Intro to the End Times #7: What Does the Timeline Look Like?


Intro to the End Times is a series walking through some of the key themes of the story of Jesus’ return from a historic premillennial perspective, with special focus on knowing the heart of Jesus as we partner with God through the most dramatic chapter of human history.


So What Actually Happens When?

Welcome to post #7 of Intro to the End Times! Maybe you were asking this question right off the bat when this series started, but it was important to get some fundamentals in place before we actually start talking timeline. So far we’ve discussed:

  1. Does God Want Us to Understand the End Times? – Called to Watch
  2. Why Should We Study the End Times? – Practical Benefits
  3. Where is the Story Going? – God’s Ultimate Objectives
  4. How Should We NOT Think About the End Times? – Dismantling Wrong Ideas
  5. What Are the Signs of the Times? – Things Jesus Said to Watch
  6. Are the End Times Good or Bad? – The Great and Terrible Day

Earlier in this series, I shared a video on my social media outlining the broad scope of the timeline. I encourage you to watch that video (enjoy the bloopers at the end as well!) and then dive into the rest of this post.

You may also appreciate this pdf download of the timeline of Revelation, as well as two timeline charts. Print them out, keep them in your Bible, look up the verses, and refer to them as needed.

One of the timelines in the pdf– download here.

I’ve never written out the timeline in blog form before, but I’ve taught it in internship classes many times, so I’m just going to invite you into my classroom and pretend that I’m standing at the whiteboard and you’re sitting at a table in front of me, leaning forward and asking questions.

2017 Caitlyn teaching an internship

What exactly does the timeline look like?

The bulk of the storyline takes place within a seven year timeline commonly called the Tribulation (Da. 9:27). This period is broken into halves, 3 1/2 years and 3 1/2 years, with the second half being more intense. This second 3 1/2 year period (also referred to as “1,260 days”, “forty-two months,” or “time, times, and half a time”, Da. 7:25, 12:7; 11:3, 12:6; Re. 11:2-3, 12:6, 13:5) is called the Great Tribulation (Mt. 24:9, 24:29; Re. 7:14). I’ll come back to these two halves in a minute.

Before these seven years, Jesus promised a period that He referred to as the birth pains that I spent an entire post on earlier (Mt. 24:8, Mk. 13:8). This is an escalating period of global crisis featuring deception and earthquakes and wars (oh my).

The purpose of the birth pains is twofold: 1) to wake the church up to prepare for the things to come, and 2) to create a global context of crisis into which the antichrist can appear as a hero.

Okay, now we’re talking. When does the antichrist show up?

The antichrist becomes obvious at this point here (I point to the board) when the seven years start. Before that, he will probably be a minor political player who isn’t well known on the world stage (Da. 7:8). He will rise to popularity seemingly overnight. Daniel says that he will “make a strong covenant with many” that somehow involves the temple in Jerusalem (Da. 9:27, Re.11:1-2). It seems likely that this will be some sort of peace treaty between Israel and the Islamic nations that will appear to be a brilliant compromise that allows Israel to rebuild their temple and institute the traditional sacrifices. This moment is what kicks off the countdown.

The treaty, which is supposed to last for seven years, brings a significant level of world peace. The world has been in utter chaos because of the birth pains, and suddenly this guy shows up as the world leader they’ve been wishing for. He gains more and more prominence, and at this point he just seems like a brilliant, likable, trustworthy guy.

What does the world look like at this time?

For three and a half years, the world is in a period of peace and safety– but it’s a false peace and safety (1 Th. 5:2-3)! It’s a surface illusion that will soon be broken. Plenty of wickedness is still happening and increasing.

This is a period that scripture describes as the time of the Harlot Babylon. The Harlot Babylon is a global system and culture with impact in every area of life- political, economic, religious, entertainment, etc. The world is becoming united with common loyalty to this Harlot system; it’s a tangible political/economic system based in the literal revived city of Babylon, but it’s also a culture that pervades the way people behave everywhere (Re. 17-18).

The message during this period is “everything goes, do whatever you want, there are no limits or rules to hold you down!” If you know the Hunger Games series, you might imagine the lavish prosperity of the Capitol– but under the surface it’s rotten to the core.

So is this a time of peace even for the church? Or are we getting persecuted?

