Scripture: Mark 13 v 7 - 8: "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."
Matthew 24 v 32 - 33: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."
So much is happening all over this planet these days that its hard to know where to start. We are all hoping the Rapture will come before lunch on any given day. We need to get some facts straight before we become disappointed at any delay in leaving Earth.
We do know that there is a coming Tribulation period of 7 years that is broken into two equal halves, the second half worse than the first. It will commence with a Seven Year Peace Treaty between Israel and ALL Arab nations.
Now that Iran and Hamas are getting in line with this idea, and Hamas have requested Seven Years of peace, things are looking more positive. We need to see all the hostages in Gaza returned safely to Israel before that peace treaty with Hamas will be signed.
When it is signed the first half of the Tribulation will begin. It is called "The beginning of Sorrows". While awaiting this event we have the curtain raiser stage. We are well into this. Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, floods, storms, snow bombs, wars, rumours of wars like WW3, famine, terrorism, governments that are hostile to their own countries, lawlessness, the list goes on.
In North Dakota, USA, they are expecting hail the size of tennis balls today. That is a very destructive weather phenomenon, and we pray for God's mercy. SW China is having its worst floods since Noah's Ark floated around the planet. Entire Malls have been covered in muddy water. The Lord Jesus Christ said when you see these events increasing you know that the real tribulation is about to start.
This is quite an alarming early morning report. It fits in perfectly with the above scripture. The words of Jesus declaring it as the beginnings of sorrows. He says we must not let our hearts be troubled as these things have to be done.
It is coinciding with the growing and spreading revival to different parts of the world. The photo of an entire Islamic community in the Philippines turning to Jesus and being baptized in the sea en masse was a joy to behold. The spread of Christianity among the youth everywhere is just wonderful. The conversion of Iranians to Christianity is the fastest growth in any nation on Earth.
My greatest joy is to listen to the testimony of former Hezbollah terrorist, Afshin Javid, who met Jesus in a jail cell in Malaysia. He is an Iranian pastor now, working in his home country, bringing many of his countrymen to know Jesus and His salvation. He gets very emotional when he sees the Living Jesus in his cell, forgiving him of every sin. I cry too, its hard not to.
The world as we know it is rapidly changing into a polarization of West against East. Tiny Israel is stuck in the middle trying valiantly to be a buffer zone without being crushed out of existence. We know that God loves His chosen people. They were chosen before the world was formed. They were the people whom God foreknew. Just as He foreknew us too!
Jeremiah 1 v 5: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
Romans 8 v 28 - 29: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Ephesians 1 v 3 - 4: " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
God knew Israel and He knew us before the foundation of the world. He knew everything that would befall us. He knew the prophet Jeremiah, and all the other great men that were kept in Abraham's Bosom until Jesus died and went down to rescue them. They my were seen walking around in Jerusalem when Jesus was resurrected on Resurrection Sunday. Matthew 27 v 50-53.
When Jesus says don't panic these things must happen, we have to trust Him. These are the end times and we must expect the unexpected. The pandemic kickstarted this new turn of events. Earthquakes, record snowfalls across North America, floods over southern Africa, war in Ukraine, October 7, the hostages, whatever is scheduled for tomorrow.
If He knew 2000 years ago He also had a plan for us to endure these things. Are we believing Him and making preparations to weather the changes that are coming. He does not want us to hoard mountains of food, or sell everything and live in a cave.
He wants us to draw closer to Him and to those we love. Build up our finances in secure savings. One advisor said that we should buy Silver. All the missiles being detonated in Ukraine each contain 30lbs of silver. It's value is going to soar. Another is advising that Bitcoin is the best asset going forward. Others are buying gold. Everything but paper money these days.
Let's get our house in order by reducing our debts instead of buying expensive new toys. Let us be sensible and not extravagant. Let us help others where we can. Let us love one another as Jesus loves us.
If this is God's plan unfolding we cannot pray to prevent it. We are living in the last days and should have complete faith in the Lord. The end is not yet but we are not blind to it coming. Spiritually we should be mature and full of zeal for whatever the Lord requires of us.
In the middle of the Seven Year tribulation things escalate rapidly. The Antichrist is well known by now as he undersigned the Peace Treaty. The Temple in Jerusalem has been rebuilt and he goes into the Holy of Holies and declares himself God. At this moment Israel know they have been deceived and look toward the One who was pierced and mourn for their terrible blunders.
They flee into Jordan and the Wrath of the Lamb - the second half of Tribulation - begins against those left behind after the Rapture. Those that oppressed Israel, persecuted, murdered, cursed the Jews. Those who followed other gods and rejected Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Revelation 6 v 16 - 17: " And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
So embrace the flowing revival and be refreshed by the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to use you to uplift the fallen and bring them into the Body of Christ. Open your home to Bible studies and prayer meetings. Fill those empty hearts with the pure love of Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we will not be afraid because You are in full control of this Earth. The people of the world who were trapped in false religions are turning towards Your Kingdom. It is a time of great and sudden change, its the curtain raiser to the beginning of sorrows. Help us to help them to know You. In Jesus' name. Amen.