End-Time Study (3)

Essay

Let's begin by reviewing the framework for Daniel chapters 8 through 12, Revelation chapter 6, Matthew chapter 24, and Zechariah chapter 14. Matthew 24 records Jesus’ own words on the Mount of Olives about the last days, and Zechariah 14 provides a vivid picture of that same mount and the scene of His return.

The core confession here is simple: Jesus is King. The last days passages are complex, full of interpretations and debates like premillennialism and postmillennialism. Yet above all these discussions, the essential truth to hold is that Jesus actually rules as King. He is not just a source of comfort in our hearts; He reigns, judges, and saves His people in reality.

In Matthew 2, the gifts the Magi brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—reveal Jesus’ identity. Gold signifies His kingship, frankincense His priesthood, and myrrh His sacrificial death. Jesus is God and man, priest and sacrifice, and the reigning King over all creation.

We must be careful not to dismiss all prophecy as mere allegory, or we risk losing important truth. The prophecy about Bethlehem was fulfilled precisely there. The sound of weeping in Ramah corresponds historically to children dying and parents mourning. While we shouldn’t force every passage into a literal mold, God’s word often comes to fulfillment in ways far more concrete than we assume.

Briefly, the difference between premillennialism and postmillennialism matters here. Postmillennialism expects the world to improve gradually before Christ’s return; premillennialism holds that Christ will reign visibly on earth for a literal thousand years afterward. But the key is not the debate itself—it’s the central confession that Jesus will return and reign as King, no matter how the new creation unfolds or how the kingdom is understood.

Ezekiel’s temple vision from chapter 40 onward makes this confession feel even more tangible. This temple differs in scale and detail from the one built after the exile. The south, east, and north gates, the sanctuary, and the priests’ quarters are described with great precision. Since God has been incredibly detailed about the tabernacle and temple from the beginning, it’s difficult to treat this vision as mere allegory.

The New Jerusalem in Revelation is similar. Described as roughly 1,600 kilometers in size with a height beyond human imagination, it could be taken purely as symbolism. Yet there’s no reason to assume God cannot create such a city. God fulfills His promises on a scale far grander and more concrete than our diminished imagination allows.

Zechariah 14 vividly reveals how Jesus, the King, delivers His people. Jerusalem is attacked, houses are plundered, and half the city is captured. While this can be seen symbolically, the details are concrete enough to depict an actual war and captivity. The crucial point is that even in this desperate moment, the Lord fights personally.

When the Lord’s feet stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, the mountain splits and a great valley is formed. This ties directly to the Mount of Olives mentioned in Matthew 24—where Jesus intensifies His teaching, ascends, and promises His return. Jesus stands on that mountain, the earth opens, and a way of escape is provided for the remnant—a powerful scene of salvation as He rescues His people from the hands of the Antichrist.

Zechariah also recalls the earthquake during King Uzziah’s time. Amos 1:1 references that quake, remembered as a terrifying event prompting people to flee in panic. The flight in Zechariah 14 evokes the same fear and urgency. This matches the call in Matthew 24 to flee without looking back, emphasizing a rapid, resolute escape.

That day is unique and known only to the Lord. It is neither day nor night, but a twilight with light. There is also a vision of living water flowing from Jerusalem, reaching both the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. This symbolizes not just destruction, but the Lord’s day bringing life and salvation amid judgment.

Zechariah 12 presents Israel’s repentance more clearly. God makes Jerusalem a heavy stone that burdens all peoples, but He pours out grace and a spirit of supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They look on the one they have pierced and mourn for him as for a firstborn. This marks the decisive moment when Israel recognizes and embraces Jesus as their Messiah.

Thus, the essential storyline of the end times unfolds as follows: Jesus returns, stands on the Mount of Olives, rescues captive Israel from bondage, judges the Antichrist, and Israel mourns the one they pierced and receives Jesus as their king. This sequence is not peripheral; it forms the core of end-time understanding.

Engaging with the story of Israel and Jerusalem is not mere intellectual curiosity. When we love someone, we become invested in what matters to them. Loving God means caring about the covenant people He loves, their history, and the grand story of His kingdom. As grafted-in Gentiles, we cannot regard Israel’s story as someone else’s tale.

Finally, this narrative connects to today’s reality. Whether in the UK, the US, Korea, or any nation, no country is automatically safe. In the last days, nations will face the Antichrist’s invasion and judgment. The severity and nature of these trials depend on how the land has been preserved and how God’s people stand within it.

