This
generation stands upon the precipice of the wrap up of human history. We can
say this upon a platform of certainty. Our end time stage is built upon a solid
structure of knowledge. It provides strength of understanding from which no
other generation of human beings could have spoken.
The
Prophet Daniel predicted precisely this time on God’s Prophetic Timeline, I am
convinced.
“But
thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the
end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan 12: 4)
Those
who studied Bible prophecy throughout the decades since the close of the second
Century did so in the dark, from the point of history not shedding much
illumination on how God’s Prophetic word would unfold. The angel had told
Daniel the prophet that this would be the case. –That the book (the
understanding of end things would remained closed until the time of the very
end was reached.
Bible
prophecy was then put on the back burner, for the most part, so far as any
endeavors into understanding end times matters was concerned. The Catholic
Church in it’s various manifestations, then the Reformation church derivatives
of Martin Luther and the others drifted far from the early church fathers
devotion to studying the part of the scriptures that dealt with prophecy yet
future. It was, in my view, intellectual and spiritual laziness, as much as Lucifarian
influence, that caused this callous disregard for prophecy to infect the Body
of Christ.
Some
would say that this must have been the way God wanted it. He must have desired
for believers to not have understanding, so doused the Light of understanding
during this long period –longer even than the 400 plus year drought of prophetic
activity just prior to Christ’s first advent.
That’s
one way of looking at the dearth of prophetic enlightenment during the almost
2000 years since Christ’s Resurrection. However, I believe the words of the
angel to Daniel, telling the old prophet to “shut up the book” was more akin to
the Bible’s telling about Abraham, David, and Solomon having multiple wives
–and even concubines. God reported these things, but He did not cause them to
happen. Nor did God approve of these goings on… The Lord used reports of these
sins to show His children down through the ages the folly, even deadly
consequences of disobeying their Heavenly Father. The Lessons of these sinful
activities of even the greatest of the Bible heroes is that we are fallen, and
without staying close to the Creator –our Father—we, too, can and will slip
into egregious activities that push us away from God’s Loving, Directing Hand.
This
disobedience, He is telling us through such Reportage—causes severe
repercussions and ramifications.
There
is no better example of those repercussions and ramifications than what has
happened since Abraham and Sarah decided to get ahead of God’s Will when Sarah
sent her handmaid, Hagar, into her husband to produce an heir.
And,
this is where that disobedience and prophecy yet future converge and merge.
The
whole world faces the consequences of that sin today in the hate-filled
conflict between Arabs and Jews that is gushing humanity toward man’s final
conflagration –Armageddon.
So,
the angel’s instruction to Daniel to “close up the book” (of understanding end
time things) was God’s reporting, in my view, the deliberate intellectual and
spiritual slothfulness –even callous disregard—that would clutch the minds of
even God’s best Bible students, until the very end of days. God was reporting
this dearth of His people being able to ascertain end time matters. God did not
cause the book of understanding to be closed, so they wouldn’t comprehend.
The
vital, glorious thing to see is that now that book has –I’m convinced it is
overwhelmingly obvious—been open, and each and every hour seems to bring
increased understanding. Knowledge is indeed increasing –and at an exponential
rate!
Signals
that we are in the end times are so ubiquitous, and at the same time
proliferating at such a profound pace, that it is sometimes difficult even for
those of us who watch diligently, to fully gather within our eschatological
radarscopes, all that is occurring. But Jesus, right after giving those signals
that would be prevalent leading up to His Second coming, concluded, as reported
in the book of Mark. “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mk 13:
37)
It
is therefore incumbent upon us –all Christians—to discern the signs of the
times. We will look at them, trying to put them in the order given us by Jesus
and the prophets as they foretold these end time things.
Those
who consider such things calculate that about 27% of God’s word is given to
prophecy. Roughly half, those who figure these things believe, has been
fulfilled. Therefore there is about 14% of Bible prophecy yet to be fulfilled.
Careful
study of the historical record can be shown to validate Bible prophets as 100%
accurate , in considering prophecies already fulfilled. We can, through
application of human rationale, therefore, think the rest of prophecy will
likely be fulfilled. Christians should trust, without reservation, that their
Lord, Who the Bible tells us is the “Word,” (John 1: 1-2) will accomplish
fulfillment of the remaining prophecies –those yet future.
