When will the end come?

Last updated on August 29, 2025

Although the Bible offers numerous clues and prophetic signs pointing to the end of our current generation, this post will focus on just one—an important prophecy spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself concerning the end of this age. Among the many revelations found in Scripture, the following verse stands out as both urgent and profound, offering insight into the events that must take place before His return.

Matthew 24:14 declares, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

When we look at our world today, it seems that this prophecy has largely been fulfilled. Christianity has spread to every corner of the globe, reaching people across continents and cultures. The rapid advancement of technology—such as the radio, television, computers, and the internet—has made access to information about the gospel more widespread and immediate than ever before.

So, does this mean “the end” has already arrived?

The straightforward answer is: not yet. While Christianity’s global reach is a significant sign, the “gospel of the kingdom” has not yet been proclaimed “as a witness”.

As A Witness

Moreover, the phrase “as a witness” is one crucial aspect of this prophecy that is often overlooked. What Jesus was truly prophesying was the worldwide unveiling of the Kingdom of God in the spiritual realm. According to Scripture, particularly the prophecies found in Daniel and Revelation, the Kingdom of God is not just a concept for the heart or the church—it is a sovereign dominion that will be visibly established on Earth. In the last days, God will set up a kingdom “that will never be destroyed,” a divine government that will outlast and overpower all human systems. This kingdom, although revealed spiritually, will be undeniable, seen and acknowledged by all nations.

This dramatic establishment of God’s kingdom will take place at a critical moment in human history. The Bible reveals that around the same time the “beast”—a symbol of a final, oppressive “new world order” government—arises to power, God will simultaneously begin to reveal and establish His own kingdom.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

The Two Witnesses

Additionally, when God empowers His two witnesses, they will serve as bold and undeniable representatives of His coming kingdom. These two witnesses, as described in Revelation 11:3—“And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth”—will proclaim a powerful message to the nations.

Through their prophetic ministry, the two witnesses will testify to the profound spiritual truths that define the Kingdom of God. Far more than mere messengers, these witnesses are appointed as kings and priests in the spiritual realm, carrying divine authority and spiritual light. Yet, their mission is not confined to the invisible; they will physically walk among people, proclaiming the message of the kingdom with power and clarity. In doing so, they will embody the union of spiritual authority and earthly mission, becoming living signs of God’s reign. In this way, they will fulfill the prophecy that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations” before the end comes. Their ministry will not only inform but confront the world with the reality of God’s government, offering one final call to repentance and alignment with the coming reign of Christ in the next age.

Because the two witnesses will be divinely empowered by the Spirit, their words and actions will carry unmistakable authority, and their very presence will reflect the power and reality of God’s kingdom in the midst of a dark and rebellious world. As a result of their ministry, the knowledge of the kingdom will spread rapidly across the globe, cutting through political, cultural, and spiritual barriers. Their witness will not only validate the message of the gospel but also accelerate its impact, awakening many to the truth of God’s rule just as the final days unfold.

Judah And Israel

The two witnesses of God are symbolically represented by Judah and Israel, the two covenant peoples who have historically stood as bearers of God’s testimony on Earth. Revelation 11:4 states, “These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth,” drawing imagery from both the Book of Zechariah and the Book of Revelation to emphasize their spiritual authority and divine appointment.

However, these witnesses are not limited to two individuals alone; they also encompass the 144,000 Israelite saints mentioned in Revelation, along with the great “multitude” who appear in the final days. As described in Revelation 14:1, “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads,” these saints are marked by divine ownership and stand in solidarity with the Lamb, Christ Himself.

Moreover, with the support and participation of the great “multitude”, the 144,000 will ascend Mount Zion—symbolizing the Kingdom of God established on Earth. This ascension is not just spiritual but prophetic and public, a sign to the world that God’s kingdom is being made manifest. In doing so, the two witnesses—Judah and Israel in their restored spiritual identities, embodied through the 144,000 elect saints and the multitude—will testify to the reality of the kingdom of God.

