Welcome to week 4, friends!  We’re engaged in a study called Why Israel Matters, and this week we will focus “Beyond the Horizon.”  What happens here on earth once the rapture occurs and Christians are beyond the horizon?  God will turn His attention back to His plan for the Jewish people, but difficult times are in store.

To recap God’s plan of the end, we’ll turn to a diagram I’ve used before.  Take a look:

A full explanation of the diagram is found here, but for today’s discussion, suffice it to say that we are living in the Church Age and the next event is the rapture!  What follows, however, is the tribulation…the final 7 years of God’s plan for the Jews.  Based on Scripture, what should we expect during that time?

In regard to the tribulation, Revelation 17-18 describe the rise of the false prophet and the Antichrist to lead what we call today One World Religion and One World Government (or One World Order).  In fact, while THE false prophet and Antichrist have not yet been revealed, the spirit of the two are at work (and have been at work) in our world.  But take heart!  God says:

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
~Isaiah 46:9-10

Though God will always occupy His throne, this world will be given over to evil for a season.  Revelation 17-18 (in the thick of the description of the tribulation) identify “Mystery Babylon” as the “mother of all harlotry,” and we know the domain of the false prophet (One World Religion) and the Antichrist (One World Government) will ultimately be destroyed.  But not before wrecking havoc!

One World Religion will be a catalyst to bring about One World Government.  So, how close are we, and what does it take to bring about One World Religion?

Great question…and we’ll dive into that tomorrow!  Meanwhile, never lose sight of the fact that there is no one like our God and He will, indeed, accomplish His purposes!

See you tomorrow!