Chapter 4:
The Solution

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Chapter 4: The Solution

In the wake of the global conflicts and chaos we explored in our previous chapter, the world will be desperate for answers and stability. As nations rise against nations and the aftermath of widespread destruction unfolds, a deceptive "Solution" emerges, promising to restore order and peace. But this isn't God's answer to humanity's problems. Instead, it's a satanic counterfeit - a one-world system that appears to offer salvation but actually opposes God's plan.

In this chapter, we'll delve into the nature of this alluring yet dangerous "Solution." We'll examine how this system arises as an apparent answer to the devastation of war, and why it's so appealing to a world in crisis. Join me as we uncover the true nature of this counterfeit solution and understand the dangers it poses to those unaware of God's true prophetic timeline.

To briefly recap our journey so far: We've discussed where we are today prophetically - just before the opening of the second seal when peace is taken from the Earth. We've explored the concept of nation rising against nation and the aftermath that follows.

At this point in the prophetic timeline, the Earth will be in shambles. We'll examine how a semblance of order is restored and what this new system entails. Several key events will be occurring simultaneously with the establishment of this new order, and we'll explore these as well. Our goal is to trace this progression up to the brink of the sixth seal, which we'll cover in the next chapter.

Let's delve deeper into the rise of this powerful figure and the establishment of a new world order. This individual becomes the undisputed authority in the minds of most people on Earth. Revelation 13:4 provides a vivid description of the people's reaction to this beast: "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" This verse illustrates the awe and fear inspired by this figure, who has received his power directly from the dragon.

The next verse, Revelation 13:5, gives us a crucial detail about the duration of this beast's reign: "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." This 42-month period, equivalent to 3.5 years, is a recurring timeframe that we'll encounter at least two more times in our study. It's important to note that the word "continue" suggests that the beast had already been on the scene prior to this 42-month period.

After the beast clearly establishes dominance on Earth in the minds of the people, there arises a need to bring about a form of order. This is what we will call "The Solution." Consider what has transpired in the last two seals: peace leaves the Earth, and widespread war and death break out; economic collapse follows; and then a clear champion emerges who inflicts even more damage and death but prevails as the undisputed frontrunner.

At this point, people are desperate for recovery and determined to prevent such catastrophic events from happening again. Therefore, they seek a new order of government. This new order will undoubtedly be presented as a way to address all the infrastructure damage and chaos that has prevailed. It will likely be promoted as a means to prevent peace from being lost again, with a military government, religious system, and economic structure requiring everyone's support to maintain peace and avoid repeating past mistakes.

As you can imagine, with everyone anxious for peace and stability, anyone opposing this new world system will be considered an enemy of humanity. This sets the stage for a great deception and a falling away from true faith.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, we are warned about this very scenario: "Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God."

This passage describes the Antichrist, the beast we've been discussing. The "falling away" refers to individuals who once claimed to believe in the Lord but now abandon their faith, subscribing instead to the beast's system. They do this because they see the consequences of opposing the new order and prefer to follow the ways of man and the dragon rather than the ways of the Lord.

Continuing our examination of this crucial period, we turn to Matthew 24:15-16, which provides further insight into the actions of the beast: "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand). Then let those in Judea flee into the mountains."

This event occurs within the 42-month period we discussed earlier. The beast goes to the holy place and establishes himself as an object of worship. When this happens, those who understand the prophecies are instructed to flee, recognizing that a significant period of tribulation is about to begin. This flight is one of the reasons for the great falling away - people fear losing their possessions and their lives, choosing temporal comfort over everlasting life.

Revelation 12:14 provides a parallel account of this flight: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for three and a half years, from the face of the serpent." The woman in this verse symbolizes the prepared and ready church. It's important to note that while some believers are protected during this time, others will be left behind to face the tribulation, either due to lukewarmness or for other reasons known only to God.

This period of protection for the faithful corresponds exactly with the 42 months of the beast's continued authority. To the church of Philadelphia, we see this promise of protection earlier in Revelation 3:10: "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

In addition to the beast, we encounter two other significant figures during this time: the false prophet and the woman known as the Babylonian harlot. The false prophet is responsible for implementing the mark system or beast system. The woman promotes sexual immorality, materialism, and murder, among other things. She represents the softer, more seductive side of this axis of evil, which includes the dragon, the beast, the false prophet, and herself.

