Questions about prophecy
What does the Bible say about the end?
Each answer comes from the books of Dr. Mary Banks, with the scriptures it rests on and the books it is drawn from.
Understanding Prophecy
What Bible prophecy is, why God gave it, and how to study it.
What is Bible prophecy?
Bible prophecy is both the foretelling of future events and the declaration of God's heart, mind, and will, given through people moved by the Holy Ghost rather than by their own will.
Why did God give us prophecy?
God gave us prophecy so that His heart, mind, and will could be made known to His people, both to foretell things to come and to reveal what could never be known by natural means, and so that Christ could be revealed and confirmed to the Church.
How should we study Bible prophecy?
Bible prophecy must be studied by letting Scripture interpret itself, never through private interpretation, while paying close attention to the landmark scriptures that show the timing and order of end time events.
Is the Book of Revelation meant to be understood?
Yes, Scripture teaches that Revelation is meant to be understood, not feared, once its structure and the meaning of its symbols are grasped through careful, Scripture guided study.
Why is Revelation called the Revelation of Jesus Christ?
Revelation is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ because the entire book is a divine unveiling concerning Him, given to Him by God the Father to show His servants the things that must shortly come to pass, culminating in His coming and crowning as Lord of lords and King of kings.
How do the seven Seals work as a table of contents for Revelation?
The seven seals in Revelation 5 through 7 work like a table of contents by revealing, in advance, the major agents, themes, and events that are written inside the sealed book, which is Revelation chapters 8 through 22; each seal previews something the reader will meet again once the book itself is opened and read.
What are the main dispensations or ages in God’s plan?
Scripture reveals seven major dispensations, or periods of time in which God deals with His people in a distinct way: Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace and Truth, and finally the Millennium.
How do Daniel and Revelation fit together?
Daniel was told to seal up his prophecy of the end times until the appointed time, and Revelation shows that very sealed book opened, revealing in far greater detail what Daniel foresaw.
What does it mean that no man knows the day or the hour?
It means that while the Lord's return can be recognized as near through the signs Jesus gave, the exact day and hour of His coming is known only to the Father, not even to the angels or to the Son in His earthly ministry, so believers are called to watch and be ready rather than try to calculate the precise moment.
Can anyone set a date for the return of Christ?
No one can know the exact day or hour of Christ's return, since Scripture plainly states that only the Father knows it; still, the timeline and season of His coming can be discerned through prophetic events and genealogies.
What is the difference between the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord?
The Day of Christ refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus for His Church, being caught up to meet Him in the air, while the Day of the Lord is the separate period of God's wrath and judgment poured out upon a rebellious world that follows.
Signs of the Times
Where we are now, and what Jesus said to watch for.
What are the signs of the end times Jesus gave in Matthew 24?
In Matthew 24, Jesus lists a series of signs beginning with false christs, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes, followed by persecution, betrayal, false prophets and a great falling away of love, then the abomination of desolation and great tribulation, and finally cosmic signs in the sun, moon and stars before He appears in glory.
What does it mean that the days will be as the days of Noah?
Jesus taught that His return will come at a time when people are absorbed in ordinary life, eating, drinking, marrying, completely unaware and unprepared, just as it was before the flood in Noah's day.
What is the beginning of sorrows?
The beginning of sorrows is the opening period of end time events that Jesus described in Matthew 24, marked by wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, followed by the persecution of believers, false prophets, and love growing cold as iniquity increases.
Will there be false christs and false prophets before the end?
Yes, Scripture is clear that before the end, false christs and false prophets will arise, showing great signs and wonders in an attempt to deceive even the elect of God.
What is the great falling away?
The great falling away is the large scale departure of the professing church from the truth of the Gospel, which Scripture says must happen before the antichrist is revealed and before the Day of the Lord comes.
Why will the love of many wax cold in the last days?
Love grows cold in the last days because iniquity abounds: fierce persecution, betrayal, and a flood of false prophets wear down the saints until many are offended and turn from serving the Lord to serving their own lusts.
What does the fig tree parable teach about the end times?
The fig tree parable teaches that just as budding leaves signal that summer is near, the signs Jesus lists (the tribulation, the darkened sun and moon, falling stars, and His sign appearing in heaven) signal that His coming is near, even at the door.
How should we respond to wars and rumours of wars?
Scripture teaches that when we hear of wars and rumors of wars we are not to be troubled, because these things must come to pass but the end is not yet; they are only the beginning of sorrows that will lead into greater tribulation.
Is the gospel being preached to all nations a sign of the end?
Yes. Scripture directly ties the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all nations to the coming of the end, teaching that the end will not arrive until every nation has heard it.
Israel and Jerusalem
God’s prophetic clock: Israel reborn, Jerusalem, and the Jewish people.
Why is Israel important in Bible prophecy?
Israel stands at the center of Bible prophecy because it is the chosen nation through whom God's covenant promises, the Church, and end time events all unfold, and its future national salvation and restoration is guaranteed by the Father's unbreakable calling upon them.
