The Unfolding Of The Great Tribulation

By G. Michael Epping

What if the Resurrection and Rapture did not occur at the beginning of the Great Tribulation? Would Christians lose their faith and follow the wooing of the Antichrist? Or would they return to the Bible to see if the Rapture might still occur at the end of the Tribulation? These are some of the questions that went through the minds of the revival crusaders, as they watched the news about the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Mediterranean Brotherhood of Muslim Nations.

Major shock waves reverberated throughout the Christian Church when no one was raptured and everyone was left behind, as Hans Auntay Khrysto negoti-ated a peace treaty between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations. Faith be-comes a central issue with some people growing stronger, and others falling away to follow the luring of the Antichrist. Those Christians who chose to endure were able to function within society by simply continuing to take the Great Commission into the world, and moving the local church underground during the growing per-secution of the period. However, when the temple is desecrated during the middle of the Tribulation, people are forced to accept or reject the mark of the beast. Christians must flee and seek a place of refuge during the Great Tribulation or face certain execution. The current book is part of a Tribulation Trilogy that includes, ‘Birth Pangs Of The Tribulation,’ ‘Tribulation Rising,” and ‘The Unfolding Of The Great Tribulation.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: G. Michael Epping
• Release date: May 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452409160

G. Michael Epping

Dr. Gary Michael Epping Ph.D. received Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Business Administration, and was a University Professor for twenty-five years. After a radical spiritual transformation in the Brownsville Revival in the mid-1990’s, he has subsequently received both Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology. After ministering for eight years as missionaries in Thailand, the Eppings are now living on a ranch in Montana, where MIchael is a minister, rancher, and writer.

Book preview

TOC

The Unfolding Of The Great Tribulation

By Dr. Gary Michael Epping

Antelope Hill Publications

Smashwords Edition

Copyright: 2012

1st Edition: 2012

2nd Revised Edition: 2016

All rights reserved by Gary Michael Epping

ISBN: 9781452409160

Licensing notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy.

Other books by Dr. G. Michael Epping

*A Revolution From Darkness To Light

*Spiritual Stirrings Of The Awakening

*Pathways Into The Glory & Out Into The World

*Strong Meat For The Spiritually Maturing Christian

*The Great Doctrinal Divide That Separates God’s People

*Daily Readings On The Obedience Of Man & God’s Blessing

*Releasing Great Grace And Great Power

*The Last Days Omission

*Birth Pangs Of The Tribulation (Part 1)

*Tribulation Rising (Part 2)

*Unfolding of the Great Tribulation (Part 3)

Table Of Contents

Title Page

Note From The Author

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Safe in the Bozrah

Chapter 2 - Another New Adventure

Chapter 3 –Fifth Year of Tribulation

Chapter 4 - The FOJ Network

Chapter 5 - Six Years Of Tribulation

Chapter 6 - The Penal Stations

Chapter 7 - The Seventh Year

Chapter 8 - The Day Of The Lord

Chapter 9 – The Return Of Jesus

End

Note From The Author

Dr. Gary Michael Epping Ph.D. received Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Business Administration, and was a University Professor for twenty-five years. During that time, he taught and published several scholarly articles about the business world. After a radical spiritual transformation at a long-running revival in the mid-1990’s, he subsequently received both Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology, in order to prepare himself and his family for spending eight years as missionaries in Thailand. The Epping family returned to America in 2009, and is currently living in Montana, where MIchael is a minister, rancher, and writer. At this time, I want to thank my wife, Diane, for standing with me as I wrote this trilogy on the Tribulation. I also want to thank Fiona Higgins, a missionary in Thailand, for editing all three of the books in the series.

Introduction

There have been other popular books written about what the book of Revelation calls the tribulation. In the ‘Left Behind’ series, the saints are caught up in the Pre-tribulation Rapture, and the storyline is about the ones that are left behind to face the seven-year Tribulation. ‘The Last Disciple’ has a drastically different take on what is meant by the Tribulation, and portrays that event as having occurred during the time of Nero around 70 AD. The present book remains true to a literal interpretation of both the books of Daniel and Revelation, but has a different twist on the seven year Tribulation.

What if the Resurrection and Rapture did not occur at the beginning of the Great Tribulation? Would Christians lose their faith and follow the wooing of the Antichrist? Or would they return to the Bible to see if the Rapture might still occur at the end of the Tribulation? These are some of the questions that went through the minds of the revival crusaders, as they watched the news about the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Mediterranean Brotherhood of Muslim Nations.

Major shock waves reverberated throughout the Christian Church when no one was raptured and everyone was left behind, as Hans Auntay Khrysto negotiated a peace treaty between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations. Faith becomes a central issue with some people growing stronger, and others falling away to follow the luring of the Antichrist. Those Christians who chose to endure were able to function within society by simply continuing to take the Great Commission into the world, and moving the local church underground during the growing persecution of the period. However, when the temple is desecrated during the middle of the Tribulation, people are forced to accept or reject the mark of the beast. Christians must flee and seek a place of refuge during the Great Tribulation or face certain execution. The current book is part of a Tribulation Trilogy that includes, ‘Birth Pangs Of The Tribulation,’ ‘Tribulation Rising, and ‘The Unfolding Of The Great Tribulation.

