READ THE FIG LEAVES
Signs of the Times
STUDY 1
PART 3 HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE—A PREVIEW
Prologue
Important to having some understanding of end time events is a review of Bible prophecy, history of similar events and identifying participants in those events. Especially, those events that show we are moving toward and into Tribulation.
While the “divided kingdom” prophecy in Daniel will become the kingdom of the Antichrist at or near mid-Tribulation, we must look now for the beginnings of a one-world government to see that government being formed. See the signs of the times—‘read the fig leaves.’
One of those signs will be the rebuilding of the Third Temple and the start of Temple sacrifices. Plans are already being made for them. We must closely watch for this sign—read the fig leaves; for it has important end-time implications
We are familiar with wars and rumors of wars. We should be focused on a future war—the first war of Gog and Magog. Identifying this war helps to establish a timeline for other pre-Tribulation and Tribulation events.
Volumes of books would be required to explain all of the things that will have to coalesce for the final one world religion. While many of those things have already happened, many others are happening now and others will happen in the near future.
Lastly, we look at a part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and events that happen further into the end-times. Most of these events will be written about in more detail it future topics. In any study about end-times some repetition is necessary; for unraveling the mystery of events in the end-times can be very confusing. So in several instances those events that are most confusing are first previewed then enlarged in a future study.
TOPIC 7—KINGDOMS and THE KINGDOM of the ANTICHRIST
Daniel’s Divided Kingdom and a Revived Roman Empire
It is hard to consistently and properly differentiate between kingdoms and empires and their truest meanings when the usage of kingdoms and empires—where definitions of a kingdom consists of a king and his area of influence, and empires are multiple kingdoms ruled by an emperor—are so often use interchangeably in the writings of others. The word empire is not used in the ESV version of the Bible—both empires and kingdoms are kingdoms there. So for this book I will try to keep references to empires when writing about historical empires and kingdoms when referring to both kingdoms and empires in scripture.
So many kingdoms and empires have already happened— it is hard to reduce them down to a few pages and to a common example of a kingdom or empire that is like the kingdom or empire of the end-time. Some kingdoms foreshadow things to come and some are examples of what can happen; but none are exactly like this last kingdom—the “divided kingdom” of Daniel chapter two—that will become the kingdom of the Antichrist. Some call this a revival of an empire, that resembles the old Roman Empire, the “Revived Roman Empire.” This empire, will have some of the characteristics of The Holy Roman Empire, an empire that existed from the ninth century to the nineteenth century as well as the ancient Roman Empire. Before we can begin to understand this last earthly kingdom, we need to look at the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. DANIEL 2:31-35
This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure. DANIEL 2:36-45
Except for its feet, this statue was totally composed of various metal. Each part of the statue was a differing metal and each represented a kingdom or empire. The head of the statue was fine gold and represented the Babylonian Empire. Its chest and arms of silver represented the Medo-Persian Empire. Its middle and thighs of bronze represented the Greek Empire. Its legs of iron, the Roman Empire, and its feet partly of iron and partly of clay represents the “divided kingdom,” the last earthly kingdom of this world. While Daniel did not define or name the kingdoms that followed the Babylonian kingdom, he did note they were inferior kingdoms that would arise after Nebuchadnezzar. Those kingdoms or empires that followed Nebuchadnezzar are now history. Again, each of the first three sections of the body of the statue was a differing metal and a different kingdom; but Daniel gives further definition to the legs and feet. Although both the legs, made of iron, and the feet, partly of iron, were similar, they were not the same. Since they were alike in their ‘iron,’ Daniel wanted everyone to understand they were not the same kingdoms. He chose to call that last kingdom, the feet, a “divided kingdom.”
This “divided kingdom” from Daniel will be a lot like the Roman Empire, the legs of iron; but it will be tempered with clay at its beginning. That changes drastically before its ending; for the last three and one-half years of this seventh kingdom the clay will be removed and the Antichrist will reign. The mid-point of Tribulation will be the start of his rule. At its beginning this last kingdom will be a weaker kingdom than the old Roman Empire for now the iron rule is mixed with clay—these two are not a compatible mixture; but once the Antichrist removes the clay it will again become an kingdom of iron! The Antichrist’s intervention, divorce of church and state, and the rule of the Antichrist will be the ending of the world as we know it.
