The Big Picture: Three Time Frames in the End
Times
I.
Review
A.
Many
today neglect the subject of the biblical signs of the times despite Jesus
emphasizing the need to recognize them and discern the times (Mt. 16:1-4;
24:32-44; Lk. 19:41-44; 21:34-36). Jesus, the apostles, and the Old Testament
prophets prophesied both event and trend signs in the end times.
C.
We
ask the Spirit for wisdom concerning what to do specifically to bring His power
and blessing in context to each of the trends related to the birth pains as
they impact the cities for which we pray. We expose and resist the negatives by
intercession, proclamation, and actions in the opposite spirit.
II.
Three
prophetic time frames in the end times
A.
We
will better understand the birth pangs by understanding the three prophetic
time frames in the end times. Why do we care about these three time frames? To
prepare His people, the Lord in His mercy revealed these Scripture to give us
understanding of the general sequence of what is coming.
B.
Jesus
spoke of a time frame in history that He called the “beginning of birth pains”
(Mt. 24:8, NIV). The Greek word is translated as birth pain (NIV) or sorrows
(NKJV). It is to be compared with the increasing trauma a woman experiences in
childbirth. The Bible uses the metaphor of the birthing process to describe how
the coming of the millennial kingdom arrives (Mt. 24:8; Jn. 16:21; cf. Jer.
30:5-7). The trauma in the end times results in a new world order being
birthed at the Millennium.
6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars…7Nation
will rise against nation…There will be famines and earthquakes…8All
these are the beginning of birth pains. (Mt. 24:8, NIV)
6Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with
child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman
in labor…? 7Alas! 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)
C.
Jesus
spoke of three distinct time frames in the end times. We can see this clearly
by comparing Matthew 24 with 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 and Daniel 9:27. The first
time frame is related to the beginning of
birth pangs which occurs over a generation leading up to the final seven years
of this age, which in turn is made up of two distinct periods each lasting 3½
years
1. Beginning of birth pains (Mt.
24:4-8; Mk. 13:5-8; Lk 21:8-11)—leading to the final 7 years
2. Counterfeit world peace
(increased labor pains)—the first 3½ years of the final 7 years
3. The Great Tribulation (hard
labor pains)—the last 3½ years of the final 7 years
III.
the
first time frame: the beginning of birth pangs (Mt. 24:4-8)
A.
The
beginning of birth pains occurs across a generation just before the final
7-year period starts. Israel is the timetable for God’s prophetic plans, the
reference point for understanding redemptive history. Therefore, my opinion is
that the beginning of birth pains may have started either in 1948 when Israel
became a nation or in 1967 when Jerusalem came under Israel’s authority.
B.
The
transition of this earth to the age to come is in context to God shaking all
nations (Hag. 2:6-8). This shaking is comparable to contractions in the birth
process indicating that the labor has begun.
6“…I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry
land; 7and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to
the Desire of All Nations [Jesus], …I will fill this temple with
glory.” (Hag. 2:6-7)
C.
Believers are to recognize
when these things begin in the
generation Jesus returns (Lk. 21:28, 32). The end-time distress of nations will
have a recognizable beginning, increasing in intensity over a generation, and
culminating at His return. A generation may last up to 100 years (Gen.
15:13-16).
25“There will be…on the earth distress of nations…26men’s
hearts failing them from fear… 28When these things begin
to happen…lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near…
32this generation will by no means pass away till all
things take place…” (Lk. 21:25-32)
33When you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34Assuredly,
I say to you,
this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Mt. 24:33-34)
this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Mt. 24:33-34)
IV.
the
Second time frame: counterfeit world peace
A.
The
second time frame in the end times will be a time of counterfeit worldwide peace and safety.
It will come just before the third time frame (Great Tribulation) and will continue through
the first 3½ years of the final 7 years of this age. This period begins with the Antichrist appearing
as a man of peace who solves many international conflicts, establishing world peace (1 Thes. 5:3).
It will come just before the third time frame (Great Tribulation) and will continue through
the first 3½ years of the final 7 years of this age. This period begins with the Antichrist appearing
as a man of peace who solves many international conflicts, establishing world peace (1 Thes. 5:3).
3When 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)
1.
Paul
refers to “they” as those who rejoice in peace and as those who will not
escape. “They” refers to unbelievers in the nations who wrongly think the time
of world peace has arrived.
