What About the Mark?/THE COMING OF THE MARK OF THE BEAST

What About the Mark? - by Greg Laurie www.harvest.org He required everyone �small and great, rich and poor, free and slave�to be given mark on the right hand or on the forehead.� Revelation 13:16 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/what-about-the-mark/- Listen Alarming trends in tech today have caused some people to ask, “Is this going to be the mark of the Beast? With all of our tracking�and�trace technology, online commerce, and the rise of globalism, we can see the foreshocks of it. The Bible tells us the Antichrist will establishglobal control through a cashless society. Revelation 13:17–18 says, “And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name...Let theone with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666” (NLT). Just about everyone knows of this number, which is the mark of the Beast. Here’s what the Bible is saying: The Antichrist will introduce a cashless society, which will require people to take a mark. No one will be able to buy or sell without thismark. It will be a visible, literal mark that people will have on their right hands or foreheads, and they will have to declare their allegiance to the Antichrist to receive it. People won't get this mark accidentally. In fact, Revelation tells us that an angel will warn people not to take the mark of the Beast (see Revelation 14:9-11). Let me emphasize, however, that these are future events. They're not in our past, and they’re not yet in our present. Everything will build up during the time of the GreatTribulation (which lasts for seven years) to the Battle of Armageddon. So don't waste your time looking for the Antichrist. And if you've figured out who the Antichrist is, then that is bad news for you,because he won't be revealed until afterGod removes the church through the Rapture. So lets not waste our time pursuing these things. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Coming Mark of the Beast- By Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-coming-mark-of-beast.html 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth,that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of thebeast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.� (Revelation13:12-18) Many people see the signs of the times and wonder when will the Tribulation be beginning in earnest. Many see the economic problems of this age, and the lawlessness unfoldingat greater depths of sinfulness than in any previous years. Many of them are old timers like me, who remembers a more peaceful time, but note that the peace is slowly being taken away. Young people who have not been taught by their parents who were, in return,not taught by their parents, have come to see what is happening with blindfolds on their eyes. They haven't got their eyes open to what is actually happening and will be prime candidates for the coming One World religion and the �mark of the beast�. Folks see the cashless society that is being pushed in foreign countries like Sweden, and worry about having to take an implant or a tattoo on their bodies, especially withRFID chip that some businesses are offering their employees. With this going on even in the USA, some wonder can the mark be taken without repercussions to their spiritual lives. They ask, �so what do we do?� We know that this world we live in, is one step away from this NWO and the Anti-Christ is standing just off stage right waiting for the right crisis to reveal himself. Manypeople email me with questions that only show that they are frightened with what is coming at them at near �warp speed� and their anxiety grows even more prevalent in their everyday lives. CAN I TAKE THE MARK UNWITTINGLY? I had a person ask me, as I have explored the possibility that we are in the Tribulation already (which we are not) but she asked me, which I expand this to all who mayhave the same question �Can a person take the Mark of the Beast without meaning to?� The short answer is �NO� you cannot. Reason being that the coming Mark of the Beast is not only designed as an economic mode of exchange like we see with chips on credit anddebit cards and this �new� vaccine passport used on the world market that will soon be under control of one central authority, but it is also a �worship system� that you have agreed to be a member of the Church of the Anti-Christ/Satan. If it were just aneconomic mode of being a part of the buy/sell of this coming end time world, then it wouldn't be as dangerous to one's spiritual health, but you have embraced the Anti-Christ as a god on earth. The penalty of refusing the coming Mark of the Beast is a refusal to worship the abomination of a beast called the Anti-Christ, and no one will escape the attention of thefalse prophet who will be able to monitor every person on the planet for compliance or their refusal which will lead to the ultimate penalty of death by whatever means available, but the the bible speaks of being �beheaded� as the most severe form of thispunishment. 14 �And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth,that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of thebeast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name� (Revelation 13:14-17) WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW? But the bible makes it perfectly clear that you cannot serve two masters: 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.