Deciphering Prophecy: Understanding the Prophetic Timeline and The Significance of Israel's Restoration

Introduction

We read, “The great day of the Lord is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Zephaniah 1:14-15, NKJV).[i]

Wow! The Day of the Lord is referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments. It is called “the day of battle” and “the day of doom.” Do we see the fulfillment of scripture before our eyes? ”For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17).

Are you interested in the study of eschatology? Maybe? Okay, are you excited for the return of Christ? Then, you are interested in eschatology. Let me say this is a complex subject, and there are many wide and varying opinions. Also, the Lord has only given us breadcrumbs of clarity about the future. For now, we see in a mirror dimly.[ii] I will settle on the breadcrumbs. So, if you are interested, join me in exploring the scriptures together. It has been given to us to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. And, we have the mind of Christ.[iii]

Unlike Any Other Day

The Day of the Lord is both a literal day and a time of judgment surrounding the return of Christ. It is also an extended period representing God’s complete dominion over the heavens and the earth—the Millennial Kingdom. This day will be unique and unlike any other day in history. Even more significant than the Exodus from Egypt, though it serves as an archetype for the future redemption of Israel, for the Lord has reserved this time to demonstrate His mighty hand, showing all signs and wonders in the heavens and the earth.[iv] It is written:

“As in the days when you [Israel] came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders” (Micah 7:15).
“Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty” (Joel 1:15).
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD” (Joel 2:30-31).
“And it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord GOD, That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight” (Amos 8:9).
“For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine” (Isaiah 13:10).
“All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down as the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree” (Isaiah 34:4).
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).
“For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:22).

Knowing the Future

Just like us, Yeshua’s disciples eagerly wanted to know the future. One day, they came to him asking: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). Yeshua gave them a list of signs that would point to His second coming and the end of the age, even speaking of the great tribulation.

Later, before Yeshua’s ascension to heaven, they asked Him again about the future, this time wanting to know if He would restore the Kingdom of Israel soon.[v] His response to them was enigmatic, saying that it was not for them to know the times or seasons of His return.[vi] Instead, He directed them to wait on the imminent arrival of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to become His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Theologians have misused Yeshua’s response to dismiss interest in future prophecy. However, the truth of scripture is to the contrary. All the synoptic gospels, the writings of Paul, and the Book of Revelation strongly advise us (with exclamation) to be watching for the imminent return of Christ!

These passages give us a different perspective than ignoring the future.[vii] While they instruct us to labor towards advancing the Kingdom of God by sharing the good news of the gospel,[viii] they also teach us to fix our eyes towards heaven and watch for the approaching return of our Lord. Thus, Yeshua said, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching” (Luke 12:37).

The Rapture and the Millennial

But what exactly are we watching for? It is where theology varies, much of it surrounding two future events: the rapture of the church and the restoration of Israel—the Millennial Kingdom. I believe in a literal future Kingdom of God here on earth, centered in Jerusalem.[ix] Therefore, I am considered “pre-millennial,” as is most of the church, meaning we believe that we are living in the time before the return of Christ and His earthly Kingdom. Since the Kingdom is predicated on the full restoration of Israel, it is unquestionable that much prophecy regarding the Jewish people is yet to be fulfilled.

I also believe in the rapture of the church before the end-time tribulation, which is before God pours out His wrath on the earth. Therefore, I am both “pre-millennial” and “pre-tribulation” in my theology. These views make me a “futurist,” meaning I believe in a coming time of tribulation and judgment in the earth revolving around the nation of Israel, correlating with the return of Christ.

If your theological position is that the church is now the replacement for Biblical Israel, then prophecies concerning the Jewish people, such as their future tribulation and judgment, might also pertain to the church. On the other hand, if you understand that Biblical Israel and the church are not the same dispensations (at least not at this present time), then these future events will preclude the church unless you are “preterist” or “amillennial.” Preterism means you consider most, if not all, prophecy was fulfilled during the time of Israel’s destruction under the Roman occupation. Amillennialism is a belief that scripture is symbolic and was never intended to have a literal fulfillment in the earth.

The church is a new creation, a mystery that God concealed from the foundation of the world.[x] Biblical Israel, on the other hand, nor the modern-day nation of Israel, is not a mystery and is fully revealed in scripture. I also believe that the church, which includes Jews who claim faith in Yeshua, is part of the first resurrection. Everyone else is not, except those martyred for Christ during the tribulation. Lastly, I believe the second and final resurrection for all who have died will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. This resurrection culminates in “the great white throne of judgment.”[xi]

The church (presently) is the partial fulfillment of covenant promises given to Biblical Israel, from Abraham through King David, which now (in this dispensation) includes the Gentiles. In other words, the future promise of God was that Biblical Israel would become the church by joining with the nations. It is the mystery of the Gentiles—how the Lord now includes His covenant promises to nations that were previously cut off.