The woman's role is to attract large numbers of people through sexual immorality, which has historically been an incredibly effective tool for gaining followers. She embodies the more liberal aspects of the beast's system. Her focus on sexual immorality, materialism, and murder, along with her blasphemy against God, makes her a powerful ally in deceiving the masses.

Matthew 24:11-12 warns us about this period of deception: "And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." These false prophets, including the main false prophet associated with the beast, may perform great feats and miracles, but their teachings will not align with God's word. People will be deceived because they focus on what they see with their eyes rather than listening to and understanding the word of God.

As this new world order takes shape, those who remain faithful to God's commandments will find themselves in direct opposition to the system. The beast's regime will issue an edict that anyone who does not subscribe to the system will be killed. This means that the Lord's commandments will be trampled upon, and the principles of loving God and loving one's neighbor will no longer prevail. This is why Matthew 24:12 states that "the love of many shall grow cold." People will abandon God's commandments, which are rooted in love, in favor of the beast's system.

Revelation 13:15 describes the dire consequences for those who refuse to worship the image of the beast: "And there was given to it to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might both speak, and might cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed." This verse refers to the actions of the false prophet, who will force people to worship the image of the beast or face death.

The economic aspect of this new system is detailed in Revelation 13:16-17: "And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads, even that not any might buy or sell except those having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name." This mark becomes a requirement for participation in the economy, effectively making those who refuse it targets for death or martyrdom.

Let's examine the role of the woman, or Babylonian harlot, more closely. Revelation 17:3-6 provides a vivid description:

"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."

This symbolic woman (a city, system and a nation) is accused of many atrocious acts against God and His people, with the final accusation being the murder of the saints. It's important to note that she is depicted as riding the beast, indicating a partnership between them. This alliance represents a marriage of military might with a softer, more liberal aspect that attracts people through materialism and sexual immorality.

However, it's crucial to understand that this alliance is not permanent. Later in the same chapter, we learn that this woman is ultimately destroyed by the very power she rode. This serves as a warning to those who might be enticed by the liberal, materialistic, and sexually permissive aspects of this system. The beast, in its ruthless pursuit of power, will eventually turn against its own allies when they are no longer useful.

While these dark forces are at work, God is not silent. He raises up His own witnesses during this time. Revelation 11:3 tells us, "And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These two witnesses are God's prophets, and they prophesy for the same 3.5-year period that the beast has authority.

These witnesses begin their ministry between the fourth and fifth seals. However, Revelation 11 shows that they are not finished until well into the period when God's wrath is being unleashed on the Earth. They are killed and resurrected just before the last of the seven angels sound and the Earth is reaped.

In terms of sequence, these prophets are resurrected just before the rest of the saints are taken by the Lord at the sound of the seventh angel. This is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."

The fifth seal, described in Revelation 6:9-11, gives us a glimpse of the martyrs during this great tribulation:

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been."

This passage indicates that the great tribulation, which began before the fifth seal, continues even after many have already been martyred. These martyrs are told to wait until the rest of their brethren are also killed during this 3.5-year period when the beast has authority, and the mark of the beast is being distributed.

Matthew 24:29 then describes what happens next: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." These cosmic events mark the opening of the sixth seal, which we will explore in more detail in our next chapter.

It's important to understand that the events described in the sixth seal are heavenly events. They relate to what the Lord said about the days being cut short. This takes us beyond our current prophetic timeline and into a realm we will explore more deeply in our next chapter.

As we conclude this chapter, let's address a common misconception about the preaching of the gospel. Many preachers emphasize the importance of the gospel being preached to the whole world before the Lord returns, which is indeed true. Matthew 24:14 states, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

However, some give the impression that this task is entirely dependent on human efforts. While we are certainly called to labor and assist in spreading God's word and love, we must understand that God does not leave the fulfillment of His prophetic timeline solely in human hands.

In fact, Revelation 14:6 reveals that the final proclamation of the gospel will be carried out by a supernatural servant of God: "And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people."

This verse assures us that nothing can prevent the gospel from being preached to all nations. There is nothing that humanity can do to hinder the end from coming - it is God's power and the Lamb's authority to open the seals that will bring about these events. When He opens them, the word of God will prevail.

As we've seen throughout this chapter, the period following the fourth seal is marked by the rise of a powerful, deceptive world system. Yet even in the midst of this darkness, God continues to work, raising up witnesses, protecting a remnant of His people, and ensuring that His gospel reaches every corner of the earth. In our next chapter, we will delve into the cosmic events of the sixth seal and their significance in God's prophetic timeline.