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Second Half of the Great Tribulation
To recap, during the first half of the Great tribulation, the antichrist start his peace campaign all over the world. During this peace campaign there is an outbreak of nuclear wars leaving over three billion people dead mainly within Asia, Africa and Middle East. Towards the end of first half of the tribulation, antichrist achieves his goal of world peace but at a price. The following events below looks into what happen to antichrist and horrors of the second half of the Great Tribulation.
Click on the links below
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The incarnation of Antichrist by Satan
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Death and Resurrection of the Antichrist
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Satan and the Fallen Angels thrown out of Space
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Persecution of the Jews (Abomination of Desolation)
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Ascension of the Antichrist over Nations
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Antichrist’s Power over God’s Saints
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The False Prophet and Mark of the Beast
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The False Prophet’s Lies and Deception
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Persecution of those who refuses the Mark of the Beast
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Consequences of the Receiving the Mark of the Beast
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Ministry of Angelic Evangelists
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Sores breaking out on Human bodies
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Darkness
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Preparation deaths and destruction at Armageddon
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The Greatest Earthquake in Human History
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The Greatest fall of Hailstones
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Judgement of the False Church
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Imitation of Christ’s True Church
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False Church Receives Antichrist’s Support
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Deceits, Lies and Perversion of the False Church
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God destroys the False Church through Antichrist
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Judgement of the City of Babylon located in Iraq
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Marriage Supper takes place in Heaven
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How will the Marriage Supper take Place
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Christ Union with his Bride during the Marriage Supper
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The “Guests” of the Marriage Supper
The incarnation of Antichrist by Satan (Seventh Trumpet Judgement)
The joy and happiness exuded at the sound of the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 verses 15 – 19 introduces us to the beginning of the second half of the great tribulation.
The account of Revelation chapter 12 marks a turning point in the events of the Great Tribulation. Here we see Satan being cast to the earth and subsequently persecuting the Jews through Antichrist.
In Revelation 12 verses 1 & 2, we see the role of Israel in bringing forth Jesus Christ into the world at His first advent. “…a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” is a reference to Joseph’s vision describing the nation of Israel at her inception approximately 1600 BC (Genesis 37 verse 9). It is significant that the Bible gives the description of Revelation 12 verses 1 & 2 in order to point out that the persecutions of verses 13 – 17 applies to the nation of Israel during the Great Tribulation.
Death and Resurrection of the Antichrist
Towards the end of the first half of the Great Tribulation the antichrist will be killed, but through Satan’s power he will resurrect back to life. This is an imitation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not clear how antichrist will die. It could be as a result of a lone assassination attempt on him or death in the course of fighting against his enemies. Superficial reading of Revelation 13 verses 2 & 3 will seem that he did not die a personal death, but a closer look at Revelation 13 verses 10 & 14 shows that antichrist will be killed and then he lives. To understand why the antichrist must need die and resurrect to life with enormous power, we must look at the case of Jesus Christ. Before His death, Christ lived the life of an ordinary man. But after His crucifixion and resurrection, Christ rose with glory and power.
So also will antichrist die in the course of campaigning for peace in the world.
Satan and the Fallen Angels thrown out of Space
Coincidentally, the devil will be thrown out of heaven at the time of antichrist’s death in Revelation 12.
At the mid point of the Great Tribulation, there will be a war in the heavenlies or Space outside planet earth. This war will involve Satan and his demons fighting Archangel Michael and his angels to retain control of this place. Until the mid point of the Great Tribulation, this place serves as Satan’s home for about six thousand years after he was thrown out of the third heaven (God’s abode) along with one third of God’s angels. (Revelation 12 verses 3, 4, 7 – 12)
Satan Incarnates Antichrist
The antichrist will be raised and indwelt by Satan and given enormous power over the entire world. Revelation 12 verses 3 & 4 describe Satan, who at the mid point of this Great Tribulation incarnates the antichrist. “…seven heads and ten horns…” symbolically represents the political power of the Satan-incarnated antichrist whose seat of power is based in Rome (the city of seven mountains or hills) and who also has the backing of ten kings of the revived Roman Empire (Revelation 17 verse 9, 12 & 13).