The church does not replace Israel. The church is Israel, plus the Gentile nations grafted into her to become one people of God and one new man in Christ. Therefore, the Kingdom of God now includes every nation; as it is written, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:8). Paul said:

“Now if their [Israel’s] fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!” (Romans 11:12).
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:1-6).

Our understanding of the church’s uniqueness apart from Biblical and modern-day Israel leads to another question: Will the church be here on the earth during this time of God’s judgments against the nations or be raptured into the heavens for a season until we return with Christ to the earth?

Like the church, the rapture is also a mystery.[xii] Therefore, we are not watching for the imminent restoration of Israel. We are watching for the imminent return of Christ, which is correlated with the timely restoration of Israel. These are the breadcrumbs I spoke of earlier. Yeshua said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” (Matthew 24:32). Israel is the time clock, and when we see the Jewish people begin to awaken to their Messiah, we should understand that the season for the return of Christ, the Day of the Lord, is very near. One day soon, in the Millennial Kingdom, we will see the complete restoration of Israel and the Gentile nations that have joined themselves to the God of Israel.

God’s Dealing with Israel

If the church and Israel are not presently the same, then the fulfillment of prophecy will primarily concern God’s dealing with unsaved Israel due to their rejection of Christ. It is written, “For thus says the Lord God: ‘I will deal with you as you have done, who despised the oath by breaking the covenant’” (Ezekiel 16:59). God’s dealing with Israel will involve His righteous judgments as it is written, “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst” (Ezekiel 22:19-21). Only then can Israel be fully restored and become one with the Gentile believers.

Our responsibility as the church is to share the good news of the gospel with every nation, to the Jew first, provoking all people to jealousy. And it is our responsibility to warn the nations of the impending judgment. In God’s time, He will humble every nation, as it is written, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:11). But “I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.” (Zephaniah 3:12). The Lord will plead His cause with His adversaries.

Not an Apologetic

This teaching is not apologetic for the rapture of the church or pre-Millennial theology. Many others have already written on these subjects. Instead, this teaching articulates the season and timeline for the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ. My extensive study of New and Old Testament scripture is the basis for these conclusions. And my views have changed over the years from a post to a pre-tribulation rapture understanding of the church. However, I acknowledge plenty of room for discussion given we only know in part and prophesy in part.[xiii]

In writing this teaching, I held no predisposition to Christology since I was raised in a Jewish home. I was aware of God’s goodness and faithfulness and His promises to the Jewish people. As it is written: “Thus says the Lord: ‘If My covenant is not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth, then I will cast away the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his descendants to be rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will cause their captives to return, and will have mercy on them” (Jeremiah 33:25-26).

Regardless of one’s belief about the timing of the rapture, this teaching should help you understand unfolding end-time prophecy regarding the church, Israel, and the Gentiles, specifically events that are described in the Old Testament prophecies: Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. And the New Testament books of Matthew and Revelation.

The Season and Timeline

Understanding the unfolding timeline for the Day of the Lord will be difficult without knowing God’s Hebrew calendar and His Holy Convocations. The Lord gave Israel His holy assemblies to draw their hearts towards Himself through their Messiah. Thus, Yeshua was to be revealed at three annual assemblies of Israel. The first two, the Passover and Pentecost, were fulfilled at Christ’s First Advent. The remaining assembly—The Feast of Tabernacles—is anticipated to be fulfilled at His Second Advent.

The Day of the Lord will comprise three separate but uniquely interconnected events, beginning with the Memorial of Blowing Trumpets (Yom Ha’teruah), followed by the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and culminating in the last of three great assemblies, the Feast of Tabernacles (Chag Ha’Sukkot). In the same way, Yeshua fulfilled the spring feasts with His death, burial, and resurrection; it will be with His return and fulfillment of the fall festivals. We will explore how these three convocations align with God’s prophetic timeline.