Chapter 1 - Safe In The Bozrah

Bright and early, the Revival Crusaders arose to go outside and enjoy the big sky country at Shiloh. Most of the group went horseback riding except for Moe (Abadi) Wright and Will Wesley who went out for a jog. Amanda Seicos, who had become the self appointed chef at Shiloh, stayed in the kitchen to cook. By nine o’clock, everyone was back and ready for a late breakfast of hot coffee, pancakes with blue berry syrup, and crispy bacon. As George Finney sat down at the table, he said, I feel much better, now that we are all safe and secure after the flight from Alabama to Montana. Denny Seicos responded, We did not have any margin for error, or we would have never gotten here. Moe countered, Or we might have not have left from the Ponderosa soon enough, and got caught in the Tsunami that hit soon after the earthquake. Will said, Or our plane that was stored in the hanger could have been destroyed by the earthquake. Denny declared, Of course, if you had not been smart enough to bring the hand pump, we would have ran out of gas, and been left high and dry in Missouri. Susanna Finney remarked, The Lord was on our side, and He would have made a way for us to get here, no matter what obstacle got in our way."

George reiterated, I feel we are exactly where we are supposed to be for the time being. Shiloh is the sheepfold that God provided for our group. Denny commented, And don’t forget that God has created thousands of Bozrahs just like this one around the world for Christians to flee to for protection. Wanda Wesley stated, Hopefully, most Christians know their Bibles well enough to realize that it is time to go underground and seek protection from the Lord. Charles Edward observed, As soon as Hans Auntay Khrysto (also known as the Antichrist), along with his sidekick Mitry A. Proffitt (the False Prophet), went to Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar, all true Christians should know that the Great Tribulation (a name symbolizing the last half of the seven year Tribulation) has started.

George sadly said, The worst thing about the Great Tribulation is not that some of us might get killed because of increased persecution, but rather that the open window for evangelization around the world has been partially shut. Once, the Antichrist starts requiring everyone to receive his mark, people choosing to follow Jesus will have to pay with their lives. Yet, we must continue to preach the gospel at all costs, so that everyone can still have the opportunity to find Jesus, right up until His 2nd Coming. Pete, is the satellite television working? Pete Finney answered, Since the earthquake, I have been checking out all of our electrical devices, and the TV works perfectly. Denny said, Then turn it on and let's see what the Antichrist is up to now. Pete grabbed the remote, and hit the on button.

The anchor in America, Gerald Wallace, had just begun the evening news broadcast. He said, All of the world was stunned last week, when the Secretary General of the United Nations, Hans Khrysto, sacrificed a pig on the Temple altar in front of several rabbis. It is reported that two rabbis dropped dead from shock, as Hans declared himself as god, and the world would now be required to not only worship him, but also take a mark on their hand or forehead to show their allegiance. Several major revolts took place around the world, but were quickly extinguished by UN military forces. First accounts indicated that many protesters were killed, but later reports from the United Nations say that all protesters left unharmed after hearing a special plea for world peace from Hans Khrysto. A UN task force has finished sealing of the remaining gates leading to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and the entire area is officially closed to visitors. Despite the closure, the two Jewish Witnesses continue to preach below the Temple Mount at the Wailing Wall, and crowds continue to be large. Their message has changed to include a warning that Hans Khrysto is not God but the Antichrist, and for people to not accept his mark. Many people in the world have been wondering if too much power has been given to the Secretary General, especially now that he has declared himself as god. There have been reports of citizens around the world calling him such things as, ‘a raving lunatic’ and ‘Hitler reborn.’ One medical organization has said that ‘he is a paranoid schizophrenic, who is suffering from severe delusions of grandeur.’ However, a spokesman for the Followers of Jesus group has said, ‘this is nothing that has not been prophesied for centuries; he is simply the Antichrist who is now trying to bring hell to earth rather than peace.’ As of yet, there has been no official response coming from Hans Khrysto to the news media.

Will exclaimed, I really like the way the two Jewish Witnesses continue to defy the Antichrist and flat out tell the world the truth about him. Hans may be able to control most of the world, but he cannot do anything about this pair that were sent by God to warn the world. They will continue to be a strong voice as circumstances begin to get really tough. George said, I was really happy to see those two show up too. Some theologians have thought that they might appear at the beginning of the Tribulation. Denny responded, They aren’t trying to sweet talk anybody, or holding back any punches. They are going after the Antichrist with full strength, and anyone else that does not know Jesus. I am sure the Antichrist will attempt to prevent people from visiting the Wailing Wall to listen to them, and will likely try to keep them off of television and the news."

George said, There are only eleven verses in the Bible that talk about the two witnesses, but these men will play an important role during the Great Tribulation. Although the Jewish Temple has now been desecrated and closed, these two men have taken on the role of reminding the Jewish people, as well as unsaved Gentiles, to never accept the mark of the Antichrist. Revelation 11:3-13 says, ‘And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.’

