Rapture and End Times

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you mockers
who rule this people in Jerusalem.
For you said, “We have cut a deal with Death,
and we have made an agreement with Sheol;
when the overwhelming scourge passes through,
it will not touch us,
because we have made falsehood our refuge
and have hidden behind treachery.” (Isaiah 28:14-15)

While the world is focused on Russia and Ukraine, a new Middle East “NATO” alliance is forming.

Two key chapters in the Bible relating to the Tribulation are Matthew 24 and Revelation 6. These selections describe when the Antichrist and his prophet comes into the world to offer a false peace and to conquer:

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2)

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Herzog’s Turkey visit marks first high-level event since 2008 / Debka, March 9, 2022

President Isaac Herzog awaits a full-honors greeting on Wednesday when he lands in Ankara for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after 14 years of acrimonious relations. Erdogan will also host the president and Michal Herzog at a state dinner. The visit was Israel’s first cautious response to Erdogan’s intense efforts to bury the hatchet amid lingering distrust.

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World waiting for Russian, Ukrainian FMs meeting in Turkey / Daily Sabah, March 9, 2022

All eyes are on the high-level tripartite meeting between Turkey, Russia and Ukraine that will take place on Thursday in the southern province of Antalya as part of Turkey’s efforts to mediate between the warring countries.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Monday, saying, “We will hold this meeting in a tripartite format in Antalya on Thursday, March 10.”

Çavuşoğlu will attend the meeting since both leaders have requested his presence, the minister said, adding that it will bring high-level Russian and Ukrainian officials together for the first time since the war began on Feb. 24.

The three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the Turkish resort city of the same name is set to start Friday, and the Russian-Ukrainian meeting the day prior.

Earlier, expressing hope that the meeting “will be a turning point” and “important step” towards peace and stability, Çavuşoğlu said Ankara would “continue to make efforts for a lasting peace.”

“I hope the first meeting between Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers tomorrow will lead to a permanent cease-fire,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday.

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Israel’s Herzog leads rapprochement with Turkey / Al-Monitor, February 11, 2022

Israeli diplomats are dubious but pleased at the burgeoning romance between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Erdogan is not very popular in Israel, to put it mildly, while Herzog in his first seven months in office is shaping up as an active, influential, moderating and popular figure, venturing out of the confines of his largely ceremonial post. “With Erdogan, it’s all about interests,” a top Israeli diplomatic source in Jerusalem told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “With Herzog, it’s his nature. He is like that, a kind of new [late President Shimon] Peres, an inveterate optimist who will always turn risk into opportunity, an enemy into a friend. He simply wants to be influential.”

The relationship between the two men reached a new level this week when Herzog called Erdogan Feb. 6 to wish him a speedy recovery from the omicron variant of the coronavirus he had contracted. “Next thing you know, they will go on a date,” a senior Israeli security source said with a smile while speaking on condition of anonymity. The two have been phone pals for some months, but the watershed moment in their relations occurred last November, when Erdogan ordered the release of the Israeli couple Natali and Mordi Oknin detained while touring Istanbul and accused of spying. Herzog obviously called to thank him — as did Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

At that point, Herzog had already been recommending to senior Israeli decision-makers that they pay attention to Erdogan, taking advantage of his growing influence with Bennett, Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and others. Bennett consults him frequently. In fact, despite his boyish looks, Herzog has become a modern version of the village elder, the responsible, experienced adult in the fractious Israeli political and public arena.

For years, Turkey was one of Israel’s most important strategic allies in the Middle East. Those days are long gone and will probably not return as long as Erdogan remains in power. But events of recent months can certainly be described as a “mini-golden age” between the two states driven by interests rather than a desire to rekindle young love after a stormy decade.

And a final inescapable mention of Iran. Erdogan, like Israel, has serious concerns about Iran. As a devout Sunni Muslim, he would not welcome a nuclear capable Shiite Islamic Republic on his border, and he is at loggerheads with Tehran over Syria. Israel and Turkey share more strategic interests than it would appear at first glance. Trade relations between them are significant and flourishing. “Clearly, the closer he gets to elections, the further away he will move from us,” the senior Israeli diplomatic source said of Erdogan. “That’s just the way he is, and when that happens, we will know what to do. We have experience.”

