Best Evidence I've seen yet: The Pope as the AntiChrist

“Behold, a White Horse…”

                                                                                                                           By Pastor F. M. Riley

                                                                                              May 4, 2010…Revised March 20, 2013

    “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts [living creatures] saying, Come [and see].

    And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.”

                                                                                                 Revelation 6:1-2

Introduction

    I have previously written two Bible studies on this same text.  The first one was, A White Knight…?? Not hardly!, and the second one was The Mahdi.  Both of these previous studies were written in answer to questions readers asked me about the anti-christ and the Muslim Mahdi.  Either one or both of these studies contain SCRIPTURAL enlightenment about the role of the coming anti-christ in end-time prophecy.  But as the “signs” predicted in God’s Word continue to occur right before the eyes of God’s people today, there is a new development taking place RIGHT NOW  which has terrific prophetic implications.  This is what I want to share with our readers in this study…..

The Desire of Lucifer

    I want to begin with Isaiah 14:3-23.  This portion of Scripture deals with “Lucifer,” the King of Babylon, 14:4.  

    Who is “Lucifer”?  Contrary to what is commonly believed and taught today, “Lucifer” IS NOT Satan.  Rather, just as the Lord Jesus Christ was the “seed” of the woman, so “Lucifer” is the “seed” of Satan, Genesis 3:15. In other words, just as the Lord Jesus Christ was God incarnate in the flesh, so “Lucifer” will become Satan incarnate in the flesh.  Just as the Lord Jesus Christ was God’s “man,” so “Lucifer” is Satan’s “man.”    In this revelation to the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord Himself plainly states that “Lucifer” is [will be] the “King of Babylon” in verse 4, that he will rule the nations in verse 6, that he is a “man” in verse 16, that he will shake the “kingdoms,” turn “the world” into a “wilderness,” and destroy “the cities” of the world in verses 16-17, that he will destroy “the land” and his own “people” in verse 20, and that “his children” and relatives will be destroyed in verses 21-22.  Now where can you find a better description of “Lucifer” being “a man” than right here in these verses?  The problem is, most Christians have never seriously STUDIED this passage for themselves, but rather have just repeated what they have heard others say. 

    Folks, it is very obvious from a serious study of these verses that “Lucifer” is the anti-christ; the same anti-christ predicted to come on the world scene in many places in the inspired Word. It is not then just “coincidence” that those involved in Satanism, demonism, witchcraft, the New Age movement, etc., teach their adherents that “Lucifer” is the name of the true “Master” whom they anticipate coming on the world scene at any time now.  If the incorrigible wicked are aware of this truth, why is it that true believers haven’t recognized it?  Well…??  2 Timothy 2:15 is still in the Bible! 

    Now that we have identified “Lucifer” as the coming anti-christ, let’s pay close attention to his stated desire, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend about the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High,” 14:13-14.

    It is obvious from these statements that “Lucifer’s” desire is to be like the Lord, even to the point of imitating or counterfeiting everything that he knows the Lord has planned.  He wants to rule from the heavens.  Compare Jeremiah 49:14-16, Obadiah 1:2-4, and Habakkuk 2:9.  He wants to sit upon Mount Zion.  Compare Daniel 11:45.  He wants to be like God Himself.  Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Revelation 13:3-4.  He wants to rule the whole world.  Compare Habakkuk 2:5, Matthew

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16:26, Mark 8:36-37, and Revelation 13:7. 

    Let these truths about the desire of “Lucifer” [the anti-christ] soak in.  Then ask yourself “WHO” on the earth today has these exact same desires???

The History of Ancient Israel

    Before I answer this question, I want to remind our readers that the Lord emphatically stated in Isaiah 46:9-10 that He has declared “the end from the beginning.”  Read the passage for yourself.  In this passage the Lord admonished the Jewish people [by principle every believer] to “Remember the former things of old…”  So let’s just do what the Lord said to do; let’s take a look back at Israel’s ancient history…..