Ron said, Some theologians have said those verses might not refer to individuals, but could be two groups or two concepts. George responded, I believe the mention of two olive trees in this passage is very significant and refers to ROM 11:24. ‘For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?’ I believe one of the men represents the Church, and the other the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who have already accepted Jesus as their Messiah. Like these Two Witnesses, the Church and the Jewish evangelists have been used to proselytize both Israel and the world during the Tribulation.

Charles said, The importance of the Two Witnesses is indicated in other verses also. In ZEC 4, two real people were referred to when speaking of lampstands and olive trees. Also, the Old Testament tells us that two witnesses are required when accusing a person of a sin. In the New Testament, both the Church and Jesus sent disciples out two by two. Ron replied, These guys sure fit the scripture, as they have already used fire against one offender. Even the Antichrist will not be able to stop them till near the end of the Great Tribulation.

Denny said, There is not really anything new on the news today. Most of it is just a rehash of the same old stuff concerning the Antichrist. We should read the book of Revelations and learn more of what is yet to come. George replied, The Bible has long ago given us an outline of what yet to come during the Great Tribulation. However, we need to get the details on the everyday activities of the Antichrist from wherever we can get accurate information; news stations, fellow Christians, friends, or other worthy sources. Denny remarked, The time may be coming when the Antichrist controls the news media and the content of what is reported. It is a good thing that Moe developed the crusader phone and is able to tap into the computer systems of the Antichrist, so that Christians can continue to communicate directly with one another.

____________________

Hans Khrysto and Mitry Proffitt were sitting in a hotel room in Jerusalem. Mitry said, I thought the closing of the Jewish Temple was a good idea. Hans replied, We could have simply taken it over and made it my temple, but that is like using something that is secondhand and tainted. It is better that we begin to use the newly completed Temple in New Babylon that is already a part of the Global Religious Fellowship. Mitry declared, I have already formally announced to the world that you are the one true living god. It is fitting that we begin worship in an entirely new place that is removed from the Jews in Jerusalem. Our workers at New Babylon have already started work on a giant statue of you for the many visitors that will be making a pilgrimage into the area. It will be ready by the time we start giving the mark to people around the world.

Hans said, The backlash from within the Global Religious Fellowship has been significant, but not unexpected. Most leaders from around the world are beginning to come around and accept the idea. If they don’t, then they will have an early date with our friend Guillo. Mitry answered, "Now that you mentioned it, what is the situation with the distribution of microchips, insertion machines, tattoo marking equipment, guillotines, and staff to carry out the markings and killings?

Hans said, All of the necessary supplies are already in en route to key locations around the world. Staff necessary to administer the mark, as well as workers to handle those that refuse the mark have already been hired, and will begin work early next week. Also, I have introduced a new UN resolution to the security council of the United Nations that will require the whole world to recognize me as god, and for them to receive my mark and the microchip. The consequence for refusing is confinement in a local jail for two weeks so that they might reconsider. At the end of that time, everyone that will not receive the mark will have their head cut off at the guillotine. This Resolution will be passed tomorrow with ratification in the General Assembly by the end of the week. We will give the world a grace period of a couple of weeks to think about whether to comply or not. This will also give us time to prepare our sites around the world to become fully operational.

____________________

Eli Janowitz was sad that Charles was not in Jerusalem when the Antichrist desecrated the Temple. However, he was in daily contact with Abbie Bernstein, who he had promised to watch over while Charles was in America. With the damage from the earthquake and the new Resolutions passed by the United Nation concerning the mark of the Antichrist, Eli could not be certain when, if ever, Charles would be able to return. Abbie would help oversee the western network, while Eli would continue as both the leader of the Messianic Jews in Jerusalem and President of the Bible School. It was certain that both the Gentile and Jewish Christians were going to need the protection of God to escape the persecute of the Antichrist as well as the trials coming from the seven trumpets and seven bowls. While God had created sheepfolds in the rest of the world and in other parts of Israel for the protection of Christians, nothing yet had happened in the city of Jerusalem.

These were the issues that Eli was pondering as he called Abbie, Why has God not provided a place for the Messianic Jews and Christians here in Jerusalem? Abbie replied, I don’t know, as He has make provisions everywhere else in the world for the Followers of Jesus. Maybe, it has something to do with the Two Witnesses that have been preaching near the Wailing Wall. Eli answered, I had not thought about that! Why don't you come over and we can go see what is going on. Abbie said, I will be there in half an hour. To remain inconspicuous, the two took a little traveled route to the plaza area in front of the Wailing Wall.

It was here that the Two Witnesses had been praying, prophesying, and preaching for nearly three weeks. The plaza area is normally quite spacious with many Jews and Christians coming to visit each day. To the right is a ramp where visitors used to enter the temple mount through the Mughrai gate, until it was closed off recently by the Antichrist. The Wailing Wall area is separated from the Western Wall Plaza by a small walled partition, and it is here that the Two Witnesses are located. No further attempts have been made by security forces to remove the two men.

As Eli and Abbie came into the plaza area, they were able to slowly make their way over beside the roped in area and could hear one of the Witnesses preaching, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me (JHN 14:6). For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (ROM 6:23). "And this is the record, that God hath given to