Your question:

Do you believe what's going on in Israel is the fulfillment of prophecy for the last days? And, will the violence against Israel ever stop? Will the anti-christ be on the scene in the very near future? And, do you believe the Rapture will take place before the anti-christ arrives. Thanks. C.

 My answer:

Hi C.,
Thanks for the e-mail, these are excellent questions. Because of the nature of email and its drawbacks in relation to verbal communication I will have to keep my answers somewhat brief. Feel free to ask more questions in future email to gain clarification on what I write here.

You said: Do you believe what's going on in Israel is the fulfillment of prophecy for the last days?

My response: Yes, Israel will literally enter a peace covenant with her enemies (Daniel 9:26-27). The Bible also refers to this a covenant with death. What is happening now to Israel is the beginning of the curses of Deuteronomy 28. Israel is protected by Michael her chief prince and protector (Daniel 10:13 & 21,12:1) but he will be removed when Israel rebels against her covenant with God (2 Thessalonians 2:6-12). The rebellion will start when Israel will give the Palestinians some of her covenant lands in exchange for a worldly peace and will culminate when the antichrist sits enthroned on Mount Zion.

You said: And, will the violence against Israel ever stop?

My response: Yes, when Israel allows the Palestinians to establish their state she will experience approximately 3 1/2 years of peace (Daniel 9:26). Even though the peace agreement will be for seven years Israel's enemies will act treacherously and invade her (Ezekiel 38:8-12). Jerusalem will fall and the antichrist will be set up as the abomination that causes desolation. The desolation (commonly referred to as the Great Tribulation) will be God's wrath acted out against Israel through her enemies and the various judgments poured out on the earth (Luke 21:22-24).

You said: Will the anti-christ be on the scene in the very near future?

My response: Yes, even Ariel Sharon (Israel's Prime Minister and known for his pro-Israel stance) has acknowledge that there will be a Palestinian state. We know that the antichrist will be a central figure in the seven year covenant. When Israel gives the land to the Palestinians we will then know shortly who the antichrist is. Israel's rebellion will remove Michael's protection and this will reveal the antichrist.

You said: And, do you believe the Rapture will take place before the anti-christ arrives.

My response: No. I do not use the term rapture. The actual term used by Jesus is resurrection. The scriptures are clear that we will not be resurrected until the last day. Jesus specifically mentions that we will be raised up on the last day four times in John chapter 6. In chapter 11 He agrees with Martha that Lazarus will be raised up in the resurrection on the last day. Christians must understand that we who believe have only been given the deposit of the Holy Spirit as a sort of down payment on our salvation. The resurrection is our ultimate salvation because it saves us from God's wrath on the last day. The antichrist will be here until the last day, but he will be subject to God's wrath.

I hope this helps if not let me know.

In the service of LORD Jesus,

Randy