End Times - Part 7

Biblical Trends Related to Gentile Nations

I.              trend #1: a urgent cry for world peace and safety

A.           The Antichrist will establish a temporary peace in Israel and the Middle East that will impact many throughout the earth. The Antichrist will be revealed on the world stage as a man of peace.

³When they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction [Great Tribulation] comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. They shall not escape. (1 Thes. 5:3)

B.            The claim of peace and safety will be heard throughout the nations just prior to the sudden destruction that will be seen in the Great Tribulation. There will appear to be a cessation of military conflict, civil strife, terrorism, economic collapse, etc.

C.            The Antichrist will offer solutions to the turmoil in the nations that will occur during the beginning of birth pangs (Mt. 24:4-8). The Antichrist will establish peace by making a seven-year covenant with many nations. In Hebrew, a “week” could be either seven days or seven years (Gen. 29: 27-18; Dan. 9:25-27; cf. Dan. 10:2).

²⁷He [Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant [peace treaty] with many for one week [7 years]… (Dan. 9:27)

II.                trend # 2: one world government—a New world order

A.           Millions across the nations see the value of one unified world government. The most challenging issues facing the nations are international in nature, including terrorism, the global financial crisis, famine, disease, and more. The growing crisis in these issues has made the need for global cooperation obvious and thus makes global governance an attractive solution.

B.            There is a deliberate move toward a one-world government in the United Nations (193 nations in 2016). There is a call for the political identity of a new World Order with the push to minimize national boundaries and establish one world currency, military, political process, etc.

C.            The Antichrist will possess unusual diplomatic skills that will enable him to establish the most powerful political coalition with the largest army and the most money of any leader in history. He will have some authority and some worshippers in every nation, but will not dominate each nation.

³All the world marveled and followed the Beast [Antichrist]…⁴saying, “Who is like the Beast? Who is able to make war with him?”…⁷Authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. …⁸All who dwell on the earth will worship him… (Rev. 13:3-4, 8)

D.           The tension in the financial crisis today is that we have global financial markets without global rule of law. Therefore global infrastructures are moving from being nation-based to having a globally unified expression (Rev. 17-18).

E.            Many propose one-world technology, economy, communication, trade, security, military, religion, as well as geopolitical cooperation, travel, and info. Some today are calling for one global currency.

III.             trend #3: the rise of A 10-nation Superstate

A.           Scripture prophesies a 10-nation superstate—from Russian, European, Middle Eastern, and North and East African nations (Ezek. 38:2-6). This 10-nation confederation will be based in some of the territory where the Roman Empire was once based. Daniel, Ezekiel, and John prophetically described this superstate (Dan. 2:41-44; 7:7, 20, 24-25; 9:26-27; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16).

¹²The ten horns which you saw are ten kings…they receive authority…with the beast [Antichrist]. ¹³These are of one mind, and they will give their…authority to the beast. (Rev. 17:12-13)

B.            This 10-nation confederation will give their authority to the Antichrist—this will be one of the most significant political events in human history. It will result in one man leading the most powerful political, military, and economic alliances in history. The Antichrist and his 10-nation superstate will exercise a measure of authority over all nations. He will have the greatest power base of any leader in history, which will also include the largest religious network ever.

⁷Authority was given him [Antichrist] over every tribe, tongue, and nation. (Rev. 13:7)

C.            Ezekiel identified 8 of the 10 nations using the ancient names of 5 nations (Ezek. 38:2-6). Gog is the Antichrist who will rule from the land of Magog, Meshech (western Russia), and Tubal (central Russia). Gog is the “rosh” which is Hebrew for “chief prince” (38:2, 39:1). Other nations include Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (Sudan/East Africa), Libya (North Africa), Gomer (north of the Caucasus Mountains in Ukraine or western/central Russia), and Togarmah (eastern Turkey). Ethiopia is modern-day Sudan. Many scholars identify Gomer as originally located north of the Caucasus Mountains in the area of the Ukraine, and Togarmah as the area of eastern Turkey. Some see Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah as all in the region of modern-day Turkey and Syria.

²Set your face against Gog [Antichrist], of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal [Russia], and prophesy against him, ³and say,…“I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh…⁵Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them…⁶Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops… (Ezek. 38:2-6)

D.           Daniel prophesied that the Antichrist’s empire would be built upon the historical foundation of four successive, ancient, cruel, anti-Semitic empires, referred to as “beast empires”—Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Greece, and the Roman Empire (Dan. 7:1-8). The Antichrist’s kingdom will incorporate the evil of all four of these ancient kingdoms. The demonic elements of the four empires will be fully expressed in the Antichrist’s empire as a composite “fourth beast ”(Dan. 7:11-12). The four kingdoms will come to fullness and find expression in Antichrist’s empire (Rev. 13:2)

E.            Daniel prophesied two distinct stages in the Roman Empire—the ancient empire and a revived Roman Empire with 10 nations (ten horns), led by the little horn, the Antichrist (Dan. 7:23-24).

F.             Ancient Roman Empire: This includes the western (146 BC–AD 476) and eastern (AD 330–1453) divisions of the empire. The Eastern Roman Empire, called the Byzantine Empire, lasted 1,000 years after the fall of Rome. The capital of the empire moved from Rome to Istanbul in Turkey.
The Eastern Roman Empire continued until 1453, when it fell to the Ottoman Empire (based in Turkey), which had a strong Islamic rule and culture.

