What Jesus said is coming (by Pastor Ray)

Noted  below  are a few helps,notes and links designed to help individuals broaden their understanding of what will happen in the last days. This information is presented by Pastor Ray of Restoration Church. Please visit www.RestorationChurchCamano.com  for links to video teachings and free downloadable writings.

• A collection of Bible references and thoughts regarding end-time events are noted below  (several paragraphs below–the last section of this document)
• Here is a link to a 30 minute teaching on Luke 12-14 (which presents foundational information for understanding end-time material): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54uAAvBD_ag
• Links to teachings (video messages) on the 7 churches in Revelation are noted below:
  • ​Link to 1—Ephesus:  https://youtu.be/9UfP5GhBwZk     
  • Link to part 2—Smyrna:  https://youtu.be/oJ6klEW3TEM
  • Link to part 3—Pergamum:  https://youtu.be/JK7NNVJbqQY
  • Link to part 4—Thyatira:  https://youtu.be/L2loLQ4uwTM
  • Link to part 5—Sardis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXlVmQjhXU8
  • Link to part 6—Philadelphia:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXRlohHH-iw
  • Link to part 7—Laodicea:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKv9ALlzTZo
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ALSO,

We want to make you aware of a new,  learning opportunity coming in March. Pastor Ray is  working with LIFESIZE technology group (Lifesize.com) to launch a new, free teaching/learning program called JUMP IN.    A brief video profile of the this new learning opportunity can be viewed by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/72rY5rf_vyY .     The plan is to make available real-time, free,  interesting, interactive  teaching sessions to anyone with an internet-connected computer, tablet, ipad or smartphone. Visit  JumpInOnlineTeaching.com  for additional information.

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A BIBLICAL PROFILE OF THE FUTURE 

The material Jesus presents in the Olivet Discourse  profiles five distinct time periods:  1) the several years leading up to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem    2)  the tribulations associated with the persecuted church in the Last Days     3)  the  ‘Birth Pains’,  which is the period of time immediately preceding the beginning of the Tribulation period      4) the Rapture and           5) the Tribulation period events (the last 7 years).   A brief profile of the Olivet Discourse  teaching is noted below:

The destruction of the Temple

• The prophecy: Not one stone of the Temple will be left unturned (Matt. 24:2)
• This prophecy was fulfilled in 70AD. 

The Last Days  

• Matthew 24  notes a few happenings associated with the time of the birth pains and last days. 

 ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah’, and will deceive many. ⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars…⁷There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

• ​Luke 21 is a parallel passage to Matthew 24. In Luke’s account of the Olivet Discourse, he first references birth pain period happenings (verses 9-11), and then briefly profiles events that willprecede them. The period that precedes the birth pains is referred to as the Last Days.
• The Last Days is a general reference to the period of time from the birth of the New Testament church to the end of the seven year tribulation. See below: 

 ¹²“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen… ¹²But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name ¹³And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.     ¹⁷Everyone will hate you because of me…     Luke 21:9-17

• Many believe the trials noted above (Luke 21:12-17) are represented, prophetically, by the Church of Smyrna in Revelation chapter two.

The ‘Birth Pains’ (Matthew 24)

• This period will be marked by:                   
  • False Christs/prophets/teachings will increase  (V.5, 11)
  • Wars and rumors of wars will grow in frequency (V.6)
  • Famines and earthquakes will grow in intensity (V.7)
  • There will be intense persecution/hated of believers (V.9)
  • Apostasy will increase (V.10)
  • Love will ‘wax cold’  (Matt. 24:12)

 THE RAPTURE

   Foundational thoughts:

• The word rapture is not found in the Bible, but the concept of a rapture is believed by many to be clearly presented in Scripture. For example, in 1 Thess. 4:13-17 we read:

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. …For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  

• Implicit in the rapture teaching is the thought that the church (Gentile believers) will be taken/caught-up by Christ just before or during the tribulation period. Supporting verses include:
• The church will be “kept from the hour of testing that shall come upon all the world.” (Rev. 3:10) 
• The exhortation to be comforted by the “coming of the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:18) is valid only in the context of the pre-tribulation view. It could even be a fearsome thing in a post-tribulation view.
• It is the Holy Spirit (which resides in the hearts of believers, the church) that is currently holding back Satan 

And you know what restrains him now… 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 Thess. 2:6-7

• Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  (Luke 21:23-24)

  Three Rapture Views:

1. Prewrath view: The Prewrath position holds that the true church will be raptured when the great tribulation is cut short by God’s  wrath, which will occur between the sixth and seventh seals of Revelation, sometime during the second half of the 70th  week (7 year tribulation period).  The persecution associated with the Antichrist during the tribulation is viewed as the wrath of Satan, whereas the events that follow, beginning with the seventh seal, are considered the wrath of God.
2.  Post tribulation view: There are a number of views in the post-tribulation camp. Some post-tribulationalists see the church being in tribulation since its beginning and do not view the seven year period as futuristic. However, the most prevalent view today is that the seven year period is yet in the future, and that although the Church will experience this time of tribulation, it will be protected by God.   

• Rev. 12:12-17
• Matt. 24:16-22
• Zeph. 2:3
• Isa. 26:20-21
• Dan. 11:41

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       3. Pre tribulation view:  This view holds that the church will be raptured (caught up to be with  Christ) at some point prior to the commencement of the 7 year tribulation period.  Primary supporting arguments for this position include:

• The tribulation period will be a time of wrath (Rev. 6:16-17, 11:18; 14:19; Zeph. 1:15, 18). Yet we see in 1 Thess. 5:9 that the church is not appointed unto wrath, but unto salvation by Jesus. 
• 1 Cor. 15:51-55  seems to support the idea of a sudden rapture of God’s people:  “Behold, I show  you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised…”
• 1 Thess. 4:16-17 seems to support the idea of a sudden rapture: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
• Matt. 24:33-43 seems to support this view as well: “…when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door… Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Tribulation Period Prophecies:

The following prophecies are not presented in chronological order:

• Israel will enter into a peace treaty: The Antichrist will impose a “covenant with the many” which will include Israel (Daniel 9:27; 8:23-25).  This ‘covenant’ initiates the 7 year tribulation period
• Israel will dwell without walls prior to the invasion from the north (Ezek. 38:8-11). This profound sense of security is likely the result of the peace covenant noted above. The invasion of the north will likely come after the mid-point of the tribulation period.
• The third Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem:  Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John refer to a temple being in Jerusalem in the last days    (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2).          Note: Plans for the completion of the new Temple are complete. Authorization to begin building may be  linked to the ‘Peace Treaty’ that will be brokered by the Antichrist.  
• Temple sacrifices will be reinstituted in Israel in the last days (Daniel 9:27; 12:11). This requires the Third Temple to be rebuilt
• Temple sacrifices will be forbidden: At the mid-point of the tribulation period, the Antichrist will seize control of the Temple, end the daily sacrifices and proclaim himself to be God. (Rev. 13).   
• Believers will be sealed by the Spirit:  12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel (very likely a symbolic number representing a large and perfect number of believers) will be sealed by the Holy Spirit and used of God to evangelize the world (Rev. 7). Along with these sealed witness will come two great prophets (Rev. 11:3-14). These prophets/witnesses will preach with power for 3^1/2 years, and then be put to death. Their deaths will be celebrated by many. Their bodies will lie in the street for three days, after which they will be resurrected and taken into heaven.  Note: Some believe the 144,000 mentioned above are Messianic Jews—called, sealed and anointed of God to preach in Israel during the tribulation period. Others see this number representing the total number of called, saved and anointed believers at the start of the tribulation period (this implies that the church is raptured at the beginning of the tribulation).
• Revival:  During the tribulation many will turn to Jesus and be saved (Revelation 7:9-17; Daniel 12:10; Zechariah 2:11; Isaiah 19:16-25)
• Earthquakes:  Great earthquakes will shake the world during the tribulation period (Rev. 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 16:18, etc.). ‘Earthquakes [will be] in diverse places’ (Luke 21:11)
• Vegetation decimated: Revelation 8:7 notes that the first trumpet judgment will bring about the destruction of 1/3 of all vegetation.
• Meteor or Comet falls into the sea: Revelation 8:8-9 notes that the second trumpet judgment facilitates something falling into the sea—destroying 1/3 of life.
• Wormwood:  Similar to the second trumpet judgment, the third trumpet judgment facilitates something falling to the earth which causes fresh water to turn bitter—resulting in the death of many.
• Reduction of light: The fourth trumpet judgment brings about a reduction of light (from the sun, moon and starts) by 1/3.
• Tormenting creatures: The fifth trumpet judgments is associated with  scorpion-like creatures coming from the demon world. These creatures torment humanity but not unto death. Some suggest that these creatures will not be able to torment believers in Jesus Christ.
• Forced worship of the Antichrist:   2 Thess. 2  and Rev.13 note that the Beast will force all to worship the Antichrist. Failure to do so will result in death. Proof of allegiance to the Antichrist will include receiving a mark on one’s hand or forehead (and likely, a denial of Christ)
• Sores on those who receive the mark: Rev 16:1-2 notes that those who accepted the mark of the Beast, signifying their worship of him, will contract painful sores on their body.
• Refuge: Ancient Petra (located in Jordan)  will become the refuge for believers (Isa. 16:1-4; Matt, 24:16; Revelation 12:6, 14).  
• A great army from the east:  The sixth trumpet announces the coming of an army from the east (200,000,000). This army advances toward Israel, and leaves devastation in its wake (Rev. 9:13).
• The Euphrates River blocked or dried-up (Revelation 16:12).  
• The Antichrist wounded: Revelation 13 notes that the Antichrist will suffer a seemingly fatal wound to the head, but will recover to the amazement of many—a happening that serves to increase his power and following
• The Woman Who Rides The Beast: Revelation 17 notes the judgment on this woman—also called the Whore of Babylon
• Life in the sea dies: Revelation 16:3 notes the remaining life in the sea dies as the second vial of judgment is poured out and the oceans become as blood.  The third vial of judgment brings about the death of life in the rivers (Revelation 16:4).
• Scorching heat:  The fourth vial of judgment is associated with scorching heat.
• Darkness:  The fifth vial of judgment is associated with an unusual darkness and painful maladies (Revelation 16:10-11).
• War:  There will be a series of wars—collectively referred to as the battle of Armageddon.
• Victory: At the last moment, when Israel is surrounded by her enemies, God will intervene, and the enemy will be vanquished, bound and thrown into the pit.  Jesus Christ will come and begin His millennial reign, after which Satan will be released and after one last attempt to rise up against the things of God, he and all of creation, will be judged and sent to their eternal homes—to heaven or to hell (Revelation 19-21).

Tribulation period conflicts

• Rev. 6:3  (War)
• As the work of demonic spirits and the consequence of sin has been present since the fall, the wars/tribulations noted in Revelation 6 can precede the ‘7 year Tribulation’ and flow through it.
• Jeremiah 49 (involving Elam),  Psalm 83 (involving Israel), and Isaiah 17 (involving Damascus)  note conflicts that may precede the tribulation period.  

· The rise of the Antichrist

• Although the Antichrist will rise to world power through cunning, deception, and intrigue (Daniel 8:23), he will have to resort to military power to conquer the world.   
• Revelation 13:7 notes that the Antichrist will ultimately achieve “authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” This authority will be achieved through war.      “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them  and authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”    (Rev. 13:7)

