The Two Interwoven Prophecies of Ez 38 & 39 -- The Gog/Magog Battles: Pre-Millenium and Post-Millenium

I have been prodded by God over the past several weeks to read (again and again) Ez 38.  Now, I was quite familiar with this chapter, as well as Ez 39.  We know these chapters as the "Battle of Gog and Magog".  However, God was trying to show me or teach me something specific to Ez 38.  That's how He deals with me  sometimes regarding reading the Bible.  He prods me to read a certain chapter of the bible to show me something I had not really understood fully.

So, I read and re-read Ez 38 over the past few weeks five or six times.  I was beginning to think that perhaps I was simply hearing my own thoughts and was becoming fixated on this chapter.  I consciously did not want to keep re-reading the same (I thought) familiar passages in Ez 38.  So, I  began to believe that it was my own thoughts that were having me go over this same ground again and again.  I even asked God if I was really hearing Him, or whether it was simply me.  I felt gently, yet firmly, prodded to read it once again -- which I did yesterday, reluctantly, out on my back porch during the afternoon of a beautiful summer day.  What I finally saw in Ez 38 took me by complete surprise.  Verses that I had read many, many times before somehow "jumped" up into my mind as something I should stop and ponder.  This is how God deals with me when He wants to teach me something in His word.  He may deal differently with you.

I previously believed that the battle described in Ez 38/39 was the "Battle of Armageddon", which will occur just before Jesus' return. I strongly believed that, based on my reading and studying Ez 38/39 -- until yesterday.

Yesterday, as I read through Ez 38 (and Ez 39, for good measure), the same familiar verses I had read previously numerous times took on a new meaning, and I was presented with a dilemma.  These chapters speak of an invasion force coming against a land and people who live in safety.  But, if this battle does occur, as I previously believed, not at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (commonly referred to incorrectly as "the tribulation") as many believe and teach, but as part of the Battle of Armageddon just prior to Jesus' return, how could those in the land of Israel be living safely at that time?  After all, the anti-Christ will at that time be persecuting severely Jews (and Christians too) beginning at the mid-point of Daniel's 70th week when he declares himself to be "god" and the abomination of desolation is set up, likely by him. (See, Dan 9: 27; Mat 24: 15-22)  They (Jews and Christians) will be persecuted right up to the time of Jesus' return for 3 1/2 years.

I had never seen this rather sharp contradiction previously in Ez 38.

God then, as He does sometimes with me, asked me how to resolve this incongruity.  Sometimes He makes me think about it to figure something out.  Instantly, I remembered the description of a future battle of Gog and Magog which occurs at the end of Jesus' millennial reign, as described in Rev 20: 7-9.  That battle is described as being quite short-lived, as God simply wipes out and destroys the invaders coming against Jerusalem by sending fire down on them from heaven.  Not much of a battle, really.

Also, in Ez 39: 7 it describes that after this future battle God will not allow His name to ever be profaned again.

So, this presented another contradiction, since the final battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the millennial reign of Christ will most certainly involve the final rebellion against God.  No doubt, during that final rebellion leading up to that final battle God's name will be profaned once again ... but for the last time forever.

Therefore, the scenario of Ez 38/39 describing a single "battle" as a single event which occurs just prior to Jesus' return at Armageddon fails for at least these two factors, which I had never before noticed.  In summary, the two factors are:  1) that the people live in safety and not in persecution, and 2) that God's name will never again be profaned.

These two factors cannot be satisfied anytime prior to the end of the Christ's millennial reign, and yet, many other events described in Ez 38/39 appear to fit well as a description of the Battle of Armageddon just prior to Jesus' return.

So, this sparked the idea in me that perhaps the "battle" described in Ez 38/39 was actually two separate events -- two battles being described and interwoven through these passages.  One battle occurring just prior to Christ's pre-millennial reign and the other at the end of the millennium reign.  Could this be?  I felt compelled to investigate further.

I felt inspired to go online and find the Septuagint version of Ez 38/39.  After all, it was the version of the Old Testament in common usage when Jesus walked the earth (it is a Greek translation of the original Hebrew and Aramaic version of what we call the "Old Testament").  Perhaps there was something (hopefully) in the English version of the Septuagint online that would help me to resolve the riddle.

God reminded me, at almost the same time, how the millennium-end battle will end with fire coming down from heaven to defeat Gog and the armies with them, very quickly.  Very decisive.  No fighting required by those on the earth.  Also, Ez 34:28 describes that when Jesus returns and gathers His people Israel to Himself, "they shall all dwell securely and none shall make them afraid."  This confirms that the time of "security and safety" occurs during the millennium, which gives further evidence that Ez 38/39 also describes a millennial-end battle.

Well, low and behold.  Every English version of Ez 39: 6 in various versions of the Bible that I have read to date says that God will send fire on Magog -- meaning the land of Magog, and not Gog.  Indeed, many teach that the description of fire coming on Magog signals the destruction of Russia -- who those who teach this idea say Russia is the land being referred to as the land of Magog.

However, the Septuagint version of the Old Testament (which Jesus knew and read, since it was the prevalent version of the Old Testament when He walked the earth) translates Ez 39: 6 to say that God will send fire on Gog.  This lines up perfectly with Rev 20: 7-9, discussed above, where God will destroy Gog and his armies the end of the Millennium with fire -- not the land of Magog.  Wow!  This understanding also frees up the timing of the first battle of Ez 38/39 so that it can take place ANYTIME prior to Jesus' return.  Perhaps prior to Daniel's 70th week, perhaps during the 70th week, or perhaps at the time of the Battle of Armageddon immediately prior to Jesus' return.

So, I then felt further inspired to be sure and to again "analyze" Ez 38/39 verse by verse.  I read carefully each single verse of Ez 38/39 of the Septuagint version, verse by verse, and coded each verse individually as referring to the "pre-millennium" time period or to the "millennium end" time period, or to "both".

I created two Word documents and simply copied and pasted every verse I coded into one, or both, of these two documents -- one document for "pre-millennium" verses and the other for "millennium-end" verses.  I put each verse coded as "both" into both documents.  I did not read either document until I had analyzed and moved each and every verse of Ez 38 and 39 into one or both of the two documents.  What I read in each document after I finished this work was, quite frankly, God-given and amazing.

I have provided the text of each of the two documents below for your review.  I had simply analyzed and sorted verse by verse, as I felt led by God.

When you read the two documents, you can see that the verses applicable to one time frame or the other, or both, which were indeed describing two separate events that were interwoven in Ez 38/39 read as separate and distinguishable events even though the verses are not all consecutive!

So, I believe God was fine-tuning my prior understanding of Ez 38/39 to show me that I had missed a few major points which were hiding in plain sight.

My conclusion:  Ez 38/39 describes two battles involving Gog of the land of Magog.  The first battle occurs any time prior to Jesus' return.  The second battle occurs at the millennium-end just prior to the Great White Throne Judgement found in the Book of Revelation.

See for yourself, below.  Let it bless you.  God rewards those who seek Him. Praise be to God.

Ez 38/39 Pre-Millennium Prophecy

38:1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying

38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, and the land of Magog, Rhos, prince of Mesoch and Thobel, and prophesy against him

38:3 and say to him, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Rhos prince of Mesoch and Thobel

38:4 and I will gather thee, and all thine host, horses and horsemen, all wearing breast-plates, with a great multitude, shields and helmets and swords

38:5 Persians, and Ethiopians, and Libyans; all with helmets and shields

38:6 Gomer, and all belonging to him; the house of Thorgama, from the end of the north, and all belonging to him; and many nations with thee

38:7 Be thou prepared, prepare thyself, thou, and all thy multitude that is assembled with thee, and thou shalt be to me for a guard

38:9 And thou shalt go up as rain, and shalt arrive as a cloud to cover the land, and there shall be thou, and all that are about thee, and many nations with thee

38:10 Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass in that day, that thoughts shall come up into thine heart, and thou shalt devise evil devices

38:13 Sabba, and Daedan, and Carthaginian merchants, and all their villages shall say to thee, Thou art come for plunder to take a prey, and to get spoils: thou hast gathered thy multitude to take silver and gold, to carry off property, to take spoils

38:15 and come out of thy place from the farthest north, and many nations with thee? all of them mounted on horses, a great gathering, and a large force?

