SATAN’S MODUS OPERANDI IN THE LAST DAYS - The methods adopted by Satan are largely deception. He plucks the seed of the Word of God away from hardened hearts, sows tares among the wheat, places his emissaries in the branches of Christendom and mixes the leaven of false doctrine in the belief systems of the Church. Satan presents himself as “another Jesus”, “another spirit”, and propagates “another gospel” - Satan knows what his final end will be. Meanwhile, his modus operandi (way of operating) is to act as the enemy of God and all that God created. He will continue thus until he is finally cast into that lake of fire which is especially “prepared for the devil and his angels.” His tactic is to come “as an angel of light” and though his agents “are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ”, they appear as “ministers of righteousness.” Immediately after the true believers in the Lord Jesus are raptured, Satan will continue his work with greater zeal for, at that moment, every human soul on earth will be an unregenerate sinner. Every vestige of restraint will be removed in an instant as the saints rise into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. But Satan will still have a major problem; Israel. If Israel can be deceived then Satan will triumph over God. At this point in history every saved Jew will have departed with the Church and the remaining rulers of Israel will be fertile soil for the seeds of deception.

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Satan’s Modus Operandi in the Last Days

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The methods adopted by Satan are manifold - his activity is largely one of deception. He plucks the seed of the Word of God away from hardened hearts, sows tares among the wheat, places his emissaries in the branches of Christendom and mixes the leaven of false doctrine in the belief systems of the professing Church. Satan presents himself as “another Jesus”, “another spirit”, and propagates “another gospel” to the one preached by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

by John R Ecob DD

Satan knows what his final end will be. Meanwhile, his modus operandi (way of operating) is to act as the enemy of God and all that God created.

He will continue thus until he is finally cast into that lake of fire which is especially “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

In this Church Age

The methods adopted by Satan are manifold.

In this Church age his activity is largely one of deception.

The parables of Matthew chapter 13 spell out how he plucks the seed of the Word of God away from hardened hearts, sows tares among the wheat, places his emissaries in the branches of Christendom and mixes the leaven of false doctrine in the belief systems of the professing Church.

In this age Satan presents himself as “another Jesus”, “another spirit”, and propagates “another gospel” to the one preached by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

His tactic is to come “as an angel of light” and though his agents “are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ”, they appear as “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:3-15).

We see Satan’s work in the ecumenical and interfaith movements today as apostates and cults join with “evangelicals” on ministers’ fraternals while liberal theologians sow corrupt seed in liberal theological colleges where Calvinistic and Charismatic teaching is rarely challenged.

How awful will be the plight of these deceived agents of Satan when they finally stand before Christ exclaiming, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful (miracle) works?” – only to hear the sentence, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

After the Rapture

Immediately after the true believers in the Lord Jesus are raptured, Satan will continue his work with greater zeal for, at that moment, every human soul on earth will be an unregenerate sinner.

Every vestige of restraint will be removed in an instant as the saints rise into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

But Satan will still have a major problem; Israel.

The entire volume of Scripture is saturated with promises of a coming day when Israel will crown Jesus Christ as King and He will reign on the throne of David at Jerusalem.

If Israel can be deceived then Satan will triumph over God.

At this point in history every saved Jew will have departed with the Church and the remaining rulers of Israel will be fertile soil for the seeds of deception.

It will be at this moment that the rider on the white horse, Antichrist, will appear as John saw him with “a bow; and a crown” and he will peacefully “go forth conquering and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2).

The ungodly shepherds of Israel (Ezekiel 34) will fall for Satan’s deception hook line and sinker.

They will welcome the protection of the Roman prince to shield the nation from Islamic hordes that threaten them on every side.

A seven-year covenant will be willingly signed. Like Judah in Isaiah’s day, they will say, “We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we in agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (Isaiah 28:15).

