[Note: This author is a pre-Tribulation rapture believer, and this article reflects that view.]
Introduction
If it weren’t for the length of the title, this article could have been called An Interpretive Scenario of the Most Rapid-Fire, Hectic, and Event-Filled Period in the History of the World!
Essentially, everything you are about to read will be climaxing at approximately the midway point of the Tribulation. It truly will be the most rapid-fire, event-filled point in history and, obviously, not for the good.
The reader will notice that I reference multiple articles I have written. Trust me; this is not an effort at self-promotion. That thought leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I never expected that this would be the case when I first started on this journey of writing out what I believe to be a legitimate, possible, end-time interpretive view. Of course, whether this, in fact, is how it will all play out, only time will tell. The one thing I do know for sure is, we won’t be here to see it; we’ll be in heaven, and Praise the Lord for that!!
The fact is that virtually every article I have written on future prophecy ties together with each other. When one reads through them all, they are able to get a much clearer and exhaustive picture of what I see might very well happen during the Tribulation.
Because I believe the midway point of the Tribulation will be so fast-moving, it can be hard to tell, at times, what the exact order will be. Below is my best guess as to how this amazing time in history might play out.
The Setup
Immediately after the rapture of the church, the following three items will begin:
- The United Nations will, in desperation and desire, finally get their global “utopia” by segregating the world into 10 regional kingdoms under 10 leaders or kings. Here is a link to a map of the Club of Rome’s vision of this 10 regional kingdom: https://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/imagenes_sociopol/nasco01_04.gif
- Antichrist will begin his rise to power somewhere in western Europe alongside the Roman Catholic church and, ultimately, take over the kingship of the western European region, along with two others – most certainly including the Middle East – in a short-lived revived Roman empire (Daniel 7:8). The start of the 7-year Tribulation, of course, will begin with signing of the covenant between Israel, the Antichrist, and the “many” (Daniel 9:27), but Antichrist’s rise to power will include the interval gap between the rapture and the signing of this covenant.
- The 144,000 Israeli witnesses will begin their ministry to the world after the rapture of the church, going through to the midway point of the Tribulation.
Let’s begin our interpretive scenario with the 144,000 witnesses.
144,000 Witnesses
We are first introduced to the 144,000 Israeli evangelists in Revelation chapter 7. With the exception of the tribe of Dan, we see proof-positive that there are no “10 lost tribes of Israel,” as God knows where they are. They are well-educated Israelis with an impeccable understanding of the Torah (Law) and the Tanakh (the Old Testament Scriptures) and will come to Yeshua (Jesus) after the rapture, recognizing Him as their Messiah. The Holy Spirit will work mightily in them as they bring many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
And notice that they are sealed for the service of God and protection from the forces of evil:
“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
“Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand” (Revelation 7:2-8).
Calculating the Number of The Beast
I personally believe that the 144,000 Israeli evangelists will be the people with the wisdom to calculate the Number of The Beast – which is “six hundred and sixty-six” – and reveal the identity of the Antichrist to the world, warning those on the earth of the things to come and bringing in a multitude to salvation in Christ Jesus.
The verse in Revelation 13 reads this way:
“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” (Revelation 13:18).
I have covered this topic in my article, 666: A Study of Revelation 13:18, which can be found here: https://www.raptureready.com/2020/07/25/666-a-study-of-revelation-1318-by-mark-a-becker/ or https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=204350
The Resurrection of the 144,000 Israeli Evangelists
In Revelation chapter 14, we get to see the amazing gathering together of the 144,000 Israeli evangelists to Jerusalem (reminiscent of Philip’s translation from the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:39-40) unto the Lord!
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:1-5).
The 144,000 are “redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb,” and will, very similarly, have a rapture experience as that of the church that was living on the earth three and one-half plus years prior.
During the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation (in simultaneity with the 144,000 witnessing all over the world), the Two Witnesses will have been preaching in Jerusalem; but before their ministry is over, something else will take place.
The 10 Kings Destroy Ecumenical Babylon and Hand Their Kingdom to Antichrist
In conjunction with everything that has happened pushing toward this midway point of the Tribulation, another major event happens:
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:12-17).
