Assuming you’ve read Parts 1 and 2 of the Post-Rapture Survival Guide, you understand what it means to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior. You also understand why millions vanished without a trace as Christ raptured His church. Now it’s time to talk about what to expect during the 7 Years of Tribulation.

Warning: There are many false prophets and misguided teachers out there claiming to speak truth and there are bound to be even more during the Tribulation period (Jesus warns of this in Matthew 24:24). There is also a great deal of well-intentioned commentary about the end times that is driven by unbiblical speculation. The truth is, only God knows exactly how everything is going to play out during this unprecedented period of history. Even the most prominent pastors and biblical scholars disagree on the timing and/or meaning of certain end times prophecies such as the Gog and Magog war, Mystery Babylon, etc.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is God-breathed, which means you can always trust the authenticity of the Holy Bible. As such, it is important to focus on what is known for certain (i.e. what can be backed up by the Word of God) rather than overindulge in speculation. It is also important to consider that many prophecies foretold in books like Revelation simply won’t make complete sense yet because those who speculated about their future meaning prior to the Rapture lacked the proper context that would make more sense to someone alive during the Tribulation period. For example, is Babylon literally the ancient city of Babylon rebuilt into a sprawling metropolis or is it a purely symbolic term for the new one world government that Antichrist will assemble? And when Ezekiel 38-39 mentions “Gog and Magog” as invaders from the North, is this a reference to modern day countries or some other geo-political alliance that doesn’t yet exist prior to the Rapture? Generally speaking, anything speculated that appears inconsistent with what the Bible tells us is likely to be unreliable so take things with a grain of salt. If you’re not certain how to interpret a specific verse of biblical prophecy, pray and ask God for wisdom and discernment. Trust that He will reveal to you what you really need to know, when you really need to know it.

Suggestion: Since you came to a saving faith in Christ after the Rapture, it stands to reason you are probably not a trained or ordained biblical scholar. Unless of course you simply missed the part about accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior (not passing judgment, there will be plenty of folks in that camp and God is going to use you in a mighty way to lead and minister to those left behind!) it is not surprising that you might need a little help understanding and interpreting Scripture, especially when it comes to end times prophecies. To aid you in your understanding, I highly suggest purchasing a copy of the John MacArthur Study Bible as well as his Bible Study Guide on the Book of Revelation. In my humble opinion, Pastor John MacArthur is the gold standard among eschatology scholars. He has been reliably and consistently preaching the Word of God for over five decades and his expert commentary and guidance is an excellent place to begin your journey into eschatology. I also mention several other great sources below.

So, what can we reliably expect to happen during the 7 Year Tribulation Period based on what the Bible tells us? Here are some of the major events prophesied to take place after the Rapture:

