The scriptures regarding the antichrist are scattered throughout the Bible, which at times, makes it a bit difficult to put all the pieces together and see the big picture. This writing will examine the scriptures and layout the rise of the antichrist. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to expound our understanding as we see what He is saying about the timeline and rise of the antichrist. As always, we focus on Jesus and live for Him, but the Lord does want us to be aware of the coming antichrist for our own protection and preparation.
Mystery Babylon
Before we can get too far into discussing the reign of the antichrist, we must look at how he is given the opportunity to rise to power. His rise to global influence begins with Mystery Babylon. Satan has been using this hidden entity for longer than most are aware. She is a principality that controls wealthy people internationally. Mystery Babylon is both the spirit and a small group of wealthy elites. She is referred to as “The Great City,” because of her wealth, power, and influence:
“The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over and dominates and controls the kings and the political leaders of the earth.”” (Revelation 17:18 AMP)
As we see from the word of God, this wicked woman now controls most of the earth’s current political leaders. She is the one who currently rules the world. She puts politicians in office, and gives them wealth and power. Mystery Babylon controls these world leaders through coercion and sexual vice. She controls the people of the earth by controlling the kings of the earth. The “waters” in scripture are the people of the nations:
“For all the nations have drunk from the wine of the passion of her [sexual] immorality, and the kings and political leaders of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury.”” (Revelation 18:3 AMP)
“Then the angel said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.” (Revelation 17:15 AMP)
She has been in power for at least a few thousand years controlling the world leaders, as she is responsible for the death of the saints:
“I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints (God’s people), and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus [who were martyred]. When I saw her, I wondered in amazement.” (Revelation 17:6 AMP)
At the time John was given the vision, the great whore has already sat on or controlled five kingdoms. The whore controlled the six kingdom or “mountain” during the time of John (Rome). And the seventh king with the seventh kingdom is coming in our time (Revelation 17:9-10). The beast is both a person and a kingdom, just as a city is both people and buildings.
The great city of wickedness is responsible for all of the sexual immorality being spread across the world. Mystery Babylon is responsible for sex trafficking, and child trafficking (slavery) that occurs on a global level (Revelation 18:13). The wealthy ruling class who control the world are not going to repent. Their hearts are dark and the Bible prophesies of their fate:
“After these things I heard something like the great and mighty shout of a vast multitude in heaven, exclaiming, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory (splendor, majesty) and power (dominion, might) belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous. He has judged [convicted and pronounced sentence on] the great prostitute (idolatress) who was corrupting and ruining and poisoning the earth with her adultery (idolatry), and He has imposed the penalty for the blood of His bond-servants on her.”” (Revelation 19:1-2 AMP)
As we can see from the above passage, the saints in Heaven are rejoicing because of God’s righteous judgment. This contradicts a lot of teaching in the present day church. Thankfully we have time to agree with God and His judgment, therefore labeling His judgment as “good.” This does mean that actual people who are controlling political leaders will be judged and die. From a Heavenly perspective, this is good.
The Ten Kings
God will allow 10 world leaders to arise in His timing. The Lord will use these 10 leaders to destroy Mystery Babylon because her sins are full, and ready for judgment. God is long suffering and gives much time for repentance, but He has a limit for everyone and everything. To allow unrepentant wickedness is not righteous judgment, which is contrary to God’s nature.
The destruction of Mystery Babylon is exactly what Satan desires, at the proper time. Satan will use the 10 world leaders to exalt his antichrist to power. It’s amazing how the Lord will use for good, what Satan is using for evil.
“The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but [together] they receive authority as kings for a single hour [for a common purpose] along with the beast. These [kings] have one purpose [one mind, one common goal], and they give their power and authority to the beast. And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked [stripped of her power and influence], and will eat her flesh and completely consume her with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to carry out His purpose by agreeing together to surrender their kingdom to the beast, until the [prophetic] words of God will be fulfilled.” (Revelation 17:12-13, 16-17 AMP)
Satan desires to give the world a savior because Satan is against or anti-Christ. Therefore Satan will offer an alternative to Jesus. A world savior of political power and military might. A man of sin and lawlessness inwardly, but outwardly a good man and a savior to the world in it’s darkest hour. It is taught that this rising world leader will develop an international peace treaty. Could it be that this man of sin will make a covenant with the global church?