We cannot take war and judgment lightly. The best outcome is a nation that repents and is preserved without war or great suffering. Yet, sometimes humanity only recognizes the reality of evil and wakes up through pain. Therefore, we must not pray for disaster, but seek mercy, pray that the nation falls less, and that more people turn back to God.

Content Notes

1. Review of Key Passages on the End Times

Daniel chapters 8-12, Revelation chapter 6, Matthew chapter 24, and Zechariah chapter 14 serve as central texts for understanding the end times. Daniel reveals the structure of major prophecies; Revelation 6 shows the seals' judgments and the progression involving the four horsemen; Matthew 24 contains Jesus' own description of the end-time signs from the Mount of Olives; Zechariah 14 depicts the day of the Lord and scenes on the Mount of Olives.

2. Jesus is King

The gold, frankincense, and myrrh in Matthew 2 reveal Jesus' identity. Gold symbolizes kingship, frankincense priestly ministry, and myrrh points to His death. Jesus is fully God and fully man, both priest and sacrificial offering, and the reigning King.

3. Avoid Over-Allegorizing Prophecy

Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in concrete historical realities. The Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem and the mourning at Ramah became actual events, not just symbols. Likewise, end-time passages should not be dismissed as mere allegory; we must seriously accept the reality Scripture presents.

4. The Central Confession That Matters More Than Debate

Discussions like premillennialism and postmillennialism hold theological significance. Postmillennialism sees the world improving gradually before Jesus returns, while premillennialism speaks of a literal thousand-year kingdom following His return. Yet the essential point is not winning these debates. What truly matters is holding fast to the confession that Jesus will come again, that He reigns, and that He is King.

5. Ezekiel’s Temple and the New Jerusalem

The temple description starting in Ezekiel 40 is highly detailed and specific. It differs from the post-exilic temple and is too intricate to be mere symbolism. Similarly, the New Jerusalem in Revelation is described as a city roughly 1,600 kilometers in size—beyond human imagination. God can fulfill His promises in ways far grander and more tangible than we might expect.

6. The Day of the Lord in Zechariah 14

Zechariah 14 portrays the nations attacking Jerusalem, bringing great suffering to the city. Houses are plundered, and half the city is taken captive—judgment unfolds. Yet in the midst of despair, the Lord Himself fights and delivers His people.

7. The Mount of Olives and the Path of Refuge

When the Lord’s feet stand on the Mount of Olives, the mountain splits, creating a great valley. This scene symbolizes God opening a path of refuge for the remnant. Like the great earthquake in King Uzziah’s time, people flee in fear. Jesus is depicted as the King who first rescues and leads His people to safety.

8. The Uzziah Earthquake and the Unlooking Escape

Zechariah 14 mentions the earthquake from King Uzziah's time. Amos 1:1 also refers to this earthquake, remembered as a moment when people fled in great terror. This flight connects with the urgent escape described in Matthew 24, emphasizing not looking back.

9. The Unique Day Known Only to the LORD

Zechariah 14 describes a day neither day nor night, known only to the LORD. As darkness falls, there is light. Living water flows from Jerusalem, streaming toward both the Eastern and Western Seas. This day combines judgment with salvation and life flowing forth.

10. Israel's Repentance and Jesus' Compassion

Though Israel long rejected Jesus, God does not abandon them completely. Like in Zechariah 12:10, when they look on the one they pierced and mourn, God’s mercy is evident—bringing repentance and restoration even amid judgment.

11. The Basic Storyline of the Last Days

Jesus returns, stands on the Mount of Olives, rescues Israel held captive like prisoners, judges the Antichrist, and Israel mourns over the one they pierced, ultimately accepting Jesus as King. This is the essential storyline to know in studying the last days.

12. Caring About What God Cares About

Focusing on the story of Israel and Jerusalem, whom God loves covenantally, is not just a matter of biblical knowledge. If you love God, your heart naturally gravitates toward the history, people, and end-time story that He holds dear.

13. Praying with Regard to Nations and War

We must connect the wars and judgments of the end times with the reality in Korea. We do not wish for war to happen; rather, we must ask for mercy to prevent such days from coming. At the same time, we need to pray vigilantly that the nation does not collapse, that people discern evil, and that even in suffering, they turn back to God.