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Embattled Erdogan Signals Turkish-Israeli Thaw / FP, February 11, 2022

The diplomatic map of the Middle East is shifting yet again. A surprising thaw seems to be afoot between Israel and Turkey, former close partners whose relations nosedived under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Last week, Erdogan announced that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit Ankara in mid-March, which would make Herzog the first Israeli president to visit Turkey since Shimon Peres’s 2007 trip. (The Israeli government has yet to confirm the trip but has acknowledged a “possible visit.”) Hopes for a Turkish-Israeli rapprochement were bolstered further by a phone call last month between Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu—the first publicly acknowledged conversation between the two countries’ foreign ministers in 13 years.

That Erdogan is looking for new partners—and appears willing to mend relations—is understandable. He faces a collapsing economy, rising domestic opposition to his rule, conflict with Arab neighbors and traditional Western allies, and new turmoil in the region as Russia prepares to invade Ukraine.

Turkey was the first Muslim-majority country to recognize the new Jewish state in 1949, and the two enjoyed robust diplomatic, security, and intelligence cooperation over many years. However, since Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party rose to power in 2002, bilateral relations have turned into a roller-coaster ride. Now, the Turkish leader’s growing isolation in the Eastern Mediterranean and economic woes at home are forcing him to reach out to his sworn enemy.

While Israel doesn’t have state-controlled petrodollars to shower on Turkey, it does have financial, economic, and technological power in the region. Improved relations with Israel could also help burnish Turkey’s tarnished global image, not least as an investment destination. An unprecedented exodus of Western capital from Turkey over the last few years has risked Turkey’s designation as an emerging market by leading financial institutions and could result in its demotion into the category of so-called frontier markets, which would make Turkish bonds and equities uninvestable for most of the world’s funds. That would hasten Turkey’s economic implosion—and compound Erdogan’s political worries.

There is also the enticing future possibility of building an Eastern Mediterranean pipeline to bring Israeli natural gas to Turkey and from there to Europe. Even talk of such a pipeline—still theoretical given various difficulties—could help boost morale for Turkish businesses and households in revolt over paralyzing power cuts and skyrocketing utility bills. During the Turkish-Israeli rift that followed the 2010 Gaza flotilla crisis, Turkey regularly snubed possible energy deals with Israel, but Erdogan revamped the pipeline project earlier this month and appears enthusiastic about getting back to business. Following the Biden administration’s withdrawal of its support to an envisioned Israel-Cyprus-Greece pipeline last month, which Ankara has spun as Turkish victory, Erdogan has another reason to capitalize on the Israel-Turkey alternative.

While Erdogan’s sudden about-face with Israel has raised suspicions among Israeli analysts, there is a cautious optimism among Israeli officials for a gradual improvement of ties with Turkey. That could allow not only an exchange of ambassadors but also tactical cooperation against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East. Policymakers in Ankara are “no great friends of Iran, to put it mildly, and we can’t afford to assume some mantle of purity that will prevent us from creating alliances,” an unnamed Israeli diplomat recently told Haaretz.

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Turkey’s normalization with the Gulf, Israel comes with conditions / Daily Sabah, February 10, 2022

In the past week, “get well soon” messages have poured in from around the world wishing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a quick recovery after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Among the many well-wishes, there were two important leaders, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) and Israeli President Isaac Herzog – a significant development in light of Turkey’s normalization efforts with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel.

While President Erdogan is scheduled to visit the UAE early next week, the Israeli president is expected to visit Turkey in mid-March.

From the Turkish perspective, the normalization efforts with both countries are in full swing for the greater good of the Middle East and beyond.

Now a channel of communication has been opened for Turkey with Israel and the Gulf states. Especially in the new conjuncture following the Arab Spring back in 2010, Turkey conflicted with these countries in terms of politics and principles. Turkey’s criticisms of these countries regarding democracy, law, human rights violations and asymmetric attacks have been used at every opportunity against it.

Evidently, Turkey does not intend to move forward with its foreign policy by leaving the past conflicts behind, however, Ankara is aware that it cannot move forward by clinging to the past. Furthermore, Turkey does not see the benefit in holding on to animosity towards these countries forever.

Now, the leaders will take the first concrete steps in this normalization diplomacy. The representatives of these countries will also be among the dozens of heads of state and ministers who will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to be held next month.

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Israel expresses interest in NATO-like Mideast alliance / Al-Monitor, February 4, 2022

Israel and its moderate allies in the region “must build a new strategic alliance” to block Iran’s continued expansion in the region, former Israeli Minister Brig. Gen. (Res.) Ephraim Lapid told Al-Monitor’s “On Israel” podcast last week. And that is precisely what Israel is doing, at an accelerated pace, as reflected in this week’s visit to Bahrain, on Feb. 3, by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to sign a security cooperation agreement between the two countries.