Why does Jerusalem matter in end time prophecy?
Jerusalem stands at the center of end time prophecy because it is the city where the Antichrist's covenant with Israel is confirmed, where the rebuilt temple becomes the stage for the Abomination of Desolation, where the great siege and Jacob's trouble unfold before Christ's return, and where the mystery city called the Whore of Babylon is ultimately unveiled.
Will the temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem?
Yes, Scripture indicates the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem in the days of the Antichrist, standing near the Gentile edifice with its outer court given over to the Gentiles.
What is the time of Jacob’s trouble?
The time of Jacob's trouble is the period of intense distress that comes upon Israel and Jerusalem during the second half of the seven year covenant, when the antichrist breaks his pact, defiles the temple, and Jerusalem is surrounded and trodden down by armies.
Will all Israel be saved?
Scripture teaches that Israel as a nation will indeed be saved, but this refers to a remnant chosen by God's grace rather than every single Jewish person, and this turning will happen suddenly, near the end of this age when the Lord returns.
What happens to Israel during the reign of the Antichrist?
During the antichrist's reign, Israel first enters a seven year covenant with him that allows the temple to be rebuilt and sacrifices restored, but at the midpoint he breaks that covenant, enters the temple, declares himself God, and turns to besiege and persecute Israel until Christ returns.
Why does the woman flee into the wilderness in Revelation 12?
The woman (representing the nation of Israel) flees into the wilderness because the great dragon, Satan, having been cast down to the earth after losing the war in heaven, turns his fury on her and pursues her to destroy her.
Who is the remnant of Israel?
The remnant of Israel is the portion of the Jewish nation that survives the wrath of the antichrist and the judgments of the tribulation, and who will be converted to faith in Jesus as Messiah just before the Millennium begins.
What covenant does the Antichrist make with Israel?
The Antichrist makes a seven year covenant with Israel, promising peace and allowing them to rebuild their temple and resume sacrifices, but in the middle of that seven years he breaks his word, halts the sacrifices, and declares himself God in the temple.
What role does Israel play in the Millennium?
In the Millennium, the surviving remnant of Israel will be a converted, natural (not born again) people who inhabit the land, rebuild the ruined cities, farm the ground, and serve the Lord through purified priestly worship and offerings at Jerusalem, while the sons of God reign over them and over the whole earth.
The Church Age
From Pentecost to today: the Church’s tenure on the earth.
When did the Church Age begin?
Scripture teaches that the Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers gathered in the upper room and the Church was established.
What happened on the Day of Pentecost?
On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost fell on the believers gathered in the upper room, they spoke with other tongues, and Peter preached that this outpouring was the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's words about God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days.
What is the Church’s tenure on the earth?
The Church will be taken to be with Christ before the outpouring of God's wrath, and after that she returns with Him to reign as kings and priests on the earth for a literal one thousand years, called the Millennium.
What are the seven churches of Revelation?
The seven churches of Revelation are seven literal, historical congregations in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, to whom John was told to send the book.
Do the seven churches of Revelation represent ages of church history?
Scripture presents the seven churches of Revelation as real, literal congregations in Asia Minor, not as symbols for seven successive ages of church history.
What were the Dark Ages in church history?
According to this teaching, the Dark Ages were the period after the death of the twelve apostles when the guidance of the apostolic mantle was no longer at the forefront of the Body of Christ, leaving the church in obscurity with few great global moves of the Spirit.
Why was John exiled to the island of Patmos?
John was sent to the isle of Patmos because of his faithfulness to the word of God and his testimony of Jesus Christ, which brought persecution and tribulation upon him.
What is the church of Laodicea and what does it say to us?
The church of Laodicea was a real congregation in Asia Minor that had become lukewarm, self-satisfied and worldly, and Christ's message to them warns every believer today against the danger of spiritual complacency while offering mercy and restoration to those who repent.
What is the transition from peace to turmoil?
Scripture shows that the peace believers now know in Christ gives way to a season of turmoil that begins with a falling away in the church and then unfolds into literal, physical judgments upon the earth as the Day of the Lord draws near.
What is the Church’s role in the end times?
Scripture shows the Church's role in the end times is to remain faithful and Spirit filled, endure persecution from the antichrist, and carry the gospel of the kingdom to all nations as a witness before the end comes, being removed only at the very end just before God's final wrath is poured out.
What does it mean to be the Bride of Christ?
Being the Bride of Christ means the Church is formed entirely from Christ, is united to Him as bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, and will one day be presented to Him pure and glorified at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The Rapture
Who is caught up, when, and why the timing matters.
What is the Rapture?
The rapture is the moment when the dead in Christ are raised incorruptible and living believers are changed and gathered to meet the Lord, an event Scripture places at the sound of the last trumpet, after the great tribulation, not at Revelation 4:1 as many suppose.
