The following are some events that appear to be required or likely to occur before the Antichrist is revealed according to the Bible:
A) A revived Roman Empire of sorts will arise. Daniel 7:24a describes "...ten kings who will come from this kingdom" (the Roman Empire is described in Daniel 2:33, Daniel 2:40-43, and Daniel 7:23). Daniel 7:24b goes on to say, "After them (referring to the ten kings just mentioned above) another king will arise (describing the Antichrist), different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings."
Revelation 17:12 describes the same ten kings preceding the Antichrist. Revelation 17:13 NIV further clarifies their purpose, "They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast (aka the Antichrist)."
B) Serious wars, terrorism and natural disasters will occur according to Matthew 24:6-8, termed "...the birth pains" by Jesus. This appears reasonable because the Antichrist will gain wide acceptance, at least for one reason, because he will bring peace and safety according to Daniel 9:27, I Thessalonians 5:3 and Revelation 6:1-2. "Peace and safety" will be clamored for by the people at the time of the Antichrist, so it would seem that it would be lacking up to that point.
C) It would seem that the USA would lose its super power status to the "ten kings" referred to in Daniel 7:24a. This could occur by a foreign invasion, cyber-attack, an EMP attack, nuclear attack, or through an economic catastrophe brought on by excessive debt, among other reasons.
D) Increased wickedness among the people of the earth described in Daniel 8:23 as, "...when rebels have become completely wicked..." and in II Thessalonians 2:10-12 as, "...and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (also see Matthew 24:12).
The malicious hatred of President Donald Trump in 2018 due to his bold stands for America and righteousness; stubbornness in the face of a lack of evidence about alleged Russian collusion; and other petty, malicious attacks against his Cabinet officials shows that "attitude problems" are growing among the people of the earth. On a personal level, I find it difficult to have even a basic conversation with some "attitudinally challenged", arrogant people, often resulting in contention about insignificant matters or being maliciously accused for a misunderstanding, at best! II Timothy 3 describes such End Times' behavior!
E) Accompanying the increased wickedness will be a general global apostasy or rebellion against truth, the Bible, Jesus, and the true church according to Psalm 2:1-6 and II Thessalonians 2:3.
Because these wicked people hate and curse Israel and Christians (Genesis 12:3), the judgment of the Great Tribulation will come upon the world, "...and whoever curses you I will curse." This is currently being evidenced in a global backlash against Israel for their alleged mistreatment of the Palestinians and rampant persecution of Christians around the world.
F) The Bible also says in Joel 2:28-29 NIV that a great revival will occur, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people, your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." It is frankly unclear to me if this will occur before the Antichrist arrives or during the Great Tribulation. It is possible that the great apostasy and great revival could happen simultaneously.
G) Also, technology and travel will increase greatly, according to Daniel 12:4 KJV, "...many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
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