Additionally, their witness will be visible to all in the spiritual world, undeniable, and global, fulfilling God’s purpose of proclaiming His kingdom to all nations just before the end comes. Through their unified presence and prophetic ministry on Mount Zion, the world will behold the fulfillment of God’s promises and the unfolding of His final redemptive plan.

The Rebellion

However, after Judah and Israel—the two witnesses—have completed their divine mission of preaching the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world “as a witness to all nations,” a dark turning point will unfold. According to Revelation 11:7, “When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.”

This marks the moment when the forces of evil, embodied by the beast, will directly challenge the authority and testimony of the Kingdom of God. It is not merely a persecution of individuals but an all-out assault against God’s rule and His redemptive plan for humanity. This violent uprising is what Scripture identifies as “the rebellion”—a climactic act of defiance against God’s established order.

The Apostle Paul refers to this in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, warning that the second coming of Christ “will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.” This “man of lawlessness,” also known as Lucifer or the Antichrist, will emerge as the central figure of this rebellion, opposing everything sacred and exalting himself above all that is called God. His revelation will signal the final confrontation between the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of God, culminating in the ultimate return of Jesus Christ to defeat the rebellion and establish His eternal reign.

Parable Of Jesus

The Lord Jesus Christ spoke in parables to reveal the signs that would precede His second coming, and one of those parables directly alludes to the fate of the two witnesses. In Matthew 24:27–28, Jesus says, “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” This striking imagery is more than poetic; it is deeply prophetic. The “carcass” Jesus refers to in this passage symbolizes the slain bodies of the two witnesses, whose martyrdom becomes a final and public testimony. As Revelation 11:8 confirms, “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Their death is not hidden, but exposed before the world, becoming a signpost for those who are watching.

Therefore, the moment the two witnesses are persecuted and killed, a critical prophetic milestone will have been reached. Their deaths will serve as a clear and sobering signal that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. Just as vultures instinctively gather around a carcass, so too will the world begin to converge upon the unfolding of end-time events. The prophetic clock, at that point, will be seconds from midnight. With their testimony complete and their earthly lives laid down, the stage will be set for the sudden and glorious return of the Son of Man, as swift and unmistakable as lightning flashing from east to west.

The First Ressurection

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, His coming will mark what Scripture calls the first resurrection—a monumental event that signals both the end of the present age and the beginning of a new, divine order. At His second coming, Christ will resurrect the two witnesses who were slain during the time of great tribulation. This moment is vividly described in Revelation 11:11–12: “But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.” This dramatic resurrection will not only vindicate the two witnesses but will also serve as a public declaration of God’s power over death and His authority over the kingdoms of the earth.

The first resurrection is more than just the rising of the two witnesses—it is the prophetic turning point that brings this age to a close. As the Apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:24–26, “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” With the resurrection of the witnesses and the gathering of the faithful, Christ will begin to overthrow every earthly and spiritual power that has opposed God’s rule. This transition will usher in the reign of Christ, a time when righteousness, justice, and divine authority will prevail—and death itself, the final enemy, will ultimately be defeated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prophetic role of the two witnesses—Judah and Israel—stands at the center of God’s plan to reveal His kingdom to the world in the final days. Empowered by God, they will proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to all nations, fulfilling the words of the Lord Jesus Christ that this message must be preached “as a witness” before the end comes. Yet, their testimony will also provoke intense opposition, culminating in their death at the hands of the beast, led by Lucifer, the man doomed to destruction. This rebellion marks a turning point in human history.

However, their apparent defeat is not the end but the gateway to a new beginning. After three and a half days, Jesus Christ will return in glory at the first resurrection and raise the two witnesses to life, publicly vindicating their testimony and signaling the end of the present age. With His return, Christ will usher in a new era—one in which God’s kingdom reigns supreme and all opposing powers are brought under His feet. As we reflect on these prophecies, may we remain watchful and rooted in truth. There are many more end-time revelations in Scripture, and, God willing, we will explore them in future studies. Until then, may the grace and peace of God be with you all.