July 26, 2007

Olmert's offer: The creation of Palestine - a Muslim Arab state - on about 90 percent of Samaria and …

Ahead of Mideast visit, Rice says Israel must end the W. Bank occupation

Olmert plans talks with Abbas over Palestinian state

Hundreds of Syrian missiles poised for massive first strike against Israel

Putin orders boost in military, spying

Russia to start-up Iran nuclear plant in early '08...

USS Enterprise Strike Group and French Charles De Gaulle carrier hold their first joint maneuver in Mediterranean

Britain to Be Part of U.S. Missile Def. System

Ahmadinejad: West must accept nuclear program

North Korea Storms Out of Military Talks With South Without Deal

PA frets over Abbas murder plots

China powering world economy 

Heatwave turns southeastern Europe into tinderbox as fires rage

Saudis developing nuclear weapons - report

Old tape revives speculation on bin Laden's fate

Comments

"Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hopes to appease the Palestinian Arabs with an offer that is expected to include the following aspects:

• The creation of Palestine - a Muslim Arab state - on about 90 percent of Samaria and Judea and in the Gaza Strip. This is more or less what then Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Yasser Arafat in 2000.

• An exchange of territory to allow Israel to retain its large settlement blocs in the "West Bank."

• The digging of a tunnel that will connect Samaria and Judea to the Gaza Strip so as to ensure territorial contiguity.

• Enabling the "Palestinians" to declare Jerusalem their capital by Israel withdrawing from parts of so-called East Jerusalem, areas historically never considered part of the historical city.

• Israel will retains control of Jerusalem's Old City, its environs and the Mount of Olives."

http://www.jnewswire.com/article/2074

Over the last several weeks, we have been discussing the possibilities of who could be the antichrist.  Certainly, I don't pretend know who he will be and I sincerely doubt his identity will be made known until after the tribulation period begins.

Virtually all the predictions I have seen and read are based upon past accomplishments and proposed future events.  Unfortunately, we know that things can happen in a heartbeat changing the course of world events.  For example, I have been encouraging my readers to keep an eye on new Quartet Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair.  His new position and power could be an indicator of his possibility as the antichrist.  But the truth of the matter is, he could fall dead tomorrow of a heart attack or some other deadly disease.  He could be shunned by the Arab world, Israelis, US, or any of the quartet members rendering him powerless and frustrated forcing him to resign in failure.  The possibilities are endless and essentially have led down the same path of defeat.

As stated earlier, I don't believe we will fully know who the antichrist is until the tribulation period begins and the mystery could continue up until the midpoint when he declares himself to be God.  It's likely the Holy Spirit will have to be removed (rapture) before satan can select his antichrist (II  Thessalonians 2:1-11).  Is it possible he could already be selected?   That's very possible and there are three scenarios this could take that we have discussed in the past.

"Possibility number one: God has placed the future antichrist in the mind of satan to groom and position for the coming tribulation period.  But he's doing this not knowing that the tribulation period is near or that the rapture of the church is around the corner.  He certainly wouldn't refer to his pick as the antichrist.  As far as satan is concerned he is in the process of taking over the world...this to him is just another attempt. 

But when the rapture takes place and the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way satan will find himself unopposed.  He will at this time select his antichrist and false prophet not knowing that God has placed his (satan) selections in his mind.  satan will pick the two people God has aligned and positioned for this task. 

God will already know who the antichrist and false prophet are but it will be their choice to say yes to satan's proposition as Judas did over 2000 years ago.  In the end, they will say yes of their own free will."  Article# 672:Tony Blair Antichrist?

Given what we know what does the Bible have to say about the antichrist?  What are some of his characteristics and traits?  Listed below, is a concise Biblical list of his activities which for the most part will be future:

"Scripture has a great deal to say concerning the individual who will appear in the end time as the head of the Gentile powers in their ten kingdom federation. His person and work are presented in Ezekiel 28: 1-10; Daniel 7:7-8, 20-26; 8:23-25; 9:26-27; 11:36-45; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 13:1-10; 17: 8-14.

A synthesis of the truths in these passages will reveal the following facts concerning his activities:

(1) He will appear on the scene in the "latter times" of Israel’s history (Dan. 8: 23).

(2) He will not appear until the Day of the Lord has begun (2 Thess. 2: 2).

(3) His manifestation is being hindered by the Restrainer (2 Thess. 2: 6-7).

