One of the challenges for the Christian today is to separate out their faith in Jesus Christ from their political views. I confess that my Christian world view informs my politics. But I must be careful not to blend the two arenas and allow my politics to be expressed in my faith. For example, I have become fiercely opposed to abortion but this was not always the case. At one time in my life I was quite content to employ abortion as a method of birth control and felt that that was an option available to anyone else who so chose. But my acquired faith in Jesus Christ changed my thinking as my mind became conformed to the mind of Christ. I now understand that abortion is murder, a crime of which I am guilty and for which I have received forgiveness through Christ’s work on the cross in my behalf. My faith informs my political view on the matter of abortion. However, I see that many people today wave the flag as a patriot and combine that with their faith. The lines between faith and patriotism become fuzzy.
I used to think that the American body politic was a struggle between the “Left/Liberals” and the “Right/Conservatives.” Each point accusing fingers at the other and the disgusting display out of Washington DC is becoming ridiculous. And the thing that bothers me most is that this squabbling between right and left is all a distraction from what is really taking place. The United States has been moving away from its Christian heritage for a number of decades now. The courts are moving Christianity out of the public square, the schools are teaching from texts that ignore the Christian principles upon which we were founded. The US is in a serious state of moral decline. No, not decline but moral freefall. The courts, government, schools have been taken over by the Secular Progressives. The battle is not between Left and Right but between godliness and godlessness. Secular Progressivism is nothing more than godless Marxism dressed up in the flag. The theological equivalent of Secular Progressivism is Liberation Theology which is nothing more than Marxism dressed up in a Jesus suit. We heard snippets of Liberation Theology from Jeremiah Wright during the presidential campaign. Secular Progressivism and Liberation Theology hate the idea of individual freedom that can take advantage of a free market system and entrepreneurial gumption. They hate the idea of your right to bear arms or speak your mind. They desire control of the masses, to take what is yours and give it to someone they deem more deserving. Their plan is to make the populous so beholden and reliant upon government that they will give up their freedoms. All these freedoms we have enjoyed since the founding of our nation are being systematically dismantled before our very eyes.
The removal of freedoms is absolutely essential for the existence of the single-world government to be established in the last days. The Marxists and Secular Progressives in the White House, Congress and governmental agencies are at work to systematically dismantle the country we have known. In very short order, our dollar will be virtually worthless and a new world currency will have to come in to take its place. China and Russia and the United Nations are already calling for the dollar to be replaced as the currency in which world oil transactions are conducted. The US government is running up a debt that can never be paid off. In the last 50 years the US has gone form the largest lender nation to the largest debtor nation. The only hope to stave off the formation of a one-world government is to vote the Secular Progressives out of office before the can do any more damage. So, Christian, be informed and exercise your vote while you have it.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
HOW MIGHT 666 HAPPEN?
Revelation 13:16-18 reads as follows: “He(the false prophet) 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 calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” Emphasis mine.
I can remember back in the 1980s when the topic of the “mark of the beast” would be depicted in a movie or come up in conversation, it was generally dismissed as something that would be impossible in our modern world with its freedoms. The end times were thought of as far off into the future, if at all, because the world system did not lend itself to domination by any one person. Prior to this present generation it would be impossible for anyone to be controlled in buying or selling in any way.
At just about this same point in time my bank issued me a new card to carry in my wallet. It was an ATM card. Initially, I used it to get cash during hours when my bank was closed. I conducted all my monetary transactions with cash or by check. I paid my bills by check and most small purchases like haircuts and movies were paid with cash. As time went on, more and more businesses installed ATM/Credit card readers at their check-outs. Today I have very little need for cash and the only check I write is my tithe check to the church. My house payments and some utilities are handled by electronic withdrawals from my account. Pension check and Social Security are deposited in the same way. It is very convenient. Now, even while I am away from home on vacation, I can get on-line to my bank and have them make payments to anyone I designate. Nowadays, a $20 bill can last me two weeks before I’ll need to use it buy something. I know I’m not alone in this; you probably do the same things.