The treaty with Antichrist and the Revived Roman Empire will appear to be a political master stroke and when the “king of the south” (Egypt) invades, the Roman prince will “come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

The combined forces of Israel and Europe will wreak havoc throughout the land of Egypt and Israel will bask in the glory of an outstanding military triumph (Isaiah 19:1-17).

The Firstfruits of Israel

At last Satan will have the ancient “people of God” in his hand but all is not well.

News will come from the four corners of the earth of 144,000 Jewish men who are preaching the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth.

These must be stopped and all who follow them must be put to death.

While Antichrist is contemplating this, news comes from the north and the east of Israel (Daniel 11:44); from Iran, Russia and Turkey; of a massive Islamic army preparing to pour into the land intent on eliminating the entire nation and there is nothing Antichrist can do to stop them.

At first Russia and the Islamists appear successful and the false shepherds of Israel, with two thirds of the Jews in the land, are wiped out (Ezekiel 34:9; Zechariah 13:9).

The remnant of Israel will cry out to God and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Messiah, Saviour and King.

Immediately God shakes the world with a global earthquake and meteorites rain down on the invaders.

In the confusion, Israel’s enemies turn on each other until “every man’s sword shall be against his brother” (Ezekiel 38:21) and five sixths perish (Ezekiel 39:2).

The land of Russia is burned (Ezekiel 39:6).

Meanwhile, Satan’s “man of sin” is watching from the sidelines. He is angry that all the nations acknowledge this to be an act of God (Ezekiel 39:23) and since “all Israel” has turned to Jesus Christ the now Godly nation will no longer succumb to Satan’s deception.

The rebuilt Jewish Temple that unbelieving Jews had operated, is now occupied by redeemed Jews who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

Satan’s plan to deceive Israel is in tatters and there can be only one solution: wipe out the nation of Israel.

“Therefore he shall go forth with great fury, and utterly to make away many” (Daniel 11:44).

War in Heaven

Satan’s plan to seduce Israel has failed and drastic action is now required.

His anger against God becomes a rage and he gathers millions of his angels in a concerted effort to occupy heaven.

“There was war in heaven” (Revelation 12:7) and Michael, the “great prince which for standeth the children of Daniel’s people” (Daniel 12.1), engages Satan and his angels.

The result is never in doubt.

“The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (Israel) which brought forth the man child (Christ)” (Revelation 12:9-13).

War on Earth Against the Lamb

At this stage Satan’s options are running out. He cannot deceive the elect nation of Israel for Jesus said it was not possible (Matthew 24:24).

He has failed to overthrow the throne of God and his activities are now confined to the earth.

Furthermore, if God has His way, there remains only 42 months before the Kingdom of Christ will be established on earth.

The only chance of thwarting the purposes of God is to occupy the throne of God in the Temple and totally eradicate every last Jew.

However, Antichrist’s armies cannot subdue Israel for, ever since the whole nation trusted Christ, the Lord has fought for them.

In fact, the governors of Judah (are) like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf (Zechariah 12:5).

These Godly Jews “devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left” and they reoccupy Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:5-9).

Satan has only one course of action left: it is to mobilize all the nations of the world to finish the task of utterly destroying these Godly Jews.

Three unclean spirits are sent from the Dragon (Satan), Antichrist and his False prophet to deceive the nations and to gather all their armies against Israel (Revelation 16:13).

With 200 million from Asia, surely it will be possible to dispose of every Jew.

Antichrist’s own army from Europe will be there for we read that the ten kings of the Revived Roman Empire “give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:13)

“and these shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The dams in Turkey on the Euphrates River close their floodgates and the river is dried up to allow easy passage for the vast army from the kings of the east (Revelation 16:12).

A multi-pronged attack is planned and Satan’s armies pour into the land from the north where a massive battle rages in the valley of Esdralon near Megiddo (Revelation 16:16).

Another army gathers at Engedi on the western shores of the Dead Sea, and drives up the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Berachah, 2 Chronicles 20:26) toward Jerusalem.