    ISRAEL’S FIRST KING…….In ancient times when the Jewish people desired a king [1 Samuel 8 – 13], the Lord first gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of Benjamin, to be their king.  I want to remind our readers right here that the Scriptures explicitly state that the Lord gave Saul to them “…in Mine anger, and took him away in My wrath,” Hosea 13:11.  Obviously God was never pleased with Saul reigning as King over Israel.  Saul was the people’s choice!  According to the description given in God’s Word, Saul was apparently tall, handsome, and muscular.  He stood above the crowd, projecting a “regal” image, 1 Samuel 10:23.  He was exactly the kind of man the people were looking for to be their king. 

    I also want our readers to notice that Saul’s reign over Israel began on Pentecost, 1 Samuel 12:17.  Read the entire chapter. 

    Also notice that Saul reigned just three years and then intruded into and usurped the office of the priesthood, offering a sacrifice even against his own will and desire, which he was not qualified to offer, 1 Samuel 13:1-12. 

    Why am I pointing out these historical facts about Saul?  Because King Saul was a type of the anti-christ to come, whether some want to believe this or not.  Just as the anti-christ will rule and reign over Israel and the world BEFORE God’s own chosen King for that position, even so King Saul, the people’s choice, ruled over Israel in ancient times as their King BEFORE the Lord’s own chosen King came to power.  Hello!  Are you listening? 

    GOD’S CHOSEN KING…….Just three years after he began to reign, King Saul was rejected by the Lord, and was explicitly told that the kingdom would be taken from him and given to “…a man after His [the Lord’s] own heart…,” 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 15:1-35.  The Lord then had Samuel anoint David to be King over Israel, 1 Samuel 16:1-13.  Now is it just “coincidence” that from that time forward Saul began to seek out the man who would replace him, and when he discovered that David was the man, Saul tried again and again to kill David? 

    But an even greater “coincidence” [?!?!?!?] is the wonderful prophetic truth that KING DAVID [Yes!  I do mean the King David!] is to be restored to life at the middle of the coming Tribulation period, and will again become King over Israel, Jeremiah 30:9.  Any reader who doubts this claim can find absolute SCRIPTURAL PROOF for it in my study on The Davidic Covenant.  I will be glad to send it to any reader upon request. 

    What this means is that just as King Saul [a type of the antii-christ] ruled over Israel BEFORE King David, so the coming anti-christ will rule over Israel BEFORE the Lord sends King David back to rule over Israel again at or just after the middle of the Tribulation.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord! 

     Some readers have never heard this before?  Some readers don’t believe this?  Well, I’m not through yet!  Just keep reading…..

Revelation 6:1-2…..Examining the Rider

    Now let’s carefully examine this Scripture text…..

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    “And I saw when the Lamb [in Heaven] opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts [living creatures] saying, Come [and see],

    And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” 

    Any careful study of this passage makes it obvious that the rider on the white horse in this passage IS NOT the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord is in Heaven opening the seals.  The person being described appears on the earth when the seal in Heaven is opened. 

    WHITE…….This man comes on the world scene riding “a white horse” in direct counterfeit of the “triumphal entry” of the Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. 

    “White” is the traditional color representing purity, holiness, and peace.  A “white horse” is the traditional color of horse ridden by kings when putting themselves on display before their subjects.  So obviously this man is presenting himself as a “holy man,” a man of “purity” and “peace.”  However, keep in mind that “white” is also the favored color used by evil men seeking to deceive, conquer, and destroy.  Which kind of man is the rider on this “white horse”?  Think about it! 

    THE BOW…….Much has been written about the “bow” in the possession of this man.  Some claim that this “bow” is a weapon such as a long bow or a crossbow with which the man “silently” removes those opposing his rise to power.  This certainly sounds reasonable; so much so that as a young preacher I believed that this “interpretation” I heard from others was probably correct.  However, as I have continued to seriously study the Scriptures over these past 59 years, I came to realize that at best such an “interpretation” is only a “guess, and at the worst it is just plain “human reasoning” with no Scriptural proof whatsoever.  But if this “bow” is not a weapon, then what could it possibly be?  I’m so glad you asked…..

