The Prophetic Record - Part 1

         The prophetic visions given to Daniel were specifically meant to describe the “time of the end” (Dan. 8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9). The prophet Joel likewise described the future sudden and devastating invasion by the Antichrist and his coalition of armies recorded in Rev. 12. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the Day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations” (Joel 2:1-2).
            Daniel likewise had a vision of the Antichrist’s invasion. “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, who  understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people” (Dan. 8:23-24). Notice that the invasion happens because of the transgressors. Who are they? We’re told earlier in Daniel’s vision. “Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered” (v. 12).
            It seems that in the push for peace, the world is open to Israel rebuilding a temple as part of their Abrahamic cultural heritage. But it appears that restoring the animal sacrifices is not okay. It certainly isn’t okay with God, which is why He allows the invasion as a consequence of Israel counting the sacrificial blood of Jesus as nothing.
            Isaiah prophesied it this way. “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The Lord of hosts musters the army for battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven—the Lord and His weapons of indignation, to destroy the whole land. Wail, for the Day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty” (Is. 13:4-6).
            End-Time Lesson: The prophet Zechariah gives even more details of the Day of the Lord invasion in Zech. 14:1-10. It helps us understand why God allows the invasion and the use of an evil force as His weapon of indignation—that is, His righteous anger.
            God is forever merciful and loving. Sometimes, however, because of mankind’s fallen nature, we make bad decisions that violate His will and His ways. As His chosen people, God had carefully laid out the requirements of their covenant with Him—a covenant the Israelites violated over and over. Yet each time they repented, He restored them and blessed them.
            Now, at the appointed time in God’s plan of redemption, the stakes are higher. Satan has conspired to raise up an evil force against Israel. They cry out to their God to come down as He did at Mt. Sinai and deliver them. Zechariah records His response: “Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the Day of battle [see Rev. 16:14]. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west” (Zech. 14:3-4).
            God responds by sending Jesus Christ a second time to the earth. He comes to gather His Body and take us back to Heaven to be seated as the immortal government. The Lion of Judah roars two commands, “Rise and Shine” and the dead in Christ arise and those who are alive at His coming shine. Both are changed in a twinkling of an eye, being clothed in immortality.
            Our resurrection triggers Israel’s “blessed is He” response. The power of His presence causes an earthquake, making a way of escape for His people. They flee to their prepared place for a time, times, and half a time—3½ years (Rev. 12:14). We, on the other hand, reenact Christ’s ascension back to Heaven, only this time the Head and the Body are complete. All the heirs are now before the throne, having all authority, both in heaven and on the earth. Stay tuned to see what we declare from Heaven.