If you’ve just tuned in, you are listening to a special UNIVERSAL NEWS BROADCAST. We are recapping the major past events, from Israel’s rebirth through the Tribulation and destruction of the world during the Battle of Armageddon.
HERE (was) THE (perseverance) OF THE SAINTS (or God's people)—those that kept the commandments of God and remained faithful to Jesus.
The saints knew that the disobedient would receive the just reward for their actions.
The true saints did keep God's commandments; which testified of their love for God. The true followers of Christ did remain faithful to Jesus, even when confronted with torture and death. The faithful did keep the testimony of Christ, no matter what happened to them.
The falling away from the faith, or departing from the faith, continued as birth pains throughout the Tribulation.
During the Tribulation, many came to faith in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, many turned away from Jesus because of fear, or offenses, or deception, or the threat of persecutions, beatings, imprisonment, or other such devices that Satan used—including death.
It was written, AND THEN SHALL MANY BE OFFENDED (or trapped) (at that time, many will turn away from the faith)-Mt 24:10.
Not only did many worship the image and take the mark, many worshipped gold and silver. They worshipped riches and the better things of this life.
Those that persevered and resisted the temptations to worship the image of the beast, those that resisted the mark or the number of his name, those that held firm in the faith, and endured to the end, those that kept the faith, stood steadfast, finished the race, and died in faith—were with Jesus; and all their tears were gone.
Hatred abounded during the first part of the Tribulation; however, as birth pains, hatred increased even more during the second part of the Tribulation. Everyone seemed to hate everyone. The best of friends could not be trusted.
As it had been written, THEN SHALL MANY…HATE ONE ANOTHER-Mt 24:10. AND BECAUSE INIQUITY (or wickedness) SHALL ABOUND (or increase), THE LOVE OF MANY (or most) SHALL WAX (or grow) COLD-Mt 24:12.
Those that followed Jesus could not trust anyone.
Even those that did not trust Jesus, neither could they trust anyone.
Betrayal was common.
A person thought they were safe in hiding out with a brother or friend, but they were betrayed.
Some thought their children would not betray them, but they did.
Hate abounded
The Scriptures had forewarned these things would happen. It was written: AND THE BROTHER SHALL DELIVER UP THE BROTHER TO DEATH, AND THE FATHER THE CHILD: AND THE CHILDREN SHALL RISE UP AGAINST THEIR PARENTS, AND CAUSE THEM TO BE PUT TO DEATH-Mt 10:21.
AND YE SHALL BE BETRAYED BOTH BY PARENTS, AND BRETHREN, AND KINSFOLKS, AND FRIENDS; AND SOME OF YOU SHALL THEY CAUSE TO BE PUT TO DEATH-Lk 21:16.
(This was the first of three great woes that were to come)
Within the first year after the image of the Antichrist was set up, God sent a judgment upon the earth that tormented those that had worshipped the image and taken the mark.
The bottomless pit was opened by an angel sent from God.
From the shaft of the Abyss (or bottomless pit) (or what is also called hell), a huge amount of smoke arose like from a gigantic furnace. The sky (even with the sun shining) became dark because of the smoke.
From the smoke came forth so many locusts—that they could not be numbered.
These were several inches long.
They had stings like a scorpion.
Their faces resembled the faces of humans.
On their heads was something that looked like a crown.
They had long hair like that of a woman.
They had teeth that was long and sharp like that of a lion.
They had on their breasts a very hard shell, which could be compared to iron.
They had tails like a scorpion. It was from their tail that their horrible sting came forth.
They had wings. As they went forth the noise they made was like the thunder of many horses going forth to battle. They went forth in bands like a massive army prepared for battle They swarmed all over the earth. As an army prepared for battle, they went forth in all directions. They were able to go forth, over both land and water.
These locusts never hurt the grass, or plants, or trees.
For 5 months they tormented the people of the earth.
The agony (or torment) that people suffered was like that of the sting (or torment) of a scorpion when it strikes a man.
The torment from their sting was so great that people sought to die, but the sting did not kill them.
Only those that had the seal of God upon their forehead were exempt from this torment.
Then all of a sudden, after 5 months, it came to an end.
Once the horrible plague of the locusts was over, there were yet two more woes to come.
However, in between the three woes, there were many other events and judgments that also happened.
As the Tribulation was getting closer to the end, seven plagues came forth. God’s wrath came forth through these plagues.
The people of the world had already gone through a traumatic experience from the horrible stings of the locusts for 5 months. Now that that had finally ended, people had hoped things would calm down. This was not to be. God’s judgments were poured out against the world for following Satan, as birth pangs of a woman. The judgments became more intense.