38:16 And thou shalt come up upon my people Israel as a cloud to cover the land; it shall come to pass in the last days, that I will bring thee up upon my land, that all the nations may know me, when I am sanctified in thee before them

38:17 Thus saith the Lord God, to Gog; Thou art [he] concerning whom I spoke in former times, by the hand of my servants the prophets of Israel, in those days and years, that I would bring thee up against them

38:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, in the day when Gog shall come against the Land of Israel, saith the Lord God

38:19 [that] my wrath and my jealousy shall arise, I have spoken in the fire of mine anger, verily in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel

38:20 and the fish of the sea shall quake at the presence of the Lord, and the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the field, and all the reptiles that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are on the face of the earth; and the mountains shall be rent, and the valleys shall fall, and every wall on the land shall fall

38:21 And I will summon against it even every fear, saith the Lord: the sword of [every] man shall be against his brother

38:22 And I will judge him with pestilence, and blood, and sweeping rain, and hailstones; and I will rain upon him fire and brimstone, and upon all that are with him, and upon many nations with him

38:23 And I will be magnified, and sanctified, and glorified; and I will be known in the presence of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord

39:1 And thou, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, Rhos prince of Mesoch and Thobel

39:2 and I will assemble thee, and guide thee, and raise thee up on the extremity of the north, and I will bring thee up upon the mountains of Israel

39:3 And I will destroy the bow out of thy left hand, and thine arrows out of thy right hand, and I will cast thee down on the mountains of Israel

39:4 and thou and all that belong to thee shall fall, and the nations that are with thee shall be given to multitudes of birds, [even] to every fowl, and I have given thee to all the wild beasts of the field to be devoured

39:5 Thou shalt fall on the face of the field: for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord

39:8 Behold it is come, and thou shalt know that it shall be, saith the Lord God; this is the day concerning which I have spoken

39:9 And they that inhabit the cities of Israel shall come forth, and make a fire with the arms, the shields and the spears, and bows and arrows, and hand-staves, and lances, and they shall keep fire burning with them for seven years

39:10 and they shall not take any wood out of the field, neither shall they cut any out of the forests, but they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall plunder those that plundered them, and spoil those that spoiled them, saith the Lord

39:11 And it shall come to pass [that] in that day I will give to Gog a place of renown, a tomb in Israel, the burial-place of them that approach the sea: and they shall build round about the outlet of the valley, and there they shall bury Gog and all his multitude: and [the place] shall then be called the burial-place of Gog

39:12 And the house of Israel shall bury them, that the land may be cleansed in the space of seven months

39:13 Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a [place] of renown in the day wherein it was glorified, saith the Lord

39:14 And they shall appoint men continually to go over the land, to bury them that have been left on the face of the earth, to cleanse it after the space of seven months, and they shall seek [them] out

39:15 And every one that goes through the land, and sees a man's bone, shall set up a mark by it, until the buriers shall have buried it in the valley, the burial place of Gog

39:16 For the name of the city [shall be] Burial-place: so shall the land be cleansed

39:17 And thou, son of man, say, Thus saith the Lord; Say to every winged bird, and to all the wild beasts of the field, Gather yourselves, and come; gather yourselves from all [places] round about to my sacrifice, which I have made for you, [even] a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, and ye shall eat flesh, and drink blood

39:18 Ye shall eat the flesh of mighty men, and ye shall drink the blood of princes of the earth, rams, and calves and goats, and they are all fatted calves

39:19 And ye shall eat fat till ye are full, and shall drink wine till ye are drunken, of my sacrifice which I have prepared for you

39:20 And ye shall be filled at my table, [eating] horse, and rider, and mighty man, and every warrior, saith the Lord

39:21 And I will set my glory among you, and all the nations shall see my judgment which I have wrought, and my hand which I have brought upon them

39:22 And the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from this day and onwards

39:23 And all the nations shall know that the house of Israel were led captive because of their sins, because they rebelled against me, and I turned away my face from them, and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword

39:24 According to their uncleannesses and according to their transgressions did I deal with them, and I turned away my face from them

39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Now will I turn back captivity in Jacob, and will have mercy on the house of Israel, and will be jealous for the sake of my holy name

39:26 And they shall bear their reproach, and the iniquity which they committed when they dwelt upon their land in peace. Yet there shall be none to terrify [them] 

39:27 when I have brought them back from the nations, and gathered them out of the countries of the nations: and I will be sanctified among them in the presence of the nations

39:28 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, hen I have been manifested to them among the nations

39:29 And I will no more turn away my face from them, because I have poured out my wrath upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God

Ez 38/39 Millennium-End Prophecy

38:1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying

38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, and the land of Magog, Rhos, prince of Mesoch and Thobel, and prophesy against him

38:3 and say to him, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Rhos prince of Mesoch and Thobel

38:4 and I will gather thee, and all thine host, horses and horsemen, all wearing breast-plates, with a great multitude, shields and helmets and swords

38:7 Be thou prepared, prepare thyself, thou, and all thy multitude that is assembled with thee, and thou shalt be to me for a guard

38:8 He shall be prepared after many days, and he shall come at the end of years, and shall come to a land that is brought back from the sword, when [the people] are gathered from many nations against the land of Israel, which was entirely desolate: and he is come forth out of the nations, and they shall all dwell securely

38:9 And thou shalt go up as rain, and shalt arrive as a cloud to cover the land, and there shall be thou, and all that are about thee, and many nations with thee

38:10 Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass in that day, that thoughts shall come up into thine heart, and thou shalt devise evil devices

38:11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the rejected land; I will come upon them that are at ease in tranquility, and dwelling in peace, all inhabiting a land in which there is no wall, nor bars, nor have they doors

38:12 to seize plunder, and to take their spoil; to turn my hands against the desolate land that is [now] inhabited, and against a nation that is gathered from many nations, that have acquired property, dwelling in the midst of the land

38:14 Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, Thus saith the Lord; Wilt thou not arise in that day, when my people Israel are dwelling securely

38:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, in the day when Gog shall come against the Land of Israel, saith the Lord God

38:19 [that] my wrath and my jealousy shall arise, I have spoken in the fire of mine anger, verily in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel

39:1 And thou, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, Rhos prince of Mesoch and Thobel

39:6 And I will send a fire upon Gog, and the islands shall be securely inhabited: and they shall know that I am the Lord 

39:7 And my holy name shall be known in the midst of my people Israel; and my holy name shall no more be profaned: and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy [One] in Israel 

**  Please share this message with others to bless them and let them know that God has everything under control.  How amazing is He?  Just trust in Him and watch what He will do for you.

Time is short.  Repent, and prepare your heart for God.

2015 - True Believer

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The Time of Trouble is at Hand -- Open Your Eyes and Prepare Your Heart

This message to you is in my spirit.  It must be proclaimed NOW.  Time is short.  The "time of trouble" spoken of throughout the Bible is near.  Economic and societal collapse (at least the beginning stages of each) is MONTHS away and will begin in earnest THIS YEAR -- 2015.  I am not a fear monger.  I am a watchman and am giving you warning.  Take heed for your own sake, for your family's sake, for the sake of those you care about.  He who has an ear to hear, listen to what the Spirit says.