A detailed account of what I believe will happen during this time, in regards to the Whore of Babylon and the city where she sits, can be found in my article, A Combined Interpretive Scenario of Revelation 17 & 18, and can be found here: https://www.raptureready.com/2020/08/05/a-combined-interpretive-scenario-of-revelation-17-18-by-mark-a-becker/ or https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=204830
The Two Witnesses
We will not speculate as to who the Two Witnesses are. But for full disclosure, I am in the process of researching and writing an article on this very subject.
Here is their story as recorded in Revelation 11:
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will” (Revelation 11:3-6).
Then the Antichrist, with the False Prophet, will make their way to Jerusalem, having recently been given leadership over the entire world by the 10 kings.
Here’s how I see these events playing out.
Antichrist Defeats the Two Witnesses
While the 144,000 are a picture of the rapture of the church, the Two Witnesses are a picture, and seemingly the fulfillment, of the resurrection of the Old Testament and Tribulation saints up to this midway point of the seven-year Tribulation.
We see that the Antichrist, after the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation, will successfully slay them; and after three and a half days, the Two Witnesses will be resurrected by the Lord.
“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast [Antichrist] that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth” (Revelation 11:7-10).
While the bodies of the Two Witnesses lay in the streets of Jerusalem, the Antichrist enters the rebuilt temple and declares Himself God.
The Abomination of Desolation: Antichrist Declares Himself God and Sets Up His Image
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).
Revelation chapter 13 gives us a little more information regarding this event as the False Prophet, who is the Antichrist’s right-hand man, is introduced:
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:11-15).
The story continues:
“And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them [the Two Witnesses], and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:11-12).
This is when I believe that the Old Testament and Tribulation saints – who have died between the rapture and this midway point of the Tribulation – will all be resurrected, with the Two Witnesses (and possibly in conjunction with the 144,000 Israeli evangelists), so they may all attend The Marriage Supper of The Lamb.
In my article, Resurrections and The Marriage Supper of The Lamb, I suggest how these resurrections will play out, and can be found here: https://www.raptureready.com/2020/09/22/resurrections-and-the-marriage-supper-of-the-lamb-by-mark-a-becker/ or https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=205798
After the resurrection of the Two Witnesses, we learn:
“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:13).
Antichrist’s UN Forces Keeping “Peace” in Jerusalem
In my article, A Study of Zechariah 14:1-11, I suggest how the Antichrist and his United Nations troops will have been in Jerusalem helping to “enforce” the seven-year covenant mentioned in Daniel 9:27. After the Abomination of Desolation, the battle of Zechariah 14:1 takes place. This article can be found here: https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=205594 or https://www.raptureready.com/2020/09/11/a-study-of-zechariah-141-11-by-mark-a-becker/
With the worship of the image of Antichrist, and Antichrist himself, comes the visual and technological means of that allegiance with the taking of The Mark of The Beast.
Antichrist Sets Up Mark of The Beast System and Rules the World
In my article, Zechariah 5:5-11 – Homecoming: Babel Returns Home, I lay out, through Zechariah’s vision, how this Mark of The Beast system and the worship of Antichrist and his image could very well play out. You can read this article here: https://www.raptureready.com/2020/08/19/zechariah-55-11-homecoming-babel-returns-home-by-mark-a-becker/ or https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=205436
“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” (Revelation 13:16-17).
Conclusion
This is my suggested interpretive scenario of the events in and around the middle part of the Tribulation. Like I said, it is one jam-packed time in history and can be difficult to piece together.
The reason I titled this article, An Interpretive Scenario of the Abomination of Desolation, is simple: Just as the cross of Christ is the centerpiece of God’s grand plan for bringing fallen man back to Himself, so the Abomination of Desolation is Satan’s centerpiece in his plan to bring mankind into submission to him and, ultimately, eternal destruction. As usual, Satan is the master counterfeiter of all things God.
With all that said, we just can’t leave it at that. We have to be reminded that we win, because Jesus has already won! And on that positive note, let’s meditate on what that glorious time will be like:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:2-4).
“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Daniel 2:27).
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
Email: mab10666@yahoo.com