All of a sudden, on the face of the whole earth—horrible, disgusting, and grievous and painful sores began to appear on all that had taken the mark and worshipped the image. It was as an ulcerated, and ugly, and malignant sore. The pain was intense.
Moses and Elijah had been given power to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they wished.
Those that had not taken the mark and worshipped the image were not affected by this plague. These were those that had, thus far, escaped being detected by the forces of the Antichrist.
For this last 3½ years, it seemed there was little rest from the many things that kept coming upon the people of the world for their rebellion against God.
Some of these people that were being tormented by the judgments God sent, were the same people that had betrayed the saints of God to the authorities and caused many to be put to death. The whole world was seeking those that had not yet received the mark and worshipped the image.
As the plagues came forth, men blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their sores; yet they did not repent of their sin.
Moses with Aaron had brought this same plague against the Egyptians. They had taken handfuls of ashes from a furnace and tossed it into the air. It became fine dust over all the land. It then became loathsome and malignant, ugly and painful sores—festering boils that broke out on people and even animals.
As this broadcast continues, we wish to portray God’s anger with the world at that time.
Ten times in the Revelation, God tells of His wrath during the Tribulation of those days.
These are as follows:
Moses and Elijah had been given power to bring plagues as they wished. They turned the seas, the oceans, so they became as the blood of a dead man.
They no longer could sustain life. Every living thing in the sea died. Any food derived from the oceans ceased.
Then the rivers and fountains also were turned to blood throughout the world.
Drinking water was scarce. Food became more difficult to find.
The blood of saints and prophets had been shed at the hands of many, and, in return, God had given them blood to drink.
Moses had done this in Egypt also. He had stretched out his rod upon the waters of Egypt, their streams, rivers, ponds, and pools. As a result, the people digged around the river for water to drink, for they could not drink of the water of the river.
Next there came heat. For a time, the sun sent forth intense heat. People were tormented. They were scorched or burned with fire.
It is unclear exactly what happened. It appeared there was some unusual activity going on with the sun; and, as a result, the heat became unbearable.
Did the people repent and give God glory? No. They refused to repent. Rather the people of the world cursed God and spoke all manner of evil against the God of heaven which controlled these plagues. There was a heavy blindness upon the people because of sin.
Through all of this, the people continued to worship the Antichrist and Satan.
They hated the God of heaven, even as they did before the Rapture, when many cursed God’s name routinely in their daily conversation. They blasphemed God.
Most people’s language was hard and obnoxious, full of cursing, anger, and hatred.
They would not obey God’s Word before the Rapture, and they would not follow God’s Word during the Tribulation.
However, during the first part of the Tribulation, many did repent. But then, they went through great suffering at the hands of the unbelievers. Many were beheaded, yet a few escaped the clutches of the Antichrist and Satan. These went through the Tribulation, suffering greatly, hiding, running, and often having little to eat to sustain them.
Judgments often come to bring people to repentance. Many times when difficult times came upon people, they turned to God for help and in repentance. Judgments also came because of sin.
Next, there was darkness.
As time progressed toward the end of the Tribulation, both the throne of the Antichrist and his kingdom were plunged into thick darkness.
Although all the world had worshipped the Antichrist and taken the mark, except a few, yet Israel was his kingdom and the Temple Mount was his headquarters.
The darkness was so intense that it could be felt. It was so thick that it was difficult to even move. The people could not see each other. No light could penetrate it.
The people still had their sores. People were in agony.
Did the people repent? No. They refused to repent of what they had done. They continued to speak horrible things against the God of heaven. People throughout the world were full of hatred.
The darkness Moses had brought in Egypt had lasted for three days.
Even in this late hour during the Tribulation, those that trusted in Jesus were still being sought after, and some were caught.
Then they were faced with brutality and torture of the worst kind imaginable.
Then they had to face the decision of having their head chopped off, or worshipping the image and taking the mark.
Even within the last year, some did give in and began to follow Satan. They had eluded the world’s detection systems and authorities for about two years and more.
They were tired. They were thin. They were weak. Some just gave up. Their faith failed.
God had sustained them all this time, but in their exhaustion, they took the mark and worshipped the image. They gained another year of life, but now were subject to the horrible judgments God was bringing upon the world. They had escaped many of these previously, because they had trusted in Christ.
Consider these few examples. In the beginning of the Tribulation, there were earthquakes occasionally in various places.
At the time Jesus returned, after the Tribulation of those days, the greatest earthquake ever came to pass. The cities of the nations fell. The mountains were no longer found.
