The End Times in Revelation

Though Revelation can be difficult to understand because it uses so many symbols, it actually provides a very simple description of the End Times as the early Christians noticed. For example, after reading Revelation and the rest of Scripture, the early Christians summarized the End Times as follows: "[Jesus now] sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead . . . We believe in . . . the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting" (The Apostles' Creed). For centuries this simple summary of the End Times-rooted in Revelation-guided Christian teaching.

Today, however, false teachers have created many confusing and complex interpretations of Revelation. They have added false doctrines like the Rapture and the Millennium to Revelation's summary of the End Times. As a result, many Christians are confused about what will happen in the future. For a simple, clear understanding of how Revelation differs from modern, false opinions, study the timelines below. Be sure to look up the Bible references and see how Revelation agrees with the rest of God's Word.

Revelation's simple timeline clearly shows that no Rapture or Millennium must take place before Jesus returns. He could reappear for Judgment Day at any time! Therefore, "blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book" (Rev. 22:7). Study Revelation and joyously look forward to the return of your Savior.


The True Teaching

Millennialism

The 1,000 years mentioned in Rev. 20:2 are not literal, but are a symbol which illustrates the New Testament era from the time of Christ up to Armageddon, just before the End. We see this in poetry and prophecies of the Old Testament where 1,000 symbolizes any great amount or long period of time (Ps. 50:10; 84:10; 90:4). Jesus does not need to return to set up an earthly kingdom since He has already established His kingdom among all believers (Matt. 12:28; Jn. 18:36; Rom. 14:17; Rev. 1:5-6).


The Rapture

Revelation does not teach a Rapture of Christians. God will not remove Christians from the earth so that they might avoid suffering. Instead, Revelation teaches that God will preserve His people in the face of persecution and suffering (Rev. 3:10; 14:12). Since Christ will resurrect all believers and unbelievers on Judgment Day, there will be no second chance for repentance (Rev. 11:18; 20:11-15. See pages 24-25).


The Seven-Year Tribulation
The book of Revelation teaches the great tribulation neither as a future event nor as a seven-year period. Instead, the great tribulation refers to the persecution and suffering God's people have, and always will, face in this corrupt world (Acts 14:22; Rev. 1:9).


The 144,000 of Israel

The 144,000 sons of Israel are not Jews, but all Christians on earth who are baptized and thus sealed by God. This teaching of Revelation harmonizes with St. Paul who refers to all believers and the Christian church as the "new Israel" (see Gal. 6:15-16; "Israel of God" means all who trust in Christ, not just Jews; also Rom. 9:6-8; 11:25-26; Gal. 3:29).


Armageddon
Armageddon refers to the last great warfare that the devil will wage against the church of Christ on earth in one last attempt to destroy it. Though causing much suffering for the church, God will destroy the evil hosts arrayed against His saints on earth. And then the end of the world will come (Rev. 9:13-14; 16:12-16; 20:7-10; cf. Ezek. 38-39; Mk. 13:14-27). Literally, Armageddon is the geographical area east of Mt. Megiddo in northern Israel. Since many ancient battles took place on this site (2 Chr. 35:22; Zech. 12:11), Armageddon became a symbol of horrible suffering and divine punishment.



NOTES:
1 The Rapture is a non-biblical doctrine popularized by J. N. Darby (1800-1882). He was a pastor in the Church of Ireland but resigned when he became convinced of the Rapture doctrine. Darby helped found the "Plymouth Brethren."

2 The number 144,000 is symbolic. Twelve and multiples of twelve symbolize God's people in Revelation (e.g., the Church-as the "New Jerusalem"-has 12 gates, measures 12,000 stadia across, and has walls 144 cubits high; Rev. 21:2, 10-17).

3 Popular interpreters like Hal Lindsey, author of The Late, Great Planet Earth, now printed in 31 foreign language editions and read in more than 50 countries, focus Bible interpretation on Middle Eastern politics. Followers of this opinion often read their newspapers looking for new clues for interpreting the Bible. The result has been wild speculation and numerous false prophecies about the end of the world.


always get back to biblical footing for the confirmation on the issue outline above.