It was the second such pact with an Arab country in recent months, following Gantz’s signing of a similar deal with Morocco during a late November visit to Rabat. A week ago, a delegation of senior Israeli security experts reportedly visited the United Arab Emirates to examine how Israel could help the kingdom with advance warning and interception of missiles and drones launched at its territory by Iranian-backed Houthi forces from Yemen.

These are only the developments that have been reported publicly, attesting to intensive behind-the-scenes activity with Arab and Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, that have yet to establish formal relations with Israel or reveal their clandestine ones.

“A new Middle East NATO is taking shape in front of our very eyes,” was how one senior security official put it to Al-Monitor. Asked whether this means that Israel is the region’s new defense anchor given the hurried American pullout from the region in recent years, the official answered on condition of anonymity, “Yes, and no. That is in fact what is going on and we can contribute to the security of some of the most important countries in the region. No, because Israel cannot be the United States. Israel is a small state and not a world power or global police. That said, establishing an alliance comprised of Israel and moderate Sunni states in the region would constitute a powerful force multiplier that no one in the region will be able to ignore. Tehran is looking on all of this with great concern.”

This flurry of diplomatic and defense developments between Israel and the Sunni states of the Middle East should also be viewed in the context of remarks made last month by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Al-Monitor and other media regarding Israel’s “unprecedented build-up” and the potential dramatic strategic change in Israeli policy on the use of force against Iran.

According to Bennett’s doctrine, Israel must strike at what he calls “the head of the octopus” rather than waste time and energy on retaliating against its tentacles, i.e., its proxies. Bennett has expressed himself similarly in the past. Can he now make it happen? That remains to be seen, but every single Israeli decision-maker or senior official keeps pledging that any agreement between Iran and world powers on its nuclear program, even if reached, would not be binding on Israel. Given Israel’s latest public commitments to the security of its new allies in the region, the rules of the game and state of play are likely to change. We may yet see the “new Middle East” that the late Israeli stateman and President Shimon Peres envisioned.

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We believe that the Beast (along with the Dragon), assisted by the False Prophet, will soon finalize the Israeli-Palestinian “land for peace” treaty, which will allow the Third Temple to be built. This will begin the dark 7 year period called the Tribulation.

As watchmen on the wall we want to alert you to an upcoming comprehensive Arab-Israeli Peace Agreement. This international peace treaty is the major End Times sign, and indicates the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation. It is the prophetic trip wire that is more critical than any other modern sign.

Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who substitute darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who substitute bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion
and clever in their own sight. (Isaiah 5:20-21)

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The Modern Beast of Babylon

They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?” (Revelation 13:4)

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What is the nature of the Beast that John is referring to? What do we know about him?

The description of the beast is found in Revelation chapters thirteen and seventeen. Chapter thirteen gives the fullest description. John saw it “rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” (Revelation 13:1) It was like a leopard, with feet like the feet of a bear, and had a mouth like a lion. One of its heads had a mortal wound which healed itself, causing people to wonder at it and follow it. (Revelation 13:1-10) This description draws many parallels with a vision in the Book of Daniel where four beasts symbolizing a succession of kingdoms come out of the sea in the forms of a lion, bear, leopard and a beast with ten horns.

Revelation 17 mentions a third beast described as “a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” (Revelation 17:3) and some of the symbols are explained. The prevailing view is that the scarlet beast is another, distinct, visualization of the same subject as the beast of the sea, which is pictured with crowns on its horns, unlike the scarlet beast. The scarlet beast is shown being ridden by a harlot who “reigns over the kings of the earth”, (Revelation 17:18) whereas the beast of the sea is not described as being ridden, and is given “power and great authority.” The seven heads represent both seven mountains and seven kings, and the ten horns are ten kings who have not yet received kingdoms. Of the seven kings, five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come. The beast itself is an eighth king who is of the seven and “was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition.”

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Who is the Beast?

And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?” (Revelation 13:4)

We can see the makings of the Antichrist in Recep Erdogan, as the Bible shows that the Antichrist will be seen as a peace maker and will be very wise in the beginning of his rule. At first the Antichrist will seem to solve many of the world’s problems and he will be considered great in the eyes of most in the world. Representing the Muslims, the Antichrist will help mediate a peace agreement in the Middle East, especially with Israel.

