10 kings or sovereignties; the kingdom is terrorizing to the earth; one small horn that arises in place of 3 horns is the antichrist. He speaks against the Most High and changes the laws and religious festivals and persecutes the “holy ones” for 3.5 years. But the Ancient of Days arrives and strips the kingdom away from him. One like the son of man is granted authority over the earth.  He is given an everlasting kingdom.
Daniel 8	Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat	Providing Daniel with a prophecy about future kingdoms, including Medo-Persia (Cyrus the Great), Greece led by Alexander the Great, whose kingdom at his death was divided into 4 kingdoms—one of which would be the Seleucid Empire, whose leader, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, would claim to be “God Manifest,” persecute Israel and defile the temple—as a precursor to a future similar offender, the antichrist (the little horn of Daniel 7:8, 25 and discussed in Daniel 9:27 and 11:36-45, Matthew 24:15-16, Mark 13:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, I John 2:18-23 and Revelation 11:7, 13:5-7, 13:16-18, 17:8-12).
Daniel 9:24-27	Gabriel’s Prophecy Given to Daniel Regarding the Coming of the Messiah and the antichrist	Gabriel indicates that 490 years are particularly prophesied for Daniel’s people and Jerusalem; the Messiah would come 483 years after the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem; the Messiah would then be “cut off”; a final period of 7 years awaits in the future marked by a covenant entered into by him (the antichrist) with “many” (likely the people of Israel) for a 7-year period, but in 3.5 years he (the antichrist) will break the covenant, stop the sacrifices and offerings and defile the temple—inciting desolation of the world (by God).
Daniel 10-11	An Angel’s Prophecy Given to Daniel Regarding Future Kingdoms	Daniel receives a prophecy regarding the future kingdom of Greece as would become controlled by Alexander the Great, whose kingdom would be divided in 4 kingdoms, culminating in detail regarding the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes IV. The prophecy is so accurate in its description of the kingdoms and their activities that many have opined that the information was recorded after the facts. Verses 40-45 may relate to an end times battle involving the antichrist as the king of the North. [Note that verses 36-45 may all relate to the antichrist.]
Daniel 12:1	The Great Tribulation and perhaps the Day of the Lord	Uniquely severe distress. Possible reference to the Rapture or the Lamb’s gathering (see Revelation 14:14-16).
Daniel 12:2-3	Resurrection of the Dead	Possible reference to the Rapture or Great White Throne judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15).
Daniel 12:3-13	Last Days	Those who lead many to righteousness could refer to those who spread the Gospel during the Great Tribulation. Travel and increase in knowledge are noted to be evident in the last days. The duration of the events until the end will be a time, times and ½ a time (i.e., 3.5 years or 3,500 years or 3.5 jubilees). From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished to the time of the abomination of desolation is 1,290 days.
Hosea 2:23	Millennial Reign of Christ	God replaces the people of Israel in Israel and has compassion on them.
Hosea 3:4-5	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note that King David lived approximately 500 years before this passage was written, but it looks forward to seeing King David again with the Messiah. Note the reference to the “last days.”
Hosea 6:1-3	2nd Coming of Christ	According to the Millennial Day Theory, verse 2 appears to suggest that the Millennial Reign of Christ might come approximately 2,000 years after Christ ascended into heaven.
Joel 1:1-14	The Great Tribulation	Notice that the invasion of nations into Israel is described as a devastation of locusts (see Amos 7:1-6).
Joel 1:15-20	The Day of the Lord	Note the reference to “that day.” Note that it is a time of devastation—even to Israel.
Joel 2:1-17	The Day of the Lord and the 2nd Coming of Christ	Note that it is accompanied or preceded by darkness. Note that the army of the Lord incites terror in the nations. Note that there is a gathering of people in conjunction with the arrival of the army of the Lord.
Joel 2:18-19	A promise of restoration associated with the Millennial Reign of Christ.	Reference to Israel no longer being a disgrace to the nations.
Joel 2:20	Armageddon	Note that the invasion into Israel came from the North.
Joel 2:21-27	A promise of restoration associated with the Millennial Reign of Christ.	Note the reference to Zion.
Joel 2:28-32	Tribulation and possibly the time preceding the Tribulation	A promise of a special anointing of the Holy Spirit on humanity. A promise of wonders in the heavens and on earth. Sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood BEFORE the Day of the Lord. A promise of salvation to those who call on the name of Yahweh. A promise of escape to those “on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.” Note that Yahweh will “call survivors” to salvation.
Joel 3:1-16	Armageddon, the Day of the Lord and the 2nd Coming of Christ	God gathers nations together to fight against Him and His army, and He will trample them like grapes. The nations are judged for their wickedness and offenses against God’s people. Note that darkness precedes the Day of the Lord. The Lord arrives at Zion in Jerusalem with earthquakes and a shaking of heaven.
Joel 3:17-21	Millennial Reign of Christ	Marked by peace and prosperity for the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The people of Judah will be pardoned by God.
Amos 5:18-20	The Day of the Lord	Marked by a time of darkness and terrors for everyone.
Amos 7:1-6	The Great Tribulation	Note that it is a time that will devastate Israel. Note that it refers to the invasion of Israel by nations described as devouring locusts (see Joel 1:1-14). Note that the invasion occurs AFTER the king’s crop is taken up (could be a reference to the rapture of the Church). Note that fire devours the oceans as well as the land.
Amos 9:5	The 2nd Coming of Christ	Reference to His touching of the earth and all on the earth mourning.
Amoz 9:11-15	Millennial Reign of Christ	Restoration of the fallen Tabernacle of David. Prosperity given to Israel; they will not be uprooted from their land.
Obadiah 1:15-21	Day of the Lord	Note that all nations will be judged by God. Deliverance on Mount Zion. Israel will be given prominence. It will be the Lord’s kingdom.
Micah 1:2-4	Day of the Lord and 2nd Coming of Christ	Judgment against all nations. Note that the earth will quake at this time.
Micah 2:12-13	Millennial Reign of Christ	Descendants of Jacob will be gathered to Israel.  The Lord will be their king.
Micah 4:1-8	Millennial Reign of Christ	Note reference to “last days.”  The Lord will reign from Mount Zion in Jerusalem.  Nations will be excited to see the Lord to receive His instruction.  The time and kingdom will be marked by peace; the Lord will settle disputes between nations.  Everyone will have peace and comfort.  God will gather the remnant and bring them to His kingdom.
Micah 4:11-12	Armageddon	Nations will be gathered to launch a massive international assault against Israel.  The Lord will plunder the nations on that day.
Micah 5:1-6	Armageddon and the Millennial Reign of Christ	The one from Bethlehem will arrive to rescue Israel from the invasion by 7 or 8 nations (referred to as an invasion by Assyria and Nimrod).
Micah 7:8-13	Millennial Reign of Christ	Nations will see the restoration of Israel.
Micah 7:18-20	Millennial Reign of Christ	Christ will forgive the sins of the remnant of Israel (giving them salvation).
Nahum 1:2-6	Day of the Lord and 2nd Coming of Christ	God’s wrath poured out against His enemies.  The earth and all people will shake at His arrival.
Nahum 1:14	Judgment of the Antichrist	See also Revelation 19:20.
Nahum 1:15	Millennial Reign of Christ	The wicked never again march through Judah.
Habakkuk 2:14	Millennial Reign of Christ	The whole earth knows the Glory of God.
Habakkuk 3:3-15	Day of the Lord and 2nd Coming of Christ	References to His coming, plagues, pestilence, earthquakes, the nations’ fear, wrath, judgment on water, and salvation of His people.
Habakkuk 3:16-19	Final Invasion of Israel	The remnant are to flee to the mountains when the invasion occurs.
Zephaniah 1	Day of the Lord, 2nd Coming of Christ	Note the references to Zion and “that day.”  Marked by destruction and desolation.  Note that distress and horror is brought on all of mankind.  Particular judgments noted for Assyria, Egypt and other nearby nations.
Zephaniah 3:1-8	Armageddon	Note that God gathers the nations together for their judgment.  The whole earth is consumed by God’s fire.
Zephaniah 3:9-20	Millennial Reign of Christ	The remnant of Israel finds refuge in Yahweh; they are delivered from the enemy. They are gathered and accorded fame and praise.
Zechariah 2:10-13	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Note the references to Zion and “that day.”
Zechariah 3:10	2nd Coming of Christ	Note the reference to “that day.”
Zechariah 5:5-11	Babylon?	Possible reference to the future Babylon that brings wickedness to the earth.
Zechariah 8	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Note the references to Zion and the references to people returning to Israel.
