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Apocalypse

by Brian Erwin
06/15/23
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Apocalypse

In my view, it is time to compile a postulation introspective on biblically prophesied events that will unfold in the end-of-days scenario–i.e., to offer a possible future course based on trends in today’s news in a stream-of-consciousness fashion. During this time, we are headed toward Armageddon and Christ's Second Advent at the same time.

Whenever you share such thoughts in a public forum, I must remind you that they are nothing more than speculation on my part. The premises are the result of a long period of study, writing, and prayer about matters foretold by Jesus and the Old and New Testament prophets. Although I have not received a “word of knowledge” or received a vision or dream in the Old or New Testament sense, I believe my thoughts are directed by Holy Spirit.

Let us start the story at its beginning: It is clear to anyone who pays attention to current events that Satan is attempting to discredit Jesus, the Creator of all things, including time and humanity. The Bible states: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). This One who established time for us is now being challenged as a fabricator and a madman.

God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning (Gen. 1:1). That's obvious, right? Not evolution or any other method rooted in man's sophistry, but God.

The Word was with God at the beginning, and the Word was God. He made all things, and without him, nothing was made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

The apostle Paul wrote about Jesus: "For by him all things were created, that is in heaven and that is in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created by him, and for him: He is before all things, and all things consist of him." (Col. 1:16-17).

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6).

The Bible says that Jesus Christ is God, Himself. When the pious Jewish religious leaders asked Him if He was God, He responded: “Before Abraham was, I was” (John 8:58). He claimed that He and His Father were one. As seen in Exodus 3:6, He is the God of His promised people, the Israelites.

In entertainment fiction, such as "The DaVinci Code," Jesus is described as a mere man who faked His death so that he could father a child with Mary Magdalene. According to Entertainment, under pseudoarchaeological auspices, they have discovered the ossuaries of Jesus' relatives, possibly even the DNA of Jesus Himself, in a tomb near Jerusalem. As part of His Olivet Discourse, Jesus addressed this subject:

If they say to you, “Behold, he is in the desert; don’t go out: behold, he is in the secret chambers; don’t believe it.” I have told you before. In the same way that lightning comes from the east, and shines even to the west, so shall also the Son of Man (Matthew 24:25-27).

During the Tribulation era, as in all other end-time signals of significance that are in view today, Matthew 24:25-27 warns of the false Christ and false prophets that will deceive all but God's elect. For prophetic fulfillment to come, the lying that Jesus is not the soon-returning God of Heaven is already underway.

Under attack by our great enemy, the devil, and his supernatural and human minions, Jesus Christ's deity is being challenged, a clear indication we are approaching the end of this Age of Grace. As time progresses toward the final day ahead of us according to prophecy, these hostile acts will become increasingly intense. We will consider how events from present-day life fit with Bible prophecy, so that we can see that what is taking place today is in fact part of God's Word.

Again, I state that the end-times scenarios I present in this essay are speculation–postulation based upon my years of prayer, study, observation, and reflection. I am certain that many view things to come in a very different way, even among those who hold to a pre-Mill, pre-Trib view. I present this to you as an likely possibility, but not as set in stone by Scripture.

Let's begin by looking at how the world is organized.

America is without a doubt the only superpower on the planet. Be it in terms of military prowess, economic power, social influence or technological advancements, its might is unmatched. I have to be realistic here and admit this world is far from perfect; it was created by our enemy below and sin everywhere plagues humanity. That can all feel horribly depressing but Jesus said something to remind us there is still hope; "And when Jesus was asked why people called him 'good', he answered that there's only one who matches that description: God!" (Mark 10:18).

People cannot even see God's kingdom until they are born-again, since sin entered the world. Mankind must be redeemed only by God, the Son:

Then Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I say to you, a man cannot see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3).

In my opinion, Jesus' words are dual in meaning: 1) Those who reject Christ by rejecting their need for a new, spiritual birth will not enter heaven upon death; 2) without the new birth into God's family, they cannot comprehend heaven and things of God at all. This latter assessment is based on Paul's words:

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he discern them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Despite sounding even more off-putting, this is true nevertheless. Christians are the only ones who are “good” in this downward spiraling world. Is this to say that I, in my fleshly efforts, am better than those who do not claim Christ as Savior and Lord? No, I am not! But I am like Paul in one aspect, but it isn't his lovely Christian side, but rather the other.

The Bible states, "I know that in me (my flesh) dwelleth no good thing, since to will is present with me, but to perform what is good I cannot find." (Romans 7:18).

Christians are only considered “good” by God through Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus that a person is fit to inherit an eternal home in heaven. Because God cannot abide sin, all things born and devised by mankind are destined for judgment and eternity apart from God. All corruption must be eradicated forever, and Jesus is the way to do so.

Jesus Christ as Redeemer holds the key to the future.

In order to speculate on what is going to happen from here to eternity, why did I do all that? In my stream-of-consciousness scenarios for the end of days, Christians play a crucial role. The apostle Paul to the Thessalonians explains this Bible prophecy truth: God's final wrath and judgment will not begin falling until there is no more good in this world.