The Natural and Spiritual Realms

The battles surrounding the Day of the Lord will occur in both the spiritual and earthly realms. The spiritual realm encompasses the “lower heaven,” or the place immediately above the earth where spiritual (angelic) powers and principalities reside.[xiv] It also includes areas on the earth and below it where demonic powers and principalities rule, such as Pergamos, the city of Satan’s throne.[xv] Scripture tells us that the highest heaven, the place of God’s throne, is devoid of ruling spiritual principalities that oppose Him. They may be able to stand before God and accuse us, the brethren, but they have no power or dominion in that place to rule over the church.[xvi] For it is written, “[God has] raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

Christ is on His throne, seated at the right hand of the Father. And we, the church (in a spiritual sense), are presently seated and positioned with Christ in this highest heavenly realm. Thus, it is written, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). In this lower spiritual realm, we have limited authority to wrestle with these principalities. It is limited because we still live in perishable natural bodies, and Christ has not yet returned to establish His earthly Kingdom.

The Seven-Year Tribulation

The Day of the Lord will unfold during a seven-year time of judgment for Israel and the nations (Figure 1). This period is also called the seventieth week of Daniel, taken from these verses:

“Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).
“Then he [the Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27).

Biblically, one week refers to an increment of seven days or seven years. The number seven represents the completion of God’s work in this present creation.[xvii] God instructed Israel to divide her calendar into weekly and yearly intervals of seven. The yearly intervals were called weeks; the seventh year was observed as a Shemitah or Sabbath rest. Nearly every end-time prophecy in scripture is correlated with these seven years. Based on Christ’s First Advent, theological speculation is that it will likely coincide with Israel’s Shemitah cycle. This correlation suggests that while no man knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return, Israel should be capable of recognizing the season.

The Great Tribulation (Jacob’s Trouble)

Yeshua’s first Advent to Israel lasted for three and a half years. He referred to the last three and a half years of the tribulation as a time of great distress for the Jewish people (Figure 2)— “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)… For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:15-21).[xviii]

The prophet Jeremiah spoke: “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). These bookends of three and a half years complete Christ’s work with the nation of Israel, for a total seven-years and the number representing completion. Here again, the Exodus serves as an archetype for Israel’s future suffering and ultimate redemption; as it is written, “And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant” (Exodus 6:5). While Yeshua has presently fulfilled the Passover sacrifice at His First Advent, there is a mysterious correlation between the future suffering of Israel and their Passover atonement at the return of Christ.

It will be during this time of great oppression by the Antichrist and the nations that Israel will cry out for her Savior— “So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24). Knowing this challenging future, Yeshua wept over Jerusalem, declaring:

“You are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:31-39).

Preterist theologians assume this time of tribulation occurred during the Roman occupation, specifically the destruction of the Temple in seventy A.D. However, the city of Jerusalem itself was not destroyed until around 135 A.D., and Israel was not saved from the Roman occupation. While the Lord preserved a remnant of the Jewish people in the land, Israel only came back into existence as a nation after the Holocaust. Some preterist theologians have since moved the time of Jacob’s trouble to that period instead.

However, listen carefully again to God’s words in Daniel regarding the seventieth week. The Lord said: “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy” (Daniel 9:24). To make an end to sin and bring in everlasting righteousness? These things have not happened yet to the Jewish people.

While Yeshua officiated the New Covenant with His disciples on the evening of the Passover before His crucifixion, we know the Lord has yet to administer this New Covenant to all of Israel. As it is written, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people” (Deuteronomy 32:43). Paul paraphrased this scripture when he said: “Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins’” (Romans 11:25-27).

The Holy Spirit is actively redeeming the nations and bringing personal salvation to those who repent. Still, the nation of Israel, corporately, including her land, has yet to receive God’s atonement and redemption fully. These will occur when Christ returns, and again, we will see how this fits the biblical timeline of the Lord’s holy convocations.

Beginning of Sorrows

Many Christians wonder if the world is going to get better or become increasingly evil as we near the end of the age. “Jesus answered and said to [His disciples]: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows’” (Matthew 24:4-8). These verses and others suggest the world is growing darker spiritually. Alternatively, some theologians hold to scriptural promises of a great end-time harvest before the return of Christ. Which is correct? And more importantly, when will these occur?

These verses in Matthew Chapter 24 refer to a time immediately before the time of Jacob’s trouble (the great tribulation). They will unfold during the first three and a half years of the seven-year tribulation. My reasoning concerns the broader context surrounding the disciple’s questions: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). The disciples wanted to know when God would restore the Kingdom to Israel, to the Jews. Therefore, Yeshua’s response to them was for a future generation of Jews, not Gentiles. He warned the Jewish people of the difficulty (sorrows) to come, not the church that would be raptured before the tribulation.

Tribulation in the World

In contrast to the time of sorrows, when Yeshua said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33), He meant that Jewish and Gentile believers (Christians) would be persecuted for His name’s sake.[xix] He did not say the church would go through the tribulation. He said we would have hardship (difficulty). And this hardship, God would use to refine and purify His church— “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18).