“And he will enter into a binding and irrevocable covenant with the many for one week (seven years), but in the middle of the week he will stop the sacrifice and grain offering [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until the complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who causes the horror.”” (Daniel 9:27 AMP)
Once this covenant or treaty is ratified, it will begin a 7 year countdown to the end of the age. During the first three and a half years of this period, many around the world will be saying “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). However the time of peace will be short lived. Once the covenant is broken, the great tribulation begins with three and a half years until the the end of the age (Daniel 12:11-12).
The Rise of the Beast
After the 10 global leaders destroy Mystery Babylon (the wealthy controlling elite) they will have global authority. The antichrist will then begin to arise. He is referred to as the “little horn.” He will take out and remove 3 of the 10 world leaders by his rising to power (Daniel 7:20). The remaining 7 world rulers will turn their kingdoms over willingly to the antichrist.
The rising antichrist will be clouded in deception. Masses of people around the nations will be tricked into believing that he is a good man. People claiming to be Christians, who are continually sinning against the new covenant of Jesus Christ, will be corrupted by the flattery of the antichrist (Daniel 11:32). Those who said “yes” to Christ, but then went on living their lives for themselves and are still given to worldly pleasures, will not welcome the truth as to work out their salvation in fear and trembling. It’s some of these vessels that the Lord will send upon a misleading influence (error and deception), “so they will believe the lie, in order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
The antichrist will arise to a world platform in the final seven years of this age, but will not come in to his full power and authority until the final three and a half years of this age. The beginning of the final seven years of this age will be marked by the emerging of the two witnesses.
Misconceptions of the Antichrist
Some believers have been taught that the antichrist will be Jewish, however the Bible does not state this. We must be careful not to project what we believe or what we have heard preached as absolute truth. The antichrist could be Jewish, but He certainly does not have to be. The antichrist could have Jewish DNA that no one would ever know about. There are many scenarios that we can’t know or see.
People use the following verse to justify that the antichrist if Jewish:
And he shall not regard any gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, neither shall he regard any deity: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Daniel 11:37 Brenton LXX)
Some translates capitalize the ‘G’ for the word God. The Septuagint translation, which was quoted often by Jesus and the apostles, translates the word ‘gods’ not ‘God.” Indeed the Hebrew word can be translated either way. Therefore this scripture does not have to be referring to the Jewish God, but could be referring to other gods as the Septuagint and Amplified translations indicate.
Others argue that the antichrist must be Jewish because the Jews will only accept a Jew as the messiah. However Daniel Chapter 11 indicates the antichrist and his armies will be marching on Israel to conquer it, meaning the antichrist was not accepted as the ruler of Israel. If he was accepted as ruler, he would not have any need to capture Israel by force:
““At the end time the king of the South will push and attack him (the Antichrist), and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots and horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overwhelm them and pass through. He shall also enter the Beautiful and Glorious Land (Israel), and many countries will fall, but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab, and the foremost [core] of the people of Ammon.” (Daniel 11:40-41 AMP)
Obviously the antichrist will be a political and military leader. Many believers confuse false prophets arising in Israel and other places as being the antichrist. Some confuse the Pope as a candidate for the antichrist. These men do not have the political and military power to be the antichrist. The antichrist will be a global leader. False prophets are generally spiritual leaders.
Some believers argue that the antichrist must be Jewish because of the ‘abomination of desolation.’ They state that the antichrist will stand in a literal rebuilt Jewish temple and declare himself to be god. But if a Jewish temple was rebuilt, it would not be called the temple of God by New Testament scripture. The New Testament temple of God is His people (living stones built into a temple). The Holy Spirit would never call an physical building ‘the temple of God’ again, as it would contradict all of the New Testament and the revealing of what the temple of God actually is. If the antichrist was going to stand in a physical temple and declare himself god, the Bible would actually state that it was a Jewish temple. Instead, the antichrist will stand in God’s temple (His church), and declare himself God.
Others have argued that the antichrist will not be physically attracted to or have a desire for women, but is this really what the scripture states?
“He will have no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he have regard for any other god, for he shall magnify himself above them all.” (Daniel 11:37 AMP)
The scripture actually states that the antichrist “will have no regard for the desire of women,” just as he doesn’t have any regard for the gods of his fathers. In others words, he will not care about what women desire. This scripture has been misinterpreted and preached incorrectly. The Holy Spirit shows us the truth if we take time and meditate on it. It would do us good to be taught by the Holy Spirit instead of being dogmatic about the traditions of men.
The Two Witnesses
I believe that the final seven years of this age will begin with the measuring of the temple of God or the holy city of God (Revelation 11:1-2). The scriptures make it evident that the temple and the city of God are His people (Hebrews 12:22-24, Revelation 21:2-3, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:5). The church will be measured by God to see if she is upright, level, straight, and righteous. Her love and devotion for Christ will be tried. The measuring will begin with the appearing of the two witnesses. Their ministry will be to the holy city (God’s people who are born again believers), and to a physical earthly city of people (Jerusalem) who are not born again believers in Jesus. The two witnesses will be granted three and a half years of earthly ministry (like their Master Jesus).
Contrary to popular prophetic teaching, these prophets will release severe judgments by their prophesying (according to God’s will). They will be marked and protected by God so that they cannot die for three and a half years. Anyone who tries to kill them will be killed by the judgment of God coming forth from the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3-6). These prophets will trouble the world and the luke warm church by their messages:
“And those who dwell on the earth will gloat and exult over them and rejoice exceedingly, taking their ease and sending presents [in congratulation] to one another, because these two prophets had been such a vexation and trouble and torment to all the dwellers on the earth.” (Revelation 11:10 AMPC)
They will “trouble” the people of the earth with their message, because they won’t be preaching much of what the current church is preaching. They will be pointing to Christ and the cross-life. These messengers will be declaring the coming King and His judgments, and not a pop-culture American gospel message with trendy words and entertainment references. They will take a stand against the sins of the church. The Lord will measure believers with a plum-line through the preaching of these vessels. Many will be troubled by the message of the witnesses, because many people love their lives and don’t want to repent. Many in the church will hate the message of judgment as they view the events in the Book of Revelation as some sort of fairy tale.
These two witnesses will obviously be opposed by the antichrist system. They will equally be opposed by believers who do not believe in the judgment of God, or that prophets can prophesy the judgment of God. When certain believers hear the prophetic words of judgment coming from these prophets they will publicly renounce them as frauds and messengers of Satan. Ministers and believers will actually be found fighting against God. They will condemn God’s true prophets and therefore bring judgment upon themselves. This will be because they loved to believe the lie that God doesn’t judge, more than they loved the truth that He does judge.
Those who oppose the witnesses of God will be exposed to the judgment that comes forth from them, wether the opposition is from Christians or unbelievers. These witnesses have a “plumb-line ministry.” Their very presence, preaching, and prophesying measures the people of God. Some of God’s temple will stand the test and hold up under the measuring. Some of God’s temple will not stand and fall away.
These two specific witnesses will be ministering from Jerusalem. They will be the leaders of a company of witnesses across the nations. The Lord will make sure every nation of His choosing has the appropriate amount of witnesses according to the need and or size of the nation. The Lord is faithful, righteous, and a just judge. This company of witnesses will carry the same responsibility and calling of the two witnesses. Together they will enact the global end time prophetic ministry. Though the two witnesses will be killed, other messengers may be protected all the way until Jesus’ second coming. Each messenger will survive as long as the Lord wills, and the Lord will make sure there are messengers on earth during the tribulation.
Elijah will return before the great and terrible day of God’s wrath and judgment in order to be apart of the global prophetic movement (Malachi 4:5-6). How and in what way he returns is determined by the Lord. He could appear publicly or he could appear privately to prepare messengers.
