Preservation

Through
Tribulation
by
Dr. Dieter Thom

A Study of
End Times
Prophecy
 Dr. Dieter Thom 2

This page is deliberately left blank.

 Preservation through Tribulation 3

Version 7/9/2018 © Dr. Dieter Thom dieterthom@gmail.com

SHORT EXCERPTS OF SCRIPTURE TAKEN FROM THE NEW KING JAMES

VERSION. COPYRIGHT©1982 BY THOMAS NELSON, INC. USED BY
PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. www.thomasnelson.com

EXTENDED EXCERPTS OF SCRIPTURE QUOTED BY PERMISSION.

QUOTATIONS ARE FROM THE NET BIBLE®
COPYRIGHT © 2005 BY BIBLICAL STUDIES PRESS, L.L.C.
www.bible.org ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

All ilustrations and photographs from Wikimedia Commons Public Domain.

Old Testament Scene, possibly The Last Days of the World according to the Prophet
Joel, Flemish, late 16th century, oil on wood panel, Dayton Art Institute. Public Domain.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 4

This page is deliberately left blank.

 Preservation through Tribulation 5

Contents

1. An Introduction to End Times Bible Prophecy

2. Basic Approaches in Prophetic Interpretation

3. The Synoptic Gospel Narrative Accounts of Jesus’ Prophecies

4. The Great Tribulation Chronology of the Book of Revelation

5. The Gospel, Apostasy and Israel in the Plan of God

6. The Antichrist and His Kingdom

7. The Temple of God

8. The Great Prostitute

9. The One World System

10. The Name and Mark of the Beast

11. The Battle of Armageddon

12. The Rapture of the Saints

13. The Millennial Kingdom of Christ

14. Conclusion

15. The Main Views of End Times Prophecy

16. Recommended Further Reading

17. About the Author

 Dr. Dieter Thom 6

This page is deliberately left blank.

 Preservation through Tribulation 7

1. An Introduction to End Times Bible Prophecy

“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at
the end of the days” (Daniel 12:13). The last four words of Daniel are “end of the days”,
and is the only place in the Bible that uses it. It refers to the end of time or ‘End Times’,
as they are popularly known in Christian circles. ‘Eschatology’ is the study of ‘final
things’.

The “Last Days”

The Bible uses the term “last days” in a number of passages. What does “last days”
actually mean? Is it the same at the end times or ‘end of the days’?

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-
control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its
power. And from such people turn away! (2 Tim. 3:1 - 5)

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers
by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds
(Heb. 1:1&2)

These two passages were written in the first century A. D., several years after the
ascension of Jesus, and during the time of the Apostles. That was around 2000 years ago.
According to these passages the ‘last days’ began then. The ‘last days’ will end when
He comes again. We must be careful when we interpret these passages. They refer to the
time between Jesus’ First and Second coming, not just to the ‘End Times’.

Joel’s Original Prophecy

28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My
maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will show wonders
in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun
shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the
great and awesome day of the LORD. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever
calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in
Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant
whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:28-32)

To what ‘days’ does Joel’s prophecy refer? The ‘End of the Days’ or the ‘Last Days’?
 Dr. Dieter Thom 8

Peter Quotes Joel’s Prophecy

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men
of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my
words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour
of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of
My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young
men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My
menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And
they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood
and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the
moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be
saved.’ (Acts 2:14-21)

Peter said all these words on the Day of Pentecost (vs 14 - 16) in the first century, nearly
2000 years ago. He said “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (vs 16). So, what
happened on the Day of Pentecost was a prophetic fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.
Clearly vs 17 & 18 of Joel’s prophecy were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, the start of
the ‘last days’. What about vs 19 – 21 of Joel’s prophecy? The Book of Revelation and
other Scriptures, tell us that it will be fulfilled at the end of the ‘last days’ (Is. 13:10;
Ezek. 32:7; Matt.24:29; Mark13:24-25; Luke 21:25; Rev. 6:12). Joel’s prophecy marks
the beginning and end of the “Last Days”. The first part of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled
in what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The second part of Joel’s prophecy will still
be fulfilled at the end of time.

Peter’s Prophecy

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your
pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the
apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in
the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the
promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as
they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by
the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and
in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with
water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same
word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men. (2 Pet. 3:1-7)
 Preservation through Tribulation 9

The appearance of the angel to the Apostle Peter. Painting by Andrey

Mironov, 2009. Public Domain.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 10

Many people in the last 2000 years of the ‘Last Days’ have mocked the Second Coming.
Many believers have set dates for Jesus’ Second Coming, only to be proved wrong. This
does not mean that our hope or our study of the Second Coming is futile.

The Promises of the Book of Revelation

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—
things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to
His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of
Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who
hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in
it; for the time is near. (Rev. 1:1-3)

There is a blessing for everyone that reads, hears and keeps the words of the Book of
Revelation. Do you want to be blessed? Or do you rather want to rather fear the words of
those who tell you that it is too difficult to understand and that it simply divides
Christians? It is difficult and can be divisive, but its blessing will remain.

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:
If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written
in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy
city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev. 22:18&19)

We must beware not to ‘add to’ or ‘take away’ from what the Book of Revelation
actually says. God’s judgment will come on those people. In fact, in dealing with the
Word of God, we must be very careful indeed.

The Exhortations of Second Timothy

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about
words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase
to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus
and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that
the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord
knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.” (2 Tim 2:14-19)

This book is written to build your faith in God’s Word, in the resurrection and Second
Coming of Jesus.
 Preservation through Tribulation 11

Girolamo Troppa - The Apostle John - KMSst141 - Statens Museum for Kunst Public
Domain.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 12

The Apostle Paul goes on to warn us that:

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being
deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and
been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:12-17)

Your attitude be towards the prophetic element of the Word of God should be just the
same. Some things are definitely difficult to understand, but other things are very clear.

The Signs of the End Times

The Bible teaches the sudden, personal, physical and visible return or Second Coming of
Jesus Christ. Jesus warned that nobody knows the day or hour of His return (Mark 13:32;
Matt 24:36). People have been setting dates for centuries. However, it is clear that certain
signs will immediately precede his coming. These we can call prophecies of the ‘end
times’.

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would
show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is
evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning,
“It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You
know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the
times.
(Matthew 16:1-3)

The Pharisees could not discern ‘the signs of the times’ (vs 3). But can normal Christians
really understand the Signs of the End Times accurately? If so many Bible scholars and
teachers disagree on the events of the End Times, what hope is there for the average
Christian? With all the different views out there, what principles can we use to help guide
us in the correct interpretation of the prophetic scriptures?
 Preservation through Tribulation 13

1. Basic Approaches in Prophetic Interpretation

Hermeneutics is the study of interpretation. In this study both inductive and deductive
approaches will be used to study eschatology. The inductive study will look at the
evidence and draw conclusions. The deductive study will take conclusions and apply
them to the Scriptures. In this study both literal and figurative approaches will be used
to study eschatology. Some things in the Bible are literally what they say. Jesus was a
literal person who literally went around healing people. Other things in the Bible are
figurative, using figures of speech. The prophetic scriptures speak, for example, of beasts
that represent empires. There is a lot of argument about whether to use a literal or
figurative methodology to interpret Bible prophecy. The author would like to suggest a
‘Third Way’ alternative: a natural reading of the text. This includes the other two ways
and doesn’t force an unnatural reading of the Biblical text.

Some other important terms used in Biblical interpretation:

Eisegesis – reading your own meaning into Scripture not intended by the writer.
Exegesis – finding the correct meaning of Scripture for the original readers.
Exposition – applying the current meaning of Scripture to the modern reader.

The Pair of Primary Principles of Prophetic Interpretation

Two guiding principles can assist in understanding End Times prophecy.

1. Let Scripture interpret itself.

a. Read the passage in context. Don’t wrench a text out of context to form a
pretext! Much of the figurative language can be decoded by the text of
Book of Revelation itself and does not need an external school of thought.

b. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Let the Gospels and the Epistles
(Letters) interpret each other. The New interpret the Old Testament.

c. Let the Old Testament interpret the New Testament. Most New Testament
prophecy draws from figures and imagery of the Old Testament.

2. Let historical events have their rightful place in interpretation.

a. Do not force historical events into a scriptural framework. This is the error
of pure Historicism.

b. Do identify events that have already happened and find their natural fit in
Scripture. This is the error of pure Futurism.

c. Identify multiple possible fulfillments of one passage. Try to find the one
that fits the best.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 14

Application of the Principles: Two Inductive Studies

1. The Synoptic Gospel Narrative Accounts of Jesus’ Prophecies

Compare and contrast the last sections of the synoptic gospels containing Jesus words
about the time of the end (Matt. 24&25; Mark 13; Luke 21). Find any references in
the Gospels about the end times. Compare them to the above sections in the Book of
Revelation.

2. The Great Tribulation Chronology in the Book of Revelation

Compare and contrast the following sections of the Book of Revelation.

The First Cycle The Second Cycle

7 Seals (Rev 6: 1-17) 7 Angels (Rev 14:6-20)

7 Trumpets (Rev 8:1-9:15) 7 Bowls (Rev 16:2-17)

Observe the patterns, particularly in the Trumpets and the Bowls.

Remember:

‘Eschatology’ is the study of ‘final things’. For our study purposes, the term ‘Last Days’
will always refer to the Church Age, but the term ‘End Times’ will only refer to the short
time at the end of the Church Age, the ‘Last of the Last Days’ immediately preceding the
Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The term ‘The End of the Days’ is only used
once in Scripture in the Book of Daniel. ‘End of Days’, incidentally, is the title of a
popular movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is an interesting story, but you won’t
get much theology out of it.

So, let us begin.

 Preservation through Tribulation 15

3. The Synoptic Gospel Narrative Accounts of Jesus’ Prophecies

(A Comparison of Jesus’ Final Words Before His Crucifixion)

The synoptic gospels have similar parallel accounts of the events and trends of the end of
time. This chart puts them next to each other where they match in content. Though they
are not strictly chronological, the similarities with each other and the Revelation passages
are unmistakable. The end of this book will integrate them all into a chronological
sequence of events.

Matthew 24:1 - 44 Mark 13:1 - 37 Luke 21:5 - 33 Commentary

24:1 Now as Jesus was going
out of the temple courts and
walking away, his disciples
came to show him the
temple buildings. 24:2 And
he said to them, “Do you see
all these things? I tell you
the truth, not one stone will
be left on another. All will
be torn down!”
24:3 As he was sitting on the
Mount of Olives, his
disciples came to him
privately and said, “Tell us,
when will these things
happen? And what will be
the sign of your coming and
of the end of the age?”
24:4 Jesus answered them,
“Watch out that no one
misleads you. 24:5 For
many will come in my name,
saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and
they will mislead many.
24:6 You will hear of wars
and rumors of wars. Make
sure that you are not
alarmed, for this must
happen, but the end is still to
come.
24:7 For nation will rise up
in arms against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.
And there will be famines
and earthquakes in various
places.
24:8 All these things are the
beginning of birth pains.
13:1 Now as Jesus was going
out of the temple courts, one
of his disciples said to him,
“Teacher, look at these
tremendous stones and
buildings!” 13:2 Jesus said to
him, “Do you see these great
buildings? Not one stone
will be left on another. All
will be torn down!”
13:3 So while he was sitting
on the Mount of Olives
opposite the temple, Peter,
James, John, and Andrew
asked him privately, 13:4
“Tell us, when will these
things happen? And what
will be the sign that all these
things are about to take
place?”
13:5 Jesus began to say to
them, “Watch out that no
one misleads you. 13:6
Many will come in my
name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and
they will mislead many.
13:7 When you hear of wars
and rumors of wars, do not
be alarmed. These things
must happen, but the end is
still to come.
13:8a For nation will rise up
in arms against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.
13:8b There will be
earthquakes in various
places, and there will be
famines.
13:8c These are but the
beginning of birth pains.
21:5 Now while some were This has not yet
speaking about the temple, happened. The
how it was adorned with destruction of the
beautiful stones and Jewish temple occurred
offerings, Jesus said, 21:6 in 70 AD. The Western
“As for these things that (Wailing) wall was part
you are gazing at, the days of the temple complex,
will come when not one and that was not
stone will be left on another. destroyed. There is still
All will be torn down!” a time coming that will
fulfill this.
21:7 So they asked him, 3 Questions:
“Teacher, when will these (All)
things happen? And what 1. Destruction of
will be the sign that these Jewish Temple
things are about to take (Matthew)
place?” 2. His (2nd) Coming
3. End of the Age
All three stages are
expounded here.
21:8 He said, “Watch out
that you are not misled. For False Christs
many will come in my
name, saying, ‘I am he,’ Deceivers (mislead)
and, ‘The time is near.’ Do
not follow them!
21:9 And when you hear of Wars
wars and rebellions, do not Rumours of Wars
be afraid. For these things Rebellions
must happen first, but the
end will not come at once.”
21:10 Then he said to them, Inter-National Wars
“Nation will rise up in arms
against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom.
21:11 There will be great Famines
earthquakes, and famines Earthquakes
and plagues in various Plagues
places,
and there will be terrifying Signs & sights in
sights and great signs from heaven
heaven.
These are just birth
pains

24:9a “Then they will hand
you over to be persecuted
and will kill you.
24:10 Then many will be led
into sin, and they will
betray one another and hate
one another. 24:11 And
many false prophets will
appear and deceive
many,24:12 and because
lawlessness will increase so
much, the love of many will
grow cold.
24:9b You will be hated by
all the nations because of my
name.
24:13 But the person who
endures to the end will be
saved.
24:14 And this gospel of the
kingdom will be preached
throughout the whole
inhabited earth as a
testimony to all the nations,
and then the end will come.
24:15 “So when you see the
abomination of desolation
– spoken about by Daniel the
prophet – standing in the
holy place (let the reader
understand),
24:16 then those in Judea
must flee to the mountains.
Dr. Dieter Thom
13:9 “You must watch out
for yourselves.
You will be handed over to
councils and beaten in the
synagogues. You will stand
before governors and kings
because of me, as a witness
to them.
[See verse 10 below]
13:11 When they arrest you
and hand you over for trial,
do not worry about what to
speak. But say whatever is
given you at that time, for it
is not you speaking, but the
Holy Spirit.
13:12 Brother will hand
over brother to death, and a
father his child. Children
will rise against parents and
have them put to death.
13:13 You will be hated by
everyone because of my
name.
But the one who endures to
the end will be saved.
[13:10 First the gospel must
be preached to all nations.]
13:14a “But when you see
the abomination of
desolation standing where it
should not be (let the reader
understand),
13:14b then those in Judea
must flee to the mountains.
21:12 But before all this,
they will seize you and
persecute you, handing you
over to the synagogues and
prisons. You will be
brought before kings and
governors because of my
name. 21:13 This will be a
time for you to serve as
witnesses.
21:14 Therefore be resolved
not to rehearse ahead of
time how to make your
defense. 21:15 For I will
give you the words along
with the wisdom that none
of your adversaries will be
able to withstand or
contradict.
21:16 You will be betrayed
even by parents, brothers,
relatives, and friends, and
they will have some of you
put to death.
21:17 You will be hated by
everyone because of my
name.
21:18 Yet not a hair of your
head will perish.
21:19 By your endurance
you will gain your lives.
21:20 “But when you see
Jerusalem surrounded by
armies, then know that its
desolation has come near.
21:21a Then those who are
in Judea must flee to the
mountains.
16
A warning for us all.
Handed over
Brought to leaders
Be witnesses
Falling Away
(Apostasy)
Betrayal
False prophets
Deception
Lawlessness
Falling Away
Do not worry about
what you will say as
the Holy Spirit will
speak through you
Betrayal by family and
friends, even to death.
You will be hated by
everyone because of
Jesus.
You will be protected.
Those who endure to
the end will be saved.
Gospel Preached to all
Nations
Then the end comes.
The Third Temple
(Dan. 11:31-35), not
the Second Temple of
the Seventy Weeks
(Dan. 9:27b).
Flee to the mountains.
 Preservation through Tribulation
24:17 The one on the roof
must not come down to take
anything out of his house,
24:18 and the one in the field
must not turn back to get his
cloak.
24:19 Woe to those who are
pregnant and to those who
are nursing their babies in
those days!
24:20 Pray that your flight
may not be in winter or on
a Sabbath.
24:21 For then there will be
great suffering unlike
anything that has happened
from the beginning of the
world until now, or ever will
happen.
24:22 And if those days had
not been cut short, no one
would be saved. But for the
sake of the elect those days
will be cut short.
24:23 Then if anyone says to
you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do
not believe him.
24:24 For false messiahs
and false prophets will
appear and perform great
signs and wonders to
deceive, if possible, even the
elect.
24:25 Remember, I have told
you ahead of time.
13:15 The one on the roof
must not come down or go
inside to take anything out of
his house. 13:16 The one in
the field must not turn back
to get his cloak.
13:17 Woe to those who are
pregnant and to those who
are nursing their babies in
those days!
13:18 Pray that it may not be
in winter.
13:19 For in those days there
will be suffering unlike
anything that has happened
from the beginning of the
creation that God created
until now, or ever will
happen.
13:20 And if the Lord had
not cut short those days, no
one would be saved. But
because of the elect, whom
he chose, he has cut them
short.
13:21 Then if anyone says to
you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he
is!’ do not believe him.
13:22 For false messiahs
and false prophets will
appear and perform signs
and wonders to deceive, if
possible, the elect.
13:23 Be careful! I have told
you everything ahead of
time.
17
Do not be distracted.
21:21b Those who are Flee from the city to
inside the city must depart. the country.
Those who are out in the
country must not enter it,
21:22 because these are days
of vengeance, to fulfill all
that is written.
21:23a Woe to those who
are pregnant and to those Pregnancy
who are nursing their Breastfeeding
babies in those days!
Pray its not in winter
21:23b For there will be
great distress on the earth
21:23c and wrath against
this people.
21:24a They will fall by the
edge of the sword and
21:24b be led away as
captives among all nations.
21:24c Jerusalem will be
trampled down by the
Gentiles
21:24d until the times of
the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Great Tribulation
God will shorten the
days of suffering for
the sake of His people.
False messiah
False prophets
Signs and wonders
Deception of the elect
It has been prophesied.

24:26 So then, if someone
says to you, ‘Look, he is in
the wilderness,’ do not go
out, or ‘Look, he is in the
inner rooms,’ do not believe
him.
24:27 For just like the
lightning comes from the
east and flashes to the west,
so the coming of the Son of
Man will be.
24:28 Wherever the corpse
is, there the vultures will
gather.
24:29 “Immediately after the
suffering of those days, the
sun will be darkened, and
the moon will not give its
light; the stars will fall
from heaven,
24:29d and the powers of
heaven will be shaken.
24:30a Then the sign of the
Son of Man will appear in
heaven, and all the tribes of
the earth will mourn.
24:30b They will see the
Son of Man arriving on the
clouds of heaven with power
and great glory.
24:31 And he will send his
angels with a loud trumpet
blast, and they will gather
his elect from the four
winds, from one end of
heaven to the other.
24:32 “Learn this parable
from the fig tree: Whenever
its branch becomes tender
and puts out its leaves, you
know that summer is near.
Dr. Dieter Thom
13:24 “But in those days,
after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give
its light; 13:25a the stars
will be falling from heaven,
13:25b and the powers in
the heavens will be shaken.
13:26 Then everyone will
see the Son of Man arriving
in the clouds with great
power and glory.
13:27 Then he will send
angels and they will gather
his elect from the four
winds, from the ends of the
earth to the ends of heaven.
13:28 “Learn this parable
from the fig tree: Whenever
its branch becomes tender
and puts out its leaves, you
know that summer is near.
21:25a “And there will be
signs
in the sun
and moon
and stars,
21:25b and on the earth
nations will be in distress,
21:25c anxious over the
roaring of the sea and the
surging waves.
21:26a People will be
fainting from fear and
from the expectation of
what is coming on the world
21:26b for the powers of
the heavens will be
shaken.
21:27 Then they will see the
Son of Man arriving in a
cloud with power and great
glory.
21:28 But when these things
begin to happen, stand up
and raise your heads,
because your redemption is
drawing near.”
21:29 Then he told them a
parable: “Look at the fig
tree and all the other trees.
21:30 When they sprout
leaves, you see for
yourselves and know that
summer is now near.
18
Great Tribulation of the
End
Great suffering
False Christs
False prophets
Deceiving signs and
wonders
Sun darkened
Moon darkened
Stars falling
Nations in distress
Roaring sea
Surging waves
Angels and demons
and/or Astronomical
phenomenon
The Second Coming
visible to everyone
The Final (Seventh)
Trumpet – The Rapture
The parable of the fig
tree (and all the other
trees) has nothing to
do with Israel, the
‘wild olive’ tree
(Romans 9). It is used
as a symbol: ‘the signs
of the times’.
 Preservation through Tribulation
24:33 So also you, when you
see all these things, know
that he is near, right at the
door.
24:34 I tell you the truth, this
generation will not pass
away until all these things
take place.
24:35 Heaven and earth will
pass away, but my words
will never pass away.
24:36 “But as for that day
and hour no one knows it –
not even the angels in
heaven – except the Father
alone.
24:37 For just like the days
of Noah were, so the coming
of the Son of Man will be.
24:38 For in those days
before the flood, people
were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day Noah
entered the ark. 24:39 And
they knew nothing until the
flood came and took them all
away. It will be the same at
the coming of the Son of
Man.
24:40 Then there will be two
men in the field; one will be
taken and one left. 24:41
There will be two women
grinding grain with a mill;
one will be taken and one
left.
The Thief in the Night
24:42 “Therefore stay alert,
because you do not know on
what day your Lord will
come.
24:43 But understand this: If
the owner of the house had
known at what time of night
the thief was coming, he
would have been alert and
would not have let his house
be broken into.
24:44 Therefore you also
must be ready, because the
Son of Man will come at an
hour when you do not expect
him.
19
13:29 So also you, when you 21:31 So also you, when
see these things happening, you see these things
know that he is near, right at happening, know that the
the door. kingdom of God is near.
13:30 I tell you the truth, this 21:32 I tell you the truth, The generation that
generation will not pass this generation will not pass experiences these
away until all these things away until all these things things will see the end.
take place. take place.
13:31 Heaven and earth will 21:33 Heaven and earth will
pass away, but my words pass away, but my words
will never pass away. will never pass away.
13:32 “But as for that day or Nobody knows the day
hour no one knows it – nor the hour. What
neither the angels in heaven, about other time spans?
nor the Son – except the Can we know the year?
Father. Certain scriptures do
indicate this.
The Days of Noah
The Rapture
The Master’s Return
13:33 Watch out! Stay alert! Stay alert!
For you do not know when
the time will come.
13:34 It is like a man going
on a journey. He left his
house and put his slaves in
charge, assigning to each his
work, and commanded the
doorkeeper to stay alert.
13:35 Stay alert, then,
because you do not know
when the owner of the house
will return – whether during
evening, at midnight, when
the rooster crows, or at dawn
– 13:36 or else he might find
you asleep when he returns
suddenly.
13:37 What I say to you I say
to everyone: Stay alert!”
 Dr. Dieter Thom 20

4. The Great Tribulation Chronology in the Book of Revelation

For years I tried to distill from the Scriptures a chronological breakdown of the events of
the end of time. This is not an easy task because, except in one place, there is no easy
order that gives clarity of the end. There are many distinct trends and a few definite
events that mark the time of the end. At the end of this book I have outlined a list of 39
trends and events in relative Biblical sequence. How did I get to this?

The Book of Revelation is a difficult piece of Scripture to understand, but a cursory

reading will show certain patterns. The Apocalypse has two very definite pairs of cycles
of corresponding sets of Sevens. The following diagram illustrates the pattern.

The First Cycle corresponds with The Second Cycle

7 Seals (Rev 6: 1-17) => 7 Angels (Rev 14:6-20)

The 7th Seal opens: The 7th Angel opens:

7 Trumpets (Rev 8:1-9:15) => 7 Bowls (Rev 16:2-17)

The correlation between the Seals (ch. 6) and the Angels (ch. 14) is not initially evident,
but the near identical content of the Trumpets (ch. 8) and the Bowls (ch. 16) is
unmissable. This is the key to the prophetic chronology of the Book of Revelation.

Seeing the pattern works best if you read backwards from the Seventh (Last) Trumpet
(ch. 8) and Seventh Bowl (ch.16). Both deal with the Final Wrath Judgement of God on
the Earth and this is the last judgement of God on the earth. The Rapture will happen AT
the Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation, but BEFORE the Final Wrath
Judgement of God on the earth. It has not happened yet.

The Sixth Trumpet (ch. 8) and Sixth Bowl (ch. 16) deal with the drying up of the
Euphrates, the Coming of the Kings of the East and the Battle of Armageddon. These
events immediately precede the Rapture and Second Coming. The Rapture will not
happen until the Kings of the East gather at Armageddon. It has not happened yet.

The Fifth Trumpet and Fifth Bowl deal with the torture and suffering of unbelievers for
5 (probably literal) months. The Fourth Trumpet and Fourth Bowl deal with the
scorching heat of the Sun and its complete darkness. The Third Trumpet and Third
Bowl deal with fresh water rivers and springs poisoned and turning to blood. The Second
Trumpet and Second Bowl deal with the destruction of marine life from a third to all of
it. It has not happened yet, but estimates are that by 2050 our oceans will be depleted.

Reading backwards from this clear correlation we can deduce that the rest of these two
pairs of parallel passages are most likely inextricably linked, particularly as the Seventh
Seal leads to the Seven Trumpets, and the Seventh Angel with a sickle leads to the
Seven Angelic Bowls of Judgement.
 Preservation through Tribulation 21

Read the two pairs of passages in sequence both forwards and backwards in the next few
pages. These things have all not yet happened, certainly not on the scale that the Bible
predicts.

This is not an innovation on my part, nor is it a new observation. Victorinus of Poetovio

(3rd century), commonly known as "The first Latin exegete of the Bible", wrote one of the
first expositions of the Book of Revelation in his “Commentary on the Apocalypse”. He
was also one of the first to recognize the connection between the ‘trumpets’ and the
‘bowls’.

And the trumpet is the word of power. And it may be repeating by the bowls,
not as though it was said twice, but because what will happen only once, it is
decreed by God that it will be, therefore it is said twice. Accordingly, whatever
was said in the trumpets less, it was said in the bowls more. Neither (should you
be) regarding the order of sayings, because the sevenfold Holy Spirit, where He
hurries through to the final times and the end, returns back to the same time and
adds to what little He said. Nor (should you be) seeking order in the Apocalypse,
for that is also false prophecy; rather be seeking the meaning. (8:2)

This is the key to the prophetic chronology of the Book of Revelation. Skim through the
next section in this book to the end, and then skim through it in reverse. There is a clear
chronology here, hence the numbers that are given. As you take each step back ask
yourself the question: Have we seen this happen yet on the scale that Scripture suggests?

Starting with the first angel with the sickle, clearly this scripture has not yet been fulfilled
yet.

6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel
to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and
people. 7 He declared in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the
hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and
earth, the sea and the springs of water!” (Rev. 14:6&7)

Global mission agencies tell us that we are on the verge of reaching “every nation, tribe,
language, and people” (6a). The advent of Christian television is enabling this through
satellite television, which is reaching even the most remote areas of the world. Even
extremely resistant Muslim areas in very difficult to reach regions have access to a wide
range of Christian programming, some of it good, but some of it very embarrassing. Once
we have reached the whole world, the Great Tribulation will begin and Jesus will open
the Seven Seals of God’s Judgement.

Now read through these passages for yourself and note the clear patterns that emerge.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 22

Statue of an Etruscan priest, holding a phialē from which he is to pour a libation; the
plagues of Revelation are poured out on the world like offerings. In his left hand, the
priest holds an incense box, and, in his right hand, a "phiale" (shallow bowl) used to pour
ritual liquid offerings. His twisting pose, long hair, and expressive face are strongly
influenced by Greek Hellenistic style. The leafy crown was worn by an official when
making a votive sacrifice. Public Domain.
 Preservation through Tribulation
7th Trumpet (Rev. 11)
15 Then the seventh angel
sounded…
18 The nations were angry, and
Your wrath has come…
19 Then the temple of God
was opened in heaven... And
there were lightnings, noises,
thunderings, an earthquake
& great hail.
6th Trumpet (Rev. 9)
13 Then the sixth angel
sounded…14 “Release the four
angels who are bound at the
great river Euphrates”…16
Now the number of the army
of the horsemen was two
hundred million…18 By these
three plagues a third of
mankind was killed—by the
fire and the smoke and the
brimstone which came out of
their mouths.
5th Trumpet (Rev. 9)
1 Then the fifth angel sounded
… 2 So the sun and the air
were darkened because of the
smoke of the pit…5 And they
were not given authority to kill
them, but to torment them for
five months...6 In those days
men will seek death and will
not find it…
23
Do you see the 8 similarities 7th Bowl (Rev. 16)
between these two 17 Then the seventh angel
passages? poured out his bowl into the
1. the seventh angel air, and a loud voice came
2. the temple of out of the temple of
heaven, heaven…18 And there were
3. the wrath of God, noises and thunderings and
4. lightning, lightnings; and there was a
5. noises, great earthquake…19 the
6. thundering, wine of the fierceness of His
7. an earthquake, and wrath…
8. great hail. 21 And great hail from
heaven fell upon men…
Do you see the 5 similarities 6th Bowl (Rev. 16)
between these two 12 Then the sixth angel
passages? poured out his bowl on the
9. the sixth angel, great river Euphrates…13
10. the great river And I saw three unclean
Euphrates, spirits like frogs coming out
11. the army of the of the mouth of the dragon,
horsemen and the out of the mouth of the
battle of that great beast, and out of the mouth
day of God of the false prophet.14 to
Almighty, gather them to the battle of
12. three plagues and that great day of God
three unclean spirits, Almighty…16 to the place
and called in Hebrew,
13. coming out of Armageddon.
mouths.
Do you see the 4 similarities 5th Bowl (Rev. 16)
between these two 10 Then the fifth angel
passages? poured out his bowl …and
14. the fifth angel, his kingdom became full of
15. darkness, darkness; and they gnawed
16. pain and torment, their tongues because of the
and pain. 11 They blasphemed
17. people blaspheme the God of heaven because
God and seek death. of their pains and their sores,
Job’s wife told him: ‘Curse and did not repent of their
God & die’ (Job 2:9). deeds.

4th Trumpet (Rev. 8)
12 Then the fourth angel
sounded: And a third of the sun passages?
was struck, a third of the moon,
and a third of the stars, so that a
third of them were darkened. A
third of the day did not shine,
and likewise the night.
3rd Trumpet (Rev. 8)
10 Then the third angel
sounded: And a great star fell
from heaven, burning like a
torch, and it fell on a third of
the rivers and on the springs
of water. 11 The name of the
star is Wormwood. A third of
the waters became wormwood,
and many men died from the
water, because it was made
bitter.
2nd Trumpet (Rev. 8)
8 Then the second angel
sounded: And something like a
great mountain burning with
fire was thrown into the sea,
and a third of the sea became
blood.
9 And a third of the living
creatures in the sea died, and
a third of the ships were
destroyed.
1st Trumpet (Rev. 8)
7 The first angel sounded: And
hail and fire followed, mingled
with blood, and they were
thrown to the earth. And a third
of the trees were burned up,
and all green grass was burned
up.
Dr. Dieter Thom
Do you see the 2 similarities
between these two
18. the fourth angel, and
19. the sun (burning &
darkness).
Do you see the 3 similarities
between these two
passages?
20. the third angel,
21. the rivers and
springs of water, and
22. death and the
shedding of blood.
Do you see the 4 similarities
between these two
passages?
23. the second angel,
24. the sea,
25. became blood, and
26. first a third, then all,
the living creatures
in the sea died.
Do you see the one
similarity between these two
passages?
27. the first angel.
24
4th Bowl (Rev. 16)
8 Then the fourth angel
poured out his bowl on the
sun, and power was given to
him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched
with great heat, and they
blasphemed the name of God
who has power over these
plagues; and they did not
repent and give Him glory.
3rd Bowl (Rev. 16)
4 Then the third angel
poured out his bowl on the
rivers and springs of water,
and they became blood…
6 For they have shed the
blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them
blood to drink. For it is their
just due.
2nd Bowl (Rev. 16)
3 Then the second angel
poured out his bowl on the
sea, and it became blood as
of a dead man; and every
living creature in the sea
died.
1st Bowl (Rev. 16)
2 So the first [angel] went
and poured out his bowl
upon the earth, and a foul
and loathsome sore came
upon the men who had the
mark of the beast and those
who worshiped his image.
 Preservation through Tribulation
Trumpets (Rev 8:1-11:19)
1. The first trumpet.
2. Sea turns to blood and
kills a third of sea
creatures.
3. The rivers and springs
of water poison people.
4. Sun, moon & stars are
darkened.
5. Unbelievers tortured by
demons.
6. Kings of East cross
Euphrates to a fierce
battle.
7. Lightning, roaring,
crashes of thunder, an
earthquake, and a great
hailstorm.
What about the similarities between the seals and the angels which precede the trumpets and
bowls?
7th Seal (Rev 8)
1 When He opened the seventh between these two
seal... 2 And I saw the seven
angels who stand before God,
and to them were given seven
trumpets. 3 Then another
angel, having a golden censer,
came and stood at the altar... 4
And the smoke of the incense,
with the prayers of the saints,
ascended before God from the
angel’s hand. 5 ... And there
were noises, thunderings,
lightnings, and an
earthquake.
Between these two passages Bowls (Rev 16:2-21)
there are a total of 27 points
in common, in the same 7
sections and all in exactly
the same order. What can
we logically conclude from
this? The Bible is giving us
two different accounts in
two different passages that
essentially deal with the
same seven major
cataclysmic events of the
time of the end. The
numbering of the angels and
bowls clearly suggests the
same vertical
chronological order of
events. The horizontal
correlation between each of
these last events is very
clear.
Do you see the connections 7th Angel (Rev 14)
passages?
— Noises, thunderings, with a loud cry to him who
lightnings,
earthquake.
— Death and
destruction.
— The seventh seal
leads to the seven
trumpets.
— The seven angels
lead to the seven last city, and blood came out of
bowls of plagues.
— The sickle reaps the
vine and the
winepress produces
blood.
25
1. The first bowl.
2. Sea turns to blood
and kills all sea
creatures.
3. The rivers and
springs of water turn
to blood.
4. Sun scorches with
terrible heat.
5. Unbelievers suffer in
darkness.
6. Kings of East cross
Euphrates to battle of
Armageddon.
7. Lightning, roaring,
crashes of thunder, an
earthquake, and a
great hailstorm.
18 And another angel came
out from the altar…he cried
had the sharp sickle… 19 So
the angel thrust his sickle
into the earth and gathered
the vine of the earth, and
threw it into the great
winepress of the wrath of
God. 20 And the winepress
was trampled outside the
the winepress…

6th Seal (Rev 6)
12 I looked when He opened
the sixth seal, and behold,
there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as
sackcloth of hair, and the
moon became like blood. 13
And the stars of heaven fell to
the earth... 14… every
mountain and island was
moved out of its place. 15…
and every free man, hid
themselves in the caves and in
the rocks of the mountains…
5th Seal (Rev 6)
9 When He opened the fifth
seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of those who had been
slain for the word of God and
for the testimony which they
held. 10 … avenge our blood
on those who dwell on the
earth?” 11 …and their brethren,
who would be killed as they
were…
4th Seal (Rev 6)
7 When He opened the fourth
seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature saying,
“Come and see.” 8 So I looked,
and behold, a pale horse. And
the name of him who sat on it
was Death, and Hades
followed with him. And power
was given to them over a fourth
of the earth, to kill with sword,
with hunger, with death, and by
the beasts of the earth.
Dr. Dieter Thom 26
Do you see the connections 6th Angel (Rev 14)
between these two Then another angel came out
passages? of the temple which is in
— A great earthquake. heaven, he also having a
— The sun is darkened. sharp sickle.
— There is a blood
moon.
— The stars fall from
heaven.
— Mountains and
islands are moved.
— People hide in caves
in the mountains.
— More people die.
Do you see the connections 5th Angel (Rev 14)
between these two 16 So He who sat on the
passages? cloud thrust in His sickle on
— Christians will be the earth, and the earth was
persecuted and reaped.
martyred.
Do you see the connections 4th Angel (Rev 14)
between these two 15 And another angel came
passages? out of the temple, crying
— The fourth seal with a loud voice to Him
describes how war, who sat on the cloud,
famine and the “Thrust in Your sickle and
beasts of the earth reap, for the time has come
(probably mostly for You to reap, for the
through disease) will harvest of the earth is ripe.”
cause a massive
amount of death.
— The fourth angel
describes this as a
‘reaping’ of the
harvest of the earth.
 Preservation through Tribulation
3rd Seal (Rev 6)
5 When He opened the third
seal, I heard the third living
creature say, “Come and see.”
So I looked, and behold, a
black horse, and he who sat on
it had a pair of scales in his
hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the
midst of the four living
creatures saying, “A quart of
wheat for a denarius, and three
quarts of barley for a denarius;
and do not harm the oil and the
wine.”
2nd Seal (Rev 6)
3 When He opened the second
seal, I heard the second living
creature saying, “Come and
see.”
4 Another horse, fiery red,
went out. And it was granted to
the one who sat on it to take
peace from the earth, and that
people should kill one another;
and there was given to him a
great sword.
27
Do you see the connections 3rd Angel (Rev 14)
between these two 9 Then a third angel
passages? followed them, saying with a
— The third seal seems loud voice, “If anyone
to imply that the worships the beast and his
Antichrist will take image, and receives his
control of the food mark on his forehead or on
supply (wheat & his hand, 10 he himself shall
barley) & economic also drink of the wine of the
activity. wrath of God, which is
— The third angel poured out full strength into
describes how the cup of His indignation.
unbelievers take the He shall be tormented with
mark of the beast to fire and brimstone in the
be able to participate presence of the holy angels
in it. and in the presence of the
— Wine is mentioned Lamb.”
in both passages.
Do you see the connections 2nd Angel (Rev 14)
between these two 8 And another angel
passages? followed, saying, “Babylon
— After the gospel has is fallen, is fallen, that great
been preached to the city, because she has made
ends of the earth, all nations drink of the wine
war will come. of the wrath of her
— Antichrist has now fornication.”
risen to power and
seeks to control the
world.
— The conflict starts in
the Middle East &
spreads to the rest of
the world.
— It results in
Antichrist
conquering
‘Babylon’ (Rev. 17
& 18).

