The event that takes the Antichrist to the peak of his power and begins his reign is a SEVEN–YEAR COVENANT described in the book of Daniel.
“Then he (the anti-christ) shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (šāḇûaʿ: a period of seven years); But in the middle of the week, He shall bring AN END to sacrifice and offering.” (Daniel 9:27) The temple, somehow is rebuilt so the sacrifices and offerings could be performed. “And on the WING OF ABOMINATIONS (the place where the image of the beast is set up) shall be one who makes desolate (Jesus said, “So when you see STANDING in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ (the image of the beast placed in the temple of God) let the reader understand” (Matthew 24:15))”. (Daniel 9:27) “And he (anti-christ) deceives those who dwell on the earth—telling those who dwell on the earth to MAKE AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to GIVE BREATH TO THE IMAGE of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and CAUSE AS MANY AS WOULD NOT WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST TO BE KILLED.” (Revelation 13:14-15)
God said, “You SHALL NOT make for yourself a carved image, or ANY LIKENESS OF ANYTHING…” (Exodus 20:4-5) So when the Jews see this happen the realize THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVED and, “Then the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place PREPARED BY GOD, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days (the last 3½ years of the tribulation.).” (Revelation 12:6) Petra is a major tourist attraction in Jordan, hidden in the hills and sculptured out of them. The only access is through a mile long and very narrow passageway, with cliffs on both sides rising to hundreds of feet. The Petra Archaeological Park covers 264,000 square miles. In 2007 it was designated as one of the new seven wonders of the world, in second place after the Great Wall of China. Does God have a plan for this place on His prophetic calendar?
Where will we “The Church” be during this time? “we are members of Christ’s body, of His flesh, and of His bones…This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.” (Ephesians 5:30-32) “Let us be glad and rejoice and we will give glory to Him. For THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, and His wife has prepared herself. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. For the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)
What John’s vision in Revelation pictures is the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its third phase. The implication is that the first two phases have already taken place. The FIRST PHASE was completed on earth when each individual believer placed his or her faith in Christ as Savior. The SECOND PHASE symbolizes the rapture of the Church, when Christ comes to claim His bride and take her to the Father’s house. The marriage supper then follows as the THIRD PHASE. The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place in heaven between the rapture and the second coming (during the tribulation on earth).
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham