Africa Training Bible School Bible Verse Hand Book Session 2 used with Mike Bickle Escatology End Time teaching adapted for Pastors in Africa

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Session #2 - Negative Trends in the End Times - Bible Verse Hand Book

Session #2: Negative Trends in the End Times.

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Session 2: Negative Trends in the End-Times: The Great Tribulation

I. (REVIEW) THE DAY OF THE LORD: THE 2 EXTREMES RELATED TO JESUS’ RETURN

11 For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?
(Joel 2:11)

5 I will send you Elijah…before…the great and dreadful day of the LORD. (Mal. 4:5)

1. It will be a great Day to those who call on Jesus’ name because they will experience the greatest outpouring of the Spirit in history leading to Jesus’ Coming (Joel 2:28-32).

2. It will be a very terrible Day to the rebellious who will experience the most severe
outpouring of God’s judgments ever seen (Rev. 6-20)

II. THE 2-DIMENSIONAL DAY OF THE LORD (NARROW AND BROAD)

C. The Broad Day of the Lord

17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more. (Isa. 65:17-19)

22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. (Isa. 66:22)

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Pet. 3:13)

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20:7-9)

1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (Rev. 21:1)

III. THE PROPHETIC 7-YEAR PERIOD BEFORE JESUS’ SECOND COMING

A. 27 Then he (Antichrist) shall confirm a covenant (peace treaty) with many for one week (final 7 years before Jesus’ return); but in the middle of the week (after the 3½ years mark) he (Antichrist) shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering (in the Jerusalem Temple). And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate (the Antichrist’s activity during the Great Tribulation)… (Dan. 9:27)

B. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”
28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Gen 29:27-28)

C. The Antichrist will make a peace treaty

He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ (Dan. 9:27a)

D. Antichrist will betray his covenant

In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (Dan. 9:27b, c)

E. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thes. 2:4)

8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
10 “If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (Rev. 13:10)

The Beast out of the Earth

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Rev 13:8–17)

The Abomination of Desolation

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?” (Dan. 8:13)

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” (Dan. 9:27)

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. (Dan.11:31-32)

11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. (Dan. 12:11-12)

14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’[a] standing where it[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Mk. 13:14)

15 When you see the 'Abomination of Desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand)… (Mt. 24:15)

3 The man of sin (Antichrist)…4 exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thes. 2:3-4)

H. The first 3½ years, false religious system known as Harlot Babylon

4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

Babylon the Great
The Mother of Prostitutes
and of the Abominations of the earth. (Rev. 17:4-5)

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. (Rev. 17:6)

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mt. 24:9-14)

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains (Great Tribulation) upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
(1 Thes. 5:2-3)

IV. THE GREAT TRIBULATION

21For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. (Mt. 24:21)

7 How awful that day will be!
No other will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be saved out of it. (Jer. 30:7)

9 Because of all your detestable idols, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again. (Ezek. 5:9)

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:13- 14)

1 At that time...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was...7 He (angel)...swore...that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time (3½ years); when the power of the holy people (Israel) has been completely shattered… (Dan. 12:1, 7)

21 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. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved (physically preserved); for the elect’s sakes those days will be shortened.
(Mt. 24:21-22)

23 For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people…25There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring… (Lk. 21:23-25)

1. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
(Rev. 13:4, 8)

B. Scripture refers to this 3½ years in 8 different ways:

42 months

2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. (Rev. 11:2)

5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. (Rev. 13:5)

1260 days

3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Rev. 11:3)

6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. (Rev. 12:6)

Time, times and half a time

14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. (Rev. 12:14)

5 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. (Dan. 7:25)

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” (Dan. 12:7)

The Great Tribulation

21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. (Mt. 24:21)

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14)

Jacob's Trouble

7 How awful that day will be!
No other will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be saved out of it. (Jer. 30:7)

A time of trouble

1“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. (Dan. 12:1)

The middle of the Week

Perilous times

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2 Tim. 3:1)

C. John wrote of the Great Tribulation.

13 Who are these…and where did they come from?" 14 So he (angel) said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the Great Tribulation, and washed their robes…”
(Rev. 7:13-14)

D. Jeremiah prophesied of the Tribulation

5 We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear… 6 I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? 7 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.
(Jer. 30:5-7)

E. Ezekiel prophesied of events having a dual fulfillment

9 I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations. (Ezek. 5:9)

F. Joel prophesied of events having a dual fulfillment

2 A day of darkness and gloominess…a people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations (until the end of Jesus’ Millennial reign) (Rev. 20:7-9)

2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was in ancient times
nor ever will be in ages to come. (Joel 2:2)

G. Moses wrote of the Great Tribulation.

27 The LORD will scatter you among the peoples…29 From there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him…30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD 31…He will not…forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. (Deut. 4:27-31)

H. The Goshen principle

5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 You can choose any place in Egypt for them to live. Give your father and your brothers the best land. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if they are skilled shepherds, they can also care for my cattle.” (Genesis 47: 5-6)

22 But on that day gI will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, hthat you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. (Exodus 8: 22)

26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail
(Exodus 9: 26)

V. THE GREAT TRIBULATION: 4 DIFFERENT SOURCES OF PRESSURE

A. The fullness of God’s wrath

7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. (Rev. 15:7)

The 7 Seals

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” (Rev. 6:1)

The 7 trumpets

6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. (Rev. 8:6)

The 7 bowls

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” (Rev. 16:1)

10 he wrath of God which is poured out full strength… (Rev. 14:10)

B. The fullness of Satan’s rage

But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Rev. 12:12b)

21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,
25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. (Dan. 7:21, 25)

C. The fullness of man’s sin

21 They did not repent of their murders...sorceries...sexual immorality or thefts. (Rev. 9:21)

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“‘Come out of her, my people,’
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes. (Rev. 18:4-5)

23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. (Dan. 8:23)

1. Murder:

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:13-14)

21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Rev. 9:21)

7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.”
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (Rev.13:7, 10)

6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” (Rev. 16:6)

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. (Rev. 17:6a)

24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (Rev. 18:24)

21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, (Dan. 7:21)

12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mk. 13:12-13)

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, (2 Tim. 3:1-3)

2. Sorceries:

4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. (Rev. 13:4, 8, 12-15)

13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. (Rev.16:13-14)

11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Mt. 24:11; 24)

1.The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (1 Tim 4:1-2)

3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thes. 2: 2-4)

3. Immorality: demon energized perversion

20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Rev. 9:20-21)

2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” (Rev. 17:2)

3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” (Rev. 18:3)

4. Theft:

21 Creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans...(Rom. 8:21-22)

6 “I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations (Jesus) …” says the LORD of hosts. (Hag. 2:6-7)

VI. AN UNPRECEDENTED DEATH TOLL: 2 SEVERE WAVES OF DEATH

A. In the Great Tribulation, there will be two severe waves of death.

8 Behold, a pale horse. The name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8)

15 The four angels...were released to kill one-third of mankind. (Rev. 9:15)

B. Isaiah prophesied of only a small percent of the unbelievers surviving the Great Tribulation.

6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. (Isa. 24:6)

9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger…and He will destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of heaven…will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. 11 I will punish the world for its evil…I will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place (Isa. 13:9-13)

8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, I will destroy it from the face of the earth...10 All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword…
(Amos 9:8-10)

VII. GOD’S 7-FOLD PURPOSE IN ALLOWING THE GREAT TRIBULATION

B. First, God will use the Great Tribulation to purify His people

27 That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (no compromise). (Eph. 5:27)

7 For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. 8 To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright… (Rev. 19:7-8)

35 And some of those of understanding shall fall (be martyred), to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end… (Dan 11:35)

10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. (Dan 12:10)

C. Second, God will use the Tribulation to cause unbelievers to respond to His grace

9 Behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes…14 He said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the Great Tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9-14)

6 “I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations (Jesus)…” says the LORD of hosts. (Hag. 2:6-7)

D. Third, God will use the Tribulation to vindicate the saints as He avenges their death.

2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot…and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her. (Rev. 19:2)

6 It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you…rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven… (2 Thes. 1:6-7)