Many even in the church will be swayed by the Harlot’s empty promises (Mt. 24:12), but those who are faithful to Jesus are for sure getting persecuted (Mt. 24:9, Re. 17:6). We’re speaking up for righteousness in the midst of an increasingly dark society, we’re proclaiming that Jesus is the only way while the world is saying anything goes– and worst of all, we’re pointing at the world’s favorite good guy and calling him a bad guy. That’s not going to go over well. Scripture promises that there will be persecution and martyrdom during this time– but it’s only going to get worse.

So far this is still only the first three and a half years. The shift happens at the midway point, when the second three and a half years begin. At that point, the antichrist breaks the treaty which allowed the Jews to run their temple in the traditional way, and marches into the temple and basically says, “Just kidding! I’m not here for peace; I’m going to conquer the world– and also I’m God; worship me.” This is the moment scripture calls the abomination of desolation (Da. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Mt. 24:15-22; 2Th. 2:3-4).

This begins the second three and half years. when the judgments of Revelation really start and the seven seals begin to happen. The seals start with the antichrist beginning to violently conquer the world and as a result multiple types of crisis continue to stack up– economic collapse, mass death, martyrdom, etc (Re. 6).

So when does Jesus come back?

At the seventh trumpet (Mt. 24:31; 1Co. 15:52; 1Th. 4:16; Re. 10:7, 11:15).

Like labor pains, each set of judgments comes harder and faster than the last. After the seals, there are seven trumpets, much more intense than the seals, and in a more compressed timeframe. The seven trumpets (Re. 8:6-9:20) are strikingly more supernatural than the seals, as we see blood, fire, hail, and demon locusts come into play.

At long last, at the seventh and final trumpet, the Son of Man that Daniel saw appears breaking through the clouds, descending like He ascended, riding a white horse, with fire in His eyes and an army of resurrected saints following Him on white horses (Da. 7:13-14, Ac. 1:11, Re. 11:11-16).

Which leads me to the question of resurrection/rapture. When Jesus appears, two things happen in very short order: 1) saints who have died are resurrected into their new eternal bodies, and 2) saints left alive on earth are caught up to meet Him in the clouds and given their new eternal bodies (1Th. 4:13-17, also check out the Easter post I wrote about the resurrection of the saints). These two groups unite and join Jesus to fight against the antichrist and his armies. Thus begins the final climactic military campaign of the age.

What happens after the seventh trumpet?

After the seven seals and seven trumpets come the seven bowls of wrath (Re. 16). These are the worst of the worst judgments, and as the trumpets were faster and harder than the seals, the bowls are faster and harder still (probably a month based on comparing Da. 12:11 to other passages). They closely resemble the plagues of the Exodus, including sores, water turning to blood, fierce heat, and darkness. This time, however, Jesus is on earth while the bowls are released, and everyone who got saved pre-seventh trumpet (including you and me!) have indestructible resurrected bodies. The bowls can’t touch us even a little bit.

As the bowls are being released, Jesus is marching across the middle east with His army of saints, making His way toward Jerusalem to confront the antichrist and establish His rule. Along the way, He’s setting captives free and releasing Jews from the antichrist’s concentration camps (Isa. 61:1-3, Jer. 30:10, Ez. 34:12, Zeph. 3:19-20). I like to imagine this like Aslan’s procession through Narnia in Prince Caspian, bringing healing and freedom wherever He goes.

Imagine being a Jewish person during this time. Many Jews will get saved in the great revival, and many will give themselves over to the antichrist, but imagine being one who manages to hold out from both decisions. All throughout the antichrist’s regime you’ve known better than to worship him, and you’ve experienced his fury and genocidal antisemitism far worse than Hitler, but you also don’t trust what the Christians say about Jesus, because you’ve been taught that Jesus is the Gentiles’ false Messiah and Jews have nothing to do with Him.

And yet you know the prophecies of the Messiah coming to destroy Israel’s enemies and establish the Kingdom of God, and you know what Daniel says about the Son of Man appearing in the sky, and just when it seems that things are at their darkest– THERE HE IS, the Messiah at last, breaking through the clouds in all His majesty! The Day of the Lord is here, HE’S here, doing all of the things the Messiah was prophesied to do– except (your heart sinks in dread) He’s Yeshua of Nazareth after all. He’s the one we rejected and killed. The Christians were right.

