I believe they are two separate wars.
When the true messiah returns there will be a new temple built,armageddon will have just happened,the sheep and the goats will have been separated and there will then be a golden age of peace.
If there is a massive war at or around the beginning of the trib the antichrist will claim that that was armageddon,the rapture was actually the separating of the sheep and goats,the peace treaty (covenant of death)between Israel and her enemies will then allow the rebuilding of the temple and the world will now now enter a golden age of peace (read 'new age').
Many will be deceived when when the antichrist points to scripture and tells the world."I" have ended armageddon,"I" have finally brokered peace in the middle east,"I" have separated the sheep and the goats,"I" will now help the Jews build the Ezekial temple and the world will now have peace because of "ME" who else could I be but your messiah?
The whole world will wonder after this person and no surprise,since in many minds he will have just saved the world from the brink of (possibly) nuclear devastation.Anyone who,from then on,pronounces this person to be the very devil himself will not be popular.
Now there's a powerfull deception that,if it were possible,could deceive the very elect.
Mitch, that is an excellent post. What a convenient way for the antichrist to explain the massive disappearance of millions of people. Thank you for your post! Keep up the great work!
ragmop
Important word..NOW...because we see deception operating 24/7 and in full view of the audiance in our nation and world today. We are primed to believe lies and easily misled.
When God permits the grand deception....all will yield to it. A good example is how people still voted for Obama after the facts were presented....the "crowds" roared for him despite the truth...of which people do not want to hear today.
When the "counterfeit" savior comes...they will welcome him.
A very possible scenario! Here is another one a demon pretends to be The Lord Jesus Christ and arrives on a UFO and says he is from another planet. I do not know but, Thank God, God knows