Martyrs and Miracles 2: Antichrist and the Two Witnesses

"...that you may be faultless and harmless, unblameable children of God in the midst of a warped and distorted generation, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world." (Philippians 2:15)

Previously . . . Katie and Ethan got married. After the Psalm 83 war, Israel got permission to build a new temple on the Temple Mount. After Lilith installed a guillotine in the town square, Katie and Ethan moved up to a high cabin for added security.

Chapter 2 The Great Tribulation Begins

An Alternate Bugout Location

Near Ketchikan, Alaska, February 4th

The bitter winter wind cut through Katie’s parka as she trudged through the snow alongside Ethan, Moses, Rachel, and Juan's family. They were scouting the cove on the backside of the mountain, past Uncle Andy's bugout cabin, to see if it looked like a safe place to hide Moses' boat and set up their fish and crab traps.

As they crested a ridge, Katie caught her breath. Below them lay a secluded cove, a mile long, its waters a deep, dark blue. Not a soul in sight. It was perfect.

"This is it," Moses said, his voice muffled by his scarf. "Hardly anyone ever comes into this area. The boat should be safe down there."

Ethan nodded. "We can camouflage the boat and reposition our traps into this cove. It's a good spot."

Katie felt hope rising in her heart. With the boat hidden, and an untapped fishing area, they might just make it through this.

The next day, Ethan and Moses set out to bring the boat around to the cove while the rest of the group hiked around their mountain to Uncle Andy's old bugout cabin.

During the next few days, as they cached half their supplies and prepared a garden plot for spring planting, Katie couldn't help but feel Andy's presence. His wisdom and faith still guided them.

"What do you think?" Rachel asked, gesturing to a flat spot near the cabin. "A good place for a longhouse?"

Katie nodded. "It's perfect. We can all stay together, and it'll be easier to heat if we need to leave the high cabins."

"Yes, but since you're newlyweds you and Ethan can stay in the bugout cabin."

Hmmm. Good thinking Rachel.

As they worked, their sense of community, of shared purpose, warmed Katie despite the chill in the air. They were in this together, come what may.

Christian Rules of Engagement

February 16th

Katie sat on a log beside Ethan, watching as Moses paced, deep in thought, before their small group.

"We need to establish some rules," Moses began, his deep voice commanding attention. "Rules of engagement for how we'll respond if, or when, we're threatened."

Rachel spoke up, her gentle native accent laced with wisdom and compassion. "We must follow Jesus' words. Love our neighbors, and our enemies. That is the way of his people."

Katie's heart swelled with admiration for Rachel's steadfast faith. She believed the older woman's prophetic insights came directly from the Lord.

Moses said, "Yes, dear. Exactly.”

Moses' deep, authoritative voice commanded their attention as he looked at each of them in turn.

“I propose that, as Christian disciples, we should not raise our hand against the government, no matter how evil it becomes. Jesus said if we take up the sword, we’ll die by the sword. Instead, we're called to be blameless and harmless, children of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world."

Katie felt a surge of both fear and resolve. She believed what Moses and Rachel were saying was true, but the reality of it filled her with dread. Still, she knew that as a Christian, she must be prepared to suffer for her faith, just as millions of other believers had done for millennia, including her Uncle Andy.

Juan shifted uneasily. "But what if they come for our food, our supplies? We're already rationing as it is."

Ethan suggested, "We can store our food and supplies in various locations, to keep from having all our eggs in one basket. Then, if the government seizes one cache, we'll have others to rely on."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Moses continued, "So, please raise your hand if you agree not to fight against the government.”

All raised their hand.

Secondly, I propose that we won't steal, or use force to take what we need from others, no matter how desperate our need. With Rachel's knowledge and skills, and a lot of our hard work, God is providing our needs. Can everyone agree to that?" Moses raised his hand.

All followed him in raising their hand.

Miguel asked, "Many people are getting desperate. What about defending ourselves from criminals or looters?"

Moses paused in thought, then said. "We're lucky that we're so far away, in a difficult location for such people to reach us. But if they do make the effort to come out this far, we need to assess their motives, and if they’re violent, we definitely have the right to protect ourselves and each other. But only as a last resort, in self defense, and only using the amount of force required to stop the threat."

Raphael asked, "What if, like, hungry people come to us asking for food and a place to stay? We barely have enough for ourselves.”

“That’s what I meant when I said we need to assess their motives. We’ll need to—

Raphael’s mother interrupted Moses, saying, "What would Jesus do? Of course we won't turn such people away. But, like Moses said, we're in a remote place. So, if that ever happens, we'd have many things to discuss, both with them and each other, about how to integrate them into our group."

Moses said, “That’s right Catalina.”

Catalina hugged Miguel and Raphael.

Rachel said, "Amen."

