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Sequence of Events before the Second Coming of Christ – PDF

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced
him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BEFORE THE 2ND COMING OF CHRIST
Our Lord and Saviour, the Son of God, has given us a sequence of events leading to His coming. It is found chiefly in Matthew chapter 24. For this study, we are examining the sequence as given in Matthew chapter 24. For completeness sake, we will refer to the eschatological epistles 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Reverlations 6. Like a jigsaw puzzle, they fit precisely to give a complete picture. Follow the trail of verses to see if you agree with this fit, “you need not any man teach you”, 1 John 2:27.

Why would the Lord want to give His people this road map. There are four reasons. Firstly, that “take heed that no man deceive you” verse 4 and verse 24. Secondly, they would not be surprised when He appears, that the elect will not be in the dark (verse 33). Thirdly, the elect would not be troubled (verse 6). Fourthly, this will confirm in their hearts that He is God (verse 25, Isaiah 45:21), that He has told them before the events happen.

How do we know that that a sequence of events is intended? This is showed by the adverb “then” before describing the key events (verse 9, 10, 14, 21, 23 and 30). Most prominently, there is verse 29, “immediately after….” which also means “then”.

Let us delve into this sequence now:
1) the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24: 8)
This is marked by famines (now we know to be arising from climate change), pestilences (such as the COVID pandemic), earthquakes, wars and rumours of war, all in divers places (verse 7).

2) The rise of the antiChrist (Revelation 6:2).
This is not given in Matthew 24 but is given as the First Seal opened in Revelation 6:2. This is the first horseman riding a white horse, with a bow and a crown. He went “forth conquering and to conquer”. He attains world dominion amidst the poly crises of the above. His rise and career is described in Revelation 13, Daniel 7:7 to 8, 8:9 to 12, 11:36 to 45. He starts the tribulation of the saints and also the
inhabitants of the earth, see Revelation 12.

3) The tribulation of the saints (Matthew 24: 9 to 14)
This is marked by persecution (verse 9), departure from the faith (verse 10), betrayal, apostasy (verse 11), widespread iniquity (verse 12) and propagation of the gospel to the end of the earth (verse 14).

It is during this period that the Second to Fourth Seal is opened.

The Second Seal is a horseman riding on a red horse carrying a great sword symbolises death by widespread war (Revelation 6:4).

The Third Seal is a horseman riding on a black horse carrying a pair of balances. There is widespread famine and inequality (Revelation 6: 5 to 6).

The Fourth Seal is a horseman riding on a pale horse. This is Death and Hell, killing the fourth part of the earth with war, famine and pestilence (Rev 6:8).

At this point, we go back to Matthew 24 to continue the sequence of events.

4) The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Matt 24:15)

This refers to Daniel 9:24 to 27; 11:31; 12:11, referring to the occupation of Jerusalem by Roman armies and the taking away of the daily sacrifice in the Temple, and the placing of the abomination of desolation where it ought not (Mark 13:14).

With the advent of the New Testament, a new aspect is revealed. This is found in 2 Thessalonians 2: 1 to 4. The antiChrist declares himself God in the rebuilt Jersusalem Temple.

5) “ …then shall there be Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21 to 26)

This refers to the Great Tribulation of the elect by the antiChrist. I need not describe the horrors of it (See Revelation 13, 14). It will be so severe that it has to be shortened (Matthew 24:22). There will be counterfeit Messiahs (Matthew 24:24). The elect will be desperate for Christ to return but is not to be deceived, for the return of Christ is a worldwide phenomenon, not a localised one (Matt 24: 27).

This is the Fifth Seal of Revelation chapter 6:9 to 11. This is corroborated by Rev 7:13, 14, a scene in heaven “… these are they which came out of great tribulation”

6) “Immediately after the (great) tribulation of those days….” (Matt 24:29).

There are a series of cosmic disturbances. The sun and moon is darkened and stars fall from the heavens. On earth, there is a great earthquake removing mountains and islands. Then Christ comes in the clouds, with power and great glory, with his flaming angels (and the souls of men who sleep in Christ, 1 Thess 4:14).

This is the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:30) and the Sixth Seal of Revelation chapter 6:12 to 14.

This is a worldwide phenomenon visible to all. The elect rejoice with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4: 12,13). The tribes of the earth mourn, fearful of the wrath of the Lamb to come (Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6:15 to 16).

The angels gather the elect (Matthew 24:31). This is the resurrection and rapture of the saints which is bundled together (1 Thess 4:14 to 17). Note that this gathering happens in the clouds (Matt 24:30, 1 Thess 4:17). This is also described in Revelation 14:14 to 16.

7) The wrath of the Lamb upon earth starts (Revelation 6:15 to 17).

This is the Seventh Seal of Revelation 8 to 11. This is described again in Revelation 14:17 to 20, and chapters 15 to 18.

8) Final coming of Christ with his saints (Rev 19)

This is at the end of his wrath when he comes with his armies to Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

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We have come to the end of sequence of events leading to the second coming of Christ. Coming from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, it is straightforward enough.

Confusion arises when:

1) We do not distinguish between tribulation and wrath and use the terms interchangeably. Tribulation belongs to the elect while the elect is told to flee or escape from “the wrath to come”.

Acts 14:22 … through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God

2 Cor 7:4 … exceeding joyful in all our tribulation

1 Thess 3:4 … we should suffer tribulation

1 Thess 3:3,4 – appointed to tribulation

1 Thess 5:9- not appointed to wrath

Matt 3:7 … flee from wrath to come

1 Thess 1:10 … Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come

2 Thess 1:8 … taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Thess 2:16 … wrath is come upon them to the uttermost

2) We do not realise that Rapture is bound up with the Ressurection of dead. It does not happen out of the blue. For the ressurection to happen, Christ must come to call them from the grave with a great shout by the archangel and the trump of God.

John 6: 40, 44, 54 – Christ must come for resurrection to happen

Rev 1:7, Mt 24:27 – all eyes will see Him

1 Thess 4: 14 to 17 – Resurrection bundled with Rapture

3) We do not realise that for Christ to come, the antiChrist must come first.

2 Thess 2:1 to 5 – Christ won’t come unless the antiChrist is revealed. However, when the antiChrist proclaims himself God in the rebuilt Jerusalem Temple, he unleashes the Great Tribulation against the elect. This passage of scripture must therefore be read with Matthew 24 in view.

4) Christ comes for saints (in the clouds). He then comes with the saints.

Coming in the clouds – Mt 24:30, Rev 1:7, 14:14,15, 2 Thess 1:7, Acts 1:11

Coming with the saints – Ps 149:6 to 9, Zech 14:5, Rev 19:14, Jude 1:14

In conclusion, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ have described for us a sequence of events preceding his coming. We are to watch for them. We are to learn from the parable of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32). “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (verse 33).” While the exact timing of His arrival is known to no man (verse 36), not the day nor the hour, but we know that in the throes of the Great Tribulation, “and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28)”. Be not in the dark as the heathen, caught unawares (1 Thess 5:1 to 5). Rather, we should be watching as the watchman of Matthew 24:42 to 43 and 1 Thess 5:6.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Allow me to finally conclude with Rev 3:3:

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee….

and Matthew 25:5 to 6:

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Sim Tiong Peng (winsomemedident@gmail.com)
June 2024