A Study of Prophecy - Tribulation Events in the Second Half

 

The Prelude

Rev 15:1 to Rev 16:1 - I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues--last, because with them God's wrath is completed. (2) And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God (3) and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. (4) Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (5) After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple--that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law--and it was opened. (6) Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. (7) Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. (8) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. (1) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."

The above passage sequentially picks up where we left off in Rev 11:19 and introduces the 7 angels with the 7 bowl judgments. The pouring out of the seven bowl judgments, is about to commence. This series of judgments will bring the Tribulation to a close as Christ is victorious over the forces of evil.

The First Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

The first bowl results in some kind of skin ailment. It is also only going to affect those that have taken the mark of the beast and worshiped its image (cf. Rev 13:16-17, Rev 14:9-11).

The Second Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.

In the second Trumpet Judgment (Rev 8:8-9), 1/3 of the salt water was affected, in this Bowl Judgment the remainder of the salt water is turned to blood killing every living thing in the sea.

The Third Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:4-7 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. (5) Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; (6) for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." (7) And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."

In the third Trumpet Judgment (Rev 8:10-11), 1/3 of the fresh water was affected, in this Bowl Judgment the remainder of the fresh water is turned to blood.

The angel who reflects on the righteousness of this act has in mind the shed blood of the holy people and the prophets. Justice is prevailing, and the men who shed blood shall have blood to drink.

The Fourth Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:8-9 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. (9) They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

In the forth Trumpet Judgment (Rev 8:12-13), a third of the light was struck, turning dark. In this Bowl Judgment the people are scorched by a hot sun. The people were unrepentant and cursed God.

The Fifth Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:10-11 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony (11) and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

This judgment turns the kingdom of the Antichrist to darkness. What happens at this time is similar to what took place in Egypt (Exo 10:21-23). Along with the darkness the people were in agony and chew their tongues because of it. Nevertheless, it seems at this point that the people continue in their rebellion and unrepentance.

The Sixth Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:12-16 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. (13) Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (14) They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. (15) "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed." (16) Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

The sixth bowl judgment initiates the final campaign of Armageddon. We will look at the 7 stages of this campaign.

Stage 1 - The Assembling of the Allies of the Antichrist

The Euphrates river dries up to prepare the way for the Kings of the East (Rev 6:12). The Kings of the East would be a references to the area to the east of Israel, in Mesopotamia, where Antichrist has his headquarters in Babylon. It is likely that these Kings are the 7 (Horns) that the Antichrist has been leading since mid Tribulation.

Note that this and the following passages show the Jewish nature of the Tribulation as these armies are arrayed against Israel as opposed to the world in general.

Joel gives a perspective of this gathering of allies:

Joel 3:9-11 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. (10) Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!" (11) Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, LORD!

The Psalmist also provides a perspective:

Psa 2:1-6 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? (2) The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, (3) "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." (4) The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. (5) He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, (6) "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain."

Stage 2 - The Destruction of Babylon

In this second stage of the campaign of Armageddon, we will see the Antichrist and his allies assembling in the Valley of Jezreel while his enemies destroy the city of Babylon. Prior to this assembly, Israel will be warned to come out of Babylon, which they will do. They make the trip to Jerusalem, and with Babylon's destruction those who are watching will know that the 2nc coming is very near.

Isaiah describes the fall of Babylon in the entire 13th chapter and up to verse 23 of the 14th chapter. Below is a pertinent excerpt.

Isa 13:19-22 Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. (20) She will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations; there no nomads will pitch their tents, there no shepherds will rest their flocks. (21) But desert creatures will lie there, jackals will fill her houses; there the owls will dwell, and there the wild goats will leap about. (22) Hyenas will inhabit her strongholds, jackals her luxurious palaces. Her time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.

Jeremiah also speaks of the destruction of Babylon. An excerpt is here, but the entire 50th and 51st chapter deal with Babylon's destruction.

Jer 50:9-16 For I will stir up and bring against Babylon an alliance of great nations from the land of the north. They will take up their positions against her, and from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed. (10) So Babylonia will be plundered; all who plunder her will have their fill," declares the LORD. (11) "Because you rejoice and are glad, you who pillage my inheritance, because you frolic like a heifer threshing grain and neigh like stallions, (12) your mother will be greatly ashamed; she who gave you birth will be disgraced. She will be the least of the nations-- a wilderness, a dry land, a desert. (13) Because of the LORD's anger she will not be inhabited but will be completely desolate. All who pass Babylon will be appalled; they will scoff because of all her wounds. (14) "Take up your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her! Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD. (15) Shout against her on every side! She surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done to others. (16) Cut off from Babylon the sower, and the reaper with his sickle at harvest. Because of the sword of the oppressor let everyone return to their own people, let everyone flee to their own land.

Babylon is destroyed due to what it has done to Israel:

Jer 51:24 "Before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the wrong they have done in Zion," declares the LORD.

The Revelation also describes the downfall of Babylon. An excerpt is below, but the entire 18th chapter describes the fall of Babylon.

Rev 18:1-3 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. (2) With a mighty voice he shouted: "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!' She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. (3) For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."

Stage 3 - The Fall of Jerusalem

In this third state, rather than the Antichrist going back to Babylon to defend the city, he moves south to Jerusalem along with all the armies of earth. This will result in Jerusalem once again falling into Gentile hands.

Zechariah describes the events of this time, which is still prior to the return of Christ.

Zec 12:1-3 A prophecy: 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 human spirit within a person, declares: (2) "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. (3) 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.

Zec 14:1-2 A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. (2) I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

In Zec 12:3 it is said that Jerusalem will be an immovable rock, injuring all who come against it. The description of the Jewish resolve to preserve their city is detailed in Zec 12:4-9.