As previously noted, this last kingdom could resemble the old Holy Roman Empire. The world church and those who want peace at any price [the clay] will form a coalition with the ten horn kings. DANIEL 7 & REVELATION 17 The Holy Roman Empire was an alliance between an emperor and the Catholic Church—with the church having tremendous influence. Initially, these ten kings will be ruling this Revived Roman Empire; but at some point they, too, will make an alliance with the church. These are the ten horns on the fourth beast of Daniel’s vision DANIEL 7:7-8 and the ten horns on three beasts in Revelation. While this fourth beast in Daniel represented the old Roman Empire, the beast’s ten horns will the kings of the Revived Roman Empire. In Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, the old Roman Empire was represented by the legs of iron. The feet partly of iron and partly of clay represents the “divided kingdom,” DANIEL 2:33 all of the kingdoms of the ten ‘horn’ kings—the seventh and last earthly kingdom. Since these feet and toes, the ten toes could also represent ten kings, are partly potter’s clay they will only be partly strong and partly brittle as iron and clay do not mix. DANIEL 2:41-42
Daniel describes this mix as a marriage that will not hold together. DANIEL 2:43 It is a marriage of church and state; but they will be “divorced” after a short time. Then this kingdom will no longer be influenced by anyone who professes Jesus is the Son of God. No humans will have any control; for the devil will be in full control. The devil has always been antichrist; but he learned a long time ago he cannot take over God’s kingdom; for he tried and failed. He can only mimic the Kingdom of God with his satanic kingdom. At the end, he will make this seventh earthly kingdom totally his kingdom.
We are told the fourth beast, in Daniel, is terrifying, dreadful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. DANIEL 7:7 That is a good description of the old Roman Empire; but the “divided kingdom,” will not be as terrible as the ancient Roman Empire in its beginning. It will be tempered by the “clay,” the apostate church. Once the clay is removed all of the terror, dread, strength, and destruction of the old Roman Empire will be exponentially increased.
All of this will come to a violent end when, “… a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.” DANIEL 2:34 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” DANIEL 2:44 Then “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ…” REVELATION 11:15
Some scholars believe all of the prophecy about Daniel’s four beasts and Nebuchadnezzar’s statue has already been fulfilled. Except for the ten horns and the “divided kingdom” I, too, believe most of Daniel’s chapter two and chapter seven prophesies have been fulfilled. But those things reiterated in the previous paragraphs have not been yet fulfilled.
Daniel’s Divided Kingdom in Revelation
Daniel’s “divided kingdom” is confirmed by scripture witness in Revelation. Revelation expands on the ten horn and their representation of the ten kings. Daniel’s fourth beast DANIEL 7 and three beasts in Revelation have ten horns. The kings that these horns represent are an important part of this “divided” and last kingdom.
Important as scripture witness to Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, are the seven heads on three of the beasts in Revelation. These confirm the number of empires of the past, six, and there is yet one empire to come—the “divided kingdom.”
Further confirmation of Daniel’s prophecies is found in the beast John saw rising from the sea in Revelation. The “little horn that plucks up three horns DANIEL 7 and the wounded head that is on the beast rising from the sea in Revelation, REVELATION 13 are both representations of the same thing.
All the prophecy in Daniel and in Revelation that gives us more insight into this last earthly kingdom and its formation, its rulers, and its actions are written about in future chapters!
The Antichrist
The start of the ending of this last kingdom and the beginning of a totally demonic kingdom begins with the war in heaven and the casting down to the earth of the great red dragon. He knows his time is short. REVELATION 12:12 His objective is to destroy Israel, to make war with the saints and to overcome them; REVELATION 12:17 & 13:7 but first he must set up his own kingdom! He will employ the Antichrist—he will incarnate him and make him the ruler.
The Antichrist is represented by both the wounded head on John’s beast that rises from the sea and Daniel’s little horn which will displace three of the kings of this last earthly kingdom. DANIEL 7:8 The devil is both a part of the seven heads—seven kingdoms that have persecuted Israel—and the ten horn kings; but the Antichrist’s kingdom is an eight major kingdom that belongs to the seven. It is the last three and one-half years of that “divided kingdom.” “As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.” REVELATION 17:11
Although the Antichrist is not one of the ten ‘horn’ kings, he is the “little horn” that plucks up three horns in Daniel’s vision of his fourth beast. DANIEL 7 He takes over the kingdoms of three of these kings. Another representation of the Antichrist is one of the heads, the wounded head, of the beast rising from the sea. The devil gives the Antichrist his power, his throne, and great authority. REVELATION 13:2 He heals the wounded head of a mortal wound. REVELATION 13:3
He is allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. He blasphemes God’s name, his dwelling and those that dwell in heaven. He is allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them; and all who dwell on the earth worship him—except for those whose names are in the book of life; REVELATION 13:4-8 but before he becomes the last mortal ruler of earth and before Jesus Christ has him thrown into the lake of fire, he must “divorce” himself from the great prostitute—the apostate church—and receive all of the power of the ten horn kings. “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast” [Antichrist]; REVELATION 17:12-13 but before they hand over their power and authority, they, together with the Antichrist, destroy the apostate church. Church and state will divorce.
