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Israel’s Future
When we looked previously at Daniel’s prophecy concerning seventy weeks of years pertaining to Israel, we accounted for 483 years concluding with the death of Christ. The remaining seven years are yet to occur and, I believe, will begin soon after the completion and rapture of the Church. Daniel 9:27 gives an overview of what takes place during that week. Many other Scriptures provide us with information and details. Some of these are parts of Daniel 2, 7, and 11; Matthew 24:4–51; Mark 13:5–37; Luke 21:5–38; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–12; and particularly Revelation 6–19. Almost all of these Scriptures describe this period as one of much tribulation for all concerned, especially the second half, of three-and-a-half years, called the Great Tribulation.
The Tribulation Period
In Daniel 2 the dream of king Nebuchadnezzar was revealed to Daniel by God in a vision, and he interprets this dream in verses 31–45 of the same chapter. The great statue seen by the king represented four world kingdoms, or empires. The only world empires since that time have been the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires. The Roman Empire existed at the time of Christ and retained power through the early years of the Church. This empire was legally responsible for the death of Christ, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the slaughter of millions of Jews, and the persecution of the early Christians. As a result of the toleration of the Church by the Roman Empire, the Church became polluted, leading to the rise of papal Rome and the disintegration of the Roman Empire.
Daniel mentions no further world empire prior to God establishing his Kingdom (v. 44) and hence the vision covers the entire period up to the end times. Therefore, we must conclude that when the Lord comes to establish his Kingdom some form of a revived Roman Empire will be in existence. Note that the feet and toes of the statue are a mixture of iron and clay, different from the legs of pure iron.
In Daniel 7, Daniel has a vision of four beasts, representing the same four world empires, or their rulers. The fourth beast was unlike the other three and it had ten horns. Daniel is given an interpretation of these beasts, and particularly of the fourth beast in verses 16–25 of the chapter. He is told that the ten horns are ten kings, or leaders of different nations, and another will rise up and subdue three of them, taking control. He will do terrible things to God’s people for a period of 3.5 years, the second half of the tribulation period. This powerful leader is the “prince who is to come” referred to in Daniel’s prophecy of Israel’s future that we considered earlier. In Daniel 9:27 we see that this leader establishes a covenant, or treaty, with Israel for seven years, and this initiates the tribulation period.
Two individuals are on centre-stage as this period commences, the leader of a revived Roman Empire and the leader of Israel. Though other Scriptures such as Daniel 11:36–45 refer to the former leader, and describe some of his activities, Revelation 13 presents to us details of both individuals.
The first beast (Revelation 13:1–10), rising from the sea, represents both the revived Roman Empire and its head. This beast (empire) has the character of three previous world empires, and its head is empowered by Satan (v. 2). The gap of the Church age is seen in verse 3 where one of his heads is slain but healed in these days (see also Revelation 17:8). The beast (head) speaks blasphemy, yet is followed and worshiped by the majority of mankind.
The second beast (Revelation 13:11–18), rising from the earth, represents a Jewish leader. He is also empowered by Satan, enforces worship of the first beast, performs miracles by which he deceives many, creates a speaking image of the first beast which causes the death of the saints of that day. He also establishes the mark of the beast and makes it a requirement for each person to wear on their right hand, or forehead, in order to buy or sell .
Many Bible scholars and expositors consider Satan and the two beasts to be the “Unholy Trinity,” with the first beast as the Antichrist, the ultimate expression of man’s opposition to God and Jesus Christ. The actual word Antichrist is only found in John’s letters (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7), and these Scriptures indicate the presence of Antichrists even in John’s day. Antichrists are those who deny both Father and Son, are influenced by demonic powers, and who seek to deceive others with lies and anti-Christian teaching. Certainly both beasts of Revelation 13 can be described in this way.
If we must select one of them to be the ultimate Antichrist then I would choose the second beast. He is pictured as having two horns like a lamb, mimicking the Lord. He is a religious Jew and is able to perform great signs and wonders, by which he deceives those on earth. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8–9 we read of one who is coming in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders. Nowhere do we find the first beast performing signs and wonders. However, I do not think a choice is necessary, or important.
As mentioned previously, the tribulation period begins with a covenant between these two beasts, for a period of seven years. Halfway through this period temple worship (note that there must be a rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem at this time) ceases, and the Jewish leader erects a statue, an image of the political leader, in the temple to convince all on the earth to worship him. He also causes this image to speak (see also Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:14, 15). Then begins the Great Tribulation, a period of 3.5 years, or 42 months, or 1260 days (see also Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 13:5). At the end of this period, the political leader, desirous of world dominion, brings his armies to fight the armies of the nations at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). However, before they can do battle, the Lord comes to destroy all those who oppose him, throwing the two beasts alive into the Lake of fire (Revelation 19:17–21).