Because of the advances in technology over the past 25 to 30 years, everybody with a checking account is now in a system that can be controlled by one person! With the advent of electronic banking came a new kind of crime, Identity Theft. If someone gets a few of your critical identification numbers they can wreck havoc with your credit rating. This has spawned a whole new industry to help protect your identity. In addition, massive international drug dealing and terrorism are making it difficult for law enforcement to control people and money. There will come a time when the governments of the world will begin to cooperate as never before in an attempt to eliminate the need for currency altogether and control criminal and terrorist activities. There is already serious talk of a national ID card in the US and my driver’s license now has a bio-identifier encoded into the bar code on the back. But cards and licenses are too easily lost or stolen so something else will have to be done.
Enter the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Since 2006 the US, EU and many other countries have incorporated this tiny microchip into passports which, when passed through a radio transmitting reader, verify the printed information on the passport along with a digital picture of the holder. Some banks and high security minded organizations like the CIA and NSA issue special RFIDs to their employees. Some RFIDs can be read from several yards or more away. Very soon, people will find it more convenient to have an RFID implanted in their hand so the risk of loss or theft of ID can be eliminated. I see this sort of thing happening very soon but it won’t be the mark of the beast, not yet. First, we will just have to sort of get used to this new technology. Then, after the anti-christ is revealed it will be a simple matter of, after forcing people to pledge allegiance and worship to the beast or die, that their RFID will be “updated” so that they may buy or sell.
I don’t know what 666 means but I do know that the Bible tells us that if you do worship this beast or take the number of his name, 666, you will be forever damned with no hope of retracting your decision. It is better to die than to spend eternity in punishment. Jesus tells us not to fear the one who can kill our body but fear the One who can condemn our souls to hell. Dreadful times are coming. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
I can remember back in the 1980s when the topic of the “mark of the beast” would be depicted in a movie or come up in conversation, it was generally dismissed as something that would be impossible in our modern world with its freedoms. The end times were thought of as far off into the future, if at all, because the world system did not lend itself to domination by any one person. Prior to this present generation it would be impossible for anyone to be controlled in buying or selling in any way.
At just about this same point in time my bank issued me a new card to carry in my wallet. It was an ATM card. Initially, I used it to get cash during hours when my bank was closed. I conducted all my monetary transactions with cash or by check. I paid my bills by check and most small purchases like haircuts and movies were paid with cash. As time went on, more and more businesses installed ATM/Credit card readers at their check-outs. Today I have very little need for cash and the only check I write is my tithe check to the church. My house payments and some utilities are handled by electronic withdrawals from my account. Pension check and Social Security are deposited in the same way. It is very convenient. Now, even while I am away from home on vacation, I can get on-line to my bank and have them make payments to anyone I designate. Nowadays, a $20 bill can last me two weeks before I’ll need to use it buy something. I know I’m not alone in this; you probably do the same things.
Because of the advances in technology over the past 25 to 30 years, everybody with a checking account is now in a system that can be controlled by one person! With the advent of electronic banking came a new kind of crime, Identity Theft. If someone gets a few of your critical identification numbers they can wreck havoc with your credit rating. This has spawned a whole new industry to help protect your identity. In addition, massive international drug dealing and terrorism are making it difficult for law enforcement to control people and money. There will come a time when the governments of the world will begin to cooperate as never before in an attempt to eliminate the need for currency altogether and control criminal and terrorist activities. There is already serious talk of a national ID card in the US and my driver’s license now has a bio-identifier encoded into the bar code on the back. But cards and licenses are too easily lost or stolen so something else will have to be done.
