The Last Empire

THE LAST CHAPTER

-Of the Greatest Story Ever Told-

D.P. Weary

February 2011

          After several years of studying the prophets and prophecies of the Bible, and now watching the events of the day in the nations of the earth, especially in the Middle East, I have developed a scenario for the days ahead of us. This scenario is an outline for a story or novel, not unlike those of Joel Rosenberg. A good title for this story would be “Apocalypse Now” or “How the World Turns” except these have already been used.

          The story begins with today’s headlines: Tunisia government falls. Egyptian government falls. Sudan votes to divide itself in half, the northern half falling under radical Islamic control. Lebanese government falls. Protests arise in the streets against the government in Jordan. In Azerbaijan there are terrorist threats targeting Americans. Turkey strengthens ties with Iran and forsakes Israel. Political trouble arises in Syria. Iran could have nuclear weapons by 2012. Pakistan doubles its nuclear arsenal. Iran declares an Islamic Middle East Empire is arising.

          What is going on? Radical changes are occurring in the Middle East and Israel finds itself without any friends in the Middle East and very few friends around the world. The U.N. and even the U.S.A. are turning their backs on Israel. My story is all about what is going on. It is a story based on the prophecies of the Bible as I see them. It is a story of the rising of an empire in the Middle East that will be in place at the time that Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom on earth. It is a story about the last chapter of The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Here is the outline of the story:

1. The story begins with revolutions as radical Islamic leaders take control of northern Africa including Libya, Egypt, and northern Sudan.
2. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all come under the control of Islamic fanatics as radical Muslims move to establish an Islamic Middle East.
3. These nations form a loose federation of ten nations under the control of a revived Caliphate. This federation is very similar to the Islamic Empire that overcame Rome in 1453 A.D. Geographically these nations will occupy the same territory, as did the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Macedonian, and old Roman Empires.
4. This confederacy is a loose federation in that the people within these nations are often found fighting and killing each other over a variety of issues. Like iron and clay, they do not mix well together. The commonality that does bind these nations together is Allah, Islamic Sharia law and a hatred of Israel and Jews. All openly declare their desire to wipe Israel off the map and kill all Jews. We note that all of these nations at one time or another were a part of historical empires that invaded and controlled the land of Israel and Jerusalem.
5. From among these ten nations, a leader arises who will galvanize them into an international force. He uses flatteries, intrigues, deception, briberies, terrorism and brute force to become the leader of the federation. He comes from the nations that were once known as the Seleucid Empire. This empire included the eastern part of Turkey, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and the western part of Pakistan.
6. After this leader establishes control of the coalition he orchestrates an attack on Israel. There is much devastation and death, not only in Israel, but also in Damascus, Ammon, Egypt and in other places in the Middle East.  As the forces of these ten nations near Jerusalem, they are defeated and retreat back into their respective nations. The primary reasons for their defeat are unusual weather phenomena, a massive earthquake, and what seem to be supernaturally empowered Israeli military forces.
7. During the earthquake and turmoil, all true believers in Jesus around the world suddenly disappear from the face of the earth. These events occur during the September/October time of year.
8. At this turn of events, the leader of the ten nations negotiates a limited cease fire or treaty. It is an agreement to cease hostilities for seven years. The treaty is signed ten days after the earthquake and the retreat of the ten nation’s forces. This signing occurs on the Day of Atonement in Jerusalem.
9. Part of this treaty allows the religious Jews to begin rebuilding their Temple in Jerusalem. The altar of sacrifice is the first stage of the construction and it is completed in 295 days. The sacrificial system of worship is reinstated at this time. The Temple itself is not completed for another 965 days.
10. During the 31/2 years following the signing of the treaty there are a series of world wide natural disasters including meteor strikes, volcanoes, earthquakes and unusual storms. There is much devastation and hardship throughout the entire world. Also during these 31/2 years, a large group of Messianic Jews who are dedicated to serve Jesus and who are great evangelists begin proclaiming the Christian Gospel, leading many to know Jesus.
11. Oppressive activity including terrorism, intimidation, military force and economic power is used to drive the other nations of the earth to come under the control of the leader of the ten-nation confederacy and under Sharia Law. This stirs up great resistance in many parts of the world, especially in the Far East.  Because of this, towards the end of these 3½ years a large military force from the Far East attacks the ten-nation federation now headquartered in Israel. There is great destruction and bloodshed during the ensuing battles. But in the end the Far Eastern armies are repelled. But, after several years they will try again.
12. At the defeat of this great army the leader of the federation becomes known as invincible and undefeatable, even supernaturally empowered. With this fame and his classic narcissistic nature, 1230 days after he negotiates the peace treaty, he stands in the Holy of Holies in the recently completed Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be God.
13. During the next 30 days, another leader arises who is a religious figure and a great supporter of the leader of the ten-nation federation. This man places a statue of the first leader in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. He demands that everyone worship this leader and take a mark on their hand or forehead identifying them as worshippers of the leader. Without this mark people are unable to buy and sell in the marketplace.
14. As a result of this desecration of the Temple, the Jews now know that this great leader has deceived them. At Passover, 1260 days after the signing of the peace treaty this leader formally breaks the treaty. As the now infamous leader stands in the Temple during the Feast of Passover, someone who has the ability to get physically close him strikes him on the neck or head with a dagger, apparently killing him.
15. What happens next astounds the world. Three days after being stabbed, he apparently comes back to life. At this point he turns his fury upon the Jews and begins a relentless and vicious persecution of all Jews and in fact, on all who will not worship him. Incarnate Evil now enters the world.
16. During the next 31/2 years there are a series of great natural disasters and plagues. There is great pollution of the waters of the earth. Diseases and cancerous sores are epidemic. Even the atmosphere is changed such that the sun’s rays scorch human flesh. For the Jews and Israel it is a time of trouble as has never been before.
17. During these 31/2 years many killed for their faith in God and Jesus and their unwillingness to worship the evil leader of the ten-nation federation.
18. Also during this time two unusual men there appear in Jerusalem. They are voices for God during these times. They have unusual powers to control weather, cause plagues, and pollute the waters of the earth. The leader and his forces are not able to kill or stop them from their works or their prophesying.    
19. Near the end of these second 31/2 years a rebellion arises in North Africa. The forces of the federation are sent to quell the rebellion. But before they are successful, intelligence reveals that a large military force from the Far East is once again approaching Israel over a dried up Euphrates River. Then another military force is detected approaching from the far north. The federation forces retreat back to Israel to deal with these approaching armies and as they do, the forces from Egypt and North Africa pursue them. The final clash between the forces from the north, east, and south and the 10-nation federation begins 10 days before the Day of Atonement.
20. Three days before this Day of Atonement, forces of the leader of the federation are finally able to kill the two men who have been tormenting them for the past 31/2 years.
21. The carnage from the battles going on in Israel is very great, so much so that it colors the waters in Israel red with blood. As the battles in Israel rage, they turn nuclear and the devastation spreads to other parts of the world.
22. Then, on the Day of Atonement, exactly seven years after the aborted peace treaty was signed, as the whole world is about to self-destruct, first the two special witness are resurrected in Jerusalem before the eyes of the world. Then the King of kings (Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Messiah) comes streaking into the battles from the sky with His holy angels and His saints, (His Bride, the true church) with Him.
23. The battles end on the Day of Atonement in the Jezreel Valley with a word from the Lord. The leader of the last empire (the 10-nation federation) and his associates are then destroyed along with all the enemies of God.
24. Five days later there is a great celebration in Jerusalem. It is a wedding banquet for the Lord Jesus and His Bride, the true church.
25. By 75 days after the Lord’s return, the Temple has been cleansed, purified and set right for the resumption of Temple worship. Temple worship begins with a great celebration during the Feast of Hanukkah in December.
26. The story ends as Jesus establishes His Throne in Jerusalem and with His Bride at His side begins a 1000-year rule on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.