It has been projected that by 2025 AD there will be 8 billion people alive. One-fourth of 8 billion dying means 2 billion will die in the fourth seal judgment, leaving 6 billion people still alive.
The sixth trumpet points to another one-third of this 6 billion dying. This means another 2 billion will die leaving 4 billion alive. The death toll of these two judgments would equal 4 billion or 50% of the original number of over 8 billion living on earth before the Great Tribulation.
The death toll of World War II (1939-45) was nearly 50 million people. The death toll of the two judgments (fourth seal and sixth trumpet) will be nearly 100 times the total of World War II. If 4 billion people die in the last 3½ years (1260 days), then about 3 million will die on average each day. Thus, every month it will surpass the death toll of WWII. This will continue for 42 months.
21 There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world…nor ever shall be. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. (Mt. 24:21-22)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fourth Seal: Death of 1/4 of People of Earth
8 Behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8)
Pale horse: is literally pale green or ashen which speaks of the color of death and decay (corpse). The faces of the peoples of the earth will show the terror they experience. One-fourth of the earth will be given over to Death. In other words, they will die unnatural deaths.
A fourth of the earth: The resistance to the mark will cause a series of events with a military backlash that will result in one-fourth of the earth being killed by war, famine and disease.
The name of him was Death: the spirit of death is pictured as being in hot pursuit of the unsuspecting victims on the earth. Death is what happens to the physical body which goes to the grave. Hades is place that the departed spirit of an unbeliever goes after they die physically.
Hades (Hell) followed with him: the ranks or hordes from Hades will run behind Death. The demonic ranks of Hades will run hard behind the spirit of Death to imprison every unbeliever who dies. They will be eager to accost them. The spirit of Death will run fast on his horse, yet the hordes of Hades will keep pace. Hades will chase Death. No one ever escapes.
Hades is a Greek term that is used only in the NT. It is the place of the dead that inflicts temporal imprisonment for some disobedient angels (demons) and for unredeemed human spirits.
Hades includes the chamber of torment for the unredeemed. Tartarus is a chamber to imprison certain demons (2 Peter 2:4).
God speaks directly to Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Tribulation telling them that their covenant with the Antichrist was a covenant with death and Sheol (translated Hades in the NT).
In the fourth seal, the Antichrist’s true nature is seen under the name Death with Hades. He will seek to kill all who oppose him. Yet, all who agree with him will be killed (Rev. 19:19-21).
Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth: the word “them” speaks of all four seal judgments combined together. The first three seal judgments weaken the nations. Then the fourth horseman will bring the deathblow to multitudes of fragile people in the nations.
These are the same four judgments God called, “My four severe judgments”. However, all four afflictions will occur simultaneously during the seal judgments.
1. Sword: death by human violence will reach unprecedented levels.
2. Famine: will increase from the time of the third seal until Jesus returns.
3. Death: is literally “pestilence” or “disease”. It will increase beyond any time in history.
4. Wild beasts: when men die wild beasts multiply rapidly and roam freely ( Num. 21:6; Deut. 32:24; Josh. 24:12; 2 Kings 2:24; 17:25; Isa. 30:6; Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 14:21; 33:27). In New Orleans, alligators attacked people waiting for days on their roof tops and rats bit people hiding under bridges. Many diseases are spread by wild animals. Wild beasts will be demonized at an unprecedented rate because of so many demons on earth (Rev. 12:9).
Pale horse: is literally pale green or ashen which speaks of the color of death and decay (corpse). The faces of the peoples of the earth will show the terror they experience. One-fourth of the earth will be given over to Death. In other words, they will die unnatural deaths.
A fourth of the earth: The resistance to the mark will cause a series of events with a military backlash that will result in one-fourth of the earth being killed by war, famine and disease.
The name of him was Death: the spirit of death is pictured as being in hot pursuit of the unsuspecting victims on the earth. Death is what happens to the physical body which goes to the grave. Hades is place that the departed spirit of an unbeliever goes after they die physically.
Hades (Hell) followed with him: the ranks or hordes from Hades will run behind Death. The demonic ranks of Hades will run hard behind the spirit of Death to imprison every unbeliever who dies. They will be eager to accost them. The spirit of Death will run fast on his horse, yet the hordes of Hades will keep pace. Hades will chase Death. No one ever escapes.
Hades is a Greek term that is used only in the NT. It is the place of the dead that inflicts temporal imprisonment for some disobedient angels (demons) and for unredeemed human spirits.
Hades includes the chamber of torment for the unredeemed. Tartarus is a chamber to imprison certain demons (2 Peter 2:4).
God speaks directly to Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Tribulation telling them that their covenant with the Antichrist was a covenant with death and Sheol (translated Hades in the NT).
In the fourth seal, the Antichrist’s true nature is seen under the name Death with Hades. He will seek to kill all who oppose him. Yet, all who agree with him will be killed (Rev. 19:19-21).
Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth: the word “them” speaks of all four seal judgments combined together. The first three seal judgments weaken the nations. Then the fourth horseman will bring the deathblow to multitudes of fragile people in the nations.
These are the same four judgments God called, “My four severe judgments”. However, all four afflictions will occur simultaneously during the seal judgments.
1. Sword: death by human violence will reach unprecedented levels.
2. Famine: will increase from the time of the third seal until Jesus returns.
3. Death: is literally “pestilence” or “disease”. It will increase beyond any time in history.
4. Wild beasts: when men die wild beasts multiply rapidly and roam freely ( Num. 21:6; Deut. 32:24; Josh. 24:12; 2 Kings 2:24; 17:25; Isa. 30:6; Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 14:21; 33:27). In New Orleans, alligators attacked people waiting for days on their roof tops and rats bit people hiding under bridges. Many diseases are spread by wild animals. Wild beasts will be demonized at an unprecedented rate because of so many demons on earth (Rev. 12:9).
Monday, August 17, 2009
Third Seal: Famine and Economic Crisis
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." (Rev. 6:5-6)
Black horse: speaks of sorrow, sadness and mourning. Famine and economic crisis follow war.
Pair of scales in his hand: speaks of economics. This passage prophesies the greatest economic crisis with the most severe famine in history. This is the hour in which the Church will multiply food like when Jesus fed the 5,000. Moses witnessed a supernatural food and water supply.
Quart of wheat for a denarius: a denarius was equivalent to wages for one day of work. The message was that a day of work will earn enough money to buy food for one person for one day. A quart of wheat is the amount for one person to eat for one day (very minimal diet).
Three quarts of barley for a denarius: Wheat and barley were the common foods in John’s day. Wheat is superior in taste and nutrition to barley. One could purchase three times the amount of barley (inferior grain) for the same price. Barley is cheaper, but less nutritious and tasty.
The economic crisis will result in one’s earning power being reduced to working all day to afford food for one day. This represents about ten times less buying power than in the world today.
Do not harm the oil and the wine: the famine will not touch the ruling class. Luxuries will be enjoyed by a very few who will prosper in this famine. Only those in the Antichrist’s hierarchy will be the wealthy elite.
1. The kings of the earth and the great merchants will continue to have abundance and luxury (Rev. 18). The Antichrist will buy their cooperation with luxuries.
2. The vast majority of the people on earth will lack the necessities life while few greatly prosper. The social inequity between the rich and poor will result in civil strife in his kingdom. Most revolutions begin because of food shortages.
A voice in the midst of the four living creatures: Jesus is in control of all. This voice declares the nature of the famine. Jesus is releasing this famine.
1. He is working for the eternal good of the people and the earth itself. He sees this extreme measure as absolutely necessary.
2. God’s voice is speaking so we are clear that God is in control and God is carefully monitoring what is coming. God will be attentive. He will be distant and uninvolved.
The Antichrist will control many of the world economies (Rev. 6:5-6). The Antichrist will persecute all who resist his global economic policies especially those who refuse his mark.
This will set up the emergency mode that allows the mark of the Beast to be received much faster. He will “solve” the economic crisis by using the mark of the Beast.
The famine may be imposed by governmental policies, as Stalin’s famine in the 1930s that starved nearly 10 million people. However, it did not affect the ruling class.
Black horse: speaks of sorrow, sadness and mourning. Famine and economic crisis follow war.
Pair of scales in his hand: speaks of economics. This passage prophesies the greatest economic crisis with the most severe famine in history. This is the hour in which the Church will multiply food like when Jesus fed the 5,000. Moses witnessed a supernatural food and water supply.
