If you thought 2020 was bad, what do you think about 2021 so far? Situations and events are changing so fast these days that it is challenging to keep up. The world we live in today is very different than it was in January 2020. COVID-19 opened the door to tyranny in many countries and those who had the desire to inflict tyranny on others walked ran through the door without looking back. Suddenly it was incumbent upon the elites and leaders of the world to "save us, citizens, from ourselves" and they did that by mandating lockdowns that accomplished everything except slowing the spread of COVID-19. When the COVID situation improved, many of the leaders declined to end the lockdowns. Instead, they moved the goalposts because it was too soon and still not safe. Now the citizens of the world are told we should just get used to wearing a mask or even two masks, even if we have taken the vaccination.
So, let me ask you this. Are the elites and leaders of the world really concerned with well being of their citizens? It sure doesn't look like it. Anytime you hear someone asks the question "When is everything going to get back to normal," what is your answer? Do you respond with the current stock answer "sometime later this year," or do you tell them the truth? What is the truth? The truth is simple. The world is NEVER going to return to the way it was in January 2020 or before. Keep reading because you need to know why.
If you have already read Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series, "What's Next for Christians; Rapture, Prepping or Persecution?" then you know that many of the big elements that are prophesized to happen during the seven-year tribulation are almost or already set to rollout. All they need is something to knock down the first domino and boom, these elements will be part of everyday life faster than you can blink your eyes. What is the kickoff event that will drop the first domino? When looking at what the citizens of the world will accept now and what they would need to accept for these elements to rollout, the only thing I can conceive of is that the citizens of the world would need to be scared out of their minds to let it happen. What could possibly happen that is so shocking and so scary that citizens everywhere would willingly give up their freedom and security to the leaders and the elites of the world? There's only one thing I can think of, and no it's not global nuclear war. Instead, it is the Rapture of the Church.
The Rapture is going to happen and Tribulation will start sooner than most people think. Certainly, we don't know when, but Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:37 that the Son of Man will come like it was in the days of Noah. Therefore, the most important question for everyone right now is, have you given life to Jesus by confessing your sins and asking him into your heart? If not, do it right now before you do anything else! Don't wait. You know that it is Jesus who is knocking on the door of your heart RIGHT NOW asking you to Him let me him. He's been calling you for so long, but you have resisted. Take the leap of faith right now and make yourself right with Jesus. You will NEVER regret it. Confess to Jesus that you are a sinner because we are all sinners and then asking him to come into your heart. Tell him you want him to be your Lord and Savior. Once you have done that seek out the wise counsel of someone you know who openly lives their Christian faith in a way that honors God.
Now that you are ready, I need to share a few reminders. First, if you haven't read Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series, I recommend you go read them first and then finish up with this one. If you don't read the other parts first, you may not get a full understanding of everything covered here. Second, it is with a sense of humility as I attempt to interpret prophecy predicting something that will occur in the future. While we collectively know significantly more than we have in the past, because some of the things that were hidden have been unsealed, we don't know with any level of certainty exactly HOW God will rollout the events ahead. (Isaiah 55:8-9) It is easily conceivable that all our HOW assumptions are wrong.
Third, the topic for this series for Christians who are paying attention is; "What do I personally need to physically/mentally/spiritually prepare for whatever is next?" and here are three options we have been considering:
- Rapture
- Survival
- Persecution
The first article discussed the Gog and Magog War. The war doesn't seem to be imminent as of the time this article was published, although I acknowledged the situation could change very quickly should circumstances change in the Middle East. In the second article, we look at the "One World" elements; One World Government, One World Currency, and One World Religion. All three seem to be well primed to happen once an event that causes simultaneous mass uncertainty and fear to citizens worldwide triggers the people to voluntarily give up their freedoms. When looking at these three elements, logic suggests that whatever it is that creates this instant, global mass uncertainty and fear is not of this world. That leaves God or aliens and let me tell you the truth; it's not aliens. By the way, if "aliens" ever make themselves publically known to humans, you need to know that they are actually fallen angels, the Nephilim of the book of Genesis and they are NOT here for our benefit. (I may write an article about aliens in the future.) That leads us back to God and the most likely event to kickoff these elements is the Rapture of the Church.
In this article, we'll discuss the coming of the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast, and here's the framework for our discussion.
- What does the Bible say about this element?
- What is the current status of this element, does it appear imminent?
- What are the likely predecessors for this element?
Okay, here we go!
Antichrist
The idea of an "Antichrist" is firmly embedded in secular culture. Most people have at least heard the term antichrist and there have also been examples of demonic villains in movies, television shows, books, etc. for decades. In human history, there have been numerous antichrist-like figures who came to power. The most well known was certainly Adolf Hitler. However, none of these figures was the real antichrist prophecized in the Bible.
What does the Bible say?
What exactly does scripture tell us about the Antichrist? Plenty. First, the Antichrist is one member of the unholy trinity as indicated in Revelation 20.
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10 ESV (emphasis mine)
The unholy trinity consists of:
- Satan - a.k.a. the Dragon and the Father of Lies
- Antichrist - a.k.a. the First Beast, "The Lie," Son of Lawlessness, Son of Destruction (Perdition)
- False Prophet - a.k.a. the Second Beast
Paul's description of the Antichrist in 2 Thessalonians 2 gives a good summary of who he is, where he got his power, and what he will do.
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 ESV (emphasis mine)
Note that the coming of the lawless one is "by the activity of Satan," meaning he is not Satan but he is the son or he is the chosen one of satan.
Revelation 13, which we looked at in the 2nd article of this series, describes the dragon (Satan) as the one who had given authority to the beast (Antichrist).
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:1-8 ESV (emphasis mine)
Of particular interest is Revelation 13:3 where it states that one of the seven heads of the beast received a mortal wound, but he was healed. Some who study eschatology have suggested that the beast (or son of lawlessness) is killed, but he is then raised from the dead. Others have suggested that is it a fake resurrection because the "resurrected" Antichrist would be crippled as suggested in Zechariah 11.
“Woe to my worthless shepherd,
who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm
and his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered,
his right eye utterly blinded!” Zechariah 11:17 ESV
As a reminder, it is very clear in scripture that Satan can only do to humans what is he permitted to do by God. See this example from Luke 22 where Jesus tells Peter he is praying for him because Satan has demanded Peter. Yes God let Satan tempt Peter, but not because Satan "demanded" it. God permitted it to ultimately benefit Peter, the Church, and all of Christianity. Therefore, my best guess is the supposed resurrection of the Antichrist will be a fake.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 ESV
Before we move on to the current status, I want to make one more point. When the Antichrist is revelated, he will come masquerading as one who seeks peace, but actually, he will come to conquer.
And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:2 ESV
He will eventually reveal his true nature where the Antichrist claims to be God as Jesus warned in Mark 13;
"But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Mark 13:14 ESV
and prophesied in Daniel 9:
"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 ESV (emphasis mine)
but ultimately he will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.
And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. Revelation 19:20 ESV
Note that the signing of the "strong covenant" in Daniel 9:27 is generally interpreted to be the beginning of the Tribulation, and the one-week duration is interpreted as seven years.
Regardless of how it happens, the good news is that in the end, God wins. Drop the mic. End of story.
What is the current status?
The current status is the Antichrist is still hidden. However, if we truly are at the Beginning of Sorrows, the season of rapture and tribulation that would mean the Antichrist is alive and living somewhere around the world right now. Many people have tried to guess the identity of the Antichrist. However, Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2 that his identity will not be revealed until the "restrainer" removes the restraint.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV (emphasis mine)
For reference, the restrainer is generally interpreted as the Holy Spirit.
What are the likely predecessors?
All this means the Antichrist is here and waiting and ready to go. The predecessor that would remove the restraint is almost certainly the Rapture of the Church. As we have discussed so many times in this series, due to the radical changes needed to launch the Tribulation it appears there must be an event that is so shocking that it literally shakes people to the core of their being. In my personal opinion, that can only be the Rapture. No other known potential event or catastrophe that affects everyone in the world at the same time comes close to matching the fear and confusion that will be caused by the Rapture.