The Final Three and a Half Years
This is the point in time where everything changes. Many large events will take place around the same time which will spark the final three and a half years of the age. We will list major events in order to help see the “big picture.”
The Death
The antichrist or the man of sin will die or appear to die. However, Satanic power will resurrect or heal the antichrist (Revelation 13:3,12 and Revelation 17:8-11). The antichrist will be the seventh ruler or king that John the prophet is shown. He will then be alive no longer when he is killed or wounded. But then the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit and heals the ruler. Now the seventh ruler becomes the eighth, but he is different from all the rest that went before him. He is different because of the beast that has come out of the bottomless pit (prison for demons and fallen angels), possesses him. Just as the Father resurrected His Son Jesus to be savior of the world; Satan resurrects his son the antichrist by the possession of a fallen angel (the beast). The rising of the beast is marked by the blowing of the fifth trumpet.
The Ascension
“Then the fifth angel sounded [his trumpet], and I saw a star (angelic being) that had fallen from heaven to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit (abyss) was given to him (the star-angel). He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke like the smoke of a great furnace flowed out of the pit; and the sun and the atmosphere were darkened by the smoke from the pit.” (Revelation 9:1-2 AMP)
When the fifth trumpet is blown, I believe Satan and his angels will be cast down from the Heavens and confined to the earth (there will be more explanation on this topic). The star that falls is a fallen angel. The fallen angel is given the key by God, to open the bottomless pit. The beast cannot ascend out of the abyss until it is unlocked. Once the fallen angel opens the bottomless pit, the beast ascends out of the pit and resurrects the antichrist. The antichrist now becomes the beast. He is strengthened with supernatural Satanic power. He will then kill the two witnesses:
When they have finished their testimony and given their evidence, the beast that comes up out of the abyss (bottomless pit) will wage war with them, and overcome them and kill them.” (Revelation 11:7 AMP)
The wording would suggest that beast kills the witnesses right after he is released since the word “comes” is in present tense.
The Fall of the Dragon
The event that sparks the empowerment of the antichrist is the confinement of Satan to the earth (Revelation 12:3, 7-12). Michael and his angels win a war against Satan and his angels. They are cast down to the earth, and Satan takes a third of the angels (stars) with him. One of those stars or angels is given the key to the abyss in order to release the beast. A second beast (fallen angel) is also released and rises up to possess a prominent religious leader who becomes the false prophet (Revelation 13:11-18).
Now that Satan and his angels are fully confined to the earth, they are no longer above the earth in Heavenly places as they are currently located (Ephesians 6:12). When the final three and a half years of this age begin, we will struggle with principalities and powers in earthly places (Revelation 8:13, 12:12). This is why the tribulation will be so severe.
It is very important that we understand the timing of Revelation Chapter 12. If we read the context of chapters 11 through 14, we see that the scriptures are speaking of the final three and a half years. This time frame is mentioned numerous times. John the prophet/apostle received this revelation of Jesus Christ about 60 years after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. So clearly Revelation Chapter 12 is not speaking of Jesus which would be past tense and already in Heaven. Brothers and sisters, Revelation Chapter 12 is speaking of the future and the final years of this age. With that proper context we can accurately interpret and divide the word of God. If we do not understand the timing, we are at great risk of misinterpreting the scriptures.
When Satan is confined to the earth, he attacks a woman (the church) who is getting ready to birth the man child (overcomers). These are those who are destined to rule the nations with Christ as overcomers (Revelation 2:26-29, 12:1-6). Revelation chapter 12 is very heavy in symbolism and is not speaking of Christ being caught up. One thing I can say for certain, the church didn’t birth Christ. Christ birthed the church. I have a complete teaching on the rapture of the man child, so I will not go into detail in this article.
Once the man child is caught up to the throne of God, Satan makes war with believers who are on course to become the bride and overcome the tribulation. The Lord does not take them from the earth, but provides a safe place of protection for them on the earth for three and a half years (time, times, and half a time). When Satan sees that this part of the church is being protected, he goes after other believers who are saved; but don’t have the same relationship or protection from the Lord. It’s this last group mentioned that faces the biggest risk of being killed during the tribulation (Revelation 12:13-17).