2.
Peace:
after a season of war, civil strife, and terrorism as seen in the beginning of
birth pains. This will be a temporary season of peace, lasting for only 3½
years.
3.
Safety:
There will be some reprieve in wars, terrorism, famine, economic crisis,
disease, etc.
B.
When
the prophetic Church proclaims this period as being a counterfeit peace under the leadership of a demonized man
(Antichrist), they will appear absurd and even dangerous.
C.
The
global crisis resulting from the trends associated with the beginning of the
birth pains will provide the Antichrist with an opportunity to take control of
many governments as he appears to bring solutions. Terrorism causes people to
see security as more important than personal privacy.
D.
Gabriel
showed Daniel that the Antichrist will make a covenant with many nations (Dan
9:27). Establishing a political covenant with many, i.e. Israel and
other nations, will “guarantee”
political and economic prosperity with protection. It will involve peace
treaties with many nations.
27Then he [Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with many [nations and Israel] for one week [7 years]; but in the middle of the week [3½ years] he shall bring an end to sacrifice [in the Jerusalem temple] …and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate…
(Dan. 9:27)
E.
The
final 7 years of this age begins when the Antichrist makes a covenant with
Israel and many nations bringing in world peace that will last for only 3½
years. The peace will be destroyed when the Antichrist breaks covenant with
Israel and the nations by setting up the abomination of desolation (Mt. 24:15),
indicating the start of the Great Tribulation that will continue for 3½ years.
F.
This
peace treaty will end the first prophetic time frame, called the beginning of
birth pangs, in which the nations of the world will be fighting each other (Mt.
24:7-8). At this time the harlot Babylon religion will persecute the Church
(Rev. 17:2-6) leading to many falling away (1 Tim. 4:1).
G.
The
Antichrist will appear to answer very complex, unsolvable problems by his
skillful leadership.
21A vile person…shall come in peaceably, and
seize the kingdom by intrigue. (Dan. 11:21)
H.
Israel
will have a season of peace until they are attacked by the Antichrist (Ezek.
38:8-12). The very man who seemingly brought them peace will be the
one who will invade them. Israel’s time of peace and safety is seen at this
time in having no walls for military security in place.
8…in the latter years you [Antichrist] will come into the land [Israel] of those…gathered from many people on
the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out
of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely…10On that day…you will make an evil plan…
11You will say, “I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls…12to stretch out your hand against…people [Israel] gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods. (Ezek. 38:8-12)
of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely…10On that day…you will make an evil plan…
11You will say, “I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls…12to stretch out your hand against…people [Israel] gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods. (Ezek. 38:8-12)
I.
Leaders
in Jerusalem will make a covenant with the Antichrist in the end times (Isa.
28:14-18; Dan. 9:27; 11:41, 45; Ezek. 38:8-12, 14; 39:26; Zech. 11:16; 9:8; Jn.
5:43; Lk. 19:11-28;1 Thes. 5:3).
14Hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men (leaders of end-time Israel), who rule this people who
are in Jerusalem, 15because you have said, “We have made a covenant
with death…when the overflowing scourge [of the
Antichrist] passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our
refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves”…18Your covenant
with death will be annulled (Antichrist will betray his promises), and your agreement with
Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you
will be trampled down by it. (Isa. 28:14-18)
J.
With
peace established between Israel and Islamic nations, they will have a new
common enemy—the Church. Why? Because the Church will expose Satan’s role in
the counterfeit world peace. Imagine how hard it will be for unbelievers to
understand this. For the first time the world will be
at peace. The Church will be viewed as fanatical, extreme, and even as dangerous to world peace.
at peace. The Church will be viewed as fanatical, extreme, and even as dangerous to world peace.
K.
There
will be falling away in the Church in context to these pressures (1 Tim. 4:1).
The world will be offended at Jesus and His standards of “intolerance” that are
promoted by the praying Church.
L.
Some
believers will rationalize the need to collaborate with the Antichrist’s
regime. This will open the door for betrayal between close relationships.
Offenses will abound and escalate into hate.
M.
The
Church must take a stand on the fact that this seemingly brilliant and
dignified world leader will eventually demand to be worshipped as God.
N.
The
net result: Many will be brought to false sense of security called “a spirit of
slumber.” Jesus and the apostles likened it to sleeping instead having a
lifestyle of watching with prophetic discernment.
O.
Unbelievers
will rejoice in seeing peace and safety seemingly established. However, it will
be a time of persecution for the Church because they will proclaim the time of
peace as the work of the devil, which will enrage many. This is a time of
increased birth pangs for the Church is persecuted. This season will bring
division and separation between good and evil as well as light and darkness.
9Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and
you will be hated by all nations
for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended [at God and Christians], will betray one another, and will hate one another. (Mt. 24:9-10)
for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended [at God and Christians], will betray one another, and will hate one another. (Mt. 24:9-10)
P.
Harlot Babylon worldwide religion: The Babylon religion of tolerance will cause the
nations to be drunk or intoxicated with joy over her promises, prosperity,
tolerance, and seductions that offer benefits including humanitarian aid,
unified religion (that ends war), and a prosperous economy.
2The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with
the wine of her fornication. (Rev. 17:2)
Q.
The
Harlot religion will have great prominence. It will be arrayed in purple (royal
status) and will be respected by the elite financial leaders of the earth who will give their allegiance
to her. Yet the harlot
Babylon will cause multitudes to be intoxicated with the blood of the saints
who expose her.
4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet (royalty), and adorned with gold…having in her hand a golden cup
full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication…6I saw the woman (harlot
Babylon), drunk with the blood of the saints and…the martyrs of
Jesus… (Rev. 17:4-6)
R.
This
will be a time when unbelievers are living without the turmoil of the beginning
of birth pains, unlike in the Great Tribulation. Jesus described these people
as occupied with eating, drinking, and marrying as in the days of Noah. This
expresses a sense of peace and safety after
the beginning of birth pangs, yet before
the Great Tribulation (the final 3½ years). The people will feel safe and at
peace. In other words, it will be a temporary period of economic, social, and
military peace. Notice in this time frame there are no wars or economic crisis,
as described in the beginning of birth pangs.
37But as the days of Noah were, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be. 38For 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, 39and did not know until
the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of
Man be. (Mt. 24:37-39)
V.
the
third time frame: Great Tribulation
A.
The
third time frame in the end times will be Great
Tribulation or the heavy labor pains (the final 3½ years of this age; Mt. 24:15-31; Rev. 6-19). This begins with the abomination of
desolation.
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination
of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy
place”…16let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…21For
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. 22And
unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved…
(Mt. 24:15-22)
(Mt. 24:15-22)
B.
The
final stage of labor will be the most troubling time in human
history. This is the 3½ year time frame of “hard labor” in which the pain will
be the worst for everyone. Jesus indicated that if those days were any longer
than 3½ years, then no flesh would physically survive it (Mt. 24:22).
C.
During
this time, the Antichrist will openly show his hostility without needing to
deceive unbelievers. He will not hide his cruelty or wickedness in the final 3½
years of natural history before Jesus returns. At this time he will require all
to worship him and will ban all other religions.
VI.
Summary
of the three time frames in the end-times
A.
Beginning of birth-pains: Jesus identified 10 trends as signs to help the Church
prepare for the coming years (Mt. 24:4-8; Mk. 13:5-8, Lk. 21:8-11)—Matthew
identified 7 trends, Mark added “trouble,” and Luke added “commotions” and
“fearful sights as great signs from heaven.”
5For many will come in My name, saying,
“I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6And you will hear
of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled…7For
nation will rise against nation [Gk. ethnos or ethnic conflict], and kingdom against kingdom [economic warfare]. And there will be famines, pestilences,
and earthquakes…8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
(Mt. 24:4-8)
(Mt. 24:4-8)
8…there will be famines and troubles.
These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mk. 13:8)
9But when you hear of wars and commotions…11And
there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences;
and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. (Lk
21:9-11)
B.
The
second time frame in the end times will be a time of counterfeit worldwide peace and safety.
It will come just before the Great Tribulation in the first 3½ years of the final 7 years of this age.
It will come just before the Great Tribulation in the first 3½ years of the final 7 years of this age.
3When 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)
C.
The
third time frame in the end times will be Great
Tribulation in the final 3½ years of this age
21For then there will be great
tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until
this time…22And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would
be saved. (Mt. 24:15-22)
A.
