Tribulation, Rise and Fall of the Unholy Trinity

The unholy trinity will be made up of Satan, the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire, and the Dictator of Palestine. The two dictators go to battle at Armageddon. Rev. 16:13-14.

“And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:13-14, NASB)

They are utterly defeated by Jesus Christ at Armageddon and are the first to be cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 19:20.

“And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20, NASB)

They will still be there at the end of the Millennium when Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Therefore, we know that the Lake of Fire is eternal punishment and that the soul lives forever. Rev. 20:10.

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, NASB)

Satan

Satan has four names. In Revelation 16:13 and Revelation 12:4, “the dragon” refers to Satan’s tremendous power. In Revelation 12:9, “the serpent of old” refers to Satan. Whenever Satan is referred to as a serpent, it is always referring to the devil’s activities whereby man became a sinner. “The devil” refers to Satan as a slanderer and maligner. The Greek word here for “Satan” is Σατανᾶς (Satanas) and is a transliteration from the Hebrew word שׂטן (śâṭân) meaning adversary, opponent, accuser, or enemy.

“And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;” (Revelation 16:13, NASB)

“And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.” (Revelation 12:4, NASB)

“And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, NASB)

Satan is the basic enemy of the believer and God. Satan is the chief antagonist in the Angelic Conflict. Satan’s original status is found in Ezekiel 28:12-14. Satan is a cherub. Originally he was the defender of divine essence, guarding the throne room of God. He was replaced by four angels.

“"Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. "You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.” (Ezekiel 28:12-14, NASB)

Satan’s first fall is in Ezekiel 28:15.

“"You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.” (Ezekiel 28:15, NASB)

Satan is operative now along with his fallen angels or demons. Satan continues this type of operation until the middle of the Tribulation when we see Satan’s second fall. Ezekiel 28:16; Rev. 12:9.

“"By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.” (Ezekiel 28:16, NASB)

At the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, He binds Satan for the 1,000 years of the Millennium during the time of perfect environment on earth. Rev. 20:1-3.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.” (Revelation 20:1-3, NASB)

Satan is released at the end of the 1,000 years and causes the Gog and Magog Revolt, which proves that perfect environment is not the answer. Fire comes down from heaven and ends the revolt completely. Rev. 20:7-10.

“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7-10, NASB)

Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennium. This is the final fall of Satan. Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41; Ezekiel 28:18.

“"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41, NASB)

“"By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you.” (Ezekiel 28:18, NASB)

The Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire

Satan, as the ruler of this world, made a bona fide offer to Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:8-10. Christ rejected his offer. Again he will offer the kingdoms of the world - this time to the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire who will accept the offer. His fall is prophesied in Revelation 13:10. His fall will occur in Revelation 19:20. See category on The Two Beasts of the Tribulation.

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"” (Matthew 4:8-10, NASB)

“If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” (Revelation 13:10, NASB)

The Dictator of Palestine

See category on The Two Beasts of the Tribulation.