This is the time that all remaining Jews alive on earth are saved all at once (Ro. 11:26). A terrible mourning seizes them as God pours out the grace for repentance (Zec. 12:10), and finally, FINALLY, as Jesus comes to Jerusalem once again, they recognize who He is and say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (Mt. 23:39).”

What happens when Jesus gets to Jerusalem?

Okay. At the same time all this is going on, the antichrist is boiling mad and rallies his armies to meet Jesus at Jerusalem (Re. 16:13-14; 19:19). This battle of Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of Psalm 2, the kings of the nations rebelling against the leadership of God. I imagine that the antichrist describes Jesus as a usurper, come down from the sky to take the kingdom that’s rightfully theirs. “Sure, He’s the Son of God, but why should that give Him the right? We can take Him!”

And so, in the utter height of human arrogance, the antichrist and His armies literally prepare to go to war against Jesus in the flesh.

Let’s just say, it doesn’t go so well for them.

It’s a bloody battle but easily won, and Jesus fully and finally defeats the antichrist and throws him in the fiery pit. He also locks up Satan in some sort of holding chamber for a thousand years, and then begins the clean-up process of restoring the earth and instituting His thousand year reign (Re. 19:11-20:3). This is what we call the Millennium.

The Millennium itself and what happens after those thousand years is quite a story too, but we’ll leave it there for today (read ahead in Re. 20-21 if you want!).

Class dismissed.

9 Things I’ve Learned About Partnership Development: Candid Thoughts on Support Raising as an Intercessory Missionary

The past few months, I’ve been spending much of my time sending letters, postcards, and texts, making phone calls, and having meetings with people to share the story of how God called me to full-time prayer ministry at The Prayer Room DFW and the vision of 24/7 prayer. I’ve been inviting people to partner with my financially, since as a missionary I won’t have any kind of outside job. I’ve learned a lot through this process, and I’d like to share some of these insights with you, for the sake of encouragement and understanding.

1. People are excited about 24/7 prayer!

When intercessory missionaries approach partnership development, our primary fear is often that our calling won’t be seen as legitimate. However, to my recollection, nearly every single person I’ve talked to has been enthralled by the concept of night and day prayer and worship. I’ve heard in many meetings, “That’s so beautiful and powerful; I’m so glad there are people doing that.” Hearts come alive to imagine Jesus being exalted without ceasing. This is astounding because even ten years ago, intercession as a missional focus was met with much more skepticism than it is today. God is stirring the hearts of His church to pray and worship as we never have before. This is not a Kansas City thing or any other group’s self-made “thing.” GOD is raising up a praying, singing generation.

2. Relationship trumps money every time.

I’ve never walked away from a meeting feeling like I wasted my time, even if the person didn’t commit to partner with me. My goal is simply to build relationship, share the vision, and extend the invitation. I want us to both walk away encouraged, re-envisioned, and more in love with Jesus. That to me is a WIN.

3. Financial partnership strengthens relationship.

A good friend of mine is raising partnership to embark on a mission trip with The World Race. Early this year, she sent me a letter, invited me to coffee, and shared her heart with me. I gave as I felt led, and since then I’ve enjoyed reading her updates, exchanging letters with her, and praying for her journey– because, in addition to the fact that I love her as a friend, I’m invested now in her ministry. I’m part of what she will go on to do. Spiritually speaking, I receive a portion of her reward. I LOVELOVELOVE it when my friends who are on a tight budget still carve out a little corner of their budget for me, because they have committed to join me in the journey. They’re not necessarily called to vocational ministry in the house of prayer, but they are choosing to be an active, ongoing partner with me in what God is doing. This is why I use the term partner rather than supporter or donor we’re all in this together, and it shows when we stand hand in hand, make our dreams— um, I mean, God strengthens church unity through financial partnership in ministry.

