Frequently Asked Questions about Bible prohecy

John tells us in 1:19 that everything in the book falls into one of three categories: Historical, present, or future. From John’s perspective, everything after 4:1 is future.

The three major categories in Revelation are the events of the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 vials. As these things are being described, however, John inserts "paranthetical" descriptions. This includes descriptions of the 24 elders, the 144,000, the two witnesses, and more.

It is commonly taught that after the 7 seals have been opened, the 7 trumpets will blow, followed by the pouring out of the 7 vials. It can be shown from scripture that this is not the case. Very carefully compare the events of the 6th seal with the 7th trumpet and the 7th vial. You will find that these events are all one in the same. Also, compare with Matthew 24:29 and Ezekiel 38:18-22. Again, the same event.

The seals are the long story of God ending at Armageddon. The trumpets a shorter story ending at Armageddon. The vials are the very-short story ending at Armageddon. There are three different starting points, but all the same ending point.

Endtime is scheduled to release a new video in September 1999 called "Is Revelation in Chronological Order," which will cover this topic in great detail ($19.97). An article with this same title by Irvin Baxter Jr. appeared in the July/August 1995 edition of Endtime and is available.

No. It can be proven conclusively that several of the seals have already been opened, several of the trumpets have blown, and that Revelation 13:3’s healing of the deadly wound was the fall of the Berlin Wall.

For more information, see A Message for the President by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 2, Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson 2, or Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 3.

It has been theorized that the two witnesses will be Elijah and Enoch, because these are the only two people recorded in the Bible to have never died. Others believe the two witnesses will be Moses and Elijah.

The two witnesses will simply be two great people who will witness the truth of God’s word to the world. They will perhaps come in the spirit and power of Elijah and/or Moses. We do not know who they will be, but we do know they will believe in Jesus.

It is also commonly taught that one witness will be the church and other, Israel. This cannot be true, because 11:8 clearly tells us that their dead bodies will lie on the streets of Jerusalem for three and one-half days. They must be literal humans.

Endtime is scheduled to release a new video in November 1999 called "Who Are the Two Witnesses?" which will cover this topic in great detail ($19.97). For more information, see Irvin Baxter Jr.’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 6.

Revelation 5:8-9 tells us that the 24 elders will be from every kindred, tongue, people and nation. Revelation 5:10 teaches they will reign with Christ on earth. Revelation 20:4-6 says that the church will also reign with Christ on earth. Daniel 7:21-22 tells us that the saints possess the kingdom. The 24 elders wear white raiment according to Revelation 7:13-14. Revelation 19:7-8 identifies white linens as clothing worn by saints. From all of these scriptures we conclude that the 24 elders are saints.

Attempts have been made to spiritualize these literal churches into seven separate and distinct church ages from the time of John to the present. We are told, however, in Revelation 1:19 that everything in the Revelation falls into one of three categories: Historical, present, or future. From John’s perspective, everything after Revelation 4:1 is future. There is no reason to think that chapters 2 and 3 are also future.

The problems and successes that each of these seven churches experienced in John’s day are identical to what is happening today. There is no reason to conclude that we are the church of Laodicea.

Revelation 6:1-8 describes the four horsemen of the apocalypse. A parallel description of these horsemen can be found in Zechariah 6:1-8. (Some ask if it is coincidence that the horsemen are described in both books in chapter 6, verses 1-8. We believe it is coincidental.)

It is commonly taught that the white horse is the Antichrist, the red horse is War, the black horse is Famine, and the pale horse is Death. There are two problems with this explanation.

First, by reading the descriptions of each of these horses in both books, you will find no specific scriptural proof for any of these assertions, with the exception of Death.

The second problem with this theory is with the black horse being Famine. Revelation 6:8 clearly states that the pale horse kills with hunger (famine), not the black horse.

A thorough explanation of the identities of the four horsemen takes more space than is allowed here. Lesson 4 of the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study is exclusively devoted to this subject.

