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First Half of the Great Tribulation
After the church of Jesus Christ exit from earth, the first 3½ of the seven years Great Tribulation commences. The anti-Christ will manifest himself and the forces of evil will be unleashed from Hell upon the earth. Simultaneously in heaven, the Christian church (now the bride of Christ) who is now with Jesus Christ rejoices and glorifies God (John 14 verse 3; Revelation 4 verse 10, 11 & Chapter 5 verses 8 - 10). After undergoing judgment at the BEMA seat of Christ, the bride of Christ is made to seat and watch with anticipation events of the Great Tribulation unfolding on earth. The events of the Great Tribulation unfolds as Jesus Christ reveals and opens the seals, trumpets, vials and bowls of judgments described in the book of Revelation (Revelation 5 verses 1 – 7)
Click the links below to read step-by-step events of the first three and half years of the Great Tribulation.
1.
Emergence of the Antichrist
a.
Antichrist Emerges from the Ten Kingdoms of the Revived Roman Empire
b.
The Person of the Antichrist
2.
"Kings of the North"’s Invasion of the Middle East Sparks a Global War
a.
Identification of Gog and Magog
b.Defeat of Russia and her Allies
3.
Famine
5.
The Saints
a.
Great Revival and Mass Conversion to Jesus Christ
b. Contamination of Water Supply
7.
Earth’s Collision with an Asteroid
a.
Will an Asteroid hit the Earth Soon ?
8.
Sadistic Evil Creatures invades Earth
9.
"Kings of the East" Invades the Middle East
a.
The Invasion
b. Over a Billion People are killed
c.
Antichrist Defeat China and her Allies
10. Moses and Elijah Rising as Two Witnesses?
a.
The Spirit and Power of Elijah
b.Ministry and Death of the Two Witnesses
Emergence of the Antichrist (First Seal)
In the first seal, the antichrist is revealed conquering his way into world domination. He does this through peace accords. He is accepted by nations across the earth. (Revelation 6 verses 1 – 2). 
Antichrist Emerges from the Ten Kingdoms of the Revived Roman Empire
According to the book of Daniel, antichrist will emerge after nations across the earth have been classified into ten different regions. These ten regions will embrace the culture of the old Roman Empire. And this will result in a revived Roman empire. The book of Daniel shows that Babylon (Daniel 7 verse 4; 2 verse 36 - 38), Medo-Persia (Daniel 7 verse 5; 2 verse 39a), Greece (Daniel 7 verse 6; 2 verse 39b) and Rome (Daniel 7 verse 7; 2 verse 40) would respectively take their turn of world dominance from approximately 700 BC – 230 AD.
Even though, the fourth kingdom or Rome lost her empire at about 230 AD, her style of culture, socio-economics and politics is still being embrace by almost every nation on earth. After several failed attempts to revive this empire, in 1968 the club of Rome successfully initiated the process of unifying Europe. This unification which started with European countries will eventually extend across the earth. Europe will lead this worldwide unification. Part of the proposals made by the club of Rome in 1968 was to have ten regions around the world as follow:
1.
European Union (Western Europe)
2.
North America
3.
Central and South America
4.
Japan
5.
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and Pacific Island
6.
Eastern Europe (lead by Russia)
7.
North Africa and the Middle East
8.
Central Africa
9.
South East Asia
10.
Central Asia
While it is not clear whether the ten regions will precisely be as above, the Bible reveals that antichrist will rise out of the revived Roman Empire consisting of ten kingdoms, horns, toes (symbols for nations). The Antichrist will only rise after the ten kingdoms of the former Roman Empire have been formed. Daniel 2 verses 40 – 43 and Daniel 7 verse 7 shows that the ten kingdoms symbolized by toes or horns have a connection to the old Roman Empire.
In Daniel 7 verse 8, antichrist or the little horn is shown crushing rebellions from three of the ten kingdoms as he comes into power (Revelation 17 verse 12 & 13). Apparently, the nation of Russia, Arab countries and the Orients lead this rebellion just as the antichrist is emerging on the world scene.