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Pope Francis Speaks to Turkish President Erdogan About Palestinians, Meets Iran’s Foreign Minister/ EWTN News, May 17, 2021

According to a statement from the Turkish president’s office, President Erdogan told Pope Francis “that Palestinians would continue to be subjected to massacre as long as the international community did not punish Israel, which is committing humanitarian crimes with sanctions.”

“Let us pray unceasingly that Israelis and Palestinians may find the path of dialogue and forgiveness, to be patient builders of peace and justice, opening up, step by step, to a common hope, to a coexistence among brothers,” Pope Francis said.

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A century after the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic, the country is looking to celebrate its hundredth birthday in a way that has become popular throughout the Middle East today. Turkey’s ambitious Vision 2023 aims to put the country in the world’s top ten economies within the next five years by making dramatic improvements to its trade, energy, health care and transport sectors. Announced in 2013 by the then Prime Minister (now President) Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he gave the country ten years to rise from one of the better off developing countries shaken by a long history of military coups to a nation whose economy, stability and regional influence is to be reckoned with.

Over the past century, particularly within the last decade, Turkey has risen to become a somewhat hegemonic power within the region, with Iran being its only rival in influence and Israel being its only rival in military might. Its proactive stance in the Syrian conflict – through its famed “Operation Euphrates Shield” and its current “Operation Olive Branch” – has enabled the country to again become a regional power to be reckoned with militarily, economically and diplomatically.

Sultan Erdogan?

There have been some misgivings over the intentions of Erdogan and the nature of his government – are they Islamists, neo-Ottoman fantasists with a dangerous nostalgia for the past and with an aim to occupy its former territories? While that view is an exaggerated one that plays into the hands of his opponents both within and outside Turkey – especially the European Union which vehemently opposes Turkey’s bid for membership – the current AKP government has displayed a love of national history which goes beyond Ataturk’s founding of the Republic.

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All indications are that Erdogan is going to do everything in his considerable power to “make Turkey great again” and overturn the Ottoman defeat of 1917. It is likely he will have the Ottoman Empire strike back around the hundredth birthday of the Turkish Republic, in 2023.

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How will the Beast gain his throne?

Near the end of their kingdoms,
when the rebels have reached
the full measure of their sin,
an insolent king, skilled in intrigue,
will come to the throne.
His power will be great,
but it will not be his own.
He will cause terrible destruction
and succeed in whatever he does.
He will destroy the powerful
along with the holy people.
He will cause deceit to prosper
through his cunning and by his influence,
and in his own mind he will make himself great.
He will destroy many in a time of peace;
he will even stand against the Prince of princes. (Daniel 8:23-25)

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Erdogan heralds massive military complex to coordinate military, security agencies / Al-Monitor, September 8, 2021

Turkey has launched the construction of the massive military complex, the Crescent and Star, named after the symbols of its national flag, to bring the Defense Ministry, the chief of General Staff, and the headquarters of the land, air and navy forces under a single roof, with the stated aim of enhancing coordination between military institutions and their operational effectiveness.

Dubbed “Turkey’s Pentagon,” the project will sprawl on an area of some 12.6 million square meters and have indoor spaces of 890,000 square meters to house up to 15,000 employees. A crescent-shaped structure in the middle of the complex will contain various conference halls, curving around a ceremonial ground of 23,000 square meters and facing a star-shaped structure to the south. The complex will be erected in Ankara’s suburb of Baglica, not far from the new, high-security headquarters to which the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) moved last year. The Defense Ministry, the chief of General Staff, and the headquarters of the land, air and navy forces are currently housed in separate buildings in Kizilay, the commercial heart of the Turkish capital, in close proximity to parliament and government buildings.

According to state-run media, “The design, originality, size and technological features [of the Crescent and Star complex] will make it one of the most modern and functional headquarters in the world.” The structure will “instill fear in enemies and give confidence to friends,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan boasted at the groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 30.

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Now begins the Revived Roman Empire, also known as “Babylon the Great”

The Christian understanding of apostasy is a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christian truth. What is happening here is a rebellion against Christianity by society at large. The apostasy reaches the point where the “man of lawlessness” declares himself to be God.

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute who sits on many waters. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.” So he carried me away in the Spirit to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile and with the impurities of her prostitution.

On her forehead a cryptic name was written:

BABYLON THE GREAT
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES
AND OF THE VILE THINGS OF THE EARTH.

Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.