Zechariah 9:9-17	2nd Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign	Note the references to Zion and “that day.”
Zechariah 10:8-12	Millennial Reign	The gathering of Israel
Zechariah 12:1-9	2nd Coming of Christ	Note the references to “that day”; rescue of the nation and Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:10-14	Israel’s reaction to the arrival of the Messiah (the 2nd Coming of Christ)	Mourning seeing the One that they pierced; note the references to “that day”; note the reference to the Battle of Armageddon.
Zechariah 13	Start of the Millennial Reign of Christ	Marked by cleansing; note that only 1/3 of the people of Israel remain. Note the references to “that day.”
Zechariah 14	Day of the Lord, 2nd Coming of Christ, Armageddon, beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.	Amazing description of the Day of the Lord and the arrival of the Messiah on the Mount of Olives, which will be split in ½--allowing people of Jerusalem to escape as the army of God brings down judgment on the nations gathered.  Note the references to “that day.”  Earthquake noted. No light on that day.  At the start of the Millennial Reign of Christ, note the existence of “living water” flowing out from Jerusalem. Note that all who attacked Jerusalem, including all of their animals, will rot while they are standing. The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated by the whole world.
Malachi 1:11	Millennial Reign of Christ	All nations will worship Yahweh.
Malachi 3:1-6	2nd Coming of Christ	Messenger comes before the Lord.  He comes to His temple.  Who can endure the day of His coming?
Malachi 3:16-18	Rapture or other rescue	God will take some very evident special action towards a group of people as “a special possession on the day I am preparing.”  The action will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.  There is no reference to Jacob or Judah here, suggesting that God is not talking about the Day of the Lord.
Malachi 4:1-3	The Day of the Lord	Massive judgment of God on the wicked—reducing them to ashes.
Malachi 4:4-6	Promise of sending Elijah before the Day of the Lord	He precedes the arrival of Yahweh; the law seems to be re-invigorated at this time—suggesting that this time is for the Jews.  Perhaps Elijah and Enoch are the 2 witnesses—because they were taken without being submitted to death; instead, they will be put to death by the evil kingdom on earth.  The message of Elijah will restore families.
Matthew 1021-23	Gospel of Tribulation	·         Requires endurance to the end (i.e., of your life of the end of the Great Tribulation).
Matthew 19:28	Millennial Reign of Christ	Jesus’ disciples reign with Him.
Matthew 24 Parallel passages: ·         Mark 13 ·         Luke 21:5-28	Jesus Explains Last Days Events	Jesus notes: ·         Increase in deception ·         People claiming to be the Messiah ·         Wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom ·         Famines ·         Earthquakes ·         Persecution of God’s people ·         Presence of false prophets ·         Proclaiming of the Gospel to the whole world ·         Abomination of Desolation spoken about by Daniel appears ·         Great Tribulation (the worst devastation of the earth) with few survivors ·         Sun and moon darkened ·         Stars fall ·         Son of Man comes in the clouds with great power and great glory ·         As in the days of Noah, people will go about their lives oblivious to what is about to occur ·         One will be taken and another will be left
Matthew 26:29 (also Mark 14:25)	Millennial Reign of Christ	Referred to as the Kingdom of God
Luke 1:33	Millennial Reign of Christ	The kingdom will be everlasting.
John 14:1-3	Promise of Shelter from Jesus	Possibly an indication of the place where saints will be protected from the Great Tribulation.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52	Rapture	·         Saints are changed in a twinkling of the eye ·         At the last trump ·         Dead are raised.
Hebrews 8:11	Millennial Reign of Christ	Everyone will know Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18	Rapture	Jesus descends with a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God; the dead rise; then the living saints rise to meet Jesus in the air.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12	Antichrist	·         He appears before the Day of the Lord ·         He announces that he is God. ·         He desecrates temple. (See also Daniel 9:27, Zechariah 14:2, Matthew 24:15-16) ·         He is currently restrained. ·         Satan empowers him and enables him to perform false signs and wonders. ·         Many will be deceived by him. ·         Christ will defeat him.
1 John 2:18-22	Warning that Antichrist is Coming	He will deny the deity of Jesus.
Revelation 3:7-13	Church of Philadelphia	·         Appears to be protected from the Great Tribulation
Revelation 3:14-22	Church of Laodicea	·         May be the saints of the time of the Great Tribulation, who, if they overcome, gain the right to experience the presence of God.
Revelation 4	Rapture?	·         John hears the sound of a trumpet and an invitation to “Come up here”—akin to saints in the Rapture. ·         Immediately John is “in the Spirit” and in heaven in the presence of God and His throne.
Revelation 5	The Worthy Lamb	·         Authorized to open the scroll of the end time judgment of God
Revelation 5:10	Millennial Reign of Christ	Martyred saints reign with Him
Revelation 6 & 8:1-5	Breaking of the 7 Seals	·         Conquest ·         Taking of peace and people killing each other ·         Massive inflation ·         Death of ¼ of people with sword, famine, animals and plague ·         Martyrs ·         Great earthquake ·         Sun blackened. ·         Moon to blood ·         Sky is split apart. ·         Asteroids strike earth. ·         Every island and mountain changed. ·         Fire strikes earth
Revelation 7	Interlude during Trumpets	·         Angels halt wind from blowing ·         Angel seals 144,000 from Israel ·         A multitude of persons coming out of the Tribulation offer praise to the Lamb.
Revelation 8:13	Eagle Announces Woes to the Earth	·         Note that the message of God is delivered by something other than the Church.
Revelation 8:6-9:21 & 11:15-19	Sounding of the 7 Trumpets	·         Hail and fire strike earth. ·         1/3 of all vegetation destroyed. ·         A mountain of fire hits the oceans and water becomes like blood; 1/3 of all sea life dies. ·         Star from heaven falls on 1/3 of all fresh water; many die. ·         1/3 of sun, moon and stars stricken causing darkness ·         Scorpion-like locusts released from the Abyss to attack mankind. ·         1/3 of mankind killed with fire, plagues, smoke and brimstone. ·         2 witnesses appear and are slain. ·         Earthquake rocks Jerusalem ·         Announcement given from heaven & temple of God appears with Ark of the Covenant
Revelation 13	Antichrist and False Prophet	·         Come from the sea ·         Authority to act for 3.5 years ·         Antichrist will conquer saints. ·         Antichrist will be worshipped by all except for the saints. ·         His number is 666.
Revelation 14	144,000 from Israel   Proclamations from 3 angels   2 Massive Gatherings from the Earth	·         Proclamations announce judgment and the Gospel of the Tribulation ·         The first gathering appears to be like a drawing of people to heaven by Christ. ·         The second gathering appears to be a gathering of those who are crushed in the judgment of Armageddon.
Revelation 15	Great Tribulation	Those Victorious over the antichrist Praise God.  Angels Prepare the Bowls of Wrath.
Revelation 16	Pouring of the 7 Bowls of Wrath of God	·         Sores afflict all who have the mark of the antichrist. ·         The sea turns to blood and all sea life dies. ·         Freshwater turns to blood. ·         The sun scorches with a plague of fire and heat (see Isaiah 24:6) ·         Antichrist’s kingdom darkened; pain and sores afflict people. ·         Euphrates River dries up. ·         Demons emitted from Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet summon nations to attack Israel – the Battle of Armageddon. ·         Angelic announcement and strongest earthquake to strike the earth occurs. ·         Mountains and islands disappear. ·         100-pound hailstones fall on the earth.
Revelation 17	Antichrist and Babylon	Babylon described as the mother of prostitutes and all of the vile things of the earth.  Antichrist kingdom (the “beast”) has 7 heads and 10 horns (kingdoms). It comes from the abyss and seeks to destroy.
Revelation 18	Fall of Babylon	Possible indication of Rapture before Babylon becomes prominent in vss. 4-5 (although it could be the Lamb’s gathering as described in Revelation 14:14-15).  The earth mourns Babylon’s fall because it was a source of wealth.
Revelation 19:19-21	Battle of Armageddon	Messiah defeats nations that attack Israel.  Antichrist and false prophet cast into the Lake of Fire. See also Zechariah 14:1-5 and Zechariah 12:9
Revelation 20:1-3	Satan is Cast into the Bottomless Pit
Revelation 20:4	Millennial Reign of Christ
Revelation 20:7-9	Satan’s Final Assault
Revelation 20:9-10	Satan and antichrist Cast into the Lake of Fire
Revelation 21-22	A New Heaven and New Earth Prepared

