The day after the Rapture, Pastor Jentezen Franklin said the world will descend into chaos unlike anything humanity has ever experienced.
In a recent sermon, a continuation of his end-times series, Franklin warned that the return of Jesus Christ will trigger the Great Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist and devastating global judgment.
“The first thing that will happen is the return of Jesus Christ,” Franklin said. “It is the next thing to happen.”
Franklin pointed to 1 Thessalonians 4, saying believers will be “caught away” instantly while the earth enters a dark new era.
“The church will be caught away,” he said. “The people who are truly born again, loving the Lord, serving the Lord, will in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”
‘Great tribulation such as the world has never seen’
Franklin said Scripture makes clear that judgment will follow immediately after the Rapture.
Quoting Revelation and Matthew 24, he warned of “the wrath of the lamb” coming upon the earth after believers are removed.
“And then shall come there shall be great tribulation,” Franklin said, quoting Jesus’ words. “Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time nor ever shall be.”
Order Jonathan Cahn’s New Book, “The Altar of Pergamon” on Amazon.com!
Franklin said the Antichrist will emerge during the confusion and economic collapse that follows the disappearance of millions of people worldwide.
“He will conquer the entire planet,” Franklin said. “He will do it. Who is that? It’s the antichrist.”
He described the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse bringing war, famine and death across the earth, eventually leading to billions of deaths through violence, disease and starvation.
“The Bible actually predicts that 1/4th of the population, billions of people will die from the wars and the famines and the disease,” Franklin said.
One world government and the mark of the beast
Franklin also warned that the Antichrist will establish a one-world system controlling commerce, religion and government.
“He will set up a one currency system because the economies will fail,” Franklin said. “That’s when he will institute the mark of the beast according to the book of revelations.”
He added, “Men cannot buy and sell without the mark of the beast.”
Franklin pointed to growing global tensions involving Israel, Iran, Russia and China as evidence the world is moving toward the prophetic events described in Scripture.
Still, Franklin said believers have hope because God will ultimately deliver His people and establish His kingdom.
“God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” Franklin said.
He closed the message with a warning and an encouragement for Christians to stay spiritually alert.
“Wake up,” Franklin said. “Look up. Jesus is coming. Look up. Your redemption draweth near, even at the door.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