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:9, God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We get a prophetic glimpse of those dramatic changes on earth when Christians are removed from the planet in the Rapture (read 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The mystery of iniquity already works: only he who now lets will let until he is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7).

The word “he” in verse 7 is referring to God the Holy Spirit, who is present in the church during this particular dispensation in which we currently exist. At the moment of the Rapture, He will no longer be operating as He does now but instead interacting with mankind as was done before Pentecost when the church began (Acts, chapter 2). (Whilst some may contend that the church started on the shores of Galilee with Christ's calling of His first disciples, I find this to be untrue.)

The people who have allowed the Holy Spirit to live within them are the only ones who can be considered “good” in God's eyes. At the Rapture, this 'good' will ascend with Jesus Christ and enjoy eternity in heavenly homes. Preparations for them have been underway ever since Jesus returned to His Father following the crucifixion (referenced in John 14:1-3). All those who have received Christ as their savior, both living and deceased -will be taken away; leaving no one of good standing remaining on Earth.

Humanity's actions and reactions will be exponentially accelerated for the worse when the Holy Spirit ceases to influence human consciences in such a powerful way.

I believe it is evident for any student of God to observe a display of rebellion from mankind in the response to a recent story in the news. It included an uproar from the media and politically correct individuals over the U.S. chair of the joint chiefs of staff sharing his personal opinion that same-sex relations among members of the military are immoral acts. The outcry for General Peter Pace's discharge from his role at the Pentagon has only further agitated those who disagree with such views and sparked harsh criticism against them.

The Bible, God's instruction manual for the creature he made from the dirt upon which we stand, says the following about homosexuality:

For this reason God gave them up to vile affections: even their women did change the natural use into something against nature, and the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense that was appropriate for their error” (Romans 1:26-27).

It's even more powerful in an Old Testament prescription against homosexuality. (If it makes you angry, blame God, not me. I don't make the rules. He does.)

Both men and women who lie with mankind commit an abomination; both will be put to death; their blood shall be on them (Leviticus 20:13).

The objection is bound to arise: This was written for the Israelites, not today's people. We have established that God has never changed the prescription for living for any people at any time. Jesus, as we have established, is the Creator of all things, and His power holds them together. According to God’s Word, the Lord of all creation is:

The same Jesus Christ yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

As we saw this week with this one issue, fallen mankind will not be allowed to rule the planet Earth under the rule of the God of heaven. The attitude of man since the fall has been to do what he sees as right in his own eyes. Human government is fatally flawed. These have attempted to create a utopian earth for millennia. They have failed in all their attempts to do it “apart from God”.

Nimrod’s attempt to build the tower to heaven (read Genesis chapter 11) is the oldest attempt to establish human government following the flood of Noah’s antediluvian era. Seeing that this would lead to disaster for mankind, the Lord sent multiple languages to separate the one-world builders, causing them to be scattered throughout the world.

There have been millennia since that time where man has circumvented God's intervention. The one-world drive is once again being pursued by the powers "elite." God always intervenes when things reach a certain point of depravity. As an example, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. You can learn about both the depravity and the Lord's intervention by reading Genesis, chapter 19. Which brings me to the point I wish to explore about the end-of-days scenarios.

He himself set the stage for a future time when He will intervene “catastrophically” in a deprave playhouse of lasciviousness. Likewise, as in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but when Lot fled Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, destroying them all (Luke 17:28-29).

This is a description of a society, a culture, and a generation going forward with business as usual. Jesus prophesied that it would be like this when judgment from heaven would fall at the time of His end-times intervention. Revelation 19:11 does not describe the Tribulation era when Jesus will physically come to earth during the Tribulation era.

Two-thirds of the earth's population will have died during the apocalyptic judgments by that time. Despite the fact that things will not be as disastrous as they will later in man's last grasp of self-rule, the things that transpire here will still be calamitous. The scenarios presented are captivating, and I will discuss my postulations, based on a pre-Trib view of the Rapture.

Jesus compares Lot’s removal from the wicked city of Sodom to the Rapture of all righteous believers, the church which Jesus began. Despite not being a perfect example, Lot was seen as a just man in God's eyes as he had accepted His governance and salvation plan. The society in Sodom was much like ours today - deeply corrupted and with homosexuality having become the norm.

God set aside Lot and the repercussions of His anger soon descended on that sinful and uncontrollable population. Jesus predicted this is just what will occur around His second return. This event will take place at the Rapture - roughly seven years before He descends into the Mount of Olives. I believe it's likely that the first phase of God's displeasure will be taking Himself away from mankind's awareness. Those left behind would have vetoed God's rule. So now, perhaps those saved by rapture will be able to observe first-hand, from heaven's gallery, if it truthful that people who resist don't need God to regulate their lives.

There will be millions of people disappearing in a millisecond, or atomos, of time. At the same time that the United States of America had more gospel light and access to more filth and depravity than ancient Rome at its decadent, orgiastic worst, it will undergo an implosion that will stagger the imagination when contemplated.

For the scenarios we will examine, we will examine how the end-time stage is set.

When it comes to nations of planet Earth, America is the richest, most materially blessed nation that ever existed. Her achievements in almost every field of human endeavor are unparalleled.

