The Great Tribulation
Stage Two

The seventh angel trumpet is sounded.

The action now turns back to heaven.

"15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."

The Woman.

"1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."

There have been many interpretation of this description, but there is only one which agrees with other scripture, this "woman" must be the nation of Israel, the main target of Satan.
Scripture of often describes Israel as a woman, for example see Isaiah 26:16-18; Isaiah 66:7,8; Micah 4:10,11; Micah 5:3.

We see a woman who has failed to deliver her child, Israel has not shown God to the world, but had the honour of bringing Christ into the world, Rev 12:5.

"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

Jesus Christ, Incarnation: A child is born.
Jesus Christ Ascends to heaven: Caught up to God.
The Second Coming: He will rule.

The Dragon.

Rev 12:3,4.

"3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

The Dragon represents Satan, and shows his true nature. He is out to destroy Israel and prevent the plans of God for Mankind, but he fails to destroy the Christ child. So Satan and a third of the angels(stars of heaven) who had followed him were sent to the earth.

Having failed to destroy the plans of God, Satan is now out to "deceive the world." to stop the world seeking Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation.
Satan blinds the minds of the people, totally determined to lie about the grace of God, planting doubt everywhere he can. 2 Cor 4:3,4.

"3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. "

The Power of Satan.

When John saw Satan he saw "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." John calls him "The prince of the world," John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11. as shown by the crowns.
Satan commands a great army, "a third of the stars(angels) of heaven" who joined Satan in disobedience of God. Some have already been imprisoned, though there are very many who are out to destroy Mankind.

Satan had been free to enter heaven but now God takes the next step.
Rev 12:7-11.

"7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

The Believers are probably the 144,000 Jewish witnesses.

Note that this battle involves God’s angels against Satan’s angels; God-led humans against Satan-led humans. Satan has already been judged, but God has, for a reason known only to Him, not yet carried out the sentence, but that event is rapidly approaching.

Satan is now restricted to the earth only and will wreak terror and death on the people of the world, especially the Jewish nation.
Rev 12:15-17.

"15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

But God has already arranged for protection of His people, the earth and a prepared and protected place, some think this may be Petra. Rev 12:6.

"6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "

God gives special protection for the Jewish people for the second half of the seven year Tribulation period, three-and-half-years.

The Mark of the Beast.

As part of his control of the people on earth, the False Prophet will institute a mark / tattoo on each person on their right hand or forehead, without this "Mark of the Beast" the person will be unable to work, buy or sell anything. The mark of the Beast will identify them as followers of the Antichrist.
Those who refuse to have this mark will be shut out of the societies products and services, they will face starvation.

No one knows what form this mark of the beast will take, John gives a clue in Rev 13:18.

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

This mark will be implemented in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period, so the effect will only be for three-and-half-years.

This number, 666, has generated many theories as to its meaning, John tells us it is "the meaning of a man." The Bible often uses six in connection with humanity and seven when involving God, but no one as yet knows the real meaning of the mark.
However, with modern technology we can see how there could be world control through some sort of micro chip or similar implanted in each person, this technology is already available and being used today. Technically there is nothing which will prevent the time of the Tribulation happening.

We may not be able to work out the meaning but the Bible tells us what will happen to all who have this mark.
Rev 14:9-11.

"9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. "

For those who refused the mark the following will occur, Rev 20:4.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

Israel and the Antichrist.

Israel and the Antichrist make a covenant. In prophecies "a week" signifies a week of years, ie. seven years.

Daniel 9:25-27 to Daniel 11:39.

"25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Early in the beginning of the Tribulation period, the Antichrist signs an agreement with Israel, to protect them and give them peace for seven years.

This world ruler becomes more powerful with time, performing amazing signs and miracles.
He then takes the next step, breaks the Jewish covenant and declares himself a god and uses the Jewish Temple as the place to worship him.

The Antichrist will generate so much discount in the world that many nations will setup military forces to rebel against him, starting with the "king of the south," Africa, followed by the "king of the North"

"40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."

When the sixth angel pours out his vial the way from the Eastern nations becomes open. An army of two hundred million on its way. Rev 9:16.

The Last Stages

Rev 15:1

"1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."

We now see seven angels with the last plagues of God. The seven last plagues appear to fall under the seventh and last trumpet. The work of these plagues is to finish the destruction of Antichrist and his world power.
In heaven we can see the spectators and witnesses who had been able to get their victory over the beast as the seven angels prepare to carry out the commission of God.
While they wait they give praise to the greatness of God’s works, and the justice and truth of His love for Mankind, both for those who turned to Him and His destruction of His enemies. They rejoiced in hope, and the coming end to the action of God on those who rejected Him. They call upon all nations to turn to God, to fear Him and give Him the glory, and worship Him.

"2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest."