Near the beginning of the Tribulation, one-third of the creatures in the sea that had life—died.
Near the end of the Tribulation, every living soul in the sea died.
Near the beginning of the Tribulation, one-fourth of humanity died from the effects of war.
Near the end of the Tribulation, one-third of the world's population died.
And then, at the time of Armageddon, nearly all life on earth was killed.
Sin also continued to increase.
The spread of diseases got worse. There were diseases for which there was no cure. They kept spreading. This was one of the signs of the return of Christ.
New drugs were introduced, but then some diseases developed an immunity to them. Sexual diseases kept increasing. As multiple sex partners kept increasing, these spread more. There arose epidemics in various places, which were hard to control, as some people traveled all over the world.
Persecution against the followers of Jesus in the first part of the Tribulation was bad. Many were killed.
Those that followed Christ in the second part, that would not worship the image were ALL killed, if they were found.
The severity and intensity of many things, from the beginning of the Tribulation to the end, kept increasing.
(Birth Pangs—The Bible Had Forewarned The World)
NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. THERE WILL BE FAMINES AND EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES. ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS-Mt 24:7,8.
It was written, AND THEY SHALL BE AFRAID: PANGS AND SORROWS SHALL TAKE HOLD OF THEM; THEY SHALL BE IN PAIN AS A WOMAN THAT TRAVAILETH: …BEHOLD, THE DAY OF THE LORD COMETH, CRUEL BOTH WITH WRATH AND FIERCE ANGER, TO LAY THE LAND DESOLATE: AND HE SHALL DESTROY THE SINNERS THEREOF OUT OF IT-Isa 13:8,9.
…FOR PANGS HAVE TAKEN THEE AS A WOMAN IN TRAVAIL. BE IN PAIN, AND LABOR TO BRING FORTH, O DAUGHTER OF ZION, LIKE A WOMAN IN TRAVAIL-Mic 4:8-10.
As Time Progressed During the Tribulation:
Hatred between people was intense. Hatred existed between nations.
Wars and rumors of wars in various places were a way of life.
Christ is love, but the Antichrist was hate personified.
Wild beasts were also hungry. They attacked people.
There were great signs, fearful sights and wonders that were taking place in the heavens, but they were mostly ignored. There were also signs in the earth beneath and pillars of smoke.
There were signs in the sun, in the moon, in the stars, and in the heavens.
There were signs in the earth—blood and fire and smoke.
Tidal waves (or tsunamis) grew worse and worse. Earthquakes in the oceans were the reason for some.
All of these were signs that came before the Battle of Armageddon and the return of Jesus Christ.
The signs were of such a magnitude, that they did not go unnoticed, but they were mostly not understood. God was telling the world His return was drawing near.
There was a sign many years ago most did not consider. It was a very slight change in the location of magnetic north. It was a sign of things that would come; but few recognized or understood, because such things as this had also happened previously.
The Antichrist continued his proud and arrogant words.
His total and relentless hatred against the God of heaven was without measure.
As God’s judgments came upon the earth for sin, the Antichrist’s verbal attacks against Christ continued.
Everything possible was done to destroy Moses and Elijah, but nothing worked. Many had died trying.
The Antichrist spoke great words against the Most High.
He spoke great blasphemies.
He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.
He blasphemed God’s tabernacle.
He spoke things never before heard about the God of all gods.
He exalted himself above every god.
He proclaimed himself to be the God of all gods.
He honored Satan with gold and silver, with precious stones, costly gifts, and pleasant things.
He honored and acknowledged Satan and increased his glory.
He made war with the saints and prevailed against them. He wore them out and overcame them. The saints were given into his hand for the last 3 ½ years.
He blasphemed the saints that dwelt on the earth.
He spoke against those that were in heaven.
He successfully destroyed the holy people.
He divided the land for gain, and distributed the land for a price.
He was successful until the Tribulation was finished, as the God in heaven had determined.
His armies diligently searched for any following Christ, and those that had escaped taking the mark and worshipping the image.
As said previously, he sought to change the times and the laws.
He caused the things of darkness, witchcraft, and other such evil to prosper.
The Antichrist (as a shepherd) did not visit those that were cut off. He did not heal that which was broken. He did not feed the hungry.
As the Tribulation continued, sin got worse and worse.
The wickedness of man continued to increase.
Ultimately, men, women, and children were so wicked, there were no words to adequately describe it.
Crimes and violence that were even beyond what most people could even imagine took place.
Unimaginable brutality overshadowed the earth.
It became so bad that at the end of the Tribulation—sin had become completely full.
The grapes were fully ripe.