Hear some of the many words God has spoken regarding what is coming, what you must do, and what you are promised by God if you believe He is God and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Ps 9:9 - The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Ps 37:39 - The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord.  He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Ps 10:1 - Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Ps 49:5-6 - Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

Is 33:2 - O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.  Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. 

Ps 27: 4-6 - One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to pray/meditate in His temple.  For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His shelter.  In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me.  He shall set me high upon a rock.  Now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle and I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Jer 11:12-14 -  Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they cannot save them in the time of their trouble. For your gods have become as many as your cities, O Judah, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal.  “Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble.  (My comment: since God never changes, He has this in store for America, as well, for the same reasons Judah and Jerusalem turned from Him, and He will only protect those whom are His.)

Jer 14:7-9 - “Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.  O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?  Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save?  Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.”

Jer 15:11-12 - The Lord said, “Have I not set you free for their good?  Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress?  Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?

Dan 12:1 - “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. There shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

Job 38:22-23 - “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?

Mat 24:36 - Concerning that day and hour, on one knows -- But you will know, and you must know the season in order to prepare your heart to get ready, in order to not be deceived and to be able to instruct others what time it is so they may know what to do.

Prepare your spirit.  Prepare your family.  Prepare your pantry.  Prepare your wallet. 

Fill yourself with the Word of God, so you may draw from it in the coming time of trouble.

Time is short.  Repent, and prepare your heart for God.

2015 - True Believer

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Ez 23 -- A "Sister" Prophecy of Ez 38 & 39 Concerning Jerusalem

Many of you have no doubt never read about nor heard of a prophecy about a coming attack against Jerusalem given to us by God in plain sight, found in Ez 23.  I have read Ez 23 previously, but never saw the connection to Ez 38, 39 -- until today when the Holy Spirit showed me that it is a prelude to what is written in Ez 38, 39 regarding the coming invasion and attack of the land of Israel, and specifically Jerusalem.

Ez 23 unlocks more of the feelings, thoughts and rationale behind why God has chosen to have Jerusalem surrounded and attacked in the "last days".  This coming battle is described at length and in great detail in Ez 38, 39.  I am sure that many of you are indeed familiar with those two famous chapters describing God's coming wrath against the hordes which will invade the land of Israel to destroy Jerusalem and to put an end to it.

A question, at least for me, has been WHY?  I mean, why is God going to allow Jerusalem to be surrounded, attacked and nearly destroyed?  Why will God allow 2/3 of the people in the land of Israel to be killed? (See, Zech 13)  Why?  Why? Why? A glimpse of God's reasons for the invasion is given in Ez 38, 39.  However, God tells us more in Ez 23.

In Ez 23 God lays out in parable form (God loves parables, does He not?) how two daughters (i.e., the two houses of Israel) were born of the same mother (Jacob/Israel).  These two daughters are called by God in Hebrew "Oholah" (the elder sister) and "Oholibah" (the younger sister), which loosely translated mean "her own house" and "my house is in her", respectively.  These names are consistent with the names God gives to the two houses of Israel throughout the Old Testament.  God tells us in Ez 23 that the elder daughter is Samaria (one of God's nicknames for the house of Israel -- the 10 northern tribes who "did their own thing") and the younger daughter is Jerusalem (God's temple, His house, was in Jerusalem).

Both of these daughters became harlots, where the many harlotries of the elder sister Oholah (Samaria) are described first.  She lusted for the Assyrians and their idols, so God eventually gave her (10 norther tribes of Israel) over to her Assyrian lovers because of her disdain for God.  She turned her back on God, so God in His anger, reluctantly, turned His back on her by giving her over to the Assyrians. 

This event occurred historically in approximately 720 or so B.C.E. when the Assyrian army invaded the land of Samaria and took away captive to Assyria the 10 northern tribes of Israel.  Thereafter, those 10 tribes (Oholah) were scattered throughout the Assyrian empire and among the gentile nations where they remain scattered today. 

So, what about the younger harlot sister Oholibah (Jerusalem - representing the 2 southern tribes, including Judah)??  What has been, or will be, her fate?

When you read Ez 23: 22-27, you see a description of: (1) who is going to come against Jerusalem and invade her to attack her; (2) why she is being attacked; and lastly, (3) what will become of her.

In essence, those coming against her (Jerusalem - the younger harlot daughter) are described as an invading horde which includes Assyrians (i.e., the modern people groups which equate with the ancient Assyrian empire), which resembles those coming against her in Ez 38, 39.  This is not the same group of invaders/attackers which will come someday soon against the land of Israel which is described as the Ps 83 war.  Regarding Ez 38, 39, I have analyzed the scriptures carefully and have concluded (as have others) that these chapters describe a "last days" battle against the land of Israel and will feature the coming anti-Christ who will be from the peoples of ancient Assyria.  I have written a 3-part blog in 2014 about the coming Assyrian anti-Christ and my reasoning, based on scripture.  But I digress. 

It appears from the context of Ez 23: 24-27 that those coming against the younger harlot sister Oholibah (Jerusalem) will punish her severely, burn her, strip her naked and plunder her.  God tells us why -- because of His jealousy and wrath due to her many harlotries which she first learned in Egypt with her elder sister and never gave up.  In fact, God says in Ez 23 that the harlotries of Jerusalem (Judah) were WORSE than those of her elder harlot sister Oholah (Samaria - 10 northern tribes).  (Ez 23: 11)

I believe from the context of the entire chapter 23 of Ezekiel that Judah's captivity in Babylon (which occurred from about 586-516 B.C.E.) is spoken of, but IN ADDITION, it describes a coming attack on Jerusalem by hordes similar to those described in Ez 38, 39.

The key to this conclusion and analysis is God's description of the invaders and how they will come against her from all sides (Ez 23: 23-24), but also what God says will be the end result of His wrath, judgment and punishment of Jerusalem (Oholibah - the younger harlot sister).  God says that He will "will make you [Judah - Jerusalem - Oholibah] cease your lewdness and your harlotry from the land of Egypt, so that you will not lift your eyes to them nor remember Egypt anymore."  (Emphasis added).  (Ez 23: 27)

In other words, God is punishing the younger sister Oholibah by giving her into the hand of her idol worshiping lovers (the invading and attacking Assyrians and those accompanying the Assyrians), but God will bring her back to Himself by redeeming her, pouring out His Spirit on her, and causing her to never turn from Him again.

The cleansing, forgiveness and purifying of Jerusalem will not occur until the Ez 38, 39 invasion.  God tells us in Ez 39: 7, 21-29 that after the invading armies are destroyed He will set His glory in Jerusalem and that His name shall never be profaned again.  Clearly, this will not occur until just before Jesus returns to save Jerusalem from the invading armies. (See Zech 12-14 and Rev 19).  The house of Israel (both unfaithful sisters, Oholah and Oholibah) will know then, without a doubt, that Jesus is their Lord, Savior and God from that day forward - forever. (Ez 23: 7)  This will not happen until this last great battle for Jerusalem occurs, as described in Ez 38, 39.

So, in conclusion, God gives us another view of His feelings, thoughts and intended actions in regard to the two beloved, yet very mischievous and promiscuous houses of Israel -- the daughters, Oholah (the elder harlot sister - Samaria, the 10 norther tribes of Israel, now disbursed throughout the world among the Gentiles) and Oholibah (the younger harlot sister who committed worse idolatry - Jerusalem (the tribe of Judah, and those of Israel associated with Judah) many of whom now occupy and live in the land of Israel today).  Praise God!

Time is short.  Repent, and prepare your heart for God.

