Many people, Christians and non-believers alike, often pooh-pooh the notion of a Rapture. Apparently, they reason that an “up-up-and-away” is the easy way out … leaving a messed-up world in abandonment behind them. But that is a gross mischaracterization of the environment of the earth at that time. The Bible says that faith will run cold in the last days (Matthew 24:12). This implies that there will be relatively few saved souls on earth at that time. (Disclosure: We do not subscribe to the Partial Rapture Theory.)

The last-day world is taken up with merriment, hedonism, humanism, wickedness, and self-determination. Believers will be persecuted. It will be a very difficult time for born-again Christians. Christ even asked rhetorically: “[…] when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Thus, right up until the time of the Rapture (shortly or immediately followed by the Tribulation Period), these souls will be prepared and ready. They will not have succumbed to the lures of the world.

Of course, no one knows when the Tribulation will start. Without a doubt, it would indeed be all so much easier if the Rapture were predictable. Waiting for the Rapture, therefore, requires much faith, separateness from the world, and perseverance. Later—once the Tribulation starts, of course—future events will no longer be secret … readily observable by all earth-dwellers at that time, according to Scripture. Many people will realize that God’s wrath and the end is near.

Those that come to Christ during the Tribulation period will be called to stand and overcome the pressures to worship the image of the first Beast. Those that accept Christ as their Savior will pay with their blood to stand firm to the end. Before the Tribulation begins, all Spirit-filled souls will be raptured … all of them undeserving of both salvation and a Pre-Tribulational Rapture.

In the next several issues, we will examine a number of unusual controversial issues that involve the Rapture and the saints of the last days. To be sure, this raises conundrums, debated chronicles and, hopefully, some insights. We begin with the following conundrum: Why does God seemingly allow the “wicked” to triumph over His people?

Rapture Conundrum

Should we not expect to be delivered by our Lord, who says that our smallest care is His concern? Isn’t He the one upon whom we are to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)?

Yes. Yet, we also read about a situation in the Bible where the “holy ones” are given over to be defeated by the Antichrist, also known as the “little horn.” This statement is found in the 7th chapter of Daniel. He tells us: “As I watched, this horn [the ‘little horn’] was waging war against the ‘holy ones’ and defeating them […]” (verse 21). Again, not to miss this … it says, “defeating them.” We may wonder why this is allowed to happen to the “holy ones,” as it seems unjust.

Any doubt on this topic is quickly expelled, as this defeat of the “holy ones” is described at least five more times.

A few verses later (Daniel 7:25), it states that the Antichrist “will speak against the Most High and oppress his ‘holy ones’ […] They will be delivered into his [Antichrist’s] hands for “a time, times and half a time.” Here we learn that this ordeal will last three and a half years in the Tribulation Period.

But that’s not all. There are yet additional and similar prophecies in the book of Daniel, which state that the “holy ones” would be overcome. A later vision, interpreted by an angel, informs us that: “He [the Antichrist] will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the ‘holy ones'” (Daniel 8:24).

Lastly, in Daniel 12:7, it says: “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the ‘holy ones’ has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” Even though the “holy ones” are said to be “mighty,” they will be destroyed. These above-mentioned statements all align with prophecies written in the Book of Revelation. However, “[The Beast] was given power to wage war against God’s ‘holy ones’ and to conquer them” (Revelation 13:7).

And again: “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s ‘holy ones’ and to conquer them” (Revelation 13:5-7).

Daniel and John the Revelator are in perfect alignment. The time period over which the defeat will take place is 42 months, and the Beast mentioned is the same … the one that blasphemes and speaks against the Most High.

Given these confirming references from both Testaments, there can be no doubt. For a period of 3 1/2 years (in our interpretation, this being the first half of the Tribulation period), “holy ones” are going to fall prey to the Antichrist.

They will not only be defeated; the Bible also says that they will be destroyed (Daniel 8:24). A plain interpretation would, therefore, suggest that ALL are destroyed.

We still grapple with this question: Why should the “holy ones” all become martyrs … all be destroyed? We again come back to our earlier question at the outset: Why does God seemingly allow the “wicked” to triumph over His people?

We must first confirm the answer to this question: Just who are these “holy ones” that are being overcome in the previously quoted texts? The answer provides an important key.

We must note that the concept of the church was yet hidden at the time of Daniel and other OT prophets. The Messiah had not yet appeared nor had been rejected by the Jews.

