The book of Revelation focuses on John’s vision while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Jesus meets with John and shows him a vision of future world events. The book is filled with imagery and symbolism which makes it difficult to understand, but remember, John is a man who lived in the 1^st century and does not have the vocabulary to describe modern technology. But what makes John’s account of chronological future events so amazing is his version is backed up and supported by other great writers in the Bible such as Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and many more. The purpose for the book is to prepare us for the return of Jesus.

Yes! Some will not have to die to go to heaven. “We will not all sleep (die), but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye.” This event is known as the rapture, which means snatched away, and will take place prior to the seven-year tribulation. But only Christians will be taken. All others will be left behind to endure the trials of the tribulation.

Yes! Those who do not worship the beast will be betrayed by family members, friends, and colleagues. All who follow Jesus will be hated. And once Christians have been turned into the authorities they will be put on trial, tortured, and executed.

Those who choose to follow Jesus instead of worshiping the beast will be executed by beheading.

Gog is a tribe who lived in the uttermost north of Israel during biblical times. The only land that exists today to the uttermost northern area of Israel is Russia, who happens to be one of Israel's greatest threats today. Meshek and Tubal were also tribes located in today’s Russia proper. Russian is the king of the north who will form an alliance with many Islamic nations and launch a surprise attack on Israel.

The king of the south, who will join forces with Russia to launch a surprise attack against Israel, will consist of multiple Islamic nations. The Persian territory now includes modern-day Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Cush and Put encompass the area of modern-day Ethiopia, Sudan and Libya. The tribe of Gomer was in Eastern Europe and Beth Togarmah is current day Southeastern Europe and Turkey. Also note, troops from “many nations” above what is listed will also send troops and engage in the invasion of Israel.

85% of the Russian/Islamic troops will be eliminated. Apparently, the Russian and Islamic military forces, two of Israel’s most reviled enemies, will retreat to northern Israel to setup camp after initially overrunning the small nation. This is exactly the tactical blunder the Israelis have been looking for to gain the upper hand in this unwarranted attack. The Russian/Islamic military leaders have concentrated most of their troops and equipment, including tanks, support vehicles, heavy weapons, and supplies, in a single location. The Israeli response is surprising, but not unexpected. The Israeli Defense Force will launch a nuclear strike against the invading forces encamped in northern Israel as well as key sites in the Russian and Arab homelands.

Israel will launch a nuclear strike against the invading forces within the borders of Israel. Ezekiel’s portrayal of the attack clearly describes the results of a nuclear detonation. “Mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and nations with you.” “I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.” “You will fall in the open field.” Israel will strike decisively against the Russian/Islamic forces and will claim ultimate and complete victory against their longtime enemies.

Yes! Why? First, Israelis “will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground” and then after “seven months they will carry out a more detailed search.” According to Ezekiel the Israelis feel safe collecting and burying the bodies of fallen Russian and Islamic soldiers. They are clearing their land, like what has been done in previous wars, to prepare for peacetime rebuilding. Second, Ezekiel notes the Israelis will be able to use the fuel of the defeated invaders for seven years. This single statement confirms the Russian/Islamic invasion cannot take place during the tribulation since the entire tribulation timeline unfolds in a seven-year period! If this skirmish were a single incident in a larger scale global thermonuclear war, the Israeli citizens would be seeking cover from future nuclear strikes instead of burying dead soldiers and collecting fuel.

Many believe Armageddon is the last war in the Bible. Though Armageddon is the climatic ending of World War III where Jesus returns just before man is about the eliminate all life on earth, the actual final battle on earth will take place 1,000 years later at the end of the Millennium at a time when Jesus is reigning on earth in Jerusalem. This final war will not only bring an end to Satan and his followers it will validate those who are loyal to God.

The false prophet will force all people in the world to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead to buy and sell goods and services. The number 666 is nothing more than “the number of a man” and represents an economic system better known today as digital currency. Accepting the mark is the same as turning your back on Christ and will prevent you from entering heaven (ref. Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 20:11-15).

Yes, the current heaven and current earth will pass away and will be replaced by a new heaven and new earth. Also reference John 14:2-3.

Yes, everyone, both believers and non-believers, will be judged according to what we have done. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. All others will spend eternity with Christ.

Zero Christians will remain following the rapture.