Regarding God’s wrath, it is written, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). If God does not condemn us now for our sin, then we also escape His wrath against sinful humanity— “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

From my scripture study, God’s wrath begins in the first year of the tribulation. Therefore, the church (the Bride of Christ) is not appointed unto God’s wrath, and the judgments will not inflict us during any part of the tribulation, including the time of sorrows and Jacob’s trouble. However, I believe we will see aspects of our world aligning with end-time prophecy before the tribulation.

We are presently living in God’s dispensation of grace. Afterward, the world will encounter His judgments, and all end-time prophecies will be fulfilled; as it is written, “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7). Until that appointed time, the Holy Spirit will preserve the world. He is the One preventing the world from falling into complete darkness; as it is written, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

Once the Holy Spirit and the place where He dwells (the Bride of Christ) are removed from the earth, the Antichrist will be revealed for who he is, and Satan will be given authority over every tribe and nation.[xx] It is written, “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [the rapture], we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [of the Lord] will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin [Antichrist] is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Therefore, humanity's falling away and the church's rapture must precede the revelation of the Antichrist.

And what will this falling away look like? Yeshua said, “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark” (Matthew 24:38). In other words, mankind will appear to be living “life as usual.” However, this “usual” will be a life without God. Humanity's greatest sin and corrupt nature is to become his own god. Secular humanism will prevail, and the earth will succumb to this deception as in the days of Noah. Then, without warning, the church will enter the ark of God’s covenant of protection in heaven, and sudden destruction will come upon the nations.[xxi]

Light and Darkness

Light and darkness will reside in the world until the end, but the contrast will be stark in the tribulation. Yeshua said, “Let both [light and darkness, good and evil] grow together until the harvest…” (Matthew 13:30). The prophet Isaiah spoke: “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory [His light] will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:2).

Until this tribulation, the church will walk in God’s supernatural power and authority on the earth. Yeshua said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night [the tribulation] is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). The forces of darkness will continue to resist our advancement of God’s Kingdom; as it is written, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, we must work until the Lord raptures us out of this world.

During the tribulation, the light of God’s truth will be revealed in contrast to the darkness (deception and evil) of Satan’s short-lived kingdom that will consume every nation. Light and Darkness will coexist until the very end, “When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever” (Psalm 92:7).

God always allows humanity to repent.[xxii] It is written, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord God, and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23). The Lord even promised an abundant harvest at the end of the age.[xxiii] For it is written, “And it shall come to pass afterward [after the tribulation of those days] That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). However, this great harvest will come during the tribulation, not before. We will encounter awakenings and revivals in the earth until then, but the largest harvest of souls will occur after the church is raptured.[xxiv] The question is: How will God’s light be revealed if the church has been raptured out of the earth? We will answer this question shortly.

Twenty-One Judgments

In the book of Revelation, we see twenty-one judgments symbolically pictured by a scroll with seven seals of judgment. It is followed by seven angels blowing seven trumpets of judgment and seven angels pouring out seven bowls of judgment. These judgments belong to Christ; as it is written, “Then He [Christ, the Lamb of God] came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (Revelation 5:7).[xxv] These twenty-one judgments establish a linear timeline, enabling us to synchronize other prophecies and global events described in the Old and New Testaments.

Some chapters in the Book of Revelation are parenthetical, meaning they record events that will unfold within the period of another timeline—a timeline within a timeline. For example, Chapter 12 provides an overview of Israel’s struggle with Satan, beginning with the birth of Christ and culminating in the time of Jacob’s trouble. Another example is Chapter 13. Here, we read about the rise of the Antichrist (the Beast from the sea) and the false prophet (the Beast from the earth). This chapter provides more detailed information about the kingdom of the Antichrist, which begins earlier in Chapter 6. Understanding these detailed timelines is equally essential.

Rule of the Antichrist

Before Satan can rule the earth, he must first be removed from the heavenly realm.[xxvi] It is written, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).

Imagine how dark the world will become in the blink of an eye. It will happen without warning or immanency of any prophetic sign, as it is written, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will 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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).[xxvii]

In this verse, Yeshua is not returning to the Mount of Olives. I believe He is descending into the lower heavenly realm to wage war against the principalities and spiritual hosts of wickedness in those dark places.[xxviii] Until the rapture, the world will live in relative peace. Then, without warning, sudden destruction will come upon them, as it is written: “For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Yeshua warned us, saying, “Know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into” (Luke 12:39). Who is the thief? It is not Yeshua. He is referred to as the “son of man.” The thief, on the other hand, is Satan, for it is written, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Yeshua was contrasting two clashing kingdoms when He said: “[I]f the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:39-40).