The Worship and the Persecution
The world will see the miracle resurrection of the antichrist as a sign from God and wonder after the beast. Many will believe that the antichrist is God. When the beast possess the antichrist, he will stand in the church (God’s temple or spiritual house) and declare himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This will be the full revealing of the antichrist for those believers who know both the written word and the Living Word. Those believers who are awake, alert, watching, and praying will recognize the antichrist immediately. For those believers who are luke-warm, spiritually cold, or who claim Christianity in word only; the great falling away will commence. These believers will not be protected in the final three and a half years.
The antichrist will stand in the holy place that only Jesus should stand in (the temple of God or the church). He will attempt to usurp Jesus as “head” of the church. The antichrist will be the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet and Jesus the Prophet (Matthew 24:15). The man of sin will attempt to stop the daily sacrifice of prayer and worship offered to Jesus Christ by directing it to himself. He will do this by changing the laws. He will exalt himself equal to that of the Commander of the host of Heaven. And because of transgressions and sinful living among God’s people, many Christians will be turned over to persecution and tribulation (Daniel 8:10-12).
The daily sacrifice of God’s people meeting together publicly to worship Him will come to a stop globally as the antichrist takes control, and prohibits public assembly to the Jesus we know and serve. He will declare himself the Christ that is to be worshiped. He will release persecution against the true church. This world-wide persecution will be allowed by God to test and purify believers. It will separate those who are claiming Christ or only follow Him for what He does for them, from those believers who really want and love the true Jesus. Daniel 9:27 confirms that the abomination of desolation will take place in the middle of the final seven years of this age.
The False Prophet
As mentioned, the second beast from the bottomless pit will possess a man referred to as the false prophet. Some trusted prophets believe this man will be the pope. Regardless, the man will be influential. He will be given great power by Satan and will work miracles, signs, and wonders. Believers who worship signs, wonders, and miracles will be given over to their idols and swept away in the delusion. If possible, the very elect charismatic believers/leaders will be deceived. The power coming from the false prophet and his company of false prophets will mirror the power of God. It will lead way to confusion for those who only know Jesus “the miracle worker” or “healer,” and don’t know Christ inwardly as their life.
The false prophet will give the charismatic church the gifts and power they have been chasing. He will plunge many into deception (Matthew 24:10-11, 24). This second beast will direct worship to the antichrist. He will use his miracle working power to confirm to the world that the first beast is actually God or Jesus who has returned. Believers who do not know the scriptures in regard to how Jesus is actually returning (Matthew 24:21-31), are at risk of deception. Jesus will return as a King coming in the clouds in a large worldwide event. He will not be appearing on the earth as a man again. He is returning in glory, majesty, and power for the entire earth to see.
The false prophet will institute a mark that people must take in order to buy or sell goods (Revelation 13:16-18). The Bible is clear that the mark is the name of the antichrist or the number that identifies the antichrist (666). It is a mark of ownership, submission, and worship. It is important to discern how the mark is instituted: with manipulation and coercion. You either have to get the mark, or you will not be able to function in society. We should take heed of anything that is pushed on us in this capacity. Forced submission by manipulation or coercion is anti-Christ in nature. Christ gives us free will to choose. The antichrist desires to force us to submit to his authoritarianism.
Just as the antichrist will declare himself God, and head of the church; the false prophet will declare that the antichrist is indeed God. The false prophet will give life to the image of the beast, and those who resist worshipping it will be put to death. This parallels the image that Nebuchadnezzar set up and commanded his subjects to worship (Daniel 3). Anyone who did not worship this image was to be put to death. Resistance to this coming declaration, and the mark, will open the door to the global persecution of the church.