The European Union is quickly growing to become a giant that could potentially pressure the US for the title of top superpower. Despite their increasing economic might, the EU lacks the military force necessary to achieve America’s standing as a superpower. This includes advanced technology, nuclear materials and other weapons of mass destruction capable of inflicting massive death and destruction upon any nation that dares provoke them.

Russian military readiness for superpower status is once again on the rise. The USSR, too, lags far behind in high-tech matters, which keeps it from gaining hegemony in parts of the world that were once under its dictatorial gaze. Due to the shambles of the Russian economy, it is impossible to achieve the high-tech needed.

The Chinese are building a strong economic base in order to attain fiscal power that will allow them to buy and/or develop the high-tech sophistication necessary to become a superpower. There is no doubt that the Chinese raw manpower capabilities pose the greatest threat to mankind, based on their sheer numbers.

Despite their small roles in the scenarios we'll examine, all other nations together present massive–even insurmountable–problems for the prophesied frightening world of the nebulous future.

Israel is in the middle of all this global chemistry. According to the Word of the Creator of all things, that nation will be the catalyst that will galvanize earth-dwellers into rebellion against Him, thus bringing Armageddon to the entire world. During the time of the end of days, the One who knows the end from the beginning has this to say about Israel and all other nations:

Jerusalem will be a burdensome stone for all people, and all who burden themselves with it will be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth gather against it" (Zechariah 12:3).

Having set the stage for geopolitical affairs, let's begin to look into the future, but with the caveat that this is just speculation, even though well-studied and prayed-over speculation on my part. The prophet Daniel summarized the end of the age in one concise prophetic passage:

A week later, he will confirm the covenant with many: in the middle of the week, he will cease the sacrifice and oblation, and he will make it desolate for the spreading of abominations, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Businesses will progress at a dynamic rate, with regular interruptions, and Jesus reminds us of this in Luke 17: 26-29. Despite pledges from the socialist authorities, the wealthy are becoming wealthier and the deprived are becoming more destitute. Terrible acts will become commonplace, as Paul predicted when he wrote that people would degenerate and behave worse and worse, fulfilling Jesus’ words which said conditions would be similar to Noah's time, when the world was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11,13).

Arab Islamic states have long sought to wipe Jews off the map, but Israel's nuclear capabilities make them fearful of a direct attack, so the international diplomatic community, taking their lead from the US State Department, will try to find a way to assuage hostilities. The solution will potentially involve sacrificing Israel's land - often with them having no input on the matter.

As never before, every major Mid-East terrorist organization with headquarters in Damascus, Syria, will chant hatred against Israel. Concern that Israel will take preemptive action will trouble the James Bakers of the times. It is expected that evangelical Christians will join other religious entities in pointing the finger at Israel as one of the most stubborn players in threatening regional, maybe even world peace.

Jesus warned that His return would be "as it was in the days of Noah". The characteristics of this end-time generation is comparably described in Genesis 6. It must have been a time of great terror, especially for the eight members of Noah's family surrounded by violence and terror. It appears that even business activities were quickening but so was the violent activity on Earth, as stated in God’s Word.

What was the president's name for the war he declared against an almost indistinguishable enemy following the 9/11 attacks? He called it the “war on terrorism,” and now the international community is worried about the potential ramifications of the terror and violence in the Middle East, which threaten to spark a war.

Media members begin to contact Todd, me, as well as others who have studied and analyzed Armageddon and the “end of days” (the way media like to frame it) whenever such sparks begin to fly. It is clear that violence of the deadliest sort fills the world with terror, as evidenced by the cries for peace and safety from the media and the government.

The prophet Jesus prophesized in Luke 17 that at the end of the world, society and the economy would be pretty much the same. During Daniel chapter 12, Daniel the prophet predicted that great advances would be made in technology, travel, and communication at the end of the world. People will be eating and drinking. They will be marrying and divorcing, just as nothing fearful was happening in their world.

Are any of these familiar? As we can see from the strength of the American economy, things are booming, despite the fact that we are now a debtor nation at an unprecedented level. Historically, the United States has been among the most materially blessed nations in history. Even lower middle-class Americans today don't live at the same level of luxury and comfort as the greatest king of Bible times.

Thus, in that sense, business is going along better than usual, at least in this country. It is exactly at the time described that Jesus will step out on the clouds of glory and shout, "Come up hither!".

Bible prophecy reveals that the Day of the Lord will unexpectedly arrive like a thief in the night. This similarity is not referring to Jesus' Second Advent when His foot touches the Mount of Olives, splitting it in two and stretching a rift into the Mediterranean; rather, this comparison alludes to another coming foretold in Revelation 19:11 which will involve God’s full-blown wrath. By then, two-thirds of the world’s inhabitants will have perished, with everyone around still alive catching a glimpse of Christ's arrival on Earth.

As a thief, the Rapture will be sudden, stunning, and catastrophic.