Notice that the establishment of Satan’s kingdom and the return of Christ happen concurrently. In other words, the rapture of the church and Satan being cast to the earth launch the tribulation. The events also unveil the Day of the Lord, for it is written, “[T]he day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Therefore, as first mentioned, the Day of the Lord is both a literal day and a time of judgment surrounding the return of Christ.

While some argue the word “rapture”[xxix] is not in scripture, these verses in Thessalonians could not be more specific. We who are in Christ will be “snatched out” or “seized up” to meet the Lord in the air. Others correlate this scripture with the return of Christ at the end of the seven-year tribulation. There is just one serious flaw in this thinking. The church would have to go through the entire seven-year tribulation and wrath of God, and that contradicts many other verses in the Bible.

Satan can only rule the earth if the Holy Spirit and the church are removed. Otherwise, our presence will always resist His evil. How can the kingdom of darkness prevail over the church? It cannot. Yeshua said: “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). From the moment Satan is cast to the earth with his fallen angels, God begins to pour His wrath out on all flesh— “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12). Yes, let us rejoice in the heavenly realm with Christ, for we have been counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Lord.[xxx]

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The first four seal judgments in the Book of Revelation are called the “four horsemen of the apocalypse.” The first is a white horse, and the one who sat on it had a bow and a crown on his head.[xxxi] Interestingly, this man or angelic being has a crown, meaning he has heavenly or earthly authority. And he has a bow with no arrows, suggesting he cannot wage war.

The Bible tells us the Antichrist will conquer by intrigue, not war. In Daniel, it is written, “And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue” (Daniel 11:21). “Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue” (Daniel 11:34).

Therefore, this first judgment must be Satan, who becomes the person of the Antichrist. Yet, even Satan is an instrument of judgment in God’s hand; as it is written, “For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled” (Revelation 17:17). In the tradition of the sages, Rabbi Eliezer compares the plagues in Egypt to the four dimensions of the fierceness of God’s Divine anger: His wrath, His indignation, His trouble, and His messengers of evil.

We learn from the prophet Daniel that this person (the Antichrist) rules for 2,300 days, 4.666 months[xxxii] short of the seven-year tribulation.[xxxiii] During this small window of time, before the false seven-year covenant of peace is signed with Israel and many nations, the Antichrist establishes his earthly kingdom, even causing the Temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

This detail is essential because both Daniel and Yeshua reference the abomination of desolation that will desecrate a future Temple sometime during the middle of the seven-year covenant.[xxxiv] The remaining seal judgments in the Book of Revelation bring conflict and war to the earth, famine, and widespread death, killing one-fourth of humanity—however, this is just the beginning of judgment. [xxxv]

Martyred for Christ

The Antichrist will be given authority over every tribe and nation.[xxxvi] During the last three and a half years of the tribulation, he will establish a global economic system requiring every person to take his mark—the mark of the beast. Those who refuse to serve and worship him will be killed.[xxxvii] Persecution of God’s people will likely ensue from the beginning of the tribulation. However, it will intensify significantly towards the end[xxxviii]— “For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

These martyrs of the tribulation (the fifth seal judgment) will become a great multitude. They will also become part of the first resurrection, to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.[xxxix] It says they will also become part of this first resurrection, distinguishing how this group is uniquely identified and separated from those of us called “the church.” On the contrary, the Bible would merely indicate that all who died in Christ, martyred or otherwise, would be resurrected to rule and reign with Christ. There would be no need for any separation. Therefore, the unique distinction of these two groups is not an oversight.

War with Israel

The Antichrist will greatly deceive Israel. The Jewish people will falsely believe that he is their long-awaited Messiah, checking all the boxes—born in Bethlehem of the lineage of King David, this man will be able to subdue all Israel’s enemies and make global peace. He even orders the rebuilding of the third Temple and resuming the Levitical priesthood and daily ritual sacrifices.

Outside of the land of Israel, the words of Yeshua will ring true. Wars and rumors of wars will rage throughout the earth, for nations will rise against nations and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.[xl] But within the land of Israel, provision and prosperity will be abundant.

Israel will flourish as in the days of Joseph—like the days of Egypt.[xli] For it is written, “He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time” (Daniel 11:24). Jerusalem will become the center of the world, that great city spoken of by the Apostle John.[xlii]

However, the Antichrist will never be satiated until he has caused the children of Israel to worship him and not their true God. Therefore, he will make himself like god, with signs and wonders, to deceive even the elect.[xliii] It is written, “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:31-32). Yeshua made the same references to this abomination of desolation.

