We have been looking at seven events that may happen between the Rapture and the Tribulation. The first two were the setting up of a global government and a global religion. Here is the third event: the rise of the Antichrist. Of course, all this is just my opinion—what I think is logical.
The Antichrist is somewhat of a mystery man. At this present time nobody really knows who he is. And even during the time between the Rapture and the Tribulation, I don’t think people will know this man as the Antichrist, only that he is a great and popular leader. It won’t be revealed who he is until the midpoint of the Tribulation when Satan enters into him and God removes his restraints to do evil (2 Thess 2:6-7).
I suppose a general description of him from his earlier life is that he will grow up loving the military and war. And then, out of his great popularity and giftedness he will also be elected to a high government position in the EU—and eventually will become a world leader (Dan. 11:37-38). But, through it all, I believe he will be controlled by demons. Everything he does will be Satan inspired.
Now, as for his world influence and how he rises to power, ten leaders of the EU will rise up first, and then he will rise up after them and among them (Dan 7:24). And he will very soon gain popularity and power over them all. And I think it will be due mainly to his great emphasis on world peace.
Also, we see in Scripture that he will work closely with the harlot (the new global religion). At first she will have control over him; she will use him to help her build the false religion. Later he will control her, using her to help him control the people so that they will serve him and do His will. In fact, she will help him to get rid of the Christians—to kill them (Rev. 17:6).
Now, at the middle of the Tribulation to the end, when God removes his restraints to do evil, a number of terrible things will happen.
Satan’s power is unleashed through him so that he becomes known as the lawless on (2 Thess. 2:6-8).
He breaks the covenant of peace with Israel (Rev. 9:27).
He exalts himself in the temple as God (2 Thess. 2:4).
A fatal wound of his is healed and the world is amazed, but is deceived (Rev. 13:3-4).
He and the ten kings destroy the harlot (Rev. 17:16-17).
He is aided by the false prophet to do evil works (Rev. 13:11-18).
He wages war on the world—but in the end he dies in battle (Dan. 11:40-45; Rev. 13:7).4
After the immediate effects of the Rapture such as fear, panic, grief over losses, dealing with rioting and looting, and with economic collapses, and with all kinds of false teaching and false theories; there will also be major ongoing changes on the earth and in heaven. Here are seven of those changes.
1. Efforts to set up a new global government. Key leaders will no doubt gather together from all over the world to discuss and make decisions on a global currency, the form of government, and the controls of government. The new world government will likely be a revived Roman empire headed by the European Union (EU). Here are a few reason why:
The EU has a power structure required to unite and control the world.
The EU is already working to control its people.
The EU’s stated goal is to unite the world in peace.
The EU has a plan for Israel that is fitting with bible prophecy (Dan. 9:27).
The EU has conflicts of authority that match with what we see in Daniel 2:41-43.
The EU is moving closer to a ten-nation federation as is required by bible prophecy.2
2. Efforts to set up a new global religion. There really won’t be too much effort needed to set up a new global religion, because man’s heart will already be bent toward evil. In fact, the roots of an evil system of religion—which will be called the harlot—have gone back as far as ancient Babylon. Since then, it has corrupted the church (the Catholic church); and soon, shortly after the Rapture, it will draw all of its power from Satan and the Antichrist. And just like her title of harlot suggests, she will be attractive, alluring, and deceptive—especially to the younger generation. She will supposedly prop herself up as Christian, but secretly she will hate true believers and rebel against God. This soon will become evident when she set out to kill all true Christians.
As far as when this false religious system is officially set up, this will depend on a few things.
The harlot system will officially begin when global religious unity is established between all world religions.
It will begin when the spirit world of demons are at their peak of evil influence.
It will begin probably when the Ezekiel war (Ezek. 38 and 39) is finished; the killing of most Muslims in the war will be an advantage to the harlot system—since they insist on the worship of only one god.
It will begin when the harlot and the Antichrist think they can work together peacefully (but at the end the beast will destroy her, Rev. 17:16).3
The next five events will be on upcoming blogs.
2 Stephen Nielsen, After the Rapture: What happens On Earth and In Heaven After the Rapture (published by Stephen Nielsen, http://www.stephennielsen.com, 2024), pp. 67-73.
