Apparently this event is going to receive worldwide attention, because every¬one around the world will be transfixed by the images they will see on their televisions, computers, smartphones, and tablet computers, not to mention the amount of traffic on social media outlets. The news media will be over-whelmed trying to describe and analyze the significance of these developments in the Middle East. The Antichrist will want the whole world to see that he has won and that God’s prophets are dead (Revelation 11:9).

Worse still, the world will respond happily, even gleefully. The scene will be like a satanic Christmas celebration, a counterfeit yuletide, as people rejoice over the deaths of God’s messengers (v. 10). Ironically, this is the only rejoicing we’ll see in Revelation until Christians get to heaven. Obviously the preaching of these two prophets will anger most people.

The merriment of sin, however, doesn’t last long. Three and a half days after the two messengers have been killed, they will be raised up (v. 11) and summoned to heaven by a voice. This voice will startle everyone on earth. Fear will grip observers when they see the two prophets ascend to heaven (11:12). Imagine seeing that on YouTube!

The enemies of God will shake with fear because simultaneously the earth will begin to quake. One-tenth of Jerusalem will be destroyed (11:13), and seven thousand people will be killed in the earthquake. The rest of the population of the planet will be terrified.

Ironically, the survivors of these catastrophes will react to the destruction of the earthquake and give “glory to the God of heaven” (11:13). Do these survivors repent and turn to God after these events? Perhaps some will. Maybe some will be saved. Maybe they will acknowledge that in some way this is an act of God. Regardless, as we will see in the chapters ahead, their response does not have a long-term effect in their lives.

In 2012, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn and I had a number of discussions regard¬ing his book The Harbinger, in which he compares the description in Isaiah 9:10 of the aftermath of the Assyrian invasion of the Northern Kingdom and the prophetic signs relating to what America experienced on September 11, 2001. The parallels are stunning and frightening, especially if we do not repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Cahn added that those who attacked the United States are direct descendants of the Assyrians who attacked Israel.

America was committed to God on the day our first president, George Washington, was sworn into office at St. Paul’s Chapel, a small stone church still standing today near Ground Zero of the September 11 attack, but God’s hand of protection was lifted because of our sin, allowing the attack on our soil. More important perhaps is that America’s attitude in 2001 was strikingly similar to Israel’s in 733 BC. Rather than acknowledge our sinfulness, repent and seek God’s favor once again, the predominant theme among our leaders was identical to the eighth-century Israelites who said,

The bricks have fallen down,

But we will rebuild with smooth stones;

The sycamores have been cut down,

But we will replace them with cedars. (Isaiah 9:10)

The arrogance of the Israelites, rather than humble repentance before God, led to their total destruction a few years later. Rabbi Cahn lists nine harbingers, or warnings, of things to come, showing how the details of Isaiah’s prophecy were fulfilled and, astonishingly, how they were replicated by the events immediately after the 9/11 attacks. Ironically, almost to the word, America has repeated Israel’s defiance. The question Rabbi Cahn poses for the United States is, are we to experience a judgment similar to that of Israel in 722 BC when the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and deported the ten tribes, relocating the Israelites across their empire?

Israel failed to follow God’s admonition in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” So far the United States has failed to obey this command, and we are not alone. Most other countries with a large population of God’s people have not followed through on God’s command. We have not repented of our disobedience, rebellion, or the murdering of more than fifty million babies, along with all that God had planned for them and their future children. If Rabbi Cahn is correct, and I believe he is, America is on a collision course with God’s judgment.