   Wars during the reign of the Antichrist

• Revelation 9 seems to indicate conventional, spiritual and nuclear war (nuclear because Rev. 8:7   states that the   war will result in one-third of the earth being burned up, and Rev. 16:11  notes “loathsome and malignant” sores afflicting survivors). The wars noted in Rev. 6, 8 and 9 will result in the deaths of more than half of humanity.  The army from the east mentioned in Rev. 9 is comprised of 200,000,000 men.       
• Rev. 12-13   indicates  concerted effort to oppress all who believe in Jesus, Jews, and all who will not follow the beast.
• Zechariah 13:8 notes that two-thirds of the Jewish people will be killed by the Antichrist during this time.
• Revelation 12:17 notes that the Antichrist will wage war against the “offspring” of Israel — namely, those “who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”  This is likely a reference to  those who accept Jesus as Lord during the tribulation.
• Revelation 17-18      War against the Lamb and the ‘Woman Who Rides The Beast’:     ¹⁴They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them…   ¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.¹⁶ The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute.  They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. ¹⁷ For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose…    (Rev. 17).

Rev. 16-19 (Battles of Armageddon)

• The war noted in Ezekiel 38-39 can be considered part one of the Armageddon campaign (Rev. 16)
• The war noted in Ezekiel 38 correlates with conflicts mentioned in Revelation 16-19 (not Psalm 83).  Revelation 16 verses 8, 11, and 14 — states that the war  mentioned in Ezekiel 38 will  occur when the people of Israel are living “securely” in “unwalled villages.” Revelation 16 also notes that the allies of Russia do not include a single Arab state -with a border adjacent to Israel (something that does correspond to the warring nations mentioned in Psalm 83).
• Russia will lead a coalition of nations against Israel. Their motive is stated in Ezek. 38:12 (“to capture spoil and to seize plunder”).
• The invading armies will be supernaturally destroyed by God “on the mountains of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:4). The Lord will accomplish this destruction through earthquakes, pestilence, hail storms, fire, brimstone, and battlefield confusion (Ezekiel 38:19-22).
• Daniel 11:40-45 describes a military campaign of the Antichrist in the Middle East that occurs toward the end of the tribulation period.  The Antichrist will invade “the Beautiful Land” and subdue all of the area except Jordan.
• Phase 2 of the Battle of Armageddon  (Joel 3, Zech. 14, & Rev. 19)
• It appears that just as the armies from the East and the North arrive in the Valley of Armageddon, God intervenes, and with a word all enemy armies are instantly destroyed (“with the breath of his mouth” [2 Thess. 2:8]).
• Joel 3:16 notes that the Lord will “roar from Zion” and “utter His voice from Jerusalem.”  Isaiah 10:16 notes that the result will be “a wasting disease.” Zech. 14:12 notes that there will be a plague that will cause the flesh of the soldiers “to rot while they stand”.  
•  The “battle” of Armageddon will be followed by the ‘Millennial Reign Of  Christ”—a time when Jesus reigns on earth – a time of  righteousness (Isaiah 11:4-5,9).  Swords will be beat into plowshares  and “nation will not lift up sword against nation…” (Isaiah 2:4).   The world will be flooded with agricultural abundance (Amos 9:13). There will be no homeless or hungry people. It will be a time of peace and prosperity (Micah 4:4). Satan will be bound during this period  (Rev. 20:1-2).

The end

• The Millennium will begin with only believers. They will begin to propagate, and since death will be curtailed and life spans extended (Isaiah 65:20), the population of the world will grow exponentially. 
• Those born during this time will have the old sin nature. They will desire all the things of the flesh — they will see that any violation of the Law of d results in swift justice. The Bible states that Jesus will rule with “a rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9 and Rev. 2:26-27)
• Despite the fact that His reign will produce righteousness, fairness, and perfect justice (Isaiah 11:4-5), some living in this era will resent the fact that they cannot freely pursue their worldly lusts.
• At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, Satan is released (Revelation 20:7), and many will unite in one last rebellion against God (Revelation 20:7-9).   God will prevail.
• Following this last rebellion the earth all will be made new and the final judgment will come            (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Revelation 21).   

Closing thoughts:

• “…the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”   Isaiah 30:18
• “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
• “The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded…”    Luke 12:37a