When will the Church be raptured?
According to this teaching, the Church will not be raptured at Revelation chapter 4, as many suppose, but after the Great Tribulation, when the seventh (last) trumpet sounds and the mystery of God is finished, just before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth.
Will the Church go through the Tribulation?
Yes, Scripture teaches that the Church will remain on earth through the Great Tribulation and be persecuted by the Antichrist, but the Church will not experience the Day of the Lord, which is the outpouring of God's wrath, since believers are not appointed to that wrath.
Who was raptured when Christ rose from the dead?
When Christ rose from the dead, the graves of many sleeping saints, including the Old Patriarchs who had been held captive in death, were opened, and their bodies came out of the graves and went into the holy city.
What happens at the last trump?
At the last trump, the seventh angel sounds and the mystery of God is finished: the dead in Christ are raised incorruptible, the living are changed, and the rapture of the Church takes place as the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and His wrath begins.
What does 1 Corinthians 15 teach about the change in a moment?
First Corinthians 15 teaches that at the last trumpet, in a single instant, the bodies of the dead in Christ will be raised and the bodies of the living will be transformed, so that what was corruptible and mortal becomes incorruptible and immortal, and death is swallowed up in victory.
Will the dead in Christ rise first?
Yes. Scripture plainly teaches that the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those believers still living on earth will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.
Under which Seal does the Rapture of the Church take place?
According to this teaching, the Rapture of the Church takes place under the Sixth Seal, which serves as a preview of the Trumpet and Vial Judgments, including the sealing of the 144,000 and the rapture of the Church.
What is the rapture of the 144,000?
The rapture of the 144,000 refers to the taking up of these sealed Jewish male servants of God, who are shown standing with the Lamb on Mount Sion after being sealed and protected from the wrath that is about to fall on the earth.
Why does the timing of the Rapture matter for believers today?
The timing of the rapture matters because it determines whether believers expect to be removed before hardship or must be spiritually prepared to endure persecution, the mark of the beast era, and the trumpet judgments while remaining faithful to Christ.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet
His rise, his reign, his mark, and his end.
Who is the Antichrist?
The Antichrist is the end times "man of sin" and "son of perdition," the Beast empowered by Satan the dragon, who exalts himself above every god, persecutes the saints and Israel for three and a half years, and demands worship as God.
Will the Antichrist be a real man?
Yes, Scripture describes the Antichrist as a real, individual man, called the Man of Perdition, a king who will rise in the last days and be indwelt by the spirit of antichrist, just as that same spirit once worked through Judas.
What is the spirit of antichrist?
The spirit of antichrist is the spiritual force, active since the time of Christ, that opposes Him and denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; it works in individual hearts and in the church now, and will one day be fully embodied in a man, the Antichrist or Man of Perdition, in the last days.
What is the mark of the beast?
The mark of the beast is a mark placed in the right hand or forehead by the Antichrist, and without it no one will be allowed to buy or sell; the number of the beast that goes with this mark is 666.
Who is the False Prophet?
Scripture teaches that in the last days a strong, deceitful ruler called the Antichrist will rise, set up an abomination in the temple, and persecute the saints for three and a half years (42 months, or a time, times and half a time) before he is finally broken.
What is the image of the beast?
The image of the beast is an idol made in honor of the Antichrist, set up by the false prophet in the temple at Jerusalem, and given the power to speak and to demand worship from the whole world.
How long will the Antichrist reign?
Scripture teaches that the Antichrist will be given authority to continue for forty two months, which is three and a half years, described also as a time, times, and the dividing of time.
Why will the Antichrist persecute the saints?
The Antichrist persecutes the saints because he is possessed and empowered by the ancient spirit of antichrist that has always hated God's people, and because God allows this persecution as a purging, testing fire meant to purify and prove the faith of the saints so they may reign with Christ.
What is the mystery of iniquity?
The mystery of iniquity is the hidden, ongoing work of Satan's spirit of rebellion in humanity, already active in the world and destined to be fully revealed in the Antichrist before Christ's return.
Who is the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2?
The man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the Antichrist, a human figure who will be revealed after a falling away in the church and who exalts himself above God, even sitting in God's temple and declaring himself to be God.
What are the three unclean spirits like frogs?
The three unclean spirits like frogs are demonic spirits that come out of the mouths of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet, sent to deceive the kings of the earth and gather them for the battle of Armageddon.
How will the Antichrist and the False Prophet be destroyed?
The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be destroyed by the spoken Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, who defeats them in battle and casts them alive into the lake of fire.
The Seven Seals
The scroll opened by the Lamb, and the four horsemen.
What are the seven Seals of Revelation?
The seven seals in Revelation are not events themselves but a preview or table of contents for what is written inside the book in God's hand, revealing the major agents and themes that will unfold once the book is opened in Revelation 8 and following.
Who is worthy to open the seven sealed book?
Only Jesus Christ, called the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David, was found worthy to open the sealed book and loose its seven seals.
