This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Ron Braley. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
We began this series by returning to the perfection of future Eden in the coming age. Then, in the last article, we went back to Jesus’ time and began moving forward toward the end of this age. I introduced John the Revelator and gave you a few tools to study the Revelation given to Him by Jesus. I also mentioned that life will continue until deception, violence, and environmental issues spiral out of control (Revelation seals 1-3).
What comes next? The time of the Antichrist’s wrath against God’s people (Revelation seals 4-5). He or it will control much of the earth for about seven years when the religious deception, international conflicts, and economic chaos revealed in Revelation seals 1-3 crest. That time will begin with a Middle Eastern peace agreement broken in the middle (Daniel 9:27). So, things will seem pretty good for the first several of the seven years. Then, all hell will break loose, literally.
The prophet Daniel and Jesus foresaw a time when Satan-driven Antichrist will bring great wrath upon YHVH’s people, Jew and Christian.
The Bible refers to this destructive period in several ways – Great tribulation, 42 (30-day lunar) months, 1,260 days (42X30) and three and a half years. Check out these biblical references:
• Great Tribulation/ time of Jacob’s (Jewish) trouble: Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21 & 29.
• 42 months: Revelation 11:2 and 13:5.
• 1260 days: Daniel 12:11-23 (1260+30 days); Revelation 11:3 and 12:6.
• 3.5 years (one year plus two years plus half a year): Daniel 7:25 and 12:7, and Revelation 12:14.
Daniel received his vision of the future Antichrist’s time in about 500 BCE. Then, Jesus referred to this period of coming wrath about 2,000 years ago and retold it to John in a revelatory vision about 70 years later. Paul also taught about the Antichrist’s time of authority. You can read about it in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Let’s consider important things that will happen during those three and half years.
In Matthew 24:10-26 and Revelation 6:7-12, Jesus revealed a terrible time of persecution and death for God’s people by a Satan-empowered Antichrist. Heavenly witnesses will issue final warnings to all people during that time and oppose the Antichrist, who will demand allegiance against YHVH.
Those who refuse will die a human death but enter the next age with YHVH. Those who side with Antichrist for food and material security will likely experience physical death during God’s great wrath and spiritual destruction at His great judgment.
Summary
A terrible time of trouble for God’s people will come when deception, violence, and economic hardship peak. How will that three-and-a-halfyear time of Antichrist’s wrath end? With Jesus’s appearing and our gathering at a complete darkening of the natural lights (Revelation seal six). More about this and coming peace next time.
In the meantime, be a disciple, make disciples, and honor God with everything while you can! Questions or comments? Email [email protected].
Blessings and peace, Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.
