Friday, February 23, 2018

OUR TWO MINUTE WARNING





 By Steve Meehan -

 
In football parlance, to those of us who enjoy watching the NFL, a two-minute warning is given to both sides of the contest to inform the combatants that the battle is reaching its conclusion, and to take this one last respite from the heat of the game to catch a breather, to re-hydrate one last time, and to plan your last minutes' strategy against your opponent before retaking the field for the final push to secure the victory.
 
Of course, the first two-minute warning is given nearing the halftime intermission, but it is the final one, after 58 minutes of play have transpired, that lets you know, okay this it; the end is drawing near and the teams have to muster the strength and will to prepare for the final onslaught before things wrap up and the final whistle is blown.
 
It is in these closing minutes that the team with the ball, if they are trailing in the game by a touchdown or less, will go into a hurry-up mode or a two-minute offense, to drive down the length of the field and put themselves into a position to either kick a 3-point field goal to snatch a victory over their enemy in the closing seconds of a tight, hard-fought battle,  or be faced with having to go all the way into the end zone, past their opponent, to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat.
 
For those of us who are Christians, who belong to Christ's church, who have been commissioned to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and are informed about Bible Prophecy and Last Days events, one has to wonder if we are indeed in a two-minute warning period when we consider the condition of the world and the way things are lining up prophetically.
 
Are we seeing the summation of the Church Age and only have a brief time remaining before Jesus comes back for us and snatches us out and off to Heaven? Nobody knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return for His body of believers, but warning flags and whistles are dotting the landscape and sounding an alarm that the end may indeed be close.
 
What are these indicators that things may be wrapping up?
 
The Rapture of the Church is a sign-less event; but the subsequent seven-year Tribulation period that occurs after the removal of the saints from Earth has many visible indicators that lets one know that the time is upon them or about to get under way. If we are seeing preludes of the signs of this final "week" of years enveloping us, then we know that the Rapture is even closer.
 
It is hard to look around and see what is befalling the world presently and not come to the conclusion that the onset of the Tribulation hour is soon upon us.
 
We know that an antichrist and his globalist rule must arise at the very kickoff of the final seven-year period. A globalist push has been well underway for a number of years now. Secularists, and even the Vatican, have long been pushing for the establishment of such a worldwide government rule. Their goal to achieve this seemed to be going along methodically and gaining momentum until Brexit occurred and the election of Donald Trump in the USA stalled the movement in its tracks.
 
The former occupant of the White House, anti-president Obama, did all he could do weaken the United States and to foment worldwide instability to create the conditions necessary for the establishment of a worldwide rule and dictator - and it probably will take something of such enormity or cataclysmic severity to usher in the man who has a plan for global peace.
 
Obama didn't waste an opportunity in the US mainland to stoke the fires of civil unrest in his and his attorney general's meddling in perceived white on black racial injustice. His involvement in the "Arab Spring" in North Africa and the Middle East did anything but bring about peace and stability in those countries that were adversely affected by his prodding and manipulative schemes. He did all he could to thwart the re-election of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but God had other plans - including seeing to it that his groomed for president protégé, corrupt Hillary, would not step foot in the White House (How do you like Trump now, Obama?!).
 
Perhaps the most blatant and most despicable thing that Obama got away with was his so-called nuclear deal with Iran. How and why would the US Congress go along with the anti-president's traitorous actions in nullifying sanctions that were working just fine, and then giving them millions to continue their pursuit of not only nuclear ambitions, but to further their reach in state-sponsored terrorism?
 
We know that Iran hates Israel and will do all they can in their effort to destroy the Jewish State, so it only seems fitting that Obama would support any regime that has that goal foremost on their agenda. Obama's loathing of Israel was only all too apparent. What a stain he left on the American presidency. If nothing else, I enjoy watching Trump repeal all that the former clown-in-chief sought to accomplish in the Republic that he hated.
 
Anyway, venting over.  We know that in the end an antichrist figure and his global rule will arise, in spite of apparent momentary setbacks like Brexit and the Trump presidency. The Bible warns us of it, so it will happen. There are more than likely a few candidates waiting in the wings.
 
A few personalities have gotten some exposure lately in Europe; so when the time comes - after the Rapture of the Church - Satan will pick his man, and this "beast" figure will confirm a seven-year covenant with Israel, only to break it halfway through the Tribulation Period.
 
It is looking more and more like the Rapture could be the single event that propels this man forward. The desire to entrap Israel into a so-called "land for peace" deal with the occupying "Palestinian" Arabs has long been underway, and it is only a matter of time until the aforementioned man steps forward to ink his "covenant with Death and Hell" with the Jewish State.
 
We also know that a global religion will encompass the earth, and it will be used by the antichrist to further secure and establish his rule.
 
