“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:36-37 NKJV).
Over the years many people have speculated and calculated the date of our Lords return, but have been wrong. In all their Bible searching they cannot have read this verse, spoken by our Lord and clearly put. Do not speculate on the time, just be ready. The chapter goes on to describe the details; a couple of people will together be about their business, one will be caught up, another left behind. In a moment we will be changed and caught up to Heaven to be for ever with the Lord. Read 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 verses 1 to 11. If you are not in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, you will not go. It is not how many times you have been to church, or if you have lived a good life. It is if you have believed on the one and only Son of God and His redemptive work on Calvary you will be entered into the “Book of Life”. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NKJV)
The believers will have gone, churches will be fairly empty and the world will be relinquished into the hands of the Devil for a period of 7 years. Some believe that the Church will be taken through the 7 year Tribulation period. I do not think so. The Bible says “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NKJV). This subject is dealt with in detail in my “What in the World is Happening?” for November 2003 and can be found on my web site www.pwmi.co.nz
The Antichrist we believe will be a member of the 10 Kingdom federation [Daniel 7:23-25] which begins to control the world at this time. This is an extension of the United Europe which at the moment is gradually gaining power in the world. As the power of the USA decreases then Europe will increase. At the moment the world is waiting for a man to come along who will sort out the worlds monetary problems. Just like Hitler did, he will apparently put everything to rights and everyone will rejoice in the wonderful boom in trade and commerce. For 3½ years it will all go beautifully then everything will start to crumble and the world will start to feel the wrath of God for their sins and rejection of him. The “Antichrist”, or “Beast” or “Man of Sin” as he is referred to, will be indwelt by the Devil and together with his religious leader “The False Prophet” and his spiritual power the “Devil,” will form a triune power to hold the people of the world in his control. This I think might be where his mark “666” might come from. A wicked and evil earthly trinity, six being the symbolic identity for earthly, as against 777 for the Heavenly Trinity. For the record Hitler together with his two henchmen were all members of the occult. But they were not in God’s time so their conquests in the 1939 to 1945 war all came to nought. However it does show us what has and can happen in civilized Europe in relatively recent times.
Three and a half years into the Tribulation period, conflict will sweep the globe. We have seen what conflict has done for some African economies and also in Syria. We are told in the Bible [Rev 6:1-8]. The war and conquering armies of the Antichrist will be widespread and will kill many, including those who have turned to the Lord and are worshiping him. This will be followed by famine and disease. Food so expensive that many people will starve. Then we have the inevitable deaths of many, either by lack of food and medical treatment, and by execution of those who worship the Lord and are against the Antichrist. We then have one of the earth’s worst natural disasters ever, an earthquake so severe many of the islands of the world move their position or even disappear beneath the waves. Many people will be killed. The world will be bombarded by falling stars and meteors with people calling for the falling rocks to kill them to avoid the judgement, in fear of the Almighty God. The Gospel of the Kingdom’s spread is now taken over by faithful selected Jews who are appointed by God, will spread Gods message throughout the World. [Rev 7:1-8]. Those who have been faithful to God and executed by the Antichrist during this time will be caught up to Heaven, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes [Rev 7:9-17].
The 144000 Jews chosen to preach the Gospel throughout the world will be protected as things move on to greater disaster. Chapter 9 of Revelation goes on to describe what will happen. Because of all that is happening the Asian armies led by China, who apparently can muster an army of 200 million if needed, start moving west to take control of Middle East where the Antichrist has established his rule. By this time Antichrist has set up his religious centre in the Temple in Jerusalem [Rev 13:1-9]. An image of the Antichrist in the Temple has meanwhile been set up and anyone who refuses to worship it will be killed. [Rev 13:14-18]. Meanwhile the Antichrist destroys the apostate church which has helped him rise to power. Details of this and the other attributes of the Antichrist and his religious leader, the “False Prophet” can be found in Revelation Chapter 13.
We will cover the final destruction of the Antichrist and his empire plus the coming of Christ we next month. God willing.
Brian D. Papworth
South Pacific Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International.