Many of the early reformers, from the Reformation, strongly believed the popes were the Antichrist. “‘And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.’” MATTHEW 24:4-5 They believed since the popes say, “I am the Christ,” that this scripture applies to them. Martin Luther said that the pope was the Antichrist. Since many made this same proclamation, this caused some reformers to believe that the Antichrist is not a single man but many men in a single office, the papacy!
One World Government
A one-world government is mentioned often in this study. Current events and some popular political positions point to a one-world government. The media does not like to use “one-world,” instead they prefer to use “global.” While freedoms will become more constricted as the end of times nears, in a sense it will not become a one world government until the Antichrist takes full control. In the truest sense it will not become a one world government until the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.
TOPIC 8—THE THIRD TEMPLE
Ezekiel’s Vision of the Third Temple
Declare all that you see to the house of Israel. EZEKIEL 40:4 This was a command for Ezekiel to record all he saw about the Temple. The measuring of various components of the Temple and instructions for procedures start in Ezekiel chapter forty and end in chapter forty-seven. The Third Temple, Ezekiel’s Temple, will be built! It is probable the temple will be rebuilt before the beginning of tribulations, after the end of the First War of Gog and Magog and after Israel regains the Temple Mount. They must, first, feel secure with a peace treaty that will probably be negotiated by the Antichrist before he is revealed. Animal sacrifices may begin as soon as the Third Temple is ready—although they could build an altar before the Temple is completed.
A few years ago, there was an attempt to restart animal sacrifices. In 2019 an organization known as 70 Nations, with support from the Sanhedrin, offered a sacrifice on the Mount of Olives. The idea of 70 nations has its roots in Jewish antiquity. Although I have yet to find a scripture that speaks directly to the beginning of sacrifices, two verses in Daniel speak to their ending. [1]
God will not be pleased with the rebuilding of the Temple and animal sacrifices; for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God fulfilled all the need for blood sacrifices forever. God opens the Temple in heaven to reveal the ark of his covenant! REVELATION 11:19 The only blood stain on this ark of his Covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ. He no longer needs a tabernacle or an ark from His first covenant on earth.
The Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple
The Jewish people were able to recover their homeland Israel and the city of Jerusalem, but they did not keep the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is the site where they want to rebuild their Third Temple. When the Jewish people re-captured the city of Jerusalem in the six day war in 1967, they had initially taken control of this Temple Mount, but they gave it back to the Muslims for political reasons. Right now, there is a Muslim Mosque on this site. The Muslims obviously have no intentions anytime soon of removing their Mosque in order to allow the Jews to rebuild their Third Temple.
The Temple Institute is an organization focusing on building the Third Temple on the Temple Mount and with reinstating animal sacrificial worship. They are already developing ritual objects, garments, and building plans suitable for immediate use when conditions permit Temple construction. [2] There will be a third temple—Ezekiel prophesied about it—John saw it and is told to measure it! REVELATION 11:1-2
Temple Sacrifices Stop—Temple Still Stands
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. DANIEL 12:11
The above verse from Daniel, and the verses surrounding it, have many and differing views. While many, postulated by some of the noted commentators, have similar views, most are rooted in history instead of scripture. I believe a simple reading of the scripture reveals a simpler interpretation. “… from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away…” this portion of scripture is tied to “…the abomination that makes desolate is set up…” by the conjunction “and.” This connects the two events to the “…there shall be 1,290 days.” “… And from the time…” tells me that after these two events happen there are 1,290 days left—approximately three and one-half years! If one chooses to believe that this is days into Tribulation, the result would be the same. It is still the middle of Tribulation that these events happen. This agrees with scripture in Revelation. So regardless of when sacrifices start, they will stop at the mid-point of the Tribulation.
The Temple will remain standing for the Antichrist will seat himself in the Temple and proclaim himself to be God at or near the midpoint of the Tribulation. In verse two of Revelation chapter eleven it says, “… they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” This refers to the last three and one-half years, 1,260 days, of the Tribulation; for this last forty-two months is the only time when “they” will have complete control of the temple and its outer court and the holy city. This will be after the abomination of desolation!
TOPIC 9—END-TIME WARS
End-Time Wars—Prologue
In this topic we will look at the first war of Gog and Magog. This war will end three and one-half years, or more, before the start of Tribulation. It will not be the last war of Gog and Magog nor will it be the last end-times war. There will be almost constant war as we near the end.
