I want to make it exceedingly clear that I consider myself neither a prophet nor a son of a prophet in the Old Testament sense. However, I believe that in these times as we see the Tribulation closing in like a tightening vice, all who earnestly “watch” developments –including yours truly– can qualify in some sense, under God’s definition of what constitutes a prophet. Since we are all commanded to “watch”, according to Jesus Himself, we who are believers have the command to be prophets in the sense of forth telling. That is forth telling, not foretelling. We are to observe the times –the issues and events of our times, and then to compare to Bible prophecy to see if there is prophetic relevance as we see the time of fulfillment of Christ’s return approaching. We are then to tell others –to warn others that time of fulfillment is nearing.
Jesus said the following: “And what I say unto one, I say unto all. Watch.” (Mark 13: 37)
In regard to the above lead into this commentary, I say without apology that I believe the following Old Testament Truth applies in some sense to each believer who today sincerely tries to discern these strange times.
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3: 7)
The Lord –because He has Given us His complete Word, the Bible– no longer gives the power to foretell (predict the precise occurrence of an event or something other yet in the future). However, He expects us to be discerning enough through Bible study, prayer and observation of the times to forth tell matters involved in order to forewarn. I’m of the belief that we are being given prophetic indicators as in no other times in modern history.
For example, as we have forth told many times, all of Israel’s Gog-Magog enemies listed in Ezekiel 38 and 39 are now gathered north of God’s chosen nation. The coalition of Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others have coalesced. At some point those nations will, as God has Foretold, rush in storm-like fashion toward Israel.
We have forth told this reality in order to forewarn of where this generation stands on God’s Prophetic Timeline.
In the same sense we have forth told our prayerful, studied, observations that the minions, both human and demonic of Ephesians 6: 12 are at work in these closing moments of the age. Those powers and principalities are so obviously in process of trying to bring Satan’s one-world regime into being that it cannot be missed by the believer who is doing what Christ has commanded –to watch these developments in these troubling times.
Again, I’m neither a prophet nor a son of a prophet (although my Daddy was a pretty wise fellow). But I must be true to the commission I believe the Lord has given us as believers. –To watch with prayerful study and observation developments I discern to be on the prophetic horizon.
This brings us to the title of the commentary: In Antichrist’s Shadow.
The stage-setting is in every direction one looks for the son of perdition to leap onto the end times platform. Many control mechanisms have been carefully and methodically formed and put into position for the rise of the wicked one of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Of course, he cannot appear as long as we, believers, are still on the planet. But like in all things of prophetic import, the long shadows of coming evil darkens these times so near the consummation of human history. Antichrist’s long shadow precedes his coming to power once the Church, indwelt by the Holy Spirit are Called into the air in that glorious instant promised through the Apostle Paul.
One of those long shadows we see each and every day as times get ever darker is the so-called pandemic. The lockdowns, the mandates, the insane rants and raves of those who want imprisonment and even death to come to those who refuse the vaccination demands are red lights of warning. The forth telling prophets –believers who want to alert –to forewarn of the coming man of sin—are duty bound to flash those red lights before a world going down the broad road to destruction scheduled for the Tribulation.
It is with this matter of desiring to forewarn further that I, like many, point to an interesting development on the geopolitical scene.
Emanuel Macron, president of France is a most fascinating character, as we consider these times so near the dénouement of this Age of Grace.
His name means God with us, as many know. It was one of the names Bible prophets said Jesus, Himself, would be called centuries before He came to earth as a baby. This fact alone is sufficiently interesting to make a forth telling believer focus in laser-like fashion. –Or at least it should be so.
This man who will soon assume the presidency of the European Union, as its France’s turn, is thought by some in his orbit to be a genius. –a genius who always manages to get his way. His charm, they claim can and does disarm his enemies with relative ease.
His history, as given by some who apparently have made an in-depth study into his background indicates a more esoteric pathway as he began his rise to power.
One report gives the view that is less than flattering to the young, mercurial, French leader.
Psychiatrist Adriano Sagatori, who says he has studied the biography of the French President, described Mr. Macron as a psychopath who he said would not fight for the French people.
“Like all psychopaths, he believes in his higher purpose. Macron does not love France and will not fight for the French people,” Sagatori said. (Emmanuel Macron labeled ‘psychopath who hates France’ in Russian media | The Independent | The Independent)
My friend Matt Ward, who wrote an in-depth article on the French president, reported that information he gathered presented the following conclusion by the psychiatrist.