Satan will make sure that the antichrist rules without any opposition during the second half of the Great Tribulation. Some Bible scholars speculate that there will be war against the antichrist during the second 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. This cannot possibly be true. The reason is that from the beginning of time, demonic angels subject to Satan have always caused one nation to fight against another. It is these evil angels that instigated the opposition of Russia, Arabs and Oriental nations during the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. Now Jesus Christ in the book of Luke 11 verses 17 & 18 gives us a principles of how the devil and his angels works. They work together in unity. Since Satan will personally indwell antichrist at the mid point of the Great Tribulation, Satan will ensure that there is no rebellion against him from any of his evil angels working through any nation during this period. And this is why the Satan-incarnated antichrist will enjoy unprecedented rule during the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation period. Only believers in Jesus Christ will oppose him during this period. The Bible says he will have power over the saints and destroy them.
Persecution of the Jews (Abomination of Desolation)
The indwelling of antichrist by Satan at the mid point of the period of the Great Tribulation will mark the beginning of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 verse 15 and Mark 13 verse 14. At this point, the antichrist will wield great power and authority on the entire world. In Daniel 7 verses 19, 20 & 25; 8 verses 9 – 14 and II Thessalonians 2 verses 3 & 4, the antichrist’s first course of action is to present himself as God. He will move into the third rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem and declare himself as God that must be worshiped The Jews will reject him. This will result in a horrible persecution aimed at eliminating the Jewish race from the earth according to Revelation 12 verse 13
The antichrist will attempt to persecute the Jewish 144,000 evangelists. These evangelists will be caught up to heaven to be with Christ at the mid point of the Great Tribulation. Superficial reading of Revelation 12 verse 5 appears to refer to Jesus Christ who came to the world through Israel, but was killed and caught up to God two thousand years ago. While this is true, the complete picture of this verse is the actual composition of the body of Christ. Just like the human body has all kinds of feature so does the body of Christ. Revelation 12 verse 5 is a continuation of what started when Jesus Christ physically ascended up into the air two thousand years ago as the head of His body (Acts 1 verse 9), the subsequent resurrection of the old testament saints (Matthew 27 verses 52 & 53) and rapture of the Church of Christ approximately two thousand years later (I Thessalonians 4 verses 13 – 17) and now during the Great Tribulation, the catching up of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists to escape tribulation on Israel when the Satan-incarnated antichrist breaks his seven years covenant with them and enters Palestine.
The antichrist will attempt to persecute other Jews in Jerusalem. But through the help of some nations (or groups of people) who will oppose antichrist, these Jews will flee Jerusalem for Petra, Edom and Moab and stay there for 3 ½ years (described as Wilderness in Revelation 12 verses 6, 13 & 14).
Revelation 12 verse 14 shows these groups of believers providing aircrafts or transportations for the Jews fleeing Jerusalem at this time. The Satan-incarnated antichrist becomes furious and will cause an under sea nuclear explosion to create huge tidal waves in the hope to kill the fleeing Jews. But an earthquake will cause the earth to open its mouth swallowing up these tidal waves. (Revelation 12 verses 15 & 16; Jeremiah 46 verses 7 – 8). Seeing his defeat, the antichrist persecutes all Jews and non Jews that do not flee (Revelation 12 verse 17). Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Ascension of the Antichrist over Nations
Revelation 13 describes the establishment and acceptability of the antichrist's reign across the whole earth
In Revelation 13 verse 1, the Satan-incarnated antichrist is being established as the world ruler over the sea of nations. He is backed by ten-kingdom spread out all over the world (Daniel 7 verses 23 & 24). His seat of power is in Rome (a city with seven hills or symbolically "seven heads"). Revelation 13 verse 2 describes antichrist's regime whose empire will include qualities from the Babylonian, Media Persia, Greek-Syrian and Roman empires Daniel 7 verses 1 - 7; 2 verses 32 - 40. These passages show the antichrist will wield absolute authority on the entire world.
The two questions of Revelation 13 verse 4 are admirations for the antichrist because of his ability to resurrect from the dead verse 3 and crush rebellions during the first 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation. The antichrist will be worshiped by everybody on earth apart from the believers in Christ at this time. Revelation 13 verses 5, 6 & 7 explains that antichrist will blaspheme God and present himself as the savior of the world for a period of 3 1/2 years. The fact that the Bible says that power will be given to him over all kindreds proves he will rule unopposed during the second half of the Great Tribulation period. II Thessalonians 2 verses 4 - 10 shows that antichrist will exalt himself and declare himself as God in the Jewish temple. Everything about the true God or Jesus Christ will be obliterated from public places. The antichrist will lie to the entire world that he is the God that created humanity. He will lie that the sustenance of humanity and the earth lies in his hand.
