1. The great apostasy.

2. the rise of Rome.

3. The next ruler of the Roman Empire.

4. Antichrist and the Tribulation.

5. The coming of Jesus.

6. The Kingdom of Jesus.

7. Eternity.

Recently I have covered parts one and two.

Number 3, The next ruler of the Roman Empire, I have already discussed on this site. You can go to

"Empires 7, 8, and 9 are coming", found at:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=125151321483

Number 4, regarding antichrist, can be found at

"Who is the antichrist" series beginning at part 1:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1211171725534

As to the tribulation which antichrist triggers, consider the following comments:

1. The Great Tribulation

It is my studied opinion, spelled out in my book Yes. We Will, that saints of God, also known as the church, will be a part of the Tribulation. It is not my purpose here to explain those arguments, only to define the awfulness of those three and one-half years.

The duration of this event is gleaned from Daniel and John. Daniel speaks of a seven-year period of God’s dealing with the Jews that has not taken place yet. He speaks also of a covenant with a world ruler and the people of Israel. He then goes on to say that that covenant will be broken half-way through the period. This half-way reckoning matches perfectly with John’s constant talking of a three and one-half year time period of horrible tragedies.

Daniel is sparse in his comments about this period, but we can glean some information from him.

7:25 tells how the antichrist will persecute the saints, and overcome them, for that three and one-half year period.

8:25. Deceit will prosper under his rule. He will destroy many.

9:27. He shall make desolate (the land of Israel) triggering judgments of God.

11:40-45 tells of his military exploits, destroying, annihilating many. His helpless end.

12:1. An announcement of the unparalleled time of trouble, much as Jesus spoke later.

Let’s look at Jesus’ words more carefully, in Matthew 24:

24:15-20. A command for Jews living in the area to flee!

24:21. A time so horrible that God will have to intervene so that all flesh is not destroyed, as in the flood.

24:23-26. Even in that awful time, false prophets will abound trying to deceive the people of God.

Paul adds a bit in 2 Thessalonians 2.

2:9-12. This will be a time of miracle-working, to deceive the non-elect. Deception everywhere will cause the world to go after antichrist!

But of course, John has the definitive story of the world’s final hours before the return of Jesus.

I am among those students of Revelation who believe that most of the book is given over to a description of those final three and one-half years. Let’s examine.

6. The seals. First, we see the coming world ruler himself. Then the bloodshed of war. Poverty. One-fourth of the world is then under his control. Saints are martyred in a massive attempt to wipe out the Christian faith. Then comes the very end of all, the day of the Lord. The seals seem to be an overview of the Great Tribulation. More details follow.

8-11. The trumpets. Another overview, with much added. Massive fires, scorching one-third of the earth. A meteorite hits the earth and the earth’s water supply is contaminated. Lights go out, something is hindering sunlight from shining. An “army”, it seems man-made of creatures is let loose and causes death and pain everywhere. One-third of mankind is killed by modern weapons of war. But the world keeps on sinning.

During this time God sends two miracle-working powerful messengers to prophesy. They are killed, but resurrected in full view of the world. Then, once again, the curtain is drawn, and the return of Jesus is seen.

12-13. Close-ups within the “1260 days” of the Tribulation. Herein we are given the identity of the antichrist and the religious leader with whom he will work hand in hand. Eventually, all religion will center in the man of sin.

14. Another view of the very end. The Jewish elect are safe with Jesus. Jesus comes and catches up His Bride, then judges the earth. A horrible bloodbath.

15-18. The bowl judgments and fall of Babylon. Once more we back up in time, and approach the end with a series of events. Disease, further contamination of waters, scorching heat, universal darkness. Then comes the final drawing of men to Armageddon, and the destruction of Babylon. In 17 we are given more details about who antichrist really is, and the identity of Babylon as well. One more scene of the returning Christ and the book goes on to judgments and a description of the final city.

That is the Great Tribulation. It is unmistakable. No believer who is living will escape the notion that finally the end has come. But there won’t be that many believers left by the end. Daniel speaks of some blessed people who hang on for an extra few weeks. But Christians will, by and large, be out of here. Not by escaping through a rapture, but by annihilation by a Devil-filled antichrist.

All of that sets the stage for phase 5, the actual coming of Jesus... AFTER the tribulation.