Sagatori concludes, ominously, by summing up who he believes Macron really is clinically, in view of his psycho-social profile: “So we are confronted with three paradigms that define a certain type of personality; 1) the idea that there exist no limits; 2) a feeling of omnipotence from childhood, but even more so in adulthood; 3) a narcissism that can accurately be defined as malevolent.” (Emmanuel Macron by Matt Ward, raptureready.com)
All this to say that the coming Antichrist’s shadow is already forecasting truly evil times just ahead.
Will Emmanuel Macron be that beast of Revelation 13? I don’t know. That wicked prince that shall come won’t be revealed this side of the Rapture. But looking at this man gives the believer who is a prayerful, studied, observer reasonable latitude to conclude that while we don’t know, we can’t say that we haven’t a clue.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
WHOA, TERRY ! What an article ! EXCELLENT, just cotton-pickin’ EXCELLENT !
Carol Cole
Sent from my iPad
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I enjoy your articles on prophecy. They are spot on! Thank you for your love of the Word and His soon coming! (Numbers 6:24) May you and your family be blessed by God!
I have believed for many years that everything will be set for the Antichrist to walk onto the scene and assume power with hardly any effort. Every day I am more sure of this.
When I see people in the stores still wearing ridiculous mask that offer no protection, hundreds of cars lined up for Covid tests which are useless when it comes to stopping spread of the disease, millions of people still listening like sheep to CDC’s ever-changing medical advice which, after two years, has proven to be an abject failure, then it doesn’t take much of a stretch to see that this is exactly the kind of mindless behavior that’ll make the A-C’s reign a cakewalk.
More props are being brought to the stage each day and I’m pretty sure that the Antichrist is already waiting in the wings.
I have studied a bit of Mr. Macon’s background. He also went to that school that all the young people who would be leaders in the future. He had many of the traits that I would expect from the AC. Great Article by the way.
Couldn’t agree more Ed. In addition, that profile of Macron is horrifying.
Thanks, Glenn.
When I watch these things, Terry’s often-mentioned “reprobate minds” theme comes to mind all the time. When cut off from God, it really appears that a person’s intellectual abilities rapidly deteriorate, being cut off from the source, God, who created free will in the first place.
It’s just like a car battery ultimately failing if the engine is shut off.
Amen. Blessings.
Macron has been signaled as a contender for some time now. We can only continue to watch . He certainly has some extreme tendencies
You mention Israel being God’s chosen nation, may I ask which passage (any specific verse in scripture will do) you get that from?
God’s Word on His Promises to Israel are like many principles given –they are based on a body of Scripture rather than on just one verse. A couple of such scriptures that let it be known Israel is His chosen are the following. And there are many more…
From Exodus:
19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:35-36
“This is what the Lord says, ‘He who appoints the sun to shine by day, Who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, Who
stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the Lord Almighty is His Name; Only if these ordinances vanish from My sight,’ declares the Lord, ‘will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before Me.'”
But aren’t those verses referring to the Old Covenant which is a conditional covenant that Israel broke? And doesn’t the Bible speak of a New Covenant where His chosen people are not physical Israel but those that are Jews in their heart (both literal Jews and Gentiles) which is spiritual Israel? If the Old covenant that God made through Moses at mount Sinai then how can they still be God’s chosen people?
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. -Hebrews 8:9
Also, I appreciate your response and I hope this isn’t coming off as argumentative, I’m only looking for your reasoning for the statement.
God made certain promises to Israel, which were not dependent on how Israel responded. They were not a bargain e.g.’ if you are good, I will ‘ but simply lt a statement of intention on his part. God is not a liar , that He should change his mind as a man might.. We can trust Him to follow through on His word. If any scripture contains such a statement, it will be fulfilled. It is a promise, which He does not make idly.
I would like to add a further explanation here. If a child’s mother says “I will take you to town” it may be taken that of course it is dependent on the childs behaviour.. If the childs is extremel;y naughty she may change her mind. However, with God that is not so. He knows the end from the beginning, and with His fore-knowledge of everything, having taken all into account, He can speak with a certainty. He is just and perfect in every way. That is why we can trust Him.