In short, here are two principles to consider. Zechariah 6:8 tells us that these four spirits "quiet" or suppress the spirit of God in man. The second principle is to recognize that there are three geopolitical powers on the earth which have the necessary power and infrastructure to rule a global government. These powers are Capitalism, Communism, and Catholicism. It can be shown conclusively by a careful study of the horsemen scriptures in Revelation and Zechariah that the white horse is Roman Catholicism, black is Capitalism, and red is Communism.

For more information, see A Message for the President by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 3, Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson 4, or Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 3.

No. Revelation 8:1 describes the 7th seal simply as there being silence in heaven for about half an hour. The following verse, 8:2, introduces the trumpets. There is no reason to conclude that the trumpets are opened as part of the 7th seal.

The prophecy states that a burning star named Wormwood would fall from heaven, it would infect 1/3 of the rivers, and that many would die because these waters were made bitter.

Shortly after the meltdown, a video documentary called "Chernobyl - The Taste of Wormwood" was produced by a team of Japanese scientists and investigative reporters from NHK. This secular documentary by a secular company showed that the 125,000+ deaths, as well as the 2 million who will die later from cancer, were directly related to Chernobyl, and this happened because the waters were infected by radiation. High easterly winds and incessant rainfall throughout most of Europe caused the radiation to spread from Chernobyl.

Is it coincidental that the worst ever nuclear accident in the history of mankind, which released ten times the nuclear radiation that the bomb at Hiroshima fits the prophecy exactly? Some say yes, it is extremely coincidental, yet coincidental nonetheless.

The final aspect of this prophecy is the name of the star. The star was called Wormwood. Chernobyl is the Ukranian word for the English word wormwood. There are over 450,000 words in an unabridged English dictionary. The prophecy picked the exact name.

People who believe that Chernobyl was not the fulfillment of Revelation’s 3rd Trumpet generally cite three reasons for their position. The first rationale is based on the belief that the church will be raptured before any of the events in Revelation occur. It is taught that the rapture occurs in 4:1, and that all events in Revelation occur in chronological order from that point.

The second reason given is that it cannot be proven that 1/3 of the earth’s waters were made bitter. This is true. It cannot be proven that 1/3 of the earth’s waters were made bitter. The converse, however, is also true. It cannot be disproven either. Also, the prophecy does not state that 1/3 of the earth’s waters would be made bitter. It could just be 1/3 of Europe’s waters. The prophecy is not specific.

The third objection is based on the belief that the effects of the trumpets must be worldwide phenomena. There is, however, no scriptural basis for this theory. Further, it can be shown that the 7th vial will be localized to the invading armies at Armageddon by comparing the events of the 6th seal, 7th trumpet, 7th vial, and Ezekiel 38:18-22.

For more information, see Endtime’s new video, The 7 Trumpets ($19.97), Irvin Baxter Jr.’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 4, or the May/June 1995 edition of Endtime Magazine, which is available.

The 6th vial, found in Revelation 16:12, states that the Euphrates would be dried up to prepare a way for the kings of the east to invade Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.

The Ataturk Dam appears to be the mechanism that will be used to fulfill the 6th vial. It cannot be said, however, that it fulfills the prophecy.

For more information, see Proofs of the Endtime, an article which appears in every issue of Endtime Magazine for the benefit of new readers. Also, see Irvin Baxter Jr.’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 11.

While it is commonly taught that the seals, trumpets, and vials will be worldwide phenomena, there is no specific scriptural basis for this theory.

It can be shown, however, by comparing the 7th vial (Revelation 16:16-21) with a parallel passage, Ezekiel 38:18-22, that the plagues of the 7th vial will be localized to Armageddon.

For more information, see Endtime’s new video, The 7 Trumpets ($19.97), Irvin Baxter Jr.’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 11, or the article "Is Revelation in Chronological Order" from the July/August 1995 edition of Endtime Magazine.

No. As the children of Israel did not experience God’s plagues upon Egypt, as recorded in Exodus, the church will not be subject to God’s wrath upon an unbelieving world.