2015 - True Believer

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God is Judging America - Severe Judgement Coming Unless Repentance Comes Soon -- Repent & Prepare: Jerimiah 51:7-14 Being Fulfilled

I posted a first message on this subject, for the church of Christ to WAKE UP, in August 2013.  The body of Christ, the church, must take this message to heart NOW, be sober-minded, and seek Him with contrite heart.  Time is short for the church here in America. National elections will be held in two weeks.  But, a political solution to the present situation in our nation is NOT the solution.  God is our only solution. 

Previously, I spoke of increased opposition to all things Christian occurring in this nation.  There is increasing hatred of Christianity.  This hatred is approaching critical mass; now permeating our society and government.  This situation will continue, increase and not end any time soon without repentance.

The church of God, the body of Christ, consists of participants and believers.  Participants attend church once a week (if that often), sing praises to God while at church, go home, go to work, go online, play video games, go shopping, and watch sports.  GOD WANTS AND HONORS BELIEVERS, NOT PARTICIPANTS.  Participants are like unpleasant smoke in His nostrils (Is 65: 5); a luke-warm substance He will spit out of His mouth.  (Rev 3: 16)

A believer is one who sighs and cries/groans (Ez 9: 1-6) seeing all the abominations swirling around us in in America in our ever-darkening anti-Christian, secular society.  A believer sees what is happening and prays intercessory prayers in the name of Jesus for forgiveness of our nation, and for forgiveness as individuals who have missed the mark in their own lives.  Participants do not see the darkness and the changes coming upon us, or if they do notice, they shake their heads (at most) and think, "well, what can I do?"  Participants are NOT believers.  Which are you?

Are you shocked?  Are you outraged?  Do you have a clue?

The prevailing message in the church today spoken each Sunday by church leaders, both pastors and priests, is that God is love and that Jesus loves you.  This is true, but we need more to grow spiritually.  Some leaders are also preaching, falsely, that things will get better soon -- just hang in there.  This is not true.  No such thing will happen without repentance.  Some are preaching the prosperity message of "just claim God's promises that He will make you rich, etc."  This is nonsense.

Jesus said to seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness, and then (and only then) everything you NEED (not everything you want/covet) will be given to you.  (Mat 6: 33)  The major part of seeking God and His kingdom is personal repentance.  The body of Christ CANNOT change anything without this first step.  In fact, judgment (separating believers from participants) will begin first, and I believe has begun, IN THE CHURCH and will intensify.  (1 Pet 4: 17; Ez 14: 6)

Many of you may not believe this or want to hear this.  WHY NOT?  Could it be because you have been dumbed-down as a Christian through endless sermons on Sundays which never amount to much more than kindergarten basics for Christians?  Such sermons are just "milk", as Paul said. (1 Cor 3: 2)

Do you have faith to survive Ebola?  Do you have faith to survive a nuclear attack?  Do you have faith to survive a famine with the power grid down and/or martial law in place?  Do you have faith to survive tremendous civil unrest, accompanied and caused by food shortages, gasoline shortages, and ATM/bank cash shortages?

Is your heart ready for this?  Because if it is not, PREPARE NOW.

You may wonder why or how God would judge us, America.  After all, God helped establish America.  Right?

Some years ago, I was taught by a great teacher of the bible that "God is not judging America" and that he will never judge America.  His statement was based on his belief that God is not judging individuals these days, since all judgment and punishment for all sin had been placed upon Jesus (which it was).  This teacher also tells us (correctly) that God's grace is upon each of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord (master), Savior and Redeemer.

BUT, God is indeed judging NATIONS, including America.  (See, Ps 9:17, God tells us that all nations that turn from Him will be sent to hell).  God has been judging nations since nations have existed, including Israel who God likened to the "apple of His eye", and this is a pattern for any nation which once embraced God and His blessings and then turns a calloused eye to Him once prosperity in that nation causes complacency.  God never changes.

Israel (which is an example for us, and for any nation) was constantly judged by God for straying from God.  It is a sin, yes a sin, which God WILL NOT overlook forever.  God does not change.  He is merciful, He warns, He brings increasing judgments, He warns again, He even brings great prosperity after these warnings and judgements because it is the goodness of God that He uses to bring people, HIS people, to repentance.

This verse of scripture is often used as a tool in evangelism to bring a non-believer to accept Christ as Savior and Lord. (Rom 1:18 - 2: 11)  But if you read the entire scripture cited here in its context in the Book of Romans, it tells us that God brings righteous judgment against all who live lives without concern for their sinning and without repentance -- whether they be a non-believer or a "participant" church member.  A true believer knows this, and lives to be holy -- asking for forgiveness and repenting when they miss the mark.  A believer seeks God DAILY and asks that He guide them and counsel them.  A believer trusts in Him on a daily basis in order to live a life seeking God and relying on Him to get through anything that comes along at home, at work, or in traffic.  Indeed, for such a person, God will guide them and get them THROUGH it.  I do NOT say or intimate that God will make sure you never encounter trials or trouble.  Jesus tells us that in the world we WILL have troubles, but we are to remember that He has overcome everything and will help us overcome as well -- if we trust in Him and follow Him. (John 16: 33)

If anyone reading this is unsure of God's heart toward any nation who turns from Him, your uncertainty should be gone.  What God said regarding His judging such nations, as recorded by Old Testament prophets, is also for us today.  God punishes, yesterday and today, all such nations.  (See, also Ez 14: 12-20, regarding God's judgment on a land having persistent unfaithfulness toward Him.)  

In Jer 18: 7-10, God speaks about any nation which sins against Him and the nation which does, or does not, repent of that sin.  Beginning in verse 7 God speaks, "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.  And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." (Emphasis added) 

So, how much more do you think it breaks God's heart to see a nation such as ours turn from Him, a nation that was ONCE UPON A TIME faithful to Him?  A nation, similar to the nation of Israel, which He founded and blessed and has set apart to be a light to the rest of the world?  We indeed have brought light to the world through our sharing of the Gospel, but now we are bringing darkness and death to the world through our sharing of liberal, ungodly moral conduct and values.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, unless we the church, believers and participants, humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and TURN from out wicked ways God has NO CHOICE but to judge our nation and to destroy it.  He is just and must bring justice. 

Read Jer 51: 7-14.  This describes America's destruction, as does much of Jer 50 and 51.  Read Rev 18.  This describes America's destruction.  So does Is 47.  There are more scriptures also describing the coming destruction, but these portions of scripture give specific clarity.  America IS the Mystery Babylon of Rev 18 and the "daughter of Babylon" of Is 47 and Jer 50 & 51.

However, 2 Chron 7: 14 also gives us a way out.  It says that if God's people (the believing church, not the unbelieving ungodly secular individuals, some of whom are leaders of this nation) humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, God will hear us from heaven, forgive our sins and HEAL OUR LAND!

Without the leadership of our nation participating in such repentance by acknowledging these wrong immoral activities, putting an end to them and requesting God's forgiveness, the church must "go it alone" and be strong in its repentance, seek Ps 91 protection, and request that our nation's leaders also acknowledge the need for a national repentance -- to save our nation.  But, those of God's true church of believers, the Philadelphia church of Rev 3, are the only ones promised an escape from coming judgment. (Rev 3: 10)  I am NOT talking about a mythical "pre-tribulation rapture" of the church.  This is not Biblical nor promised by God. (See my blog regarding no pre-tribulation rapture, based on scripture which disproves such a myth.)

Jesus said that we should be watchful, vigilant, and "pray to escape the things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21: 36)  It is the Philadelphia church of God, true believers who have chosen the narrow and difficult way to live a holy life free from sin and who repent who will be saved.  An unrepentant nation or individual is doomed.  A repentant church of believers (a group of called-out ones of God) will be saved.

Our once-great nation blessed by God Almighty is being scrutinized by the Almighty and is ripe for destruction.  The stench of the immoral ungodly activities of those in our nation, and condoned by our nation's leadership, including many clergy, is clearly in His sight and is reaching, and one may argue has already reached, the breaking point.