4. Jesus is inviting His church into His story.

I really believe that GOD is the one raising up 24/7 prayer and worship across the globe, that there will be a swelling song of worship arising that will climax in Jesus’ return to the planet. This is HIS story. I believe He wants to invite believers to join Him in that story. It’s nice when old friends support me because they like me, but it’s not about me and my little thing. It’s about the glory of JESUS filling the earth. This is His story. I’m just an ambassador. He’s the one who’s inviting people into it. This takes so much of the pressure off of me to “convince” people to partner. Like Paul said, it’s not about wise and persuasive words, but the Spirit’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5) I’ve spoken to people who have told me that from the moment they first read my letter, they felt the Holy Spirit speaking to them. This is mostly on Jesus, not me.

5. Persistent follow-up is actually appreciated.

I know, it feels weird to leave voicemails and texts for days, but when I’ve finally gotten a hold of those people they’ve been so glad I didn’t give up. These are good people who love Jesus and love me– they’re not mad. They respect what I’m doing and are quite willing to get together when they’re free.

6. Partnership development often becomes ministry.

I frequently end partnership meetings by praying for the person I’m meeting with, especially if they’ve shared a prayer request. I want to keep track of that prayer request and keep lifting it up. I want these people to feel blessed and cared for by talking with me, whether or not God is asking them to partner with me. Partnership is a two-way street; I want to bless them as much as they’re blessing me.

7. It’s about faithful stewardship.

This is one of the most freeing things I’ve learned about partnership: Each of us as believers has a stewardship from God. (Matthew 25:14-30) We each have different things He’s entrusted us with — ministry calling, relationships, money, etc. I need to be a faithful steward of my calling to ministry, which includes partnership development. (I wouldn’t be a very faithful servant if I just sat on my butt and waited for a silver parachute full of cash to drop down from the sky!) Similarly, the friends I’m reaching out to have a stewardship of their finances, and part of that includes sowing into the Kingdom. When I ask someone to partner with me, I’m just asking if our stewardships might overlap.

8. God provides unexpectedly.

Sometimes, the person I’ve ruled out as a potential partner will be the very person who will approach ME and ask how to give. Sometimes, the meeting I go into with low expectations will turn into a lengthy heart-to-heart with prayer and monthly partnership on top of that. Sometimes, a friend of a friend will unexpectedly write me a $1000 check. WHAT?? God provides in very unexpected ways. It’s an adventure partnering with Him to knock on every door to testify of His story and discover if He has a partnership waiting there for me.

9. Jesus is worthy of the struggle!

Partnership development isn’t easy. It can be overwhelming, intimidating, and discouraging. But Jesus is worth the battle. He is worthy of 24/7 adoration. He is worthy of me being free to respond fully to His calling without hindrance. He is worthy of the awkwardness. He is worthy of this introvert making dozens of phone calls a week. He is worthy of every hour spent writing postcards, because this is all going towards fulfilling the dream in His heart: “From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.” (Isaiah 24:16)

He is faithful. He is a generous Father. Every single time He has called me somewhere, He has provided the means to make it happen. He WILL provide yet again, and He will draw His children into deeper relationship with Himself and each other along the way.

Bonus: An FPD Prayer

Finally, please enjoy “An FPD Prayer” I wrote in the thick of one of those hard days. (FPD is an IHOPKC term for Forerunner Partnership Development).

Jesus, You are worthy of 24/7 adoration. You want this. You deserve this. You are worthy of dedicated priests in Your house crying out to You day and night. You are worthy of the hand cramps from postcard writing. You are worthy of $100 worth of stamps. You are worthy of the phone calls and meetings and awkwardness. You are worthy of me being free to say YES without hindrance. If every letter would fund an hour in the prayer room (I have no idea how to calculate that, so whatever), You are WORTHY of it.

And You are good. You are good at providing for Your children and Your servants. You are good at stirring hearts to partner with You. You are good at giving me courage, focus, grace, and peace to do the process and do the ask. You are GOOD at finishing what You start.

Let’s do this.

I hope reading this has been encouraging to those who are seeking to develop partnerships for missions and to those who may be called to partner with a missionary. Nearly everything I know about partnership development comes from an IHOPU class taught by Rob Parker, and his book, “The Fully Funded Missionary“. Check him out at PartnershipDevelopment.org. If you’d like to hear more about my story and the vision for 24/7 prayer, check out the My Story and Partner With Me pages on this blog.

(Full disclosure: I love to recommend resources to help you in your journey, and when I do I use Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through my links, I may receive a small commission. But if there’s a resource you want, I encourage you to get it wherever works best for you!)

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19)