 

 

Small Epiphanies Regarding Big Topics on Christmas Morning

For some reason, I awakened on Christmas morning in 2023, inexplicably with praise to God and a completely unexpected sense of joy based on nothing other than His attributes and perhaps the refreshment of rest.  In my moment of praise, I began considering God’s power and, because my thinking is often peculiar, I started reflecting on the fact that He is the source of all energy [and collaterally and very oddly started wondering if He is the E in the equation E=MC², and I quickly concluded that He is substantially more than that as the source of E, and I wondered how He could create the universe without energy yet being in existence, because energy could not exist as we know it in the absence of space—which, again, did not exist until He spoke the universe into existence; and I concluded that God must have created E with something other than E—perhaps just His Thought or His Word, which means that His Word is more powerful than all E that we know, because all E that we know came from His Word—which is amazing]. And I considered that the angels probably never contemplated and perhaps could not comprehend the immensity of the power of God until He created the universe, because before God created the universe, the angels could have experienced only a spiritual world—one without the fundamental elements of our physical existence: space, matter, time and energy. And when God spoke the universe into existence, for the first time, the angels were able to witness the magnitude of His power. Thus, the universe became a marvelous expression of His power. 

 

And I was thinking that the angels may indeed have seen themselves and even God physically for the first time at the creation, because space, matter, time and energy thereupon became evident. Imagine what it must have been like for the angels to have suddenly witnessed the shocking, visible, luminous presence of God for the first time—as time, space, matter and energy endeavored in its own way to define Him. Of course, the angels probably saw even their own luminescence from having been in the presence of God. This idea made me think about the passage in Job, where God was discussing with Job the creation event: “Where were you when I established the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7 HCSB) (emphasis added). Don’t you find it immensely interesting that God tells Job that the angels shouted for joy at the creation event.  We might perhaps think, before that point when time started, that it would have been difficult to surprise an angel.  Yet, at the point of creation, the angels were incited by what they witnessed to shout for joy.

