I always taught and thought the anti-Christ would be revealed at the signing of the peace treaty between himself and the leader of Israel. And that the rapture would take place right before. And that the first 3 1/2 years of the anti’s rule would be peaceful, then he would be indwelt by Satan for the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. Where am I going wrong?
The man who confirms the 7 year treaty with Israel won’t be recognized as the anti-Christ at the time, but will be thought of as a great leader and peace maker. I believe this will happen after both the Rapture and the Battle of Ezekiel 38 have taken place. Later, he will be indwelt by Satan and declare Himself to be God. According to 2 Thes 2:4 this is when he officially becomes the anti-Christ and this is when the Great Tribulation begins.
As for the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th Week being a time of peace, at least 1/3 of the world’s population will die during the Seal and Trumpet judgments, both of which take place during the first 3 1/2 years. I think the time of peace that begins Daniel’s 70th week will be brief indeed. Remember Paul’s words from 1 Thes 5:3, “While people are saying, ‘peace and safety’ destruction will come upon them suddenly”. In other words, just as people are believing world peace has finally been achieved, they’ll discover they’re in the early stages of what the Lord has called the worst time of death and destruction the world has ever seen.