Jerusalem

Muslims

Building the third, and final temple, is just as important to the Jewish people today as it was centuries ago, but they have not been able to gain access to the site to build the temple because the Muslims have control of the Temple Mount and are unwilling to allow the Jews to build or do much else. Even praying on the Temple Mount to a god other than Allah is grounds for being arrested. The third temple, as was true with the first two, must be built in the exact same location with the exact same dimensions. This third temple is critical to future prophecy because this is where the Antichrist will walk into a room known as the Holy of Holies and declares himself "God" mid-way through the tribulation period.

Two. The first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC and the second destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The Temple Mount is not only where Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19), but the exact same spot where the first two temples were built. The temples were specifically built by the Jews so they could interact with, worship, and follow God's traditions. For the Gentiles, these traditions are no longer necessary because they believe Jesus died for their sins and He alone is the only way to God (John 14:6). But the Jews still follow the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and the same traditions their forefathers followed centuries ago.

Yes! We are on the precipice of events foretold in the Bible thousands of years ago. The Bible provides a blueprint for how future events will unfold. Do you want to know what will happen? Begin by studying the end time signs found in the Bible. Below are only a few of the end time signs:

• Matthew 24:6-7 There will be wars and rumor of wars.
• Matthew 24:32-35 Israel (the fig tree) becoming a nation.
• 2 Peter 3:4 Christians will be mocked.
• 2 Timothy 4:4 People will turn away from Biblical principles.
• 2 Timothy 3:8 People will reject God’s truth.
• 2 Timothy 3:2 Children will be disobedient to their parents.

‍

No, but just because the word “rapture” cannot be found in the Bible does not mean Christians made it up. Rapture means to carry off or snatch away. Multiple verses refer to how “we will not all sleep.” Sleep in the Bible is another word for death. In other words, we will not all die! Christians will be taken or snatched away just prior to the tribulation period to meet Jesus in the air. Nobody but God knows when the rapture will take place, but Christians will, at some future time, disappear and meet Jesus in the air. So even though the word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible, it does confirm the rapture will take place. 

• Matthew 24:36-51
• Mark 13:34-37
• Luke 17:26-35
• Luke 21:34-36
• John 14:1-4
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
• 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
• Revelation 3:10

‍

• Revelation 13:11-13 He will be the right-hand man for the Antichrist.
• Revelation 13:14-15 He will force the world to worship the Antichrist or die.
• Revelation 13:16-18 He will force the world to use the “666” economic system (i.e. digital currency).

‍

• Revelation 13:1-2 He will rise to power.
• Daniel 7:24 He will create a multi-nation alliance.
• Daniel 8:23-26 Satan will be his ally.
• Revelation 13:3-4 He will be raised from the dead.
• Revelation 13:5-6 He will be a great speaker.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 He will be able to perform miracles.
• Daniel 8:24 He will persecute Christians.
• Revelation 13:8 The world will worship him.

‍

Considering the beast (Antichrist) will perform miracles and exhibit great powers during his reign, it is relatively easy to believe most will willingly accept the edict to worship “the beast.” But there will be some that reject this decree because they have accepted Christ as their savior.

Yes! The tribulation period will be difficult for those who have given their life to Christ. They will be systematically attacked by the Antichrist and those who support his agenda.

Without getting too deep into tribulation theories, Revelation 3:10 states Jesus will “keep you (Christians) from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of earth.” The leading theory is the rapture will occur just before the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period. This belief is driven by the understanding “the hour of trial” is an equivalent term to the tribulation period. But it is also important to call out many will be saved and turn to Jesus throughout the 7-year tribulation. So even though all Christians will avoid "the hour of trial" those who come to Jesus following the rapture will need to endure the perilous times ahead.

We must remain diligent in our relationship with Christ. Christians will be called up in the rapture to meet Christ in the clouds. All others will be left behind.

Yes! Only 3 ½ years into the tribulation period, the Antichrist will walk in to the Holy of Holies in the newly constructed temple on the Temple Mount and declare himself to be "God"!

God will cast Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet “into the lake of burning sulfer” where “they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” They will never attack God’s children again. There will no longer be death, mourning, crying or pain because Satan will have been dealt with once and for all!

Yes? No? Maybe? Probably? There is no way to really answer this question, but the answer is probably. End time signs are beginning to unfold quickly so one could assume the beast is alive somewhere in the world today, but there is no way to answer this question definitively.

