“First of all, you must understand that In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4) They will say, ‘Where is the coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ “ .. 2 Peter 3:3-4 ….
Sound familiar? .. Most everyone that has ever had a conversation about Bible prophecy has experienced this attitude to a certain degree .. The following is a general narrative based upon conversations I have had with those last-day doubters, better known as ‘scoffers’ in the Bible, that’s taken place over the past several years .. Here goes …
Scoffer: “Red, I know you read, study & teach this Bible prophecy stuff, but let’s be honest with each other, it has ALWAYS been this way! .. So why do you think it’s different now in these times?”
Red: “I’m glad you asked .. Allow me to share with you just a few examples of just how different it is now compared to past times .. Let’s start with Israel, which is God’s time-clock concerning our Lord’s return .. If you’ve studied the history of the Jewish people, you know that they were dispersed throughout the world in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed their temple & any semblance of their being a nation .. But please remember that God told us this would happen, but that they would return to their land & again become a nation just prior to our Lord’s return. .. Think about this for a minute! .. No nation in the history of mankind has ever existed, then not existed, & then once again existed! .. But guess what? .. That happened on May 14th, 1948 when Israel was once again recognized as a sovereign nation! .. And then God tells us in Matthew that when this takes place, not one generation will pass before the Lord returns to the Earth in victory! .. (Also see Jeremiah 23:7-8 & Isaiah 11:11-12 = Restoration) .. In addition, scripture tells us that the Jews will also once again possess Jerusalem, God’s Holy city. .. That happened in 1967! (see Luke 21:24-28) .. And one more! .. It was prophesied that in these final days Israel would be surrounded by its enemies (Psalm 83:4-12, Ezekiel 11:14-17 & 35:10) & would also have a great army (Ezekiel 37:10, Zechariah 12:6,8) .. Think about this! .. These prophesies were written some 2500 years ago! .. And here we are! .. There’s more on the Jewish people but you get the idea.”
Scoffer: “That is surprising .. Guess I will have to check it out for myself .. But Red, that is just one thing & could certainly be just a coincidence, don’t you think?”
Red: .. You will probably be not so happy you asked, because I could go on for hours about the absolute proof in the Bible telling us that these ARE the final days of this age. .. But for you sake, and time, here’s just a couple more .. Jesus tells us in His prophecy teachings in Matthew 24 & Luke 13 that there will be famines & earthquakes, increasing pestilences, wars & rumors of war, & more. .. He then went on to say that these things would increase like ‘birth pains’ growing in intensity & frequency as we draw near to the time of His return .. Question this if you want, but even the secular scientists & community as a whole agree that this is in fact happening .. Earthquakes & volcanoes have increased exponentially in just the past two decades! .. And in just the past 100+ years, we have experienced two world wars plus numerous regional conflicts .. And the rumors? .. Just look at the Psalm 83 & Ezekiel 38-39 prophecies! .. They describe two separate conflicts soon coming, Psalm 83 being the enemies surrounding Israel on all its borders, & then the following is the Gog-Magog alliance of Russia (Magog), Iran (Persia) & Turkey (Gomer) coming against Israel, soon to be followed by the final one, Armageddon! .. & pestilences? .. Unless your head is stuck in a sand dune somewhere, you have to admit that this category is happening in most every possible way .. pandemics, record weather events, locust swarms of biblical proportions, to name just a few ..
Scoffer: “Ok, so what else can you ‘uplift me with? .. I’m still not sure you are of your right mind ..
Red: .. “OK .. Just look at the world’s societal condition right now .. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4) treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”.. Well! .. This was given to Paul some 2000 years ago! .. Just this passage of prophecy alone sizes up today’s society! .. Mr. & Ms. Scoffer, there is soooo much more, but I can see you need a break as you are looking a bit pale ..
Scoffer: “You’re right.. That is a lot to think about .. Just one more question for now .. What’s coming next?”
Red: “I will do my best to keep it brief as again, there is a lot to take place in these final moments .. To sum up, there is much talk of the coming prophesied global government, which will come into being & will ‘rule the earth’ for the 7-year Tribulation period .. This will be headquartered in modern-day Europe (the Revived Roman Empire) .. Also, technology is rapidly advancing so as to make it possible to create tracking devices for total control of the world’s population .. That certainly makes it realistic for the coming ‘Mark of the Beast’ (Revelation 13) .. The prophet Daniel some 2500 years ago also spoke about the increase in knowledge in the last days & that mankind would be running ‘to & fro’ (vs. 3-4) .. Ya think?! .. In the short term, I believe we will continue to see the world’s societies fall further & further into social chaos .. Also, the Psalm 83 war with Israel & her Arab neighbors in imminent .. Also, we will see increasing earthquakes & volcanoes, famine & disease, floods & record weather events, locust swarms, & on & on .. Finally, I think a worldwide economic depression is coming within the next few weeks & months that will be the final trigger for the desperate call for help from somewhere .. anywhere! .. And hello, a charismatic leader will come out of the masses & claim to have all the answers! .. Guess who? .. That’s plenty for you to think about for now .”
Scoffer: .. “Well now that I want to kill myself, maybe it is” ……
Red: .. “There is one thing I want to leave you with .. Just so you know, you don’t have to kill yourself! .. God gave us the prophecies to show us of, first, His reality of existence, & then, that there is a wonderful & victorious conclusion to it all! .. He tells us in 2 Peter 1:19, “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” .. There it is! .. Once you even begin to understand God’s teachings concerning these turbulent times, you begin to see that yes, there is a wonderful & fantastic ending to it all! .. The ONLY requirement is to believe that Jesus Christ IS the Son of God & that He is your SAVIOR .. That’s it! .. the ONLY requirement! .,. If you desire hope, just seek Him ..”
Think about it ………
Until next time,
Red