There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:

1. The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
   1. 3 ½ years of a false peace.
   1. 3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles    
2. The time between the end of the 7-years of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
3. The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
4. Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
5. Eternity: one of two places. Both destinations are permanent but neither is a grave.

If what God created was good, according to Genesis 1:4, 1:10, 12, 18, and 25, how did it go bad? (cf. Genesis 1:31). Not only was it good, but some translations say it was VERY GOOD. Let’s not ignore the Serpent in the room. SATAN. Sin did not begin with man. It began with Satan. End Time has as much to do with the history of Satan and his fallen minion angels. Why? This battle between evil and good began with Satan while he still resided in heaven. As true of humans, one of the greatest challenges is wanting something so bad, one is willing to destroy it to keep it out of their hands. This is Satan at work on earth!!!

Satan wanted to be the ruler of Heaven. Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Satan’s initial ambition was to rule the heavens. He had to settle, albeit temporarily, for another of God’s creations, the world itself. Bottom line is this battle is between two powers…God and Satan. Here is a try battle of the only super-natural superpowers: God and Satan. We are living in the time of this battle of good and evil. Yet, the evil one or son of perdition has not yet been revealed. This guy is not Satan. We already know about him. This is the Antichrist who is yet to be revealed.

Lucifer was a creation of God. He is “One of these angelic-like creatures—which is actually called a “cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14,16)—was named ‘Lucifer’ (Isaiah 14:12), and Lucifer wanted to [be glorified] glorify himself instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lucifer wanted to be ‘like the most High’ (Isaiah 14:14): he wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth’”.  He desired the praise that the Lord, the Creator, alone deserved. This creature fell into sin, and was re-named “Satan” (Hebrew for “adversary”): Satan became God’s chief enemy (*Ezekiel 28:11-19)…” (by Shawn Brasseaux; emphasis)

NOTE: Satan is also identified in scripture as the *King of Tyrus in Ezekiel 28:12-17. Keep this in mind as we study End Time. Satan wanted to be LIKE the most High. There is but one God. Satan did not create God; God created him. Satan knows this but his pride drives him to be desired and worshiped by others. After all, Lucifer means the morning bright light.

Here is an issue seldom found in commentaries and not likely to be heard from many if any pulpit. Do oneself a true discipleship practice. Examine in several bible translations of the words found in Ezekiel 28:16…”the merchandise of thy (Satan’s) trading.” This should prick the curiosity of Bible students of what was or may have been going on prior to the creation of earth? Merchandise? Trading? A strong curiosity with all the universes, planets, suns, stars, other galaxies we know of that exist light-years apart. What was Lucifer in charge of while in heaven as a cherub? Consider the impossible. How many years back in eternity did Satan begin existing as a created being? Is the scientific phrase “light-years” a distance also created back in Genesis 1?

 JIV: Other galaxies are not our concern in this commentary, but this end of earth certainly is. Satan was a cherub angel. To find a description of a cherub, go to Ezekiel 10:14. A huge curiosity. Later in ahabiblemoments.com we will have a short commentary series on angels, their roles, their existence, there very being and responsibilities in heaven and on earth.

Continuing in this vein of aha or thought, cntrl/click on Ezekiel 28:19. This means there will be no “forever on earth” for Satan. This is God’s judgement yet to come following the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. Sounds a bit like the ending of End Time. Satan is more than an enemy to be defeated according to Ezekiel 28:19b. Satan will be and is fighting for his very existence. He knows it because God told him it would be his destiny.

JIV NOTE: God created *all things to be glorified by his creation (Revelation 4:11). Since we are created in the image of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we tend to desire being recognized by others for the things we accomplish in life. But… what may be these “things” in life to be credited to us as individuals? (2 Corinthians 5:10).

All things mean just that…all things: man, beast, nature, galaxies, universes.

Satan has a primary responsibility for the end time tribulation because of his challenge to God’s commands to worship God alone. He wants to be an equal to God as is Jesus. Perhaps in a very real way, he wanted to be in the shoes of Jesus. Not as a sacrifice for the sins of the human race, but as an object to be praised, worshiped, and ordained of God and perhaps a god in his own rights.

The one who withholds Satan is removed [2 Thessalonians 2:6–7]. Satan desires nothing less than to destroy God’s chosen people of Israel. Such is the rationale for the multiple invasions and multiple attempts to destroy Jerusalem over history. The tribulation is about the end of earth AND Jacob’s Trouble during this 7-years of history; one that is yet to be written. We find this in Jeremiah 30:7. But In That Day, Satan too will have an ending. A final destiny that puts him out of commission.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

Closing thought: 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,”