Mount Olives Discourse on the end of the age and Jesus return
This study is what Jesus had to say in His Mount Olives Discourse
about the end of the age and the signs of His visible return. Jesus
also knew the rapture would be on the hearts and minds of many
Christians during this time. In our study of Matthew and Luke’s
account Jesus divides His speech into 3 separate and distinct
sections as seen in chart above.
(1) Signs leading up to the rapture
(2) Signs that end the Church Age
(3) Signs that lead up to His Visible return.
Jesus reaches back to Book of Daniel and
forward to the Book of Revelations
Mount Olives Discourse on the end of the age and Jesus return
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
The top chart takes all the other end time Bible prophecies which
span the generation Jesus spoke of and groups them together by
timeframe numbers (1 to 5). Each timeframe has its own distinctive
topical heading and in itself is a separate study of all end time
prophecies relating to that topic. Timeframe 1-3 are pre-rapture and
overlap Jesus signs leading up to the rapture. Timeframe 4 and 5 are
post rapture and overlap Jesus other two sections as seen in chart
above. A full study of these 5 timeframes is found on
www.rapturegeneration.com. The following chart is a full size view
of this rapture generation time chart. Antichrist’s rise, reign and
defeat spans the same time as these 5 timeframes (about 40 years).
1
2
3
Rapture
4
Poles
shift
Martyr’s
raised
5
Earth
upright
Christ Millennium
returns
Kingdom
Eternit
y
Welcome to WWW.RaptureGeneration.COM
Jesus Mount of Olives Discourse pre/post rapture sections
lines up perfectly with Book of Daniel and Book of Revelation
Jesus Mt.
Olives
Discourse
:end times
Matt 24:4-6, Luke 21:8,9 See that
you be not deceived. Many saying ‘I
am Christ’: You know the time
[rapture] draweth near. Wars and
rumors of wars – be not terrified the
end is not yet. Look up Redemption
of the body (rapture) draws nigh
Luke 21:28 Rom 8:23
S
a Thrones
v cast
e down
d
Daniel 7:8
Matt 24:7-14 Lu 21:10-19 nation
and kingdom against each other.
Famines, pestilence, earthquakes,
love of many shall wax cold,
hated by all nations, betrayal,
Christians afflicted and killed.
Many false prophets. Gospel
preached to all the world - Church
age ends
Matt 24:15-31 Lu 21:21-27
Jerusalem surrounded by
armies desolation nigh;
Abomination of Desolation set
up in the Holy place. False
Christs and prophets. Great
tribulation such as never was.
Christ returns as lightening
shines east to west,
R
e
t
u
r
n
------Daniel 7:9,10------
Antichrist Reigns: 2 Thess 2:9-12 Antichrist Revealed: 2 Thess 2:1-8
Man of Deception
Man of Sin: Son of Perdition
Post-rapture events
Pre-rapture events
Lu 21:35
Be saved to
escape all
these things
written for
Timeframe
4&5
Intro to Mount Olives Discourse between Jesus and his disciples
Luke’s account Luke 21:5-36 And as some spake of the
temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he
said,
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in
the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that
shall not be thrown down.
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these
things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall
come to pass?
Matthew’s account Matthew 24:1-3 And Jesus went out, and
departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to
shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily
I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon
another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came
unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things
be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end
of the world?
3 questions the disciples asked of Jesus:
1: When will the present temple (Herod’s) be destroyed and
not one stone left unturned.
2: What are the signs of the end of the world (word ‘world’ in
the Greek is ‘Aion’ meaning ‘age’)
3: What are the signs of your return back to earth
Jesus actually answered the first question at the temple
where He spoke to the multitudes in a scathing rebuke of the
religious leaders of the temple.
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you
prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye
shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in
your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon
the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of
Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the
temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this
generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and
stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye
shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus told to them in verse 38 their house (temple) will be
left desolate. He also say it would happen in their generation
(verse 36).
