Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. As for you Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time. Many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase.
Daniel 12:2-4 written 540 b.c.
For the vast amount of civilization, humanity normally did not travel very far during their lives. Some estimates say the majority of people in history never traveled more than twenty miles from their birthplace. Today, someone can literally fly anywhere in the world in less than twenty-four hours. Knowledge and technology had remained relatively constant for most of history. Only in the 1900's did our world see an astronomical increase in the capacity to acquire knowledge.
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This is the Word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth and who forms the spirit of man within him declares: "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will be severely injured." Zechariah 12:1-3 written 530 b.c.
God says Jerusalem will be the focal point of the action. All nations on the earth will descend on the holy city. God also makes it clear no nation which attacks Jerusalem will prevail in their efforts. It is good to note the majority of unrest in the Middle East today deals with the control of Jerusalem. After a 2,900 year worldwide exile, Israel became a nation again on May 14th, 1948 and they regained dominion of Jerusalem again in 1967.
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I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest and live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates. Ezekiel 38:11 written 580 b.c.
For thousands of years, people used walls to protect their cities. Only in the 1900's did mankind gain the ability to create machinery that can fly over and break through walls. Walls were rendered obsolete with the industrial revolution.
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This will be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who have gone to war against Jerusalem. Their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongue will rot in their mouth. Zechariah 14:12 written 530 b.c.
In all of time, how long have weapons existed which could make your flesh rot while you stand on your feet and cause your eyes and tongue to rot while you are still alive?
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The nations were angry and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding your servants, the prophets, your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great and for destroying those who destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18 written 95 a.d.
How long has mankind had the ability to literally destroy the earth?
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The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.
Revelation 9:16 written 95 a.d.
When this prophecy was written, there were only about 200 million people in the whole world. Only with the exponential population explosion in the last two hundred years, would it be possible for a country to have an army this large. Today, it is conceivable that a nation with a population size similar to China's could yield an army of 200 million troops by themselves. 
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The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates, and its water was dried up so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. Revelation 16:12 written 95 a.d.
How would it be possible to dry up the water of the enormous Euphrates river? Dams. In 1993, Turkey finished construction on the Ataturk Dam which can dry up the flow of the great Euphrates river.
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He will confirm a covenant with many for seven years. In the middle of the seven years, he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. On a wing, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. Daniel 9:27 written 540 b.c.
The anti-christ will rise to power on a peace platform. He will help initiate a seven year peace treaty with Israel and many other countries. However, halfway through the treaty, he will end sacrifices and offerings and he will set up the abomination that causes desolation. This is known as the tribulation period.
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He opened his mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. He was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast, all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. Revelation 13:6-9 written 95 a.d.
The anti-christ will have worldwide control. There will be no sovereign nations. All countries of the world will be under his authority. Everyone on the earth will worship him except those who belong to Christ. There are many people who feel organizations like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are working behind the scenes to debase nations, steal wealth and undermine national sovereignty.
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He performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of people. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in his right hand or in his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let them calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. Revelation 13:13-18 written 95 a.d.
The anti-christ will perform miracles in public. The beast will suffer a fatal wound yet live. He will fool the whole earth. Everyone will be forced to receive the mark in their hand or in their forehead to buy or sell anything. Subcutaneous computer chips are a reality today and we already find ourselves on the brink of a cashless society. With the advent of Global Positioning System, the technology now exists to monitor every person on the earth. Anyone who refuses to worship the beast or receive the mark will be killed. What happens to those who worship the beast and receive the mark? If any man worships the beast and his image and receives his mark in his forehead or in his hand, he will drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out in full strength into the cup of his indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:9-10 Nobody who worships the beast and receives his mark can go to heaven and if you do not do it, you will be killed. Would you rather be a martyr for the faith and go to heaven or join the herd and be separated from God for all eternity?
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They will throw their silver into the streets and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord's wrath. Ezekiel 7:19 written 580 b.c.
Even silver and gold, which are among the most valuable commodities in the world, will be worthless when the mark is used as the only means of buying and selling.
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I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar and count the worshipers there. Exclude the outer court. Do not measure it because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on Jerusalem for 42 months. I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." Revelation 11:1-3 written 95 a.d.
John was given instructions to measure the temple that will not be built for another 2,000 years. The Jews have not had a temple since 70 a.d. when the Roman emperor Titus destroyed the Jewish temple, but they are planning the building of the third one right now.
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For three and a half days, people from every tribe, language and nation will gaze at their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. Revelation 11:9 written 95 a.d.
How would it be possible for people from every nation in the world to view events in one location on the earth over a three and a half day period? Only in the last few decades, with the advent of satellites, could this prophecy literally be fulfilled.
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Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or that is worshiped. He sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 written 50 a.d.
The enemy will actually sit in the rebuilt Jewish temple and declare that he is God. This is the abomination that causes desolation. This is the abhorrent act that results in misery and ruin.
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What does Jesus have to say about when he will be returning?
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:36-37
Jesus says he will be returning when the earth is like it was in Noah's day. What was the world like in Noah's day? The earth was corrupt before God and it was filled with violence. For God looked upon the earth and it was indeed corrupt. All flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before me. The earth is filled with violence through them and I will destroy them with the earth." Genesis 6:11-13. I will let you decide whether or not our civilization is filled with corruption and violence today.
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After reading these prophecies, is there any doubt that we are living in the End Times?
What happens to all of the believers when these things are taking place?
Jesus says, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. I will make the one who overcomes a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God and I will also write on them my new name." Revelation 3:10-12
"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away. You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Matthew 24:22, 30-31, 35, 44
"I rebuke and discipline those I love. Be zealous and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them and they with me. To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let them hear what the Spirit says." Revelation 3:19-22
"Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away." Luke 21:29-33
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We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that those who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words. I Thessalonians 4:13-18
I declare to you that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?" I Corinthians 15:50-55
What happens when the seven years come to an end?
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it over him to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were over. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations on the four corners of the earth to gather them for battle. In number, they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. Fire came down from heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then, I saw a Great White Throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then, death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. The Lake of Fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, they were thrown into the Lake of Fire. Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, The New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with people and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who is thirsty, I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. The one who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be their God and they will be my child." Revelation 20:1-15, 21:1-7
The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The great street of the city was made of pure gold, like transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut because there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:18, 21-27
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" and let the one who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let them come and whoever wishes, let them take the Free Gift of the Water of Life.
Revelation 22:16-17
