Missing People Truth.org

 

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| Part 5: Events Before God's Wrath |

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What happens before God’s Wrath on mankind?

As outlined at the beginning of this site, God first reveals Himself to you through the supernatural raining down of fire from heaven onto a military force attacking Israel, making you an eye-witness to the truth of His existence. This event is an act of God’s loving mercy towards you, by providing you with a personal testimony of His existence before real calamity strikes the whole world. But it also renders you unequivocally “without excuse” on the Day of Judgement at the end of the seven year Tribulation - which we’ll explain a little later on.

 

[Evidence] The Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38 & 39)

Although its timing is not specified by God, this battle will likely take place quite soon after the rapture of the church that you’ve just witnessed. Gog is a term given to identify an end-time leader of a military alliance of territories which attempts to invade Israel with the intention of seizing its economic assets i.e., to “take plunder and to take booty” (Ezekiel 38:12). Magog refers to a geographical location in biblical times.

This war is directly instigated by God, and then also concluded by a supernatural act of God – thereby undeniably revealing Himself to the entire world, fulfilling ancient prophecy and demonstrating His sovereign power. God clearly states that He is the initiator:
 

 

Why does God supernaturally act in this war?

1. To bring judgement upon the enemies of Israel, God’s chosen people; and
    
2. For you personally. God supernaturally intervenes for the express purpose that you may know the truth of His existence, supreme authority and power - witnessing it for yourself first hand. He clearly states this purpose:
    

The Bible identifies the following about this war:

• The invading military force is very powerful. Described as “coming like a storm covering the land like a cloud” (Ezekiel 38:9). The territories involved are listed by their current names at the time the Book of Ezekiel was written around 590 BC. So we can’t be absolutely certain of their exact modern day equivalent regions, especially given that some encompass multiple territories today. However the generally understood locations are as follows (Ezekiel 38:2-6):

 

• • Russia and the Central Asian Republics (Magog)
  • Turkey (Meshech, Tubal and Togarmah)
  • Iran (Persia)
  • Ethiopia/Sudan (Cush)
  • Libya (Put)
  • Eastern Europe (Gomer)

 

• Other nations will rebuke the motives of this invading alliance but will not militarily intervene. Again we cannot be certain of the modern day equivalents, however the general consensus of understanding is that the nations involved are: Saudi Arabia (Sheba & Dedan), Britain or Spain (Tarshish) and followers (the young lions of Tarshish) (Ezekiel 38:13).
   
• The invading armies are supernaturally destroyed by God. God Himself rises up in divine fury to intercede for Israel through a combination of judgments being:
   
  • Fire, sulphur and great hail rains down from Heaven.
     

    “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone [sulphur].” (Ezekiel 38:22)

     
• • God confuses the soldier’s minds so that they turn on themselves and begin attacking each other - “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.” (Ezekiel 38:21)
     
• • A great earthquake in Israel.
     

    “Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth [in the vicinity of Israel] shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:19-20).

     
• • Judgement by fire on other locations. “And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 39:6)
     
• The invading armies are destroyed on the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 39:4). Then God decrees what remains of them to become a sacrificial meal for “every sort of bird and to every beast of the field” and summons them to His table (Ezekiel 39:17-20).

 

[Evidence] Damascus Destroyed (Isaiah 17)

There is also another yet unfulfilled prophecy relating to the complete destruction of Damascus. The oldest continuously inhabited city on the planet will become a “ruinous heap”. It will never be rebuilt or reinhabited again for it will “cease from being a city” (Isaiah 17:1). The Bible doesn’t specify the timeframe of this event, nor how it will occur, only its outcome. It may result from the “great earthquake” of the Battle of Gog and Magog, or by the hand of Israel in a separate war taking place just prior to this battle or something else entirely, possibly even before the rapture (today, it still stands).

God has also prophesied many other specifics about the battle in Ezekiel 38 & 39. Such as that it will take Israel seven months to cleanse the land, that they will call the location the Valley of Hamon Gog (literally, the multitude of Gog) and various others. In fact this is one the most specifically detailed battles described in the entire Bible - why do you think that is?

It’s because God doesn’t want you to enter the Tribulation blindfolded. He wants you to know every detail before it happens, so that when you see these things take place “you may believe”, for God declares:
 

God loves you and doesn’t wish to see you perish (2 Peter 3:9) but He is also righteous and will not force you to reciprocate His love through acceptance of His Son Jesus Christ, but rather gives you the free will of choice to determine your own eternal destiny.
 

What exactly does God’s Wrath involve?

What is about to happen to the remaining population of the world will be absolutely and horrifyingly catastrophic for the majority of inhabitants. Over the next seven years God is going to pour out His wrath on the earth to punish all those who have chosen not to recognise Him through acceptance of His Son Jesus Christ.

If you’re thinking: Isn’t God supposed to be loving, merciful and forgiving? Oh yes He is, but He is also righteous and just. And you are about to experience both His righteous justice and His loving mercy and forgiveness – if you’re willing to accept it of course.

