Episode 61 reveals the great good news concealed in the coming of the antichrist. Other topics include the nature of the beast, his tyranny and conquests, the false prophet, and the great harlot.

 

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Transcript
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The Future of the Teachings of Jesus

 
42. The Antichrist-Part 5 (Ep. 61)
 

The Tribulation Period

 

January 2026

 

The tribulation period conceals great good news. The tribulation period will be a fearful time that calls for great courage and faith. However, we should recognize that this tribulation period also signifies and conveys great good news. For this seven-year period is really the precursor to the coming of the kingdom of God to rule the earth. It will bring the conclusion of the failed kingdoms of men, and we will witness the dawn of a new and divine age­—the kingdom of heaven. The forces of Jesus will supernaturally intervene in earthly affairs to defeat and destroy the antichrist and his followers. The messiah will then set up a divine super national government structure that will rule over the nations from Jerusalem. The millennium will begin with the world ruled by those who remained faithful and loyal to the Father’s will. So, as we courageously face and endure the oppression of the antichrist rule, we should keep firmly in mind that this time of persecution and devastation is only a passing phase. It is merely the necessary precondition of the destruction of the corrupt and evil governments of men that makes way for a divine world government and a glorious new spiritual age.

The tribulation period. The “tribulation period” for our world will begin when the antichrist beast makes a seven-year covenant promising peace. However, halfway through this period he will break the covenant and occupy Jerusalem. It is at this point that our real tribulation will begin. In the Jerusalem temple the antichrist will proclaim himself God. After conquering Egypt, he will go forth and engage in worldwide conquest. He will persecute and kill those who refuse to worship him. The antichrist will be allowed to exercise power and authority for three-and one-half years. This will be the “worst of times” and scripture calls on the faithful to exercise patient endurance to survive this time of extreme tribulation and persecution.

The “beast.” The antichrist is characterized in the book of Revelation as a “beast.” Why is this so? The answer lies in the meaning and connotation of the word itself. A beast is an animal, and the animal mind cannot recognize and choose higher moral and spiritual values such as mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. The animal is guided only by animal instincts and self-preservation.  Further the term “beast” connotes the most savage and monstrous type of animal behavior. He will be amoral, self-serving, tyrannical, and empowered by evil and satanic forces.

Great Conqueror. The antichrist will be a great conqueror. In the book of Revelation, he is introduced as the first of the famous “four horsemen of the apocalypse.” Here he is depicted as a rider on a white horse who goes out “conquering and to conqueror.” (Rev 6:2).  Revelation also predicts that he will be given a great weapon (Rev 6:4), take peace from the earth, and bring war (Rev 6:4), famine (Rev 6:5, 6), death, and Hades (Rev 6:8). He will act and prosper (Dan 8:12) and do according to his will (Dan 11:36).”  He will gain power through the activity of Satan (2 Th 2:9), cause “fearful destruction and destroy mighty men….” (Dan 8:24). His power shall be great” (Dan 8:24) and he “shall think to change the times and the law” (Dan 7:25). He will gain worldwide power and authority (Rev 13:7) and exercise despotic totalitarian rule for last forty-two months of the seven-year covenant period.

Foreign god. Daniel 11:37 informs us that the antichrist will “give no heed to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women; he shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.”

Allies. He will reward his followers “Those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price” (Dan 11: 39).

The false prophet. During the antichrist’s rule another beast-like individual will arise. In John’s revelation this “false prophet” appears with two horns like a lamb and speaks like a dragon. (Rev 13:11) This second beast will exercise all the authority of the antichrist beast, and make the earth, and its inhabitants worship him. (Rev 13:12) This second beast will work great miracles such as making fire come down from heaven. (Rev 13:13) He will deceive those who dwell on earth and bid them to make an image for the antichrist beast. (Rev 13:14) He will give breath to the image such that it can speak and cause those who do not worship the antichrist to be slain. (Rev 13:15)

The mark of the beast. This image will cause all to be marked on the right hand or forehead such that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark. (Rev 13:16-17) This mark is the name or the number of the antichrist beast, which is 666. (Rev 13:17-18) Revelation 14:9-10 solemnly warns us that “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also shall drink the wine of God’s wrath….” It is at this time that Revelation encourages us with these words: “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12).

The great harlot. Revelation chapter 17 introduces a “great harlot seated upon many waters” (Rev 17.1). The “many waters” represent “peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” ruled over by the harlot. (Rev 17.15) Revelation 17.2 tells us that “the kings of the earth have committed fornication” with her. This signifies that the woman represents religion that has been corrupted by alliance with the political state “On her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of harlots and of earth’s abominations’ (Rev 17.15). This signifies the harlot follows in the tradition of the early Babylonian religion, which was allied with the state, engaged in emperor worship, and followed pagan practices such as sex worship, magic, and temple harlotry.

The great harlot is the Roman catholic church. Revelation 17:18 clearly identifies the harlot as the Roman Catholic church located at Vatican city in Rome. It states: “And the woman you saw is the great city which has dominion over the kings of the earth.” For centuries this Catholic church exercised dominion over various political states. It also maintained a totalitarian like control over its many members. Another indicator that the great harlot is the Catholic church is found in Revelation 18:24. It states: “And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” Historically the church has often persecuted and even killed followers of Jesus who appeared in unorthodox form.

The judgment of the Catholic church. The secular antichrist and the ten Western European nations allied under his command will come to hate the Catholic church. They will attack and burn Vatican City. Revelation warns members of the church to leave it, urging them as follows: “Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. So shall her plagues come in a single day, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she shall be burned with fire (Rev 18:4-5, 8).

Conclusion. This concludes Episode 61. Episode 62 will discuss Armageddon, the final battle for Jerusalem, and the destruction of the antichrist and his evil forces.

 

 

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