When is the End of this Age? – FAQ EndTimes.com

Many people in the world sense that things are rapidly changing. Those who have heard that there will be an end to this age realize that it is quickly approaching.

The world is a very different place than it was 50 years ago:

People are obsessed with doing what is politically correct in the world’s eyes instead of doing what is right in God’s eyes.
People pursue their own idea of what is “good” instead of following the author of “Good” (Jehovah God). As a result, they have confused what is good and bad.
People are falling away from God. An increasing number of people identify themselves as religiously “unaffiliated.” In addition, increasing numbers of people deny the very existence and/or relevance of God.
People are homogenizing their faith, perverting Biblical teachings into very unbiblical doctrines, and embracing global interfaith movements.

Meanwhile, an alarming number of nations possess nuclear power. Several of those nations are openly hostile toward anyone who is different from them. The world seems very close to having a nuclear war within the next several years.

What does the Holy Bible have to say about all that? It actually predicts what will happen and in what order. No one knows the exact date that this age will end and the next age will begin but God has provided prophecies to help prepare His people for what will happen. We are not to be afraid and we are not to be asleep (unprepared).

The end of this age began about 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ arrived. But this age will eventually end and the grand finale appears to be coming very soon.

It appears that many of the end times prophecies have already been fulfilled. Of the few that remain, some of them appear to be in the process of happening today. Even so, there are still several that have yet to take place.

The 7 Seals

The 1st Seal appears to have been opened in 1994 when the holy land and holy city that God gave Israel was divided. An Islamic Palestinian Authority was created to govern the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It also claimed its capital to be eastern Jerusalem. This was during a Shemitah year.

The 2nd Seal appears to have been opened on 9/11/2001 (the 29 Elul of a Shemitah year). Islamic terrorists declared a “jihad” holy war against the non-Islamic world and attacked the World Trade Center and the US Pentagon. Since that date, terrorist attacks have steadily increased throughout the world. This was the beginning of peace being taken from the earth.

The 3rd Seal appears to have been opened on 9/29/2008 (the 29 Elul of a Shemitah year). That is when Wall Street Stock Market fell 777.7 points in a single day and triggered the Global Economic Crisis and the Global Food Crisis.

The 4th Seal appears to have been opened on 9/13/2015 (the 29 Elul of a Shemitah year). That is when an unprecedented migration of Biblical proportions began. From September 2015 through December 2015, over one million Muslims migrated into the European Union. Islam already controlled one fourth of the earth’s population but Islam is now poised to take control over one fourth of the earth (geographically).

The 5th Seal describes martyrs being told to wait until the full number of their brethren have joined them. This is related to the extreme persecution of the Great Tribulation which begins halfway through a 7 year treaty. The opening of the 5th Seal appears to mark the beginning of the 7 year treaty. If so, these events are also part of the 6th Trumpet.

It appears that the first 4 Seals were opened during Shemitah years. In addition, it appears that the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Seals were each opened on the last day of a Shemitah year (29 Elul). Based on the Hebrew calendar, those events were exactly 7 years apart.
IF the 7 year Shemitah pattern continues, there is a possibility that the 5th Seal could be opened on the 29 Elul of the next Shemitah year (September 25, 2022). If so, this would most likely be the day upon which the 7 year treaty is made. This treaty is likely to be the outcome of the 6th Trumpet war’s unprecedented consequences.
Regardless of when the 7 year treaty begins, it marks the beginning of the final 7 years of this age. At the end of the 7 years, this age ends and the next age begins by God pouring out His wrath onto the evil in the world (the 6th Seal and 7 Golden Bowls).

The 6th Seal describes the beginning of God’s wrath (aka the 7 Golden Bowls) and the sealing of the 144,000 Witnesses. This takes place when the Great Tribulation ends. The final portion of the 7 Golden Bowls includes the battle of Armageddon (when Jesus returns to destroy the end times beast and save the remnant of Israel). This appears to also be part of the 7th Trumpet.

The 7th Seal describes silence in heaven for half an hour. It appears to be a moment of awe related to the beginning of God’s holy reign over the earth (the next age).

The 4th Seal

Revelation 6 describes a 4th Seal in which a rider named “death” is followed by “hell.” The rider is given power over “a fourth of the earth to kill with the sword, with hunger, with pestilence, and with the beasts of the earth.”

Islamic-controlled countries (not just the extremist groups like ISIS/ISIL) historically and currently use those same methods for punishing and/or killing infidels (unbelievers) and apostates (anyone who dares to leave Islam). In Islamic-controlled countries they enthusiastically proclaim death to Jews, death to Christians, death to America, and death anyone to profanes their god Allah, their prophet Muhammad, or their religion of Islam.

Islam currently represents about one fourth of the world’s population.

Islam does not yet control one fourth of the earth (geographically). That situation began to change in September 2015 when Islam began an unprecedented migration into the European Union (the beginning of the 4th Seal). Over one million Muslims migrated into Europe within the last 4 months of 2015. In addition, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world primarily due to extremely high birth rates. When Islam succeeds in gaining control over that geographical area, Islam will then control one fourth of the earth (completion of the 4th Seal).