However, the identity of the “holy ones” seems fairly clear, as it is referring to a future time when the “holy ones” would exist. We identify them as the Tribulational Christians. There is an ironclad case supporting this conclusion, which we will show.

To re-phrase, all of the “holy ones” that are being shown as vanquished and destroyed in Scripture are Tribulation Saints. This means those that have come to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Savior once the seven-year Tribulation began … in other words, after the Rapture has taken place.

None of the six aforementioned prophecies apply to the saints of the Church Age. Post-Rapture saints have a much different timeline than the saints that are taken up in the Rapture.

Many misinterpret these accounts of saints being destroyed as evidence that the Church-age Christians will not be raptured and, therefore, be required to go through the Tribulation. We believe this to be an incorrect conclusion on several accounts.

First, the proofs of the Rapture occurring stand on their own. Several New Testament texts confirm it. As well, the Rapture is an event that is entirely consistent with the character of God.

The fact that there are people who will repent during the Tribulation has no direct connection to the Rapture. These references to “holy ones” found in Daniel and Revelation refer to those (earth-dwellers) who become believers in Christ during the first half of the Tribulation.

Gloriously, there will be many … a veritable multitude. The accounts of Daniel and Apostle John (the Revelator) are in alignment on this point.

Apostle John says that “[…] a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, [was] standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). These were Tribulational Christians. How do we know this?

First, of course, this scene takes place in heaven before the throne at the time of the sixth seal. This event, therefore, occurs in the Tribulation Period. “They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (verse 9). The white robe signified that they had received salvation, and the palm branches represented victory. This could only apply to a Christian. Therefore, to again conclude: These “holy ones” are all Christians that come out of the Tribulation.

Second, this “multitude” that is identified at the time of the sixth seal is, in fact, the fulfillment of the prophecy given at the time when the fifth seal was opened (found in Revelation chapter 6). The slain saints at that time (shown under the altar in front of the great throne) are told to wait until the remainder of brethren on earth are killed and emerge “out of the Tribulation.” They are shown as the souls who had been slain, waiting under the altar in heaven. They had been killed in the Tribulation because of the Word of God and the testimony that they had maintained.

“They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?'” (Revelation 6:10). They were told to wait a while longer, “[…] until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been” (verse 11). Those that had been killed already upon earth were given a white robe.

Then later, after the sixth seal had been removed, the “multitude beyond count” is seen in heaven (Revelation 7:9), as already mentioned. “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14).

We can deduce here that many, many Christians were martyred from before the time of the fifth seal until after the sixth seal. Just as Daniel prophesies, they will all have been “destroyed” (martyred). This writer concludes that there will be no “fellow servants” remaining (these being the “holy ones”… Tribulational saints) upon the earth once the seventh seal is about to be removed. In the following sequel, we will review the evidence for this view, as well as its decisive implications for various Rapture theories.

In the next issues, we delve into yet more conundrums and chronicles. Why can the Rapture happen at no other time than Pre-Tribulation? Who passes through the Tribulation into the Millennium? Will all Christians die at the hands of the Antichrist? What are the most glorious promises to the Church?

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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

A main focus of our writings has always been global endtime money trends, and of conditions that specifically lead to The Endtime Money Snare (TEMS). It is all about global political economy. That might sound boring. To the contrary.

We are discussing here cosmological, dark-world conspiracies that are validated in the Bible. As such, we are certain of our views. We are in no way madmen chasing wind. A great conspiracy is unfolding … that still awaits the rise of a “master of intrigue” (Daniel 8:23).

Where does it all start and end? Satan and his minions (along with complicit humans) have been building a money trap for humanity for some time. It has been advancing step by step throughout the past several centuries. The ultimate goal is unifying mankind in a rebellion against God.

Recently, several gargantuan steps toward that goal have taken place. The COVID-19 pandemic has served to be a catalyst … a massive accelerant. In our view, it is the biggest tactical advance of TEMS ever, and signifies that Satan’s agenda is accelerating boldly. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Revelation 13:17 is rapidly approaching.

As we are discussing conspiracies here, we must first set some precautions. It is a field that attracts much wild-eyed speculation. This writer discloses that he never had much of a dalliance with radical and groundless, global conspiracy theories that plug up the Internet. That is not to say that there are not any conspiracies. There are many, and among them, a colossal one. That is the one we want to focus on, as we will explain further.

Yes, there are many conspiracy theories that are full of innuendo and unproven allegations. One finds that the details are often speculative and blurry. As such, most conspiracy theories are difficult to validate. Their focus is generally upon specific human actors … the so-called “evil” people.

