The Tribulation Calendar: (4) The Peace Treaty.

[Marilyn C]

THE PEACE TREATY: The Beginning of the Tribulation.

The great nations of the world are astounded at Russia`s great army being annihilated and will then demand cessation of all conflict. No one dares to come against Israel and the Middle East is ready for Peace.

Thus, into this situation will step the Peace Negotiator, a seemingly benevolent leader who will convince everyone that he can bring peace between the Arabs and Israel. He will negotiate and conclude a seven year peace treaty with the nation of Israel.

`Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week, (unit of 7 years).` (Dan 9: 27)

When the Peace Treaty is negotiated, the nations of the world will say `Peace and Safety` (security) at last! The leaders of the world gather to hear this person who has achieved peace in the Middle East. The Peace Negotiator`s magnetic personality and superior wisdom will excite and captivate the leaders. He alone will have the answers to the world`s problems.

Statesmen, intellectuals and economists are amazed and unanimously acknowledge that finally there is available a dominant and powerful Charismatic person with the potential ability to effect the survival of the whole world system.

The `New World Order` then has the probability to become a reality. Everyone will enthusiastically give their alliance to his authority and propositions. The world-wide economic, political and social disasters will seem to be miraculously solved. The world will be experiencing boom-times again.

`A royal person shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty but not by his own power;......through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand; he shall magnify himself in his heart. He shall conquer many by peace and prosperity.` (Dan. 8: 23 - 25)

However, God steps in and brings a flood of catastrophes.

`...when they say, “Peace and Safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.` (1 Thess. 5: 3)

There is disaster on every hand - crops are destroyed, waters bitter and poisonous, fish dying, and partial darkness hindering food production. There is famine and thirst and above all great fear upon the people of the world. (Rev. 8: 7 - 12)

`And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men`s hearts failing them for fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.` (Luke 21: 25 & 26)

 

[Marilyn C]

 

[Marilyn C]

Application.

From all over France they gathered in Paris, University Undergraduates and Tertiary students. In a broad column they swept through the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs Elysees to the place de La Concorde. Their leader stood on the step of the Obelisque and proclaimed the purpose of their demonstration –

`We are deeply disturbed regarding the future of the world. We are looking for a dynamic leader, “un Messie” (A Messiah). We have not found him at our Universities or at our colleges. He is certainly not in our Parliament or our society. We do not care where he comes from, or what his political views are, as long as he takes control of the world. As long as he lifts us out of our economic morass, we will receive him.`

Many international leaders, intellectuals and economists express the opinion that a strong and powerful charismatic “Messiah – like” figure is the only effective prospect for the survival of the world system.

The Bible predicts that such indications would be symptomatic of the last days. In particular a dynamic powerful charismatic leader will assume rigid control – eventually over the whole world.

Now some Christian denominations believe that if Christians were in leadership roles of the main areas of society, then we would have a Christian society. However, Jesus did not desire to receive positions of authority in man`s system – religious leader, (Matt. 4: 8 – 10) Economic leader, (John 6: 11, 14 & 15), and Political leader, (John 12: 12 & 13)

God will not fix man`s world system (Political, Economic and Religious) but judge it. Thus, we need to not become a servant to it. We need to get out of debt, we need to be content with what we have and not lust for more material things, we need to share what we have, food, clothing, help, money etc.

We will take nothing out of this world, so we need to hold lightly to the things of the world. Then as we fix our eyes of Christ, (knowing His character and purposes) we will remember that our serving involves mentoring, encouraging, warning, intercession, etc. All being involved in other`s lives.