Enter the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Since 2006 the US, EU and many other countries have incorporated this tiny microchip into passports which, when passed through a radio transmitting reader, verify the printed information on the passport along with a digital picture of the holder. Some banks and high security minded organizations like the CIA and NSA issue special RFIDs to their employees. Some RFIDs can be read from several yards or more away. Very soon, people will find it more convenient to have an RFID implanted in their hand so the risk of loss or theft of ID can be eliminated. I see this sort of thing happening very soon but it won’t be the mark of the beast, not yet. First, we will just have to sort of get used to this new technology. Then, after the anti-christ is revealed it will be a simple matter of, after forcing people to pledge allegiance and worship to the beast or die, that their RFID will be “updated” so that they may buy or sell.
I don’t know what 666 means but I do know that the Bible tells us that if you do worship this beast or take the number of his name, 666, you will be forever damned with no hope of retracting your decision. It is better to die than to spend eternity in punishment. Jesus tells us not to fear the one who can kill our body but fear the One who can condemn our souls to hell. Dreadful times are coming. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
AND THEN THE END WILL COME
Last week I discussed the evidence of our current day being like those in the “days of Noah”. This is a phrase Jesus used to describe the nature of the days immediately preceding his return (Matt 24:37). Today I would just like to speculate on how we might find ourselves (the US) as a part of a “one-world” government as described, in part, in Daniel chapter 2. In the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel described the major world powers that would determine world history. The head of gold was the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar, the chest and arms of silver was the kingdom of the Medes/Persians, the third kingdom to rule the world represented by bronze were the Greeks, the fourth kingdom represented by iron were the Romans. The eastern and western capitols of Rome and Constantinople are represented by the two legs. The last world kingdom is represented by the two feet of an admixture of iron and clay and the toes representing the 10 nation confederacy comprising the revived Roman Empire. No where in this dream (literally fulfilled prophecy) is there any mention of the USA as a super power in the last days.
So let’s take a look at today’s news and imagine how we might find ourselves a part of “The New World Order” or one-world government. For those of you who may be old enough to remember the Carter administration, you may remember that government spending under Carter and the Democratic controlled congress was spiraling out of control. Interest rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs (18-20% for a mortgage) paralyzing the productivity of the country. This inflation was caused by over printing the US dollar. In those days Carter increased the currency in circulation by 12%. Fast forward to today. The current administration and congress are spending money we don’t have at a phenomenal rate never before seen. The current administration’s budget for this year is more than for every other presidential administrative budget in the history of the nation combined. They have increased the currency in circulation, not by 12% but by over 124%. Since the advent of the Federal Reserve Note, our dollar is actually based up nothing whatever. The government just prints it by fiat. This works out very well for absolutely nobody except government. It does however enslave the people to the government. In addition the Senate is about to vote in a government controlled health plan that will sink us so deep into debt that we won’t be able to get out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is unsustainable and our nation’s financial system will collapse. This will send the economies of all the other nations of the world into a tail-spin. The thought will be that the US is too big to fail (didn’t we just hear that about our banks?) and that a world wide currency and monetary system must be developed. Of course this will be controlled by the World Bank (already in existence) and administered by a world body (the UN?). When the US looses its currency it will lose its sovereignty. I believe then that in the mixture of violence and economic upheaval the world will look for someone to straighten this all out. Then someone will rise up; an economic, military and political genius who will be able to solve all these problems and bring peace to the Middle East. When you see him sign a 7 year peace treaty with Israel then know that terrible times like never before seen will happen. The anti-christ has made himself known.
In the mean time take some measures to help yourself through the coming difficult financial times. Get out of debt. Invest in something that will have value because our currency will be worthless. Save for the rainy days to come. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. Even so, come soon Lord Jesus.