Those
who read this article, following the disappearance of millions of people –the
Rapture of all believers in Jesus Christ—are urged to examine the history of
these matters. Those who read this post-Rapture will have considerable, and
quite recent, history to look to and consider whether God’s word is true, about
end times matters.
As
this is written, the world stands on God’s prophetic Timeline facing the
apocalyptic storm in the distance while it approaches. If you are reading this,
following the Rapture, you are likely actually in the early stages of that
prophesied storm of evil –the last 7 years of human history that leads to the
Second coming of Jesus Christ to Planet Earth.
There
are no prophecies yet to be fulfilled before the Rapture of Christ’s Church.
That is not to say prophecies yet future will NOT be fulfilled before the
Rapture –just that there are none given that MUST BE fulfilled before that
stunning event.
We
will not address here all of the many geophysical, and even societal and
cultural perilous times signals we see all around us in this generation. We
will look at specific major events scheduled to unfold. However, it is
unavoidable to think of the birth pang like convulsions of earthquakes, record
hurricanes, and the upheavals of violence that seems to fill the whole earth,
while thinking on the following.
Many
of us, who carefully study these matters, believe that Israel’s once again
being a nation, in its ancient homeland, and with its ancient language, Hebrew,
is a fulfillment of prophecy. I don’t see how it can be otherwise.
Israel
has to be back in the land for the final prophecies to roll out as foretold.
That nation is at the very heart of end times things to come.
The
most profound prophecy in that regard is the fact that the Messiah –the
returning Lord of Lords and King of kings will set His Throne atop Zion, once
He returns. That will be a dramatic topographically changed Mt. Moriah, with
Christ’s Millenial Temple set high above the
city of Jerusalem.
But,
before that happens, Israel will have to endure the time of “Jacob’s trouble,”
(Jer. 30: 7,). It will be the worst time ever in history for that people,
according to Jesus, Himself. As a matter of fact, His prophecy indicates the
same degree of horror for the whole world at that time.
He
said: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning
of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt 24: 21)
Zechariah
the prophet foretold there would be an Israel, and a Jerusalem during that
period of Tribulation. God spoke the following, through His prophet. “And in
that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that
burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the
earth be gathered together against it.” (Zech 12: 3)
Israel
today is already the center of attention, and of much scorn from its neighbors
and much of the rest of the world. As I often say, when interviewed, no matter
which way the news microphones and cameras turn to capture other stories, they
always swing right back to Israel, Jerusalem, and the surrounding areas. That
is because that region offers the greatest threat to spark thermonuclear
conflagration. The Bible foretells that it WILL host the most horrific conflict
of human history –Armageddon!
With
that framework –that Israel is back in the land, which is surely a fulfilling
of prophecy-- let us look at where things unfold from here on God’s End Times
timeline.
While
the storm clouds of apocalypse gather and approach, Christians attuned to God’s
whole word should watch, according to the Lord Jesus Christ.
They
should be aware of the elements of that approaching storm of Tribulation.
Things
of society, cultures, in every endeavor of life, will, at the same time, seem
to be business as usual. Times will be like the days of Noah and Lot, at the
moment of His next intervention into the affairs of humanity, according to
Jesus. (Read Luke 17: 26-30) It will be a catastrophic intervention.
Jesus
will step out on the clouds of Glory, and shout “Come up here! – Rev. 4: 1-2)
All Christians –those who accept Christ’s Blood Atonement for Salvation (born
again believers) will instantly be with
Jesus above the earth. (Read 1 Cor. 15: 51-55 and 1 Thes. 4:13-18.)
Millions
of people (those Raptured) will vanish, will disappear from the planet before
the astonished eyes of those left behind.
Those
who have gone to be with the Lord will be taken back to Heaven, where He has
prepared a place of Eternal Dwelling for them (Jn 14: 1-3).
The
BEMA Judgment (to give Rewards for service to the Lord while on earth) will
take place. Crowns will be handed out to God’s Family.
The
Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur (Christ’s Bride made ready for the
wedding), then the Wedding Feast (Revelation 19:9).
Things
on Planet Earth will be gearing up for the great end time storm. God, the Holy
Spirit, according to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, will remove as Restrainer
during the times following the Rapture.