� (Matthew 6:24) You can't serve in the Church of the Anti-Christ and be under its rule to life, liberty and the right to pursue some form of economic happiness, because it is a lie of Satanand the ruling authorities. It will end in eternal doom to join Satan and the false prophet in the Lake of fire. But in order to accept this Mark, there must be a false prophet that demands worship of the Beast. The demand to worship rewards the person with this Mark that they haveagreed to worship at the altar of a false god on earth who elevates himself, proclaiming himself to be God. Those who refuse to accept this mark will be rounded up like so much cattle and marked for extermination. This was unheard of 50 years ago, but with the advancement in computertechnology, everyone in this planet claims to love God or serve Him. Being a symbol of membership in the �beast� end time one world religion, it gives the person a few short years of privileges and is being monitored even now, even if you don't know it. Sono one can take the mark �by accident�. It will be a conscious decision that will be imposed on everyone, and even if they take the mark under duress or fear for their family, the Mark will be their doom to destruction in the Lake of Fire. It will be the sameas it was in ancient Rome, when everyone who was a Roman subject came and bowed down to the image of Caesar, burned incense, and proclaimed him as god on earth. WHAT HOLDS THIS EVIL BACK? But to Christians in this Age of Grace, the revealing of the Anti-Christ cannot be revealed as long as the Holy Spirit is upon the earth as a restraining force against evil. 6 �And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.� (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-10) The He is a personal pronoun in verse 7. It is not a thing, or something on earth in the physical realm, but can only be God's Holy Spirit that is withholding evil at bay,until He allows Satan to have full sway over all the inhabitants that are still living on this planet, or as the bible calls, the nations, or �earth dwellers�. It is designed by God to bring judgment by using Satan to do his dead level best to pervert mankindand bring them to destruction. And Satan will be very successful in deceiving those who only want to continue in the evil lifestyle and continue to enjoy their unrighteous acts of lawlessness. But concerning the coming Mark of the Beast, the bible is very specific of what the penalty will be for taking this mark, for whatever reason: 9 �And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstonein the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the markof his name.� (Revelation 14:9-11) Some Christians find it difficult to reconcile the grace of God with such a harsh penalty - something I've always found baffling, since those same Christians have no problemwith the concept of eternal damnation. But what about salvation by grace through faith? Who are the Tribulation Saints? And if the Holy Spirit has been withdrawn, how did they get saved? People will still be getting saved, but the Age of Grace with the sealing of those who accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior will be withdrawn,and it will be much as itwas in Old Testament times. This Age of Grace ends with the rapture of the Church to proceed with Daniel's 70th week, or the final week of the Age of the Law which was cut off when Jesus was crucified. Many come to repentance, but are not sealed save the 144,000 Jewish Evangelist from the 12 tribes of Israel. It is so important that Jesus devotes an entire chapter thatJohn writes down to make clear this special sealing of the �servants of God in their foreheads� 2 �And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt theearth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.� (Revelation7:2-4) BEING SEALED IN THE TRIBULATION The Greek word translated in Revelation 7:3 as "sealed" is sphragizo meaning, "to stamp for security or preservation." This is the same seal that is given those of us who believe in the Church Age and are sealed, but this seal is given to them only (the 144,ooo Jewish Evangelist), and noone else received this �deposit� of God's Holy Spirit, so each man and woman must guard their repentance and accepting Jesus as Savior to the very end. It is why it is written: 21 �And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.� (Matthew 10:21-23) That enduring to the end, are those who guard their salvation and DO NOT give into the deception of the Anti-Christ, his false prophets, or end time goons that work forthem, even under duress and fear for their lives, or loved ones lives. Note that the message of Matthew 24 is directed to the nation of Israel, or the Jews at the time of Jesus? The Church had not been formed yet, and the focus of the ministryof Jesus was the Lost Sheep of Israel. Not until the day of Pentecost, did the ministry of the apostles, especially Paul focus on the Gentiles. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NEVER LEAVE US. God told us that He would send us a Comforter that would abide with us forever, and would NEVER leave us alone. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18) So the obvious interpretation in the verses I have quoted in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 and the one just above, if the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, so will those who He indwells,as He will never leave us. A clear sign of the rapture of the Church. TWO PURPOSES OF THE TRIBULATION There is a prevailing conceit without warrant, that God loves the Gentiles more than He loves Israel and therefore His attention will be focused on the Gentiles after theChurch is gone from this earth which concludes at the rapture of the Bride of Christ. But the Bible paints an entirely different portrait. The purpose for the Tribulation is two-fold. As I have spoken of many times in the past, the coming Tribulation is designedfor two objectives in God's plan. First, God will try Israel proper as silver is refined in the fire through much persecution that will remove the �dross� from their hearts. 2 �But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offeringin righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.� (Malachi 3:2-4) Second, the tribulation and the Great Tribulation is designed to destroy all rebellion upon this earth, as God sets out to nearly wipe this planet clean of all human life.Jesus told us that unless those days were shortened: 21 �For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.� (Matthew 24:21-22) Again, this is from Matthew 24, the chapter that speaks directly to the nation of Israel and God will shorten the days of total destruction of all mankind, save for theirsurvival of the Jewish people into the coming Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. The time of the Tribulation is for JUDGMENT on all mankind. I had a lady that was emailing a brother in Christ of mine on the internet, that proclaims a Post-Tribulationrapture of the church and is adamant that the Church will endure the same persecution as everyone else. But I had to point out to her, these two reasons. I will call her name �Mary�. She could not see that the Church is being judged now. We have been washedin the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and clothed with His righteousness and that not of our own. The bible clearly tells us: 17� For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.� (1st Peter 4:17-19) If the two reasons I have given are for the refinement of Israel and destroy all rebellion, then what purpose does the church have in this horrific time? To purge thosewho have already been forgiven, and subject the Bride of Christ to the same persecution of the rest of the Gentiles on earth, to me, smacks of Catholic purgatory, which I categorically deny. We have been washed and made white by the blood of Jesus from thetime of Calvary. There is no purpose for the Church to endure the two reasons I have given. Especially, my reader, when there is amble proof that God's wrath is reserved for the unrighteous, not those who have been forgiven. Paul makes it pretty plain in his epistles that we are not the focus of the wrath of God during this seven years of Age of the Law, but it is reserved for the two groupsmentioned "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, untilthe fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25) Is not that pretty clear to you who just read that verse. That speaks of the Gentile Church who have come into a relationship with Jesus Christ...which also covers believingMessianic Jews and anyone else that believes, Jew or Gentile. The musterion that Paul spoke of in his epistles (a mystery; previously unrevealed truth) is that God allowed the Jews to reject the Messiah in order to provide a limitedopportunity for the Gentiles to be saved. It is limited to that period UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. So after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in..(that would be me, and maybe that would be you), then God turns His full attention back to Israel....it is clear in blackand white when Paul wrote in Romans "26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes. (Romans 11:26-28) REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY A LIE The Church does not replace Israel, even as Israel has been set aside for the last 2000 years until the Lord takes � a people who were not His people�... 9 �But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknessinto his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.� (1st Peter 2:9-10) A person can be blinded by the Satanic doctrine of Replacement Theology, either one believes it or not. The New Covenant is with the Church of the Living God during theAge of Grace, or called also, the Church Age. But this is not directed at all Gentiles of all ages, but for a specific group since Calvary who believe by faith in the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and come to repentance and follow Him, much as a docilelamb follows a Shepherd out of love and obedience and knowing that Shepherd has his best interest at heart. The New Covenant will be completed at the Rapture of God's Church and we join Jesus our Lord at the Marriage supper of the Lamb, after we are adoptedinto the family of God by being spiritually betrothed to our Husband, Jesus the Christ. Romans chp. 8 tells us we become part of the family of God, and our inheritance: 16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:16-18) ONE WEEK OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY LEFT God has yet to fulfill the prophecy of Daniel's 70 weeks of restoring Israel in righteousness. God fulfills His promises, and the last week that was set aside, and the propheticclocked being stopped when the Messiah was cut off, but not for Himself, but to save the whole world, that clock will begin again at the rapture. To those who trust in Him by faith and accept the mercy and grace afforded by a selfless love that can only bedeemed amazing. Amazing that God would love us so much that He would even die for us, though we deserved none of it. The coming Tribulation is God's plan to do just that. To save Israel as a remnant people unto Himself. As was said, the Tribulation and especially the Great Tribulation is designed to refine Israel and remove the scales from their eyes and they realize that Jesus was theirlong sought for Messiah, not some dictator of the end time world who promised them peace and safety. They will cry from their persecutions when they seek Jesus with their whole hearts...Zechariah prophesied they will call out to their Messiah, much as Jesussaid they would... 