What does the first Seal and the white horse represent?
The first seal shows a white horse whose rider carries a bow, is given a crown, and goes forth conquering; one teaching says this rider is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, while another teaching says the four horses (including this one) are real angelic beings sent by God, and that this rider pictures a conquering spirit of deception used as judgment on those who reject the Gospel.
What does the second Seal and the red horse represent?
The second seal reveals a red horse whose rider is given power to take peace from the earth, causing war and mutual slaughter, and he is armed with a great sword; this rider is identified as an angel who oversees matters of war and peace on the earth.
What does the third Seal and the black horse represent?
The third seal opens to reveal a black horse whose rider carries a pair of balances, representing famine and severe economic hardship on the earth, with food rationed and sold at inflated prices while oil and wine remain untouched.
What does the fourth Seal and the pale horse represent?
The fourth seal shows a pale horse whose rider is named Death, with Hell following close behind, and together they are given power over a fourth part of the earth to kill by sword, famine, death, and wild beasts.
Who are the souls under the altar in the fifth Seal?
The souls under the altar in the fifth seal are the martyrs, those slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held; they are believers who gave their lives for their faith in Christ.
What happens when the sixth Seal is opened?
When the sixth seal is opened, John sees a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming as blood, the stars falling, the heavens rolling back like a scroll, and every mountain and island being moved, followed by the sealing of the 144,000 and the appearing of a great multitude of the redeemed before the throne.
Why is there silence in heaven at the seventh Seal?
The silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened marks the moment when all the outward writing on the sealed book, previewed through the first six seals, has been fully revealed, and now the sealed book itself is about to be opened so its hidden contents, the trumpet and vial judgments, can begin to unfold.
Who are the four horsemen of the Apocalypse?
The four horsemen are the riders of the white, red, black, and pale horses revealed when the Lamb opens the first four seals in Revelation 6; they are real angelic beings sent by God, not symbols of nations or the devil, and their identity is clarified by the four spirits of heaven in Zechariah.
Are the Seals events or announcements of events?
According to this teaching, the Seven Seals are not events happening on earth but announcements or previews of what is written inside the sealed book; the actual events begin only once the book itself is opened and read, starting with the trumpet judgments in Revelation 8.
How do the Seals relate to the Trumpets and the Vials?
The Seven Seals are not events in themselves but a kind of table of contents that previews what is written inside the sealed book; once the seventh seal is opened, the book itself unfolds as the actual Trumpet Judgments and Vial Judgments that occur on the earth.
The Seven Trumpets
The trumpet judgments and the three woes.
What are the seven Trumpets of Revelation?
The seven trumpets of Revelation are a series of divine judgments sounded by seven angels, each one bringing a specific catastrophe upon the earth, culminating in the announcement that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of Christ.
What happens at the first Trumpet?
At the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood are cast upon the earth, burning up all the green grass and a third of the trees.
What is the burning mountain cast into the sea?
The burning mountain is what the second trumpet judgment describes: a great mountain, all ablaze with fire, hurled into the sea, turning a third of the sea to blood and destroying a third of its living creatures and a third of the ships.
What is the star called Wormwood?
Wormwood is the name given to a great star that falls from heaven at the sounding of the third trumpet, poisoning a third of the rivers and springs of water so that many people die from the bitter waters.
Why are the sun, moon and stars darkened at the fourth Trumpet?
The fourth trumpet darkens a third of the sun, moon, and stars because this is one of the specific divine judgments God pours out during the Day of the Lord, a sign that His wrath and fierce anger have come upon the earth to destroy sinners.
Who are the locusts from the bottomless pit?
The locusts of the fifth trumpet are strange, never before seen creatures released from the bottomless pit when the angelic "star" opens it with a key given by Jesus; they are not demons but beings created by Christ to torment those who do not have the seal of God, ruled over by Apollyon, the angel of the bottomless pit.
What is the army of two hundred million?
The army of two hundred million is the massive horde of horsemen released at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, led by four angels loosed from the Euphrates River, given the mission to kill a third of mankind.
What are the three woes of Revelation?
The three woes of Revelation are announced in Revelation 8:13 and correspond to the last three trumpet judgments: the fifth trumpet is the first woe, the sixth trumpet is the second woe, and the seventh trumpet brings the third woe.
What happens when the seventh Trumpet sounds?
When the seventh trumpet sounds, heaven declares that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ, and He begins His eternal reign, followed by worship, the pouring out of God's wrath, and dramatic signs in heaven.
What is the mystery of God that is finished at the seventh Trumpet?
The mystery of God that is finished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet is the full revelation and glorification of the Body of Christ, described as Christ in you, the hope of glory, which comes to completion when the Church is finally caught up and made perfect in Christ.
The Seven Vials of Wrath
The last plagues poured out on the kingdom of the beast.
What are the seven Vials of wrath?