In the United States, a young mother carrying her soon to be second child, with her small daughter in tow, will stroll through a supermarket's aisles. At the same time, a trucker will maneuver a semi-tractor/trailer rig onto an interstate as part of the bustling traffic. Simultaneously, a 757 pilot will accelerate down a runway at JFK Airport in New York, full throttle. Additionally, a surgeon at an esteemed Minnesota hospital is about to make the incision that will commence a heart bypass operation. Last but not least, a funeral director will carefully adjust the collar of the pristine white shirt of an individual whose funeral is next on his roster.

Within the time it takes for a neuroelectrical synapse to be fired in the brain, the womb of the young mother is empty. The shock of the physiological changes occurring in her body causes her to fall to the floor as she watches her daughter vanish. While raging ahead in its ungoverned course, the 18-wheeler is careening into the traffic, driverless, out of control, crushing and destroying vehicles and passengers.

On the JFK runway, a 757 is at full takeoff speed but the pilot and co-pilot are absent, and the right wingtip dips toward the runway, resulting in a catastrophe. Because the patient has died, the scalpel cuts air instead of flesh, according to the surgeon in Minnesota. The funeral director staggers backwards, shocked, because the burial apparel he has been making just right for presentation has collapsed, and the corpse no longer lies in the casket.

Those snippets, still-frame snapshots of the paradigm-changing dynamics of the Rapture will geometrically burgeon from the instant this stunning event takes place. Since Christ's first advent intervened into human affairs, it will be the greatest occurrence in history.

As believers are transformed, transformed in an atomos of time, a fraction of an element of time that cannot be divided. They now see the holy, omniscient eyes of the Lord that are fathomless in the depths of God’s love. He leads them to the city of heaven through the portals of glory.

Thousands of people on earth have disappeared into nothingness, leaving behind all their earthly belongings, including clothing, jewelry, and prosthetics.

I once heard a nationally known “reverend” (so-called), I don’t like the word “reverend” in reference to anyone on this fallen planet, as there is only one reverend, and He has just whisked all who are His into heaven for their eternal rewards, say something like this: “If a Rapture really happened, it would mean that there would be incredible carnage upon the earth. God won’t allow that.”

Reverend, what about the judgments for the end of days given in the Old and New Testaments? What about the book of Revelation? The seals, trumpets, and vials don't exactly leave us with the warm, fuzzy feeling that an apocalypse is imminent.

The folks who hold to the “Kingdom Now” teaching believe that the passages from the Bible relating to God's judgment and wrath are merely allegorical or symbolic. They don't view them as literal prophecies, but they rather think that these have already been fulfilled. This group preaches that if Christians help to make the world a better place, Christ will eventually return to His earthly throne. Obviously, these believers and I do not agree on our interpretation of what is written in Scripture and what should be taken as reality. My daily life tells me that what we are currently experiencing erforms perfectly with God's Word when it comes to the end-times, which is often referred to as "the end-time" by modern media.

The evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13).

It was Jesus Himself who prophesied of the end of the Tribulation:

"If the Lord had not shortened those days, no flesh could be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days" (Mark 13:20).

Sadly, this world is in for a very rough ride, and the "reverend" was wrong in claiming God would not allow carnage, hence mankind won't see a rapture.

People left behind after the Rapture are targeted by the "thief in the night" prophecy. It will undoubtedly take most willfully ignorant Christians by total surprise when that great event happens, but it will not be as if it were a "thief in the night" experience to them. According to Paul the apostle, who wrote to the Thessalonians, to all Christians of the Age of Grace, this is foretold:

As you yourselves know, the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. When they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with a child; and they will not be able to escape. You, brethren, are not in darkness, so you will not be overtaken by that day as if by a thief. You are all children of light, and we are children of the day.

In this passage, Paul distinguishes between unbelievers and believers by using the pronouns “they” and “them” rather than “you,” “ye,” and “we.” For Christians alive at the time of the Rapture, it will be an entirely different experience than the “thief in the night” experience for those left behind. In John 14:1-3, and in Paul’s following comforting prophecy:

We look forward to the glorious appearance of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

As we consider our earth-bound scenarios that we speculate will immediately follow the Rapture, let us examine some dark possibilities.

It is clothes and other items falling to the ground, pavement, and floors that immediately assault people's senses when they look around. Clothing and personal items no longer needed by those who suddenly vanished are the only evidence that they were once on earth. The prosthetic devices, too, of every kind, give the news pundits something to talk about on the programs dominated by one subject: the disappearance of millions.

My speculation leads me to believe that the most terrifying event during the disappearances will be the fact that every child who has yet to come to an age of moral understanding would vanish in an instant. It is a momentous act by God, displaying His opinion on when life begins at conception, as every pregnant woman's womb will become empty without warning.

Can we even begin to imagine the excruciating emotional explosion that will occur throughout the world?

As the intimately personal cataclysms continue, other, equally staggering considerations flood the fear-filled minds of those left behind. Once again, martial law is immediately invoked in America. Looters move freely throughout decimated society before the much-depleted military and law enforcement personnel can reassemble to enforce Martial Law, plundering, destroying, and raping whatever and whoever they find in their rampages.

A person's conscience is no longer governed by the Holy Spirit, as it was just before the disappearances. Looters don't give a second thought to the horrendous future mankind now faces when they loot empty homes, empty of their vanished occupants. “They think they have died and gone to their warped idea of heaven,” Dr. Charles Stanley told me.

