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What Are We
Bracing For?

Here is a list of events you
should preparing for.

By Ken Raggio

I personally believe that we should prepare ourselves spiritually, mentally and psychologically for the dramatic events of the final seven years that will bring Jesus Christ back to rule and reign for 1000 years - "the Millennium."

Most people refer to the last seven years as the "Tribulation". That is really a misnomer, however. In reality, the "tribulation" will not last seven years. The first three-and-a-half years will be relatively peaceful. "By peace," the Antichrist "will destroy many," (Daniel 8:25). He will "corrupt by flatteries" (Daniel 11:32) his opponents, during his early reign. The real tribulation will take place during the final 3.5 years. 

The event that will identify the beginning of the last seven years is the Confirmation of the Covenant mentioned in Daniel 9:27. 

We do not yet know the exact identity of the global power who will negotiate and sign this seven-year peace treaty with Israel. 

At the time of this writing, the most likely political entity for that role is probably the United Nations' "Quartet," a four-headed entity comprised of diplomats from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia. 

These four high-level diplomats, the "Quartet," are attempting to force Israel into a two-state solution for the land of Palestine - demanding that Israel give up major portions of the holy land for peace with their enemies, the Arab-Muslim "refugees" of the 1967 war, variously represented by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Fatah, and just about every radical Islamic group in the Middle East, including behind-the-scenes subversive factions from Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Jordan.

As I write this paragraph in June, 2007, Shimon Peres has just been made President of Israel. At 84 years old, this socialist, globalist liberal is poised to divide the land for peace. He has tried to do this for decades. The name "Peres" is the same word that the Prophet Daniel saw hand-written on the wall in King Belshazzar's palace. The message said, "Your kingdom is divided." Peres may finally accomplish the division of the land that will precipitate a peace agreement with the rest of the world.

If and when Israel enters into a seven-year peace treaty with the United Nations, or a similar global entity, we might well assume that the last seven years have begun.

In the MIDDLE of the seven-year stint, however, Antichrist shows himself to be a monster, completely betraying the peace-pact. He will commit the dreaded Abomination in the Jewish Temple that causes the daily sacrifice and prayers to be abandoned. 

In the LAST three-and-a-half years, Antichrist will enforce the Mark of the Beast upon the global community. The West Bank of Israel will become the scene of another Jewish holocaust. That is why Jesus warned those in Judeah to flee the moment they hear of the Abomination.

During the last forty-two months, Israel will face the horrific time called "Jacob's trouble" - the most frightening of all Jewish persecutions - according to Daniel 11:2. Additionally, according to Revelation 11:2, the Antichrist will also make war against the SAINTS OF THE CHURCH of Jesus Christ.  

Both national Israel and the Church will be persecuted for 3 1/2 years.

We should brace ourselves for the coming events of Daniel’s Seventieth week.

Here is the general order:

FIRST HALF OF WEEK

1. Antichrist confirms 7-year covenant with Israel. (Daniel 9:27)

It’s hard to tell which will happen first, Babylon falling or the Antichrist making covenant, but both happen at nearly the same time. It appears that the Sixth Trumpet War will take place BEFORE the Antichrist commits the Abomination of Desolation.

2. The Sixth Trumpet War and the Fall of Babylon (Revelation 9:13-21; 14:8)

According the Sixth Trumpet prophecy, 1/3 of mankind will die in a war that begins in the Euphrates River. This war has already begun, and is escalating as I write. The hostilities in Iraq involve Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Europe, the U.S., NATO, the UN, even North Korea, etc. It has already been called World War III by many powerful world figures. China is likely to enter the fray before it is over, as it already plays a major role in supplying armaments to many of these powers.

There is also a prophesied fall of Babylon. This may have already occured with the overthrow of the Iraqi government. Or, it could have larger, global implications. This could indicate a "meltdown" of International financial order, as in a global economic collapse, resulting in major currency failures, (such as the death of the American dollar, maybe even the death of the Euro dollar) precipitating the Mark of the Beast.