As everyone nodded in agreement, Katie felt a mix of fear and faith warring within her. Most people would think these rules are crazy, because they aren't the rules of this world. They're the rules of heaven, for heavenly citizens who live in this world.

The Man of Sin

March 2nd

Katie watched as Ethan and Raphael prepared for another bartering trip into town. Their food stores were running low after the long winter, and these occasional forays had become a lifeline.

"Be careful," she said, hugging Ethan tight. "Don't take any unnecessary risks."

Ethan kissed her softly. "I won't. I promise. We'll be back before you know it, with plenty of supplies."

As they disappeared down the trail from the high cabins, Katie sent up a prayer for their safety. Each trip was a gamble.

Katie hiked around the mountain to the longhouse, where Juan and Miguel labored on its construction. Catalina stirred a pot of fish stew over the fire. The scent of herbs and smoke filled the air, a comforting smell in uncertain times.

Katie joined her, picking up a knife to chop carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. As they worked side by side, Katie felt a sense of peace settle over her.

***

About an hour later, Katie glanced up to see Moses coming down the path from the high cabins. His face looked troubled. He held a shortwave radio in one hand, its static hissing as he drew near.

"What's wrong?" Katie asked, setting down her knife.

Moses inhaled deeply before speaking. "Hussein's been shot."

Katie felt her pulse quicken.

Hussein was a rising leader in the global government. He had a magnetic, but malevolent personality. He could look into your eyes and smile with sincerity as he spouted bald-faced lies. Early in his career he claimed to be a Christ follower, but once in power he consistently favored radical Islamic nations at the expense of Western, Judeo-Christian nations. He publicly mocked godliness and humility. Instead, exalting himself to a godlike status, he trampled on the faith he once claimed to possess.

"What happened?" Catalina asked, her voice trembling.

"Hussein was shot in the head at EU headquarters in Brussels." Moses said, grimly. "They said for anyone else it would've been a mortal wound. But somehow, miraculously, he survived."

Katie felt a chill run down her spine. Could Hussein be the 'man of sin' the apostle Paul warned about? The one who would deceive the world and oppose God himself? That seems to be what Moses is thinking.

"What should we do?" Katie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Moses met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "There’s nothing we need to do right away. Physically, we're already doing what we can. Spiritually, we stay strong in our faith, and trust in the Spirit's leading, no matter what comes out of this."

Seeing their apprehension, Moses added, "Don't worry. If you read the end of the book—our side wins!"

Katie and Catalina both smiled and nodded in agreement.

Moses’ Testimony

March 15th

Miguel burst into Ethan and Katie's cabin, tears streaming down his face. Katie rushed to him, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

"What's wrong, Miguel?"

"They killed him," he sobbed, his words muffled against her shoulder. "They killed Moses."

Ethan gasped.

Katie's mind reeled, trying to process this news. She pulled back, searching Miguel's face. "What happened?"

Through choked sobs, Miguel recounted the events in town. How he and Moses had been caught bartering.

"Somebody musta told the police we was there. We'd only been there 'bout fifteen minutes when we got surrounded by a SWAT team, all in black. Moses stood tall an' calm like."

"They handcuffed us and took us to their headquarters. We had to wait for a couple minutes, but then these big doors opened and we saw Lilith sittin' behind a big desk. I recognized her from TV."

"When they brought us in, she looked at us an' smiled."

“She pointed at Moses and (in her heavy German accent) said, ‘You know the drill. I'll give you one chance to pledge your allegiance to the SDGs.’”

“Moses stood tall and looked her in the eye. He simply said, ‘No.’”

“Lilith’s face transformed from pleasantly smiling into a witch’s cold, hard stare. ‘So be it. You, Moses, will be the first to test our new guillotine. Your death will serve as a lesson to all dissenters.’”

“Then she looked at her guards and nodded, giving them the signal to take us away. I thought they were going to kill me too. I was scared.”

“But, outside, they separated us. Lilith’s assistant took me to a place where I could watch what happened.”

Then Miguel’s voice got trembly. “Moses smiled real confident at me before he bent over and put his own neck on the block. That huge blade fell a second later. Then, his head . . . It was terrible.”

“Ethan asked, “Did they let him say any last words?”

Gathering his composure, Miguel said, “Yes. Before he put his neck on the block, these were his last words to the crowd. He said, ‘This government is the beast system that the Book of Revelation warned us about. God will destroy it and condemn everyone who follows it. Hussein will be the Antichrist. Don't follow him or you will suffer God's wrath and destruction. It’s not too late. Turn back to God and save your souls.’”

“Then he looked at me and smiled before he put his neck on the block thing by himself. Nobody made him do it. That giant knife came down super fast. It was terrible.”

