Historical Pattern of the Future Part 1

I would like to present a basic pattern of the latter days based on the past. Today, I will list only the primary pattern. The next time, I will show how history has fulfilled this pattern and I will show how the future will probably be fulfilled according to this pattern.

1. Judges: Various leaders called judges ruled the children of Israel after they settled in the Promised Land.
2. Saul–Ishbosheth: Saul became the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 11:15).  Upon his death, Saul’s son Ishbosheth ruled over Israel for 2 years (2 Samuel 2:10).
3. David –> Solomon: Saul first ruled over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4) and then later ruled over all of Israel after the death of Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 5:3).  Solomon ruled as king after his father’s death (1 Kings 1:39).
4. Divided Kingdom:   After the death of Solomon, Israel divided into the Northern Kingdom known as Israel or Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom known as Judah.
5. Northern Kingdom:   Under the leaderships of King Ahab and Jezebel, the children of the house of Israel forsook God’s covenant, tore down His altars, and killed God’s prophets.
6. Southern Kingdom:  Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat reigned in Judah. 
7. God made sure Elijah survived Jezebel’s persecution.
8. New Rulers: Elijah anointed Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his place.
9. Outside Ruler Steps In: Elisha killed those who escaped the sword of Jehu.
10. A remnant of 7000 had not bowed to or kissed Baal.
11. New Threat Arises:  Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria and 32 other kings made war against Samaria.
12. Ben-Hadad escaped. A prophet told Ahab the Syrians were to come back in a year.
13. Threat Extinguished:  The Syrians were defeated but Ahab let Ben-Hadad go. Ahab was condemned and later died in battle. His blood was licked up by dogs. (1 Kings 20:1-22:40)
14. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah made peace with the king of Israel and banished the wicked from the Land (1 Kings 22:44-47).

Initially, what we want to see in this pattern is the rise and fall of various leaders or kings because it will help us clearly see what else fit the same pattern in the recent past and help us to see what events are unfolding before our eyes in the present and near future.