February 27, 2009
In the not so distant past, on a cold February evening, fifteen teenagers and two counselors from a residential facility for troubled youth were on a holiday outing at Convict Lake in the High Sierras.  What began as an adventure ended in disaster.
Toward evening, some of the boys ventured out onto the ice, ignoring posted warning signs as to the dangers of thin ice. - As their counselors called for them to return, they ignored their cries and within minutes, four of them had fallen through the ice.
What ensued over the next several hours were frantic efforts to save the lives of these foolish young people. Tragically, three of the teens and four rescuers lost their lives that evening --- all because they failed to heed the warning signs.
I bring this story to you because it reminds me of how people today are ignoring God’s warning signs of the coming earthly tribulations and His imminent return.
2 Peter 3:3-4 says, “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’”
Is this how you feel? Has there been too many “crackpots” like me out there saying that “The day of the Lord is upon us?”
Well then, let me share some specific scripture to convince you that “He is at the door”!
First, Matthew 24:32-34 states, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree; as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you will know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
Now I know I spend a lot of time talking about Israel/Jerusalem, but Jesus said it would be one of the super signs of the last days. (Note: for more information on this subject, go to the Teaching tab and click on Israel/Jerusalem.)
A couple of quick points --- Zechariah 12:3 says, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations...” - With America’s recent dramatic change in direction, its no longer difficult to see Israel standing alone.
In addition,
Luke 21:20 states, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.” -- Is she not surrounded by hostile nations? -- Is she not becoming more isolated by the hour?!
Again, Jesus said that when Israel comes back into existence, not one generation would pass. -- So what is a generation? Sixty to eighty years? Let’s be conservative for a moment and guess eighty years, from 1948. Another interpretation could be that the generation didn’t start until 1967, after the Six Day War, when Israel gained the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank of the Jordan River (including east Jerusalem), and the Golan Heights. Israel’s territory grew three-fold. - Perhaps ‘tender’ was 1948, and ‘Put forth its leaves’ was 1967. -- That generational time frame would be somewhere between now and 2028 to 2047.
Of course, we know that no one knows the exact date but we do know the season. --- The current alignment of world powers, the collapse of ethical and moral values, and the weakening influence of our churches and their leaders are just a few of the indicators of the era directly preceding the return of Christ.
Secondly, Jesus said in Matthew 24:22 -- “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” -- Never before has this been a reality to mankind. -- In the days of bows and arrows, catapults and horse-drawn war wagons, this prophecy wasn’t even conceivable. - But today, in this generation, just a few well-placed weapons of mass destruction can end it all.
Continuing, in Matthew 24:14, Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” - Was this even possible just a few years ago? -- But now with the likes of the Internet, satellites, and all the modern ways of communication, this will and is being accomplished very rapidly.
What about Revelation 9:14-16 where it says, “It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great River Euphrates.’ and the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.”
In the days this was written they couldn’t even begin to imagine this kind of number. - They might have thought it was a misprint! -- Also notice in verse 14 where it mentions the Euphrates River. That, of course, is east of the Promised Land and who lives in that area? -- Just so happens that there is a country (the only one) who can now field an army of this enormous size. You guessed it! -- China, the King of the East.
Still not convinced?
Then turn to Daniel 12:4 where it says, “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” - This passage comes at the end of the Book of Daniel, after his vision of the end times. It is uniquely descriptive of our generation.
We travel all over the world and even off the globe in search of knowledge. The explosion of knowledge in just the last one hundred years is incredible! -- My mother was born in 1914 and what she experienced and shared in her lifetime is astounding. - No other generation can possibly even relate to this. - Another end-time prophecy fulfilled.
One more to share is Revelation 13:16-17 which says, “He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” - This is talking about a government that rules the world and requires this ‘Mark of the Beast’ to buy or sell. -- Up until just the last few years it was difficult to even believe that a one-world government could ever exist. -- But with the current collapse of the world economy and the rapid deterioration of America as the only super power, it is not just speculation, but hard reality.  The world is going to need a ‘savior’ and scripture tells us who that will be.
And combined with this is the current technology such as RFID (radio frequency identification). These are small pencil tip size computer chips that can easily be placed in our hands or foreheads allowing only those with this technology to buy or sell anything. -- Those of us who refuse this method of consumerism will not be able to perform the daily functions of life. hence, the Mark of the Beast’ prophecy can now be easily implemented. -- Surprised?!
Are you convinced yet? - Certainly there are many more scriptures I could mention, but hopefully you get the picture. -- On an interesting note, there are many prophecy teachers who believe there isn’t a single prophecy still required to happen before the Rapture occurs. -- I certainly can agree with this. There will, however, be plenty more fulfilled during the Tribulation Period.
In conclusion, add them all up and you have a persuasive case for these days truly being the Last Days. Matthew 24:33 says, “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” -- Jesus said it, so I believe it.
Remember that the Lord’s command is to “fear not”, for these things must come to pass. Scripture promises that we will never face something more than we will be able to handle. Trust in the power of God sees us through difficult and exciting days.
Fear achieves nothing but paralysis and pain. I encourage you not to go there. It is better to hope than to fear. Our hope is in the love that Christ has to offer those who follow Him. Our hope is also in the day of justice when all things will be put right, and in the day when we enter into our reward and rest. -- We must focus on our hope -- not fear.
Finally, I hope you will become familiar with the Bible’s prophetic passages. These are great times to be alive. -- We are watching the unfolding of scripture right in front of our eyes. - Let’s make sure that we are right with God.
Until next time, 
Red