Quart of wheat for a denarius: a denarius was equivalent to wages for one day of work. The message was that a day of work will earn enough money to buy food for one person for one day. A quart of wheat is the amount for one person to eat for one day (very minimal diet).
Three quarts of barley for a denarius: Wheat and barley were the common foods in John’s day. Wheat is superior in taste and nutrition to barley. One could purchase three times the amount of barley (inferior grain) for the same price. Barley is cheaper, but less nutritious and tasty.
The economic crisis will result in one’s earning power being reduced to working all day to afford food for one day. This represents about ten times less buying power than in the world today.
Do not harm the oil and the wine: the famine will not touch the ruling class. Luxuries will be enjoyed by a very few who will prosper in this famine. Only those in the Antichrist’s hierarchy will be the wealthy elite.
1. The kings of the earth and the great merchants will continue to have abundance and luxury (Rev. 18). The Antichrist will buy their cooperation with luxuries.
2. The vast majority of the people on earth will lack the necessities life while few greatly prosper. The social inequity between the rich and poor will result in civil strife in his kingdom. Most revolutions begin because of food shortages.
A voice in the midst of the four living creatures: Jesus is in control of all. This voice declares the nature of the famine. Jesus is releasing this famine.
1. He is working for the eternal good of the people and the earth itself. He sees this extreme measure as absolutely necessary.
2. God’s voice is speaking so we are clear that God is in control and God is carefully monitoring what is coming. God will be attentive. He will be distant and uninvolved.
The Antichrist will control many of the world economies (Rev. 6:5-6). The Antichrist will persecute all who resist his global economic policies especially those who refuse his mark.
This will set up the emergency mode that allows the mark of the Beast to be received much faster. He will “solve” the economic crisis by using the mark of the Beast.
The famine may be imposed by governmental policies, as Stalin’s famine in the 1930s that starved nearly 10 million people. However, it did not affect the ruling class.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Second Seal: Bloodshed and the Final World War
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Rev. 6:3-4)
Fiery red: speaks of worldwide bloodshed. The first seal occurs when the nations were at peace (1 Thes. 5:3). The second seal suddenly ends the brief time of world peace.
Great sword: speaks of violence both civil and military. The sword is great by killing great numbers with great severity and devastation using technology that has great strength. This sword that strikes the earth is the counterfeit of when Jesus strikes the earth with a sword (Rev. 19:15).
Jeremiah prophesied of the end-time sword on the nations in context to the second seal.
Take peace from the earth: people will kill one another first in civil unrest, then in oppression by the government (Rev. 13:15), then in international conflict leading to the greatest world war. The nations rejected God’s Lamb but at the age-to-come they will chose to follow the Beast.
Jesus will allow peace to be taken from the earth. This is contrary to what many believe about Him. Jesus will allow the sword to go forth in the second seal. When Jesus spoke Mt. 10:34, He knew He would one day release the second seal to remove the hindrance to true world peace.
Jesus the Lamb is the Prince of Peace who opens the second seal to remove peace from earth. This will cause confusion to believers who do not understand the Scripture concerning God’s end-time purposes. Jesus will use the sword of evil men to bring their hidden evil to the surface and also to remove evil. This will ultimately result in true and lasting peace coming to the earth.
In this hostile environment, all will choose how they will live before God. The Church will be tested and unbelievers will re-evaluate their belief systems and come to Jesus by the millions. Those who love darkness will go into deeper connection with demons.
The Antichrist shall honor the god of military power with gold and silver. His god will be war or military conquest. The god of fortresses is the combination of military and demonic power.
1. He will honor the god of military strength (god of fortresses) by spending unprecedented amounts of money on developing his military.
2. He shall advance the glory of a foreign god who is Satan by promoting leaders who have zeal for Satan. Satan t will help him overcome the strongest fortresses (opposing armies).
The Antichrist will overwhelm many nations (v. 40), overthrow them (v. 41), stretch out his hand against them (v. 42) and annihilate them (v. 42). He will attack Egypt (v. 42).
The Antichrist will have an army of unprecedented strength in terms of people and finances.
Granted: God sovereignly grants the release of this sword and then oversees the entire process.