Mark of the Beast
The last event in our series to consider is the Mark of the Beast. While it is last it is certainly not least because this is the one that if accepted will mark the citizens of earth who accept it as being bound for eternal damnation.
What does the Bible say?
There are only a few verses about the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, but they are enough to know that it is critically important to understand. We'll start with the description of the mark in Revelation 13.
And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Revelation 13:15-18 ESV (emphasis mine)
To be sealed by the Antichrist, an individual must be both receive a mark on their right hand or forehead and actively worship the image of the beast. Once the mark has been rolled out to everyone on earth, survival will be extremely difficult for the Saints. (For reference people who come to Christ after the Rapture are referred to as Tribulation Saints, not Christians.) They will have no ability to legally buy or sell anything. To survive it will be necessary for these Saints to form communities that can provide for themselves while in hiding. They will be in hiding because anyone found without the Mark of the Beast will be actively pursued and executed.
While those who accept the mark will have some short-term advantages over the Saints, the advantages will be short-lived both here on earth and in eternity. For example, the first bowl judgment is specifically targeted at those who have accepted the mark in Revelation 16.
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Revelation 16:2 ESV
Once a person has accepted the Mark of the Beast, Revelation 14 say they will drink a full-strength version of God's wrath. It seems that once they are sealed for the Antichrist, they are beyond redemption. An individual who makes the choice during the tribulation will be granted their request to be eternally separated from God.
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." Revelation 14:9-11 ESV
Scary stuff to be sure. The best remedy for citizens is to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior now so that they will not be here and be required to make the choice to accept or reject the mark.
What is the current status?
What's happening right now related to the Mark of the Beast? Ah...plenty. The mark doesn't exist yet as a complete unit, but the components are well under development and by the time they are needed there's no doubt they will be ready. The Mark of the Beast probably won't be implemented until around the middle of the Tribulation, but that's speculation. It could be sooner, it could be later.
What can we know or infer about the Mark of the Beast?
- It will be used for identification. Scanning the mark will identify to the authorities exactly who you are.
- It will support the one world currency.
- All your personal finances, medical records, legal records, house keys, car keys, and any other critical information will be attached to your personal ID.
- Buying and selling will require scanning your mark to validate the transaction.
- The mark will likely be a bio implantable smart device that has the ability to be upgraded.
- The mark will likely have the ability for software and pharmacological upgrades.
Let's consider each of these separately.
Identification. There's already an effort underway to implement a global digital ID. The ID2020 project is developing a global digital ID in alliance with the UN. The challenges of implementing a global digital ID are both political and technical. The political challenge is getting an agreement that it must be done and agreeing on a way to do that. I'm thinking the Antichrist will help fast track it when he comes to power. Update: While I was still editing this article, I found a news release stating that the German Parliament has ratified the implementation of Agenda ID2020. There is still one more step in the approval process for Germany, but it is looking like they are willing to implement this injectable ID that includes the COVID-19 vaccine. It's here and it's happening now. With Germany taking the leap you can sure that other countries will follow suit.
One World Currency. We covered this in Part 2 of the series, but let me add one more tidbit. The U.S. Dollar is currently the reserve currency for the world. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 61% of all foreign bank reserves and 40% of all debt are denominated in U.S. Dollars. While the dollar still has strength, should the current presidential administration continues to do its best to implode the U.S. economy the U.S. Dollar will soon evaporate in value and there will be an open door for a replacement.
All Your Records Consolidated to your Personal ID. Over the past decade, the effort to consolidate all your personal finances and records in one place has gained traction. Right now, it is possible to access all your money and your private records from your mobile phone, but they are not yet attached to your global personal ID. Once a global personal ID standard is agreed upon that final integration will begin.
Buying and Selling. As of today, you are not required to present some form of absolute identification to buy or sell items. Yes, it may be necessary for certain circumstances to present a government-issued ID, but the governments do no prohibit your making transactions for everyday products and services. Obviously, this will change as well. Once the global personal ID is established and it is technically possible to authorize or restrict what types of transactions a person is permitted to make, you can be sure that governments will begin to make and enforce the rules.
