What The Bible Says Must Happen From This Day Forward Part II

But as a result, many will be saved.  At the beginning of their ministry 144,000 men will be saved, refilled with the Holy Spirit (as they were on the day of Pentecost), and go out and preach the Gospel to the world.  This will begin the greatest revival the world has known to date. 

Six months to a year after the signing of the peace accord I believe Russia will catch the Arab world by surprise and propose a joint attack against Israel.  The purpose of this attack will be to take a spoil (Ezekiel 38:12).  At this time, Israel doesn’t have much to spoil, but some believe that the Bible predicts they will strike oil in the last days.  If this is the case, that would explain Russia’s involvement and motive. 

Israel, under the protection of the antichrist, will be betrayed by all and left to the mercy of this powerful army.  But in the end, God destroys the Russian led army in the mountains of Israel. 

Following this miraculous victory, Israel will reclaim the temple mount and build their temple.  It should be noted that the great earthquake (During the war) will probably reduce the Mosque of Omar to rubble.  But if not, Israel will tear it down without opposition. 

Even though martyrdom is alive and well today on planet earth it will explode during the tribulation period.  Untold millions will come to the Lord in the early days of the tribulation but many will pay with their life (Revelation 7:14).  During this time there will be a great hatred for Christians to the point that I believe it will be acceptable for anyone to kill them without fear of penalty. This will become an accepted norm throughout the world and they will rejoice when one is killed (Revelation 11:9-10). 

This will also bring a time of great hatred for God and the name of Christ where men would rather die than repent of their evil deeds (Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9, 11).  Though many don’t realize it, there can come a time in a person’s life that their nature changes forever and it becomes virtually impossible for them to get saved (Romans 1:21-32)…if they allow it. 

1. satan challenges God and attempts to overthrow His kingdom, but is soundly defeated (Revelation 12:7-12).  This is the first time that the Bible says that satan is cast out of heaven (v. 9) and no longer has access.  It is also the first mention that he knows that his time is short (v.12).  At this time, he is cast to the earth (with his angels) and immediately possesses the body of the antichrist.

2. Upon possessing the antichrist, his first task will be to kill God’s two witnesses.  Certainly, this could not happen without God allowing it.  After three and one-half years of preaching the Gospel, God will allow them to be killed by the antichrist.  When this happens the world will be in awe of the antichrist.  For these men had tormented them for three and one-half years and now they are dead (Revelation 11:4-13). 

3.  3. The world’s hatred for the two witnesses will be so intense that they will not allow their dead bodies to be buried for over three days (v.9).  They will go so far as to declare a worldwide holiday and exchange gifts in celebration of the death of these two men (v.10).  It should be noted, that at the end of three and a half days, while the whole world is watching, the two witnesses will rise again. This will bring fear into the hearts of men worldwide.  Then, as all eyes watch, they will ascend up to heaven. 

4.  4. After the death and resurrection of the two witnesses, I believe the antichrist will then declare himself to be God.  

5.  5. When the antichrist declares himself to be God, much of the world will look at him as a reincarnation of another Hitler.  It is at this time, that World War III will breakout.  When it’s all over, I believe the U.S. will be completely destroyed (mystery Babylon, Revelation 17:16-17; 18:1-24), three nations within the antichrist’s kingdom will be subdued (Daniel 7:24), and one-quarter of the world’s population will die (Revelation 6:3-8).  For the most part this will be accomplished through nuclear war. 

6.  6. It’s not clear if Israel will be on the same side of the antichrist during this war or one of the countries he conquers. What we do know is at the halfway point of the tribulation period, he will break the seven-year treaty he made with Israel.  It may be during this war that he does this. 

7.  7. After completely destroying the United States and their allies, the antichrist will proceed with his ultimate plan. He will at this time, march into the temple and declare himself to be God. Of course, this announcement does not go over well in Jerusalem. Apparently, in a surprise twist of events, someone assassinates the antichrist. I’m sure this will send shock waves around the world (Revelation 13:2-4). 

8.  8. As shocking as his assassination will be, somehow he will rise again. Just as Christ died and rose again, so the antichrist will duplicate this same feat. How he is healed or by what power is not apparent. We can only guess that satan is behind this false resurrection and God has allowed it to happen. This will complete the imitation of Christ with their own version of an unholy death and resurrection of the antichrist.  

9.  9. The world will be in awe of him. For he was dead and now has come back to life. He will declare himself to be God and command that all the world worship him and freely they will. With the false prophet at his side and satan indwelling him, the world will see him as messiah. For they will say, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" 

The one world government and the mark of the beast
I realize that many believe we are in the beginning stages of a one-world government, but the truth is the true one world government will not start until the antichrist takes full control. 

Upon setting up his throne, the antichrist will look to heaven and openly blaspheme God and the inhabitants of heaven. God will allow this to happen because He knows his (antichrist) doom is near.

To promote the worship of the antichrist, the false prophet will perform many great signs and wonders, even cause fire to come down from heaven. But his greatest feat is yet to come. He will command that an image or likeness of the antichrist be created.

To the astonishment of all mankind, he will cause it to come alive and speak. The image will command that all must worship the antichrist or be put to death. And he will cause every man, woman and, child, rich and poor, to take a mark either on the forehead or right hand. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: For it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:18)

The mark of the beast technology is on earth at this time.  Whether it is the verichip or something similar is unknown.  It could be as simple as a tattoo, which many seem to have a problem accepting due its simplicity.  The Bible says the only requirement of the mark is that it be placed either on the right hand or forehead (Revelation 13:16).  During the tribulation period, if someone walks into a store, restaurant or business without the mark they will be refused service or won't be able to do business. It will probably cost you your life as well.

This concludes the first half of the tribulation period.  For the second half go to http://www.calvaryprophecy.com/articles.html and pick the story up at The Sixth Seal Is Now Broken. 

Pastor Malone