The antichrist will in every respect be an impostor of Jesus Christ. He will be a young handsome man in his early thirties when he appears on the world scene. Just like Jesus Christ, antichrist will possess incredible wisdom, knowledge and understanding of world affairs to the astonishment of great men and women of the world (Daniel 8 verse 23). He will be endowed with gifts both evil and good. Just like Jesus Christ, antichrist will choose not to marry. Though blessed with physical beauty like Satan his master, antichrist will not “…regard the desire of women…” who would dream of marrying him (Daniel 11 verse 37). Although brought up as a European, the antichrist will have Jewish origin. The fact that the Jews will accept him as their Messiah during the first 3 1/2 years confirms this. Also the statement "Neither regard the God of his fathers..." in Daniel 11 verse 37 refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The Bible pointed out that antichrist will eventually become a totalitarian ruler over the entire world (Daniel 8 verse 23 & 24). According to the Bible, antichrist will be completely possessed by the devil 3 1/2 years into the Great Tribulation. The antichrist will be a man of sin (II Thessalonians 2 verse 3). He will promote sins, perversions, and idolatry during his reign.
For the first 3 1/2 years, antichrist will carry out a campaign aimed at promoting himself to the world as a peace loving man. The fact that he has a bow without any arrow in Revelation 6 verse 2 shows that through false peace he will conquer the entire world. It is through false peace that antichrist will consolidate his power over the entire world.
His most remarkable exploit is achieving peace within the Middle East. He will successfully create peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors to the astonishment of the watching world. The Bible reveals that he will confirm a covenant with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9 verse 27). Israel will fall for his lies and accept him to be the promised Messiah. This false peace will lead Israel into the prophesied period of the Great Tribulation known as "Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30 verse 7)
Just as Jesus Christ was killed about 3 ½ years after starting His earthly ministry, antichrist will be killed 3 ½ years after starting his campaign of world peace. He will imitate Jesus Christ by resurrecting back to life through Satan’s power. The antichrist will be totally possessed by the devil who at the midpoint of the tribulation will be thrown out of space or second heaven along with his evil angels (Revelation 12 verses 7 - 9). The antichrist will renege on his seven years covenant with Israel.
The book of Daniel 8 verse 11; 9 verse 27 shows that at the midpoint of the Great Tribulation, the antichrist will move into the third rebuilt Jewish Temple and stop the daily sacrifices. He will exalt himself and demand the Jews worship him as God (II Thessalonians 2 verses 3 & 4). The Jews will reject him. He will attempt to wipe them out without success. The Bible says at the midpoint of the great tribulation, antichrist will set up the infamous Mark of the Beast system through a false prophet. The false prophet will initiate a totalitarian control system to enforce worldwide acceptance and administration of this evil mark. All those who reject this mark will be killed. The antichrist would wield unprecedented power to ruthlessly deal with anyone rejecting him. All those who turn to God during this seven-year Great Tribulation will be powerless to resist him. He will easily wipe out any opposition during the last 3 1/2 years of his reign (Daniel 7 verse 21 & 25 and Revelation 13 verse 7)
But his dream of reigning over human beings forever is dashed after Jesus Christ defeats him at Armageddon and throws him into the Lake of fire (Daniel 7 verse 45)
"Kings of the North"’s Invasion of
the Middle East Sparks a Global War (Second Seal)
Following the emergence of antichrist, Russia will invade the Middle East. This will result in a huge war, leaving hundreds of millions dead within the Middle East, Arab and other countries. (Revelation 6 verses 3 – 4). Apparently Russia is rebelling against antichrist. Russia is one of the three kingdoms out of ten that will rebel against the antichrist and subsequently be destroyed by him (Daniel 7 verse 8, 20 & 24). This war in the Middle East was prophesied in the book of Ezekiel. To understand how this war will take place, read the entire Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39.
According to the book of Ezekiel 38 verses 3, 8, 9 & 15), Russia and the Arab nations will invade Israel while antichrist is campaigning for world peace. This invasion will take place just before antichrist makes a seven-year peace pact with Israel. Ezekiel 38 verses 8 – 9 shows that this invasion is against Israel “…or land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered from many people, against the mountain of Israel…”. This invasion will take place after the exiles of the children of Israel starts gathering back to Palestine from all nations where they were scattered to in the past two thousand years. This regathering started about the time Israel became a nation in May 1948. While the Russians are motivated by their greed for oil, the Arabs coalition in this invasion is motivated by their age long hatred for the existence of the nation of Israel.
