Part 7b – The Dragon & Two Beasts

My last blog (Part 7a) reveals the Dragon’s character and background, who is often called Satan.

In this second blog (Part 7b), I will highlight the two Beasts whom the Dragon will inspire and energize during the Tribulation. The first beast is the Antichrist, and the second is the false prophet. These three entities are sometimes described as an unholy trinity.

Yahweh’s plan is to allow Satan to support, endorse, and animate the Antichrist during the Tribulation. The Dragon’s power will enable the Antichrist – the man of lawlessness – to deceive humanity. Since he’s unhampered by the rule of law, he’ll do whatever he wants to gain power over people worldwide.

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9-10 …For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

The Antichrist will have an effective deputy/partner in the false prophet, who will perform mighty miracles during the Tribulation. His marvelous signs will convince people to worship the Antichrist. (Rev. 19:20) The duo’s MO is to deceive as many humans as possible. Can you imagine a sensational, stunning, spiritual leader with a hidden, dark undertone in his mission? That will be the false prophet.

Revelation 13:14 (NIV) Because of the signs it (the Second Beast) was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

These overpowering entities, Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet, will use their individual persuasive powers to make their evil deception successful. Take note, though, that it’s Yahweh who allows them to deceive. God’s purpose is to allow free will to separate good from evil.

Many are aware of the Antichrist’s power, but the false prophet will also be extremely persuasive.

“The false prophet will be the right-hand man – the first lieutenant – of the antichrist.” [1]

– Ron Rhodes

God Will Release Powerful Agents for Good

Far from allowing only evil influence in this dark world, God will also allow the light of truth to contrast with evil. Therefore, Yahweh plans to provide some upright influences during the Tribulation so evil will not completely overtake good.

God will raise up 144,000 powerful Jewish evangelists who will preach the gospel message to the world. They will be powerful witnesses for God, using their truthful influence so that millions will come to repentance and faith in Yahweh.

Also, Yahweh will give authority to two Prophetic Witnesses in the Tribulation. They will come on the scene and remain for 1,260 days (3 1/2 years), exerting a positive influence for Yahweh. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, these two will pave the way for Jesus’ second return.[2]

The Unholy Trinity Will Become Stronger

As we saw in Part 7a, Satan is also called the devil (diabolos),[3] meaning false accuser and slanderer. He reproaches God’s people, creates chaos, fuels discontent, and generally prompts rebellion against God’s cause.

Until Jesus renders the devil powerless at His Second Coming (Rev. 19:11-21), the unholy trinity will become stronger during the End Times and Tribulation. But I urge everyone not to lose hope for humanity during the birth pangs before and the chaos during the Tribulation.

Given a pre-Tribulation rapture, God’s people (the church) will be gone, exempt from the worst part of the pandemonium and turmoil to come. But admittedly, for those who find faith in Jesus after the rapture, many of them will become martyrs for the faith they may finally gain during the Tribulation. More on this ahead.

Satan Causes Spiritual Blindness – He Inspires a Great Tyrant Leader

In the first event of the Seed War, in the Garden, when Satan pretended to care about optimizing or giving Eve a better life, he possessed an antichrist bent. In his limited jurisdiction as the powerful god of this world, he blinds many people to the truth so they don’t believe.

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

The former high-level seraph trusts in his many attributes to rule and gain power. He does so to satisfy his selfish desires. To accomplish his end, he goes beyond lies to coercion, and he’ll absolutely resort to lethal force. His desires sparked a rebellion in heaven between good and evil, but God did, and will, bring him down.

Ezekiel 28:16b-19 I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. You defiled your sanctuaries with your many sins and your dishonest trade. So I brought fire out from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. 19 All who knew you are appalled at your fate. You have come to a terrible end, and you will exist no more.”

Instead of being a mighty seraph, Satan is probably bereft of the three sets of wings that the other seraphs are described as having (Isaiah 6:2). It seems the Lord took away some portion of the amazing body that the mighty former Lucifer had.

Genesis 3:14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.

As we’ve seen in Part 7a of this blog, God promises to bring him down to the place of the dead.

Isaiah 14:15-17 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. 16 Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? 17 Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?’

Satan’s not satisfied with his position at this time. He hopes to conquer Yahweh and His kingdom forces. The devil’s plan is to choose a man on Earth – the Antichrist – who may end up being the greatest human who ever lived, other than Jesus.[4] Maybe the Antichrist will be greater than Nimrod, a powerful man known as a hunter who led the construction and rebellion at the Tower of Babel.

