Recently, I
assembled a series of Old Testament prophecies that
were
fulfilled perfectly, by the birth, ministry, death,
resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ as the
promised Messiah. This has stimulated my thinking
about the nearness of His Second Coming!
Just today, I
came across a reference to the December 2004 tsunami and was reminded, "How soon we
forget"! For a few weeks we got much news of the
worst natural disaster in recorded history, (outside
of the Biblical Flood)! It's estimated to have taken
300,000 lives, leaving untold millions destitute. But
now a few months down stream and we need a special
effort to recall it and to include the unfortunate in
our prayers!
This caused me
to reflect on all the additional "signs of the
times" (2nd display of signs of the times, a
faster read), that
we are told of in the Scripture that set the stage
for the soon
return of our Lord Jesus. Just as the impact of the tsunami
fades, the wonder of all these signs of the times
being fulfilled can also fade. They are telling us
that His return is near! Not the particular date, He
left it as a surprise, but obviously, near! We should
live and share this blessed, solid
hope!
This tsunami
and associated earthquakes are
among the many "birth pangs, signs" growing in frequency and intensity as His return draws near. Tsunamis, hurricanes and tropical storms are increasing
in recent years.Click on the various years to see the
recent increase in hurricanes and tropical storms: 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Each link furnishes a world map
showing the number and direction of that year's
storms. Jesus spoke of the seas and waves as a sign of His soon return.
Jesus also
spoke of plagues and
pestilences
as a sign. Today, with all our skills in science, we
now have TB, Aids, Ebola virus, Bird flu, Mad Cow Desease and many STDs, all very challenging and some
admittedly without present hope!
My Pastor,
Scott Gilchrist, recently completed a great series on
the entire book of Revelation, (when at this link, click on
"MP3 CD-ROMs" to see the 49 message titles
and modest cost). His teaching caused us to
accellerate our outreach efforts ahead of our Lord's
soon return, when He will come to take His church
from the world. This grand event
is known as the Rapture!
Joe
Lawendowski of Tribulation Forces, writes a great
article about the "Rapture of the
Church! He
correctly holds to the "Pre-Tribulation" timing of the Rapture.
Of course, all
the turmoil in the Mid-East should also alert
thinking Christians to get ready for His return! You
may wonder, if there are any prophecies concerning
the USA in the last days.
David Reagan & Dennis
Pollock of the Lamb & Lion Ministries, along with
Al Gist, of Maranatha Evangelistic Ministries, join
in a video discussion of
this topic;
They agree that the USA, is
not seen in Biblical prophecy. This is surprising,
since it is the only, surviving, present world power.
They make two assumptions.
Either the Rapture occurs
soon, taking many Christians from the USA, leaving
the country in vertual ruin, or the USA will continue
on it's sinful, arrogant, immoral, un repentant path
and receive our deserved judgment from God, again
leaving her impotent.
For, instance, 19 terrorists
with box cutters, came close to bringing us to such a
condition at 9/11! Consider what could happen with
real weapons! There are a multitude of ways He can
take to bring judgment!
A third option, would be to
have a remarkable repentance on our part, similar to
what Jonah experienced in Nineveh! This would allow
time to pass as our nation's power passed more
gradually on to the European Union, which is becoming
the end time world power. In any event it seems the
USA will cease to be a big player, as the Anti-christ
comes on the scene.
They continue and conclude
that the Rapture and the Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle,
both occur just ahead of, or at the start of the 7
year Tribulation. This is the battle when Russia,
allied with most of the Arab world, is drawn into an
unsuccessful invasion of Israel!
(Jack Kelly of the Grace
Through Truth, Ministries, has an extensive, detailed study
of this Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle and the Rapture. He
tends to make similiar timing conclusions, in his wrap up).
Here's an
interesting speculation - - -
Personally, I have been
reading of interesting
speculations,
suggesting that the
Rapture could set the stage for the Anti-christ to
surface, gaining world wide leadership with his
explanations for the disappearance of the Christians
throughout the world. He would step into the vacuum
caused by vacated leadership etc.
Then, as he is in world
leadership, the Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle, takes place
and he appears victorious. This victory, supports his
claim that he is the promised messiah.
He will declare to the world
that it had just experienced the Biblical, Battle of
Armageddon where the messiah is the victor. Then
there is the brief, false peace that he can claim to
be the beginning of the 1000 year reign seen in Rev.
20!
This would be a fairly good,
believable,
counterfiet to deceive
his followers. He will claim for himself, early in
the Tribulation, what is actually going to happen,
according to the Scriptures, at the end of the
Tribulation. This is when Christ does defeat the
Anti-christ in the real Battle of Armegeddon. (End of
speculation)
For then, Christ will return
in power, touching down on earth, on the Mount of
Olives, for the first time. This is the second phase
of His return. (At the Rapture, the first phase, He
meets His church in the air 1stThess.4:13-18).
He comes to Jerusalem, with the armies of Heaven. He
conquers the Anti-christ along with all the nations
of the world as they rebel against Him in the actual
Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 19:11-21
and Zechariah 14:2-15!
Then Christ does usher in the
1000 year reign of peace!
Rev. 20:1-10,
and Zechariah 14:16-21!
There is a very brief, final rebellion at the end of
the 1000 years, then the final destiny of Satan.
This is followed by the Great
White Throne Judgement, where soon everyone will "bow the knee"
to Jesus Christ. Some having Him as their Saviour and
King and others as their judge!. Rev.20:7-15. The
Christ rejectors are judged for their works and are
"thrown into the lake of fire".
Rev. 21 - 22 Tell
us of the new Heaven and the New Earth and of our
future eternity with our Saviour, forever marveling at
His grace toward His own!
Well, I trust that this has
been helpful and stimulating for you. It surely has
been for me as I've assembled the pieces of it into
this article.
The hugely successful
"Left Behind" book series and Mel Gibson's,
valuable and successful, "Passion of
Christ" film have awakened Hollywood to the
opportunity to try to "play to the Evangelical
Christian audience", for a change, serving up
versions of "prophecy fiction".
So far, as I see their
efforts, they are missing the mark! I hope this
article will be valuable, as you "check their
work"! If you agree of its value, I suggest you
book mark this page. (Usually, a "right"
mouse click, will allow you to send a short-cut icon
to your desk top).
Assembled by: Duane Gilchrist
Any Comments?
