Las Vegas, Nevada Church
Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Prophecy MP3

QUESTION: Do you have a chronology of end time events to give us an idea of where we might be in prophecy?

ANSWER:

This document will draw from a number of resources produced by Garner Ted Armstrong. Before we begin, I would recommend one read the booklet, “Can You Understand Bible Prophecy?” posted here:

https://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/can-you-understand-bible-prophecy/

In this booklet, Mr. Armstrong offers an important caution:

“CAUTION: Do not attempt to "set dates" in biblical prophecy! Many have learned, sometimes to their bitter disappointment, that it is a grave error to think you have worked out some specific key or other; some table of figures, numerical values to Greek, Hebrew or English letters, etc., and then arrive at a specific date for the fulfillment of some great prophecy!”

We will not set any dates here, but rather set a chronology of events, as outlined in the Bible. There are two other things we should keep in mind, which have been mentioned by Mr. Armstrong in recent years.

1) A throughout knowledge and understanding of prophecy is not required for Salvation.

2) The purpose and design of prophecy is to make sense, AS IT UNFOLDS AND TAKES PLACE.

We are told to watch for certain events. Some of these events are clear, such as knowing when the Great Tribulation begins. Others may or may not be as clear, but it is assumed that a firstfruit Christian with the Holy Spirit will understand and be aware when the various events take place.

The Bible is clear on a chronology of events that will take place in the few short years prior to the return of Jesus Christ. To quote from the above booklet once again…

Biblical Prophecy Deals in the Overview

“The prophecies of Jesus Christ on Mount Olivet are the most Important for us, during this time! It is these prophecies (Matthew 24, Mark 13. Luke 2 1) which interpret the time Sequence of events outlined in the book of Revelation, specifically beginning with chapter 6 and 7, and following the general theme of tribulation, heavenly signs and day of the Lord as it is developed through the remainder of the book of Revelation.

“Notice another major key to understanding the sequence of these great events. Read Joel 2:31, compare it carefully with Matthew 24:29, and then read the sixth and seventh chapters of Revelation.

“By this brief study, you will see that the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21, 22), or the time of Jacob’s trouble, comes BEFORE the heavenly signs. You see that the heavenly signs come AFTER the tribulation. You see that the Day of the Lord Comes AFTER the heavenly signs!”

OVERVIEW OF PROPHECY

We will now look at this Overview. To do this, we will take Mr. Armstrong’s suggestion to read and compare Matthew 24 (Mark 13, Luke 21) with Revelation, chapters 6 and 7 and reference to Joel 2:31. We will first identify the seals, the trumpets and the 7 last plagues. The first 6 seals describe specific events. The seventh seal includes the 7 trumpets and the 7th trumpet includes the 7 last plagues. The first 4 seals come before the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is the 5^th seal. The 6^th seal is the Day of the Lord. The seventh seal covers the 7 trumpets and 7 last plagues and the Day of the Lord (Revelation 8).

SEALS, TRUMPETS AND PLAGUES

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals-- Rev 5:1.

FIRST SEAL—The White Horse--- false Christs and false prophets

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer-- Revelation 6:1-2

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many-- Matthew 24:4-5.

SECOND SEAL—The Red Horse---War

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword-- Revelation 6:3-4.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:-- Matthew 24:6-7.

THIRD SEAL---The Black Horse---Famine

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine-- Revelation 6:5-6.

…and there shall be famines-- Matthew 24:7.

FOURTH SEAL---The Pale Horse---Pestilence

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth--- Rev 6:7-8.

…and pestilences-- Matthew 24:7.

Note: The first 4 seals have already been opened and we are experiencing these 4 elements now.

FIFTH SEAL---The Great Tribulation

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled--- Revelation 6:9-11.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened---Matthew 24:21-22.

Note: The Great Tribulation is the one specific event for which we have two clues, two specific events to look for and which announce or herald the Great Tribulation. The two events to look for are the Abomination of Desolation in the Temple and armies around Jerusalem. We have resources for these events:

Booklets:

“Abomination of Desolation” https://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/abomination-of-desolation/
“The Great Tribulation, Is It About To Happen?” https://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/the-great-tribulation-is-it-about-to-happen/

“Will a Temple Soon Be Built in Jerusalem?” https://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/will-a-temple-soon-be-built-in-jerusalem/

As for the duration of the Great Tribulation, a quote from, “Can You Know Bible Prophecy?”:

“Apparently, the great tribulation, heavenly signs and Day of the Lord will fit into this three and one-half years.”

SIXTH SEAL---The Day of the Lord

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?-- Revelation 6:12-17.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.-- Matthew 24:29.

SEVENTH SEAL---7 Last Trumpets---Day of the Lord

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound-- Revelation 8:1-6.