(4) This appearance will be preceded by a departure (2 Thess. 2:3), which may be interpreted either as a departure from the faith or a departure of the saints to be with the Lord (2 Thess. 2: 1).

(5) He is a Gentile. Since he arises from the sea (Rev. 13: 1) and since the sea depicts the Gentile nations (Rev. 17: 15), he must be of Gentile origin.

(6) He rises from the Roman empire, since he is a ruler of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26).

(7) He is the head of the last form of Gentile world dominion, for he is like a leopard, a bear, and a lion (Rev. 13: 1). (Cf. Dan. 7: 7-8, 20,24; Rev. 17:9-11.) As such he is a political leader. The seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 13: 1; 17: 12) are federated under his authority.

(8) His influence is world wide, for he rules over all nations (Rev. 13:8). This influence comes through the alliance which he makes with other nations (Dan. 8:24~ Rev. 17: 12).

(9) He has eliminated three rulers in his rise to power (Dan 7: 8, 24). One of the kingdoms over which he has authority has been revived, for one of the heads, representing a kingdom or king (Rev. 17: l0), has been healed (Rev. 13:3).

(l0) His rise comes through his peace program (Dan. 8:25).

(11) He personally is marked by his intelligence and persuasiveness (Dan. 7: 8, 20; 8:23) and also by his subtlety and craft (Ezek. 28: 6), so that his position over the nations is by their own consent (Rev. 17: 13).

(12) He rules over the nations in his federation with absolute authority (Dan. 11:36), where he is depicted as doing his own will. This authority is manifested through the change in laws and customs (Dan. 7: 25).

(13) His chief interest is in might and power (Dan. 11:38).

(14) As the head of the federated empire he makes a seven year covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27), which is broken after three and one- half years (Dan. 9:27).

(15) He introduces an idolatrous worship (Dan. 9:27) in which he sets himself up as god (Dan. 11:36-37; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:5).

(16) He bears the characterization of a blasphemer because of the assumption of deity (Ezek. 28:2; Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13: 1, 5-6).

(17) This one is energized by Satan (Ezek. 28: 9-12; Rev. 13: 4), receives his authority from him, and is controlled by the pride of the devil (Ezek. 28: 2; Dan. 8:25).

(18) He is the head of Satan’s lawless system (2 Thess. 2: 3) and his claim to power and to deity is proved by signs wrought through satanic power (2 Thess. 2:9-19).

(19) He is received as God and as ruler because of the blindness of the people (2 Thess. 2: 11).

(20) This ruler becomes the great adversary of Israel (Dan. 7:21, 25; 8:24; Rev. 13:7).

(21) There will come an alliance against him (Ezek. 28: 7; Dan. 11: 40, 42) which will contest his authority.

(22) In the ensuing conflict he will gain control over Palestine and adjacent territory (Dan. 11:42) and will make his headquarters in Jerusalem (Dan. 11:45).

(23) This ruler, at the time of his rise to power, is elevated through the instrumentality of the harlot, the corrupt religious system, which consequently seeks to dominate him (Rev. 17:3).

(24) This system is destroyed by the ruler so that he may rule unhindered (Rev. 17: 16-17).

(25) He becomes the special adversary of the Prince of Princes (Dan. 8: 25), His program (2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 17:14), and His people (Dan. 7:21, 25; 8:24; Rev. 13: 7).

(26) While he continues in power for seven years (Dan. 9: 27), his satanic activity is confined to the last half of the tribulation period (Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 11:36; Rev. 13:5).

(27) His rule will be terminated by a direct judgment from God (Ezek. 28:6; Dan. 7:22, 26; 8:25; 9:27; 11:45; Rev. 19:19-20). This judgment will take place as he is engaged in a military campaign in Palestine (Ezek. 28:8-9; Rev. 19:19), and he will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; Ezek. 28: l0).

(28) This judgment will take place at the second advent of Christ (2 Thess. 2: 8; Dan. 7: 22) and will constitute a manifestation of His Messianic authority (Rev. 11:15).

(29) The kingdom over which he ruled will pass to the authority of the Messiah and will become the kingdom of the saints (Dan. 7: 27)."

J. Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come, pp. 332-334.

When the rapture takes place there will be a gap of time that will allow satan to choose his antichrist and false prophet, set up his kingdom, and deceive the nations of the world. With the removal of the Holy Spirit he will have unprecedented freedom and experience successes that previously would have been unattainable.  The world will finally get what they have always desired a planet free from God...and His protection.  Be careful what you wish for.