8 �And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I willhear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.� (Zechariah 13:8-9) Jesus proclaimed. 34 �O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gatherher brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in thename of the Lord.� (Luke 13:34-35) The persecution will bring all of Israel to their senses and they cry out to God for deliverance. Jesus comes to save the remnant of His people and they are the ones whowill enter the Millennial Kingdom alive and mortal. The rest of mankind who have been in rebellion will either be destroyed, or judged at the sheep and goat judgment or the Great White Throne of God and cast into the lake of fire. This is not dual-Covenant theology. There is only one Covenant by which men are saved. They are saved by faith that the shed Blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse themof all sin. That does not change during the Tribulation Period. But the focus of God's attention after the conclusion of the Age of Grace turns back to the Jews. During the final Week of the Age of the Law, the universal ministry ofthe Holy Spirit is withdrawn. (2nd Thessalonians 2:7) Going back to how I opened this message, there will be believers in the Tribulation who will succumb to the Antichrist's coercion and accept his mark to save their families. AndScripture is clear that those who do are forever lost. Tribulation believers will be saved by faith in Christ and enduring until the end, as in the Church Age, but without the guarantee of eternal security or the automatic indwellingof the Holy Spirit. Jesus described the tribulation as, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." It is the job of a watchman who sees the sword coming to provide a warning. I cry the warning to all who will see the light of Truth found in God's Word. 3 �If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken awayin his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.� (Ezekiel 33:3-6) Our blessed hope is found in the Scripture's promise that Jesus comes for His Church first. But after that, there is no guarantee of a second chance. Better a blessed hope than a false one. THE DECISION IS YOURS. So what about you? Do you have hope in the Savior of this world? Does the Lord Jesus live in your heart, or are you playing Russian Roulette with your immortal soul? Willyou be found ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus, as what Paul called the HARPAZO in 1st Thessalonians and 1st Corinthians, or the removal of His Church by force, without warning, popular called the rapture? If you are not ready for His soon appearing,now is the time to make that decision for the salvation of your immortal soul, that will spend eternity in blessed peace and glory, or spend in eternal torment and separation from God and all that is good, joyful, or Holy. Let me assure those that scoff atsuch a destination, thinking Hell is one big party. I even had some deceived individual say that �hell is where all the cool people go�...and one big party. Let me set you straight, the Lake of fire will be no party. It will take all your time for all eternityto just endure the suffering that Jesus said, the flame is not extinguished, or the worm dieth not, and there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Seek the Lord Jesus in belief and embrace these two passages that are the microcosm of what the whole of the LoveLetter to the world from our Savior.... 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.� (John 3:15-18) Seek His face and He will be right there for you when you fall on your knees and proclaim that you repent of your sins and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.� (Romans 10:8-11) Know that you may only get one chance this side of the coming Rapture of the Church, as you may or may not get another chance, especially this side of your own death, whichin the Tribulation is almost a guaranteed of either subjected to martyrdom, or doomed in the lake of Fire for taking the dreaded Mark of the Beast. Don't take that chance that you will survive either. Make that confession of faith and cry out to Jesus. Heis as close as a prayer... This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying your salvation through the only Way back to God found in my Lord Jesus Christ...If you need prayer, counseling, or just a friendly listeningear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com, God bless you all with His love and salvation. ------------------------------------------------------- Anti-Christ VS. New World Leader � Bill Perkins � www.compass.org What's the difference? Immediately after the world-astonishing Rapture of the Church, with the Holy Spirit no longer present restraining wholesale evil, Russia, Iran and several other nationswill invade Israel seeking to capture her gold and silver riches. (1) This massive invasion using nuclear weapons (2) will rock the world. With the entire planet watching, God will use this occasion to show things have hugely changed, a newdispensation has begun, and now Israel will once again be His primary world-focus. �You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; andyou will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.