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My answer:
Hi L.,
Thanks for the email.
You wrote:
Someone told me recently that
a lot of people do not want to go to war, because it says in
the Bible that HE is coming during World War 3, and it does look
like this is going to be a HUGE war. However, I have read all
of Relevations a year ago or so and I did not see anything about
that anywhere. So I was wondering if maybe I by-passed that or
something and that is true.
My response:
I don't want to go to war, but it isn't because of what that
person told you. Revelation doesn't say anything about there
being a World War 3. For that matter I can find no reference
to it anywhere in the Bible. That doesn't mean that it won't
happen, in fact there could be a World War 4 and 5, we don't
know, all we know is that Jesus said there would be wars and
rumors of wars but these would only be the beginning of birth
pains (Matthew 24:4-8). The final battle (Armageddon) will not
be during a world war. It will happen at the end of the last
world war. The antichrist will have defeated his last enemies,
an alliance with Egypt at its head, and will have control of
the world. It will be at that time that Israel will rebel against
the antichrist. The antichrist with his vast world armies will
swarm over Israel. At that time Israel's protector, Michael,
will arise and protect Israel and then Jesus Christ will resurrect
his saints and come down and destroy the armies trying to conquer
Israel (Daniel 11:21-12:3). The last world war will happen over
the course of the last 3.5 years of this age (Daniel 9:27).
This war with Iraq will
not be a huge war and may even end faster than Operation Desert
Storm did in 1991. Iraq is not prepared to fight against the
US and Iraq's friends won't help her because they fear the US.
Hussein may have a trick up his sleeve such as a chemical or
even a nuclear weapon but that would not be enough to stop his
downfall.
People, such as the one
who suggested to you that Christ will come during World War 3
do not understand the scriptures. They will be easily fooled
by the antichrist when he comes because he will wage world war
and appear to be the messiah even displaying miracles and have
power to make the mightiest nations submit to him.
You wrote:
Also, I understand that
"signs" of when HE is coming and all...but the desolation
part confused me. Is that a sign of the tribulation about to
began?
My response:
The desolation
is the correct term for what we call the tribulation. They are
two names for the same period of time. Jesus didn't use the term
tribulation to describe the last days, instead he used the same
word the prophet Daniel used, the word 'desolation.' The Bible
doesn't use the word tribulation to describe the time but only
what conditions will be like for believers.The desolation is
the time of punishment for Israel, a time of tribulation for
believers and the time of testing for the entire world. It happens
because Israel will rebel against the covenant. She will make
a covenant with death by giving the Palestinians some of her
covenant inheritance lands. Then when the antichrist sits enthroned
in the temple this will be an abomination to the LORD and He
will cause the desolation of Israel and the world (Matthew 24:15).
Satan will loose his fight in heaven and be cast down to earth
where he will wage war against Israel and the church (Revelation
12:7-17). The desolation doesn't last seven years like some people
teach wrongly. There will be a seven year period at the end of
the age, the first 3.5 years will be marked by peace for Israel
with her enemies and the second 3.5 years will be marked by the
abomination and total war against Israel and the church and anyone
else who won't side with Satan and his antichrist.
Thank you for your questions.
Please feel free to ask more if I wasn't clear enough or you
just need more understanding.
In the service of the LORD
Jesus,
Randy |