It’s early Sunday morning. You put on a pot of tea, and as you open up the newspaper, the headline screams “7.9 Earthquake in Argentina kills 23,000!” Next you read that a volcano has erupted in the Philippines killing 18,000, a flood in the Midwest wiped out 7,000 people, and an earthquake in New York City has taken down the Statue of Liberty.
“Wow,” you say, “what is going on? Every year it gets worse and worse. Is the world catastrophically changing? What’s happening?” As you go on about your typical routine—work, golf, gym, parties, and a little Sunday R and R—week after week, the same old things occur. Until one morning you open up the newspaper and read: “Millions of people have vanished from all over the world!” You quickly turn on the television—CNN, ABC, CBS, BBC—and on every station they are reporting this phenomenon, yet the real issue is that the whole world is in an uproar. Complete chaos on earth. Planes, automobiles, and trains have crashed; vehicles, houses, and stores have been left abandoned; while gangs, criminals, and the poor are looting and rioting in the streets. The United Nations issues in global military law as the military, police, and reserves gear up for battle. Hospitals are full; paramedics, firefighters, and emergency teams from all over the world are in panic. There are so many disasters that the focus is on the chaos and not the phenomena. For weeks this goes on and on, and finally a charismatic leader emerges and reunites the world. This feels like déjà vu to you. For some reason you remember a friend years ago telling you about an event known in the Bible as “the Rapture of the Church.” You scroll through your Rolodex and call up your Christian friend, yet there is no answer. Is this just a coincidence?
As a Bible teacher and minister I have always been intrigued with End Time prophecies. In fact, this subject has become the topic that I have devoted my life to. As stated in my previous books, History and the Bible and The Mystery of the Rapture, before I talk about the future, I must first show that what the Lord said would happen has actually happened. After this has been established, then it is much easier to show the validity of End Time prophecies. So let’s review a synopsis of the End Times.
According to Bible prophecy, the next prophetic event will be the Body of Christ (Christians) being removed from the earth. This is referred to as “the Rapture of the Church,” found in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 where it states, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (NRSV). After the Rapture happens, then a world leader will emerge—according to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, which talks about a restraining force (the Christians) holding back the power of the Antichrist and continuing to do so until the Christians are removed. Then the Antichrist can come to power for a seven-year period, bringing peace to the earth. He will confirm a treaty between Israel and Palestine, ordering the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. According to the Book of Daniel, this world leader will come from European descent. The Bible says that this world leader will be a charismatic man who brings about economic prosperity, and the world will embrace him. He will set up a one-world government, as well as a one-world religion—with the help of a partner or sidekick—and also issue in a cashless society. The Bible says that there will be an assassination attempt made on his life, and he will lose his right eye and the use of his right arm (Zech. 11:17). He will make a miraculous recovery, and the world will marvel over him (Rev. 13:14). After three-and-a-half years he will walk into the temple in Jerusalem and demand to be worshiped (this is known as the abomination of desolation, Daniel 9:27). At this time the wrath of God will be poured out upon the earth, for a final period of three-and-a-half years (completing a total of seven years), bringing earthquakes, famines, pestilence and wars. At the end of this seven-year period, the nations of the earth will march for battle, which will take place in the Valley of Megiddo (also known as Armageddon, Revelation 16:16) in Israel. Then the Lord Himself will come down with His Church (the Christians) and wipe out the armies of the world. After this, there will be what is known as the millennium reign of Christ, when Christ rules on the earth with His Saints (or believers) for 1,000 years. After 1,000 years comes the final judgment.

The fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation talk about a great multitude of angels worshipping with praise. Revelation 6 introduces the rider on a white horse, the first of the five horsemen. This is actually the Antichrist. (The word Antichrist in Greek refers to “other than Christ” or “pseudo Christ”—please note that this is not the same rider on a white horse found in Revelation 19, for that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom we refer to as the fifth horseman.)
The Antichrist, or world leader, according to the book of Daniel, will come to power and bring peace to the world. He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and be considered a wonderful and powerful man who seems to be the answer to this world’s problems. This charismatic man will be praised and accepted by the whole world.
It is amazing to me—and history teaches us—that man learns nothing from history. All the leaders in history that have come to power and gained control have done so under the same conditions—when nations were weak and in economic crisis. When Hitler came to power, he won the people over with his ideas and leadership. Yet later on, once he was in control, he showed his true self. The Bible prophesies that this world leader will come to power for a seven-year period. During this time he will set up a one-world government, a one-world religion, and also bring about a cashless society. If these scenarios seem far-fetched to you, then just imagine what it was like fifty years ago. If in 1950, I told you that Europe would join together and establish what is now known as “The United States of Europe” (smaller and weaker nations joining together from within the Roman Empire is prophesied in the Book of Daniel), you would have said this is impossible. There was no way that Holland, Belgium, France, and others would join sides with Germany after Hitler’s brutal attack and destruction of these countries! Yet we see it today. Now let’s consider each country giving up the sovereignty of their currency and entering into a one-currency system (now called the Euro dollar). If I had proposed such a suggestion to you then, you would have said that I was crazy! And how about a cashless society (as prophesied in Revelation 13:16–17)? Just think back to 1960 and try to grasp the concept of electronic banking, ATMs, point of sale, etc. It is amazing that today we have seen and experienced the convenience of a cashless society and all of its benefits. The Bible teaches in Revelation 13:16 that this world leader will require everyone both great and small to take a mark on their right hand or forehead. Without this mark, no man will be able to buy or sell. What is interesting about this is that in the spring of 1998 it was documented that a man in Singapore had a computer chip installed in his forehead. We have also read of cases of laser tattoos and even animals being tagged with microchips as tracking devices. This all sounds right in line with Bible prophecy.
So we have this world leader coming to power, uniting the world and bringing peace to Israel by rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem during the first three and a half years of his reign. The Jews praise him as the Messiah, which is interesting since in John 5:43 Jesus states, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” At this point, according to Scripture, this world leader will walk into the temple and demand to be worshipped (the abomination of desolation). “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days” (Dan. 12:11). From this point on is when this world leader will show his true colors, and then all hell will break out upon the earth and God will pour out his wrath upon a sinning nation. The wrath of the Lamb will come crushing down on all the earth—the Great Tribulation will begin.

The wrath of God, you say? What is that? Well, the Bible talks about the wrath of God in both the Old and New Testaments. It can be described as the Lord pouring out His anger and causing tribulation such as the world has never seen nor will ever see again. In the Old

Testament, this is referred to as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) while in the New Testament it is referred to as The Great Tribulation. There will be great earthquakes, famines, wars, and destruction.
In the book of Revelation, chapters 6 to 19 talk about the plagues and destruction that will be poured out. We read of the rider on the red horse, who has the authority to remove peace from the earth, bringing in wars. “Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword” (Rev. 6:4). We then read about a black horse that causes inflation and famine—where a day’s work will only buy a single meal. Then comes a pale horse that causes death by disease, hunger, and plagues. “I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And 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). We then have the seven trumpets that God gives to his seven angels to sound and release horrible destruction. The first angel blows his horn, and hail and fire are mixed with blood, thrown down on the earth, and one-third of the earth is set on fire. As well, one-third of all the grass and trees are burnt up. Can you imagine this? Do you recall seeing in the past on television when Indonesia had its great forest fire—how the day became as night because of the smoke? What would it be like if one-third of the earth’s forests were on fire? Would the earth be in darkness? Could this be what Christ is talking about in Matthew 24:29, where He states—in regards to the Tribulation—“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light”?
Throughout the books of the Bible we read of global catastrophes and disasters. In Ezekiel, we read of End Times destruction that causes men’s eyes to melt in their head and their tongues to curl up and melt. Could this, in fact, be a description of nuclear war? The Book of Revelation speaks of the great battle of Armageddon that will take place in the Valley of Megiddo. In this battle, we are told, the kings of the East will march with their army of 200 million soldiers. This is an incredible prophecy to fulfill, because of the fact that at the time when John wrote the Book of Revelation, there were not even 200 million people on the earth! Yet today we know that China has an army of 200 million soldiers. Could China be the kings of the East?
In Matthew 24, the disciples ask Jesus about the End Times. Jesus states,

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:4–8).

Jesus then says, “When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…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” (Matt. 24:15–21). Jesus adds, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matt. 24:22). Jesus continues by saying, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30), meaning He will be coming with His Church—the Christians. In other words, Christ is saying that the Tribulation is going to be so bad that He will have to come back and defeat the enemy.