This battle reaches all the way to Jerusalem and is so fierce that the blood flows to the horses bridle (Joel 3:2,12).

Finally, Antichrist’s armies will reach Jerusalem and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city (Zechariah 14:2).

If Satan can win this war he has triumphed and God is defeated.

God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will never be fulfilled unless Israel is preserved and it seems as though the elimination of the Jews has almost been accomplished.

But just when all seems hopeless, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:3-4).

Christ Returns to Rescue His People

At that critical moment the sun and moon are darkened, stars (meteorites) shower the earth and the blackened sky is set ablaze with the glory of God as Jesus Christ appears with all the armies of heaven proclaiming Him King of kings, and Lord of lords. Satan’s reign is finished.

A sword proceeds from the mouth of the Lord Jesus as He descends to the Mount of Olives and the armies of Antichrist are smitten in a moment of time.

Vainly, Antichrist turns his attention to the descending heavenly host but mighty angels appear and both he and his false prophet are slain, given a resurrection body, and cast for ever into the lake of fire.

Satan is powerless to resist the mighty power of the Son of God as John described the scene in that future day.

“John saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (Revelation 20:1-3).

One thousand years of confinement in the bottomless pit in hades with the souls of the unsaved who await the resurrection to damnation, will teach Satan nothing for as soon as he is released he immediately goes out to deceive men and gather the nations against the saints and the holy city of Jerusalem, where Christ is reigning.

Satan’s Final Judgment

No longer can Satan be allowed to continue his efforts to overthrow the throne of God. Fire falls from heaven and the enemies of God are burned.

Mighty angels take the fallen Lucifer and fling him into the lake of fire where “the beast and the false prophet are” (Revelation 20:10).

Many have asked, If Satan knows his end, why does he continue to fight against God?

When Satan sinned, he sinned against God in the full knowledge of God’s presence.

He had been there as a sinless creature and had perfect knowledge of the God of heaven. There is no salvation for those who sin against light.

When men blaspheme the Holy Ghost they sin against light and there is no forgiveness (Matthew 12:32).

Christ did not “take on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16).

Adam was deceived and so Christ took upon Himself the form of man to deliver mankind from the snare of Satan that “through death, He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the Devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

Why Wasn’t Satan Judged Long Ago?

The Almighty God has chosen to use Satan to test mankind.

Mankind has a choice: dwell in Satan’s kingdom under Satan’s rule or choose Christ the Redeemer and dwell in His kingdom.

Have you chosen Christ? Remember that the lake of fire is prepared for Satan and his angels and all who choose sin and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire with him.

At Calvary Jesus purchased your freedom from Satan’s dominion but you must respond.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

John R Ecob
Editor
Herald of Hope Inc.
Mr John Ecob is the second son of the late Pastor Russell Ecob. He was born at Leeton NSW 28/2/33.
John was savingly converted to Jesus Christ under his father's preaching on the 1st August 1948 in the Hurstville Baptist Church. From the very beginning he committed his life to Christ and began preparing for whatever service the Lord should choose.
For many years he was involved in open air preaching, open air Sunday schools, and lay preaching through the Lay Preachers Association in Sydney Australia.
While indentured as an apprentice in engineering drafting, he completed 2 years at the Sydney Bible Night School under the ministry of T.R. Ford BA.
On completion of his apprenticeship he served one year as a student in Evangelist John Ridley's Australian Institute of Evangelism, one year at the NSW Baptist Theological College and one year as pastor of the Balmain Baptist Church.
He returned to engineering studies with the Institution of Structural Engineers UK, and was employed in the design and construction industry as Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Chief Estimator, Design Manager, Marketing Manager, Consultant, and finally concluding his secular career as General Manager of The First Australia/China Consortium which was formed to take the Australian Construction Industry into Mainland China. He has lectured in Marketing Seminars at New South Wales University.
Mr Ecob is conservative in his theology, dispensational-premill.in eschatology, non-charismatic, and Bible centred. His desire is to effectively serve the Lord Jesus Christ till He comes.