The seven vials of wrath are the final bowl judgments poured out upon the earth in Revelation 16, representing the full and undiluted outpouring of God's anger on a rebellious world just before the return of Christ.
Who receives the Vials of wrath?
The seven vials of God's wrath, poured out by seven angels, fall in turn upon the earth, the sea, the rivers and fountains of water, the sun, the seat (throne) of the beast, the river Euphrates, and the air, striking those who bear the mark of the beast and worship his image, together with the peoples and lands under Antichrist's dominion.
What is the first Vial and the noisome sore?
The first vial is poured out upon the earth, causing a noisome and grievous sore to break out on all who have the mark of the beast and who worship his image.
Why does the sea turn to blood?
The sea turns to blood because God pours out the second vial (bowl) of His wrath directly upon it, an act of divine judgment that kills every living creature in the sea.
Why do the rivers and fountains turn to blood?
The rivers and fountains turn to blood as God's righteous judgment on the wicked because they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, so He gives them blood to drink in return.
What happens when the sun scorches men with fire?
When the fourth vial is poured out, the sun scorches men with intense fire and heat, causing severe burns, yet instead of repenting, people blaspheme God's name rather than give Him glory.
What is the darkness on the kingdom of the beast?
When the fifth angel pours out his vial upon the seat of the beast, his kingdom is plunged into a total, thick darkness, and the people suffer such pain from their sores that they gnaw their tongues yet still refuse to repent.
Why is the river Euphrates dried up?
The river Euphrates is dried up by the sixth angel's vial so that the way is prepared for the kings of the east to march their armies toward the final battle.
What is the greatest earthquake at the seventh Vial?
At the seventh vial, Revelation describes an earthquake so mighty and great that nothing like it has ever happened since men have been on the earth, splitting the great city into three parts and causing every island and mountain to vanish.
What is the great hail from heaven?
The great hail from heaven is the plague poured out in the seventh vial of God's wrath, when hailstones weighing about a talent (roughly 75 to 100 pounds each) fall upon the earth, and men respond by blaspheming God rather than repenting.
The Great Tribulation
The time of trouble, the abomination of desolation, and the saints.
What is the Great Tribulation?
The Great Tribulation is the final three and a half years before Christ's return, when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, sets up the abomination of desolation in the temple, and unleashes fierce persecution against both Israel and the Church, distinct from the later outpouring of God's wrath.
How long is the Tribulation?
Scripture describes the Tribulation as a seven year period, made up of two halves of three and a half years each: the beginning of sorrows and then the Great Tribulation.
What is the abomination of desolation?
The abomination of desolation is the idol image of the Antichrist that will be set up in the Holy of Holies of the rebuilt Jerusalem temple, demanding worship from the world and stopping the daily sacrifices.
What is the patience of the saints?
The patience of the saints is the God given capacity to righteously endure persecution, trials, and tribulation without murmuring, while keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, all the way to the end of the church age, even through the time of the mark of the beast.
Why are the saints persecuted by the Antichrist?
Scripture teaches that the Antichrist persecutes the saints because they refuse to worship him or receive his mark, and because God allows this season of trial to test, purge, and purify His people before the end.
What is the difference between tribulation and the wrath of God?
Tribulation is the trial of the saints through persecution, affliction, and hardship that produces patience and faith, while the wrath of God is His vengeance and judgment poured out specifically on the wicked, unrepentant world, not on His people.
Will believers be protected during the Tribulation?
Believers will be present on earth during the great tribulation and will suffer real persecution, even martyrdom, but Scripture teaches that God protects His people from His own wrath, even while judgment falls on the ungodly around them.
Why will people hide in caves from the face of the Lord?
People will hide in caves and among the rocks because the great day of the Lord's wrath will have come, and they will be terrified to stand before the face of Him who sits on the throne and before the wrath of the Lamb.
What is the great multitude that comes out of great tribulation?
The great multitude that comes out of great tribulation is the Church, the redeemed people of God from every nation who stand before the throne in white robes, having washed those robes in the blood of the Lamb.
What is the seventieth week of Daniel?
The seventieth week of Daniel is the final seven year period in which the antichrist makes a covenant with Israel, then breaks it halfway through to bring the abomination of desolation and the Great Tribulation.
How should a believer endure persecution in the last days?
A believer endures last days persecution by developing the patience of the saints, refusing to worship the beast or take his mark, trusting the Father's will above self reliance, and embracing the fellowship of Christ's sufferings rather than being offended by them.
The Two Witnesses and the 144,000
God’s witnesses in Jerusalem and the sealed of Israel.
Who are the two witnesses?
The two witnesses are two Spirit-empowered prophets who appear in Jerusalem during the 1,260 days (three and a half years) of the Antichrist's reign, described in Scripture as the two olive trees and two candlesticks standing before God, and given power reminiscent of Elijah and Moses.
How long do the two witnesses prophesy?
The two witnesses prophesy for one thousand two hundred and threescore days, which is three and a half years.