I don't have any doubt that the Vatican will be the nucleus of this false worldwide religious system, and they are the only entity on the face of the planet that is trying to usher in all other faiths into their fold, under the leadership of the Roman pontiff. Their "Come Home to Rome" campaign is a clarion call for all former Catholics to reunite with her, and their ecumenical tentacles reach far and wide to grab in any and all who will bend the knee to their "Holy Father."
 
Their alluring siren call has already tempted and deceived many a victim onto the rocks of her false religious system, and those numbers will only increase exponentially after the catching away of the true church. Her cheap perfume and garish mascara will only be too enticing not to lure in unsuspecting victims, after the Rapture has taken place. They will be instrumental in the promotion and advancement of the one who will rule the world.
 
Rumors of nuclear war are all about us in these end times.
 
North Korea is hell-bent on acquiring nukes, and their bellicose rhetoric by their "Dear Leader" directed at the United States is almost a daily news item. The people of South Korea, Japan, Guam and Hawaii are concerned about his threats to launch a nuclear-tipped missile in their direction.
 
We all know now about the false warning issued in Honolulu last month, so folks are alarmed that this sad example of a country's leader will follow through on his threats. He has tempered his tone recently, due to the ongoing Olympics, but it is only a matter of time until a misstep occurs, either by his actions or in a preventative measure taken by the USA.
 
Is God holding this back only until after the Rapture happens? It sort of seems that way, which means the Rapture of the Church could be oh so close.
 
Perhaps the biggest indicator to me that we are in a final two-minute warning period of the Church Age is what is going on in the Middle East and, in particular, events that are encompassing Israel, which is Ground Zero for Bible Prophecy and End-Time events. Israel finds itself buoyed in the middle of a tempestuous sea of those surrounding her that long to bring about her demise.
 
Hamas to the West never ceases in their quest to infiltrate Israel via their clandestine tunnel operations, in order to carry out terrorist activities. We occasionally hear of the Jewish State finding these tunnels and destroying them; but in this ongoing effort by these terrorists, Israel has to be ever vigilant and not allow those bent on terror from accomplishing their goals. They also continue to lob rockets into Israel, which brings about a swift retaliatory IDF air attack on the areas that launch those weapons.
 
To the South, for the time being, it seems that Israel and Egypt are cooperating, to a degree, to stop the rise of terrorism in the Sinai. ISIS or any other groups of radicalized Islamic subversives are more of a threat to Egypt's existence than the State of Israel could ever be to them, and they realize that. Both countries have a shared desire in stopping the spread of Islamic terrorism on the peninsula, so the combined effort to quell the violence in that region benefits both countries. The Isaiah 17 prophecy will eventually put an end to that cooperation.
 
Jordan, on the East, occasionally mouths words of contempt directed towards Israel, especially when they feel slighted or wronged by some of the actions taken by the Netanyahu government. Donald Trump's recent acknowledgment of Jerusalem being the eternal capital city of Israel was one such declaration made that gave Amman heartburn, and the usual tongue lashing followed from the country's leader.
 
Militarily, they have never been a serious threat to Israel. They like to play it both ways: in a desire to curry favor with their Muslim brothers, King Hussein will utter the usual vindictive rhetoric at Israel when a perceived affront to the Islamic cause has taken place; but then, in order to appease the West, and the US especially - since they desire our military aid and protection, to an extent - they will usually cool their heels after a short period of venting their rage.
 
They still have a peace agreement in effect with Israel; but again, with the sudden occurrence of the Isaiah 17 prophecy unfolding sometime soon in the future, they will side with those lined up against the Jewish State.
 
Up to the North, Israel faces a variety of threats - more insidious and extremely more lethal.
 
Hezbollah, to the northwest, has been allowed to flourish along the southern tier of the nation of Lebanon. Through the support of the rogue state of Iran, they have amassed quite an arsenal of rockets, numbering in the tens of thousands. Israel does all they can to stop the shipment of those weapons from Syria into Lebanon, with forays into Syrian airspace to launch missile strikes at the convoys transporting those weapons of war.
 
Hezbollah has also been operating in the confusion taking place in Syria, along with other enemy combatants in that ongoing quagmire. It is only a matter of time until those rockets north of Israel get launched into the Jewish homeland. Something or someone must be holding that event back, for the time being.
 
The greatest threat, by far, to Israel has to be what is taking place in Syria. It is totally out of control - at least from a human perspective.
 
God is always in control, so prophesied events to occur will only happen at their appointed time. Who could have foreseen the circumstances that transpired to allow for the ingathering of all the forces that are now occupying what is left of the country of Syria? Assad may still be in charge in name only, but certainly the country has become a multi-front shooting gallery, and disaster looms on the horizon for its capital city.
 