In fact, God speaks about a nation, a nation which was once Godly, founded by God, which has turned from God and begun to worship idols.  This nation, a spiritual Babylon, is America.  God has begun the judgement of America with the fall of the World Trade Center twin towers on September 11, 2001.  This is discussed at length by Jonathan Cahn in his book "The Harbinger", and refers to the Is 9: 10 prophecy regarding "the bricks have fallen, etc." and what it portends for America.  If you are unfamiliar with that prophecy, please Google it and investigate for yourself.

In God's continued and increasing judgment, our economy was hit -- in September 2001 and again in September 2008.  Unless we as a nation repent, we will be hit again and MUCH HARDER in September 2015.

Additionally, a part of the prophecy in Jer 51 of the spiritual Babylon which is America is being fulfilled.  In Jer 51: 14, God tells us that he will fill up our nation with men as numerous as locusts who will "raise a shout" against us.  This has begun.  The open border in the southern United States has allowed numerous individuals to enter this nation, who are hell bent on one thing -- the destruction of America.  Whether they come here to cause chaos through beheadings (we have already witnessed this in this nation), through suitcase nuke "dirty bombs", through diseases, through anarchy, etc., we indeed are being filled with people seeking to bring our nation to its knees and to destroy it. 

Now, I can hear some of you thinking that I have gone too far -- that God will never judge our nation and that what I am saying is not only unpatriotic but blasphemous!  Dear reader, I do not apologize for this message.  But, I do want to edify and instruct you and not just pound my proverbial fist and lament over what I see happening in our nation today.

We as individual Christians and members of the Body of Christ are not powerless.  In fact, Jesus only acts for us WHEN WE PRAY TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS that He help us.  We need to pray, to speak to our pastors, to our priests, and to our lay leaders.  Church leadership must shepherd their sheep to repentance and preparation of the heart -- NOW.  Time to prepare, to change hearts, to change the future of our nation, is running out.  Without repentance, God will give us what we deserve -- destruction of this nation and captivity for believer, participant and unbeliever alike.  God will indeed bring a sword (via our own government, or a foreign instrumentality) against this nation -- against believer, participant and unbeliever alike. 

I pray that you seriously consider this message and act accordingly.  Your liberty and freedom to operate peaceably as a Christian in this nation is at risk.  Your life on this earth and the lives of your family members and friends are at risk.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?  IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP, PREPARE YOUR HEART, PRAY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, AND TO SEEK THE LORD WITH TRUE REPENTANCE (turning from your sinning ways).

Do this, and God will indeed hear you and help you if you seek Him with all your heart, ask for His forgiveness (which He will graciously give you) and REPENT.

Time is short.

2014 - True Believer

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The Coming Assyrian (Muslim) Antichrist -- Part III -- His Activities, Characteristics, Timing & Purpose

In this Part III, our final portion of our study, we examine some of the activities to be carried out by the coming Antichrist, the extent of his reign, God’s purpose for him, the timing of events associated with his coming, and other scriptural references to the coming Antichrist.

Activities & Characteristics of the Coming Antichrist

When the AC comes, what will he do?

Daniel 11 describes a series of kings which will arise on the world scene after Darius the Mede.  At the time of this prophecy, Darius was king of the Media/Persian Empire which had conquered the Babylonian kingdom.  The first verses of chapter 11 makes it clear that king Darius was ruling over the captives of Judah at that time.  After king Darius, there were to be three more kings who would rule over the Media/Persian kingdom (Dan 11: 2). 

After these kings a Greek king would arise (Dan 11: 3, 4) who would have great power and dominion before his kingdom would be broken into four portions.  History indicates that this was Greek king was Alexander the Great, whose kingdom was indeed broken into four major portions at his death.  We discussed this previously in Part II of our study in regard to the prophecy of Dan 8 and the geographic origin of the coming AC. 

The narrative in Dan 11 then describes additional future kings of the North and kings of the South, and other individuals, which appeared in history subsequent to the demise of the Media/Persian Empire.  Much of the Dan 11 narrative describes various battles and actions taken by the Kings of the North and Kings of the South who would arise after the then-existing King Darius of the Medes who was, in a sense, the first King of the North of Dan 11.

Winding through the text down to Dan 11: 20 we see a future King of the North who is to impose taxes on the land of Israel (the “glorious kingdom”).  Some scholars argue that this taxing king was Seleucus III of Syria.  Others argue that it is an authority figure who has not yet come, and may be one of the 10 horns (leaders) of Rev 17: 12 who will share power for a brief time with the beast AC in the kingdom of the coming AC and will then be subdued by the AC as he ascends to rule over the worldwide government (kingdom), as described in Dan 7: 8, 20 and 22.  In either case, the King of the North who imposes the taxes on Israel clearly precedes the coming AC.

It is the final King of the North who comes after the taxing king who is the coming AC, the “vile person” who does not receive the honor of royalty.  So, whether there is a 2,000 year gap between taxing king and the coming AC, or whether the coming AC arises to power and subdues him directly, Dan 11: 21 begins a description of the coming AC.

Some Jewish writings teach that Antiochus Epiphanes IV (approx 215–164 BC) fulfilled the role of the “vile person” King of the North of Dan 11: 21 who stops the daily sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem.  For reasons given below, Antiochus IV did not fulfill this prophecy of Dan 11: 21-45 as the final King of the North and is simply a type or pattern of the coming AC.  At best, it can be argued that Antiochus IV merely partially fulfilled the role and actions of the “vile person”, the final King of the North, by fulfilling at most that which is described in Dan 11: 21-35, which leaves Dan 11: 36-45 to be fulfilled by the coming AC.

According to historians, in about 175 BC Antiochus Epiphanes IV began his rule over the Seleucid Empire (a geographic area of one of the four “notable horns” of Dan 8, discussed previously in Part II of this study).  The Seleucid Empire included Palestine (modern Israel) and Jerusalem.  Antiochus harassed the Jews mercilessly and infringed upon their practice of Judaism.  He effectively ended worship in the temple in Jerusalem after he entered the temple and burned a pig on the sacred alter.  By doing so he desecrated and defiled the temple, thereby making it unclean for worship. 

In response to his actions, a group of Jews known as the Macabees (plural of the Hebrew word for hammer) rose up and began to fight the Seleucid soldiers using guerrilla tactics.  They eventually prevailed in defeating the Seleucids and driving them from Palestine.  Thereafter they cleansed the temple, rededicated it, and reestablished animal sacrifices and worship to God in the temple.

There are obvious problems with the Jewish interpretation of Dan 11: 21-45 as having been fulfilled by Antiochus.  The Rashi interprets Dan 11: 40 (the final battle of the King of the North against the King of the South and the attack of the land of Israel by the King of the North) as occurring during the time of the end when the redemption of the Jewish people occurs.  However, since the Jewish people have not yet been redeemed, this prophecy still awaits fulfillment in the last days when Jesus returns.  The final redemption of the nation of Israel will occur at that time when Jesus will put an end to the Battle of Armageddon and will “save the tents of Judah first.” (Zech 12: 7)  It is only when Jesus returns to destroy the coming AC, the final King of the North, that the complete prophecy of Dan 11: 21-45 will be fulfilled.

Analysis of Scripture for Characteristics of the Coming AC

What follows is a non-exhaustive list of the characteristics, intentions, and activities of the coming AC.  As we get closer in time to the public unveiling of the AC, these items will begin to match up perfectly with current events.

1. He participates in an affirmation/strengthening of an existing covenant involving Israel (Dan 9: 27; Job 41: 4)  At this point his identity may still be unsure, since multiple parties will be involved in this affirmation process.