Israel will then recognize that he is a false Messiah, and when they reject the Antichrist, he will turn his full wrath against the Jewish people. He will make war with Israel to annihilate them, but surprisingly, some from the nations will come to their rescue, for it is written, “Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue” (Daniel 11:34).[xliv]

Many in Judea will flee to the mountains,[xlv] but he who endures to the end will be saved.[xlvi] A remnant of Israel will survive this great tribulation. As it is written, “And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth” (Isaiah 10:20).

The Day of The Lord

Seven seal judgments will unfold during the seven-year tribulation. In the seventh year, the sixth and seventh seals will be opened, and the full wrath of the Lamb will be unleashed against the nations of the earth; for it is written, “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind (Revelation 11:12-13). The sixth seal will initiate the literal Day of the Lord.

Immediately beforehand, the Lord will mark 144,000 men of the tribes of Israel, excluding Dan, for an unknown reason. These are called the sealed ones of Israel[xlvii] and will follow Christ wherever He goes. There is great mystery surrounding these men regarding who they are and their unique calling in the Lord. Also, it is unclear how they follow Christ without having been martyred or raptured. Since they are virgins, my speculation is they are infants or young children who never reached the age of accountability for sin.[xlviii]

There will be a great earthquake, the first of several, that will strike the heart of Jerusalem—the “great city,” which is spiritually called “Sodom” and “Egypt.” A tenth of the city will fall, and seven thousand people will be killed. However, the rest will be afraid and give glory to God in heaven.[xlix] Then, the seventh seal will be opened, and there will be silence in heaven for about a half-hour.[l] There is never silence in heaven, as the four living creatures that surround the throne of God worship the Lord day and night.[li]

This last seal will release seven angels who will blow seven trumpets of judgments with the wrath of God. The vegetation of the earth will burn, the seas will become like blood, one-third of the fresh waters of the earth will be poisoned, a third of the sun, moon, and stars will become dark, and a third of the day will not shine, likewise the moon at night.[lii]

As bad as this will be, more judgments are still to come. Tormenting spirits from the pits of hell will descend upon the earth, and then angels of death from the Euphrates. “In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them [for a short season]” (Revelation 9:6). All combined, these judgments will kill one-third of humanity.[liii]

Open Heavens (Days of Awe)

When the seventh angel blows the seventh trumpet, loud voices in heaven will declare: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15). Notice again, this declaration is to the “kingdoms of this world,” not the heavenly realm. Christ is presently seated at the right hand of the Father.

This seventh trumpet aligns with God’s Holy Convocations, specifically the Memorial of Blowing Trumpets (Yom Ha’teruah). This convocation is followed ten days later by the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The ten days in between are called the “days of awe.” The rabbis teach that the Festival of Trumpets is the day on which we crown God King of the universe—the coronation of our King.[liv] It is significant! On this date that will align perfectly with God’s calendar, Yeshua, the King of Israel, will return to the earth, and the Jewish people will crown Him as their King!

The rabbis also teach that the heavens are open during the days of awe. It is written, “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail” (Revelation 11:19). Imagine for a moment seeing the heavens receding like a scroll, the sun, moon, and stars vanishing, and the Temple of God filling the expanse of the heavens, becoming visible to every creature on the face of the earth. Also, imagine yourself standing amidst a jubilant crowd gathered above the earth in the heavens to celebrate the coronation of our King—Yeshua—hearing a trumpet blast that will reverberate both terror and joy of the creation, fully submitting to God’s sovereignty. We read:

“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off” (Exodus 20:18). The kings of the earth will writhe in terror from this encounter with God. It is written, “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:14-17).

These kings not only see the Temple of God in heaven; they see the face of Him who sits on the throne. And they know they are about to be destroyed, for it is written, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). They will know their imminent fate. And, therefore, will cry out to be hidden from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.

For ten days, the heavens will be open, and seven angels will pour out seven bowls of the final wrath of God on the earth; for it is written, “[B]ehold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 15:5-7). Men will be struck with loathsome sores, the sea and the waters of the earth will turn to blood, men will be scorched with fire, darkness and pain will cover the earth, and the Euphrates River will dry up, preparing for a vast army from the east to rise against Israel in the war to end all wars—the Battle of Gog and Magog (Armageddon).

The Great Harvest

During the tribulation, the church will have been raptured, and Israel will fall under the dominion of the Antichrist. Earlier, we asked the question: who will then preach the gospel to the nations of the earth if the church has been raptured? God is always merciful and desiring for humanity to repent. It is written:

“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls” (Joel 2:32).
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’” (Revelation 14:6-7).
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe’” (Revelation 14:14-15).