Russia has been entrenched in the country of Syria now for a couple of years, for the supposed intention of propping up Assad and his regime. Putin doesn't care a whit for Assad; he just wants his warm water port on the Med and to further along his expansionist goals. Assad is a willing dupe, and under the protection of the Ruskies, he gets to maintain control of the country [har har].
 
Obama tried to exert his will in Syria [another har har moment] by supporting the rebels that wanted to overthrow the Assad regime, and by his placement of disappearing red lines for Syria not to cross when it came to their use of chemical weapons against the rebels and civilians. It was all pretty much downhill from there.
 
Russian forces are fighting; Assad's forces are fighting; the US-backed rebels are fighting; Hezbollah moved in to fight; and now, the most troubling aspect of the war, as far as Israel is concerned, is that Iran has troops directly involved in the country that are in position to launch attacks against the Jewish State.
 
Netanyahu met with Putin to warn the Russians, and to the others involved by extension, that Israel will not allow Iranian forces to operate within 40km or 25 miles of the Israeli border, and that serious repercussions would ensue if Israel was not heeded in this regard.
 
There can be no mistaking of what Iran's desires are for the Jewish State. They have said repeatedly, for quite a while now, that they intend to destroy the Jewish State or drive them into the sea, as their bluster goes. Israel has been warning the world for years of the Iranian threat, and it has, to a large extent, fallen on deaf ears. Iran and the world should take seriously what Israel intends to do with Iran in order to safeguard their own country's existence.
 
Will the world heed? No. Not until disaster strikes.
 
Now with Iran on the doorstep of Israel, things have ratcheted up rather quickly in the shadow of Bible prophecy. An Israeli fighter jet, conducting operations to take out Iranian drone-launching sites after one of the drones had infiltrated Israeli airspace over the Golan Heights area, was shot down by a Syrian missile defense system. The IDF responded by taking out a battery of the Russian-built missile defense systems that were positioned near the Israeli border.
 
So, there are now ongoing operations directly involving Iran and Israel, and not through proxies like Iran had been doing in the past. This can only escalate; and where it ends, students of Bible prophecy have an idea.
 
There are two prophecies of significance that have yet to occur and could be extremely close to their fulfillment. Some subscribe to the notion of a third prophecy happening - a Psalm 83 war - but I don't believe that Psalm speaks of an actual war, but instead is a plea for help.
 
Isaiah 17 foretells of a future destruction of the city of Damascus. It seems to indicate that the city will be standing in the evening; but, by morning time, it has been obliterated. Only a nuclear device or a series of nuclear attacks could level a city that quickly.
 
Another prominent end-time prophecy is the so-called Gog/Magog invasion of Israel by a horde of nations that seem to point to Russia, Turkey, Iran and others confederated with them, into the land of Israel.
 
This is an ill-conceived attack against the Jewish people, and the Ezekiel 38 and 39 description of this account says that God Himself will intervene and wipe out 5/6ths of the invading forces. It is interesting that not all the forces will be decimated, but that 1/6th of them will survive. Nevertheless, it will be a huge invasion into the mountains of Israel, and it will cover the land like a cloud, according to the verbiage used by Ezekiel in this prophecy.
 
How close are we to that? Those three nations - Russia, Iran and Turkey - are confederated now and operating within the next-door neighboring country of Syria, just on the doorstep, so to speak, of Israel. Ezekiel talks of "hooks" being placed into Gog's jaws by the Lord and turning him around and drawing him into Israel to begin the annihilation of these forces that wish to destroy the Jewish State.
 
I personally believe that Gog is a spiritual entity and is a chief prince, or a demonic fallen being, that has influence over that region of the Middle East. Much like in the book of Daniel, where it speaks of a chief prince over Persia and another one influencing the nation of Greece, I think this demonic entity could be an upper- echelon general of Satan's forces. And quite possibly, like Satan entered Judas Iscariot to betray the Lord and Satan will eventually enter into the coming antichrist, this chief prince could enter into a guy like Putin and drag all those forces down into Israel.
 
Putin, being a human, will eventually succumb to death; but, in the Book of Revelation, we see this character Gog fighting again, after the 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth. I don't think that Vladimir Putin will be around or resurrected to fight again, after a time period of over 1,000 years has elapsed. Human beings will perish during this invasion of Israel, but spiritual entities will live on to fight another day.
 
And who knows? Maybe even the prince of Persia, along with the prince of Turkey - if they have one, and maybe all countries do! - will be fighting alongside Gog in this huge push to destroy God's Chosen People. I'd be willing to bet also that Michael, the chief prince of Israel, will be in position on the other side of this battle as it rages on. Satan's forces and his generals doing battle against Michael and the God of Israel - and the outcome was foretold centuries ago.
 