2.  He rises to power quietly with just a few and intrigues many.  He becomes strong once he assumes control of the worldwide government (Dan 11: 21-23; Dan 8: 9)

3.  He has fierce / stern features (Dan 8: 23)

4.  He is vile, despicable person (Dan 11: 21; Nahum 1: 14; Job 51: 24)

5.  He is a liar (Dan 8: 12)

6. He promotes deceit (Dan 8: 25)

7. He conceives sinister plans (Dan 8: 23; Dan 11: 23; Nahum 1: 11; Ez 38: 10)

8. He is controlled by Satan himself or one of his high ranking demons or fallen angels (Gog) (Rev 13: 4; 2 Thes 2: 9; Ez 38: 3; Ez 39:1)

9. He is given authority of the worldwide government by its 10 leaders (Rev 13: 8; Rev 17: 13; Dan 7: 7-8, 23-24; Dan 11: 39; Dan 2: 42)

10. He subdues three of the 10 leaders as he ascends to power, or shortly thereafter (Dan 7: 8, 24)

11. He never rules over central and southern Jordan (Dan 11: 41)

12. He shows his true evil heart after entering into an alliance of nations, presumptively for peace, then acts deceitfully and breaks the peace terms of the formerly confirmed covenant.  He overwhelms armed forces before him, including the “prince of the covenant” with whom the alliance was made (Dan 11: 22-23; Job 41: 4)

13. He highly values military strength and promotes his own god, which is not the god(s) worshipped by his fathers (Dan 11: 37-38; Ez 38: 15; Job 41: 9-33)

14. He devises military plans against strong defenses and attacks them viciously to gain the wealth they protect (Dan 11: 24, 38-39; Rev 13: 4)

15. He prospers and performs great conquests, for 42 months (Rev 13: 4-5; Dan 8: 24; Dan 11:22)

16. He schemes against and attacks the King of the South (KOS – Egypt?) with a great military force (Dan 11: 25)

17. He defeats the KOS with the help of insiders who betray the KOS (Dan 11: 25-26)

18. He returns to his own land from the land of the KOS with plunder taken from the KOS.  On the way to his country he will enter/attack Israel (therefore, Israel is between KOS and his home country) (Dan 11: 28; Is 10: 24)

19. He shares and distributes his plunder and spoils from his conquests of rich regions among his followers/sympathizers, (Dan 11: 24; Ez 38: 12)

20.  After some time he returns to again attack the KOS, but warships from nations opposed to him off the coast in the Mediterranean thwart his efforts, which enrages him (Dan 11: 29-30)

21. After his efforts are thwarted, he retreats to his home country.  Along the way, his anger causes him to come again against Israel and cause destruction (Dan 11: 30; Is 10: 24; Ez 38: 16; Ez 39: 2)

22.  He gives favor to those who flatter him and who oppose Israel.  He allows them to rule over others on his behalf.  Meanwhile he imposes harsh laws (a yoke) on Jews in Israel and stops the daily sacrifice.  He enters the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem and places there an “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel the prophet and by Jesus (2 Thes 2: 4; Rev 13: 14; Mat 24: 15-16; Mark 13: 14; Is 14: 25; Is 10: 27; Jer 30: 7; Nah 1: 13Dan 8: 11; Dan 11: 30-32, 39)

23.  He exalts himself mightily above every god and speaks pompous things and blasphemies against Almighty God (2 Thes 2: 4; Dan 7: 8; Dan 8: 11, 25; Dan 11: 36-37; Job 41: 34)

24. The setting up of the Abomination of Desolation initiates the 3.5 year period of the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus, which period includes severe “natural” catastrophes and severe persecution of Jews in the land of Israel (Mat 24: 15-21)

25. His appearance in the temple precedes by about 3.5 years the coming of Jesus Christ, the rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the just (2 Thes 2: 1-3; 1 Thes 4: 15-17; Dan 12: 1-2)

26.  He confiscates the property and wealth of many who have insight and understanding of the true God.  He also kills and imprisons some of them, but they will nevertheless teach and instruct many about God (Dan 11: 33)

27. He persecutes the Jewish people and God’s saints around the world during the Great Tribulation for 3.5 years after he enters the temple in Jerusalem (Rev 12: 13, 17; Rev 13: 7; Dan 7: 21, 25; Dan 8: 24; Dan 11: 30; Is 10:24)

28. He divides land for gain and allows those who flatter him to do likewise (Dan 11: 39)

29. He speaks blasphemies against God (Dan 7: 25; Dan 11: 36; Is 52: 5; Rev 13: 5, 7)

30. He and the False Prophet initiate a worldwide monetary and payment system which must be used by anyone desiring to transact business.  The system requires a certain mark on the right hand or forehead of a person (Rev 13: 16-17)

31. He and the False Prophet bring about a worldwide “religion”, which is actually the worship of Satan (Rev 13: 4-5, 12)

32. The False Prophet performs many great lying signs and wonders and deceiving miracles.  He even calls fire to come down from the sky, which deceives even some of those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ (2 Thes 2: 9-11; Rev 13: 13-14; Mark 13: 6, 22; Mat 24: 5, 11; Luke 21: 8)

33.  He and the False Prophet cause those who fail to worship the coming AC and/or his worldwide government to be killed by being beheaded.  He has beheaded those who will not take the mark on their right hand or forehead (Rev 13: 15; Rev 20: 4; Rev 6: 9)

34. He has a number or symbol associated with him of “666” (Rev 13: 18)

35. He has no regard for the “desire of women” (Dan 11: 37) (gay? staunch abortionist?)

36. He destroys the mighty (Dan 8: 24; Rev 13: 4)

37. He destroys the prosperity of many (Dan 8: 25)

38. He intends to change times and law (Dan 7: 25)

39. At some time he sets up his headquarters in the mountains of Israel near Jerusalem (Dan 11: 45)

40. The KOS attacks him at time of the end, and he counter-attacks with a vast military force (Dan 11: 40)

41. He defeats Egypt and takes its gold and other wealth, and is helped by the Libyans and Sudanese (Dan 11: 42-43)

42. He is allied with Iran and some northern Africa nations, including Libya and northern Sudan (Dan 11: 43; Ez 38: 5-6)

43. While attacking Egypt, he hears fearful news of approaching armies from the east and north and goes out to confront them (Dan 11: 44)

44. He possibly initiates WWIII, where 1/3 of people on earth will die (Rev 9: 18) Otherwise, WWIII will occur prior to his reign over the worldwide government, most likely prior to Daniel's 70th week.

45. He has God’s two witnesses (Enoch and Elijah) killed in the streets of Jerusalem just before Jesus returns (Rev 11: 3-15)

46. He rises up to fight against the Prince of Princes – Christ Himself (Dan 8: 25; Rev 17: 14; Rev 19: 19)

47. He is defeated and is destroyed without human means by the Word of God, Jesus Christ, when Jesus Christ returns to earth while Jerusalem is surrounded by armies during the battle of Armageddon (Rev 16: 16; Rev 19: 20; 2 Thes 2: 3, 8; Dan 7: 11, 26; Dan 11: 36, 45; Joel 12: 20; Is 10: 26; Is 14: 25, 33; Is 31: 8; Ez 38: 18-23; Ez 39: 4, 5, 11; Micah 5: 5; Nahum 1: 15)

Extent of the Reign of the Coming AC

The reign of the coming worldwide government of the coming AC will be over the entire earth, except for the southern region of Jordan.

Some argue that the coming worldwide government will only control one quarter of the earth.  They base their argument on a single verse in scripture found at Rev 6: 8, which describes how death, the rider of the green horse (Greek word here, pronounced “chloros” means green), and Hades (or hell) which follows, will have power (authority) over one fourth of the earth to kill using sword, hunger, death, and the beasts of the earth.  This verse simply describes that the death, famine, pestilence, etc caused when the 4^th seal is opened will occur only over one quarter of the earth – not that the extent of the reign of the coming AC is limited to one quarter of the earth.