The temple of God now opens and seven angels with the plagues leave, as they pass one of the four beast of God they are given seven vials containing the wrath of God, which is to be poured out, with the plagues, upon the earth.

The Vials and Plagues.

The angels are now instructed to pour out their vials upon the earth. The effect of each vial is terrible.
Rev 16:1-21.

1st Vial, v2.

"fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image."

foul and evil (possibly malignant) sore. Probably a plague of ulcers.

2nd Vial,v3.

"The second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea."

The salt water of blood would not be drinkable and would soon smell terrible.

3rd Vial,v4.

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood."

Possibly it would be drinkable but they deserve to drink the blood because they shed the blood of saints and prophets.

4th Vial,v8,9.

"8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory."

One of the side effects of this very hot sun will be to have a very large affect on the world’s climate, a lack of rain everywhere and in addition the heat would melt all of the ice covered land and areas of the world, which would result in a massive sea level rise.

5th Vial,v10,11.

"10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."

Direct action on the place where the Antichrist was, yet the people still did not repent.

6th Vial,v12-16.

"12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."

The armies of the nations of the Far East, like China, can now easily march West towards Armageddon by this supernatural drying up of the Euphrates River.

"13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

Though the Antichrist has controlled the world it appears that many countries want to remove his power and are getting armies to attack him.

The three spirits of devils must be messengers sent out into the world who support the Antichrist and to persuade them to send armies to Armageddon.

"15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

v15, A timely warning to every man to be on his guard for the coming tribulation.

"16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."

Rev 17:14-18.

"14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."

The 7th Vial,v17-21.

"17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

The vials are poured out into the air suggesting everywhere is affected.

The final stage of the seventh trumpet, the voice from the temple must be that of God, the mystery of God will now be finished, completed.

"17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

Babylon.

The scriptures have referred to Babylon since the beginning, it has always been a city against God. BABYLON THE GREAT. The city of Babylon was on the Euphrates River, but there seem to be a symbolic reference to the city of Rome.
The Persians captured Babylon in 539 b.c. Dan. 5:30,31. In 514 Darius partially destroyed the walls of the city. Later Xerxes finally destroyed the walls and temples of Babylon in 478. There have been many attempts to rebuild the city but have been unsuccessful. Note that at the end of the twentieth century Iraq made another attempt at the restoration.
Biblical students feel that the Bible indicates that the Antichrist will move the world commercial system into a rebuilt Babylon.
Rev 17:1-6.

"1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: "

The attack on the city of Babylon by many nations is recorded in Jeremiah 50:9,10

"9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD."

Rev 18:8-10.

" 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. "

If the world commence had been all through Babylon, when the city is destroyed think of the effect it would have on world trade and finance systems.

The destruction of Babylon will be part of the judgement of God, but he will use human armies as his weapons.

Read Rev 18:1-24 to see greater detail on "Babylon," what it has done to the world and the result of the judgement of God upon it.

Heaven rejoices.

The center of commerce and control of the Antichrist empire has been destroyed, in heaven there is joy as we see the final stages of God’s plan coming into completion, proving that He keeps His promises, "For true and righteous are his judgments:" He keeps His Word.
Rev 19:1-6.

"1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

Armageddon.

People often refer to "Armageddon", but do not realize that it is a real place in Northern Israel, an ideal battlefield apparently.

Stage 1

Armageddon is the place where the Antichrist will gather the armies for the final destruction of the Jewish nation. The Bible does not indicates as to when during the second half of the tribulation this takes place, but it all ends at the end of the seven years of the tribulation.

Following the sixth vial/bowl of judgement, Rev 16:12-16, the Antichrist assembles his armies at Armageddon

As the Antichrist moves his armies to Armageddon, some of his enemies attack and destroy Babylon and then move on to Armageddon to attack the armies of the Antichrist.

Stage 2

The final Stage of Armageddon is the second coming of Christ to destroy the Antichrist and all his supporters.

"11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. "

Jesus Christ come down from heaven with His army of angels and the True Believers, but they do not have to fight, just words from the mouth of Jesus destroys.

An angel invites the birds to come and feast upon the bodies of the dead followers of Satan.
Rev 19:17,18.

"17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. "

All the armies of the world, with the mark of the beast, join together to fight the army of God but they cannot win against the power of God through His Son Jesus.
Rev 19:19-21.

"19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."

Rev 14:9-11.

"9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. "

According to the Bible, Christ could come to collect His True Believers, His bride, the church, at any time. Any one left behind will have to endure the horrors of the tribulation given above.

If you have never personally asked Jesus to become your Saviour from sin, then you need to turn to Him and accept His gift of forgiveness right now. You will be ready for the rapture then.

Why on earth would someone be so stupid as to prefer to go through the time of Tribulation when they can accept the pardon offered by God through Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:13.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."