It obviously caused a great stir as many must have talked of
how costly the temple was, and how it was arrayed with
precious stones and jewelry. How proud they were of it and
who would destroy such a glorius building especially sinced it
was rebuilt and enriched by King Herod. Even the disciples
were challenged. They know according to Malachi that when
Messiah comes to set up His Kingdom, He would come
suddenly to His temple. This is contrast to what Jesus is now
saying that it will be completely destroyed.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly
come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye
delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly
come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye
delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 24:1,2 And Jesus went
out, and departed from the temple:
and his disciples came to him for to
shew him the buildings of the
temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye
not all these things? verily I say unto
you, There shall not be left here one
stone upon another, that shall not be
thrown down.
Luke 21:5-7 And as some spake of
the temple, how it was adorned with
goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 As for these things which ye behold,
the days will come, in the which there
shall not be left one stone upon
another, that shall not be thrown
down.
From Matt 24:1,2 and Luke 21:5,6 Jesus had finished speaking at
the temple and He and His disciples headed for the Mount of Olives.
As they departed some were obviously reacting to Jesus words
about its desolation, and admiring its goodly stones and gifts. The
disciples themselves as they began to climb and overlook the
temple buildings brought the buildings to Jesus attention. Jesus
reacts and not only confirms their house (temple) will be made
desolate in their generation but that their will not be one stone of
it that will not be thrown down. This confirmation prompted them
to ask what will be the signs of the end of the age and His return.
It is well documented in history that the people that
destroyed both the city of Jerusalem and the temple (Herod's)
were the Roman armies led by Titus around 70 A.D. within a
generation (about 40 years) of what Jesus prophesized.
Titus, pronounced TY tuhs (A.D. 41-81), a Roman
emperor, was noted for his generosity and his regard
for the people's welfare. He was born in Rome, the
oldest son of Emperor Vespasian. Titus served as a
military tribune (military leader) in Germany and
Britain. He later helped his father put down a revolt by
Jews in Palestine that began in A.D. 66. Titus captured
Jerusalem in 70 A.D. after a long siege. He played a
prominent role during his father's reign and succeeded
him in 79. The destruction of Pompeii and
Herculaneum, when Mount Vesuvius erupted,
occurredin the first year of Titus' reign.
Contributor: F. G. B. Millar, D.Litt., Camden Prof. of
Ancient History, Oxford Univ. World Enclopedia 1998
It is said the temple was put of fire and that the gold melted
down into the foundations of stone. The soldiers left not a
stone unturned to get at the gold fulfilling Jesus own words
that not a stone of the Temple will be left unturned (Matt
24:2, Luke 21:6).
You are looking at a
rare reproduction of a
lost oil painting titled
The Siege and
Destruction of
Jerusalem by the
Romans Under the
Command of Titus,
A.D. 70 by David
Roberts, a member of
Britain's Royal
Academy.
The two questions remaining that Jesus answered his
disciples as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives overlooking the
Temple buildings were:
Matt 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the
disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall
these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming,
and of the end of the world?
1: What are the signs of your return back to earth
2: What are the signs of the end of the world (word ‘world’ in the
Greek is ‘Aion’ meaning ‘age’)
1: What are the signs of your return back to earth
2: What are the signs of the end of the world (word ‘world’ in the
Greek is ‘Aion’ meaning ‘age’)
Jesus answers the second question first and the first question last. The age
Jesus had in mind that would be ongoing in the generation of His return was
the Church age. The Church Age was ushered in by Christ’s death and
resurrection and then having sent the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church on
the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2). Jesus knew the Church age would end before
signs leading to His visible return would begin – disciples first question).
Jesus also knew that the rapture (when the saved living and saved dead
meet the Lord in the air – see rapture) would play a great role as the Church
age drew to a close. In Jesus answers to the signs that lead up to the end of
the Church age, He breaks them up into two sections. First section leads up
to the rapture, second - the end of the Church age. Finally, a third section
about the signs that lead to His visible return (see chart breakout).
Mount Olives Discourse
Jesus first signs
lead up to the rapture
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
The Mount Olives discourse in Luke 21
gives the most insight to when the rapture
takes place We read in Luke 21:8:9
Luke 21:8,9 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not
terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end
is not by and by.
Luke 21:8,9 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not
terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end
is not by and by.
When Jesus finishes His discourse He refers back to Luke
21:8,9 by saying this in Luke 21:28
Lu 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.