It is interesting that Matthew 24 runs parallel with Revelation, chapters 6 and 19. In Revelation 6, we have the rider on the white horse coming in and bringing peace. That sounds like what Jesus refers to as a man that will deceive you and claim to be the Christ (Matt. 24:4–5). Then we have the rider of the red horse who is granted the power to take peace from the earth. As Jesus states in Matthew 24:6, there will be wars and rumors of wars. From here we go into the riders of the black and pale horses that bring famine and pestilence. And ultimately, we have Revelation 19:11, that has the fifth horseman—our Lord and Savior—coming in the clouds with His saints, just like Jesus alludes to in Matthew 24:30. So as you can see, Jesus gave His disciples a briefing on End Times.
The wrath of the Lamb can be described as the worst time that this earth will ever experience. The Bible even talks about demonic powers and demons being released upon the earth, as well as Satan worship. Stop and think about this: fifty years ago you would never think that man would openly worship Satan as we’re seeing today with music, cults, and Satanic rituals. Now stop and think about what has happened in America in the last decade. Youth of all ages in America—from elementary school to high school and college—have become mass murderers by going into public functions and schools with the intent to kill many. We even have youths killing their parents, friends, and family members! Looking back to the founding of America, you will realize that America was established on biblical principles, and the Constitution was based on the Ten Commandments. America’s forefather Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe that the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us in this book.” And George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”* Our forefathers issued prayers and asked God for guidance. Today we have taken the Ten Commandments out of the schools and courts, and man has set his own earthly laws—the results of which can be viewed each night on the evening news.
In the times of Noah, the world was so corrupt that God had to destroy the earth with a global flood, and Noah and his family were saved. (It is interesting that today’s modern scientists believe that there was a global flood, and they predict it to have been about 5,000 years ago and believe it was caused by a polar axis shift.) God then made a covenant with Noah, stating that “Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” (Gen. 9:11). He then promised Noah a rainbow as a confirmation of his covenant (Gen. 9:12–17). Christ says in Matthew 24:37 that “as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” God always gives us warning of His actions. He is a loving God, and He does not wish for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). In Noah’s days, God gave the world 120 years to repent, yet only Noah and his family believed and were saved. I believe that is why God gave the vision to the apostle John—for John to write the Book of Revelation so that we can see what the Lord has planned for this sinning world.
* This quote can be found at
http://www.eadshome.com/GeorgeWashington.htm
The doctrine of Christianity is based on Christ dying for our sins and then on the third day rising from the dead. Christ washed us clean with His blood and gave us the chance to live eternally in the presence of our Lord. We have the promise of salvation through the shedding of His blood.

All over the world throughout all denominations of Christianity, we pray for the return of Jesus Christ and for His Kingdom to come. These words are preached in sermons and church services every Sunday, yet how many of us believe that Christ could come at any time? The Bible teaches that we are to be ready and anticipate that His coming could be at any minute. The second

coming of Christ is preached more than any other event in the Bible. Jesus even alludes to His coming over and over again throughout the New Testament. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” And in Revelation 22:7, Jesus states, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Our selfish world is so busy worrying about “what’s in it for me” that they lose sight of what we are really here on this earth for—to worship our living God who created us. The believers in Christ are storing up their treasures in heaven and awaiting their rewards.
It is amazing to me that Jesus Christ is the most talked about man who ever walked the face of this earth. His presence is so strong that we base our yearly calendar on this remarkable man—not to mention that the most celebrated event in the world is Christmas. And let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Bible is the most read book in history. But, even with Him having such an impact on the world, how many of us really believe and follow His words? I cannot understand why anyone would want to go through this Great Tribulation that the Bible promises to the non-believing world. The wrath of the Lamb will happen as described in the Book of Revelation, chapters 6–19. I realize that it is hard to understand that Christ will return as promised, yet His Word has been 100 percent accurate so far. The Bible has foretold the future, and we have seen in the last fifty years many Bible prophecies come to pass—not to mention the future prophecies we can see in our midst. For instance, on December 15, 1999, a press release was issued to NASDAQ, introducing a new E-commerce technology company that will be selling shares to implant a chip in humans.* This miniature digital transceiver will be able to act as a tracking device, for e-business, and for storing records. Well, if you’re a worldly person, then you can bank on this technology being a winner. Revelation 13:16–17 foretold this taking place, and, in fact, states that in order to live, you must accept this format. “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” With modern-day technology we can now understand what the Bible is referring to. Just think when believers 100 years ago read the Book of Revelation—what faith they must have had to trust in Christ! It is amazing to think that 100 years ago, the method of transportation was horse and buggy. There was no way that someone could imagine airplanes, rockets, and space shuttles. How about considering being able to wipe out the world with a single bomb, or chemicals that can kill millions of people as the Bible predicts? This all must have seemed like fiction, and I bet that people must have thought Christians were crazy to even believe such nonsense!
* This information is taken from a sermon given by Pastor Mike Macintosh at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, CA.
Well, today we see that it is not nonsense at all, but reality. In Daniel 12:4, Daniel was told to seal up the book until the end, and at that time, knowledge will increase and we will understand. Could this be the time in which knowledge has increased and we now understand what is in store for the future? The Bible has described the last seven-year period with so much detail and such precision that we must wake up and realize that we are getting closer to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Always remember that the Bible was given to us so that we would not be ignorant of things to come. Our Lord is a gentleman and does not wish for any to perish, yet for all to come to repentance and accept His grace and forgiveness (2 Pet. 3:9). We are washed clean by His blood, and all we have to do is ask Him to come into our hearts, admit that we are sinners, repent

of our sins, and walk in His Spirit. If you have not yet done so, you can ask Christ to come into your life, forgive you of your sins, and give you the promise of everlasting life.
May the peace, grace, and joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wash and cleanse you of your sins.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.