The 2nd Seal & the 6th Trumpet War

Revelation 6 states that when the 2nd Seal is opened, peace will be taken from the earth. Daniel 9 states that “the end will come like a flood: war will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” Revelation 9 states that the 6th Trumpet war will originate at the Euphrates river and it will involve 200 million soldiers.

All of the countries that currently border the Euphrates river are Islamic. The Islamic terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 originated from the Euphrates area. Since that time, terrorist activity has steadily increased and peace has been taken from the earth. The Islamic jihad war has continued since 9/11/2001.

Based on Revelation 9, it appears that the war that began on 9/11/2001 will eventually climax into an unprecedented war that results in the death of one third of mankind. A death toll of that magnitude would result in people demanding peace at any cost.

The 7 Year Treaty

Daniel 9 states that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many for a period of 7 years. Halfway through the treaty, the Antichrist will be revealed when he violates the treaty. He will put an end to animal sacrifice and at the Temple he will set up the abomination that causes desolation. According to Matthew 24, immediately after the abomination that causes desolation is set up the Great Tribulation begins.

Note that in order for the Antichrist to set up the abomination at the Temple, it must first be rebuilt. It appears that the Temple will be rebuilt during the first part of the 7 year treaty.

The Beast

When the 7 year treaty is made, it will unite many nations in an effort to avoid another world war. That appears to be when the end times beast is created. Revelation 13 states that the people marvel at the beast and say “who can make war against it?”

Daniel 7 describes four beasts that are four kings which “will rise” from the earth. It also states that when the terrifying beast is destroyed, the other beasts will be allowed to live for a while longer. This indicates that those kings did not yet exist at the time that Daniel was given the prophecy and they will be present during the end times.

The king/kingdoms of the end times were described in Daniel 7 as a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a terrifying beast. The terrifying beast has 7 heads (kingdoms) and 10 horns (kings). It has iron teeth and bronze claws. It devours and destroys everything in its path. It is different from all the beasts before it.

Revelation 17 describes a similar terrifying beast and states that the 7 heads are 7 kings/kingdoms: “5 have fallen, one is, and one has not yet come.” The 5 that “have fallen” appears to describe ancient kings/kingdoms: Egyptian empire, Assyrian empire, Babylon empire, Media-Persia empire, and Grecian empire.

The 6th head, “one that is,” refers to the king/kingdom in existence at the time the prophecy was given: the Roman empire. The 7th head, the “one that has not yet come,” appears to refer to the divided kingdom of the end times described in Daniel 2 (feet and toes of iron mixed with clay). The beast that “once was, now is not, and yet will come” is an 8th king (the Antichrist).

The 10 horns are 10 kings that have not yet received a kingdom but at the end times, they will been given power along with the beast. Three of the kings will be subdued by the Antichrist. The remaining kings will have one mind and give their power and strength to the beast. They will make war with the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and they will lose that war (the battle of Armageddon).

Revelation 13 describes a combined beast that exists at the end times. The combined beast resembles the terrifying beast but it now has the body of the leopard (the European Union, aka revived Holy Roman empire), the mouth of the lion (Great Britain), and the feet of the bear (Russia). Note that those kingdoms have been reduced to simply body parts of the beast (they are not described as the heads of the beast).

Daniel 8 and 11 describe the Antichrist using intrigue to seize the kingdom when the people feel secure. It appears that the kingdoms being seized are the ones which are assimilated into the terrifying beast (lion: Great Britain, bear: Russia, leopard: the European Union).

Daniel 2 describes a statue that is destroyed by a cornerstone (when Jesus Christ returns). The statue has a head of gold (Babylon empire), arms and chest of silver (Media-Persia empire), belly and thighs of bronze (Grecian empire), legs of iron (Pagan Roman empire), feet and toes of iron mixed with clay (a divided kingdom). The end times divided kingdom appears to be a mixed kingdom of: Great Britain, Russia, European Union, Papal Rome, & Islam.

The False Prophet

At the end times a False Prophet will appear. He will be able to do signs and wonders. He will lead people away from God. He will encourage people to worship the beast and take its mark.

Jesus Christ said not to be fooled by false prophets. According to Revelation 19, Jesus returns with power and great glory and the armies of heaven will be with Him. Jesus won’t simply be floating down on a cloud. According to Matthew 24, Jesus’ arrival will be seen everywhere at once (like lightning). And an all-powerful God does not need human technology to accomplish this supernatural event.

Also, remember that God loves the Jews. God’s covenant with the Jewish people is eternal. Jesus was Jewish and made a point of fulfilling the Jewish laws. Jesus Christ would never tell people to kill all the Jews or break all the crosses. Jesus Christ would not deny that He is the Son of God and He would not deny that He was crucified on the cross for our sins.

The Great Tribulation

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 describe a time of great distress such as the world has never known nor will ever see again. This time of Great Tribulation begins immediately after the abomination that causes desolation is set up at the Temple. (also read Daniel 9, 11, and 12).