1. A charismatic leader (Antichrist, aka the Beast) will take control over the governments of the world and the global economy. Note: Many scholars speculate that the chaos of the Rapture will serve as a catalyst for his rapid rise to power. (Revelation 6:1-2)
2. Antichrist (aka the Beast) will sign a 7 Year peace treaty with Israel; this is widely regarded as the official start of the 7 Year Tribulation Period. (Daniel 9:27; Note: each week in Daniel’s prophecy equates to 7 years)
3. The Bible tells us to expect the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which most scholars consider to be a symbolic description with literal fulfillment. The first horseman rides a white horse and represents Antichrist, who will rise to global power and prominence, likely without firing a single shot as he is equipped with a bow and no arrows. (Revelation 6:1-2) The second horseman rides a red horse and represents War, likely a global (possibly nuclear) war that will ravage the world. (Revelation 6:3-4) The third horseman is a food merchant riding a black horse who represents global Famine. (Revelation 6:5-6) The fourth and final horseman rides a pale green horse which represent Pestilence or Death. (Revelation 6:7-8)
4. In connection with the Four Horsemen, the Bible tells us to expect 21 total judgments (7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls) during the Tribulation Period. I will break these down in greater detail below.
5. During the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period (1,260 days), Two Witnesses shall emerge to speak out against Antichrist and to testify that Jesus Christ is Lord. These men (whom many scholars speculate will be Moses and Elijah) will be endowed with supernatural powers and they will be safe from harm at the hands of Antichrist until the due time (the second half of the Tribulation Period). After completing their ministry, they will be martyred at the hands of the Antichrist before rising again three days later and ascending to heaven. (Revelation 11)
6. Though many billions will perish during the Tribulation, many millions (possibly even billions) will come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. At the heart of this great spiritual awakening will be 144,000 Jewish witnesses evangelizing in the name of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7; Revelation 14)
7. The first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period are expected to be mild compared to the final 3 1/2 years. During the second half of the Tribulation (also known as the Great Tribulation or the Time of Jacob’s Trouble), Antichrist will betray Israel and persecute the Tribulation Saints, or those who accept Christ after the Rapture. (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 13)
8. The second half of the Tribulation will begin with the Abomination of Desolation outlined in the Book of Daniel, an unholy event during which most scholars believe Antichrist will desecrate the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be God. (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27; Revelation 13:14)
9. During the second half of the Tribulation period, Antichrist will force his followers to pledge their allegiance to him by accepting the Mark of the Beast. Those without the Mark will be unable to buy goods or participate openly in society. It is implied that the Tribulation Saints will also receive a mark from God, a special seal on their foreheads to set them apart as followers of Christ. (Revelation 13; Revelation 14; Revelation 19; Revelation 20)
10. Antichrist will be assassinated by a “fatal wound” but then will rise again, this time presumably possessed directly by Satan himself. (Revelation 13; Revelation 17)
11. Antichrist will continue to persecute the Tribulation Saints throughout the second half of the Tribulation. Finally, at the end of the Seven Years of Tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will culminate in the epic Battle of Armageddon. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, accompanied by the armies of Heaven and the Elect, will come down from Heaven and destroy the forces of Antichrist. Satan will be bound and Antichrist and his false prophet will be thrown into a fiery lake of burning sulfur. (Revelation 16, 19, and 20)

Now let’s take a closer look at the 21 judgments outlined in the Book of Revelation. I highly recommend opening your Bible and reading these passages for yourself, even if you need some expert commentary from a study Bible to help you understand what is to come.

The 7 Seal Judgments:

1. White Horse – Antichrist comes to power and conquers the world (Revelation 6:1-2)
2. Red Horse – War erupts around the globe (Revelation 6:3-4)
3. Black Horse – World-wide famine (Revelation 6:5-6)
4. Pale Horse – Death will ravage a quarter of the world’s population (Revelation 6:7-8)
5. Antichrist will persecute the Tribulation Saints; those who perish as martyrs for Christ during the Tribulation will receive white robes and rest for a short time until the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 6:9-11) when their deaths will be avenged
6. Wrath of the Lamb – a massive global earthquake will cause immense devastation around the world and the moon will become like blood (Revelation 6:12-17)
7. The opening of the seventh seal leads to awed silence in heaven for half an hour over what is about to transpire. In addition to another earthquake, the seventh seal leads to the seven trumpet judgments and the seventh trumpet leads to the seven bowl judgments, which will come in rapid succession just before the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 8:1)

The 7 Trumpet Judgments:

1. Hail and fire will rain down from heaven, destroying a third of all trees and burning up all the green grass (Revelation 8:7)
2. A great mountain (probably a meteor) will fall from heaven and land in the sea. A third of the world’s seas will turn into blood as a third of all sea creatures die and a third of all ships are destroyed. (Revelation 8:8-9)
3. Another celestial body (perhaps a comet) will fall from the heavens. It will be known as Wormwood for it will poison a third of the Earth’s water supply. (Revelation 8:10-11)
4. God will temporarily reduce the intensity of the sun, moon, and stars (Revelation 8:12-13)
5. A massive swarm of locust-like creatures will sweep across the globe; for five months they will torment but not kill anyone who does not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Revelation 9:1-6)
6. An army of evil (possibly comprised of demons) will be released and allowed to destroy one-third of humanity (Revelation 9:16)
7. As the temple of God is opened in heaven, a massive storm will sweep the globe featuring lighting, thunder, earthquakes and hail. (Revelation 11:15-19)