So let’s take a look at today’s news and imagine how we might find ourselves a part of “The New World Order” or one-world government. For those of you who may be old enough to remember the Carter administration, you may remember that government spending under Carter and the Democratic controlled congress was spiraling out of control. Interest rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs (18-20% for a mortgage) paralyzing the productivity of the country. This inflation was caused by over printing the US dollar. In those days Carter increased the currency in circulation by 12%. Fast forward to today. The current administration and congress are spending money we don’t have at a phenomenal rate never before seen. The current administration’s budget for this year is more than for every other presidential administrative budget in the history of the nation combined. They have increased the currency in circulation, not by 12% but by over 124%. Since the advent of the Federal Reserve Note, our dollar is actually based up nothing whatever. The government just prints it by fiat. This works out very well for absolutely nobody except government. It does however enslave the people to the government. In addition the Senate is about to vote in a government controlled health plan that will sink us so deep into debt that we won’t be able to get out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is unsustainable and our nation’s financial system will collapse. This will send the economies of all the other nations of the world into a tail-spin. The thought will be that the US is too big to fail (didn’t we just hear that about our banks?) and that a world wide currency and monetary system must be developed. Of course this will be controlled by the World Bank (already in existence) and administered by a world body (the UN?). When the US looses its currency it will lose its sovereignty. I believe then that in the mixture of violence and economic upheaval the world will look for someone to straighten this all out. Then someone will rise up; an economic, military and political genius who will be able to solve all these problems and bring peace to the Middle East. When you see him sign a 7 year peace treaty with Israel then know that terrible times like never before seen will happen. The anti-christ has made himself known.
In the mean time take some measures to help yourself through the coming difficult financial times. Get out of debt. Invest in something that will have value because our currency will be worthless. Save for the rainy days to come. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. Even so, come soon Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The day of the rapture of the church is fast approaching. We are commanded to not predict dates and hours but we are commanded to watch for the season of His return. In Matthew 24 Jesus said that the time just prior to his coming would be like the “days of Noah.” What were those days like? It is described for us in
Genesis 6:11-13 “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on the earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.’” Is the earth today like the days of Noah? I submit to you that it is. Just a few examples off the top of my mind will prove the point. Radical Muslim groups all over the world are murdering innocent people with IEDs, suicide murderers, enforcing Muslim law at the point of a gun or the edge of a machete, hijacked airplanes and the like. The Mexican drug cartels are murdering with impunity on both sides of the border with the US in the furtherance of their drug trade. All over Asia, Europe, North and South America, practically world-wide, unborn babies are being murdered by the tens of millions each year. God forgive us! Tribal war in Africa has killed millions in recent years because one light skinned African group claims superiority over another darker-skinned tribal group. Most recently we hear of the murder of 13 people by a US Army officer at an Army Base where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were being processed. These types of mass murder by a crazed gunman are becoming almost common place. In addition the US in embroiled in two wars of its own. I think I have proven my point. These are becoming more and more like the days of Noah.
With that in mind and without claiming any particular day or time, we can see by the “season” of events around us that the day of “The blessed Hope”, the rapture, is upon us.
Did you know that if you love His appearing, that is to look forward to it with anticipation and delight that you will receive a special reward? 2 Tim 4: 8 reads this way; (Paul writing) “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Why would those who long for the Lord’s appearing receive a crown of righteousness? What does righteousness have to do with anything? Do you remember what Paul reminded us about Abraham? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Rom 4:3). Obviously if we are looking forward to something with anticipation we must believe that it is going to happen. If we believe then, in God’s eyes, we are righteous (in right standing with God). What is it that we are to believe? Let’s look at 1Thes 4:13-18 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
That is why I remind you of these things, as an encouragement! If you believe and look forward with anticipation to the return of the Lord and the rapture of the church, you will receive a crown of righteousness that will identify you for all of eternity as one of those who believed and set apart. For those of you who have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ and discovered that tens of millions of people have just vanished off the earth, you may still be saved. He who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The days ahead for you will be terrible as the wrath of God is poured out on an unbelieving and evil world but you can still be saved and go to heaven. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
(Rom 10:9) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . . .” (Jn 1:12) He is coming soon, look up for your redemption draws near. Even so come Lord Jesus!