As a matter of proper interpretation, no doctrine should be created out of a single Bible verse.  To do so is almost always problematic.  It is best to let the fullness of scripture reveal the truth.  Rev 13: 3 tells us that “all the world marveled and followed the beast.”  Revelation 13: 7 describes how “authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”  Additionally, Rev 13: 12 informs us that the second beast, the False Prophet, will cause “the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.” (Emphasis added)  Clearly, these verses show that the coming AC will indeed attempt to control the entire world and have the authority to do so.  Again, his authority will not be limited to one quarter of the earth.

The activities associated with the first four seals described in Rev 6: 1-8 are, I believe, preliminary events which lead up to the establishment of the worldwide government of the coming AC.  A “need” for a world government will increase and grow in stages, as the earthly disasters that are associated with the opening of seals two through four show increasingly greater destruction.  No doubt, the wars, economic collapse, food shortages, famines, disasters, diseases and deaths which occur from events associated with the opening of seals two through four are so devastating to the people of the world that they eagerly turn to a government, even a worldwide government, to give them relief from the situation.

The coming AC who will come to power will not be easily or quickly recognized by many for the true evil man he is.  He will rise to power quietly.  He will no doubt promise a stop the wars, the famines, the terrible world economy, and other things along those lines.  He will probably be a smooth talker and promise things the people of the world ache to hear.

The people of the world will no doubt fall in love with his rhetoric.  Daniel 11: 21 confirms that notion, and describes how the coming AC shall come in peaceably to take leadership of that government by intrigue, with a small number of people.  People will be fascinated with him.  Rev 13: 2 tells us that his rise to power will be assisted by Satan, the red dragon of Rev 12: 3 who has seven heads and 10 horns, showing that Satan is behind evil world empires and evil leaders.  The rise to power by the coming AC will be assisted by another beast which arises, the False Prophet of Rev 13: 11, who will be a religious “sidekick” and cheerleader for the coming AC.

Before the coming AC takes complete control of the worldwide government, it will be ruled and controlled for a while by ten leaders, which are represented by the 10 horns of the seven-headed beast of Dan 7, Rev 12, Rev 13 and Rev 17.  Some time after the 10 leader worldwide government forms, the coming AC will rise to power among them.  Perhaps he will replace one of the 10 leaders.  In any case, he will thereafter remove three of the 10 rulers and thereafter take sole control of the worldwide government.  These actions by the coming AC are described in Dan 7: 8 and 24, and Rev 17: 12-13.

Timing of Events Associated With the Coming Antichrist

The coming AC will likely be associated with a group of nations which affirms or strengthens an existing covenant, to which covenant Israel is a party. (Dan 9: 27; Job 41: 4).  The exact identity of the coming AC may not at that time be specifically known since that group will likely have many participants.  This affirmation of the covenant begins Daniel’s 70^th week (7 years of 360 days each), set forth in Dan 9: 27.  Jesus will return to earth to bring in His kingdom and defeat the armies of the coming AC gathered at Jerusalem at the end of that week of years.

As a parallel, Islam looks for their 12^th Imam, their savior the Mahdi, to arise during a time of war, world conflict and chaos.  His characteristics are eerily similar to those of the coming AC of the Bible who will likely rise to power after a major war and/or worldwide economic catastrophe.

The coming AC will publically reveal himself to the world at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70^th week of years, 3.5 years before Jesus returns, and 3.5 years after the affirmation of Israel’s covenant, when he enters a newly built temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be the Messiah, the Son of God, or God Himself. (2 Thes 2: 3-12; Dan 9: 27; Dan 11: 31, 36)  It is at this time that the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus (Mat 24: 15-21) begins.

Referring to the image above, let us consider certain events described in the book of Revelation.  Rev 12: 1-2 describes how John saw a great sight in heaven of a “woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth” to a male child.  Some (mostly Catholics) believe this represents Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving birth to Jesus.  Others believe this represents the 12 tribes of Israel (the nation of Israel) giving birth to Jesus (cf, Gen 37: 9 – Joseph’s dream of the sun, moon, and 11 stars (his 11 brothers) bowing to him).  Still others believe this represents the Church of Jesus Christ giving birth to a “new man” (cf, Eph 2: 15 – representing Jew and gentile as one new man in Christ).  

Rev 12: 3-5 makes clear that the child is Jesus (v. 5 – He is to rule all nations with a rod of iron; See also Ps 2: 9; Rev 2: 27; Rev 19: 15) and that Satan (the red dragon) wants to destroy Him (which he thought he had done at the cross).  But the male child was taken (caught up) to heaven to the throne of God (Jesus’ ascension into heaven after His resurrection; Luke 24: 51).

By analysis, the Church cannot be the woman, since it cannot give birth to a child which had not yet created the Church.  It seems clear that the male child who is born and who is to rule the nations with a rod of iron is clearly a description of Jesus.

Interestingly, though I am not a Catholic, I believe that this image, at least in a sense, could represent both Mary and the nation of Israel.  Verse 6 describes how “the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”  After Mary gave birth to Jesus, she fled to Egypt with Joseph to escape King Herod’s order to have killed all male children age two and younger in and around Bethlehem. (Mat 2: 13, 16)  Many scholars believe that Jesus was in Egypt for about three years or so until the death of Herod.  Perhaps Mary being kept safe with Jesus in Egypt for 3.5 years is a partial fulfillment prior to the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy when the nation of Israel is kept safe during the final 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation. 

This vision described by John in about 90 AD, however, cannot be a prophecy of Jesus’ birth, since His virgin birth had already occurred almost 100 years earlier.  This notion is also given support in Rev 4:1, where Jesus calls John up to heaven through the “open door” to see things which were to occur in the future after Jesus delivered to John the seven letters to the seven churches described in Rev 2 and 3.  Since Rev 11-13 describe events which will take place beginning at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70^th week, it seems likely that Rev 12 is indeed describing the safe-keeping of the nation of Israel during the Great Tribulation. 

Rev 12: 13-17 shows us how Satan will persecute during the Great Tribulation both the woman (i.e., the nation of Israel, a betrothed wife of God cf, Jer 2: 2; the betrothed who then became adulterous cf, Ez 16:32; but who will be renewed at the end of time as a perfected bride (the New Jerusalem) which will come down from heaven cf, Rev 21: 1, 2, 9, 10) and the rest of her offspring (i.e., the Church of Jesus Christ – the Israel of God, Gal 6: 16, who obey God’s commands and have the testimony of Jesus Christ).

The woman (the nation of Israel) will be given a physical means of escape to “her place in the wilderness”.  According to Rev 12: 11, God does not promise the church protection from death.  Those in the Church must stay “in Christ” to overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and are commanded not to love their lives to the end.

The remnant of the nation of Israel which flees to safety from the coming AC at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70^th week (the beginning of the Great Tribulation) will be supernaturally protected by God (Mat 24: 15-21; Rev 12: 6), but the Church of Christ is not given such a promise.  Instead, the Church is told to remain strong in Christ (Eph 6: 10), to endure persecution (cf, Rev 13: 10; Rev 14: 12), and to overcome and face death without failing to keep and to obey God’s word (Rev 12: 17) in order to receive the ultimate prize of eternal glory. (Eph 3: 14; Rev 20: 4)

On September 23, 2017, a very rare alignment of the sun, the moon, a few planets, and the constellation Virgo (the virgin) will appear in the sky.  Here is a link to an article which succinctly describes this coming event.  Many others similar articles can be found online.