    THE CROWN…….It is strange to me that “scholars” and prophecy teachers expounding on this text just sort of “skip over” this statement about this rider on the “white horse” being given a “crown.”  What does a “crown” signify?  Anyone of average intelligence knows that crowns are worn by kings.  The fact that this rider on the “white horse” is given a “crown,” clearly signifies that he becomes a king.  In other words, right after the beginning of the Tribulation period this rider will make his appearance on the world scene, and then shortly thereafter he will be “given” authority to rule over some kingdom as their king.  Now what kingdom could that be? 

The Answers…..

    I have set a number of unanswered questions before our readers…..

    (1)  In this study I pointed in Isaiah 14:3-23 that “Lucifer” is in reality the coming anti-christ, and then I asked, “WHO on the earth today has the exact same desires as those expressed by “Lucifer”?   

    (2)   I pointed out that two kinds of men use “white” to display themselves before other men; good men display themselves in white, but also evil men seeking to deceive and destroy.  Then I asked which kind of man is the rider on the “white horse”? 

    (3)   I pointed out that the rider on the “white horse” is in possession of a “bow” and that I seriously question the traditional teaching of it being a “weapon.”  Then I set the question before our readers, that if it is not a weapon, then what kind of “bow” is it? 

    (4)   Last of all I pointed out that the rider on this “white horse” is given “a crown,” and that crowns are worn by kings.  This signifies that this rider will, shortly after the beginning of the Tribulation, become a king over some kingdom.  But what kingdom? 

    These are the four questions I have presented to our readers thus far in this study.  Now let’s see if we can answer these questions…..

Answering questions with Questions

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    What well known international leader on earth today consistently appears in public dressed in “white” flowing robes, presenting himself as “a holy man,” a man of “purity” and “peace”?   If any of our readers do not know the answer to this question, I would suggest that they get their heads out of the TV long enough to look around and see what is going on in the world today.  Sic! 

    Also, what well known international leader today always makes his public appearances carrying a “bow” in his hand?  Well…??

    Further, what well known international leader today is ruling over millions of people on this earth, yet has no real “kingdom” to rule over at all?  But he wants one….

    Finally, what well known international leader today, and all of his progenitors before him, have held right through the centuries the exact same desires expressed by “Lucifer” so long ago? 

    The answer to these questions should tell us what “kind” of man the rider on the “white horse” really is; good or evil.   

 Historical Insight

    THE VATICAN…….Folks, for centuries the leaders of the Roman Hierarchy have set their eyes and their hearts on ruling the whole world from the city of Jerusalem in the holy land. 

    Many true Christian believers during the Dark Ages actually proclaimed and taught that A ROMAN POPE would be the anti-christ prophesied to come in the Holy Scriptures at the end of this age.  This statement can easily be verified by any reader willing to put forth the effort to seriously research Christian history.  It was not until sometime after the Protestant Reformation that this teaching finally lost favor among the Christian churches, and was gradually set aside and forgotten.  But apparently the Popes have never forgotten it! 

    The Popes of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy have never given up their desire to rule and reign over the whole world from the city of Jerusalem.  After all, Jerusalem is “the city of God.”  Then what better place for the Pope, who claims to be the Vicar of Christ on earth, to reign from than the city of Jerusalem? 

    Dear readers, it is the Roman Pope who consistently appears in public dressed in a long flowing “white” robe, presenting himself to the world as a “holy man” and a man of “purity and peace.”  It is the Roman Pope who is even addressed as “His Holiness,” and as “the Holy Father.”  Millions of Catholics [and others] all over the world regard the Pope as the very embodiment of “holiness” and “purity.”  Sic!

     Have our readers ever seen the Roman Pope on the TV news channels as they report on his travels to various places around the world making public appearances?  Of course most of our readers have, at one time or another.  Now tell me…..what does the Pope always carry with him when he makes these public appearances?  In case our readers don’t remember, the Pope always appears in public walking with or carrying a “staff” with an image carved on it supposedly representing Christ on the cross.  It is a very grotesque image portraying Christ bent backwards to such an extent that it forms a “bow.”  Hello!  I might also ask if our readers know the official name of this staff always carried by the Pope when he appears in public?  The official name of this instrument is THE PAPAL BOW!  Hello!  Is spiritual light beginning to break through?  Check this out for yourself!  In view of this text in Revelation 6:1-2, is this all just coincidence?  Well…??

