Armageddon, Oil, and Terror Discussion Questions Chapter 1 Why Prophecy? 1. What are the two extremes in the study of Bible prophecy? Which one do you see most often? 2. How much of the Bible was prophecy when it was written? Explain the significance of this. 3. Explain the biblical meaning of Armageddon. 4. What are some of the main end-time events and the Scriptures that support them? Which is most significant to you personally? 5. Discuss the imagery of a stage being set and some of the events you see today that indicate the drama of history could be approaching the last act. Chapter 2 Oil Becomes the Ultimate Weapon 1. Explain how you felt when you read the first section of this chapter. Is such a scenario pure fiction or could it really happen? 2. Why was 1973 a crisis point in the modern history of oil? If you lived through it, can you explain how this event affected you at that time? 3. Discuss the world oil peak. When do you think it will occur? 4. How optimistic are you about the prospects for alternative fuel sources in the near future? 5. Explain how oil has brought history full circle back to the Middle East. 6. Do you agree that oil could play a crucial role in the unfolding events of the end times? Explain. Chapter 3 Terrorism Reaches Everyone 1. Remember how you felt on 9/11 and think about what it would be like if America were hit again and if terrorist attacks became more serious and frequent. How would it affect your family? our nation? the world? 2. Do you agree that the world today is more dangerous than at any other time in history? 3. Discuss the possible prophetic implications of surging Islamic terror. 4. How would you explain some of the main developments that have contributed to globalism? 5. Why is globalism significant to the end times? Chapter 4 Israel: Ground Zero for the End Times
1. Discuss God s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:18-21. Do you believe this covenant is still valid today? Do you think the Jewish people still have a right to the Promised Land? 2. What major challenges have the Jewish people faced throughout their history? Do you see evidence that God has providentially protected and supported this people? If so, explain. 3. Discuss the significance of 1948 and Bible prophecy. 4. What milestone was reached in 2006 concerning the regathering of the Jews to their land? Explain its significance. 5. What headlines in Israel and the Middle East point toward the need for the coming Middle East peace predicted in the Bible? Chapter 5 The Decline and Fall of America 1. What are the major stages or phases that will occur after the Rapture? 2. Discuss the significance of Revelation 13:7 to the future of America. 3. Explain some of the various events that could bring America down. What do you see that could lead to America s fall? 4. Do you agree that God has blessed America based on Genesis 12:1-3? 5. What would you like to see Americans do to continue to secure God s blessing on our nation until Jesus comes? Chapter 6 The New Pax Romana 1. What is the key biblical passage that predicts a seven-year peace treaty in the end times? Discuss. 2. How did World War II and the fall of the Soviet Union pave the way for the rise of the European Union? 3. Explain what it means to interpret future unfulfilled prophecies in light of those that have already been fulfilled. 4. What are the three future stages of the reunited Roman Empire? Discuss the Group of Ten. 5. What events in Europe today foreshadow the biblical predictions of a reunited Roman Empire? 6. Discuss how the Antichrist could get Islamic extremists to negotiate a peace settlement with Israel. Chapter 7 The Russian-Islamic Invasion of Israel 1. Who are Gog and Magog? 2. Who are the key nations that will invade Israel in the end times according to Ezekiel 38:1-7?
3. Do you agree that Russia will be part of this invading force? Why or why not? 4. What are the main views on the timing of this invasion? Explain and defend your view. 5. What do you see happening in Russia and the Middle East today that points toward the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38? 6. How will the events in Ezekiel 38 39 pave the way for the Antichrist s worldwide rule? Chapter 8 The Coming World Dictator 1. Discuss the world s fascination with the Antichrist (books, movies, etc). 2. Who are some of the great men of the past who tried to rule the world? In what ways did their rules resemble that of the coming Antichrist? In what ways did they differ? 3. Would you say the world is ripe for a great peacemaker? Explain. 4. Discuss Daniel s 70 weeks prophecy in 9:24-27. 5. Do you agree that the tools of world domination exist today? What are some of them? Chapter 9 The Final Holocaust 1. What is the new anti-semitism? 2. Discuss Zechariah 12:1-3 in light of what we see in today s headlines. 3. How would you explain much of the world s hatred toward the Jewish people? 4. What are some of the key biblical passages that present a coming time of trouble for Israel in the end times? 5. Why will God allow Israel to suffer this final great persecution? Chapter 10 Iraq: The New Babylon 1. Discuss the importance of Babylon in the Bible. 2. Explain why Babylon and Jerusalem are sometimes called the Tale of Two Cities in the Bible. 3. What are some of the key biblical passages related to Babylon? 4. Discuss the two aspects of Babylon in Revelation 17 18. 5. How will the Rapture pave the way for the development of the false church described in Revelation 17? 6. Do you agree that Babylon could become a headquarters for the final world ruler? Why or why not? Chapter 11 China Flexes Its Awesome Power
1. What are some of the factors that have propelled China to world prominence? 2. What are the three biblical passages the refer to a great army from the east in the end times? 3. Do you agree that Revelation 9:13-21 and 16:12-16 may relate to China? Why? 4. Discuss the significance of a 200 million man army both in the first century and today. 5. Explain how oil could play a key role in China s final move to the West. Chapter 12 Natural Disasters, Disease, and Famine Reach Everyone 1. Discuss Jesus prophecies in Matthew 24:7 and Luke 21:11 in light of recent events. 2. What section of the Bible gives the clearest, most detailed picture of the coming time of worldwide tribulation? 3. Discuss the seven seals in Revelation 6. Notice that the first four are singled out as riders on horses. Explain the significance of the colors of the horses. 4. Discuss the role of demons in these end time judgments. 5. Read Exodus 4 12 and discuss the parallels between the ten plagues of Egypt and these end time judgments. What do you think the significance of this is? Chapter 13 The Last Suicidal Battle of WWIII 1. Discuss the main events that will lead up to the final battle of Armageddon. 2. How will Satan be involved in the final world war? 3. Discuss the contrasts between Christ s first and second comings. 4. Explain the key characteristics of Christ s Second Coming to earth. Name a key biblical passage about His Second Coming that is particularly meaningful to you. 5. What will happen on earth after Jesus returns? Explain. Chapter 14 A Promise to Remember 1. How would you explain the Rapture to someone unfamiliar with this event? 2. How is the Rapture different from the Second Coming? 3. Give three reasons why the Rapture will precede the Tribulation. 4. Read John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Discuss the similarities between these passages. 5. Does the Rapture give you hope in our troubled world? If so, how? Chapter 15 Scanning the Horizon 1. Give some of the reasons why Christ may have delayed His coming.
2. John 1:12 promises us that to all who belived [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. What does this passage mean to you personally? How might it affect your relations with others? 3. What are the three major divisions of prophecy? 4. Reread each of the prophetic checklists and discuss a few points from each list that especially stood out to you. 5. How is the world stage today set for Christ s coming? 6. Would you say that the coming of Christ could be very soon? Does this belief changes the way you live each day? If so, explain.