The beast will receive a fatal wound at some point during his reign. Please note, John does not say the Antichrist will be wounded or injured, but instead says he will be fatally wounded. Dead! But the fatal wound will be “healed” meaning he will come back to life! This miracle is intended to mirror Christ’s resurrection. Also note, the world will be enamored with the beast because they will ask the question, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” (ref. Revelation 13:4)

The Antichrist, or the beast, is a man who will rise to power and reign over a 10-nation alliance, whose power will come directly from Satan and will wage war against Christians (ref. Daniel 8:23-26). He will be a great motivator (ref. Revelation 13:5-6) and the world will worship him (ref. Revelation 13:8).

Jesus will return for all to see in the sky as the Battle of Armageddon reaches its climax.

Armageddon will take place in northern Israel in a location known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This battle will be so intense that all life on earth would become extinct if the days are not cut short (ref. Matthew 24:22).

• Bowl 1: Revelation 16:1-2 Ugly, festering sores appear on people.
• Bowl 2: Revelation 16:3 All the seas die.
• Bowl 3: Revelation 16:4 Fresh water turns to blood (undrinkable).
• Bowl 4: Revelation 16:8-9 Sun scorches the people.
• Bowl 5: Revelation 16:10-11 The Anti-Christ’s kingdom is plunged into darkness.
• Bowl 6: Revelation 16:12-16 The Euphrates River dries up to allow China to march on Israel.
• Bowl 7: Revelation 16:17-21 A massive nuclear weapons exchange.

‍

• Trumpet 1: Revelation 8:7 One-third of trees and all grass burn up.
• Trumpet 2: Revelation 8:8-9 One-third of seas die and one-third of ships destroyed.
• Trumpet 3: Revelation 8:10-11 One-third of fresh water becomes bitter (undrinkable).
• Trumpet 4: Revelation 8:12 Light diminishes by one-third.
• Trumpet 5: Revelation 9:1-11 Locusts
• Trumpet 6: Revelation 9:13-21 China military army of 200,000,000 soldiers on the move.
• Trumpet 7: Revelation 11:15 Jesus preparing for his return.

‍

• Seal 1: Revelation 6:1-2 A White Horse (Satan)
• Seal 2: Revelation 6:3-4 A Red Horse (War)
• Seal 3: Revelation 6:5-6 A Black Horse (Financial Collapse)
• Seal 4: Revelation 6:7-8 A Pale Horse (Death and Hadel)
• Seal 5: Revelation 6:9-11 Slain Christians wanting justice and retribution.
• Seal 6: Revelation 6:12-17 Nuclear War
• Seal 7: Revelation 8:1-2 The seven trumpet judgments are announced.

‍

There are so many earthquakes because John is not describing natural earthquakes, but thermonuclear detonations. The Bible verses listed below leave no question that “earthquakes in various places” are John’s 1^st century description of a nuclear explosion. So many nuclear detonations the “earth reels like a drunkard,” which is another way of saying the earth will be knocked off its axis. Yes, World War III is inevitable, will encompass the entire world and will leave mankind to the brink of extinction!

• Joel 2:31 (NIV) The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
• Zechariah 14:12-15 (NIV) This is the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem:  their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.  On that day people will be stricken by the Lord with great panic.  They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another.  Judah too will fight at Jerusalem.  The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected - great quantities of gold and silver and clothing.  A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.
• Revelation 6:12-17 (NIV) I watched as he opened the sixth seal.  There was a great earthquake.  The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.  The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.  Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.  They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”
• Revelation 16:17-21 (NVI) The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!”  Then there came flashes of lighting, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake.  No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.  The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed...Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.  From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds fell on people.  And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
• Revelation 16:8-9 (NIV) The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.  They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
• Isaiah 24:19-20 (NIV) The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken.  The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls - never to rise again.

‍

The book of life is a complete list of everyone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

‍

I will be honest, the verses that explain the length of the seven-year tribulation period are somewhat complex, but once understood, the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation period will be relatively peaceful, followed by the second 3 ½ years which will be filled with war and “war will continue until the end and desolations have been decreed” (i.e. until Jesus returns). The Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgments outline in detail a global thermonuclear war that will occur in the second half of the tribulation period.

Those receiving the mark of the beast or worshiping the idol of the beast will not be able to reign with Christ on earth during the Millenium (i.e. 1,000-year period). Everyone who lives during the Millenium period will be judged for what they had done (ref. Revelation 20:11-15) at the end of Christ's reign on earth. Those whose names appear in the book of life will spend eternity with Jesus. All others will be cast into the lake of fire.