Why are the two witnesses called olive trees and candlesticks?
The two witnesses are called the two olive trees and the two candlesticks because Revelation 11:4 directly applies that title from Zechariah's vision, showing them as the two anointed ones who stand continually before the Lord, supplying oil (a picture of the Spirit) to give light in a dark time.
What powers do the two witnesses have?
The two witnesses are given power to shut up heaven so it does not rain, to turn water into blood, and to strike the earth with any kind of plague as often as they wish, and fire comes out of their mouths to consume anyone who tries to harm them.
How are the two witnesses killed and raised again?
The two witnesses are killed by the beast that rises from the bottomless pit once they finish their three and a half year testimony, and after their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God enters them, they stand up, and they are called up to heaven in a cloud before the eyes of their enemies.
Are the two witnesses Moses and Elijah?
Scripture does not name the two witnesses directly, but the powers given to them, shutting heaven so it will not rain and turning water to blood, closely match what Elijah and Moses did, so their ministry echoes those two great prophets even though they are not explicitly identified by name.
Who are the 144,000?
The 144,000 are sealed servants of God taken from all twelve tribes of Israel, described as young male virgins who follow the Lamb and are counted among the firstfruits redeemed to God.
Why are the 144,000 sealed?
The 144,000 are sealed as servants of God so that they are marked and protected before God's wrath is poured out on the earth, and so the harm coming through the trumpet judgments will pass over them.
Heaven, Rewards and the Marriage Supper
The Church in heaven, the judgment seat of Christ, and the Lamb’s wedding.
What happens to the Church in heaven after the Rapture?
After the rapture, the Church stands before the judgment seat of Christ at the sea of glass mingled with fire, where every believer's works are tested and rewarded, and their natural bodies are transformed into spiritual bodies before they return with Christ to reign in the Millennium.
What is the judgment seat of Christ?
The judgment seat of Christ is where every believer, immediately after being caught up in the rapture, stands before Christ to have their works in the body reviewed and rewarded, while those raised later in the second resurrection stand before Him for judgment of their evil deeds.
What rewards will the saints receive?
Scripture teaches that the saints will receive a wide range of rewards from Christ at His coming, including new glorified bodies, eternal life, crowns, special names, rulership with Christ, and everlasting joy in God's presence.
What is the sea of glass mingled with fire?
The sea of glass mingled with fire is the place in Heaven where the raptured Church first stands after the tribulation, and it represents the fire that will test the value of every believer's works and ministry.
What are the crowns believers can receive?
Scripture speaks of several crowns believers can receive: the crown of life, the crown of glory that fadeth not away, the incorruptible crown, the crown of rejoicing, and the crown of righteousness.
Who are the twenty-four elders?
The twenty four elders around God's throne are glorified men, the spirits of just men made perfect who lived before Christ, not angelic beings and not the raptured Church.
What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the great celebration in Heaven that takes place after the vial judgments and just before Christ returns to earth, marking the eternal union of Jesus Christ, the Lamb, with His Church, the Bride.
Who is the Bride of the Lamb?
The Bride of the Lamb is the Church, the redeemed of Christ, who are pictured as His wife arrayed in fine linen and also shown as the holy city, New Jerusalem.
What is the throne room scene in Revelation 4?
Revelation 4 shows John caught up through an open door in heaven into God's throne room, where he sees the Lord enthroned in dazzling glory, surrounded by twenty four elders, four living creatures, and a sea of glass, all engaged in continual worship, with a sealed book resting in God's right hand.
Armageddon and the Second Coming
Christ returns with His saints and the battle is won.
What is the battle of Armageddon?
The Battle of Armageddon is the great final war in which the Antichrist, the false prophet, and the armies of the world gather to fight against Christ, only to be utterly destroyed by the power of His spoken word when He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Where does the battle of Armageddon take place?
The Battle of Armageddon takes place at a location called, in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon, which is also described as the mountains of Israel and the valley of decision (the valley of Jehoshaphat).
Who gathers the kings of the earth to battle?
The kings of the earth are gathered to the battle of Armageddon by three unclean spirits, like frogs, that come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, working miracles to deceive and unite them for war.
What is the Second Coming of Christ?
Scripture speaks of the Second Coming in two ways: the visible, glorious return of Jesus to the earth in the clouds, seen by every eye, and (in Hebrews 9:28) a coming that actually points to the moment a believer receives the Holy Ghost.
Who comes back with Christ on the white horses?
When Christ returns as the white horse rider in Revelation 19, He is followed by the armies of heaven, His Church, who ride white horses of their own and are clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
What is the supper of the great God?
The Supper of the Great God is the gruesome feast held after the Battle of Armageddon, in which the birds of the air and beasts of the field are summoned by an angel to devour the flesh of all who were slain in that great war, kings, captains, mighty men, horses and riders, both free and bond, small and great.
How is the Antichrist’s army defeated?
