These 10 Bible prophecies from Jesus, Zechariah and the Bible's book of Revelation deal with the End Times, Apocalypse, or Last Days, when Jesus is to return and judge the living and the dead.

1. Jerusalem would become an international problem
Bible passage: Zechariah 12:1-5
Written: between 520 and 518 BC
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Zechariah 12, the prophet said that there would come a time when the surrounding nations would besiege Jerusalem and Judah (the area around Jerusalem), and that all the nations of the world would gather against Jerusalem, but that God ultimately would save the city and its people. This is widely regarded as an End Time prophecy to be fulfilled in the future.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this prophecy is that it is predicated on Jerusalem being a city of critical interest to the rest of the world. And it just so happens that Jerusalem is the only city in the world that is of interest to the rest of the world.

For Jews, it is their ancient capital, founded by King David about 3000 years ago. Many Arab Moslems, however, believe that the city should be part of an independent state for Palestinian Arabs. The issue of who should control Jerusalem has been a cause of the Arab-Israeli wars during the past century.

And, the conflict between Arabs and Jews has been a primary reason as to why the international community has taken an interest in Jerusalem. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly approved a plan to carve up the ancient land of Israel into a state for Jews and another for Arabs. This plan would have established Jerusalem as an international city to be governed by the United Nations.

This extremely unusual proposal, suggesting that a city be governed by the United Nations, simply shows the unique status that Jerusalem already has in the world: It is the only city in the world that is of interest to the rest of the world.

Given the history of the city, the volatile conflict between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations, and the unusual interest that the international community has shown in regards to Jerusalem, it seems clear that the groundwork for the future fulfillment of this prophecy is in place.

Zechariah 12:1-5
This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness," declares the Lord. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts, `The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.'

2. When Israel blooms again, the Kingdom of God will be near
Bible passage: Luke 21:29-31
Recorded: about 30 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Luke 21:29-31, Jesus said that when the fig tree blooms again, people will know that the End Times and Kingdom of God is near. Some Christian scholars believe that the fig tree represents the nation of Israel. This passage is sometimes interpreted to mean that the End Times would not begin until sometime after the nation of Israel regains sovereignty. When Jesus delivered this prophecy about 2000 years ago, Israel was ruled over by the Roman Empire. The people of Israel did not have sovereignty over their own land during that era. But, after centuries of exile, the Jews were able to return to Israel and reclaim sovereignty, in 1948.

Luke 21:29-31
He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

3. The Messiah will appear after the Jews return to Israel
Bible passage: Jeremiah 23:3-6
Written: sometime from 626 to about 586 BC
Fulfilled: end times

In Jeremiah 23:3-6, there is a prophecy that indicates when the Messiah is to appear in the land of Israel. Jeremiah said that it would be after the exiled people of Israel return to their homeland. From a Christian point of view, this is of special interest because Jesus is supposed to appear twice. And this coincides with the fact that the people of Israel have been expelled from their homeland twice, and that they are currently in the process of returning after the second expulsion.

More than 2500 years ago, the Assyrians and Babylonians forced the people of Israel out of their homeland. Many returned during the centuries that followed and then Jesus appeared, about 2000 years ago, and announced that he is the Messiah. Later, the people of Israel were again forced out of their land (by the Romans in 135 AD) and scattered to countries throughout the world.

But, during the past few centuries, millions of exiled Jews around the world have returned to their ancient homeland. And this is one of the reasons why Christians say that the world is being prepared for the return of Jesus Christ. Because, as Jeremiah had prophesied long ago, the Messiah is to appear after the people of Israel return to their land.

The phrase, in Jeremiah 23:5, "I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King," refers to the Messiah, and that he will be a king and a descendant of King David, who reigned over Israel about 3000 years ago. Christians believe that when Jesus returns, he will establish a kingdom of peace and righteousness.

Jeremiah 23:3-6
"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the Lord. "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.

4. The Gospel will be preached to the entire world
Bible passage: Matthew 24:14
Recorded: about 30 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Matthew 24:14, the Bible says that the Gospel (the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) will be preached throughout the world. The Bible also says that after this happens, the end times will come. The Bible has been preached throughout the world for a long time. But now, with the increasing worldwide availability of television and the Internet, there is greater potential for the Gospel to be preached to everyone, everywhere.

