PROPHECY AND THE END TIMES
Note: Throughout this I shall "paraphrase" scripture for simplicity. I will place a (Pp:) in front each time I do. I will also include the scripture reference for you to look up.
Many believe that we are living in the latter days now (myself included). There are many reasons for this assertion. Jesus said (Pp:)"no man knows the hour or the day, but that we would know the season." (Mat. 24:33&36) One point to get clear right now; the "Second coming of Christ" and "His return for the church" (the Rapture) are two separate events! (more on this later).
Some of the prophecies that have come to pass are:
| Israel became a nation again in 1948. |
| There has been a dramatic increase in earthquakes, floods, famines, and other natural disasters in the last ten years. |
| The twentieth century has been the "Century of War". (Pp:)"There shall be wars and rumors of wars." (Matt. 24:6) |
| There have been many who claimed to be the Messiah, false prophets and cults; i.e. Jim Jones whose followers committed mass suicide in Guyana (1978), David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in Texas (1993), and the Heavens Gate group in California (1997) to name just a few. These being the most well known because of the deaths involved. How many are out there who have yet to make the national news? |
| The technology exists today for many of the prophecies: Knowledge abounds; the whole world has access to the Gospel through radio, television, satellites, and the internet; thermo-nuclear bombs that can destroy the earth, micro-devices the size of a grain of rice are already being implanted under the skin of animals with serial numbers to identify them (the mark of the beast); plus much more. |
| The United States of Europe is in place to be the revived Roman Empire with a one world government and currency. |
| The World Bank and all of the economic facilities are calling for a cashless society. You no doubt already have a debit bank card. |
| Israel and the Arabs are talking peace, which will fall apart until the anti-christ steps in and makes a seven year peace treaty. (This begins the Tribulation period). |