� Ezek. 38:15-16 God Himself will repel the multi-nation onslaught against Israel. He's been relatively quiet for some 2000 years, no huge visible miracles have occurred like the "partingof the Red Sea." But now the world will be dumbfounded, seeing first-hand that He's again actively protecting Israel. �I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.�� Ezek. 38:23 Since becoming a nation again in 1948, Israel has always been somewhat militarily restrained by the United States, who promised she'd be protected. But with the Rapture having decimated both the political and military forces in the U.S. due to the massive humanity exodus, Israel will be left standing alone. On the heels of this momentous victory and figuring this was her opportunity to take out the rest of her surrounding enemies for a very long time, Israel will begin to systematicallydestroy them, one by one. �In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the leftall the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem. Zech. 12:6 The powerless Arab nations will scream bloody murder for any kind of help as they are no match for Israel's military might. Israel will be on a military roll. A New World Leader Emerges It's at this point in time, seemingly out of nowhere, a man who is brilliant and a military genius will burst onto the world scene. Seizing the moment, this man will somehow be able to coax Israel into making a 7-year peace treaty(3) with 10 nations�five European and five Middle East (see inset imagefrom Daniel 2). This fast-talking man will give Israel whatever she wants to stop the carnage. Israel, being re-energized by God Himself repelling the multi-nation invasion, will negotiate the right to rebuild her beloved Temple so she can return to blood sacrificeson Mount Moriah. Then Israel will get another ego boost as Elijah shows up as prophesied in Malachi 4:5. 2900 years earlier Elijah had been whisked away in basically a UFO (unidentifiedflying object). John also will show up with Elijah (4), and they will measure out where the Temple is to be built on the Temple Mount�which was due west of the ancient location of the EasternGate. Then there was given me [John] a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, �Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. Leave outthe court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months." Rev. 11:1-2 The Jewish Temple building location laid out by Elijah and John will leave the Dome of the Rock and the two mosques in place to the south and room for the Pope to builda Christian church to the north. The three top religions in the world could then be located on the top of Mount Moriah. Plus, Israel making a treaty with her pagan enemies was not what the Lord had in mind either. He prefers conquering God-less nations, not throwing them a lifeline. �You shall make no covenant with [your enemies] Ex. 23:32 But Israel was not framing this situation Biblically and the decision will come back to haunt her. Not being able to offer sacrifices for their sins for almost 2000 years, the Jews will immediately begin planning to make their sacrifices even before the Temple itselfis completed. Blood sacrifices will horrify the rest of the world, but that will all have been agreed to in the 7-year peace treaty. The agreement put in place by the New World Leader will be a masterpiece. His true intentions will be hidden and quite evil�he will actually be just acquiescing to buy time. But Israel will buy the lie and the world will wildly celebrate the peace treaty because certainly World War III will have been avoided. This is where Revelation 6 picks up...the first of the four horsemen�our New World Leader will come riding in like a knight in shining armor.(5) While they are saying, �Peace and safety!� then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 1Th. 5:3 This will be the beginning of birth pangs, getting worse and worse for Israel and the world. Over the next 3 1/2 years, 50% of the earth will die to famine and disease. I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth,to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence ... Rev. 6:8 And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. Rev. 9:15 Needless to say, by the middle of the Tribulation, it's a miserable time to be alive. The New World Leader has to blame someone and, true to form, Israel will be the scapegoat. With more and more of the UN blue-helmeted troops stationed in Israel, purportedly for Israel's 7-year treaty protection, he will secretly and deceptively organize his armyfor a surprise strike. After he has arrived in Jerusalem to watch first-hand his plan unfold, he will die of a head wound. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly how he's killed, but he will be leftwith one eye and a withered right arm. I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, Rev. 13:3a �Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! A sword will be on his arm and on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered and his right eye will be blind.