Antichrist’s Power over God’s Saints
The antichrist will also have power over the saints at this time. He will persecute them and have them beheaded (Revelation 13 verse 7; 20 verse 4). Unlike the Christian church, these saints will have no power to withstand the antichrist. Shortly before Christ's death and resurrection, Jesus said he gives the church power (Matthew 16 verses 18 & 19). This power includes ability to repudiate attacks from the church’s enemies aimed at frustrating the growth of the church of Christ. Daniel 7 verses 21, 22 & 25 shows that saints during the second half of the Great Tribulation will not enjoy this privelege as the antichrist will wipe them out until Jesus Christ (ancient of days) rescue those saint who will be alive at the end of the seven year tribulation.
Many people reading these passages are probably wondering about the uniqueness of antichrist when there have always been tyrants in the world. These people look at history that details tyranny from previous leaders who rule with brutality and demand worship from their subjects. The antichrist will be far different in the sense that not only will he declare himself as God, but will exhibit power to do supernatural things unprecedented in human history.
The False Prophet and Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13 verse 11 - 14
The antichrist will be assisted by a false prophet to consolidate his grip on the entire world. The false prophet is described as having "...two horns like a lamb, yet he spoke like a dragon...”. In other words he will present himself as a meek and loving person, while at the same time orchestrating the destructions of a lot of people.
While the Bible does not specifically give the origin and birth of the false prophet, he might be a Jew. The reason for saying this lies in the fact that the Bible prophesied that a prophet would arise or prepare the way for the messiah to rule on earth (Malachi 4 verses 4 & 5). This prophecy will be fulfilled in the person of the second witness of Revelation chapter 11, who demonstrate the spirit and power of Elijah.
As a result of the above prophecy, the Jews have always known that the appearance of this person who demonstrates the spirit and power of Elijah will bring about the revelation of the messiah to the entire world
The False Prophet’s Lies and Deception
The false prophet will deceive the entire world into believing that he is this prophet. He will demonstrate the power of Elijah by commanding fire to fall from the sky (Revelation 13 verse 13) in order to present himself as the true prophet. This miracle was performed by the Old Testament prophet, Elijah in II Kings 1 verse 10.
Unfortunately, everybody on earth (with the exception of few saints) will be deceived by the false prophet. These people will believe all his lies and will loose their souls in the Lake of Fire. Many Jews and Gentiles will be deceived into believing that the false prophet is indeed the Elijah that should come. The devil will use prophecies concerning the visitation of Elijah before the emergence of the messiah to deceive many people into accepting the false messianic claims of antichrist. The deception at this time will be so convincing because this false prophet will do remarkable miracles that would be difficult to deny as power from the creator of the universe. These miracles support the false claims that the antichrist is the long awaited Messiah that the entire world yearns for. Jesus Christ warned that "...if it were possible, the very elect..." (or the Jews and Gentile believers) will be carried away by this falsehood (Matthew 24 verse 24)
The Image of the Beast
Revelation 13 verses 14 & 15 states that the entire world will be forced into one religion during this period of Great Tribulation. This religion will involve the worship of antichrist as God. The false prophet will enforce the worship of antichrist. He will set up antichrist's images all over the world to be worshipped as God. These images could be computer controlled or they could simply be objects that are supernaturally animated by the satanic power of the false prophet. People will be forced into worshipping these images of the beast or they will loose their lives through decapitation if they refuse. The false world religion will imitate the worship of the true trinity of God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The false trinity will be Satan, antichrist and the false prophet.
The false prophet will head this satanic one world religion and false worship. The wealth of the entire world will be spent on honoring Satan and the antichrist (Daniel 11 verses 37 - 38)
The Mark of the Beast
The false prophet will also introduce a mark of the Beast "666". Revelation 13 verses 16 & 17 says "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six". The false prophet will force everybody on earth to accept this diabolical mark of the beast. There will be an overwhelming persecution of those who reject this mark. The Bible specifically says that those who reject this mark will be decapitated (Revelation 20 verse 4). God promised that antichrist and the false prophet's persecution of those rejecting the mark of the beast will be limited to 3 1/2 years.