Genesis 6:11-13 “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on the earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.’” Is the earth today like the days of Noah? I submit to you that it is. Just a few examples off the top of my mind will prove the point. Radical Muslim groups all over the world are murdering innocent people with IEDs, suicide murderers, enforcing Muslim law at the point of a gun or the edge of a machete, hijacked airplanes and the like. The Mexican drug cartels are murdering with impunity on both sides of the border with the US in the furtherance of their drug trade. All over Asia, Europe, North and South America, practically world-wide, unborn babies are being murdered by the tens of millions each year. God forgive us! Tribal war in Africa has killed millions in recent years because one light skinned African group claims superiority over another darker-skinned tribal group. Most recently we hear of the murder of 13 people by a US Army officer at an Army Base where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were being processed. These types of mass murder by a crazed gunman are becoming almost common place. In addition the US in embroiled in two wars of its own. I think I have proven my point. These are becoming more and more like the days of Noah.
With that in mind and without claiming any particular day or time, we can see by the “season” of events around us that the day of “The blessed Hope”, the rapture, is upon us.
Did you know that if you love His appearing, that is to look forward to it with anticipation and delight that you will receive a special reward? 2 Tim 4: 8 reads this way; (Paul writing) “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Why would those who long for the Lord’s appearing receive a crown of righteousness? What does righteousness have to do with anything? Do you remember what Paul reminded us about Abraham? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Rom 4:3). Obviously if we are looking forward to something with anticipation we must believe that it is going to happen. If we believe then, in God’s eyes, we are righteous (in right standing with God). What is it that we are to believe? Let’s look at 1Thes 4:13-18 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
That is why I remind you of these things, as an encouragement! If you believe and look forward with anticipation to the return of the Lord and the rapture of the church, you will receive a crown of righteousness that will identify you for all of eternity as one of those who believed and set apart. For those of you who have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ and discovered that tens of millions of people have just vanished off the earth, you may still be saved. He who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The days ahead for you will be terrible as the wrath of God is poured out on an unbelieving and evil world but you can still be saved and go to heaven. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
(Rom 10:9) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . . .” (Jn 1:12) He is coming soon, look up for your redemption draws near. Even so come Lord Jesus!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Have you ever wondered about all the work done by the current and previous Presidential Administrations to strike a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians but with no success? Today, with all the noise that Iran in making about destroying Israel and the intractability of the Palestinians to make peace in spite of Israel’s ceding of lands, one is harkened back to the Old Testament, specifically Zech 12:2-3: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” Israel took back Jerusalem and the West Bank and Gaza from Jordan and Egypt after their victory in the 1967 war. Since that time the Arabs have call this the “Israeli Occupation.” Each attempt at peace has resulted in the exchanging of “land for peace” but there is no peace. Israel is very clear on the fact that they will not give up Jerusalem, the capitol of their nation.
During a speech at the United Nations, President Obama used the words “Israeli Occupation.” This is the first time a US President has ever used those words. It appears that he is siding with the Arabs in this conflict over Jerusalem and is reported to have promised Jerusalem to the Palestinians. In short, Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. I firmly believe that the only reason the US has enjoyed such peace and prosperity is because of her support of Israel. As you read then end-times prophecies in Scripture you will find no hint of the US superpower. She is not to be found. The government in power is the One-World government of the Anti-Christ. Our government has turned against Israel and now the protecting hand of God is lifting form us. In a very short time our currency will be worthless because the government has printed more than double the amount of currency previously in circulation. As believers in Christ, we have nothing to fear but we must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The time is very short.
During a speech at the United Nations, President Obama used the words “Israeli Occupation.” This is the first time a US President has ever used those words. It appears that he is siding with the Arabs in this conflict over Jerusalem and is reported to have promised Jerusalem to the Palestinians. In short, Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. I firmly believe that the only reason the US has enjoyed such peace and prosperity is because of her support of Israel. As you read then end-times prophecies in Scripture you will find no hint of the US superpower. She is not to be found. The government in power is the One-World government of the Anti-Christ. Our government has turned against Israel and now the protecting hand of God is lifting form us. In a very short time our currency will be worthless because the government has printed more than double the amount of currency previously in circulation. As believers in Christ, we have nothing to fear but we must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The time is very short.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
CAN YOU BELIEVE JESUS?