The 7 Bowl Judgments:

1. A foul and loathsome sore will come upon anyone bearing the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 16:2)
2. Blood will fill all of the earth’s seas, killing every living creature in the sea (Revelation 16:3-7)
3. More blood will be poured out upon the earth in retribution for all the saints and prophets murdered (Revelation 16:3-7)
4. The sun will grow intensely hot, scorching men with fire (Revelation 16:8-9)
5. The kingdom of Antichrist will be blanketed in darkness and his followers consumed by pain and sores (Revelation 16:10-11)
6. The great Euphrates River will dry up, allowing a massive army of invaders to arrive by land from the east, presumably to attack Israel in retaliation for the judgments/plagues sent by God (Revelation 16:12)
7. The most powerful earthquake in the history of world will be unleashed (Revelation 16:18)

What YOU personally need to do in order to survive the Tribulation Period:

1. First and foremost, you need to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior (re-read Part 1 of the Post-Rapture Survival Guide if you’re still not sure how this works). By accepting Christ and becoming a Tribulation Saint, even if you die during the chaos of the Tribulation Period (and there is a high probability that this will happen), your soul will be secure and you will receive the gift of eternal life.
2. Get your hands on a copy of the Holy Bible and immerse yourself in the Word of God. As mentioned above, you may need some assistance interpreting Scripture, especially if you are new to the Bible. See the link to the John MacArthur Study Bible up above. Even if you prefer digital eBooks, I highly recommend securing hard copy print editions because it is only a matter of time before it will be illegal to openly buy or download Bibles once Antichrist begins to directly persecute believers. I suggest starting with the Gospel of John in the New Testament, then reading Revelation and the rest of the New Testament. After this, you may want to check out the Old Testament books of prophecy, such as Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, and Zechariah since many of these prophecies pertain to the Tribulation period. If time permits, read the entire Old Testament from start to finish but I would not recommend starting here because the Old Testament was under the old covenant before Christ was born and is less relevant to what you need to know right away to survive the Tribulation period.
3. Find a group of fellow believers (Tribulation Saints) and band together. While all the true believers vanished in the Rapture, there are bound to be many folks who were close to knowing the truth about Jesus (even ordained pastors who were faking their faith or fooling themselves) but fell short of actually accepting Him as their Lord and personal Savior. These folks who barely missed the boat are likely going to know right away what happened during the Rapture and will be hungry to understand what is coming next. As Matthew 18:20 tells us, there is strength in numbers when it comes to walking in faith. You need to find a church home you can trust and become part of a body of believers dedicated to sincerely following the Word of God… but beware of false prophets!!!! Eventually, once Antichrist begins to directly persecute Tribulation Saints, you will have to worship in secret home churches or underground churches in order to avoid persecution.
4. Each day, protect yourself and prepare for Spiritual Warfare by donning the Full Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18 outlines the different elements of spiritual armor that will protect you from Satan’s schemes and attacks.
   • “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.“
5. Do NOT trust the one world government that will quickly form after the Rapture or the charismatic new politician that will emerge as its leader. No one knows exactly how Antichrist will rise to power but I personally suspect that the recent acknowledgement of UFOs (likely fallen angels instead of actual extra-terrestrial aliens) by the US Government opens the door to the alien invasion angle. When millions vanish, alien abduction would be an easy explanation for the vanishings and one that would incite mass fear and global hysteria, galvanizing the world’s governments under the Trojan Horse of mutual cooperation and the continued survival of the human race. Add to this the recent “pandemic” situation and resultant world-wide hysteria and you have a recipe for a swift rise to absolute power.
6. Do NOT accept the Mark of the Beast. Those who pledge allegiance to Antichrist and his one world government will be rejecting God. Those loyal to Antichrist will be susceptible to terrible consequences, both during the Tribulation Period and in Hell after they die.
7. Share your faith with others and lead them to salvation in Christ. One of the biggest reasons for the Rapture is that God is going to give millions of people who missed out on the gift of salvation one last wakeup call and opportunity to accept Jesus before it is too late. God is calling you to be bold in your faith and to share what you’ve learned with others.
8. Stockpile resources and learn doomsday prepper skills during the first half of the Tribulation Period. By the time Antichrist reveals his true intentions through the Abomination of Desolation, the world is going to be an extremely dangerous place for those who follow Christ. In addition to facing religious persecution, anyone who does not accept the Mark of the Beast is going to be treated as an enemy of the state. Those who follow Jesus won’t be able to participate in regular society or even purchase goods in public places. At most, you’ll have 3 1/2 years to stockpile resources, build a doomsday shelter if you have the time to do so, and develop the skills necessary to survive during the second half of the Tribulation so make good use of the time you have before things get really bleak.
9. Continuously study the Bible and pray to God for protection, wisdom, and guidance. God will have big plans for you during the Tribulation Period. Whether you’re one of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses foretold of in Scripture or among the countless multitude of Tribulation Saints that will evangelize for Jesus, do not assume that God wants you to hide under a rock and completely avoid human contact during the Tribulation Period. On the contrary, there has never been a more important time to be on fire for Jesus! Don’t be afraid to serve as a light in a world of darkness.