Maybe the hook is required to be inserted into Gog's jaw by God, because the satanic forces know they can't possibly win this battle and want to opt out of it at the last minute; but God has other plans and wants to prove that, at this time, He is fighting on behalf of the Jewish people and He wants all to know that there is a God in Heaven watching out for His Chosen People. Just a thought...
 
From a human perspective, what could be the hook to draw in Putin and Russia, and the other forces allied with him?
 
Russia needs funds to continue their expansionist endeavors, and to acquire those recently discovered natural gas fields off the coast of Israel would go a long way in furthering his conquests. There is also the possibility of crude oil being found in Israel, so that would be alluring as well. Russia could also lay claim to the natural land bridge that Israel forms between Europe, Asia and Africa. Israel is also situated along the Med, is close to the strategic Suez Canal, and the Gulf of Aqaba to the south. That would be very desirous for Putin to have access to those waterways for his navy to operate.
 
For Iran and Turkey, who have ambitions of recreating an Islamic caliphate, the destruction of the Jewish State might be a big enough carrot to entice them into this invasion, to do away with the Zionist regime once and for all.
 
Then the question comes up: when will these two events - the Isaiah 17 and the Ezekiel 38/39 prophecies happen? Which will come first? Will they happen before the Rapture of the Church, or later? Will one immediately precede the other, or are they two separate events that are not interrelated?
 
Students of Bible prophecy have mixed ideas about when these two events might take place. Obviously, we can't be dogmatic on their timing. We don't know for sure. All we can do is stay immersed in the Word and to keep an eye on daily events.
 
We have the benefit, though, of knowing that there is more behind the scenes going on and what it will lead up to in regard to Bible prophecy, more so than does the casual observer who sees or hears of an Israeli jet being shot down in Syria due to operations against Iranian forces. We know that there are epic events going to take place along that front - in Syria and the land of Israel - that will have enormous implications to the combatants on both sides. They will be earth-shattering events, both in the physical human realm, as well as the spiritual.
 
As far as timing, the final seven-year period known as the Tribulation Period, or Daniel's Last Week of Years, is also referred to as the Time of Jacob's Trouble. And indeed, the final seven years will be a time when the Lord deals directly with and through the Jewish people again, since the Church has already been raptured out and off the planet.
 
Since this will be the Time of Jacob's Trouble, my belief is that the Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38/39 campaign will happen after the Rapture. With the True Church gone, the whole world will hate Israel, and they will be the prime target of Satan and his demonic cohorts. He will sway all the human governments to do his bidding against the Land and people of Israel.
 
There are a couple of reasons why I believe this. First, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will be lifted at the removal of the Church, and any evil thoughts or motives will be more easily realized and affected without this restraining influence holding them back. North Korea could more easily launch a nuke, an evil dictator will be allowed to arise, Iran will be able to seek to destroy Israel, etc. Evil will abound.
 
Secondly, in the Ezekiel 38/39 verbiage, it seems to indicate that the US will be nothing more than a protesting nation sitting on the sidelines of this invasion, if they are indeed included as one of the "young lions of Tarshish," and most likely they are a part of this group. Others could include nations like Canada and Australia, nations who had their origins and roots in Great Britain. The Lion is the symbol for Great Britain, and so the "young" could refer to her offspring countries like the US, Canada and Australia who have only been nations for a couple of hundred years.
 
Why would the US, with all its military might, not come to the aid of our ally Israel during this invasion, especially now with Trump in office who seems to be very pro-Israel? And why would the UK, or Canada, or Australia and/or others just lodge a mild protest, probably in the halls of the UN, at the invasion of this large armed force into the country of our present ally Israel?
 
Even Saudi Arabia, as most believe that she is the Sheba and Dedan that Ezekiel references, is sitting out of this invasion and is voicing displeasure or concern. They certainly don't want to see Iran get any stronger and grow in their hegemony over the Middle East. For the time being, there is a quasi-cooperation going on between Jerusalem and Riyadh to limit the influence of Iran in the region.
 
Of course, the invasion could happen after Trump is out of office and is replaced with another anti-Israel, left- leaning stooge president.
 
Or, is it possible that - after the Rapture takes place - there will be a lot of chaos going on worldwide after such a momentous event has happened, where millions of people have vanished, and those particular countries' forces may have been drastically reduced by this event - so a protest is all they can muster?
 
It would seem that this would be a very good time for the enemy to seize the opportunity of worldwide panic and confusion to launch a somewhat sneak attack into Israel, while everybody else is befuddled and consumed by what has taken place. What better time would there be to attempt to try to wipe out the people of Israel?
 
The devil is aware of some of the events to unfold during the Tribulation Period, and that he only has about seven years to accomplish what he hopes to get done. Having been around for eons, he is more than likely well versed in Bible Prophecy; he did quote scripture to Jesus in the wilderness in his tempting of Our Lord, after all - and he knows how most of the Tribulation period will play out - but he doesn't know ALL of the details. In his thinking, maybe, why not seize the moment? Try to catch everybody off guard.
 