1st Seal (Rev 6)
1 Now I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals; and I
heard one of the four living
creatures saying with a voice
like thunder, “Come and see.”
2 And I looked, and behold, a
white horse. He who sat on it
had a bow; and a crown was
given to him, and he went out
conquering and to conquer.
Four Horsemen of Apocalypse, by Viktor Vasnetsov. Painted in 1887. Public Domain.
Dr. Dieter Thom
Do you see the connections
between these two
passages?
The rider is the Antichrist
who will come to power
when the gospel reaches the
ends of the earth.
28
1st Angel (Rev 14)
6 Then I saw another angel
flying in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting
gospel to preach to those
who dwell on the earth—to
every nation, tribe, tongue,
and people —
7 saying with a loud voice,
“Fear God and give glory to
Him, for the hour of His
judgment has come; and
worship Him who made
heaven and earth, the sea and
springs of water.”
 Preservation through Tribulation 29

Summary: Chronology of the Time of the End

Phase 7 Seals (Rev 6: 1-17) 7 Angels (Rev 14:6-20)

1. 1. Rider on white horse Global gospel angel

2. 2. Red war horse Fall of Babylon

3. 3. Black horse of economic and The mark of the beast enforced
nutritional control on the world
4. 4. Pale green death horse Angel of death
5. 5. Martyrs Angel of death
6. 6. Natural disasters Angel of death
7. 7. Natural disasters Angel of death
Trumpets (Rev 8:1-11:19) Bowls (Rev 16:2-21)
8. 1. Hail and fire from sky. Ugly and painful sores
9. 2. Sea turns to blood and kills a third of Sea turns to blood and kills all sea
sea creatures. creatures.
10. 3. The rivers and springs of water The rivers and springs of water
poison people. turn to blood.
11. 4 Sun, moon & stars are darkened. Sun scorches with terrible heat.

12. 5. Unbelievers tortured by demons. Unbelievers suffer in darkness.

13. 6. Kings of East cross Euphrates River Kings of East cross Euphrates River
to a fierce battle. to the battle of Armageddon.
14. 7. Lightning, roaring, crashes of thunder, Lightning, roaring, crashes of
earthquake, and a great hailstorm. thunder, earthquake, and a great
hailstorm.

This summary provides a useful framework in remembering the chronology

of the time of the end. The next few chapters will focus on particular events
in more detail. This chronology will now be expanded.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 30

5. The Gospel, Apostasy and Israel in the Plan of God

The first sign of the end is, and the first Angel bears, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. (Mark 13:10)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to
all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue,
and people - 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the
hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth,
the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6&7)

What is the Gospel?

The details of the Gospel (Good News) message from the Book of Acts are essentially
this: Jesus of Nazareth is God “manifest in the flesh”; He was born supernaturally of the
virgin Mary; He lived a perfect and sinless life; He performed many signs and wonders;
He died on the cross for the sins of mankind; He rose from the dead on the third day; He
ascended into heaven; He rules and reigns on the right hand of the Father; and He will
return in the same manner that He went.

What is the appropriate response to the Gospel demanded of people by God?

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel
of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14&15)

21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

What is repentance?

9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to
repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer
loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to
salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
(2 Cor. 7:9&10)
What is faith?

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand
that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen
were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)
 Preservation through Tribulation 31

Faith is not merely an intellectual assent to the facts of the Gospel.

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone
will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is
one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! 20 But do you want
to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:17-20)

Have you repented of your sins before God and trusted in the Lord Jesus for your eternal
salvation? When?

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do

you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are
disqualified. (2 Cor. 13:5)

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by
their fruits you will know them. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,’
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your
name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7:17-23)

Many people claim to be Christians and even do great miracles, but God says “I never
knew you”. Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?

Apostasy from the Gospel

The Bible teaches that there will be a Great Falling Away of professing believers from
the visible Church, not a Global Revival as some Bible teachers claim.

9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated
by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will
betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets
will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love
of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the
nations, and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:9-14)

This passage tells us that ‘many will be offended’ and ‘the love of many will grow cold’.

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the
falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…
(2 Thess. 2:3)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 32

The Second Coming of Jesus is preceded not by a great revival, but a falling away.

7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him,
though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the
earth? (Luke 18:7&8)

When Jesus comes again things will be so bad that is will be difficult to find faith on the
earth. Thankfully God will save national Israel and preserve a remnant of Gentiles from
the nations.

The Salvation of National Israel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
(Rom 1:16)

The Gospel was first given to the Jews, but most of them rejected it, so it was then given
to the Gentiles. A time is coming, though, when all national Israel will be saved.

20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression
in Jacob,” Says the LORD. 21 “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant
with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your
mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your
descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the
LORD, “from this time and forevermore.” (Isaiah 59:20 – 21)

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest
you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to
Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will
be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn
away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I
take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake,
but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the
gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient
to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so
these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they
also may obtain mercy. (Rom. 11:25-31)

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four
thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed… (Rev 7:4)
 Preservation through Tribulation 33

The State of Modern Judaism

It may surprise the reader to learn that that not all modern Jews are descendents of
Abraham. There are three main groups of Jews in the world today. The Ashkenazi (or
Germanic) Jews comprise more than 90%, the Sephardic (Meditteranean) and Mizrahi
(Middle Eastern) Jews less than 10%. Arthur Koestler (The Thirteenth Tribe) and other
Jewish authors have shown that Ashkenazi Jews are actually descendents of Jewish
converts from the Khazarian Kingdom in the 8th century AD. Thus, the vast majority of
modern Jews are not blood descendents of Abraham and are thus not natural heirs to the
covenant promises.

In fact, many modern Jews are members of the Sabbataen/Frankist sex cult that is a
Jewish front. The founders Sabbatai Svi (17th century) and Jacob Frank (18th century)
both claimed to be the Jewish Messiah, led their followers into deviant sexual practices
and through the Rothschild family took economic and ideological control of Western
nations in the 19th century through sexual and financial manipulation. It was this control
that the Germans fought in both world wars in the 20th century, and that will lead to the
destruction of the Zionist Israeli State in the 21st century. Zionism teaches that the
Messiah is the secular State of Israel and that it will come to rule the world.

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.” (Rev. 2:9)

“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and
are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and
to know that I have loved you.” (Rev. 3:9)

Summary

1. The Gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end comes. All the
major mission groups testify that we are nearly there. There are only a few
unreached people groups left. The Gospel has not yet been preached to every tribe
and language, so the Great Tribulation period has not yet begu.
2. The Gospel message demands the response of repentance towards God and faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ. A regenerate heart is evidenced by good works.
3. There will be a great apostasy (falling away) of professing believers from the
visible Church. This has already started in a generation growing faithless. Young
people, even those who were raised in the church, are no longer going to church.
No Scriptures describe a revival, except amongst the Jews in persecution.
4. The nation of Israel and Jews worldwide will be saved during the Great
Tribulation. God will open their spiritual eyes and they will recognize that He is
the Messiah that they rejected.
5. The vast majority of modern Jewry is not descended of Abraham, but has
established a false secular Jewish state that they claim is the Jewish Messiah that
will rule the world.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 34

6. The Antichrist and His Kingdom

Passages that directly mention the antichrist

The English word ‘antichrist’ comes from the Greek antichristos. The Greek term anti
means ‘to be against’ and/or ‘to take the place of’. There are only four direct occurrences
of the word ‘antichrist’ in Scripture. Interestingly, every one of these occurs in John’s
letters (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is
coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last
hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us,
they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made
manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy
One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know
the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but
he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the
Son. (1 John 2:18-22)

The Antichrist is an individual that had not yet come in John’s time, but was still
expected to come. Many antichrists had already come in John’s time, in a generic sense
of being ‘against Christ’ or claiming to be ‘the Christ’. This is an indication that it is “the
last hour” (the last days), obviously not a literal hour. The antichrists were initially
professing Christians that fell away from the faith and denied that Jesus is the Christ
(Messiah). The Antichrist will come from a Christian background, but reject the faith.

Muslims accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah (as well as His virgin birth, sinless life and
ascension to heaven), so the Antichrist cannot become a Muslim. The Pope teaches the
pre-incarnate existence of Jesus and that Jesus is the Christ, so the Pope or a Roman
Catholic cannot be the antichrist. Buddhists believe in the manifestations of ‘Christs’, but
they do not believe that Jesus is (the one and only) Christ. The Antichrist could become a
Buddhist.

The Antichrist might acknowledge God the Father, but cannot acknowledge that Jesus is
the Son of God. Hence, he denies his divine and pre-incarnate existence with the Father.
Ultimately he will also claim to be god.

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the
Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of
God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is
not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was
coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)
 Preservation through Tribulation 35

The antichrist spirit denies that Jesus has come in the flesh i.e. the incarnation. This could
be that it denies the physical existence of Jesus completely, but more likely that it denies
that He is the only God incarnate, and could accept Him as simply a prophet, good man
or one of the many manifestations of the christ.

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ
as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves,
that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
(2 John 7 – 9)

According to this passage we can deduce that the incarnation is a very important part of
“the doctrine of Christ”, and those that do not believe in it, are not saved. This includes
Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cults. The antichrist spirit was already in the world when
John wrote these words, but there seems to have been a clear expectation in the early
church that a specific, personal antichrist was still to come. However, there are other less
clear scriptures that also seem to indirectly apply to the ‘antichrist’.

Passages of Scripture that indirectly refer to ‘the antichrist’

Compare and contrast the following two passages from the Book of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 6 Revelation Chapter 19

1 NOW I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals; and I heard
one of the four living creatures saying
with a voice like thunder, “Come and
see.”
2 And I looked, and behold, a white
horse. He who sat on it had a bow;
and a crown was given to him, and
he went out conquering and to
conquer.
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a
white horse. And He who sat on him was
called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on
His head were many crowns. He had a
name written that no one knew except
Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe
dipped in blood, and His name is called The
Word of God.

The two persons mentioned in Rev. 6:1&2 (the Lamb and the rider) are different people.
The Lamb opens the first seal (vs 1). The horse is white, but the rider’s colour is not
mentioned (vs 2). The Lamb is not said to be the rider. If he were, it would say so. The
rider has a bow, a weapon of war (vs 2). He is given, so does not naturally have, a crown.
He rides out to conquer. The Lamb is Christ. The rider is the antichrist. The first Seal is
thus opened as the first Seal of the Judgment of God.

The rider in Rev. 19:11 is clearly Jesus. The horse is white, but the rider is wearing
clothes dipped in blood (vs 11). Clearly He is the Lamb, Faithful and True. With justice
he judges and goes to war. He has several crowns on His head. He rides out to
conquerand RULE the nations. The rider, in this case, is Jesus.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 36

There are some similarities and differences between the two riders on white horses. The
first is the Antichrist the False Messiah, and the second is the Christ, the true Messiah,
hence the white horse as symbolism for both. The first inaugurates the Great Tribulation
and the second ends it. The second will destroy the first.

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our
gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or
troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day
of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not
come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son
of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that
is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he
is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these
things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)

Before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus there will be a great “falling away” from the
faith. This seems to be connected to the falling away of the antichrists of 1 John who
deny the exclusive deity of Christ. Then the “man of sin is revealed”. He certainly is the
ultimate antichrist. He is called “the son of perdition (hell)”, as opposed to (by
implication) the “Son of God”. The contrast seems clearly to be between the Christ and
the antichrist. He is described as “the one opposing and exalting himself over everything
being called God, or object of worship”. This individual claims deity for himself and is
against any other god of any other religion. He is said “to sit in the temple of God as God,
setting forth himself, that he is God”. The Jewish temple would have to be rebuilt.

Is there anyone around today that claims to be God? The Hindu and Buddhist gurus do.
More specifically the Dalai Lama, the head of the Buddhists and the deposed ruler of
Tibet, has a very unique claim to Godhood. He is getting old and will likely die very
soon. Who will replace him? Traditionally the Dalai Lama has always been Tibetan, but
the next Dalai Lama could be a European. Which is the largest and most dominant
country in Europe? Germany. Who is the most likely candidate in Germany? The
deposed German royalty. Could one of these be the god-king that will become the
Antichrist? Of course, if this is true, then the Dalai Lama must die first, before the
Antichrist is born.

Determining the identity of the Antichrist

Does the Bible give us some clues about the identity of the Antichrist? We need to start
in the Old Testament, which is the foundation of the New Testament. Let us first have a
look at some foundational passages in the Book of Daniel. We need to understand the
development of global kingdoms in history as portrayed in the Bible. We also need to
understand what Biblical prophecy has already been fulfilled. Futurists often err on the
side of not seeing which prophecy has already been fulfilled, and historicists often force
fulfillment of prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled.
 Preservation through Tribulation 37

The table below outlines the four major historical global powers prophetically described
in the figurative imagery of the Book of Daniel. The first three columns look at different
passages and the last two columns explain them. Each row shows the connection.

Man Beast Ram & Goat Empire Major Figures

2:31 – 45. 7:1 – 27. 8:1 – 27. Global Power
2:37&38 7:4 Lion with Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar
Gold Head Eagle's wings 626 – 539 BC
2:39a Silver 7:5 Bear that is 8:20 Ram Medo-Persian Cyrus, Darius,
Belly & Arms Devouring flesh Two Horns 539 – 323 BC (Arta)Xerxes
2:39b Bronze 7:6 Leopard with 8:21 Greek Alexander the Great
Belly & 4 wings & heads Male Goat 323 BC to 146 BC
Thigh
2:40 Iron 7:23&24 Terrible Roman Julius Caesar
Legs & Feet 10 horns & iron 145 BC–AD 476 Constantine
teeth
2:41-43 Holy Roman Empire Western Europe
Iron/Clay 800 – 1806 AD Roman Catholic vs
Feet & Toes Byzantine Empire Eastern Europe
324 – 1453 AD Orthodox
7:20-22 The Western and Eastern Antichrist the
Little Horn: Integration into President of the
Arrogant and European Union of European Union
Haughty 2000 – 2060 AD

The references in the Book of Daniel are paralleled in the book of Revelation. The table
below outlines the four major historical global powers prophetically described as beasts
in the Book of Revelation.

Chapter Beast Attributes Empire

12 Red Dragon Ten horns Rome 145 BC–AD 476
13a Leopard Lion's head, bear's feet Holy Roman
800 – 1806 AD
13b Lamb Two horns, dragon's The Nazi International
voice movement of National
Socialism started by Adolf
Hitler 1920 - 2060
17 Scarlet Ten heads, seven horns European 2000 – 2060 AD

Let us examine these passages in greater detail to explain these conclusions more
carefully.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 38

La Bête de la Mer (from the Tapisserie de l'Apocalypse in Angers, France). A medieval

tapestry, this detail of which shows John, the Dragon, and the Beast of the Sea. [Public
Domain]

Who is the Dragon?

The dragon is a common symbol, but the Bible uses it very specifically.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having
seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a
third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood
before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it
was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.
And her Child was caught up to God and His throne…13 Now when the dragon
saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth
to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that
she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time
and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent
spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause
her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the
earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed
out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to
 Preservation through Tribulation 39

make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and
have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:3 – 5, 13 – 17)

Here we have a lot of figurative language that needs to be interpreted very carefully. It is
obviously largely not literal. It is also important to note that Chapters 12, 13 and 17 are
inextricably linked and build on each other. Most commentators agree on the points of
interpretation of this passage. The dragon clearly represents Satan, the leader of the fallen
angels. The dragon represents the Roman Empire, the Latin, Western Kingdom (200 BC
to 500 AD).

The seven hills represent the seven hills of Rome. The seven crowns represent seven
kings or the seven major kingdoms. Ten horns represent the ten kingdoms of the Roman
Empire and the ten kings of the Germanic Barbarian tribes that destroyed the Roman
Empire in the fifth century. The child represents Jesus. The woman represents the
Church, in the Old Testament (Israel) and New Testament (Jewish and Gentile believers
together in the same faith, spiritual Israel).

How does God protect His Church against the Dragon? In the wilderness. Remember this
for when the Great Tribulation comes. This is a clue from God to believers on how to
survive. When the time comes, get out of the cities, because several passages warn that
the cities of the world will collapse. The answer: buy farmland and start developing this
as a rural retreat for your family and the family of God. Don’t sell everything you have
just yet, but watch for the signs of the times. Oh, and you don’t need to send me any
money, either. There goes my television ministry…

Who is the the First Beast of Revelation?

Taking some of the imagery from the previous excerpt, this passage builds upon it.

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his
heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his
feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The
dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his
heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And
all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon
who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is
like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” 5 And he was given a mouth
speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for
forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was
granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority
was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth
will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
(Revelation 13:1-8)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 40

Many commentators agree that the first beast represents the Holy Roman Empire of the
German Nation (which is its historical and full name). Notice that Germany was and still
is the controlling power of Europe. Most of the languages of Europe are classed as
‘Germanic’ in academia. It was founded by Charlemagne in 800 A. D., who was crowned
Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope in Rome.

An illustration from Schedelsche Weltchronik depicting the structure of the Reich: The
Holy Roman Emperor is sitting; on his right are three ecclesiastics; on his left are four
secular electors. Public Domain.

The Roman Catholic Church was always the spiritual force behind the Holy Roman
Empire. Protestantism became nominally involved rather late. The seven hills represent
the seven hills of Rome. This is commonly accepted by most commentators. The seven
crowns represent seven kings, probably the electors of the Holy Roman Empire. Ten
horns with ten crowns represent the ten kings of the Germanic Barbarian tribes that
destroyed the Roman Empire in the fourth century. They were the forerunners of modern
Germany and Europe.

Who is the Scarlet Beast ?

Once again, this passage builds on the previous one.

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven
heads and ten horns…8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend
 Preservation through Tribulation 41

out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth
will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation
of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 “Here is
the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the
woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other
has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The
beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is
going to perdition. 12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have
received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with
the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority
to the beast. (Revelation 17:3, 8-13)

The Scarlet Beast is basically the same as the First Beast, but in a different form. The
European Union is the modern heir to the Holy Roman Empire. The seven hills represent
the seven hills of Rome. This is a consistent prophetic indicator to guide us in the
identities of the beasts throughout Scripture. The seven crowns represent the number of
Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. One of these electors that received a ‘deathly
wound’, will be revived. That is, one of the royal houses of Europe that was forced to
abdicate, will rise again.

The ten heads represent the ten countries of the Western European Union, which
functioned officially as a separate political entity and parliament until recently, but which
still unofficially controls Europe. The European Union President is the secular heir to the
historical role played by the Holy Roman Emperor. The Antichrist will rise to power to
become the President of the European Union.

Clearly, the antichrist, the ‘man of sin’, and the first and scarlet beasts are one and the
same Antichrist. To better understand the connection between the three, we must
understand the history of the Roman Empire, which still exists today. The Roman Empire
has existed in different forms for more than three millennia (3000 years).

A Brief History of the Roman Empire

According to legend, Rhea Silva, daughter of Numitor, King of Alba Longa, conceived
twins by the god Mars. Numitor’s brother Amulius had previously seized power, killed
all the male heirs in the family, and forced Rhea Silva to become a Vestal Virgin,
ensuring that she would not bear children. When the twins were born, Amulius
abandoned them on the Tiber River to die, but they were saved by a series of miracles,
suckled by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd.
When Romulus and Remus discovered their identities, they killed Amulius, restored
Numitor and decided to establish their own city. They quarreled about which hill to
choose, and Romulus killed Remus, apparently on 21 April 753 BC. Romulus founded
and led Rome till his death.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 42

Capitoline Wolf, sculpture of the mythical she-wolf suckling the infant twins Romulus
and Remus. Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany. Public Domain.

The official founding of Rome was when a group of rural villages united to form one
settlement connecting seven hills. The original seven hills of Rome are found within the
ancient city walls: Palatine (which Romulus chose), Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline,
Esquiline, Quirinal, and Viminal. Rome started with a Kingdom, a Republic and an
Empire. The Roman Kingdom (753 – 510 BC) was allegedly ruled by 7 kings over 243
years. The Roman Republic (510 - 27 BC) was ruled by a Senate over 483 years. The
Roman Empire (27 BC – 476 AD) ruled by an Emperor from Rome over 503 years. The
Roman Empire was conquered by the ten Germanic tribes of central and northern Europe.

The Byzantine (Greek) Roman Empire, however, existed for more than a Millennium. In
285 AD the Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into East and West. This is
graphically portrayed by the division of the Roman Empire into two legs in Daniel’s
vision of the Man (2:31 – 45). In 324 the Emperor Constantine made Constantinople
(modern Istanbul) the capital of the East. The official religion became what is now
known as Orthodox Christianity. In 1453 it fell to the Muslim Ottoman Empire.
The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was founded in 800 AD when the Pope
crowned Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor. Malcolm Cohen in his seminal work
From Rome to Holy Roman Empire (2012) shows how the Holy Roman Empire was the
explicitly declared and natural successor of the Western Roman Empire. The 7 electors
(or prince-electors) of the Holy Roman Empire were both spiritual and secular.
 Preservation through Tribulation 43

The 3 Spiritual Electors are all Roman Catholic Archbishops. The Elector of Mainz (the
Arch-Chancellor of Germany) is currently Cardinal Karl Lehmann. The Elector of Trier
(the Arch-Chancellor of Burgundy/France) is currently Cardinal Stephan Ackermann.
The Elector of Cologne (Arch-Chancellor of Italy) is currently Cardinal Joachim
Meisner.

The 4 Secular Electors are Bohemia, Palatine, Saxony, and the Brandenburg Rulers. The
King of Bohemia became the Habsburg Dynasty the historical Kings of Austria and Holy
Roman Emperor, currently headed by Karl von Habsburg. The Count Palatine of the
Rhine became the Duke of Bavaria currently the title held by Franz von Bayern. The
Duke of Saxony and Margrave of Brandenburg became the King of Prussia, the title
currently held by Georg Friedrich von Hohenzollern. The Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
is currently Ernst August of Hanover.

The last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, was forced to abdicate in 1806 by Napoleon,
but the Holy Roman Empire was never abolished by itself and continues to this day. After
two World Wars, the European Union became the natural successor to the Holy Roman
Empire and the final form of the Roman Empire.

The Great Altar of Pergamon, on display in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.
Public Domain.

Satan’s Seat

The letter to the third church, Pergamos, has a very interesting reference.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 44

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who
has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell,
where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My
faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed
among you, where Satan dwells.” (Rev. 2:12-13)

This passage mentions “Satan’s throne’ or “where Satan dwells”. This is quite a
significant statement. The ancient Greek city of Pergamon or Pergamum (in modern day
Aeolis, Turkey) was the capital city of the Kingdom of Pergamon under the Attalid
dynasty during the Hellenistic period (281 – 133 BC).

The Great Altar of Pergamon was dedicated to Zeus, whom John equates with Satan. In
1886 the German engineer Carl Humann moved it to the Pergamon Museum on Berlin’s
Museum Island. It is still there. The Altar was the inspiration for Albert Speer’s design of
the Zeppelin Tribune at Nuremburg, which became a venue for Nazi rallies. Satan’s Seat
therefore symbolized Nazi power.

The Nazi Revival

It is very common for many Conservatives to continue warning about the revival of
Communist Socialism. However, in reality, what is happening all over the world is a
somewhat more subtle and nefarious shift back to National Socialism (more commonly
known as Nazism). China has moved from forbidding corporations to controlling them,
just like the Nazis did. America has bailed out banks and car manufacturers, with the
government being a significant investor. This is National Socialism, not Communism.

Communist Socialism and National Socialism, although they are portrayed on opposite
(left-right) poles of the political spectrum, are actually ideologically close cousins. Both
have the goal of control, though through different spheres (economic-social), and both
were originally financed through wealthy Wall Street and London financiers, as many
academics have shown. Indeed, big business flourishes under National Socialism, as
many former Nazi corporations have demonstrated. Nazis and big business feed on each
other.

Communist Socialism has never been achieved. The idealized rule by the people in
communes was always usurped by central party control. Even Stalin admitted that
Communism could never fully be implemented due to the continual need for centralized
governance. Of course, this was simply an excuse for his totalitarian control of the USSR.
Chairman Mao, Fidel Castro and other Communist leaders all had the same experience.
Communism had died a natural death by feeding upon itself to the point of starvation.

However, National Socialism is alive and well today. There is a distinguishable

resurgence of activist movements of National Socialism all over the world. Nazi
Germany and Fascist Italy certainly achieved it very successfully. Many South American
countries, with thousands of Nazi political refugees, have accomplished it. Peron fostered
Nazism for over a decade after the Second World War. The dictatorships of South
 Preservation through Tribulation 45

America were largely modeled after Nazi Germany. All were very successful while they
lasted and could stem the democratic tide.

Falangism has long been a significant presence in Spain, South America and the Middle
East. The Muslim Brotherhood was strongly influenced by former Nazis after the Second
World War, and it is gaining ascendancy today all over the Middle East. Many Middle
Eastern countries have lived with defacto Nazi dictatorships for decades and are still
trying to break free of them, only to be enslaved by the Theocratic version of Nazism in
the masked totalitarianism of the Islamic Brotherhood. Time will see this mask dropped.

The situation in Europe is more worrying. Far right groups are gaining popular support in
almost every European country, as the groundswell against foreign immigration and the
credit crisis gains momentum. Recent elections in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria
and Switzerland, to name but a few, have seen a significant swing to the right. The
Alternative for Germany is now legally permitted in German politics, despite their strong
Fascist message. Embattled Greece is being influenced by the Golden Dawn movement,
an overtly National Socialist organization that has popular support. Europeans do not
learn from history.
The European Union is fast becoming a Fascist state under the strict control of Germany.
What the Germans could not achieve through two world wars by military force, they are
now achieving through ‘security’, ‘unity’ and ‘peace’ (as the Nobel Peace Prize
committee would have us believe). It is certainly true that the southern European
countries (and even Britain) are in an economic mess, but is it only the Germans that can
really sort out this mess? Apparently Hitler and his heirs would enthusiastically answer in
the affirmative.

The modern Nazis represent the Second Beast of Revelation 12 that will enforce the
Mark of the (First) Beast and bring about the Great Tribulation.

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a
lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast
in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first
beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even
makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he
deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in
the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the
beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give
breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and
cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right
hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the
mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:11-18)

Daniel’s Last Two Chapters

The last two chapters of Daniel describe the chronology of the Antichrist.
 Dr. Dieter Thom
Dan. Then there will arise in his place a despicable
11:21 person to whom the royal honor has not been
rightfully conferred.
He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity
and will seize the kingdom through deceit.
11:22 Armies will be suddenly swept away in defeat
before him; both they and a covenant leader will be
destroyed.
11:23 After entering into an alliance with him, he will
behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with
only a small force.
11:24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas
of the province he will come and accomplish what
neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished.
He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his
followers, and he will devise plans against fortified
cities, but not for long.
11:25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm against
the king of the south with a large army. The king of
the south will wage war with a large and very
powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail
because of the plans devised against him.
11:26 Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to
destroy him, and his army will be swept away; many
will be killed in battle.
11:27 These two kings, their minds filled with evil
intentions, will trade lies with one another at the
same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still
an end at the appointed time.
11:28 Then the king of the north will return to his own
land with much property. His mind will be set
against the holy covenant. He will take action, and
then return to his own land.
11:29 At an appointed time he will again invade the south,
but this latter visit will not turn out the way the
former one did.
11:30 The ships of Kittim will come against him, leaving
him disheartened. He will turn back and direct his
indignation against the holy covenant. He will return
and honor those who forsake the holy covenant.
11:31 His forces will rise up and profane the fortified
sanctuary, stopping the daily sacrifice.
In its place they will set up the abomination that
causes desolation.
12:11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed
and the abomination that causes desolation is set
in place, there are 1,290 days.
11:32 Then with smooth words he will defile those who
have rejected the covenant. But the people who are
loyal to their God will act valiantly.
11:33 These who are wise among the people will teach the
46
Many of the royal houses of Europe have been
officially disbanded, and the heirs have not
had royal statusofficially conferred on them.
One of these royals will take political power
dishonestly in a time of economic prosperity.
He will have great military success against
opposing armies and a leader of Israel will be
killed in the process.
He will enter into an alliance with this Israeli
President and then he will betray and kill him.
A small EU army will bring him to power.
During a time of economic prosperity, the
Europeans will finally conquer Jerusalem in a
final Crusade. There will be much croneyism
and corruption on the Antichrist’s side, but
his battle plans against other cities will not
last very long.
He will declare war against a Muslim
Alliance centered on Saudi Arabia. More
people now support him and his army has
grown. The Arabs will come against him with
a large army, but they will be defeated.
An assassin will be ironically sent to the Saudi
King, but the attempt will fail. Many Arabs
will be killed.
There will be peace talks and they will reach
some kind of truce, but not intend to actually
keep it. Their plans will not come to fruition
and war between them will contiunue.
From his victories, the EU leader will have
gained much territory, probably in Eastern
Europe. His mind will be set against Israel, he
will take military action and return to the EU.
He will invade the Middle East again, but he
will not be so successful this time and he will
suffer defeat.
Jeremiah (2:10) mentions the isles of Kittim
as the western extremity of the world,
referring to the Anglo-American alliance that
comes against him. He will make war against
Israel and Jewish betrayers put in power.
He will enter the Jewish Temple and stop their
rituals. He will perform a pagan ritual
sacrifice to Odin and bring the final
destruction of the State of Israel.
From this point there will be three and a half
years of Great Tribulation on the earth bring
tremendous suffering to everyone.
He will deceive those who reject the Gospel.
The Jews are converted to Christianity and
Christians will be brave in adversity.
Christians will teach people the truth, but they
 Preservation through Tribulation
masses. However, they will fall by the sword and by
the flame, and they will be imprisoned and
plundered for some time.
11:34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help.
But many will unite with them deceitfully.
11:35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in
their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the
time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.
11:36 Then the king will do as he pleases. He will exalt
and magnify himself above every deity and he will
utter presumptuous things against the God of gods.
He will succeed until the time of wrath is completed,
for what has been decreed must occur.
11:37 He will not respect the gods of his fathers – not even
the god loved by women. He will not respect any
god; he will elevate himself above them all.
11:38 What he will honor is a god of fortresses – a god his
fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold,
silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities.
11:39 He will attack mighty fortresses, aided by a foreign
deity. To those who recognize him he will grant
considerable honor. He will place them in authority
over many people, and he will parcel out land for a
price.
11:40 At the time of the end the king of the south will
attack him. Then the king of the north will storm
against him with chariots, horsemen, and a large
armada of ships. He will invade lands, passing
through them like an overflowing river.
11:41 Then he will enter the beautiful land.
Many will fall, but these will escape:
Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership.
11:42 He will extend his power against other lands; the
land of Egypt will not escape.
11:43 He will have control over the hidden stores of gold
and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt.
Libyans and Ethiopians will submit to him.
11:44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north,
and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy
and wipe out many.
11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas
toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will
come to his end, with no one to help him.
12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who watches
over your people, will arise. There will be a time of
distress unlike any other from the nation’s beginning
up to that time. But at that time your own people, all
those whose names are found written in the book,
will escape.
12:2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will
awake – some to everlasting life, and others to
shame and everlasting abhorrence.
47
will be persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and
executed for this period of three-and-a-half
years.
God will help them, but many false believers
will infiltrate and betray these true believers.
Some true believers will struggle with their
faith, but their faith will be made more pure
during this time of the Great Tribulation.
The Antichrist will do whatever he wants,
raise himself up above all other gods, and
speak against the One True God. He will be
successful in his endeavors until the end of the
Great Tribulation when wrath will come.
He will be disrespectful to the Nordic faith
that brought him to power. The god Eros, the
god of love, is one of these gods.
But he will honor The God of War, Odin,
probably in the form of the Hindu God Shiva,
to gain the support of the Indian nation.
In the name of Shiva he will make war and he
will reward those who support him. This will
probably extend to attacking Pakistan, and
Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia,
bringing these lands under Indian control.
The Muslim coalition led by the Saudis will
attack him. The ‘small army’ has now become
‘a large armada of ships’- obviously he has
had time to manufacture many more weapons.
His power has clearly increased greatly.
He will enter Israel, but spare the State of
Jordan with its many sacred pagan sites of
worship like Petra, Jerash and Um Qais.
He will control the Middle East/North Africa
region, including Egypt.
He will conquer Egypt, which has one of the
largest standing armies in the world. North
East Africa will submit to him.
The Kings of the East will come to fight him in
Armageddon (probably Russia, China, and
Iran) (Revelation 9:13-21)
His final stand will be between the
Mediterranean and Sea of Galilee in the
valley of Megiddo (Armageddon).
The Archangel Michael will be watching over
Christians during The Great Tribulation, and
thankfully the Rapture will happen before the
Final Wrath of God comes upon the earth.
They will meet Jesus in the air at His Second
Coming.
The First Resurrection of the blessed will lead
to eternal life and the wicked to eternal
punishment.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 48

12:3 But the wise will shine like the brightness of the
heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to
righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.
12:4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the
book until the time of the end. Many will dash
about, [run around] and knowledge will increase.”
Believers will shine like the heavens. Those
who bring others to Jesus will be blessed for
eternity.
This prophecy was given for the time of the
end. Our modern society is rushed and the
internet has brought tremendous knowledge.