IV.             trend #4: the rise of Asia

A.           John saw a vision of Asian kings from the east. This passage is both negative and positive. It is positive because the Asian leaders will resist the Antichrist’s seductions and threats until just weeks before Jesus returns to destroy him. They will stand fortified throughout the Tribulation until the final weeks. This passage is negative in that these kings eventually succumb to the Antichrist.

¹²The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. ¹³I saw three unclean spirits…coming out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan],…the Beast [Antichrist], and…the false prophet. ¹⁴They are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth…to gather them to the battle of that great day…¹⁶to the place called…Armageddon. (Rev. 16:12-16)

B.            The Antichrist will hear troubling news from Asian kings, who will resist his financial seductions, refuse his demonic miracles, and stand against his threats. China, Korea, Japan, India and others will have military forces powerful enough to trouble the Antichrist’s mighty empire (Dan. 11:44).

⁴⁴But news from the east [Asia] and the north shall trouble him [Antichrist]… (Dan. 11:44)

C.            Asia is rising to world dominance economically, militarily, and politically. China has the largest standing army on earth (2.3 million; the USA is 1.4 million and India is third with 1.3 million). Many project that within a decade 40% of the gross domestic product of the earth will be produced by China and India. China excels in mass manufacturing, and India specializes in software design and services. These two emerging giants are transforming the global economy.

D.           In 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed by 10 smaller Asian nations. In 1997, China, Japan, and South Korea joined the group. ASEAN has the goal of moving towards an “EU-style community” with a visa-free travel between its member states, and some of its leaders are advocating the establishing of a common currency.

E.            China, Japan, and India are the three who hold the most power, accounting for 50% of the world’s population, 25% of its economy, and 50% of its nuclear warheads.

V.                trend #5: the rise of Russia

A.           Ezekiel identified the three primary nations who will serve under the Antichrist (Ezek. 38:2) Gog is the Antichrist—he will rule from the land of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal. Many scholars today see Meshech as western Russia and Tubal as western and central Russia, while some see Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah as located in the region of modern-day Turkey and Syria.

²Set your face against Gog [Antichrist], of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech [a region in Russia], and Tubal [also in Russia], and prophesy against him, ³and say, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog…⁸In the latter years you will come into the land of those…gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel…¹⁵Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you…a mighty army. (Ezek. 38:2-15)

B.            Russia has applied to join the East Asia Summit and has formed its own initiatives to forge closer links with its Asian neighbors. Today, talks with Russia, China, and India are taking place. Russia recently signed a pipeline deal that would supply China with 85% of its natural gas needs.

VI.             trend #6: The rise of Egypt (spiritually)

A.           The Holy Spirit will work in an unusual way in five cities in Egypt before Jesus returns. This will happen to such a degree that these cities will swear to follow Jesus. They will be renowned for their dedication and boldness in the face of Islam and the Antichrist’s oppression (Isa. 19:20).

¹⁸In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the Lord of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction [lit. City of the Sun]. (Isa. 19:18)

B.            Prayer ministries will be established in Egypt (Isa. 19:19, 22). The grace of prayer, leading to a great revival and deliverance from the Antichrist, will be released in Egypt before Jesus returns. Egypt, as the king of the south, will be temporarily oppressed by the Antichrist (Dan. 11:41-43).

²⁰In the land of Egypt…they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and…He will deliver them. ²¹Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord…²²The Lord …will be entreated by them and heal them.
(Isa. 19:20-22)

VII.          Trend #7: Rebuilding the city of Babylon 

A.           The ancient city of Babylon on the Euphrates River in Iraq (50 miles south of Baghdad) will be rebuilt as an economic and religious center for the Antichrist (Isa. 13-14; Jer. 50-51; Rev. 17-18). Babylon is a literal city (Rev. 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21). Just as Jerusalem was suddenly rebuilt after lying desolate for many years, so Babylon will be suddenly rebuilt after lying desolate.

¹⁰That great city Babylon, that mighty city! In one hour your judgment has come. (Rev. 18:10)

²¹With violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. (Rev. 18:21)

B.            Jeremiah’s prophecy that judgment would suddenly, completely, and permanently destroy Babylon with fire has not yet been completely fulfilled (Jer. 50:13; 51:8, 64). The prophetic details were not all fulfilled in 539 BC when Babylon gave its power to the Medes and Persians without a fight. Thus Jeremiah’s prophecies about Babylon refer to both the ancient city and also a future one.

³For out of the north a nation comes up against her, which shall make her land desolate, and no one shall dwell therein…⁴In those days…the children of Israel shall come… with continual weeping they shall come, and seek the Lord …¹³Because of the wrath of the Lord she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate…²³How Babylon has become a desolation...²⁶Come against her…and destroy her utterly; let nothing of her be left…³⁹It shall be inhabited no more forever, nor shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. ⁴⁰As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah… says the Lord, “So no one shall reside there….” (Jer. 50:3-4, 13, 23, 26, 39-40)

²⁶“But you shall be desolate forever…³⁷Babylon shall become a heap…without an inhabitant…
⁴³Her cities are a desolation…a land where no one dwells… ⁴⁹As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon the slain of all the earth shall fall…⁶⁴Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her.” (Jer. 51:26, 37, 43, 49, 64)

C.            Today there is much interest in the rebuilding of the ancient city of Babylon.