What Saith the Scripture?
http://www.WhatSaithTheScripture.com/

Understanding of the Times (2001)
(Including the Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden Connection)

Or, What Are the Events Surrounding the Pre-Tribulational Rapture?

"And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do"
(1 Chronicles 12:32).

by Tom Stewart
9-20-2001
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preface

Attempting to keep a current picture of events that surround the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, requires the willingness to continually rearrange puzzle pieces of transitory events, while retaining our understanding of how and why God acts. "Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the Earth" (Jeremiah 9:24). [See our article, "The Character of God Is Revealed in the Rapture; Or, God Is Faithful to Provide a Way to Escape" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Character.of.God.in.Raptur.html --, to investigate how God acts.] Originally written more than three years earlier, this article was composed with the anticipation of a May 31st 1998, Pentecost Rapture; but, though the Sovereign LORD has chosen to tarry, the observations and conclusions remain essentially intact, updating them in the context of rapidly unfolding events, e.g., the Tuesday, September 11th 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City and the attack against the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Though many eschatological positions may be advanced to explain current events, this writer is not interested in militating against other eschatologists' favored positions; but simply, to advance a comprehensible position, that has an "understanding of the times" that the Saints would know "what to do" (1Chronicles 12:32). [See our article, "Must There Be a Pre-Tribulational Rapture?" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophecy/Must.Pre.Trib.Rapture.html --, for an exposition of 2Thessalonians 2.] Christians must be encouraged to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12), while waiting for the "appearing of our LORD Jesus Christ" (1Timothy 6:14). Our certainty of the ultimate outcome of current events must be accompanied by the "perfect peace" that they have "whose mind is stayed on" Christ Jesus (Isaiah 26:3). May all our attempts to harmonize our understanding of "things to come" (John 16:13) produce in us the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). And, may we sense our need to "pray always, that [we] may be accounted worthy to escape all these things [of the Tribulation Week] that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). [See our July 24th 1999 editorial, "Behold, I Come Quickly" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Fellowship/Edit_Behold.I.Come.Quickly.html --, to see how the Son of God could have said, "I come quickly" (Revelation 3:11), more than 1,900 years ago; yet, it would still be appropriate for us to look forward to His Soon Return like a child watching for a parent to return home.]

The events resulting from the Pre-Tribulational Rapture will be accompanied with shock, panic, confusion, and FEAR. "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth" (Luke 21:26). Out of the chaos, people will be demanding, from those in any kind of authority, an immediate answer to the phenomenon of unexplainably missing people-- on a global scale. The only answer will be DECEPTION. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2Thessalonians 2:11). God will supernaturally remove His Watching and Waiting Church and the Truly Innocent, i.e., infants, in what has been popularly called the Pre-Tribulational Rapture. "After this I looked, and, behold, a Door was opened in Heaven: and the First Voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come Up Hither" (Revelation 4:1). But, before the Watching and Waiting Saints depart at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, how do we arrive at that point from here? The answer-- "in much patience" (2Corinthians 6:4). Possibly, we may be able to extrapolate a plausible scenario that may answer the question, "What next?" We need not blush that our limited intellect and finite understanding so often leaves us short of our anticipated destination, for "now we see through a glass, darkly" (1Corinthians 13:12); rather, we ought to rejoice that we have been given the kingly privilege to search out the puzzle pieces, endeavouring to give stability to Christ's Sheepfold in these times of perplexity. "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).


Table of Contents



Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Only those who walk without sin, will be taken. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalm 24:3-4). Simply put, this heart condition is the result of having humbly come in faith to Jesus Christ with a full confession of sin. "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13). Or, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).

True faith in Jesus Christ is demonstrated by obedience to God. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:17-18). Your faith and confidence in God will be easily demonstrated by your reliance on:


Provoking Saddam Hussein

The name of Osama bin Laden (born: 1957, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) has achieved a degree of notoriety unwanted by anyone, but those who are convinced that their desperate actions advance the cause of their religion. However, the unwarranted murder of thousands in the name of God has little semblance to the Pure Religion of the Scriptures that promises Paradise to its followers. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Bin Laden, the wealthy leader of al Qaeda (Arabic for "the Base"), a worldwide terrorist network blamed for the October 12th 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, which killed 17 sailors, and the August 7th 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, has been forced upon the American consciousness, especially since the successful attack against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). [See our editorial, "Significance of the Attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Fellowship/Edit_Attack.WTC.Pentagon.html --, for more perspective on this event.] Why is bin Laden such a dedicated enemy of the United States? In 1979, Osama bin Laden fought alongside the Afghan resistance fighters-- the mujahedeen-- against the Soviet occupation. Using his family's wealth and influence, he also raised money for logistics and humanitarian relief of the mujahedeen. After the war, bin Laden returned to work for his family's construction firm, the Bin Laden Group, in Saudi Arabia. According to a September 13th 2001 CNN article, "Bin Laden, millionaire with a dangerous grudge" -- http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/12/binladen.profile/ -- "Bin Laden's anger with the United States stems from the 1990 decision by Saudi Arabia to allow the U.S. to stage attacks on Iraqi forces in Kuwait and Iraq. After the U.S. victory, the U.S. military presence became permanent... he said the ongoing U.S military presence in Saudi Arabia is an 'occupation of the land of the holy places.'" Osama bin Laden is a combination of intelligence, wealth, and religious zeal. [See our article, "Why Do the Heathen Rage?" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophecy/Why.Heathen.Rage.html --, for a brief perspective of Islam with a telling response by Sir Monier Williams in an address at Oxford University (1888).] "21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for Salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him" (John 4:21-23). [See our article, "Salvation is of the Jews; Or, Pray for the Conversion of Israel" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Fellowship/Salvation.Is.Of.The.Jews.html --, for a further explanation of Christ's statement.]

Why is Osama bin Laden suspected of the mass murder carried out at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11th 2001? "Let not an evil speaker be established in the Earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him" (Psalm 140:11). Let an ABCNEWS.com article, "Osama bin Laden: Suspected Terrorist Mastermind" -- http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/binladen_newsmakerbio.html -- demonstrate the relationship between bin Laden's words and their results: "In a Declaration of Jihad dated Aug. 23, 1996, bin Laden publicly challenged the United States for the first time. He called for religious youths to kill the American occupiers of the kingdom. 'The walls of oppression and humiliation,' said the fatwa, 'cannot be demolished except in a rain of bullets.' In February 1998, he went further. After convening a meeting with various terrorist groups, including Islamic Jihad, he issued a fatwa calling for the deaths of all Americans. He did not differentiate between military and civilian, or between man, woman, or child. On Aug. 7, 1998, the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya were bombed. A total of 226 people, including 12 Americans, were killed. U.S. investigators blamed bin Laden for the attacks." Even in the laws of man, it is necessary to establish motive before convicting a defendant in a court of law; even so, the LORD Jesus Christ delineated the thought that all moral actions were a product of the ultimate purpose and intent of the human heart-- unifying a man's thoughts, words, and ultimately his actions-- for good or even for mass murder. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).

But, what if bin Laden simply becomes only a footnote in yesterday's news, what connection does he have to the above sub-heading "Provoking Saddam Hussein"? The first bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993, resulted in the conviction and jailing of Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, mastermind of the plot. Yousef was apprehended by Pakistani police in 1995 in a suspected bin Laden safehouse-- with an Iraqi passport. According to a September 12th 2001 article at ABCNEWS.com, "The Top of the Chain: Who Is the Real Mastermind, and Who Are His Helpers?" -- http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/wtc_010912_cooley.html -- "Laurie Milroie, an American academic and biographer of Saddam Hussein, sees the hidden hand of Iraq's dictator, who almost daily proclaims his disdain of America and his intent to overthrow Israel. She argues in a recent book, Study of Revenge, that the Iraqi intelligence service probably provided Yousef with his Iraqi passport. She believes Saddam Hussein, of all of America's enemies, had the strongest motive for revenge, after his defeat and expulsion from Kuwait by the U.S.-led allied armies in Desert Storm in 1991. Milroie and others claim that the technical skills as well as the coordination and huge resources needed for the attack on Tuesday in New York and Washington can only come from a government like Iraq." "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go" (Proverbs 22:24).