Let us first establish some proportionality on this topic. To start, it is key to recognize that human beings are only bit actors in the cosmology of conspiracy. For the most part, they are pawns. Secondly, in examining conspiracies, a solid foundation is first needed. Where do we find this? In Scripture. Consulting the Bible allows us to base our perspectives squarely on something reliable and unchanging.

The Great Satanic Plan

The central conspiracy of all history is that of Satan in his worldwide commandeering of mankind. His goal is to unite (whether by force, collusion, or lure) the entire earth behind his rebellion against God and His Son.

Says the Psalmist, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed […]” (Psalm 2:1-2).

How can we be certain of Satan’s agenda? Again, we go to Scripture. At this point, we should be reminded that Apostle Paul had the attitude “[…] that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Satan’s schemes should, therefore, be obvious to us.

In the Bible, we discover the tour de force of this program: the unleashing of the great endtime money trap. In our interpretation, it occurs just before the middle point of the Tribulation (or shortly thereafter).

That is the time that the “talking” image of the Beast causes all buying and selling to be restricted, except for those that acknowledge him and “receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads. […] that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark” (Revelation 13:17).

This economic trap, The Endtime Money Snare (TEMS) is also prophesied clearly elsewhere in the Bible. We find it in Luke 21:34-35: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.”

Apostle Paul is alerted to this Satanic scheme and prays “that they [who are lost] will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

The conditions described in the above-mentioned verses align with those that we already see unfolding around the world in recent history. Conditions such as the “anxieties of life,” which apply to all “who live on the face of the whole earth,” could very possibly include pressured lifestyles, deep materialism, pandemics (i.e. COVID-19 virus attacks), shaky financial markets, overindebtedness, the deceptions of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), and economic crises of our time. This would only be a small sample of the causes of human anxiety.

But, why would Satan want to set this Endtime Money Snare? The Psalmist states, “The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path” (Psalm 140:5). If traps are being built, then there must be a trapper and there must exist an agenda.

To review, Scripture says that a great rebellion against God is underway, and we should not be deceived on this matter. “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He will take on the Most High.

So, we see that the rebellion is clearly led by Satan—also referred to as the Kosmokratōr (Ephesians 6:12)—who is the power behind the “man of lawlessness.” He is “doomed to destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) … the one who “will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes” (Daniel 8:25).

But, why has Satan chosen economic and financial controls to help bring about a colossal rebellion of mankind? Because that is the only effective means of global power he can muster. He is not omnipresent, as is God and His Spirit. While the Holy Spirit can communicate with all of humanity simultaneously, not so Satan. He does need a global system.

Instead, the most effective way of controlling or guiding all humanity is through an integrated, global-commercial financial system. And, as it happens, the innate traits and penchants of humanity play right into this scheme: mankind’s psychological susceptibility to crises (whatever their kind), Mammon’s lure, and an acute vulnerability to the love of money. It is as simple as that.

The mass crowd behaviors and complicities of human beings are very predictable. The Bible lays out the inner workings and vulnerabilities of mankind. Knowing these, we will not be surprised to discover just how fickle and biased are human actions and their choices. It can be observed that humans are more driven by their emotions than their heads.

Money and fear are bedmates. Pennilessness is considered worse that having cancer in our culture today. Said Robert South, an influential English churchman of the 17^th century, “There are not a few who believe in no God but Mammon, no devil but the absence of gold, no damnation but being poor, and no hell but an empty purse; and not a few of their descendants are living still.”1 This diagnosis could not be more succinct and accurate. It explains exactly why humanity is so vulnerable to the wiles of the Devil.

Types of Conspiracies

The Bible mentions many conspiracies. And today, there are numerous conspiracies at work. While there may be many, there are only two main types.

One type of conspiracy primarily involves human participants. And, there is a myriad of these. In fact, all humans will have participated in countless schemes throughout their lives. These may seem trivial in view of the much larger and world-impacting conspiracies that may take place. But, they do qualify as conspiracies and are, in fact, sinful.

The fact remains that all humans sin, and all of us have been conspiratorial in one way or another. In this respect, whether large or small, there is no difference to God.

That said, there are people that have the means and opportunity to be part of exceptionally large … perhaps even globally coordinated conspiracies. It is mostly this group that attracts the attention of the conspiracy-chasing community. They rail against these “wicked” people, imagining that they can see into their hearts.