Other Resources (Note: Most if not all of these sites will be “unmanned” after Rapture!):

• Grace to You (gty.org) is the online communications ministry of Pastor John MacArthur. Here you will find a treasure trove of useful information, including transcripts and recordings of sermons dating back several decades. Have a question about a specific end times topic? There is a pretty good chance Pastor John MacArthur has previously addressed it in a sermon and this is the best place to look for it. Note: You can also download the Grace to You app for your smart phone but it might not be available for download once Antichrist rises to power.
• https://davidjeremiah.blog Dr. David Jeremiah is one of the most trusted pastors and biblical scholars in the United States, with four decades of experience teaching and preaching the word of God. For example, check out the following blog for more information on the Tribulation: https://davidjeremiah.blog/what-is-the-tribulation/ and download a free copy of the Revelation Prophecy Chart! Another great resource from Dr. David Jeremiah is his 2019 pre-COVID book The Book of Signs: 31 Undeniable Prophecies of the Apocalypse. May 2022 Update: It was just announced that Dr. Jeremiah’s latest book After the Rapture: An End Times Guide to Survival will be coming out in June 2022!
• https://www.gotquestions.org/ GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics.
• https://www.jdfarag.org/ JD Farag, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, was born in Lebanon to an Egyptian father and Palestinian mother. He immigrated to America in 1963. As a strong supporter of Israel, JD’s focus is on Bible Prophecy. On his website you can find a lot of useful information about the end times including an archive of his weekly bible prophecy updates.
• https://thecloudchurch.org/ This is the website of Missionary Evangelist Robert Breaker. The Cloud Church is an online meeting place for Bible Believers to study the Bible on “The Cloud” (the internet). On this site you’ll find links to Robert Breaker’s Bible preaching/teaching videos on various platforms.
• Although a work of speculative fiction, the NYT bestselling Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins is another great resource. While the book series was written in the late 1990s and is a bit dated, Left Behind does a great job showing readers what the Tribulation Period could look like and how the Antichrist might rise to power in the wake of the Rapture. The low budget Left Behind movies are generally pretty awful and are not recommended unless you’re just a fan of bad movies that pale in comparison to the source material.
• Note: As mentioned previously, don’t assume that you’ll always be able to buy or download Bibles and other Christian ministry resources. Once the persecution of believers gets fully underway, you may be cut off from the Internet and traditional brick and mortar stores. I highly recommend buying or downloading everything you need as soon as possible.

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