He That Hath An Ear

Another year has come and gone -- and what a year! Events of prophetic significance certainly took place these past 12 months --- so why don’t we take a quick look at some of them?

Let’s start with Israel. We prophecy “watchers” always focus on Israel because she is an incredible, prophecy-proving phenomenon. First of all, the signs that relate to Israel are the most important of all because the jews are God’s prophetic time clock. What is meant by this is that scripture will often tie a prophesied future event with something that will happen to the Jews. Simply, we are told to watch the Jews, and when prophesied events concerning them occurs, we can be certain that other prophesied events will also occur.

An example is found in Luke 21:24 where Jesus prophesied that the Jews would be dispersed from Jerusalem and be led captive among the nations. But then He added that one day they would return to re-occupy , and when this happens, the end-time events will occur that will ultimately lead to His return.

As we already know, Israel regained her land and became a state in May of 1948, and then, re-captured Jerusalem, which occurred on June 7, 1967 during the miraculous Six-Day War (Zechariah 8:4-8).

Since that time, we have seen an increased refocusing on world politics upon the nation of Israel (Zechariah 12:2-3). - We now realize that all the nations of the world, including the U.S., are coming against Israel over the issue of the control of the city of Jerusalem. -- The Vatican wants the city under its control -- the U.N. wants it to be internationalized -- the E.U. is demanding it be divided between the Arabs and the Jews -- the Arabs want it all.

I think what was particularly interesting about what took place in 2009 specifically was America’s abrupt change in its support of Israel. What was once her only ally, America, under its current administration, has now shifted to the side of the rest of the world. - Israel’s prophesied isolation is almost complete.

Let’s stay for another moment in the Middle East. If we look at Ezekiel’s coming prophesied war (chapters 38-39), we see that he lists certain countries that will come against Israel in this end-time battle. We see Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan), Put (Libya), and of course Magog (Russia) specifically involved. - These all made sense because all are currently hostile towards Israel. -- But what about Gomer (Turkey)? Most recently, Turkey has had “normal” ties with the west as well as Israel. In fact, it was the only Muslim-dominant state that recognized Israel -- until this year. What seemed to be an overnight event, Turkey now is denouncing Israel and is cozying up to the Russian-Iranian alliance and is making positive overtures to Libya! -- Amazing!! -- But is it? -- It had to happen because it is prophesied -- God said so!

Now let’s look at the advances in the movement toward globalism, or a one-world government. -- Besides America’s astonishing turn towards melting into the global morass, this year has seen significant movements toward international rule. Besides the discussions involving a world currency, we’ve seen the “globalists” use the forum of global warming/climate change as the vehicle to get their foot further into the door. -- And then, on top of this, we see the European Union (E.U.) only getting stronger. This year we’ve witnessed the appointment of its first over-all president as well as talk of creating a specific E.U. military.

Anyone with basic knowledge of Bible prophecy knows that in the end-times, a world ruler will come upon the scene. Revelation, chapters 13 and 18 speak directly to this and refer to him as the “Beast”, or Antichrist. ---- What’s relevant about this is that a world ruler couldn’t come to power without a foundation in place to facilitate it. - I believe, as prophecy supports, that the E.U. is the revived Roman Empire spoken of in Daniel, chapters 2 and 7, and that this coming world leader will use it as his power base. This, along with the quickly-evolving globalist mentality, will only make it an easy transition for world rule. -- 2009 saw a rapid acceleration of this agenda.

And we certainly can’t ignore the continued rapid advance of technology. Revelation 13 speaks of the previously mentioned world ruler’s laws that will require all residents of this planet to have an identification placed on either their foreheads or right hands to be able to buy or sell anything. This is prophetically called “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16-17). Just this year we saw three nations -- India, Germany and Great Britain -- announce the coming of nation-wide modern identification systems. -- This soon will easily evolve into a global I.D. program.

Once again, as man’s knowledge advances in these final days (Daniel 12:4), we are witnessing the fulfillment of Bible prophecy before our very eyes.

Continuing, Luke 21:11 states,

This category of signs has always been the least respected, even among believers. Just the mention of it usually evokes disdain accompanied by the words, “Come on, what else is new? There have always been earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.” - But those who have that attitude forget that Jesus said the signs would be like “birth pains” (Matthew 24:8). That simply means they will increase in frequency and intensity the closer we get to the Lord’s return. - In other words, there will be more frequent natural disasters and more intense ones. 

There’s certainly more we could cover, but for the sake of time (this is not a book), I’ll finish up with the condition of this once-great nation of ours. Currently, America is faced with massive economic and social problems never before witnessed in its history. Yet, the harder our leaders work at solving these problems - the more trillions they spend attempting to rescue our economy - the more severe the problems become! -- Why? -- Because these same leaders continue to ignore the fundamental principle which ultimately determines the success or failure of nations. - Simply stated, when humans reject God and refuse to believe and follow His word, they are left to their own devices - which eventually always fail, for “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). At the most basic level, our problems are not really economic, social or political - they are spiritual! -- America has forsaken God - we have rejected His rule both as individuals and as a nation.

Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, speak of seven specific churches. Out of the hundreds of churches in existence at the time, Christ chose these particular churches to emphasize specific strengths and weaknesses that existed within them. -- I believe the seventh church, Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) was specifically chosen to show the condition of the church just prior to His return. In this church there was no commendations, only condemnations. The primary objection Christ had with it was that it had become fat and lazy and, as a result, lukewarm. -- And what did Christ say He would do to this church? -- He would “spit it out of His mouth.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 sums it up quite directly,

Also mentioned in these seven churches is a remnant of Christians who would continue to strive for the truth of Christ’s teachings. Although I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, as we move into the New Year, I would hope and pray that you would decide to become part of this remnant that will go forward and make a difference in this otherwise darkening world.

Christ, in His closing remarks to each of the seven churches said, “He who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” -- I encourage you to turn your ear to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Until next time,

Red