Latest Prophecy Commentary
If The ME Peace Summit Leads To The Peace Treaty With The Antichrist Then What Should Follow?
In a move that shocks no one, Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to head the candidate list of United Russia and suggested that he could become prime minister of Russia following his term as president. As you know, Putin is constitutionally barred from running for a third term as president of Russia. But where a door has been shut, Mr. Putin seems to have found an open window of opportunity to stay in power. Look for Vladimir Putin to lead Russia (behind the scenes) in his new role as prime minister come March 2008.
Here's an interesting twist. If Vladimir Putin becomes prime minister, the Russian Constitution allows the president to cede powers to the prime minister. The president could even step down putting the prime minister next in line to become president. You can bet Putin has had this plan in the works for quite sometime.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Monday, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, that Israel was prepared to make land concessions in order to make peace with the Palestinian Authority possible. In fact, she stated it in a way that it was necessary, but would not in and of itself bring peace. "We know, especially after the pullouts from Gaza and southern Lebanon, that a pullout in and of itself cannot bring about peace." http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1189411524144&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The Yesha Council, has come out in opposition to the upcoming November Middle East peace summit due to their belief that it will blow up in Israel's face. "Abu Mazen (Abbas) is Abu Bluff. He is incapable of giving us anything in return, and anything given to him will fall into Hamas' hands, just like what happened in the Gaza Strip."
"Such an agreement will only lead to the establishment of a terror state which will constitute a daily security threat on the citizens of the State of Israel and will bring the Qassam rockets to the Azrieli towers (in Tel Aviv) and to the Ben-Gurion Airport runways." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3455046,00.html
The Yesha Council is heading an ad campaign aimed at convincing the general public to come out against any deal that may arise from the upcoming peace summit.
I have to agree with the Yesha Council. According to Bible prophecy (Ezekiel 38 & 39), this false peace will eventually blow up to a greater degree than anyone could imagine. But although I oppose the move I do realize that Bible prophecy must be fulfilled.
Although, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that talks are gaining momentum, Israeli officials are worried that Palestinian Authority negotiators will try and raise the stakes just before the November Middle East peace summit. I fully expect considerable last-minute drama to take place just before the summit gets underway. It would not shock me if one or both parties threatened to pull out at the last minute, but in the end, I fully expect the summit to go on as scheduled. Look for Hamas to get in on the drama as well. It may be with a flare-up with Israel or a coup attempt against Abbas...either way, they will attempt to steal some of the thunder.
As I've said in the past, I believe we may be looking at the final stages of a legitimate peace accord. In my last article (Article# 707), I outlined several theories that could eventually lead to the final peace plan with the antichrist. I won't take the time to rehash the possibilities, but if you get a chance, go back and take a look at this article.
If this does turn out to be the legitimate peace agreement the Bible has spoken about (Daniel 9:27) a number of other events must take place as well. What are these events and at what point will they take place? Take a look at this article I wrote that lists the events that must happen simultaneously or very close to the signing of the agreement.
The next big event on the Bible prophecy calendar is the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is when all who are in Christ will rise to meet the Lord in the air. I believe it will be a pre-tribulation rapture (see Is The Rapture True? Does It Matter? & The Rapture: Pre-Tribulation).
But what will most likely happen following the rapture? There could be a gap of time that could come between the rapture and the start of the tribulation period. You can bet there will be a considerable amount of pandemonium and chaos the likes of which the world has never known. But once the shock of the rapture has subsided these next six events will quickly follow.
First, the appearance of the antichrist who will confirm a seven-year peace agreement with Israel (What Could Happen After The Rapture). This agreement will include Israel with many other nations (Daniel 9:25-27). It's likely that Israel will be the centerpiece of this agreement and will serve to bring them world recognition and immediate favored nations status.
This agreement will probably coincide with a Middle East peace agreement or it may be the agreement in totality. This agreement might even include an incentive for Israel to make peace with the Arab world.
I lean toward this theory. It will probably include Palestinian statehood, land concessions, the sharing of Jerusalem, and quite possibly E.U. membership. Although, in the past, I have included the rebuilding of the Jewish temple as part of the peace agreement, I now have doubts. See the fifth event below for more information.
Second, the appearance of the false prophet (The False Prophet). Most prophecy teachers and experts tend to focus on the antichrist failing to mention that the false prophet will probably come to power at the same time. When satan chooses his antichrist he will at this time choose his false prophet. Whether he turns out to be the Pope or some other world religious leader is unimportant. When the antichrist takes over the world the false prophet will be standing by his side performing mighty wonders.