So, again, what will trigger these two events, causing them to take place?
 
To my way of thinking, I could see where the Isaiah 17 prophecy of the destruction of the city of Damascus could be the catalyst that sets off the chain of events leading up to the Gog/Magog massive invasion into Israel. The world will be extremely incensed at the action taken, apparently by Israel, in the leveling of this city. I mean, what other event could possibly bring about such a large invading force into Israel while the rest of the world seemingly looks on indifferently?
 
We've discussed the hook inserted by God, but still it seems that something so out of the ordinary has had to have taken place to mobilize such a huge response against the tiny nation of Israel. Obviously, lobbing a nuke or two at a city like Damascus will have the region and the world inflamed with rage.
 
It could also be that Isaiah 17 happens concurrently at the very onset of a large invading force getting ready to sweep into the land, and an opening salvo of the war could be a nuclear strike at maybe the heart of the area where this invading force is plotting and getting ready to make a move.
 
Some of the language used by Isaiah in this chapter 17 prophecy could provide some of the answers to the instigation of this massive response against a neighboring capital city by Israel.
 
Verse 4 reads: "And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean."
 
This almost sounds like those conditions that occur after a chemical weapon attack and the accompanying photos of people whose flesh looks gaunt.
 
Verses 5 and 6 talk about how that time will be compared to a reaped corn field and empty olive trees, how empty and barren they are in this prophecy. Does this foretell of a massive assault on Israel where large numbers of casualties have taken place, and then such a massive response by Israel would then be warranted? It is cryptic language, no doubt, but something huge must first have occurred in the Jewish State in order for the Israeli government to launch a nuke at Damascus, if that is indeed what Isaiah 17 would seem to indicate.
 
If they did level Damascus, then again, that would certainly infuriate the world enough, and especially the combatants listed in Ezekiel 38/39 to launch an all-out offensive against Israel. But then again, why wouldn't Russia just respond in kind against Israel by launching a few nukes of their own towards the Jewish State, but instead opt for a land invasion?
 
After all, since Russia is involved in Syria, it only stands to reason that they would lose some countrymen in an attack by Israel on Damascus. Does the Lord render Russia's nuclear capability useless? Are they then forced to retaliate by air and ground forces? They would want the land intact and radioactive free, it would seem, if they are coming in to take the country, the gas fields and maybe oil to be found there. That could be a reason.
 
And then again, Israel still has more nukes. Why aren't they being used against the invading forces' home countries? Or, will they be? Might an EMP be deployed by either side to prevent the additional nuclear devices from being implemented in the theater of operations?
 
I tend to think that these two prophecies may be co-related. It might be a wrong assessment, but I think one triggers the other or happens in conjunction with the other. Another interesting verse, at least to me, is found in Isaiah 17 that sort of gets me thinking that Is.17 happens at the onset of Eze. 38/39.
 
In Isaiah 17, verses 12 and 13, it says: "Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind."
 
Doesn't that sound like the beginning of the Ezekiel 38/39 campaign, when Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya, Sudan (maybe) and many peoples with them, coming rushing into the country and cover the land like a cloud? It certainly does to me!
 
The very next verse, the last one of the Is.17 prophecy warns: "And behold at evening time trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us."
 
Those nations, according to Ezekiel, are coming for a spoil, to plunder the land. Isaiah also refers to those that come to spoil. Then the ominous words: they are coming in the evening, and by the morning he is not - still a reference to the destruction of Damascus and the closing of the prophecy of the burden of that city.
 
Will Israel launch a nuclear attack at Damascus, at the very beginning of the Ezekiel 38/39 Gog/Magog invasion by a huge horde of peoples, coming to take a spoil, and only after Israel has already suffered massive casualties to make it easier for this invading force to enter the Glorious Land? Hmmm...interesting. I think, thought provoking.
 
Obviously, we don't know for sure. But I think they are more than likely linked and could happen in rapid succession, or are taking place at the same time. Isaiah 17 could trigger a massive response like Ezekiel 38 and 39, or the Gog and Magog war begins, and Israel retaliates by launching a series of nukes at maybe the headquarter city of where the plans are drawn up to invade the Jewish State. Time will tell.
 
So, are we in the closing minutes, hours, days, months of the Church Age and only have a brief time left before the shout and trumpet blast and the Church's mission on Earth is over?
 
With Iran now in Syria and the Israeli's launching attacks into the country to stop the advancement of the encroaching Iranian forces, it would seem that we could be on the brink of a major escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
 
Any attack on Israeli soil or forces by the Iranian troops in Syria will be met by a measured counterattack by the IDF on the mullah's henchmen now carrying out operations in Syria. One escalation could lead to another. Things could quickly spiral out of control. It would seem that the burden of Damascus as foretold by Isaiah could be coming into clearer focus, or that the Ezekiel 38/39 prophecy could soon be realized.
 