The Final War

The last war on earth to be fought will be a religious war. There will be four main
religious groups and clusters of countries: pagan, atheist, Judeo-Christian and Sunni.

1. The pagan alliance. Buddhist/Hindu/Odinist: EU, India, Japan, Thailand,

Cambodia. European paganism (Odinism) will merge with Buddhism in the figure
of the Antichrist. Hinduism is a cousin of Buddhism. Paganism worships multiple
gods who actually lived on the earth. It is the worship of ancestors.
2. The atheist alliance. China/Vietnam/North Korea/Laos/Cuba. The Chinese
Communists seek to eradicate all forms of religion and any authority that is not
centered on the Communist Party.
3. Judeo-Christian alliance: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, sub-
Saharan Africa, South America.
4. Sunni Muslim alliance: MENA countries, Malaysia, Indonesia.

The primary battle fronts will be in the Middle East (pagan/Sunni), the Americas
(pagan/Judeo-Christian), south-east Asia (pagan/Muslim and pagan/atheist).

The Buddhist Gods of War

When most people think of Buddhism, they think of it as being a religion of peace.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Every religion projects itself as a religion of
peace, and Buddhism has been very successful in managing this image. However, it has
fierce deities that are enlightened Buddhas, Bodhisattvas or Devas that destroy the
obstacles to enlightenment. The eight Tibetan Dharmapala are supernatural defenders of
Buddhism that engage in merciless warfare against the enemies of Buddhism. They are :
• Yamantaka (the conqueror of death),
• Yama (the god of death),
• Mahakala (the Great Black One),
• Vaiśravaṇa or Kubera (the god of wealth),
• Hayagriva (the Horse-necked one),
• The White Brahma (or Tshangs pa),
• Palden Lhamo (the female protectress of Tibet), and
• Begtse (a war god from Mongolia).
 Preservation through Tribulation 49

Yamantaka, Fear-Striking Vajra, Lord of Death (Tibetan: Gshin-rje-gshed), multiheaded,

holding vajra, rope, dagger, riding a water buffalo, statue of a guardian, enormous
strength, Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism, Art Institute, Chicago. [Public Domain].
 Dr. Dieter Thom 50

Yama, lord of death. [Public Domain].

Image: http://collections.lacma.org/sites/default/files/remote_images/piction/ma-
31963522-O3.jpg Gallery: http://collections.lacma.org/node/189014
 Preservation through Tribulation 51

Mahakala statue, holding a flaying knife (kartika) and skullcup (kapala). Permission is
granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free
Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software
Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled GNU Free Documentation
License.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 52

Hayagriva in the 1000-armed Chenrezig shrine, in Samye Ling Tibetam Buddhist centre,
Scotland. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Unported license.
 Preservation through Tribulation 53

There are even female gods of war.

Offerings to the Goddess Palden Lhamo Public Domain

https://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/37806

Tsam mask in a performance in Ulan-Ude (2011). In Tibetan Buddhism Beg-tse or

Jamsaran is a female dharmapala and the lord of war, a pre-Buddhist war goddess of the
Mongols. Public Domain.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 54

Guardian of Phra Meru Mas of Bhumibol Adulyadej. Statue of Vaiśravaṇa as the

guardian at the royal crematorium of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, 2017.
[Public Domain]

Vaiśravaṇa is known as the King of the North and he is often depicted on temple murals
outside the main door. This is the same title as given in Daniel 11 for the Antichrist.
 Preservation through Tribulation 55

The White Brahma. In the Vaishnava Puranic scriptures, Brahma emerges on a lotus from
Vishnu's navel as Vishnu creates the cosmic cycle. Notice that his skin is white.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 56

The Hindu gods are very similar.

Vishnu the Supreme Being. Public Domain.

 Preservation through Tribulation 57

Kartikeya the Hindu god of war, the son of Shiva. Batu Caves, Gombak, Selangor,
Malaysia: The statue of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) beside the Batu Caves staircase.
Public Domain.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 58

Kali. The goddess destroyer of evil forces. Public Domain.

 Preservation through Tribulation 59

The Link Between Nazism and Buddhism/Hinduism

The most prominent symbol of Nazism is the swastika.

The flag of the Nazi Party. The adoption of the swastika by the Nazis and by neo-Nazis is
the most recognizable modern use of the symbol in the west. Public Domain.

Many people are unaware that this is an ancient symbol found in many cultures.

Garh Ganesh Temple in Jaipur, India. [Public Domain.]

 Dr. Dieter Thom 60

Mosaic swastika in an excavated Byzantine church in Shavei Tzion (Israel). [Public

Domain.]

Idol of Jain Tirthankara Suparshvanath with his swastika symbol below it (India). [Public
Domain]
 Preservation through Tribulation 61

The petroglyph with swastikas in the Gegham mountains, Armenia. [Public Domain]

Four swastikas in an ornament of a bucket found with the Oseberg ship (ca. AD 800).
Public Domain. http://saamiblog.blogspot.com
 Dr. Dieter Thom 62

Swastika symbol on the entrance of a Tibetan Buddhism temple. © Michel Royon /

Wikimedia Commons.
 Preservation through Tribulation 63

Hachisuka Masakatsu family crest, known as the Hachisuka swastika. [Public Domain]

Swastika and Longevity pattern on a building in the Forbidden City, China. Similar
designs can be found throughout the Imperial City. [Public Domain]
 Dr. Dieter Thom 64

7. The Temple of God

World history is centered on Jerusalem and specifically the Temple. The temple
prefigures a number of things and has taken on different forms. We need to consider ten
points in understanding the temple of God.

1. The temple represents heaven where God dwells with angelic & human spirits.
2. The temple represents the Garden of Eden where humans dwelt with God.
3. The tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness prefigured the temple.
4. The First Temple was built by Solomon and had God’s presence.
5. The Second Temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans.
6. The temple prefigured the Messiah in whom God dwelt bodily.
7. The temple prefigured His Church in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
8. The Third Temple will be rebuilt before Christ’s Second Coming.
9. The temple will be restored and expanded in the Millennium.
10. The temple projects the eternal state with the New Heaven and New Earth.

1. The Heavenly Temple (Eternal)

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD rescued him
from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. He said: “The LORD is my
high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I
take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, my stronghold, my refuge, my
savior. You save me from violence! I called to the LORD, who is worthy of
praise, and I was delivered from my enemies. The waves of death engulfed me;
the currents of chaos overwhelmed me. The ropes of Sheol tightened around me;
the snares of death trapped me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I called to
my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for
help. (2 Sam. 22:1-7)

After these things I looked, and the temple (the tent of the testimony) was opened
in heaven, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the
temple, dressed in clean bright linen, wearing wide golden belts around their
chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden
bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the temple
was filled with smoke from God’s glory and from his power. Thus no one could
enter the temple until the seven plagues from the seven angels were completed.
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple declaring to the seven angels: “Go and
pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.”
(Rev. 15:5 – 16:1)

2. The temple represents the Garden of Eden

God’s presence dwelt with human beings perfectly in the Garden of Eden. The temple is
a promise from God that He will restore this relationship (see the books in the
bibliography at the end of this chapter).
 Preservation through Tribulation 65

3. The tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness prefigured the temple.

Moses built the tabernacle in the wilderness as a forerunner of the temple to act as a
promise to the Israelites that He would be with them, even in the wilderness (see the
books in the bibliography at the end of this chapter).

4. The First Temple of Israel (Solomon)

King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to Solomon when he heard that he had been
anointed king in his father’s place. (Hiram had always been an ally of David.)
Solomon then sent this message to Hiram: “You know that my father David was
unable to build a temple to honor the LORD his God, for he was busy fighting
battles on all fronts while the LORD subdued his enemies. But now the LORD
my God has made me secure on all fronts; there is no adversary or dangerous
threat. So I have decided to build a temple to honor the LORD my God, as the
LORD instructed my father David, ‘Your son, whom I will put on your throne in
your place, is the one who will build a temple to honor me.’ (1 Kings 5:1 - 5)

The first temple of Israel was built by Solomon for God around 960 BC, was the center of
Jewish worship and sacrifice for a few hundred years, but was destroyed by the Neo-
Babylonian Empire in 587 BC.
The Promise of Restoration

In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, who was of Median descent and who
had been appointed king over the Babylonian empire – in the first year of his
reign I, Daniel, came to understand from the sacred books that, according to the
word of the LORD disclosed to the prophet Jeremiah [29:10-14], the years for the
fulfilling of the desolation of Jerusalem were seventy in number. …He has
carried out his threats against us and our rulers who were over us by bringing
great calamity on us – what has happened to Jerusalem has never been equaled
under all heaven! Just as it is written in the law of Moses, so all this calamity has
come on us. Still we have not tried to pacify the LORD our God by turning back
from our sin and by seeking wisdom from your reliable moral standards. The
LORD was mindful of the calamity, and he brought it on us. For the LORD our
God is just in all he has done, and we have not obeyed him... “So now, our God,
accept the prayer and requests of your servant, and show favor to your
devastated sanctuary for your own sake. Listen attentively, my God, and hear!
Open your eyes and look on our desolated ruins and the city called by your
name. …” (Dan. 9:1-18a)

5. The Second Jewish Temple (Herod)

The Second Jewish Temple was built and rededicated in 515 BC by Babylonian exiles
under Nehemiah & Ezra. It was desecrated by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (r.175–164 BC)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 66

in 167 BC and rededicated by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 BC. Finally, it was destroyed by
the Roman military leader Titus (39–81 AD) in 70 AD.

The Second Destruction Prophesied by Daniel

“Seventy weeks have been determined concerning your people and your holy city
to put an end to rebellion, to bring sin to completion, to atone for iniquity, to bring
in perpetual righteousness, to seal up the prophetic vision, and to anoint a most
holy place. So know and understand: From the issuing of the command to restore
and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince arrives, there will be a
period of seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will again be built, with plaza and
moat, but in distressful times. Now after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one will
be cut off and have nothing. As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the
coming prince will destroy them. But his end will come speedily like a flood.
Until the end of the war that has been decreed there will be destruction. He will
confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of that week he
will bring sacrifices and offerings to a halt. On the wing of abominations will
come one who destroys, until the decreed end is poured out on the one who
destroys.” (Daniel 9:24-27)

This passage of Scripture is critical for our understanding of Bible prophecy. On the next
page is a breakdown of the verses and dates that relate to the Second Jewish temple and
the Messiah.

The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Public
Domain.
 Preservation through Tribulation 67

A Tabular Exegesis of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24 – 27)

Daniel Dates Introduction of the Messiah Destruction of the Temple

9:24 460 BC Seventy weeks have been
to determined concerning your
30 AD people and your holy city to put
an end to rebellion, to bring sin
to completion, to atone for
iniquity, to bring in perpetual
righteousness, to seal up the
prophetic vision, and to anoint a
most holy place.
9:25 7+62 = So know and understand: From
69 the issuing of the command to
weeks restore and rebuild Jerusalem until
an anointed one, a prince arrives,
there will be a period of seven
weeks and sixty-two weeks. It
will again be built, with plaza and
moat, but in distressful times.
9:26a Jesus Now after the sixty-two weeks,
30 AD an anointed one (‘messiah’) will
be cut off and have nothing.
9:26b Titus As for the city and the sanctuary,
70 AD the people of the coming prince
will destroy them. But his end will
come speedily like a flood. Until
the end of the war that has been
decreed there will be destruction.
9:27a Jesus He will confirm a covenant with
30 AD many for one week. But in the
middle of that week (3.5 years of
Jesus’ ministry) he will bring
sacrifices and offerings to a halt.
9:27b Titus On the wing of abominations will
70 AD come one who destroys, until the
decreed end is poured out on the
one who destroys.

Dispensationalist separate the last (seventieth week) and claim that it is fulfilled in the
end times. This is one of the sources of their seven-year tribulation. This method is both
illogical and unexegetical, and cannot be justified in any way.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 68

6. The temple prefigured the Messiah in whom God dwelt bodily.

Jesus refered to Himself in terms of the temple (see the books in the bibliography at the
end of this chapter).
.

7. The temple prefigured His Church in which the Holy Spirit dwells.

Believers are individually and corporately the Temple of God, as He dwells in us after
regenerating us and corporately dwells in the Church universal (see the books in the
bibliography at the end of this chapter).
.

8. The Third Jewish Temple

It is the avowed goal of Zionism and international Freemasonry to build the Third Jewish
Temple, though its rebuilding is not explicitly stated in Scripture. They must first
desecrate or destroy the Holy Muslim shrines of the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa
Mosque on the Temple Mount. This will spark the fury of Muslims worldwide and the
declaration of war in the Middle East. The Antichrist will come to support Israel on two
occasions by fighting against the Muslim countries coming against Israel. This will allow
the Antichrist the opportunity to betray and invade Israel, and desecrate the newly-built
temple.

His forces will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary, stopping the daily
sacrifice. In its place they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Then with smooth words he will defile those who have rejected the covenant. But
the people who are loyal to their God will act valiantly. These who are wise
among the people will teach the masses. However, they will fall by the sword and
by the flame, and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time. When
they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them
deceitfully. Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement,
purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the
appointed time. (Dan. 11:31-35)

Here we read that the sanctuary (temple) will be fortified (against attack), the
abomination of desolation happens at this time, and this all happens at the time of the
end. The end has not yet come, so it cannot refer to the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem,
as Preterists would have us believe. Preterists claim that all Bible prophecy was fulfilled
by 70 AD when Jesus came to Jerusalem in judgement. They teach that the resurrection
has already occurred and that Jesus has already come. This is heretical. Partial Preterists
fare a bit better, but even they must rely on simplistic ‘proof texts’ that are taken out of
their clear context and meaning.

Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he
raised both his right and left hands to the sky and made an oath by the one who
 Preservation through Tribulation 69

lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the
one who shatters the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be
finished.” I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir, what will happen after
these things?” He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until
the time of the end. Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the
wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the
wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the
abomination that causes desolation is set in place, there are 1,290 days. Blessed
is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. But you should go your way
until the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to
receive what you have been allotted.” (Dan. 12:7 -13)

The Teaching of Jesus at the end of the Synoptic Gospels

Now as Jesus was going out of the temple courts and walking away, his disciples
came to show him the temple buildings. And he said to them, “Do you see all
these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone will be left on another. All will
be torn down!” As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to
him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be
the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them,
“Watch out that no one misleads you…“So when you see the abomination of
desolation – spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let
the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. The one on
the roof must not come down to take anything out of his house, and the one in the
field must not turn back to get his cloak. Woe to those who are pregnant and to
those who are nursing their babies in those days! Pray that your flight may not be
in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great suffering unlike anything
that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will
happen. (Matt. 24:1-4,15-21)

The wailing wall is still standing. The temple has not yet been completely destroyed. The
destruction of the temple is the sign of His Second Coming and the end of the age (the
end of the days). The abomination of desolation is a sign of the end and the coming
suffering. The Great Tribulation will bring suffering like nothing else in human history.

The Antichrist

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion
comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes
and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result
he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God. Surely you recall
that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. And so you know
what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time. For the hidden
power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back
will do so until he is taken out of the way, and then the lawless one will be
 Dr. Dieter Thom 70

revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by
the manifestation of his arrival. The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s
working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every
kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they
found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. Consequently God
sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. And so
all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be
condemned. (2 Thess 2:3-12)

Here we read that the “man of lawlessness” will sit in God’s temple and claim to be God,
and that he will perform great miracles and signs and wonders to deceive unbelievers. No
man has done this yet in the whole of history.

Is It Time for the Temple?

It is important to note that as a result of the June 2005 meeting of the Sanhedrin, they
have issued a call for specific plans to rebuild the Temple. “The Israeli rabbinical council
involved with re-establishing the Sanhedrin, is calling upon all groups involved in
Temple Mount research to prepare detailed architectural plans for the reconstruction of
the Jewish Holy Temple.” This demonstrates that increasingly the new Sanhedrin
believes that it is taking steps to prepare the modern state of Israel for a new Temple and
the coming of Messiah. These stage-setting steps are things that are in concert with the
end time events that will take place during a future era known as the tribulation. In order
to specifically carry out the Sanhedrin’s call to prepare architectural plans for rebuilding
the Temple, “the group will establish a forum of architects and engineers to begin plans
for rebuilding the Temple—a move fraught with religious and political volatility.” The
Sanhedrin is also “calling on the Jewish people to contribute toward the acquisition of
materials for the purpose of rebuilding the Temple—including the gathering and
preparation of prefabricated, disassembled portions to be stored and ready for rapid
assembly, ‘in the manner of King David.’”
(Thomas Ice - Tom's Perspectives, 9 July 2005)

The Temple & Freemasonry

The construction of the original temple is an important highlight in the history of

Freemasonry. The story of Hiram Abiff and the construction of the Temple is an
important milestone in its mythology. The Jewish temple is the centre of its spiritual and
moral lessons and rituals. Global freemasonry looks forward and works towards
rebuilding the temple. Most of our current Western world leaders (even Muslims) are
Freemasons.

Destruction or Coexistence?

Originally, Mohammed instructed his followers to face towards Jerusalem when praying,
then he changed it to Mecca when Jews and Christians rejected him.The Temple Mount
remains the second holiest site for Muslims, as they believe that Ishmael was presented
 Preservation through Tribulation 71

by Abraham to be sacrificed to God. The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque
must be demolished by the Jews or the new temple must be built alongside it.

Currently, Muslims become very angry when any infidel dares to come on to the temple
mount. Though the Jews control Jerusalem, the Muslim Mullahs (priests) control the
temple mount. In my view, there is no way that the Muslims will tolerate the rebuilding
of the Jewish temple on their holy ground and the Jews will have to do it by military
force, and they are likely to destroy the Muslim shrines as a result.

This will bring about the wrath of the Muslim world and they will attack Israel. The
Antichrist will establish an agreement to defend Israel on two occasions, but after the
second time will betray Israel and destroy it. He will then proclaim his Divinity in the
Jewish Temple and demand worship from the world.

9. The Millennial Temple

Ezekiel’s Vision (Ch. 40-48) of the New (Fourth) Temple represents the Millennial
Temple. The Temple comprises a vast land area of Israel beyond the city limits of
Jerusalem. The Millennium Saints of God make up this temple.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If
someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy,
which is what you are. (1 Cor. 3:16&17)

Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin a person commits is outside of the body” – but the
immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not
your own? (1 Cor. 6:18&19)

Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there
between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with
darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer
share in common with an unbeliever? And what mutual agreement does the temple of
God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I
will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be
my people.” Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord,
“and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.
(2 Cor. 6:14-18)

So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with
the saints and members of God’s household, because you have been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
In him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the
Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the
Spirit. (Eph. 2: 19 - 22)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 72

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My
Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go
you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4)

Ezekiel’s Temple is the people of God reigning and ruling from Jerusalem in the
Millennium (see Revelation 20). However, there will be no literal restoration of temple
sacrifices like in the Old Testament, as Dispensationalists teach.

The Visionary Ezekiel Temple plan drawn by the 19th century French architect and Bible
scholar Charles Chipiez. Public Domain.

10. The Temple of God in the New Jerusalem

Now I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God – the All-Powerful – and
the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on
it, because the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will
walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur into it. Its
gates will never be closed during the day (and there will be no night there). They
will bring the grandeur and the wealth of the nations into it, but nothing ritually
unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or
practices falsehood, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book
of life. (Rev. 21:22-27)
 Preservation through Tribulation 73

The Triune God will be the ultimate temple, so there will be no need for a building of any
sort in the Eternal City.

So we have seen that there are ten different forms of the Temple of God in the Bible: The
Heavenly Temple, the Garden of Eden, the Tabernacle, the First Temple of Israel, the
Second Jewish Temple, Jesus, the Church, the Third Jewish Temple, the Millennial
Temple, and the Temple of God in the New Jerusalem.

Temple Theology Bibliography

Ahlström, G. W. (1971). Joel and the Temple Cult of Jerusalem. Brill.

Alexander, T. D. (2009). From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical
Theology. Kregel Publications.
Ariel, I., Richman, C., Wertheimer, Y., Ball, B. L., Karṭa, & Institute, T. (2005). Carta's
Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Temple Institute.
Baker, E. W. (2015). The Eschatological Role of the Jerusalem Temple: An Examination of the
Jewish Writings Dating from 586 BCE to 70 CE. Anchor Academic Publishing.
Barker, M. (2004). Temple Theology: An Introduction. SPCK.
Barker, M. (2009). On Earth as it is in Heaven: Temple Symbolism in the New Testament.
Sheffield Phoenix Press.
Barker, M. (2012). Temple Mysticism: An Introduction. SPCK.
Barker, M. (2014). King of the Jews: Temple Theology in John's Gospel. SPCK.
Beale, G. K. (2004). The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling
Place of God. InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2015). God Dwells Among Us: SPCK.
Beale, G. K., & Gladd, B. L. (2014). Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology Of
Mystery. SPCK.
Bedford, P. R. (2001). Temple Restoration in Early Achaemenid Judah. Brill.
Berman, J. (1995). The Temple: Its Symbolism and Meaning Then and Now. J. Aronson.
Chance, J. B. (1988). Jerusalem, the Temple, and the New Age in Luke-Acts. Mercer University
Press.
Chávez, E. G. (2002). The theological significance of Jesus' temple action in Mark's Gospel.
Edwin Mellen Press.
Clements, R. E. (2016). God and Temple: The Idea of the Divine Presence in Ancient Israel.
Wipf & Stock Publishers.
Cobb, G. (2007). Three Religions One Temple Mount. Salem Publishing Solutions, Incorporated.
Cohn, N. S. (2013). The Memory of the Temple and the Making of the Rabbis. University of
Pennsylvania Press, Incorporated.
Coloe, M. L. (2001). God Dwells with Us: Temple Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel. Liturgical
Press.
Cooper, I. (2017). Faith and Fury: The Temple Mount and the Noble Sanctuary: The Story of
Jerusalem's Most Sacred Space. Roaring Brook Press.
Edersheim, A. (1874). The Temple: Its Ministry and Services, as They Were at the Time of Jesus
Christ. Religious Tract Society.
Fujita, S. (1984). The Temple Theology of the Qumran Sect and the Book of Ezekiel: Their
Relationship to Jewish Literature of the Last Two Centuries B.C. University Microfilms.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 74

Gärtner, B. (2005). The Temple and the Community in Qumran and the New Testament: A
Comparative Study in the Temple Symbolism of the Qumran Texts and the New
Testament. Cambridge University Press.
Goldsworthy, G. (2013). Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and
Principles. InterVarsity Press.
Gorenberg, G. (2002). The End of Days: Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple
Mount. Oxford University Press.
Gray, T. C. (2008). The Temple in the Gospel of Mark: A Study in Its Narrative Role. Coronet
Books Incorporated.
Hakewill, E. C. (1851). The Temple: The Ark, the Tabernacle, and the Temple of Jerusalem;
Shewing the Correspondence of Their Forms with Those of Classic Architecture. Francis
and John Rivington.
Hamblin, W. J., & Seely, D. R. (2007). Solomon's Temple: Myth and History. Thames &
Hudson.
Hamilton, J. M. (2006). God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New
Testaments. B&H Publishing Group.
Haran, M. (1985). Temples and Temple-service in Ancient Israel: An Inquiry Into Biblical Cult
Phenomena and the Historical Setting of the Priestly School: Ind.
Hays, J. D. (2016). The Temple and the Tabernacle: A Study of God's Dwelling Places from
Genesis to Revelation. Baker Publishing Group.
Hogeterp, A. L. A. (2006). Paul and God's Temple: A Historical Interpretation of Cultic
Imagery in the Corinthian Correspondence. Isd.
Ice, T., & Price, R. (1992). Ready to Rebuild: The Imminent Plan to Rebuild the Last Days
Temple. Harvest House.
Inbari, M. (2012). Jewish Fundamentalism and the Temple Mount: Who Will Build the Third
Temple? State University of New York Press.
Joseph, M. M. (2011). Jerusalem’S Temple Mount: The Hoax of the Millennium! AuthorHouse.
Klawans, J. (2005). Purity, Sacrifice, and the Temple: Symbolism and Supersessionism in the
Study of Ancient Judaism. Oxford University Press.
Lioy, D. (2010). Axis of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Analysis of the Temple Motif in
Scripture. P. Lang.
Lundquist, J. M. (2008). The Temple of Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future. Praeger.
Lundquist, J. M. (2012). The Temple: Meeting Place of Heaven and Earth. Thames & Hudson.
Michell, J. (2000). The Temple at Jerusalem: A Revelation. Red Wheel Weiser.
Middleton, J. R. (2014). A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology.
Baker Publishing Group.
Morales, L. M. (2012). The Tabernacle Pre-figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and
Exodus. Isd.
Morales, L. M. (2014). Cult and Cosmos: Tilting Toward a Temple-centered Theology. Isd.
Morrison, T. (2010). Isaac Newton's Temple of Solomon and his Reconstruction of Sacred
Architecture. Springer Basel.
North, P., & North, J. (2007). Sacred Space: House of God;Gate of Heaven. Bloomsbury
Academic.
Papaioannou, K., & Giantzaklidis, I. (2017). Earthly Shadows, Heavenly Realities:
Temple/sanctuary Cosmology in Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Jewish
Literature. Andrews University Press.
 Preservation through Tribulation 75

Parrot, A. (1954). The Temple of Jerusalem. Delachaux & Niestlé.

Paynter, G. D. (2017). The Third Temple and the Eastern Gate (Part 1, 2 & 3). CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform.
Price, R. (1994). In Search of Temple Treasures: The Lost Ark and the Last Days. Harvest House
Publishers.
Price, R. (2000). The Coming Last Days Temple: The Latest Developments in Bible Prophecy.
Harvest House Publishers.
Price, R. (2004). The Battle for the Last Days' Temple: Politics, Prophecy, and the Temple
Mount. Harvest House Publishers.
Price, R. (2005). The Temple and Bible Prophecy. Harvest House Publishers.
Publishing, R. (2013). Rose Guide to the Temple. Rose Publishing, Incorporated.
Reiland, R. (2007). Jesus and the Third Temple: The Complete Guide to the Ancient History and
Secret Rituals of the Red Heifer Ceremony. Your Own World Books.
Richman, C., & Karṭa. (1997). The Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Temple Institute.
Ritmeyer, L., & Ritmeyer, K. (2006). Secrets of Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Biblical
Archaeology Society.
Rosenau, H. (1979). Vision of the temple: the image of the temple of Jerusalem in Judaism and
Christianity. Oresko Books.
Sams, M. (2017). The Jerusalem Temple Mount: A Compendium of Ancient Descriptions.
Schmitt, J. W., & Laney, J. C. (2014). Messiah's Coming Temple: Ezekiel's Prophetic Vision of
the Future Temple. Kregel Publications.
Schreiner, T. R. (2013). The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New
Testaments. Baker Publishing Group.
Schwartz, M. (2002). The biblical engineer: how the temple in Jerusalem was built. Ktav Pub.
House.
Seminar, O. O. T., & Day, J. (2005). Temple and worship in biblical Israel. T & T Clark.
Shanks, H. (2007). Jerusalem's Temple Mount: from Solomon to the golden Dome. Continuum.
Skarsaune, O. (2008). In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity.
InterVarsity Press.
Stevens, M. E. (2006). Temples, Tithes, and Taxes: The Temple and the Economic Life of
Ancient Israel. Baker Publishing Group.
Turner, H. W. (1979). From Temple to Meeting House: The Phenomenology and Theology of
Places of Worship. De Gruyter.
Wardle, T. (2010). The Jerusalem Temple and Early Christian Identity. Coronet Books
Incorporated.
Wasserman, J. (2011). The Temple of Solomon: From Ancient Israel to Secret Societies. Inner
Traditions/Bear.
Welch, P. J. W., & Barker, M. (2013). The Sermon on the Mount in the Light of the Temple.
Ashgate Publishing Limited.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 76

The Great Prostitute

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me. “Come,”
he said, “I will show you the condemnation and punishment of the great prostitute who
sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality
and the earth’s inhabitants got drunk with the wine of her immorality.” 3 So he carried
me away in the Spirit to a wilderness, and there I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 Now the
woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, and adorned with gold, precious
stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and
unclean things from her sexual immorality. 5 On her forehead was written a name, a
mystery: “Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the
earth.” 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of
those who testified to Jesus. I was greatly astounded when I saw her. 7 But the angel said
to me, “Why are you astounded? I will interpret for you the mystery of the woman and of
the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast you saw was,
and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The
inhabitants of the earth – all those whose names have not been written in the book of life
since the foundation of the world – will be astounded when they see that the beast was,
and is not, but is to come. 9 (This requires a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are
seven mountains the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: 10 five have fallen; one
is, and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a
brief time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of
the seven, and is going to destruction. 12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who
have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority as kings with the beast
for one hour. 13 These kings have a single intent, and they will give their power and
authority to the beast. 14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer
them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying the Lamb
are the called, chosen, and faithful.” 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw
(where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The
ten horns that you saw, and the beast – these will hate the prostitute and make her
desolate and naked. They will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire. 17 For God
has put into their minds to carry out his purpose by making a decision to give their royal
power to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 As for the woman you saw, she
is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”
(Revelation 17:1-18)
 Preservation through Tribulation 77

Twelve Clues About The Identity of the Great Prostitute

Introduction

This portion of the Bible is certainly one of the most important for a variety of reasons.

a. It is a key to understanding the vivid and difficult imagery of the Book of

Revelation.
b. It describes the events immediately preceding the Second Coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
c. It identifies a religious, political and economic kingdom that will emerge as a
leading world power in the world of the future.
d. It provides clues, when interpreted with other parts of Scripture, that clarify its
meaning beyond any reasonable doubt.
e. It covers both Revelation chapters 17 and 18.

The Great Prostitute

1. Who is overwhelmingly consistently called “a prostitute” in Scripture?

“In the Old Testament, the metaphor of adultery was frequently used of Israel as God's
faithless wife who had proved unfaithful by turning to false gods. Foreign nations were
never accused by the prophets of this form of sin. Sometimes Israel's sin was also
described in terms of harlotry: "How the faithful city has become a harlot" (Isa. 1:21; see
Jer. 2:20; 3:1; Ezek. 16:15; Hos. 2:5; 3:3; 4:15). She has not only been unfaithful to her
God; she has sold herself wantonly to any who would ask.” (George Eldon Ladd. A
Commentary on the Revelation of John, Amazon Kindle Locations 2729-2732)

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “You are about to die, and then these people will
begin to prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land into which they
are going. They will reject me and break my covenant that I have made with
them.” (Deut. 31:16)

Who are these people? The children of Israel.

“How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a
center of justice, fairness resided in her, but now only murderers.” (Is. 1:21)

What is the city? Jerusalem.

“Indeed, long ago you threw off my authority and refused to be subject to me.
You said, ‘I will not serve you.’ Instead, you gave yourself to other gods on every
high hill and under every green tree, like a prostitute sprawls out before her
lovers… But you, Israel, have given yourself as a prostitute to many gods. So
what makes you think you can return to me?” says the LORD. (Jer. 2:20; 3:1b)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 78

Who committed spiritual prostitution? Israel.

“‘But you trusted in your beauty and capitalized on your fame by becoming a
prostitute. You offered your sexual favours to every man who passed by so that
your beauty became his. You took some of your clothing and made for yourself
decorated high places; you engaged in prostitution on them. You went to him to
become his. You also took your beautiful jewellery, made of my gold and my
silver I had given to you, and made for yourself male images and engaged in
prostitution with them. You took your embroidered clothing and used it to cover
them; you offered my olive oil and my incense to them. As for my food that I
gave you – the fine flour, olive oil, and honey I fed you – you placed it before
them as a soothing aroma. That is exactly what happened, declares the sovereign
LORD. “‘You took your sons and your daughters whom you bore to me and you
sacrificed them as food for the idols to eat. As if your prostitution is not enough,
you slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols. And with all your
abominable practices and prostitution you did not remember the days of your
youth when you were naked and bare, kicking around in your blood. “‘After all of
your evil – “Woe! Woe to you!” declares the sovereign LORD – you built
yourself a chamber and put up a pavilion in every public square. At the head of
every street you erected your pavilion and you disgraced your beauty when you
spread your legs to every passerby and multiplied your promiscuity. You engaged
in prostitution with the Egyptians, your sexually aroused neighbours, multiplying
your promiscuity and provoking me to anger. So see here, I have stretched out my
hand against you and cut off your rations. I have delivered you into the power of
those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed by your
obscene conduct. You engaged in prostitution with the Assyrians because your
sexual desires were insatiable; you prostituted yourself with them and yet you
were still not satisfied. Then you multiplied your promiscuity to the land of
merchants, Babylonia, but you were not satisfied there either. “‘How sick is your
heart, declares the sovereign LORD, when you perform all of these acts, the deeds
of a bold prostitute. When you built your chamber at the head of every street and
put up your pavilion in every public square, you were not like a prostitute,
because you scoffed at payment. “‘Adulterous wife, who prefers strangers instead
of her own husband! All prostitutes receive payment, but instead you give gifts to
every one of your lovers. You bribe them to come to you from all around for your
sexual favours! You were different from other prostitutes because no one solicited
you. When you gave payment and no payment was given to you, you became the
opposite!’” (Ezek. 6:16-34)

“When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, he said to him, ‘Go marry a prostitute
who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution, because the
nation continually commits spiritual prostitution by turning away from the LORD.’
” (Hos. 1:2)

Who is consistently called “a prostitute” in Scripture? Israel.