Genesis 8-10a Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth. 9 Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.” 10 He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia,

When Nimrod led the people, nothing was impossible for them.[5] Unfortunately, he was also a man absorbed in himself and wicked activities. Satan will inspire another man who will likely surpass Nimrod.

The Antichrist

The Antichrist will be a powerful, highly intelligent Satan-inspired individual.

Revelation 13:2b And the dragon (Satan) gave the beast (the Antichrist) his own power and throne and great authority.

With Satan-motivated personality traits, the first beast will be handsome, have a powerfully magnetic presence, and be highly talented and intelligent. He’ll be what people call a mover and shaker, inspiring, able, and effective.

The Antichrist will seem to have endured a fatal head injury, wounded beyond recovery. His healing will be counted as a miracle. The world will marvel and offer him its allegiance.

Revelation 13:3 I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast.

Another characteristic of Satan will be a trait of the Antichrist. He’ll be a person who emulates light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

This kind of influence will enable the Antichrist to negotiate the peace pact with Israel that marks the beginning of the Tribulation. Satan’s personality, knowledge, and experience over millennia will combine with the Antichrist, who will take charge in the Tribulation, as foreshadowed in Bible prophecy.

The Antichrist will begin as an amazing leader offering light – solutions to the world’s problems. But much of it will be smoke and mirrors, and showy theatrics.

After a few years, the lies he’ll tell will come home to roost and eventually become his undoing. But he’ll not easily give up his power. He will succeed by increasing his grip – coercing the people of this world. As Peter warned about the devil, the same warning will apply to the Antichrist.

1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Fortunately, the Antichrist’s activities will ultimately bring him down. But not before he reproaches God and His people, creates chaos, fuels discontent, and generally rebels against God’s purposes for the world.

Antichrist Activities

More than 100 passages of Scripture describe the Antichrist’s origin, nationality, character, career, conquest, and doom.[6] Scripture suggests many names for the Antichrist. Here are ten of them.[7]

1. the little horn (Daniel 7:8)
2. a king, insolent and skilled in intrigue (Daniel 8:23)
3. the prince who is to come (Daniel 9:26)
4. the one who makes desolate (Daniel 9:27)
5. the king who does as he pleases (Daniel 11:36-45)
6. a foolish shepherd (Zechariah 11:15-17)
7. the man of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
8. the lawless one (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
9. the rider on the white horse (Revelation 6:2)
10. the beast out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-2)

It’s clear that God wants us to know how to identify this future, powerful ruler who will control the revived Roman Empire/Western Confederacy. (Side thought: just say that Christians have already been raptured at this time. Who will use this information? Answer: those who have turned to Christ after the rapture. They may need to stand up to and resist the system the Antichrist has created. They may even become martyrs for their faith, so God may have given this information to build their faith at that time.) Prophecy is meant to build our faith.

In Daniel 7, when the prophet wrote about the fourth empire (the future revived Roman Empire/Western Confederacy of Nations), he saw ten horns. Then three were torn out, making room for a little horn that will become the Antichrist.

Daniel 7:8c This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

The Antichrist will start off as an insignificant person, like a little horn. But he will rise from obscurity, win people over, only to glorify himself and be an arrogant, boastful talker who will:

• Negotiate a peace treaty with Israel – it will be the Start of the Tribulation
• Be a man of lawlessness
• Double-cross the Jews and seek to destroy them
• Eventually grab absolute power over the revived Roman Empire/Western Confederacy
• Have an assistant in the false prophet, who will seek to have the Antichrist worshipped
• Get the false prophet to make people receive the mark of the Antichrist (mark of the Beast)
• Have the false prophet control the economy. He’ll demand the mark of the Beast to buy or sell

Let’s look into these activities with an eye to uncovering more details revealed in the Bible.

The Antichrist’s Debut

The Antichrist will rise to the forefront during a world crisis, bringing him onto the world stage.

Note that the prefix anti- can have a double significance. It can mean “against”/”opposed to” or “instead of” / “in place of.” [8] In other words, the Antichrist will be against or opposed to Christ, which is definitely the Antichrist’s style. However, the Antichrist will want to be worshipped, which shows he also seeks to be instead of or in place of Christ. But as God in the flesh, Jesus is the only one worthy of worship.

Many scholars think the small, eleventh, or different horn in Daniel 7:24 refers to the Antichrist. The Antichrist will be a “world ruler who eventually will conquer the whole earth.” (Dan. 7:23)[9] He will go on to defy the Most High God and oppress His holy people. (The holy people who have not been raptured.)

Daniel 7:25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.

The Restrainer

Some eschatologists believe the Rapture must occur before the Antichrist makes his debut at the beginning of the Tribulation. Let’s examine the reasoning behind this opinion in a verse the Apostle Paul wrote about the restrainer.

Paul said, “that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” (2 Thess. 2:3b) In verses 6-7, Paul goes on to say “He who now restrains will do so until He is removed.” Most think the restrainer (He) is the Holy Spirit. When the Rapture happens, those people who have the Holy Spirit living inside will be removed, thus removing the restrainer.

If all the Christians are taken up during a pre-trib Rapture, a loss of power that restrains evil could exist. Upheaval and disorder could occur among governments, organizations, and society in general. Chaos and disruption could result from the vacuum left when good citizens are removed from societies worldwide.

The believers in God will suddenly be gone, leaving the world almost devoid of people who honor Yahweh and respect others. (Many will realize and repent.) The whole world will demand to know where millions of people have disappeared. Someone will need to explain the departure. Where did all the people go? What happened?

Is it possible that the Rapture could be the world crisis that jumpstarts the Antichrist to significance? It could provide the Antichrist with the opportune timing to begin his move toward grasping power.

Loss of the Restrainer Allows for a Great Deception

In a pre-trib rapture, explanations, justifications, and mitigation for the fallout could fuel the Antichrist’s rise to popularity.

If millions of people vanish, many will recognize it as the Rapture. They could reflect and know they missed the moment when Jesus snatched His people up. In that case, they may repent and gain their life. But they may suffer the wrath of the Antichrist, who will persecute many believers.

Of course, those remaining on Earth won’t help but notice all the missing people. The Antichrist could take control with confident-sounding answers about the disappearance. As a great orator, the Antichrist could offer solutions and unite people during that difficult time.

Let’s consider an explanation a leader could give for the disappearance of millions of people. It wouldn’t have to be a true explanation, just an alternative that explains away the Rapture. This could be what the Apostle Paul called the deception of wickedness, or what many call the Great Deception.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 Then that lawless one (the Antichrist) will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

LivingGospelDaily.com and L.A. Marzulli suggest what the great deception could be. The Antichrist/government could explain that aliens exist. They lay out a scenario that says, “The government has known about it for some time.  In fact, they will say, these are not only Aliens but our creators!  Yes, the government will tell us these Aliens seeded all life here on this Earth thousands of years ago.  They started all major world religions.  And now they’ve come back to escort humanity into a new age!  An enlightened age!  We are going to evolve!  And they will take us there!” [10] [11]

Nobody knows for sure, but with the truth no longer esteemed, it will be possible to invent some kind of narrative of explanation.

Antichrist – Personality Plus

After the Rapture, it will be a unique time, and a perfect moment for the Antichrist’s power and attributes to shine like Lucifer. Here’s an explanation from A. W. Pink in his book, The Antichrist.

“For six thousand years Satan has had full opportunity afforded him to study fallen human nature, to discover its weakest points, and to learn how to best make man do his bidding. The devil knows full well how to dazzle people by the attraction of power. . . . He knows how to gratify the craving for knowledge. . . . He can delight the ear with melodious music and the eye with entrancing beauty. . . . He knows how to exalt men to dizzy heights of worldly greatness and fame, and how to control that greatness so that it may be employed against God and His people.” [12]

It’s important to know that the Antichrist will be a person with personality plus. It’s his way with words and influence that will make him the world ruler. Here’s another description of the Antichrist.

“The world will go delirious with delight at his manifestation. He will be the seeming answer to all its needs. He will be filled with all the fullness of Satan. Handsome, with a charming, rakish, devil-may-care personality, a genius, superbly at home in all the scientific disciplines, brave as a lion, and with an air of mystery about him to tease the imagination or to chill the blood as occasion may serve, a brilliant conversationalist in a score of tongues, a soul-captivating orator, he will be the idol of all mankind.” [13]

It’s no wonder all world leaders will want to imbue the Antichrist with the power to rule. The ten kings of the future Roman Empire will give him their power to reign.

