1. The Church Age
This is the current era, beginning with Christ’s first coming. During this time, the Church is present on Earth and experiences both peace and a degree of general tribulation. This period ends with the start of the prophetic events described in Revelation.
2. The Tribulation Period
This seven-year period is the final “week” of Daniel’s 70-week prophecy. The Church is on Earth for the first part of this time.
- The Antichrist’s Rise: A world leader, the Antichrist, emerges and confirms a seven-year covenant with Israel (Daniel 9). This event officially starts the timeline.
- The First Six Seals: The initial judgments of God are unleashed on the earth, including a series of wars, famine, death, and natural disasters (Revelation 6). These are seen as the general “birth pangs” that Jesus mentioned, not God’s final wrath. The Church endures these trials.
3. The Rapture of the Church
The Rapture occurs at the midpoint or three-quarters mark of the Tribulation. It happens after the initial judgments but before the final, catastrophic judgments of God’s wrath are poured out.
- The Seventh Seal: The opening of the seventh seal triggers the sounding of the seven trumpets (Revelation 8). The Rapture happens shortly after this point. Believers are “caught up” to meet Christ in the air, being rescued from the coming divine wrath, not the tribulation itself.
- The Great Tribulation: The remaining period is the “Great Tribulation.” It is a time of both intense persecution from the Antichrist and the pouring out of God’s final judgment. The Antichrist sets up an idol in the Jewish Temple (the “Abomination of Desolation” from Daniel 9), and forces people to receive the Mark of the Beast to buy and sell (Revelation 13). God unleashes the seven bowls of wrath on the world (Revelation 16).
4. The Second Coming of Christ
At the very end of the seven years, Christ returns to Earth with His saints (who were previously raptured) in power and glory. He defeats the Antichrist and his armies at the Battle of Armageddon and casts them into the lake of fire (Revelation 19).
5. The Millennial Kingdom
Christ establishes His literal, earthly kingdom, reigning from Jerusalem for 1,000 years (Revelation 20). During this time, Satan is bound, and the world experiences unprecedented peace and righteousness under Christ’s direct rule.
6. The Final Judgment and New Creation
After the 1,000 years, Satan is released for a short time to lead a final rebellion, which is immediately crushed. This is followed by the Great White Throne Judgment, where all the unsaved throughout history are judged (Revelation 20). The old heaven and Earth are destroyed, and God creates a new heaven and a new Earth where righteousness dwells for eternity (Revelation 21).