By Sheri Schofield
My last writing was about the antichrist who will appear on earth and rule everyone, demanding that all humankind will worship him. He and his team will demand a mark on people’s hand or forehead if they want to buy or sell anything. He will deceive most people around the globe. The Bible calls him “the Beast” or “the Antichrist.”
Revelation 13:16-17 tells us this: “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (I am using New American Standard Bible for all quotes in this article.)
People try to figure out what that name or number will be. I suspect the number will be the equivalent of an ISBN number. I do not think we can figure out what that name or number is at this time. Worship of this beast or antichrist will be involved.
What does God say about those who receive that mark? Revelation 14:9-10 tells us an angel will announce “If any one worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone….And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever….”
We do not know who he will be or when the beast/antichrist will come. But we do know not to receive his mark on our hand or forehead, and not to worship him. Revelation 13 and 14 talk a lot about this, if you want to follow up in a Holy Bible. (I recommend New Living Translation or New American Standard Version for accuracy.)
The last event to take place in Israel during that time will be that Jesus will return to earth there. This is partly described in Revelation 19:11-21.
“And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems (crowns); and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.” (Jesus’ eternal name will be revealed at this time.)
“And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood” (this represents his death on the cross for our sins); and His name is called The Word of God.” (This was Jesus’ pre-existing name, mentioned in John 1:1.)
“And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linens, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword” (this could be symbolic) “so that with it He may smite (destroy) the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
“And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Zechariah 14:4 tells us where Jesus will return to earth: “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.”
Why does the Mount of Olives split in half like that? Because it is Jewish tradition that their Messiah will enter Jerusalem through the eastern gate—the King’s gate—and Suleim the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire sealed that gate so no Messiah could enter Jerusalem. The gate remains sealed. But when Jesus returns as King of kings and Lord of lords, He will split the Mount of Olives all the way to that gate and create a great valley which leads to the King’s Gate, thus opening it for His coming as the world’s great King. He will rule the world from His throne in Jerusalem.
This concludes the major prophecies which the Bible tells us will happen in Israel before and during the return of Jesus Christ to earth. We are living in exciting times in which we see the many of the prophecies of the Bible being fulfilled. It is highly probable that Jesus will return to earth in the next few years. But that is just my take on it. God may have more planned for these days.
I hope you have enjoyed these writings about what will happen in Israel in the days/years ahead. I will now go back to writing stories, both fiction and nonfiction, for your pleasure. If some of you prefer me to focus on Bible teaching, I can do that. Just let me know via Messenger at my Facebook page, SheriSchofieldAuthor. I’ve been teaching the Bible for over 40 years, and I’d be happy to share what I know or answer questions.
--Sheri Schofield, author