Read Revelation 6:7-8.
The fourth seal is now opened releasing the worst form of judgment yet. The fourth horseman will deliver death with violence, famine, plagues, and by wild animals (can’t help but think of the bird flu or swine flu here). The judgment will be so great as to kill a fourth of the earth’s population. One is tempted to consider only one form that might cause these deaths, but according to the revelation, there will be many forms. It is possible that the world scene will be in such a depressed state that war will increase, food supplies will diminish, and an epidemic will break out without the resources to react quickly enough to contain it. With the world’s population today at nearly 6.8 billion, the loss of life would be around 1.7 billion. The U.S. alone is a mere 306 million. As bad as this time will be, Jesus still refers to this as “only the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8). It is difficult to imagine a worse time coming…
At this time, the world will still be in the first half of the Tribulation period. According to Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:26-27), the Antichrist will have already risen and will have established a covenant with the nation of Israel. This covenant according to Daniel, will mark the beginning of the Tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th week). For Israel, this will mean a restoration of the temple practices (i.e. sacrifices, offerings, etc.) – something that ended with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. With this in mind, it seems the temple would possibly have to be rebuilt some time before the Tribulation period – which has caused some to look for the rebuilding of the temple as one of the signs of the coming Tribulation. In addition, because the covenant with Israel will mark the beginning of the end, the Antichrist must rise prior to the Tribulation. While this may be speculation, it seems clear that there are some events that will anticipate the coming Tribulation. My awareness is rising… how about yours?