Having tried four times without luck to defeat Israel, the Arabs will seek assistance from Russia to defeat Israel.
Identification of Gog and Magog
The book of Ezekiel identifies Russia in Ezekiel 38 verse 1. Magog, Mechech, and Tubal were sons of Japheth from whom came the Scythians, Russians, Muscovites, Tibareni, Cappadocians and other people who predominates in modern northern Europe and Asia.
No other nation on earth north of Israel presently fits this description of Magog and is capable of leading this invasion into Israel. The name Gog also prophetically identifies Russia.
Ezekiel 38 verse 15 says "Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army". In Ezekiel 38 verses 10 – 23; 39 verses 1 & 2, the word “north” undoubtedly refers to Russia because a line drawn vertically through the map of Israel will automatically go through Moscow.
Ezekiel 38 verses 4 – 7 shows that Arab and other nations will join in this rebellion with Russia. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Defeat of Russia and her Allies
According to the Bible, this invasion by Russia will be foiled by God. (Ezekiel 38 verses 18, 19, 21,22). The judgments of Ezekiel 39 verses 1 – 24 is executed by God on Russia and her allies through the antichrist causing a nuclear war in verse 6. Russia and Arab's casualty in this war will be so overwhelming with more than 80 percent of soldiers dead. One-quarter or over 1.5 billion human beings will die as a result of this war (Revelation 6 verse 8). This war will lead to terrible diseases and famines on earth. The Bible says so many people will die that it will take seven months for Israel to bury dead soldiers (Ezekiel 39 verses 11- 13). All the combustible materials and fuel brought for use by Russia during this invasion will sustain Israel for the rest of the seven years of the Great Tribulation
The destruction of Russia will weaken their position as superpower in the world. This will allow the antichrist to deceive Israel into entering into a seven years peace contract.
With the defeat of the Arab's armies, Israel will get a guarantee to rebuild her third temple during the first 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation.
Famine (Third Seal)
The third seal of famine is apparently caused by the wars of the second seal (Revelation 6 verses 5 – 6). Famine always follows the devastation of wars. During the first half of the great tribulation, food will be very scarce among the nations affected by the outbreak of Russia’s invasion of the Middle East. Revelation 6 verse 6 paints a picture whereby an individual’s wage or salary will only be sufficient to pay for his own meal. There will be nothing left for his or her family. At the same time the famine affects these nations, some other nations will have enough. This is what the angel meant saying “…and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine”. The situation during this period of the great tribulation will be similar to the time before rapture. While some nations are getting poorer, others are getting richer.
Death and Hell (Fourth Seal)
The horseman of the fourth seal encompasses the four judgments of God according to Ezekiel 14 verse 21
The Bible says that during the first three and half years of the Great Tribulation, one quarter of the earth population will die. Part of these deaths will no doubt be brought about by thermo nuclear warfare. This will happen as Russia invades the Middle East. There will be deaths through all kinds of plaques. Apart from a whole lot of diseases and pestilences destroying people, the plaque of AIDS stand out as the most horrible epidemic to befall humans. The reason is that it causes 100 percent fatality. Until recently, it was incomprehensible to the human mind, how a quarter of the earth’s population could die within a short period of time. But the advent and spread of the HIV virus, which causes AIDS in the early 80s, shows how easily these deaths could materialize. Presently over 75 percent of the population of Southern Africa have been infected with this disease. South Africa has suffered the highest mortality due to AIDS in the past couple of years. A recent report from the Central Intelligence Agency says that as many as 250 millions people could die of this plaque in Africa alone in the next couple of years. The Bible says that people would also be killed through hunger and animals. It is a well-known thing that famine usually follows war.
All these combined together will help devastate the population of the world during the first half of the Great Tribulation
The Saints of the first half of the Great Tribulation (Fifth Seal)
Great Revival and Mass Conversion to Jesus Christ
During the first half of the Great Tribulation, all the saints in Revelation 7 verse 9 will be killed by the false Church. (Note that you can use the Index on the Home page to read about the False Church)
Although, the period of the Great Tribulation will be the most barbaric antichristian era in history, yet hundreds of millions of people will turn to Christ.