The Persecution
“As I kept looking, that horn was making war with the saints (believers) and overpowering them” (Daniel 7:21 AMP)
“He will speak words against the Most High [God] and wear down the saints of the Most High, and he will intend to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, [two] times, and half a time [three and one-half years].” (Daniel 7:25 AMP)
Daniel was shown the empowerment of the antichrist and his persecution of the church. He was shown how long the persecution would last. Daniel’s revelation fits perfectly with the revelation John was given:
“They fell down and worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like (as great as) the beast, and who is able to wage war against him?” And the beast was given a mouth (the power of speech), uttering great things and arrogant and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom and authority to act and to do as he pleased for forty-two months (three and a half years). He was also permitted to wage war against the saints (God’s people) and to overcome them, and authority and power over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-5, 7 AMP)
If only it were as simple as some teachers, leaders, and believers proclaim. But the fact is, the antichrist will be permitted to wage war and overcome many believers. We must not explain away the scriptures with “feel good” positive theologies. We must seek the truth and want to know the reality of what the Lord has revealed. How could the antichrist be permitted to wage war against the saints if there are not any saints on the earth?
“With smooth words [of flattery and praise] he will turn to godlessness those who [are willing to] disregard the [Mosaic] covenant, but the people who [are spiritually mature and] know their God will display strength and take action [to resist]. They who are wise and have spiritual insight among the people will instruct many and help them understand; yet for many days some [of them and their followers] will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder. Now when they fall they will receive a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. Some of those who are [spiritually] wise and have insight will fall [as martyrs] in order to refine, to purge and to make those among God’s people pure, until the end time; because it is yet to come at the time appointed [by God].” (Daniel 11:32-35 AMP)
There is a great global persecution coming. Greater and more intense than anytime in history. Martyrdom will come to America and other countries in which it is viewed as a fairy tale. I have to warn of this. The scriptures make it clear that believers will die in the tribulation (Revelation 7: 9, 13-14 and Revelation 20:4). We must prepare spiritually, mentally, and physically. Blessed are those believers who refuse to take the mark of the beast and die during the tribulation period (Revelation 14:9-13).
The End
Believers and unbelievers that take the mark of the beast will suffer eternal damnation (Revelation 14:9-12). Those who choose to take the mark of the beast to survive, prove that they loved their earthly lives’ more than an eternal Heavenly life. They show that their faith was in a physical world instead of a spiritual one. If we truly love Christ, then we will be willing to die for Him. Our worship must only be to Him. Taking the mark of the beast is to worship Satan.
We should note that immediately after the three and a half year time frame of believers being overcome by the antichrist, the Lord has the reapers (angels) harvest the unbelievers and believers (Revelation 14:14-20). This agrees with Jesus’ teaching that the harvest would occur at the end of the age. Jesus stated that the tares (unbelievers) could not be harvested before the wheat (believers). This also means that the believers can’t be harvested before the unbelievers. To pull one up before the other would uproot the other one. Therefore they both have to grow together and are harvested at the same time as Jesus taught (Matthew 16:24-30, 36-43). Any teaching contrary to what Jesus taught is antichrist in nature. He is the Teacher and His true disciples will submit to His teaching. His teaching is not confusing.
The Heavenly court will rule after the three and a half tribulation is complete:
“But the court [of the Most High] will sit in judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, [first to be] consumed [gradually] and [then] to be destroyed forever. Then the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints (believers) of the Most High; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’” (Daniel 7:26-27 AMP)
The antichrist will meet his end at Christ’s return:
“But rumors from the east and from the north will alarm and disturb him, and he will set out with great fury to destroy and to annihilate many. He will pitch his palatial tents between the seas and the glorious Holy Mountain (Zion); yet he will come to his end with no one to help him [in his final battle with God].” (Daniel 11:44-45 AMP)
……But he will be broken, and that by no human hand [but by the hand of God].” (Daniel 8:25 AMP)
“Then I saw the beast and the kings and political leaders of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who is mounted on the [white] horse and against His army. And the beast (Antichrist) was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who, in his presence, had performed [amazing] signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were hurled alive into the lake of fire which blazes with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds fed ravenously and gorged themselves with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:19-21 AMP)
Salvation in the Tribulation
The Lord never removes our free will from us. As long as we are in this natural body, we have the free will to choose God or Satan. Deception will be sweeping the nations during the tribulation period, and it will be very difficult to choose the Lord then. It will be possible though. Some modern Pharisees are teaching that people cannot be saved during the tribulation as if their free will is somehow taken from them by God. Once a person dies they no longer have a chance to choose the Lord. But the Lord is merciful and does not want anyone to perish. I believe many could still choose to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus during the tribulation.
