My previous blogs have dealt with the end times and the forming of a one-world government and a one-world religion.  The world will be deceived by the amazing powers and signs of the Antichrist and the false prophets.  The Antichrist will come as a descendant of King David and will be seen as a world leader just exactly what the Jews believe their Messiah would be.  As we know, the Jewish religious leaders would not accept Jesus Christ because He came as a servant and they expected the Messiah to defeat the Romans and rule the world.

The Antichrist will come at a time when it appears the world is headed for World War III.  Because of his death and resurrection he will come as a leader who can bring peace to the world.  The world will also be engulfed in a financial collapse and he will have the answer to solving the world’s economic problems.

Globally we are arriving at a point where we are headed to where everyone can become connected to the Internet.  The falling dollar could lead to a cashless society where a person cannot buy or sell except electronically.   There will neither be checks, money orders nor ATMs.  To stop fraudulent transactions and hackers, everyone will receive a number placed on a micro processor chip imbedded in the hand or forehead.  There was an article in Business Week about twenty years ago predicting a cashless America. From what that article said I thought it would have occurred prior to now.

Once the Antichrist takes over He signs a seven-year peace treaty with Israel.  For a period of time everyone will treat him as their messiah and worship him.  After a time, 3½ years, people will lose their basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and will live under a Marxist type government.  With the implanted GPS tracking number, referred to as the Mark of the Beast, the government will know where a person is at all
times.  The world will accept all that is asked of them because of a leader who brings peace and an economic recovery.  They will still be convinced
he is the messiah that the Jews, Muslims and Christians believed would return from Heaven to rule for a 1000 years. But he isn’t and true Christians will know better!

Every economic transaction, every e-mail, Facebook, etc. and phone calls will be electronically monitored.  It will eliminate all opposition as they will know the beliefs of every individual.   We see occurring in North Africa today the population gathering in groups of hundreds of thousands to protest their leaders. You will not see this happen under the Antichrist for it will not be tolerated.  The fear of savage beatings and immediate death will control any opposition.  There will be no person or nation able to stand up against him as Scripture describes.

During the last 3½ years the Jews will be savagely treated.  Many will be killed but a remnant will be saved when Jesus returns. In Revelation 19:19 – 21 John states that the Antichrist and the false prophet will lead a huge army of many nations against Christ and his army at Christ’s second coming.

Zechariah 13:8 – 9 – “In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.  This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”  Christ and His army will win and Satan will be bound in hell for a 1000 years.  At that time the Jews and a remnant of Gentiles will accept Christ as the true Messiah and will become reconciled with God through Christ. Israel will be restored and peace will come to the world.  Jesus then rules from Jerusalem over a peaceful world.

Theologians teach that there could be different times when the church will be raptured, caught up with Christ in the air.  Most believe Christians will meet Christ before those seven evil years.  Others believe they will be raptured after the 3½ years of the Tribulation.  There are some who believe they will not be caught up until after the seven years of Tribulation.   Regardless of when Christ returns to rapture Christians we must be ready.  We certainly do not want to be left behind.

It should be noted that the Antichrist doesn’t seem likely to take over while Russia and China are still militarily strong.  In my previous blog I used Ezekiel 29:9 – 15 and 39:1 – 6 and Isaiah 17:1 – 3.  It says no nation will stand against the Antichrist. If there is no super-power left, it would be easier.   What does that say about America?  Will we allow bankruptcy to destroy us?  It is estimated that 20% of our population want to destroy our capitalistic economic system.  If they are in control, they could do it.

How could anyone study the Bible and not realize that God is completely in control?  Yet, leaders rule as if they were.  According to Scripture, it seems Satan is putting his team together.  Be careful whose side you take; God or our world’s leaders?