S C I E N C E

Islam Strikes U.S. With Anthrax

By John Roberts, October 18, 2001

What is the significance and relevance of this story to last days prophecy?

Pestilence is "a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating." The anthrax attacks against the United States are a horrific act of terror but I would not consider this pestilence.

America is good and Islam is evil so I do not believe this is an act of God to punish America. However, I believe it is a sign of what is going to come during the tribulation of the last days.

In the last days God will pour out His wrath upon Islam and all ungodly people around the world. God will use war, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts to punish the ungodly.

A window into this event can be seen in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 14:21-22

  21     For thus says the Lord GOD: "How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem-- the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence-- to cut off man and beast from it?
  22     "Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, indeed all that I have brought upon it.

God will bring these same four judgements upon Mystery Babylon, the false religious system of the Antichrist and False Prophet in the last days:

"Therefore her plagues will come in one day-- death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her." Revelation 18:8

"Death" is frequently used figuratively in scripture, in this case to represent pestilence. I am told that over 20,000 Americans die every year from influenza. The current anthrax attacks are very disruptive but not a fulfillment of prophecy.

During the tribulation period God is going to send pestilence upon those who join with the False Prophet and worship the Beast. According to the book of Revelation this pestilence will kill millions.

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