In other words, sin reached its maximum.
It was as the day when the flood came upon the earth.
It was as the days of Lot, when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
Many that once followed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but then worshipped the image for fear, were among the most wicked.
Some of these people were those whom GOD sent (a) STRONG (or powerful) DELUSION (causing them to go astray), THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE (the) LIE: (The result was) THAT THEY ALL MIGHT BE DAMNED (or condemned) WHO BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, BUT HAD PLEASURE (or delighted) IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (or wickedness).
They chose to do their own will and refused to let Jesus reign over them.
THEY RECEIVED NOT (or refused) THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, which was God's Word (that could have saved them).
Many that considered themselves a Christian, but were not raptured, became the same people the Scriptures referred to during the Tribulation.
It was written, regarding the time of the Tribulation, NEITHER REPENTED THEY OF THEIR MURDERS, NOR OF THEIR SORCERIES (which includes drugs),
NOR OF THEIR FORNICATION, NOR OF THEIR THEFTS-Rev 9:21.
AS...IN THE DAYS OF LOT...THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY...THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28,30.
It shall be EVEN AS SODOM AND GOMORRHA. They gave THEMSELVES OVER TO FORNICATION-Jude 7.
They will DECLARE (or parade) THEIR SIN AS SODOM, THEY HIDE IT NOT-Isa 3:9.
The earth was filled with violence-ref Gen 6:11; Mt 24:37; Lk 21:26.
THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN (was) GREAT IN THE EARTH-Gen 6:5.
There became a complete famine of hearing the Word of God. Jesus had said, WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH? Faith only comes from God’s Word. With the lack of God’s Word, came a lack of faith.
As birth pains of a woman, the famine of hearing God’s Word grew. The 144,000 proclaimed God’s Word during the first part of the Tribulation, but, for fear, many spoke God’s Word very little. The elimination of Bibles and anything containing God’s Word was paramount on Satan’s agenda.
During the second part of the Tribulation, the famine of hearing the Word of God grew even more.
People could go from sea to sea seeking God's Word and would not find it. It was becoming a day when no man could work the works of God, except Moses and Elijah.
It was written, BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD GOD, THAT I WILL SEND A FAMINE IN THE LAND, NOT A FAMINE OF BREAD, NOR A THIRST FOR WATER, BUT OF HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD: AND THEY SHALL WANDER FROM SEA TO SEA, AND FROM THE NORTH EVEN TO THE EAST, THEY SHALL RUN TO AND FRO TO SEEK THE WORD OF THE LORD, AND SHALL NOT FIND IT. IN THAT DAY SHALL THE FAIR VIRGINS AND YOUNG MEN FAINT FOR THIRST-Amos 8:11-13.
Jesus had said, I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME, WHILE IT IS DAY: THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK-Jn 9:4.
The day was coming when Moses and Elijah would be killed at the end of the Tribulation. The complete famine of hearing God’s Word had arrived.
How foolish the people of the earth were in the last church age before the Rapture. Even then, there was a famine of the Word, but few noticed it. People were so busy with everything, from their handheld devices to their daily routines, there was little time for Bible reading. And, at best, some might get a few chapters in here or there. But then, what little word a person did get was trodden down and stamped on with the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of all sorts of things, and the pleasures of this life. And then the Rapture came, and so few were taken, it was almost like no Rapture had even occurred. Then multitudes of people were scared and astonished that they had been left behind. And there was good reason to be scared and astonished, for the Tribulation was at hand and World War 3 was near, and many that were left behind would soon be killed.
Throughout the Tribulation, there were wars and rumors of wars.
There were wars in households between parents and children.
There were wars between governments.
There were wars between nations.
There was the great war, when Russia and the United States destroyed each other, and 1 in every 4 people on the earth died.
There was the great war, when the Kings of the East marched to Israel, and 1 in every 3 people on the earth died. This happened in the last year of the Tribulation.
Then there was the Battle of Armageddon, when Jesus Christ returned. At the end of that, there were so few people left alive, a child could write (or count) them.
The Bible had foretold that these things would be as birth pangs. Despite there being thousands of prophecies that could be checked and proven to be true, the Bible was not believed or followed by most people.
Throughout history, foolish people whose hearts were hard believed thoughts that came into their mind that were contrary to God’s Word. These thoughts told them that the Bible was not true. Their hearts had no interest in even opening up a Bible. Quite the opposite, they despised hearing even a few words of the Word of God. It would irritate them. It just couldn’t begin to grow in them, like seed that falls upon rocks.