 

Then, I kept reading the Job passage and saw this amazing question from God to Job: “Where is the road to the home of light?” (Job 38:19 HCSB). What a fantastic question (and coincidentally related to my preceding thinking about the speed of light being a factor of E). The question implies that all light has a home … a place of origination, and it also implies that there is a path to that place and that we could perhaps find it.

 

And I was thinking that because God is the source of all energy, He is obviously therefore the source of all light, which makes God’s question even more interesting, because He’s essentially asking Job if he knows how to find the way to God—the home of light.  And we know the answer to the question, because Jesus told us: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 HCSB). Thus, another way of thinking about salvation is to consider that Jesus is the way for us to get to the home of light.  Confirming this thought is the additional amazing statement of Jesus: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 HCSB).

 

And I considered further that just like the universe is an expression of the magnitude of God’s power, and just like light is an expression of energy, Jesus is the expression of the magnitude of the love of God. And just as the angels shouted for joy at creation, they were perhaps thoughtful and quiet when they witnessed the prophecies of the suffering of Christ and His subsequent glory, because the Apostle Peter tells us that the “[a]ngels desire to look into these things.” (1 Peter 1:12 HCSB). The angels are as intrigued as we are that God would create humans as beings, subordinate to even the angels, and with choice—knowing that we would very often make the wrong choices and knowing what He would do through Jesus to reconcile us—the subordinate beings who very often make wrong choices—to Himself.  And we know too in this regard, speaking of joy, that the angel of the Lord told the shepherds at the announcement of the birth of Jesus, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people ….” (Luke 2:10 HCSB). And Jude tells us why it was such good news that was a source of joy: because Jesus enables those of us who accept Him to stand in the presence of God … blameless … with great joy. (Jude 24-25 HCSB).

 

Although my Christmas epiphany thoughts were something of a stream of consciousness form of thinking, I think I can safely conclude from the thoughts that we share with angels the joy and wonder of the magnitude of the power and love of God—uniquely emphasized for us at Christmas time when we were given the gift of Jesus.

 

70th Jubilee Ram's Horn Announcement - October 1, 2025 - Is It a Significant Date?

It’s difficult to know what, if anything, this means, but it seems like it should be significant.  It appears that a date is coming that marks the 70^th Jubilee.

1. Leviticus 25:1-12 states that, beginning when the Israelites entered into the land of Israel, a ram’s horn announcement is to be made every 49^th year on the Day of Atonement—to announce the coming 50^th year, which is a jubilee year. 

The Lord then spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I am going to give you, then the land shall have a Sabbath to the Lord. 3 For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its produce, 4 but during the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath rest, a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard. 5 You shall not reap your harvest’s aftergrowth, and you shall not gather your grapes of untrimmed vines; the land shall have a sabbatical year. 6 All of you shall have the Sabbath produce of the land as food; for yourself, your male and female slaves, and your hired worker and your foreign resident, those who live as strangers among you. 7 Even your cattle and the animals that are in your land shall have all its produce to eat.

 

8 ‘You are also to count off seven Sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years, so that you have the time of the seven Sabbaths of years, that is, forty-nine years. 9 You shall then sound a ram’s horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall sound a horn all through your land. 10 So you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 You shall have the fiftieth year as a jubilee; you shall not sow, nor harvest its aftergrowth, nor gather grapes from its untrimmed vines. 12 For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat its produce from the field. 

2. The Israelites entered into the land of Israel in about 1406 bc. (See  https://biblearchaeology.org/research/exodus-from-egypt/2954-the-biblical-date-for-the-exodus-is-1446-bc-a-response-to-james-hoffmeier).

            a.         1 Kings 6:1 – “Now it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, that is, the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.” 

            b.         Scholars believe that Solomon became king in the year 970 bc, so the 4^th year of his reign would be 966 bc.  Adding 480 years to 966, would mean that Israel departed Egypt in around the time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (immediately after Passover) in 1446 bc. 

            c.         Considering that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, they would have entered into their land in around the date of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in 1406 bc. (May 1, 1406 bc per http://www.cgsf.org/dbeattie/calendar/?roman=1406bc). This is the year that starts the jubilee clock according to Leviticus 25:1-12.  Note that the manna stopped, and the Israelites ate unleavened bread immediately after the Passover celebration immediately following their crossing of the Jordan and national circumcision. (See Joshua 5.)

3. 70 Jubilees from 1406 bc would mean that the ram’s horn announcement of the 70^th Jubilee year would be on Yom Kippur, 2025, or October 1. (See https://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/671893/jewish/When-Is-Yom-Kippur-in-2022-2023-2024-and-2025.htm)

            a.         The number of years in a Jubilee is seven sevens or 49.  70 times 49 = 3430.  Thus, there are 3,430 years in 70 Jubilees since the Israelites entered into their land. 

            b.         3,430 – 1406 (the years bc) = 2024; because there is no “0” year on the calendar, we must add 1 year to cover the missing calendar year “0”—bringing us to 2025.  (See the date calculator here: https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1247118517). Thus, our calendar year of approximately May 1 of 2025 (and more precisely, the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on April 12, 2025 (see https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/pesach-2025?i=on) marks 7 x 7 x 70 years from when the Israelites entered into their land; which means that the ram’s horn should sound on the next succeeding Yom Kippur to consecrate that year as the Jubilee year. 

            c.         The next succeeding new year begins on Rosh Hashanah, September 22, 2025 (see https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/rosh-hashana-2025), which means that Yom Kippur (the 10^th day of the 7^th month) is October 1, 2025. (See https://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/671893/jewish/When-Is-Yom-Kippur-in-2022-2023-2024-and-2025.htm). 

This date should mark a massive celebration in Israel and may have spiritual and prophetic significance on the calendar of God.

 

 

 

Where Do People Go When They Die?

Inasmuch as it appears that some are “destined to live” (Isaiah 4:3) and to “escape” (Daniel 12:1), the outcome of where each person goes upon death appears to depend on whether the person’s name is written in God’s book of life (Rev. 20:12, Daniel 12:1).