 Preservation through Tribulation 79

2. What is “the great city” (17:18)?

a. This expression in the Greek is used on only two other occasions in the Revelation.

i. “Their corpses will lie in the street of the great city that is symbolically called
Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified.” (Rev. 11:8)

“If the LORD who commands armies had not left us a few survivors, we would
have quickly become like Sodom, we would have become like Gomorrah. Listen
to the LORD’s word, you leaders of Sodom! Pay attention to our God’s rebuke,
people of Gomorrah!” (Is. 1:9&10)

“But I see the prophets of Jerusalem doing something just as shocking. They are
unfaithful to me and continually prophesy lies. So they give encouragement to
people who are doing evil, with the result that they do not stop their evildoing. I
consider all of them as bad as the people of Sodom, and the citizens of Jerusalem
as bad as the people of Gomorrah.” (Jer. 23:14)

In which sense is Israel called “Egypt”? The first national exile of the nation of
Israel was in Egypt. Here the children of Israel learned the heathen and occultic
ways of the Egyptians. Even after God marvelously and miraculously delivered
the nation from their Egyptian bondage, they still hearkened after the ways of
Egypt, as demonstrated by the worship of the golden calf at Mount Sinai.

ii. “The great city was split into three parts and the cities of the nations collapsed.
So Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was given the cup filled
with the wine made of God’s furious wrath.” (Rev. 16:19)

“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor. Shave
off some of the hair from your head and your beard. Then take scales and divide
up the hair you cut off. Burn a third of it in the fire inside the city when the days
of your siege are completed. Take a third and slash it with a sword all around the
city. Scatter a third to the wind, and I will unleash a sword behind them. But take
a few strands of hair from those and tie them in the ends of your garment. Again,
take more of them and throw them into the fire, and burn them up. From there a
fire will spread to all the house of Israel. “This is what the sovereign LORD says:
This is Jerusalem; I placed her in the center of the nations with countries all
around her.” (Ezekiel 5:1-5)

b. “The great city” (Jerusalem) is also contrasted with “the holy city” (the New
Jerusalem). “So he took me away in the Spirit to a huge, majestic mountain and showed
me the holy city, [the New] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” (Rev.
21:10)

What is “the great city” (17:18)? Jerusalem.

 Dr. Dieter Thom 80

3. Who is she that “The blood of the saints and prophets was found in her, along
with the blood of all those who had been killed on the earth” (18:24 )?

There is only one group that has persecuted both prophets and saints in the Old and New
Testaments respectively, including Jesus himself.

a. “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You build
tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If
we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have participated with
them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ By saying this you testify against
yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up
then the measure of your ancestors! You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How
will you escape being condemned to hell? “For this reason I am sending you
prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and
crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to
town, so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the
blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you
murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, this generation will
be held responsible for all these things! O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the
prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather
your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would
have none of it! Look, your house is left to you desolate! For I tell you, you will
not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of
the Lord!’” (Matt. 23:29-39)

b. “For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ
Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own
countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and
the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are
opposed to all people, because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so
that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but
wrath has come upon them completely.” (1 Thess. 2:14-16)

c. “They continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my

spirit!” Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not
hold this sin against them [the Jews persecuting the Church]!” When he had said
this, he died. And Saul agreed completely with killing him.” (Acts 7:59 – 8:1)

“Isaw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of
those who testified to Jesus. I was greatly astounded when I saw her.” (Rev. 17:6)

Who is she that “The blood of the saints and prophets was found in her, along with
the blood of all those who had been killed on the earth” (18:24)? Israel.
 Preservation through Tribulation 81

4. What does her adornment symbolize (Rev. 17:4;18:16)?

a. “Now the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, and adorned with
gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup filled with
detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality.” (Rev. 17:4)

b. “Woe, woe, O great city – dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet clothing, and
adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls…” (Rev. 18:16)

We find the answer, once again, in the Old Testament, with the High Priest’s garments.

“And you, bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him from among the
Israelites, so that they may minister as my priests – Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and
Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. You must make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for glory
and for beauty. You are to speak to all who are specially skilled, whom I have filled with
the spirit of wisdom, so that they may make Aaron’s garments to set him apart to minister
as my priest. Now these are the garments that they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a
robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make holy garments for your brother
Aaron and for his sons, that they may minister as my priests. The artisans are to use the
gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. They are to make the ephod of gold, blue,
purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen, the work of an artistic designer. It is to have two
shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be joined together. The artistically
woven waistband of the ephod that is on it is to be like it, of one piece with the ephod, of
gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen. You are to take two onyx stones and
engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on one stone, and the
six remaining names on the second stone, according to the order of their birth. You are to
engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel with the work of an engraver
in stone, like the engravings of a seal; you are to have them set in gold filigree settings.
You are to put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod, stones of memorial for the
sons of Israel, and Aaron will bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a
memorial. You are to make filigree settings of gold and two braided chains of pure gold,
like a cord, and attach the chains to the settings. You are to make a breastpiece for use in
making decisions, the work of an artistic designer; you are to make it in the same fashion
as the ephod; you are to make it of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen. It is
to be square when doubled, nine inches long and nine inches wide. You are to set in it a
setting for stones, four rows of stones, a row with a ruby, a topaz, and a beryl – the first
row; and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; and the third row, a
jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper.
They are to be enclosed in gold in their filigree settings. The stones are to be for the
names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to the number of their names. Each name
according to the twelve tribes is to be like the engravings of a seal. You are to make for
the breastpiece braided chains like cords of pure gold, and you are to make for the
breastpiece two gold rings and attach the two rings to the upper two ends of the
breastpiece. You are to attach the two gold chains to the two rings at the ends of the
 Dr. Dieter Thom 82

breastpiece; the other two ends of the two chains you will attach to the two settings and
then attach them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it. You are to make
two rings of gold and put them on the other two ends of the breastpiece, on its edge that is
on the inner side of the ephod. You are to make two more gold rings and attach them to
the bottom of the two shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the juncture
above the waistband of the ephod. They are to tie the breastpiece by its rings to the rings
of the ephod by blue cord, so that it may be above the waistband of the ephod, and so that
the breastpiece will not be loose from the ephod. Aaron will bear the names of the sons of
Israel in the breastpiece of decision over his heart when he goes into the holy place, for a
memorial before the LORD continually. You are to put the Urim and the Thummim into
the breastpiece of decision; and they are to be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before
the LORD. Aaron is to bear the decisions of the Israelites over his heart before the LORD
continually. You are to make the robe of the ephod completely blue. There is to be an
opening in its top in the center of it, with an edge all around the opening, the work of a
weaver, like the opening of a collar, so that it cannot be torn. You are to make
pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet all around its hem and bells of gold between
them all around. The pattern is to be a gold bell and a pomegranate, a gold bell and a
pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe. The robe is to be on Aaron as he ministers,
and his sound will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he
leaves, so that he does not die. “You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it
the way a seal is engraved: “Holiness to the LORD.” You are to attach to it a blue cord so
that it will be on the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban, It will be on Aaron’s
forehead, and Aaron will bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the Israelites are to
sanctify by all their holy gifts; it will always be on his forehead, for their acceptance
before the LORD. You are to weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine
linen, and make the sash the work of an embroiderer. For Aaron’s sons you are to make
tunics, sashes, and headbands for glory and for beauty. You are to clothe them – your
brother Aaron and his sons with him – and anoint them and ordain them and set them
apart as holy, so that they may minister as my priests. Make for them linen
undergarments to cover their naked bodies; they must cover from the waist to the thighs.
These must be on Aaron and his sons when they enter to the tent of meeting, or when
they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they bear no iniquity and die.
It is to be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him.”
(Ex. 28:1- 43)
 Preservation through Tribulation 83

High Priest in the Holy Place. Illustrators of the 1890 Holman Bible. Public Domain.

Under the Old Covenant this symbolized the priestly adornments of Israel, but in the New
Covenant era the prostitute has perverted the priestly adornments. Israel rejected her
Messiah and High Priest, Jesus Christ, and so her claimed priestly role is a complete
mockery of the finished priestly work of Christ. The Jews claim to represent God as the
priesthood, but they are actually committing spiritual prostitution.

What does her adornment symbolize (Rev. 17:4;18:16)? The Jewish priesthood.

5. How can Israel be described as “Babylon”?

“Asecond angel followed the first, declaring: ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city!
She made all the nations drink of the wine of her immoral passion.’ ” (Rev.14:8)

“The great city was split into three parts and the cities of the nations collapsed. So
Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was given the cup filled with the
wine made of God’s furious wrath.” (Rev.16:19)

“On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: “Babylon the Great, the Mother of
prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth.’ ” (Rev. 17:5)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 84

“Then one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the
sea, and said, ‘With this kind of sudden violent force Babylon the great city will be
thrown down and it will never be found again!’ ” (Rev. 18:21)

"Entry of Alexander into Babylon", a 1665 painting by Charles LeBrun, depicts

Alexander the Great's uncontested entry into the city of Babylon, envisioned with pre-
existing Hellenistic architecture. Public Domain.

Israel was conquered by and exiled to Babylon due to her disobedience to God. This was
another national exile like that in Egypt. (Remember, that she is also called Egypt.) Many
Jews assimilated the occultic beliefs and practices of the great Babylonian kingdom and
religion into their own writings and rituals. These extra-biblical writings of the Jews were
later compiled into the Talmud and the Kabbalah. There are two main forms of the
Talmud: Jerusalem and Babylonian. The two, however, are almost identical (i.e.
Jerusalem = Babylon). The Talmud is blatantly anti-Christian and contains some of the
most foul, immoral teachings found in any religious literature, justifying sexual
perversion, amongst other things. The Kabbalah is mystical, hermetic and occultic in its
nature and content. Modern Judaism still hearkens after the things of Babylon. The occult
is widely practiced in modern Israel and amongst Jews elsewhere.
 Preservation through Tribulation 85

6. What is the difference between the bride and the prostitute?

“Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many
waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For the
Lord our God, the All-Powerful, reigns! Let us rejoice and exult and give him glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made
herself ready. She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen” (for the
fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints). Then the angel said to me, “Write the
following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding
celebration of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These are the true words of God.”’ ”
(Rev. 19:6-9)

In the Bible the bride is the New Testament Church or body of Jesus Christ comprised of
Jewish and Gentile believers. The Great Prostitute is the body of Jewish unbelievers who
have rejected Jesus as their promised Messiah. The bride (the Church) received her
bridegroom. The prostitute (Israel) did not.

7. Does Jerusalem have “seven mountains”?

The number seven has long been recognized as God’s number, that of spiritual
perfection. But “The seven heads are seven mountains the woman sits on.” (Rev. 17:9)

The seven famous mountains of Jerusalem are: Mount Zion, Mount Ophel, Mount
Moriah, Mount Bezetha, Mount Acra, Mount Gareb, and Mount Goath.

Interestingly, the Book of 1 Enoch regularly mentions seven mountains. The Jews
consider this to be symbolic of the reign of God. (Enoch 18:1-16; 24:1-6; 32:1-6; 77:1-8)

8. What is the significance of a “wilderness”?

“So he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness [or ‘desert’]” (Rev. 17:3)

One of the claims of the State of Israel is that she is transforming a wilderness wasteland
into a fertile and productive land. Modern Israel was forged out of a “wilderness”.

9. What relevance does the “cup” have?

“Repay her the same way she repaid others; pay her back double corresponding to her
deeds. In the cup she mixed, mix double the amount for her.” (Rev. 18:6)

“Wake up! Wake up! Get up, O Jerusalem! You drank from the cup the LORD passed
to you, which was full of his anger! You drained dry the goblet full of intoxicating
wine. There was no one to lead her among all the children she bore; there was no one
to take her by the hand among all the children she raised. These double disasters
confronted you. But who feels sorry for you? Destruction and devastation, famine and
 Dr. Dieter Thom 86

sword. But who consoles you? Your children faint; they lie at the head of every street
like an antelope in a snare. They are left in a stupor by the LORD’s anger, by the battle
cry of your God. So listen to this, oppressed one, who is drunk, but not from wine!
This is what your sovereign master, the LORD your God, says: “Look, I have removed
from your hand the cup of intoxicating wine, the goblet full of my anger. You will no
longer have to drink it. I will put it into the hand of your tormentors who said to you,
‘Lie down, so we can walk over you.’ You made your back like the ground, and like
the street for those who walked over you.” (Is. 51:17-23)

Israel drinks of the cup of drunkenness and God’s wrath.

10. What is the meaning of The Great Prostitute’s economic power?

Jews believe that they have been given a divine right to financial dominance over other
nations. As such, the global banking sector is dominated by Jewish control. This is not
anti-semitism, it is a statement of fact.

“At the end of every seven years you must declare a cancellation of debts. This is the
nature of the cancellation: Every creditor must remit what he has loaned to another
person; he must not force payment from his fellow Israelite, for it is to be recognized
as “the LORD’s cancellation of debts.” You may exact payment from a foreigner, but
whatever your fellow Israelite owes you, you must remit. However, there should not
be any poor among you, for the LORD will surely bless you in the land that he is giving
you as an inheritance, if you carefully obey him by keeping all these commandments
that I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you just as he has
promised; you will lend to many nations but will not borrow from any, and you will
rule over many nations but they will not rule over you.” (Deut. 15:1-6)

“If you indeed obey the LORD your God and are careful to observe all his
commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will elevate you above all
the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you
obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the field. Your
children will be blessed, as well as the produce of your soil, the offspring of your
livestock, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and
your mixing bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed
when you go out. The LORD will cause your enemies who attack you to be struck
down before you; they will attack you from one direction but flee from you in seven
different directions. The LORD will decree blessing for you with respect to your barns
and in everything you do – yes, he will bless you in the land he is giving you. The
LORD will designate you as his holy people just as he promised you, if you keep his
commandments and obey him. Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you
belong to the LORD, and they will respect you. The LORD will greatly multiply your
children, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your soil in the land
which he promised your ancestors he would give you. The LORD will open for you his
good treasure house, the heavens, to give you rain for the land in its season and to
bless all you do; you will lend to many nations but you will not borrow from any. The
 Preservation through Tribulation 87

LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always end up at the top
and not at the bottom, if you obey his commandments which I am urging you today to
be careful to do.” (Deut. 28:1 - 13)

The Great Prostitute’s economic power reflects Jewish global financial dominance over
other nations.

11. What international political control does Israel exercise?

“Then the angel said to me, ‘The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are
peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The ten horns that you saw, and the beast
– these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They will consume
her flesh and burn her up with fire. For God has put into their minds to carry out his
purpose by making a decision to give their royal power to the beast until the words of
God are fulfilled. As for the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty
over the kings of the earth.’” (Rev. 17:15)
Wherever Jews are to be found all over the world, they are first loyal to the State of Israel
before the country of their own citizenship. Jews make it a point to reach positions of
influence and power, and to exert political power on behalf of Jewish interests. This is
clearly a conflict of interests, and breeds disloyalty to their home nations. In practice, this
is demonstrated by the inordinate amount of Jews that have been caught spying for Israel
in the West. Israel maintains global political dominance over countries through the
powerful political lobby of Jews all around the world.

12. What is indicative in the manner that she is destroyed?

Revelation chapter 18 describes in graphic detail how The Great Prostitute is destroyed.

a. This passage is parallelled by Ezekiel’s prophecy of judgement on ancient Israel

in Ezekiel 16:1-59
b. Compare this too with Jeremiah’s judgment of the original Babylon in Jeremiah
50 & 51.
The literal kingdom of “Babylon will sink and never rise again” (51:64). Modern Israel
is spiritual Babylon. It has arisen again in these end times and will be destroyed for ever.
It was not recreated by God, but rather by secular Zionist political aspirations. Only the
Second Coming of Jesus will see the restoration of spiritual Israel, being the Church,
which will include the remnant of national Israel (see Romans 11). The Great Prostitute
is destroyed in the same manner and with the same wording as ancient Israel and ancient
Babylon.

Conclusion

Exegetically there is only one candidate for the Great Prostitute of the Book of
Revelation: the modern state of Israel. Readers need to understand that this author is not
anti-Semitic, neither does he wish evil upon Israel, least of all its destruction. However,
 Dr. Dieter Thom 88

according to New Testament prophecy, its destruction is inevitable. Historical and

contemporary events corroborate this thesis.

The most popular historical Protestant interpretation has always been that The Great
Prostitute represents Roman Catholicism. There are certainly very close parallels between
the two, and the modern state of Israel was not in existence until 1948, so the Papacy was
then the only possible candidate until then. However, there is only one consistent
fulfillment of this prophecy: the modern state of Israel. The papacy definitely does
feature in another entity, though: the first beast of the Book of Revelation.

Preterists have usually interpreted the Great Prostitute as referring to first century
Jerusalem or Rome. However, the Great Prostitute is utterly destroyed, never to be
rebuilt, as described in the last few verses of chapter 18. Clearly Rome and Jerusalem are
currently still standing, and this prophecy is fulfilled just before the Second Coming.
Rome is never metaphorically called a prostitute in Scripture, so we have no right to
interpret it as such. Jerusalem is called a prostitute numerous times, so we are compelled
to follow this pattern.

This is the only interpretation that one can make of this passage if one uses sound
Biblical exegesis. It is not a very popular view to have nowadays because of the theology
that says that Israel is still ‘God’s Chosen People’. This author does believe that God still
has a wonderful plan of salvation for the physical descendents of Isaac just before the
return of Jesus (see Roman 11 and Matthew 24). However, Jews today can only be saved
in the way that any other person can be saved: through faith and repentance in Jesus the
Messiah.

Summary

1. Only Israel or Jerusalem is consistently called a prostitute in Scripture.

2. Jerusalem is clearly identified as “the great city”.
3. The Bible says that the Jews alone are guilty of the blood of the prophets, saints
and all the righteous blood shed on earth.
4. Israel has prostituted her priestly role, as reflected in her symbolic adornment.
5. Prophetically, Jerusalem is spiritual Babylon.
6. The bride (the Church) received her bridegroom. The prostitute (Israel) did not.
7. Jerusalem has seven very famous “holy” mountains.
8. Modern Israel was forged out of a “wilderness”.
9. Israel drinks of the cup of drunkenness and God’s wrath.
10. Jews believe that they have been given a Divine right to global financial
dominance over other nations.
11. The State of Israel maintains global political dominance over countries through
the powerful political lobby of Jews all around the world.
12. The Great Prostitute (the State of Israel) is destroyed in the same manner and with
the same wording as ancient Israel and ancient Babylon
 Preservation through Tribulation 89

8. The One World System

1. One World Economic System: A Single World Currency and Central

Bank

There is one world economic system coming with a single world currency called the
‘Phoenix’. This was predicted as far back as 1988 by the prestigious The Economist
magazine as being planned for introduction in 2018. The cover of the 9 January 1988
edition of The Economist magazine and the lead article are on this one-world currency.
The cover of 20 August 2005 has the German emblem, which is a variation of the
emblem of the Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation. Which country do you think
will control the ‘Phoenix’? Germany. Germany controls the EU. Of course the 0ne-world
currency will probably, just like the Euro, take a few years or even decades to be
implemented globally. Also, the term ‘Phoenix’ could just be a term of affection, like ‘the
greenback’ is to the dollar.

One interesting development in the last few years has been that of cryptocurrencies.
These are electronic currencies built on a technological system called a blockchain. In
essence, each user records a ledger of all transactions on their computer, which makes it
very accountable and transparent. Bitcoin is the largest and was the first cryptocurrency
developed in 2008 in response to the global financial meltdown. There are currently more
than a thousand cryptocurrencies in existence and more are appearing almost every day.
Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency, and it has developed the technology even
further. Some cryptocurrencies have been adopted by local governments and it will not be
long before national governments do the same.

My prediction is that the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the central bank of
central banks, will adopt one cryptocurrency to function as the one-world currency. The
BIS was form between the two world wars to facilitate war reparations by Germany. It
has always been dominated and controlled by the Germans. After the Second World War
it was the ideal facilitator for coordinating the global central banking system, and so it
will be the primary economic tool for control by the Antichrist. The best candidate for the
one-world currency, if it is to be a cryptocurrency, in my view, is Proxeus (XES), a third-
generation cryptocurrency built on Ether technology.

2. One World Religious System: Neo-Paganism

What is the religion of the Antichrist?

What he will honor is a god of fortresses – a god his fathers did not
acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured
commodities. He will attack mighty fortresses, aided by a foreign deity. To those
who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in
authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.
(Dan. 11:38-39)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 90

Assuming that Antichrist is the President of Europe, his ‘fathers’ were probably
Christians and likely Roman Catholic. However, he will “honour a god of fortresses” or a
god of war. There are many candidates for this god, as almost every pagan and
polytheistic culture has had a ‘god of war’. Significantly, the northern European pagan
religion of Asatru, Odinism or Wotanism worships a god of war. The Hindu god Shiva is
also the god of war. They represent the same deity.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the
Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is
of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard
was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

The antichrist spirit denies that Jesus has come in the flesh i.e. the incarnation. This could
be that they deny the physical existence of Jesus completely, but more likely that they
deny that He is God incarnate, and could accept Him as simply a prophet, good man or
one of the many manifestations of the ‘christ’ spirit. The English word ‘antichrist’ comes
from the Greek antichristos. The Greek term anti means ‘to be against’ and/or ‘to take
the place of’. The Antichrist will be both against Jesus and claim to be the Christ,
anointed one, or promised Messiah, that has come to save the world.

The Religion of the Antichrist

The Antichrist will deny his Christian heritage and revert to his northern Germanic neo-
pagan and polytheistic roots, and practice a form of Asatru, Odinism or Wotanism. This
religion was practiced by the pre-Christian tribes of Scandanavia and northern Europe,
before they were Christianized by the Holy Roman Empire. They were polytheists
(worshipped many gods and godesses), just like most other nations in the world. The
gods have their equivalent in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as places like India and
South America. It would seem that they all have a common origin in ancient Babylonia,
and the post-deluvian world. The Antichrist will seek to reverse the after-effects of the
Tower of Babel, and unite the world in a common currency (Phoenix), and religion (neo-
paganism), and attempt to impose a global political New World Order.

Around 1800 the Romantic Movement moved many Germans and Scandanavians to
research their ancient heritage and find their pre-Christian roots in ancient pagan
religions. Much literature was written and translated documenting the religion of the
Germanic nations before the domination of the Holy Roman Empire (800 -1806 AD) for
a millennium. J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954) illustrates much of
Germanic neo-pagan mythology and cosmology. There is nothing Christian about it, even
though many Christians claim that it has many hidden Biblical symbols. The recent film
Thor (2011) is another piece of neo-pagan propaganda.
 Preservation through Tribulation 91

Asatru believes that great warriors join the gods in Valhalla (heaven), that ordinary good
people are blessed with a spiritual afterlife (some reincarnated), and the ordinary bad
people punished with spiritual suffering. Humans can commune with and be guided by
their dead ancestors in the spirit world. Natural law guides humans in a non-legalistic
manner, with an emphasis on family and community. Biological evolution guides nature
and humans into higher states of consciousness. Asatru means ‘being true’ in the context
of family loyalty. The Nine Noble Virtues are Courage, Truth, Honor, Loyalty,
Hospitality, Discipline, Industriousness, Self-reliance, and Perseverance.

Asatru has no Scriptures, but they do have the ancient Runes (Germanic symbols
representing truths to live by), Eddas and Sagas (stories). Asatru have no churches and no
full-time priests, but they gather regularly in communities or Kindreds led by elders in
their temples. There is no centralized organizational structure and no ‘pope’ to lead them.
The term ‘Gothar’ refers to the collective priesthood of the community and the singular is
a ‘Gothi’. Blots are animal sacrifices that are done at home in private with the family and
in public with the Asatru community on altars. Asatru Kindreds celebrate various
festivals, but the most important is Yuletide around the winter solstice. This is the origin
of Christmas, with the use of decorated evergreen trees (Jer. 10:1-5). They also celebrate
Ostara, the original pagan festival that Easter is based on. In Christian tradition, the death
and resurrection of Jesus is remembered by the Lord’s Supper, not Easter.

The Asatru community is growing, especially amongst the working class, especially poor
whites. The prison system has huge amounts of neo-Nazi groups that practice Asatru. The
inner circles of the Nazis practiced this form of Germanic neo-paganism. The SS had its
own religious books and rituals, as well as annual festivals and celebrations. Odin or
Wotan is the main god. Thor, the god of war, is one of his sons. The hammer of Thor is
one of the religious symbols used in the Kindred ceremonies for blessing and cursing.
Other weapons of war like spears, helmets and shields are also important symbols. Asatru
is a militant religion, that is why so many of its adherents are in prison, and they often
label themselves as patriots. More often than not, they are also racists and white
supremacists, Aryans that believe in the superior European, Caucasian, white race.

This system of belief also has an almost identical parallel in the Hindu and Buddhist
systems of belief. The Nazis taught that the Aryan race, descended from the gods,
populated the crescent from India through to Europe. The Nazis consider the Indians to
be Aryan descendents. In the Second World War, the Nazis tried to convince the Indians
to join the axis powers and rebel against their British colonial masters. The world
currently has half a billion Buddhists and more than a billion Hindus. This will provide
the Antichrist with an automatic following of around a quarter of the world’s population.
How, then does this religious system link in with the emerging global political system?

3. One World Political System: National Socialism/Fascist Dictatorship

The United Nations is working towards a one world political system. It was founded in
1945 immediately after the Second World War by 51 countries. According to its website
(www.un.org) the organization (now comprising 192 states) has four main purposes:
 Dr. Dieter Thom 92

1. To keep peace throughout the world;

2. To develop friendly relations among nations;
3. To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer
hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and
freedoms; and
4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

The Bible has some interesting things to say about these purposes.

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered
on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may
lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Tim. 2:1&2)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

(Rom. 12:18)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the
world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.
(John 14:27)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let everyone see your
gentleness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every
situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:4-7)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to
bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a
daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and
a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. (Matt. 10:34-36)

Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for
anything to be written to you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord
will come in the same way as a thief in the night. Now when they are saying,
“There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. But you, brothers
and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.
For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of
the darkness. So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.
(1 Thess. 5:1-6)

The Security Council of the United Nations currently has only five permanent members:
USA, UK, France, China and the Russian Federation. The United Nations has
understandably been anti-Israeli throughout its existence. There are many Muslim
member nations. Only USA and some European nations have supported Israel and often
vetoed key Security Council resolutions against Israel. It will one day preside over the
 Preservation through Tribulation 93

UN-sanctioned destruction of Israel as a nation. This will probably be as a result of the

destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount during
the construction of the Third Jewish Temple. However, the Antichrist will never take full
political control of the world through the UN. Instead I believe that he will use NATO to
attack the Muslim world and Israel, and take control of Jerusalem.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was also formed after the Second World
War. It is a political and military alliance in the northern hemisphere covering both sides
of the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises 28 member states, most of them EU countries, and
including the United States and Canada, as well as Turkey. Spelled backwards (which
form appears frequently on its website) it is OTAN (the French form of the acronym), the
phonetic equivalent of Wotan or Odin, the North European God of War.

What he will honor is a god of fortresses – a god his fathers did not acknowledge
he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities. He
will attack mighty fortresses, aided by a foreign deity. To those who recognize
him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many
people, and he will parcel out land for a price. (Daniel 11:38&39)

NATO, probably without the Jewish-controlled Britain, Canada, America, Australia and
New Zealand, will try to enforce a global economic, political religious system on the
world through military force. As Daniel documents, however, it will not succeed.

The Dalai Lama. Public Domain.

 Dr. Dieter Thom 94

10. The Name and Mark of the Beast

There are only three references, all in the Book of Revelation, to ‘The Mark of the Beast’.
The first Scripture clearly links the ones having ‘the mark of the beast’ (in the original
Greek) to “the ones worshiping its image”. They are one and the same.

1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and
pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” 2 So the first went and
poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the
men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
(Rev. 16:1&2)
The second passage gives us more detail.

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image
of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image
of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and
that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the
beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has
understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man:
His number is 666. (Rev. 13:15-18)

From this passage we can deduce:

1. Those who will not worship the image of the beast are killed.
2. The worshippers of the image are given a mark on the right hand or forehead.
3. Only worshippers are permitted to buy and sell, presumably with money, though
other people could probably still use bartering or other forms of currency.
4. There are three possible ways (all the same) of showing yourself to be a
worshipper of the beast:
a. Have the mark (probably some kind of permanent tattoo).
b. Have his name (not just his initials or title).
c. Have the number of his name (definitely calculated in languages).
d. Hence the equation: The Mark = His Name = The Number of His Name
5. Wisdom is demonstrated through calculating the number of the beast:
a. It is the number of a man.
b. The number is 666.

This brings us to the third and final Scripture.

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together
to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the
beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his
presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and
those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire
burning with brimstone. (Rev. 19:19&20)
 Preservation through Tribulation 95

There is a lot of speculation about the meaning of the number of the beast. Everyone
from the Roman Caesars, Roman Catholic popes to modern leaders like Napoleon, Hitler
and George Bush have had their names calculated as representing 666. English had not
been formed by this time and was unknown. It is pointless doing calculations in English
or other modern languages.

In Greek

The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, the common language of the people
around the Mediterranean. Here is Revelation chapter 13 in the Received, Majority and
Byzantine Koine Greek Text:

17 και ινα µη τις δυνηται αγορασαι η πωλησαι ει µη ο εχων το

χαραγµα η το ονοµα του θηριου η τον αριθµον του ονοµατος αυτου
18 ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων τον νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθµον του
θηριου αριθµος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθµος αυτου χξς.

In Koine Greek Isopsephy each letter represents a number (see appended Greek Letters
as Numbers table). Hence a name could be calculated as representing a number, and so
the term ‘666’ looked like this:

Capital Letters Small Letters

ΧΞς600 60 6
or χξς
600 60 6 = 666

Exercise: Write these letters on someone’s forehead and let them look in the mirror. What
English word do you see every time you look in the mirror? Interesting, isn’t it? Is there
something here? Maybe not. It is not a name, just letters, maybe initials.

It is interesting that the cryptocurrency Proxeus is identified by the 3 letters XES. Xeus
or Zeus is, of course, the king of the gods in Greek mythology. Pro-Zeus means that it is
for him. According to legend, he took on the form of a bull when he carried off Europa.
One of his most prominent symbols is that of the eagle or phoenix. The altar of Zeus is
that of Pergamum, currently in Berlin. He represents the king of fallen angels, Satan, and
is actually known as ‘Satan’s Seat’.

Clearly, the beast whose number is referred to is the First Beast of Revelation, not the
Second. The Second Beast is also called ‘The False Prophet’. As we have seen, the First
Beast is the leader of Europe, the President of the European Union, the successor of the
Holy Roman Emperor. Western Europe has always been known as the Latin Kingdom,
 Dr. Dieter Thom 96

since the crowning of Charlemagne in 800AD by the Pope. The Holy Roman Empire had
the full name Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

If the Greek XES is translated into German, then we get the name Hess. Now, this is very
interesting. One of the former royal houses of Germany is the Hess family. They are one
of the electors of the Holy Roman Empire. They were big supporters of the Nazis in the
Second World War. Archduchess Eleonore Maria Devin is the current heiress. At this
writing (2018) she was 27 and yet unmarried. Could her first child be the Antichrist? Will
it be born through a ‘virgin birth’?

The word ‘German’ is Deutsch in German, which comes from Teutsch, the name also
given to the Teutonic (German) Knights. Teutsch refers to the followers of Teuton
(Germanic) or Teitan (Greek) or Titan (English). Hence, the Germans were the ancient
followers of the Sun god and god of war.

Titan

The Sun god or Solar deity has always been considered the chief and most powerful of
the gods in pagan religions all over the world. The pagan festival of the Birth of the
Unconquered Sun (Dies Natalis Solis Invicti or Sol Invictus) was celebrated on 25
December in the Roman Empire as the most important celebration of the year.

The name of the Sun god (and god of war) in different cultures includes:
Scandanavia – Odin
Germany – Wotan or Woden
Greece – Helios or Titan
Babylon – Saturn

How does one go about doing this calculation of 666? There were four dominant
languages in use in the Near East in Biblical times: Chaldean, Baylonian, Latin and
Hebrew.

In Chaldean

The name ‘Teitan’ or ‘Titan’ was identified by Irenaeus (2nd century), Victorinus of
Pettau (3rd century), Andrew of Caesarea (563 – 637), and Arethas of Caesarea (860 –
932) as a likely name of the Antichrist. It certainly has significant historical precedence
and is derived from the Kurdish name for Satan, Sheitan.

T E I T A N Sum
300 5 10 300 1 50 666
 Preservation through Tribulation 97

Babylonian

The Babylonian equivalent of Teitan, which is Saturn or Stur, calculated according to the
Chaldean numbering system (which is quite complex) is:

S T U R Sum
60 400 6 200 666
In Latin

Latin was the language of the Roman Empire (at the time of the early church) and the
Holy Roman Empire. The first six primary Roman numerals in Latin (IVXLCD) also
represent letters, and they add up to (yes, you guessed it) a total of 666.

IVXLCD
1 5 10 50 100 500 = 666

Note: V and U were often used interchangeably. Hence, DUX could be written DVX.

Victorinus of Pettau, identified Diclux, the Latin equivalent of Teitan, as a possibility.

D I C L V X Sum
500 1 100 50 5 10 666
In the twentieth century, there have been two modern candidates for the 666.

One alternative name could be: The Leader (English - The Duke ) (German - Der Fuhrer)
(Latin - Il Duce)

I L D V C X Sum
1 50 500 5 100 10 666
Interestingly this title was given to both Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the Fascist
leaders of Nazi Germany and Italy.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 98

Hebrew

666 is also the number of SVRT, the Hebrew word for the Sun. It occurs in Revelation
xiii. 18.

S V R T Sum
60 6 R 400 666

Egyptian

Athanasius Kircher the Jesuit states that the ancient Egyptians associated numbers to the
Planets, with the sun (Sol) as follows: 6, 36, 111, 666.

Conclusion

The letters in the many variations of the name of Titan, the Sun god and god of War, add
up to 666 in five different ancient languages:
• Chaldean = Saturn
• Babylonian = Teitan
• Latin = Dic Lux
• Hebrew = SVR, and
• Egyptian = Sol (Sun)
using the relevant numbering system in each language. This is quite a convincing
argument. In Koine Greek the letters look like XES, which is the symbol of the
cryptocurrency ProXeus. It is also the family name of the royal house of Hess.

What the Mark of the Beast is NOT

1. The actual number 666 in any language (English, Greek, Latin or Hebrew).
2. The barcode on products (though it may be a method of control in the end).
3. An implant under the skin (though it may be a method of control in the end).
4. The Muslim word for Allah (though Muslims are against the Biblical Jesus).
5. The www of internet addresses (though it has electronic daemons).
6. The Jewish star of David (though it is an occultic symbol, not Biblical).
7. The title of Vicarius Fili Dei of the Pope through baptism (Historicist).
8. The name Neron Kaiser (Nero Caesar) in Aramaic (Preterist).

Some or more of these may be part of the system of control that the Antichrist imposes,
but they are not actually the ‘Mark of the Beast’.
 Preservation through Tribulation 99

11. The Battle of Armageddon

There are two passages in the Book of Revelation describing the Battle of Armageddon.