In the second chapter of my book on heaven I write on the timeline of events, ten events, progressing toward heaven. The church age is the first event—or the first period of time, from where we are now.
The Church Age
The church age, from Pentecost until now (for over 2,000 years) has been built on a firm foundation of faithful Old Testament believers—like Abraham, whom God chose to bless and to make of him a great nation. And it was Abraham who was looking for the city of God (Heb. 10:14); amazing isn’t it, that way back then he was looking for the city that we still have in view. And there are so many others that were also strong in faith, like Joseph who against all odds believed in God to preserve many people alive—the Jewish nation (Gen. 5:20). And then, of course, there was Moses who refused to enjoy the pleasures of Egypt in order to follow a greater calling—to lead God’s people out of Egypt. And we could not forget Joshua and Caleb who when they spied out the land of Canaan and saw that there were giants living there, they alone believed in God that he would go with them and deliver them. And there were so many others who were great in faith; but king David stands out as one of the greatest who had a heart for God all his life. And besides David there was Samuel, Elijah and Elisha, and so many other great prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel and Daniel.
In the New Testament era, the beginning of the church age, there were those who Jesus discipled—the twelve apostles, plus Paul. They, according to God’s design were the ones who were the pillars of the church. And we see in the book of Acts how after Pentecost, many were added to the church. And though there was great persecution (and martyrs) in those early days, the church grew and grew.
In more recent years, from the 1500’s and on into the 1900’s, mainly in Europe and America, holy men who were called puritans and great preachers began to be used by God. The first of these were men like Martin Luther and William Tyndale who had the calling of God to reform the church (as it had been corrupted by Babylonialism and the Catholic church), and to translate the bible into the language of the people. These great warriors were those who were brutally persecuted and even burned alive for their faith—thousands of them.
Following them, from the 1700’s on, were the great ones like John Wesley, Charles Finney, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, J. B. Lightfoot, Hudson Taylor, Charles H. Spurgeon, Dwight L. Moody, F. B. Meyer, and R. A. Torrey. They were the great preachers and writers who sparked revivals. They were the movers of the Holy Spirit that kept the church alive.
Today, because of those who have gone before them, we have a great many churches in the world, especially in England and in America. In most cities there is a church on just about every corner. However, most churches have lost their holy zeal that once existed; and with so many denominations, it is hard to find a church that is bible-believing and God-loving.
And even though the church age by definition is a time for believers (the bride of Christ) to excel in faith, we live in an age of evil and war and lawlessness. Hence we find ourselves surrounded on every side with those who are against us. Here, in ten points, is what this age of the church is facing today.
1. False prophets misleading many (1 Tim. 4:1; Matt. 24:11).This may be the most evident indication of the last days.
2. A great proliferation of evil (2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13). This will be the greatest during the tribulation, but we are beginning to see it now, and the result is a great deception and a loss of the truth.
3. Wars breaking out all over the world (Matt. 24:6). The more people are infected with evil the more they will choose war and crime.
4. Famine (Matt. 24:7; Rev. 6:5-6). Severe hunger and starvation due to drought and war is growing worse and worse every day and is a constant sign that His coming is near.
5. Earthquakes (Matt. 24:7; Lu. 21:11). Some of us do not experience earthquakes (like where I live in Minnesota). However, according to geological reports, this world on the whole, has seen both an increase in the frequency and the intensity of earthquakes in the last few decades, which is a definite sign of His soon coming.
6. Lawlessness (Matt. 24:12). This is a term that describes the Antichrist—the “man of lawlessness.” We can expect this behavior more and more in these last days.
7. False religious unity (Rev. 17). After the Rapture and into the Tribulation there will be an effort to set up a new global religion; but it will be a false religion. Even now in this church there is efforts by false teachers to push ahead this false religion and to create a false religious unity.
8. Efforts to create a global government (Dan. 7; Rev. 13 and 17). For the last few decades all the world’s technology, such as the internet, email, social networking, and central banking has been geared toward globalization. It will be here sooner than we think.
9. The persecution of believers (Matt. 10:22; 24:9; 2 Tim. 3:12; Rev. 6:9-11). This has always been an issue in the world; but it is definitely intensifying as we draw near to the antichrist system.
10. An alignment of nations against Israel (Isa. 17:1; Ezek. 38 and 39). Oh, we definitely see this happening as we hear the news! It is shocking!