•   The full name of the book is “book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.” Rev. 13:8

•   The “worthy” victors will not have their names erased from the book of life. Rev. 3:5

o      Concern that erasure is even mentioned—a suggestion that a name could be erased. Psalm 69:28

o      A parallel to Satan who was “the seal of perfection” (Ezekiel 28:12) and the “anointed guardian cherub” appointed by God (Ezekiel 28:14) who was “blameless … until wickedness was found” in him (Ezekiel 28:15)—eventually becoming “an object of horror” that will “never exist again.” Ezekiel 28:19

•  Names appear to be recorded in the book of life from the foundation of the world. Rev. 17:8.

o   This is possible, considering that God is not bound by time.

Before Christ’s Death: Sheol/Hades/the Pit/Lower Parts of the Earth/Underworld

• The pit is likely the “bottomless pit” or the “underworld” or the “abyss” that is covered by the depths of the oceans. Ezekiel 26:19-20, Ezekiel 28:8

• There are places within Sheol/the Pit that are lower than others. Ezekiel 32:23

 A. If the person’s name is written in the book of life: Abraham’s side. Luke 16:22

• Considered to be a temporary habitation within Sheol where a person would not remain forever. Psalm 86:13, Psalm 30:3

o   King David, prophetically speaking about Jesus, said that God would not abandon him to Sheol … to see decay. Psalm 16:8-11 

o   From here, a person may via Jesus as the “path of life” find escape to the presence of God where there is abundant joy and eternal pleasures.  Psalm 16:11

•  Here a person avoids “crossing the river of death” where his or her soul enters into the Pit.  See Job 33:18 (statement of Elihu—the only person whose statements were validated by God).

 B. If the person’s name is not written in the book of life: the Pit/Hades in torment of flames of fire. Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 11:23, Job 33:18

• People who do not transition to life appear to stay here forever (perhaps even as it becomes cast into the lake of fire)—as if they never existed. Ezekiel 26:19-21, Ezekiel 28:19

• People here are unable to communicate with God. Psalm 28:1

• It is a place of disgrace for the dead considered to be “uncircumcised”—a place to which people “descend.” Ezekiel 32:18-30
• This is a place from which the righteous hope to be rescued. Job 33:14-30

• This is a place from which everyone would want to be redeemed. Psalm 103:4, Job 33:28

After Christ’s Death:

A. If the person’s name is written in the book of life: paradise. Luke 23:43, 2 Cor. 12:4, Psalm 16:10-11

• God’s tree of life is there. Rev. 2:7

B. If the person’s name is not written in the book of life: possibly a place called “Death” and separately, “Hades”; apparently also the sea holds some of the dead.  Rev. 20:13.

• Those who worship the antichrist are not named in the book of life. Rev. 13:8

 After the Great White Throne Judgment:

A. If the person’s name is written in the book of life: the new Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth. Rev. 21:27

B. If the person’s name is not written in the book of life: thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15

• The full name of the place is the lake of fire and sulfur. Rev. 20:10, Rev. 21:8

• Those destined for this place will join the devil, the antichrist beast and the false prophet. Rev. 20:10.

o   Satan was prophesied to go there. Isaiah 14:12-15

• They will also join the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars. Rev. 21:8

•  This is referred to as the “second death.” Rev. 21:8

Passages and Considerations Regarding the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord

 Students of Bible prophecy recognize that God has ordained a period in the future wherein Jesus Christ will return to the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to rule over all nations of the world for 1,000 years (see Revelation 20:4)—the millennial reign of Christ (see discussion regarding the Millennium).  Prior to this millennial period, God will judge the world.  The period of God’s judgment is referred to as the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21), and it culminates in an excruciating Day of the Lord—a particularly devastating period that is concluded by the Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 24:29-30).  Some of the critical considerations regarding this period along with their supporting Scriptures are noted below.

• The judgment constituting the tribulation is understood from a prophecy in Daniel 9 to extend for a period of 7 years. See Daniel 9:24-27.

• The prophecy indicates that 490 years (or 70 “sevens”—also referred to as “weeks”) were particularly ordained regarding the Jews, Jerusalem and the work of the Messiah; the prophecy is divided into 2 sections of time: 483 years (or 69 of the “sevens”) of the prophecy were fulfilled when the Messiah was “cut off” (which many Bible students understand to equate to the crucifixion of and ascension to heaven by Jesus); thus, 7 years (or 1 “seven”) of the prophecy remain; according to the prophecy the antichrist will enter into a 7-year (or 1 “seven”) covenant with “the many”; then 3.5 years into that covenant, he will break it and cause sacrifices to cease.  Thus, it appears that the covenant is with the people of Israel and may have something to do with the temple and sacrifices.

·         God will desolate the earth. Isaiah 24:1-13, 19-20

·         God’s desolation of the earth is heralded by the breaking of 7 seals (Rev. 6&8:1-5), the sounding of 7 trumpets (Rev. 8:6-9:21&11:15-19) and the pouring of 7 bowls of wrath (Rev. 16).  Each has its own consequence: 