The mark of the beast system will give the false prophet unprecedented control on every man, woman, child on earth. This mark of the beast will be used to identify those loyal to antichrist from those refusing his claims as God. People have always speculated what sort of mark this will be. It will definitely be a visible mark that will be put in the right hand or on the forehead of a person.
For thousands of years, this system was technically impossible until the advent of microchips in the late part of the twentieth century. This microchip is implantable computer chip about the size of a grain of rice. It can hold billion bits of information. Presently these chips are implanted inside animals in some developed countries.
Microchips can also be fitted under the skin of the human body. This microchip could hold every piece of information about a person from date of birth, colour of skin, medical history to his or her financial status. The uses of microchip are common in electronic financial transactions. They eliminate need for the use of cash when used on credit and debit card transactions. Presently microchips are fitted inside every one of these cards, which facilitates electronic fund transfer. During the great tribulation, people will be required to wear such microchip inside their bodies. The statement "...to receive a mark in their right hand, on in their forehead... (Revelation 13 verse 16) shows that the mark of the beast is not only just going to be branded on people's body, but also will be imputed inside the body. Optical scanning machines and readers will be able to read this mark of the beast embedded inside a human body. Advancement in computer technology which has resulted in the development of laser scanning devices and widespread electronic surveillance will make mark of the beast system very successful. The ability of antichrist to exercise power and control over every tribe and nation on earth during the second half of the great tribulation will be as a result of the mark of the beast system
This mark of the beast will completely eliminate cash. People will only be able to buy and sell through this computerized system of implanting microchip in the human body.
The mark of the beast is associated with name of antichrist (beast) and number associated with his name. The number 666 will be the number of the antichrist. In other words, this number will identify him as the opposer of the true God of heaven during the Great Tribulation. While majority of people living at this time will not understand this, believers in Christ will understand that the mark 666 identifies antichrist.
Persecution of those who refuses the Mark of the Beast
The religious persecution of this period of Great Tribulation will be unprecedented in the history of human beings. It will be a horrible time to live in. It will be practically impossible to avoid this mark of the beast system. Those who choose to reject this mark will suffer untold tribulation in the hands of those who receives the mark. The Bible says that antichrist will make war with those rejecting his mark and will overcome every one of them (Daniel 7 verses 21 & 22). It will definitely take great courage and patience for these believers to reject the 666 mark as their fate will be death by decapitation.
Christ promised that all who rejects the antichrist's mark of the beast and turn to Christ during this time will rise again from the grave and rule and reign with Christ during His millennial reign on the earth (Revelation 14 verses 12 & 13; 20 verse 4). Though, the antichrist will destroy the physical body of these saints, he will not be able to touch their souls. (Matthew 10 verse 28). These believers will overcome the antichrist after their death. In heaven they will sing songs of appreciation to Christ for seeing them through the most horrendous period of human history and torture in the hands of the antichrist (Revelation 15 verses 2 - 4). Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Consequences of the Receiving the Mark of the Beast
The consequence of receiving the mark of the beast will be very severe. Not only will people with this mark experience excruciating physical pain while on earth (Revelation 16 verse 2), they will also suffer eternal punishment in the lake of fire for ever and ever. The bible says "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Revelation 14 verses 9 - 11).
Ministry of Angelic Evangelists
Revelation 14 verses 6 - 11 states that during the second half of the great tribulation, God will allow angels to preach the gospel to human beings. This has never happened in human history. Before Jesus Christ left the earth at his first advent, He delegated humans with the responsibility of preaching the gospel of salvation. But because of the horrors of the second half of the great tribulation as well as the power and the opposition of the Satan-incarnated antichrist to anything about the true God of heaven, it will be practically impossible for any human being to openly carry out evangelistic mission for Christ. All the main human witnesses or evangelists of the great tribulation would have their ministry ended when the antichrist is given power to rule the entire world. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists will be raptured to heaven after antichrist resurrects back to life and then attempt to destroy them (Revelation 12 verses 4 & 5; Revelation 14 verses 1 - 5). The two witnesses who operates with the spirit of Moses and Elijah will be destroyed by antichrist before they are caught up to the throne of God (Revelation 11 verses 1 - 7). All those who turns to Jesus Christ during the second half of the Great Tribulation period will be no match to oppose antichrist. The Bible specifically says that power will be given to antichrist by Satan to overcome, stop and wear out all the saints of God during this time (Revelation 13 verse 7).
