Glossary

A – Z Rapture & End-Times Prophecy Terms

Abomination of Desolation – Antichrist’s desecration of the rebuilt temple, setting up an idol or proclaiming himself God (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).

Amillennialism – The view that the Millennium is symbolic of Christ’s reign through the Church, not a literal 1,000 years.

Antichrist – The coming world ruler empowered by Satan, also called the Beast, Man of Lawlessness, or Man of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13).

Apostasy – A falling away from the faith or rebellion against God in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1).

Apocalypse – From Greek apokalypsis, meaning “unveiling.” Refers to catastrophic end-time events and also the Book of Revelation.

Armageddon – The climactic battle in the Valley of Megiddo at the end of the Tribulation, when Christ defeats the nations (Revelation 16:16; 19:19–21).

Beast – Another name for the Antichrist, ruler of the revived world empire (Revelation 13:1–8).

Birth Pangs – A biblical metaphor describing the signs that precede the Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ. Just as birth pains increase in frequency and intensity before delivery, end-times signs will grow stronger and closer together as the world approaches the Rapture and the Day of the Lord

Blessed Hope – The joyful expectation of the Rapture, when Christ comes for His Church (Titus 2:13).

Book of Life – God’s record of those who belong to Christ; all not found in it face eternal judgment (Revelation 20:12–15).

Bowls of Wrath – The final series of seven plagues poured out during the Tribulation (Revelation 16).

Bride (of Christ) – The Church, betrothed to Christ and awaiting union with Him (Ephesians 5:25–27; Revelation 19:7–9).

Caught Up – Translation of the Greek harpazō in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, describing the Rapture.

Church Age – The period from Pentecost (Acts 2) until the Rapture, in which the Gospel is spread through the Church.

Day of the Lord – Prophetic phrase for God’s judgment and intervention, encompassing the Tribulation and Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:2; Joel 2:31).

Dispensationalism – A theological system dividing history into “dispensations,” emphasizing a literal interpretation of prophecy and distinction between Israel and the Church.

Dragon – Symbol for Satan, the great deceiver and accuser (Revelation 12:3–9).

Eschatology – The study of last things, including the Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, and eternity.

Father’s House – Heaven, the dwelling place Jesus prepares for His followers (John 14:2–3).

Futurism – The view that Revelation 4–22 describes future events, including the Tribulation and Second Coming.

Fullness of the Gentiles – The completion of God’s plan of salvation among Gentiles before focusing on Israel (Romans 11:25).

Gog and Magog – A prophetic coalition of nations against Israel (Ezekiel 38–39; Revelation 20:7–9).

Great Tribulation – The final 3½ years of the seven-year Tribulation, the time of greatest suffering (Matthew 24:21).

Groom (Bridegroom) – Christ, who comes for His Bride, the Church (John 3:29).

Harpazo – Greek for “to snatch away.” Used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 for the Rapture.

Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat) – Believers appear here after the Rapture for rewards, not condemnation (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Lake of Fire – The eternal place of punishment for Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet, and unbelievers (Revelation 20:14–15).

Lamb – Title for Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Redeemer (John 1:29; Revelation 5:6).

Man of Lawlessness / Man of Perdition – Titles for the Antichrist, highlighting his rebellion and doom (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

Mark of the Beast – A mark of allegiance to the Antichrist, required for commerce during the Tribulation (Revelation 13:16–17).

Megiddo (Valley of Megiddo) – The geographic site associated with Armageddon in northern Israel.

Millennium / Millennium of Peace – The 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth after His Second Coming (Revelation 20:1–6).

Mid-Tribulation Rapture – View that the Rapture occurs halfway through the seven-year Tribulation.

New Jerusalem – The eternal city and dwelling place of God’s people (Revelation 21:1–4).

Petra – The ancient rock city in Jordan believed to be a place of refuge for Israel’s remnant during the Tribulation (Isaiah 16:1; Revelation 12:6).

Postmillennialism – Belief that Christ returns after a golden age (Millennium) of Christian influence.

Post-Tribulation Rapture – View that the Church is raptured at the end of the Tribulation.

Pre-Tribulation Rapture – View that the Church is raptured before the Tribulation begins (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).

Premillennialism – Belief that Christ returns before the Millennium to establish His kingdom.

Premillennial Dispensationalism – a theological framework that interprets the Bible as dividing human history into distinct periods, or “dispensations,” in which God deals with humanity in different ways. It teaches that Jesus Christ will physically return to earth before (pre-) a literal thousand-year reign known as the Millennium, described in Revelation 20.

Preterism – Belief that most of Revelation was fulfilled in the first century, especially AD 70.

Revelation (Book of Revelation) – The final book of the Bible, unveiling end-times events and Christ’s victory.

Remnant – The faithful portion of Israel who turn to Christ in the last days (Romans 11:5).

Restrainer – The Holy Spirit (through the Church) who holds back evil until the Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:6–7).

Second Coming – Christ’s visible, bodily return to earth after the Tribulation (Revelation 19:11–16).

Seventieth Week of Daniel – The final “week” of years (seven years) in Daniel’s prophecy, fulfilled in the Tribulation (Daniel 9:24–27).

Signs of the Times – Observable events pointing to the nearness of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:3–8).

Temple – Refers to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, which prophecy indicates will be rebuilt before the Antichrist desecrates it (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The 144,000 – Jewish believers sealed and sent as witnesses during the Tribulation (Revelation 7:4–8; 14:1–5).

7th Day (Sabbath Rest) – Symbolic of the Millennium, the final “day” of God’s prophetic timetable (Hebrews 4:9–10).

Tribulation – The seven-year period of God’s judgment and testing upon the world (Revelation 6–18).

Trumpet of God – The divine trumpet that signals the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Two Witnesses – Prophets who testify during the Tribulation, killed and then resurrected (Revelation 11:3–12).

Watchfulness – The posture of readiness and expectation for Christ’s imminent return (Matthew 24:42).

Wedding Supper of the Lamb – Heavenly celebration of Christ’s union with His Bride (Revelation 19:7–9).

White Throne Judgment – Final judgment of unbelievers after the Millennium (Revelation 20:11–15).

Wrath of God – God’s righteous judgment poured out during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:16–17).