Event	Consequence
Breaking of 1st Seal Revelation 6:1-2	A white horse comes, and the rider has a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Breaking of 2nd Seal Revelation 6:3-4	A red horse comes, and the rider takes peace from the earth even such that people kill one another; and a large sword was given to him.
Breaking of 3rd Seal Revelation 6:5-6	A black horse comes, and the rider has a pair of scales in his hand, and it seems that the price of wheat and barley increase dramatically.
Breaking of 4th Seal Revelation 6:7-8	An ashen horse comes, and the rider’s name is Death, and Hades is following him; he kills ¼ of the people of the earth with sword, famine, plague and animal attacks.
Note that the heralds of the first 4 seals, these "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," may be the 4 spirits who patrol the earth and appease the wrath of God as described in Zechariah 6:1-8.  Some speculate that the rider of the white horse is the antichrist who, in a mimicking precursor to the Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-16), appears on a white horse.
Breaking of 5th Seal Revelation 6:9-11	The souls of martyrs for God cry out for judgment.
Breaking of 6th Seal Revelation 6:12-17	A great earthquake occurs; the sun becomes black; the moon becomes like blood; a storm of asteroids strikes the earth; the sky is split apart like a scroll; every mountain and island are moved from their places; all on earth cry out for death rather than to face the Messiah.
Interlude Revelation 7	Angels halt wind from blowing on the earth. An angel seals 144,000 men from Israel on their foreheads. A multitude who came out of the Tribulation and whose robes have been made white by the blood of the Lamb cry out a praise to the Lamb, and the Lamb spreads His tabernacle over them.
Breaking of 7th Seal Revelation 8:1-5	An angel fills a censor with fire from the alter and hurls it to the earth with lightning, thunder and an earthquake.
Sounding of 1st Trumpet Revelation 8:6-7	Hail and fire mixed with blood are hurled to the earth; and 1/3 of the earth is burned up, and 1/3 of the trees are burned up, and all the green grass is burned up.
Sounding of 2nd Trumpet Revelation 8:8-9	A great mountain burning with fire is hurled into the sea; and 1/3 of the sea becomes blood, and 1/3 of the sea creatures die; and 1/3 of the ships are destroyed.
Sounding of 3rd Trumpet Revelation 8:10-11	A great star falls from heaven, burning like a torch on 1/3 of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The star is named Wormwood; and 1/3 of the waters become wormwood, and many people die from the waters because they are made bitter.
Sounding of 4th Trumpet Revelation 8:12	1/3 of the sun, 1/3 of the moon, and 1/3 of the stars are stricken, so that 1/3 of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for 1/3 of it, and the night in the same way.
Interlude Revelation 8:13	An eagle flies and announces 3 woes for those who live on the earth because of the blasts of the next 3 trumpets.
Sounding of 5th Trumpet Revelation 9:1-12	1st Woe - The abyss is opened and smoke darkens the air and the sun, and Abaddon’s (or Apollyon’s) scorpion like locusts come out of the smoke and attack all humans that do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, and they torment humanity for 5 months.
Sounding of 6th Trumpet Revelation 9:13-21	2nd Woe – 4 angels bound at the Euphrates River are released, and they release a 200 million horseman army (breastplate colors are hyacinth, fire and brimstone) that kills 1/3 of mankind with plagues of fire, smoke and brimstone. The 2 witnesses appear, are slain, are resurrected and ascend to heaven. An earthquake strikes Jerusalem; 1/10 of the city falls; 7,000 are killed.
Sounding of 7th Trumpet Revelation 11-12	3rd Woe – An announcement is made in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” The temple of God in heaven appears with the ark of His covenant. Signs appear regarding Israel, Satan, Christ and Michael, the archangel. (Rev. 12)  A woe is announced regarding Satan’s being on earth filled with wrath, because he knows his time is short.
Interlude Revelation 13-15	The beast from the sea and the beast from the earth appear. (Rev. 13) The Lamb appears with 144,000 special saints; angels appear declaring the gospel, doom of Babylon, and doom for worshippers of the beast. (Rev. 14)  One like the son of man reaps from the earth. An angel then reaps for the winepress. (Rev. 14)  Angels receive the 7 bowls of wrath to be poured out on the earth. (Rev. 15)
Pouring of 1st Bowl Revelation 16:2	Harmful and painful sores afflict everyone who has received the mark of the beast (the antichrist) and worshipped his image.
Pouring of 2nd Bowl Revelation 16:3	The sea is turned to blood and everything in it dies.
Pouring of 3rd Bowl Revelation 16:4-7	The rivers and springs of water are turned to blood.
Pouring of 4th Bowl Revelation 16:8-9	The sun scorches people with a plague of fire and heat.
Pouring of 5th Bowl Revelation 16:10-11	The kingdom of the beast is darkened, and pain and sores afflict people (possibly because sunlight provided healing and relief).
Pouring of 6th Bowl Revelation 16:12-16	The Euphrates River is dried up—preparing the way (to Israel) for the kings from the East (to attack Israel). Spirits of demons, like frogs coming from the mouths of Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet, summon nations to come and attack Israel (the Battle of Armageddon).
Pouring of 7th Bowl Revelation 16:17-21	An announcement is made from the throne in the temple in heaven: “It is done.”  The strongest earthquake in history strikes the earth. Cities fall. Jerusalem is split into 3 sections. Islands disappear.  Mountains fall. 100-pound hailstones fall upon the people of the earth.

·       Celebrations will cease. Isaiah 24:7-11, Rev. 18:22-23

·       People are scorched. Isaiah 24:6, Rev. 16:8-9

·       All are subject to judgment. Isaiah 24:2, 4, 18

·       The Day of the Lord and Tribulation are for judgment. Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 30:27-28&30-32, Isaiah 35:4, Psalm 110:5-6, Joel 3:2&12, Obadiah 16, Zephaniah 3:8, Ezekiel 39:21

·       The sun and moon will be impacted. Isaiah 24:23  They will become dark. Joel 3:15, Isaiah 60:2, Rev. 8:12, Matt. 24:29

·       The antichrist will destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, first permitting the sacrifices and then halting them and desecrating the temple. Daniel 9:27, Zech. 14:2, 2 Thes. 2:3-4, Matthew 24:15-16

·       Messiah will battle and defeat all nations. Zech. 14:1-5, Zech. 12:9, Rev. 19:19-21

·       An earthquake will level the land, except for part of Jerusalem. Zech. 14:10, Rev. 16:17-21.  The mountain of the House of the Lord will remain. Isaiah 2:2

·       All of armies of nations will essentially panic, fight each other and rot while standing when Messiah arrives. Zech. 14:12-13, 15

·       Great wealth will be collected at the battle of Armageddon. Zech. 14:14

·       We do not know the day or the hour when Jesus will return. Matt. 24:42

[Updated 9/24/2021]

Why the Rapture Could Occur at the End of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

The Rapture is the gathering of believers constituting the Church (also known as the Bride of Christ) from Earth by Jesus--generally described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  I have previously presented here reasons suggesting that there will, indeed, be a Rapture and that it occurs prior to the antichrist's entering into a 7-year covenant with "many"(Daniel (9:27)--a 7-year period commonly referred to as the Tribulation (with the last 3.5 years constituting the "Great Tribulation").  Although many people believe that the Rapture will indeed occur prior to the Tribulation, everyone wonders if there is a particular time that it will occur.  Many seek to correlate the Rapture to the special festivals and events that God established for His chosen people, the Jews.  In this regard, I note that there are a number of considerations suggesting that the Rapture could occur at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Festival of Booths and Sukkot), the final day of which is denominated by the Jews as Hoshanah Rabbah (which means the "The Great Supplication"):

1. The Feast of Tabernacles is a commemoration of God's having rescued His people from Egypt and protecting them, leading them and having them live in booths in the wilderness--which could be a parallel to the exodus of believers constituting the Church from the Egypt of this world and being protected by God in chambers in heaven.  See Leviticus 23:41-43 and Isaiah 26:20-21.