Come and see: a voice called John to come near to God to see clearly (Rev. 6:1, 3, 5, 7). We receive the same 2-fold call to come near to see more clearly the events that are prophesied. The Church is to receive this command to go deep in our understanding that we may pray and make known its truths. It was a call to exert effort to understand the significance of these events.
Fiery red: speaks of worldwide bloodshed. The first seal occurs when the nations were at peace (1 Thes. 5:3). The second seal suddenly ends the brief time of world peace.
Great sword: speaks of violence both civil and military. The sword is great by killing great numbers with great severity and devastation using technology that has great strength. This sword that strikes the earth is the counterfeit of when Jesus strikes the earth with a sword (Rev. 19:15).
Jeremiah prophesied of the end-time sword on the nations in context to the second seal.
Take peace from the earth: people will kill one another first in civil unrest, then in oppression by the government (Rev. 13:15), then in international conflict leading to the greatest world war. The nations rejected God’s Lamb but at the age-to-come they will chose to follow the Beast.
Jesus will allow peace to be taken from the earth. This is contrary to what many believe about Him. Jesus will allow the sword to go forth in the second seal. When Jesus spoke Mt. 10:34, He knew He would one day release the second seal to remove the hindrance to true world peace.
Jesus the Lamb is the Prince of Peace who opens the second seal to remove peace from earth. This will cause confusion to believers who do not understand the Scripture concerning God’s end-time purposes. Jesus will use the sword of evil men to bring their hidden evil to the surface and also to remove evil. This will ultimately result in true and lasting peace coming to the earth.
In this hostile environment, all will choose how they will live before God. The Church will be tested and unbelievers will re-evaluate their belief systems and come to Jesus by the millions. Those who love darkness will go into deeper connection with demons.
The Antichrist shall honor the god of military power with gold and silver. His god will be war or military conquest. The god of fortresses is the combination of military and demonic power.
1. He will honor the god of military strength (god of fortresses) by spending unprecedented amounts of money on developing his military.
2. He shall advance the glory of a foreign god who is Satan by promoting leaders who have zeal for Satan. Satan t will help him overcome the strongest fortresses (opposing armies).
The Antichrist will overwhelm many nations (v. 40), overthrow them (v. 41), stretch out his hand against them (v. 42) and annihilate them (v. 42). He will attack Egypt (v. 42).
The Antichrist will have an army of unprecedented strength in terms of people and finances.
Granted: God sovereignly grants the release of this sword and then oversees the entire process.
Come and see: a voice called John to come near to God to see clearly (Rev. 6:1, 3, 5, 7). We receive the same 2-fold call to come near to see more clearly the events that are prophesied. The Church is to receive this command to go deep in our understanding that we may pray and make known its truths. It was a call to exert effort to understand the significance of these events.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Events Coinciding With First Seal
God’s judgment on the Harlot Babylon religious network will happen at time of the first seal.
Paul prophesied of peace immediately before the time of sudden destruction (Great Tribulation). This is a temporary time of world peace that will suddenly end when the Great Tribulation starts. The world will assume their problems are solved by the Antichrist’s skillful leadership. Worldwide peace starts the final 7 years and continues for 3½ years (1 Thes. 5:2-3; Dan. 9:27).
3 When they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them. (1 Thes. 5:3)
The Two Witnesses are prophets anointed with great power for the final 3½ years (Rev. 11:3-6).
Satan will be cast to the earth, then will give his throne to the Antichrist. Hell will be in many places on earth during the final 3½ years (Rev. 12:9; 13:2; 6:8).
9 The great dragon (Satan) was cast out…who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels (demons) were cast out with him…12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath… (Rev. 12:9, 12)
The Antichrist’s head wound and apparent healing will be the great catalytic event that thrusts him into worldwide prominence at the first seal (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14).
The Abomination of Desolation will occur when the Antichrist declares himself to be God by setting up his image or idol (which is the abomination) in the Jerusalem Temple (Dan. 8:13; 9:26, 27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:12-18).
The image of the Beast (Antichrist) will be a statue that is demonically empowered so that it will seem to think, talk, breathe, and make laws (Rev. 13:14-16).
The mark of the Beast (Antichrist) will be a public mark on people’s right hand or forehead and will be used to identify the people that worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:16-17).
God will cause all the nations to gather against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:1-3; 14:2).