This indeed could be a two-minute warning, that we only have so much time left to accomplish all that the Lord commissioned us to do: take the gospel to the far corners of the globe and make disciples of all men. In these closing minutes, we don't need to ask the coach to send us in; the moment we said yes to Jesus, we have been in. The world has no idea what is about to befall them.
 
As in the analogy of the football game, we can see that the clock is winding down. There is only so much time left before it is over. Opposing forces are lined up against us, trying to render us ineffective. Sitting on the sidelines is not an option. Many souls hang in the balance, and soon they will be thrust into a time never experienced before in human history - and beyond that, an eternity spent in a lake of fire.
 
Many of us sense that the end is near. Knowing what we know of end-time events and watching just those two future prophecies develop before our very eyes, it is inescapable that we are reaching the very end. Could this be an aberration and we are not approaching the time that we think we are in, and that those events may happen later in another timeframe? That is possible but seems highly unlikely.
 
We see the headlong rush to establish a one-world rule and a one-world religion. Those things have been on a fast track for quite a while now. The threat of a nuclear war and a huge loss of life are ever present with us now, and more rogue countries are in the process of acquiring these mass means of destruction.
 
Evil in this world has reached epidemic proportions with school shootings; the wholesale slaughter of unborn babies worldwide; radical Islamic extremists and their terrorist activities; all the transgender and homosexual abominations; the garbage taking place in America to destroy the current president; and again, all of the prophesied countries lined up in Syria just awaiting the hook to draw them into Israel to do battle with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They'll never know what hit them...well, not until that first moment in the afterlife.
 
How much longer can things devolve in the world before the Lord exercises His wrath? Not too much longer, I would conclude.

Hurry, line up and advance the cause. Keep your eyes on the goal. The clock is running! Our time is just about out.
 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

AS IN THE DAY OF NOAH

By Vanessa Panas


 
Luke 17:26-27 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all."
 
When Noah was building the ark, he was laughed at. Nobody believed that the destruction he warned of was really going to happen. When the flood gates from beneath the earth and above the firmament opened, the earth began to flood quickly. The people ran for their lives, these same people that laughed at Noah, who now remembered what he warned them of as they perished; but it was too late.
 
Matthew 24:37 "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
 
When Jesus was asked how it would be in the last days, He told us that the last days would be as the days of Noah. People will go about their everyday lives having no idea what lies ahead. They'll be shopping, working, marrying, divorcing, celebrating new births and living in sin, not knowing (believing and receiving) God or His Son that He sent.
 
Without belief in Jesus, there is no salvation. As we look around us, it's easy to see and believe we are indeed living in the last days. Has there ever been a more selfish or self-absorbed world? The reason people don't see the times of the signs is because they don't see or know the signs, and they are blindly living every day.
 
2 Timothy 3:1-7 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
 
People all over panic when they misplace their cellphones. People are absolutely addicted to their cellphones. A mother in China was on her cellphone while her two-year-old daughter walked in front of a moving car and was killed. In another instance, a mother was on her cellphone while her small child drowned several feet away; she never saw her child struggling to stay afloat. Cell phones have reshaped our society.
 
Reality television has reshaped our society. We watch other people on television behave in the most outrageous ways; the more outrageous, the more we love it. Our young girls look to people like Kim Kardashian as a role model.
 
From wickedness to war and suffering, there are many signs of Jesus's Second Coming. One of the signs of the end times is that people will be lovers of themselves. There has been no other time in history where people have been more lovers of themselves than now.
 
Facebook has its own good side. You can keep up with old friends and meet new friends, share family photos, discuss politics or just chat. But then there are the millions of people that have the need to show you what they ate for breakfast, when they fight with their spouse or other family members and what they fought about. They share what they wear for the day, how they put their makeup on, and yes, even when they use the bathroom.
 
With sites like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, everyone seems to be looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Cell phones are always handy to snap the next best pic or a great video that will garner likes on their page. People have recorded themselves committing criminal acts such as rape, and even murder. They put it all out there for you to see, and people watch. People have watched as someone has taken their own life and they have laughed at it.
 
The term "selfie" has turned into selfishness. It doesn't matter who gets hurt to many people across the world; if it gets you a few likes or comments, it's worth it.
 
Many times, no matter where you go, you can see people that are together physically but so busy on their phones, in their own world, that they don't even speak. I've witnessed married couples eating dinner together in a restaurant and never looking up from their phones to acknowledge one another. People are so self-absorbed and self-involved that there is no other way to describe them that fits as well as the way God's Word described them - Lovers of themselves.
 
