A large number of Bible experts agree that we are now in end-times, citing the 1948 reestablishment of a homeland for the Jews as a necessary precursor (as was predicted in Revelations). The final battle at Armageddon- presently thought to refer to a location in the northern mountains of Israel1- has other preconditions that have not yet been established. In reverse order, these include the following:
1. Seven years of tribulations for Israel, with the latter half of this period witnessing the amassing of a huge coalition of anti-Israeli forces on their northern border. (Iran, Russia, and several other former Soviet states are thought to be key participants 1.) Earthquakes, famines, and natural disasters brought forth by God will decimate and terrorize these forces before they can accomplish an invasion to destroy Israel.
2. The amassing of forces will be preceded by a betrayal of an agreement made by Israel with the Western governing bodies to protect them. The Western coalition will include 10 countries, made up of nations formerly within the boundaries of the Roman Empire. They will be headed by the Anti-Christ, a charismatic politician who will rise to his power by popular acclaim. He will be the chief betrayer, acting in concert with Satan2.
3. The need for such a “one-world” government will have been driven- in part- by the disarray caused by the Rapture, wherein a large fraction of Christian believers suddenly disappear from Earth3. Especially hard-hit will be Western nations with large Christian populations, such as the U.S. Those raptured will be spared the subsequent turmoil, then returned after it is all over.
Various Bible experts differ in some details, but most are in broad agreement on the sequence of events described above. The date of the Rapture, which triggers these events, is yet unknown but is thought to be imminent.
The ultimate, divine intercession for Israel is required by God’s former promise to treat them as His chosen people. Why it takes Him so long to act for them is not explained, nor His choice to protect non-Jews (i.e. Christians) from the tribulations by rapturing them instead of His chosen people. Some Biblical experts claim that only those who accept Christ as God will be saved, so the Jews’ well-known lack of respect for the divinity of Jesus does seem to present a problem. Perhaps that is why they must suffer the tribulations before the final battle that saves them.
Also problematical is the apparent certainty that the above events will occur in the order as foretold. If these forthcoming events are already known to Bible readers, then they are certainly also known by God. One wonders why God would let things get so bad before stepping in, if he a) already knows how this is going to end, b) has the power to intercede whenever He wants, and c) has always loved and wanted to protect his chosen people.
When the Rapture occurs, it certainly will be big news around the world. Such a large-scale disappearance of people is unprecedented, and it will not go unnoticed that they all are Christians. One would think that some non-believers would be aware of Biblical prophecies, even if they didn’t believe them, and that they would start putting two-and-two together. Why they would then continue blindly down the prescribed destructive path for another seven years seems illogical. Unless they have no choice, i.e. no free will to do so, and then one wonders why God would make them victims through no fault of their own.
Those Christian authors who subscribe most strongly to the certainty of the coming Apocalypse do not address issues about the logic or morality of an all-knowing God who would let it come to this, but instead seem happy that they will be able to observe the horror from the sidelines. If I should personally witness- but do not participate- in a worldwide Rapture, it will probably be too late for me to become a better Christian, although it would certainly convince me to become a stronger believer. Perhaps the best choice for me (and everyone else) would be to then use the available seven more years to study Jewish scriptures and join that faith. Although the Jewish tribulations might be painful, there is at least the promise for eternal salvation for the Chosen People at the end of them. It might be the only game left in town.
GPR: Jan-2011
1) What in the World is Going On?; Dr. David Jeremiah; Thomas Nelson publisher (2008)