Zec 12:4-9 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 Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. (5) Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, 'The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.' (6) "On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. (7) "The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem's inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. (8) On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them. (9) On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

Micah also details the resolve of the Jewish people to preserve their city during this time.

Mic 4:11-13 and Mic 5:1 But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!" (12) But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. (13) "Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations." You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. (1) Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod.

Stage 4 - The Armies of Antichrist at Bozrah

As the campaign of Armageddon proceeds, the armies move to a city called Bozrah.

Jer 49:13-14 I swear by myself," declares the LORD, "that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse, an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever." (14) I have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!"

Stage 5 - The National Regeneration of Israel

Detailed information regarding the two gatherings of the people of Israel back to their land can be found in this article:

The Restoration and Regeneration of Israel

(https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2021/11/a-study-of-prophecy-regeneration-and.html)

The main passage describing the event of Israel's regeneration is found in Hosea.

Hos 5:15 and Hos 6:1-3 Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face-- in their misery they will earnestly seek me." (1) "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. (2) After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. (3) Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

The national confession that the people of Israel will utter is spelled out in Isaiah.

Isa 53:1-9 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (2) He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (3) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (4) Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. (5) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (6) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. (9) He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

The national pleading for Messiah's return as a condition of Israel's regeneration is found in Zechariah.

Zec 12:10-14 and Zec 13:1 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (11) On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. (12) The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, (13) the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, (14) and all the rest of the clans and their wives. (01) "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Several other passages detail the cry of Israel and their pleading for His return. They can be found in Zec 13:7-9, Isa 64:1-12, Psa 79:1-3, Psa 80:1-19.

Once the national confession of Israel has taken place, all of Israel will be saved, meaning every Jewish person alive at that time, I.E. the third that remain at the end of the Tribulation, Zec 13:8 " ... In the whole land," declares the LORD, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.

Rom 11:25-27 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, (26) and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. (27) And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

Stage 6 - The Second Coming of Messiah

The Place of His Coming

Once the Jewish people have repented of their and their ancestors rejection of the King in Mat 12:24 and pleaded for Messiah's return, then Jesus will come back. First we will look at the place of His coming, then the manner of His coming.

There are four passages that speak of Jesus place of return. These passage have Him returning at Bozrah, contrary to what is common thought to be Jerusalem.

Isa 34:1-7 Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! (2) The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. (3) Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood. (4) All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. (5) My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. (6) The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat-- the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. (7) And the wild oxen will fall with them, the bull calves and the great bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and the dust will be soaked with fat.

The above passage speaks of the Tribulation period where God is angry with the nations and their armies. He will smite them, and vs. 5 indicates that this will happen at Edom, and vs. 6 narrows it down to the city of Bozrah in the land of Edom.

Isaiah also identifies Messiah. Isaiah asks "who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with His garments stained in crimson". He then answers that question stating "It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save."

Isa 63:1-6 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save." (2) Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? (3) "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. (4) It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. (5) I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. (6) I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."

A third passage is from the prophet Habakkuk. He makes reference to Messiah coming from Teman and Mt. Paran. Geographically, Teman and Mt. Paran are in the same vicinity as Bozrah.

Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.

A fourth passage comes from Micah. This passage is from the King James Version. This passage indicates that Israel will be brought together at Bozrah at the time of the Tribulation.

Mic 2:12-13 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. (13) The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

Stage 6 - The Second Coming of Messiah

The Manner of His Coming

The Messiah will return in the clouds with power and great glory.

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The Messiah will return in the same manner as when He left the first time.

Act 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Much like the description in Isaiah 63 given above, Messiah is pictured in the Revelation with blood on His clothing as He returns.

Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

In Rev 19:14 we see that "the armies that were in heaven followed Him". There are at least two armies, one being the "hosts of the Lord", indicating an angelic army:

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

And another army being the church:

Jud 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

There are many passages that speak of the manner of Christ's second coming. These include Hab 3:1-19, and Psa 18:8-16.

Stage 7 - The Battle from Bozrah to the Valley of Jehoshaphat

Scripture indicates that the campaign of Armageddon will range from Bozrah up to Jerusalem.

Joel 3:12-13 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. (13) Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

It appears that the Antichrist is one of the first casualties of Messiah's power.

Hab 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

The Antichrist, who once claimed to be god, is easily defeated.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

The Antichrist's arrival at hell is described by Isaiah.

Isa 14:3-11 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, (4) That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (5) The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. (6) He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. (7) The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. (8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. (9) Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. (10) All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? (11) Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

How the people look at the Antichrist's dead body.

Isa 14:16-21 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (17) That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (18) All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. (19) But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. (20) Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (21) Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

When the Lord Himself is in the battle, the results are devastating, and so the armies of the Antichrist are destroyed.

Zec 14:12-15 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. (13) And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. (14) And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. (15) And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

Rev 14:19-20 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Stage 8 - The Victory Ascent Up the Mount of Olives

Following the closing battle, Jesus declares victory, and as He does so He ascends up Mt. Olives. This is described by Zechariah.

Zec 14:3-4 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Previously, Zechariah had recorded that Messiah would first save "the tents of Judah", before coming to Jerusalem.The fact that Judah is in "tents" indicates that they are elsewhere, and that elsewhere is Bozrah as discussed previously.

Zec 12:7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.

When Jesus arrives at the Mount of Olives in victory, a number of cataclysmic events take place.

The Seventh Bowl Judgment

Rev 16:17-21 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" (18) Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. (19) The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. (20) Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. (21) From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

There will be a blackout, which is described in Matthew.

Mat 24:29 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, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Additional detail regarding the earthquake that will rock Jerusalem is found in Zechariah and Joel.

Zec 14:4-5 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Joel 3:14-17 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (15) The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. (16) The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (17) So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.