The words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 24, are of crucial importance for us today. He prophesied of events to come in both the near and distant futures at the time He gave them. The first prophecy recorded here has to do with the fate of the Temple in Jerusalem. He said; “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Mat 24:2) That prophecy came to pass in 70AD, some 38 years or so after His crucifixion and resurrection. The Roman legions came and destroyed Jerusalem. The Temple which was layered in gold was burned and the stones thrown down so the soldiers could collect the melted gold. Not one stone was left standing upon another. He had much to say in this chapter about what the end times would be like but there is a passage we can look at that is of special interest to us. It of special interest because it speaks of the very last days before the “Great Tribulation” written of in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere. Just as a reminder, the Great Tribulation is that 7 year period of time that the earth is under the domination of the Anti-christ, the false prophet and Satan. It is a time when the people of the earth decide to worship the Anti-christ as god. God then pours out His vengeance upon an unbelieving people. But in this 24th chapter of Matthew, Jesus is describing what those days immediately preceding the Great Tribulation will look like.
Jesus gives the parable of the ‘Fig Tree.” Throughout the Old Testament the fig tree is used as a symbol of Israel just as the Eagle is used as a symbol of the United States or the Bear as a symbol of Russia. The use of symbols in no way diminishes the importance of this prophecy. In fact to attempt to force any other interpretation of this fig tree leads the passage to make no sense. So what did Jesus say? “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you 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. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mat 24:32-35) Jesus is telling His listeners and we who are reading His words to learn an important lesson. When we see the fig tree with tender twigs and budding leaves we know that something important is about to happen. It is important to know that Israel had not been a nation since the early years of 500 BC. Babylon had conquered it, placed their puppet government in Jerusalem and then in 587/86 returned and completely obliterated the city, the Temple and took many of the inhabitants away to Babylon. By the time Jesus came Israel had been ruled by the Medes and Persians, Greeks and later Rome. Let’s fast-forward to May 1948. Suddenly, in a single day, Israel is proclaimed by the United Nations to be a nation among the family of nations. This has never happened before in the history of the world that a nation, after military, economic and political defeat, ever became a nation again. Since the time of Israel’s rebirth interest in prophecy has increased. When Israel captured Jerusalem in the 1967 war interest became even more pronounced. Israel, the Fig Tree, is showing tender sprouts and budding leaves. Jesus said that the generation to see these things would not pass away before His return. I was born in 1946. If the generation He spoke of is the 70 or 80 years that most people could expect to live, these are the last days. Look up for your redemption draws near!
Jesus gives the parable of the ‘Fig Tree.” Throughout the Old Testament the fig tree is used as a symbol of Israel just as the Eagle is used as a symbol of the United States or the Bear as a symbol of Russia. The use of symbols in no way diminishes the importance of this prophecy. In fact to attempt to force any other interpretation of this fig tree leads the passage to make no sense. So what did Jesus say? “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you 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. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mat 24:32-35) Jesus is telling His listeners and we who are reading His words to learn an important lesson. When we see the fig tree with tender twigs and budding leaves we know that something important is about to happen. It is important to know that Israel had not been a nation since the early years of 500 BC. Babylon had conquered it, placed their puppet government in Jerusalem and then in 587/86 returned and completely obliterated the city, the Temple and took many of the inhabitants away to Babylon. By the time Jesus came Israel had been ruled by the Medes and Persians, Greeks and later Rome. Let’s fast-forward to May 1948. Suddenly, in a single day, Israel is proclaimed by the United Nations to be a nation among the family of nations. This has never happened before in the history of the world that a nation, after military, economic and political defeat, ever became a nation again. Since the time of Israel’s rebirth interest in prophecy has increased. When Israel captured Jerusalem in the 1967 war interest became even more pronounced. Israel, the Fig Tree, is showing tender sprouts and budding leaves. Jesus said that the generation to see these things would not pass away before His return. I was born in 1946. If the generation He spoke of is the 70 or 80 years that most people could expect to live, these are the last days. Look up for your redemption draws near!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
WHAT'S NEXT?
