Scripture: Mark 13 v 4 - 8: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows."
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!
Jesus showed His disciples the Temple buildings and said they would be destroyed. His disciples had 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, corrupt governments.
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. He calls himself the Vicar of Christ, meaning that he is the vicarious representative of Jesus on Earth. He is not! 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 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.
Since this Millennium began there have been many earthquakes, some huge ones resulting in very destructive tsunamis. There have been different volcanic eruptions and worries of huge calderas in Yellowstone and other areas that are overdue for life-changing events. Like ash clouds that blot out the Sun from a third of the world for more than 6 months. This will affect food production affecting more than a billion people and causing massive famine.
Right now this week the worst volcanic eruption in 50 years is wiping out a fishing village in Iceland. Thankfully no lives lost or injured. There was also a huge mudslide in Colombia, where they grow the plants from which cocaine is made. A number of lives and many houses destroyed.
Yes there are wars that concern us right now. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas savage murders in Israel causing severe response. We are awaiting the outcome of a court case before the International Court of Justice concerning Israel and her right to continue fighting. This has caused the Houthis of Yemen, backed by Iran, to attack shipping in the Red Sea. The West has struck back but another arena of war is opening.
The moguls of the world seem to be planning another horrific outbreak of a plague called "Disease X". Documents filled with gloom about 100% deaths in mice affected by this virus plus videos from China showing hundreds of mobile crematorium being made ready. The Antichrist scenario is growing more dire by the day.
However, before that day there will be some 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.
The man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, will bring on anarchy all over the world. The Apostasy, falling away from true Christianity, is in full operation. In some churches The Apostles Creed has been reduced to a more Woke format:-
"Sparkle Creed.
“I believe in the non-binary God whose pronouns are plural.
I believe in Jesus Christ, their child, who wore a fabulous tunic and had two dads, and who saw everyone as a sibling child of God.
I believe in the rainbow Spirit, who shatters our image of one white light and refracts it into a rainbow of gorgeous diversity.
I believe in the church of everyday saints, as numerous, creative, and resilient as patches on the AIDS quilt, whose feet are grounded in mud and whose eyes gaze at the stars in Wonder.
I believe in the calling to each of us, that love is love is love, so beloved, let us love.
I believe, glorious God. Help my unbelief."
This has appeared this month in a mainline church! This is what the gospel has been reduced to. It's very politically correct but its a deception in every way. This is what we are fighting in order to save souls. We need to be ready to counteract this Apostasy with the true Word of God.
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. The Book of Genesis is the beginning of the rescue of mankind from his evil clutches.
This Earth is a spiritual war zone. Multiple billions of demons have been sent on vital assignments from Satan in Hell. It's all about destroying everything God created. Pollution, destructive fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, corruption in governments. Right now the WEF at Davos is setting out Satan's agenda for 2024. All the world's leaders are there getting their corrupt instructions. Pray for the Lord to turn the tables on them! Pray for people to take their heads out of the sand and become aware of what's heading our way.
Our God sent His Son Jesus to die a horrible death to prevent any from spending eternity in that frightful place called Hell. 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 worldly religion that can save man from sin. Christianity is not a religion, it is an answer, a way of life 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. Call on the name of Jesus, repent and be baptized. In Jesus' name. Amen.