America's New War With Terrorism has been speaking of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice "dead or alive," but what will be the reaction of the Islamic world, if targeting bin Laden produces collateral damage that translates into further affront against Islam? Already Afghanistan's supreme leader of the ruling Taliban, Mullah Mohammed Omar, has warned Afghanistan to prepare itself for Jihad (Holy War) with America. Mullah Omar-- in his early 40s, bearded, with a black turban, and one eye stiched shut from a war wound-- created the Taliban in the early 1990s to replace the defunct Soviet government of Afghanistan with the purest Islamic state in the world. At different times, both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were publicly cheered by Palestinians when Saddam's Scud missiles hit Israel during the Gulf War, and when the airliners ploughed into the World Trade Center (WTC). One week after the WTC attack, war has not been constitutionally declared by the U.S. Congress against Afghanistan or Iraq, but the American public is demanding from their leadership, some kind of translation of President Bush's strong words, into action that produces a perceived victory over terrorism. If bin Laden leaves Afghanistan, will he seek sanctuary in Iraq? Or, if bin Laden falls into the hands of the U.S., will it further make him an Islam hero or martyr? And, will his al Qaeda organization simply continue its reign of terror? Again, if some American military action against Osama bin Laden or his al Qaeda terrorist organization can be used by Saddam Hussein as an attack against Islam, then Hussein can justify an escalation of the war against the United States-- labelled by them as the Great Satan that defiles Saudi Arabia's holy places of Mecca (birthplace of Mohammed) and Medina (tomb of Mohammed), and supports Israel. All of this would prepare the scene for the fulfillment of a prophecy by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:9-13)-- see the below sub-heading, "Nuclear Bombing of New York City and London." But, before that contemporary fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy, the Pre-Tribulational Rapture takes place, necessitating an "Explanation of Deception"-- see sub-heading directly below. "10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2Thessalonians 2:10-11).


The Explanation of Deception: UFO's, Alien Abduction, & Paradigm Shift

It will be impossible for the world to rationally explain the sudden, global disappearance of any noticeable number of people, when the Pre-Tribulational Rapture occurs (most likely after the American response to the attack on the World Trade Center)-- which exceeds that of the world's normal daily death rate. "The world by wisdom knew not God" (1Corinthians 1:21). The world has prided itself in its knowledge or "science"-- that which can be quantified by observation, described in a cause and effect relationship, and duplicated by the scientific method-- and has already ruled out the possibility of the Living God. "Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" (1Timothy 6:20). Consequently, the world will NOT be told that God-- an "unscientific" explanation-- has removed His people from the world, i.e., the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, in preparation for the judgment of the world. "He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity" (Psalm 98:9).

The leadership of the world will be forced to give an explanation of deception. "For we [God's people] wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). The most probable deception will be that of UFO's, alien abduction, and "paradigm shift". Although the mainstream scientific community denies the existence of UFO's and extraterrestrials or aliens, public acceptance of this phenomenon is increasing. Hollywood portrayals have aided in the acceptance of UFO's. When government officially sanctions the alien abduction explanation, the lie of the New Age "paradigm shift" will become the New World Order's accepted explanation for the Pre-Tribulational Rapture. Briefly, the lie of the "paradigm shift" is that those who could not accept the change to man's next higher level of development had to be removed by aliens. "Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2Thessalonians 2:9).

What are UFO's and extraterrestrials? They are the "lying wonders" (2:9) that accompany the advent of the Antichrist. Can a demon or any other form of a lying wonder be scientifically measured and observed? Yes. Moses' encounter with Pharaoh demonstrated this. "When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (Exodus 7:9-12).

Did Pharaoh's "wise men and sorcerers" (7:11) cause their rods to become serpents? Yes. Both Moses and Pharaoh could observe this phenomenon. Was there an observable cause and effect relationship between Aaron's rod and the sorcerers' rods. Yes. "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (7:12). Science could have observed, measured, and recorded what happened, but still could not have explained it. Science is limited, as man is limited; but, "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

Are the extraterrestrials of today demons? Yes. Demons, which are also called "devils" (Luke 8:30), have the same reality as Satan, who is a "liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). Just as Satan appears in many forms, i.e., as an "angel of light" (2Corinthians 11:14), even so demons can inhabit a human being or an animal. Mary Magdalene was one "out of whom He [Jesus] had cast seven devils" (Mark 16:9). The demoniac of the Gadarenes, who "had devils long time" (Luke 8:27), was described as a man who abode in the tombs naked. Jesus cast the demons from this man into a herd of swine. "Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked" (8:33).