About the time when all the seals judgments are unleashed on the earth, Revelation 7 verses 1 – 17 shows God protecting people who will turn to Him during the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period. These people are in two sets. The 144,000 Jewish converts and all other converts from every nation and tribe on earth.
After the rapture of the Church of Christ, some Jews will accept Jesus Christ as lord and savior. These conversions will be brought about by the miracle of millions of people disappearing at the point of rapture. These Jews will know that even though they missed the rapture, God will give them a second chance to turn to Christ. God will subsequently raise 144,000 of these Jews to warn the world of coming judgements and to turn to God in repentance.
God will make sure that everybody on earth hears the gospel of the kingdom of heaven during this time. Unlike the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of verses 4 - 8 who escape death by being raptured to heaven during middle of the Great Tribulation, all other Jews or Gentiles who turns to Christ during this period will pay the heavy price of martyrdom for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Multitude all over the world will respond to the 144,000 Jewish messengers and give their lives to Christ during the first half of the great tribulation (Revelation 7 verses 9 – 17). God will protect or seal the 144,000 Jewish evangelists on their forehead. This will protect them from the effect of more judgements of the Great Tribulation
These 144,000 thousand Jews will evangelize the whole world from the start of the seven year of the Great Tribulation to the mid point when antichrist dies and is resurrected and indwelt by Satan. Shortly before the antichrist’s death, these 144,000 Jewish evangelists are translated into heaven to be with God (Revelation 14 verses 1- 5). Their mission to warn the whole world of the consequence of rejecting God is carried on by the two witnesses of Revelation 10 verse 3. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
This reveals the persecution of the saints who will turn to Jesus Christ during the first half of the seven year Great Tribulation. These martyrs will become believers after listening to the message of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. During the first half of the Great Tribulation, a false church will emerge in the world. This organization, which would be formed after the rapture of Christ’s church from earth, will be responsible for horrible persecution of those who will believe in Jesus Christ during the first 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation. The book of Revelation 17 verses 5 & 6 uses the word "woman" to symbolically describe this false Church. It will be a church that comprises all religions of the world with the exception of Christianity.
The saints in Revelation 6 verse 9 are not being persecuted by the antichrist (who at this time is busy campaigning to be accepted by the whole world), but rather this persecution is the action of the false church who will promote the antichrist’s new world order agenda. The antichrist will not personally persecute those who believes in Christ until after the start of the second half of the Great Tribulation when he is rejected by the Jews as a result of declaring himself as God in the Jewish temple Revelation 12 verse 17; II Thessalonians 2 verse 4. Unlike the Christian Church who is encouraged to pray for her persecutors, the persecuted saints of the first 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation will ask for God's vengeance (Revelation 6 verse 10). God will honor their requests by allowing and releasing the horrible judgements of the second half of the Great Tribulation.
Nuclear Holocaust (Sixth Seal)
The event of the sixth seal judgement (Revelation 6 verses 12 – 17) is a continuation of the wars that started with the opening of the second seal. It gives in detail a picture of nuclear warfare and response of the inhabitants of the earth. This passage of the book of Revelation goes along with Ezekiel 38 verses 21 – 24 account of God’s judgement on the nations of Russia and Arab countries. This seal gives a bird’s eye view of events that transpire as God’s uses the instrumentality of antichrist to crush rebellions from Russia and her allies through nuclear warfare (Daniel 7 verse 8)
The Sun becoming black and the Moon turning into blood in verse 12 should not be confused with a similar event that will herald Christ returning to the earth (Matthew 24 verses 29 & 30; Mark 13 verses 24 – 26). The facts that other types of judgments (such as the trumpets, vials, bowls etc) follows the seals judgments shows the sixth seal is not immediately referring to the accounts in the book of Matthew and Mark. The account of Revelation 6 verses 12 – 17 shows the outcome of massive nuclear explosions triggering earthquake and nuclear winter. These verses give a true picture of nuclear winter. A nuclear blast could create the same effect of verse 14 whereby the air is sucked up by the power of the explosion causing the clouds to roll back or clear off from the sky. This would normally be followed by nuclear dust blocking out the Sun and in some cases making the moon to appear red. These nuclear blast triggers off additional trumpet judgements just before the first half of the great tribulation ends. These additional judgements are subtitled under this section as follows
Hail Stones, Fire and Destruction of a Third Part of the World’s Vegetation (Seventh Seal or First Trumpet Judgement)
In Revelation chapter 8, the opening of the seventh seal leads to the judgement of hailstone and fire. This is a consequence of the nuclear explosion of Revelation 6. The first trumpet judgement shows the effect of nuclear winter (Revelation 8 verse 7). “Hails and fire mingled with blood” shows huge balls of hail stones falling from the sky causing fires as they skid on the ground and creating life threatening injuries from loss of blood. Third part of vegetation on earth will be destroyed by fire from the nuclear blast.