Using our Bible prophecy postulations, we have only begun to explore the left behind world and the likely dynamics that will rearrange planet Earth for Antichrist's arrival.

There has been a worldwide devastation, but nowhere so profound as in the United States of America. People have vanished in less than the time it takes light to reach the retina. It won't take long to prove that the consequences will be geopolitically staggering, not just for America, but for one nation in particular.

All levels of American government soon realize that every child below, most likely, the teen-age years is dead. Every pregnant woman who remains with child has suffered the loss of the baby in her womb. However, some other things are found, which are even more troubling for the politicos, the officials of this country.

Government is in total disarray, and it won't be long before those in charge acknowledge that Martial Law will not be able to restore the financial foundation necessary for continuing business as usual. An immense portion of the taxation system, which is more than enough to do the job–has been taken away! Many employees, especially the most skilled and loyal workers who formed the very essence of American industry and dependability have disappeared in an instant.

It will take a great deal of manpower and, in many cases, extraordinary skills to begin restoring order after the carnage caused by many accidents and disappearances.

Nevertheless, despite being dumbfounded and even extremely worried about the disappearances, Europe appears to have suffered little infrastructure damage. The European Union Parliament's well-structured economy has only minimal glitches in keeping things running. At the moment, it is being asked to offer advice and assistance, especially with reestablishing America's economic base on solid ground, by the upper echelons of the American government that remain.

Russian and Chinese countries pay special attention to America's particularly bad circumstances. They assess how the military complex has been affected.

Islamics who want their religion to rule the world are delighted. God punished Satan as he deserved. Although Islamic children, too, have disappeared, the adults who remain in large numbers are still available to make war–and love, so that children can be replenished. Islamic terrorist organizations are delighted, and immediately see jihad against their enemies, particularly against Israelis and the Jews.

The Israeli government has come to two surprising conclusions: firstly, that their key ally, armed with the most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world, is in disarray. American officials are doing all they can to land deals with the EU and reclaim control. This leaves little time or opportunity for Israel's safeguard. Secondly, their staunchest supporters, those who had advocated for Israel's existence, have disappeared from the face of the Earth!

There are reports of plans to attack Israel by Arabs, Persians, and other Islamics, who understand what has happened as an opportunity provided by Allah–an opportunity to eradicate the hated Jew and the impostor state of Israel once and for all. While America’s top leaders are still around and are coming to understand that the economy and monetary matters must be completely rearranged.

Despite the fact that the Jewish leadership remains intact, even the most liberal Jews know that this tiny nation stands alone. As a result, even Mid-East oil requirements are off the table for the west, as industrial nations must reorganize rather than send their troops into the sands of the Middle East.

The Israeli leadership is well aware of their enemies' plans to eliminate them from the face of the planet. That is why they must act swiftly. With the so-called 'Samson Option,' even those liberal Jews who are in support of peace have come to terms that such a nuclear capability may be the only way to ensure their continuation as a nation. The nations of the world have a stark choice, acknowledge Israel's legal right to exist or risk being subjected themselves to another Holocaust-level tragedy. The Jewish people will remain resolute in their mission of 'Never Again.'

It is unquestionable to anyone who holds the Bible as truth that we live in the last time. It is undeniable to anyone who accepts God's Word. As you have heard, it is the last time: and as ye have heard of the coming of the antichrist, there are many antichrists at this time; thus, we know it is the last time (1 John 2:18).

At least, that's how I read the words of the apostle John. At the time he wrote his epistles and the Revelation, it was already the end of days. While I understand some do not believe that the same John wrote both, I utterly disagree. In addition, some believe the reference here refers to the spirit of Antichrist, rather than the beast described in Revelation Chapter 13.

I strongly oppose that opinion, too. John is discussing the spirit of Antichrist and a certain personage expected to appear sometime in the future. This individual will pose not only as Jesus Christ's false representation, but also as something antithetic to Christianity. He is conjecture to be the worst man ever lived on Earth. While carrying on our conjectural, yet thoroughly examined and Bible-based examination of potential events from present onward, let us consider how this beast may attain authority.

After the Rapture of all born again believers, Israel will look for their world support and be disheartened with the vanishing of millions. Supporters of Israel who rely on Scriptures in Genesis will have evaporated. America will be in a state of pandemonium trying to reinstate order with the reinstatement of government to provide structure. Although rattled, the European Union will still stay firm and be sought out by the remainder of the western world for assistance while attempting to reclaim what they lost when this unprecedented disaster occurred.

It is clear that the Islamic rulers of the Middle East, who have held the people under their despotic thumbs for centuries, will not be intimidated by the disappearances of all their children. This rumor of war will not escape Israel’s leadership, as they will be encouraged to look toward Israel and see an opportunity Allah sent to eradicate the Jew once and for all from what they consider their land.

In order to ensure the nation's continued existence, the military leadership of Israel will be given the top spot while Arab-Islamic forces gather in council of war. It is imperative that Israel survives. The liberals and woolly-minded who harbor delusional beliefs that peace is primary will be pushed to the margins.