3. Antichrist causes craft (deception, fraud) to prosper / Destroys by peace (Daniel 8:25)

I personally expect to see a collapse of the old world order (Babylon falling - Rev. 14:8), a calamitous event that will necessitate a new economic order/ money system (aka Mark of the Beast). I speculate that as a result of the Sixth Trumpet War in the Middle East, the present economic order will collapse. Things should quickly re-stabilize as the New World Order / Antichrist system puts everything back online, issuing the Mark, as the people cheer the revolutionary development. 

The New World Order is likely to quickly take charge and in a matter of months put everything back online - albeit, there will be a dramatic restructuring of all governments and businesses that are not a part of Big Brother's system. 

Alternately, however, people will be forced to readjust their lifestyles to cooperate and participate with the New World Order's "Great Plan". Expect to see a radically altered banking system, globalized industrial complex, globalized military complex, the absence of national sovereignty, and globalized communism/socialism (including the United States). 

I also speculate that the World Trade Organization (WTO) will become one of the most powerful global political entities. Since the Mark of the Beast system is primarily economic, the most powerful global organization is likely to be the economic arm of the world government - the WTO, working in tandem with the United Nations Economic and Social Council based in New York.

As I write this article, there are 150 nations who are permanent members. I am curious to see if this will become a 153-member entity at the time of the Antichrist. I have always wondered if there would be 153 nations in the Antichrist's net during the final seven years. I base that on the story of Jesus telling Peter to cast his fishing net over on the other side, and he pulled in 153 fishes. Just a thought!

I also expect to see a dramatically reduced standard of living in America, including loss of property ownership, acutely reduced transportation, loss of personal liberties and human rights, and highly restricted monetary and economic policies. I base this speculation on the fact that the Bible says the antichrist beast is Scarlet Red. That is socialism. I believe that socialism will become a global political force, dominating even the United States. 

Before the Mark of the Beast is finally introduced, you are likely to see a cashless "smart card" system fast-tracked into global use. The entire infrastructure of such system is already in place and ready to be implemented. Verichip Corporation is waiting in the wings to put implanted computer chips in everyone's hands, and that will all be linked to the global banking system as well - truly, the Mark of the Beast!

THE LAST HALF OF WEEK - the final 3.5 years.

4. Abomination of Desolation occurs in Third Temple (mid-week). (Daniel 9:27)

Jesus warned those who live in the West Bank (Judea) to flee for their lives, because next is...

5. The Great Tribulation, or Jacob’s Trouble - 42 months on Israel (Daniel 12:2, Revelation 11:2)

6. The False Prophet initiates the Mark of the Beast (begins midweek) (Revelation 13).

Saints should be preparing now for the three and a half years without cash. This is going to require "underground" living - that is, "off the grid" and "without money". The official policy of Big Brother will be to exterminate (kill) those who refuse the Mark. Survival will depend on staying out of sight and out of the way. (This is the reason why I have suggested that people should at least be aware of survival tactics. I can show you story after story in the Bible when God's people were forced to practice survival tactics under despotic governments.) 

It is not unlikely that the Mark of the Beast will force Christian believers to practice survivalist lifestyles. Roast me alive for saying so. Burn me at the stake. Accuse me of doubt, fear and unbelief. Assassinate my character. Black-list me and ostracize me. But don't tell me I didn't warn you. Christians are going to be persecuted, and slandering me is not going to prevent or change that fact.

7. Antichrist makes war on the Church and prevails 42 months (Daniel 7:21. Revelation 13:7) [The two witnesses also appear in Jerusalem, prophesying during these 42 months. The last three days before Armageddon, they are finally killed and lie dead in the streets until they are raised and then raptured.]

8. The Wrath of God (Seven Vials of Wrath).  [The Saints are immune, protected, "not appointed to" God's wrath at this time. (I Thessalonians 5)]

Vial 1. Sores on all who have Mark of the Beast (Revelation 16:2)
Vial 2. Death in the Seas (Revelation 16:3)
Vial 3. Rivers turned to Blood because men shed the blood of saints (Revelation 16:4)
Vial 4. Sun empowered to scorch men with fire (Revelation 16:8,9)
Vial 5. Kingdom of the Beast turned to darkness, pain and sores (Revelation 16:10,11)
Vial 6. Euphrates River dried up to make way for kings of the East. Armies moving into place for Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12)
    Three spirits like frogs proceed out of the mouth of Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet deceiving the people and working miracles, and gathering them together for Armageddon (16:3)

9. The Last Trumpet, (Seventh Trumpet), The Rapture of the Church, the First Resurrection (Rev. 20:4,5 Rev. 19:9)

Jesus comes as a thief (to the unprepared [but not to the righteous]) (16:15,16) This seems to imply that the Church will still be on earth, nevertheless exempt and protected, during the first six vials of God's wrath. 

