I’d really be confused -- if I didn’t know better!
It’s no surprise people are wandering around, wondering what is going on in this crazy world.
Let’s for example look at two articles in the Prophetic News Headlines section of our website this week listed under ‘Pestilence’.
The first, dated 11-29, came out of Scotland stating that “Global Warming Will Wipe Out Billions.” The article goes on to say that some 90% of the world’s population will be eliminated from the face of the earth. -- Then, just three days later, on 12-02, another article posted by “Livescience” claims that the “Earth could plunge into a sudden ice age.”
Now I know that man’s knowledge is limited and based upon theories that are proven to have an average life span of some 20 years --- but this is very typical of the mass confusion that is going on in our world today.
These two articles are supported by very credible people in today’s scientific circles -- so who do you believe? -- Do I buy a swim suit and suntan lotion or a parka and anti-freeze?
What amazes me is that there is a “fool-proof” system for knowing what is now going on and what will take place in the future, but few look to it. -- Of course, I’m referring to Bible prophecy. If people would just stop and “listen” to God’s word, all the confusion in their lives would just fade away.
Let me give you just a few quick examples of what I’m talking about. Most people don’t realize that almost 30% of the Bible is based upon prophecy. There are approximately 1,000 scriptural passages - some single verses and some entire chapters - in the 66 books of the Bible. Of these, well over half have been fulfilled, and the rest will be prior to Christ’s soon triumphant return to earth.
We must remember also that all of these prophecies were written at least 2,000 years ago and not one has been proven wrong! - This is astounding and absolute proof that the prophecies in God’s book are supernatural and divinely inspired.
What else would anyone need to solve all their cares and concerns in today’s world?!
Let’s for a moment look at some of the remaining prophecies that are now taking place - or will be in the very near future -
World Politics
The Bible prophecies a very specific end-time configuration of world politics. Israel is pictured as being re-established (Ezekiel 37:21-22) and surrounded by hostile Arab neighbors intent on its destruction (Ezekiel 35:1 - 36:7). This has been the situation in the Middle East since the Israeli Declaration of Independence in May of 1948.
Daniel prophesied that the Roman Empire would be revived (Daniel 2:36-41), something many men - like Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Hitler - tried to do through force. But the prophecy had to await God’s timing for its fulfillment, and that came after World War II, with the formation of the European Common Market that has since evolved into the superpower called the European Union.
Also, the Bible pictures a great power located in the land of Magog in the “remote parts of the north”. This nation will challenge Israel in the end times and will ultimately lead an invasion of Israel together with specified allies, all of which are modern-day Muslim states (Ezekiel 38:1-39:16). Russia with all its Muslim republics and its Muslim allies fits this description precisely.
All the nations of the world are prophesied to come together against Israel in the end times over the issue of the control of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2-3) -- a prophecy being fulfilled today.
Modern Technology
There are many end-time prophecies that simply cannot be understood apart from modern technological developments. - Let’s look at the prophecy in Revelation 11 about the two witnesses who will call the world to repentance during the first half of the Tribulation. When they are killed by the Antichrist, we are told that their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days, and the whole world will look upon them (Revelation 11:9) How could anyone understand such a prophecy before the development of satellite TV?
In addition, how could the Antichrist control all the buying and selling worldwide (Revelation 13) without the aid of computer technology? How could the false prophet create the illusion of giving life to a statue (again, Revelation 13) without the technology of today? - How could the gospel be proclaimed to all the world (Matthew 24) before the invention of motion pictures, radio, television and the Internet -- and on and on. Daniel 12:4 says,
Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Signs of Society
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 2 Timothy 3:1-4
This passage sounds like a typical evening newscast today! Notice the three things it says people will love in the end times - self, money and pleasure.
Also, Matthew 24:12 states,
Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
Again, this is apparent in today’s headlines. Almost every day we see families killing one another along with many other examples of cold-hearted crime.
Having seen so many prophecies already fulfilled and viewing today’s world through God’s word, why would the majority of people still listen to the temporary theories created by man’s knowledge? -- Going back to Christ’s time here on Earth, the gospel narratives picture the Sadducees and Pharisees, the official leaders of the time, walking around in a spiritual fog. -- They didn’t recognize that the son of God was walking around in their midst!
Why? Either they didn’t understand the prophecies or they ignored them because of their worldly positions of power.
These same leaders asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven (Matthew 16:2). - Jesus’ response cut to the heart of their spiritual insensitivity -
“You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:3)
Prophecy was being fulfilled before their very eyes and they couldn’t see it!
Is it any different today?
In closing, 2 Peter 1:19-21 says,
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. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The answers lie before you in the scriptures. This is where you will find direction and true peace for your life while here on Earth.
Until next time,
Red