Katie felt a surge of pride amidst the crushing grief. Moses remained true to his convictions until the very end, a martyr for the Lord.

“But how did you escape?” Ethan asked gently.

Miguel wiped his nose. “Lilith must’ve told her assistant to let me go. I think she felt sorry for me because I’m just a kid.”

Katie exchanged a glance with Ethan, a silent understanding passing between them. With Moses gone, they’d need to step up as leaders.

Off-Grid Winter Survival

Over the next days and weeks, they all pulled together to survive.

• Ethan and Juan cut logs and harvested fish, crabs, and an occasional deer. They also constructed the longhouse—per Rachel’s specifications.

• Juan’s sons split cords of firewood and did other odd jobs.

• Rachel, Katie, and Catalina foraged, gathering bull kelp and sugar kelp, clams, mussels, oysters, sea urchins, and crabs. In their gillnet they caught rockfish and cod.

Rachel, despite her grief, proved to be an invaluable asset with her knowledge of foraging and native skills, teaching the others how her and Katie’s ancestors gathered all they needed from nature’s local bounty.

The Antichrist Revealed

April 6th

All seven of them were gathered to watch Hussein's scheduled Passover Feast announcement from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. They were watching it on Juan's battery-powered TV.

Juan joked, “All we need is some popcorn.”

As they waited for Hussein, who was always late, the news anchor and a senior rabbi speculated that Hussein would make an ecumenical Passover speech, with the goal of unifying all faiths into one big, happy family.

But they were in for a huge surprise.

Instead of stepping up to the podium, Hussein walked toward a cameraman and said, “Follow me.”

A second camera also followed them, showing Hussein leading the first cameraman through the ‘Courtyard of the Gentiles,’ straight toward the new Jewish temple’s doorway.

Then, Hussein opened the door and walked into the temple as if he owned it.

Rabbi: “What? What’s he doing? Only purified priests are allowed in God’s temple.”¹

News Anchor: “We’re witnessing an unprecedented event here as Hussein just entered the new Jewish temple. He’s moving deeper into the temple, in what I believe is called the holy place. Sorry about the poor lighting. The only light inside the temple is coming from the seven menorah candlesticks on the left side of the room”

Rabbi: “This is outrageous! He has no right to be there. That area is reserved only for purified priests descended from Aaron. It doesn’t matter if he is a world leader. He’s an unsanctified Gentile. This is a desecration!”

News Anchor: “We’re watching as Hussein approaches what appears to be a curtain that’s hanging down from the ceiling across the far end of the room.”

Rabbi: “No, no, no! He can’t possibly be . . . This is unthinkable!”

News Anchor: “Ladies and gentlemen, Hussein is now pulling back the curtain and . . . yes, he’s stepping into what I’m told is called the Holy of Holies. It’s dark in there.”

The Rabbi stood and rent his garments, grabbing his collar and ripping open his vestments. He shouted, “WHAT?! This is an abomination! The Holy of Holies is the most sacred space in Judaism, the symbolic throne of God on earth! Only the High Priest can enter, and then only once a year on Yom Kippur! This man is committing the gravest sacrilege imaginable!”

News Anchor: “This certainly seems to be a historic moment. Hussein is inside the Holy of Holies, a place never before seen by cameras, until now.”

The Rabbi shouted, “Historic? This is catastrophic! It’s a desecration of the highest order! This man has no fear of God, no respect for our most sacred traditions. This is . . . this is . . . I have no words for the magnitude of this transgression!”

News Anchor: “It’s hard to see in the poor lighting, but Hussein just sat down on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. I’m told this Mercy Seat represents God’s throne within God’s temple.”

Visibly shaking, the Rabbi, said, “This can't be happening. This is beyond sacrilege!”

News Anchor: “Hussein is speaking now. Let's listen . . .”

Hussein looked into the camera and clearly said, “I am God, the Almighty. There is no other.”

His voice, wreaking of arrogance and narcissism, sent chills down Katie's spine.

Ethan said, “If he was God he’d create some lighting for the camera.”

The Rabbi gasped, his face pale. “Blasphemy! Absolute blasphemy! This . . . this is the abomination that causes desolation!”²

Katie felt Ethan's hand tighten around hers as they exchanged a grave look.

News Anchor: “Strong words from Hussein. He seems to be making quite a statement here.”

Trembling with rage and horror, the Rabbi said, “A statement?! This is the ultimate desecration! He declared himself God while sitting on God’s throne! This is exactly what our prophets warned about!”

Hussein said, “Let every sinner who opposes global unity be put to death.”

The Rabbi collapsed into his chair, his hands covering his face. He prayed, “Adonai, forgive us. The destroyer has come. This man . . . this . . . monster is the embodiment of evil. He’s calling for the death of all who oppose him while standing in your holy place! This is . . . this is the end. The Great Tribulation is upon us!”