The “mark of the beast” is a mark (i.e. a tattoo, a type of RFID or Radio Frequency Identification chip) that will be placed/embedded in either your forehead or right hand. The mark will be required by all (“great and small, rich and poor, free and slave”) to buy or sell and the “mark of the beast” will be required to be accepted by everyone in the entire world. It will be necessary to get the “mark of the beast” to buy groceries, purchase medicine, go to the doctor, make payments on your home or car. Paper money and coins will be useless. Your bank account and investments inaccessible without the “mark of the beast.” You will become a pauper overnight if you choose not to get the mark. Those who do not get the mark will be cast out from society and will be either killed by authorities or left to die in the streets. The “mark of the beast” is digital currency!

The Unholy Trinity is a parity of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). The Unholy Trinity is Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet.

Jesus will physically return to earth at the climax of the Battle of Armageddon for all to see.

‍

The rapture, which will occur before the Tribulation Period, refers to the event where Christians in the world will disappear to meet Jesus in the air.

The 144,000 will be Jews who are called from around the world to prophesy to the lost during the seven-year tribulation period. There will be no Christians left on earth to reach out to the lost. The 144,000 will not realize they will be called upon by God until after the rapture occurs.

God will appoint two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days. There are a few theories about who these two individuals could be, but the most popular is Elijah, who is one of God’s great prophets who did not die (ref. Malachi 4:4-5) and Enoch, who did not die as well (ref. Genesis 5:24). Still others believe Moses or John (author of the Book of Revelation) may be possible candidates.

No one knows the day or hour of the rapture, not even the angels in heaven or Jesus, but only the Father (ref. Matthew 24:36). Three of the more popular theories for when the rapture will take place are (1) pre-tribulation, (2) mid-tribulation, and (3) post-tribulation. The most popular theory amongst Christians is pre-tribulation which claims the rapture will occur just prior to the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period. The mid-tribulation theorists believe the rapture will take place 3 ½ years into the seven-year tribulation period and the post-tribulation theorists believe the rapture will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation period.

The King of the East will lead an army of 200,000,000 soldiers. The only country capable of building an army of 200 million is China and its allies. China is located directly east of Israel.

The King of the South (Muslim Nations) will join forces with the King of the North (Russia) and attack Israel. The King of the South consists of multiple countries that surround Israel today. Ezekiel 38:5-6 includes the tribes of Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth Togarmah. The Persian territory includes modern-day Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Cush and Put encompass the area of modern-day Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya. Gomer includes countries in Eastern Europe while the Togarmah tribe includes nations in Southeastern Europe.

Gog, from the land of Magog, will lead an invasion force against Israel and is most despised by God. Gog is a tribe who lived in Russian territory during Biblical times. The only land that exists today to the uttermost northern area of Israel is Russia, who is one of Israel’s greatest threats today. Meshek and Tubal were also tribes located in Russia proper today. So, Russia is the land of Magog.

The False Prophet, or second beast, is the right-hand man of the Antichrist. Some of the deeds he will accomplish include forcing the world to worship the Antichrist, else they will be killed as well as rolling out the infamous “666” economic system to the world.

No. There are several books that include end time prophesies such as Matthew, Luke, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, Zechariah and Joel.

The millennium is a 1,000-year period when Christ will physically reign on earth in Jerusalem.

Yes! “If those days had not been cut short (Armageddon), no one would survive.”

Armageddon is the final and deadliest military battle in the history of the world. The battle will take place in northern Israel in the Valley of Jehosaphat, also known as the Plain of Megiddo. The battle will be so intense that blood will flow “out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.” The distance of 1,600 stadia is about 200 miles, which happens to be the approximate length of the valley! And the blood “rising as high as the horses’ bridles” for 200 miles is not figurative, but a literal description of the battlefield.

A massive nuclear weapons exchange.

The Euphrates River dries up to allow China, king of the East, to march on Israel.

The Antichrist’s kingdom is plunged into darkness.

Sun scorches the people.

Fresh water turns to blood (undrinkable).

All the seas die.

Ugly, festering sores appear on people (radiation burns).

7 Bowl Judgments

Jesus prepares for his return to begin his eternal reign.

King of the East (China)

Locusts

Light diminishes by one-third.

One-third of fresh water becomes bitter.

One-third of seas die and one-third of ships destroyed.

One-third of trees and all grass burn up.

7 Trumpet Judgments

Seven Trumpet Judgments are announced.

