Scripture Timeline:
From the Beginning of the Tribulation to Yeshua’s Return
Here is a time line from Scripture. Showing that as we enter the end of this age and the beginning of the tribulation. Events will start to happen that will lead to the return of Yeshua. I have bible studies and songs from many of the poings listed here. Go over my daily posts to find the ones you want.
Scripture Timeline: From the Beginning of the Tribulation to Yeshua’s Return
Scripture gives us the sequence of events, but it does not give us a calendar date for when they begin.
Therefore, we should watch for the biblical signs without setting dates. The clearest end-time period is 42 months, 1,260 days, or “a time, times, and half a time” — 3½ years.
1. Increasing Trouble Before the Tribulation
Yeshua described preliminary events as “the beginning of sorrows.”
“Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars… nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes.”
— Matthew 24:6–8
Look for:
- Religious deception
- Wars and international conflict
- Famines and disease
- Earthquakes and natural disasters
- Increasing lawlessness
- Hatred and betrayal
- Declining love and faith
“Because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
— Matthew 24:12
These things alone do not prove the final 3½ years have begun. They prepare the world for what follows.
2. A Great Falling Away
Before the Day of Yahweh, Paul says there will be a major apostasy—a departure from truth.
“That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Look for:
- Religious institutions rejecting Scripture
- Lawlessness being presented as righteousness
- Believers abandoning Yahweh’s commandments
- Increasing deception performed in Yeshua’s name
- A powerful religious and political system gaining influence
This apostasy prepares the way for the Beast and the False Prophet.
3. The Beast Power Rises
Revelation describes a final political and military power called the Beast.
“The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”
— Revelation 13:2
The Beast receives authority for 42 months:
“Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
— Revelation 13:5
Daniel describes this final kingdom as an alliance represented by ten horns:
“The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise.”
— Daniel 7:24
Look for:
- A powerful political and military alliance
- Ten kings or rulers giving their authority to one leader
- A leader who appears able to solve an international crisis
- Blasphemous claims and opposition to Yahweh
- Economic and military control
“These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”
— Revelation 17:13
4. The False Prophet and Religious Deception
A second beast supports the political Beast.
“He exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth… to worship the first beast.”
— Revelation 13:12
He performs convincing signs:
“He doeth great wonders… and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles.”
— Revelation 13:13–14
Yeshua also warned:
“There shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders.”
— Matthew 24:24
Look for:
- A powerful religious figure supporting the Beast
- Miracles used to validate false teaching
- A union of political and religious authority
- Pressure to worship or obey the Beast system
- Persecution of those who keep Yahweh’s commandments
Miracles alone do not prove that someone represents Yahweh.
5. The Two Witnesses Begin Their Ministry
At or near the beginning of this final period, Yahweh empowers two individual witnesses.
“I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
— Revelation 11:3
Their ministry lasts 1,260 days—3½ years.
They will:
- Prophesy openly
- Warn the nations
- Confront the Beast system
- Call people to repentance
- Possess miraculous power
- Bring plagues as often as Yahweh permits
“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not… and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues.”
— Revelation 11:6
Their appearance would be one of the clearest signs that the final countdown has begun.
6. The Abomination of Desolation
Yeshua identified a decisive sign:
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place… then let them which be in Judaea flee.”
— Matthew 24:15–16
Paul describes the man of sin exalting himself:
“He as Yahweh sitteth in the temple of Yahweh, showing himself that he is Yahweh.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Daniel connects this event with the removal of regular worship:
“They shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.”
— Daniel 11:31
Look for:
- Events centered on Jerusalem
- A restored form of sacrifice or worship that can be stopped
- The holy place being profaned
- A ruler making blasphemous claims
- The beginning of intense persecution
The exact nature of the “holy place” remains debated, so we should recognize what Scripture says without claiming more certainty than it gives.
7. The Great Tribulation
After the abomination, Yeshua says the Great Tribulation follows:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world.”