Jesus is saying essentially in Luke 21:28 that when these
initial signs of Luke 21:8,9 start to be fulfilled look up for your
redemption draweth nigh – that is - the time of your bodily
redemption drawth nigh – the rapture. Jesus is talking to
believers - Christians who are already redeemed. The
redemption Jesus is talking about is not their soul which is
redeemed when you are saved, but what is going to happen to
their body when it is redeemed at the rapture which Jesus
says is soon approaching (drawing nigh - getting close). They
to look up – that is – be expecting the rapture.
Luke 21:8,9 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not
terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end
is not by and by.
Lu 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.
At the rapture our body will be changed from a mortal and
corruptible body to an immortal and incorruptible body (1 Cor
15:51-53).
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality.
Romans 8:22,23 tells us all of creation groans and travails in
pain together till we receive the redemption of our body.
Ro 8:22,23 For we know that the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of
our body.
The reason the whole of creation is groaning and travailing
in pain together waiting for the rapture (redemption of our
body) is because Satan and his angels have caused
havoc in the past in the universe. The raptured saints are now
the new rulers with Christ as Kings and priests. Satan and his
angels will be dethroned and cast into hell and the bottomless
pit. Christ and the Saints will now usher in the age of
restitution over all the universe – all things (Acts 3:20.21)
Acts 3:20,21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before
was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth
of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Lu 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.
Summing up Luke 21:8,9 and what Jesus said in Luke 21:28
we will be here to witness the signs that accompany the rise
of Antichrist (many saying ‘I am Christ’ and the ‘wars and
rumors of wars’ and the ‘rapture drawing near’. Notice though
the Church Age has not ended yet. This is what Jesus means
by - the end is not by and by (vs 9). Before we look at the
next group of signs that Jesus lists that will follow the
rapture, we want to look at these initial signs closer.
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Jesus adds to the signs the prophet Daniel told of in Daniel 7:8 that
would happen before the rapture. Events after the rapture are
recorded in Daniel 7:8-10. While Daniel 7:8 mentions the pre-rapture
wars of Antichrist, Jesus adds the spiritual movement accompanying
the rise of Antichrist that produces these many ‘I am Christ’
deceivers. Daniel tells us that when a world crisis faces the Roman
Initial wars of Antichrist
Dan 7:8, Dan 8:9
Size and extent of
Antichrist’s Empire
Two great cities rebuilt by
Antichrist –Tyre, Babylon
Empire land area (East and West Europe - the 10 horns of Daniel 7)
and all the prophetic players are on stage, Satan will make his move
to contact earth (see Daniel 8 on the role of outer space and contact
with earth). At this time when these signs from heaven are taking
place a host of false Christ’s appear saying 'I am Christ'. Many of
these saying 'I am Christ' will be from within the new age movement
who teach our evolution is watched over by the ascended masters
who have sent a great teacher with the Christ consciousness about
every 2000 years to this planet. The Bible Jesus Christ over the last
years guided mankind during the age of Pieces but now mankind has
entered the age of Aquarius. Those who hold on to the old age will be
left behind or even removed by UFO’S (Satan’s explanation for the
rapture?) while those who accept the new age Christ will enter in
to the new age of evolution evolving into godhood and eventually
ascended masters that Satan and his angels pretend to be. They will
eventually rule other planets and galaxies establishing their
perverted version of the Kingdom of God and honor a God of Forces.
Daniel 11:36-39 And the king shall do according to his will;
and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every
god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of
gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished:
for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the
desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify
himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of
forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour
with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant
things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange
god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and
he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the
land for gain.
This new age teaching separate Jesus the man from Christ the
consciousness. Those that have the Christ consciousness are those
who are ready to be initiated into the new world order, worldwide
new age religion, and a new age Messiah. Satan's signs and lying
wonders from space will trigger this movement into it's next phase as
these many false Christ's suddenly appear all over the earth at one
time. Jesus knew this new age movement would be in full swing at
the end of the age. For a full study on the new age movement go to
your local Christian bookstore and buy a book that exposes them or
go on the web and search for new age movement. These many false
Christ’s is an old strategy of Satan like the old tale about the person
who cried 'wolf' until the real wolf appeared and no one heeded his
call. We are told not to be deceived. Eventually, this new age
movement will embrace all false religions and have its religious
capitol rebuilt in Antichrist’s reign in Babylon. Rev 17 and 18 has
much to say about it’s greatness over all nations and also it’s final
destruction by fire.
Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions,
be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but
the end is not by and by.
This second pre-rapture sign Jesus mentions are the wars and
rumors of wars. Jesus tells us 'be not terrified - the end is not yet'. It
may look like the end of the age but instead of the world being
destroyed at this time a vast amount of prophecy will be fulfilled.
Antichrist will come to power and defeat the transgressors (review
studies Daniel 7, Daniel 8, timeframe1 of charts). Antichrist brings the
world into a time of false and Satanic peace under the canopy of the
gods (his god being Satan the one he exalts the most under the guise
of some new and strange god - see Daniel 11:38,39). Paul in 2 Thess
2:9 tells us Antichrist is COMING with ALL POWER, SIGNS and LYING
WONDERS. A full study of exactly the nature of these signs and lying
wonders is fully covered in Daniel 8.
The following charts shows us Jesus Discourse on the end of the
Church age and the signs of His coming. So far we have studied the
signs that lead up to the rapture (Matt 24:4-6, Luke 21:8,9) which
parallel pre-rapture timeframes 1,2,3 which in themselves have many
prophetic scriptures fulfilled during this pre-rapture time. Following
these charts we will study the remaining signs Jesus tells us will
happen and confirm them as post-rapture – that is- following
immediately after the rapture that lead to the end of the Church age.
Then finally the last group of signs that lead to His visible coming
which are fulfilled in the timeframe called the Day of the Lord also
known as Daniel’s 70th week.
Jesus
Olives
Discourse
end times
Matt 24:4-6, Luke 21:8,9 See that
you be not deceived. Many saying ‘I
am Christ’: You know the time
[rapture] draweth near. Wars and
rumors of wars – be not terrified the
end is not yet. Look up Redemption
of the body (rapture) draws nigh
Luke 21:28 Rom 8:23
Matt 24:7-14 Lu 21:10-19 nation
and kingdom against each other.
Famines, pestilence, earthquakes,
love of many shall wax cold,
hated by all nations, betrayal,
Christians afflicted and killed.
Many false prophets. Gospel
preached to all the world - Church
age ends
Matt 24:15-31 Lu 21:21-27
Jerusalem surrounded by
armies desolation nigh;
Abomination of Desolation set
up in the Holy place. False
Christs and prophets. Great
tribulation such as never was.
Christ returns as lightening
shines east to west,
R
e
t
u
r
n
S
a Thrones
v cast
e down
d
Daniel 7:8
------Daniel 7:9,10------
Antichrist Reigns: 2 Thess 2:9-12 Antichrist Revealed: 2 Thess 2:1-8
Man of Deception
Man of Sin: Son of Perdition
Pre-rapture events
Post-rapture events
Lu 21:35
Be saved to
escape all
these things
written for
Timeframe
4&5
Applying what we learned from Luke’s account to Matthew’s
Luke 21:8-9 And he said, Take heed that Matthew 24:4-6 And Jesus answered
ye be not deceived: for many shall come in
my name, saying, I am Christ; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore
after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and
commotions, be not terrified: for these
things must first come to pass; but the end
is not by and by.
**Rapture**
Luke 10-35 Christian tibulation period,
end of the Church age, signs
leading up to His visble
return
and said unto them, Take heed that no man
deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I
am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of
wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all
these things must come to pass, but the end
is not yet.
**Rapture**
Matt 7-27 Christian tibulation period,
end of the Church age, signs
leading up to His visble
return
Based on Luke’s account we can safely say the rapture is between Lu 21:9 and 10;
between Mt 24:6 and 7. Rapture is further confirmed because Jesus now lists a great
number of signs (Lk 21:10-35, Mt 24:7-27) and says immediately following those
signs that the only ones to escape these signs will be those worthy – that is – saved.
Lu 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man.
How did they escape – the rapture. This would be after the first signs (Lu:89, Mt 24:5,6). Jesus said in Lu 21:28 when these first signs begin to take
place - look up for the redemption of their body was close. Rapture happened
before long list of signs in Mt 24:7-27, Lu 21:10-35 to escape all those signs.