Nuclear War

Slain Christians wanting justice and retribution.

A Pale Horse (Death and Hades)

A Black Horse (Financial Collapse)

A Red Horse (War)

A White Horse (Satan)

7 Seal Judgments

One only need read Zechariah 14:12-25 to see the images in these verses are nothing other than the result of a nuclear detonation. Keep in mind that Zechariah does not have an understanding for modern day weaponry, but his description of these events is undeniable. “Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet.” “Their eyes will rot in their sockets.” “Their tongues will rot in their mouths.” “A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.”

The Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos around the year 95 A.D. where he was exiled by the Roman Emperor for spreading the gospel. Even though the Romans imprisoned John on an island to shut him up, God used this time to call to him in spirit and told him to write down everything he sees. God can use us even in our darkest hours! The revelation presented to John was the future of world events preceding the second coming of Jesus Christ.

‍

Death and Hades – God has given Death and Hades the power to kill one-fourth of the inhabitants of earth by war, starvation, disease, and wild beast. This figure could be as high as 1.5 billion killed by Death and Hades. One and a half billion (with a “b”) people: 1,500,000,000!

Financial Collapse – Can you imagine famine and financial collapse so bad "two pounds of wheat for a day's wages, and six pounds of barley for a day's wages”? Many countries have experienced famine and financial collapse. Germany, for example, at the end of World War II found itself in this very state, but the difference between the German economy at the end of World War II and what is being described in Revelation is the famine and financial collapse does not impact only one country, but the entire world. World markets will collapse, currency will be devalued, government infrastructure will fail, and the masses will be expected to survive on their own without police, fire, or ambulance services. All modern conveniences will be stripped away. Why? Because a global war has begun.

War – Jesus opens the second seal and John sees a red horse and riding on the horse is war. The “rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other.”

Satan – John sees a white horse and "its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror". The rider on the horse is Satan. Satan is riding a white horse because he is cloaked as the true savior of this world but is "bent on conquest". He will fail in his endeavor but will lead the world right up to the brink of destruction. Throughout the history of the world God has limited Satan's abilities, but now, as part of the judgments, will allow Satan more flexibility in global affairs. And Satan will take full advantage of his new-found powers.

Yes! Satan will be bound for 1,000 years, but he will be released for a short time at the end of the Millennium period.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

You may think this is an odd subject to bring up in the Bible, but the key to understanding the “great prostitute” can be found in understanding the symbolic meaning of the word. The word prostitute, or harlot, is used throughout the Bible to represent a false religion.

Yes! "After the three and a half days the breath of life from God” will enter them (the witnesses), and they will stand to their feet, and terror will strike those who see them. And then they ascend to heaven. These are wild times, because the witnesses will come back to life on live television! This will be the most watched YouTube video of all time! 24-hour news outlets will show this clip over and over. People from around the world will watch in amazement.

The world will take such joy in the death of the two witnesses they will actually "celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on earth". What holiday does this resemble? But, the "Unholy Christmas" celebrations will end abruptly after 3 ½ days.

The bodies of the two witnesses will "lie lifeless in the public square of the great city", probably Jerusalem. And the bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the street so all can see they have been defeated. "For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial". Sure, those living near where the witnesses fell will walk by to confirm the two most hated men in the world are dead but think of the billions who will see this spectacle live on television or the internet.

For 3 ½ years the two witnesses will valiantly battle the Anti-Christ and his legions, but even their time on earth will come to an end. The witnesses will be killed by a "beast that comes up from the Abyss". And apparently, the witnesses, God's handpicked saints, will battle the beast to the very end because it will be necessary for the beast to "overpower and kill them".

The witnesses will "shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying". Based on this scripture, the two witnesses will stop all rain from falling throughout the entire world for 1260 days or 3 ½ years. This single event will not only negatively impact the environment, but will also increase world hunger, cause an increase in crime, crop failure, a reduction of drinkable water and more. The two witnesses will also be able to turn “waters to blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague.” Their powers seem to be unlimited.

There are many instances where the fig tree is used in the Bible to represent Israel. Much like the United States is known for its national bird, the eagle, Israel has been represented by the fig tree. And Jesus uses this reference as a sign for when we may expect His return. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” The fig tree in this passage is Israel. And, as the fig tree begins to sprout leaves in the springtime, Israel becoming a nation, we will know the summer, Jesus’ return, is near, even “right at the door.”