— Matthew 24:21
This will include:
- Warfare
- Famine
- Disease
- Economic collapse
- Captivity and persecution
- Betrayal
- Martyrdom
- Worldwide deception
The seals of Revelation describe this progression:
Seal | Event | Scripture |
First | Deception and conquest | Revelation 6:1–2 |
Second | War | Revelation 6:3–4 |
Third | Famine | Revelation 6:5–6 |
Fourth | Death by war, hunger and disease | Revelation 6:7–8 |
Fifth | Persecution and martyrdom | Revelation 6:9–11 |
Sixth | Heavenly signs | Revelation 6:12–17 |
Seventh | Seven trumpets begin | Revelation 8:1–2 |
8. Yahweh Protects a Faithful Group
Revelation describes a woman representing Yahweh’s faithful people being taken to a place of protection.
“To the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness… for a time, and times, and half a time.”
— Revelation 12:14
This equals 3½ years.
The dragon then attacks the remaining believers:
“The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahweh, and have the testimony of Yeshua.”
— Revelation 12:17
The identifying characteristics are:
- They keep Yahweh’s commandments
- They possess the testimony and faith of Yeshua
- They refuse to worship the Beast
- They patiently endure persecution
Not every faithful person is necessarily promised physical protection. Revelation also describes faithful saints who are martyred.
9. The Mark of the Beast Is Enforced
The Beast system eventually controls buying and selling:
“No man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast.”
— Revelation 13:17
Those who accept the mark worship and submit to the Beast’s authority.
Those who refuse may face:
- Loss of employment or property
- Inability to buy and sell
- Imprisonment
- Death
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yeshua.”
— Revelation 14:12
Scripture’s emphasis is not merely on identifying a physical device. The central issue is worship, allegiance and obedience.
10. The Heavenly Signs
After intense tribulation, dramatic signs appear in the heavens:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.”
— Matthew 24:29
Revelation’s sixth seal describes the same kind of event:
“The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.”
— Revelation 6:12
These signs announce that human rule is nearing its end and that the Day of Yahweh’s judgment is approaching.
“For the great day of his wrath is come.”
— Revelation 6:17
11. The 144,000 Are Sealed
Before the trumpet judgments strike the earth, Yahweh’s servants are sealed.
“Hurt not the earth… till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”
— Revelation 7:3
Revelation identifies 144,000 from the tribes of Israel.
It also describes a great multitude:
“A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.”
— Revelation 7:9
They have come through great tribulation and have been made clean through the Lamb.
12. The Seven Trumpets Begin
When the seventh seal is opened, seven angels receive seven trumpets.
“I saw the seven angels which stood before Yahweh; and to them were given seven trumpets.”
— Revelation 8:2
The first four trumpets bring destruction upon:
- The earth and vegetation
- The sea
- Rivers and springs
- The sun, moon and stars
The fifth and sixth trumpets describe terrifying warfare and enormous loss of life.
Despite these judgments, many refuse to repent:
“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
— Revelation 9:21
13. The Beast Kills the Two Witnesses
When the Two Witnesses finish their 1,260-day testimony:
“The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.”
— Revelation 11:7
Their bodies remain publicly exposed for 3½ days.
The world celebrates their deaths:
“They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry.”
— Revelation 11:10
This worldwide celebration will show how completely humanity has turned against Yahweh’s warning.
14. The Two Witnesses Are Resurrected
After 3½ days:
“The Spirit of life from Yahweh entered into them, and they stood upon their feet.”
— Revelation 11:11
They hear a voice saying:
“Come up hither.”
— Revelation 11:12
They ascend in a cloud while their enemies watch.
A great earthquake follows, and the text then says:
“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
— Revelation 11:14
15. The Seventh Trumpet Sounds
Immediately after the resurrection of the Two Witnesses, the seventh trumpet sounds:
“The seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Sovereign, and of his Messiah.”
— Revelation 11:15
Paul connects the resurrection of the saints with the last trumpet:
“The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:52
Yeshua descends from heaven:
“Yeshua himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Yahweh.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Then:
- The faithful dead are resurrected.