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem… (Zech. 14:2)
Paul prophesied of peace immediately before the time of sudden destruction (Great Tribulation). This is a temporary time of world peace that will suddenly end when the Great Tribulation starts. The world will assume their problems are solved by the Antichrist’s skillful leadership. Worldwide peace starts the final 7 years and continues for 3½ years (1 Thes. 5:2-3; Dan. 9:27).
3 When they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them. (1 Thes. 5:3)
The Two Witnesses are prophets anointed with great power for the final 3½ years (Rev. 11:3-6).
Satan will be cast to the earth, then will give his throne to the Antichrist. Hell will be in many places on earth during the final 3½ years (Rev. 12:9; 13:2; 6:8).
9 The great dragon (Satan) was cast out…who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels (demons) were cast out with him…12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath… (Rev. 12:9, 12)
The Antichrist’s head wound and apparent healing will be the great catalytic event that thrusts him into worldwide prominence at the first seal (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14).
The Abomination of Desolation will occur when the Antichrist declares himself to be God by setting up his image or idol (which is the abomination) in the Jerusalem Temple (Dan. 8:13; 9:26, 27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:12-18).
The image of the Beast (Antichrist) will be a statue that is demonically empowered so that it will seem to think, talk, breathe, and make laws (Rev. 13:14-16).
The mark of the Beast (Antichrist) will be a public mark on people’s right hand or forehead and will be used to identify the people that worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:16-17).
God will cause all the nations to gather against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:1-3; 14:2).
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem… (Zech. 14:2)
Monday, July 27, 2009
What the Scriptures Say About Antichrist
The Antichrist is the final world leader in this age. He will wage war against God. He will have the greatest political authority, the most powerful army, the most money and the largest religious network confirmed by demonic miracles of any man in history (Rev. 13). The three main passages on the Antichrist in Scripture are Dan. 11; 2 Thes. 2; Rev. 13.
The Antichrist will be the most cruel man that ever lived. It will be impossible to negotiate with him for mercy because he will think like a beast. He is called the “Beast” 36 times in Revelation.
The Antichrist will have authority and worshipers in every nation (Rev. 13:8). However, he will not totally dominate each nation. He will be at war with some nations (Dan. 11:40-45).
The False Prophet will help him to conquer (Rev. 13:11-18) along with a 10-nation confederation that will provide him with the greatest power base in history (Rev. 17:12).
The Antichrist will magnify himself above the Harlot Babylon religion (Dan. 11:36). He will have a total anti-God policy because he will require all to worship him at the cost of their lives.
A king shall arise in the last days when transgression or sin reaches its greatest heights through the Harlot Babylon. At the first seal, the Antichrist will destroy the Harlot Babylon (v. 25).
The Antichrist will initially prosper by deceptive diplomacy that gains him peaceful conquests at the first seal. He will also use demonic signs to win influence over the nations.
Hitler gives us a picture from history of what “peaceful conquest” might look like. The Nazis took over the Rhineland (March 1936), annexed Austria (March 1938), occupied the Sudetenland or German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia (Sept. 1938), then all Czechoslovakia (March 1939).
The Antichrist will be the most cruel man that ever lived. It will be impossible to negotiate with him for mercy because he will think like a beast. He is called the “Beast” 36 times in Revelation.
The Antichrist will have authority and worshipers in every nation (Rev. 13:8). However, he will not totally dominate each nation. He will be at war with some nations (Dan. 11:40-45).
The False Prophet will help him to conquer (Rev. 13:11-18) along with a 10-nation confederation that will provide him with the greatest power base in history (Rev. 17:12).
The Antichrist will magnify himself above the Harlot Babylon religion (Dan. 11:36). He will have a total anti-God policy because he will require all to worship him at the cost of their lives.
A king shall arise in the last days when transgression or sin reaches its greatest heights through the Harlot Babylon. At the first seal, the Antichrist will destroy the Harlot Babylon (v. 25).
The Antichrist will initially prosper by deceptive diplomacy that gains him peaceful conquests at the first seal. He will also use demonic signs to win influence over the nations.
Hitler gives us a picture from history of what “peaceful conquest” might look like. The Nazis took over the Rhineland (March 1936), annexed Austria (March 1938), occupied the Sudetenland or German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia (Sept. 1938), then all Czechoslovakia (March 1939).