There are at least two major battles—wars left after the first war of Gog and Magog—the battle of Armageddon and the last Gog and Magog war. These wars are the subjects of Bible prophecy. After Armageddon the armies will be destroyed by the Word—the sword in the mouth of Jesus Christ. The Antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire after Armageddon.
The final battle will be the last war of Gog and Magog. It will occur after the millennium when the devil is released from the bottomless pit. These armies will be destroyed by fire from heaven and the devil will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the last war or battle ever!
We will look at these last two battles, Armageddon and the last Gog and Magog war, in future topics.
God Warns Gog and Magog
Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you. Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,' to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth. EZEKIEL 38:7-12
These armies that invade Israel will be supernaturally destroyed by God. “I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord God. Every man's sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.” EZEKIEL 38:21-22 It will not be a six day war. The judgment of God will destroy all of those assembled against Israel. God will show his greatness and his holiness. So that many nations will know that the victory is the Lord’s. EZEKIEL 38:23 When it is all over it will take Israel seven years to clean up the weapons left behind.
Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years, so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God. EZEKIEL 39:9-10
The First War of Gog & Magog — Ezekiel 38 and 39
“Security” gained from the ending of the Six Day War of 1967 did not last long. Nor will the defeat of the Arab nations in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 be permanent. Tired of being defeated Israel’s many neighbors will eventually turn to Russia for help—for more than equipment and advice. The Russians will launch an invasion for the stated purpose of helping Israel’s neighbors destroy Israel, but their unstated agenda will be to use the Arab nations as a means to expand their hold over the Middle East. They will be most interested in “seizing spoil and carrying off plunder.” EZEKIEL 38:12 Oil and Gas seem to be the things most nations would like to plunder from the Middle East.
Bible scholars have a hard time with the timing of this war. Views vary greatly. Some say it could happen any day while others think it could happen during the Tribulation. Still others say that there will be only one war of Gog and Magog and that it will be after the millennium. Ezekiel gives us insight as to when this war will occur. “… In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel… Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.” EZEKIEL 38:8 From this we see Israel must first be restored and its people dwelling securely; and that it will be in the latter days.
It is now the latter days and Israel has been restored. Although there is almost constant conflict in the Middle East, Israel is confident in its ability to secure their land. So this war could happen at almost anytime! There is one scripture in Ezekiel that helps us to conclude that this war must be over at least three and one-half years before Tribulation begins. This does not, however, preclude an earlier ending of this war.
In Ron Rhodes’ book, “Northern Storm Rising,” one of the many theories he writes about is that this war will end three and one-half years prior to the start of Tribulation. After this war is over “…they [Israel] will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them…they will make fires of them for seven years.” EZEKIEL 39:9 If the Jews are to spend seven years burning the weapons of war, then the burning will have to start, at least, three and one-half years before Tribulation starts and go to the middle of Tribulation, another three and one-half years; for at the middle of Tribulation most of Israel will flee to the wilderness, to the protection of God! REVELATION 12:14 That is the basis of Rhodes’ conclusion on this view. He does not preclude an earlier end to the war. [1]
The Antichrist’s 7 Year Peace Treaty with Israel
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. DANIEL 9:27
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. DANIEL 12:11
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. DANIEL 11:31
Some believe all of Daniel’s prophecies have been fulfilled; yet others rely heavily on the book of Daniel to postulate End-Time positions. Jesus, in Matthew, refers to scripture in Daniel about the abomination of desolation as a future event! And Daniel connects it with a peace treaty, a strong covenant. A strong peace treaty would be a different kind of treaty than what is normally accorded to Israel.
Regardless, there will be continual trouble for Israel for all peace treaties between Israel and its enemies are weak and are soon violated; but a “…prince who is to come…” DANIEL 9:26 “…shall make a strong covenant with many for one week…” DANIEL 9:27 This previous scripture in Daniel that has been interpreted as referring to an end-time peace treaty—covenant. While this will likely be the peace treaty that is signed after the first war of Gog and Magog, it could take quite some time to negotiate; but peace will not last the seven years that the ‘covenant’ covers.
While Daniel chapter nine and verse twenty-seven can be interpreted to mean that the “strong covenant for one week” will be signed at the start of Tribulation, scripture witness is not clear as to when it will be signed. What is clear is that it will be violated for “one-half of the week.” The last three and one-half years it will be violated. So only one conclusion can then be drawn. Since the Antichrist will take away burnt offerings and will set himself up in the temple at the mid-point of Tribulation and will trample the Holy City for forty-two months of Tribulation, according to Revelation chapter eleven and verse two, then the “strong covenant for one week” will be signed at the beginning of Tribulation!