If the extraterrestrials are demons, what bodies do they have, i.e., human-like or animal-like? Neither. Evidently, they can be manifested in various tangible forms, without the necessity of resorting to the New Testament descriptions of demon possession, i.e., possessing humans and animals. The 5th Trumpet Judgment of the Tribulation Week (Revelation 9:1-12) describes Demonic Locusts, which are an example of the various forms in which demons can manifest themselves. What else can you call them, if you believe that God has accurately described them?

"And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power... And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon" (Revelation 9:3,7-11). Remember, take the Word of God as literally as possible until it is impossible, just like when you would talk to anyone else.

These extraterrestrials, who are demons, are the fallen angels described by Jude. "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). Because of their angelic nature, they do not sexually procreate among themselves or with humans. "For when they [humans] shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in Heaven" (Mark 12:25). Co-mingling, i.e., sexual procreation with mankind, will not be allowed by God because God only allows reproduction "after their kind" (Genesis 1:21,25). "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men [the attempt]: but they shall not cleave one to another [the impossibility of procreation, as in homosexual unions], even as iron is not mixed with clay" (Daniel 2:43).

The uniqueness of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ will be preserved by God, in that only once did God allow the natural order of procreation to be changed. "Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). He allowed His Son to be born of a woman, to redeem mankind. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (9:6). God will jealously guard the uniqueness of the Virgin Birth, by preventing any kind of actual co-mingling of fallen angels and humans, devils and humans, aliens and humans, etc. "I am the LORD: that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another" (Isaiah 42:8). However, the deception of the times will be such that demons will appear in many common forms, just as Satan, who appears as an "angel of light" (2Corinthians 11:14). They will appear:


Nuclear Bombing of New York City and London

While the world is reacting to the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, the Middle East will be readying for war. "For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 8:11). The prophet Jeremiah predicted the ancient destruction of Egypt, but there will be a modern, double fulfillment with an attack upon New York City (USA) and London (UK). "Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah; And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them. And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword. And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace. He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire" (Jeremiah 43:9-13).

The "images of Bethshemesh" (43:13) are literally, the "obelisks of Heliopolis". Another translation for the word "images" is obelisks. "Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt" (43:13) is the city of Heliopolis (Egyptian City of On), which is 6 miles NE of Cairo, Egypt. It was the center of an ancient cult of an Egyptian sun-god. Nebuchadnezzar's expedition into Egypt gave the ancient fulfillment of this prophecy. However, modern fulfillment of this prophecy will be seen in New York City and London.

Cleopatra's Needles are two ancient obelisks presented by the khedive of Egypt to Great Britain (1878) and the United States (1880). Each weighs about 200 tons and stands about 70 feet tall. The British installed their obelisk on the Thames (River) Embankment in London (1878). The Americans installed their obelisk in Central Park in New York City (1881). They were originally erected by Thutmose III in Heliopolis about 1500 BC. Again, these two obelisks were from among the very obelisks that Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of by the "king of Babylon" (Jeremiah 43:10).

Shortly, both the citizens of America and Britain will be demonstrated the reality of God's Word in His further fulfillment of Jeremiah 43:13, i.e., the destruction of these "images" or obelisks. "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me" (Exodus 20:3-5).

Currently, Saddam Hussein of Iraq has portrayed himself as a modern Nebuchadnezzar. Iraq is the land of ancient Babylon. The Persian Gulf War (January 16 to February 28, 1991) demonstrated not simply the resolve of the New World Order-- a term used by President George Bush (USA)-- to deal with a "rogue nation", but it also portrayed Saddam Hussein's willingness to stand against the West, especially the United States and Great Britain.

Saddam Hussein points us to a double fulfillment for the "ram" of Daniel's vision (Daniel 8:3). In this vision, Daniel witnessed a "ram which had two horns" (8:3) being attacked and decimated by an "he goat [which] came from the west" (8:5). The "great horn was broken" (8:8) of the he goat, resulting in "four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven" (8:8). "Out of one of them [notable ones] came forth a little horn" (8:9), who "by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down" (Daniel 8:11).