A war will occur in heaven. Satan and his angels will make war against Michael and his angels. Satan will lose. At that time he will be permanently cast out of heaven and into the earth having great wrath because he knows his time is short.

One can verify the timing of these events by comparing the following four scriptures: Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:5-7, Revelation 12:6, and Revelation 12:12-14. Each of these four scriptures describe the wrath of Satan, which is the Great Tribulation. Each scripture also puts a timeframe on the Great Tribulation. It is three and one-half years.

When Satan is cast out of heaven, the timing coincides exactly with the Abomination of Desolation and the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

For more information, see Irvin Baxter Jr.’s Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3, Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 7, or an article called "Future War in Heaven" from the Nov/Dec 1998 edition of Endtime Magazine.

Daniel 7:23-24 and Revelation 17:12-14 tell us that one of the elements of the endtime world government will be a kingdom ruled by ten kings. This could mean that the rulers of ten nations will form a union that will ultimately be part of the world government.

If this is the case, then the European Union could be the fulfillment of this prophecy. At the time this is being written, however, there are 15 member-nations, not ten.

Other possibilities for the 10-nation union could be a reunification of ten ex-Soviet states. It could be a unification of ten Arab nations. Another possibility worth noting is the future leaders of the United Nations’ ten economic regions of the earth. Finally, it could be that ten very influential men will assume control over the affairs of the United Nations.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #1, or "A Message for the President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 1.

No. A careful examination of Nebuchadnezzar’s image from Daniel 2 shows that from the time of Nebuchadnezzar five empires will achieve world domination. The last one, the 5th, is represented by feet of iron mixed with clay.

Historically, there have been exactly five such empires: Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Holy Roman Empire. This latter empire, founded in 800 A.D. when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor, has always been comprised of a political leader and the pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Daniel 2:36-45 tells us that it will be in the days of the Holy Roman Empire when Jesus will return. We should expect to see a revival of the Holy Roman Empire in the near future, when the leader of the political world forms a union with the leader of the religious world, the pope.

To properly understand the coming endtime events, it is important to understand the distinction between the Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #5, or "A Message for the President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 5.

With a proper understanding of Daniel 2, Revelation 13, and Revelation 17, it is clear that whoever is pope at the time of the Antichrist will be the False Prophet. See FAQ on "Will there be an endtime resurrection of the Roman Empire" and "Who is Mystery Babylon of Revelation 17."

It seems unlikely that John Paul II will be the False Prophet, because it does not appear to be time for him to appear. Another factor to consider is that John Paul II is old and not in good health.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lessons #2,5, 6, and 8. Also, see "A Message for the President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapters 3, 5, 6, and 7, or Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series. An article appeared in Endtime Magazine’s March/April 1997 edition entitled "Will Pope John Paul II Be the False Prophet." This, too, is available.

The Jewish people are expecting the prophet Elijah to come, presumably at Passover time, and announce the Messiah. Elijah is best known for pulling fire down from heaven when he fought the prophets of Ba’al (I Kings 18). When the False Prophet pulls fire down from heaven, it is probable that the Jewish people will recognize him as the prophet Elijah. Unfortunately, he will be a false prophet Elijah, and the messiah he will be introducing to the world will be a false messiah, also known as the Antichrist.

Matthew 24:24 states that the endtimes will be times of great deception. We must recognize that Satan has great powers, and it is possible for him to orchestrate great signs and wonders such as pulling fire down from heaven. Our best defense against such deceptions is a good knowlege of the Bible and a proper understanding of its prophecies.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lessons #6. An article appeared in Endtime Magazine’s March/April 1997 edition entitled "Will Pope John Paul II Be the False Prophet," which explains this in detail.

Revelation 18:4 tells us that terrible judgment is coming to Mystery Babylon, the great whore, and that we must come out of her so we don’t receive her plagues. It is therefore important that we understand her identity.

Why Mystery Babylon? Because Babylon is the historical center of man-made religion. Rather than depending on God for their salvation, the people of Babylon took matters into their own hands and built the Tower of Babel. Mystery Babylon will have this same element of self-sufficiency about her.