Lu 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift
up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Mount Olives Discourse
2nd group of signs – Great Christian 3 ½
year Tribulation period that ends the
Church age following the rapture
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
Mount Olives Discourse on signs that end the Church age
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
Following Jesus first list of signs that lead up to the rapture, Jesus now lists in
Matt24:7-14, Luke 21:10-19 the signs that lead up to the end of the Church Age.
From Matt 27:15-34 and Luke 21:21-27 Jesus lists the signs that lead up to His
visible Return (see chart). Jesus had said in Luke 21:26 the only ones that will
escape both these list of signs are the ones that were accounted worthy. They
escaped via the rapture that happened between Matt 24:6 and 7 and between
Luke 21:9 and 10 in our first signs study. The redemption of their body that drew
nigh (close) in Luke 21:8 is now past. The rapture took place and they escaped.
The unsaved Church was left behind and entered in the great 3 ½ yr Christian
tribulation period (timeframe 4 in chart above).
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
After the rapture Jesus first lists the signs that end
the Church age. This is Matthew’s account
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
Matthew 24:7-14 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and
there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated
of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come.
Matthew’s account compared to Luke’s account of
post rapture signs that end the Church Age
Matthew 24:7-14 For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers
places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be
afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be
hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and
shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the
love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come.
Luke 21:10-36 Then said he unto them,
Nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in
divers places, and famines, and
pestilences; and fearful sights and great
signs shall there be from heaven.
12 But before all these, they shall lay
their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and
into prisons, being brought before kings
and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a
testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not
to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and
wisdom, which all your adversaries shall
not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by
parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause
to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for
my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your
head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
From the rapture to end of the Church age is 3 ½ years.
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
The signs of the end of the Church age covers that terrible time immediately after the
rapture called the great Christian tribulation period. We are told in four places in
scripture how long the Christian tribulation period will last. In the study of
Revelations 12 we see that after the woman (professing church) gives birth to the
manchild (who gets caught up to God’s throne - rapture of the true church - Rev 12:5),
that the woman (professing church) is now left behind to go into great tribulation. Rev
12:6 say their tribulation experience will last 1,260 days while Rev 12:14 says time,
times, and a half a time. Both of these times add up to 3 1/2 years (time –Jewish term
for 1 year). The beast in Rev 13:5,6 persecutes the saints for 42 months - again 3 1/2
years. Daniel 7:25 says the Saints were given into the hand of Antichrist time, times,
and ½ time - again 3 ½ years. This would be timeframe 4 in chart above.
During the 3 ½ year Christian tribulation Period - 6
seals of Rev 6 opened perfectly match 6 notable features
Jesus mentions in Matt 24:7-14 and Luke 21:10-19
Rev 4 the raptured
Saints divided into
groups (24 Elders,
4 Living ones, and
now 4 horsemen).
Christ opens the 6
seals of the title
deed to the earth
and sea that He
received from the
Father (Ancient of
Days) in Rev 5. 6
seals are judgment
mixed with grace
On earth the unsaved
Church was left
behind. 6 seals help
her to stay alive for 3
½ years. Matt 24:714; Luke 21:10-19
Jesus tells same 6
signs happening on
earth during 6 seals
whiterighteous
work . Bow –
Word of God.
Crowned –
anointed.
Preaches
everlasting
Gospel from
the air
Red –
warfare.
Given great
sword
Black
Worldwide
famine.
Given a pair
of scales to
weigh
rations
Pale horse.
Hell and
death were
its riders.