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

5. The world would be able to simultaneously witness events
Bible passage: Revelation 11:9-10
Written: sometime between 54 and 95 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Revelation 11:9-10, the Bible gives a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled, at least not in a literal sense. But, perhaps for the first time in history, it can be fulfilled. The prophecy says that people all over the world will be able to simultaneously witness a particular event (the death of two prophets). This of course would have been difficult before the popularization of television and the Internet. But it is now common for people worldwide to simultaneously witness events via television and the Internet.

Revelation 11:9-10
For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

6. Zechariah foreshadowed modern warfare
Bible passage: Zechariah 14:12
Written: between 520 and 518 BC
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Zechariah, chapter 14, the prophet says a time will come when nations gather to attack Jerusalem. In Zechariah 14:12, the prophet says the nations that attack Jerusalem will be struck with a "plague" that will cause their flesh to rot while they are still standing. This might be a fitting description for modern warfare if it were described by a person who lived 2500 years ago, as Zechariah did. Chemical weapons are capable of causing rapid deterioration of flesh. And a blast of heat from a nuclear weapon could have a similar affect. Some Bible scholars, however, believe that this plague could refer to a supernatural event from God to protect the Holy Land.

Zechariah 14:12
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.

7. Many people will go to Jerusalem to seek God's favor
Bible passage: Zechariah 8:22
Written: between 520 and 518 BC
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Zechariah 8:22, the prophet said 2500 years ago that a time will come when many people go to Jerusalem to seek and honor God. This prophecy has been at least partially fulfilled already. The Jews recaptured Jerusalem during the Six Day War in 1967. Since then, people from around the world have toured Jerusalem to visit various sites that are important to the history of Judaism and Christianity. Jerusalem is also an important city to Moslems.

Zechariah 8:22
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him."

8. Book of Revelation envisioned an army of 200 million
Bible passage: Revelation 9:16
Written: sometime between 54 and 95 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Revelation 9:16, the Bible says that an army of 200 million will one day march toward Israel. Of course, this prophecy hasn't been fulfilled yet, at least not literally. But, as the world's population rises above 6 billion, it is increasingly possible for a coalition of countries to amass an army of 200 million, and this would have been have been unthinkable even 100 years ago.

Revelation 9:16
The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

9. The troops would cross the Euphrates
Bible passage: Revelation 16:12
Written: sometime between 54 and 95 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Revelation 16:12, the Bible says there will come a time when the Euphrates River becomes dry so that an army can cross it and march into Israel. When the book of Revelation was written 1900 years ago, it would have taken a great natural disaster, or a great amount of labor to divert the flow of the Euphrates so that an army could cross it. (In 539 BC, Cyrus and his army diverted the flow so that his troops could march across the riverbed and conquer Babylon). But, today, there are a series of dams that would make it much easier to divert the flow of the powerful river.

Revelation 16:12
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.

10. People would be forced to receive the mark of the beast
Bible passage: Revelation 13:16-18
Written: sometime between 54 and 95 AD
To be fulfilled: End Times

In Revelation 13:16-18, the Bible says that there would come a time when a powerful leader would force people to receive a "mark" on or in their right hand or forehead, and that no one would be able to buy or sell unless they had that mark. When the book of Revelation was written about 1900 years ago, it would have been nearly impossible for a world leader to force everyone to receive such a mark. But, today, with modern technology, it would be much easier. Today, for example, it would be possible to implant under a person's skin a small microchip that could be used like a credit card.

Revelation 13:16-18
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (KJV).

hi chad, good morning,

i need to know and be sure we are in the laodecian age cos, each time that particular passage of the bible in the book of revelation, i feel a bit scared and wonder wht men are doing about their love for GOD. i was on my way to work and i saw where people are gathered and wonder why. on getting close i found rushing to by novels and here is a man shouting buy ur bible at a the same rate as the novels and i wonder. what going on. the HOLY spirit reminde me of how GOD will starve man of HIS word. are we in the laodecian age? that my primary question.

itua

You present a lot of info here in a very intelligent manner. But I want to call your attention to something in the Rev 13 text:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. It gives three ways that someone might buy or sell (live in other words) 1. Take the mark (and the Bible does not say what the mark actually is!) OR2. Knows his name OR 3. Knows the number of his name. It then tells us the number of his name.