It appears that God will send an angel to proclaim the gospel. The church's work is finished, and we have entered our eternal rest in Christ. Otherwise, I believe this verse would announce the final works of the church during the tribulation. Some misconstrue these verses in Revelation to be the time of the rapture. However, the rapture is not the final harvest of souls from the earth. The rapture is when Christ returns for His bride—the church. The great harvest is for those who have been martyred or have come through the tribulation.

As we discussed earlier, we see the culmination of light and darkness coexisting until the end. First, the Lord will bring the righteous into His barn, a protected area within Jerusalem. Then, an angel will remove the wicked from the earth by gathering them to the location of His final judgment outside the city for the Battle of Gog and Magog.[lv] For it is written, “For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Ezekiel 14:2).

The Battle of Gog and Magog (Armageddon)

Seeing the ferocity of God’s judgments to this point, one would think that mankind would humble itself and repent. That does not happen, and we are told their hearts will be hardened, as it is written, “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk” (Revelation 9:20).

Like the Pharaoh who pursued the children of Israel and died, so it will be when the sixth bowl of judgment is poured out on the kings of the earth.[lvi] They will assemble themselves in the utmost display of contempt and arrogance against the God of Heaven and Earth; “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14). And “He [the Antichrist] shall stand in the Glorious Land [of Israel] with destruction in his power” (Daniel 11:16).

The Lord will hook their jaws and lead them into battle, ultimately to their destruction.[lvii] For it is written, “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’ For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles” (Ezekiel 30:2-3). The biblical pattern of God’s judgment is consistent. God initially punishes Israel for her rebellion by bringing Gentile nations against her. Then, He destroys the Gentile nations that harmed His people. For it is written, “Pour out Your fury on the Gentiles, who do not know You, And on the families who do not call on Your name; For they have eaten up Jacob, Devoured him and consumed him, And made his dwelling place desolate” (Jeremiah 10:25). The Lord has warned you, Gog, and Magog, as it says:

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God, “that My fury will show in My face. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone” (Ezekiel 38:18 & 22).
“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then 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. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:19-21).

Then, Christ shall come in the clouds with power and great glory. Out of His mouth will go forth a sharp sword, and He will strike the nations with it.[lviii] “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two…” (Zechariah 14:3-4). God will protect a remnant of His people and avenge the blood of His servants, as we read:[lix]

“Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain” (Isaiah 26:20-21).
“For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone; Its land shall become burning pitch” (Isaiah 34:8-9). “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44)

The church and the remnant of Israel will cry to the Lord: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

The Final Judgment

Lastly, the seventh and final bowl of God’s wrath will be poured out on the earth (Figure 3), and a loud voice from the Temple of Heaven will declare, “It is finished.” A great earthquake will strike the earth, so powerful that it will be unlike any that has occurred since men were on the earth. All the world's cities will fall, every island will sink into the ocean, and the mountains will become list dust and not be found. Great hailstones will reign from heaven to punish the earth for its sins.[lx] We read:

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men… But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 7, 10-13).

*Figure 3 - The Beginning of The Millennial Kingdom*

Yes, we look for new heavens and a new earth. And that day will come after the Millennial Kingdom. Until then, we know the earth will be purified of its sin, purified by fire. And a remnant of Israel and an even smaller remnant of the nations will survive the great tribulation, for it is written, “I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). But a remnant will survive.

The Restoration of Israel and the Nations (The Day of Atonement)

The Day of Atonement is ten days after the Memorial of Blowing Trumpets. This day is about Israel’s final and permanent restoration, for it is written, “Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done, says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:60-63).

The song of Moses that Israel sang after their deliverance from Egypt refers to Israel’s ultimate redemption at the beginning (the Exodus from Egypt) and the end (the Exodus from all the nations).[lxi] It is written, “Therefore behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt, but, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them. For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers” (Jeremiah 16:14-15).

While we know that Christ officiated the New Covenant during the Last Supper, His work with Israel will not be complete until He returns to establish His Kingdom through her. Israel has suffered double for her iniquity, but now the time of her full redemption and recompense has come, as it is written, “For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished” (Jeremiah 30:11).

However, Israel’s restoration is only part of God’s ultimate plan. He will also restore every nation according to the plan that He set forth at the time of Adam. It is written, “Ask of Me, and I will give You [Christ] The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:8). Each nation shall receive its inheritance and land boundaries according to the number of children in Israel.[lxii] It is written, “Then to Him [Christ] was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).

The church will rule and reign with Christ over Israel and the nations of the earth; as it is written, “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33). “Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people [the church], the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27).