If one is so self-involved and unaware of the world around them, will they even recognize they are living in the last days that Jesus described? Or will be they be lovers of themselves and ignore the signs Jesus gave them?
 
Men and women of the last days are also called covetous. With the good there is always the bad. People have become so jealous of what someone else has that it's all they think about, and it's what they think they have to have for happiness. Everybody posts the best side of themselves on social media, the best view of their home, their brand new car, and their child's honor-roll grades. Those that may not have a big, new house want that house. Those with an older car want their Facebook friend's new car. They want their child to get the A's or hit the homerun.
 
But, while you're coveting what they have, maybe they are truly missing something in their life that you have. If you weren't so busy coveting what they have, you could be working towards those things. You'd have more time for God too.
 
When have people boasted more about themselves? Now when people boast about how much money they make or boast about their mansion and vacations, they have an audience of possibly thousands. And people on the Internet boast about everything, which brings us to pride!
 
It was pride that caused Satan to feel he could be God. There are so many people that make silly claims such as "all I have is my pride." You have more; you just don't know where to look. Pride has been the downfall for many people. Pride is what makes a 5'5, 135 lb. man think he can win in a fight against a 6'5, 250 lb. man, even if he doesn't want to and knows he will lose. Pride will make a man seek vengeance on someone they feel has wronged them, oftentimes forgetting or not caring about the consequences.
 
Pride has caused family and friends to stop speaking. There's a difference in having pride in your work or pride in your child for something; it's another to let pride dictate your thoughts and actions. This is the kind of pride Jesus warned of. This is worldly pride. As a Christian, Jesus took you from the world and set you apart.
 
Blasphemy against God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is a sin. It's something people have always done, but it's something people weren't so quick to shout and were usually ostracized for it until the last few decades. Now, it's cool to blaspheme the name of God. Not only do many people not know (believe and receive) God, but they openly blaspheme His name. They not only blaspheme the Father, but they blaspheme the Son.
 
Jesus said He is "the way, the truth, and the life." He said He is "the only way to the Father." You will answer for your words just as you will be judged for your actions. You are not saved by works, but you will be judged for them if you are not saved through Jesus Christ. Just because you don't believe in Him, doesn't mean He doesn't exist. Just because you don't agree with Him, doesn't mean you won't have to give an account to Him. Jesus said every knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that He is Lord.
 
Disobedience to parents is another sign. The younger generations and now many in my own generation (42 years) have zero respect for authority of any kind. From teachers to police officers, the lack of respect is evident all around us. Respect starts in the home. If children are not made to respect their parents then they will not respect authority outside of the home either.
 
Today's younger generation tells their parents what they are going to do or not do. In many instances the parent has substituted parenting with a cellphone or TV. If you don't show your child affection, discipline or structure, don't expect a loving child or a child that listens. We have an entire generation of selfish, self-absorbed adults that throw temper tantrums when they don't get their way because, when they threw temper tantrums as children, it was tolerated or ignored.
 
Satan doesn't want your children to be obedient to you. When they learn obedience at home at a young age, they have a much easier time being obedient to God.
 
When you have a generation of disrespectful people, they aren't thankful for very much. There are people that could win a million dollars tomorrow but be angry that they have to pay taxes instead of being thankful for what they won. Many people, at the first sign of trouble, jump ship and blame God, while praising Him only as long as things are going well.
 
Be thankful for the health of your family; be thankful for your job. Most of all, be thankful that you have a Lord and Savior that forgives and loves. Be thankful for all blessings that God has given you. Be thankful for all you have, even if it doesn't seem like much. It's always more than what someone else has. America is home to the richest poor people in the world.
 
Another sign is unholiness. The Catholic Church is filled with priests and bishops that come in Jesus's name and claim holiness and righteousness, but are living unholy lives and teaching unholy and false doctrine. The pope has made the claim that one does not need Jesus Christ for salvation. In Revelation, God tells His people to come out of her, this false and unholy church.
 
Revelations 18:4 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
 
The Bible says that in the last days men would be without natural affection; Men would be truce-breakers and false accusers. There are people in this world that truly hate others. When someone can look at a baby and murder that innocent and beautiful child, they are without natural affection. They are violent, hateful and without empathy. A truce breaker is someone who doesn't honor his word, an oath, a contract or a treaty. We see dishonest people in and out of government that are truce breakers.
 
When someone accuses another falsely, they do it with the intention of causing harm. God hates liars, and when you accuse a Christian falsely in certain parts of the world, it means death. They are despisers of those that are good. When someone despises you because you are a Christian, remember that Christ was hated first and it is because of Him that you are hated.
 
