End Times Timeline: The Rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the Book of Revelation
The Bible tells us how history ends, and it is good news for everyone who belongs to Jesus. This end times timeline walks you through every major event in Bible prophecy, from the cross to eternity: the rapture, the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist, the second coming of Christ, the millennial reign, the Great White Throne judgment, the lake of fire, and the new heaven and new earth.
Click any part of the chart to see what it is, where to read about it in Scripture, the key verses, and how Christians from different traditions understand it. The chart follows the pre-tribulation, premillennial view, one of the most widely held views among evangelicals, and every stop notes where other views differ.
Select a part of the chart to read about it here.
Every stop on the end times timeline
Jesus Crucified
Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, the event every later step on this timeline depends on.
Where to read: The Gospels
Key verses: Isaiah 53:5-6; Mark 15:22-37; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:24
How Christians see it: Every Christian tradition agrees on this event.
Abraham’s Bosom Emptied
Many teachers believe that between His death and resurrection, Jesus brought the Old Testament saints from Abraham’s bosom (the place of comfort in Hades) into heaven.
Where to read: Luke and Ephesians
Key verses: Luke 16:22-26; Luke 23:43; Ephesians 4:8-10; 1 Peter 3:18-20
How Christians see it: Christians differ here. Some read Ephesians 4:8-10 as Christ leading captives to heaven; others read it as His descent to earth in the incarnation, or as His victory over evil powers.
Jesus Resurrected
On the third day Jesus rose bodily from the dead, the firstfruits and guarantee of every believer’s resurrection.
Where to read: The Gospels
Key verses: Matthew 28:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-23
How Christians see it: Every Christian tradition agrees on this event.
Jesus Ascended
After appearing to His followers for 40 days, Jesus ascended to heaven, and angels promised He will return the same way.
Where to read: Acts 1
Key verses: Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:3, 9-11; Hebrews 4:14
How Christians see it: Every Christian tradition agrees Jesus will return bodily and visibly.
Pentecost
Ten days after the ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem, and the Church was born.
Where to read: Acts 2
Key verses: Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-4, 16-21; Ephesians 1:13-14
How Christians see it: All traditions mark Pentecost as the birth of the Church.
The Church Age
The present age, now more than 2,000 years long, in which the gospel goes to all nations and Christ builds His Church.
Where to read: Revelation 1-3
Key verses: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:22-23; Revelation 2-3
How Christians see it: Some read the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 as seven eras of church history; most read them as real first-century churches whose messages apply to every generation.
Learn more: The Book of Revelation explained
You Are Here
We live near the end of the Church Age, waiting for the next event on God’s calendar.
Where to read: Revelation 22:20
Key verses: Matthew 24:42-44; Romans 13:11-12; Titus 2:13
How Christians see it: No one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). Every view agrees believers should live ready.
The Rapture
Jesus gathers His Church to meet Him in the air, raising the dead in Christ and changing living believers in a moment.
Where to read: 1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Corinthians 15 (Revelation 4:1 in pre-trib reading)
Key verses: John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2
How Christians see it: Pre-tribulation (shown here): before the seven years. Mid-tribulation: at the midpoint. Pre-wrath: before the bowl judgments. Post-tribulation: at Christ’s return. Amillennial and postmillennial readers see one return of Christ with no separate rapture.
Learn more: What is the rapture?
The Bema Seat of Christ
Believers’ works are evaluated for reward, not for salvation. The word bema means a judge’s raised seat.
Where to read: 2 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 3
Key verses: Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:7-8
How Christians see it: Pre-trib readers place it in heaven during the tribulation; others place it at Christ’s return or see it as part of one final judgment.
Learn more: The rapture and the Bema Seat
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The celebration of Christ’s union with His Bride, the Church.
Where to read: Revelation 19:7-9
Key verses: Isaiah 25:6-9; Matthew 22:1-14; Matthew 26:29; Revelation 19:7-9
How Christians see it: In heaven during the tribulation (many pre-trib readers), at the start of the Millennium on earth, or in the eternal state.
Learn more: The rapture and the Marriage Supper
The Tribulation
A seven-year period of judgment on the earth (Daniel’s 70th week), told through the seals, trumpets and bowls of Revelation.
Where to read: Revelation 6-18
Key verses: Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:4-14; Revelation 6:1-17
How Christians see it: Futurists see a coming seven years. Preterists see these judgments fulfilled around AD 70. Idealists read them as pictures of every age.
Learn more: What is the tribulation?