Verse 1 of Revelation 17 tells us that Mystery Babylon is a great whore, and verse 5 tells us she is the mother of harlots. Why is she represented as a harlot? II Corinthians 11:2 teaches that God’s true church is symbolized as a woman who is a virgin. A virgin is an uncompromised woman. The opposite of a virgin would be a harlot, who is a compromised woman. The great whore is the powerful false religion of the endtime.

The identity of the great whore can be found by examining key scriptures in Revelation 17. Verse 1 tells us that the great whore sits on many waters. Verse 18 tells us that the woman is a great city which reigns over the kings of the earth. Verse 15 says that the waters where the whore sits are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

The picture is clearer now. The woman is a city which rules over peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. Apparently, this city is the headquarters of an international system.

The next clue is found in verse 3. The woman has seven heads. Verse 9 tells what these heads are. They are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

Is there a city on earth which rules over an international organization of some sort, and is that city known for being located on seven mountains (or hills)? If we can find a city which fulfills all these clues, we can then understand this prophecy.

Such a place does exist. Rome is internationally known as the City of Seven Hills. It is also home to an international organization that sits upon peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues, and has rule or great influence over kings and presidents. It is the Roman Catholic Church.

Verse 4 tells us that the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet. The official colors of the two ruling bodies of the Vatican are red and purple. Cardinals wear red, while bishops wear purple.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lessons #8. Also, see "A Message for the President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 7, or Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 12.

Christianity, by its very nature, is an exclusive religion. Unless you believe that Jesus is Messiah, you will die in your sins. There is only one name under heaven by which a man can be saved, and that name is Jesus. To deny these facts is to deny the validity of the Bible and Jesus as Lord.

The coming global religion will force everyone on earth to relinquish their exclusive claims on their deities as the only path to heaven. It will be theorized that in order for there to be a sustainable world order, everyone will have to agree on a core set of religious values. The new buzzword is "Interfaithism." In order to participate in the global economy, that is, in order to be allowed to buy or sell anything, we will have to pledge allegiance to the satanically controlled world government and its anti-Christian world religion.

When a person pledges allegiance to "the image of the beast," it will be at this time when the person will be issued their number without which he will not be allowed to buy or sell anything. This number is what is known as the Mark of the Beast. A person who takes this mark has effectively denied Jesus as his exclusive path to salvation. This is why God says that any person who takes the Mark of the Beast will be eternally lost.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lessons #7. Also, see "A Message for the President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 8, or Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 9.

No. Notice that Babylon in Revelation 18 has an identical description as Babylon in Revelation 17. As shown elsewhere in FAQ, Mystery Babylon of chapter 17 is the Vatican. Babylon of Revelation 18 has an identical description and is therefore also the Vatican.

Revelation 17:18 and 18:10 tell us that she is a great city. The United States is not a city. To this, some say it refers to the world’s economic center in the U.S., which is New York’s Wall Street. But Wall Street is not known for sitting on seven mountains, nor does it fit any other prophecy in chapter 17.

Compare 17:4 with 18:6. In both passages she is clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls. It’s the same woman, and she is the Vatican. She is not the United States.

Revelation 16:19 states that the great city, Babylon, was divided into three parts. Does this scipture allow for an interpretation that the great city will be divided into economic Babylon, political Babylon, and religious Babylon? To answer this question, let’s compare some other scriptures:

In Revelation 16:19, God remembers Babylon, and He gives her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Compare this to Revelation 14:10 in which the exact same thing occurs. Babylon shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. The Babylon of 16:19 is the same as 14:10. Babylon of Revelation 14:10 is the same Babylon as 14:8, two verses prior. The Babylon of Revelation 14:8 made all nations drink of the wine of her fornication.

Babylon of 16:19 is the same Babylon as 14:8-10, Revelation 17, and Revelation 18. It’s the Vatican (see FAQ on "Who Is Mystery Babylon of Revelation 17," and "Is the United States Mystery Babylon of Revelation 18").