You don’t have to be a prophecy student to be fascinated with the idea of knowing what is to come. I have discovered that Biblical Prophecy is the most reliable for the following reasons. Fully 20% of the Bible was prophetic when written. The events prophesied that have come to pass have been 100% accurate. There is still quite a bit of prophecy yet to be fulfilled. When reading prophecy I try to determine which is figurative language and which is literal. Words such as “like” “as if” are used to precede figurative language to describe something the writer has never seen before nor has no specific language to describe. But my overall approach is to understand that Biblical Prophecy should be understood literally. There are over 300 prophecies concerning the first advent of Jesus Christ. Some of the language was figurative and some literal. But all of the language used forecasted the actual events that Jesus fulfilled in his life. He was literally born of a virgin; literally healed the sick, the blind, the lame and raised the dead; He literally entered Jerusalem (on Palm Sunday) riding on a donkey’s colt; He was literally beaten so badly that he could not be recognized; He literally submitted to crucifixion and death and literally rose from the dead on the third day. He literally fulfilled over 300 prophecies.
What I hope to do in the following entries is to look at prophecy which is yet to be fulfilled against the backdrop of what is happening in our world today. I will be using the words of The Lord Jesus Christ, Daniel, the Apostles John, Paul, Peter and others and I will give references so you can look them up for yourself. There are several goals I have in mind for this project. 1) If you are currently a skeptic of the claims of Jesus Christ that you will be convinced that He is God and He does offer you salvation. 2) To assure the believer in Jesus Christ that you are safely in His hands and has nothing to fear. God is in control and will keep you out of the hour of His wrath. 3) That if you fail to come to faith in Jesus Christ and find yourself in the Great Tribulation that you will resist taking the “Mark of the Beast” and not worship him, even if it means your death. Taking of this mark will result in irrevocable damnation.
First, let’s take a broad overall look at the series of events that will take place in, what I believe, to be the near future. Since this is just a summary, I’ll not give Biblical references here but will do so when we get down to specifics.
Again, this is just a general overview of coming events. The next great event to take place will be the final great world-wide awakening or revival. This will be a time when God moves in a mighty way to bring many millions to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Next will be the catching away or “rapture” of the Church. The church here means all those people, living and dead, who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins and salvation of their souls. There is some number of theories about when the rapture will take place but I believe the Bible points to a time prior to the revealing of the Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation. After the rapture comes the revealing of the Anti-Christ and his “One-World Government” followed by a 7 year peace treaty with Israel. This period is called the Great Tribulation. After 3 ½ years, this treaty will be broken and the entire world will be thrown into warfare unlike anything ever seen before. The Anti-Christ will claim to be God and his False Prophet will initiate the program where everyone is to receive the mark of the beast or the number of his name and worship him as god. Anyone who does this will be forever and irrevocably damned. But a multitude of people will not take his number or worship him. Many of them will be beheaded. Many others will hide out until the end. The end is not the end of the world. The end will be the return of Jesus Christ with His Church to put an end to the final great war, the “War of Armageddon.” Upon Christ’s return to the earth He will take the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet and throw them into the lake of fire. He will cause the devil, Satan, to be bound up for a thousand years. Jesus, Himself, will then set up His throne in Jerusalem and rule over the entire world for a thousand years. This is referred to as “The Millennium.” This will be a time of unparalleled peace and safety. After the thousand years is up, Satan will be released for a short time. He will again foster a rebellion against Jesus which will be put down quickly. After that will be what is called the “Great White Throne Judgment.” At this time all those who refused to place their faith in Jesus Christ will be resurrected and stand before God to be judged. At that time God will exact justice upon them and cast them into hell. This sounds harsh and it is but God is just and merciful and no one will go to hell that has not chosen to do so. About this same time God will cause fire to come upon the whole earth to purify it from the sin of the ages and He will restore both Heaven and Earth. Jesus will continue to rule over mankind for ever from the New Jerusalem which will come down out of Heaven. Satan will be cast into Hell for all time and there will never again be any sin, or war, or death, or pain and suffering for ever and ever. So there you have it; God’s plan for mankind for the next thousand years. Of course this is not an exhaustive or detailed explanation of the End-time events, but it does give you a good idea of the highlights. From here on we will look at specific events alongside specific prophecies.
