Part 2: The Jews: & the 144,000, Gospel of the Kingdom: As we read earlier the Rapture has happened and the Church has been taken up, no doubt causing a great stir, in the population at the Churches departure and also through the result of millions of people missing from all over the world. There will be a few left behind, who knew all about it but did not commit themselves to Jesus. One can only imagine what will happen in the world at this time. Some Jews will realise what has happened with the advent of the Rapture and from these enlightened ones, possibly, they will be called to serve God in the 144000, who we dealt with last month.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. [Rev 12:7 NKJV]. ”Beginning the final battle of Satan versus God. In the account that follows, we read of a woman [Israel] who gives birth to a male child, [Jesus Christ] who was snatched up to heaven after He had defeated Satan through His death on the Cross and His resurrection. [Rev12:4-5].
We read that Satan takes a third of the Angels with him when he loses the battle with Michael. [Rev 12:3-4]. Michael, an Archangel, defeats Satan in the heavenly war. Michael is depicted as the protector of Israel [Dan 12:1] who will deliver Israel from the tribulation in the last days. It says; the Dragon was hurled to the earth. This is not the Devils first rebellion and casting out of Heaven but his final exclusion. He has always had an intense hostility to God’s people, the Jews, and this will increase to a terrible hatred, as he has only a short time of freedom. As we read on into the book of Revelation we find that the faithful among the Jews will have to flee into the wilderness. Many prophetic scholars think that it is to the ruined city of Petra that they escape. Petra is almost impregnable to attack, and the Archangel Michael will protect them. Satan’s arrival will see extreme evil envelope the world.
We are told that for three and a half years the Antichrist will bring a fragile peace to this world. He will save the world’s economy and bring almost the whole world under his rule. We think peace is finally brought to the Middle East, by his, probably, dividing Palestine into two and establishing half Jerusalem as part of the Palestinian state. Later on when Jerusalem is attacked and the women are ravished, only half the City is so treated. Half will be Jewish and half will be Arab. When Satan arrives he brings everything that’s evil into the world. The Bible indicates that it is at a point half-way through the Tribulation that Satan takes the reins and the Antichrist indwelt by Satan sets up a statue in Jerusalem of himself, and people are told to worship it under pain of death.
It is at this time God sends two witnesses to Jerusalem. The Antichrist is indicated to be a Gentile and he, his henchmen and his army will occupy Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that the Gentiles will trample the streets of Jerusalem for about three And a half years [Rev 11:2]. During this time, the Antichrist seeks to take the rightful place of Christ as the world leader. However God sends two of his own to witnesses before the people. These two sent from God will have considerable powers not only to witness before men but also power to control the judgements sent upon the world. I can imagine at this time all the TV cameras and communication equipment available will be showing the happenings in Jerusalem. The whole world will see what is happening there.
“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.” [Rev 11:3-6]. When their time has come and their work completed, they will be overpowered by the Antichrist and killed. The people will refuse to bury them and they will lay on the street in Jerusalem for several days. The population will rejoice over their deaths, because they have been giving people of the world a hard time. They will lay there in the street, watched by the whole world. However after three and a half days, God will awaken them and they will rise to their feet and He calls them up to His presence, and as a terrified crowd watches as they are caught up into Heaven. Christ prepares His armies, for the final conflict to take place. This final battle will take place on the plain of Megiddo. The Jews who did not escape will suffer greatly during this time.
As we move on next month we meet the Antichrist and look at his rule, and the outcome. Of what happens when the Devil rules the world. Whose side are we on, God’s side or the Devils side? Perhaps we will see the alternatives and whose side we are on?
Brian D. Papworth
Representative for PWMI in the South Pacific.