TOPIC 10—ONE WORLD RELIGION
One World Religion
Some write about a one world religion but that does not mean everyone in the world will eventually be swayed to the same religion or the same denomination. In fact, even when the Antichrist rules with an iron fist and demands that his image be worshipped, not everyone will believe in him and worship him; but those who do not will be martyred. Always standing in the way of a totalitarian religion on earth is Jesus Christ and those who truly believe in Him and those of the Jewish faith. Although those who seek to stamp out all religions, may at some point believe they have succeeded, there will always be a remnant who truly believes in the one true God; but global tolerance of all religions may be a giant step toward a One-World Religion!
THE GALLOP of the ANTICHRIST
The antichrists are not waiting for the first seal to be opened to start this ride—I believe when John saw the first seal being opened, the antichrist was already at full gallop. His ride started with the birth of Jesus Christ. His goal from the beginning has been to eliminate the name of Jesus and those that worship him. For a period of time, The Antichrist will be satisfied with a “one world religion.” His ride will continue until the apostate church and everything and every one that mirrors or mentions the name of Jesus is destroyed. His rule will be over a Christ-less world!
We know from scripture there were antichrists in Jesus’ day—those against Him, in any way, were [and are] antichrist. The first thing that Jesus warned His disciples about in His Olivet Discourse was “…See that no one leads you astray.” MATTHEW 24:4 Then He said, “‘For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’ …’” MATTHEW 24:5 The antichrist was then beginning to mount his white horse. From that time, and in various ways, the antichrist has been riding. Since the antichrists will never destroy Jesus Christ or all of those that believe in Jesus Christ, he will be content with a one-world religion that denies the deity of Jesus Christ. While the Catholic Church professes the deity of Jesus Christ, nonetheless, many believe that some of their doctrines and the actions of their popes are antichrist! Regardless, they seem to be leading the way in ecumenical dialogue that could lead to a one-world religion. To get to that point they will, at the least, seemingly diminish the deity of Jesus Christ. To understand the role of the Catholic Church, we first need a brief review of their history.
For hundreds of years after their inception, and before the time of Protestants and Reformation, the Catholic Church had considerable control over the written Word. There were only a few Bibles, and churches had most of those. All Bibles had to be meticulously copied by hand; and most people could not read. The Catholic Church was able to force their doctrines and interpretations of scripture on a largely ignorant population. They demanded strict adherence to their teachings and rules. Enforcement was often harsh and cruel; but, for the most part, they were able to keep the populace in their sphere of influence under their control. However, they did have one capable and contentious adversary—the Muslims.
The ‘Crusades’ were religious wars against Muslim control, particularly control of the Holy Lands. Those wars lasted for about two centuries. The Catholic Church failed in those wars with perhaps one exception—the role and prestige of the popes and the Catholic Church, in secular affairs, increased. Just as it will again in the end of time. In some way the Catholic Church and Muslims coexisted for the next few hundred years. Centuries after the Crusades, the Reformation started.
With the advent of printing presses, and with Martin Luther’s 95 theses in 1517, the Protestant reformation was fanned into a fire. Armed with newly printed Bibles those who were reformers began reading the Word for themselves; and then they started spreading the Gospel. To the consternation of the Catholic Church, they were unable to stop the spread of Protestantism. Charges of heresy, followed by inquisitions, were often brought against Protestant reformers. The policy of inquisitions was implement by the Catholic Church in the 12th century. Since inquisitions were a travesty, accusations of heresy by the Catholic Church often ended in the deaths of Christians. Other efforts of the Catholic Church to stop the reformation also failed.
So in 1540, the Jesuit Order was founded. They were known by some as ‘the army of God’ and their leader was referred to as ‘The General.’ Persecution of the ‘reformers’ began in earnest. The atrocities were many. Some believe those atrocities by the Jesuits and the Catholic Church continued into the twentieth century and did not stop until some of the policies of the Second Vatican Council were implemented. When all else fails, you join them! 1 But centuries before the Second Vatican Council the Catholic Church decided to make some changes. The Council of Trent, from 1545 to 1563, was a call for answers, a Catholic Reformation, a Counter Reformation.
