August 5, 2014
Eschatology ... "is the study of what will happen when all things are consummated at the end of history, particularly centering on the event known as the Second Coming of Christ. The word comes from two Greek words, 'eshatos' (last) and 'logos' (study) - thus its definition as 'the study of last things.' " (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary).
Is it crazy out there or what?! ... While I was compiling my prophetic news report for this week, I said to myself ..
Self? .. I've never seen it like this before! .... Some of you know that I have been tracking world events for many years as to how they relate to the Bible's teachings, and yes, I have observed a steady increase ... but now? ... It is literally exploding in most all the news sources across the globe! ..... The 'birth' of the new age is upon us!
As I mentioned in my news summary this week, I've had several ask if the Rapture of the Church is going to happen right away, and of course, my answer is always the same ... We will NEVER know the exact date (Matthew 24:36), as some have claimed, but we will know the season (Matthew 24:33). .... With the way world events are escalating (birth pains - Matthew 24:8), there is no doubt in my mind that the 'true Church' is going to be taken home at any moment! .... The trumpet is about to blare it's sound of triumph! (1 Corinthians 15:52) ....... Hallelujah! ......
Does everybody believe this? ... Sadly, no. .... In fact, the Bible tells us clearly that there would be many in these last days that would 'scoff' at people like us ... 2 Peter 3:3-4 says that "Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4) and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' " .... We've all heard these naysayers tell us that there has always been earthquakes .. severe weather .. immorality .. false teachers ... all the crazy stuff that's going on in today's world ... and while this is true, they have NEVER been at the frequency or intensity as they are today! ... and they will continue to increase as we draw ever closer ...... Elbert Peak, a fellow 'watchman' who died in the early 1990s explained it well when he said it this way ... "When I was young, I had to scratch around like a chicken just to find one sign of the end times .. but now? ... things are coming so quickly that I think the trumpet is going to sound at any moment!" ... and this was some 20+ years ago!
So what are the major signs that show us we are about to hear the 'trumpet?' ... Certainly Israel has to be the 'big one.' ... Her regaining her land in 1948, and then taking full control of Jerusalem in 1967 are HUGE in the overall prophetic picture .. and now her increasing isolation is taking place (see Zechariah 12). .. Also, the signs of nature, the signs of society, rampant deception, world politics, rapidly advancing technology .... the list goes on and on. ....
Now for the punch line! .... We Christians, by having a basic knowledge of what is going on, and why, can 'take on' these scoffers and doubters out there that refuse to accept the possibility that we are, in fact, on the brink of a time that is unimaginable to them! .... Many people are of the 'school of the apostle Thomas,' where they have to be shown the 'nail holes' in order to accept the possibility that what we are saying is the truth. ... The best way to prove it all is to show them just what the Word of God says about it. ... Now for me to share it all here would be virtually impossible since nearly one-third of the Bible isprophecy, but I am going to give you some brief 'ammunition' to begin using in your quest for souls. ... Following is a list of just 50 examples of end-time events with scriptural references. .. Hopefully, this will give you some quick tools to use .....
1) Increased instability of nature (Matthew 24:7 & Luke 21:11) ...
2) Increasing lawlessness and violence (Matthew 24:12) ...
3) Increasing immorality (Matthew 24:37) ...
4) Increasing materialism (Matthew 24:37) ...
5) Increasing hedonism (2 Timothy 3:4) ...
6) Increasing influence of humanism (2 Timothy 3:2) ...
7) Depraved entertainment (2 Timothy 3:4) ...
8) Calling evil good & good evil (2 Timothy 3:3 & Isaiah 5:20) ...
9) Increasing use of drugs (2 Timothy 3:3) ...
10) Increasing blasphemy (2 Timothy 3:2) ...
11) Increasing paganism (2 Timothy 3:1-4) ...
12) Increasing despair (2 Timothy 3:1) ...
13) Signs in the Heavens (Luke 21:11 & 25) ...
14 Increasing knowledge (Daniel 12:4) ...
15) Increasing travel (Daniel 12:4) ...
16) The explosion of cults (Matthew 24:11) ...
17) The proliferation of false christs (Matthew 24:5) ...
18) Increasing apostasy in the Church (2 Timothy 4:3-5) ...
19) Increasing attacks on Jesus (Romans 1:18-19) ...
20) Increasing attacks on the Bible (Romans 1:18-19) ...
21) Increasing persecution of Christians (Matthew 24:9) ...
22) increasing occultism (1 Timothy 4:1) ...
23) Wars & rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6) ...
24) Weapons of mass destruction (Luke 21:26) ...
25) Increasing famine (Luke 21:11) ...
26) Increasing pestilence (Luke 21:11) ...
27) Computer technology (Revelation 13:7) ...
28) Television (Revelation 11:8-9) ...
29) Satellite technology (Revelation 11:8-9) ...
30) Virtual reality (Revelation 13:14-15) ...
31) Unification of Europe (Daniel 2 & 7) ...
32) Far Eastern military powers (Revelation 9:16 & 16:12) ...
33) Movement toward world government (Daniel 7:23-26) ...
34) Regathering of the Jews (Isaiah 11:10-12) ...
35) Re-establishment of Israel (Isaiah 66:7-8) ...
36) Reclamation of the Land of Israel (Ezekiel 36:34-35) ...
37) Revival of Biblical Hebrew (Zephaniah 3:6) ...
38) Re-occupation of Jerusalem (Luke 21:24) ...
39) Resurgence of the Israeli military (Zechariah 12:6) ...
40) Re-focusing of world politics on Israel (Zechariah 12:3) ...
41) Russian threat to Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39) ...
42) Arab threat to Israel (Ezekiel 35 & 36) ...
43) Denial of the Second Coming (2 Peter 3:3-4) ...
44) Denial of Creation by God (Romans 1:18-22) ...
45) Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29 & Acts 2:17-18) ...
46) Translation of the Bible into many languages (Matthew 24:14) ...
47) Preaching the Gospel worldwide (Matthew 24:14) ...
48) The revival of Messianic Judaism (Romans 9:27) ...
49) The revival of Davidic praise worship (Amos 9:11) ...
50) The understanding of Bible prophecy (Daniel 12:8-9) ...
OK ... I know there are many, many more scriptures out there that apply to our thoughts today, but at least this will give you some of them. ... Learn them first, then use them! .... Many will not listen or care, but ...... some will ......
The bottom line message of the signs is that we are living on borrowed time ... the final moments of this 'Church age.' ... The critical question for every human being is this ... 'Are you ready?' ... Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ? ... Will He be coming back as your blessed hope? .... I truly pray so! .... There is only two options that will be offered .. Heaven or Hell! ... I promise you this .. God is determined to deal with sin! .... If you have put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are under God's grace. ... Your sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and you can look forward with confidence tothat glorious day when Jesus will appear in the heavens ... Hallelujah! .... But I must also say this ... If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are under the wrath of God, and you have nothing to look forward to except the terror of His wrath. .... Eternity is forever, so don't put your decision off ...
The signs are here and they are real ... we are living in the season of our Lord's glorious & triumphant return! ... If you are still 'on the fence' .. or just not sure of your decision, get on your knees right now and ask Him into your heart! ... As soon as you do this with sincerity, you will be able to look forward to His soon return with great anticipation and expectation! ... All fear will flee from you and your heart will cry out 'Hallelujah!' ... You will be totally free! .............. Know that I am praying for you ......
Until next time,
Red