Revelation 17:12-13 The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. 13 They will all agree to give him their power and authority.

The False Prophet – Miracles and Worship of the Antichrist

As I mentioned in Part 7a of this blog, there is a second beast known as the false prophet who “will serve as the lieutenant for the Antichrist, preparing the way and catapulting him to power and unparalleled success.”[14] (Rev. 13:11-17) Rev. 19:20 confirms the second beast’s identity as the false prophet.

This second beast of the unholy trinity will help the Antichrist gain the worship he craves. That’s the false prophet’s sole purpose – to have the world worship the Antichrist, and to give allegiance to him. He finds a way to make it seem like he has a head wound beyond recovery.

Revelation 13:3b I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast.

The false prophet will have the power to heal the head wound and do other miracles, signs, and wonders. He’ll even make fire flash down to earth from the sky.

Revelation 13:13 He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching.

At some point, the Antichrist’s head wound will seem to have caused his death, but will be “miraculously” healed. That will be the power for the false prophet to require all the earth and its people to worship the Antichrist.

Revelation 13:12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

The verses in Revelation are not entirely explicit, but they seem to reveal that the false prophet brings the Antichrist back to life from a head wound. It’s likely a deceitful act, but it will influence people to pledge allegiance to the Antichrist because of the “miracle” of his coming back to life.

In the verse just below, the false prophet will order the people to make a great statue of the Antichrist.

Revelation 13:14a And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.

The verse below states that the statue will be able to speak. Could this be a sophisticated robot with AI capabilities? Did the Apostle John know there would be robotics and AI available in the End Times? Probably not, but he wrote what God revealed, and Yahweh knows the future.

Revelation 13:15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

Amazingly, anyone who refuses to worship the statue will be sentenced to death.

The Abomination of Desolation

One of the false prophets’ strengths will be religion. He’ll invent a new religion and make it appealing and acceptable. He’ll deceive all the people who “belong to this world” into making a great statue of the Antichrist. (Rev. 13:14) This image will cause a major rift among Holy Temple activities.

This is the event that Jesus told the Jews to flee from, the abomination of desolation.

Matthew 24:15-17 (NASB) “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand— 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house.

The verse below presents the Apostle Paul’s view of the abomination of desolation. The Antichrist will deify himself, sit in the Temple, and claim he is God, as the Caesars of the Roman Empire did.[15]

2 Thessalonians 2:4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

The prophet Daniel provides more insight about this event in the verse below. He says the Antichrist will make a covenant for seven years. But after 3 1/2 years, he will cease the agreement that allowed sacrifice and offering in the Jewish Holy Temple. Then the Antichrist and/or his statue will be the desolating abomination.

Daniel 9:27 (LEB) And he will make a strong covenant with the many for one week, but in half of the week he will let cease sacrifice and offering and in its place a desolating abomination comes even until the determined complete destruction is poured out on the desolator.

Note that for the Antichrist to sit in the temple of God, or for the statue to be set up, the temple must be built, in use, and in action. I don’t claim to know the exact timing or sequence of pre-trib and Tribulation events, but it’s worthwhile trying to make sense of it all. I suggest some thoughts on the start of the Tribulation in this blog, Start of the Tribulation. The Jews will have built the Temple and will be sacrificing and offering before this event happens.

The abomination of desolation will be a huge, historical event. Yahweh definitely wanted us to know about this situation. Scripture covers it in eleven places.[16] The prophet Daniel covered this extensively, mentioning it in three passages. It’s also covered by Matthew, Mark, Paul in 2 Thess., and John in Revelation. It’s another way God has shown His faithfulness, letting us in on His plans for the future! These prophecies will encourage faith in those humans who will endure the Tribulation.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 And you know what is holding him [the Antichrist] back, for he [the Antichrist] can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

Who Has Authority to Rule?

The Antichrist will begin to blaspheme God’s name and those who dwell in heaven. According to the verse below, Yahweh will give the beast permission to wage war against His holy people and conquer.

Revelation 13:7a And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.