They never understood that Satan had been created by God and he had been given enormous power to put thoughts against God into their mind. Then, depending on what kind of a heart they had, they would either reject the words of the Bible, or they would believe the words of God.
Most people never understood that God would try to speak to them through His Word, His people, through circumstances He set up, and through thoughts of things that were in harmony with the Word of God.
They never understood that Satan was almost constantly speaking to them through ungodly people, through circumstances he set up, through circumstances and thoughts that were half-truths and pure lies. Satan also used so-called “what if” thoughts. The world was ignorant of the devices that Satan used. The people of the world, from Adam and Eve to all people since then, were tested.
If their heart was a good heart, or good and honest heart—they would gravitate toward the good and right thoughts of God. But if their heart was a wayside heart, a dishonest heart, a thorny heart, a stony heart, or one of several other hearts—they would gravitate toward the wrong thoughts that were contrary to the Holy Word of God.
The Bible was never wrong, no not even once; but few people ever believed this.
Life was a test for people throughout history. At the end of that test, a person would either go to be with God, or they would perish to a place called hell—a waiting place of torment, awaiting the final Judgment (called the Great White Throne Judgment). Then they would be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
The bottom line was, throughout history, only a few people went to heaven. Most or many (that is to say, nearly all) went to hell.
The people living during the Millennium will be tested after Satan is freed from the bottomless pit, which shall be after the Millennium has ended.
Not only was hunger a problem throughout the world, it was a problem for the wild animals. In various places, animals attacked and killed people.
As there was much hatred among the world’s people, with murders and all sorts of crime being out of control, so the animals or wild beasts also killed many. As the Tribulation reached its final hours, this also was as birth pangs of a woman.
During the second part of the Tribulation, the living conditions continued to be very difficult.
The two witnesses of God brought many plagues upon the earth, making conditions worse. None were able to hinder any of the things they did. None were able, in any way, to stop the words they had spoken from coming to pass, which were of the God of heaven. God’s judgments continued to come.
As already said, there were food shortages in many places.
Earthquakes in various places continued to intensify.
Despite advances in certain areas, various kinds of diseases and incurable illnesses were on the increase.
Violence, hatred, rioting, abounded with much suffering. It was an age of perilous times, difficult times, terrible times that kept getting worse.
As this broadcast continues, we would like to clarify something that may help our listeners. As we look back at the Tribulation of those days, those few people that still had a Bible might have wondered—what were the three woes? These were described as taking place during the second part of the Tribulation and beyond.
The Scriptures had said in: Rev 8:13-AND I BEHELD, AND HEARD AN ANGEL FLYING THROUGH THE MIDST OF HEAVEN, SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, WOE, WOE, WOE, TO THE INHABITERS OF THE EARTH BY REASON OF THE OTHER VOICES OF THE TRUMPET OF THE THREE ANGELS, WHICH ARE YET TO SOUND!
The 3 woes were the 5th, 6th, and 7th trumpets of the Revelation.
The FIRST WOE was trumpet number five, which was the locusts that tormented people for 5 months, which this broadcast has already covered.
The SECOND WOE was the sixth trumpet, which were the two hundred million troops from the Kings of the East. They came from China and other nations and advanced toward Israel. We called this WW4.
During their advance, one-third more of the world’s population was killed. One-quarter had been killed in WW3. Thus, by the end of the Tribulation, more than half of the world population was dead. The time period for the 4 angels being loosed to slay the third part of men was 371 days and one hour.
The THIRD WOE was the seventh trumpet, which was the Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the third and final woe—the world population had been reduced down to a figure that a child might write (or count) them. Only a few had survived. The culmination of the third woe was the words—“It is finished,” and Jesus Christ reigns.
Even from near the beginning of the Tribulation, the Gospel of the Kingdom was being taught. First by the 144,000 throughout the world, and then by the two witnesses in Jerusalem. It was preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then the end came.
This was the message—that Jesus would return with all of the saints, and every eye would see Him. This was the message—that He would set up a kingdom that would last 1000 years.
This was the message—that Jesus Christ would reign and rule as King of kings and Lord of lords, and the saints that returned with Him would also reign. He would reign from His temple in Jerusalem, and the twelve apostles would rule over the twelve tribes of Israel.
As it turned out:
It was a time such as the world had never seen. It was a time of peace and love.
The world loved the Jews.
The population of the world exploded to huge numbers.
The land surface of the world was vastly changed, because of the Battle of Armageddon.
The curse that had been on the ground since Adam and Eve was removed.
The people that followed Christ through the Tribulation and never took the mark or worshipped the image—these began to repopulate the earth. The population became larger and larger.