As a result of this Council they started addressing some of the issues raised by Luther’s 95 theses. Many articles seem to imply that Luther only challenges were indulgences; but many connected issues were also addressed. While in some instances he seemed to side with the pope, most of his theses were a challenge to the pope’s authority in some way. The Catholic Church especially did not like some of the conclusions that were drawn from the 95 Theses. The belief that ‘scripture alone’ and ‘faith in Jesus Christ alone’ are all we need to attain salvation was specifically addressed at the Council of Trent. These beliefs were a serious infringement on the power and authority of the pope, who they believe is Christ’s vicar. The Catholic Church reaffirmed that they believe you need the edicts of the pope, the pope’s guidance, along with scripture to find salvation and that with faith, you must have works. [We must do the works that the Father has prepared for us to; but vain works, of man’s own volition or those that a man requires, are not necessary.]
After reiterating some policies and doctrines and redefining others at the Council of Trent, and in order to maintain their rigid control over their parishioners and to keep them from being swept up in the reformation, they continued to vigorously oppose the Protestant Reformation.
From the Catholic Church’s inception and the rigid controls of its people—to the Reformation and intense persecution of Christian reformers—to the founding of the Jesuit Order for harsh enforcement of those measures—to the Council of Trent and the many Counter-Reformation measures that were instituted—to the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church seems to have finally found a solution—“we are all brothers.” Wars, persecutions, and martyring of Christians did not work, so now they will try conciliatory measures. Starting with the Second Vatican Council, which took three years to prepare for, and which lasted for eight to twelve weeks in each of four years, (1962—1965) the Catholic Church has sought ‘common ground’ with Protestants, Jews and Muslims. They do not wish to convert all of us to Catholicism; but rather they seek agreement on some key issues and they seek to have some uniformity.. The implications are Antichrist with a capital A! Think one world religion!
From the fourth council of the Second Vatican Council we read, “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions [Muslims and Jews]. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings, which though different in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of truth which enlightens all men.” Further they had this to say about Muslims. “The Catholic Church regards the Muslims with esteem, and then [the synod] continues by describing some of the things Islam has in common with Christianity: worship of One God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Merciful and Omnipotent, Who has spoken to men; the Muslims' respect for Abraham and Mary, and the great respect they have for Jesus, whom they consider to be a Prophet and not deity. The synod urged all Catholics and Muslims to forget the hostilities and differences of the past and to work together for mutual understanding and benefit.” 2
“The final paragraph calls on Catholics to enter into ‘dialogue and collaboration’ with those of other faiths.” The Catholic Church has since the Second Vatican Council, under Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, and the beginning of the papacy of John Paul II, reached out to other Christian bodies, seeking reconciliation to the greatest degree possible.” It is clear that since the last council of the Second Vatican Council the Catholic Church is still seeking common ground with all religions and all kinds of people. “Pope Francis opens a big Vatican meeting on the church’s future and says ‘everyone’ is welcome.” AP News by Nicole Winfield October 4, 2023
For many years now the Catholic Church has been translating and retranslating the Bible so that scripture is more favorable to their teachings and doctrines—less emphasis on Christ. In 1973 they came out with a new RSV translation called the Common Bible, Ecumenical Edition. It is intended to be a translation that all Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox Christians can use; but to me the implication is one-world church. Although most scriptures that speak to the deity of Jesus Christ are retained, many references to Christ that are in the King James and English Standard versions of the Bible are missing; but then the teachings of the Catholic Church for centuries has “diminished” the deity of Jesus Christ although their Bible declares His divinity.
From the primacy, supremacy and infallibility of the pope and all of its implications—to transubstantiation of the sacrament—the Eucharist—to their veneration of Mary and their teachings about her, they have tried to dilute Biblical teachings about the deity of Jesus Christ. 1 They teach the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. 2 They believe mediation is a process that bridges the divide between the human and the divine. The saints, especially the Virgin Mary, take their spiritual power from Christ, the ultimate mediator, and can intercede with God to confer his grace on man. They believe this mediation is a universal mediation. 3 They say, “Mary suffered with Jesus. As co-redemptrix, we acknowledge her intimate cooperation with Jesus in the redemption of humanity, in his amazing sacrifice for us on the cross. She bore him, raised him, supported him in his ministry, and walked with him every step of the way to his passion and death.” [While I believe that Mary deserves veneration, she is not a co-redemptrix!] All three of these teachings take away from the true deity of Jesus Christ. I believe all of these are false doctrines; but some of their other doctrines also are very disturbing! 3
In the fourth council of the Second Vatican Council it was noted that Muslims believe in One God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and that they , the Muslims, have respect for Jesus whom they consider a prophet. In order for the Catholic Church to embrace all religions 'as brothers’ they must first seek some uniformity. Other than the Catholic Church’s false doctrines and their continuous retranslations of the Bible, I have seen no moves by them to blatantly deny the deity of Jesus Christ; but if they make Jesus “just a prophet” and Protestants come to believe that Jesus is just a prophet, then all major religions will believe in one God and one major prophet. I believe the Catholic Church may eventually see that the most obvious obstacle to their desire for unity of all religions or a coalition of religions is the deity of Jesus Christ; and I believe they will remove or diminish His deity from their teachings and doctrines and their Bible. With that precept, then most of the world becomes one religion with one God and one, differing, major prophet!
