[Apocalypse] The Three and a Half Years Until Christ's Second Coming—Towards 2028

The Book of Revelation prophesies the Second Coming of Christ.

The Book of Revelation is generally said to be difficult to understand.
This is partly because the prophecies in this book are written in an apocalyptic and symbolic manner, but also becausereaders often fail to realize that it is written across multiple timelines.

Even in novels and manga, scene changes occur. By adding different perspectives within a single episode—such as "actually, at that time" or "elsewhere"—the story is depicted in a three-dimensional way.

To read the Book of Revelation, one must understand that the same events are described multiple times using different expressions.

Regarding the "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" examined in this article, it is described not just once or twice, butrepeatedly seven times.

The three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming

The "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" is depicted with particular care and in a multi-layered manner.

First, inChapter 6, the famous scroll with seven seals is opened, and God's judgment and Christ's Second Coming are depicted all at once.At the end of Chapter 6, there is a mention of the great day, and it is stated that mountains and islands were moved (Revelation 6:14-17).

Then, the scene changes, and from Chapter 8 to Chapter 11, the contents of Chapter 6 (the fifth and sixth seals) are depicted from a different perspective. Among these, the parts corresponding to the "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" areChapter 10 and Chapter 11. At the end of Chapter 11, the seventh trumpet is blown, and there is a description of thunder, earthquakes, and hail (Revelation 11:15-19).

Also, the scene changes, andChapter 12 and Chapter 13 are inserted, depicting the dragon and the beast that rule this world from the perspective of over 2,000 years ago up to the "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming."

Furthermore, the scene changes, andChapter 14, Chapter 15, and Chapter 16 also correspond to this period. Chapter 14 depicts the saints, while Chapters 15 and 16 depict God's judgment, and at the end of Chapter 16, it is declared that "it is done," there is a description of thunder, earthquakes, and hail, and it is stated that islands and mountains disappeared (Revelation 16:17-21).

Chapter 17 reveals the true identity of the beast and the secret of the woman, and Chapter 18 specifically depicts the judgment upon the woman.

Finally, inChapter 19, the great multitude who are the bride of Christ (mountains and islands) is depicted, and the details from Christ's Second Coming to the destruction of the beast and the transition to the Millennial Kingdom era (Chapter 20) are described.

The overview diagram below illustrates these overlapping layers.

As shown in this diagram, the descriptions of the "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" and the transition period to the Millennial Kingdom era are layered in seven levels, so it would be difficult to read accurately if one assumes it is a single timeline and just reads it from beginning to end. The fact that it is depicted in a multi-layered way means that a great deal of information is provided from multiple perspectives, and if read correctly, it becomes a very useful prophecy.

📍 Please see the article below for the full overview diagram.

In this article, I have organized the chronology of the Bible text and reorganized it into a single timeline regarding the "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" and the transition period to the Millennial Kingdom era, which will likely happen very soon, focusing on the relevant chapters of Revelation (all of chapters 10-11, 14, 15-16, 17, 18, 19, and parts of 6, 7, 12, 13), while also citing other books that contain descriptions of the Second Coming (such as the Gospel of Matthew and the Pauline Epistles).

The "three and a half years until Christ's Second Coming" and the transition period to the Millennial Kingdom era proceed in the following order.

[Part 1] Judgment
1. The three and a half years before the Second Coming begin
2. God's judgment on Great Babylon

[Part 2] The Second Coming
3. The great multitude after the disappearance of Great Babylon
4. Christ's Second Coming
5. The destruction of the beasts

This depicts exactly what is about to happen (from 2025 onwards), so it is a very important and interesting prophecy.
Please be sure to read it.

Before you begin reading

The Book of Revelation is written in symbolic language. For the meanings and interpretations of these, please refer to the study handout. Links to the handout are also provided for the "Chapter:Verse" references in the text, so please check the linked pages as needed.

The Bible text used is the Colloquial Japanese Translation (Japan Bible Society) without modification, with the chronology organized and headings added as appropriate.

The first part is 7,800 characters and the second part is 6,700 characters.
It will take a considerable amount of time, but please do read it.

The main text begins here

📕 The Three and a Half Years Until Christ's Second Coming [Part 1] Judgment

1. The three and a half years before the Second Coming begin

1-i. An angel with a rainbow over his head and legs like pillars of fire descends

10:1-11
I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud.

With a rainbow over his head, his face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. He held a little scroll open in his hand. He set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.

When the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write it down, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down."

Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, "There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little scroll." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; it will be bitter in your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth."

I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

Then a voice said, "You must again prophesy about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."

1-ii. The two witnesses prophesy for 42 months (1260 days)

11:1-6
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod, and I was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there.But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for forty-two months.And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.""

They are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

1-③ The Lamb and the 144,000 Saints

14:1-5
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion.
And with him stood the 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.""

1-④ The Beast receives authority for 42 months and wages war

12:17-18
Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.