People should not wait to believe in Jesus until the tribulation as this would be a great mistake. If people delay their decision they may never make the decision. However, think about all the teenagers who have never made a commitment to Christ, and are thrust into the great tribulation when the antichrist arises. There will be many young people globally who will have a chance to accept the real Jesus, even after the false Messiah has come. The church will be at war in more ways than one. The church must battle the antichrist and the deception. She must also snatch as many unbelievers out of Hellfire as possible. I feel the Lords mercy and love even now for those during that time period who are young in age, and were not given a lot of time to repent and turn to Jesus.
The church has a mission and a destiny before her. She must press on and bring in the harvest in the darkest of times. She must pull beloved souls out of the grasp of Satan. Jesus came to die for sinners, and the work will not be over until He returns. During the darkest hour we must stand in the Hope that Jesus is. I don’t want to escape that time. I want to be here so Jesus can minister and flow through me. This will be the finest hour for the church. This is the battle that the Holy Spirit has been preparing us for. The harvest is not over until the majority of earth’s crop is harvested (wheat and tares).
The scripture in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 will apply to many people worldwide, and Hell is their fate. But God is the Judge and He decides how many people it applies to, and he decides how many people to show mercy to because they haven’t had enough time to welcome and love the truth. Pharisees will be quick to condemn all unbelievers, but mercy triumphs over judgment. Those who need to get right with the Lord should do so now, but as long as someone has not taken the mark of the beast or died, there is hope. The true church will need to expose the false christ and point to the real Christ during the tribulation. This means we will need to completely disobey global governance, and completely obey our Heavenly government.
In the tribulation there will be a war that kills approximately 1/3 of the earths’s population. After that, the Bible states that “the rest of mankind” does not repent (Revelation 9:19-21). Like other passages throughout the Bible, I believe this is speaking in a general sense. The overwhelming majority of the remaining people in the world will not repent because they are under delusion, but Christ will arise in His people. His glory will be seen upon His people as the great darkness covers the nations. Some unbelievers will be drawn to the brightness of the rising of the overcoming remnant church (the bride).
I have heard people preach from Revelation 9:19-21, and state that no one can be saved any longer during the tribulation. Most won’t be, but to imply the Lord takes away free will is against His nature. Some say the Holy Spirit will be taken from the earth. The Bible never specifically says this, God is everywhere, and the Holy Spirit dwells in His people. He will use His church to be ministers of mercy in the midst of incredible judgment and death, so that some might be saved and have eternal life. The following scripture can be used to help illustrate my point:
“He was also permitted to wage war against the saints (God’s people) and to overcome them, and authority and power over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (Revelation 13:7 AMP)
The scripture reads as if the antichrist will overcome all of the believers in the tribulation. Revelation 12:13-16 states the Lord will protect some believers in the tribulation. The above scripture also states that the antichrist will have control over every nation. But we see from Daniel chapter 11 that other nations will be resisting the antichrist and at war with him. We see from Zechariah Chapters 12 and 14, Israel will be at war and resisting the antichrist. So it can be determined that the antichrist will have control of the majority of the world, but not every single nation. So the majority of unbelievers will not repent in the tribulation, but some could repent if they choose to do so. The truth cannot be found in one scripture verse alone, but in the combining of multiple verses. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to understand the scriptures.
The Survivors
The old age will pass away and the new age will come. The age of Christ ruling and reigning the earth for 1,000 years. There will be people who survived the tribulation who neither knew Christ or took the mark of the beast. The scriptures are very vague on this subject, but when you examine multiple passages; one can grasp at least some of the understanding:
“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:22-27 NKJV)
The scriptures states that only the nations that are saved will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. Meaning that some nations were not saved, did not go to Hell, and cannot walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. This would indicate that the antichrist didn’t reach every single nation on the earth with the mark of the beast. In a general sense, the antichrist will have global control, but not complete control over every single nation. He may not consider some nations “important” or worth controlling. He will also be limited on time because his reign is short. If some people groups are able to live off of the land and be self-sufficient, why would they need to take a mark to buy or sell? Certain people groups may be completely isolated from the judgments and the antichrist’s influence. Many will be opposed to authoritarianism even if they aren’t saved. We don’t know how many people will survive globally.
