Changes

What is understood is that, at the outset of the Tribulation, a figure called the [[Antichrist]] (or the Beast) will rise on the scene.  He will establish a one-world government to which all must pledge allegiance, in order to buy or sell, by taking on themselves (in their foreheads or their right hands) a mark consisting of the [[Number of the Beast]] (popularly called the '''Mark of the Beast''', best known by its numerical designation of '''666'''); however, those who take the mark consign themselves to ultimate eternal damnation.<ref>There is a minority view, held most predominantly by Reformed pastor John MacArthur, that a person could later reverse his/her decision to take the Mark, putting themselves in danger of death but avoiding eternal damnation.</ref>  He is accompanied by a religious figure, the False Prophet, who will establish a one-world religion in direct opposition to Christianity, to which all must adhere.  Though there will be those who resist (notably the Two Witnesses and a group of 144,000 evangelists, often believed to be Jewish), the Antichrist will largely be successful in opposing and killing those who resist him.

What is understood is that, at the outset of the Tribulation, a figure called the [[Antichrist]] (or the Beast) will rise on the scene.  He will establish a one-world government to which all must pledge allegiance, in order to buy or sell, by taking on themselves (in their foreheads or their right hands) a mark consisting of the [[Number of the Beast]] (popularly called the '''Mark of the Beast''', best known by its numerical designation of '''666'''); however, those who take the mark consign themselves to ultimate eternal damnation.<ref>There is a minority view, held most predominantly by Reformed pastor John MacArthur, that a person could later reverse his/her decision to take the Mark, putting themselves in danger of death but avoiding eternal damnation.</ref>  He is accompanied by a religious figure, the False Prophet, who will establish a one-world religion in direct opposition to Christianity, to which all must adhere.  Though there will be those who resist (notably the Two Witnesses and a group of 144,000 evangelists, often believed to be Jewish), the Antichrist will largely be successful in opposing and killing those who resist him.

The Antichrist will establish a peace treaty with [[Israel]] for seven years, allowing Israel to rebuild its long-awaited Temple and restore the Jewish sacrificial system.  Once the Temple is completed at the mid-way point of the treaty, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature: he will enter the Temple and proclaim himself to be the awaited Messiah.  At this point, the world will be subject to a series of ever-harsher judgments.

The Antichrist will establish a peace treaty with [[Israel]] for seven years, allowing Israel to rebuild its long-awaited Temple and restore the Jewish sacrificial system.  Once the Temple is completed at the mid-way point (three and one-half years) of the treaty, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature: he will enter the Temple and proclaim himself to be the awaited Messiah.  At this point, the world will be subject to a series of ever-harsher judgments.

Ultimately world events will lead to a final battle between the nations of the world (led by the Antichrist) and Israel culminating at the Battle of [[Armageddon]].  Israel will find itself on the brink of extinction when Jesus Christ Himself will return with an army (commonly believed to consist of all Christians from all of history) and defeat the Antichrist and False Prophet.

Ultimately world events will lead to a final battle between the nations of the world (led by the Antichrist) and Israel culminating at the Battle of [[Armageddon]].  Israel will find itself on the brink of extinction when Jesus Christ Himself will return with an army (commonly believed to consist of all Christians from all of history) and defeat the Antichrist and False Prophet.