News Anchor: “Well, that was certainly a powerful moment in history. Hussein's words seem to have had quite an impact on you, Rabbi. Care to elaborate on your reaction?”

The Rabbi looked up, eyes wild with fear and indignation. “Elaborate? What more is there to say? This man has just committed the ultimate act of defiance against the one true God. He set himself up as deity in the Holy of Holies! This is the fulfillment of the prophet Daniel’s words. The little horn of the fourth beast³ just revealed himself. May God have mercy on us all!"

The Two Witnesses

As Hussein strutted out of the temple, with a proud, condescending demeanor, two men, dressed in brown burlap, waited to confront him.

Pointing at Hussein, the first one yelled, "Satan, you slithering snake."

As his words echoed, the second man shouted, "You are cursed, as is your kingdom and everyone who follows you."

They both turned toward and addressed the worldwide audience through the TV camera.

• One said, "If you follow this devil you will be condemned with him."

• The other followed, "Turn back to God. It's not too late."

Hussein's security guards rushed to grab the two men, but just as they tried to seize them the men vanished, leaving the guards grabbing the air.

Wow. What just happened? The TV quickly cut to another scene, obviously trying to dismiss and distract from what everyone in the world just saw.

Katie glanced around at the others gathered in their hidden cabin. Rachel's face was pale, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Juan's family sat in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of fear and determination.

Prophecies were unfolding before their eyes. There was now no doubt concerning who the Antichrist was, and where they were on the end-time timeline.

She glanced around at the somber faces of their small community gathered in the cabin. Rachel clutched her worn Bible, her knuckles white. Juan stared at the floor, his jaw clenched. Miguel's eyes were wide with fear.

Katie and Rachel led them in Bible study and prayer for the next hour, until all their questions were answered and everyone had an inner peace about their situation.

1260 Day Countdown

In the days that followed, they ‘hunkered down,’ becoming reclusive. They stopped venturing into town to barter, relying solely on what they could harvest from the wilderness. It was a dietary change but, thanks to Rachel's knowledge and skills, their new diet sufficiently maintained their health and energy.

Increasingly, Katie felt a gnawing sense of guilt. Are we putting our light under a bushel by hiding away? Shouldn't we be boldly proclaiming the truth, even in the face of persecution?

She voiced her concern to Ethan one evening as they sat on the porch, watching the sun dip below the mountains.

“I feel like we're abandoning the people in town,” she confessed. “What if our testimony could make a difference for someone’s eternal destiny?”

Ethan took her hand, his calloused fingers intertwining with hers. “I wrestle with the same thoughts. I don’t understand why, but I have a peace that we're in God's will for the time being.”

Katie nodded, “Yes, I feel the same way, but I don’t understand it either.”

As if on cue, Buster trotted up the steps and nuzzled Katie’s hand, his warm fur a comforting reminder of God’s provision. She scratched behind his ears, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Katie assumed they were all thinking the same thing—this was the beginning of the end, the great tribulation. The Antichrist and the Two Witnesses just revealed themselves. Now the battle lines were drawn. Now the clock was ticking.

The Bible says the Antichrist's destruction will come when Jesus returns at Armageddon, in 1260 days, or three and one-half years, from this very day. And we'll be with him when he returns.

After dinner the next evening, Katie addressed the group, “Now that we’ve seen the abomination of desolation, we know there’s a deadline of 1260 days from that day until Jesus returns at Armageddon.”

“The good news is, we could be raptured any time between now and then. But until we’re caught up to be with the Lord, we need to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Miguel asked, “What does that mean? What are we doing?”

Ethan answered, “For the time being, the Holy Spirit is leading us to simply stay alive, healthy, and faithful. Remember Rachel's dream? Her dream promised that we’ll have work to do for God’s kingdom in the future. But for now, the Lord is saying to wait. It reminds me of what Jesus told the disciples after his resurrection. He said, ‘Wait in Jerusalem until you’re clothed with power from on high.’”

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Coming next week . . . Rachel’s prophetic dream begins to be fulfilled.

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1. What is God’s Temple? Since Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost, God’s temple is the Body of Christ. (See 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, and Eph 2:21.) In 2 Thess 2:4, which temple does the man of sin sit in, proclaiming himself to be God? Many believe it’ll be a third Jewish temple made of stone, as depicted in this story. But the end-time temple that gets defiled could also (somehow) be the Body of Christ. We need to be open to all possibilities, and watchful for a fulfillment that differs from our expectation.

2. The Abomination of Desolation is prophesied in Daniel 11:31, 12:11, Matthew 24:15, and Mark 13:14.

3. The little horn of the fourth beast is the Antichrist. See Daniel 7:8, 7:11, 7:20-27, and possibly 8:9