1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Commentary

Paul tells us that at some point in time, all believers alive at that moment, will be taken to Heaven with believers who have died prior to this day.

The knowledge of this fact should be a comfort to believers. Going through the Great Tribulation, would not be comforting.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.

Commentary

Paul told the Corinthians that not everyone on the earth will die. When the Lord calls us to Heaven, He will change the bodies of believers into bodies that will no longer decay.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Commentary

Paul prophesied that when the Antichrist is revealed, God will send a delusion to those who reject Jesus Christ.

Today, there are ministries that focus on signs and wonders, with little focus on the Bible.

By rejecting the truth, these people will damn themselves to Hell.

Revelation 18:23

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Commentary

At the end of the Great Tribulation, all of the nations of the world will have been deceived. Jesus Christ and His church will not even come to the minds of people.

Revelation 13:7-8

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us that the Antichrist will have power over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. This would indicate there will be a global government.

It also describes a world-wide religion of Christ-deniers.

Daniel 7:23

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Commentary

Daniel prophesied that there will be a kingdom that will swallow the entire earth. This indicates there will be a world-wide domineering government.

Daniel 2:40-44

And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Commentary

Daniel’s detailed prophecy describes the fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire) would subdue the four pieces of the former Greek empire.

In the last days, this fourth kingdom would be divided into ten entities. This prophecy does not inform us which nations make up these ten specific entities. It does describe some as strong (iron), and some weak and broken (clay).

These entities will not join together (cleave one to another), and God will destroy and replace them with His kingdom.

Revelation 13:16-18

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Commentary

A global government will of course have global control of commerce.

This prophecy tells us that in the Tribulation, no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. It is likely this will have a technology-based set of controls, with traditional currencies being outlawed.

Revelation 13:8-12

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Commentary

The prophecy warns that the entire world will worship the Antichrist in a single world-wide religion.

The second beast mentioned is the false prophet, who will have the power to perform lying wonders, and will force the worship of the Antichrist.

Revelation 17

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Commentary

This chapter describes the future judgment of God, that will come upon a “great whore,” a false church that has corrupted people all around the earth.

This “Mother of Harlots” persecuted those that are true believers in Jesus.

The Antichrist (beast), will turn upon the "whore," destroy it, and take this religion as his own. This woman (whore) is described as a city that reigned over the kings of the earth.

The Catholic Church is currently the only entity that could fulfill the description.

Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Commentary

Jesus warned that many people would come forward claiming to be the Christ.

He tells us that many will be deceived.

Luke 21:11

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Commentary

In addition to the widespread earthquakes, famines, and diseases, Jesus warned there will be fearful sights, and great signs from Heaven.

Luke 21:26

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.

Commentary

Jesus also warned there will be an incredible level of fear, as the judgment on the earth occurs, and even the powers of heaven are altered.

Mark 13:7-8

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Commentary

Jesus warned there would be wars and rumors of wars. The wars would be between competing ethnicities, nations, and alliances.

Earthquakes around the world, famines, and troubles are only the beginning of sorrows.

These all preceed the Great Tribulation.

Isaiah 17:1

The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied that Damascus will be destroyed, a ruinous heap, and will no longer be a city. This has clearly not yet happened.

Isaiah 17:9-14

In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation. Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied of the ruinous heap that Damascus will become.

While the civil war raging in Syria since 2011 has destroyed many areas of the country, this should not be confused with the destruction that will come to Damascus.

Jeremiah 49:23-27

Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts. And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-hadad.

Commentary

Jeremiah’s prophecy seems to read like it would all be fulfilled soon after the time it was given.

As is often the case with prophecy, sometimes it is fulfilled in multiple stages, and sometimes there seems to be a dual fulfillment.

“In that day” points to a future fulfillment where all the men of war are killed, and a wall of fire (nuclear war?) consumes multiple palaces.

Amos 1:3-5

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

Commentary

The Lord told Amos to write this prophecy concerning the punishment of Damascus.

Here too, the prophecy describes fire destroying multiple palaces of Ben-hadad.

Zechariah 9:1-8

The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD. And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

Commentary

Zechariah prophesied that Damascus will suffer when the eyes of man, and all the tribes of Israel are toward the Lord. This could point toward the time of the Lord’s return.

Psalm 83

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Commentary

Asaph prophesied that all of the nations surrounding Israel would join together to attack to it.

The attacking nations will be destroyed by God, and there will be no mistaking His miraculous deliverance.

This psalm gives the names of the nations at the time it was written, but since this attack never happened in the past, it will occur in the future.

Jeremiah 49:1-6

Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities? Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD. Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together. Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth. And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.

Commentary

Jeremiah tells us the Ammonites and Rabbah, modern day Jordan, will be destroyed, and Israel will annex the land.

Jeremiah 49:34-39

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.

Commentary

Jeremiah also prophesied that Elam will be destroyed (consumed) in the last days. Elam is part of the modern nation of Iran.

Ezekiel 38:2-9

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

Commentary

Ezekiel’s prophecy of the war with Magog is one of the more well known prophecies in the Bible.

Most scholars equate Magog with Russia and the former Soviet states, while Gomer and Togarmah are located in modern day Turkey.

Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya are easily recognized.

In the latter days, after the Jews return to the land of Israel, all of these nations will attack Israel.

God will miraculously guard Israel.

Ezekiel 38:18-23

And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Commentary

Ezekiel’s prophecy of the war with Magog continues with God promising to shake the entire land of Israel.

The armies attacking Israel will attack each other.

While this is happening, disease will spread, and rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone will rain upon these armies.

It will be obvious to the entire world that this defense of Israel will be the work of God.

Ezekiel 39:11-12

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

Commentary

Ezekiel prophesied about a coming war, often referred to as the Gog/Magog war.

While there is some disagreement in identifying the modern-day name for the land of Magog. Magog comes from the north (north of Israel) some scholars point to Russia, and others point to Turkey, as the modern location of Magog.

In any case, Gog (the leader) will lead his army to battle in the land of Israel, and will be wiped out.

The stench will be so strong as to reach to the Mediterranean Sea. It will take seven months just to bury all of the bodies.

Amos 1:7-13

But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD. Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof. Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah. Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.

Commentary

Amos gave an amazing prophecy.

Gaza will be destroyed with fire, where buildings will be utterly destroyed.

What is amazing is that Israel captured the Gaza strip in the 1967 war, but gave the strip to be controlled by the Palestinians in 1994. Since that time, Hamas has continually launched attacks against Israel, setting up a time when God will finally settle the matter of Gaza.

The prophecy also promises that the remnant of the Philistines (modern day Palestinians) will perish.

Edom and Ammon (modern day northern Saudi Arabia and Jordan) will be destroyed.

Obadiah 17-21

But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.

Commentary

Obadiah’s prophecy describes Israel as a fire and flame that will utterly consume the descendants of Esau.

The areas occupied by Esau corresponds to southern Jordan, and northern Saudi Arabia today.

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.

Commentary

The most common exposition of this prophecy of Daniel is that the Antichrist will end Jewish sacrifices at a temple, yet to be built, in the middle of the Great Tribulation.

This is said to be a near replay of Antiochus Epiphanes’ desecration of the Jewish temple in 168 B.C. If this is true, this prophecy could have a dual fulfillment.

Daniel 12:11

And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Commentary

This prophecy of Daniel indicates the Antichrist will end the Jewish sacrifices, and set up an image that shall stand for 1290 days.

Since the number of days is specified, this prophecy was not fulfilled in 168 B.C.

Mark 13:14

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:

Commentary

Jesus verified Daniel’s prophecy, telling the Jews of His day to flee to the mountains when they see the temple desecrated by a man or object standing in the Holy of Holies.

Matthew 24:15

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:)

Commentary

Matthew also noted the warning Jesus gave about an antichrist desecrating the temple by entering the Holy of Holies.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 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.

Commentary

Paul warned the Thessalonian church that the day of Jesus’ return will not come until the Antichrist sits in the Jewish temple, claiming to be God.

Revelation 11:1-2

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Commentary

This prophecy confirms there will be a temple rebuilt, and that the Gentiles will be able to walk the outer court of the temple for three and a half years.

Luke 21:25-27

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; 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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Commentary

Jesus tells us that in the last days, just before His return, the sun, moon, and stars will all change their behavior so much that people will die from the fear of the powers of heaven being shaken.

Joel 2:10

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

Commentary

Joel prophesied that not only will the earth quake, but that the sum, moon, and stars will all go dark. The earth will be in utter darkness.

Revelation 12:5-6

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Commentary

When the Antichrist sits on the Mercy Seat in the temple, the people of Israel will flee into the wilderness, and God will miraculously feed them for three and a half years.

The woman is identified as Israel, as she brought forth the man child (Jesus) who will rule all nations with a rod of iron.

Revelation 16:8-9

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Commentary

In the Great Tribulation, God will give man a degree of global warming that will show the true power of God.

The heat of the sun will be so great, men will be scorched with fire and heat.

Revelation 8:7

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Commentary

In the Great Tribulation, hail and fire will fall to the earth, one third of all the trees will be burned down, and all green grass will be burnt up.

People who teach that the events of Revelation have already happened have no way to support their position, except to say that this verse does not mean what it clearly states.

Revelation 16:3-4

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Commentary

In the Great Tribulation, every living thing in the sea will die, as the seas, rivers, and fountains all become blood. This is a global version of Moses’ curse upon Egypt.

Again, people who teach that the events of Revelation have already happened have no way to support their position, except to say that this verse does not mean what it clearly states.

Revelation 9:13-16

And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

Commentary

This prophecy is amazing in that an army of 200 million would have been unimaginable when John wrote it down.

At that time, this would have represented more than half of the population of the entire world.

Revelation 16:12

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us the Euphrates river will be dried up, allowing the vast armies coming from the east the ability to move across the land without getting bottlenecked at the bridges crossing the great river.

Revelation 19:11-20

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Commentary

This prophecy describes the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

The Righteous King, The Word of God, will not return as a meek man, but as the King of Glory.

The army of His believers will follow Him.

There will not really be a Battle of Armageddon as it will end instantly when He speaks, and destroys the nations of the world with just His Word.

Zechariah 14:1-5

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Commentary

Zechariah’s prophecy notes that Jesus will show up at the exact moment when all seems lost. He will destroy the armies in Armageddon, and then will physically stand on the Mount of Olives.

This will cause a massive earthquake that divides the mountain in half, creating a large valley in between the two halves.

Jesus will be accompanied by those believers who have declared Him their Lord.

Isaiah 19:16-25

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it. And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it. In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Commentary

After Jesus returns, Egypt and Assyria will be saved and blessed by the Lord.

Assyria covered an area that includes modern day Syria, northern Iraq, and eastern Turkey.

Philippians 2:9-11

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Commentary

Paul tells us that at a point in the future, every person, living and dead, will be made alive, and will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

This means that even every god-hating atheist will confess Jesus is Lord.

The question is will you confess Him now, before you die, and have an eternal inheritance with Him, or will you foolishly wait until you confess Him by the power of God, and send yourself to an eternity of terror and anguish?