� Zech. 11:17 The Anti-Christ The world is shocked at the death of their leader. It's at this time that Satan's thrown from heaven to earth with the other fallen angels and join the worst of the demonsthat had been released from the bottomless pit. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angelswere thrown down with him. Rev. 12:9 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. Rev. 9:2 Since Satan is an angel, a spirit, he needs a body to indwell. So on the third day after the death of the New World Leader, Satan takes over the body, bringing it back tolife. ...and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; Rev. 13:3b Now that Satan has a body in which to live, He boldly claims/lies that Jesus was not the Messiah. He claims he alone is God's Messiah/Redeemer. His proof is the fact herose from the dead on the third day. From this time onward he is no longer the New World Leader, rather, he is the Anti-Christ, or false-Christ. The first thing he does is kill the two Jewish witnesses, John and Elijah. They had been causing a lot of the pain and suffering by stopping the world's rain and callingfire down from heaven on the people of earth. So the people of earth celebrate their death! When they [The 2 witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast [Satan] that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. Andtheir dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city...where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to belaid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Rev. 11:7-10 But the world's celebration was premature. By not burying the two men, the world sees them come alive, stand on their feet and slowly rise into the clouds above. But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. Andthey heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, �Come up here.� Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. Rev. 11:11-12 Undeterred, the Anti-Christ (Satan in human form) marches down to the new Jewish Temple. The Jews watch closely, knowing if he blasphemes in the Temple, God will strikehim dead. He immediately stops the sacrifices. Then he not only goes into the Temple, he also marches behind the curtain, into the Holy of Holies where no one but the Jewish HighPriest is allowed to go once a year on the Day of Atonement. Once there, with the cameras rolling, he raises his fist and proclaims, "I am God!" This fulfills these verses written to the Jews: �Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then thosewho are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursingbabies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Matt. 24:15-21 �Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. Dan. 11:31 So begins the last half of the Tribulation when Satan gets 3 1/2 years as the self-proclaimed Messiah. It doesn't go well. In 30 AD, Jesus spent 3 1/2 years on earth healing people. Satan will also get 3 1/2 years on earth, but he'll be killing people. Satan's reign ends with Jesus' 2nd Coming, but the entire world will have been mostly destroyed. Most people will have died. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. Is. 24:6 Quite a contrast between the work of Jesus and Satan on earth. So there you have the difference between the New World Leader and the Anti-Christ. In the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, it's the all-human New World Leader. In thesecond 3 1/2 years, it's the Anti-Christ�Satan in a human body. And by the grace of God, we'll miss all of it! References 1) https://compass.org/israels-coming-mind-blowing-gold-riches/ 2) Zech 14:12 3) Dan. 9:27 4) https://compass.org/the-identity-of-the-two-witnesses/ 5) https://compass.org/a-bow-without-arrows/ ---------------------------------------------------------- The Highway of Holiness - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org �And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for thosewho walk in God�s ways; fools will never walk there� �Isaiah 35:8 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-highway-of-holiness/- Listen In Charlotte, North Carolina, you�ll find the Billy Graham Parkway, dedicated to the greatest evangelist in history, in my opinion. It�s a great thing to be able to driveon a freeway bearing his name. But the Bible tells us there will be something even better than the Billy Graham Parkway. It�s the Highway of Holiness: �And a great road will go through that once desertedland. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God�s ways; fools will never walk there� (Isaiah 35:8 NLT). During the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, holiness will prevail. Today, the opposite of holiness prevails. Or society celebrates evil and makes fun of goodness. But aday is coming when there will be holiness. And then, at the end of the Millennium, Heaven and Earth will become one. John wrote, �Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth haddisappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, �Look, God�s home is now among his people!He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them�� (Revelation 21:1�3 NLT). Have you ever heard someone describe something as �Heaven on Earth�? Well, one day it literally will be Heaven on Earth when the two merge together. Heaven will come down to Earth one day. In fact, the Bible tells us that God�s plan is to bring all things in Heaven and Earth together under one head: Jesus Christ (seeEphesians 1:10). Jesus will make Earth into Heaven and Heaven into Earth. VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM