What The Bible Says Must Happen From This Day Forward

Time before the rapture

At the present, this is where we are on the prophetic timeline.  Nothing else must be accomplished before the rapture can take place.  Although world events seem to be pushing us toward that day, I believe the biggest changes will occur after the rapture takes place.

Rapture of the church (date unknown)

The rapture of the church could take place at any moment…even today!  This day should be anxiously anticipated by every born again believer.  Personally, I believe this day is very close in coming. 

At the sound of a great shout and the trump of God (I Corinthians 15:52) tens of millions of people worldwide will suddenly disappear.  Only Christians will discern the shout and trumpet as the rapture.  All others will view it as a clap of thunder (or many waters) if they hear it at all (Revelation 1:12-15; 14:2).  It’s possible that on the day of the rapture there may be an unusual worldwide thunderstorm. 

Although he doesn’t know why, satan realizes that he is no longer being restrained (by the Holy Spirit) from doing his will. Immediately he proceeds to look for a man to possess.  God knowing the future may already have satan grooming someone for the job of antichrist to coincide with the rapture.  satan will view this new found freedom as an opportunity to gain ground on the war against God, but in reality, he’s playing right into His master plan.  

The rapture will bring about worldwide chaos and panic.  Many will see this as the end of the world, but in time, things will settle down and get back to normal.  I should say I assume things will get back to normal…they don’t necessarily have to.  My guess is nothing will ever be the same from this day forward. 

Gap of time between rapture and start of tribulation period

This will be the time when satan will likely form his kingdom.  The antichrist and false prophet could rise within days, months or even years after the rapture.  We should remember that it’s not mandatory that anything happen immediately after the rapture. 

Lifestyles will not change much, but with the absence of the Holy Spirit working in men’s lives, their hearts will become ever increasingly anti-Christ (II Thessalonians 2:9-12).  A call for tolerance in every aspect of life (acceptance of abortion, homosexuality, etc.) and religion will bring about a convergence of religious bodies.  But the true one world religion will not come to pass until the antichrist declares himself to be God (Revelation 13). 

When the rapture occurs the Holy Spirit will leave with Christians.  I’m sure the Holy Spirit will be present in some capacity during this time but to what degree is unknown. 

It could be during this time gap that the European Union ratifies its constitution and elects a permanent president.  This could also happen before the rapture of the church.  I look for a tremendous amount of global political change to take place during this time. 

This scenario could happen during the gap or early in the tribulation period.  Israel agrees to a temporary ceasefire or even peace with the Arab world.  Six months to a year later the Russian-Arab Alliance marches on Israel.  As predicted in Ezekiel 38-39 God destroys the alliance supernaturally with fire and brimstone, plagues, disease, and a great earthquake.  The world will be in shock over this miraculous defeat of the great Russian-Arab Alliance.  The Bible says the world will clearly see that God defeated this great army (Ezekiel 38:23).  As a result, many nations will turn to the Lord.  Israel will burn the weapons of this war for fuel for seven years (Ezekiel 39:9-10) and it will take seven months to bury the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-13).    

Antichrist signs seven-year treaty with Israel and the beginning of the tribulation period

The antichrist will rise up out of the European Union and solve the problems of the world unlike any man in history.  His power will be supernatural and God ordained.  No one on earth will be able to stand in his way or match his power.

He will sign a peace accord with Israel and other nations that will last seven years.  It’s probable that it will include the roadmap plan that is being negotiated today.  What was previously believed to be unattainable the antichrist will easily solve with his supernatural power of persuasion.  The signing of this peace accord will mark day one of the tribulation period.

Since the treaty is seven years in length there are two possibilities that come to mind.  One, it will be a seven-year ceasefire that will be honored throughout the Arab world and will give Israel worldwide acceptance.  Two, Israel will agree to a seven-year peace treaty with the E.U. that will include a ceasefire (or peace) with the Arab world.  This could be part of the ENPI agreement (for more info. see Article# 390: ENPI Seven Year Plan) the E.U. will put into play in January 2007.

The peace accord

The peace accord will likely require land concessions from Israel that will include Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.  It’s possible that Israel will agree to fall back to their pre-1967 borders. 

Palestine will become a state along side of Israel with East Jerusalem as their capital.  The reigning Palestinian government will be required to outwardly acknowledge the right of Israel to exist and denounce their desire to destroy them.  It’s also possible that the antichrist could pressure Israel (and the Arab world) into agreeing to give up their nuclear program and rely on him for their safety.  This would create a nuclear free Middle East but put Israel on an even playing field with its enemies. 

I don’t believe the rebuilding of the temple will take place at this time and will not be included in the agreement.  I can’t imagine the Arabs allowing Israel to build a temple next to their mosque.  The Arab world would considered that a great desecration. 

Pastor Malone