13:5-10
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and exercised its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

Whoever has ears, let them hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

1-⑤ The two witnesses finish their testimony

11:7-14
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second woe has passed;
the third woe is coming soon.

2. God's Judgment on Great Babylon

2-① After the second woe, the Lamb opens the sixth seal (the third woe)

6:12-13
When the Lamb opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

2-② Seven angels with seven plagues (the seven bowls)

15:1-8
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.'

After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.

And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

2-③ The identity of the beast and the mystery of the woman

2-④ The fall of the great prostitute Babylon

18:1-3
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, '


Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.'

14:8-13
Another angel, a second, followed, saying, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.'

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.' Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"

The Spirit also says, "Yes, they will rest from their labors, and their deeds will follow them."

2-⑤ My people, come out of her

18:4-8
I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins and will not be affected by her plagues. For her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Give back to her as she has given, and pay her back double for her deeds; in the cup she mixed, mix a double portion for her. As much as she glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her that much torment and grief. In her heart she says, 'I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief.' Therefore, her plagues will come in one day: death, grief, and famine, and she will be burned up with fire. For the Lord God who judges her is mighty.

2-⑥ From the first bowl to the fifth bowl

16:1-11
Then I heard a loud voice from the sanctuary saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of God's intense wrath on the earth."

And the
first one went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then a foul and painful sore broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.

The second one poured out his bowl into the sea. Then it became blood like a dead man's, and every living thing in the sea died.

The third one poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel of the waters say, "You are righteous, the One who is and who was, the Holy One, because You have passed these judgments. Because they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, You have given them blood to drink; they deserve it." I also heard the altar say, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, Your judgments are true and righteous."

The fourth one poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire. People were scorched by the intense heat, yet they blasphemed the name of God who had the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give Him glory.

The fifth one poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was darkened. People gnawed their tongues because of their pain and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, yet they did not repent of their deeds.

2-⑦ The lament of those of the earth and those of the sea

The lament of the kings of the earth
18:9-10
The kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment and say, "Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city! For in a single hour your judgment has come.".

The lament of the merchants of the earth
18:11-17
And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their merchandise.

Their merchandise is gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet, all kinds of citron wood, every article of ivory, every article made of very costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, fragrant oil, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; and slaves—the lives of people.

The fruit you craved has left you, and all your luxury and splendor have perished, never to be found again. The merchants who sold these things, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying, "Woe, woe, the great city, clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls! For in a single hour such great wealth has been laid waste.".

Lament of the Seafarers
18:17-19
And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like unto this great city!'

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.'

2-⑧ A Voice from Heaven

18:20-24
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, 'Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.' And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.'

2-⑨ The Sixth Vial: 'Gathering to Armageddon'

16:12-16
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

(Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.) And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

📕 The Three and a Half Years Until Christ's Second Coming [Part 2] The Second Coming

3. The Great Multitude After the Destruction of Great Babylon

3-① The Seventh Vial: 'It is Done', The Seventh Trumpet: 'The Kingdom of Christ'

16:17
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done.'

11:15-18
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.'

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, 'We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.'.

3-② Lightning, Thunder, and a Great Earthquake

16:18-19
And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake. There has never been an earthquake like it since man has been on the earth, so great was it.

The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.

3-③ The Sign of the Son of Man Appears

6:14
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

16:20
And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.

3-④ The Ark of the Covenant Was Seen in the Heavenly Sanctuary

11:19
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

16:21
And great hailstones, each about a hundred pounds, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

3-⑤ The Great Multitude in White Robes

7:9-10
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'

19:1-8
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, 'Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.' Once more they cried out, 'Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.'

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, 'Amen. Hallelujah!'

And from the throne came a voice saying, 'Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.'

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,'for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.'

7:11-17
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?' I said to him, 'Sir, you know.'

And he said to me, 'These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'

4. The Second Coming of Christ

4-① The Nations are Invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

19:9
And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.' For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

4-② The Harvest of the Earth

14:14-16
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Then another angel came out of the sanctuary and cried out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe." The one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

Supplement: The Parable of the King Hosting a Wedding Banquet for His Son

4-③ The "Word of God" on a White Horse and the Army in White Robes

19:11-16
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

14:17-20
Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."

The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city.

And blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Supplement: God's People and the Nations are Separated

Good grapes are harvested and trampled (Sheep)

Inferior goods are not trampled but burned (Goats)

Those who cause stumbling and those who do evil will be burned in the furnace of fire

5. The Destruction of the Beasts

5-① The Great Banquet, the Remnant's Flesh Eaten by Birds

6:15-17
And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'

19:17-18
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun.

And he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, 'Come and gather together for the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great'.

5-② The Beast and the False Prophet in the Lake of Fire

19:19-21
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

The above is the description up to Chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation, a prophecy depicting the 'three and a half years until the Second Coming of Christ' and the transition period to the Millennial Kingdom era.

After this, the Book of Revelation continues to Chapter 20 (the Millennial Kingdom), and Chapters 21 and 22 (the New Heaven and New Earth).

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