The Great Tribulation
The last three and a half years, the most intense period of judgment, beginning when the Antichrist sets himself up in the temple.
Where to read: Revelation 12-13; Matthew 24:15-28
Key verses: Daniel 12:1, 11; Matthew 24:15-22; Revelation 12:6, 14; Revelation 13:5-8
How Christians see it: “42 months,” “1,260 days” and “time, times, and half a time” all point to the same span. Preterists apply Matthew 24:15-21 to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Learn more: The Great Tribulation explained
The Abomination of Desolation
At the midpoint of the seven years, the Antichrist stands in the temple and declares himself god.
Where to read: Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2
Key verses: Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
How Christians see it: Many see a partial fulfillment in Antiochus IV (167 BC) and the Roman destruction of the temple (AD 70), with a final fulfillment still to come.
Learn more: Who is the Antichrist?
The Second Coming
Jesus returns visibly to the earth with His saints to judge and to reign.
Where to read: Revelation 19:11-16
Key verses: Zechariah 14:3-5; Matthew 24:27-31; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16
How Christians see it: Pre-trib readers see the second phase of one coming. Other views see the single return of Christ. Every view agrees He is coming bodily and visibly.
Learn more: The second coming of Jesus
The Battle of Armageddon
The nations gather against God and are defeated at Christ’s return. Har-Magedon means “mountain of Megiddo.”
Where to read: Revelation 16:12-16; 19:17-21
Key verses: Joel 3:9-16; Zechariah 14:1-3; Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:17-21
How Christians see it: The text describes a gathering ended by Christ’s word (Revelation 19:15, 21) rather than a long war.
Learn more: Armageddon and the second coming
The Sheep and Goats Judgment
Christ judges the people alive at His return.
Where to read: Matthew 25:31-46
Key verses: Joel 3:1-2; Matthew 13:40-43; Matthew 25:31-46
How Christians see it: Premillennial readers see a judgment of the living nations before the Millennium; amillennial readers see the final judgment of all people.
Learn more: The second coming and the judgment of the nations
The Millennial Reign
Christ reigns on the earth for a thousand years while Satan is bound in the Abyss.
Where to read: Revelation 20:1-6
Key verses: Psalm 2:6-9; Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 11:1-10; Isaiah 65:20-25; Revelation 20:1-6
How Christians see it: Premillennial (shown here): a literal reign after Christ returns. Amillennial: the thousand years is symbolic and is happening now. Postmillennial: the gospel transforms the world before Christ returns.
Learn more: The millennial reign
Satan’s Release and Final Rebellion
At the end of the thousand years Satan is released, deceives the nations one last time, and is defeated for good.
Where to read: Revelation 20:7-10
Key verses: Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20:7-10
How Christians see it: Christians differ on whether Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20 describe one event or two.
Learn more: Satan’s final rebellion
The Great White Throne Judgment
The final judgment of the unbelieving dead, judged by their works. Anyone whose name is in the book of life is safe.
Where to read: Revelation 20:11-15
Key verses: Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15
How Christians see it: Premillennial readers see a separate judgment of unbelievers; amillennial readers see one general judgment of all people.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
God makes all things new and dwells with His people forever. No more death, mourning, crying or pain.
Where to read: Revelation 21-22
Key verses: Isaiah 65:17-19; Romans 8:18-23; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-5; Revelation 22:1-5
How Christians see it: Christians differ on whether creation is renewed and purified (Romans 8:21) or remade (2 Peter 3:10).
The Current Heaven and Earth
The present creation lasts until the Great White Throne, when “earth and heaven fled away.”
Where to read: Revelation 20:11; 21:1
Key verses: Psalm 102:25-27; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:7, 10-13; Revelation 20:11
How Christians see it: Christians differ on whether the present creation will be destroyed and replaced (2 Peter 3:10) or purified and renewed (Romans 8:21).
The Current Hell (Death and Hades)
Hades is the temporary place of the dead. At the Great White Throne it gives up its dead and is thrown into the Lake of Fire.
Where to read: Revelation 20:13-14
Key verses: Luke 16:22-26; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 20:13-14
How Christians see it: Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus, the Abyss and the Lake of Fire are different words with different meanings, and English Bibles often translate several of them as “hell.”
The Abyss
The bottomless pit, a prison for demons, where Satan is bound for the thousand years.
Where to read: Revelation 9; Revelation 20:1-3
Key verses: Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1-2, 11; Revelation 20:1-3, 7
How Christians see it: Amillennial readers see Satan’s binding as already accomplished by the cross (Matthew 12:29; Colossians 2:15).