The Sixth Bowl

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and
dried up its water to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 Then I saw
three unclean spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon,
out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For
they are the spirits of the demons performing signs who go out to the kings of the
earth to bring them together for the battle that will take place on the great day of
God, the All-Powerful. 15 (Look! I will come like a thief! Blessed is the one who
stays alert and does not lose his clothes so that he will not have to walk around
naked and his shameful condition be seen.) 16 Now the spirits gathered the kings
and their armies to the place that is called Armageddon in Hebrew.
(Rev. 16:12-16)

The Sixth Trumpet

13 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice coming
from the horns on the golden altar that is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel,
the one holding the trumpet, “Set free the four angels who are bound at the great
river Euphrates!” 15 Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour,
day, month, and year were set free to kill a third of humanity. 16 The number of
soldiers on horseback was two hundred million; I heard their number. 17 Now
this is what the horses and their riders looked like in my vision: The riders had
breastplates that were fiery red, dark blue, and sulfurous yellow in color. The
heads of the horses looked like lions’ heads, and fire, smoke, and sulfur came out
of their mouths. 18 A third of humanity was killed by these three plagues, that
is, by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 For
the power of the horses resides in their mouths and in their tails, because their
tails are like snakes, having heads that inflict injuries. 20 The rest of humanity,
who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their
hands, so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver,
bronze, stone, and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk about. 21
Furthermore, they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells, of their
sexual immorality, or of their stealing. (Rev. 9:13-21)

Here we have 4 P’s.

1. Proclamation: The chronology of the sixth angel with the bowl and trumpet.
2. People: The armies of the Kings of the East cross the Euphrates River.
3. Place: Armageddon is the valley of Megiddo just north of Jerusalem.
4. Purpose: To fight the Battle of the world’s armies at the coming of Jesus.
(Initially against each other, but then against the Coming Lord.)
 Dr. Dieter Thom 100

These passages link to several others in the Old and New Testament.

41 Then he will enter the beautiful land. Many will fall, but these will escape:
Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. 42 He will extend his power against
other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 He will have control over the
hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and
Ethiopians will submit to him. 44 But reports will trouble him from the east and
north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many.
45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas toward the beautiful holy
mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.
(Dan. 11:41-45)
The Antichrist will get opposition from the Kings of the East.

3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the
rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. 4
He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship,
and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God. 5
Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. 6
And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own
time. 7 For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one
who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, 8 and then the
lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his
mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. 9 The arrival of the
lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and
false wonders, 10 and with every kind of evil deception directed against those
who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as
to be saved. 11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they
will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth
but have delighted in evil will be condemned. (2 Thess. 2:3 – 12)

The Antichrist will be destroyed by Jesus at His Second Coming.

11 Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was
called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. 12 His
eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has
a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He is dressed in clothing
dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. 14 The armies that are in
heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the
nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the
furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. 16 He has a name written on his clothing
and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”17 Then I saw one angel
standing in the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in
the sky: “Come, gather around for the great banquet of God, 18 to eat your fill
of the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of powerful people, the flesh
of horses and those who ride them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slave,
 Preservation through Tribulation 101

and small and great!” 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and
their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with
his army. 20 Now the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who
had performed the signs on his behalf – signs by which he deceived those who
had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of
them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. 21 The others
were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the
horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh. (Rev. 19:17-21)

Here we see that:

1. The armies of the Kings of the East, primarily China against and India in support
of the Antichrist and his armies (the Kings of the West) (Daniel 11:44).
2. They cross the Euphrates River, and gather in the Valley of Meggido
(Armageddon) in the north of Israel (the sixth bowl and trumpet).
3. However, it seems that it is at this point that the seventh bowl and trumpet are
released, bringing the simultaneous Rapture of the Saints and Coming of Jesus.
4. The focus of the armies of the Kings of the West and the East then seems to
switch to fighting Jesus and His heavenly armies (Rev. 19:19).
5. The 200 million soldiers (Rev. 9:16) are obviously completely routed and
destroyed.
6. Antichrist and the False Prophet are Destroyed with the Armies.
7. Jesus then will stand on the Mount of Olives and claim Jerusalem for His Saints,
which will introduce the 1000 year (Millennium) reign on the earth.

Aerial view of Tel Megiddo, northern Israel. Public Domain.

 Dr. Dieter Thom 102

12. The Rapture of the Saints

‘Rapture’ is not a Biblical word, just like ‘Trinity’, but it does explain a Biblical truth.
Christians will rise to meet the Lord in the air when He returns to earth a second time.
There is much speculation about the Rapture. A few questions must be asked.

1. When will the Rapture happen?

2. How will it happen?
3. What will be the result?

Let us look at all the relevant scriptures and inductively find the answers.

Some (of the surviving humans on the earth) will be taken (to meet the Lord in the air)

36 “But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven
– except the Father alone. 37 For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming
of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood, people were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered
the ark. 39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It
will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then there will be two men
in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 There will be two women grinding
grain with a mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 “Therefore stay alert,
because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand
this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was
coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken
into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at
an hour when you do not expect him. (Matt. 24:36-44)

The context of this passage is the Great Tribulation. Christians will go through it.
Who will be taken? Those who are spiritually ready: who have repented of their sin.
Who will not be taken? Those who are not spiritually ready and have not repented.

Christians Will Be Redeemed (bought back) by Jesus (at His Second Coming)

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth
nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging
waves. 26 People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is
coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then
they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28
But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28)

The signs of verse 25 occur towards the end of the Great Tribulation (see Revelation).
There is no ‘Secret Coming’. People will ‘see the Son of Man arriving’ (vs 27). The Bible
does not teach 3 comings of Christ, only 2.
 Preservation through Tribulation 103

His Elect (Chosen Ones) Will Be Gathered

24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened and the moon
will not give its light; 25 the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in
the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man arriving
in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send angels and they
will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of
heaven. (Mark 13:24-27)

After the signs of the end of the Great Tribulation everyone will see Jesus coming.
At that point His angels will collect the elect (believers) from all over the world.

Those Believers Who are Alive (the rest will have been martyred)

13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those
who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. 14 For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring
with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. 15 For we tell you this by the
word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the
Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord
himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise
first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be
with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thess. 4:13-18)

At Jesus Second Coming:

1. There will be a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
(Seventh and final) trumpet of God (vs 16a).
2. The ‘dead in Christ’ will be resurrected first (vs 16b). Who are these?
3. Followed by those of us who are still alive alive (vs 17).

We Will All Be Changed from a Mortal to an Immortal State

50 Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51
Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed
– 52 in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet
will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body
must put on immortality. 54 Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable,
and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen,
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin
is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
 Dr. Dieter Thom 104

Jesus Christ! 58 So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved!
Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in
vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:50-58)

At Jesus’ Second Coming:

1. Some Christians will still be alive.
2. Certain Christians (dead and alive) will be changed.
3. The mortal bodies of Christians (dead or alive) will be raised imperishable.
4. These will be glorified bodies restored to the original state of Adam and Eve.
5. Christians will then never die again.

The Martyred Dead in Christ from the Great Tribulation will be raised first

4 Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given
authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because
of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These had not
worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their
forehead or hand. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were
finished.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes
part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they
will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand
years. (Rev. 20:4-6)

This passage describes the 1000-year Millennium of Christ’s reign on the earth.
1. The martyrs from the Great Tribulation will be raised from the dead and reign
with Christ in the Millennium as priests. This is the first resurrection.
2. The rest of the dead are not raised from the dead until after the Millennium. This
is the second resurrection.

At The Seventh (Last) Trumpet

15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in
heaven saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 16 Then the twenty-four
elders who are seated on their thrones before God threw themselves down with
their faces to the ground and worshiped God 17 with these words: “We give you
thanks, Lord God, the All- Powerful, the one who is and who was, because you
have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations were enraged, but
your wrath has come, and the time has come for the dead to be judged, and the
time has come to give to your servants, the prophets, their reward, as well as
to the saints and to those who revere your name, both small and great, and the
time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth.” 19 Then the temple of God
in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple.
And there were flashes of lightning, roaring, crashes of thunder, an
earthquake, and a great hailstorm. (Rev. 11:15-19)
 Preservation through Tribulation 105

The Parallel Account in the Book of Revelation

15 (Look! I will come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays alert and does
not lose his clothes so that he will not have to walk around naked and his
shameful condition be seen.) 16 Now the spirits gathered the kings and their
armies to the place that is called Armageddon in Hebrew.17 Finally the seventh
angel poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came out of the temple
from the throne, saying: “It is done!” 18 Then there were flashes of lightening,
roaring, and crashes of thunder, and there was a tremendous earthquake – an
earthquake unequaled since humanity has been on the earth, so tremendous
was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split into three parts and the cities of
the nations collapsed. So Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was
given the cup filled with the wine made of God’s furious wrath. 20 Every island
fled away and no mountains could be found. 21 And gigantic hailstones,
weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people, but they
blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it was so horrendous.
(Rev. 16:15-21)

This passage describes the Final Wrath of God at the end of the Great Tribulation.
Christians will go through the Great Tribulation and endure great suffering, but they will
not be completely exterminated.

Christians Will Eventually Escape the Final Wrath of God at the End of the Tribulation

1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over your people, will
arise. There will be a time of distress unlike any other from the nation’s
beginning up to that time. But at that time your own people, all those whose
names are found written in the book, will escape. 2 Many of those who sleep in
the dusty ground will awake – some to everlasting life, and others to shame and
everlasting abhorrence. 3 But the wise will shine like the brightness of the
heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars
forever and ever. 4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until
the time of the end. Many will dash about, and knowledge will increase.”
(Daniel 12:1-4)

What Do Christians Escape?

Popular view: Christians will be raptured before a seven-year Great Tribulation period of
suffering preceding the Second Coming. This is the teaching of Dispensationalism, but is
a new doctrine unknown to the Church before two hundred years ago.

Biblical Teaching: Christians will escape just before the Battle of Armageddon and the
Second Coming of Jesus and His Final Wrath judgement on people of the earth and the
near extermination of believers at the end of the Great Tribulation. When Jesus comes,
there will still be Christians living on the earth, but relatively few.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 106

Christians Escape Extermination, But Not Tribulation

19 For in those days there will be suffering unlike anything that has happened
from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, or ever will
happen. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be
saved. But because of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut them short.
(Mark 13:19&20)

The Pre-7-Year Tribulation Rapture

This is one of the most dangerous and misleading false doctrines taught in the church
today. It was invented in the 19th century and was unknown before then by Christians for
more than 1800 years. The early church did not teach or believe it. Effectively it teaches
the second (supposedly secret) and third (public) coming of Jesus. The Bible does not.
It was originally formulated by John Nelson Darby (founder of the Exclusive Brethren)
from 1827 onwards. It was taught by his disciple William Kelly, Presbyterian James H.
Brookes and Baptist J. R. Graves, and popularized at the Niagara Bible Conference
(1878-1909). It was taught by Arno Gaebelein, James M. Gray, R.A. Torrey, Harry
Ironside, and Lewis S. Chafer. It was enshrined in the Scofield and Dake Reference
Bibles, and dominates the system of Dispensationalism. It is regurgitated by most end
times Bible teachers without questioning it. At best it is simply wishful think; at worst it
is a terrible deception. It is not scriptural. There is no Scripture that teaches it. At worst it
is a serious delusion that will cause Christians not to be ready for Tribulation and
question their faith in God, possibly even falling away. The Scriptures teach that
Christians will go through the Great Tribulation. Christians will be particularly
persecuted during this time, so they need to prepare. If they are unprepared, then they will
suffer even more.

Review

1. When will the Rapture really happen?

a. After the Great Tribulation.
b. After the Last Trumpet.
c. At Jesus Coming.
d. Before the Final Wrath Judgment of God.
2. How will it happen?
a. The martyrs of the Great Tribulation will be resurrected.
b. The surviving believers of the Great Tribulation will get glorified bodies.
c. They will be ‘raptured’ and meet the Lord in the air.
3. What will be the result?
a. Jesus and the Angels will defeat the armies of the world at Armageddon.
b. He will reestablish Jerusalem as the dwelling place of the saints.
c. They will rule the world from Jerusalem for 1000 years.
d. Satan will lead a rebellion at the end of this period.
e. The Final Judgement will follow.
 Preservation through Tribulation 107

13. The Millennial Kingdom of Christ

For many years I resisted the idea of a literal Millennium reign of Christ on earth. There
were just too many questions that it raised and it was easier simply to hold to an
Amillennial view. However, the more I read of Scripture, the more I was challenged to
reconsider a literal Millennium. It was getting more and more difficult to simply explain
away the very consistent and clear teaching on this matter in both Testaments. The
prophets promised it, the Jews expected it, Jesus taught it and the Early Church held to it.

The Millennial Kingdom of Christ on the earth after His Second Coming is taught in
Scripture.

1 A day of the LORD is about to come when your possessions will be divided as
plunder in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to wage
war; the city will be taken, its houses plundered, and the women raped. Then half of
the city will go into exile, but the remainder of the people will not be taken away. 3
Then the LORD will go to battle and fight against those nations, just as he fought
battles in ancient days. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives
which lies to the east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from
east to west, leaving a great valley. Half the mountain will move northward and the
other half southward. 5 Then you will escape through my mountain valley, for the
mountains will extend to Azal. Indeed, you will flee as you fled from the earthquake
in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come with all
his holy ones with him. 6 On that day there will be no light – the sources of light in
the heavens will congeal. 7 It will happen in one day (a day known to the LORD); not
in the day or the night, but in the evening there will be light. 8 Moreover, on that day
living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of
them to the western sea; it will happen both in summer and in winter. 9 The LORD
will then be king over all the earth. In that day the LORD will be seen as one with
a single name. 10 All the land will change and become like the Arabah from Geba to
Rimmon, south of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be raised up and will stay in its own
place from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate and on to the Corner Gate,
and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. 11 And people will settle
there, and there will no longer be the threat of divine extermination – Jerusalem will
dwell in security. 12 But this will be the nature of the plague with which the LORD
will strike all the nations that have fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will
decay while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot away in their sockets, and their
tongues will dissolve in their mouths. 13 On that day there will be great confusion
from the LORD among them; they will seize each other and attack one another
violently. 14 Moreover, Judah will fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the
surrounding nations will be gathered up – gold, silver, and clothing in great
abundance. 15 This is the kind of plague that will devastate horses, mules, camels,
donkeys, and all the other animals in those camps. 16 Then all who survive from all
the nations that came to attack Jerusalem will go up annually to worship the King,
the LORD who rules over all, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 But if any
of the nations anywhere on earth refuse to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King,
 Dr. Dieter Thom 108

the LORD who rules over all, they will get no rain. 18 If the Egyptians will not do so,
they will get no rain – instead there will be the kind of plague which the LORD
inflicts on any nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This
will be the punishment of Egypt and of all nations that do not go up to celebrate the
Feast of Tabernacles. 20 On that day the bells of the horses will bear the inscription
“HOLY TO THE LORD.” The cooking pots in the LORD’s temple will be as holy as
the bowls in front of the altar. 21 Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will
become holy in the sight of the LORD who rules over all, so that all who offer
sacrifices may come and use some of them to boil their sacrifices in them. On that
day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD who rules over
all. (Zechariah 14:1 – 21)

The clearest Scripture on the Millennium is, of course, Revelation 20.

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless
pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who
is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into
the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive
the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he
must be released for a little while. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and
judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped
the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their
hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of
the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first
resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such
the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with Him a thousand years. 7 Now when the thousand years have
expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the
nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them
together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the
breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And
fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who
deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the
false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then
I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the
heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead,
small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was
opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their
works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead
who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And
they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in
the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:1-15)
 Preservation through Tribulation 109

These two passages, amongst others, describe the Millennial reign of Christ on the earth,
which we will look at in greater detail in a later chapter.

For those who have honestly struggled with this issue like me, I would like to recommend
an excellent set of 3 volumes (nearly 2200 pages) called The Theocratic Kingdom of Our
Lord Jesus, the Christ, as Covenanted in the Old Testament and Presented in the New
Testament by George Nathaniel Henry Peters (1889). In 206 propositions he argues for
and outlines the Biblical evidence for a literal Millennial Kingdom of Christ on the earth
after His Second Coming. Peters’ overall exposition is, in my view, resounding and
irrefutable.

Since most people do not have the time to read through this gigantic work, I have here
reproduced the 206 propositions, rearranged them a little more topically, and collated
them in paragraphs for easier reading. Of course, nothing can substitute for actually
diving into the text itself, but be warned that it is full of footnotes and historical
references, and one can get lost in the sheer depth of theology.

The topics he covers includes: The Kingdom of God, Its Mysteries, Its Jewish Nature, Its
Prophecies, Its Preaching, Rejected by the Jewish Nation, Rejected by Church Teaching,
The Sovereignty of God, Its Postponement, Heaven, The Heavens and the Earth, The
Church, The Church-Kingdom Theory, The Restoration of the Jewish Nation, Its
Establishment, The Millennium, Judgement, the Intermediate State, The Glorified Saints,
The Priesthood, The Antichrist, Restored, Receiving It, The Unity of the Witness, and
The Christ-Centred Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God (Propositions 1 – 10, Volume 1)

The Kingdom of God is a subject of vital importance. The establishment of this Kingdom
was determined before, and designed or prepared from the foundation of the world. The
meanings usually given to this Kingdom indicate that the most vague, indefinite notions
concerning it exist in the minds of many. The literal, grammatical interpretation of the
Scriptures must (connected with the figurative, tropical, or rhetorical) be observed in
order to obtain a correct understanding of the Kingdom. The doctrine of the Kingdom is
based on the inspiration of the Word of God. The Kingdom of God is intimately
connected with the Supernatural. The Kingdom being a manifestation of the
Supernatural, miracles are connected with it. The doctrine of the Kingdom presupposes
that of sin, the apostasy of man. The nature of, and the things pertaining to, the Kingdom
can only be ascertained within the limits of Scripture. This Kingdom should be studied in
the light of the Holy Scriptures, and not merely in that of Creeds, Confessions, Formulas
of Doctrine, etc.

The Mysteries of the Kingdom (Propositions 11 – 19, Volume 1)

The mysteries of the Kingdom were given to the apostles. There is some mystery yet
connected with the things of the Kingdom. Some things pertaining to the Kingdom
intentionally revealed somewhat obscurely. Some things pertaining to the Kingdom not
 Dr. Dieter Thom 110

so easily comprehended as many suppose. The doctrine of the Kingdom can become
better understood and appreciated. This Kingdom cannot be properly comprehended
without acknowledging an intimate and internal connection existing between the Old and
New Testaments. Without study of the prophecies no adequate idea can be obtained of
the Kingdom. The prophecies relating to the establishment of the Kingdom of God are
both conditioned and unconditioned. The New Testament begins the announcement of the
Kingdom in terms expressive of its being previously well known.

The Jewish Nature of the Kingdom (Propositions 20 – 29, Volume 1)

To comprehend the subject of the Kingdom it is necessary to notice the belief and
expectations of the more pious portion of the Jews. The prophecies of the Kingdom
interpreted literally sustain the expectations and hopes of the pious Jews. John the
Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples employed the phrases "Kingdom of Heaven," "Kingdom
of God," etc, in accordance with the usage of the Jews. There must be some substantial
reason why the phrases "Kingdom of God", etc. were thus adopted. The Kingdom is
offered to an elect nation, viz., the Jewish nation. The Theocracy was an earnest,
introductory, or initiatory form of this Kingdom. The Theocracy thus instituted would
have been permanently established if the people, in their national capacity, had been
faithful in obedience. The demand of the nation for an earthly king was a virtual
abandonment of the Theocratic Kingdom by the nation. God makes the Jewish king
subordinate to His own Theocracy. This Theocracy, or Kingdom, is exclusively given to
the natural descendants of Abraham, in their corporate capacity.

The Prophecies of the Kingdom (Propositions 30 – 36, Volume 1)

The prophets, however, without specifying the manner of introduction, predict that the
Gentiles shall participate in the blessings of the Theocracy of Kingdom. This Theocracy
was identified with the Davidic Kingdom. This Theocratic Kingdom, thus incorporated
with the Davidic, is removed when the Davidic is overthrown. The prophets, some even
before the captivity, foreseeing the overthrow of the Kingdom, both foretell its downfall
and its final restoration. The prophets describe this restored Kingdom, its extension,
glory, etc., without distinguishing between the First and Second Advents. The prophets
describe but one Kingdom. The prophets, with one voice, describe this Kingdom, thus
restored, in terms expressive of the most glorious additions.

The Preaching of the Kingdom (Propositions 37 – 56, Volume 1)

The Kingdom thus predicted and promised was not in existence when the forerunner of
Jesus appeared. John the Baptist preached that this Kingdom, predicted by the prophets,
was "nigh at hand". John the Baptist was not ignorant of the Kingdom that he preached.
The hearers of John believed that he preached to them the Kingdom predicted by the
prophets, and in the sense held by themselves. The Kingdom was not established under
John's ministry. Jesus Christ in His early ministry preached that the Kingdom was "nigh
at hand". The disciples sent forth by Jesus to preach this Kingdom were not ignorant of
the meaning to be attached to the Kingdom. The preaching of the Kingdom, being in
 Preservation through Tribulation 111

accordance with that of the predicted Kingdom, raised no controversy between the Jews
and Jesus, or between the Jews and His disciples and apostles. The phrases "Kingdom of
Heaven", "Kingdom of God", "Kingdom of Christ", etc., denote the same Kingdom. The
Kingdom anticipated by the Jews at the First Advent is based on the Abrahamic and
Davidic covenants. The Jews had the strongest possible assurances given to them that the
Kingdom based on these covenants would be realized. The Kingdom being based on the
covenants, the covenants must be carefully examined, and (Prop. 4) the literal language
of the same must be maintained. The covenants being, in Revelation, the foundation of
the Kingdom, must first be received and appreciated. This Kingdom will be the
outgrowth of the renewed Abrahamic covenant, under which renewal we live. The
relation that the Kingdom sustains to "the covenants of promise" enables us to appreciate
the prophecies pertaining to the Kingdom. The promises pertaining to the Kingdom, as
given in the covenants, will be strictly fulfilled. The genealogies of our Lord form an
important link in the comprehension of the Kingdom. The preaching of the Kingdom by
John, Jesus, and the disciples, was confined to the Jewish nation. It was necessary that
Jesus and His disciples should, at first, preach the Kingdom as nigh to the Jewish nation.
The Kingdom was not established during the ministry of "the Christ".

The Kingdom Rejected by the Jewish Nation (Propositions 57 – 68, Volume 1)

This Kingdom was offered to the Jewish nation, but the nation rejected it. Jesus, toward
the close of His ministry, preached that the Kingdom was not nigh. This Kingdom of God
offered to the Jewish elect nation, lest the purpose of God fail, is to be given to others
who are adopted. This Kingdom of God is given, not to nations, but to one nation. The
Kingdom which by promise exclusively belonged to the Jewish nation, the rightful seed
of Abraham, was now to be given to an engrafted people. This people, to whom the
Kingdom is to be given, gathered out of the nations becomes the elect nation. The present
elect, to whom the Kingdom will be given, is the continuation of the previous election
chiefly in another engrafted people. The Kingdom being given to the elect only, any
adoption into that elect portion must be revealed by express Divine Revelation. Before
this Kingdom can be given to this elect people, they must first be gathered out. The
Kingdom that was nigh at one time (viz., at the First Advent) to the Jewish nation is now
removed to the close of its tribulation, and the times of the Gentiles. The Kingdom could
not, therefore, have been set up at that time, viz., at the First Advent. This Kingdom is
then essentially a Jewish Kingdom.

The Kingdom in Church Teaching (Propositions 69 – 78, Volume 1)

The death of Jesus did not remove the notion entertained by the disciples and apostles
concerning the Kingdom. The apostles, after Christ's ascension, did not preach, either to
Jews or Gentiles, that the Kingdom was established. The language of the apostles
confirmed the Jews in the Messianic hopes of the Kingdom. The doctrine of the
Kingdom, as preached by the apostles, was received by the early Church. The doctrine of
the Kingdom preached by the apostles and elders raised no controversy with the Jews.
The belief in the speedy Advent of Christ, entertained both by the apostles and the
churches under them, indicates what Kingdom was believed in and taught by the first
 Dr. Dieter Thom 112

Christians. The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the churches established by the
apostles, was perpetuated. The doctrine of the Kingdom was changed under the Gnostic
and Alexandrian influence. The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the early Church,
was finally almost exterminated under the teaching and power of the Papacy. The early
Church doctrine was revived after the Reformation.

The Kingdom and the Sovereignty of God (Propositions 79 – 86, Volume 1)

The Kingdom of God, promised by covenant and prophets, is to be distinguished from the
general and universal sovereignty of God. This Kingdom of covenant, promise, and
prediction is to be distinguished from the from the sovereignty which Jesus exercises in
virtue of His Divine nature. This Kingdom, as covenanted, belongs to Jesus as "the Son
of Man". This Kingdom is a complete restoration, in the person of the Second man Adam
or Man, of the dominion lost by the first Adam or Man. This Kingdom is given to "the
Son of Man" by God, the Father. As this Kingdom is specially given to "the Son of Man"
as the result of His obedience, sufferings, and death, it must be something different from
His Divine nature, or from "piety", "religion", "God's reign in the heart", etc. Neither
Abraham nor his engrafted seed have as yet inherited the Kingdom; hence the Kingdom
must be something different from "piety", "religion", "God's reign in the heart", etc. The
object or design of this dispensation is to gather out these elect to whom, as heirs with
Abraham and his seed Christ, this Kingdom is to be given.

The Postponement of the Kingdom (Propositions 87 – 94, Volume 1)

The postponement of the Kingdom is the key to the understanding of the meaning of this
dispensation. The Church is then the preparatory stage for this Kingdom. Christ, in view
of this future Kingdom, sustains a peculiar relationship to the Church. Members of the
Church who are faithful are promised this Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not the
Jewish Church. This Kingdom is not what some call, "the Gospel Kingdom". The
covenanted Kingdom is not the Christian Church. The overlooking of the postponement
of this Kingdom is a fundamental mistake and fruitful source of error in many systems of
Theology.

The Kingdom of Heaven (Propositions 103 – 108, Volume 1 & 2)

This Kingdom is not a Kingdom in "the third heaven". The Christian Church is not
denoted by the predicted Kingdom of the prophets. The Lord's Prayer, as given to the
disciples, and understood by them, amply sustains our position. Our doctrine of the
Kingdom sustained by the temptation of Christ. The passages referring to heaven in
connection with the saints, do not conflict with, but confirm, our doctrine of the
Kingdom. The formula, "Kingdom of heaven", connected with the parables, confirms our
doctrine of the Kingdom.
 Preservation through Tribulation 113

The Kingdom and the Heavens and the Earth (Propositions 147 – 151, Volume 2)

This Kingdom is preceded by a wonderful shaking of the heavens and the earth. This
Kingdom embraces the New Heavens and New Earth. This Kingdom is preceded by the
conflagration of 2 Pet. 3:10-13. The establishment of this Kingdom is not affected by the
extent of Peter's conflagration. This Kingdom is identified with "the New Heavens and
New Earth" of Isa. 65:17 and 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13 and Rev. 21:1.

The Church and the Kingdom (Propositions 95 – 102, Volume 1)

If the Church is the Kingdom, then the terms "Church" and "Kingdom" would be
synonymous. The differences visible in the Church are evidences that it is not the
predicted Kingdom of the Messiah. The various forms of Church government indicate
that the Church is not the promised Kingdom. That the church was not the Kingdom
promised to David's Son was the belief of the early Church. The opinion that the church
is the predicted Kingdom is the Christ was of later origin than the first or second century.
The visible Church is not the predicted Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The invisible Church is
not the covenanted Kingdom of Christ. Neither the visible nor invisible Church is the
covenanted Kingdom.

The Church-Kingdom Theory (Propositions 109 – 110, Volume 2)

An examination of the passages of Scripture, supposed to teach the Church-Kingdom

theory, will confirm our doctrine of the Kingdom. The passage most relied on to prove
the Church-Kingdom theory, utterly disproves it.

The Restoration of the Jewish Nation (Propositions 111 – 114, Volume 2)

The Kingdom being identified with the elect Jewish nation, it cannot be established
without the restoration of that nation. The Kingdom, if established as predicted, demands
the national restoration of that nation. The connection of this Kingdom with Jewish
restoration necessitates the realization of their predicted repentance and conversion. This
Kingdom being identified with the elect Jewish nation, its establishment at the restoration
embraces the supremacy of the nation over the nations of the earth.

The Establishment of the Kingdom (Propositions 115 – 118, Volume 2)

The Kingdom is not established without a period of violence and war. This Kingdom is
visible, external one, here on earth, taking the place of earthly Kingdoms. The Kingdom
of God re-established, will form a divinely appointed, and visibly manifested, Theocracy.
This view of the Kingdom is most forcibly sustained by the figure of the Barren Woman.

The Millennial Kingdom (Propositions 119 – 129, Volume 2)

The Kingdom of God is represented, in the Millennial descriptions, as restoring all the
forfeited blessings. This Kingdom, with its Millennial blessings, can only be introduced
 Dr. Dieter Thom 114

through the power of God in Christ Jesus. This Kingdom, of necessity, requires a Pre-
Millennial Personal Advent of Jesus, "the Christ". As "Son of Man", David's Son, Jesus
inherits David's throne and kingdom, and also the land of Palestine. The Pre-Millennial
Advent and accompanying Kingdom are united with the destruction of Antichrist. This
Kingdom is delayed several thousand years, to raise up a nation or people capable of
sustaining it. This Kingdom to be inherited by these gathered saints requires their
resurrection from the dead. In confirmation of our position, the Old Testament clearly
teaches a Pre-Millennial resurrection of the saints. In support of our view, the Apocalypse
unmistakably teaches a Pre-Millennial resurrection of the saints. The language of the
Gospels and Epistles is in strict accord with the requirements of a Pre-Millennial
resurrection. The Jewish view of a Pre-Millennial resurrection, requisite for the
introduction of the Messianic Kingdom, is fully sustained by the grammatical sense of the
New Testament.

Judgement in the Kingdom (Propositions 130 – 135, Volume 2)

This Kingdom is also preceded by a translation of living saints. This Kingdom embraces
the visible reign of Jesus, the Christ, here on earth. This view of the Kingdom is
confirmed by the judgeship of Jesus. This view of the Kingdom fully sustained by the
"Day of Judgment". Our view of the Judgment (and consequence, that also of the
Kingdom) is fully sustained by the passage of Scripture, Matt. 25:31-46. The doctrine of
the Kingdom in full accord with the scriptural doctrine of the judgment of believers.

The Kingdom and the Intermediate State (Propositions 136 – 146, Volume 2)

The doctrine of the Kingdom in agreement with the doctrine of the intermediate state.
This doctrine of the Kingdom sustained by the phrase "the world to come". This doctrine
of the Kingdom fully corroborated by "the day of the Lord Jesus, the Christ". The
Theocratic-Davidic Kingdom, as covenanted, is sustained by what is to take place in "the
morning" of "the day of the Christ". The doctrine of the Kingdom confirmed by the
phraseology of the New Testament respecting "the end of the age". This Kingdom
necessarily united with the perpetuity of the earth. This Kingdom being related to the
earth (extending over it), and involving the resurrection of the saints (in order to inherit
it), is sustained by the promise to the saints of inheriting the earth. The early church
doctrine of the Kingdom is supported by "the Rest", or the keeping of the Sabbath,
mentioned by Paul. The early church of the Kingdom is supported by "the times of the
restitution of all things", mentioned in Acts 3:19-21. This Kingdom includes "the
regeneration" of Matt. 19:28. This Kingdom is associated with the deliverance of
Creation.

The Glorified Saints in the Kingdom (Propositions 152 – 154, Volume 2)

This Kingdom is connected with the perpetuation of the human race. This view of the
Kingdom, with its two classes (viz., the translated and resurrected saints, glorified,
forming one class, and mortal men the other), is forcibly represented in the
 Preservation through Tribulation 115

transfiguration. This Theocratic Kingdom includes the visible reign of the risen and
glorified saints, here on the earth.

Priesthood in the Kingdom (Propositions 155 – 159, Volume 2)

This Kingdom exhibits Jesus not only as "the King", but also as "the Priest." The doctrine
of the Kingdom enforces the future priesthood of the saints. This doctrine of the
Kingdom enforces the future ministration of angels. The doctrine of the Kingdom aids in
locating the Millennial period. This Theocratic Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, the Christ,
will never come to an end.

The Kingdom of the Antichrist (Propositions 160 – 164, Volume 2)

This Kingdom will be set up in the divided state of the Roman Empire. This Kingdom
will not be re-established until Antichrist is overthrown. This Kingdom will be preceded
by a fearful time of trouble, both in the Church and the world. This Kingdom revealed
will be preceded by the predicted "Battle of that great day of God Almighty." This
Kingdom ends the Gentile domination.

The Restored Kingdom (Propositions 165 – 172, Volume 3)

The doctrine of this Kingdom enables us to form a correct estimate of human

governments. The rudimentary reorganization of the Kingdom will be made at Mount
Sinai. The re-establishment of this Kingdom embraces also the reception of a New
Revelation of the Divine Will. This Kingdom has its place of manifested royalty. The
Theocratic Kingdom includes the marriage of Christ to the New Jerusalem. This doctrine
of the Kingdom fully sustained by "the Father's house" of John 14:2. This Kingdom is
connected with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and of Fire. This Kingdom, when
restored, does not require the re-introduction of bloody sacrifices.

Receiving the Kingdom (Propositions 173 – 183, Volume 3)

The Kingdom of the Lord Jesus may be near at hand. This Kingdom of the Messiah is
preceded by, and connected with, signs. The doctrine of the Kingdom is greatly obscured
and perverted by the prevailing one of the conversion of the world prior to the Advent of
Jesus. Our doctrine of the Kingdom embraces the conversion of the world, but in
Scriptural order. This doctrine of the Kingdom will not be received in faith by the
Church, as a body. This doctrine of the Kingdom, and its essentially related subjects, are
so hostile to their faith, that numerous organized religious bodies totally reject them. The
doctrine of the Kingdom, or essentials of the same, are directly allied by various bodies
with doctrines that are objectionable, and hence are made unpalatable to many. This
doctrine of the Kingdom will not be received in faith by the world. Our doctrinal position
illustrated and enforced by the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This Kingdom embraces "the
One Hope". The doctrine of the Kingdom, and its related subjects, have a direct practical
tendency.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 116

The Unity of the Witness to the Kingdom (Propositions 184 – 198, Volume 3)

In this Kingdom will be exhibited a manifested unity. This doctrine enforces that of
Divine Providence. This doctrine of the Kingdom sustained by the Analogy of Scripture,
the Analogy of Faith, and the Analogy of Tradition. This doctrine of the Kingdom gives
coherency to the Gospels, and indicates the unity of design in each of them. This doctrine
indicates the unity of the Epistles. It is only through this doctrine of the Kingdom that the
Apocalypse can, or will, be understood and consistently interpreted. Our views sustained
by the addresses to the Seven Churches. Our doctrine enforced by the general tenor of the
Apocalypse. This doctrine of the Kingdom greatly serves to explain Scripture. This
doctrine of the Kingdom meets, and consistently removes, the objections brought by the
Jews against Christianity. This doctrine of the Kingdom materially aids to explain the
world's history. This doctrine of the Kingdom may, analogically, give us a clue to the
government of other worlds. This doctrine of the Kingdom gives us a more
comprehensive view of the work of Christ for Redemptive purposes. This Kingdom,
although visible with a world-dominion, being Theocratic, is also necessarily spiritual.
The doctrine of the Kingdom confirms the credibility and inspiration of the Word of God.

