The Endtime Scenario - One Page Summary
The End Times: From the Cross to the New Jerusalem
The Cross and the Tearing of the Veil
When Yeshua died, the Spirit of God tore the Veil and left the Holy of Holies. The Temple was left desolate, and the Levitical priesthood became obsolete (Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:37-38). The Temple, the Levitical priesthood, animal sacrifices, the Sabbath, tithing, and circumcision as rituals became obsolete, since Christ fulfilled them (Hebrews 10:1-10; Colossians 2:16-17). Believers became the temples of the living God and its royal priests (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Hebrews 10:19-22).
Yeshua fulfilled the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost (1 Corinthians 5:7; 15:20, 23). The Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles remain unfulfilled, and they point to what is still ahead (Leviticus 23:24, 27, 34).
The Church Age and Its Mission
The church age began on the Day of Pentecost, when about 3,000 souls were baptized with water as a sign of repentance, received the Holy Spirit for empowerment, and were baptized with fire, the Word of God that equips believers to withstand fiery trials (Acts 2:38-41; Matthew 3:11; Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Peter 4:12). The church was given a global mission: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
The New Covenant, written on hearts, replaced the Old Covenant written on stone (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12; 2 Corinthians 3:3).
Daniel’s prophecy speaks of an explosive increase in knowledge and travel, along with persecution (Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24:9). Yeshua’s prophecy speaks of a huge rise in wars, floods, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, eclipses, and false prophets (Matthew 24:5-7, 11, 24; Luke 21:11, 25). Martyrs will have a special place in God’s plan (Daniel 12:1-3; Matthew 24:31; Revelation 6:9-11).
The Tribulation and the Antichrist
The seven years of tribulation are expected by many to begin at the Feast of Trumpets (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 8:2). Some believe the rapture will take place at this time, when saints, dead or alive, whose names are in the Book of the Lamb will be raised to meet Yeshua in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 21:27). Others believe that the church will go through the Great Tribulation, and that unless those days were cut short, even the elect would not survive (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 7:14).
Many believe that the 144,000 Jews will enter the Kingdom at the Feast of Atonement. This is an interpretation, since the timing is not stated directly. Scripture describes them as sealed servants of God and as firstfruits (Revelation 7:3-4; 14:4).
The Antichrist will try to establish one world government, one currency, and one religion (Revelation 13:7-8, 16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). He will rebuild the Third Temple at Jerusalem and, in the middle of the period, desecrate it (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Severe persecution will follow those who refuse his sign, the mark whose number is 666, on their foreheads or hands. They will not be able to buy or sell (Revelation 13:15-18).
The Millennium, Final Judgment, and the Gathering
After the millennial reign of Yeshua on earth, Satan will be loosed from the pit (Revelation 20:1-3, 7). He will muster an army as numerous as the sand of the sea from Gog and Magog, and they will gather at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 20:8; Ezekiel 38:2). God will destroy them with fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9).
Then the books will be opened, and those whose names are not found in the Book of Life, along with death and Hades, will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-15). Yeshua, who holds the keys of the kingdom, will gather his saints from the four winds of the earth and reward them according to their works (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 22:12, 20; Revelation 1:18).
Our judgment will not depend on our own righteousness or on religious appearance, but on our fruitfulness. “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), so we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet a true faith bears fruit. “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:16-20), and the Lord said that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom, but the one who does the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Our calling is to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
If you are not reaping the harvest, the Lord is not without a plan. He is coming back to the earth with a sharp sickle in His hand and will reap the remaining harvest (Revelation 14:14-16; Joel 3:13). But failing to reap the ready harvest all around you will have consequences, because the servant who buries his talent receives a sharp rebuke (Matthew 25:24-30; John 15:2, 5-8).
The New Heaven, the New Earth, and the Marriage Supper
God will create a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
The New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven, dressed like a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2). At the marriage supper, saints from east and west, north and south will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, and will sit at the table with the King, who will drink the fourth cup with them in the Kingdom (Matthew 8:11; 26:29; Revelation 19:6-9). His own people who failed to obey him will be thrust out (Luke 13:28-29; Matthew 8:12). Those who are faithful will also share in his rule (Luke 22:30; Revelation 21:1-3).
God will dwell with men. He will hand over the kingdom and dominion to His saints from all nations and tongues, and they shall reign with Him on the new earth forever (Revelation 21:3; Daniel 7:18, 27; Revelation 22:5).
Going Up to Jerusalem
We will go up to Jerusalem to meet the King and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-17). Adam’s curse on the land will be broken, and Paradise and its fertility will be restored (Genesis 3:17-19; Revelation 22:1-2). Harvests will be so abundant that the plowman will overtake the reaper (Amos 9:13). There will be plenty of food and generous hospitality along the way (Isaiah 25:6). When God’s people humble themselves and pray, He promises to heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Living in the Light of This Story
The end times are not only a subject for study. They shape how we live today. We are called to be faithful witnesses, to bear fruit, and to keep our eyes on the coming King. Whatever our view of the timeline, the call is the same: be ready, be faithful, and bring the gospel to every nation until He comes.
Prayer
Let us close in prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of redemption that runs from the cross to the New Jerusalem. Thank You that Your Temple is now among Your people and that Your Word is written on our hearts. Give us wisdom to watch for the coming of the Lord, courage to bear witness to every nation, and faithfulness to bear fruit until the harvest is complete. Let our names be written in the Book of Life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Shalom.
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