Unfortunately because of our modern number system, some contemporary translations say the number as: "666". There are many unbelievers and believers that think three sixes are the mark, or the number of the devil, or something like that. But what John wrote [in Greek] was the number six hundred, and then he wrote the number sixty (three score), and then he wrote the number six. Many ancient languages used letters for their numbering systems, including Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic (the three original languages of the Bible). If you wrote those numbers that John wrote in all three of those languages, you would be writing the name of a man, the SAME man's name in all three languages: Nero Caesar. That could have a few interpretations. The truth is I don't know which one would be right.

However my brother, I do anticipate these things may occur in my lifetime. I am prepared to stand before the man and in as public as I can possibly be, refuse the mark, and say that "I know that he is the antichrist, the beast, his name is Nero Caesar, and the number of his name is sixhundred, sixty, and six." There are two possible results to this: 1. I am killed. I'm okay with that. or 2. He will have no power to harm me or stop me from buying or selling (living). I base this idea on the ancient belief that to say the name (or it was called "have the name") of someone was to have power over them. It was for this reason that the Jews spelled Yaweh so that they could not pronounce it, and Jacob wrestled with The Angel of the Lord seeking blessing and to know His name. It's also why God renamed many people in the Bible after they became His.

As for Israel and Jerusalem's part in the fulfillment of the end times prophesies, I recommend an excellent book: Epicenterby Joel C. Rosenberg.
Well, I could go on, but not now. God bless you.

Yes Mike, Nero Caesar is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit. He will take over the antichrists body after his mortal would is healed. Immediately after, he will surround Israel with his Army, and will commit the abomination of desolation.
The 8th king that is also one of the 7.

Epicenter by Joel C. Rosenberg as Mike mentioned. Ya gotta read it. I couldn't put it down. It is totally relevant to today, right now.
If you are wondering about end times prophecy and whether or not we could be living in the end times then this book is for you.
Many many things have happened since the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel in 1948 that have flown by us on the news and in other media. He has managed to organize all of this information and some that wasn't widely reported on in the media that happen to be of great significance. On top of that the author continually refers to the book of Ezekiel where the war of Gog and Magog is foretold. I don't need any more convincing myself at this point.

Just a quick note on this subject.
It was a topic preached just last Sunday in church.
Now our Pastor is a man of 71yrs, so well matured.
he said that we are the last church, the 7th church, as mentioned in Revelation, I think ch.2 v 1 speaking on the 7 stars, and 7 golden candlesticks.
He also asked is it the church 'the body' keeping Jesus from returning?
because we are not walking as we should be.

Not all the churches get it spot on, they all are going of route somewhere along the line.
But personally I don't think this is true.
I believe God has set a time and a date, and it won't matter what the church are up to, it will only be those walking on the narrow way that will be transported.
He did say something which made everyone stop and think though,
he said when one gets raptured from here, and another from there, and what if your on a plane and you go up, ah, and what if the pilot is saved!!!!

food for thought eh?

Maureen,
I agree with you that God has appointed the time and even if He returns and raptures 4 living people in all the world, that's when He'll come. We do know that it will happen "when we think not". The scenario with the plane ends in a crash, with no fatalities. It says that those left behind will pray for death, but won't be able to die.
There is a doctrine being taught from pulpits which I believe is anti-biblical. It is that Jesus cannot return until the sons (and daughters) of God take dominion over the Earth. I believe this, if it were true, would give us power over God to initiate or thwart His plan. I'm reminded of the tower of Babel. The goal of the builders was to co-habitate with God in heaven and attain deity for themselves. By no coincidence, the line that hooked Eve into disobedience was: "You shall be as gods". Doesn't it all sound similar?

I'm glad to gather with you around the Word of God.

mikemattice
would that be in the book of Revelation?
I think I'm unaware of that, have never heard it spoken on, that those left behind will not be able to die.

Trusting to God, there will be more than 4 out of a whole world to be raptured, or transported.

Sure even old satan himself wanted to be worshipped, yes, to be a God, your sure right there, didn't he tell it to our own Saviour, in the wilderness that if he would only fall down and worship him, all he could see would be his.
As if satan could give anything to our Shepherd, that He doesn't already own, we can't even give Him anything that isn't already His own, if only to have His mind and wisdom to handle the fiery darts and the life experiences that life throws at us. How awesome would that be. Amen

something on a little lighter note to end:-
my husband in the car today was complaining about he car in front not indicating, I said just of the top of my head without even thinking, perhaps his blub has gone out, he said, only you could think of something like that, you'd sure know you were a Christain. (he's not)
I just loved that second, I thought thank you Lord, it's you not me.

perhaps it's little things like this that speak up for our lovely dear Lord.