When Revelation 16:19 says that Babylon is divided into three parts, it is the result of a literal great endtime earthquake as described in the 6th seal, 7th trumpet, and 7th vial (see FAQ on "Is Revelation in Chronological Order").

Yes. Compare the following scriptures: Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:5-7, Revelation 12:6, and Revelation 12:12-14. Each of these four scriptures describe the wrath of Satan, which is the Great Tribulation. Each scripture also puts a timeframe on the Great Tribulation. It is three and one-half years.

Even though the timing of the rapture is not a salvation issue, it is of great interest to many prophecy students. Unfortunately, rapture timing debates between brothers in Christ often becomes divisive, and for this reason Endtime has chosen to avoid the issue for now.

The crucial thing for everyone of us is that we must be full of God’s spirit when He comes, because our personal departure from this world could come at any time.

They are the same event. The first scripture to consider is Matthew 24:29-31. Paraphrased, it tells us that immediately after the tribulation of the days Jesus had just described, certain events would occur. These events have the exact same description as the events described in the 6th seal, 7th trumpet and 7th vial (see FAQ "Was the book of Revelation written in chronological order?"). It is the wrath of God. We see here that immediately after the tribulation described by Jesus in Matthew 24:15-21 comes the wrath of God. We can understand all of this from Matthew 24:29.

The following verse says, "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." The sign of the His coming will be very obvious. Verse 27 tells us that it will be as obvious as lightning shining out of the east and shines even unto the west. Everyone on earth will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory (verse 30).

The next words from Matthew’s pen, verse 31, is the rapture. "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect".

Another example can be found in II Thessalonians 2:1. "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him." Again, it is recorded as the same event.

Revelation 14:14-20 is another clear example which links the coming of the Son of man with the rapture. The emphasis of this passage is on how the rapture will take place. Specifically, there will be two simultaneous harvests. One harvest will be for the saints and the other for the wicked. There is a parallel passage in Matthew 13:24-30. This is the parable of the wheat and the tares. Compare this parable with Revelation 14:14-20. It is the same story. Revelation 14:14 is when the Son of man appears in the clouds, just as is described in Matthew 24:30. And then, the rapture.

One final example can be found in II Peter 3:10-13. In this passage, Peter associates the coming of the day of Lord with all of the events of the wrath of God. The vials are poured out and the new heaven and new earth are created. The link to the rapture is found in the beginning of the passage: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." Compare this to Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:39-40, I Thessalonians 5:2-4, Revelation 3:3, and 16:5.

It has been theorized that in order for the Antichrist to be revealed, the Holy Ghost and all Christians must be removed from the earth. This is why it is taught that the rapture occurs before the Antichrist is revealed.

The scripture used to prove this assumption is II Thessalonians 2:7. It reads, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (will let), until he be taken out of the way." The "he", it is assumed, refers to the Holy Ghost.

There are problems with this interpretation of scripture. An assumption cannot be proven by another assumption. It is a quantum leap of logic to assign the identity of the Holy Ghost to the "he."

The answer is found in the preceding verse. It begins, "And now ye know what withholdeth...". The rest of verse 6 will tell us what is holding back the Antichrist. Here it is: "...that he might be revealed in his time."

The Antichrist will be revealed when it’s time. Time is the withholding factor. It’s like that old TV commercial, "We shall serve no wine before its time." A more biblical analogy can be found in Luke 21:24, which says that certain things will occur until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Romans 11:25 teaches that the partial blindness of Israel will be lifted only when the fulness of the Gentiles comes in.

The final proof that the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture can be found in verses 1-4 of this very same chapter. Verse 1 establishes the subject: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him". Paul is speaking of the rapture (the gathering). He then goes on to tell us not to be troubled, because the day of the rapture will not occur until the Antichrist is revealed (verses 2-3).

Some have taught that the Antichrist is a system and not a man. However, Daniel 7:24-25 states that ten kings shall arise. Another kings will arise after them and will subdue three of the the first ten. This king that replaces three will then wear out the saints of the most High until a time and times and the dividing of time (three and one-half years). We can know for certain that the Antichrist is a man.