Although the WW1 Holocaust was unprecedented, it did not take place after the abomination that causes desolation was set up at the Temple (because the Temple has not yet been rebuilt). Therefore, the Great Tribulation of the end times has not yet happened.

Revelation 13 and 14 tells God’s people that it will be a time that requires patient endurance and faithfulness. Matthew 28 reminds Christ’s followers that He will be with them always, even unto the end of this age.

The Mark of the Beast

The world will marvel at the beast. Those whose names are not in the book of life will worship the beast. People will also worship Satan because he gave his power to the beast. But because Satan is the Father of Lies and the Great Deceiver, people probably won’t know that they are worshiping Satan.

Revelation 13 says that during the Great Tribulation, people will be not be able to buy or sell without having the mark of the beast. According to Revelation 14, anyone who takes the mark of the beast or worships its image will spend eternity in the lake of fire.

The Jews

Jews currently represent about .2% of the world’s population.

Revelation 12 describes Jewish people being saved by God during the time of Great Tribulation (1,260 days) (3-1/2 years). They will be taken to a place in the wilderness that God has prepared for them. God will provide for them during that time just as He did for their ancestors. It also says that when Satan realizes he won’t be allowed to kill all the Jews, he will turn his wrath against Christians.

When the world’s armies gather at Armageddon, Jesus Christ will arrive in time to save the remnant of Israel.

The Christians

Christianity currently represents about one third of the world’s population.

Zechariah 13 states that the Shepherd will be struck and the sheep scattered. This took place when Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected. The followers of Christ were persecuted and scattered abroad.

Zechariah 13 then states that two thirds of the Shepherd’s flock (Christ’s followers) will be killed. The New Testament does not claim that this prophecy was fulfilled during the time of the Apostles.

Revelation 7 & 19 state that a great multitude of Christians will be martyred. It is unclear if the two thirds described in Zechariah 13 are casualties in the 6th Trumpet war or if they are ones martyred in the Great Tribulation.

Zechariah 13 also states that one third of Christ’s followers will be refined in the fire. This group is clearly present during the Great Tribulation. It may also refer to the number of Christians that will still be alive when Jesus Christ returns (after the Great Tribulation is over).

When Jesus Christ returns, He will gather His followers and they will be transformed (first those who sleep in death and then those who are still alive). This event is sometimes called the Rapture. It appears to take place after the Great Tribulation and before the battle of Armageddon.

The Great Prostitute

Revelation 17 describes a great prostitute riding a scarlet beast. This prostitute leads people away from God, entices them to worship other gods, and encourages them to indulge in things that are abominable to God. “The inhabitants of the earth are intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

The great prostitute has control over the beast during the end times. The prostitute is described as a geographical place from which the kings of the earth are ruled. (aka “mystery Babylon”). She rules over peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. This appears to describe an end times Vatican (Papal Rome) or a global union of nations that mandates a world-wide tolerance-based anything-goes religion.

This fits the unbiblical doctrinal teachings of Pope Francis and the direction that the current world is rapidly headed. This would also be a natural reaction to a jihad-based war that results in the death of a third of mankind. It may take the form of a papal reign, a global interfaith network (e.g. the United Religions Initiative), or a coalition in which nations surrender their sovereignty (e.g. NATO or the United Nations).

The great prostitute is drunk on the blood of the martyrs. The prostitute persecutes anyone who won’t embrace its agenda requiring all religions to be embraced as true. Since Islam permits Muslims to lie if it benefits Islam, Muslims can pretend to follow the world’s dictate until they are strong enough to conquer the world for Islam. But because God forbids Jews and Christians from lying and/or denying Him, God’s holy people cannot embrace the world’s mandate to accept that all religions are true. Therefore, faithful Jews and Christians will be considered to be religious extremists.

Revelation 13 states that the beast will make war against God’s holy people and conquer them. The prostitute rules over the beast and is therefore responsible for the blood of the martyrs (it permits and encourages the war against Jews & Christians). This describes the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 17 states that the beast hates the prostitute. The beast eventually destroys the prostitute in a single day. When she is destroyed, the merchants and sailors will watch from afar and grieve while they witness her destruction. Revelation 18 & 19 indicates that the destruction of mystery Babylon takes place after the Great Tribulation and before the battle of Armageddon.

The 2 Witnesses

During the Great Tribulation, God will appoint 2 Witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days. They will be able to protect themselves supernaturally with fire. They will be able to stop the rain and bring plagues. When they have finished their 1,260 days of witnessing, they will be killed and their bodies will remain in the public square without burial. After 3-1/2 days they will be resurrected. This will mark the end of the Great Tribulation.

A word of Encouragement

Understanding the end times prophecies can be unsettling and/or distressing. Please do NOT give into fear or hatred. Pray for your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Love your neighbor.

The end of this age marks the beginning of the next age in which God reigns over the earth. But first, certain things will come to pass. Remember that God is in control. He has revealed the end from the beginning. And God does not desire for anyone to perish but for all to come to Him.

Please read the following chapters from the section on Real Hope in Difficult Times:

(Image from Pew Research Center: http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/)