Contamination of Third Part of World’s Water Supply (Third Trumpet Judgement)
While the second trumpet judgement is a natural disaster, the third trumpet judgement is a man made disaster. “…a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp…” describes a consequence of the nuclear war which started in Revelation 6. Here a missile with a nuclear warhead is fired from space into earth. This strikes a third part of rivers and poison water supply with radioactive materials. Wormwood is the English word for Chernobyl in the Ukraine Bible.
On April 25th -26th, 1986, a nuclear power accident occurred at Chernobyl in Ukraine. The Chernobyl accident killed many people, and also resulted in a high level of radiation. Many people had to be evacuated as the surrounding area of this accident was instantly polluted.
The fact that Wormwood (or Chernobyl) is used in Revelation 8 verses 10 & 11 shows that this judgement is connected to a man-made nuclear disaster.
A Third Part of the Atmosphere Darkens (Fourth Trumpet Judgement)
The fourth trumpet judgment in Revelation 8 verse 12 is also an aftermath of the nuclear war which broke out in Revelation chapter 6 and possibly the impact of the asteroid described below colliding with the earth. Here radiations from the neutron bomb fill the atmosphere and blocks out sunlight in some part of the world.
Earth’s Collision with an Asteroid (Second Trumpet Judgement)
Revelation 8 verses 8 & 9 shows a disaster from space. The description “huge mountain burning with fire.” could only be applied to an Asteroid striking the earth and leaves no room for a man made catastrophe. When this huge meteor strikes the earth, it impacts into the sea close to the part of the world where the nuclear war of Revelation chapter 6 breaks out. This deep impact will create a huge tidal wave resulting in unprecedented destruction in the sea. The Bible says “…and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed”. This destruction will also extend to coastal countries that will be affected by the wave.
Will an Asteroid hit the Earth
Soon ?
On 25th of August 2003, an Asteroid (2003 QQ47) was spotted in Mexico. Astronomers confirmed that this mountain of Space rock is about two third of a mile wide and is hurtling towards the earth at 20 miles a second. If it hit the earth at this speed, it would create devastation 20 million times more powerful than the effect of an atomic bomb. Spaceguard director, Jay Tate said that if this rock hits the earth, within two or three days the surface of the earth will be cold and dark as a result of billions of tons of dust blocking sunlight. This will cause plant life to perish and livestock to starve.
While scientists are trying to play down the fear of such rock hitting the earth in the year 2014 by saying that the chances of this asteroid hitting planet earth is 1 in 909,000, there are concerns that the strong gravitational influence of big planets can nudge this rock towards the direction of the earth.
According to Astrophysics expert Dr Alan Fitzsimmons of Queen’s University, Belfast – who advises the United Kingdom NEO (Near Earth Objects) Information Centre in Leicester “there is some uncertainty about where it is going”.
Others are convinced there is a likelihood this could create Armageddon. Liberal Democrat MP and sky-watcher Lembit Opik says, “I have said for years that the chances of an asteroid having an impact which could wipe out most of the human race is 100 per cent. It does sound like a science fiction story and I may sound like one of these guys who walks up and down with a sandwich board saying the end of the world is nigh, but the end is nigh”. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Tortures from Evil Creatures Emanating from Hell (Fifth Trumpet Judgement)
This judgement will undoubtedly be a supernatural one. The fact that these creatures come out of the bottomless pit (which lies inside the earth) shows that this event is not man made. These are evil demonic creatures sent to torture people with unbearable pains. These torments will be carried out for a period of five months. While the pain would be as excruciating as the sting of a scorpion, people will not be able to die Revelation 9 verses 1 – 11.