The facts presented shows why God will allow angels to preach the gospel to humans. While the antichrist could wield power to stop man from preaching the gospel of Christ, he does not have power over any angel of God. The gospel of the first angel is the same as the one Jesus preached in Matthew 4 verse 7. God will make sure that this angel preaches in such a way that it will be impossible for all those who reject Christ during the second half of the great tribulation to deny they never heard about Jesus Christ. The second angel will announce the destruction of Babylon or the false church who persecutes the saints of God during the first half of the great tribulation period (Revelation 17 verses 1 - 7). God will also allow another angel to warn everybody to reject the mark of the beast. Unlike this present time (or before rapture) where some remote parts of the world still have not heard the gospel of Christ, everybody will hear the gospel of Christ as these angels fly across the sky with their voices audible enough to hear the message of Jesus Christ to repent from sin and reject antichrist.
Additional Judgements
God will allow more judgements upon earth during the great tribulation. These additional judgements spans the entire period of second half of the great tribulation. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Sores on the body (First Vial Judgement)
Revelation 16 verse 2 shows that all those who receive the mark of the beast will have sores breaking out on their body. This will be a horrible skin disease that will make life unbearable for this set of people. This judgement could be supernatural or physical reaction to the implant of microchip embedded underneath skin.
Water turning into blood (Second and Third Vial Judgements)
The judgements on the seas and rivers of Revelation 16 verse 3 & 4 are definitely supernatural. The reason for saying this lies in the fact that these judgements are addressed as specific punishments for those who persecuted the saints of God during the entire Great Tribulation period (Revelation 16 verses 5 - 7). These judgements parallels with the judgements brought upon the Egyptians who persecuted the children of Israel in the old testament (Exodus 7 verses 17 & 18).
Unbearable Heat Wave (Fourth Vial Judgement)
In Revelation 16 verse 8, God will allow an unbearable heat wave to afflict the earth. Presently, there is global warming. The past couple of years have seen increase in heat wave unknown in past generation. Recently scientist claim that if nothing is done to reduce the green house effects and the spate of deforestation, later generations of human beings will start experiencing heat wave unprecedented in human history.
So it is not difficult to understand how this judgement could literally be experienced on earth. Instead of repenting from their sins, those with the mark of the beast will blaspheme the God.
Darkness (Fifth Vial Judgement)
The judgement of Revelation 16 verse 10 & 11 will be supernatural. This judgement pararells with the judgment brought upon the Egyptians (Exodus 10 verses 22 & 23). This darkness will result in pain because it can be felt just as in Exodus 10 verse 21.
Because of the hardness of the heart of those with the mark of beast, they will be unable to repent of their sins but rather choose to blaspheme God for all these judgements.
Preparation for the deaths and destruction of the Battle of Armageddon (Sixth Vial Judgement)
Revelation 16 verses 12 - 16 will take place towards the end of the last 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation period. This judgement involves another widespread deception from Satan, antichrist and the false prophet which will cause nations to gather together to fight against the Lord Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon where they will loose their souls. Apparently, nations, kings, and people with the mark of the beast have rejected God by worshipping the antichrist and receiving his image. The pouring of the sixth vial is now a preparation for all these set of people to face the judgement prophesied in Revelation 14 verses 9 & 10. While all these people that will join to fight this battle are ignorant of their impending destructions, Satan will use his foreknowledge of what will happen at Armageddon to deceive this people into believing that they can repudiate attacks of invasion from aliens
Apparently Satan knows that after 3 1/2, forty-two months or 1260 days, Jesus Christ and all the saints will invade planet earth. Through the mouth of antichrist and the false prophet, Satan will warn the entire world of this invasion from heaven. Revelation 16 verses 12 & 13 symbolically describes this great deception. While Satan's assertion of invasions from aliens is true, this evil being will fail to tell the entire world the repercussion of participating in this war. All nations, their kings and citizen will have no slightest idea that those who fights against this invasion from Jesus Christ and His saints will be instantly killed at Armageddon and subsequently thrown into hell fire. Nation after nation will start marching their soldiers towards the valley of Megiddo in preparation to stop attacks from Jesus Christ and all His saints. Revelation 16 verse 12 is description of a China-led oriental armies moving towards the valley of Megiddo where Armageddon will take place. "...great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared..." is a reference to China passing by Iraq to move into the Middle East where Armageddon will take place. For thousands of years, the crossing of this river by any large army was impossible. River Euphrates has always serve as a barrier between armies of the East and West. This river flows along hundreds of miles from the mountains of Turkey into the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. The technology to dry up river Euphrates is now possible in our generation. The completion of the Ataturk Dam in Turkey in 1992 makes fulfillment of this prophesy in the book of Revelation possible. At the press of a button, this dam can be shut so as to block the river Euphrates and reveal its river bed. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
The Greatest Earthquake in Human History (Seventh Vial Judgement)
At about the time that nations across the earth are preparing for Armageddon, there will be a great earthquake. Revelation 16 verses 18 & 19 shows that this great earthquake will affect Jerusalem (verse 19). Jerusalem will be splitted into three parts. The book of Zechariah 14 verse 4 & 5 explains why and how Jerusalem will split into three. This is in preparation for Jesus Christ to fight against the nations that comes against Jerusalem at Armaggedon. The splitting of Jerusalem into three parts will take place at the mount called Olives (old testament term) or Olivet (new testament term). This is the mountain upon which the horse that Jesus Christ rides back to earth will touch down (Revelation 19 verse 11 - 14; Acts 1 verses 11 & 12)
The Bible says that as Jerusalem is splitting into three parts, all nations over the earth will be affected by this great earthquake. At about the time this earthquake strikes the earth, the city of Babylon (mordern day Iraq) which will be one of antichrist's capital city will begin to experience judgement from God in heaven.
The Greatest fall of Hailstones in Human History
After the above earthquake, the greatest fall of hailstone in human history will come upon earth. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Judgement of Two Babylons (The False Church and a City in Iraq)
The account of Revelation 16 verses 17 - 21 introduces us to judgement on Babylon. These judgements are covered in Revelation chapters 17 & 18. A careful study of these passages shows that this judgement is in two fold. One will fall upon the false church also known as "mother of harlots". The other falls upon the literal city of Babylon located in Iraq. While the first Babylon is a religious institution comprising of all religions on earth, the second Babylon will not be any institution but simply a city whose existence dates back to over 3,500 years. The first Babylon will be the religious aspect of the second Babylon. Both Babylons will be judged by God for the slaughter of millions of martyrs during the entire seven year great tribulation. These two Babylons are obviously related because they share the name "Babylon" and practice occultism.
Judgement of the False Church
Revelation 17 gives an account of the judgement, which will be meted out to the false church that comes into existence after the true church of Jesus Christ is raptured to heaven. This false church is identified as Babylon because she will follow the footstep of religious rebellion against God practiced in ancient Babylon. Also the false church will have all kinds of perversions, heresies and occultism traceable to the false religious practices of Babylon.
False Church: An Imitation of Christ’s True Church
This false church will be an imitation of the true church of Christ. We must bear in mind that for every good thing that God does or establishes, Satan creates a counterfeit which always will be the opposite of what God does. After the rapture of the Christian church just before the great tribulation, Satan will unite all the religions of the world including New age, Catholicism, apostate Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, witchcraft and Spiritists, snake worshippers and a host of others into one world religion. This one world religion will embrace all these different faiths with the exception of those who affirm Jesus Christ as lord and savior. The goal behind forming this false church is to imitate the true church of Jesus Christ. Just as the true church promotes Jesus Christ for the past 2000 years, so will the false apostate church of during great tribulation seek to promote antichrist as the messiah of the world during the first half of the seven years great tribulation. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
False Church Receives Antichrist’s Support Temporarily
Revelation 17 verses 7 - 9 shows the establishment of the false church. The false church will be supported by antichrist "...the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns". The fact that the Bible states that she sits on seven mountain shows that geographically, this institution will be located Rome (the city of seven hills). Revelation 17 verses 3 & 4 shows that she will receive full backing of antichrist and the ten kingdoms who will provide her with enough resources to carry out her campaign including the murders of those rejecting her false institution. She will apparently be a very rich institution.