2. The feast is for 7 days--which could represent a parallel to the 7-year period of God's special protection of the Church from the Tribulation.  See Leviticus 23:41 in light of the 7-year period of Tribulation identified in the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 (identified as a final "seven" or "week") that awaits the Jews in the future. It is followed by a day of rest (Lev. 23:36), which could represent the start of the millennial reign of Christ that follows the Tribulation.

3. During the millennial reign of Christ, Gentile nations are invited to come to Israel to worship Jesus during the Feast of Booths--a suggestion that Gentiles are uniquely invited to participate in and celebrate this particular feast.  See Zech. 14:16-19.

4. The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of harvest--which could represent an amazing parallel to the concept of God's people, like crops, being gathered to Him--such as at the Rapture.  See Leviticus 23:39 in light of the following consideration: There are 2 distinct "crop" (i.e., people) gatherings described in Amos 7:1-6: (1) the King’s crop (which, contextually, would represent the Church as the Bride of Christ--believers in Jesus who are raptured prior to the arrival of the “locusts”—the trials of the Tribulation), followed by (2) the spring crop, which would accordingly represent the Jewish saints who die during or otherwise survive the Tribulation, having rejected the mark of the beast and having refused to worship the image of the beast; interestingly, the prophet Amos speaks of the second group distinctly as “Jacob”—i.e., the Jews.

5. The Apostle Paul, in describing what we understand to be the Rapture, explains that it begins at the sound of a final trumpet blast: "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed"  I Cor. 15:52 (emphasis added).  Paul also notes the trumpet in 1 Thes. 4:16: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God ...."  Many Bible scholars and students struggle to understand the meaning of this trumpet blast, considering that it is a critical marker of the Rapture and believing that it must correlate to one of the Jewish celebrations.  In this regard, Psalm 81, which many consider to be a celebration of both the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles, includes the celebratory invitation to blow the trumpet: "Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day" (Psalm 81:3)--the full moon marking the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles.  The shofar is accordingly blown on the final day of the feast, Hoshanah Rabbah (see the article on The Shofar in War and Worship; see also the article regarding The Secret of the 15 Steps--particularly at "Secret #4), and could well mark the trumpet blast described by Paul.  (Of course, the shofar is also blown on Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur as well, and there are certainly considerations pointing to these days as well.)  While the shofar is blown at these events, it is noteworthy to consider that, distinct from the shofar blasts, there are also special blasts from metal trumpets.  In Numbers 10, we see the following discussion: "The Lord spoke further to Moses, saying, 'Make yourself two trumpets of silver, you shall make them of hammered work; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and breaking camp. ... And when you go to war in your land against the enemy who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, so that you will be thought of by the Lord your God, and be saved from your enemies. Also on the day of your joy and at your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God.'”  Numbers 10:1-2&9-10. Thus, it is possible that (a) these trumpets are the trumpets described by Paul and used by God as a summoning of the "congregation" of the Church at the Rapture, (b) these trumpets are the trumpets described by Paul and used by God to mark the "day of our joy"--which could coincide with any of the Jewish feasts or first days of the month--at the Rapture, or (c) these trumpets represent a parallel to the trumpets used by God to summon His Church at the Rapture.

6. The Feast of Tabernacles is a 7 day feast to the Lord that starts with a day of restful celebration. Leviticus 23:34-36, 41.  There is no question that for believers who are to be raptured, they will enjoy a time of celebratory rest that culminates in the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19:7-10--which occurs prior to the Second Coming of Christ to Earth to begin His millennial reign. Rev. 19:11-19.

7. Jesus made a special announcement on the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles: "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.'" John 7:37.  Jesus' statement is akin to the statement made to John in Revelation: "Come up here" (Rev. 4:1); the statement made to John is considered by many to be a pre-Tribulation Rapture like invitation.

8. It is customary for Jews in their celebration to perform a ceremony similar to the one performed in connection with the overtaking of Jericho, in that during each day of the festival, they conduct a prayer ritual called the hoshanot, in which the congregants walk in a circle around a Sefer Torah holding a branch of a palm tree, and on the 7th day they encircle it 7 times.  In Joshua 6:3-5, the final circuit is followed by a trumpet blast and shout.  The final trumpet on Hoshanah Rabbah would represent this trumpet blast that together with the shout of the archangel could align with the explanations provided by Paul.  And just like Rahab and her family were saved from the destruction of Jericho (Joshua 6:25), so the Church would be rescued from the destruction that will be the Tribulation.

Thus, while there are a number of candidates for the time at which the Rapture might occur, there is no question that the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Hoshanah Rabbah, must be on the list of possibilities.

Biblical Considerations and Passages Regarding the Millennial Reign of the Messiah

Many passages from Scripture address the future millennial reign of the Messiah.  The listing below is not comprehensive, but it allows you to see the pervasiveness of the discussion in Scripture regarding this special time.  Christians, of course, recognize the Messiah as Jesus Christ.  Many of the Scriptures refer to the One performing the works variously and fairly interchangeably as the Messiah, the Servant, the Son of David and God.  I have compiled Scripture references into categories and concepts for convenience.  