Exodus 19:5 was mentioned where it says “IF ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people:” If the Old Testament/covenant was Israel being God’s chosen people then why was it dissolved and a New Testament/covenant made? And who is the new covenant made with since Israel broke the old? Again, I appreciate any feedback. I do understand that a promise was made but I believe that most all scholars/theologians agree that the Old covenant made with Israel was a conditional covenant. Unlike the Noahic Covenant for example was unconditional.
Here are two verses which indicate that Israel remains God’s chosen nation, one from the Old Testament, the second from the New:
Zechariah {12:8} In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David [shall be] as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. {12:9} And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
{12:10} And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son,] and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
In the above, we see that Israel once again turns back toward God. Here we actually see that nation realizing and accepting Jesus and, in so doing, the covenant is renewed. This acceptance of Jesus is reaffirmed in the Revelation passage which follows:
Revelation {1:7} Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
A little earlier in Zechariah, we also have this passage:
Zechariah {8:20} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass,] that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: {8:21} And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. {8:22} Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. {8:23} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass,] that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.
Now, since this has never happened, that means it can only pertain to the future. In fact, Israel has historically been hated by the nations and that is becoming more true every day. Therefore, I think the case can be made is that this shows us what Israel’s role will be in the Millennium and that it will be honored instead of despised.
I believe that both Israel and the church (true believers in Jesus) have each had their own road that ultimately leads them to Jesus which leads them back God. In so doing, the conditions for the old and new covenants are met.
Ed Wood, yours is the first legitimate argument/defense on the topic of Israel still being God’s chosen people. I want to understand all sides and eventually come to the truth. I appreciate your studied answer.
You are welcome, TLT.
Jeremiah 31:35-36, which Terry quoted, also supports the idea that Israel is around to stay, too.
You brought up an interesting point and I’m sure many others who visit here probably had the same questions about Israel, too.
You made me do some interesting homework!
Thanks for that.
When I read the Jeremiah passage, I get the sense that since it was written in OT times, it referred literally to Israel. If this interpretation is correct, then Israel will exist as long as this present universe, and the laws which govern it, does This includes the Earth now and during the Millennium.
After that 1000 years, God will recreate everything into something more magnificent than our capacity to comprehend and the concept of individual nations will likely cease to exist.
Along with this, the physical laws by which this universe operates cannot apply there because there is nothing eternal here. Scientists give the reason for that by a fancy phrase and say that entropy is increasing. That’s too complicated for me so I look at it by observing that everything is “running down.” There is a diminishing amount of usable amount of energy in our universe. Hot things radiate their energy and cool off. Stars are born, live their lives, run out of fuel, and die. So does everything else that lives, including people.
Eternity requires a realm where this is not the case, so that means the rules have to be totally different. A significant result of this “rule change” is that no one will age or die. Sickness, pain, death, all the maladies of this world will likewise no longer be present in an eternity undamaged by sin, which, in my opinion, made a train wreck of the universe we now inhabit.
As good as the Millennium will be, this will be infinitely better.
I wish you a good journey on your continuing Bible study.
No problem! The issue with Jeremiah supporting that view though is it’s a direct reference to the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-34) which involves spiritual Israel (not only literal Jews), but natural Jews and gentiles that are circumcised in heart. (Romans 9-11 covers this.) But I will definitely have to look into zechariah 12 though. My church believes your view of the restoration of physical Israel so I’m trying my best to understand it completely.
I agree with all of that. I guess I’m still stuck on Jeremiah 31:31 though. If the new covenant is for literal Israel then I feel like that opens up many problems. Jesus said “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” -mark 14:24. “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:7 & 29. Also romans 2:28-29. I’ll be the first to admit that maybe I’m just looking at the New Testament/Covenant all wrong but that would mean that believers are not fellow heirs, right? And that it’s not based on faith but heritage?
Maybe the answer is found here:
1 Corinthians {12:13} For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
When anyone accepts Jesus, they become part of that one body. Therefore, if the nation of Israel accepts him, it will become part of it as well. I think this is exactly what will happen at the time Jesus returns to save them from destruction when the 200 million-man army assembled against them is about to do just that. (Zechariah 14:1-3; Revelation 9:14-16; 16:12-16;19:11-16)
After this, they accept Christ and will then fulfill their original mission to the rest of the world as seen in Zechariah 8:23 for the duration of the Millennium.
Anyhow, that’s how I view the situation based on this information and omniscient I certainly am not!
Well I appreciate you giving me your perspective.
You are welcome. It’s been a pleasure!