Vial 7. "It is done!" Voices, thunders, lightning, greatest earthquake ever, Mystery Babylon (Rome) divided into three parts, cities of the earth fall (16:17-21)
    Ten Horns receive power one hour with the Beast to make war with the Lamb (Revelation 17:12-14)
    Ten Horns hate the Whore (Roman Catholic Church) make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:16-18)
     Judgment of the Great Whore, Mystery Babylon falls (Revelation 17,18)

Mystery Babylon will fall THE SECOND TIME in Revelation 18, when Jesus Christ returns. 

If this means Rome, there will be a massive "changing of the guard" in the Vatican. There is a world-wide expectation of a soon-coming "evil Pope" who will overthrow the present Catholic hierarchy, and usher in a radically altered New World Order-oriented Catholic Church.

This time, however, the Harlot Church will be betrayed and destroyed. When the Seventh Vial of the Wrath of God is poured out, the Ten Kings of the New World Order will hate the Whore and set out to destroy it. The Catholic Church at Rome will be destroyed, according to this prophecy.

Jesus Christ will intervene at Armageddon. Then the False Prophet / Pope will be personally cast into the lake of fire by Jesus at that time.

10.  The Second Coming of Jesus with his saints from the Eastern skies to the Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount, arriving at the Mount of Olives and the Valley of Kidron / Jehoshaphat. 

A massive earthquake will occur, and the worst battle of all times will begin: Ezekiel's War (ch. 38,39) which culminates as the Battle of Armageddon.  The dead bodies of kings and generals will become the Supper of the Great God (fowls eat the flesh of kings) (Revelation 19:17-19).

11. Ezekiel's War ending at Armageddon (Ezekiel 38 & 39)

The Beast and False Prophet will be cast into hell, and Satan will be bound 1000 years (Revelation 20)

12. Jesus will enter Jerusalem and establish His kingdom there for 1000 years in a fully-reclaimed Holy Land, with expanded boundaries to include everything originally promised to Abraham and Moses from antiquity (Ezekiel 40-48). He will rule the entire world, having Jerusalem as His international headquarters. Gentile Saints will rule and reign as Kings and Priests in all the nations of the world for 1000 years.

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Rapture and First Resurrection take place almost concurrently with the Seventh Seal, the Seventh Trumpet and the Seventh Vial. 

They all converge for a singular conclusion.

Jesus taught that the SAME DAY Noah entered into the Ark the rain began.

Jesus said that the SAME DAY Lot fled Sodom and Gomorrah, the fire fell.

So... the SAME DAY the Rapture takes place, the Battle of Armageddon begins. The Saints who were just resurrected will immediately return to earth with Jesus Christ to participate with Him in this glorious event in Jerusalem.

THE MILLENNIUM

13. 1000-year Reign of Jesus on earth with the Saints as Kings and Priests

14. Satan loosed for short time, Last War – Satan cast into hell

THE END

15. Earth and firmaments melt with fervent heat (1 Peter 3:10-12)

Time shall be no more.

16. New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem, the Eternal Kingdom of God

Are YOU getting ready?

May I humbly suggest that you put all your personal and private agendas on the back burner and take a brutally honest inventory of where you stand in preparedness for these exciting but apocalyptic events? Our PHYSICAL safety and well-being are secondary issues to our SPIRITUAL safety and well-being.

These prophecies deserve our utmost attention and utmost efforts in preparation for the most revolutionary time in the history of mankind.

You and I owe it to ourselves and our families to set the highest priorities for both saving our souls and our hides.

"What must I do to be saved?"

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Find a church that preaches and practices the whole Apostolic Doctrine, and obey Acts 2:38.


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