Incontinent means lack of self-control. Look all around you and you see clearly that people have a lack of self-control. I've seen people in stores scream and yell at the cashier for not moving fast enough. We have our youth unable to control their mouths or tempers with anyone in authority. We have adults whose lack of self-control produced children unable to control themselves today; and they wonder why.
 
There are fierce dividers with respect to God all over. People everywhere, including this country, think it's okay to verbally attack or assault someone for being a Christian. They are trying to force them to choose between their God and baking a cake that celebrates same-sex marriage. Christians are accused of bigotry and homophobia, but it's not Christians demanding you convert or die. It's not Christians throwing homosexuals from building rooftops. We are hated because of Him.
 
Revelation tells us of the persecution those who wait to turn to Christ. Satan, when he is thrown out of heaven for good, will make war with the saints. Who do you think the saints are? Christians are. He knows he will have a short time of 3 ½ years to persecute Christ's seed. The Bible also tells us he WILL overcome them. He won't win the war, but Christians will face the fiercest persecution they've ever faced.
 
The Bible also describes these Christians as those with His testimony and who follow His commandments. What is His testimony? It's Christians confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. With His word we confess He is the son of God. His commandments are the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
 
Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
 
Jesus warned us that men would be traitors. Watching the news lately, the word "traitors" is being used quite a bit to describe the FBI and the Obama administration. Whether you're a Democrat or Republican, you should be outraged that our law enforcement and government tried to have our duly elected president framed for treason. They would also be considered false accusers.
 
The one thing that the United States has a long and great history of that many others do not is a peaceful transfer of power. For the first time in our nation's history, the previous administration attempted a coup on the newly elected president.
 
Luke 12:2 "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known."
 
Heady and high-minded people are all around us. Merriam's dictionary gives the definition of heady as "willful and violent." Crimes have exploded in places like Chicago; this city has tough gun laws, yet has extremely high gun violence.
 
In the Bible, high-minded means "pride and arrogance." The arrogance around us is astounding. The arrogance of the FBI is shocking.
 
The Bible tells us that men in the last days would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. There's not much that people won't use to replace God. When Nike came out with the slogan "just do it" 30 years ago, that wasn't an accident. It led the way for self-entitlement. It's all about Me, me, me. People have been told for so long that they can do whatever they want as long as they are happy, that when they don't win something they want or get what they want, they take to social media to cry, plot revenge, and take to the streets, smashing windows and assaulting police officers.
 
We were warned that in the last days men will have a form of godliness but will deny His power. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit begins a change in you; you will not desire to be part of the world. You cannot truly confess Jesus and continue to live in unrepentant sin. Even Satan believes in Jesus.
 
There are teachers in the church teaching God's word on Sunday but living unholy lives throughout the week. Many Christians do the same.
 
2 Timothy 3:5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
 
Unfortunately, the pope is the person many think about when they think of Christianity. Catholicism and Christianity are not the same, and the pope does NOT speak for Christianity. The pope has a form of godliness but denies God's power. Priests within the Catholic Church come in His name but do not know Him. From these, we are to run away.
 
It is these false "Christians" that blaspheme His name. The Pope is a false prophet and false teacher. He recently prayed in Istanbul towards Mecca with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and has made many incompatible comparisons between Christianity and Islam, and between God and Allah. He has made many false statements about Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus told us, "Call no man your [spiritual] father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9), yet the Catholic Church calls the pope Holy Father and calls priests father. Catholics that attend mass believe they must confess their sins to a priest, who in turn forgives them after they perform works. Example: Pray the Our Father and ten Hail Mary's, and you're forgiven. This is not the way that leads to salvation.
 
Be awake and sober minded; don't live like the world. Open your Bible and you will know exactly what Jesus tells you.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:2 "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."
 
Did Jesus not say He would come like a thief in the night? Are you prepared and expecting it if a thief wakes you at night? Jesus will come when people least expect Him. He will come when people are self-absorbed and do not know Him, just as in the days of Noah when they didn't know God. Remember, if you do not know Him, He will NOT know you. If you deny Him before men, He will deny you before His Father.
 
In the book of Daniel, it tells us that the last days will be a time of strife and trouble that the world has never known before. The Bible tells us the love of men shall grow cold towards one another. Women are having abortions in the U.S. at a rate of about 4,000 a day. Child abuse is rampant; theft, murder and rape have skyrocketed across the world. People have lost empathy for their fellow man. Drug-addicted persons will steal from their own mother or do even worse for drug money.
 
The world's heart has indeed grown cold. As a Christian, this is not the case. He took you from the world and set you apart. Jesus said His greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. Christians every day prove their kindness and willingness to help, whether monetarily or by volunteering. They show love and concern for their fellow man.
 
Accept Jesus into your life today; there is true happiness when you Know Him, for God loved the world so much that He sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him has eternal life.
 
Matthew 24:5 "And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.'"
 
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him.