End Time Prophesies. RCCG Sunday School Manual.

Memory Verse: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements, shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the workthat are therein shall be burned up”. 2 Peter 3: 10.

Bible Passage: Is. 13: 6-22.

Introduction

The event usually referred to as “the end of the world” (escathon) is described in 2 Peter 3:10; this is the culmination of a series of events called “The day of the Lord”. The Bible has alot to say about the end times. Nearly every book of the Bible contains prophesy regarding the end times. Taking all of these prophesies and organizing them can be difficult. Following is a brief summary of what the Bible declares will happen in the end times.

Outlines

1. From Rapture To The Great Tbulation
2. The Millennial Reign To The End

From Rapture To The Great Tribulation
Christ will remove all born-again believers from the earth in an event known as the “rapture” ( 1 Thess. 4: 13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54). At the judgment seat of Christ, these believers will be rewarded for good works and faithful service during there time on earth or will loose rewards, but not eternal life, for lack of service and obedience. (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The Antichrist (the beast) will come into power and will sign a covenant with Isreal for seven years (Daniel 9:27). This seven-year period of time is known as the “tribulation”. During the tribulation, there will be a terrible war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters. God will be pouring out His wrath against sin, evil and wickedness.

About halfway through the seven years, the Antichrist will break the peace covenant with Israel and make war against it. The Antichrist will commit “the abomination of desolation” and set up an image of himself to be worshipped in Jerusalem temple. (Dan. 9:27; 2 Thess. 2:3-10) which will have been rebuilt. The second half of the tribulation is known as “the great tribulation” (Rev. 7:14) and “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7).

The Millennial Reign To The End

At the end of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist will launch a final attack on Jerusalem, culminating in the “battle of Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16; 19:19-20). Jesus Christ will return, destroy the Anti-Christ and his armies, and cast them into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:11-21). Christ will rule his earthly kingdom for this thousand-year period (Rev. 20:1-6).

At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released and will deceive many. He will be defeated again and then cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:7-9) for eternity. Christ then judges all unbelievers at the great white throne judgment, casting them into the lake of fire. Death hell will also be cast into the Lake of fire. (Rev. 20:10-15).

Christ will then usher in a new heaven and new earth and the New Jerusalem- the eternal dwelling place of believers. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or death. (Rev. 21-22)

Conclusion

The knowledge of these end-time events is for believers to be well prepared.

Questions

1. Briefly describes the series of events from the time of the rapture to the great tribulation.
2. What will happen between the period of the millennial reign and the end of this present world?