The way it could happen.
I read Tim LaHaye’s “Left Behind” series of books and found them fascinating. In fact, I’ve read through all twelve twice. Although the human characters are fictional, the parts I found most gripping were the actual scriptural references. Knowing that the events portrayed were taken from biblical prophecy only added to the drama and sense of inevitability I got from reading the story. Since prophecy is God telling us in advance what is going to happen, I’ll paraphrase the prophet Daniel by saying that the prophecy is certain and the interpretation thereof is sure.
However, there is one element to LaHaye’s story that I have wondered about and now think that he may have gotten wrong. In the series, Muslims were one of the few groups that rejected the one-world religion and the eventual worship of the antichrist as God. At the time of the reading, it made sense because these are the same religious fanatics who are willing to strap on a bomb and die in the name of their religion. They obviously believe the promise of eternity in paradise with seventy-two, full-breasted virgins if they die a martyr. I can see how they would reject any religion or worship contrary to Islam. But, recent world events have convinced me that, at least in the beginning, they may not have to reject their particularly religion.
I began to really question things when news stories and internet video began occurring which told of and graphically depicted Muslim terrorists beheading captives, beginning with Daniel Pearl. That particular method of killing those whom they deemed their enemies is exactly how the Antichrist and the False Prophet will kill those who refuse to worship the beast or his image. Hmmmm.
That brings us to the present, where the United States, the most powerful nation in the world, has a very viable presidential candidate with a Muslim name who has stated that he will, as president, have dialogue with Muslim leaders who are sworn to Israel’s destruction…Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for one. It just happens that Ahmadinejad is president in Iran which is ancient Persia. Persia is one of the nations named in Ezekiel’s prophecy of an attack on Israel led by what is generally acknowledged to be present day Russia.
Ezekiel’s War as it is known to bible scholars, will be an attack on Israel by Russia, Persia and other Arab nations. The world, including the United States, will sit doing nothing but asking Russia, “are you coming to take a spoil?” as they march towards Israel. Not to worry, however, because God will supernaturally destroy not only the attacking army but five out of six of those left in their homeland. Israel will not be hurt but it will take seven months to bury the dead attackers. It will also take seven years for Israel to burn their weapons of war which leads us to another important point.
The Tribulation is a seven year event…Daniel’s seventieth week… also known as “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” At the mid-point of the tribulation, Israel is flown “on eagle’s wings” to a place of refuge where they are nourished by God for a time, times and half a time…three and one half years…the second half of the tribulation. So, in order for Israel to have seven years to burn the weapons of war from the Russian-led attack, it stands to reason that Ezekiel’s War must occur at least three and one-half years prior to the beginning of the Tribulation.
That brings us to another interesting “current event.” During Jimmy Carter’s ill-advised Middle East trip where he cozied up to terrorists sworn to Israel’s destruction, it was reported that Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, offered to enter into a ten year treaty with Israel if they would pull back to their 1967 borders, effectively giving up East Jerusalem and the West Bank to the Palestinians. While giving away the land sworn by Jehovah God to Israel is a serious breach of the everlasting covenant given to Abraham, what caught my attention immediately was the time limit attached to the proposed treaty…ten years.
Although Israel immediately rejected the proposal, the fact that there was a treaty proposed with a time limitation is significant. The seven year tribulation will begin with a seven year treaty with Israel that is brokered by the Antichrist himself. Before the ink on the signatures is dry, God’s prophetic clock starts ticking down to Armageddon and the end of this age. Literally, the end of the world as we know it now.
Does anyone think it a stretch that an out-of-nowhere charismatic leader of the world’s most powerful nation, one with a Muslim name and Muslim roots might convince Israel’s sworn enemies to sign a “peace” treaty with Israel for seven years? Land for peace is becoming more and more acceptable to the Israeli people and it’s leaders, even if it is an abomination to God. The United States has been leading the push for a “Land for peace” agreement and at times it has seemed like a possible accomplishment. Enter a western leader with Muslim ties who speaks with a silver tongue and it is almost a foregone conclusion.
Now for the piece de resistance to the whole scenario. Those in the United States who would most oppose the deal will not be here. Sometime before the “treaty” is signed, the Church, the true Church, will be raptured…the scriptural term is “Caught Up” in the air where they will forever be with the Lord. Christ will remove his faithful from the “wrath to come”, meaning the tribulation. There will be no true Christian left on Earth. This will allow the liberals, socialists and enemies of God to have free reign with their agenda…namely worshiping themselves and their ideology instead of the true God. Scripture is not clear on the timing in relation to Ezekiel’s war. The “Left Behind” series depicted Ezekiel’s War as preceding the rapture and I think that is the most likely scenario but again, scripture is not clear, so the rapture could occur anytime prior to the Tribulation.