The Antichrist's army is not defeated by weapons or human strength at all, but by the spoken Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sharp sword that proceeds from His mouth.
What happens to the Antichrist and the False Prophet at the end?
After the battle of Armageddon, the Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire, while their armies are left dead upon the earth.
What is the lake of fire?
The lake of fire is the place of everlasting fire and brimstone where Satan, the beast, the false prophet, death, hell, and all whose names are not written in the book of life are finally cast; it is called the second death and burns forever with unending torment.
What is the winepress of the wrath of God?
The winepress of the wrath of God is the picture Scripture uses for Christ's final, total judgment on His enemies at Armageddon, where He tramples them down like grapes crushed to make wine, and their blood flows out as the wine of that press.
What happens to the earth at the return of Christ?
At the return of Christ, the heavens are shaken, the sun and moon are darkened, and the earth is left emptied, wasted, and desolate, with only a few people surviving out of the multitudes who once lived.
The Millennium
The thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth.
What is the Millennium?
The Millennium is the literal one thousand year reign of Christ on the earth, the seventh dispensation of man, when Satan is bound and Christ and His saints rule in righteousness and peace before the final judgment and eternity begin.
Is the thousand-year reign of Christ literal?
Yes, Scripture teaches that the Millennium is a literal one thousand year reign of Christ on the earth, not a symbolic or spiritualized period.
Who will reign with Christ in the Millennium?
The saints of the first resurrection, those who refused to worship the beast or take his mark, will reign with Christ on the earth for a thousand years as kings and priests.
What is the first resurrection?
The first resurrection is the rising of the saints who belong to Christ, including those martyred for refusing the mark of the beast, to reign with Him for a thousand years; those who share in it are blessed because the second death has no power over them.
What will life on earth be like in the Millennium?
The Millennium will be a literal thousand years in which Christ reigns on the earth from Jerusalem, with glorified saints ruling alongside Him over the surviving Gentile nations and the redeemed Jewish remnant, bringing righteousness, peace, and justice to a world still under the sun and moon, where death remains but life is greatly lengthened.
Will there be death during the Millennium?
Yes, death will still occur during the Millennium, though life spans will be greatly extended; people will die, but a child will live to be a hundred years old, and only a sinner dying at that age will be considered accursed.
What will the nations do in the Millennium?
During the Millennium the nations will worship Christ as King, keep the feast of tabernacles, live in peace, and be judged and ruled with righteousness by Christ and His saints.
Why is Satan loosed after the thousand years?
Scripture teaches that at the end of the thousand years Satan is released from the bottomless pit specifically to go out and deceive the nations of the earth, gathering them into a final rebellion against God that leads to their complete destruction and his own final judgment.
What does Isaiah say about the peaceful kingdom?
Isaiah describes the Millennial Kingdom as a time of universal peace, where wild and tame animals dwell together in safety, nations stream to the mountain of the Lord to learn His ways, and weapons of war are turned into farming tools so that nations no longer learn war.
The Final Battle and the Great White Throne
Satan loosed, defeated, and the dead judged.
Who are Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium?
At the end of the Millennium, Gog and Magog are identified as Russia and Turkey, with Satan deceiving these along with nations such as Iran and Iraq to gather a vast army against Jerusalem.
What is the final battle after the Millennium?
The final battle after the Millennium is the War of Gog and Magog, when Satan is released from the bottomless pit, deceives the nations into gathering against Jerusalem, and is destroyed by fire from heaven.
What happens when fire comes down from heaven?
When fire falls from heaven, it comes as part of God's judgment weapons, burning up vegetation, destroying the wicked, and accompanying other plagues like hail, blood, smoke, and brimstone.
When is the dragon cast into the lake of fire?
The dragon, Satan, is cast into the lake of fire at the end of the thousand years, after he is loosed from his prison and gathers Gog and Magog to battle against the beloved city; fire comes down from God and devours them, and the devil who deceived them is then thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone.
What is the Great White Throne Judgment?
The Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of the wicked dead, who are resurrected and judged according to their works, with anyone not found in the book of life cast into the lake of fire.
Who is judged at the Great White Throne?
The Great White Throne Judgment is when the wicked dead, all who died without being part of the first resurrection, are raised and judged according to their works, with anyone not found in the book of life cast into the lake of fire.
What are the books that are opened at the judgment?
At the judgment of the wicked dead, the books recording each person's deeds are opened, along with a separate book called the book of life, and each person is judged according to what is written in these books.
What is the book of life?
The Book of Life is the Lamb's heavenly register in which God recorded the names of all who would become heirs of salvation, and this was written before the foundation of the world.
What is the second death?
The second death is the lake of fire, the final judgment where death and hell themselves are cast, and it is the eternal punishment for all whose names are not found in the book of life.
What happens to death and hell at the end?
At the end, death and hell will be emptied of the dead for judgment, and then death and hell themselves will be cast into the lake of fire, which is called the second death.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
New Jerusalem and eternity with God.