For more information, see the new Endtime video, "Is the Antichrist Among Us?" ($19.97), the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3. Also, see "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 8.

There are over 50 specific prophecies about the Antichrist in the books of Daniel, II Thessalonians, and Revelation alone. The Antichrist must fulfill each and every one of these prophecies. Obviously, God intended for us to recognize him when he is revealed.

Three and one-half years after the confirming of the covenant, the Antichrist will sit in the rebuilt Jewish temple claiming to be God. Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11, Matthew 24:15-21, II Thessalonians 2:3-4.

Throughout the years men have speculated concerning who the Antichrist might be. Napoleon, Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Kennedy, Kissinger, and more have all come and gone. As a result of these misfirings, some have concluded that to speculate is foolish.

Yet, the fact remains that a world dictator will definitely appear on the world scene when the prophesied time arrives. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that he will be "revealed."

We presently live in a time of unprecedented prophetic fulfillment. All of the prophecies that are to come to pass in the endtime have either been fulfilled or are in the process of being fulfilled right now.

Since the Antichrist is to be revealed in the endtime of this age, and since we obviously live in that time, it is certain that the Antichrist is already among us.

The only sure way to determine who he will be is to line up "potential candidates" with the prophecies of the Antichrist (see FAQ "How will we recognize the Antichrist?"). The Antichrist must match all of the prophecies.

The first step in determining who the Antichrist may be is to identify potential candidates. The second step is to see how each lines up with the prophecies. Many candidates can be eliminated quickly, because it only takes one missed prophecy to be out of the running. There are a few world leaders on earth today who already appear to fit many prophecies. No one person, however, has fulfilled all of the Antichrist prophecies. Only time will tell.

While there is no world figure on earth today who can be positively identified as the Antichrist based on the prophecies, there are some who are intriguing enough to warrant continued scrutiny. Some of these are Mikhail Gorbachev, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres of Israel, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince Charles, and Bill Clinton.

No. Revelation 12:14 teaches that, when the Great Tribulation begins, Israel will be flown to a place where she is protected from the persecution of the Antichrist for three and one-half years. Daniel 11 tells us that the Antichrist will fight at least four wars, two of them during the three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation. If he is in undisputed control, why is he fighting wars? Daniel 11:41 lists three places inside the nation of Jordan who shall escape out of his hand.

No. However, whoever is pope at the time of the Antichrist will be the False Prophet. See FAQ "Will there be an endtime resurrection of the Roman Empire?" and "Will Pope John Paul II be the False Prophet?"

The prophecies do not indicate one way or another. It is our opinion the answer is no. Some prophecy teachers feel the answer is yes. Jewish prophecy scholars teach that the great endtime world dictator, who we refer to as the Antichrist, will be a Gentile.

This common teaching comes from the scripture "He will not regard the desire of women," Daniel 11:37. While some conclude that this teaches he will be a homosexual, there is another, perhaps more plausible, interpretation.

All throughout the Bible, the desire of women has always been to bear children. Anyone who advocates programs like "Population Control For Sustainable World Development" disregards the desire of women. China’s strictly enforced "one child per family" law disregards the desire of women.

No. The source of this theory comes from Revelation 13:3, which says, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."

This verse has been interpreted to mean that the beast of Revelation 13:2 is the Antichrist, and that he will suffer a fatal head wound, die, and then be raised back to life again.

The beast of 13:2 is the world government, not its leader, the Antichrist. How do we know this? Because the one beast of Revelation 13 is comprised of the exact same elements as the four beasts described in Daniel 7:1-8. Daniel 7:17 and 7:23 teach us that a beast can symbolize either a king, a kingdom, or both. The context of the scripture lets us know which one it is.

In Daniel 7, there is a lion, a bear, a four-headed leopard, and a fourth beast with ten horns. In Revelation 13:1-2, there is one beast that has the characteristics of a lion, bear, and leopard. Furthermore, this one beast has seven heads and ten horns, which is the exact number of heads and horns as in Daniel 7. In Daniel, the beasts are separate. In Revelation, they are one. Four kings cannot become one. Four kingdoms can. Context demands that the beast of Revelation 13:2-3 refers to an endtime world government.