The Christ-Centred Kingdom (Propositions 199 – 206, Volume 3)

This doctrine of the Kingdom materially aids in deciding the great Christological
question of the day. While the Kingdom is given to Jesus Christ as "the Son of Man", He
becomes thereby the actual Representative of God, manifesting God in the person of One
related to humanity. If a Kingdom such as is covenanted to "the Son of Man", David's
Son, is not set up, then God's effort at government, in and through an earthly rulership,
proves a failure. If the Kingdom of "the Son of Man", as covenanted, is not established,
then the earth will lack in its history the exhibition of a perfect government. The
exaltation of the Christ is not lessened or lowered by thus referring the promises of the
Kingdom to an outward manifestation in the future. Such a view gives definiteness and a
continued exaltation to the human nature of Christ, and indicates the majestic relationship
that it sustains throughout the ages to the race of man. The doctrine of the Kingdom
materially aids us in preaching "the Christ", the distinctive "Messiah". This earth will yet
witness the re-establishment of a glorious Theocracy - a Theocracy in its perfected form.

From The Theocratic Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus, the Christ, as Covenanted in the Old
Testament and Presented in the New Testament by George Nathaniel Henry Peters (1889)
in 206 propositions, 3 volumes and nearly 2200 pages. The sub-headings preceding each
section are my own, but the words are Peters’.
 Preservation through Tribulation 117

14. Conclusion

Here is a summary of 39 events and trends that are expected to happen at the time of the
end in a relative chronological sequence.

1. The Dalai Lama dies and his successor is born soon afterwards, but he is only
identified sometime within a few years.
2. The child is an elector of the Holy Roman Empire, born of one of the suppressed
royal families of Europe, probably the German royal house of Hess.
3. The one-world currency introduced (2018 according to the Economist magazine)
in the form of the Proxeus cryptocurrency (XES).
4. Economic control of the world through the Bank of International Settlements, the
central bank of central banks founded by the Germans and controlled by Nazis.
5. The Gospel is preached to all nations in all regions of the world, partly through
the help of satellite television.
6. There is a great falling away from the faith. This has already started. It will be
exacerbated by persecution.
7. The Antichrist takes political power in Europe, ultimately as President of the
Europen Union.
8. The Antichrist enters into a deceptive alliance with the State of Israel. He appears
to be their ally.
9. The Jews rebuild the Temple in the face of opposition from the Muslim World
and they reestablish the temple priesthood and sacrifices.
10. The Antichrist invades the Middle East and defeats the Arabian Muslim coalition
and returns to Europe in victory.
11. The Antichrist returns to the Middle East, but is met by an Anglo-American
support force.
12. He then betrays and invades Israel, and destroys the Jewish State.
13. The Antichrist and his forces prevail in the region against the nations.
14. He declares himself to be god and saviour of the world in the Jewish temple.
15. The image of the Beast is set up as a transmitted hologram to be worshipped.
16. The mark and worship of the Beast is enforced on the nations of the world.
17. The earth is engulfed in the Third World War as nations fight against each other.
18. Natural disasters on the earth: earthquakes, tsunamis, meteorites and heat waves.
19. Urban unrest, riots, looting, murder, famine, plagues and disease afflict mankind.
20. People die on a massive scale all over the world.
21. The cities of the world collapse and people seek refuge in mountainous areas.
22. The Jews are converted to believing in Jesus as Messiah all over the world.
23. Christians are persecuted for their faith and rejecting the mark of the beast.
24. The last 3 ½ years will be the most difficult to face for believers (Rev. 11:9).
25. The falling away of false professing believers, and the betrayal of believers.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 118

26. Their capture, imprisonment, torture, suffering, testimony, martyrdom

27. The survival of a remnant of true believers in wilderness areas.
28. The destruction of marine life from a third to all of it.
29. Rivers and fresh water springs poisoned and turned to blood.
30. The scorching heat of the Sun and complete darkness.
31. The torture and suffering of unbelievers for 5 (probably literal) months.
32. The Kings of the East (particularly China) come to the battle of Armageddon.
33. The Rapture of the Saints as Christians are changed and meet Jesus in the air.
34. The judgment of the Final Wrath God against the Antichrist and the nations.
35. The Second Coming.
36. The Millennium reign of Jesus from Jerusalem over the earth with the saints.
37. The final rebellion of Satan at the end of the Millennium.
38. The final judgment of all men at the end of time.
39. The New Heavens and the New Earth for all eternity.

So, what must Christians do to prepare for ‘The End of the Days’?

1. A strategic retreat out of cities and into rural areas bordering wilderness areas
over the next few decades as we watch global events unfolding.
2. Get out of debt as much as possible, save money and pray for God’s financial
blessing on your life.
3. Sell church buildings and organize house church networks in the cities with
occasional corporate celebration meetings in larger rented facilities.
4. Invest in rural farmland property near wilderness areas.
5. Start weekend and holiday retreats for Christian groups.
6. Learn how to grow and preserve your own food.
7. Make your rural community completely self-sufficient and secure.
8. Educate Christians on rural living and wilderness survival techniques.
9. Establish cordial and friendly relationships with Jews, ready for when God reveals
Jesus the Messiah to them.
10. Keep your planning confidential and discreet.
11. Be careful which professing Christians and family members that you forge close
relationships with.
12. Pray for God to give you wisdom.

What must Christians avoid doing?

1. Do not sell all that you have. Invest wisely.

2. This is a call to community, not communism.
3. Do not amass weapons. Have enough to defend yourself and your family.
4. Do not create cultic compounds. Remember Waco, Texas?
5. Do not tell everyone what you are doing. Build trust with faithful Christians.
 Preservation through Tribulation 119

15. The Main Views of End Times Prophecy

Idealists believe that most prophecies cannot be interpreted literally, but that there are
spiritual lessons to learn. Idealists deny a literal Second Coming and a physical
resurrection of believers from the dead. The Jewish Sadducees in the Bible and modern
liberals are examples of Idealist interpreters. This view has little relevance to believers,
except to apply a few spiritual truths to our lives.

Preterists believe that most prophecy was already fulfilled by 70 AD, when Jerusalem
was destroyed by the Romans. They believe that little applies to us today or to the future.
The Preterist view is in the minority, but denies many fundamentals. Preterists say that all
prophecy is fulfilled, and deny the resurrection and the Second Coming, just like the
Idealists.

Partial Preterists believe that all prophecy, except the Second Coming and the
resurrection of the dead, has been fulfilled. They use ‘proof texts’ that are wrenched out
of their clear meaning to prove their case. The Partial Preterist view is popular in some
scholarly circles, does have some merit, but is essentially irrelevant to us today in dealing
with the time of the end.

Historicists believe that most prophecy has been fulfilled throughout church history and
that little applies to today or the future. They take most of the Book of Revelation and
apply it to different periods in the history of the New Testament Church. They teach that
the Roman Catholic Church is the Great Prostitute and that the Pope is the Antichrist.
Clearly some prophecies have been fulfilled, but the extent of this is important.

Futurists believe that most prophecies in the Book of Revelation are yet to be fulfilled in
the Great Tribulation and that little has been fulfilled yet in Church History. The early
church was obviously mostly futurist, but two thousand years of Church history has
passed, so it is difficult to believe that no prophecies have yet found their fulfillment. The
question of past and future fulfillment is crucial to a correct interpretation of prophecy.

The Millennium is the 1000-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20.

Premillennialists believe that Jesus will come to establish His physical earthly Kingdom
for 1000 years. Amillennialists do not believe in a literal 1000 years, but they teach that
the Millennium is the reign of Christ through His Church on earth. Post-millennialists
also do not believe in a literal Millennium, but that the world will largely be converted at
some point, reign for a symbolic 1000 years and be presented to Jesus at His Coming.

The Great Tribulation is the period of time based on Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels that
the world will go through a great time of trouble and the Church will be severely
persecuted. Pre-tribulationalism, a product of the Dispensational system, teaches that
Christians will be secretly raptured before the seven-year Great Tribulation and escape
suffering. Post-tribulationism teaches that Christians will go through the persecution of
the Great Tribulation and that the last three and a half years will be the most difficult, but
the overall time period is not clearly defined by Scripture.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 120

This author takes a Classic, (New) Covenantal or Historic Premillennial view (different
terms for essentially the same thing). This book is essentially a combination of the
Historicist and Futurist Premillennial views, acknowledging that some prophecies have
been fulfilled in church history, but not denying that some prophecies are yet to happen.

The earthly reign of the Messiah was promised in the Old Testament by God to the
Patriarchs and confirmed through the Prophets to the people of Israel. It has been
expected by the Jews throughout the ages, and was affirmed by the teaching of Jesus and
His Apostles in the New Testament. This view was held by the early church almost
without exception, was violently suppressed by the Church establishment for a thousand
years, and has been taught by eminent Evangelical figures over the last 500 years.

The Classic Premillennial view was indisputably held by most of the early church in the
first few centuries after Christ until the Roman Empire was ‘Christianized’. This view
was obviously mostly Futurist in its orientation. It is taught by early Christian writings
including The Didache, the Epistle of Barnabus, The Shepherd of Hermas, Papias of
Hierapolis (70–155), Justin Martyr (100–165), Irenaeus (130–202), Tertullian (160–
225), Hippolytus of Rome (170–235), Commodian the Syrian (250), Cyprian (200-258),
Victorinus of Pettau (died 304), Methodius of Olympus (died 311), Lucius Lactantius
(240–320), Hilarion (291–371), Gaudentius of Brescia (died 410), Maximus of Turin
(died 408-423), Evodius of North Africa (350–424), Sulpicius Severus (363–425), the
Apocalypse of Pseudo-Ephraem and the Bede (672–735).

It was Origen (185–254) and Augustine of Hippo (354–430) that effectively changed the
tide of opinion about the Millenium for around a millennium. Their opposition to
Millennialism affected both the established church and the fringe groups. The Roman and
Byzantine domination of Western and Eastern Christianity effectively made
Millennialism a heresy punishable by death. Few believers had the courage to publically
dissent. However, there was a late Mediaeval Millennial revival with key figures being
Richard of St. Victor (died 1173), Bruno of Segni (1049-1123), Bernard of Clairvaux
(1090–1153), Anselm of Havelberg (1100–1158), Joachim of Fiore (1130-1202), John
Wycliffe (1320–1384), Jan Hus (1369–1415) and Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498).

Most English-speaking Classic Premillennialists adopted the prevailing Protestant

Historicist view which saw the Pope as the Antichrist and the Vatican as the Great
Prostitute. These included, John Robinson (1576–1625), Joseph Mede (1586–1639),
Nathaniel Homes (1604-1649), Thomas Shepard (1605–1649), James Ussher (1581–
1656), John Milton (1608–1674), Roger Williams (1603–1683), Henry More (1614–
1687), Increase Mather (1639-1723), Cotton Mather (1663-1728), Isaac Newton (1642–
1727), William Whiston (1667–1752), Henry Alford (1810–1871), William
Cunninghame (1775-1849), Edward Bickersteth (1786–1850), Joshua W. Brooks (1790–
1882), Thomas Rawson Birks (1810–1883), Edward Bishop Elliott (1793–1875), Henry
Grattan Guinness (1835–1910), Benjamin Wills Newton, (180–1899), Samuel Prideaux
Tregelles (1813–1875), George Mueller (1805–1898), Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–
1892), Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), Andrew Alexander Bonar (1810–1892) and John
Charles Ryle (1816–1900).
 Preservation through Tribulation 121

Among the German-speaking Classic Premillennialists were Andreas Rudolph

Bodenstein von Karlstadt (1486-1541), Philipp Nicolae (1556–1608), Johann
Arndt (1555–1621), Jakob Böhme (1575–1624), Johann Heinrich Alsted (1588-1638),
Johannes Valentinus Andreae (1586–1654), Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669), Johann
Jacob Schütz (1640-1690), Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705), Johann Wilhelm
Petersen (1649-1727), August Hermann Francke (1663–1727), Johann Albrecht Bengel
(1687-1751), Christian August Crusius (1715–1775), Wilhelm Martin Leberecht de
Wette (1780-1849), Karl August Auberlen (1824–1864), Richard Rothe (1799-1867),
Johann Tobias Beck (1804–1878), Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805–1880), Isaak
August Dorner (1809–1884), Johann Peter Lange (1802-1884), Heinrich Wilhelm Josias
Thiersch (1817–1885), Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890), Frédéric Louis Godet (1812-1900),
Martin Kaehler (1835–1912), Christoph Blumhardt (1842–1919), Theodor Zahn (1838-
1933) and Adolf Schlatter (1852-1938). They courageously stood in opposition to the
entrenched Augustinian Amillennialism of the established Lutheran Church, often with
severe consequences for their careers.

Other Classic Premillenialists have included John Amos Comenius (1592– 1670), Jean
Labadie (1610-1674), Pierre Jurieu (1637-1713), Jan Jacob van Oosterzee (1817–1882),
Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836–1895), Samuel Henry Kellogg (1839–1899), George N.
H. Peters (1825–1909), Handley Carr Glyn Moule (1841-1920), Charles A. Blanchard
(1848–1925), Amzi Clarence Dixon (1854–1925), John Stuart Holden (1874–1934),
Frederick Brotherton Meyer (1847–1929), George Campbell Morgan (1863–1945),
Robert Elliott Speer (1867–1947), George Eldon Ladd (1911–1982), Gordon Haddon
Clark (1902–1985), Walter Ralston Martin (1928–1989), Bingham, Carl McIntire (1906
–2002), William Jacob Erdman (1834-1923), Charles Rosenbury Erdman (1866-1960),
Philip Mauro (1859-1952), Earle Legh Langston, Rowland V. Bingham (1872-1942),
Oswald Jeffrey Smith (1889-1986), his son Paul Smith, Harold John Ockenga (1905–
1985), William Gallogly Moorehead (1836-1914), Robert Cameron, Clarence B. Bass,
Dinsdale T. Young, Robert Horton Gundry, Millard Erickson, Robert H. Mounce,
William D. Mounce, Grant R. Osborne, John Warwick Montgomery, John Stephen Piper,
Roger E. Olson, Russell D. Moore, James M. Hamilton Jr., Barry E. Horner, Fred Zaspel,
Thomas Schreiner, Craig Keener, Dennis E. Johnson, Gregory K. Beale, Joseph L.
Trafton, Frederick J. Murphy, Ben Witherington, Douglas J. Moo, D. A. Carson, J.
Andrew Dearman, Craig L. Blomberg, Sung Wook Chung, Oscar A. Campos, Timothy P.
Weber, Donald Fairbairn, Bruce A. Demarest, Richard H. Hess, Helene Dallaire, and
Don J. Payne.

A number of Christian Seminaries have been associated with the Classic Premillennial
position of Bible prophecy, including Fuller Theological Seminary (California), Denver
Seminary (Colorado), Bethlehem College and Seminary (Minnesota), Biblical Seminary
Pennsylvania), Covenant Theological Seminary (Missouri), Western Theological
Seminary (Michigan), Gordon-Conwell Seminary (Massachusetts) and Trinity
Evangelical Divinity School (Illinois). Many of the pastors, churches and seminaries of
the Southern Baptist Convention, the Bible Presbyterian Church, and the Christian and
Missionary Alliance have a strong Classic Premillennial influence.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 122

Three Roman Catholic Jesuit priests had a strategic influence on the development of
prophetic interpretation. Luis de Alcazar (1554–1613) was the first theologian to
thoroughly develop the Preterist system of interpretation. The Futurism of the early
church was picked up by Francisco Ribera (1537–1591), but he was not Premillennial.
Both sought to counter the Protestant anti-Catholicism of the Reformation by teaching a
past and future Antichrist respectively.

Manuel Lacunza (1731-1801) is poorly understood. He lived at a time when the Jesuit
order that he belonged to was dissolved by and alienated from the Catholic Church.
Lacunza came to a Premillennial view of prophecy and saw the Second Beast of
Revelation as the corrupted Catholic priesthood. His magnum opus "The Coming of the
Messiah in Glory and Majesty” (in three volumes), published under the pseudonym ‘Ben-
Ezra’, was placed on the Index of Prohibited Books by the Catholic Inquisition. He died
under very suspicious circumstances.

Lacunza’s work was translated by Edward Irving and influenced a revival of early church
Classic Premillennial futurism amongst writers like Samuel Roffey Maitland (1792–
1866), James Henthorn Todd (1805–1869) and William Burgh. Pretribulational futurism
was given through a ‘prophetic utterance’ of Margaret McDonald, a congregant of
Edward Irving. This was developed into Dispensationalism by the writings of John
Darby, William Kelly, C. I. Scofield (with the Scofield Reference Bible), R. A. Torrey,
A. C. Gaebelein, L. S. Chafer, Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice and countless
others regurgitating the same ‘cud’. My book rejects Pretribulational Dispensationalism
and teaches Post-tribulational, Pre-wrath Premillenialism.

The reader is encouraged to refer to the four volumes of The Prophetic Faith of our
Fathers by LeRoy Edwin Froom (1950). This work is the most comprehensive history of
Christian eschatological interpretation ever written. Its nearly 4000 pages are written
from a Seventh Day Adventist perspective, but cover all the major views and their
development. Seventh Day Adventism teaches Classic Premillennialism from a distinctly
Historicist and Post-tribulational perspective, with its doctrinal distinctives forming an
important part of its hermeneutical framework. Though it does not cover the last six
decades, this book is highly recommended as a detailed reference work with a lot of very
useful information.

Classic Premillennialism teaches that the Church will go through the Tribulation (there
will be no Pre-tribulation Rapture) and that the Church will be Raptured at Jesus’ Second
Coming. The next section has a comprehensive list of many of the authors and preachers
that held to a classic premillennial view of prophecy.
 Preservation through Tribulation 123

16. Recommended Further Reading

This is a list of over 600 works of authors from a classic premillennial perspective. Some
have a historicist emphasis, while others are more futurist. All are post-tribulational, most
pre-wrath and all distinctly premillennial. If you find some that are not, let me know.

Addis, A. (1829). Heaven opened, or, The word of God: being the twelve visions of
Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel, and st. John, explained.
Addis, A. (1830). The theory of prophecy: as it respects more particularly civil
establishments of Christianity, the Nicene heresy of antichrist, and the doctrine of
the millennium.
Addison, L. (1675). The Present State of the Jews-more Particularly Relating to Those in
Barbary. London.
Akin, D. L., Nelson, D. P., & Peter R. Schemm, J. (2007). A Theology for the Church.
Nashville. B & H Publishing Group.
Alford, H. (1870). The Coming of the Bridegroom. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Alford, H. (1871). Alford's Greek Testament: An Exegetical and Critical Commentary,
James-Revelation. Chicago: Moody Press.
Alford, H. (1877). How to Study the New Testament: The Epistles and the Revelation.
London: Strahan & Co.
Allwood, P. (1829). A key to the Revelation of St. John.
Allwood, P. (1833). A dissertation concerning the chronological numbers recorded in the
prophecies of Daniel, as compared with those in the Revelation of St. John.:
Rivington.
Alsted, J. H. (1630). Diatribe de mille annis apocalypticis, non illis Chiliastarum et
Phantastarum, sed beatorum Danielis et Johannis.
Alsted, J. H., Brahe, T., Gallus, C., & Burton, W. (1643). The Beloved City: Or, The
Saints Reign on Earth a Thovsand Yeares.
Amerding, C. E., & Gasque, W. W. (1977). Dreams, Visions, and Oracles: The Layman's
Guide to Biblical Prophecy. Baker Book House.
Anderson, W. (1840). An apology for millennial doctrine: in the form in which it was
entertained by the primitive church. O. Rogers.
Angelocrator, D. (1604). Die 70 wochen des Propheten Daniels erklärt.
Archaicus. (1753). The Rejection, and Restoration of the Jews, According to Scripture,
Declar'd. R. Baldwin, jun.
Archer, G. L. (1996). Three Views on Rapture: Pre, Mid, Or Post-Tribulation.
ZondervanPublishingHouse.
Archer, H. (1642). The Personall Reign of Christ Upon Earth.
Baker, H. A. (1940). Heaven and Angels. Minneapolis: The Osterhus Publishing House.
Baker, H. A. (1960). Through Tribulation. Mineapolis: Calvary Books & Tracts.
Baker, H. A. (1973). Visions of Heaven. Minneapolis: The Osterhus Publishing House.
Baldwin, S. D. (1854). Armageddon: Or, The Overthrow of Romanism and Monarchy;
the Existence of the United States Foretold in the Bible: Applegate.
Barnard, L. W. (1997). The First and Second Apologies. Paulist Press.
Barton, B. B., Osborne, G. R., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). Revelation: Tyndale House
Publishers.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 124

Barton, H. E. (1963). It's Here: the Time of the End: A Comprehensive Study of Bible
Prophecy Fulfilled and Unfulfilled. Exposition Press.
Barton, H. E. (1967). Why Time?: God's Plan and Purpose. Burbank Press.
Battle, J. A. (1995). Premillennialism and Covenant Theology. WRS Journal,
2:1((February 1995)), 2-6.
Battle, J. A. (1998). Spiritual Warfare in Revelation. WRS Journal 5/1(February), 14-18.
Battle, J. A. (2004)). Eschatology in the Bible Presbyterian Church. WRS Journal, 11/2
(August 2004), 12-27.
Battle Jr, J. A. (1981). Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Romans 9: 25-26. Grace
Theological Journal, 2(1), 115-129.
Baxter, M., & Bickersteth, E. (1866). The Coming Battle, and Appalling National
Convulsions. William Macintosh.
Bayford, J. (1820). Messiah's kingdom, or, A brief inquiry concerning what is revealed in
Scripture. Printed for the Author by F. Marshall.
Begg, J. A. (1831). Lettres to a Minister of the Gospel, on His and the Other
Interpretations of Our Saviour's Prediction of His Return, Recorded Matt. 23. 24.
25.
Begg, J. A. (1832). The Heresy of Hymeneus and Philetus, Concerning the First
Resurrection ... Extracted from the Morning Watch. Paisley.
Begg, J. A. (1842). A connected view of some of the scripture evidence of the Redeemer's
speedy personal return, and reign on earth with his glorified saints, during the
millennium. New York. John Moffet.
Begg, J. A. (1843). The Purpose of God in the Separation of the Israelites as a People.
The author.
Begg, J. A. (1843). The value of prophecy as a light to the church in evil times. Glasgow.
Begg, J. A. (1844). The First Resurrection, as Promised to the Saints. The author.
Bengel, J. A. (1758). Erklärte Offenbarung Johannis oder vielmehr Jesu Christi. J.C.
Erhard.
Bengel, J. A. (1788). Sechzig erbauliche Reden über die Offenbarung Johannis. J.C.
Erhard.
Bengel, J. A. (1858). Gnomon of the New Testament.
Bengel, J. A., & Robertson, J. (1757). Bengelius's Introduction to His Exposition of the
Apocalypse. J. Ryall and R. Withy.
Beverley, T. (1684). A scripture-line of time, drawn in brief from the lapsed creation, to
the restitution of all things. Printed according to a calendar.
Beverley, T. (1687). The First Part of the Scripture Line of Time, Presenting Its Several
Joynts in a Clear and Brief View from the First to the Last Sabbatism, Etc.
London.
Beverley, T. (1689). The prophetical history of the Reformation.
Beverley, T. (1690). The Pattern of the Divine Temple, Sanctuary, and City of the New
Jerusalem: Measured According to Ezekiel's Last and Greatest Vision, Chap. 40.
Eo the End, Etc. London.
Beverley, T. (1691). The universal Christian doctrine of the Day of Judgment: applied to
the doctrine of the thousand years kingdom of Christ.
 Preservation through Tribulation 125

Beverley, T. (1692). A Sermon Upon Revel. 11. 11, &c. Summoning the Expectation of
the Witnesses Rising: and of the Great Concurrent Works Daily Shewing Forth
Themselves, and to be Compleat by 1697, Etc. London.
Beverley, T. (1693). A Fresh Memorial of the Kingdom of Christ. William Marshal at the
Bible in Newgate-Street, and John Salusbury, at the Rising Sun in Corn-hill.
Beverley, T. (1696). The Catechism of the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the
Thousand Years. Marshall, and also.
Beverley, T. (1697). An Apology for the Hope of the Kingdom of Christ Appearing Within
This Approaching Year, 1697. BiblioBazaar.
Beverley, T. (1699). Indiction Or, Accounting by Fifteens, the Great Style of Prophetic
Time: Shewn by an Hundred Eighty Two Indictions, Or Fifteens of Years Given in
Scripture. W. Marshal ... and J. Marshal.
Bicheno, J. (1801). The Destiny of the German Empire. Messrs. Johnson; Mathews; and
Ogle; Ogle, Edinburgh; Ogle and Niven, Glasgow; James, Bristol; Gregory,
Flower, and Nicholson, Cambridge; Hazard, Bath; Snare and Rusher, Reading;
and Fuller, Newbury.
Bicheno, J. (1807). The restoration of the Jews. J.Barfield.
Bicheno, J. (1808). The signs of the times: in three parts. Printed by J. Adlard.
Bicheno, J. (1817). The fulfilment of prophecy farther illustrated by the signs of the times.
Printed for Ogles, Duncan, and Cochran.
Bickersteth, E. (1831). The Chief Concerns of Man for Time and Eternity. Being a
Course of Valedictory Discourses Preached at Wheler Chapel in ... 1830.
London.
Bickersteth, E. (1837). The Way of Christ Prepared: an Address Both to Christians and
Jews.
Bickersteth, E. (1838). The Christian Fathers of the First and Second Centuries; Their
Principal Remains at Large; with Selections from Their Other Writings, Partly
Marginal and Partly in Approved Translations: London.
Bickersteth, E. (1839). Remarks on the Dangers of the Church of Christ; Its Final
Triumph and Our Present Duties: Designed as a Call to Watchfulness and
Prayer. Seeley, Burnside.
Bickersteth, E. (1839). The Time to Favour Zion; Or an Appeal to the Gentile Churches
in Behalf of the Jews, Being the Substance of Four Sermons, Etc: Edinburgh; L. &
G. Seeley: London.
Bickersteth, E. (1840). Come Out of Rome; the Voice from Heaven to the People of God.
A Sermon, Etc.
Bickersteth, E. (1841). The restoration of the Jews to their own land: in connection with
their future conversion and the final blessedness of our earth. R.B. Seeley and W.
Burnside.
Bickersteth, E. (1843). The Second Coming, the Judgment and the Kingdom of Christ:
Being Lectures Delivered During Lent, 1843, at St. George's, Bloomsbury. By
Twelve Clergymen of the Church of England.
Bickersteth, E. (1844). A practical guide to the Prophecies, with reference to their
interpretation and fulfilment, and to personal edification. Seeley, Burnside, and
Seeley.
Bickersteth, E. (1844). The Promised Glory of the Church of Christ. London.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 126

Bickersteth, E. (1845). Address to Christians in Behalf of Destitute Jews, who Have Been
Baptized, Or are Inquiring Into Christianity.
Bickersteth, E. (1845). The Signs of the Times in the East: A Warning to the West (1845).
Kessinger Publishing.
Bickersteth, E. (1846). The Divine Warning to the Church, at this Time, of Our Present
Enemies, Dangers, and Duties, and as to Our Future Prospects. Seeley, Burnside
& Seeley.
Bickersteth, E. (1846). Israel's Sins, and Israel's Hopes. Being Lectures Delivered
During Lent, 1846, at St. George's, Bloombury. James Nisbet and Company.
Bickersteth, E. (1846). Waiting for the Coming of Christ.
Bickersteth, E. (1848). The Destruction of Babylon and the Nations, Specially in
Reference to England's Position.
Bickersteth, E. (1849). The New Covenant with Israel and Judah the Fruit of Christ's
More Excellent Ministry. [A Lecture.].
Bickersteth, E. (1865). "Behold He Cometh".
Bickersteth, E. (1868). The Victor, on His Throne, Delivering Up the Kingdom. [A
Sermon.].
Bickersteth, E. (1870). The Resurrection of the Body. Rivingtons.
Bickersteth, E., & MARSHALL, J. (1845). The Special Blessedness of Those who Die in
the Lord Before the Last Tribulation. Seeley, Burnside & Seeley.
Bickersteth, E., & Society, A. R. (1843). The Judgment According to Works at the
Coming of Christ: A Sermon Preached at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row,
Bloomsbury ... June 15, 1843. Seeley and Company.
Bickersteth, E. H. (1854). Ezekiel. John Deighton.
Bickersteth, E. H. (1869). Hades and heaven: or, What does Scripture reveal of the estate
and employments of the blessed dead and of the risen saints. R. Carter and
brothers.
Bickersteth, E. H. (1869). The Second Death: Or, The Certainty of Everlasting
Punishment : a Paper Read Before the London Clerical Conference, in the Vestry
Room of St. Giles-in-the-Fields. Rivingtons.
Bickle, M. (2008). Book of Revelation Study Guide. Strang Book Group.
Birks, T. R. (1843). First elements of sacred prophecy: including an examination of
several recent expositions and of the year-day theory. W.E. Painter.
Birks, T. R. (1845). The Four Prophetic Empires and the Kingdom of Messiah: Being an
Exposition of the First Two Visions of Daniel. Seeley, Burnside and Seeley.
Birks, T. R. (1846). The two later visions of Daniel: historically explained. Seeley,
Burnside, and Seeley.
Birks, T. R. (1852). A memoir of the rev. Edward Bickersteth.
Birks, T. R. (1880). Thoughts on the times and seasons of sacred prophecy.
Blomberg, C. (1998). Eschatology and the Church: Some New Testament Perspectives.
Themelios, 23, 3-26.
Blomberg, C. L., & Chung, S. W. (2009). A case for historic premillennialism: an
alternative to "left behind" eschatology. Baker Publishing Group.
Boice, J. M. (1972). The Bible Study Hour Presents Bible Studies: Studies in Prophecy,
Christmas Message. Bible Study Hour.
Boice, J. M. (1974). The Last and Future World. Zondervan Publishing House.
 Preservation through Tribulation 127

Boice, J. M. (1986). Foundations of the Christian Faith. InterVarsity Press.

Boice, J. M. (2006). Daniel. Baker Publishing Group.
Bonar, H. (1851). The grace, the service and the kingdom. Nisbet & Co.
Bonar, H. (1852). The new Jerusalem, a hymn [ed. by H. Bonar].
Bonar, H. (1853). The Church in Sardis: A Sermon, Delivered on Sunday Evening,
August 28th, 1853, at Ranelagh Presbyterian Church, George Street, Sloane
Square, Chelsea.
Bonar, H. (1854). The eternal day.
Bonar, H. (1863). Behold, I make all things new, or, the lines of pre-millennialism.
Charles Campbell.
Bonar, H. (1868). Revelation. Dust & Ashes Publications.
Bonar, H. (1875). Signs of the nearing Advent of Christ. Mason, Firth, & McCutcheon,
Printers.
Bonar, H., & Barnes, C. E. (1878). The second personal coming of Christ. Advent
Christian Publication Society.
Bonar, H., & Blackwood, S. A. (1879). The Sure Word of Prophecy.
Bonar, H., & Brown, D. (1849). The coming and kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. J.
Rutherfurd.
Bonar, H., & Christ, J. (1847). Prophetical landmarks; containing data for helping to
determine the question of Christ's pre-millennial advent. James Nisbet.
Boyce, J. C. (1880). Nigh Unto the End; Or, a Passage in Sacred Prophecy, (Rev. XVI.
12-15.) Now in Course of Translation Into History, Considered. London.
Brightman, T. (1642). Reverend Mr. Brightmans Iudgement, Or Prophesies what Shall
Befall Germany, Scotland, Holland, and the Churches Adhering to Them. R. H. in
Queens-head Alley.
Brightman, T. (1644). Most Comfortable Exposition of the Last and Most Difficult Part of
the Prophecie of Daniel, from the 26. Verse of the 11. Chapter, to the End of the
12. Chapter.
Brightman, T. (1644). The Revelation of Saint John: Illustrated with Analysis and
Scholions. Thomas Stafford.
Brightman, T., Archer, J., Hayne, T., & Mede, J. (1645). Christs kingdome on earth,
opened according to the Scriptures.
Brightman, T., & Dent, A. (1798). The ruin of Rome: or, An exposition upon the whole
Revelation. Printed by Napier and Khull for S. Gardner.
Brightman, T., & Halsted, J. (1647). Brightman Redivivus: Or, the Post-humian Of-
spring of Mr Thomas Brightman. London.
Brightman, T., & Heywood, T. (1641). Brightmans Predictions and Prophesies: Written
46. Yeares Since; Concerning the Three Churches of Germanie, England and
Scotland.
Brooks, J. W. (1831). Investigator and Expositor of Prophecy. 5V. Simpkin and Marshall.
Brooks, J. W. (1834). Abdiel's essays on the Advent and kingdom of Christ: and the
events connected therewith.
Brooks, J. W. (1835). A dictionary of writers on the prophecies, by the ed. of the
Investigator on prophecy.
Brooks, J. W. (1840). Essays on the advent and kingdom of Christ, and the events
connected therewith. O. Rogers.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 128

Brooks, J. W. (1841). Elements of Prophetical Interpretation. General Books.

Brooks, J. W. (1841). The history of the Hebrew nation. R.B. Seeley and W. Burnside.
Brooks, J. W. (1842). Lectures on subjects connected with prophecy (by J.W. Brooks).
(Edinb. assoc. for promoting the study of prophecy).
Brooks, J. W. (1842). The Testimony of Prophecy Concerning the Conversion of the
Gentiles and the Restoration of the Jews: an Address, Etc.
Brooks, J. W. (1857). The Comet Will Not Strike the World, Neither Burn it: A Sermon
Preached at St. Mary's, Nottingham, May 24, 1857. W. Dearden.
Broughton, H. (1610). A Reuelation of the Holy Apocalyps. BiblioBazaar.
Broughton, H., Boreel, J., & Henricpetri, S. (1599). Commentarius In Danielem: Per
Sebastianvm Henricpetri.
Brown, H. (1745). Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho the Jew. Printed for the editor,
by W. Jackson.
Brown, J. A. (1823). The Even-Tide; Or, Last Triumph of the Blessed and Only
Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; Being a Development of the
Mysteries of Daniel and St. John, and of the Prophecies Respecting the Renovated
Kingdom of Israel, Etc. London.
Brown, J. A., & Frere, J. H. (1827). The Jew, the master-key of the Apocalypse; in
answer to mr Frere's 'General structure' [&c.].
Bulkeley, R., Comenius, J. A., Daut, J. M., & Misson, F. M. (1689). Prophetical
Extracts. G. Terry.
Bunyan, J. (1692). Of Antichrist, and His Ruin (Mobi Classics). MobileReference.
Burgh, W. (1821). The Coming of the Day of God, in Connexion with the First
Resurrection - the Reign of Christ on Earth - the Restitution of All Things, Etc.
Richard Moore Tims. Sold in London.
Burgh, W. (1840). The Pre-millennial Advent and Personal Reign of Christ:
Demonstrated in Four Advent Sermons, Preached on Sundays, December the 1st,
8th, 15th, and 22nd, 1839. With an Appendix of Notes. Richard Moore Tims.
Burgh, W. (1841). Lectures on the Second Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ: And
Connected Events, with an Introduction on the Use of Unfulfilled Prophecy. B.M.
Tims.
Burgh, W. (1857). An exposition of the book of the Revelation. Hodges, Smith, & Co.
Burnet, T. (1816). The Sacred Theory of the Earth: In which are Set Forth the Wisdom of
God Displayed in the Works of the Creation, Salvation, and Consummation of All
Things. T. Kinnersley.
Buswell, J. O. (1937). Unfulfilled prophecies. Zondervan Pub. House.
Buswell, J. O. (1962). A systematic theology of the Christian religion. Zondervan Pub.
House.
Buzzard, A. F. (1988). The Coming Kingdom of the Messiah: The Solution to the Riddle
of the New Testament. Ministry School Publications.
Cameron, R. (1896). The doctrine of the ages. Revell.
Cameron, R. (1922). Scriptural Truth about the Lord's Return. Fleming H. Revell
Company.
Canfield, J. M. (2004). The Incredible Scofield and His Book. Ross House Books.
Carson, D. A. (2007). New Testament Commentary Survey. Baker Publishing Group.
Carson, D. A., & Moo, D. J. (2009). An Introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan.
 Preservation through Tribulation 129

Cary, M. (1648). The Resurrection of the Witnesses; and Englands Fall from (the
Mystical Babylon) Rome. D.M.
Cary, M. (1651). The Little Horns Doom & Downfall: Or A Scripture-prophesie of King
James, and King Charles, and of this Present Parliament, Unfolded: Wherein it
Appeares, that ... the Late Kings Doom and Death, was So Long Ago, as by
Daniel Predeclared: author.
Caverhill, J. (1777). An Explanation of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel, and of the Several
Sections of These Seventy Weeks ... To which is Added an Exposition of the
Chronology of the Jewish Judges, Etc. London.
Clarke, A. (1763). A View of the Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom. Author, and sold.
Clarke, D. G. A. (1957). The Historical Development of the Christian Doctrine of the
Resurrection of the Body. Trinity College.
Clarke, J. E. (1814). Dissertation on the dragon, beast, and falseprophet, of the
Apocalypse. Printed for the author.
Clarke, R. (1759). An Essay on the Number Seven: Wherein the Duration of the Church
of Rome, and of the Mahometan Imposture. J. Rivington and J. Fletcher.
Clarke, R. (1759). The Prophetic Numbers of Daniel and John Calculated in Order to
Shew the Time when the Day of Judgement ... is to be Expected: H. Gaine.
Clarke, R. (1759). Questions & Answers to the Prophetic Numbers of Daniel & John
Calculated: In Order to Shew the Time, when the Day of Judgment for this First
Age of the Gospel is to be Expected: Green & Russell, and Edes & Gill.
Clarke, R. (1760). A Spiritual Voice to the Christian Church, and to the Jews. J.
Townsend.
Clarke, R. (1770). A Second Warning to the World, by the Spirit of Prophecy in an
Explanation of the Mysteries in the Feast of Trumpets on the First Day of The.
BiblioBazaar.
Clarke, R. (1775). A Series of Dialogues, Addressed to the Jews in the 35th Jubilee of
Their Dispersion and Captivity. Author; and sold.
Clayton, R. (1749). A Dissertation on Prophecy Wherein the Coherence and Connexion
of the Prophecies in Both the Old and New Testament are Fully Considered
Together with an Explanation of the Revelation of St. John. J. Watts.
Clayton, R. (1751). An enquiry into the time of the coming of the Messiah in 2015:
Printed for J. Brindley.
Clöter, C. (1861). Das Ewige Evangelium vom kommenden Weltreich des Messias: Die
Lehren der allgemeinen apostolischen Kirche aus dem Zusammenhange der
Evangelien und der Episteln des Kirchenjahres gezogen, in Betrachtungen über
die sonn- und festtäglichen Evangelien und Episteln. Himmer.
Clouse, R. G. (1963). The Influence of John Henry Alsted on English Millenarian
Thought in the Seventeenth Century. University of Iowa.
Cole, P. R., & Alsted, J. H. (2010). A Neglected Educator: Johann Heinrich Alsted.
BiblioBazaar.
Collins, O. E. (2007). The Final Prophecy of Jesus: An Introduction, Analysis and
Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Wipf & Stock Pub.
Comenius, J. A., Kotter, C., Poniatowska, K., & Drabicius, N. (1663). Revelationum
divinarum, in usum seculi nostri quibusdam nuper factarum, Epitome:. S. N.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 130

Comstock, C. (1827). Some Scripture facts and prophecies illustrated in a treatise in

answer to three questions. Printed by R. Bannister.
Comstock, C., & Haswell, A. (1808). A Key to the Revelations, Or An Exposition of the
Prophecies, According to Lowman and Faber. A. Haswell, printer, Bennington,
Vermont.
Cooper, R. B. (1833). Commentary on the Revelation of st. John. J.G. & F. Rivington.
Couch, M. (1997). Dictionary of Premillennial Theology. Kregel Publications.
Cox, J. Is the Second Coming of Christ Before Or After the Millennium? What Saith the
Scriptures? Ward & Company.
Cox, J. (1840). A Millenarians̓ Answer of the Hope that is in Him: Or a Brief Statement
and Defence of the Doctrine of Christs̓ Pre-millennial Advent and Personal Reign
on Earth. O. Rogers.
Cox, J. (1856). The First Fruits: A Scriptural Inquiry Into the Time and Season of the
First Resurrection, and the Change of Those who are Alive and Remain. W.S.
Young, printer.
Cox, J. (1860). Themes for Thought in the Prophetic Page. London.
Cox, J. (1862). The Future: an Outline of Events Predicted in the Holy Scriptures; Being
a Revised Edition of "Themes for Thought in the Prophetic Page." London.
Cox, J. (1878). The Path of Life and the Perfect Rest, Or, a Glance at the World Above
and the World to Come. By a Pilgrim of Seventy [i.e. J. Cox]. [Edited by His Son
John Cox.] London.
Cox, J. (1897). Prophecy, Its Importance and General Scope. Houlston & Sons.
Cox, J. (1898). Time; Its Dispensations and Its Rivers. With Illustrative Diagram:
London.
Cox, J. (1910). A Premillennial Manual. J. Nisbet & Company.
Cox, J. (2010). Thoughts on the Coming and Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ Thoughts
on the Coming and Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ. General Books.
Cressener, D. (1689). The judgments of God upon the Roman-Catholick church, from its
first rigid laws for universal conformity to it, unto its last end. Printed for R.
Chiswell.
Cressener, D. (1690). A Demonstration of the First Principles of the Protestant
Applications of the Apocalypse. London.
Croly, G. (1827). The Apocalypse of St. John: or Prophecy of the rise, progress, and fall
of the Church of Rome; the inquisition. E. Littell.
Croly, G. (1834). Divine providence; or, The three cycles of revelation.
Culbertson, R. (1826). Lectures, expository and practical, on the book of Revelation.
Culver, R. D. (1947). The genuineness of the book of Daniel. Grace Theological
Seminary.
Culver, R. D. (1952). A basis for the premillennial interpretation of the book of Daniel.
Grace Theological Seminary.
Culver, R. D. (1954). Daniel and the latter days. F. H. Revell Co.
Culver, R. D. (1972). Expository and explanatory lectures on the Book of Daniel. S. N.
Culver, R. D. (1980). The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel. BMH Books.
Culver, R. D. (2005). Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical. Stl Distribution
North Amer.
Cumming, J. (1850). Lectures on the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.
 Preservation through Tribulation 131

Cumming, J. (1851). Rome, the Babylon of the Apocalypse.

Cumming, J. (1854). Cumming's Works.
Cumming, J. (1855). Apocalyptic sketches: or, Lectures on the book of Revelation.
Delivered in the large room, Exeter Hall, in 1847-48. Hall & co.
Cumming, J. (1855). The End: Or, the Proximate Signs of the Close of This Dispensation.
BiblioLife.
Cumming, J. (1855). Signs of the times: or, Present, past, and future. Lindsay and
Blakiston.
Cumming, J. (1860). The book of Daniel. (Sabbath morning readings on the Old Test.).
Cumming, J. (1860). The great preparation; or Redemption draweth nigh. Rudd &
Carleton.
Cumming, J. (1860). The Great Tribulation or Things Coming on the Earth.
Cumming, J. (1864). The Destiny of Nations as Indicated in Prophecy. Hurst & Blackett.
Cumming, J. (1864). The Great Consummation: The Millennial Rest. Nabu Press.
Cumming, J. (1865). Behold the bridegroom cometh, the last warning cry, with reasons
for the hope that is in me. James Nisbet & Co.
Cumming, J. (1867). The last warning cry: with reasons for the hope that is in me. G. W.
Carlton.
Cumming, J. (1868). When shall these things be? Or, Signs of the last times.
Cumming, J., & Elliott, E. B. (1868). Conversations on the Book of Revelation.
Cuninghame, W. (1810). Remarks upon David Levi's Dissertations on the prophecies
relative to the Messiah: and upon the evidences of the divine character of Jesus
Christ: addressed to the consideration of the Jews. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury.
Cuninghame, W. (1832). A dissertation on the seals and trumpets of the Apocalypse: and
the prophetical period of twelve hundred and sixty years. Thomas Cadell.
Cuninghame, W. (1839). The fulness of the times: being an analysis of the chronology of
the seventy. In two parts. ... With an introductory dissertation, wherein is
established the epoch of the fall of Adam, &c. J. Nisbet and co.
Cunningham, W. (1862). The Reformers: And the Theology of the Reformation.
Cunningham, W. (1870). Historical Theology: A Review of the Principal Doctrinal
Discussions in the Christian Church Since the Apostolic Age. T. & T. Clark.
Cunninghame, W. (1818). The Apostasy of the Church of Rome and the Identity of the
Paper Power. Young, Gallie and Company.
Cunninghame, W. (1828). A Summary View of the Scriptural Argument for the Second
and Glorious Advent of Messiah Before the Millennium. Maurice Ogle.
Cunninghame, W., & Wardlaw, R. (1830). A Review of the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw's Sermon
on the Millennium: With an Answer to His Arguments Against the Millennial
Resurrection and Reign of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus. J. Smith and Son.
Dallas, A. R. C. (1850). Introduction to prophetical researches, the divine purpose, as it
may be gathered from holy Scripture.
Daubuz, C., & Lancaster, P. (1730). A perpetual commentary on the Revelation of St.
John. Printed for the author, and sold by W. Innys.
Daubuz, C., Lancaster, P., & Habershon, M. (1842). A symbolical dictionary. J. Nisbet
and co.
Daubuz, C., & Wemyss, T. (1840). A key to the symbolical language of Scripture: by
which numerous passages are explained and illustrated. Thomas Clark.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 132

Dearman, J. A. (2005). Left behind?: Reading the Bible with dispensationalists. Austin
Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Dixon, A. C., Webb-Peploe, H. W., Gooch, W. F., Langston, E. L., Morgan, G. C.,
Schofield, A. T., . . . Holden, J. S. (1918). Advent Testimony Addresses Delivered
at the Meetings at Queen's Hall, London, December 13th, 1917. Chas. J. Thynne.
Dunn, H. (1850). The Revelation of St. John, Simply Analyzed and Briefly Expounded.
Elliott, E. B. (1847). Hore Apocalyptice Or a Commentary on the Apocalyps.
BiblioBazaar.
Elliott, E. B. (1853). Church History the Key to Prophecy. A Series of Lectures for
Family, School-room, and General Use.
Elliott, E. B., & Alford, H. (1862). Apocalypsis Alfordiana, or, five letters to ... H. Alford,
..., in refutation of his Apocalyptic exposition, and vindication from his criticisms
of that given in the "Horæ Apocalypticæ:" together with a brief critical inquiry
into the literary character ... of his general Greek New Testament Commentary.
Elliott, E. B., Cumming, J., Chalmers, T., Hitchcock, E., Wesley, J., & Congregationalist,
A. (1856). "The Time of the End:": A Prophetic Period, Developing, as Predicted,
an Increase of Knowledge Respecting the Prophecies and Periods that Foretell
the End. J. P. Jewett.
Erbery, W. (1648). The Lord of Hosts: Or, God Guarding the Camp of the Saints, and the
Beloved City. Tho. Newcomb.
Erbery, W. (1652). The Sword Doubled to Cut Off Both the Righteous and the Wicked;
Drawn Forth in Two Following Discourse.
Erbery, W. (1653). A Flash of Lightning from the East: To Fright All the Inhabitants of
the Earth : With a Petition to the High Court of Heaven, in Behalf of the Nation ;
as Also, An Alarm to the Army and General.
Erbery, W. (1654). Great Earthquake, Revel. 16.18., Or Fall of All the Churches:
Discovering the Apostasie of Purest Churches Not Yet Sensible to Their Spiritual
Whoredoms, Or, the Great Whore Made Bare and Naked Before She be Judged,
and Her Flesh Burnt with Fire. Pr. for Giles Calvert.
Erbery, W. (1654). The Man of Peace: Or, The Glorious Appearance of the Great God in
His People, Rising as a Man of War, to Waste the Assyrian, that Is, the Mighty
Oppressor, Or Enemy to Our Peace. James Cottrel.
Erbery, W. (1770). A Scourge for the Assirian the Great Oppressor, According to the
Slaughter of Midian, by the Anointing Isai 10, 26, 27: W. Laplain.
Erbery, W. (2012). The Testimony of William Erbery, Left Upon for the Saints of
Suceeding Ages. HardPress.
Erbery, W., & Cottrell, J. (1654). An Olive-leaf: Or, Some Peaceable Considerations to
the Christian Meeting at Christs-Church in London, Munday, Jan. 9. 1653 : Also,
the Reign of Christ, and the Saints with Him, on Earth, a Thousand Yeers, One
Day, and the Day at Hand. Imprinted at London by J. Cottrel.
Erdman, W. J., Erdman, C. R. (1913). The Return of Christ. W.J. Erdman.
Erdman, W. J., & Erdman, C. R. (1930). Notes on Revelation. Fleming H. Revell
Company.
Erdman, W. J., Erdman, C. R., & Erdman, F. (1920). A Theory Reviewed.
Erickson, M. J. (1977). Contemporary options in eschatology: a study of the millennium.
Baker Book House.
 Preservation through Tribulation 133

Erickson, M. J. (1998). Basic Guide to Eschatology, A: Making Sense of the Millennium.

Baker Publishing Group.
Erickson, M. J. (1998). Christian Theology: Baker Publishing Group.
Eyre, J. (1771). Observations upon the prophecies relating to the restoration of the Jews;
with an appendix in answer to the objections of some late writers. Printed for T.
Cadell.
Eyre, J., & Witherby, W. (1818). A review of Scripture, in testimony of the truth of the
second advent, the first resurrection and the millenium. With an appendix
containing extracts from J. Eyre's Observations on the prophecies relating to the
restoration of the Jews. By a layman [W. Witherby].
Eyton, E. T. (1855). Dates in Daniel and the Revelation.
Faber, G. S. (1803). A dissertation on the mysteries of the Cabiri or the great gods of
Phenice ...: being an Attempt to deduce the feveral Orgies of Isis, Ceres, Mithras,
Bacchus. University Press.
Faber, G. S. (1808). A dissertation on the prophecies, that have been fulfilled, are now
fulfilling, or will beherafter fulfilled. Published by Andrews and Cummings,
Greenough and Stebbins, printers.
Faber, G. S. (1809). A general & connected view of the prophecies, relative to the
conversion, restoration, union & future glory of the houses of Judah & Israel: W.
Andrews.
Faber, G. S. (1811). A dissertation on the prophecy contained in Daniel ix, 24-27.
Faber, G. S. (1814). A Dissertation on the Prophecies ... relative to The Great Period of
1260 Years etc.
Faber, G. S. (1828). The sacred calendar of prophecy; or, A dissertation on the
prophecies which treat of the grand period of seven times and especially of its
second moiety.
Faber, G. S. (1845). Eight dissertations on certain connected prophetical passages of
Holy Scripture: bearing, more or less, upon the promise of a mighty deliverer.
Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley.
Faber, G. S. (1853). The predicted downfall of the Turkish power the preparation for the
return of the ten tribes.
Faber, G. S. (1859). Napoleon III, the man of prophecy: or, The revival of the French
emperorship anticipated from the necessity of prophecy. Appleton.
Faber, G. S., & Frere, J. H. (1815). Remarks on the effusion of the fifth apocalyptic vial,
and the late extraordinary restoration of the imperial revolutionary government
of France; to which is added a critical examination of mr. Frere's Combined view
of the prophecies of Daniel, Esdras and st. John.
Faber, G. S., Graves, R. H., & Keith, A. (1858). Terminal Synchronism of Daniel's Two
Principal Periods: Two Thousand Three Hundred Days, and a Time, Times, and
the Dividing of Time. London.
Faber, G. S., & Whitaker, E. W. (1806). A supplement to the Dissertation on the 1260
years: containing a full reply to the objections and misrepresentations of the rev.
E.W. Whitaker.
Fathers, A. (1948). The Didache, the Epistle of Barnabus, the Epistles and the
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, the Fragments of Papias, the Epistle to Diognetus.
Newman Press.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 134

Fausset, A. R., Guinness, H. G., Godet, F. L., Beet, J. A., Edwards, T. C., & Brown, D.
(1887). The second advent: will it be before the millennium? Affirmative. J. Pott
and Co.
Faust, J. (2002). The rod: will God spare it? Schoettle Pub. Co.
Fessenden, D. (1999). Present Truths: The Historical and Contemporary Distinctives of
The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Alliance Academic Review 1999.
Fleming, R. (1793). A discourse on earthquakes: as supernatural and premonitory signs
to a nation, especially as to what occured in the year 1692. G. Terry.
Fleming, R. (1801). Shewing the exact accomplishment of the word of God, in his works
of providence, performed, and to be performed. Stephen Young.
Fleming, R. (1844). Apocalyptical key: a discourse on the rise and fall of anti-Christ; or,
The pouring out of the vials in the sixteenth chapter of Revelations. Printed by
R.C. Langdon.
Fleming, R., & Thomson, T. N. (1848). The rise and fall of Rome papal. Repr. with notes,
preface and a memoir of the author.
Fortunatus, V. H. C., & Fletcher, W. (1871). The works of Lactantius. T. & T. Clark.
Frank, E. (1995). A Survey of Early Premillennialism. WRS Journal 2:1 (February 1995),
7, 11-13, 16-17.
Fraser, A. (1802). A key to the prophecies of the Old & New Testaments: which are not
yet accomplished. Printed for D. Hogan, from the press of John Bioren.
Frere, J. H. (1826). A combined view of the prophecies of Daniel, Ezra, and St. John.
Printed for J. Hatchard.
Frere, J. H. (1831). Eight letters on the prophecies, relating to the last times.
Frere, J. H. (1833). Three letters on the prophecies, in continuation of eight letters,
published in 1831.
Frere, J. H. (1848). The great Continental Revolution marking the expiration of the Times
of the Gentiles, A.D. 1847-8. J. Hatchard.
Frere, J. H. (1850). Notes forming a brief interpretation of the Apocalypse: intended to be
read in connexion with 'The combined view of the prophecies of Daniel, Ezra, and
st. John'. J. Hatchard.
Froom, L. R. E. (1950). The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers: New World recovery and
consummation of prophetic interpretation (Vol. 1 - 4). Review and Herald.
Frost, H. W. (1924). Matthew Twenty-four and the Revelation: An Analysis, Literal
Translation and Exposition of Each. Oxford University Press.
Fry, H. W. (1919). Autobiography: s.n.
Fry, J. (1822). The second advent 2 vol. Printed for Ogle, Duncan, and co.
Fry, J. (1835). Observations on the unfulfilled prophecies of Scripture which are yet to
have their accomplishment before the coming of the Lord.
Galloway, J. (1802). Brief commentaries upon such parts of the Revelation and other
prophecies as immediately refer to the present times.
Gallus, C. (1592). Clavis prophetica: nova apocalypseōs Joannis apostoli et
evangeliographi. Apud Franciscum Raphelengium.
Garratt, S. (1854). Our Father: or, Jesus teaching to pray, an exposition of the Lord's
prayer.
Garratt, S. (1860). World Without End. Read Books.
Garratt, S. (1861). The midnight cry.
 Preservation through Tribulation 135

Garratt, S. (1868). Signs of the Times.

Garratt, S. (1871). Christian chivalry; or, The armour of God on the soldier of the Cross.
Gawler, J. C. (1881). The Two Olive Trees: (Zech. Iv. 11-14 ; Rev. Xi. 3-4). The Story of
the Two Witnesses; Or The Measuring of the Temple: Being Further Details by St.
John in Rev. Xi. Regarding the "Two Olive Trees" (Zech. Iv.) - the Houses of
Israel and Judah. The Seven Vials Or Plagues (Rev. Xvi.). W. H. Guest.
Gibson, S. M. (2001). A.J. Gordon: American Premillennialist. University Press of
America.
Gill, J. (1765). The doctrine of the wheels, in the visions of Ezekiel, opened and
explained: in a sermon preached to an assembly of ministers and churches, at the
meeting-house of the Rev. Mr. Anderson, ... April the 25th, 1765. Printed; and sold
by G. Keith; J. Robinson; and W. Lepard.
Gill, J. (1794). The sure performance of prophecy; and The glorious state of the saints in
heaven: Two sermons preached to the Society which supported the Wednesday's
Evening Lecture in Great East-cheap, January 1, and December 31, 1755. ... By
John Gill: Printed and published by J. Chalmers. Sold also by J. Mathews; M.
Trapp, J. Parsons, W. Button; T. Chapman; W. Ash, and J. Murgatroyd; D.
Taylor; and J. Fenley, Bristol.
Gill, J. (1812). The glory of the Church in the latter day, a sermon.
Gill, J. (2010). A Dissertation Concerning the Baptism of Jewish Proselytes: ... by John
Gill, D. D. This Dissertation was First Published at the End of the Body of Pra.
BiblioBazaar.
Girdlestone, R. B. (1869). Dies iræ: the judgment of the great day viewed in the light of
Scripture and conscience.
Girdlestone, R. B. (1955). Grammar of Prophecy: An Attempt to Discover the Method
Underlying the Prophetic Scriptures. Wipf & Stock Publishers.
Gordon, A. J. (1934). Behold He Cometh-Ecce Venit. (Second Edition.). London.
Gordon, E. B. (2009). Adoniram Judson Gordon. BiblioBazaar.
Greenhill, J. (1755). An Essay on the Prophecies of the New Testament: Which Relate to
the Destruction of Jerusalem, and the Dispersion of the Jews; to the Fall of Rome
and the Roman Empire, and to the Millennium. S. Crowder and H. Woodgate.
Greenhill, J. (1774). The Millennium: Or, a Dissertation on the Most Prosperous State of
the Church of Christ Here on Earth for a Thousand Years ... The Fifth Edition,
with Large Additions. London.
Grossman, R. A. (1981). The Rapture: Is It Before Or After the Tribulation.
Interdisciplinary Biblical research.
Groves, A. N. (1833). On the nature of Christian influence. Printed at the American
Mission Press.
Grudem, W. (2009). Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith. Inter-
Varsity Press.
Grudem, W. (2009). Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know.
Zondervan.
Grudem, W. (2009). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.
Zondervan.
Grudem, W. (2011). Making Sense of the Future: One of Seven Parts from Grudem's
Systematic Theology. Zondervan.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 136

Guinness, H. G. (1878). The approaching end of the age viewed in the light of history,
prophecy and science.
Guinness, H. G. (1888). The divine programme of the world's history. Hodder and
Stoughton.
Guinness, H. G. (1891). The city of the seven hills [a poem].
Guinness, H. G. (1896). Creation Centred in Christ. BiblioBazaar.
Guinness, H. G. (1899). Key to the Apocalypse; Or, The Seven Interpretations of
Symbolic Prophecy. London.
Guinness, H. G. (1906). History Unveiling Prophecy, Or, Time As an Interpreter.
General Books.
Guinness, H. G. (2011). Light for the Last Days: A Study Historic and Prophetic. Nabu
Press.
Gundry, R. H. (1973). The Church and the tribulation. Zondervan.
Gundry, R. H. (1996). First the Antichrist: Why Christ Won't Come Before the Antichrist
Does. Baker Books.
Gundry, R. H. (2005). The Old Is Better: New Testament Essays in Support of Traditional
Interpretations. Mohr Siebeck.
Gundry, S., Archer, G. L., Feinberg, P. D., Moo, D. J., & Reiter, R. R. (1996). Three
Views of the Rapture. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 199, 33-41.
Gundry, S. N., Blaising, C. A., Gentry Jr, K. L., Strimple, R. B., & Bock, D. L. (1999).
Three views on the millennium and beyond. Zondervan.
Habershon, M. (1834). A dissertation on the prophetic Scriptures. Printed by G. Ellerton,
and published by J. Nisbet.
Habershon, M. (1836). Pre-millennial Hymns. J. Nisbet.
Habershon, M. (1840). An historical dissertation [&c.].
Habershon, M. (1841). A Guide to the Study of Chronological Prophecy: Selected and
Abridged from a Larger Treatise by the Same Author, Entitled "A Dissertation on
the Prophetic Scriptures". O. Rogers.
Habershon, M. (1841). A Guide to the Study of Chronological Prophecy: Selected and
Abridged from a Larger Treatise by the Same Author, Entitled "A Dissertation on
the Prophetic Scriptures," &c. Orrin Rogers.
Habershon, M. (1841). An historical exposition of the prophecies of the Revelation of St.
John: shewing their connection with and confirmation of those of Daniel, and the
Old Testament in general; particularly in their most important aspect on the
present times. J. Nisbet and co.
Habershon, M. (1841). Literalist: essays and sermons on the advent and kingdom of
Christ, etc. Orrin Rogers.
Habershon, M. (1842). Two Remarkable Signs of the Times Viewed in Connexion with
Prophecy: First, Reasons for Believing the Death of the Duke of Orleans to be the
First Thunder, Second, an Authentic Account of the West London Synagogue of
British Jews...forming an Appendix to the Third Edition of "A Dissertation on the
Prophetic Scriptures", Lately Published. James Nisbet.
Habershon, M. (1845). The Shadow of the Evening: Or the Signs of the Lord's Speedy
Return. James Nisbet.
 Preservation through Tribulation 137

Habershon, M. (2010). A Guide to the Study of Chronological Prophecy: Selected and

Abridged from a Larger Treatise by the Same Author, Entitled A Dissertation on
the Prop. BiblioBazaar.
Hall, E. H. (2009). Papias and His Contemporaries; a Study of Religious Thought in the
Second Century. BiblioLife.
Hallet, J. (1726). A Free and Impartial Study of the Holy Scriptures Recommended:
Being Notes on Some Peculiar Texts, with Discourses and Observations, Etc.
Hamilton, J. M., & Hughes, R. K. (2012). Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches.
Crossway.
Hamilton, J. M. J. (2006). God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old And
New Testaments. B&H Publishing Group.
Hamilton, J. M. J. (2010). God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgment: A Biblical
Theology. Good News Pub.
Hamilton, J. M. J., & Hughes, R. K. (2012). Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the
Churches. Good News Pub.
Hammon, G., & Holland, H. (1658). Syon's Redemption, and Original Sin Vindicated ...
Being an Answer to a Book of Mr. H. Holland. By G. Hammon. (Annotations
Upon the Ninth Chapter to the Romans.).
Hammon, G., & Holland, H. (1660). Truth and Innocency Prevailing Against Error and
Insolency: [concerning Baptism, the Resurrection, God's Love to Mankind, and
the Personal Reign of Christ Upon Earth].
Hardy, F. W. (1986). An historicist perspective on Daniel 11. Univ. Microfilms Internat.
Hardy, F. W. (1995). Studies in Revelation: Revelation 4-5 and 19a. Frank W. Hardy.
Hardy, S. (1770). The Principal Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments; Particularly
Those in the Revelation of St. John, Compared and Explained.
Harris, R. L., Dunnett, W. M., Schultz, S. J., & Smith, G. V. (2007). Exploring the Bible:
A Guide to the Old and New Testaments:. Crossway.
Harris, R. L., Quek, S. H., & Vannoy, J. R. (1986). Interpretation & History: Essays in
Honour of Allan A. MacRae. Christian Life Publishers.
Hartley, T. (1799). Paradise Restored: Or, a Testimony to the Doctrine of the Blessed
Millennium. BiblioBazaar.
Henry, M., & Packer, J. I. (1999). Revelation. Crossway.
Hermas, S. (1997). The Shepherd of Hermas. Old Hutterian Publishing Company.
Holden, J. S. (1918). Will the Christ Return? Fleming H. Revell Company.
Holmes, J. I. (1815). The Fulfilment of the Revelation of Saint John Elucidated ... with an
Illustration of the New Jerusalem, and Certain Portions of Daniel and Ezekiel. J.
Hatchard.
Holmes, J. I. (1815). The Revelation of saint John ... elucidated, from its commencement
A.D.96 to the overthrow of the French empire under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Homes, N. (1833). The resurrection revealed: or, The dawning of the day-star. Simpkin
and Marshall.
Hopkins, S. (1793). A treatise on the millennium. Arno Press.
Horner, B. E. (2000). The Olivet Discourse Matthew 24
Horner, B. E. (2004). Judeo-Centric Eschatology: An ethical challenge to Reformed
eschatology.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 138

Horner, B. E., & Clendenen, E. R. (2007). Future Israel: Why Christian Anti-Judaism
Must Be Challenged. B&H Publishing Group.
Hort, R. (1748). A Sermon on the Glorious Kingdom of Christ Upon Earth: Or the
Millennium. Preached at Christ-Church, Dublin, on the Second Sunday in Advent,
1747. By Robert Hort. Dublin printed: and London re-printed for W. Reeve.
Hotson, H. (2000). Johann Heinrich Alsted, 1588-1638: Between Renaissance,
Reformation, and Universal Reform. Clarendon Press.
Hotson, H. B. (1994). Johann Heinrich Alsted: Encyclopedism, Millenarianism and the
Second Reformation in Germany. University of Oxford.
Howe, T. (1801). The millennium: or, Chearful prospects of the reign of truth, peace, and
righteousness. Printed and sold by Thomas Norris.
Hythe, E. J., & Bickersteth, E. (1868). Signs of Our Times: April 1 [and] May 1, 1868 : a
Monthly Magazine of Second Advent and Prophetic Exposition, and General
Intelligence. J. Snow.
Irving, E. (1824). For the oracles of God, four orations: For judgment to come, an
argument, in nine parts. T. Hamilton.
Irving, E. (1827). Preliminary Discourse to Ben-Ezra's Work: On the Second Advent.
Irving, E. (1828). Babylon and infidelity foredoomed of God: a discourse on the
prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse. The church missionary house.
Irving, E. (1828). The last days: a discourse on the evil character of these our times,
proving them to be the 'perilous times' of the 'last days'.
Irving, E. (1828). On Subjects National and Prophetical, 7 Discourses. Seeley &
Burnside.
Irving, E. (1829). Daniel's Vision: Of the Four Beasts and of the Son of Man Opened, and
Applied to Our Present Crisis in Church and State. J. Nisbet.
Irving, E. (1829). Lectures on the book of the Revelation.
Irving, E. (1829). The Signs of the Times. London.
Irving, E. (1831). Exposition of the book of Revelation. 3v. Baldwin and Cardock.
Irving, E. (1860). Sermons for the Last Days: Ordination Charge. D. Hobbs & Company.
Irving, E. (1867). The Prophetical Works of Edward Irving. Strahan.
Isreels, J. (1827). Ezekiel's temple: being an attempt to delineate the structure of the holy
edifice.
Jackson, J. L. (1830). The Millennial Church, Or, Christ's Personal Reign Upon Earth.
Jerram, C. (2010). An Essay Tending to Shew the Grounds Contained in Scripture for
Expecting a Future Restoration of the Jews by Charles Jerram. BiblioLife.
Jones, T. (1835). Sober views of the millennium.
Keener, C. S. (1999). A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. W.B. Eerdmans Pub.
Keener, C. S. (2000). NIV Application Commentary: Revelation. Hodder General
Publishing Division.
Keener, C. S. (2009). Revelation. Zondervan.
Keith, A. (1832). The signs of the times: as denoted by the fulfilment of historical
predictions: traced down from the Babylonish captivity to the present time.
Jonathan Leavitt.
Keith, A. (1843). The land of Israel, according to the covenant with Abraham, with Isaac,
and with Jacob. William Whyte.
 Preservation through Tribulation 139

Keith, A. (1847). An Examination of Mr. Elliott's Theory of the First Six Seals, and of the
Death, Resurrection and Ascension of the Witnesses: Profixed to the Eighth
Edition of "The Signs of the Times". William Whyte & Company.
Keith, A. (1851). The harmony of prophecy: or, Scriptural illustrations of the
Apocalypse. Harper & brothers.
King, E. (1798). Remarks on the signs of the times. Printed for George Nicol.
Kirchmaier, G. C., & Kunad, A. (1694). Quatuor equites apocalypticos.
Klein, W. W., Blomberg, C. L., & Dr Robert L Hubbard, J. (2004). Introduction to
Biblical Interpretation. T. Nelson.
Kleist, J. A. (1948). The Didache, The Epistle of Barnabas: The Epistles and The
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, The Fragments of Papias, The Epistle to Diognetus.
Newman Press.
Knight, J., & Wesley, J. (1773). An Extract of Two Discourses on the Conflagration and
Renovation of the World. William Pine.
Koester, C. R. (2001). Revelation and the End of All Things. W.B. Eerdmans.
Lacunza, M., & Irving, E. (1827). The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty. L. B.
Seeley.
Lacunza, M., & Smart, W. D. (1929). A New Antichrist: Extracts from The Coming of the
Messiah in Glory and Majesty. William D. Smart.
Ladd, G. (1952). The Kingdom of God In the Jewish Apocryphal Literature. Bibliotheca
Sacra, 109, 164-174.
Ladd, G. E. (1949). The Eschatology of the Didache: A Dissertation. Harvard University.
Ladd, G. E. (1952). Crucial questions about the kingdom of God: the sixth annual mid-
year lectures of 1952 delivered at Western Conservative Baptist Theological
Seminary of Portland, Oregon. W. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Ladd, G. E. (1958). The place of apocalyptic in Biblical religion.
Ladd, G. E. (1959). The gospel of the kingdom: scriptural studies in the kingdom of God.
Eerdmans.
Ladd, G. E. (1961). Crucial questions about the kingdom. Michigan Eardman.
Ladd, G. E. (1966). Jesus and the kingdom: the eschatology of Biblical realism. S.P.C.K.
Ladd, G. E. (1972). A commentary on the Revelation of John. Eerdmans.
Ladd, G. E. (1978). The last things: an eschatology for Laymen. Eerdmans.
Ladd, G. E. (1990). The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the
Rapture. Eerdmans.
Ladd, G. E. (1996). The presence of the future: the eschatology of biblical realism.
Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Ladd, G. E., Hoyt, H. A., Boettner, L., Hoekema, A. A., & Clouse, R. G. (1977). The
Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. IVP Academic.
Lancaster, P. (1722). A chronological essay, on the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel:
or, An interpretation, of the prophecy of the seventy weeks.
Landes, R. (2011). Heaven on Earth:The Varieties of the Millennial Experience: Oxford
University Press, USA.
Landes, R. A., & Works, B. R. (2000). Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial
Movements. Routledge.
Lang, G. H. (1950). The histories and prophecies of Daniel. Kregel Publications.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 140