“But be glad and rejoice forever over what I create; Behold, I am creating Jerusalem to be a source of rejoicing And her people a joy. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives only a few days, Or an old man who does not finish his days; For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought of as accursed.” (Isaiah 65:18-20 AMP)
The above scripture makes it clear that people survived the tribulation. Believers are raptured and resurrected at Christ’s coming and have eternal life. Those that took the mark of the beast will be in Hell. That leaves the third category. The people who survived the tribulation, who are living longer but can still die, and are populating the earth in the millennium. Believers in the millennium will certainly not be dying, but will live forever with Christ.
There will still be judgment in the millennium. If nations do not come to the Heavenly Jerusalem that descended out of Heaven to celebrate being tabernacled in God’s glory, they will face judgment:
“Then everyone who is left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them. If the family of Egypt does not go up [to Jerusalem] and present themselves, then no rain will fall on them. It will be the plague with which the Lord will strike the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). This will be the [consequent] punishment [for the sin] of Egypt, and the [consequent] punishment [for the sin] of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (Zechariah 14:16-19 AMP)
The people “left of all the nations” will start living longer. 100 years old will be a young age to die. In just a thousand years the earth’s population will reach a high level. Now the inhabitants of the earth will be given a final choice. Will they choose Christ or Satan?
The Second Coming of Satan
The Lord uses Satan as a pawn. And the Lord’s pawn will have one last function before he is cast into the lake of fire for eternity. He will be permitted to deceive the nations once again, so the millennium generation will have a choice of who they want their master to be.
“And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison (the abyss), and will come out to deceive and mislead the nations which are in the four corners of the earth—[including] Gog and Magog—to gather them together for the war; their number is like the sand of the seashore. And they swarmed up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints (God’s people) and the beloved city [Jerusalem]; but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was hurled into the lake of fire and burning brimstone (sulfur), where the beast (Antichrist) and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7-10 AMP)
Clearly people survived the tribulation and populated the earth again or else this scenario wouldn’t even be possible. It’s almost unbelievable that Satan could deceive so many people in the millennium. The world will be filled with such peace, harmony, and glory. It’s difficult to imagine how Satan will pull so many people away to himself, since believers will be ministering to people and proclaiming Christ for a thousand years. The Lord will prepare His church in the millennium for this final battle against darkness. More understanding of this event will be released to the Lord’s overcomers who are ruling and reigning on the earth with Him once we enter into the 1,000 year reign of Christ.
The New Jerusalem will descend from Heaven after Christ returns and before Satan is put in the bottomless pit. This is evident because when Satan is released from the pit, he gathers the nations and attacks the “beloved city” or the New Jerusalem in which Christ will rule and reign from. The city is Christ’s bride (His overcomers) and it is a literal Heavenly City. Just as a city in the natural is both structures and people.
The Golden Age
Those who long for Christ will get their hearts’ desire. We can have Him right now in this age, and become one with Him as He and the Father are One. Believers who desire this will have it, and become the bride. The two becoming one. The bride with the bridegroom. These overcomers will then overcome any tribulation that is released on the earth. No obstacle will keep these overcomers from their Beloved.
Let us pray that Christ becomes our life. That His life and glory fills us now. That He increases so much in us, that the darkness has no place. The morning star arises in our hearts. The new age dawns, and we simply transition into the coming glory of the Kingdom of Heaven. The New Jerusalem is coming. Jesus will bring His bride to the earth to rule and reign with Him on the earth for a thousand years as the scriptures state.
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed like a bride adorned for her husband; and then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God,] and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true [they are accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy].” And He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I will give [water] from the fountain of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes [the world by adhering faithfully to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.” (Revelation 21:2-7 AMP)
-Ty Unruh (2021)
