Free The God Machine by J. G. SANDOM Page A

will be part of the End-Times. There is much speculation about this future world leader. Some believe that he's living today. Regardless of his origins, when he arrives on the scene, he'll make a huge impact, on an international scale. Daniel says of the Antichrist that ‘he shall confirm a covenant with many’ Israel will be one of the many nations that participate in this covenant, portrayed as a peace treaty. They'll be fooled into making a deal with the Antichrist. As a result of the security that comes out of this treaty, a new world religion will be born—the religion of the Mystery Babylon—and the Antichrist will begin his ascension to power. He will leverage this new world religion, benefiting from the network of connections andthe economic prosperity it engenders. And behind the scenes he'll be building his resources and amassing his forces, making the kind of backroom agreements and side deals that will eventually propel him to power.
    “Once the Antichrist has set into place this religion, he will begin the mass murder of Christians and Jews. He will entice the world's nations with false signs and prosperity. Ten kings will hand over all governmental authority to the one man amongst them, the Antichrist, who can take over the city of Babylon and its religious and economic resources, and establish the ten-nation empire as the one true international power.
Where is Babylon?”
    Michael pointed behind him and a screen sprang to life. A map of the Middle East came into focus. Babylon was marked with a tiny red star. And above it the name of the nation: Iraq. “That's right,” Michael said. “In Iraq. When Satan comes to Earth, the Antichrist and his allies will destroy the city of Babylon. Worse, the Antichrist will move to establish himself as the one true God, and set up an image of himself in the Holy of Holies. Those willing to join in worshiping him will be given a mark that will enable them to participate in the global economy. Those who refuse to bow down will be brutally murdered. But while this is happening, an even more dramatic event will take place in the throne room of Heaven. God will hand over to Jesus a scroll—the ‘deed’ to the Earth—and this will be so momentous an occasion that the angels around the throne room will break into song. A new song.”
    The auditorium was suddenly filled with a single clear note. A spotlight shone down on a young boy dressed up as an angel. As the spotlight expanded, it revealed even more choristers singing. Soon the whole room resounded with a glorious sound, a bright tapestry of synchronous voices.
    “When Jesus opens the scroll, He will break seven seals, thereby paving the way for His eventual return to the Earth.” A huge hand appeared on the screen in the center, holding a cream-colored scroll. “As the first seal is broken, the Antichrist will demand that all people revere him as God.” A mighty roar, like a thunderclap, unrolled through the chamber. Images flashed on the two outside screens. Great crowds of people surrounded an idol that moved. The image started to bubble and burn, as if the film had slipped from its sprockets and jammed the projector. The scene burned and curled up, revealing depictions of warfare beneath.
    “This enforcement will at first be quite bloodless, but will soon become a full-scale international war. When Jesus breaks the second seal, the false peace on Earth will be shattered.” Another thunderclap echoed. “When Jesus breaks the third seal, the world war waged by the Antichrist will lead to a famine of global proportions.” The screens displayed endless lines of humanity, waiting for handouts at soup kitchens, roaming the highways. More thunder roared. “When Jesus breaks the fourth seal, one quarter of all the people of the Earth will die by the sword, from hunger or disease or wild animals. When Jesus breaks the fifth seal, those martyring the saints will experience their due torment and death,” Michael