The seventh and eight world empires of the antichrist will support the false church. In other to differentiate this kingdom of antichrist from her predecessors, the Bible gives the account of Revelation 17 verse 10 - 11. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon (under King Nebuchadnezzar), Medo - Persia and Greece are the five out of seven empires or kingdoms that are fallen. At the time of writing the book of Revelation at about AD 90, "...and one is..." stands for the old Roman Empire. "...and the other is not yet come" is the seventh kingdom out of which antichrist will come from. This seventh kingdom comprises of 10 different kingdoms or regions into which the entire world will be subdivided just before the start of the great tribulation. These ten kingdoms of the seventh world empire will give their support to antichrist who will initiate his eight world empire at the start of the second half of the great tribulation (Revelation 17 verses 12 & 13). Together, antichrist and the ten kingdoms will support the activities of the false church during the first half of the great tribulation period. Click here to go to the topical bullet points.
Deceits, Lies and Perversion of the False Church
The Bible describes this false church as a "...whore that is sitteth on many waters" (Revelation 17 verses 1, 2 & 15). Just as a whore prostitute her body for gain, so will the false church deceive the entire world with lies aimed at promoting antichrist. The Bible symbolically used the word "fornication" to show how this false church will mess the entire world with deceits, lies and sins through idolatrous religious practices. Unlike the true church of Christ that is asked to live holily in a sinful world, the false church promotes sins to the entire world. Also the word "scarlet" shows that the false church will not be peace loving. Instead of being persecuted, this church will be an oppressive religious power. This false church will orchestrate the deaths of those who believes in Jesus Christ during the first half of the great tribulation period. While antichrist will not personally persecute the saints of God during the first half of the great tribulation, the false church will martyred so many people for not embracing the false church and her beliefs (Revelation 17 verse 6). Thus the saints of Revelation 6 verses 10 & 11 will cry out for vengeance against this false church.
The Bible describes the false church as
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
God destroys the False Church through Antichrist
Towards the end of the great tribulation, antichrist will destroy this false institution as she no longer is of any use to antichrist and also because he needs to establish the worship of himself. He will refuse to share his power with the false church. While it may seem that antichrist carries this out. It is actually God judging this false church through the instrumentality of the antichrist (Revelation 17 verses 16 & 17).
Judgement of the City of Babylon located in Iraq
Revelation 18 talks about the destruction of the literal city of Babylon. This is the same city where the tower of Babel was attempted in the first religious rebellion against God (Genesis 10 verse 10; 11 verses 1 - 9). Throughout the Bible, the city of Babylon has always been associated with demonic activities, perversions and idolatry. Demonic activities will characterize the future of Babylon during the second half of the great tribulation and after antichrist names her as one of his capital cities. This city will most certainly suit antichrist to establish his worship as a result of her history and enormous wealth from oil. There seems to be a connection between the false Babylonian church and this literal city of Babylon. Both Babylon will spiritually commit fornication with the kings and presidents of the earth (Revelation 18 verse 3). The aspect of demonic worship, idolatry, sorceries, enchantments found in the false church will be practiced in the city of Babylon during the second half of the great tribulation. This city will become the haven for demonic religious, commercial and social system during the last half of the great tribulation period.
The Bible states that the destruction of the city of Babylon will take place just in one day. God will supernaturally destroy this part of the nation of Iraq just as he did to Sodom and Gomorrah (Revelation 18 verses 4 - 8, 17 - 19). The book of Isaiah 13 verses 1 - 6, 19 points out that this destruction will take place on the day of the Lord or about the time Jesus reveals Himself the second time. This judgement will take place just before the battle of Armageddon 1260 days after antichrist is incarnated by Satan. This judgement will amaze people from all over the world and they would lament over her destruction. This destruction of Babylon will obviously be the last in history. Babylon will never again be rebuilt.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb takes place in Heaven
While every other event described during the Great Tribulation takes place on earth, the marriage supper of the lamb takes place in heaven towards the end of the tribulation on earth.
