With all the chaos and the violence in this world, this is the perfect time to realize what God’s word says about future events prior to the close of life on earth as we know it.

Here are some of the important events that will have or have already taken place before the seven-year judgment by God on earth; 1) Israel to become a nation (5-14-48), 2) a one world government (UN goal by 2030), 3) the exponential increase on knowledge or learning (development of AI), 4) technology revolution (instant news worldwide), 5) breakdown of social order, 6) digital currency (to control economic transactions), and the last one I will mention for this 7) a falling away of worshipping God. One of the few remaining events is the removal of all professing Christians, persons who have put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, from the earth. The 7-year period of God’s judgment will be initiated.

This is where we begin for the future events told by God, through the apostle John, in his writing the last book (Revelation) of the Bible. God has chosen many persons throughout history to be given foreknowledge of coming events, all of which have been coming true 100%. The book of Revelation, is the unveiling or revealing of Jesus Christ.

The first three chapters reveal Jesus and his character proving He is both God and man. It emphasizes His speaking to the 7 churches at that time, addressing their strengths and their shortfalls (all of which could describe churches today).

The scene in Heaven is the introduction of the sealed scroll, which contains the coming judgments, and the only one worthy to open these future events is Jesus Christ (because His blood was shed for forgiveness of sins). These judgments are a series of three separate sequences, in which each contains seven pronouncements and the judgments that follow. They are named by the apostle John as a seal, a trumpet and vial judgments.

During the first 3 ½ years the world’s population will decrease by one-quarter from the judgments causing death. The last 3 ½ years will be “Hell on Earth” with an additional half of the remaining population to die. It is necessary to note that the “new” believers, who die because of their faith, will be immediately taken to Heaven, the apostle John in Revelation specifically mentions seeing this distinct group in Heaven.

Remember, while the apostle John is describing events on earth, he is also shown what is occurring in Heaven. Pay close attention to the back-and-forth John uses throughout Revelation as you read it. His writings confirm that the believers were removed and will not go through these coming judgments. The 7-year judgment period is broken down into two segments as mentioned earlier, because of the strength, intensity and severity of the judgments. The first 3½ years are bad and evolving into a one world government, with a leader that will become a dictator given some time.

This dictator, with the help of demonic forces, will demand at the midpoint of the 7-years, to be God himself, thus to enforce/enable this control, he will have people pledge their allegiance to him by requiring everyone to get a permanent mark on their forehead or their right hand, no buying or selling of any kind will be permitted without it.

If you choose to take this mark, you are choosing to be condemned to Hell without recourse, this mark signifies you are choosing to serve the dictator (false god) over God himself. What is truly amazing is that during this 7-year judgment period, GOD continues to allow any person who chooses to come to a saving knowledge of Him (through the saving blood of Jesus) if they choose, while these judgments are increasing in strength and severity.

God will do this by sending two witnesses to preach the gospel early on and throughout the first 3½ years. Some scholars believe the witnesses will be Moses and Elijah, due to the power and plagues God had previously given them authority to perform and they will be given this authority again (in Israel and Egypt hundreds of years prior).

They will be hated by the people in the world and the dictator (false god) will be allowed to “kill” them at God’s appointed time. There will be a great worldwide celebration as these two witnesses will lay dead in the center of Jerusalem for a period of three days. Then, while the entire world is watching, God will say “come up here” and these two witnesses will come to life and transcend into Heaven. If this doesn’t wake up the whole world, what would? God is going to choose 144,000 Jewish individuals, who will preach the gospel during this period, they are sealed by God and will not be able to be killed during this appointed time. Lastly, God himself will assign an angel to go throughout the entire earth preaching the gospel so no one will have an excuse. Only the individuals who have not received the mark, will have one last chance to choose God.

As the 7-year time period is about to close, the dictator and his chosen religious partner, both of whom are demon possessed, will have a confrontation (war) against the people from the East (likely China, India and some others) in which they will field armies that total 200 million men. The place where this battle will take place, Armageddon, location is northern Israel Jezreel Valley, where many historical battles have already taken place. At this appointed time, Jesus Christ will appear, accompanied by all believers, and with His voice destroy these armies on both sides. Only the remaining believers that survive to the end will be saved, the remaining non-believers will be placed in Hell. Some of the descriptive phrases to describe Hell in the Bible, (Hell’s description occurs numerous more times than Heaven’s) is: unquenchable fire, a place of torment and flame, shame and everlasting contempt, a lake of fire and brimstone, and a place where the wicked are tormented day and night forever and ever.

Now you, as the reader must choose your final destination, will it be God and Heaven, or someone else and Hell? I have heard numerous people say, “I want to go to Hell and be with my friends,” quickly ask yourself if any one of the descriptors of Hell above were correct, is it worth it ? You must make the decision before you die, no choice is a choice and it’s Hell. In conclusion, good (which is only God himself) always triumphs over evil (Satan) and God’s ultimate plan will conclude as foretold by Him thousands of years ago.

Harry H. Schwertfeger is a Fredonia resident.