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| endtime news |
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| food for the thought |
| Signs of the times |
| "You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6) No period in all history has witnessed the escalation of wars as has the 20th century. The Red Cross estimates that over 100 million people have been killed in wars since this century began. Since World war II, there have been over 150 major wars, as well as hundreds more armed rebellions and revolutions. The death toll in armed conflicts since the end of WW II is more than 23 million. "And there shall be famines" (Matthew 24:7). The World Bank reported in late 1996 that more then 800 million people are going hungry every day, and more than 500 million children do not get enough food to fully develop mentally and physically. "Some 40,000 hunger related deaths occur every day, mostly in rural regions", says bank Vice President Ismail Serageldin. "And there shall be pestilences" (Matthew 24:7) Less than 20 years ago the medical profession claimed victory over many bacterial and viral killers. But cases of infectious diseases have now skyrocketed. "The emergece of bacteria strains that cannot be killed by current antibiotics could become a public health threat worse then AIDS. Diseases recently considered conquered are becoming unstoppable... Scientists expect nothing short of a medical disaster." Speaking of AIDS - The Wold Heath Organization (WHO) says "Around the world more than 6,000 people every day are infected with HIV and the epidemic is getting worse." "And there shall be earthquakes, in various places" (Mathew 24:7) The Universal Almanac tells us that there were only 21 earthquakes of major strength between the years 1000 and 1800. But between 1800 and 1900, ther were 18 major earthquakes. Between 1900 and 1950, there were 33 major quakes -- almost as many as the number preceding 1,850 years! Between 1950 and 1991 there were 93 major earthquakes -- almost triple the number of the previous half century -- which claimed the lives of 1.3 million people around the world. Numerous scientist warn that we are currently entering a period of great seismic disturbances. A world "filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11) Another condition that Jesus said it would be prevalent, just prior to His return would be unrestrained violence: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of teh Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37). In Noah's days, "the earth was corrupt before God, and filled with violence" (Genesis 6:5,11). Today's headlines are full of tragic stories of sensless violence. The annual homicide and suicide rate in America is now nearly as high as the total loss of American life during the entire Vietnam War. In the past 30 years alone, suicide and murder have claimed the lives of over 1,200 million Americans, more than all the men killed in all the wars in the history of the US. "This Gospel shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the End come" (Matthew 24:14) Unlike the dramatic rise in wars, famine and plagues and earthquakes, which Jesus called "the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:8), He said the preaching of the Gospel to all nationswould be a specific sign that would indicate when the actual End would come upon the world. Never in the course of history has the Gospel been preached in all the world to all nations as it is right now. -- If not directly by missionaries, by the modern mediums of radio, TV and telecommunications. According to The Almanac of the Christian World, the Gospel message has been preached to over 4 billion people, in virtually every country. "Then shall the End come!" "The Anticrist is coming" (1 John 2:18) An important and final sign of the end, which the Bible devotes numerous chapters to, is teh rise of a one-world government headed by an evil tyrant known as the Antichrist or "the Beast". The Book of Revelation says that the whole world will worship Satan in the person of this bestial world leader. The Bible tells of an ingenious seven-year peace agreement or "covenant", which will be pivotal to the Antichrist's claim to world leadership. The pact will temporarily resolve the Middle East crisis by working out a compromise between Israel and her Arab neighbors. Jerusalem's Mount Moriah, where the Jew's ancient temple once stood and where the Muslim Dome of the Rock stands today, will be a focal point. Three-and-a half years after the enactment of the Antichrist's covenant, he will revoke it. He will then make Jerusalem his international capital, and outlaw all religions except the worship of himself and his mystical image. This image will somehow be empowered to both speak and cause those who refuse to worship it to be killed. (See Revelation 13:14-15). Jesus said this will be a time of "great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world" (Matthew 24:15,21) The "Mark of the Beast" "He causes all to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name....His number is 666" (Revelation 13:15-18) This prophecy describes something that has never before been possible. 2000 years ago a simple fisherman, the Apostle John, predicted a global economic system would one day arise in which everyone will be forced to receive a number, without which they won't be able to buy or sell. It is only the advent of computers and electronic banking that this could happen. The Second Coming "Immediately after the tribulation... they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall gather together His chosen" (Matthew 24:29-31) The World's darkest hour will abruptly end with the dawning of the brightest day when Christ returns. All those who belong to Him will be miraculously transformed with new supernatural bodies, and will be rescued from their anti-Christ persecutors and transported to the most spectacular victory celebration ever held, the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" in Heaven (Revelation 14:14-15; 19:6-9) Are you ready for these earth shaking events? If not, get ready by simply receiving Jesus into your life. He loves you and will be with you and guide you through whatever perilous times you may face. If you don't yet know Jesus, you can receive Him and His free gift of everlasting life by simply praying this prayer. Dear Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart. Please forgive me for all the wrongs I've done and give me Your gift of everlasting life. Help me to love You and help me to share Your love and truth with others. Amen. |
| "And as He [Jesus] sat upon the Mount Olives, the desciples came unto Him, saying, "Tell us, what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" (Mathew 24:3) Jesus answered them with dozens of specific indicators to be on the lookout for. (The term "The end of the world" as used here does not refer to the end of the planet, but the end of the current inhumane reign of man on earth). Although many of the signs He gave are things that have plagued the world for ages, it's remarkable how the severity and frequency of these have now increased. "You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6) No period in all history has witnessed the escalation of wars as has the 20th century. The Red Cross estimates that over 100 million people have been killed in wars since this century began. Since World war II, there have been over 150 major wars, as well as hundreds more armed rebellions and revolutions. The death toll in armed conflicts since the end of WW II is more than 23 million. |
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