The one head of the seven-headed beast that "was wounded as it were to death, but that deadly wound was healed and all of the world wondered after the beast" The head that "was wounded as it were to death" refers to the death of a nation.

In 1968, Endtime director Irvin Baxter Jr. identified the beasts as Great Britain, Russia, Germany, and some ten-nation union that would come into existence sometime in the future. The head that was wounded was the 3rd head of the leopard, Germany. This third head represented Germany’s Third Reich led by Hitler. The defeat of Germany in World War II resulted in the division of Germany. "Germany Is Dead" screamed the headlines. In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built. The Wall was constantly described by the media as "a deadly wound that someday must be healed." The healing of the deadly wound was to be the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany, and the birth of world government.

Irvin Baxter Jr. predicted these future events in 1968 based on his understanding of Daniel 7 and Revelation 13. 21 years later, in 1989, all of these events came to pass.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3, "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 8, and "A Message For The President" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 2. Also, see Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 8

We will not know for certain that the final seven years have begun until we are halfway through the seven years. When the three and one-half year mark hits, a great world political leader will enter a rebuilt Jewish Temple and claim to be Messiah and God. In scripture, this event is called the "Abomination of Desolation."

The final seven years begin with the confirming of some covenant. Zechariah 12:2-3, 14:2-3, and other scriptures lead us to believe that the covenant will be over the control of Jerusalem. The Antichrist will confirm, or strengthen, some existing covenant, but three and one-half years later he will break this covenant.

In 1992, a document called the Jerusalem Covenant was signed. This covenant, signed by all of the major leaders of Israel, stated that Jerusalem was the eternal capital of the nation of Israel, and it must never be surrendered, shared, or divided. It is highly likely that this is the covenant referred to in Daniel 9:27.

If a deal is struck between Israel and the Palestinians which provides for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple and confirms the Jerusalem Covenant’s provision stated above, then it is highly likely that this will signal the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week.

At the time this is being written, the final status negotations for Jerusalem are well under way, and Ehud Barak has just been elected as Israel’s new Prime Minister. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

The Great Tribulation will begin at the time of the Abomination of Desolation, when the Antichrist walks into a rebuilt Jewish Temple and claims to be Messiah and God.

Jesus said, in Matthew 24:15-21, that when you see the Abomination of Desolation that was spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27), stand in the holy place (the Abomination of Desolation will occur in the temple), then (verse 21) shall the Great Tribulation begin.

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3, Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 7, and "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapters 2 and 3, or an article called "Future War in Heaven" from the Nov/Dec 1998 edition of Endtime Magazine.

No. It will last for three and one-half years. See FAQ’s on "When was Satan permanently cast out of heaven?", "How will we know for certain when Daniel's 70th Week begins?", and "When will the tribulation start?"

The very important prophetic event known as the Abomination of Desolation is when the Antichrist walks into a rebuilt Jewish Temple, stops the animal sacrifices which will have been resumed, and claims to be Messiah and God (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, II Thessalonians 2:3-4).

The Abomination of Desolation begins the Great Tribulation, which will last for three and one-half years. It occurs at the halfway point of Daniel’s 70th Week, which is the final seven years leading up to the Battle of Armageddon.

See FAQ’s on "When was Satan permanently cast out of heaven?", "How will we know for certain when Daniel's 70th Week begins?", and "When will the tribulation start?"

For more information, see the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3, Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lesson 7, and "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 2.

Jewish law teaches that temple operations cannot begin without first sacrificing a pure red heifer. This law is found in Numbers 19. The ashes of the heifer are to be mixed with water and used to "cleanse" the priests.

Ultra-Orthodox Judaism teaches that the Temple cannot even be built, nor can a Jewish person go up onto the Temple Mount, until purified by the ashes from the red heifer.