https://www.heraldofhope.org.au/satans-modus-operandi-in-the-last-days/

ARMY OF 200 MILLION - Regardless of whether these soldiers are from China or are a combination of Arab country’s armies, we are told in the Book of Revelation they will march towards Israel before the start of the War of Armageddon. This army with their tanks, supplies and men will cross the Euphrates on their way to Israel and Armageddon and their ultimate destruction by Jesus at His Second Coming. While we will not know the timing of this we are told to WATCH. TODAY! Jesus’ Coming is soon! Sitting in captivity for his faith on the Isle of Patmos in approximately 95 A.D., the Apostle John was given the Word directly from the Resurrected Jesus Christ Himself to tell all of us what was coming in the Last Days. This resulted in John writing the Book of Revelation, the most prophetic book of the Bible. This book, again written after Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, is the very last recognized book of the Bible and was written as directed by Jesus. Throughout the entire Bible God ALWAYS warns us of coming judgments. Believers believe what God tells us while unbelievers ridicule and persecute those who do. I don’t think any of us are surprised Jesus gave us a very clear picture of what awaits the world in the Last Days. He did this so we would not be caught unaware. The entire purpose of this blog is to acquaint all with many of the things we have been told will occur in those Last Days so we can be watchful.

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"two hundred thousand thousand"

200 Million Soldiers from the East are NOT going on Vacation to Israel!

"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden alter which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand (200 million): and I heard the number of them.” Revelation 9:13-16

Sitting in captivity for his faith on the Isle of Patmos in approximately 95 A.D., the Apostle John was given the Word directly from the Resurrected Jesus Christ Himself to tell all of us what was coming in the Last Days.

This resulted in John writing the Book of Revelation, the most prophetic book of the Bible.

This book, again written after Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, is the very last recognized book of the Bible and was written as directed by Jesus.

Basically, it is broken into three parts in Revelation 1:19:

“Write the things which thou hast seen…” Chapter 1

“The things which are…” Chapters 2-3

“The things which shall be hereafter…” Chapters 4 through 22

Throughout the entire Bible God ALWAYS warns us of coming judgments.

Believers believe what God tells us while unbelievers ridicule and persecute those who do.

I don’t think any of us are surprised Jesus gave us a very clear picture of what awaits the world in the Last Days.

He did this so we would not be caught unaware.

The entire purpose of this blog is to acquaint all with many of the things we have been told will occur in those Last Days so we can be watchful.

Fulfillment today of so many of these prophecies really does indicate we are seeing many of the things Jesus said we would see in the Last Days!

Can you imagine how this prophecy, made in 95 A.D. when the world’s population was not even 200 million (it is estimated there were 150 million people in 1 A.D.), must have sounded to all who heard it?

How could there be an army 35% larger than the entire population of the world march from the east towards Israel?

To put it in today’s perspective, there are nearly 8 billion people living on the earth today.

If someone told you an army of almost 11 BILLION (8 billion X 135%) from the east are marching towards Israel AND they would also be destroying one third of all mankind, what would you think?

Yeah, me too!

But guess what? In 2011 China boasted they now have an army of 200 million soldiers. Not 100 million! Not 150 million!

They have 200 million EXACTLY as the Bible said they would have! Couple that with their nuclear capabilities and their long desired wish to create a utopian, communist world says TODAY they could fulfill this prophecy which only 50-70 years ago was unthinkable.

Does anyone else see the significance that the Chinese Communist Party took control of China at approximately the SAME time Israel was being formed as a nation (1947)?

Now, to be fair, another possibility could be a Muslim army of 200 million, again coming from the east.

There are valid arguments on both sides. However, today the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) is made up of 51 countries with over 1.3 billion inhabitants yet they only field armies totaling 5 million soldiers.

Let it suffice an army of 200 million soldiers will attack Israel after killing one third of mankind on their way.