We all know Muslims and Jews deny the deity of Jesus Christ as do both Jehovah Witness and Unitarians. Less explicit in their denial are the Mormons. End time pressure may cause others to do the same. While most religions that believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, including the Catholic Church, still ‘officially’ acknowledge the deity of Jesus Christ, I cannot hear what many of them say because I see what they do! The Catholic Church claims they have scripture witness for their teachings and beliefs; but their scripture witness does not support their positions nor does it make them clear, neither would an extensive elaboration of scripture by them cause it to be synonymous with many of their positions. They say, “The Church does not draw her certainty for all revealed truths from scripture alone.” Perhaps their doctrines do not agree with scripture because they do not use ‘scripture alone.’
The denigrating of Jesus Christ’s divinity starts with the elevation of men to the same status as Him. I believe the Catholic Church does that with their doctrines and their popes! And because they are powerful, they easily influence many; especially since they now have this policy [since 1965] of “Ecumenicalism— the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity.” [On the surface that sounds like a noble goal; but when you depart from the words of Jesus to do this, that is antichrist!] The adjective ecumenical is thus applied to any interdenominational initiative that encourages greater cooperation and union among Christian denominations and churches. But there have been some problems.
“'The Catholic Church is committed to working for the reunion of all Christians, but the exuberant spirit following Vatican II has been tempered. Sober minds realize that the road to full unity will be long and arduous. One of the principal ecclesiological tasks is to discern the relationship between the Churches. 4 Underlying the Catholic Church's pursuit of ecumenism is its recognition that elements of sanctification and truth are found in other churches, that, in some sense, these are Christians and Particular Churches or ecclesial communities, and that common baptism itself impels those toward greater unity, since Baptism is a gift which ‘belongs' to the Catholic Church as one of the Sacraments which Christ endowed it with.’” 5 It seems they will continue to work for ‘unity!’ Will it eventually include denying the divinity of Jesus Christ? They already deny His name in baptism.
Deny the deity of Jesus Christ either boldly and openly or fearfully and privately, it does not affect the fact He is Christ—He is God! But it will affect your eternity!
JESUS IS HIS NAME—CHRIST IS WHO HE IS! The KJV, the NKJV, and the ESV all mention Christ more than 500 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus are the same but with the emphasis in a different place. “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” II TIMOTHY 2:3 In this scripture the emphasis is on His deity—Messiah—kingship. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,” II TIMOTHY 2:8 The emphasis is on His humanity, but His deity is still noted because it includes ‘Christ.’
“Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” MATTHEW 16:16 The Christ—The anointed one—the promised one—the Messiah. “He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ).’” JOHN 1:41 “And The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am he.’ JOHN 4:25-26 The Son—not by adoption but by nature. “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’” PSALM 2:7 And “For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’? Or again, ‘I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son’?’” HEBREWS 1:5
Of the Living God—Living God is to distinguish Him from idols which have no life. “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.” JEREMIAH 10:10 And “ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…” HEBREWS 12:22-24
A One-World Religion May Look Like This:
Muslims—one God and a major prophet—Mohammed
Jews—one God and a major prophet—Moses
The Catholic Church—one God and a major prophet—the Pope
The Mormon Church—one God and a major prophet—Joseph Smith
Protestants?—one God and a major prophet?—Jesus?
Research shows that some notable Protestants in the past have denied the deity of Jesus Christ and that there is currently a trend—not necessarily in the various denominations themselves, but with individuals—to deny the deity of Jesus Christ and to do as many religions have already done—make Him just an influential prophet! So how long will it take for a one-world religion to take place? Read “the fig leaves.”
TOPIC 11—THE OLIVET DISCOURSE—HAPPENING in the FUTURE
The appearing of the Son of Man and the Abomination of Desolation are two major events that Jesus told us about in His Olivet Discourse. I believe, for reasons stated later, that the abomination of desolation cannot happen until the appearing of the Son of Man—Jesus Christ!
The Coming [Appearing] of the Son of Man
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. MATTHEW 24:29-31
In this scripture in Matthew Jesus tells about His “appearing” for His bride—the Bride of the Lamb. Scripture witness in Revelation places his appearing at or near the mid-point of Tribulation.