    Further, I have a news article in my files which I personally clipped from a newspaper in 1972.  This news article relates how Paul Harvey [Yes, the Paul Harvey] reported on his daily news program that the Vatican was quietly selling off property all over Italy and parts of Europe in view of moving the entire world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy TO JERUSALEM.  Over these past 41 years since 1972, the Roman Popes have quietly continued to pursue this plan.  How do I know? 

    Because RIGHT NOW I have laying on my desk a news report dated March 7, 2013 which explicitly states and explains in detail how a Second Vatican state is to be established in Jerusalem.   Those readers who did not receive this report and would like to read it for themselves can find it by clicking on the following link:  http://ivarfjeld.com/2012/02/18/second-vatican-state-to-be-established-in-jerusalem                                                              4

    I urge every reader to click on the link and read the news article for yourself.  It is later than you think!   There was also a previous news report on this same subject which can still be found by our readers by clicking on:   http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2010/maxw427.htm  

     This attached report is about the ongoing negotiations between the Pope and an official of the Israeli government, which when agreed upon and signed, will grant to the Vatican a large tract of land in the old city of Jerusalem [on Mt. Zion].  It appears from the report that the details have already been worked out, and the agreement was to be signed on Friday, April 30, 2010.   Now as you read this, it is a “done deal,” and work on the Papal Palace in Jerusalem has been going on over these past two years.   Is Bible prophecy being fulfilled speedily?  You better believe it is! 

 Verification

     In verification of these facts I refer our readers to Daniel 11:21-45.  Beginning in verse 21 there is an inspired prophecy about the exploits of a “vile person.”  If our readers will carefully study these Scriptures, it is obvious that there is no change of the main character being spoken about in these verses from verse 21 right through the end of the chapter. 

    I am aware that some readers will object, claiming that verses 21 – 35 are describing the exploits of Antiochus Epiphanes.  Strange!  I have never found his name in these verses anywhere.  If Antiochus Epiphanes served any purpose in relation to these verses in Daniel, it would only have been as a type of the future anti-christ.  Further, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 24:15, referred to the “abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.”  If one carefully studies the passage, it is obvious that the Lord was referring to “the abomination of desolation” as a future event; an event yet to come.  But at the time the Lord gave this prophecy, Antiochus Epiphanes had already been dead for some 150 years. Yet the ONLY VERSE in Daniel 11 in which Daniel referred to the “abomination of desolation” is verse 31.  This verse, according to some “scholars,” is supposedly referring to Antiochus Epiphanes.  Now I would like for these “scholars” to explain to me how these verses, 21-35, can be referring to Antiochus Epiphanes when the Lord Himself made it quite clear that verse 31 refers to an event which has not yet occurred and will not occur until the middle of the future Tribulation period.  Well…??  As I have often exhorted God’s people to do, some folks need to spend more time in serious STUDY of the Word of God and less in giving everyone the benefit of their “opinion.”  Like I said, 2 Timothy 2:15 is still in the Bible!  Now that we have that little fallacy exposed, let’s return to Daniel 11:21-45.  

    This entire passage is dealing with the exploits of the anti-christ.  Period!  Now notice that verse 45 explicitly states, “And he shall plant the tabernacles [plural] of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”  The “seas” being referred to in this verse are obviously the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.  This is the exact location of Jerusalem.  Look at a map of Israel and you can see this truth for yourself.

    Notice also the word “palace.”  Folks, a “palace” is recognized by about everyone as the dwelling place of a king or ruler.  Significantly, that is the exact term used for the Pope’s residence in the Vatican in Rome, Italy.  His dwelling place is called The Papal Palace.  Hello!   

     This passage tells us explicitly that the coming anti-christ is going to establish his “palace” in the city of Jerusalem upon the “holy mountain” [Mount Zion] during the coming Tribulation period.  Then who is the antichrist?   Let me tell our readers who the early Bible believing Christians believed the anti-christ to be…..

    Martin Luther, (1546) a former Catholic priest, who nailed his “99 Thesis” to the door of the Catholic Church in Wittenberg, Germany, effectively setting off the entire Protestant Reformation, had this to say about the Pope, and I quote,

     “There sits the man, of whom the apostle wrote [2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4], that will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God.  That man of sin to be revealed, the son of perdition…He suppresses the law of God and exalts his commandments above the commandments of God.” 

