“The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” (Revelation 13:2-4)
Believe it or not, this will come to happen!!!!
This is the whole truth, nothing but the truth. The antichrist will begin ruling from Europe, but from which country or capital city, the Bible does not say. One truth we need to be aware of is that he will not be the pope. In Rev. 17, he and the pope are fighting against each other. Let me breathe in and out and comment briefly about some verses in Rev.17. Wherever you see the image of a woman in the Bible, what comes to your mind? In the New Testament, woman or bride represents the church.
Therefore Rev. 17:1-6, appears to mean Rome, the Universal headquarters of Roman Catholicism. There is no other denomination worldwide which has more both temporal and religious influence than Catholic Church. If then these verse are meant for her, and considering the truth that the rapture has already taken place, then this must be the apostate church during the antichrist period. What about other denominations? Those who were not genuine believers or not born again but were religious are also included in the apostate church.
Two important things to note here. Rome was the seat of the world power during the birth, spreading, and persecution of Christianity. Rome was the center of the birth of unbiblical Christian faith and practices which are refereed to here as blasphemy, abomination, prostitution and Adultery. During the period which the church historians call “Dark ages” and reformation period, the Roman Catholic Church has been the worst center of many Christian martyrs in the History of the Christianity.
The pope and the antichrist cannot be one and the same. While this “Lawless one” is ruling over the federation of Europe, that is when Russia and her allies will consolidate themselves. Therefore there will be at this time two camps-the Northern confederacy (Russia with Asia and Arab allies) and the Western Europe confederacy (Nations which were within the previous Roman Empire). Don’t be amazed that Britain votes to leave the European Union which it negotiated to join in 1970’s. This is a critical move in history. Before Britain joined the E.U one of its major goal was to “bring an end to conflicts in Europe, and point the continent to a better future…” (Sir Crispin Tickell, after participating in the negotiations that led to the UK’s accession to the EEC). Remember Britain was never within the previous Roman Empire.
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of Russia and her confederacy was to completely destroy Israel nation. During the first three and half years of the tribulation period Israel will be in her land, and Palestine will be at peace, trusting the covenant made by the head of the common market to defend them so that they may re-establish the ancient rituals of Judaism.
It definitely appears that this provision will also assure protection while Israel rebuilds the Temple in Jerusalem which is the center of her religious faith and practices. The Dome of the Rock, the Islamic Mosque, must therefore be removed during the first half of the seven years of the tribulation period. Which the European common market will do without much effort. If you have been keenly following the political developments in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian and Arab nations, you already know that these nations do not recognize the Independence of Israel as a nation in her own land. And this is biblical anyway. At the middle of the tribulation, the covenant, which guarantees Israel independence in her land, will be broken. Remember Israel as God’s chosen nation had never depended on other nations for defense. God is their deliverer.
After that the head of the European confederacy will move into Palestine (Daniel 11:11-45), and in the Temple and proclaim himself as god incarnate (2 Tess. 2:4, Matt. 24:15), and demand sacrifices to be offered to him. This will mark the beginning of the severest tribulation never experienced on earth. With this, the post- rapture believers in Christ (when the Armageddon is about to begin) will flee to the mountains for protection (Matt.24:16; Rev. 12:6, 14). Then according to Ezekiel 38-39, Russia, Asia and Arabs will move into Palestine.
Zechariah describes this invasion against Jerusalem in chapters 12:2-3 and 14:1. The Russia and her allies will destroy the city, and they will withdraw and set up a great military camp at Megiddo. However God will not accept this challenge, so He will supernaturally judge the invaders at the plains of Megiddo (Ezekiel 32:22). This act will impel the Jews to know and believe in their Messiah Jesus (Ezekiel 39:6-8 cf Zech. 2:10)
With this intervention, the antichrist, and the false prophet (Leader of the apostate church) will consolidate their power over the earth through miraculous acts committed by the power of Satan. They will prepare for the war with China. These armies will be assembled and deployed for battle at a place called Armageddon (Zach 12:2, 3:14:1, 2; Rev.9:15-18; 16:19, Isaiah25:40).
As the battle of Armageddon reaches its climax and all life on earth is at stake, in this very moment, CHRIST WILL RETURN, SAVE MANKIND FROM SELF-EXTINCTION, and judge between the nations (Jews and Gentile tribulation survivors) on the basis of Matt.25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Rev. 20:1-3).The Bible says, “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.” Until Satan is judged that tome, it would be impossible to bind and throw Satan into the bottomless pit. Christ will then set up his 1000 (millennial) year’s rule of peace on earth with the headquarters literally in Jerusalem Israel. The first resurrection believers and those who will be glorified during rapture will rule with Christ. The Bible says, “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6).
Finally, at the close of the millennium, the devil that was bound will be loosed. He will deceive the nations successfully just as he did before (Rev. 20:8), leading men into open and violent revolution against Christ. All nations of earth will follow the devil, even some of the leaders who were part of the millennial government. The devil and his followers will head for Jerusalem, but just then God will send fire from heaven to destroy them completely. The scriptures says, “They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” (Rev, 20:9).
Then a great white throne will be established after the replacing of the present earth and heavens (Rev.20:11-15). Christ will sit on the throne as the Judge to Judge the UNSAVED of all ages. The scriptures says, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22). All the redeemed will have already been judged before the judgement seat of Christ after rapture (cf Rev. 20:6). Such is the nature of the end times, the last things (eschatology). Christ will rule forever as king and everyone will acknowledge his Lordship. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Rev, 22:21).
By Rev. Andrew k Mugo and Pr. Peninah Kariuki
A MOMENT OF SPIRITUAL REFLECTION: HAVE YOU EVER MEDITATED ABOUT THE END?
