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desire for a strong leader who can unify the masses and heal the wounds of conflict. Consequently, a global shock that shakes the foundations of existing paradigms is almost certain to be introduced (or exploited) by Satan to take advantage of this instinct in order to raise up his global leadership in the last days. Second, after the initial shock a powerful plan and a "rational" explanation for the global events will be needed to soothe the fears of the masses and bring order, understanding, and hope for the future out of the existing chaos. Without hope the plan will not be embraced. Without understanding there can be no sense of order or unity, and fear will remain prevalent. In effect, he must shock but reassure at the same time. Third, for any global scheme to take hold the Coming World Leader must have a plan to deal with the malcontents. Finally, because there will be skeptics among the religious and scientific communities, unification behind the Coming World Leader must and will be accompanied by supernatural signs and wonders. Without such signs he would likely be viewed as just another politician. Remarkably, unlike previous would-be world dictators, the Coming World Leader will rise to power primarily by peaceful methods. This is confirmed in the eighth chapter of Daniel: "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to pros-per in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand" (Daniel 8:23-25). The precarious nature of this peace is confirmed by Paul the Apostle in his first letter to the Thessalonians: "For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The peace and safety temporarily accomplished in the first half (3.5 years) of Daniel's 70th week will likely be ushered in by the Coming World Leader after a global disturbance. Although the employment of peace as a part of his plan will certainly reassure the masses and help to quiet the nonconformists, this peace will, however, prove to be false and short-lived. Ultimately, the result of this "peace plan" will be the death and destruction of many. The question we would like to consider is, what kind of catastrophe or global disruption will precede the unification and false peace brought by the Coming World Leader? Of course the number of possible scenarios is endless. Some suggest that a global economic collapse or war in the Middle East will necessitate the Antichrist's arrival. 170 UNIFICATION THROUGH PEACE