The
nations of earth will be in chaos. The turmoil will cause severe ramifications,
while governments seek to restore civil order, and regain governmental and
economic equilibrium.
Profound
shifts of power will likely take place, with the EU becoming the new super
power, absorbing America’s power and authority, the U.S., having lost the most
people in key places, thus having suffered the most loss of control.
According
to prophecy, one man will step forward to proffer a plan to quell the fears of
war in the Middle East. (Daniel 9: 27.) This prophecy correlates to Revelation
6: 2, with the rider on the white horse riding forth.
The
great world leader will arrive just in time to look to be the shining knight on
the white horse. He will have the answer to the looming all-out war in the
Middle East. He will be able to sell a 7 year peace plan that is already
available, apparently.
Israel
will agree to the covenant, as will her enemies, and, in effect, the whole
world will accept The European leader’s masterful sales pitch. But Israel’s
acceptance will fly in the face of God. This “covenant made with death and
Hell,” as it is called in Isaiah, chapter 28, will cause God’s Judgmental Wrath
to begin to fall.
The
Gog-Magog attack prophesied by Ezekiel is one that is controversial, so far as
to where it will fit into the end times timeline is concerned. Some has the
event just before the Rapture, or in conjunction with the Rapture, while others
believe it will happen right after the Rapture, or nearer the mid point of the
7 year Tribulation period.
Russia is destined to present some of the most fearsome trials and tribulations for Israel. Gog, “chief prince of Rosh,” is the leader of Russia described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. In ancient language, Gog means “leader.” “Rosh” is the ancient name for the land of Russia. In the last days, Russia will be the leading nation of the Gog-Magog coalition of nations that will make a move against Israel and be defeated by a supernatural act of God.
Persia (Iran)
comes right along beside Russia, in prophetic parlance.
According to Ezekiel 38:5, Iran will aid Russia in
attacking Israel before or during the Tribulation. Even now, Iran acts as a
destabilizing force in the world.
144,000
Evangelists
The
Lord will not allow the dark, Satanic realm to go unchallenged. God will seal
(protect from Satan and his minions) 144,000 Jewish men with the Gospel Message
of Jesus Christ, the only Way to Salvation –Redemption, and Reconciliation to
God, the Father. (Read Rev. 7: 3-8.) These will proclaim the Gospel Message
throughout the world. Millions upon millions of people will hear the message,
and become Christians of the Tribulation period.
Two
Jewish men will be placed during this period for preaching then Gospel, and for pointing the finger of Judgment, if
repentance isn’t forthcoming. No one knows for sure who these men will be, but
there seems good evidence that at least one of them will be Elijah, the Old
Testament prophet who God took up from earth in a fiery whirlwind.
The
Satanic governmental regime will seek to kill these men, but will not be able
to do so, until God allows. Anyone who tries to kill them will, in like manner,
be killed, according to the prophetic word.
Finally,
the regime will be able to kill them. There dead bodies will lie in the streets
of Jerusalem for 3 days, then they will be resurrected to life, and will lift
into the sky before the astonished eyes of their murderers, and of the whole
world.
The
great world leader , who confirmed the 7 year peace covenant, convincing Israel and its enemies to rely on
him and his regime to keep the peace, will be struck with a deadly head wound.
But, he will resurrect, supposedly, from death.
He
will, following this, what I believe will be a false resurrection--possibly
following the defeat of the Gog-Magog forces – suddenly walk into the Jewish temple
atop Mt. Moriah at Jerusalem, and declare himself to be God. He will demand
worship from all of the world’s inhabitants. (Read 2 Thes. Chapter 2, and
Revelation, chapter 13.)
He
is then revealed as Antichrist, the son of perdition, the man of sin.
He
will cause all to accept his mark or be cut out of the economic system –all
buying and selling.
He
will order all killed, who will not worship him. The chief method of death
dealing will be beheading.
His
partner in the Satanic duo will point all worship to the beast –Antichrist. The
false prophet will be Antichrist’s John the Baptist figure.
Jesus
forewarned the Jews who will occupy Jerusalem at the time of Antichrist’s
revelation to flee to the mountains. (Read Matthew chapter 24, and Revelation,
chapter 12.)