The classic interpretation-- which is correct-- of Daniel's vision (Daniel 8:1-12) of the ram, the he goat, the four notable ones, and the taking away of the daily sacrifice by the little horn is:

The modern fulfillment of the Daniel 8 vision is:

The above Scriptural scenario could be easily fulfilled as follows. Israel's implacable border enemies, i.e., Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yasir Arafat's Palestinian State continue to prepare to militarily attack and annihilate Israel. "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance" (Psalm 83:4). But, before Israel's border enemies act, Saddam Hussein will attempt to rally, unite, and solidify the Arab world under his leadership against Israel. He will attempt to make a statement to the United States and Britain to back down, when he orchestrates his attack against Israel. This statement is made when Arab terrorists, i.e. Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network, would plant suitcase nuclear devices at or near the obelisks in New York City and London. The nuclear devices would be of a lower grade yield than a nuclear warhead. Casualties would probably be in the hundreds of thousands, while damage would not annihilate the respective cities. "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all His Commandments and His Statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city..." (Deuteronomy 28:15, 16). However, America will unexpectedly counterattack with a nuclear strike against Iraq and possibly Afghanistan and Iran-- finally feeling justified in the use of its nuclear arsenal."5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power" (Daniel 8:5-6).


The Last American Revolution

The Pre-Tribulational Rapture would have already occurred. Both New York City and London would have experienced a limited nuclear attack by Arab terrorists, and the United States would have already made its nuclear response to Iraq and possibly Afghanistan and Iran; but, the Last American Revolution will yet further complicate the situation in the American heartland. "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16). Not only will America be reeling from the limited nuclear attack of New York City, but the Pre-Tribulational Rapture will disrupt any semblance of normalcy-- preparing for the unrest and disruption of the malcontented militia movement. "26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Hebrews 10:26-27).

What will be the response of government to the angry and anguished cries of families who have lost family members in the "paradigm shift", i.e., Pre-Tribulational Rapture? The reaction will be the same as Pharaoh in Joseph's Egypt, when the people hungered during the famine. "And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread" (Genesis 41:55). People will demand help from the government, and the result will be much greater governmental control, as in Joseph's Egypt. "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate" (47:19).

The LORD Jesus Christ acknowledged the disciples' right to self defense. "Then said He unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in Me, And He was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning Me have an end. And they said, LORD, behold, here are two swords. And He said unto them, It is enough" (Luke 22:36-38). However, non-resistance has its place, just as does self defense, i.e., defense of self, family, sustenance. "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39). God will guide His people by His Spirit as to when and what to do. "And thine ears shall hear a Word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).

God has not called those who trust Him to armed revolt against the government, i.e., militia movement, etc. "Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:10-11). Your safety will not come from the guarantees of government or by the preparations of your own hands. "An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength" (Psalm 33:17). Your safety must come from the LORD. "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:31).

A modern prophet-- as in Joel 2:28, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions"-- Dumitru Duduman, recorded the following prophecy from the LORD ("America Will Burn" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#AMERICA WILL BURN --, September 1984) concerning internal revolution in America.

"'The Russian spies have discovered where the nuclear warehouses are in America. When the Americans will think that it is peace and safety - from the middle of the country, some of the people will start fighting against the government. The government will be busy with internal problems. Then from the ocean, from Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico,...' (He told me two other countries, but I didn't remember what they were.) '...they will bomb the nuclear warehouses. When they explode, America will burn!'"

Internal American revolution, where "people will start fighting against the government", will cause the American government to be "busy with internal problems". "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew 12:25). "From the middle of the country" indicates warfare from the Heartland of America, i.e., just like an Oklahoma City bombing. Martial law-- the rule imposed by the military upon the civilian population during a crisis-- will become inevitable. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls" (Proverbs 25:28).

This revolt, unlike the original American Revolution, will not be the result of increased Spiritual knowledge in the nation. "And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 8:19-20). Also, it will be the Last American Revolution, not because of a successful toppling of the governmental structure, but because the revolt will be used as a diversion for a successful, external attack that decimates America as a nation. "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until He have destroyed thee" (28:47-48).


World War 3 Before the Tribulation Week

Though Saddam Hussein will have been neutralized, Israel's remaining Arab neighbours-- Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yasir Arafat's Palestinian State-- will begin their attack and invasion of Israel. The Israeli military will then launch an attack on her attackers. Israel would use the neutron bomb to eliminate the population of her Arab neighbor-attackers. Since the neutron bomb is a nuclear device that essentially kills humans and animals, while leaving buildings, structures, etc. intact, Israel's occupying troops would be able to safely move in soon thereafter. Since the United States of America would have already launched a nuclear strike against Iraq and possibly Afghanistan and Iran, i.e., the perceived source of the terrorist nuclear attack, and Israel has just eliminated her Arab neighbours with the neutron bomb, the result would be that Israel would have no more border enemies, and the Islamic Dome of the Rock shrine would be ready to be cleared away for the building of the Tribulation Temple. The West will have been injured, but Israel will now be a major power. "4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:4-5).

