By John Roberts, March 10 2000

What is the significance and relevance of this story to last days prophecy?

We find in prophecy that the Antichrist will sign a seven-year treaty with Israel. After only 42 months he will break that treaty bringing God's wrath upon a wicked world.

"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate."
Daniel 9:27

All this talk of a final treaty in the Middle East means that we could be very close to the Rapture and the start of the Seventieth Week of Daniel that proceeds the Second Coming of the Lord.

There is also some prophecy that warns us to be on guard when we hear the world talking about, "Peace and safety."

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."
1Thessalonians 5:1-10

Therefore, when you hear that a final seven-year treaty has been signed between Israel and her neighbors, and that animal sacrifices are once again taking place on the Temple Mount, know that the world will be in for great tribulation!

God also gives us a prophetic warning when we see the Antichrist standing in the new Temple on the Temple Mount.

"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

"Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.

"And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes."
Matthew 24:15-18

God also tells us that He is restraining Satan until the appointed time. When God is ready He will allow Satan, the False Prophet, and the Antichrist to set up the last evil kingdom on earth before God's Millennial Kingdom in Israel will be established with the Second Coming of the Lord.

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
II Thessalonians 2:3-12

The point is of this story is that time is running out. The Lord will Rapture true believers that are ready and watching before the God pours out His wrath and tribulation upon the blind and wicked.

Watch and be ready!

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