Up to the return of Jesus, the Beast (Antichrist) has broadcast an endless stream of deceptions (Revelation 13:5 - 6). His subtle lies and supernatural wonders have led the world to worship him as both god and savior (Matthew 24:15, 2Thessalonians 2:1 - 4). His authority is absolute and no one dares challenge him militarily (Revelation 13:4, 7).
The Antichrist is fully aware that his authoritarian and violent rule over the earth will be interrupted by the return of Jesus (Revelation 12:12). Satan, however, is forever the optimist when it comes to pursuing evil.
The devil has never let his perfect record of defeats, or prophecies guaranteeing his future failures (Revelation 19:20 - 20:3, 7 - 10), stand in his way. He believes he can repel the return of Jesus and maintain his earthly empire.
Gathering an Army
The devil, near the end of his rule, turns his attention to amassing the greatest human military force in history in order to fight Jesus. He believes he can beat the odds and find a weakness in the Lord's return.
There exists, however, a flaw in the devil's plan to defeat Jesus when he returns. His choice of humans to combat spirit beings is, to put it bluntly, crazy! His decision to use human military strength to fight Jesus, which he has never done, is worth a try in his mind.
Release the Demons!
God will aid, surprisingly, Satan's military goals so that humanity witnesses the futility of rejecting him and Jesus Christ. The sixth of the seven last "vial" plagues sent on the earth will dry up the Euphrates River. This will enable the "kings of the east" (Revelation 16:12) to link up with the devil's existing forces.
Three unclean and powerful demonic spirits will then be released by Satan. Their goal is to perform miracles to deceive the masses into defending the earth from an "invading" army led by Jesus (Revelation 16:13 - 14).
Ten "kings" or rulers will also allow the Antichrist to use their military strength in the upcoming battle (Revelation 17:12 - 13). All this military might will eventually gather in the valley of Jezreel near ancient Megiddo (Armageddon, Revelation 16:16).
Two Witnesses Killed
There is one task, however, the Beast must complete before launching his offensive against Jesus. The Two Witnesses, for forty-two months, have been miraculously protected from all harm. Just before the Lord's return, however, their supernatural protection is removed. The Beast immediately goes to war against them and murders them in Jerusalem's streets (Revelation 11:7 - 12).
The world will rejoice at the deaths of the two witnesses who "tormented" them and will leave their bodies unburied for three and one half days. God then resurrects them and has them publically rise to heaven. It is then heralded, by those near God's throne, that Jesus will return to the earth to reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15 - 19).
Raised from the Dead
Others, after the two witnesses are made alive, are resurrected as part of the first resurrection (Revelation 11:18) conducted before Jesus returns. Those brought back to life are all those from Adam who possessed God's Spirit and were obedient to him unto death. After them, the last ones given eternal life are Christians in the "place of safety." They will be instantaneously changed from flesh to immortal spirit (Revelation 11:10 - 12, 1Thessalonians 4:16 - 17, 1Corinthians 15:51 - 53).
The next prophetic event is the wedding supper of the Lamb, which takes place in heaven (Revelation 19:7 - 9). This unique event symbolizes the spiritual union between the bride (the spiritual church of God) and Jesus Christ.
Good versus Evil
After Jesus gathers his spiritual army, composed of saints (Revelation 17:14), he begins his glorious return to the earth (Revelation 19:11 - 16). His Second Coming will save a remnant of humanity who would otherwise perish (Matthew 24:21 - 22).
Satan's immense military will attack Jesus as he nears the planet (Zechariah 14:1 - 3, Revelation 19:19). The devil's forces, however, are no match against God. The Beast and False Prophet will be thoroughly defeated by Jesus (Revelation 17:14). Countless humans will quickly lose their life (Revelation 19:17 - 18, 21).
The carnage of men and machines who dare to fight Jesus will have no equal in human history. The amount of dead flesh generated by man's defeat will be more than enough to feed every bird that feasts on them (Revelation 19:17 - 18, 21). The amount of blood spilled in this last world war will so saturate the ground that large pools of it will form (Revelation 14:17 - 20).
As the forces of righteousness land on the Mount of Olives it splits in two and creates a wide valley (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:10 - 12). Then, both the Beast and False Prophet are destroyed in the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
The Adversary is Caught!
Satan, the evil genius who initiated the great tribulation, is placed in a spiritual prison for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1 - 2). Jesus, upon his return, will fully assert his role as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) to bring God's kingdom to the earth!