Third, the appearance of God's two witnesses (Revelation 11:3-13 God's Witnesses). It is generally believed that the two witnesses will come on the scene at the same time the antichrist and the false prophet do. It will be through these two men (whoever they may be) that God will spread the Gospel.
There have been questions swirling as to whether we may already be in the tribulation period. If that's the case, when was the treaty with Israel signed and who are the antichrist and false prophet? Where are the two witnesses? When the tribulation period begins these figures will be present.
When the two witnesses do come their ministry will center around Jerusalem. I believe they will be responsible for starting a great revival that will see at least 144,000 Jews saved in the early days of the tribulation period (Revelation 7:4-8). These 144,000 Jews will in turn be sealed by God and sent throughout the world to preach the Gospel. Many will come to know the Lord during this time and most will die for that privilege (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9-17).
Fourth, the attack on Israel by Russia and the Arab world (Ezekiel 38 & 39 Russia And Their Allies Attack Israel). It's possible that this could occur before the beginning of the tribulation period but more likely that it will take place after the start.
It's also very possible that it could be due to a great Israeli oil discovery that will literally siphon the oil deposits away from Russia and the Arab countries (Article# 276). This would devastate both the Arab and Russian economies. If you haven't heard, Russia is now the leading producer of oil in the world.
Scripture also declares that the reason for their attack will be to take a spoil (Daniel 38:11 & 12), and at the time of this attack, Israel will be dwelling safely and at rest (Ezekiel 38:11). This leads me to believe that they could already be at peace with the Arabs, but not necessarily with the antichrist. That agreement could come later in the form of E.U. membership. But it's most probable that they will be at peace with both at the time of the attack.
Fifth, the third Jewish temple must be rebuilt (Matthew 24:15, II Thessalonians 2:4, and Revelation 11:1).
In the past, I believed that the temple would be rebuilt as part of the agreement with the antichrist. I'm not so sure that's the case anymore.
My main concern is that it is generally believed that no Arab would ever allow such a sacred site to be desecrated by a Jewish temple. It would be an unthinkable atrocity and simply would not even enter their minds. This would start a worldwide Muslim holy war.
It is more likely that after Israel's stunning victory over the Russian-Arab Alliance that no one will dare stop them. For the whole world will see this victory as a miracle from God (Ezekiel 38:18-23) and shake in fear. That's why I believe the temple will probably be rebuilt six months to two years after the start of the tribulation period.
Sixth, the Ark Of The Covenant will be revealed. After this stunning victory over the Russian-Arab Alliance Israel will rush to rebuild their temple. It is at this time that the Ark Of The Covenant will finally be revealed.
I am convinced that scripture supports that the Ark Of The Covenant will be used during the tribulation period but forgotten when Christ comes to rule and reign on the earth for one thousand years.
A reader of mine
brought this verse to my attention:
"And it shall
come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days,
saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD:
neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall
they visit it; neither shall that be done any more." (Jeremiah 3:16)
This verse speaks of
the millennium when Jesus will rule and reign for one thousand years. Of
course, this is future, but what caught my attention was the portion of the
scripture that stated (speaking of the Ark) "neither shall it come to mind:
neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that
be done any more".
I realize that in the context of the entire chapter many interpret this verse to mean that Israel will forget the memory of the Ark Of The Covenant when the Lord comes back to rule the earth. But is it possible that it could be foretelling the revealing of the Ark Of The Covenant in the last days (tribulation period/rebuilding of the temple) just before the Lord's coming?
Seventh, the antichrist will put down or subdue three nations (Daniel 7:22-24). Although remote, it's possible that this could occur before the tribulation period during the antichrist's rise to power. If you remember, I believe there will be a space of time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period. During this time, satan will be free to work out his plan and build his kingdom (Holy Spirit will be removed-II Thessalonians 2:2-11)...he may have to subdue a few nations to accomplish his will. But it's more likely that Daniel is speaking of this happening during the tribulation period toward the middle. There maybe an uprising when the antichrist declares himself to be God (Revelation 13). These three nations (along with others outside the E.U.) may see him as another potential Hitler.
When the rapture takes place these events will come with subtleness and most will pay little attention to them. With satan in control (as God allows) this world will fall into deep apostasy very quickly...and then the antichrist will be revealed.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
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