Gamel Abdul Nasser will be remembered by both Israel and her foes who birthed this Egyptian ruler. In 1956, he assembled the armies of the Arab nations to confront Israel, yet in 1967, it was the Israeli Defense Force who pre-empted his strategies and vanquished their collective opposition. Those who pledge never to be caught off guard while forces are marshaled to eliminate the state will now be governing in Israel. As a result, striking measures shall certainly be implemented.

Several major Middle East terrorist organizations will gather in Damascus, Syria, where they are all headquartered. A drumbeat of blood-vowed hatred will make it clear to the Israeli hawks, most of whom are within Israeli leadership, that they must cut off the heads of the hydra-headed serpent in one mighty blow. The nuclear sword will deliver that blow:

In Isaiah 17:1, it says, "Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.".

A 15-kiloton bomb will be used by an Israeli jet to remove the heads, causing intense confusion and anger throughout Islam. A nightmarish jihad will follow. However, preparation for such jihad will require time. Most of the diabolical terrorists who plan such a holy war will have gone to their 72 virgins by now.

Now, America will agree to agree with EU brainstorming. “Something must be done immediately,” everyone agrees in western power circles. A full-blown war on terrorism is about to start, which some have already said began with the War on Terrorism. In this case, Israel will feel not only the wrath of its Islamic neighbors, but of the entire world, including its former staunchest ally.

Through the preemptive destruction of Damascus with a nuclear weapon, Israel will have enraged everyone, who now sees it as the world's number-one troublemaker:

The LORD’s declaration to Israel is clear. He who stretched out the heavens, established the earth's foundation and formed the spirit of man within him will make Jerusalem a cup of dread for its surrounding peoples. When besieged, Judah and Jerusalem shall each be weighed down by an onerous stone - the whole world united could not shift it.

All Jews will know Israel is doomed. No choice will be left but to invoke the Samson Option. They will bring all who come against them to their death.

There will be one man within the EU hierarchy who wants to try a diplomatic tactic others haven't considered.

In Israel’s pre-emptive strike, the major jihadist terrorist heads were cut off in Damascus, leaving it completely destroyed. In a figurative sense, Israel-haters surround the tiny Jewish state, surrounded by the collective wrath of the rest of the world’s nations, led by the United Nations.

In every media and diplomatic venue, as well as on the streets of Europe and other nations where Islam's population has grown exponentially, the Islamic hordes are screaming.

As a nation, as a people, Israel's leadership - particularly its military leadership - knows it is a fight or die situation.

An EU official steps out from among his colleagues, speaking great words of diplomacy, just as the Samson Option is about to be invoked (bringing down Israel and its enemies with nuclear holocaust).

In addition, of the ten horns in his head, and the other that arose and fell before three, even that horn with eyes and a mouth for speaking great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows (Daniel 7:20).

He tells Israel that he is their friend. Thanks to the Rapture of the church and America coming under the European umbrella, which brought the most powerful and sophisticated nuclear weapons arsenal on the planet with it (the only friend they have among the voices of the United Nations and newly developed superstate).

It is true that there is only one voice, but what a voice! No one would dare to set foot against such a powerful man. He will one day be worshipped as a god. However, it is not yet time.

Then they worshipped the dragon, who gave power to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war with him?" (Revelation 13:4).

According to this leader, Israel will not be attacked and that other nations will accept them; however, he now threatens an all-out assault on the Jewish state.

It will begin with his wondrous works of convincing the world that he is the man of the hour. He is the ultimate negotiator, the great, longed-for peacemaker.

In fact, he even promises Israel they can build a Temple on the Temple Mount, the most sacred spot to religious Jews.

It is, however, necessary for Israel to lay down all of its defenses, especially its nuclear arsenals, as part of the exchange. He must be their national protector, their savior, and they must agree to rely completely on him. Israel rejected their true Messiah once, but will readily accept this great leader’s peace offerings. Jesus prophesied about this:

As Jesus said, "I come in the name of my Father, and ye do not receive me: but if another comes in his own name, ye will receive him" (John 5:43).

This proud, arrogant, nefariously ambitious man will invoke his peace despite warnings from Israel and the world. It will ultimately result in catastrophic consequences for Israel and the world.

Initially, he will appear to be a miracle worker of unprecedented proportions:

"Moreover, he will prosper in his policy; he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many by peace" (Daniel 8:25).

Aside from being called the man of sin, the son of perdition, Antichrist, the beast, the king of fierce countenance, and other names, he is also known as "the Assyrian."

In order to learn more about the Bible's references to this man, I recommend reading the book The Assyrian Connection by my great friend, Phillip Goodman. The future tyrant referred to as the beast most prominently in Revelation, chapter 13, appears to be one and the same as the Antichrist.

In spite of coming from the ancient Roman Empire, based on Daniel 9:26-27, Antichrist will be Middle Eastern in origin.

You can read Phillip's much-studied thoughts on the whys and wherefores surrounding this postulation, but suffice it to say that in my view, at least, this prophecy refers to the beast's ethnic origin in some way:

It is written, "He shall not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any other god, but he shall magnify himself above all" (Daniel 11:37).

According to ethnic and/or religious history considerations, if this most terrible tyrant of history is Assyrian, the “god” mentioned could also be the “god” of Islam if this is the case. The use of the capital G in God makes it almost certain that this refers to the one, true God. The “God of his fathers” might refer to God Jehovah, Abraham, and Abraham’s predecessors: The God of Heaven.

This does not mean that he will be a Jew. Abraham and Abraham's fathers before him sired many, many people who are not Jewish. The Arab nations, for example, trace their ancestry to Abraham.

A son of perdition, who stands above all others of the same mind, “to rule the world by hook or by crook,” comes from the old Roman Empire’s geographical area. While he is a prince who comes forth from territories encompassed by the ancient Roman Empire, his ethnicity is based on Middle Eastern descent (his fathers).

There are other fascinating factors and considerations involved in pursuing this line of conjecture. He honors the "god of forces."

We see in our end-of-days scenario that the prince comes from the Romans who destroyed the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (the Jewish Temple), as Daniel the prophet prophesied (Daniel 9:27). Through his great, swelling words, he consolidates himself in the eyes of many peoples around the world by guaranteeing a peace that has already been negotiated.

"But in his estate he shall honour the God of forces: a god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things."

One egomaniacal, supernaturally empowered Assyrian man manifests all of the prideful arrogance of the great kings, princes, and tyrants of history in a single egomaniacal, supernaturally empowered individual.

The great leader, as Daniel 11:38 states, has alligned himself with the "god of forces" and has great wealth from a god his fathers would not have worshipped. This is an intriguing perspective on the prince who has appeared. He initially dedicates himself to two unique "gods". The first god mentioned invokes violent, military and fatal measures in getting what it wants. The prince employs this god's strength to achieve tremendous accomplishments for himself.

This second god points to a religious system that is very fond of the luxuries of life and places them at the central point of its worship. This god is generally accepted to be Allah, whose holy book, the Koran, proposes that those who do not bow before Islam be removed from existence. Revelation 17 further illuminates this particular god, elucidating how false religion has united the Catholic Church, Protestant apostate religionists and various other religions around the world. As such Antichrist will turn against Abraham and all his ancestors who had previously chosen not to worship him; eventually allowing no form of worship other than himself.

Islam has become increasingly fanatical and its population growth is far outstripping that of other militant ethnicities. In response, the leaders of the EU and other western powers have turned to military action against this “god of forces.” Desperate to establish his own technological democracy, the latest Fuhrer sees Islam as an imminent threat which cannot be reconciled with. Therefore, many Islamic nations retreat back to their homelands and form alliances with powerful countries to the north. Leading this revitalized Russian military force is a figure who is mentioned in Bible prophesies about the end times.

A powerful western leader watches a powerful eastern leader. The supernaturally saturated prince of Bible prophecy will, in our scenario, know that Gog is about to suffer. The western leader, led by the same "god" as the eastern leader, knows what is about to happen. He waits.

The Jewish nation's leaders have given their absolute trust to the western leader, who has personally guaranteed their safety and peace. Israel sits, without means to defend herself. Even though he has been watching the situation develop, the great western leader is not quite sure what Bible prophecy says about this time in human history. He is unsure whether developments will necessarily be in his favor.

The construction of his own kingdom is still underway. He will not move until he has fully consolidated his unstoppable power. However, he watches Gog and the Islamics assemble for attack on the Middle East. His time will come. Then, he will move as no other leader in history has ever–in all-out aggression.

Then he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to destroy many" (Daniel 11:44).

At this particular time, Israel's greatest enemy will be dealt with by another force.

The second thing God says about this peace attempt is directed exclusively at God's chosen people, the Jews, and the nation Israel:

Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and we are at agreement with hell. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it shall not come to us." We have hid ourselves in lies, and we have disannulled our covenant with death, and your agreement with hell shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, ye shall be trampled down by it." (Isaiah 28:15,18).

When they say, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

According to Jesus, Israel would accept this Roman prince's overtures while rejecting Him, the true Messiah:

"I have come in my Father's name, and you have not received me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him" (John 5:43).

In our scenario, Israel is an ungated community. It does not even have a local constabulary to protect it. It relies totally on promises of security and peace from the great Roman prince. In this moment, another leader of supernaturally-infused power—the eastern leader to the north of Israel—realizes that all of the Middle East is ripe for the pickings, while the western coalition is still consolidating power across the region.

Thus the Lord GOD proclaimed, thoughts of ill intent will arise in thy mind. Thou shalt ponder going to the countryside of unwalled villages, where those who live at rest and securely lack fences or entranceways, to plunder and put their possessions to thine own gain. Consider also that these places, currently inhabited by people from many nations who have acquired livestock and valuables, are ripe for the taking.

The prince and his western supporters have seemingly predicted the following outcome in their response to the large military presence forming around Israel and the local oil reserves: Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish merchants, alongside their young lions, will ask if they've come to pillage and take away silver, gold, cattle and goods. How much do they plan to steal? What price for this great plunder?

Despite the perceived weakness of the West's leadership, the "protectors" of Israel offer only a diplomatic protest.

