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Appendix II

Historical Sequence of the Last Days

The following reflects the sequence of events that take place during
the last days. These events span a period of just over three and
a half years. They begin with the emergence of a beast
power and conclude with the return of Jesus Christ and the
establishment of His millennial kingdom.

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  • A great beast power emerges during the last days and exercises great power over the earth. (Rev. 13: 1-4)
  • A great religious leader emerges and causes all to worship the beast (Rev. 13:11-12). Those who refuse to worship the beast will be killed (verse 15).
  • The mark of the beast is given. This mark permits people to buy and sell. Those who refuse it will be subjected to great persecution. (Rev. 13:16-17)
  • God’s people refuse the mark, resulting in extraordinary persecution. Many true Christians are martyred. (Rev. 6:9-11)
  • God’s true church is taken to a place of safety where it is nourished for three and a half years. (Rev. 12:13-14)
  • Satan pursues God’s church by “casting out of his mouth water as a flood.” This flood may be a great army which pursues the church. (Rev. 12:15)
  • God opens the earth and swallows the flood. (Rev. 12:16)
  • Satan turns his wrath on the remnant of the church. This remnant was not taken to the place of safety, perhaps because of lethargy, but it will keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:17)

    • The Great Tribulation

  • The great tribulation begins. This tribulation is identified in the book of Revelation as the fifth seal. During this time, there will be great religious persecution and martyrdom (Rev. 6:9; 12:17). This great tribulation will last three and a half years and will end with the return of Christ.
  • Included in this tribulation is a horrible captivity inflicted on the physical descendants of Israel. This captivity is referred to as “Jacob’s trouble.” (Jer. 30:7)
  • Two witnesses testify against the nations of the earth for 1260 days (Rev. 11:1-6). These witnesses testify during the last three and a half years of man’s reign on earth. Their witness takes place while God’s church is in a place of safety and the remnant of that church is suffering persecution and martyrdom during the great tribulation.
  • Great signs appear in the heavens. The sun will become black as sackcloth, the moon will become as blood and the stars of heaven shall fall into the earth. This is referred to as the sixth seal. (Rev. 6:12-13)
  • The servants of God are sealed in their forehead. This sealing will protect them from God’s wrath which is reflected in the seventh seal. The total number of servants which will receive God’s seal is 144,000. (Rev. 7:1-4)
  • There is silence in heaven for approximately one half hour. (Rev. 8:1)

    • The Day of the Lord

  • The Day of the Lord begins. This is also described as the day of God’s wrath and is pictured by the opening of the seventh seal. This period will last for one year and occurs during the final year of the great tribulation. Additionally, it will be a time of enormous devastation inflicted upon man because of his defiance toward God. This seventh seal will include seven trumpet plagues and seven vial plagues.
  • The first trumpet plague is unleashed. This plague consists of hail, fire, and blood (Rev. 8:7). The result is that one third of the earth’s trees are burnt and all grass is destroyed.
  • The second trumpet plague is unleashed consisting of fire cast into the sea (Rev. 8:8-9). The result is that one third of the sea becomes blood, one third of sea life dies, and one third of the ships are destroyed.
  • The third trumpet plague is unleashed. “Wormwood” falls on a third of the earth’s waters and many men die. (Rev. 8:10-11)
  • The fourth trumpet plague is unleashed. The sun, moon, and stars are darkened. (Rev. 8:12)
  • An angel flies through heaven and cries out, “Woe, woe, woe!” These three woes represent the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpet plagues. (Rev. 8:13)
  • The fifth trumpet plague is unleashed (the first woe). During this plague, “locusts with the power of scorpions” inflict great damage. This represents a great military attack. (Rev. 9:1-3)
  • The sixth trumpet plague (second woe) is unleashed. A massive army (200 million soldiers) launches a counter-attack, resulting in the death of one third of mankind. (Rev. 9:12-19)
  • The two witnesses are killed and lay dead in the street for three and a half days. (Rev. 11:7-9)
  • People will celebrate the killing of these two witnesses. (Rev. 11:10)
  • The two witnesses are resurrected in plain view of those who celebrated their death. They then ascend into the clouds. (Rev. 11:11-12)
  • The seventh and last trump is sounded. This is the third woe. At this trump, voices in heaven declare, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 11:14-15)
  • The saints are resurrected and meet Christ in the air. Those who are alive will be miraculously changed and join them. (1Cor. 15:51-52; 1Thes. 4:16-17)
  • There is a great marriage supper. It is possible this supper takes place in heaven at the very residence of God the Father. This supper celebrates the marriage of Jesus Christ (the Lamb) and His church (the bride). (Rev. 19:6-9)
  • The seven last plagues are inflicted upon the earth (Rev. 16). These plagues are poured out of seven vials by seven angels.
  • Jesus Christ returns with a great army of His saints. (Rev. 19:11-16)
  • The battle of Armageddon takes place in which God’s army crushes man’s final rebellion. (Rev. 19:11-21)
  • The beast and false prophet are overcome and cast into a lake of fire and brimstone. (Rev. 19:19-20)
  • Satan is bound for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2).

    • The Millennium Begins

  • This begins a period of one thousand years in which Jesus Christ and his saints will rule (Rev. 20:4-5). This millennial kingdom will be a time of great peace, prosperity, health, and hope. It will be a time when the knowledge of God will be available to all who dwell on the earth.

    • The Millennium Ends

  • A second resurrection takes place in which all those who never knew God will be raised to a physical life and be given an opportunity to learn of God’s plan for mankind. At that time, those who are resurrected will choose for themselves whether they will obey God. (Rev. 20:13; Ezek. 37)
  • deceives the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.
  • A great battle ensues. (Rev. 20:8)
  • Satan’s final rebellion is crushed. (Rev. 20:9)
  • Satan is cast into a lake of fire and ultimately into outer darkness where he will be tormented forever. (Rev. 20:10, Jude 13)

    • The Great White Throne Judgment

  • A third resurrection takes place in which all who are not a part of the first resurrection will appear before God’s judgment seat to receive His final pronouncement concerning them. This is also referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment. (Rev. 20:11, 13-15)
  • A new heaven and earth are created. (Rev. 21:1)
  • The New Jerusalem is brought down by God out of heaven. (Rev. 21:2)

    • Directory | Appendix III