Jesus identified 10 trends as the beginning of birth pains (Mt. 24:4-8; Mk. 13:5-8,
Lk. 21:8-11). He mentioned 5 more trends
that will increase greatly during the final two time frames, i.e. the final
7 years of this age—persecution, social anarchy, false prophets, lawlessness, and love growing cold.
7 years of this age—persecution, social anarchy, false prophets, lawlessness, and love growing cold.
B.
Beginning of birth pains
1. False christs: Many will come in Jesus’
name and will deceive many (v 5).
2. Wars: military and political conflict (Mt. 24:6; Mk. 13:7; Lk. 21:9)
3. Ethnic conflict: civil disorder and racism as nation (ethnos) rises against nation (Mt. 24:7)
4. Economic warfare: economic-related hostility, aggression, and conflict (Mt. 24:7)
5. Famines: massive food shortages (Mt. 24:7)
6. Pestilences (disease): The horrors of biological warfare will bring this to a new intensity.
7. Great earthquakes: great in destruction and loss of life (Lk. 21:11)
8. Troubles: events that cause pressure (Mk. 13:8)
9. Commotions: chaotic events in society and creation (Lk. 21:9)
10. Fearful sights as great signs from heaven: These are signs in the sky and weather (Lk 21:11).
2. Wars: military and political conflict (Mt. 24:6; Mk. 13:7; Lk. 21:9)
3. Ethnic conflict: civil disorder and racism as nation (ethnos) rises against nation (Mt. 24:7)
4. Economic warfare: economic-related hostility, aggression, and conflict (Mt. 24:7)
5. Famines: massive food shortages (Mt. 24:7)
6. Pestilences (disease): The horrors of biological warfare will bring this to a new intensity.
7. Great earthquakes: great in destruction and loss of life (Lk. 21:11)
8. Troubles: events that cause pressure (Mk. 13:8)
9. Commotions: chaotic events in society and creation (Lk. 21:9)
10. Fearful sights as great signs from heaven: These are signs in the sky and weather (Lk 21:11).
·
Mark 13 identified 7 trends (six in Matthew 24
but not pestilence) and added troubles
(13:8)
·
Luke
21 identified 9 trends without calling them the beginning of birth-pangs. He
mentioned the 7 trends in Matthew 24 and added two: commotions (21:9), and fearful
sights as great signs (21:11).
C.
Five trends after the beginning of
birth-pangs
1.
Persecution (Mt. 24:9)
2. Social anarchy as hate dominates society (Mt. 24:10)
3. False prophets (Mt. 24:11)
4. Lawlessness abounding (Mt. 24:12)
5. Love growing cold (Mt. 24:12) as people suffer the darkness of a seared conscience (1 Tim. 4:2).
2. Social anarchy as hate dominates society (Mt. 24:10)
3. False prophets (Mt. 24:11)
4. Lawlessness abounding (Mt. 24:12)
5. Love growing cold (Mt. 24:12) as people suffer the darkness of a seared conscience (1 Tim. 4:2).
9“Then they will deliver you up to
tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations
for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up…12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mt. 24:9-13)
for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up…12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mt. 24:9-13)
D.
God’s people must be strengthened to escape the
snare of fear and lust to stand in victory (Lk. 21:36). Both Jesus and Paul
emphasized the call to “watch” in the
context of describing pressure in the end times (Mt. 24:42; 25:13; Mk. 13:9,
33, 34, 35, 37; Lk. 21:36; Rev. 16:15; cf. 1 Thes. 5:6).
36Watch…and pray always that you may be
counted worthy [have strength] to escape all these
things…and to stand [in victory] before the Son of Man.” (Lk. 21:36)
E.
Watch: We are to grow in
understanding by watching the biblical signs of the times unfold.
As our understanding increases, it produces greater urgency in us. By watching what the prophetic scriptures say about the end-time distress in the nations, people can see prophecy progressively unfold before them. As people watch, they inevitably talk about what is occurring and how it lines up with biblical prophecy. Thus they will connect with more people who have a common urgency.
As our understanding increases, it produces greater urgency in us. By watching what the prophetic scriptures say about the end-time distress in the nations, people can see prophecy progressively unfold before them. As people watch, they inevitably talk about what is occurring and how it lines up with biblical prophecy. Thus they will connect with more people who have a common urgency.
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