This raises the question: Is the note of protest sent out of weakness, or does the Roman prince realize what fate awaits the one called Gog and his Magog forces?

According to God's Word, demons believe in God and tremble. The satanically driven prince that shall come will certainly know the prophecies of Ezekiel. He will have the greatest military strategy in history. In advance, can there be any doubt that he will take advantage of every opportunity?

A sly grin of belief in what Scripture says accompanies his note of protest, and he will let other forces handle the insolent Russian and Israel's enemies' deluded warlords.

With his great titans of wealth backing him, he will watch the Russians destroy themselves upon the mountains of Israel as he prepares to fill the most fortuitous vacuum in the Middle East that is about to arise.

Our scenario depicts Gog, the prophesied leader of the Israel-hating coalition north of Jerusalem, as lubricated generously with the black liquid gold of the Middle East.

Russia's dictator watches with Luciferian obsession the whole international reorganization following the disappearance of millions. He receives an "evil thought" and plans to take the vast oil reserves of Israel's region as a "great spoil."

The Tribulation era is the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy, which marks the end of history as we know it and will culminate in Jesus' return. Human beings have long boasted that they are capable of creating a perfect world since Nimrod and Babel in Genesis 11. A new alliance of western nations has struck a deal that its great leader claims will bring about paradise on earth. Israel has accepted his offer, and God allows humans to test their abilities by removing His restraining grace upon mankind.

Gog is well aware of the strengthening alliance among western nations. While this emerging Roman Empire—boasting the most fearsome thermonuclear weapons – appears unstoppable, Russia, China, and some of Gog's other allies are armed with similar capabilities that could annihilate the world. Dismissing any protests voiced in diplomacy by the west, he remains confident that their military might will not stand in his way at this point.

Another profound realization inspires Gog. In the West, true power has always been its incredible technological capabilities, which are far more advanced than anything the humanity-oppressive regimes of the East can match in terms of wealth-producing machinery. Only the western world has achieved true things, and most of it has been simply replicating what the freedom-loving people of the West have made.

The Russian, alongside his coalition allies, understands that removing the West's capability to operate its machinery - and therefore its technical output - will hinder their progress. He is set to seize all of the oil in the Middle East. The West has been tricked for too long by those who pushed forward their distorted environmental principle: that drilling and refining petroleum harms Mother Earth. Consequently, they are now without a means of powering their ambition to take over the globe.

Despite sending his diplomatic protest, the leader who brokered the peace still believes in Bible prophecies. His knowledge comes from the father of lies, who convinces him that all prophesy is true, except the part that says he, the prince that shall come, will ultimately lose to the returning King of all kings (Revelation 19:20).

Watching the Gog-Magog forces gather, the western leader is troubled, but bides his time.

While the beast of Revelation 13 watches, Gog, the beast of the East, does not keep his nemesis waiting long. From satellite reconnaissance, it looks like a massive storm moving south toward Jerusalem. Israel sits vulnerable, without defense. In Brussels, the leader squints at the many monitors, waiting to see if the things his special minion-mentors are telling him will hold up.

This is how Ezekiel reported the battle thousands of years ago, under God's direction:

Therefore, O son of man, prophesy concerning Gog and proclaim, thus saith the LORD GOD: I am against you, Gog, head prince of Meshech and Tubal. I shall drive you back and leave but a sixth part of you. From the northern parts I will bring you to the mountains of Israel. I will cause your bow to be taken from your left hand and your arrows to drop from your right hand. You, with all your armies and those who are with you shall fall upon the mountains of Israel; I shall feed you to carrion birds and wild beasts. You shall perish on the open ground for my word is spoken - this is the word of the LORD GOD.

Many particularly Jews in Israel will believe that God has triumphed. There is no proof to the contrary, as God has done it all. Even the great peacemaker must admit to himself that the deity has accomplished this impressive feat. However, it only benefits his own ambition. All opposition has been defeated, clearing the way for him to take control. All of the oil wealth is his and he can now construct his one-world kingdom. The mighty loot that Gog thought was his instead belongs to him.

With his demonically possessed min, he has correctly understood the “dark sentences” he received from his minion-mentors from the father of lies as he rides into the region. Jerusalem, the very capitol of Jehovah on earth, is hiss for the taking. The god of this planet will be him:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day will not come until there is a falling away first, and that sinner, the son of perdition, is revealed; Who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped; as God, he sitteth there, proving that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4).

It is the time of Jacob's Trouble. Antichrist is revealed. He demands worship. The greatest holocaust in history will begin: "Alas! For that day is great; it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (Jeremiah 30:7).

It will be a time of great tribulation like none since the beginning of the world (Matthew 24:21).

This is the last in this series, but, of course, the story isn't over yet. A beautiful part of this scenario, and that is God's scenario that really matters, is found in these last few words of Jeremiah: "But he shall be saved out of it." (Read Revelation, chapter 12.) Israel will be saved out of this horrible holocaust.

Rapture Ready prays you will accept Jesus Christ as your Savior before these prophesied end-times events overtake you and this judgment-bound world.

You will be saved if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

 
Based on :Terry James, Tribulation Hour