Sunday 19 June 2016

Signs of the Times


Scripture: Ezekiel 38 v 14-23: War in Israel in the latter days, and God's protection.
Ezekiel 39 v 1-7: God's judgment on those who want to destroy Israel.
1 Thessalonians 4 v 13-18: The Rapture of Believers, the Body of Christ, to meet Jesus, the Head, in the air above Earth.

Whenever something catastrophic happens the placards come out with "The End is Nigh" being announced. In  Matt 24v36 Jesus says "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." So anyone who ever predicts that they know the date of the Second Coming is wrong.  We know the season of His coming but even Jesus does not know the day nor the hour!

In  Matt 24 v 1-4 Jesus showed His disciples the Temple buildings and said they would be destroyed. His disciples asked 3 separate questions:
1. Tell us when shall these things be? - referring to the Temple being destroyed.
2. What shall be the sign of your coming?
3. What are the signs of the end of the world?

Some people have confused the issue by making these three questions into a simultaneous event. The first question would be answered in AD70 when the Romans destroyed the Temple causing the few surviving Jews to retreat to the Masada rock fortress. Eventually they scattered into different places leaving less than 100 Jews alive. 

But through those few, God kept alive His Covenant with them and rebuilt them and restored them back into the land of Israel after 1900 years in exile. This is a miracle unique to Israel, proving that the chosen people belong in the Promised Land. Those who hate the one true God hate Israel and want her wiped off the map. This hatred is originated and fuelled by Satan.

What will be the signs of His coming? The first thing Jesus said is Take heed that no man deceive you! So one of the signs of times will be people who go out of their way to lie, cheat, steal, scam, religious deceit, political deceit, business deceit, relationship deceit. Jesus said many will come in my name and deceive many. People who say they are Christ or His sole representative are deceiving you, including the Pope!  The true representative of Jesus Christ on Earth is the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, and seals them as protection from the world.

There will be World Wars, wars and rumours of wars to increase fear and panic; there will be famines, plagues, and an increase in earthquakes in many places. Weather will become extreme, more volcanoes will erupt.  These are called the beginning of sorrows. So the 20th century was like the curtain raiser for what is to come. During June 2016 there have been many earthquakes in diverse places and six different volcanic eruptions.

There will then come serious persecution of Christians, who will be hated by people of all other nations for believing in Jesus. Many false prophets shall rise and lead many away from the one True God. There will be a terrible increase in divorce.  Recent reports show a severe increase in Christians being persecuted and martyred.  Signs of the times.

Jesus says that those who endure to the end will be saved. Then the full gospel of Jesus will be preached in all the world and then shall the end come.  This full gospel started in Heaven from where Lucifer fell and sin originated in him.  Genesis is the beginning of the rescue of mankind from his evil clutches.

It is important for people to know that before the Great Tribulation starts Christians will be recalled to Heaven as Ambassadors are recalled to their home countries when war is declared. This recall is know as The Rapture when millions of born again Christians will be lifted from the Earth to meet Jesus in the air.

At the same time The Antichrist will take his seat in the Holy of Holies in the rebuilt Temple and declare himself God. The eyes of the Jews will be opened to this imposter they signed a  7 years peace treaty with, and they will flee into the mountains of Petra. 

Thereafter all the nations of the world will rise against Israel and an army of 200 million will meet Israel on the Plains of Meggido for the Battle of Armageddon. At this moment Jesus Christ and all His followers will come down on these forces and 166 million troops will immediately die. The rest will flee back the way they came.

Thereafter Jesus will rule as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings for 1000 years of peace and restoration. Only His followers will be on Earth with Him. All others will be with their god and master in the lake of fire.

Our God sent His Son Jesus to die a horrible death to prevent any from spending eternity in that frightful place. It is the need of every Christian to preach the gospel to the lost. There is no Plan B. There is no other name under Heaven than the name of Jesus Christ by which we may be saved. There is no religion that can save man from sin, Christianity is not a religion, it is an answer that guarantees life everlasting.

Prayer: Heavenly Father You have kept every promise and shown us how to get out of trouble free. All we can do is share the truth and trust You to open the eyes, ears and hearts of those who need to be saved. In Jesus' name. Amen.