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In this continuation of our study on the Second Coming, we turn from the Old Testament to Matthew chapter 24—what’s been rightly called “the little apocalypse.” This is Jesus’ own prophetic discourse given from the Mount of Olives just two days before His crucifixion, providing us with a condensed version of the Book of Revelation.
Matthew 24 gives us the complete timeline: the birth pains that increase in frequency and intensity, the great Tribulation of the final three and a half years, and then “immediately after the tribulation of those days”—Christ’s return. This isn’t the Rapture we’re seeing here; this is the second phase of His coming when He returns to earth with His saints to defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon.
Notice the key characteristics of this return: it’s literal and physical—”this same Jesus” is coming back. It’s visible—”as lightning flashes from east to west,” every eye will see Him. It’s glorious—He comes “on the clouds with power and great glory.” And remarkably, it’s both vengeful toward the unbelieving and gracious toward His elect. This will be the greatest rescue operation and the most decisive judgment in human history.
Key Facts
Biblical Text: Matthew 24:29-31 describing Christ’s return “immediately after the tribulation of those days”
Olivet Discourse Context: Jesus taught this from Mount of Olives two days before crucifixion
“Little Apocalypse”: Matthew 24 provides condensed version of Book of Revelation’s timeline
Chronological Sequence: Birth pains → Great Tribulation → Christ’s Second Coming → Kingdom
Two-Phase Coming: Pre-Tribulation Rapture (for saints) vs. Second Coming (with saints) to earth
Characteristics of Return: Literal, physical, visible, glorious, vengeful, and gracious
Sign of Son of Man: Possibly Christ’s own appearance in Heaven before touching earth
Duration Theory: Dr. John Walvoord suggested 24-hour coming for entire world to witness
Rescue Operation: Angels gather elect from four winds after Antichrist’s defeat
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The End Times Timeline: God’s Eternal Plan Revealed
This small comprehensive book, The End Times Timeline provides believers with an accessible framework for understanding biblical prophecy. It traces God’s prophetic program from the Old Testament through the eternal state. What’s particularly noteworthy is how current events align with ancient predictions—Israel’s restoration, technological advances enabling global surveillance, and the geopolitical alignment of nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38–39.
The timeline identifies key prophetic milestones: the Rapture preceding the Tribulation, the rise of Antichrist, the rebuilt Temple, and Christ’s Second Coming. While some debate the timing of particular events like the Gog-Magog War, the overall framework reflects solid Bible research. This resource serves as an excellent tool for both new believers seeking prophetic clarity and mature Christians desiring to understand their place in God’s unfolding plan.
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