For the past couple of years, Man has in one way or the other created fantasies of invasion by aliens from outside the earth. Even Hollywood has depicted in movies, aliens fighting against human beings. While people will often dismiss this as fictions that doesn't bear relevance to reality, the blowing of the sixth trumpet judgement will expose the earth to affliction from demonic creatures not experienced in human history. When this trumpet blows, demonic locusts emanates from the bottomless pit to afflict those without the seal of God on their forehead. In other words these sadistic evil creatures will torture those who choose not to listen to the message of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. These creatures will not appear as normal locusts as they will all come from the bottomless inside the earth. Despite the pains that people will suffer in the hands of these demonic locusts, most will choose to ignore the warnings of the Jewish evangelists by not repenting of their sins. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
"Kings of the East" Invades the Middle East (Sixth Trumpet Judgement)
The opening of the sixth Trumpets Judgement reveals destructions being unleashed by a 200 million man armies. Most Bible scholars agree that this is a reference to China and her allies (Revelation 16 verse 12). This passage describes an invasion from the Orient headed by China. China presently has the largest standing army in human history. It is estimated by year 2020, China’s armies would consists of well over 200 million soldiers.
This invasion is another campaign of war in the first half of the seven-year Great Tribulation. It is a continuation of the world war three that will start after Russia invades the Middle East. This war will be a rebellion from the Orient against the leadership of the West under the antichrist. This rebellion will later be curtailed by the antichrist after rising from his death and indwelt by Satan. Apparently the Orientals detests the fact that the head of the European union is trying to take over the world. The Orient observed the success of antichrist in crushing rebellions from Russia and the Arabs. The Orient becomes alarmed at antichrist's acceptability across the world as a man of peace. They look at the ease with which he makes a seven-year peace covenant with Israel after foiling the Arab's rebellion and a possibility of the Western nations laying their hands on the vast resources of the Middle East.
These Orientals becomes resentful and decides to take over the Middle East with their enormous armies. The Bible's reference to angels being loosed by the river Euphrates in Revelation 9 verse 14 lets us understand that the destructions unleashed by this great army will be concentrated within this area. What this meant is that just as America invaded Iraq (where there is an extension of the river Euphrates) in the two Gulf wars, so will the Orient invade this region. Their goal is to conquer the enormous oil resources of the Arab countries. Now this region is surrounded by countries in Asia, Africa and Middle East. And these are the same countries that were crushed by God through the instrumentality of the antichrist after the initial invasion of Gog and Magog.
Over a Billion People are killed
When the Orient invades this region, their enormous armies will wipe out the populations of a lot of these countries. The passage ".... slay a third part of men" in Revelation 9 verse 15 describes destruction of lives of people within this region. While it is not possible to say exactly what the number of the dead will be, it will most certainly be in hundreds of millions. Using the estimate of six billion people presently on earth, when the first war of the second seal breaks out and there are subsequent famines and diseases of the third and fourth seal, an estimate of 1.5 billion human (one quarter of earth’ population in Revelation 6 verse 8) would have died in less than 3 years. After the Oriental countries invades the region close to river Euphrates, another one third of 4.5 billion would die leaving just 3 billions people to witness the second of half of the Great Tribulation. Revelation 16 verse 12 shows that the Oriental armies will be stationed in the Middle East from this point until sometime towards the end of the second half of the seven years Great Tribulation when they will crossed the river Euphrates on their way to Israel to fight the infamous battle of Armageddon.
This invasion of the Middle East by Oriental nations will most certainly occur towards the end of the first half of the Great Tribulation.
Antichrist Defeat China and her Allies
Obviously, the antichrist will crush this revolt. It is not clear how he will achieve this. We must bear in mind that after antichrist’s death and resurrection midway the period of the Great Tribulation, no nation will be in opposition to him. In the second half of seven years Great Tribulation, the antichrist will be totally in control of the world unopposed as he will be accepted by every nation on earth. The fact that Revelation 13 verse 4 says "...who is able to make war with him" shows he would have curtailed this rebellion from the Orient at the start of the second 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. Also a closer look at antichrist's ascension to power reveals that he will crush rebellions from three out of the ten kings that will form his power base. These three kings will no doubt be responsible for the regions of Russia, Arab and Oriental countries. In addition to the facts presented, the prophecy of Daniel 11 verses 40 – 44; 8 verse 9 is significant to our understanding of how the antichrist could stop such rebellions. This passage of the Bible refers to all wars that will be fought by antichrist during the first 3 1/2 years.