In scenes like this, it’s comforting to know that Satan has only a limited jurisdiction in this world. We know this because Jesus said He has all authority in heaven and earth. And He’s in that position even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It’s a relief to know what Billy Graham said. “Satan is indeed capable of doing supernatural things—but he acts only by the permissive will of God; he is on a leash. It is God who is all-powerful. It is God who is omnipotent. God has provided Christians with both offensive and defensive weapons.” [17]

Despite the fact that God will give Satan permission to rule for a limited time, it will be a heart-rending situation when the Antichrist conquers God’s holy people. I believe they are the holy people who got stuck in the Tribulation, because they didn’t respond to God’s call when they had the chance. But they will also gain the honor a martyr deserves.

Mark of the Beast

It’s lamentable that the Antichrist will be given authority to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. It will be a terrible occasion. Let’s take a look at the verses that tell us so. With what I’m about to say, I don’t intend to downplay the severity of this occasion. But perhaps the Antichrist’s orders are the influence those people will need to repent so God can forgive.

Revelation 13:16-17 He [the Antichrist] required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. 17 And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his [the Antichrist’s] name.

This passage shows there will be total control over world commerce to enforce the Antichrist’s rule. Nobody will be able to buy or sell without the Beast’s mark, a pledge of allegiance to him, and submission to the world system.

Without allegiance to the beast, people will not be able to buy food, pay their mortgage, buy clothes, or make any commercial exchange. For those who will not pledge allegiance to the Antichrist, it will mean death by starvation, exposure, lack of medical care, and other situations that life requires.

What is the mark of the Beast?

Revelation 13:18 Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

“Scripture does not define what is meant by 666.” [18] Some people speculate what 666 means. But the fact is, people will be aware of what’s happening and that the Antichrist is coercing people to get the mark. They all have a choice not to accept it, or not.

Ominously, in the next chapter of Revelation, the Apostle John warns humanity about receiving the mark of the Beast.

Revelation 14:9-10 Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand 10 must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb.

These words may seem over the top. But how much more can Yahweh do to warn us? During that time, if people declare allegiance to the Antichrist, they will be punished by God for it.

This is why I mentioned that those who have not been raptured may have to suffer as martyrs during the Tribulation. If the pre-Trib Rapture does not happen, all living humans at that time will be subject to the Antichrist, or else. I believe the church will be raptured and we’re not intended to suffer the wrath of Satan. But if I’m wrong and we endure this, that short time of suffering will lead to life with Jesus in the Millennial kingdom.

Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Anyone who will not worship the beast or his statue, nor accept his mark, will suffer martyrdom. But they will all come to life again and reign with Jesus in His Millennial Kingdom.

God’s Ministers of Grace

God’s ministers of grace will support those who didn’t follow Yahweh before the Tribulation. It’s a favorable circumstance that during the Tribulation, God will raise up 144,000 evangelists who will tell the world about Jesus, who He is, and what He’s done for each individual. Also, two powerful prophetic witnesses will appear during the Tribulation and tell the truth to those who might otherwise perish. They will faithfully lead those who repent toward God. Paul taught this principle.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God always provides a way out for those trying to do the right thing. Let’s look at the people Yahweh will put in place at the right time during the Tribulation so people know the way out.

The 144,000

At some point, God will raise up 144,000 real-life Jews who will come to faith in Jesus and begin evangelizing.

Revelation 7:4-5 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah 12,000, from Reuben 12,000, from Gad        12,000, 6 from Asher 12,000, from Naphtali 12,000, from Manasseh 12,000, 7 from Simeon 12,000, from Levi 12,000,

from Issachar 12,000, 8 from Zebulun 12,000, from Joseph 12,000, from Benjamin 12,000.

Some believe the 144,000 will be members of the church, because the Jews are hardened and don’t preach Jesus. It’s true that the Jews have been disobedient and have not believed in Jesus. Romans clearly shows this state of affairs because they didn’t accept Jesus at His first coming. But when they finally accept the Gospel, it will be a great blessing.

Romans 11:11-12 Did God’s people (the Jews) stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Romans goes on to say that although some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, it will only last until the “full number of the Gentiles comes to Christ.” (Is that full number equal to those who will be raptured?) Yahweh will turn them away from unbelief and take away their wrongdoings.

Romans 11:25-27 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”

While we don’t know the exact timing, it’s possible that the Gog of Magog Battle (See the Prophecy Against Gog) may be the event that initiates the 144,000 Jews being sealed. Their faith could be an outcome of the Gog event, because God will supernaturally protect the Jews on that occasion, showing Himself so the Jews begin believing.

Revelation 7:4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

This is why the Gog of Magog Battle is so important. Some scholars think it may happen early in the Tribulation, or even before it. That’s when God will destroy Israel’s enemies during the Northern Coalition invasion, and the Jews will come to know Him. Again, I’m not saying this is the exact timing. But it certainly provides an example of what could happen when the Jews turn to Yahweh.

Ezekiel 38:16 …and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the Lord.

Eschatologist Ron Rhodes states, “There is good reason to believe that this invasion will occur sometime after the rapture but before the tribulation period begins. (There will apparently be a gap of time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period.)” [19]

Ezekiel 39:21-22 In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. 22 And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God.

God will pour His Spirit out upon the Israelis. It seems especially on the 144,000. They will go into the world and tell people about God’s graciousness and His willingness to forgive when they repent.

Ezekiel 39:29 And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!

Prophecy is a great builder of faith. God tells the future so that when it happens, we can believe.

John 14:29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

The 144,000 will go out into the world and have the greatest number of converts in all of history. They will bring so many people to Christ that they cannot be numbered.[20] Author Mark Hitchcock states, “The ministry of the 144,000 brings about salvation for millions of people. They will be the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen. These sealed servants of God will fulfill Matthew 24:14:” [21]

Matthew 24:14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

The apostle John tells how the 144,000 are marked with the seal of God from all the tribes of Israel. Again, there have been different views on whether this group of 144,000 is made up of Gentile church members or Jewish witnesses. I believe they are bloodline Jews whose mandate throughout history was for Israel to be Yahweh’s witnesses worldwide.

Revelation 7:4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

Note how Revelation 7:5 shows the 144,000 are made up of the twelve tribes of Israel: 12,000 from each tribe, confirming these evangelists are from Israeli stock. I included this above, but here it is again. I don’t think this is the church, but descended Jews.

Revelation 7:5 from Judah 12,000, from Reuben 12,000, from Gad 12,000, 6 from Asher 12,000, from Naphtali 12,000, from Manasseh 12,000, 7 from Simeon 12,000, from Levi 12,000,

from Issachar 12,000, 8 from Zebulun 12,000, from Joseph 12,000, from Benjamin 12,000.

Those marked with the seal of God will spread the gospel of the true Messiah, Jesus. The seal of God will be for protection, probably supernaturally, from all the attacks the Antichrist and False Prophet are bound to make on the group.

Revelation 14:4 They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. 5 They have told no lies; they are without blame.

Note below that many people will respond to the message of Jesus that the 144,000 witnesses preach. The new believers will come from every nation, tribe, people, and language.

Revelation 7:9-10 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

This describes a scene in heaven, so this vast crowd may be the people punished by the Antichrist.

Two Prophetic Witnesses

We’ve seen that Satan will pour his energy into the Antichrist and the false prophet. Balancing the scales of good and evil, Yahweh will also energize two special witnesses with astonishing power. The Bible states their ministry will last for 1,260 days, or 3 ½ years.

Revelation 11:3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.

As for the timing of their ministry, eschatologists disagree. Some think they’ll be on the scene in the first half of the tribulation; others believe the second half. Whenever their time slot arrives, they will have the horsepower to do miracles like Moses and Elijah did. Turn large bodies of water to blood, shut the sky so there is no rain, and cause plagues of any kind, whenever they want.

Revelation 11:4-6 These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

Who might these two individuals be? Scholars wonder if they will be men we know from the Old Testament. Moses and Elijah, mentioned in Malachi 4:4-5, or Joshua (a high priest) and Zerubbabel (a civic leader), spoken of in Zechariah 3 and 4, relating to the Rev. 11:4 olive trees and lampstands just above. An Enoch and Elijah team is another possibility, since both never died but were taken to heaven. Or maybe this team will be entirely new personalities God will anoint during the Tribulation.

Whichever way, God’s supernatural power will protect the two witnesses during their years of ministry. They’ll be invincible during their time in the limelight. The witnesses will tell the people the truth, probably opposing the Antichrist’s propaganda. That honesty will be rare. Because of that, their candor will torment the people of the world.