At about the time the literal city of Babylon is being judged on earth, there will be rejoicings in heavens because the thousands of years of false religious practice have finally been brought to end (Revelation 19 verses 1 – 8). At this time all the saints of God in heaven will be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
How will the Marriage Supper take Place
The marriage supper of the lamb will take place in heaven as nations after nations on earth are gathering to fight against Jesus Christ at the valley of Megiddo in Israel (Revelation 19 verses 6 - 9 & Psalm 2 verses 1 - 9). The supper will involve all God's people that ever lived on earth. Namely; old testament saints, new testament saints or the church of Christ up to the point of rapture, all martyrs during the great tribulation period, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who were raptured to heaven after the first half of great tribulation period and angels of God in heaven who for the past six thousands having been faithful to their calling to minister to humans beings particularly the heir of salvations (Hebrews 1 verses 13 & 14). Jesus Christ made reference to this supper in Luke 22 verse 18.
Jesus Christ gave a parable on how the marriage supper of the lamb is going to be held. The book of Matthew 22 verses 1 - 14 gives us an understanding of how this supper will take place. When reading this passage, we must be careful not to be dogmatic in its application to the marriage supper of the lamb. Bear in mind that this is a parable and not hard-and-fast account of how the marriage supper of the lamb will take place. The marriage of this passage is apparently for the wife or bride of Christ in Revelation 19 verses 7 – 9. This wife of Christ is a combination of saints who lived in the old and new testaments era. In other words, believers who lived before the start of the seven years of great tribulation. This set of saints forms the twenty four elders spoken of in Revelation 4 verse 4 & 10; 5 verses 8 & 14; 11 verse 16 and 19 verse 4.
Christ Union with his Bride during the Marriage Supper
Twenty-four elders stand for 12 elders or representatives of twelve Patriarchs of the tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the new testaments. These twenty-four elders symbolically describe hundreds of millions of God's people who lived in both eras of the old and new testaments. These saints will be present in their physical resurrected body during the supper because they choosed to believe God during the time of grace (or period before the great tribulation). They contrast from saints of the great tribulation who will only believe after they have seen undeniable proof that Jesus Christ is savior. This proof comes from facing the reality millions of missing Christians at rapture and literal fulfillments of prophecies given in the book of Revelation. While the old and new testaments saints rely on the written word of God and always acted by faith, the saints of the great tribulation will see the manifestation of the written word of God that will make it impossible to deny the existence of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 22 verses 1 & 2 shows that God made this marriage between his son Jesus Christ and the twenty-four elders. Matthew 22 verses 3 - 7 illustrates the invitation given to the Jews to accept Jesus Christ. Because they made light of it, in AD 70 general Titus of the old Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and killed millions of Jews. This rejection by the Jews continued for two thousand years until the church or the wife of Christ was caught up to be with Christ in I Thessalonians 4 verses 13 - 18.
The “Guests” of the Marriage Supper
The book of Matthew 22 verses 8 - 13 illustrates how invitation was later given to "guest" and the necessity of having the righteousness of Christ in order to participate in this marriage.
The guest in the book of Matthew are illustrative of saints who turns to Christ during the great tribulation period. This group of saints will participate in the marriage supper of the lamb without their glorified bodies. It will take approximately seven years for the number of these saints to be completed before Christ resurrect them with immortal bodies (Revelation 6 verses 9 - 11). While Christ is not a segregationalist, He however makes differentiation between His saints based on the time of their acceptance of Christ. The Bible clearly reveals that all the saints of God in every age will rule and reign with Christ forever.
However Christ clearly differentiates the great tribulation saints from saints that were raptured. This is clear in the book of Revelation 7 verses 9 - 12. This passage shows that the twenty-four elders of verse 13 were already in heaven before the great tribulation saints of verse 9 & 14 appeared before the throne of God. Also the Bible clearly points out that the great tribulation saint would all be resurrected at the time of Christ second appearance to set up His millennial kingdom in Revelation 20 verse 4. Also the prophesy of Enoch in Jude 1 verse 14 states the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints. The expression "...of his saints" makes us to understand that not all the saints that will rule with Jesus Christ through eternity will physically appear in the sky at Armageddon. While hundreds of millions raptured saints and angels appear in the sky with Jesus on mount olives, hundred of millions of great tribulation saints who at this point are present in heaven in their souls will be prepared to resurrect with their glorified bodies (Revelation 20 verse 4) after the battle of Armageddon.
In conclusion, the marriage supper of the lamb will take place in heaven between Jesus Christ and his wife (or the twenty four elders). Guests making up the great tribulation saints will be invited to this marriage supper of the lamb.