- Living faithful believers are changed.
- They are gathered to Yeshua.
- They receive immortal bodies.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet Yeshua in the air.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:17
This is the First Resurrection, not a secret pre-Tribulation removal.
16. The Saints Stand Before Yeshua
Revelation pictures the victorious saints standing on something resembling a sea of glass:
“I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast… stand on the sea of glass.”
— Revelation 15:2
They have overcome:
- The Beast
- His image
- His mark
- His system
- The fear of death
They sing praise to Yahweh and prepare to reign with Yeshua.
17. The Seven Bowls of Yahweh’s Wrath
After the saints are gathered, seven bowls containing Yahweh’s wrath are poured out.
“Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of Yahweh upon the earth.”
— Revelation 16:1
The bowls include:
- Painful sores upon the Beast’s worshippers
- The sea becoming as blood
- Rivers and fountains becoming blood
- Scorching heat
- Darkness upon the Beast’s kingdom
- The Euphrates prepared for the kings of the east
- A worldwide earthquake and enormous hail
These judgments are directed particularly against the unrepentant Beast system.
18. The Nations Gather for Armageddon
Demonic spirits influence the world’s rulers:
“They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth… to gather them to the battle of that great day of Yahweh Almighty.”
— Revelation 16:14
They are gathered to:
“A place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
— Revelation 16:16
Armageddon is the gathering place. The final battle reaches Jerusalem.
“I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle.”
— Zechariah 14:2
Human armies will attempt to fight Yeshua at His appearing.
19. Babylon the Great Falls
The religious, political and commercial system called Babylon the Great is destroyed.
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.”
— Revelation 18:2
Yahweh warns His people:
“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins.”
— Revelation 18:4
The merchants and rulers who profited from her will mourn, but heaven will rejoice because her deception and persecution have ended.
20. Yeshua Descends as King
Yeshua appears openly as the conquering King:
“I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True.”
— Revelation 19:11
He bears the title:
“KING OF KINGS, AND MASTER OF MASTERS.”
— Revelation 19:16
This return is not secret:
“Every eye shall see him.”
— Revelation 1:7
“As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
— Matthew 24:27
21. Yeshua Stands Upon the Mount of Olives
Yeshua returns to the same area from which He ascended:
“His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.”
— Zechariah 14:4
The mountain splits, creating a great valley.
The nations fighting against Him are defeated, and the Beast and False Prophet are removed:
“These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
— Revelation 19:20
Human government ends, and Yeshua takes authority over the nations.
22. Satan Is Bound
After Yeshua’s victory, Satan is restrained:
“He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:2
He can no longer deceive the nations during the Millennium.
23. Yeshua and the Saints Begin the Millennium
Yeshua becomes King over the entire earth:
“Yahweh shall be king over all the earth.”
— Zechariah 14:9
The resurrected saints reign with Him:
“They lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:4
“They shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:6
The surviving nations begin learning Yahweh’s way:
“Many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh… and he will teach us of his ways.”
— Isaiah 2:3
War will eventually cease:
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares… neither shall they learn war any more.”
— Isaiah 2:4
The Sequence at a Glance
The Most Important Things to Watch
Rather than watching only for wars or disasters, watch for the specific signs Scripture emphasizes:
- A great falling away from truth.
- The rise of a powerful final Beast alliance.
- A miracle-working religious leader supporting it.
- Major developments involving Jerusalem and the holy place.
- The appearance of Yahweh’s Two Witnesses.
- Authority being given to the Beast for 42 months.
- Worldwide economic and religious enforcement.
- Persecution of those keeping Yahweh’s commandments.
- The Two Witnesses completing their 1,260-day ministry.
- Heavenly signs, trumpet judgments and the visible return of Yeshua.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW...
The purpose of prophecy is not merely to know what happens next. It is to move us toward repentance, obedience, faith, endurance and spiritual preparation.
“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
— Matthew 24:13