No One Knows That Day and Hour
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. MATTHEW 24:36-44
Jesus makes it clear in scripture that no one but the Father knows the day or hour that He is coming. He is coming like a thief in the night—unexpectedly—Paul and Peter witness that He will come like a thief; but there is some scripture in a later chapter that gives us insight into the time of his return.
The Abomination of Desolation
So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. MATTHEW 24:15-16
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. MATTHEW 24:21-22
Daniel first spoke of the abomination that makes desolate. DANIEL 11:31 Jesus reaffirms that the abomination of desolation is a future event in Matthew chapter twenty-four. Scripture witness confirms that the abomination of desolation will occur at or near the mid-point of Tribulation. Scripture confirming the timing of the abomination of desolation was looked at in an earlier topic and will be looked at it again in a future topic.
Some of these end-time signs are now happening! Others are yet to come! We need to learn the lessons of the fig tree. Our “leaves” of summer are “signs” of these events. They are insight into end-time events from the teachings of Jesus! I do not believe in reading “tea leaves” but I do want to be able to read these fig leaves!
PART 4 FIRST THREE & ONE-HALF YEARS OF TRIBULATION—Beginning of the End
Prologue
Numerous events happen in the first one-half of Tribulation. These first three and one-half years are the judgments of God being poured out on the earth and its people. The Judgments of God differ from His Wrath in that Judgments are meant to draw us to Him—to repentance. His Wrath that will be poured out at the last in the Great Tribulation is a separation from God, a death sentence. Regardless of one’s beliefs, all can agree that Tribulation is going to be a dreadful time! Many things that are happening now are a prelude to the start of Tribulation. The end of the War of Gog and Magog will be a sign that Tribulation is about to start.
Then when we hear that the Two Witnesses are preaching in Israel and the 144,000 are sealed—a sign that may not be visible—we know that Tribulation has started. Following this will be the opening of the scroll with the seven seals. The four horseman of the apocalypse ‘whip’ their horses for the final stretch of life’s race. As we near the mid point of Tribulation, the earth will be harvested and the Two Witnesses will be killed.
A messenger angel will proclaim the gospel to the whole world setting the stage for the battle of the great red dragon and the Archangel Michael in the second heaven. The abomination of desolation happens! The trumpets start to sound. Judgment is coming upon the earth! Great Tribulation is then starting!
TOPIC 12—TRIBULATION STARTS—SIGNS
Reading The Fig Leaves
Jesus says if we see the fig tree puts forth its leaves and know that summer is near, then we should use this concept and be able to read the signs of the end of time. If we watch those signs closely and we look at scripture witness, we can tell when Tribulation starts. The end of the War of Gog and Magog should be a signal that Tribulation is near. When the Two Witnesses start to preach, then there is little doubt that Tribulation has started!
The War of Gog and Magog
In a previous topic we discussed the War of Gog and Magog. I believe this war will end about three and one-half years before Tribulation begins. To review: In Ron Rhodes’ book, “Northern Storm Rising,” one of the many theories that he writes about is that this war will end at least three and one-half years prior to the Tribulation. [1] Chapter 9 After this war is over “…they [Israel] will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them…they will make fires of them for seven years.” EZEKIEL 39:9
If the Jews are to spend seven years burning the weapons of war, they must start at least three and one-half years prior to the beginning of Tribulation. The burnings can only go to the middle of Tribulation, another three and one-half years; for at the middle of Tribulation most of Israel will flee to the wilderness, to the protection of God! REVELATION 12:14 This scripture is the basis of Rhodes’ conclusion that the War of Gog and Magog will end three and one-half years before the start of Tribulation. It is a plausible view. If I am living at that time, a “reading of the fig leaves” would convince me that Tribulation was about to start and that the Bride of the Lamb would be caught away in about three and one-half years after Tribulation’s beginning. Those conclusions do not mean that I know the day and hour; but rather I am watching the signs of the times—not the weather!
The Two Witnesses Start to Preach
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. REVELATION 11:3
When Elijah and Moses start preaching in Israel, then know that Tribulation has started. These are the two witnesses [Note—God’s precept for two witnesses] that will preach for twelve hundred and sixty days. Whether this sign of the times will be readily visible and knowable or shrouded in mystery is not yet clear; but we do know they will preach, that their message will be detested, and that they will be killed when their witness is completed.
But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. REVELATION 11:11-12
The scripture used in this study is from the ESV version unless specifically noted!
Written by Mallard E. Guy Jr.
Over a Period of Two + Years
Finished October 28, 2023
Edited November 3, 2023
Last Edited May 31, 2024