The Reign

·        The Messiah will stand on the Mount of Olives, and it shall split in two at His arrival. Zech. 14:4

·       The Messiah, sometimes referred to as Yahweh, will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. Isaiah 24:23, Psalm 2:6-9, Psalm 9:11, Psalm 14:7 (and matching verse Psalm 53:6), Psalm 50:2, Psalm 87:1-3, Psalm 99:2, Psalm 102:13&16, Psalm 110:2, Psalm 132:13-14, Psalm 134:3, Psalm 135:21, Zech. 8:1-3, Isaiah 2:2-4, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 18:7, Isaiah 33:5&20-22, Isaiah 40:9-10, Isaiah 52:7-10, Isaiah 59:20, Isaiah 62:11, Joel 3:16-17&21, Obadiah 21, Micah 4:1

·       The Messiah is from the line of David. Isaiah 9:7, Zechariah 6:12-13, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Ezek. 34:23-24

·       The Messiah, before He reigns, is marred to the point of not looking human.  Isaiah 52:13-15 (see also verses 7-10 for context that it’s the Messiah; see also Isaiah 53).  Israel will look upon the Messiah—recognizing that they are the ones who pierced Him, and they will mourn for Him. Zech. 12:1-14

·        This may be what is described in Scripture as the Kingdom of God. Matt. 26:29, Mark 14:25

·       Everyone will know the Messiah. Heb. 8:11

·       The Messiah will rule over all nations. Psalm 2:8, Psalm 9:8, Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:14 & 27, Zech. 14:9, Isaiah 2:4

• His reign shall continue on Earth for 1,000 years.  Rev. 20:4  After this period, Satan will be released and will deceive the nations, enticing them to attack Christ (Rev. 20:7-9); all participants in this rebellion along with Satan will be defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:9-10.  Thereafter, the Kingdom of Jesus will be moved to a new heaven and a new earth.  Rev. 21-22.

·       The Messiah (also called the Branch of David) will build the Temple, and he will rule from a throne as a king and also be a priest and counselor. Zechariah 6:12-13; Jeremiah 23:5-6, Acts 2:29-36, Isaiah 33:6, Micah 4:3

·       The Messiah will repair the Tabernacle of David. Amos 9:11

·       The Messiah will establish His sanctuary among His people from this point and continuing forever. Ezek. 37:26-28, Psalm 9:7

·       Martyrs and saints will reign with the Messiah during this time. Rev. 20:4-6, Daniel 7:27, Rev. 5:10. Jesus’ disciples will also reign with Him—judging Israel. Matt. 19:28 [I used to hold to the opinion that those who reigned with Christ were only those who were martyred for Christ during the Tribulation, and that believers constituting the Church or the Bride of Christ would not return with Christ to reign with Him on earth, but would, rather, remain in the New Jerusalem--separate and distinct from the Jews until the end of the millennial reign of Christ.  However, Revelation 5:9-10 shatters this opinion and suggests that even believers constituting the Church will return with Him to reign with Him on earth.]

·       The Kingdom of Messiah will be everlasting. Daniel 2:44, Daniel 4:3, 34; Daniel 6:26, Daniel 7:14, 27; Micah 4:7, Luke 1:33

 

The Earth

·       The earth will be refreshed when the Messiah arrives. Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7, Amos 9:13, Zech. 8:12

 

Healing

·       People will be healed when the Messiah arrives. Isaiah 35:3-6

·       Living water will flow out of Jerusalem. Zech. 14:8, Joel 3:18

·       There will be no death. Zech. 8:4

 

Peace

·         There will be peace. Zech. 8:12&16, Zech. 9:10, Isaiah 2:4

·        Even the animals will live in peace. Ezek. 34:25, Isaiah 65:25 (although this verse could be applicable only to the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth)

 

Justice and Honor

·       The Messiah will require that people live honorably, justly, truthfully and peacefully. Zech. 8:16-17, Psalm 99:4

·       People will not fear crime, danger or injury. Zech. 8:5 Particularly in Israel. Isaiah 60:18

 

The Highway

·       There is a special highway from Egypt to “Assyria” that presumably passes through Jerusalem. Isaiah 11:16, Isaiah 19:23, Isaiah 35:8-10, Isaiah 49:11, Isaiah 62:10

·       It is called the Highway of Holiness. Isaiah 35:8

 

People and Worship

·       People will be joyful. Isaiah 35:10

·       All nations will worship the Messiah. Psalm 99:9, Psalm 100, Psalm 102:15&21-22, Isaiah 24:14-15, Isaiah 30:29, Isaiah 60:1-3

• The nations are particularly invited to worship at Sukkot--also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Booths (which is curious, because it commemorates God's protection of the Jews as they wandered in the wilderness; however, it also celebrates the harvest).  Zech. 14:16-19

·       The kings of the earth will be silent on account of Him. Isaiah 52:15

·       Probably because they will eventually join Satan to attack the Messiah, the praise of many will be pretentious—because of the apparent power of the Messiah. Psalm 66:3

·       Many things will be dedicated to the Messiah. Zech. 14:20

·       There will be sacrifices in Jerusalem. Zech. 14:21

·       There will be many celebrations. Zech. 8:19

·       Nations will seek the favor of the Messiah. Zech. 8:20-22, Isaiah 2:2-3

·       Many people will seek His instruction. Micah 4:2

 

Special Blessings for Israel

·       The land of Israel will be restored from its desolation. Ezek. 36:33-36

·       Jerusalem and Israel will be made a notable item of God’s delight. Isaiah 62:1-7&12

·       The Messiah will particularly rule over His people, the Jews. Ezek. 37:24

·       The Messiah’s reign over His people, the Jews, from this point will continue forever. Ezek. 37:25

·       Israel will be particularly blessed. Amos 9:14, Micah 4:7, Zech. 8:12-15, Psalm 14:7 (and matching verse Psalm 53:6), Psalm 69:35-36, Psalm 132:15-17, Eze. 34:14-15&26-30, Ezek. 36:8-12, Ezek. 39:25, Joel 3:1, Zeph. 3:14-20, Isaiah 60:5-7&10-17

·       Peace in Israel will be permanent. Amos 9:15

·       The Messiah will gather Jews to Israel. Zech 8:7-8, Ezek. 34:11-13, Ezek. 36:24, Ezek. 37:21-22, Ezek. 39:27-28, Psalm 50:5, Micah 4:6, Zeph. 3:19-20, Isaiah 14:12, Isaiah 60:4

·         Jews will be honored. Zech 8:23, Psalm 126:2-3, Micah 4:7

·       The Messiah will provide a unique cleansing and salvation of Jews. Ezek. 36:26-29, Ezek. 37:23-28, Ezek. 39:29, Psalm 133:3, Isaiah 40:11

 

Satan

·       Satan is bound in the bottomless pit during the 1,000-year period. Rev. 20:1-7

 [Updated 9/24/2021]