What I hope to do in the following entries is to look at prophecy which is yet to be fulfilled against the backdrop of what is happening in our world today. I will be using the words of The Lord Jesus Christ, Daniel, the Apostles John, Paul, Peter and others and I will give references so you can look them up for yourself. There are several goals I have in mind for this project. 1) If you are currently a skeptic of the claims of Jesus Christ that you will be convinced that He is God and He does offer you salvation. 2) To assure the believer in Jesus Christ that you are safely in His hands and has nothing to fear. God is in control and will keep you out of the hour of His wrath. 3) That if you fail to come to faith in Jesus Christ and find yourself in the Great Tribulation that you will resist taking the “Mark of the Beast” and not worship him, even if it means your death. Taking of this mark will result in irrevocable damnation.
First, let’s take a broad overall look at the series of events that will take place in, what I believe, to be the near future. Since this is just a summary, I’ll not give Biblical references here but will do so when we get down to specifics.
Again, this is just a general overview of coming events. The next great event to take place will be the final great world-wide awakening or revival. This will be a time when God moves in a mighty way to bring many millions to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Next will be the catching away or “rapture” of the Church. The church here means all those people, living and dead, who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins and salvation of their souls. There is some number of theories about when the rapture will take place but I believe the Bible points to a time prior to the revealing of the Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation. After the rapture comes the revealing of the Anti-Christ and his “One-World Government” followed by a 7 year peace treaty with Israel. This period is called the Great Tribulation. After 3 ½ years, this treaty will be broken and the entire world will be thrown into warfare unlike anything ever seen before. The Anti-Christ will claim to be God and his False Prophet will initiate the program where everyone is to receive the mark of the beast or the number of his name and worship him as god. Anyone who does this will be forever and irrevocably damned. But a multitude of people will not take his number or worship him. Many of them will be beheaded. Many others will hide out until the end. The end is not the end of the world. The end will be the return of Jesus Christ with His Church to put an end to the final great war, the “War of Armageddon.” Upon Christ’s return to the earth He will take the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet and throw them into the lake of fire. He will cause the devil, Satan, to be bound up for a thousand years. Jesus, Himself, will then set up His throne in Jerusalem and rule over the entire world for a thousand years. This is referred to as “The Millennium.” This will be a time of unparalleled peace and safety. After the thousand years is up, Satan will be released for a short time. He will again foster a rebellion against Jesus which will be put down quickly. After that will be what is called the “Great White Throne Judgment.” At this time all those who refused to place their faith in Jesus Christ will be resurrected and stand before God to be judged. At that time God will exact justice upon them and cast them into hell. This sounds harsh and it is but God is just and merciful and no one will go to hell that has not chosen to do so. About this same time God will cause fire to come upon the whole earth to purify it from the sin of the ages and He will restore both Heaven and Earth. Jesus will continue to rule over mankind for ever from the New Jerusalem which will come down out of Heaven. Satan will be cast into Hell for all time and there will never again be any sin, or war, or death, or pain and suffering for ever and ever. So there you have it; God’s plan for mankind for the next thousand years. Of course this is not an exhaustive or detailed explanation of the End-time events, but it does give you a good idea of the highlights. From here on we will look at specific events alongside specific prophecies.
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