E.Fourth, God will use it to demonstrate His power to protect His people as He did in the days of Moses in what I refer to as the “Goshen Principle”

22 I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there.….23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. (Ex. 8:22-23)

4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”
5 The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. (Ex. 9:4-6)

23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived. (Ex. 10:23)

7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. (Ex. 11:7)

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." (Rom. 9:17)

F. Fifth, God will use the Tribulation to expose false believers within the Church.

3 That Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin (Antichrist) is revealed…9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 For this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who…had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thes. 2:3-12)

1 The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons… (1 Tim. 4:1-2)

G. Sixth, God will use it to allow evil to be fully manifest and then to express His justice and righteousness in punishing people for choosing sin.

21 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. (Isa. 26:21)

1 Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants…4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away…5 The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws...broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth…Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. (Isa. 24:1-6)

H. Seventh, God will use it to purge and cleanse the earth from sin before the Millennial Kingdom.

1 In that day a fountain shall be opened for…for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 2 It shall be in that day…I will cut off the names of the idols from the land… I will cause the (false) prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. (Zech. 13:1-2)

1 Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants…3 The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, for the LORD has spoken this word. 4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away…5 The earth is defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws…broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. (Isa. 24:1-6)

VIII. THE THREE NUMBERED JUDGMENT SERIES (7 SEALS, 7 TRUMPETS, 7 BOWLS)

A. There will be different responses to God’s judgments. Many respond in fear
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their[g] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Rev. 6:15–17)

Leading them to curse God

21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (Rev. 16:21)

Without repenting

IX. THE KEY NEGATIVE JUDGMENT EVENTS AGAINST THE EVIL PEOPLE

A. THE SEVEN SEALS

1. First Seal (White Horse): Antichrist's political aggression

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Rev. 6:1-2)

2. Second Seal (Red Horse): bloodshed and World War

3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.,br> (Rev. 6:3-4)

3. Third Seal (Black Horse): famine and economic crisis

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Rev. 6:5-6)

4. Fourth Seal (Pale Horse): disease and death to ¼ of the earth

7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:7-8)

5. Fifth Seal (Prayer Movement): spiritual atmosphere – releasing God's judgment

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[e] were killed just as they had been. (Rev. 6:9-11)

6. Sixth Seal (Cosmic Disturbances): natural atmosphere – cosmic crisis

12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Rev. 6:12-17)

7. Seventh Seal (Silence in Heaven): Heaven’s atmosphere – release of 7 Trumpets
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
(Rev. 8:1)

B. THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

1. First Trumpet (Food Supply): Burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation.

7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. (Rev. 8:7)

2. Second Trumpet (Food Supply): Destroying 1/3 of the earth’s seas

8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Rev. 8:8-9)

3. Third Trumpet (Water Supply): Poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water

10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. (Rev. 8:10-11)

4. Fourth Trumpet (Light, Energy): Darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light

12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” (Rev. 8:12-13)

5. Fifth Trumpet (Torment): Release of demonic locusts plague

1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth.
The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. (Rev. 9:1-12)

6. Sixth Trumpet (Death): Release demons that kill 1/3 of the earth’s population
13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Rev. 9:13-21)

7. Seventh Trumpet (Defeat): begins Jesus’ Second Coming procession

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm. (Rev. 11:15-19)

B. THE SEVEN BOWLS (Rev. 15-16) i.e., plagues in Egypt (Exod. 7-12)

1. First Bowl (Sores): painful sores on worshipers of the Antichrist

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Rev. 16:1-2)

2. Second Bowl (Food Supply): sea turns to blood and kills all in the sea

3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. (Rev. 16:3)

3.Third Bowl (Water Supply): all the fresh water turns to blood

4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:
“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”
7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.” (Rev. 16:4-7)

4. Fourth Bowl (Torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun

8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. (Rev. 16:8-9)

5. Fifth Bowl (Destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire

10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done. (Rev. 16:10-11)

6. Sixth Bowl (Global Guilt): demons lure the nations to Armageddon

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Rev. 16:12-16)

7. Seventh Bowl (Annihilation): worst earthquake, 100 pound hail stones

17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (Rev. 16:17-21)