Death is a
result of
wars and
famines
Souls of
tribulation
martyrs
arriving at
throne of
God giving
white robes
Great
earthquake
changing
angle of
earth’s
axis. Sun
turns into
darkness
and moon
into blood
Gospel
preached in
all the world
then the end
of the Church
age will take
place
Nation
against
nation,
kingdom
against
Kingdom
famines
Pestilences
Then shall
they deliver
you up to be
afflicted and
kill you
Earthquakes in
diver
places
Rev 5:8-10 Redeemed as Priests and Kings and
24 Elders, 4 Living Ones
around the throne
we will reign on the earth w/Christ
God the Father
(Ancient of Days)
Christ takes the 7 sealed
book and opens seals
Rev 6 Christ gives orders to
the 4 living ones who send
forth the 4 horsemen with
orders. First 4 seals
T
r
I
b
Rapture
Rev 4
Eart
h
tilted
M
a
r
t
y
r
s
Beast;
False
Prophet;
The mark
666
Christian Tribulation Period
Wrath mixed with grace 3 ½
r
a
I
s
e
d
Christ
returns
to earth
with
saved
immortal
Saints
1
4
4
0
0
0
S
e
a
l
e
d
Millennium
Terrible Day Of The Lord
Pure wrath without mixture 7 yrs
Millennium
Mount Olives Discourse
on signs leading up to
Christ’s visible return
Signs: leading up to the rapture
Signs: Church Age end
Signs: Christ’s return
When
From the Church
rapture age
to end
ends,
of the
Jesus
Church
tells the
agesigns
was the
leading
3
½ year
upChristian
to His visible
tribulation
returnperiod
- Matthew’s
(timeframe
account
4
– chart). Now, Jesus tells the last group of signs
that leads up to His visible return. We know from
Daniel 9 that from the end of the Church age to
Christ’s visible return is 7 years and called Daniel’s
70th week. These 7 years are also called the terrible
Day of the Lord (Timeframe 5 – chart).
Signs: leading up to te rapture
Signs: Curch Age end
Signs:Christ’s return
Daniel’s 70th week
Daniel's 70th week (week=7 years) are 7 years yet to be
fulfilled according to Daniel 9:27 before God establishes the
Kingdom of God on the earth with Israel as the head nation. A
study of Daniel 9 shows 69 of the weeks are fulfilled already
ending with Messiah being cut off (Christ died).
Dan 9:27
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one
week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the
sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading
of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate
The last 7 years are to be fulfilled by a prince of the people
that destroyed Jerusalem and the temple after Christ died.
The Romans under Titus in 70 A.D. destroyed the city and the
temple. This confirms Antichrist will come out of the Roman
empire area (see Daniel 7 , Daniel 8, Daniel 9 for further
confirmation). Daniel's 70th week occurs at the same time as
the Day of the Lord (chart) but relates more to the last 7
years of Israel's history (Daniel 9:27). Antichrist, taking the
place of God will make a 7 year treaty to confirm the holy
covenant God made with Abraham. About 3 1/2 years into the
7 year treaty he invades Israel. Other groups of nations will
oppose him and many battles take place. This all leads up to
that great battle of Armageddon. This is when Christ visibly
returns with His Saints to defeat Antichrist and is armies and
establish the kingdom of God over the whole earth
(Kingdom). We now want to look at Daniel 9:27 closer to
understand some of the key events to be fulfilled during
Daniel’s 70th week which connects mainly with the Jews,
their land, their temple, and their capitol city Jerusalem.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many
for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the
sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading
of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
After the rapture, Antichrist also operates as Satan in the
flesh referred to as the beast in Revelations 13 (see Daniel 8
, timeframe 4). When the great 3 ½ year Christian tribulation
period (timeframe 4) after the rapture ends the Church age,
then God begins dealing with Israel again to accept their
Messiah. God will use Antichrist as a tool to accomplish this
Purpose. After the Church, God's representative on earth will
be Israel again. Israel then comes back under the law to
fulfill the last 7 years (Timeframe 5 - Daniel's 70th week) of
Daniel. Antichrist as Satan in the flesh wants to be
worshipped as God. This has always been his goal and
consuming desire. To deceive the world, he now plays the
role of being the same God (Jehovah) that made the
covenant with Abraham saying the promised land belongs to
the Jews (Genesis 15:18).
Genesis 15:18
18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of
Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many
for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the
sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading
of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
It is never said Israel as a whole makes this treaty with
Antichrist but the many mentioned in verse 27 could be a vote
like in the U.N. where many other delegates from other
nations vote. Daniel 11:23 says Antichrist becomes strong
with a few in Israel. These could be religious or political
leaders in Israel that he may make great promises to them for
confirming this covenant with him.
Daniel 11:23
23 And after the league made with him he shall work
deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong
with a small people.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many
for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the
sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the
overspreading of abominations he shall make it
desolate, even until the consummation, and that
determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Antichrist desecrates the temple and commits the
abomination of desolation referred by Jesus (Matt 24:15) and
puts an idol of himself in the temple to be worshipped as God.
