The Great Tribulation & The Antichrist - Part Two | Living With The End In Mind | Pastor Adam Bishop

Today’s focus was on the final three and a half years of the Great Tribulation, a period described in Revelation as the most intense and devastating time in human history. This era follows the rapture of the church and is marked by the rise of the Antichrist, who will demand global worship and enforce the infamous “mark of the beast.” The peace he initially brings will be shattered, leading to unprecedented persecution of Israel and a series of escalating judgments: the seven trumpets and the seven bowls.

The trumpet judgments unleash catastrophic events—destruction of vegetation, sea life, and fresh water, cosmic disturbances, and two terrifying demonic invasions. The sixth trumpet, in particular, reveals a demonic army of 200 million, released from beneath the Euphrates, which will kill a third of humanity. Despite these horrors, many will refuse to repent, highlighting the depth of human rebellion.

Following the trumpets, the bowl judgments intensify the suffering: festering sores, the seas and rivers turning to blood, scorching heat, darkness, and the drying up of the Euphrates to prepare for the climactic battle of Armageddon. This battle, set in the literal valley of Megiddo, is not just a metaphor but a real event in a real place, even referenced by historical figures like Napoleon as the world’s ideal battlefield.

At Armageddon, all the armies of the world will gather against Christ. Yet, the outcome is never in doubt. Jesus will defeat his enemies not through a drawn-out conflict, but by the mere breath of his mouth. This is a powerful reminder of his absolute authority and the futility of opposing him. For those who belong to Christ, this is not a moment to fear but to anticipate, as it marks the final vindication of God’s justice and the beginning of his reign.

The reality of God’s justice, mercy, and grace is brought into sharp focus. Justice is getting what we deserve; mercy is not getting what we deserve; grace is receiving what we could never earn. Through Christ, we are offered mercy and grace, invited to be part of God’s family rather than recipients of his judgment. The call is clear: respond to Jesus now, for every day of delay increases the risk of missing out on his salvation. The study of these end times should not just inform us, but compel us to share our faith and live in the victory Christ has secured.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Wrestling with Difficult Truths: The most challenging passages of Scripture, especially those describing judgment and suffering, are just as inspired as the comforting ones. God welcomes our questions and struggles, using them to draw us closer to his heart and deepen our trust in his goodness, even when we don’t fully understand his ways. [30:20]
• 2. The Deceptive Allure and Ultimate Failure of Evil: The Antichrist’s rise to power through peace and unity is a sobering reminder that evil often masquerades as good. Yet, his betrayal and the subsequent horrors reveal that any peace apart from Christ is temporary and ultimately destructive. Evil’s apparent triumph is always short-lived in the light of God’s sovereignty. [32:27]
• 3. The Depth of Human Rebellion: Even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God’s power and judgment, many will persist in their rebellion, refusing to repent. This shows that the problem is not a lack of knowledge or proof, but a hardened heart—a warning to examine our own openness to God’s conviction and grace. [43:55]
• 4. The Absolute Authority of Christ: The battle of Armageddon is not a contest of equals, but a demonstration of Christ’s unrivaled power. With a single breath, he will end all opposition. This truth should shape our worship, our confidence in his victory, and our willingness to trust him with every circumstance in our lives. [58:17]
• 5. The Urgency of Response and the Gift of Grace: God’s justice is real, but so are his mercy and grace. Through Jesus, we are offered not just escape from judgment, but adoption into God’s family. The call is urgent: don’t delay in responding to Christ, for today is the day of salvation, and every moment matters in light of eternity. [62:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [23:12] - Membership and Vision Update
• [24:08] - Financial Update and Upcoming Video
• [24:34] - Series Recap and Today’s Focus
• [25:27] - The Great Tribulation and the Antichrist
• [27:03] - Structure of the Tribulation
• [28:43] - Overview of the Last 3.5 Years
• [31:56] - The Antichrist Demands Worship
• [32:50] - Persecution of Israel
• [33:52] - The Seven Trumpet Judgments
• [36:30] - Demonic Invasions and the Sixth Trumpet
• [44:38] - The Seven Bowl Judgments
• [48:03] - The Battle of Armageddon
• [52:02] - The Megiddo Mosaic and Jesus’ Deity
• [53:50] - Key Truths about Armageddon
• [58:17] - The Power and Victory of Christ
• [60:32] - The Purpose of Armageddon: Justice, Mercy, and Grace
• [62:40] - The Urgency of Responding to Jesus
• [64:03] - Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

Revelation 9:13-21 (NIV) — > 13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number. 17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. 20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

2. Revelation 19:19-21 (NIV)
> 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

3. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)
> 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

Observation Questions

1. According to Revelation 9:13-21, what is released at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, and what is the result for humanity?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the literalness of the trumpet and bowl judgments—are they symbolic or real events? ([34:21])
3. What is the outcome of the battle of Armageddon as described in Revelation 19:19-21? Who wins, and how?
4. How do people respond to God’s judgments, even after witnessing catastrophic events, according to Revelation 9:20-21 and the sermon? ([43:55])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon mentions that even after seeing overwhelming evidence of God’s power and judgment, many people refuse to repent. What does this suggest about the nature of human rebellion and the condition of the heart? ([43:55])
2. The Antichrist is described as bringing peace and unity at first, but then revealing his true nature. What does this teach about the deceptive nature of evil and how it can appear attractive at first? ([32:27])
3. The pastor says that the battle of Armageddon is not a contest of equals, but a demonstration of Christ’s absolute authority. How should this truth affect the way believers view spiritual battles in their own lives? ([58:17])
4. The sermon highlights the difference between justice, mercy, and grace. How does understanding these concepts help someone respond to God’s offer of salvation? ([01:02:07])

Application Questions

1. The pastor said that wrestling with difficult parts of Scripture can actually draw us closer to God, not push us away. Is there a part of the Bible or a truth about God that you struggle with? How can you bring your questions to God honestly? ([30:20])
2. The Antichrist’s rise shows that evil can look good at first. Are there things in your life or in our culture that seem good on the surface but might actually be leading away from Christ? How can you discern the difference? ([32:27])
3. Even after seeing God’s power, many refuse to repent. Is there an area in your life where you know God is calling you to change, but you’ve been resisting? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([43:55])
4. The battle of Armageddon shows that Jesus wins with just the breath of his mouth. How does knowing Christ’s absolute authority give you confidence or peace in the challenges you’re facing right now? ([58:17])
5. The sermon emphasized the urgency of responding to Jesus and not delaying. If you have already trusted Christ, who in your life needs to hear about God’s mercy and grace? What is one step you can take this week to share your faith? ([01:02:07])
6. The pastor said that studying end times should not just inform us, but compel us to live in the victory Christ has secured. What is one practical way you can live out that victory this week—in your family, work, or community? ([01:04:27])
7. Justice is getting what we deserve, mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is getting what we could never earn. Which of these do you most need to remember right now, and how can it change the way you relate to God and others? ([01:02:07])