Most assume that the participants of such larger scale schemes are elites, the wealthy, and the plutocrats. This is not wholly the case. Wickedness can be found anywhere, under varied guises, objectives, and tactics. Therefore, many conspirators are not necessarily easily identified.

It has always been this writer’s contention that most people would be vulnerable to becoming a so-called “wicked elite” if only given the opportunity. Why? They are all human and share the same potential proclivities and temptations.

Just what are mankind’s chief vulnerabilities and vices? There are four primary ones that are of primordial origin. Some of these we have already touched upon. Made a little lower than the angels, the vulnerability to these four vices was woven right into the very fabric of our being by the Creator.

The first of the four human vulnerabilities is mentioned by Apostle Paul: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (l Timothy 6:10). They choose to serve Mammon as master (Matthew 6:24).

One can readily understand the powerful lure to consort with wicked and unrighteous wealth (money). This speaks to the domain of Mammon. Mankind is naturally predisposed to the worship of Mammon.

There are three other predispositions that get mankind into trouble, according to Apostle John.

“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16). Mankind lives in the world. We learn here that the lust of the flesh, dominion and self determination complete the list. It is these four main impulses that trip mankind into sin and conspiracies. We devise them ourselves, or are drawn into complicity with others in nefarious endeavors.

Examples of such are found in the Bible. For example, Ezekiel points out the “political” conspiracies of the elite in Ezekiel 22:25: “There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.” This is conspiracy.

Alternately, the Psalmist complains of the day-to-day dangers of corruption. He cries: “Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked” (Psalm 64:2). He points to the general wickedness in the human world. These types of conspiracies fall into the human constituency, though most assuredly are encouraged by Satan.

Primordial: The Second Type of Conspiracy

The second type of conspiracy involves the cosmological and the primordial. Here we must next give recognition to the most powerful and lethal conspiracies of all—those of the spiritual realm.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

The Bible makes it clear here that conspiracies of the spiritual realm are the most dangerous and pivotal. In fact, they are so dangerous that Jesus Christ Himself gave us weapons to fight them. And, we are also ensured that we have been given immunity and invincibility in these battles. The 6^th chapter in Ephesians deals with battle stratagems and the equipment that we are to use.

As such, it its vitally important that we always keep these two types of conspiracies correctly differentiated. Why? Because we are encouraged to fight the dark spiritual realms—not humans.

Keeping these sources apart will prevent us from being misdirected and confused by the daily cacophony of sensationalism and hype that today seems to command the media world.

Furthermore, we are not to make a mountain out of a molehill … namely, referring to “human” agendas. Emphasising this point, Isaiah made this statement: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread” (Isaiah 8:12-13).

What I believe Isaiah is saying here is this: Do not pay attention to the many crazy conspiracy speculations about human players and schemers. We should not spin highly speculative stories about human conspiracies. Instead, we are to go on with our lives … neither fixating on human villains, nor falling into fear of humans. Instead, fear the Lord.

Thoughts to Ponder

Satan’s necessary tactic is to control all humans on earth and to have power over them. Why must he do this? Again, because he is masterminding a unified rebellion of all humanity against God.

In the end, Satan’s tactics to capture humanity to worship him will be brutal; with much more devious and gruesome maneuvers yet to come. It is essential to note that human players are not the instigators here. Whatever roles they may play, they remain creatures made of flesh and blood. Again, they are mere pawns that have been deceived.

If we are not to vilify humans, then, what should we be focusing upon instead? Answer: We are to focus upon Jesus Christ and the spiritual battle against evil originating from the underworld. The Lord has equipped us to fight in this arena. We recall that Apostle Paul tells us that we are expressly outfitted to battle in the spiritual realm. In fact, we are given immunity. How so?

Romans 8:38-39 says: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We are encouraged to know that as we indeed are made to engage in battle with archē, exousia and the Kosmokratōr (Satan himself), not only are we given stratagems, but also invincibility. Effectively, we are spiritually sealed.

Again, why should we fight spiritual realms as opposed to attacking other humans? As shown in Ephesians 6, our battle is not against flesh and blood. Furthermore, we are admonished to not “call everything” a conspiracy of spiritual consequence. Very definitely, the spiritual sources rank in power above human conspiracy.

Our Lord wants us to direct our battle against the great top-down forces, and not waste our energies and firepower against fellow humans.

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

1 Robert South (4 September 1634 – 8 July 1716) was an English churchman who was known for his combative preaching and his Latin poetry.