Matt 24:15
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy
place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Paul tells us Antichrist attempts to show that he is God by
sitting in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (2 Thess 2:4)
2 Thess 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all
that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Antichrist sitting mockingly showing that he is God is him
most likely sitting between the cherubim's on the mercy seat
of the Ark of the Covenant which reappeared before the
rapture (see timeframe 2 and 3 of charts) and is now in the
rebuilt temple in Jerusalem). This to the Jews was the holiest
place and believed to be God's throne on earth and where
from time to time God communed with men such as Moses,
David, etc,
Psalm 99:1,2 The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he
sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the
people.
Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest
Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the
cherubims, shine forth.
The temple will remain then under Antichrist's rule till the
consummation (all things be fulfilled as told to Daniel by
Christ returns). 'That determined ' (verse 27) upon the
nations and especially Antichrist's Empire are those
judgments written before hand - especially the 7 trumpet/vial
judgments of the 'Day of the Lord' (timeframe 5 – charts)
Rev 5:8-10 Redeemed as Priests and Kings and
24 Elders, 4 Living Ones
around the throne
we will reign on the earth w/Christ
God the Father
(Ancient of Days)
Christ takes the 7 sealed
book and opens seals
Rev 6 Christ gives orders to
the 4 living ones who send
forth the 4 horsemen with
orders. First 4 seals
T
r
I
b
Rapture
Rev 4
Eart
h
tilted
M
a
r
t
y
r
s
Beast;
False
Prophet;
The mark
666
Christian Tribulation Period
Wrath mixed with grace 3 ½
r
a
I
s
e
d
Christ
returns
to earth
with
saved
immortal
Saints
1
4
4
0
0
0
S
e
a
l
e
d
Millennium
Terrible Day Of The Lord
Pure wrath without mixture 7 yrs
Millennium
Micah 5:2-4
Puts the rapture , the end of the Church age and Daniel’s
70th week all in its proper perspective fully agreeing with Daniel, Jesus Mount
Olives Discourse, and Revelations. Micah foretold that after the birth of Christ
the nation of Israel would be set aside for a time. This is because they
rejected Christ as Messiah. That the Church Age will run in it’s place instead.
That in the time of the rapture the Church Age will end and God will use a
Jewish remnant (144,000 told of in Rev 7, 14) to cause Israel to return back
to Christ as their Messiah. This will happen during Daniel’s 70th week.
Micah 5:2,3 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be
little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings
forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which
travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his
brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in
the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall
abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
Micah 5:2 is well quoted at Christimas time because it’s the
prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem as a King
whose going forths are from old, from everlasting indicating
Jesus was the eternal Son of God.
Micah 5:2-4
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among
the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth
unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which
travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his
brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in
the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall
abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
'Therefore will he give them up' is a clear reference to
the Jews who rejected him
How long are the Jews to be given up?
'until the time that she which travaileth hath
brought forth’ (vs 3) - Who is she that will travail and
has brought forth. The answer is clearly found in Rev 12.1-5.
She is the sun-clothed woman of Rev 12:1 (the professing
Church) who after having travailed in pain gives birth to a
manchild (the true confessing Church – the saved in Christ)
who are caught up to God’s throne. God will not be dealing
with Israel again to bring them to Christ until the church age
runs its course. God is dealing with Israel today as far as
bringing them back into their land and returning them back
to a covenant relationship with Jehovah first (timeframe 2).
After the rapture God deals with them to accept Christ
(Daniel's 70th week).
Micah 5:2-4
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among
the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth
unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which
travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his
brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in
the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall
abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
'the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of
Israel.' This speaks of the remnant of Jews (144,000) after
the rapture who accepted Christ in Israel but were not killed
by Antichrist. They are sealed for protection during the Day of
the Lord (Rev 7:4-8) and called firstfruits of saved Israel (Rev
14:1-5) and witness for Christ and 7 years later when Christ
returns to set up His throne in Jerusalem all Israel will be
saved.
Rev 7:4-8
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there
were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the
tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe
of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 14:1-5
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and
with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his
Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many
waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the
voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and
before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn
that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which
were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they
are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among
men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.1
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without
fault before the throne of God.
Micah 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the
LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and
they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of
the earth.