I favor China as the culprit since we know Armageddon will initially be considered a “power grab” by the countries of the world not under the control of the anti-christ who will go to fight each other for their ultimate global superiority.

China doesn’t seem like a country willing to give up its status to be part of the anti-christ’s One world government.

When will this happen? I personally find it interesting in Revelation 9:15 above, Jesus said “And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.”

Do you remember what else Jesus said in Matthew 24:36?

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven but my Father only.”

He went on to explain and warn further in Mark 13:32-33:

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, NEITHER THE SON (capitals mine), but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

These two scriptures, along with the opening verse, point to a number of certain facts.

First, 200 million soldiers will be released by the angels of God to march westwards towards Israel and to also destroy one third of mankind in this epic attack.

Secondly, their release has already been preset by God down to “… an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year.”

In God’s Ultimate Plan for us and for the world, we were told 2,000 years ago the EXACT time has already been set!

We don’t know it but God does!

Third, the number of 200 million is NOT a guess!

John wrote that he heard the number directly from Jesus.

This tells me of the significance and we should recognize it will occur when an army of 200 million is ready to go!

Finally, in Jesus’s comments in both the Books of Matthew and Mark, He tells us NO ONE will know the hour and day when this will happen.

Man will not know it. The angels in Heaven won’t know it. Jesus Himself will not even know it.

Only God the Father knows when this will happen! But, we are still warned to “… take heed, WATCH AND PRAY (capitals mine): for ye know not when the time is.”

Jesus further clarifies this message is NOT just for Believers but is intended for ALL:

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37

Regardless of whether these soldiers are from China or are a combination of Arab country’s armies, we are told in the Book of Revelation they will march towards Israel before the start of the War of Armageddon.

In order to get there they will have to cross the Euphrates River, one of the longest rivers in the Middle East.

It begins in eastern Turkey, flows through Syria and Iraq (on Israel’s northern and eastern sides) and eventually empties into the Persian Gulf.

A view of any Middle East map indicates whoever comes from the east going west MUST cross the Euphrates River in order to get to Israel.

God, in His Wisdom, will make it “easy” for them to get there and once and for all put an end to sin in this world and finally defeat the anti-christ.

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” Revelation 14:12

So, whether the river dries up because of a drought, a dam, or some other miraculous happening, this army with their tanks, supplies and men will cross the Euphrates on their way to Israel and Armageddon and their ultimate destruction by Jesus at His Second Coming.

While we will not know the timing of this, as the Bible clearly tells us, we are told to WATCH.

When China, as the only country in world history, claims they can NOW field an army of 200 million soldiers as predicted 2,000 years ago, we should be watchful TODAY!

Jesus’ Coming is soon!

It is these prophecies made thousands of years ago which we are see happening in our lifetimes that gives me a great amount of comfort.

Comfort in knowing my God is Supreme and has an ultimate Plan for the defeat of sin and salvation for those who believe in Jesus.

It is this comfort that continues to encourage me to acquaint as many as possible about the signs of the Last Days and in doing so, to not frighten anyone, but rather to “… therefore comfort one another with these words.”

I sincerely hope you do as well and share these comments with your friends and loved ones.

May God Bless you!

This is My Story
My name is Mike Wigton. I am the creator and author of this Biblical blog. I spent my entire working career in the electrical industry, moving 9 times around the U.S., ultimately becoming the President of one of the largest electrical distributors in the country. But this is not about me or my professional accomplishments.
Rather my intent in creating this upon my retirement was because of my passion for Biblical prophecy and the thousands of conversations I have had over the past 40 years with people that had never heard about the many events foretold to happen to us in the Last Days. My goal is to inform all with things very clearly stated in the Bible; not to frighten but to do as we all are instructed to do and that is to “comfort one another” with these words.
http://comfortoneanother.com/2018/04/24/200-million-from-the-east-are-not-going-to-israel-for-vacation/