B. Where Does the Antichrist Sign the Peace Covenant?
B. Where Does the Antichrist Sign the Peace Covenant?
1. The Antichrist Attends the Peace Conference for World Survival, in Babylon!
If the United States is in a state of national chaos, where will the nations of the world meet to formulate the Antichrist’s false treaty of peace with Israel? History will repeat itself and they will convene on what they consider to be beneficial, neutral ground. The Antichrist, indwelt by Satan, and the False Prophet, indwelt by a strong demon, will join them at a place that will seem to offer them the most. Why not Babylon, located in the Middle of the Mid-Eastern oil-producing countries? Without oil, most countries of the world cannot operate; and Iraq, the location of Babylon, has the third-largest oil reserves in the world. By this time, she will have all her infrastructure repaired and will be pumping oil.
You say, “That could never happen!” There has never been a world summit in a Muslim country.” They will go to the place that do them the most good. The Antichrist will be one of the seven leaders of the newly-formed federation of nations. The Antichrist will use flatteries and his oratorical genius to get everyone to sign on to a Peace Covenant with the nation of Israel. They will, no doubt, oversee the COMMERCIAL trade that will prosper all financially. They appoint the False Prophet over all the false religions, now existing after the Rapture, to peacefully practice their religion.
Nothing unites warring people like a common enemy! Not only will there be mass chaos in the United States as the Christians are gone; but, there will be disruption of all kinds world-wide. The Four Seals are opened immediately. War breaks out, financial systems break down, famine quickly intensifies, and wild beasts begin to kill men due to lack of natural food. A fourth part of the population of the world will die as a result.
“...but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” (Daniel 11:21)
Even though he appears to want peace; during the next 3/12 years, a power struggle for world dominance follows; and, one-by-one, the first six world leaders fall.
We find the Antichrist becomes the leader of the One-World Federation of Nations.
“And there (these) are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. (Revelation 17:10)
And the beast (Antichrist) that was (alive), and is not (dies), even he is the eighth (is resurrected), and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” (Revelation 17:10-11)
The Babylon that exists today is still there. It existed at the time of the Apostle Peter, as he wrote his First Epistle from there.
“The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.” (1 Peter 5:13)
The 1st Marine Division had established a base at one of Saddam Hussein's Palaces about one mile north of Hillah. This also happened to be the historical site of Babylon. The tomb of Ezekiel, the Prophet is located in a nearby village.
Babylon has never been destroyed. At the present, she is not in her glory days; but, at the time of the Rapture, she could be. When the charismatic world leader, Antichrist, and the False Prophet arrive, she will be at her peak.
2. Commercial Babylon Is Destroyed By God at the Battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 18:1. “And after these things” is referring to after the destruction of the One-World Church in the previous chapter, Revelation 17; showing the destruction of the mega-city of COMMERCIAL Babylon which happens later, at the Battle of Armageddon.
The membership of the ONE-WORLD RELIGIOUS SYSTEM, which had its world headquarters in the city of Babylon, is destroyed (world-wide) by the Antichrist and his ten kings at the middle of the Tribulation. The COMMERCIAL city of Babylon is destroyed by God at the Battle of Armageddon.
Before Commercial Babylon is destroyed, the Lord warns His people to get out and escape this judgment.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)
Notice how fast God’s judgment comes. No one can escape after it begins.
a. One Day.
“Therefore shall her plagues come in ONE DAY, death, and mourning and famine;” (Revelation 18:8)
b. One Hour.
“...for in ONE HOUR is thy judgment come.” (Revelation 18:10)
c. One Hour.
“For in ONE HOUR so great riches is come to nought.” (Revelation 18:17)
d. One Hour.
“...for in ONE HOUR is she made desolate.” (Revelation 18:19)
Note: It is important to understand who this False Prophet is. He is a human being that is indwelt with one of Satan’s intelligent and powerful demons. This demon is controlling this man’s mind and body. This man may not even know he is demon-possessed; but, thinking he is doing all this by his own thinking and desires. The same applies to the Antichrist, who is only a man whom Satan indwells, displaying his power and thinking through this man.
The following verses will reveal the wealth this religious and commercial genius has gathered during the last 3 ½ years, as recorded in Revelation 18:9-19,
“And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (Revelation 18:9)
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10)
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (Revelation 18:11)
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, (Revelation 18:12)
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (v.13)
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (Revelation 18:14)
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, (Revelation 18:15)
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! (Revelation 18:16)
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, (Revelation 18:17)
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! (Revelation 18:18)
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.” (Revelation 18:9-19)
Babylon must be existing after the Rapture and before the Battle of Armageddon to receive her judgment from Almighty God!
“And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” (Revelation 16:19)
Many tourists have carried away bricks from the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. Several of the towns in the surrounding area have been built with bricks with Nebuchadnezzar’s imprint on them. When God is through with the Babylon of the Tribulation Period, there will not be a “stone to carry” away!
“And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 51:26)
After the Battle of Armageddon ends the Tribulation Period, and as the saved of Israel enter the Kingdom, they will be saying.
“In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God. (Jeremiah 50:4)
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4-5)
Remember, only two cities have to be existing at the time of the Rapture: Jerusalem and Babylon.
“Even so, Come, Lord Jesus...