The details of this whole period, and beyond, are provided in the Book of Revelation. This is a very complex book to study and yet very rewarding if you are really interested in studying God’s plan for the future. There are many fine expositions of Revelation to assist you in understanding the symbolism of Revelation. One I recommend is authored by John Heading, entitled “From Now to Eternity.”
The overall structure of the book is understood in the light of Revelation 1:19, where John is commanded by the Lord to “write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.” Chapter 1 covers things he had seen, namely the vision of Christ prepared to judge. Chapters 2 and 3 give the things which are, describing the present state of seven selected churches at the time in Asia. These also typify the various states of church history from John’s day to the return of the Lord for his Church. Chapters 4 through 22 deal with future things. Chapters 4 and 5 show the throne prepared for judgment. Chapter 6 through 19 cover the tribulation period, though not in chronological order. In fact, the period between the removal of the Church and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom is covered three times, from different points of view.
Chapter 6 through 11 deal with matters essentially moral and social, ending with the last of the seven trumpet blasts heralding the Lord’s return in glory (Revelation 11:15–17). Chapters 12 through 14 deal with matters essentially political, ending with the Lord (the Son of Man) reaping the harvest of the earth (Revelation 14:14–16). Chapters 15 through 19 deal with matters essentially religious, terminating with the victorious coming of the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). In these three sections of the book, since they cover the same time period, there is considerable overlapping. This is especially true of the last two sections, both of which refer to the beast and Babylon. The beast, as we discussed, is described in some detail in chapter 13, whereas Babylon is described in chapters 17 and 18.
Who, or what, is Babylon? Babylon is a false religious system, associated with the political system of that day and, like that beast, has its centre in the city built on seven hills, namely Rome. An obvious conclusion, therefore, is that Babylon is some future form of the Roman Catholic church. At some point in the tribulation period the beast realizes that Babylon, with its widespread religious network, is a powerful influence essentially controlling many nations. In order to attain world domination the beast must first eliminate Babylon, and this he does with the help of kings (leaders) from ten nations. Once that is accomplished the beast, his cohorts, and their armies see to destroy the armies of the nations at Armageddon. Before they can do battle, the Lord appears in glory, and all the armies turned to make war with him (Revelation 17:14). He, of course, defeats them and the two beasts are thrown alive into the “lake of fire.” Satan is bound and thrown down into the abyss, which is sealed by God so that he cannot escape (Revelation 20:1–3), for a thousand years.
At the very beginning of the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ two events take place. Firstly, a judgment of all those surviving at the end of the tribulation period (Matthew 25:31–46), and secondly, a resurrection of those believers who died during the tribulation period (Revelation 20:4) .
During the Great Tribulation a Jewish remnant will turn to the Messiah and preach the “gospel of the kingdom.” Some gentiles will be hospitable to the preachers, believing and accepting their message. Others will persecute them and reject their message. The Lord will judge these people accordingly, giving the first group eternal life and sending the second group away into eternal punishment. I believe the same judgment will also be accorded the Jews living at the same time (Ezekiel 20:33–38).
Let’s take a closer look at Revelation 20:4. At the end of the verse we read “and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Who are “they”? Three groups of people are referred to in the previous part of the verse. Those who sat on thrones; those who died for of Jesus and because of the word of God; those who had not worshiped the beast and had not received his mark. The first group, based on Scriptures such as Matthew 19:28 and Revelation 3:21, is comprised of the apostles, ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel, and the rest of the Church, the Bride of Christ, ruling over the nations left on earth (see also Revelation 5:10). The third group is clearly defined as stated. The second group may refer only to those saints who died during the tribulation period, but I suggest that the Old Testament saints are also included here. Certainly they are present in glorified bodies with Christ in the millennium, as indicated by the witness of transfiguration (Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus) by Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:3). Also, consider the final words given to Daniel (Daniel 12:13): “go your way to the end … and rise (be resurrected) again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.” The events of the tribulation are given by the Lord as signs of the end of the age in Matthew 24:4–28. Since the resurrection of the just or righteous to eternal life occurs on only two separate occasions described in the Scriptures, i.e., at the rapture of the Church and at the end of the tribulation period, it seems likely that the Old Testament saints are resurrected at the latter time. This is the first resurrection. The second resurrection, of all those who are not named in the book of life, occurs immediately after the Millennium as they are brought before the great white throne for judgment.
This series of posts has been adapted with permission from F. J. Hopton, From Here to Eternity: What Every Christian Should Know, Canada, 1999.