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Feast of Tabernacles)

What a joyous time when Christ shall come and establish His Kingdom from Jerusalem, in Israel, forever. Five days will be from the Day of Atonement to the Feast of Tabernacles. During this window, the Lord will pour out upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication. The Jewish people will look upon the Messiah whom they pierced, and they will repent and be healed.[lxiii] Christ shall establish His throne in Jerusalem, and He will gather the dispersed remnant of the Jewish people from the farthest ends of the earth. The Lord has declared:

“For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up” (Jeremiah 24:6).
“Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul” (Jeremiah 32:41).

This last verse from Jeremiah displays God’s immeasurable love for the Jewish people—with all His heart and soul. That is the desire of God’s heart— “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). And the Lord will gather the remnant of the nations and bring them to His holy mountain in Jerusalem. For it is written, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16).

The Lord will judge the nations for how they have treated His people, Israel. It is written, “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). And the Lord will rebuild His Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restore His Levitical priesthood; as it is written, “And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites, says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:21).

On the seventy-fifth day after the Day of Atonement, that being Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication), the Lord will rededicate His Temple in Jerusalem. “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:22-23).

And now, the Day of the Lord will truly have begun, for “beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). And, “The Lord shall reign forever— Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 146:10).

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[i] All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Bible (NKJV) unless otherwise noted, Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982.
[ii] 1 Corinthians 13:12.
[iii] Matthew 13:11. 1 Corinthians 2:16.
[iv] Rabbi Schochet, Immanuel. Exodus from Egypt as a Paradigm for the Future Redemption. Moshiach.com.
[v] Acts 1:6.
[vi] Acts 1:7.
[vii] Matthew 24:42-43. Mark 13:32-37. Luke 12:37-39, 21:34-36. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6. 1 Peter 4:7. 2 Peter 3:10-12. Revelation 3:3, 16:15.
[viii] Luke 19:13.
[ix] Ezekiel 37:28. Matthew 6:10.
[x] 1 Corinthians 2:7-8.
[xi] Revelation 20:11.
[xii] Matthew 24:44.
[xiii] 1 Corinthians 13:9.
[xiv] Ephesians 6:12. 2 Corinthians 12:2.
[xv] Revelation 2:13.
[xvi] Revelation 12:10.
[xvii] Genesis 2:2-3.
[xviii] Revelation 11:3, 12:6, 13:5.
[xix] Matthew 10:22.
[xx] Revelation 13:7.
[xxi] 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
[xxii] Revelation 3:19.
[xxiii] Hosea 6:11. Matthew 13:39.
[xxiv] Matthew 13:29.
[xxv] 2 Timothy 4:1.
[xxvi] Luke 10:18.
[xxvii] Revelation 4:1.
[xxviii] Ephesians 6:12.
[xxix] Greek word harpazo and Latin word Vulgate, i.e., rendering raptus.
[xxx] Luke 21:36.
[xxxi] Revelation 6:1-2.
[xxxii] The number four is considered by scholars to represent prophecy, and the number 666 is known as the number of the Anti-Christ (Revelation 13:18).
[xxxiii] Daniel 8:14.
[xxxiv] Daniel 9:27, 12:11. Matthew 24:15.
[xxxv] Revelation 6:3-8.
[xxxvi] Revelation 13:7.
[xxxvii] Revelation 13:15-17.
[xxxviii] Revelation 14:13.
[xxxix] Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 20:4.
[xl] Matthew 24:4-8.
[xli] Daniel 11:40-43.
[xlii] Revelation 11:8.
[xliii] Daniel 11:36-38. Revelation 13:13-14, 19:20. Matthew 24:24.
[xliv] Daniel 11:45. Revelation 12:16.
[xlv] Matthew 24:16.
[xlvi] Matthew 10:22.
[xlvii] Revelation 7:1-8, 14:1-5.
[xlviii] Romans 5:13.
[xlix] Revelation 11:8-13.
[l] Revelation 8:1.
[li] Revelation 4:8-11.
[lii] Revelation 8:7-13.
[liii] Revelation 9:13-19.
[liv] Tauber, Yanki. Days of Awe. Chabad.org.
[lv] Revelation 14:14-20.
[lvi] Ezekiel 38:17.
[lvii] Ezekiel 38:4.
[lviii] Matthew 24:30. Revelation 19:15.
[lix] Revelation 19:2.
[lx] Revelation 16.
[lxi] Rabbi Schochet, Immanuel. Moshiach in Torah Readings of Passover. Moshiach.com.
[lxii] Deuteronomy 32:8.
[lxiii] Zechariah 12:10.