I have been reading from 2 Peter. Chapter two has got my attention and I will try to bring it out. I’m not sure if Peter is trying to pinpoint any particular group or just generally speaking of depravity. What comes to my mind most is the gay crowd, those who call themselves the LGBTQ community. They are probably the most depraved, and most of chapter two seems to fit them. Also, it seems to fit the context, where Peter began talking of how God had to destroy the ancient world because of their sin, and also of Sodom and Gomorrah. I will just go through the chapter and highlight a few verses and show how it seems that God is speaking to us today on the same type of thing.
Starting at verses 6-9. If we think this world is like the ancient world we should be warned, but also take heart. He will keep us who are righteous like He did Noah. But He will also punish those wicked like He did before.
From verse 12. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct. I would say that all those who are of the porn industry and users, and of the gay pride group are like animals. They don’t stop to reason what they are doing and what the consequences will be. They just follow their lustful desires.
From verses 13-14. They seem to get pleasure in carousing in broad daylight—reveling in their pleasures—eyes full of adultery. I especially see this in the pride parades where you see all kinds of lewd things, anything that will shock you. It gives them pleasure because it breaks down their consciences so that they have no sense of what is right and wrong. They are just being rebellious toward God—as a rebellious child.
From verses 18-19. By appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people; they promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity. This is so sad. They think they live in freedom, freedom to do whatever they want. But in doing what they do, they are enslaving themselves to depravity. They are becoming addicted to it. They are unaware that their addiction to sensuality is destroying their body.
In 1 Cor. 6:18 Paul tells us that “whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” Yes, that sin slowly destroys their body. Many end up with anxiety and depression problems, and mental disorders. And I am afraid for all of the pride people. They are destroying themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically; and they are making it harder for themselves to repent and come to the truth. Though God can still save them.
I’m glad to finally get these books revised and ready for sale. I know you will be pleased with them. You owe it to yourself to be prepared for what’s ahead!
(Back Cover)
The Rapture of the church has been one of the most controversial
subjects in Christendom. But it need not be. This book shines a light
on the clear, biblical evidence of the pretribulation Rapture. Its ten
chapters are arranged in three parts.
In part one important groundwork is thoroughly investigated,
paying close attention to a study of Daniel 9, and also to the
distinctive of both the church and Israel.
In part two we examine over seventy biblical references to
show that there are two phases to His coming: 1) the rapture of
the church and 2) His glorious appearing.
In part three we narrow the score of our study to show
why the Rapture must come before the Tribulation.
This book was originally published in 2017, but now it’s better and cheaper. Get it at Lulu.com for $13.46
(Back Cover)
You may suppose that this book is all about the events of the Tribulation. Not so. It is believed by many scholars that from the Rapture to the Tribulation there will be a significant period of time, anywhere between three and one-half years to as many as ten years, which will be needed to set up all the very important events of the Tribulation. This is the time period that is covered in this book.
In the first few chapters, the immediate effects of the Rapture will be laid out, along with a very interesting chapter on the different theories that will emerge as an explanation of the disappearances. Then, in the middle of the book, the author goes on to lay out how the world will be in a rush to set up a global government and a global religion. And, of course, we will talk about the Antichrist: what his involvement will be and how he will appear to the world before and during the Tribulation.
In the last two chapters the discussion will turn to heavenly events, mainly the judgment seat of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb.
This book is basically the same with a new cover. Buy it at Lulu.com for $13.50
(back cover)
I am convinced that many writers and teachers have done immeasurable damage to the truth of The Tribulation. They have mixed it all up and filled it full of so much symbolism that any normal person would be utterly confused. In this book I have attempted to make The Tribulation more understandable; that you will clearly see its source and purpose, its devastating nature, and its clear chronology of events. I think you will also appreciate that I have looked at not only the book of Revelation, but also have brought into focus key Old Testament passages, as well as a few New Testament verses, that clearly speaks of The Tribulation.
I’m sure you have heard of “build back better” that certain world leaders are intending to enforce. Well, they will fail. But there will be a Christian build back better coming soon, and The Tribulation will be the start of it. This world will be destroyed and a new world put in its place; a world governed by Christ Himself.