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     John Calvin, (1564) another of the early reformers, who introduced the teaching of Calvinism into the ranks of Christianity, had this to say about the Pope, and I quote,

     “I deny him to be the vicar of Christ…He is anti-christ…I deny him to be head of the church.” 

     John Knox, (1572) another early reformer, a Scottish Protestant and a man of God who preached to thousands, had this to say about the Pope, and I quote,

     “That tyranny which the pope himself has for so many ages exercised over the church, the very anti-christ and son of perdition, of whom Paul speaks.”  

     Sir Isaac Newton, (1727) a reformer best known as a scientist, yet was a dedicated Bible believing Christian and man of God, had this to say about the Pope, and I quote,

     “But it [the Papacy] was a kingdom of a different kind from the other ten kingdoms [referred to in Daniel 7:7, 8]…And such a seer, prophet, and king is the church of Rome [referring to the little horn of Daniel 7].    

     These are only four well known leaders in the Protestant Reformation who taught that the anti-christ would be a Pope.   If our readers will carefully review Christian history over the past 2,000 years, they will find that it was commonly believed and taught by Bible believing Christians that the future anti-christ would be a Roman Pope.  The teaching was only abandoned following the Protestant Reformation when persecution by the Roman Heirarchy ceased and the Lord’s churches no longer had to suffer for their faith.     

    

     Further verification is found in Daniel 11:21, “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”  This definitely states that “he” [the vile person…the anti-christ] will present himself as a “man of peace,” and under the guise of “peace,” will “obtain the kingdom.”  This makes it very clear that “he” is going to become a king.  So we are then confronted with the question, a king of what country?  

    Is it just “coincidence” that the very next verse in Daniel 11:22 tells us that “the prince [ruler] of the covenant” will be “broken” [destroyed; crushed] by this “vile person”?  In other words, the very ruler who agrees to and signs some sort of “covenant” [agreement] with this “vile person” will then be undermined and betrayed and destroyed by him, as “he” comes in “peaceably, and obtains the kingdom by flatteries.”  Talk about deceit and intrigue!  It is here! 

    So what country gives the rider on the “white horse” a “crown,” thereby willfully choosing to submit to his rule over them as their king?   Where can the answer to this question be found in the pages of God’s prophetic Word?  Where?  Let’s see…..

    JOHN 5:43…….In this passage none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself plainly and explicitly stated to the Jewish people, “I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”  Now do any of our readers want to argue with the Lord about this statement?  Hello! 

    Isn’t it interesting that RIGHT NOW the Jewish people in Israel are almost totally disenchanted with their government leaders?  Several of their present and former government leaders have charges pending against them RIGHT NOW in the Jewish courts for corruption, accepting bribes, extortion, embezzlement, money laundering, graft, etc.  The only reason some of them are not in prison RIGHT NOW is because they are in positions of authority in the Israeli government, and cannot be arrested as long as they are in office.  I DO NOT KNOW if this includes Netanyahu.  I haven’t heard of any scandal against him, but there are certainly news reports about some of the other leaders and former leaders in the Israeli government.  Check it out for yourself! 

    The Jewish people are well aware that their nation was once ruled by kings.  Many of them today look back with special pride on their history under the rule of King David and King Solomon.  There is already a group in Israel today who are actively working to convince the Jewish people to “dump

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democracy” and go back to a monarchy.  With the present situation in Israel, both politically and militarily, it should be fairly easy to convince the Israeli people that discarding their present democratic form of government and being ruled over by a strong king would actually be to Israel’s advantage.  Folks, John 5:43 fits into this picture PERFECTLY.  The Jewish people in Israel, both religious and secular, know next to nothing about this New Testament warning given to their forefathers by Christ, and those who are aware of it probably don’t believe it.  Hosea 4:6 is still in the Bible!  The unbelieving Jews in Israel today are wide open for the arrival of the “false messiah.”  The rider on the “white horse” in Revelation 6:1-2 will obviously be that “false messiah” whom Israel will not only receive, but whom they will temporarily make him their King.

