Is it nuts out there or what?! .. It seems like every week I keep saying this same thing, but I'm here to tell you, in all the years I've been 'doing this', I've NEVER seen it like it is today! .. The following headlines from just the past couple of days are clear examples of what I'm talking about ...... *Signs of Society -- U.S ..   ...-Dallas Manhunt: Paramedics Among Several Shot ..    -San Diego Pool Party Shooting ..    -Detroit Police Officer Shot in Head - Random Attack .    -4 Dead in Kansas Shooting at Special Needs facility ..    -Campus Stabbing: 1 Killed, 2 wounded in Rampage - Univ. of Texas .    -California Campground: Campers Threatened by Thugs Who ....Claim 'it's their turf' ..    -Baltimore: Mayor Says Murder 'Out of Control' - Seeks FBI help ...as Violence Reaches Crisis Level ..    -Chicagoland: April Murders up 25% From last Year ..    -U.S. Opioid Crisis at Epidemic Proportions ..                      .. and this was just May 1st! .. *Signs of Society .. World .. -May Day Anger Around the World - Brazil, Philippines, France, U.S., Puerto Rico, Cyprus Venezuela, Tunisia, Turkey, Cuba, Russia, Germany .. to name just some of them ...... Most all walks are saying they have NEVER seen so much chaos & mayhem in the world as there is right now .. and it's not just us 'watchmen' .. it's politicians, scientists, doctors, economists .. you name it, they're saying it! ... Simply, there is an oppressive weight bearing down on nearly every facet of our lives today. .. World conditions such as wars & rumors of wars .. drought & famine .. pestilences in the form of possible health pandemics .. severe record-setting weather events .. escalating economic woes in almost every corner of the globe .. societal breakdown indicated by skyrocketing suicide, drug use, depression,  families killing each other, public shootings .. unprecedented moral collapse in the forms of homosexuality, pornography, & an increasing number of social events/festivals promoting these decadent lifestyles .. Again, I could go on & on ...... So what on earth is happening? .. Why, all of a sudden, is everything accelerating at an ever-increasing pace? .. Looking to the Bible for the answer, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24, Mark, 13 & Luke 21 that all these things MUST take place before He returns. .. Specifically,. in Matthew 24:6, He says "Such things must happen." .. He also told us that no one would know the exact time, but that we would know the season. .. Matthew 24:33 tells us, "Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." .. Also, Luke 21:28 says to us .. "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." For those of us who 'know', I think we can agree that we are, in fact, in the final moments of the Church Age. .. So what then does scripture say about Satan & his plan for these times? .. Revelation 12:12, says, ".. But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!  He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." .. Know this that war is raging in the heavenlies! .. God's angels are in full battle mode with the evil hordes of the devil, and as in all wars, there will be casualties. .. Rest assured, Satan's mission is to destroy every Holy Spirit-directed ministry he can find and he will not stop until our Lord's triumphant return. .. 1 Peter 5:8 describes it perfectly .. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." .. In my work as a student  & teacher of Bible prophecy, I am continually reviewing today's world events and how they relate to Bible prophecy. .. But unlike most people, I'm not depressed by them because I see it all as proof-positive evidence that we are in the final phase of this age & that we are within moments of our Lord's triumphant return! .. Hallelujah! .. 2 Peter 1:19 is one of my personal favorite verses, and it tells us just why knowing the signs will relieve our anxieties & fears .. "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." .. I LOVE that verse! .. It says it all in a very beautiful & specific way! .. So there you have it. .. This IS the reason for learning & sharing prophetic truth. .. People are depressed & easily deceived in today's world because they have lost hope .. but prophecy reveals to us what & why all this chaos & craziness is taking place. .. Once people begin to understand this, the hope returns and more victories are realized! .. Again, Hallelujah! ...... The apostle Paul asked this question in Romans 8:35 .. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" .. Then he answered with this .. "No in all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loves us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." .. Romans 8:37-39 ...... We must remember one thing! ,, Time is extremely short & the enemy will make every possible attempt to deceive us. .. But I promise you this .. if you stay focused on the Word of God & the person of Jesus Christ in these increasingly difficult times, you will find that true joy & happiness will win out over all the darkness that is trying its hardest to sneak in! .. Here is a scripture Jesus gave us to live by, & when you feel the darkness closing in, read it, & then 'live' it. .. You will be utterly amazed by how everything will begin to look totally different! .. Here it is .... "... You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." .. Matthew 5:14-16 ...... So here's your challenge ... First, check your personal 'light' & make sure it's not under a bowl.  Second, take that light & let it shine wherever you go.  Then finally, when someone asks why you are so ridiculously happy & upbeat, tell them about Jesus! .. Then .. just maybe .. you'll shatter the bowl that covers their light & help make make the world a bit brighter! ... Hallelujah! .. Love you all .. and I know it can get really difficult out there at times, but the more you 'shine your light', the less difficult it will become. .. Trust me .. I know from personal experience. ... Until next time, Red