This is the most recent book with a new cover. Get it at Lulu.com for $14.50.
The US, Egypt, Qatar and others are pushing Israel for a two-state solution, with the Palestinians to rule in Gaza. But Israel, esp. Netanyahu says, “No! that will not bring peace to Israel.” Israel knows that the Palestinians still hate them and will continue to plan their destruction— “From the river to the sea.” Which is true!
I have heard many church people ask, “What about the Palestinian Christians?” I do sympathize with them, but they should not ever side with the Palestinian government and against Israel. The Palestinian government has declared their evil intent on Israel. If these so-called Pal. Christians are in fact true Christians, they must separate from the Pal. Authority and from the Muslim faith and seek to join the Christian church in Israel and to be under the Israeli government. In doing this they will be safe.
It is unfortunate that many nations are pushing for a Palestinian state and authority in Israel. This of course is against what Israel wants because they know that there can be no peace if that happens. And of course, we know that they are on the side of God and His promises to them, that He has promised them the land according to Genesis 13:14-17.
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17.
Still, many nations refuse to let Israel have what God has given them. Read the following article:
WSJ says plan would see gradual release of all hostages in return for Palestinian security prisoners, and full normalization for Israel and its neighbors; PMO refuses to comment
21 January 2024, 5:10 pm The US, Egypt and Qatar are pushing Israel and Hamas to accept a comprehensive plan that would end the war, see the release of hostages held in Gaza, and ultimately lead to full normalization for Israel with its neighbors and talks for the establishment of a Palestinian state, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. The plan, whose complete implementation would take 90 days, would reportedly bring all fighting to an extended halt, during which time the Palestinian terror group, in the first stage, would free all civilians. Israel would simultaneously release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, pull out of Gaza’s cities, allow freedom of movement in the Strip, cease drone surveillance over Gaza, and double the amount of aid entering the Hamas-controlled territory. The next stage would see Hamas release female IDF soldiers and bodies of kidnapped Israelis, as Israel releases more Palestinian prisoners. The third phase would have Israel pull back troops to the Gaza border, while Hamas frees the last hostages — soldiers and fighting-age men it considers soldiers.
Yes, Netanyahu is right. Peace can only come to Israel if Hamas is destroyed, if Gaza is demilitarized, and if the Palestinians are deradicalized. But that will be impossible—unless they give up their evil, hateful ways. So, they must turn to God; they all must turn to God. That is the only way of true peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week outlined three prerequisites for peace in the region following months of war with Hamas.
Netanyahu, in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, outlined the three: the destruction of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the deradicalization of Palestinian society.
“First, Hamas, a key Iranian proxy, must be destroyed. The U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and many other countries support Israel’s intention to demolish the terror group,” Netanyahu wrote.
“Second, Gaza must be demilitarized. Israel must ensure that the territory is never again used as a base to attack it,” he added.
According to Netanyahu, this will involve creating “a temporary security zone” on Gaza’s perimeter and a border inspection system to prevent weapons smuggling. He also claimed that expecting the Palestinian Authority to demilitarize Gaza “is a pipe dream.”
“Third, Gaza will have to be deradicalized,” the prime minster continued. “Schools must teach children to cherish life rather than death, and imams must cease to preach for the murder of Jews. Palestinian civil society needs to be transformed so that its people support fighting terrorism rather than funding it.”
Netanyahu wrote that once these three goals are achieved, “Gaza can be rebuilt and the prospects of a broader peace in the Middle East will become a reality.”
Plagued with grief over sins, I determine to push on; for I am assured of cleansing—of continual cleansing from the ever-flowing blood of my Savior and God. He will sustain me through the evil world—a world crippled by sin and sorrows, and yet strengthened in evil by demonic vitamins. Yes, Satan has his own supply of poison nourishment, which both strengthens his evil, but in the end will bring a cruel death.
This world and many nations are on the verge of war and destruction. It will be war between good and evil. Evil will be the dominant force, but ultimately every evil army and every evil being will work against itself to its own destruction. In the end, the returning Conqueror will bring a mighty destruction against all evil, to the praise of His glory.
So, with renewed perspective, I press on. A walk in the park, a smile and a “hello,” a few pages of good reading, and a sip of Chai tea—all blessings from God, will keep me going for another day. God is good.
Stephen Nielsen 