"King of north and south" in verse 40 is a reference to Russia and the confederation of Arab countries lead by Egypt in the great war of Gog and Magog earlier discussed. "...tiding out of the East and North shall trouble him" could be literally interpreted as news of rebellion from the Oriental (East) and Russia (North) shall disturb the antichrist who will be busy campaigning for peace and acceptability around the world. This passage shows that antichrist will crush all rebellion against him. Revelation 13 verse 4 states that no nation will be able to make war with antichrist.
According to Revelation 9 verses 20 & 21, a lot of people will fail to repent of their sins despite the judgement from the sixth seal. It will be apparent to the world that the destruction unleashed as China moves towards the Middle East is judgement upon the world. But the whole world will refuse to accept that God is judging them and will continue in their rebellion against God.
Moses and Elijah Rising as Two Witnesses?
Revelation 11 verses 3 – 12 reveals the career of two witnesses God will raise up some time during the first half of the Great Tribulation. The Bible mentions that these two witnesses will carry out their mission for forty-two months or three and half years. It is important to examine the role of these witnesses as they warn the world of the consequences of rejecting God.
Some Bible commentators suggest that these witnesses are Moses and Elijah returning to the earth to fulfil this mission. Having studied the Bible extensively, I have come to a conclusion that these witnesses are not the Old Testament Moses and Elijah, but ordinary Jewish people upon whom God will pour the spirits of Elijah and Moses. The fact that the Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this judgement (Hebrews 9 verse 27) shows that God will not violate His own word to make a set of people who once died or departed alive to heaven to rise again and then die a second time.
The Spirit and Power of Elijah
The role of the witness who exhibits Elijah’s power is very important to focus on. Prophets in the old testament emphasized that before messiah (or Jesus Christ) sets up His millennial rule on planet earth, someone in the spirit and power of Elijah will herald Christ’s coming (Isaiah 40 verse 3; Malachi 3 verse 1). This prophecy found fulfillment in the person of John the Baptist when Christ came to earth the first time (Matthew 3 verse 3; Luke 3 verse 3 and John 1 verse 23). Let’s bear in mind that Christ came a first time in the hope that the Jews will accept Him and instantly make Him their messiah (although Christ knew the Jews will reject him because He is omniscient and omnipotent). If the Jews had accepted Christ, the millennial reign would have been initiated and there would never have been a Great Tribulation, Anti-christ or any need for another person in the spirit of Elijah to come.
But since the Jews rejected Christ, there is still a need for someone to herald His coming to earth before establishing one thousand years of peace prophesied in the Bible. This time around, not only will someone come in the spirit of Elijah, but a second person in the spirit of Moses will assist him. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Ministry and Death of the Two Witnesses
Revelation 11 verses 5 & 6 reveals that both prophets possess power to repudiate attacks from their enemies during the entire period of their mission. They both have abilities to exhibit the exploits of Moses and Elijah. Elijah commanded fire to fall on his enemies (II Kings 1 verses 10 - 14) and Moses brought plaques upon the Egyptians and turned water to blood (Exodus 4 verse 9; 7 verses 17 - 21).
Their mission spans three and half years and will start after antichrist makes a seven year covenant with Israel. Their warnings will initially be ignored by the Jews who will refuse to accept that their covenant with the antichrist is a covenant of death (Isaiah 28 verses 14, 15 & 18). But after the antichrist resurrect from his death and demands to be worshipped as God, the Jews will accept the prophecies of these two witnesses and flee from Jerusalem to escape antichrist. In his fury, the antichrist will use his satanic power to kill these two witnesses right in the city of Jerusalem. The Bible says the whole world will celebrate their death and refuse to bury their corpses. (Revelation 11 verses 7 - 10).
A miracle will subsequently take place as these two prophets are literally raised from earth to heaven in the presence of the entire world. About the same time, a great earthquake strikes Jerusalem killing seven thousand people. (Revelation 11 verses 11 - 13). Click here to go to the topical bullet p