Here is a scenario that I can easily see unfolding:
Barack Obama, he of the charismatic nature, with his adoring, swooning crowds, his Muslim name and the backing of the liberal-democrat controlled United States congress will be elected President of the United States. Our troops will be recalled home from Iraq, Afghanistan and all our bases in the Middle East. This will be done not only to appease the liberal base in the U.S. but also as a goodwill gesture towards the Muslim world.
Meanwhile, as soon as our military presence is removed, Russia, Iran and their Arab allies will launch an attack against Israel. They will be supernaturally destroyed by God but the event will again produce a cry from the Left for “peace in our time” although their version of peace is not favorable to the Jewish state.
To add to the world chaos, every true Christian will mysteriously disappear. For a while, anarchy will reign and the nations of the world will yearn for a leader that can put an end to the confusion. They ask “can’t we all just get along?”
Barack Obama, as the darling of the U.N and the American left, will then
step in. He will impose martial law “just until the chaotic situation is corrected.” He will also broker a “peace” treaty between Israel and it’s Muslim neighbors. The initial treaty will be for seven years on promise of being reviewed and tweaked to keep all parties satisfied when the initial seven year period has elapsed. The signing will be a gala event with every news channel in the world televising it. Pundits, political rivals as well as supporters will be hailing Obama as a man for all seasons…a virtual savior.
For three and one half years, Obama will lead the world towards the utopia that the left has long dreamed about. But, while every minority, every deviant and every person dependent upon the state will realize their goal of becoming relevant, a series of natural disasters keeps the world teetering on the brink of disaster. This, however, only serves to make the world more dependent upon Obama as their savior. The Muslim world finally regains the prestige and power that they enjoyed during the middle ages. Islam is the dominant religion in the world while christianity is banned outright as being “intolerant.”
When three and one half years have elapsed since the signing of the Arab-Israeli peace treaty, Obama reneges on his promises to Israel. He not only revokes the rights of Israel as a sovereign nation but outlaws Judaism and instead, directs all worship to himself as the world leader of Islam. A statue is built in his honor and anyone refusing to worship Obama or his image is put to death by the Muslim method of beheading. Millions are killed.
The twenty-one judgments described in the Apostle John’s revelation continue to be poured out upon an unrepentant but dwindling population. Obama and his chief-of-staff reign supreme. Evil runs rampant and everything that was once considered unmentionable is as commonplace as television. God is cursed daily.
The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God who was abused and rejected by the world returns as a Conquering, Righteous King in great power and glory with the heavenly host, including the raptured Church.
He goes first to Jordan, ancient Edom, where He slays the armies of Obama with the sharp two-edged sword of His mouth which is the Word of God. His pure white garment is soiled by their wicked blood.
He then proceeds to the Plain of Megiddo, Jewish Har-Megeddon, English Armageddon where He again defeats the armies of Obama.
Finally, he goes to Jerusalem where a remnant of Jews are fighting helplessly against Obama’s forces. Jesus touches down on the Mount of Olives which splits in two, providing a valley of escape to the overwhelmed Jewish forces inside the city. The attacking army is again destroyed with the Word of God spoken by the Messiah.
Obama and his Chief-of-Staff are thrown into the lake of fire where they will be in torment forever. Satan, who guided Obama, is chained by a strong angel and sealed in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
The nations of the world, those who remain alive, are judged by the Righteous Judge. The sheep, those who received Christ as their savior during the tribulation, go to His right hand. The goats, those who oppose God and His only begotten Son, go to the left hand and on to torment in the lake of fire. There is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Christ reigns in Jerusalem for a thousand years on the throne of His father David. Peace and justice are a everywhere, for Christ rules the nations with a “rod of iron.” No more is good called evil and evil called good. The earth is transformed and the population abounds. Man uses his technology for good instead of fighting. Swords are beaten into plowshares and the nations no more know war.
At the end of the thousand year reign, Satan is loosed for a little while. Surprisingly, there are unregenerate peoples born during that thousand years of peace and prosperity who have never accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They rebel against Him again and surround the Holy City Jerusalem. This also puts to rest once and for all the argument of nature versus nurture. It proves that man is born with a sinful nature and no amount of nurturing can change that fact. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can wash away that sin and make man pure.
God does not mess with the rebels this time. Their opportunity is past and he sends fire from heaven to consume them.
Then comes the Great White Throne Judgment. Heaven and earth flee from God’s face but there is found no place for them. He is awesome and omnipotent!
The books are opened and the dead are judged according to their works. Those left upon the earth, under the earth and in the sea are resurrected to face their just desserts…eternity in damnation, separated from God and in torment in the lake of fire, along with Satan their deceiver.
Then, there is a new heaven and a new earth for former things have passed away and all things are made new. God and His only begotten son Jesus the Christ dwell with mankind in the New Jerusalem. There are no tears, no growing old, no pain, no fear. Only eternal bliss.
Thank You Cody for your insight.
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