Charting the End Times

Charting The End Times from Mike Campagna on Vimeo.

I want to chart the end times and give you how they are going to play out according to the Pre-Millennial prophetic system versus the Post-Millennial, which has the kingdom of God being established in society ushering in an era of peace prior to a time of tribulation and evil and Jesus’ return and the final judgment after that – that’s the Post-Millennial prophetic system.

And then there’s the A-Millennial prophetic system that says the world continues on its evil course without a period of blessing except as symbolic of the Christian’s experience through a relationship with God – this is what A-Millenialists believe – and then the final judgment comes after that.

But aside from these I’m talking about the moreso accepted, at least in modern times, pre-Millennial prophetic system and approach to charting the end times.

And if you remember anything I say, remember this.

The purpose of the ages is not the salvation of the saints, but the revelation of the Savior.

It is in Christ’s revelation that the saints are saved.

With this in mind, we turn to the end times script according to pre-Millennialists.

First of all, of course, we are in the midst of the age of the Church since Jesus’ ascension and directly proceeding the Tribulation, that 7-year period where all hell is going to break loose on earth literally when Antichrist comes to power.

Antichrist takes charge with the Rapture of the Church.

Paul writes…

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17ab)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” (1 Corinthians 15:52a)

This is the Rapture of the Church proceeding Antichrist’s rule.

Paul goes further…

“[And t]hen that lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed … that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8a, 9-10)

Antichrist will rule and wreak havoc on the planet during the 7-year Tribulation period.

And many people will pledge allegiance to him.

At the end of the Tribulation, Christ returns to put down Antichrist’s rule and restore peace to the earth.

Paul puts it this way…

“The Lord will slay [Antichrist] with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8b)

Satan is then bound in the bottomless pit and the thousand-year Millennial reign of Christ on earth begins where the lion lays down with the lamb, swords and spears are beaten into plowshares and pruning hooks and believers in Jesus rule and reign with the Savior.

At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations, the final battle will take place – Gog and Magog – fire will come down from heaven to consume the enemies of God’s people, the devil will be cast into the lake of fire along with death and hell and the Great White Throne Judgment will take place.

“And I saw the dead (John writes), the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12, 15)

At which point eternity starts where there’s a new heaven and a new earth and those who’ve placed their faith in Christ will live with the Lord forever and ever enjoying Him and all that He’s planned for the countless ages to come.

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)