“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven” (Mark 13:24-27).

The antichrist will most probably be a popular political leader of a world union of governments, and during his rule, a period of intense tribulation will be experienced on earth, to the extent that the sun and moon will be darkened, and stars will fall from the sky. Jesus in heaven will break open the seven end time seals, which will lead to many judgments (Revelation 6:1-7:8). There will be great judgments – seven great trumpets and seven bowls of wrath (Revelation 8:7-11:19, 16:2-20), and Israel will also be restored (Acts 1:6-8).

The purpose of this intense judgment is to wake people out of their spiritual slumber, to encourage them to repent (Romans 13:11), and to cleanse the world of its wickedness. During this era a great multitude of people will be saved (Revelation 7:9-17), due to the witness of 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:4-8). Just as the proclamation of the gospel began with Jews, it will end with Jews too. ‘Now if their fall is riches for the world and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!’ (Romans 11:12).

Christ will then return to be seen by all in His glory, with His armies (Revelation 19:11-15). The antichrist and his armies will be gathered to Megiddo and defeated (Revelation 19:17-21); Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1-3), and Christ will rule on earth for one thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6). At the start of His reign, Christ will judge all the nations.

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats…” (Matthew 25:31-33).

This is an excerpt from the book ‘Jesus Today - Daily Devotional - 100 Days with Jesus Christ’ by Paul Backholer and is used by permission.