What is the new heaven and the new earth?
The new heaven and new earth are the completely remade creation that God brings into being after the thousand year reign of Christ ends, once the wicked dead are judged and the old heaven and earth are purged by fire, so that a perfect, eternal paradise remains where God himself dwells with his people.
What happens to the old heaven and earth?
The old heaven and earth pass away entirely, fleeing from the presence of God on His throne, and He replaces them with a new heaven and new earth where there is no more sea and no more death, sorrow, or pain.
What is New Jerusalem?
New Jerusalem is the holy city that comes down from God out of heaven, the eternal dwelling place of God with His people and the true home and citizenship of those who are in Christ.
What are the gates and foundations of New Jerusalem?
New Jerusalem has a great high wall with twelve gates bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Why is there no temple in New Jerusalem?
There is no temple in New Jerusalem because God Almighty and the Lamb themselves are the temple; His presence fills the city so no separate building is needed.
Why is there no more sea in the new earth?
In the new earth there is no more sea because God wants no separation or division between nations and no division among His people; the sea that once divided the nations of the earth is removed forever.
What is the river of the water of life?
The river of the water of life is a pure, crystal clear river that flows out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, with the tree of life growing on both its banks, whose leaves and fruit bring healing to the nations.
What is the tree of life in Revelation 22?
In Revelation 22 the tree of life is the tree in the midst of New Jerusalem that bears twelve kinds of fruit, one every month, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, echoing the same tree that was originally placed in the Garden of Eden to give man everlasting life.
Will there be tears, death or pain in eternity?
No. Scripture teaches that in the eternal state God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain of any kind.
What will the saints do for eternity?
The saints will live forever in glorified spiritual bodies, reign and rule with Christ over the nations, judge the world and angels, and enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, seeing His face and receiving rewards for their faithfulness.
Daniel’s Prophecies
The seventy weeks, the image, the beasts and the time of the end.
What are the four beasts of Daniel 7?
The four horses of the first four seals in Revelation 6, white, red, black and pale, represent angelic spirits of judgment that God sends into the earth to conquer, remove peace, bring famine and bring death, and Zechariah's visions of chariots and horses explain who and what they are.
What are the ten horns and the ten kings?
The ten horns represent ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom but who are given power to reign as kings for one hour together with the beast; they unite in purpose to give their strength to the beast and make war against the Lamb.
What does Daniel mean by the time of the end?
In Daniel's prophecies, "the time of the end" is the final, climactic period of history just before the Lord's return, when the man of sin (the antichrist) rises to full power, defiles God's temple, persecutes the saints, and is finally cast down through a series of divinely fixed time periods leading to Michael's victory and the deliverance of God's people.
Who is Michael the great prince?
Michael is called the great prince who stands for God's people, the archangel who leads the heavenly host against Satan and defends Israel in the time of trouble.
Why was Daniel told to seal the book?
Daniel was told to shut up the words and seal the book because God had set an appointed time for the revelation of end time things to be given to the world, and until that time arrived the revelation was to remain hidden from all creation.
Living Ready
What prophecy asks of us today.
How can I be ready for the return of Christ?
Being ready for Christ's return means watching and praying, embracing holiness and walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh, and staying alert to the signs of the times so the falling away and the revealing of the man of sin do not catch you off guard.
What does it mean to watch and pray?
To watch and pray means staying spiritually alert and awake before God, standing guard in expectation that He will answer, while praying with persistence and without ceasing rather than drifting into a lazy or repetitious prayer life.
What does the parable of the ten virgins teach?
The parable of the ten virgins teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom, five wise and five foolish, and it warns believers to be watchful and prepared, since only those who are ready will enter in with the bridegroom while the door is shut to the unprepared.
Why should prophecy make us live holy lives?
Prophecy is meant to make us holy because our righteous, consecrated life is itself the testimony of Jesus, which Revelation 19:10 calls the spirit of prophecy; when we live holy, we fulfill the eternal purpose God spoke over us before the world began and let the world see Jesus walking the earth again through us.
What is our blessed hope?
The blessed hope is the sure expectation that when Christ returns, believers who have endured in righteousness will be changed from these corruptible, mortal bodies into glorious, incorruptible, celestial bodies like Christ's own, and will live forever with Him.
What does it mean to overcome in Revelation?
To overcome in Revelation means that a believer, armed with the Spirit of God just as Christ was, has already won the victory over the world, sin, and the power of the devil, and this overcoming is met with rich promises of reward from Christ.
What does Revelation promise to those who read it?
Revelation promises a special blessing to those who read it, hear it, and keep what is written in it, because the time of its fulfillment is near.
How do I make sure my name is in the book of life?
Your name is already written in the Lamb's Book of Life if you have truly believed on Jesus, but Scripture warns it can be blotted out, so you keep it there by overcoming, examining yourself, and living a holy, surrendered life to the end.