You’ll recall we told you initially that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Well as God delivers judgement on the inhabitants of the world, He also displays His loving mercy and forgiveness to you by providing salvation to all those who have recognised the error of their ways, repented and turned their hearts to Him.

In addition, God hasn’t left you all alone to fend for yourself during this time but has appointed 144,000 Saints sealed with the mark of God, two supernaturally empowered Witnesses and even Angels to guide and help you through it.

 

Summary of prophesied events over the next seven years:

1. Damascus Destroyed  

2. The Battle of Gog & Magog – God’s revelation of Himself to mankind  

3. The Seal Judgements of God’s Wrath (Tribulation begins)

1. The Antichrist is Revealed. He rises to power as a dominant world leader and, along with the false prophet, seeks to deceive all people away from the truth of God via:
   1. One-world government, economy and religious system;
   2. Falsely claiming to be God and demanding worship from all people;
   3. Introducing the “mark of the beast” and killing all who oppose him;
   4. Supernatural signs and wonders including:
      • False resurrection of the Antichrist;
      • Making fire come down from heaven;
      • Giving “breath” to an image of the Antichrist.
2. Conflict and War on Earth
3. Scarcity of Food on Earth
4. Widespread Death on Earth
5. The Cry of the Martyrs
6. Cosmic Disturbances
7. Prelude to the Seven Trumpets  

4. The Trumpet Judgements of God’s Wrath

1. One-Third of Vegetation Struck
2. One-Third of the Seas Struck
3. One-Third of the Fresh Waters Struck
4. One-Third of the Sun, Moon and Stars Struck
5. Locusts Released to Torment Mankind
6. One-Third of Mankind Killed
7. The Kingdom Proclaimed in heaven  

5. The Bowl Judgements of God’s Wrath (Mid-Tribulation point)

1. Loathsome Sores
2. The Sea Turns to Blood
3. The Fresh Waters Turn to Blood
4. Men are Scorched
5. Darkness and Pain
6. Euphrates River Dried Up
7. Great Earthquake and Massive Hail  

6. Judgement of all mankind who remain on Earth 

7. The Millennial Kingdom – Jesus Christ’s 1,000 year reign on earth

 

The Seven Years of Tribulation - God’s Wrath on a Sinful Mankind

These prophetic events are described in the Book of Revelation, recorded by the Apostle John who was permitted to see these future events by divine vision (Revelation 1:1-2; Revelation 4:1-2). The below judgements are for the most part listed chronologically and will literally occur as described.

God foretold these events for several reasons:

1. So that “you not be deceived” (Luke 21:8); and
2. As evidence, so that “when it does come to pass, you may believe” (John 14:29); because
3. God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

The Tribulation period commences with the revealing of the Antichrist and his “confirming a covenant” (peace agreement) with Israel (Daniel 9:27) and many nations. This is anticipated to occur in the wake of the Battle of Gog and Magog, although its exact timing is not biblically identified.

As part of God’s judgment on a sinful and non-repentant mankind He permits Satan, the enemy of God, and his satanic agents (Antichrist and false prophet) to have power and authority over certain peoples and regions, and to cause supernatural signs and wonders for a specified period of time.

Who is Satan?

Satan (or Lucifer) is a very real angelic being with power and influence. Originally created and appointed by God as an anointed cherub (possibly the highest order of angels) in heaven (Ezekiel 28:12-19 [ext]; Isaiah 14:12-15). But due to his pride - seeking to receive worship instead of giving it - Satan chose to rebel against God, convincing one third of the angels in heaven to attempt a coup to overthrow God.

However the created is never greater than the Creator, so God cast Satan and the one third of angels that followed him out of heaven and down to earth (Revelation 12:4). Satan and his fallen angel followers are commonly referred to as demonic spirits (Revelation 16:14). Since the fall they have resided on earth deceiving mankind away from the truth of God (Revelation 12:9), starting all the way back with Adam and Eve.

Satan is NOT the opposite of God.

• God is omniscient or all-knowing (Isaiah 46:9-10; Psalms 139:1-6), Satan is not. Satan doesn’t know the future, but has had a great deal of experience with human responses/reactions to situations so he’s adept at predicting behavioural outcomes, however does not have prior knowledge of them.
   
• God is omnipresent or being in all places all the time (Psalms 139:7-13), Satan is not. Satan can only be in one place at one time (Job 1:7), so he must rely on his agents to acquire information about events occurring outside his immediate location.
   
• God is omnipotent or all-powerful (Revelation 19:6), Satan is not. Satan must obtain permission from the One who is all-powerful before he's given power to do anything to anyone (Job 1:12). Something God will only allow when it serves His purpose (Luke 22:31-34), is for His glory, and is for our good in the end (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Even though we may not see that ‘good’ in the present, yet God Who is omniscient - knowing the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) - does.

 

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In the next part we’ll examine exactly what God’s wrath entails. It comprises three phases: Seal Judgements, Trumpet Judgements and Bowl Judgements which become increasingly intense at each stage.

 

 

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