“Here is the mind with wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. The beast that was and is not, is himself an eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:1-14)

The 7 mountains can also refer to the 7 hills of Rome, and the G-7, which consists of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, France, and Canada. Also, there are 10 core members of the European Union.

Bible prophecy foretells a 10-nation military alliance that will rise out of a revived Roman Empire (the European Union) and will come under the control of the Antichrist (Daniel 7:23-24). Unknown to many Christians, a 10-nation military alliance appeared in Europe in 1995, called the Western European Union (or the Brussels Treaty Powers).

These 10 nations are members of both NATO and the European Union. What bound them together was a mutual defense obligation under Article Five of the modified Brussels Treaty, which meant that an attack against one would be an attack against all.

Yet, on March 31, 2010, the 10 nations announced that they had agreed to terminate their alliance and transfer the Western European Union’s powers to the European Union – which, under the Lisbon Treaty, has developed a mutual defense obligation that includes all the EU member states.

He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until God’s words are accomplished. And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:15-18)

The 10 core members of the European Union, known as the “Berlin Group” (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain) just lost Britain. Soon, they will add Turkey as it reconciles with Israel and promotes a Middle East peace plan.

Babylon the Great is a metaphor for the pagan Roman Empire at the time it persecuted Christians.

In Revelation 17:9 it is said that she sits on “seven mountains”, understood as the seven hills of Rome. The characteristics ascribed to Babylon apply to Rome rather than to any other city of that age.

The Catholic Church is the great whore in prophecy as seen in Revelation 17:1, a false church.

Vatican Calls for New World Economic Order / Fox News,  October 24, 2011

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican called Monday for radical reform of the world’s financial systems, including the creation of a global political authority to manage the economy.

A proposal by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace calls for a new world economic order based on ethics and the “achievement of a universal common good.” It follows Pope Benedict XVI’s 2009 economic encyclical that denounced a profit-at-all-cost mentality as responsible for the global financial meltdown.

The proposal acknowledges, however, that a “long road still needs to be traveled before arriving at the creation of a public authority with universal jurisdiction” and suggests the reform process begin with the United Nations as a point of reference.

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Revelation 17:18 as a prophecy of the false church which has power over the kings of the earth. The pope is in apostasy for allowing pagan rituals, beliefs and ceremonies to come into the church, having those who pointed out its apostasy persecuted and killed and never repenting of or fully admitting the true extent of its actions. The Papacy stepped in after the Roman Empire as fulfillment of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 which says, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”

It all comes together when considering that the EU founders are solidifying their political union under the approval of the Pope:

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When millions of Christians are removed at the Rapture, the mystery of lawlessness (apostasy) increases, and the “man of sin” is revealed. This unleashes the Day of the Lord – the Tribulation.

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John saw a vision of Babylon the Great:

In this city, people will become part of the “Internet of Things.” During the Tribulation, the demons that were cast down to Earth will infest it:

After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. He cried in a mighty voice:

It has fallen,
Babylon the Great has fallen!
She has become a dwelling for demons,

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a haunt for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
and a haunt for every unclean and despicable beast.
For all the nations have drunk
the wine of her sexual immorality,
which brings wrath.
The kings of the earth
have committed sexual immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth
have grown wealthy from her excessive luxury. (Revelation 18:1-3)

It is destined to be totally destroyed:

Then I heard another voice from heaven:

Come out of her, My people,
so that you will not share in her sins
or receive any of her plagues.
For her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
Pay her back the way she also paid,
and double it according to her works.
In the cup in which she mixed,
mix a double portion for her.
As much as she glorified herself and lived luxuriously,
give her that much torment and grief,
for she says in her heart,
“I sit as a queen;
I am not a widow,
and I will never see grief.”

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For this reason her plagues will come in one day—
death and grief and famine.
She will be burned up with fire,
because the Lord God who judges her is mighty. (Revelation 18:4-8)

Therefore the Lord God said:
“Look, I have laid a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
the one who believes will be unshakable.
And I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the mason’s level.”
Hail will sweep away the false refuge,
and water will flood your hiding place.
Your deal with Death will be dissolved,
and your agreement with Sheol will not last.
When the overwhelming scourge passes through,
you will be trampled. (Isaiah 28:16-18)

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The Good News is that we believe that the Rapture will occur before then. If you are a faithful and committed “Philadelphia” Christian, you may never have to face the choice of taking the mark or being put to death:

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)  

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If you are not sure that you are a member of the family of God, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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