When a pure red heifer appears that is deemed "kosher" by the chief rabbis of Israel, this will be a sign that animal sacrifices and Temple operations will soon begin. This is significant, because it is prophesied that the Antichrist will cause those sacrifices to stop and will claim to be Messiah and God. This event is known as the Abomination of Desolation. See FAQ on "What is the Abomination of Desolation?"

It will be the worst of times, but it will also be the best of times. Daniel 11:32-33 says it this way: "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many."

Daniel 12:10 says, "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."

It should be noted, there are no scriptures which instruct the saints of God to run and hide. There are many good saints of God who feel led to store up food and provision. There are others who have chosen not to do so at this time. Others, still, feel led to not now, nor ever store up food and provisions. They believe the Lord will provide.

Daniel 12:10 says, "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."

In Revelation 11:1-2, John is instructed by an angel to measure the temple of God, the altar, and the people worshipping therein. He was also told not to measure the outer court for it is given unto the Gentiles to tread it under foot for three and one-half years. It appears the temple is literal.

Yes. Very carefully compare the events of the 6th seal with the 7th trumpet and the 7th vial. You will find that these events are all one in the same. Also, compare with Matthew 24:29 and Ezekiel 38:18-22. Again, the same event.

You will find that the seals are the long story of God ending at Armageddon. The trumpets a shorter story ending at Armageddon. The vials are the very-short story ending at Armageddon. There are three different starting points, but all the same ending point.

The subject of Ezekiel 38 is the Battle of Gog and Magog. See 38:2. When understanding that Ezekiel 38:18-22 is the same event as the 6th seal, 7th trumpet and 7th vial, and recognizing that Revelation calls this event Armageddon, it is easy to see that they are one and the same.

Very carefully compare the events of the 6th seal with the 7th trumpet and the 7th vial. You will find that these events are all one in the same. Also, compare with Matthew 24:29 and Ezekiel 38:18-22. Again, the same event.

We then turn to Revelation 20:7, which tells us of events that will happen after the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth is finished. We find that Satan is loosed from the bottomless pit where he has been imprisoned. Satan goes out again to deceive the nations. In verse 8, we see Satan’s Gog and Magog again. This is the second battle involving Gog and Magog, clearly distinguishable from the first, as explained above.

Daniel 9:27 teaches that the final seven years before Armageddon will begin with the confirming of a covenant (see FAQ "How will we know for certain when Daniel's 70th Week begins?"). Halfway through this final seven year period, the Antichrist will stop the animal sacrifices and claim to be Messiah and God. Exactly three and one-half years later will be the Battle of Armageddon.

For more information, see the new Endtime video, "Is the Antichrist Among Us?" ($19.97), the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lesson #3, Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lessons 1 and 11, and "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapters 1-7.

Zechariah 12:2 says "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the seige both against Judah and against Jerusalem" Zechariah 14:1-2 says that when the day of the Lord comes, He will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. Verse 3 tells us that the Lord Himself will fight against those nations.

The world armies who invade Israel at Armageddon will be a multi-national force. It appears that the United Nations, and perhaps its world army, NATO, will be the organization used by the Antichrist to launch this ill-fated battle.

According to President George Bush in 1991, it wasn’t the United States vs. Iraq. It was Saddam Hussein against The World. More recently, it was the World Community vs. Slobodan Milosevic.

China was upset over the precedent-setting action in Kosovo where the UN involved itself in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. The reason China was upset was because it regards Taiwan as an internal Chinese affair. China fully intends to soon retake Taiwan, by force if necessary, and it would not welcome UN intervention.

In May 1999, in a discussion with Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, Italy’s prime minister pointed out that NATO might choose to do the same to Israel regarding the Palestinian issue as it was doing at the time to Kosovo.

For more information, see the new Endtime video, "Will the UN Invade Israel Next?" ($19.97), the Understanding the Endtime Prophecy Home Bible Study, Lessons 1 and 2, Endtime’s Revelation Commentary Series, Lessons 8 and 11, and "Mideast Treaty" by Irvin Baxter Jr., chapter 10.