What is the end times timeline?

Answer

Got Questions Ministries takes a pretribulational approach to eschatology. From that perspective, here is the sequence of end-times events as revealed in the Bible:

1. The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him «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. », (1 Corinthians 15:52). At the same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven. From our current perspective, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before it occurs.

2. The rise of the Antichrist. After the church is removed (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8), a man empowered by Satan will establish global dominance with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1;Daniel 9:27). He will be supported by another individual known as the false prophet, who leads a religious system mandating worship of the Antichrist «And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. », (Revelation 19:20).

3. ThIn the tribulation, a period of seven years, God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The rise to power of the Antichrist is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is believed that at this time, the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6-10).

The Battle of Gog and Magog occurs in the first part of the tribulation. A great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39). Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.

The abomination of desolation happens at the midway point of the seven-year tribulation. The Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and reveals his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).

The Battle of Armageddon occurs at the end of the tribulation. Jesus returns with the armies of heaven, “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11-21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire, “And the beast was taken, and with him.”The false prophet who performed miracles before him, deceiving those who had accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both were thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. », (Revelation 19:20).

7. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31-46). (It is believed that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.

8. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3).

9. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).

10. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7-10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.

11. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.

12. The new creation: God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears, and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him (Revelation 21–22).

Other views of eschatology, such as midtribulationism, amillennialism, and partial preterism, will present different timelines of the end times, naturally.