Monday, July 20, 2009
First Seal: The Antichrist
The Antichrist riding a white horse is a counterfeit of Jesus riding a white horse (Rev. 19:11).
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
White Horse: the horse speaks of speed and strength and white symbolizes righteousness. The Antichrist’s reign will initially appear righteous and helpful to the nations.
Crown: a symbol of authority over the nations. He will rise suddenly to a place of international authority. Satan and the Antichrist are both described as having crowns (Rev. 12:2; 13:1-2, 7).
Arrowless bow: the Antichrist’s authority will initially increase without any bloodshed. The arrow is an ancient symbol of war that speaks of striking ones enemies from a distance. This rider is pictured as ready to go to war with a bow in hand on a horse. However, since the bow does not have arrows it is understood as a ‘threat of war without war actually breaking out’.
Initially his conquests will be peaceful by using deceptive diplomacy without bloodshed. He will privately threaten international leaders with war while being seen publicly to accomplish his agenda by peaceful means. He uses a sword which strikes up close and causes bloodshed.
Conquering: the Antichrist will have a series of successful conquests unprecedented in history. He will initially conquer only in the political and economical arenas. It will escalate to military aggression that will result in a world war (second seal) leading to a devastating economic crisis and then worldwide famine (third seal). For 3½ years he will seem to be invincible (Rev. 13:4).
Given: his power is given to him. The Antichrist receives his authority first from God, then from Satan (Rev. 13:2) as well as kings who will voluntarily give their authority to him (Rev. 17:17). The phrase “is given” is used 22 times in Revelation. The Two Witnesses, the Antichrist, angels and demons are given authority from God (Rev. 6:11; 7:2; 8:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:1-18).
5 And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months…7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast... (Rev. 13:5, 7, 15)
The Antichrist does not take God by surprise. He is part of the Father’s plan. It is by God’s decree that the Antichrist will be given a specific sphere to operate in for 3½ years to show himself to Israel as their Messiah as Jesus did. Jesus has all authority over all the nations. The Antichrist is God’s tool of judgment on apostate Israel and on wicked nations (Zech. 11:16-17).
18 Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt. 28:18)
1 There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom. 13:1)
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
White Horse: the horse speaks of speed and strength and white symbolizes righteousness. The Antichrist’s reign will initially appear righteous and helpful to the nations.
Crown: a symbol of authority over the nations. He will rise suddenly to a place of international authority. Satan and the Antichrist are both described as having crowns (Rev. 12:2; 13:1-2, 7).
Arrowless bow: the Antichrist’s authority will initially increase without any bloodshed. The arrow is an ancient symbol of war that speaks of striking ones enemies from a distance. This rider is pictured as ready to go to war with a bow in hand on a horse. However, since the bow does not have arrows it is understood as a ‘threat of war without war actually breaking out’.
Initially his conquests will be peaceful by using deceptive diplomacy without bloodshed. He will privately threaten international leaders with war while being seen publicly to accomplish his agenda by peaceful means. He uses a sword which strikes up close and causes bloodshed.
Conquering: the Antichrist will have a series of successful conquests unprecedented in history. He will initially conquer only in the political and economical arenas. It will escalate to military aggression that will result in a world war (second seal) leading to a devastating economic crisis and then worldwide famine (third seal). For 3½ years he will seem to be invincible (Rev. 13:4).
Given: his power is given to him. The Antichrist receives his authority first from God, then from Satan (Rev. 13:2) as well as kings who will voluntarily give their authority to him (Rev. 17:17). The phrase “is given” is used 22 times in Revelation. The Two Witnesses, the Antichrist, angels and demons are given authority from God (Rev. 6:11; 7:2; 8:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:1-18).
5 And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months…7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast... (Rev. 13:5, 7, 15)
The Antichrist does not take God by surprise. He is part of the Father’s plan. It is by God’s decree that the Antichrist will be given a specific sphere to operate in for 3½ years to show himself to Israel as their Messiah as Jesus did. Jesus has all authority over all the nations. The Antichrist is God’s tool of judgment on apostate Israel and on wicked nations (Zech. 11:16-17).
18 Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt. 28:18)
1 There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom. 13:1)
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