     Is it then just “coincidence” that even while I write the Papal Palace is being prepared for a second Vatican to be established in Jerusalem?   Hello!

    

The White Horse Rider to the Rescue

    Folks, RIGHT NOW Israel is in a terrible position politically and militarily.  Iran is threatening to destroy Israel and plunge the whole world into another world war.  At the same time the United States under the leadership of Obama is putting pressure on Israel to sit still and do nothing.

    RIGHT NOW as I write, the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty conference is underway.  At this conference the Obama administration is attempting to get a resolution passed which will force all Middle Eastern nations to totally eliminate their nuclear arsenals.  While the claim is being made that this will prevent a nuclear war in the Middle East which could drag the entire world into another world war, the real obvious intent of the resolution is to disarm Israel.  Israel is the ONLY nation in the Middle East which has a huge nuclear arsenal.  If Israel had not had this large nuclear arsenal, the multiplied millions in the combined forces of the Muslim nations would have overwhelmed and destroyed Israel long ago.  The “hand of God” is still overshadowing, guiding, and protecting the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, whether some want to believe it or not.   

    But under this present situation Israel is “caught in a vice.”  If they attack Iran [or other enemies threatening them] the United States and the other nations of the world will most certainly become their enemies.  If they refrain from attacking Iran or defending themselves, they face possible annihilation as a nation.  So what are they to do? 

    “…behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him…”  Here is the answer!  Any reader who can’t see “the hand of God” in the background overseeing the affairs of men and nations, just isn’t looking.  Read Psalm 17:8-9 and Zechariah 2:8. 

    What nation on earth would dare to attack Israel if the world headquarters [the Vatican] of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was located in Jerusalem?  Such an attack would bring down the combined wrath of the whole Catholic world upon the attacker.  To have the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic religion located in Jerusalem will be of great advantage to Israel, both politically and militarily.  But that isn’t all…..

    Relocating the Vatican from Rome to Jerusalem will be of great economic benefit to Israel.  Every year millions of people from all over the world come to see and be “blessed” by the Pope.  This will mean that literally millions of dollars of tourist revenue will flow into Israel during the first half of the Tribulation.  Get the full picture….  While most of the world will be suffering economic hardship and famine during the first half of the Tribulation, Israel will be enjoying great economic “prosperity,” while living in “Peace and safety,” 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Ezekiel 38:8. 

The Unfolding Revelation

    I am well aware that some of our readers, especially Jewish readers, will object to what I have presented, claiming that the Jews would never accept a Catholic Pope as their “Messiah.”  Oh, is that so!  No, it isn’t so! 

    If a Pope came on the scene (1) who highly favored the Jewish people by helping them rebuild their

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Temple,  and (2) who would help them overcome their enemies, and (3) who would bring great economic prosperity to Israel in these times when the whole world economy is collapsing, the Jewish people would fall right into his hands like an overripe “fig.”  But is this going to happen?  Let’s look again at Israel’s present situation in the light of their past history…..

    Isn’t the greatest problem Israel has had to wrestle with for the past 26 years their problem with the Palestinians?  It was specifically on December 8, 1987 that the first Palestinian Intifada began.  Since that date the problem with the Palestinians has only grown worse from year to year.  Who are these Palestinians anyway, and why are they causing such problems for Israel?  I’m glad you asked…..

    The modern Palestinians are the descendants of the ancient Philistines.  Oh, yes they are!  I don’t really care who wants to deny this!  The word “Pa’les’tin’ian” is nothing less than a modern perversion of the ancient word, Phi’lis’tine.”  The Philistines were bitter enemies of the Jewish people in ancient times, and their descendants are still bitter enemies of the Jewish people today.  Doesn’t God’s Word explicitly state that the Lord is ultimately going to totally destroy the Palestinian people “…for the old [ancient] hatred”?  You know it does!  Read it for yourself in Ezekiel 25:15-17.  Read also Isaiah 14:29-32.  Compare Zephaniah 2:1-5.    

    However, in ancient times King Saul, the first king of Israel fought against and subdued the Philistines, 1 Samuel 13 – 14.  I have already pointed out in this study that King Saul was a type of the coming anti-christ.  The anti-christ [Pope] will then, in one way or another, subdue the Palestinians during his reign over Israel during the first half of the Tribulation. How then could the Israeli people not love him and swear their devotion to him? Well..??