The Antichrist and the False Prophet
The beast from the sea (a world ruler) and the beast from the earth (his religious promoter) are thrown alive into the Lake of Fire when Christ returns.
Where to read: Revelation 13; Revelation 19:20
Key verses: Daniel 7:8, 24-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 19:20
How Christians see it: Futurists expect a future individual. Preterists point to Nero. Historicists have pointed to the papacy. Idealists see a recurring spirit of opposition (1 John 2:18).
Learn more: The Antichrist, the False Prophet and the mark of the beast
Death and Hades Destroyed
Death itself and the place of the dead are thrown into the Lake of Fire. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed.
Where to read: Revelation 20:14
Key verses: Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54-55; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:4
How Christians see it: All traditions agree death is finally defeated.
The Lake of Fire
The final destination of Satan, his angels, Death and Hades, and all not found in the book of life.
Where to read: Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15
Key verses: Matthew 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15
How Christians see it: Eternal conscious punishment is the historic majority view; annihilation (conditional immortality) is a growing minority view. Matthew 25:41 says the fire was prepared for the devil and his angels, and God wants no one to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
The main views of the end times
Sincere Christians read Bible prophecy in different ways. All of them confess that Jesus will return, raise the dead, and judge the world. The table below shows where they differ.
| View | The millennium | The rapture | Commonly held by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-tribulation premillennial | A literal 1,000-year reign after Christ returns | Before the seven-year tribulation | Many Baptist, Bible, Pentecostal and nondenominational churches |
| Mid-tribulation and pre-wrath | A literal reign after Christ returns | At the midpoint, or before God’s final wrath | A minority of evangelicals |
| Historic premillennial (post-tribulation) | A literal reign after Christ returns | At Christ’s return, after the tribulation | Many Reformed Baptists and broader evangelicals |
| Amillennial | Symbolic of Christ’s present reign | One return of Christ, no separate rapture | Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and most Reformed churches |
| Postmillennial | A golden age of the gospel before Christ returns | One return of Christ, no separate rapture | A minority in Reformed and Presbyterian circles |
Most denominations do not bind their members to one view, so these are the views commonly held, not official positions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the end times?
The end times (also called the last days) are the events the Bible says will close this age: the return of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the new heaven and new earth. Christians agree on these. They differ on the order and timing, which is why this page notes each major view.
What is the order of end times events?
In the pre-tribulation, premillennial view shown on the chart, the order is: the rapture of the Church, a seven-year tribulation, the second coming of Jesus and the battle of Armageddon, a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, Satan’s final rebellion, the Great White Throne judgment, and the new heaven and new earth.
What is the rapture?
The rapture is the moment Jesus gathers His Church to meet Him in the air, raising believers who have died and changing those still alive (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Read more: What is the rapture?
What is the tribulation?
The tribulation is a seven-year period of judgment on the earth, drawn from Daniel 9:24-27 and described in Revelation 6-18. Its second half is called the Great Tribulation. Read more: What is the tribulation?
Who is the Antichrist?
The Antichrist is a coming world ruler, empowered by Satan, who opposes Christ and demands worship (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13). The Bible also says the spirit of antichrist is already at work (1 John 2:18). Read more: Who is the Antichrist?
What is the Book of Revelation about?
Revelation is Jesus’ message to His Church about what is happening now and what is coming: letters to seven churches (chapters 1-3), worship in heaven (4-5), judgments on the earth (6-18), Christ’s return (19), the thousand years (20), and the new creation (21-22). Read more: The Book of Revelation explained
Does anyone know when Jesus will return?
No. Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). Every end times view agrees that believers should live ready, and every date that has been predicted has passed.
Watch: sermons on the end times
Paul T. Barham preaches regularly on Bible prophecy. Start with these two messages, or browse the full sermon archive.
The Rapture (June 17, 2026): what the Bible teaches about the rapture, and why readiness matters more than dates.
Be Ready! The Coming of the Lord Is Near (August 24, 2025): the nearness of Christ’s return and the prophetic markers Jesus gave.
The book behind this timeline
This interactive chart comes from Paul T. Barham’s upcoming book, The Bible’s Prophetic Timeline: A Beginner’s Guide to the End Times, the Rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the Book of Revelation. The book walks through every event and every major person in Bible prophecy, sets out what each Christian tradition believes, and gives the pre-tribulation view a full chapter.
Join the email list on the home page to hear when the book releases. Until then, Paul’s book For the Love of God includes a Scripture-based appendix on the signs of the end times, and Salvation 101 explains how to be ready to meet Jesus.