FIRST TRUMPET

Revelation 8:7

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

SECOND TRUMPET

Revelation 8:8-9

8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

THIRD TRUMPET

Revelation 8:10-11

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

FOURTH TRUMPET

Revelation 8:12

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

FIFTH TRUMPET

Revelation 9:1-12

1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

SIXTH TRUMPET

Revelation 9:13-21

13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates

15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 16:2

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Revelation 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Revelation 16:4-7

4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Revelation 16:8-9

8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 16:10-11

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Revelation 16:12-16

12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Revelation 16:17-21

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Let us do this in a chart now:

Event/Item	Scripture Reference	Notes
Present Time	But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. –Matthew 24:37-38	This is the status quo prior to the end time.
First Four Seals	Revelation 6:1-8 Matthew 24:4-7	Descriptions above. These are happening now
First Four Trumpets	Revelation 8:7-12; 7:1 Daniel 8:13-14	1^st Trumpet: one third of trees and all grass burned up. Rev 8:7 2^nd Trumpet: One third of sea becomes blood, one third of sea creatures die. One third of ships destroyed. Rev 8:8-9 3^rd Trumpet: One third of rivers become wormwood. Rev 8:10-11 4^th Trumpet: One third of sun, moon and stars darkened. Rev 8:12 This all takes place prior to the two key prophecies and the Great Tribulation. It is not clear in what form or how these events unfold or appear.
Two Key Prophecies that mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation	Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.	The US somehow becomes a minor player on the world stage. Speculation is that one or a combination of the following ideas are involved. 1] The United States is no longer relevant. 2] The United States is destroyed or partially destroyed. 3] The United States is no longer its own country - but part of a larger union of nations - possibly controlled/influenced by the Antichrist The first blow will be economic.
Fifth Seal Fifth and Sixth Trumpets First and Second Woe The Great Tribulation 1,260 days	Daniel 12:7 Revelation 9:1, 12 Revelation 6:9-11 Revelation 11:11-14	The fifth trumpet is the beginning of the Great Tribulation and is also represented by the fifth seal. The fifth trumpet, the fifth seal and the Great Tribulation are the First Woe. The Second Woe occurs during the Great Tribulation, heralded by the sixth trumpet, and ends with the resurrection of the two witnesses. The fifth trumpet or First Woe will be the EU attacking to the East. The sixth trumpet or Second Woe will be the Eastern Hordes [Russia/China] attacking the EU.
1,290 Days 30 day period after the 1,260 days	Daniel 12:11 Revelation 7:9, 14	Time period for the gathering of the great multitude. The 144,000 and the great multitude are called from around the world with some coming out of the slavery of Europe.
Sixth Seal Seventh Trumpet Third or Last Woe Seven Last Plagues Day of the Lord Battle of Armageddon	Third or Last Woe: Revelation 8:13 Seven Last Plagues: Revelation 16 Day of the Lord: Joel 2:1 Revelation 6:15-17 Revelation 11:18 Revelation 14:19 Revelation 15:1	The seventh trumpet covers the seven last plagues. 1^st plague: Sores on those with Mark of Beast. 2^nd plague: Sea turns to blood – all creatures die. 3^rd plague: Rivers turn to blood. 4^th plague: Sun scorches humanity with great heat. 5^th plague: Beast’s seat of government afflicted. 6^th plague: Euphrates dried up..armies gather for Armageddon 7^th plague: Great earthquakes and hail.

Seventh Seal All seven trumpets 1,335 days	Revelation 8:1-2, 6 Revelation 16 Revelation 6:12-14, 17 Daniel 12:12	The Seventh Seal covers all seven trumpets described above. Ends in Day of the Lord. The 1,335 days denotes the 45 days of the Seven Last Plagues and Day of the Lord after the 1,260 of the Great Tribulation and the 30 for the gathering of the 144,000 and great multitude.
Christ Returns First Resurrection	Christ Returns: Matthew 24:29-31 Mark 13:24-27 Luke 21:25-28 Firstfruits resurrected: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 1 Corinthians 15:51-53	Jesus Christ returns in the sky. Firstfruits rise up to meet Him in the air. Two witnesses first, dead then live firstfruits. All firstfruits now spirit beings. All firstfruits witness angels and Christ defeat opposition. Christ lands on Mount of Olives which splits in two. Christ rules all nations with rod of Iron.
1,000-Year Millennium	See all scriptures in references in notes.	See Good News section for full description and scriptures http://www.icgchurches.org/Las_Vegas_NV/Heart_and_Soul/Good_News-001.shtml Roughly 770 million humans live into millennium. All are healed and provided for. Nations reassigned. One language, one religion, one government. Firstfruits co-rule with Christ. All humans in Salvation Process No wars or rebellions of note. Perfect reign of Christ Preparation for Second Resurrection
Second Resurrection White Throne Judgment Satan released Approximately 100 years Ends with war Ends with third resurrection	Everyone who ever lived resurrected. Revelation 20:5 Everyone learns absolute truth of God. Psalm 19:7-10 Everyone given opportunity at eternal life. Revelation 22:14, 17 20:12 Death and the grave are no more. Revelation 20:14 Jesus will deliver the Kingdom to His Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24	Satan is loosed during this time. There is a huge rebellion - war at the end of this period. War is ended. Third resurrection takes place. We have a paper that explains this. Satan and demons put into outer darkness for eternity.
New Heavens New Earth New Jerusalem	God provides new heavens and new earth. Revelation 21:1 There are no more oceans. Revelation 21:1 A new Jerusalem descends from heaven. Revelation 21:2 Description (river of life, tree of life). Revelation 22:1-5	Speculation: The new earth could be larger than current earth to support New Jerusalem. New Jerusalem is 1,500 miles long, wide, and high in form of pyramid or possibly cube. At one mile per floor, the square miles would exceed all land masses currently on earth. Four rivers. One each side. Speculation is that Garden of Eden will be on ground floor or one like it. God and Christ will rule limitless space in all directions for eternity from New Jerusalem.

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Las Vegas, Nevada Church of God - part of The Intercontinental Church of God and The Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association - Tyler, Texas