    Here then is the unfolding scene as I presently see it…..

    The former Pope of the Roman Hierarchy [Benedict] signed an agreement with Israel, in which Israel gave a large tract of land on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem to the Vatican.  Within the next few weeks or months when the Papal “palace” is completed, a second Vatican will be established in Jerusalem. 

    Whether this means that the newly elected Pope Francis will actually be moving to Jerusalem is not yet known.  I make this statement because of the Third Prophecy of Fatima.  Yes, this is a prophecy from “the dark side.”  It is a prophecy given to three young Spanish girls in 1913 [or 1917 ?], which the Popes since that time have tried to keep hidden from the public.  However, there have been “leaks.” 

    This “dark prophecy” explicitly states that the 111^th Pope [Benedict] will be murdered by the 112^th Pope [Petrus Romanus…Peter the Roman] and the new Pope will seize total control of the Roman Heirarchy.  He will then call himself Peter the Roman.  The prophecy states that he will make havoc of “the church” [the Catholic Hierarchy] and will ultimately totally destroy it.  Read Revelation 17:16-17.  It also states that for a brief period he will befriend the Jewish people, but will ultimately turn on them and seek to destroy them.  Also that he will become ruler of the whole world  and ultimately demand that he himself be the object of the world’s worship.  Read Revelation 13:3-4;11-15.  Significantly, even this “dark prophecy” predicts that this wicked man will ultimately meet his doom at the hands of THE GREAT JUDGE.  Glory!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord! 

    Folks, is it just coincidence that this prophecy from “the dark side” harmonizes with the inspired prophecies of God’s Word in many points?  Think about it! 

    It then appears that it will be a Pope who will move the world headquarters of the Roman Hierarchy to Jerusalem, sitting “…the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain…” exactly as stated in Daniel 11:45. 

    He will then aid the Jews in rebuilding their Temple and reinstituting their Temple worship.  He will also side with and help the Jews in their controversy with the Palestinians.  The grateful Jews will love him for it!  Many of them will indeed believe he is the “Messiah” of Israel who was promised to come in their Old Testament Scriptures.  

    Approximately six months after he moves to Jerusalem, likely by “popular demand,” he will be offered [given] the position of being King over Israel, which position there is no doubt that he will accept.  For Israel, everything will then appear to be “hunky dory” until the middle [or near the middle] of the Tribulation.  The only real problem vexing them during that time will be those nasty old

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“two witnesses” preaching in their streets and telling them what unbelieving fools they are, and demanding that they repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ; their true Messiah.  Read Revelation 11:1-13. 

    At or near the middle of the Tribulation the anti-christ will enter into the Jewish Temple, sit down on the Mercy Seat [throne], and declare himself to be Almighty God.  Read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.  When he emerges from the Temple he will demand that the whole world worship him and only him. 

    The religious Jews will be highly offended by his defiling of their Temple, and will finally recognize that he is not their true Messiah, but rather is the “idol shepherd” who was predicted to come, Zechariah 11:15-17.  The religious Jews will then raise an insurrection against him leading to his ultimate assassination.  Read Daniel 8:12-13.  Look up the Hebrew word translated as “transgression” in your Concordance or Lexicon.  The word literally means “religious revolt.” 

    The anti-christ will literally and actually be killed at that time, regardless of whether some want to believe this or not.  It is explicitly stated in Revelation 13:3 and 13:14.  It is highly likely that after three days and three nights, in counterfeit of the resurrection of Christ, the spirit of Satan himself will enter into his body and restore him to physical life.  This will convince the whole lost unbelieving world that he is indeed god in the flesh  [Sic!], and they will then worship and obey him exactly as the inspired Word predicts in Revelation 13:3-8.  It is at that very time that he will be exalted to the position of “world ruler,” Revelation 13:7.