Lang, G. H. (1985). The Revelation of Jesus Christ: select studies. Conley & Schoettle
Pub. Co.
Lang, G. H. (1988). Anthony Norris Groves, saint and pioneer: a combined study of a
man of God and the original principles and practices of the Brethren with
applications to present conditions. Schoettle.
Lang, G. H. (1988). Israel's national future: the testimony of the word of God. Schoettle
Pub. Co.
Lange, J. (1740). Gloria Christi et Christianismi apocalyptico-prophetica nec non
antisociana et antiiudaica.
Lange, J. P. (1876). A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Ezekil, Daniel. Nabu Press.
Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (1874). The Revelation. Zondervan.
Lawrence, J. (1800). A Description of the Work of Divine Grace on the Souls of Saved
Sinners: In Its Origin, Progress, and Completion. Biggs and Cottle, sold by the
author.
Lead, J. (1695). Offenbahrung der Offenbahrungen.
Lead, J. (1696). Sechs Unschätzbare Durch Göttliche Offenbarung und Befehl ans Licht
gebrachte Mystische Tractätlein.
Lead, J. (1697). A Revelation of the Everlasting Gospel-message,: Which Shall Never
Cease to be Preach'd Till the Hour of Christ's Eternal Judgment Shall Come.
Printed and are to be sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster.
Lead, J. (1698). Der Himmlische Bottschaffter eines Allgemeinen Friedens: oder Eine
dritte Bottschafft an die Philadelphische Gemeinde. Wetstein.
Lead, J. (1699). The Ascent to the Mount of Vision, where Many Things Were Shown,
Concerning I. The First Resurrection; II. The State of Separated Souls, Etc.
Lead, J. (1699). Der Aufgang zum Berge des Schauens: Worinnen manche Dinge gezeigt
werden: als von I. der Ersten Auferstehung. II. vom Zustande der abgeschiedenen
Seelen III. vom hohen Alter oder langen Leben der Erzvätter. IV. vom Reiche
Christi (etc.).
Lead, J. (1700). Die Glorie oder Herrligkeit Sarons: s.n.
Lead, J. (1700). Ein geistlicher Alarm an des Lammes heilige Streiten: s.n.
Lead, J. (1701). Ein Garten-Brunn Gewässert durch die Ströhme der göttlichen
Lustbarkeit, und hervorgrünend in mannichfaltigem Unterschiede geistlicher
Pflantzen, die durch den reinen Anhauch zu einem Paradiese Aufgeblasen, und
nunmehro ihren anmuthig süssen Geschmack und starcken Geruch zur Seelen-
Erquickung von sich geben. Wetstein.
Lead, J. (1703). Eine Lejch-Predig, od. der im Leben Christi überwundene u. ersäuffte
Tod.
Lead, J. (1816). The Wars of David and the Peaceable Reign of Solomon: Symbolizing
the Times of Warfare and Refreshment of the Saints of the Most High God, to
Whom a Priestly Kingdom is Shortly to be Given After the Order of Melch :
Zedeck : Set Forth in Two Treatises. T. Wood.
Lead, J. (1830). Divine Revelations and Prophecies. H. Wild, Rutland Street.
Lead, J. (1997). Fountain of Gardens, 1700. Kessinger Publishing.
Lead, J., & Bradford, J. (1696). A Message to the Philadelphian Society, Whithersoever
Dispersed Over the Whole Earth: Together With, a Call to the Several Gathered
 Preservation through Tribulation 141

Churches Among Protestants in this Nation of England. J. Bradford, at Jewen-

Street, near Crowder's-Well.
Lead, J., & David, M. s. C. o. (1699). 60 Propositions: Printed and published at Israelite
House of David, as reorganized by Mary Purnell.
Lead, J., Fox, R. J., & Society, P. (1922). Early Dawn of the Great Prophetical Visitation
to England: Being Extracts from the Works of Jane Lead, Prophetess, 1623-1704.
Panacea Society.
Lead, J., & Pordage, J. (1698). Theologia mystica: oder Geheime und verborgne göttliche
Lehre von den ewigen Unsichtbarlichkeiten: Als vom Mundo& Globo Archetypo,
das ist, vom rechtem Original Welt-Runde. H. Wettstein.
Lead, J., & Sowle, T. (1695). The Wonders of God's Creation Manifested, in the Variety
of Eight Vvorlds. Printed, and sold by T. Sowle, in White-Hart-Court, in
Gracious-street.
Lensch, C. K. (2010). Eschatology in the Book of Genesis. WRS Journal.
LSPCJ. (1816). The Jewish Expositor, and Friend of Israel V1: London Society.
LSPCJ. (1822). The Jewish Expositor, and Friend of Israel V7: London Society.
Ludlum, A. (2009). Harmony of Prophecies.
Ludlum, J. H. (1955). A New, Comprehensive Approach to the Gospels.
Ludlum, J. H. J. (1999). Revelation.
MacRae, A. A. (1977). The Gospel of Isaiah. Moody Press.
MacRae, A. A. (1991). The Prophecies of Daniel. Christian Life Publishers.
MacRae, A. A. (1995). Studies in Isaiah. Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Institute.
MacRae, A. A. (2002). A Glorious Future: A Premillennialist Looks at the Millennial
Kingdom of Christ and Examines Postmillennial and Amillennial Objections.
Biblical Theological Seminary.
Madden, S. (1829). The nature and time of the second advent of Messiah, 4 letters.
Maitland, C. (1814). A Brief and Connected View of Prophecy: Being an Exposition of
the Second, Seventh, and Eighth Chapters of the Prophecy of Daniel Together
with the Sixteenth Chapter of Revelation. J. Hatchard.
Maitland, C. (1846). The Church in the Catacombs. Longman, Brown, Green, and
Longmans.
Maitland, C. (1849). Apostolic school of prophetical interpretation. Longman, Brown,
Green, and Longmans.
Maitland, S. R. (1826). An enquiry into the grounds on which the prophetic period of
Daniel and st. John has been supposed to consist of 1260 years.
Maitland, S. R. (1829). A Second Enquiry Into the Grounds on Which the Prophetic
Period of Daniel and St. John. BiblioLife.
Maitland, S. R. (1830). An attempt to elucidate the prophecies concerning Antichrist.
Maitland, S. R. (1830). Das künftige Schicksal Israel's. W. Logier.
Maitland, S. R. (1830). The twelve hundred and sixty days, in reply to a review in the
'Morning watch'.
Mather, I. (1669). The Mystery of Israel's Salvation Explained and Applied. Allen.
Mather, I. (1701). The Blessed Hope, and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God Our
Saviour, Jesus Christ, Opened [and] Applied. Boone.
Mather, I. (1709). Dissertation Concerning the Future Conversion of the Jewish Nation,
1709. Kessinger Publishing.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 142

Mattison, J. (2005). The End-Time Time Line. James Mattison.

Mauro, P. (1920). The Kingdom of Heaven: What is It? And When? And Where?
Hamilton Brothers.
Mauro, P. (1934). "Of Things Which Soon Must Come to Pass." A Commentary on the
Book of Revelation. An Enlarged Edition of the Patmos Visions. London; printed
in U.S.A.
Mauro, P. (1988). Gospel of the Kingdom. G A M Publications.
Mauro, P. (2011). The Patmos Visions: A Study of the Apocalypse. Literary Licensing,
LLC.
McDearmid, A. (1980). Eschatology: A Study Guide. ICI University Press.
McNeile, H. (1810). Popular lectures on the prophecies relative to the Jewish nation. J.
Hatchard.
McNeile, H. (1828). The Times of the Gentiles. J. Hatchard and Son.
McNeile, H. (1840). Prospects of the Jews: or, A series of popular lectures on the
prophecies relative to the Jewish nation. O. Rogers.
McNeile, H. (1865). Sermons on the second advent of the lord Jesus Christ. Edward
Howell.
Mede, A. H. F. O. J., & Cooper, R. B. (1833). Commentary on the Revelation of St John:
Or the Apocalypse. Kessinger Publishing.
Mede, J. (1845). Mede's Apostasy of the latter times. With an introduction. W.H. Dalton.
Mede, J. (2011). Paraleipomena Remaines on Some Passages in the Revelation:
Whereunto are Added Severall Discourses Concerning the Holinesse of Churches.
BiblioBazaar.
Mede, J., & Cooper, R. B. (1833). A translation of Mede's Clavis apocalyptica, by R.B.
Cooper.
Mede, J., & More, R. (1643). The Key of the Revelation, Searched and Demonstrated Out
of the Natural and Proper Characters of the Visions: With a Comment
Thereupon, According to the Rule of the Same Key. R.B.
Mede, J., & Twisse, W. (1644). The Apostasy of the Latter Times ...: Or, The Gentiles
Theology of Daemons, I.e. Inferiour Divine Powers: Supposed to be Mediatours
Between God and Man. L.N.
Milavec, A. (2003). The Didache: Text, Translation, Analysis, and Commentary.
Liturgical Press.
Milton, J., & Sumner, C. R. (1825). A Treatise on Christian Doctrine: Compiled from the
Holy Scriptures Alone. Printed at the Cambridge University Press by J. Smith ...
for Charles Knight... [and 6 others].
Moo, D. J. (1996). The Case for the Posttribulation Rapture Position. Three Views on the
Rapture, 169-212.
Moore, R. D. (2004). The Kingdom Of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective. Good
News Pub.
Moore, R. D., & Sagers, R. E. (2008). The Kingdom of God and the Church. A Baptist
Reassessment. The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, 12, 68-87.
Moorehead, W. G. (1912). Millennial Dawn: A Counterfeit of Christianity. Austral
Publishing.
 Preservation through Tribulation 143

More, H. (1680). Apocalypsis Apocalypseos: Or the Revelation of St. John the Divine
Unveiled : Containing a Brief But Perspicuous and Continued Exposition ... of the
Whole Book of the Apocalypse. J.M.
More, H. (1681). A Plain and Continued Exposition of the Several Prophecies Or Divine
Visions of the Prophet Daniel. Miles Flesher.
More, H. (1966). Enthusiasmus triumphatus (1662). William Andrews Clark Memorial
Library, University of California.
More, H. (2010). Paralipomena Prophetica Containing Several Supplements and
Defences of Dr Henry More His Expositions of the Prophet Daniel and the
Apocalypse, Whereby the Impregnable Firmness and Solidity of the Said
Expositions Is Further Evidenced to the World (1685). BiblioBazaar.
More, H. (2011). An Exposition of the Seven Epistles to the Seven Churches Together
with a Brief Discourse of Idolatry, with Application to the Church of Rome.
BiblioBazaar.
Mounce, R. H. (1979). What are we waiting for? The book of Revelation : a layman's
commentary and study guide. D. C. Cook Pub. Co.
Mounce, R. H. (1998). The Book of Revelation. W.B. Eerdmans.
Mounce, R. H. (2005). A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter. Wipf & Stock
Pub.
Newman, R. C. (1981). The Time of the Messiah. Interdisciplinary Biblical Research.
Newman, R. C. (1985). The Return of Christ: Interpreting Revelation by Its Allusions.
Interdisciplinary Biblical Research.
Newman, R. C. (2000). Unfulfilled Prophecy: How Near Is The End? Ithaca College.
Ithaca College.
Newman, R. C. (2002). Course Notes for NT 590 Revelation. Biblical Theological
Seminary. Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Retrieved from
http://www.newmanlib.ibri.org/Documents/Abstracts.htm
Newman, R. C. (2003). Course Notes for NT 760 Gospel of Matthew. Biblical
Theological Seminary. Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Retrieved from
http://www.newmanlib.ibri.org/Documents/Abstracts.htm
Newman, R. C., Fawcett, C., & Mazellan, R. (2003). Kids' Questions about Church and
the Future. Regular Baptist Press.
Newman, R. C., & Seminary, E. T. (1995). Greco-Roman Symbolism in the Book of
Revelation. Biblical Theological Seminary.
Newport, K. G. C. (1997). Premillennialism in the Early Writings of Charles Wesley.
Newton, B. W. (1846). A prophetic map of the world; intended to exhibit its general
condition at the end of the age. Also some extr. on the same subject, from
Thoughts on the Apocalypse.
Newton, B. W. (1848). Aids to prophetic enquiry. Nisbet.
Newton, B. W. (1853). Thoughts on the apocalypse. Houlston & Sons.
Newton, B. W. (1859). Babylon, its revival and final desolation: being the second series
of Aids to prophetic enquiry. Houlston & Wright.
Newton, B. W. (1873). Prospects of the ten kingdoms of the Roman empire, considered;
the 3rd ser. of Aids to prophetic enquiry.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 144

Newton, B. W., & Tregelles, S. P. (1857). Lecture on the prophecy of the Lord Jesus, as
contained in Matthew XXIV. XXV., with notes and appendix. Houlston &
Stoneman.
Newton, I. (1728). The chronology and ancient Kingdoms amended. Printed for J.
Tonson.
Newton, I. (1733). Observations upon the prophecies of Daniel, and the apocalypse of St.
John.
Newton, T. (1766). Dissertations on the prophecies, which have remarkably been
fulfilled, and at this time are fulfilling in the world.
Newton, T. (1845). A new edition of the Analysis of the Revelation [from Dissertations on
the prophecies]. Without the notes.
Osborne, G. R. (2002). Revelation (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New
Testament). Baker Publishing Group.
Osborne, G. R., M. Robert Mulholland, J., & Comfort, P. W. (2011). James, 1 & 2 Peter,
Jude, Revelation. Tyndale House Pub.
Palmer, W. (1858). Plain papers on the millennium.
Patterson, A. (1896). The greater life and work of Christ: as revealed in Scripture, man,
and nature. Fleming H. Revell.
Patterson, D. L. (2000). It was the worst of times, then the best of times: arguments for
historic premillennialism.
Paulus, H. E. G. (1795). Commentationes theologicae potissimum historiam Cerinthi ...
atque finem Iohanneorum in N.T. libellorum illustrature [sic]. Accedit
oratiuncula de notione orthodoxiae.
Pawson, D. (2003). When Jesus Returns. Hodder & Stoughton.
Payne, J. B. (2011). The Imminent Appearing of Christ. Literary Licensing, LLC.
Pember, G. H. (1885). The great prophecies concerning the Gentiles, the Jews and the
church of God. Hodder and Stoughton.
Peters, G. N. H. (1884). The theocratic kingdom of Our Lord Jesus: the Christ, as
covenanted in the Old Testament, and presented in the New Testament. Funk &
Wagnalls.
Petersen, J. W. (1692). Eine öffentliche Stimme Gegen Das Urtheil eines Licht-
scheuenden, Damit er das gesegnete Reich Christi, so in der H. Offenbahrung am
XX.
Petersen, J. W. (1692). Schriftmässige Erklärung und Beweis der Tausend Jahre.
Petersen, J. W. (1693). Bekenntnüß Von dem Zukünfftigen herrlichen Reiche Jesu Christi
Und Der damit verbundenen Ersten Aufferstehung.
Petersen, J. W. (1696). Die Wichtigkeit der Verkündigung des Reiches Christi.
Petersen, J. W. (1696). In nomine Jesu!: Nubes testium veritatis de regno Christi
glorioso, in septima tuba futuro testantium: Libri tres.
Petersen, J. W. (1696). Nvbes testivm veritatis de regno Christi glorioso, in septima tuba
futuro testantiu: Libri tres. Impensis J.D. Zunneri.
Petersen, J. W. (1697). Die Harmonie der Gesichter der Heiligen Offenbahrung in
göttlicher Gewiszheit gezeiget. In Verlegung Johann David Zunner.
Petersen, J. W. (1697). Die Harmonie der Gesichter der Heiligen Offenbahrung: in
göttlicher Gewißheit. Zunner.
 Preservation through Tribulation 145

Petersen, J. W. (1698). seu Regnum Christi defensum contra Dn. Johannem Georgium
Neumannum,... autore Johanne Wilhelmo Petersen. Impensis J. D. Zunneri.
Petersen, J. W. (1700). Mystērion Apokatastaseōs Pantōn, Das ist: Das Geheimniß Der
Wiederbringung aller Dinge. Brede.
Petersen, J. W. (1703). Mystērion Apokatastaseōs Pantōn, Oder Das Geheimniß Der
Wiederbringung aller Dinge, Durch Jesum Christum. Author.
Petersen, J. W. (1708). Das Geheimniß des in der letzten Zeit gebährenden
apocalyptischen Weibes, mit welchen eine neue Kirchenzeit angehet. Heyl.
Petersen, J. W. (1713). Das Geheimniß der Rechtfertigung.
Petersen, J. W. (1715). Die schon für Gott geschehene Wiederbringung aller Dinge.
Petersen, J. W. (1715). Trifolium infaustum, Chiliasmi, Deismi et Apocatastatismi
Atheismo non inimicum ... ex scripto nuper edito sub titulo Der sich selbst
offenbahrende und rechtfertigende Gott [by J.W. Petersen] contemplandum sistit
J.C.F., etc. Præs. M. Chladenio.
Petersen, J. W. (1716). Der bekräfftigte Origenes in der Lehre von der Wiederbringung
aller Dinge, gegen den sogenannten entkräffteten Origenem.
Petersen, J. W. (1718). Zeugniß der Warheit von der Wiederbringung aller Dinge, wieder
einen Retrolapsarianern. Zu finden bey Wolffgang Christoph Multzen.
Petersen, J. W. (1719). Die gerührte Harffe Gottes üb. die heilige Apocalypsin, darauf
die Harmonie der gantzen Offenbarung nach dem Sinn des Geistes, in 100
Psalmen.
Petersen, J. W. (1719). Lebens-Beschreibung Johannis Wilhelmi Petersen, Der Heiligen
Schrifft Doctoris, vormahls Professoris zu Rostock, nachgehends Predigers in
Hanover an St. Egidii Kirche, darnach des Bischoffs in Lübeck Superintendentis
und Hoff-Predigers endlich Superintendentis in Lüneburg.
Petersen, J. W. (1720). Der Sinn des Geistes in dem Proph. Daniel, durch den Geist der
Weissagung erklähret.
Petersen, J. W., Publications, R., & Collecti, U. L. J. (2012). Die Hochzeit Des Lammes
Und Der Braut: Bey Der Herannahenden Zukunfft Jesu Christi: Nabu Press.
Peterson, J. W. (1851). Die gerührte Harfe Gottes über die heilige Apocalypsin: darauf
die Harmonie der ganzen Heiligen Offenbarung Jesu Christi. S. L.
Phillips, P. G., & Eckelmann, H. J. (2007). When is the Resurrection of the Just?
Research Reports. Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Institute.
Pirie, A. (1795). The French Revolution Exhibited, in the Light of the Sacred Oracles:
Or, A Series of Lectures on the Prophecies Now Fulfilling: R. Morison, jr.
Poetovio, V. o. (260). Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John. Kessinger
Publishing.
Potter, F. (1677). Interpretatio numeri 666: Acc. Franc. Broccardi class. contra Papam.
Potter, R. (1824). Millennium: Brown & Danforth, Printers.
Priest, J. (1828). A view of the expected Christian millennium. Published for subscribers,
Loomis' press.
Pym, W. W. (1829). Thoughts on Millenarianism.
Pym, W. W. (1841). A word of warning in the last days.
Pym, W. W. (1842). What will this babbler say?
Pym, W. W. (1843). The restitution of all things. James Nisbet and Co.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 146

Pym, W. W., Dallas, A. R. C., McCaul, A., Dibdin, R. W., Bickersteth, E., Cadman, W., .
. . Villiers, H. M. (1847). Good things to come: Being lectures delivered during
Lent, 1847, at St. George's, Bloomsbury: James Nisbet and Company, ... Hatchard
& Son, ... Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley, ... and Hamilton, Adams, & Company.
Rannew, T. (1688). In this Book is the Figure of the Dividing the Land of Israel Among
the Tribes of Israel, (that Is, Among Those that Have the Faith of Israel) when
Their Captivity is Returned ... And All Or Most of the Signs of Christ's Coming
Explained in Verse; with Other Mysteries.
Reese, A. (1937). The Approaching Advent of Christ. Grand Rapids International
Publications.
Reiter, D. L. (1975). Historicism and futurism in historic Premillennialism, 1878-1975.
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Roach, R. (1727). The Great Crisis: Or, The Mystery of the Times and Seasons Unfolded,
with Relation to the Late Disorder and Confusion of the Seasons of the Year and
Other Signs of the Times. N. Blandford.
Roach, R. (1727). The Imperial Standard of Messiah Triumphant; Coming Now in the
Power, and Kingdom of His Father, to Reign with His Saints on Earth.
BiblioLife.
Roberts, A., Rambaut, W. H., & Salmond, S. D. F. (1868). Writings of Hippolytus,
Bishop of Portus: Translated by S.D.F. Salmond. Fragments of writings of third
century. T.& T. Clark.
Roberts, P. (1818). A manual of prophecy; or, A short comparative view of prophecies
contained in the holy Scriptures, and the events by which they were fulfilled.
Robins, R. (1993). American Millenarian and Prophetic Review.
Rudd, S. (1734). An essay towards a new explication of the doctrines of the resurrection,
millennium, and judgment: Being the substance of several discourses on the 20th
chapter of the Revelation of St. John. To which are added three dissertations.
Printed for J. Blackwell.
Ryle, J. C. (1867). Coming Events and Present Duties: Being Sermons on Prophetical
Subjects. Kessinger Publishing, LLC.
Ryle, J. C. (1991). Prophecy: Christian Focus Publications.
Ryle, J. C. (1992). "Warnings to the churches". The Banner of Truth Trust.
Ryle, J. C. (2003). Is All Scripture Inspired? Banner of Truth, The.
Ryle, J. C., & C, R. J. (2002). Are You Ready for the End of Time. Christian Focus
Publications.
Sanders, L. L. (2003). The Great Tribulation: Displaying God's Love: AuthorHouse.
Schaefer, J. D. (1725). Euangelion Aiōnion, sive Doctrina de Regno Christi eiusque
sanctorum millenario ... deque innexa illi apokatastasei pantōn ... LXXV:
Thesibus ... proposita.
Schaeffer, F. A. (1972). Genesis in Space & Time: The Flow of Biblical History. Regal
Books.
Schäfer, J. D. (1725). Ewiges Evangelium, oder die Lehre von dem tausendjährigen und
ewigen Reiche Christi und seiner Heiligen und der damit verknüpften
Wiederbringung aller Dinge.
Schmidt, T. C. (2010). Hippolytus of Rome: Commentary on Daniel. CreateSpace.
 Preservation through Tribulation 147

Schmucker, J. G. (1817). The prophetic history of the Christian religion explained.

Baltimore. Schaeffer and Maund.
Schnabel, E. (2012). 40 Questions About the End Times: Kregel Publications.
Schofield, A. T., Watney, F. A., Askwith, C., & Dobson, C. C. (1918). The Lord's
coming: its near approach.
Schreiner, T. R. (2003). First, Second Peter, Jude. Broadman & Holman.
Sclater, W. (1717). Spes Fidelium: Or, The Believer's Hope. Being an Epistolary
Dissertation. Printed, and sold by J. Morphew near Stationers-Hall.
Scruby, J. J. (1925). The finest of the wheat. John J. Scruby.
Shaw, G. (1851). A Manual of Apocalyptic Interpretation
Sherwin, W. (1665). Eiphnikon, Or, A Peaceable Consideration of Christ's Peaceful
Kingdom on Earth to Come.
Sherwin, W. (1665). The World to Come, Or, the Doctrine of the Kingdom of God and
His Christ, to Come on Earth.
Sherwin, W. (1670). Hiero-metropolis, Or, the Holy, the Great, the Beloved New
Jerusalem: Shortly to Come Down from God Out of Heaven. Francis Smith.
Sherwin, W. (1670). A Plain and Evident Discovery of the Two Personal Comings of
Christ.
Sherwin, W. (1671). Oikoumenē Mellousa: the World to Come, Or, The Doctrine of the
Kingdom of God and His Christ to Come on Earth.
Sherwin, W. (1672). The Doctrine of Christ's Glorious Kingdom, Or, The New Jerusalem
State.
Sherwin, W. (1674). Eksanastasis, Or, The Saints Rising Out of the Heap Or Mass of
Dead Bodies Contained in the Globe of the Earth and Sea.
Sherwin, W. (1674). The Irenicon, Or, Peaceable Consideration of Christs Peaceful
Kingdom on Earth Abridged.
Sherwin, W. (1674). A Paper, Shewing that the Great Conversion and Restauration of All
Israel and Judah.
Sherwin, W. (1674). Prodromos, Or, The Fore-runner of the Peaceable Consideration of
Christs Peaceful Kingdom Upon Earth, Abridged: Unto which are Annexed
Divers Things Most Useful of Those Contained in The Irenicon.
Sherwin, W. (1675). Chronoi Apokatastaseōs Pantōn, Or, the Times of Restitution of All
Things.
Sherwin, W. (1675). The True Nevvs of the Good New World (shortly) to Come.
Sherwin, W. (1676). The saints first revealed and covenanted mercies, shortly
approaching.
Sherwin, W. (2010). Kleis Enaggeliou Musikou: Or a Key of the Doctrines Contained in
This Book for the Better Perusal Thereof with Some Additions of Christs Being
Heir of All Things, in His Three-Fold Right (1672):.BiblioBazaar.
Sherwin, W., & Cave, W. (1682). Primitive Christianity, Or, The Religion of the Ancient
Christians in the First Ages of the Gospel. J.H.
Sherwin, W., & Smith, F. (1670). Hiero-metropolis, Or, The Holy, the Great, the Beloved
New Jerusalem: Francis Smith, and are to be sold at the Elephant and Castle,
without Temple-Bar.
Shrader, M. C. (2010). Spurgeon's View of the Millennium.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 148

Simpson, A. B. (1887). The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Series of Discourses on the Lord's
Coming. Word, Work and World Publishing Company.
Simpson, A. B. (1897). Days of Heaven Upon Earth. General Books.
Simpson, A. B. (1912). The Coming One. Christian Alliance Publishing Company.
Simpson, A. B. (1921). Earnests of the Coming Age: And Other Sermons. Christian
Alliance Publishing Company.
Simpson, A. B. (2009). The Christ in the Bible Commentary 4 Volume Set. Zur Limited.
Simpson, A. B., & Bailey, K. M. (1999). Christ Our Coming King: Reflections on the
Lord's Return. Christian Publications, Incorporated.
Simpson, D. (1812). A Key to the Prophecies: or, a concise view of the Predictions
contained in the Old and New Testaments. Upan Tyne. Hutton Watson.
Sirr, J. D. A. (1841). The First Resurrection Considered: In a Series of Letters
Occasioned by a Treatise of the Late Rev. H. Gipps, LL. B. Orrin Rogers.
Sirr, J. D. A., William Curry, J., Co, Folds, J. S., Son, & Patton. (1843). Westport
Darbyism Exposed. William Curry, Jun. an Company.
Smith, E. (1808). Sermons containing an illustration of the prophecies: to be
accomplished from the present time until the new heavens and earth are created
when all the prophecies will be fulfilled. Printed by Norris & Sawyer.
Smith, J. (1783). A View of the Last Judgment. Elliot.
Spalding, J. (1796). Sentiments Concerning the Coming and Kingdom of Christ:
Collected from the Bible, and from the Writings of Many Antient, and Some
Modern Believers. Thomas C. Cushing.
Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). Sermons on the Last Days. Hendrickson Publishers.
Stewart, J. H. (1838). De komst van Christus, begeerlijk voor zijne vrienden.
Supina, G. (2006). The Last Days. Edmonton, Alberta: http://www.servantofmessiah.org.
Swanson, D. M. (2002). The Millennial Position of Spurgeon. The Master's Perspective
on Biblical Prophecy, 4, 229.
Taylor, T. (1789). Ten sermons on the Millennium; or, The glory of the latter days; and
five sermons on what appears to follow that happy æra. Printed by G. Prince, in
Hull.
Tertullian. (1842). Tertullian: Apologetic and practical treatises. J.H. Parker.
Tilney, A. G. (1934). The kingdom is the Gospel!
Tow, T., & Khoo, J. (2007). Theology for Every Christian: A Systematic Theology in the
Reformed and Premillennial Tradition of J. Oliver Buswell. Far Eastern Bible
College Press.
Towers, J. L. (1796). Illustrations of prophecy Vol 1 & 2. Printed for the author and sold
by T. N. Longman.
Tregelles, S. P. (1852). Defence of the Authenticity of the Book of Daniel. BiblioLife.
Tregelles, S. P. (1859). The Book of Revelation. S. Bagster.
Tregelles, S. P. (1864). Remarks of the prophetic visions in the Book of Daniel. S.
Bagster and sons.
Tregelles, S. P. (1886). The Hope of Christ's Second Coming. Strong Tower Publishing.
Turner, G. (1820). The kingdom of God, which is now going to be established upon earth,
revealed to George Turner. Printed by T. Goyder ... sold by S. Gompertz.
Tyso, J. (1838). An elucidation of the prophecies, being an exposition of the books of
Daniel and the Revelation. Jackson and Walford.
 Preservation through Tribulation 149

Unger, D. J., & Dillon, J. J. (1992). St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies. Paulist
Press.
Villari, P., & Villari, L. (2005). The Life And Times Of Girolamo Savonarola Part One.
Kessinger Publishing.
West, N. (1879). Second coming of Christ: premillennial essays of the prophetic
conference held in the Church of the Holy Trinity, New York City. F. H. Revell.
West, N. (1898). Daniel's Great Prophecy, the Eastern Question, the Kingdom.
Kessinger Publishing.
West, N. (1899). The Thousand Year Reign of Christ. Kregel Publications.
Wharton, H. (1732). Divine Inspiration: Or, a Collection of Manifestations to Make
Known the Visitation of the Lord, and the Coming of His Kingdom ... by the
Mouth of Han. BiblioLife.
Whiston, W. (1706). An essay on the revelation of Saint John: so far as concerns the past
and present times : to which are added two Dissertations, the one upon Mark II.
25, 26. The other upon Matthew XXIV. and the parallel chapters : with a
collection of scripture-prophecies relating to the times after the coming of the
Messiah. Printed at the University-Press; for B. Tooke.
Whiston, W. (1737). A new theory of the Earth from its original, to the consummation of
all things: wherein the creation of the world in six days, the universal deluge, and
the general conflagration, as laid down in the Holy Scriptures are shewn to be
perfectly agreeable to reason and philosophy. J. Whiston.
Whiston, W., Tooke, B., & Press, C. U. (1708). The Accomplishment of Scripture
Prophecies: Being Eight Sermons Preach'd at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
in the Year MDCCVII. Printed at the University-Press; for Benj. Tooke,
bookseller, at the Middle-Temple-Gate, in Fleet-street, London.
Whitaker, E. W. (1784). A dissertation on the prophecies relating to the final restoration
of the Jews.
Whitaker, E. W. (1795). A general and connected view of the prophecies relating to the
times of the gentiles, delivered by our blessed Saviour, the prophet Daniel, and
the apostles Paul and John.
White, J. (1779). The restoration of all things: or, A vindication of the goodness and
grace of God.
Whowell, T. (1830). The Second Epistle to the Christian Church, on the Eve of Time ...
Or, The Christian's Revealed Word of God. Sutton.
Wilson, A. E., & Chitwood, A. L. (1996). Selected Writings of A. Edwin Wilson.
Schoettle Pub.
Wilson, D. (1975). Armageddon Now! The Premillenarian Response to Russia and Israel
Since 1917. University of California.
Witherby, W., & Eyre, J. (1818). A review of Scripture, in testimony of the truth of the
second advent, the first resurrection and the millenium. With an appendix
containing extracts from J. Eyre's Observations on the prophecies relating to the
restoration of the Jews. By a layman.
Witherington, B. (1992). Jesus, Paul and the End of the World. InterVarsity Press.
Witherington, B., & Ben Witherington, I. (2010). Revelation and the End Times
Participant's Guide: Unraveling God 's Message of Hope. Abingdon Press.
Witherington, I., Ben (2003). Revelation. Cambridge University Press.
 Dr. Dieter Thom 150

Wood, G. H. (1831). The believer's guide to the study of unfulfilled prophecy.

Worthington, W. (1773). The Scripture-theory of the earth: throughout all its revolutions,
and all the periods of its existence, from the creation, to the final renovation of all
things. Printed for J. and F. Rivington.
Zahn, T. (1924). Die Offenbarung des Johannes...: Kap. 1-5, mit ausführlicher Einl.
Deichert.
Zaspel, F. G. (1994). The Theology of Fulfillment. Interdisciplinary Biblical Research
Institute.
Zaspel, F. G. (1996). Jews, Gentiles, and the Goal of Redemptive History.
Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Institute.
 Preservation through Tribulation 151

17. About the Author

‘Eschatology’ is the study of ‘final things’. The author is a reluctant ‘eschatologist’, a

cautious student of ‘final things’. The last thing that he ever wanted to do was to write a
book on such a controversial topic as ‘the end times’. Born again in 1982 at the age of 12,
he has spent all his adult life passionately studying the Bible. After a few years of reading
prophecy from various views he shelved the possibility of understanding ‘end times’
events. In the last few years, however, God has given him a renewed interest in the
subject, and, he believes, greater understanding. Although it has been a difficult task, this
book is the fruit of hundreds of hours of labor to understand the prophetic scriptures.
Even if you disagree with him overall or in parts, this book is a useful reference tool to
guide the inductive and deductive study of the prophetic scriptures. Both of these
approaches will be used in this book.

The author has collected thousands of books on End Times prophecy, most of them
ebooks freely available on the internet. Many of them date from as far back as the
nineteenth century, and some even further. English, German, Dutch and Afrikaans writers
have been consulted. These include nearly a thousand Historicist, five hundred
Dispensational, hundreds of Preterist, over a hundred Adventist, a hundred Futurist, some
Idealist, and hundreds of other unclassified commentaries. The author initially was taught
the Idealist view, adopted the Dispensational view promoted by the majority of popular
books on the topic, but then embraced the Historicist view a few years later. His careful
study of Scripture has since led him to a Classic/Covenantal/Historic Premillenial view of
end times prophecy, which is essentially a combination of Historicist or Futurist, and
Premillennial thinking. An extensive list of more than 600 Classic Premillennial works
and authors over the past 500 years is given at the end of this book for reference.

The reader needs to understand that this book is non-dispensational, post-tribulational,

pre-wrath and premillennial in perspective. In other words, it teaches that the church will
go through the Great Tribulation, be raptured just before the final wrath of God on the
earth at the Battle of Armageddon, and return at Jesus’ Second Coming with His glorified
saints that will inaugurate the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. It seeks to prepare the
people of God to be ready to go through the challenges of the Great Tribulation and be
ready for when Jesus comes again.

It is hoped that you will enjoy the studying of this book and be challenged by its contents.
Your thoughtful feedback, criticisms and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The
author is prepared to change his views if you can find a better interpretation of the
prophetic Scriptures than is presented here. This is a work in progress, so please contact
him for the most recent update and revision. No one will understand the prophetic
scriptures fully or perfectly, but we can be helped by the careful contemplation of what
multitudes of godly Christians have written and taught. At the end of the day, it is the
Bible alone that can be our guiding light. Don’t simply accept what this book teaches.
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21)