What constitutes a world war in this day and age? The distinction will be increasingly blurry. "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6-7). However, the nuclear conflict in the Middle East involving Saddam Hussein is not the Gog and Magog Conflict of Ezekiel 38 and 39, which will occur shortly before the Middle of the Tribulation Week between Israel and a Russian-Arab alliance.

Much of what we can say about the course of conflict, that may be called World War 3, is ascertained from the prophecies of Dumitru Duduman. He was called by God from Romania (1984) to warn America of its coming destruction, i.e., "Except ye repent" (Luke 13:3). Two of his prophecies, "America Will Burn" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#AMERICA WILL BURN -- and "China and Russia Strike" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#CHINA AND RUSSIA STRIKE --, deal with the events and nations that surround America's demise. An alliance of 8 nations-- Russia, China, Cuba, Korea, Nicaragua, Mexico, and 2 other formerly Soviet controlled countries-- will attack the United States of America. This alliance represents the "overflowing scourge [that] shall pass through" (Isaiah 28:15) America.

American military resources have been pledged to defend:

These have been America's traditional worldwide military priorities, in addition to its myriad of New World Order "peace keeping" functions of late. Couple this with a reduction in number and size of US military bases, personnel, weapon systems, logistics, etc., America is ripe for what is about to happen. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1Thessalonians 5:3).

The nuclear destruction of Iraq and Iran by the United States will have made certain parts of the world, i.e., Islamic portions of the former USSR, angry and vengeful. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression" (Proverbs 29:22). What follows, will not seem like an accident, but more like an intricate game plan-- which it is. "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2Corinthians 2:11).

World War 3 will be the conflict that will see the nuclear destruction of the United States of America, who is a type of Babylon the Great. "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Revelation 18:2). The following scenario could be labelled World War 3, the North American-Asian theatre of conflict:

World War 3 also has a European theatre of conflict. "The president of Russia began to speak insistently, 'Why let ourselves be led by the Americans? Why not rule the world ourselves? They have to be kicked out of Europe, too! Then I could do as I please with Europe!'" ("China and Russia Strike" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#CHINA AND RUSSIA STRIKE --). Evidently, Russia will be attacking, invading, and seeking to occupy Europe while the United States is being reduced to nuclear ash. "My people are destroyed for lack of Knowledge: because thou hast rejected Knowledge, I will also reject thee" (Hosea 4:6).

Just as the former ally, the USSR, reversed itself at the end of WW 2 and became an adversary to the USA for the Cold War; even so, China's cooperation with Russia for the nuclear destruction of America will be followed by China's opposition to Russia in Europe. "When America burns, the Lord will raise China, Japan and other nations to go against the Russians. They will beat the Russians and push them all the way to the gates of Paris. Over there they will make a treaty, and appoint the Russians as their leaders. They will then unite against Israel" ("America Will Burn" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#AMERICA WILL BURN --). The treaty described to Dumitru is the "covenant with many for one week" (Daniel 9:27) that inaugurates the Beginning of the Tribulation Week.

Israel, who is now a major power, will most probably be one of the nations to assist in pushing the Russians "to the gates of Paris". Consequently, the "covenant" (Daniel 9:27) or treaty that concludes the European theatre of conflict of World War 3 will include Israel. The treaty will legitimize Israel's claim to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where Islam's Dome of the Rock shrine will have been destroyed in preparation for Israel's swift construction of the Temple.

Russian world leadership will be acknowledged at the Beginning of the Tribulation Week by the "four notable ones" (Daniel 8:8)-- Russia, Western Europe, the Far East, i.e. China and Japan, and Israel. This acknowledgment does not make them friends. "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go" (Proverbs 22:24). Ultimately, the "friendship" will break up when all "will then unite against Israel" ("America Will Burn" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#AMERICA WILL BURN --). This will occur with a Russian-Arab attack upon Israel, in accordance with Ezekiel 38-39. Antichrist-- who I believe will come out of Europe-- and the Kings of the East (Revelation 16:12), i.e., the Far East, will gladly allow Russia to destroy Israel. Just as Russia hoped to possess the prize of the Temple in Jerusalem, i.e., "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" (Isaiah 14:13), Antichrist must take that prize away from Russia for a Mid Tribulational appointment. "In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate" (Daniel 9:27). [For more information concerning the events of the Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:24-27) see our series of four articles, "Tribulation Timeline: When Shall These Things Be? (Part 1)" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Timelin_Trib_Timeline_Pt_1.html --, (Part 2) -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Timelin_Trib_Timeline_Pt_2.html --, (Part 3) -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Timelin_Trib_Timeline_Pt_3.html --, and (Part 4) -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Timelin_Trib_Timeline_Pt_4.html --.]


Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

God is willing to deliver you American Christians who read this after the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, as well as the rest of His Body. But, why didn't you leave this planet at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture? You were backslidden. Only those who were walking with a pure heart were allowed to leave. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalm 24:3-4). You were as a Foolish Virgin, whose oil is depleted and lamp has "gone out" (Matthew 25:8). You offended the Holy Spirit. "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). Debate is useless. Your only defense is to agree with God about your sin, and throw yourself at His mercy. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy First Love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Revelation 2:4-5).

Why has God been willing to Pre-Tribulationally Rapture His Saints out of this world in this event-like fashion, when He only did it occasionally and individually in previous Biblical history, i.e., Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2Kings 2:11)? He has done so primarily because "God is love" (1John 4:16). Also, God must use necessary and appropriate means for the completion of a 6,000 year program, the conclusion of which He outlined to Daniel, "to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint The Most Holy" (Daniel 9:24). In God's conclusion of things, previously normal procedures will be set aside. "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children" (Isaiah 66:8). We must not limit God in His summation and conclusion of the judgment of the world. "Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?" (Romans 3:5-6).

Does God have deliverance for you penitent American Christians-- and others who missed the Pre-Tribulational Rapture-- who see God's Judgment fast approaching? Yes! "Jesus Christ The Same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). The Same God Who delivered the three Hebrew children out of the "burning fiery furnace" (Daniel 3:26) and "delivered Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:27), will do the same for you! Dumitru Duduman asked,

"What will You do with the Church of the LORD?
How will You save the ones that will turn toward You?"

Duduman was answered,

"How I saved the three young ones from the furnace of fire,
and how I saved Daniel in the lion's den,
is the same way that I will save them"
("America Will Burn" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophets/Prophecy.Duduman.America.html#AMERICA WILL BURN --).

Prove the LORD of Hosts to be The Same for you today! "Prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10).

[If you can, please read our other articles, "The American Rapture" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/The.American.Rapture.html --, "The Middle Rapture, Or, A Surprising Transformation Before the Middle of the Tribulation Week" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/The.Middle.Rapture.html --, "The Seventh Trumpet and the Second Rapture, Or, The Last Trump and the Pre-Wrath Rapture" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Prophecy/The.7th.Trump.2nd.Rapture.html --, and "The Wisdom of More Than One Rapture" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/More.Than.One.Rapture.html --, to examine our views of other Rapture-like events. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith" (Revelation 2:7).]


Conclusion

In the first part of 1997, Judge Roy Moore of Alabama (USA) refused the order of another judge to remove the Ten Commandments from his court room and to stop opening his court with daily prayer. May God bless Judge Moore! The incident made national news. Judge Moore modified a poem by Peter Marshall, and it follows:

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

America the Beautiful or so you used to be
Land of the Pilgrims' pride, I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine,
Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain.
From sea to shining sea our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.

So many worldly pastors tell lies about our Rock,
Saying God is going broke so they can fleece the flock.
We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown,
When earth is but His footstool and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless judges who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God from whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children will humbly turn and pray,
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way,
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.

But America the Beautiful if you don't then you will see,
A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from thee.

May God be merciful to you who fear Him before you see the smoke of America's burning judgment. "I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee" (Psalm 41:4). May God show you Refuge from the coming storm. "For Thou hast been a Strength to the poor, a Strength to the needy in his distress, a Refuge from the storm, a Shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" (Isaiah 25:4).

Remember, though we earnestly believe in the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, even more earnestly do we believe in the character of God to deliver His people. "The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished" (2Peter 2:9). ["The Character of God Is Revealed in the Rapture" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Timeline/Character.of.God.in.Raptur.html --.]

Amen, and Amen.


[---footer---