The two witnesses’ absolute integrity will cause the Antichrist to hate them. Toward the end of their ministry, Yahweh will back off protection and allow the evil leader to kill them. They will lie in the streets for three and a half days. No one will touch them during those days. They will be dishonored by the omission of any attempt to attend to the bodies and do a burial. People, nations, and those of various languages will gloat over their deaths and stare at them. A global celebration of gift-giving will ensue. Imagine the contempt for the two men! Just because these two witnesses will tell the truth.

Revelation 11:7-10 When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them. 8 And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. 9 And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. 10 All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.

At the end of 3 ½ days, God will bring them back to life! The two witnesses will stand up, and terror will strike everyone who had been looking at them (no doubt on television). With a loud voice of affirmation, God will take them to heaven.

Revelation 11:11-12 But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. 12 Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

In plain sight, God will snatch up the two prophets. All the people will see the truth that humans can be resurrected. His efforts will likely fall on many blind eyes and deaf ears, but God can only show people the good He does amid evil. Each individual must choose Yahweh individually, of their own free will.

Regarding the two prophetic witnesses, author Paul Benware states, “These two miracle-working servants of God are lights for the Lord in the morally and spiritually dark city of Jerusalem. The two witnesses are a reminder that even in the worst of times God does not leave Himself without witnesses.”[22]

Worst Times of Evil

Just as Revelation 11:7 and 13:7 state (both above), the Antichrist will be allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. The beast will be given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. But consider all the conversions to Jesus generated by the 144,000 and the two prophetic witnesses among every nation, tribe, people, and language. This suggests that the 144,000 and the two will work among the same holy people the Antichrist is conquering.

Sadly, the Tribulation will likely generate many martyrs from all around the world.

The vast crowd, too great to count, will not become believers until they are in the midst of the Antichrist’s waging of war against the holy people. Those who repent and turn to Yahweh will have hope. They may be conquered physically, but not their spirits. They will be with God in heaven.

Consider the people who may end up trying to live in the worst times of evil during the Tribulation. Along with the preaching of the 144,000 (protected by seals) and the two prophets, it may finally influence people to stand against the wicked and put their trust in Yahweh.

Sometimes, those who suffer the most from evil end up loving God the most. Recall the story about the woman with many sins who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with rare perfume. (Luke 7:45-46) Jesus had kind words for her.

Luke 7:47-48 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Many people will be caught when the false prophet and the Antichrist will rule the world during their period of authority. They will be tyrants who rule over every tribe, people, language, and nation during the Tribulation.

The consolation is that God will be merciful to everyone, always. For those who repent, no matter their background or why they didn’t have a relationship with Jesus to participate in the Rapture, Yahweh cares for them.

We can trust Him to be faithful to all. We have a wonderful God who cares for all His beloved humans.

All the best to you,

Glenn

[1] Ron Rhodes, The Complete Reference Guide to Bible Prophecy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2024) Pg. 295

[2] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012)  Pg. 345

[3] Strong’s Greek Lexicon; G1228 – diabolos – false accuser, slanderer. www.blueletterbible.org (Accessed 2026-01-17)

[4] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012)  Pg. 253

     L. Willmington, The King is Coming: A Compelling Biblical Story of the Last Days (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1981) P. 81

[5] Glenn L. Marx, Roots of the Kingdom (Manasota Key, FL: Valley Warrior Publishing, 2022) Pg. 278

[6] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012)  Pg. 253

[7] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 254

[8] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 255

[9] John F. Walvoord, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 2006) Pg. 233

[10] https://livinggospeldaily.com/the-coming-great-deception-what-it-is-and-why-it-means-everything/ (Accessed 2026-08-30)

[11] L.A. Marzulli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFjNWnxd64 (Accessed 2026-08-30)

[12] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 258

     Arthur W. Pink, The Antichrist (1923; Reprint Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel 1988 Pg. 9

[13] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 258

     John Phillips, Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel 2001) Pg. 166

[14] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 269

[15] Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1970) Pg. 109

[16] https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Abomination-Of-Desolation (Accessed 2026-06-18)

[17] Billy Graham, Angels: God’s Secret Agents (Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1975, 1986, 1994, 1995), Pg. 18

[18] Ron Rhodes, The Complete Reference Guide to Bible Prophecy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2024) Pg. 311

[19] Ron Rhodes, The Complete Reference Guide to Bible Prophecy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2024) Pg. 467

[20] Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1970) Pg. 111

[21] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) Pg. 292

[22] Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1996, 2006) Pg. 305