Referring to the above image, this rare sight in the heavens shows that the planet Jupiter (the king) will emerge seemingly as being “born” from the “womb” of the virgin (Virgo) who is clothed in the sun, with the moon at her feet, and twelve “stars” over her head.  This particular alignment last occurred in the heavens around the time of the birth of Christ in about 4 BC.  So, is God giving us a signal of something significant which is coming upon us?  Is Daniel’s 70^th week not far off?

God’s word tells us in the Book of Genesis that God gave us the sun, the moon and the stars for "signs" and "seasons", as well as for light.  The Hebrew word (אוֹת - oht) translated as "sign" can also mean "signal."  The Hebrew word (מוֹעָדִים - moed) translated as "season" literally means an "appointed time."  (See, Gen 1: 14)  So, as depicted in the coming 2017 alignment in the heavens, God seems to be sending us a clear notice that an "appointed time" is upon us – a unique time in history.

Perhaps the sign in the heavens tells us that Daniel’s 70^th week will commence in September 2017.  Most likely, this date does not indicate the mid-point of the 70^th week since as of this writing in early 2014 we have not yet begun the 70^th week.  There appears to be no affirmation yet of a covenant which involves Israel, which is necessary (cf, Dan 9: 27) to begin Daniel’s 70^th week.  I make no prediction of any time for its commencement; however, as evidenced by God’s coming “timing signal” in the sky, it cannot be far off.

It is conjecture, but perhaps the placement of Rev 12 in the book of Revelation shows us the timing of the fall of Satan from heaven (God’s presence) and that it will occur at about the midpoint of the 70^th week.  This would precipitate Satan being cast down to the earth, along with his fallen angels.  In turn, this event would likely cause the coming AC to be given power by Satan (Rev 13) and perhaps become possessed by Gog (a demonic spirit or fallen angel).  The coming AC would then enter the temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be God.  This event begins the Great Tribulation, with persecution of the nation of Israel and Christians worldwide.

We now look at God’s purpose for the coming AC.

God's Purpose for the Coming AC

That God be glorified.  When Jesus returns to defeat the coming AC and his armies gathered at Jerusalem, the nations will see that He is the only true God. (cf, Ez 38: 16, 20, 23; Ez 39: 21, 23; Zech 14: 9, 16)

To make known His holy name (YHVY) to His people in the land of Israel when Jesus returns.  To show them that He is their God and that He is in their midst. (cf, Ez 39: 7, 22; Is 10: 24; Is 52: 6)

To end His punishment of the entire house of Israel (all 12 tribes), to show Israel His loving mercy, and to pour out His Spirit on the whole house of Israel when Jesus returns. (cf, Zeph 3: 15; Ez 39: 29;  Joel 2: 29; Dan 11: 30; Rev 13: 13)

To punish the wicked, by using the coming AC as God’s “rod of anger” on earth. (Is 10: 5)

To separate to Himself those who are the true worshippers of God from those who will let themselves be deceived and believe the lies of the coming AC and worship Satan by following the coming AC. (cf, John 4: 23-24; 1Pet 4: 17; 2 Thes 2: 11; Rev 3: 16)

To purify and refine through trial, persecution, affliction and tribulation His holy ones who are the saints of the true church of God – the Philadelphia church (Rev 3: 8) – which will create for Jesus, the coming King, a pure bride for Himself. (2 Cor 11: 2)


We conclude our study of the coming AC with a non-exhaustive Appendix list of some scriptural references to the coming AC.  I pray that you ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to conduct yourselves in these last days to prepare your hearts for what is to come upon the earth, according to God's Word.

Appendix:  Scriptural References to the Coming Antichrist

Below are various portions of scripture which give us information about the geographic origin, characteristics, activities, and intents of the coming AC.  Relevant portions are highlighted to illustrate the reference to the coming AC.

Is 10: 24-25, 27 – (after speaking about the remnant of Israel returning and God making “a determined end in the midst of the land (Israel)”) therefore, says the Lord God of hosts: “O My people who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian; he shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt; for yet a little while and the indignation (AC activities against Israel) will cease, as will My anger in their destruction; it shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder and his yoke from your neck and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil

Is 14: 25-26 – I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My holy mountains tread him underfoot; his yoke shall be removed from them and his burden removed from their shoulders; this is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations

Is 19: 23 – in that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria (King’s highway?) and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria and Egyptians will serve with the Assyrian

Micah 5: 5-6 – when the Assyrian comes into our land and when he treads in our palaces then we will raise against him 7 shepherds and 8 princely men; they shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria and the land of Nimrod (N. Iraq) at its entrances; thus He (the Lord) shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and when he treads  within our borders

Nahum  1: 11, 15 – from you (Assyria) comes forth one who plots evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor … for the wicked one shall no more pass through you.  He is utterly cut off.

Is 16: 3-4 – hide the outcasts, do not betray him who escapes, let My outcasts dwell with you O Moab, be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler

Jer 31: 1-2 – At the same time (latter days, end of chapter 30), says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel and they shall be My people, Thus says the Lord: the people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness (Petra??) – Israel when I went to give him rest

Ps 55: 20-21 – He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him, he has broken his covenant, the words of his mouth were smoother than butter but war was in his heart, his words were softer than oil yet they were drawn swords

Dan 8: 9-11 – and out of one of them (the 4 notable horn remnants of the Greek kingdom) came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, the east, and toward the Glorious Land (Israel); he even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host (of heaven) and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away

2 Thes 2: 3-4 – let no man deceive you by any means, for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (destruction), who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so he sits as God in the temple of God as God

Dan 8: 23 – and in the latter time of their kingdom (4 remnant Greek kingdoms) when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king will arise having fierce features; he shall destroy the mighty and also the holy people (Israel); he shall exalt himself in his heart; he shall even rise against the Prince of Princes (Jesus); he shall be broken without human means

 Is 19: 4 – the Egyptians I will give into the hand of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them

Dan 7: 23-25 – the 4^th beast shall be a 4^th kingdom on earth; it shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces; the 10 horns are the 10 kings who shall arise from this (4^th) kingdom, and another shall arise after them (from them); he shall subdue 3 kings; he shall speak pompous words against the Most High

Dan 11: 21-38 – and in his (taxing king’s) place shall arise a vile person; with a force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant (person not the AC?); forces mustered by him shall stop the daily sacrifices and place there the abomination of desolation; he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god and speak blasphemies against the God of gods

Mat 24: 15-16; Mark 13: 14 – therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (where it ought not) then let those in Judea flee to the mountains

Rev 13: 1-8 – and I saw a beast rising up out of the sea (humanity, typically Gentiles) having 7 heads and 10 horns; all the world marveled and followed the beast; they worshipped the beast; he was given authority to continue for 42 months; he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God; it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them

Rev 19: 19 – and I saw the beast, the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to make war against Him who sat on the horse (Jesus) and against His army

Job 41: 1-34 – (the description and attributes of the “great Leviathan” from the sea is analogous to the “beast” rising out of the sea of Rev 13) (v. 34) He is king over all the children of pride

Amos 7: 1 (Greek LXX Septuagint) – thus has the Lord shown me, and behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east (Muslim army led by the coming Muslim AC), and behold one caterpillar, king Gog (demon spirit controlling the coming Muslim AC)

Ez 38: 2-6 – son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince (Rosh) (chief, ruler) of Meshech and Tubal and prophesy against him; Persia, Ethiopia and Libya are with them; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north (perhaps Turkey, southern Russia; Hebrew – “north recesses”) and all of its troops

Dan 11: 40, 43 – at the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him (AC); also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels

Ez 38: 5 – Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them (i.e., with the army of Gog), all of them with shield and helmet

Ez 38: 17 – Thus says the Lord God, “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?”

Ez 39: 1-2 – prophesy against Gog and say “behold, I am against you O Gog, the prince of Meshech and Tubal, and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north and bring you against the mountains of Israel

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