    One of the first things done following his restoration to life will be the erection of an image in the courtyard of the Jewish Temple in honor of him.  The Lord Himself referred to this image as “the abomination of desolation,” Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14.  The Jews will refuse to worship his image or take the mark decreed.  A type of their refusal to worship his image is set forth in the account of the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3.  Due to the real “hidden” hatred of the anti-christ for the Jewish people, only intensified by the wounds he received during his assassination [Zechariah 11:17], he will then turn his hand against the Jewish people and seek to destroy them from off the face of the earth, Revelation 11:7-8; 13:7; Daniel 7:21; 7:25.  Therefore the Jews will be forced to leave their homes and cities and flee for their lives exactly as the Lord instructs them to do in Matthew 24:15-20 and Mark 13:14-18. 

    I suspect that sometime shortly after their flight begins, they will meet KING DAVID and the Old Testament believing Jews face to face in the wilderness who will have been raised and restored to life at or just after the middle of the Tribulation, Daniel 12:1-2.  David will then again become their King and will lead them into Petra, watching over them and taking tender care of them during the last half of the Tribulation, exactly as David watched over and took care of those who deserted from King Saul in ancient times.  See 1 Samuel 21 – 31. Glory!  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!  Is God’s Word relevant and “up to date” or is it not?  Every true believer knows the answer to this question! 

    For further Scriptural insight into this subject read my study on Israel’s Flight to Petra.  I will be glad to send it to any reader upon request.

A Statement!

    First, let me make it clear to our readers that I DO NOT believe that Barack Obama is the Antichrist!  There is absolutely nothing about Obama that qualifies him to be “a holy man,” or a man of “purity and peace.”  Obama’s entire past, as well as his present, reveals nothing but corruption, lies, deceit, fraud, and evil in his background and life.  His present stand and obvious hatred for Israel and the Jewish people, which the Jewish people are well aware of, will keep the Israeli people from ever trusting him in anything he says or does.  It ought to be obvious to any reader that the Jewish people are going to have to be able to TRUST the man they receive as their promised Messiah, John 5:43.  This leaves Obama completely out of the picture.

    Second, will the scenario I have set forth in this study work out in every detail  EXACTLY the way I have described it?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!   God forbid my ever making such a claim!  I am well aware that none of God’s people have all of the answers, and some of the prophecies obviously will not be totally clear until they are fulfilled.  

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    All I have really set before our readers is that my identification of the rider on the “white horse” [the anti-christ] in this text is just as good [and perhaps better] than many other “guesses” that are being made by those studying Bible prophecy today. 

    However, in view of the fact that such an agreement as I have described in this study [which is verified by the attached news articles] has been signed between the Pope and Israel, does appear to give  merit to my exposition.  I personally consider these attached news reports to be one of the most significant developments that has occurred in regards to the fulfillment of end-time prophecy.  Click on the links and read the reports for yourself.  It is later than most people want to believe!       

Conclusion

    I have in this study set forth historical, tangible, and Scriptural evidence suggesting that a Roman Pope will be the coming anti-christ and therefore the rider on the “white horse.”

     In view of the attached news articles, it also appears that the planned establishment of a second Vatican in Israel could occur VERY SOON [within days or weeks].  If this is indeed the case, then it is most certainly an indication that the Tribulation period could also begin within days or weeks. 

    In view of these events which are occurring RIGHT NOW, it is then obvious that the resurrection and rapture of New Testament believers is “right at the doors.”  Hallelujah!   Praise the Lord!    

    ARE YOU READY?  Read and compare Luke 21:36 and 20:34-36 and ask yourself if you really are “saved by God’s grace,” Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5.  Examine your own heart and soul, 2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10.  Now again…..ARE YOU READY?

    Time is swiftly running out!  If any reader needs spiritual help, please contact me at once.  I will do whatever I can to help you find salvation and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ, John 14:6; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 10:8-13.

    May God bless the truth of His Word to the heart and mind of every reader!    

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    NOTICE:     Permission is granted to any true believer or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.   PLEASE DO reproduce and share it with others.

     This ministry is supported solely by the free will offerings of those readers who feel led of the Lord to help us send forth the great truths of God’s wonderful Word to God’s people and to lost seeking souls.   

    All comments, questions, and correspondence should be addressed to:  Pastor F. M. Riley, 184 County Road 108, Harrisburg, Missouri 65256. 

    I can also be contacted via email at:    fmr7sngn@centurylink.net

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