He is the same He of Micah 5:2 – Jesus – the one born in
Bethlehem. After the Church age ends and the 144,000 saved
Jews sealed they become witnesses to rest of Jews in Israel
during the Daniel’s 70 week. Then Christ returns and all
Israel saved and the Millennium begins . This is the meaning
of Micah 5:4
We understand then that Jesus answered the disciples first
question about signs leading up to His visible return would
start with the abomination of Desolation that Daniel spoke of
(Antichrist putting an idol of himself in the rebuilt temple
(that was rebuilt before the rapture in timeframe 3 after the
Ark of the Covenant reappeared in events connected with the
nass return of the Jews (timeframe 2). The events Jesus
speaks of begin halfway through Daniel’s 70th week - same
timeframe as timeframe 5 (chart). Daniel’s 70th week is 7
years so halfway is about 3 ½ years before Christ’s return
(Kingdom). Here is a chart of what Matthew and Luke say are
the signs that lead up to His visible return.
Matthew 24:15-31 When ye therefore shall see
the abomination of desolation, spoken of by
Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,
(whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the
mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come
down to take
any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return
back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to
them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the
winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time,
no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's
sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ,
or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that,
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in
the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret
chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and
shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of
the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles
be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days
shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not
Give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and
the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a
trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from
the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Luke 21:20-28 And when ye shall see Jerusalem
compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the
mountains; and let them which are in the midst of
it depart out; and let not them that are in the
countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all
things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to
them that give suck, in those days! for there shall
be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this
people.
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword,
and shall be led away captive into all nations: and
Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,
until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and
the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for
fear, and for looking after those things which are coming
on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.
The terrible Day of the Lord - when?
Acts 2:12-21 And they were all amazed, and
were in doubt, saying one to another, What
meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of
new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted
up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of
Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be
this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose,
seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the
prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,
saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all
flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens
I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and
they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above,
and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,
and vapor of smoke:
place before the terrible or great and notable Day of
the Lord.
Revelations 6:12, 16, 17 (6th seal)
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal,
and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun
became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
became as blood;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us,
and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and
who shall be able to stand?
In Rev 6:16, 17 the people on the earth know the
terrible Day of the Lord is now at hand. We see then
from Peter's words and Rev 6 that the Day of the
Lord follows the opening of the sixth seal. This tells
us that the 7th seal which is opened in Rev 8 is
happening during the terrible Day of the Lord. The
7th seal has the 7 trumpet/vial judgements that are
sounded and poured out upon the earth during the
'Day of the Lord'. The trumpet/vial judgments are
one and the same. The 7 trumpets are judgments
executed on the earth but seen from heavens point
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
of view where the raptured saints are. The 7 vial
and the moon into blood, before that
judgments are the same trumpet judgments but
great and notable day of the Lord come:
seen from earth's point of view. Both end with the
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. return of Christ. (see study of Revelations and next
chart)
We find the words of Rev 6:12-17 matching
exactly Peter's words in Acts 2:20 about the sun
being darkened and the moon as blood taking
Rev 5:8-10 Redeemed as Priests and Kings and
24 Elders, 4 Living Ones
around the throne
we will reign on the earth w/Christ
God the Father
(Ancient of Days)
Christ takes the 7 sealed
book and opens seals
Rev 6 Christ gives orders to
the 4 living ones who send
forth the 4 horsemen with
orders. First 4 seals
T
r
I
b
Rapture
Rev 4
Eart
h
tilted
M
a
r
t
y
r
s
Beast;
False
Prophet;
The mark
666
Christian Tribulation Period
Wrath mixed with grace 3 ½
r
a
I
s
e
d
Christ
returns
to earth
with
saved
immortal
Saints
1
4
4
0
0
0
S
e
a
l
e
d
Millennium
Terrible Day Of The Lord
Pure wrath without mixture 7 yrs
Millennium
Signs: leading up to te rapture
Signs: Curch Age end
Signs:Christ’s return
Onr more final view of the above chart shows the breakout of Jesus
Olives discourse. Section 1; signs leading up to the rapture (Matt
24:4-6, Luke 21:8,9). Section 2; signs of the Christian tribulation after
the rapture (Matt 24:7-14, Luke 21:10-19). Section 3; signs that lead
up to Christ’s return (Matt 24:15-31, Luke 21:21-27)