Today's Events Tied with The Tribulation

Dr. Couch, could what is happening now in our world be tied to events in the tribulation? ANSWER:  Absolutely! It has been reported that some of the so-called "elite" want the world population to be reduced to a sustainable number of, say, between five hundred million and one billion. The way to do that is control, control, and control, of everyone on the planet! And the way to do that is destroy democracy and place all nations into a crisis. And that is just what is happening now!    As written by Frank Rich in the New York Times, "What disturbs Americans of all ideological persuasions is the fear that almost everything, not just government, is fixed or manipulated by some powerful hidden hand." Some say that Barack Hussein Obama tapped into the idea of a Great Recession. This gave the people a sinking sensation that the American game is rigged.    While there may not be card carrying socialists about, there is a conspiracy of communism and socialism that many have bought into. And they were fed this by our government run public schools and state universities where the brainwashing just continues to go on and on!    To the question: Yes, what is taking place certainly has "tribulation" written all over it. "Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many, and because lawlessness will increase most people's love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:11-12). And, "Unless those days will have been cut short, no life will be saved; but for the sake of the elect (Jews & Gentiles in the tribulation) those days shall be cut short" (v. 22).    Remember, the anti-Christ is called "the son of destruction" and "the man of lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2:3). He will have tremendous power seating himself in the reconstructed temple "displaying himself as being God" (v. 4). Presently, he is being restrained but that will not last forever (vv. 6-9). Satan is the one who is working behind the scenes and behind the anti-Christ, "with all power and signs and false wonders" (v. 9). It will seem that he is unstoppable.    He will blaspheme God and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the god of gods (Dan. 11:36). He will honor a god of fortresses (war) and accumulate wealth (v. 38). He will come against the Holy Land and take over "many countries" (v. 41). And, he will plant his military headquarters near Jerusalem, the Holy Mountain (v. 45).    The anti-Christ will be a failed leader. During the height of his power there will be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt. 24:6), and "it will be granted him to take peace from the earth, and that men should kill one another; [thus] a great sword will be given to him (Rev. 6:4). "Though he will become world ruler, the hatred of him will manifest itself many times and in many ways, even though for some time, few will have success in defeating him. Many millions will die because of all of the confusion he brings upon the earth!    Unger well writes:    "Those to whom the Anti-Christ 'will give great honor' and to whom he will 'parcel out land for a price' (or reward) are those who apostatize and bow to him and his utterly, blasphemous cult (Rev. 13:11-18). Foreshadowed in that prophetic portrait of the Anti-Christ appears the final form of apostate religion. ... That religious monstrosity will be a combination of gross materialism, unbridled militarism, and the worship of that ominous, self-deified ruler. Present-day movements of ecumenicalism that are aiming at a world church, communism with its godless philosophic materialism, and the contemporary trend toward world government can discern their ultimate fruition in him who is to be Satan's nomination for king of kings and lord of lords, a title that rightfully belongs to Christ, but which the Anti-Christ, ... will attempt to arrogate for himself."    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (September 2009)