Implantable Smart Device. The Mark of the Beast will probably be an implantable smart device of some type. However, there's also the potential for a multidimensional tattoo. Either way, the mark will be "smart," which leads to the next item.
Upgradable Smart Device. The reason I think that the Mark of the Beast will be a smart device is that it needs to be upgradeable. The mark will serve at least two purposes; first for identification and information and second for pharmacologically interacting with your new biological operating system. This new biological operating system is being introduced to the citizens of the world through the COVID-19 vaccine and future variants. If you have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, you are already headed in the direction of upgrading your personal, biological operating system. I am planing my next article to address this issue. However, if you want to learn more about it now, be sure to read my article from early January 2021, COVID-19, Communism, The Great Reset, Transhumanism, and the Rapture, and watch at least the first 10 minutes of the embedded video.
What are the likely predecessors?
Most of the predecessors are already in place as mentioned above. However, the one thing I didn't mention above was conditioning. Until the Antichrist is revealed, the effort to enslave the citizens of the world is being led by the elites and globalists. (They actually think they are in control when the reality is they are doing the preparation work for Satan's minion the Antichrist. They will be surprised when they learn they were no better than useful idiots.) So, what could be conditioning the citizens of the world to accept injections? Uh, yes...that would be the COVID-19 vaccine. Did you happen to notice how the story about the vaccine requirements continues to change? First, everyone was supposed to get a vaccine. Then the vaccine would require two shots. Suddenly, there are COVID-19 "variants" that are not covered by the two shots, so we might need a third shot. There have also been suggestions that everyone may need annual shots. Do you see how the goalposts keep moving?
Interestingly, Bloomberg recently published an estimate for how long, worldwide, to vaccinate 75% of the population. The 75% goal is the theoretical model for what will be required to achieve herd immunity to the virus. And the answer is...7 years. If you have learned anything about eschatology, the study of end-times, you probably know that 7 years is the prophesized by Daniel 9:27 as the duration of the Tribulation. To be clear, Daniel says "one week," but that one week is interpreted by scholars as 7 years. Therefore we have the justification for continued injections, and while you are at it, why not take an injected bio identity chip? Seems clear to me.
Summary
Before I get into a summary here, I wanted to let you know that the next article I plan to write will be about the COVID-19 vaccine. In that article, which may take a few weeks to write, I plan to go into great detail regarding what we know about the vaccine, what it does, how it works, and why it is not what the medical elite tell us it is. There's plenty of information out there. My goal is to consolidate the information in a way that makes it is easy to read and understand, but also provide readers the opportunity to dig deeper for more detail should they choose to do so. I'm not a doctor, but I do have a God-given ability to understand complex issues and explain them in a way that people can understand.
Finally, to summarize this series I want to give you my answer. I started the series by asking the question "What do I personally need to physically/mentally/spiritually prepare for whatever is next?" The options I provided were Rapture, Survival, and Persecution. As I finish the series I have the strong belief that we as Christians need to prepare for Rapture next. That doesn't mean the Rapture will happen tomorrow or any specific day that I'm forecasting. However, it seems like I asked the wrong question.
When I say Christians need to prepare for Rapture next, I don't mean I need to physically/mentally/spiritually prepare myself. I mean I need to be speaking out more to do everything I possibly can to help those who are in doubt about the necessity of believing in the salvation power of Jesus. I need to...we need to be doing everything we can to reach out to those who are not yet saved, and we must do it RIGHT NOW! Whether the people will be willing to listen or not is not our concern as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3. Our job is to faithfully deliver the message.
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ESV (emphasis added)
I'm firmly convinced the time is now. It's time to help get people off the fence about what they believe because Satan owns the fence! A "no, decision" is the same thing as a "decision to say no." I know I've got a considerable amount of planting and watering to attend to. What about you?
Who's with me?
As always, I'm pleased to respond to your comments and questions below. Thanks for reading and God Bless!!!