This
era, the mid-way point of the 7 year Tribulation era, will begin the time of
Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30: 7) –a time Jesus says will be the worst time of all
history (Matt 24: 21).
Antichrist
will begin the greatest genocide ever to be visited upon the planet.
Antichrist’s
regime will cause all to give worship to the beast, the Revelation 13 term for
Antichrist. He will apparently set up some sort of idol, before which all must
bow. This will likely be done by the image of himself being telecast in some
way to all the world. (Read Revelation chapter 13.)
His
regime will consist of 10 kingdoms –whose newly crowned kings (political
leaders of the region,) will give all of their authority and power to Antichrist. We might be seeing
the formative months and years of the formation of this 10 kingdom development
with the various trading blocs beginning to form. The European Union, seems to
be the prototype for those that will
follow.
The
North American Union (NAU) that seems to be underway in development, bringing
America, Canada, and Mexico together in an economic trading bloc, appears to be
one such “kingdom” that is in the making.
Antichrist
will bring together one world government, one world economy, and one world
religion, to some extent –for a brief time, at least. This is a Babylonian-type
system that will all but enslave the entire world.
The
Babylonian system will actually be an extension of the revived Roman Empire.
This was prophesied in Daniel, chapters 2, 7, 9, and 11, as well as in
Revelation, chapter 13.
Ancient
Babylon’s and the ancient roman Empire’s influence upon this end time regime of
hell on earth are described in Revelation, chapters 17 and 18.
God
will completely destroy the chief city of the end time Babylon in one hour, the
Bible prophesies in Revelation, chapter 18.
China,
today, is a growing economic, as well as military behemoth. It exerts hegemony
over it’s neighbors of the orient. The bible predicts a day during the
Tribulation when the “kings of the east” will march across the dried-up
Euphrates River to do battle at Armageddon.
This
juggernaut will consist of 200 million troops, all, prophecy seems to indicate,
demon possessed, while they cross the area of the Euphrates. (Read Revelation,
Chapters 9 and 16.)
The
kings of the east march toward a
rendezvous with all other nations of the world. God says this about this
meeting: “For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring
again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and
will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them
there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among
the nations, and parted my land.” (Joel 3: 10-2) Also, read Rev. 16: 16, and
Rev. 19: 17-18.
Just
as the battle is becoming so violent that it threatens the end of all people
and animals on earth, the black clouds of apocalypse unroll like a scroll, and
brilliant light from Heaven’s core breaks through, revealing the King of kings
and His Armies and myriads of angelic hosts. “And I saw heaven opened, and
behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of
fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man
knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and
his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven
followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out
of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and
he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Rev. 19: 11-15)
The
conquering Creator of all things will establish His earthly throne atop Mt
Moriah, which will be supernaturally reconfigured from topographical
renovations made for the Millennium.
All
the nations of the world will come before the Lord Jesus Christ. (Read about
the sheep-goats judgment in Matthew, chapter 25.)
Those
people who have made it alive through the 7 years Tribulation will either be
believers or unbelievers. Believers will be ushered into Christ’s 1000 year
reign on earth, while unbelievers will be cast into everlasting darkness, the
scripture prophesies.
The
Millennial Reign of Christ will begin, a time during which the false prophet and
the beast (Antichrist,) the first to be thrown into the lake of fire, will
begin to serve their eternal sentence.
Satan
will be confined in the bottomless pit, and there will be none of his minions
to torment, and tempt the Millennial earth-dwellers.
It
will be a time much like the times of Eden, with the earth restored to its
pristine beauty. (Read Rev. 20-10.)
After
the 1000 years, the Devil will be released from the pit for a short space of
time. He will lead millions of those who have been born during the Millennium,
in an assault on Christ at Jerusalem.
God
will send down fire and consume them all.
Satan
will be cast into the lake of fire. The lost dead will be resurrected (their
eternal bodies joined to their souls,) and all will stand before the Great
White Throne of Christ to be judged.
All
will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. (Read Rev. 20: 10-15.)
God
–Jesus Christ—will remake the Heavens and the Earth in preparation for
everlasting, ever-growing ecstasy in God’s Presence. (Read Rev. 20:16-22:
16.)