Introduction
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV).
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise [to return] as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,
not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9, ESV).
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36, ESV).
Thus there are three things that we must do in order to be saved:
1) We must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
2) We must genuinely repent of all our wrongdoings.
3) And we must turn away from all our wrongdoings, earnestly seeking the will of God.
By the way, confessions must be made to God, not a priest or pastor, because only GOD can forgive
(as we must forgive others, or God won't forgive us).
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins [we will not be covered by God’s grace], but a terrifying expectation of judgment...” (Heb 10:26, 27, NASB).
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good"
(Titus 2:11-14, NIV).
“You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness
of God in true righteousness and holiness [God accepts people where they are, but He gives them no excuse
for staying there]” (Eph 4:22-24, ESV).
Even the thief on the cross effectively followed these steps.
a) He rebuked the other thief’s disbelief and mockery of Christ, thus showing his own personal acceptance of who Christ was — God.
b) He recognised his sinful condition and how he deserved his punishment (unlike the innocent Christ), which is the first step in repentance.
c) He exercised faith in the saving power of God, and was thereby saved by grace.
God, out of love, and knowing that both this planet
and society are breaking down, is warning us that His return to
Earth (and rescue of repentant followers of His) is near, and
hence those SIGNS
OF THE TIMES we've been told of so
that we'll know so.
These SIGNS
OF THE TIMES are
double edged, because they not only warn, but are reasuring to the
repentant who can see that their rescue and Paradise isn't far away,
and that God's Word can be trusted.
Kingdom of God is near" (Matt 24:33, NLT).
"Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh"
(Matt 24:44, KJV).
God's hope is that on seeing these SIGNS,
people will awaken rather than perish.
deadly opiate for the consciences of millions."
A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)
"If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness
and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered;
they will die for the evil they have done" (Ezekiel 33:13, NIV).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for
what he has done in the body [in this life], whether good or evil" (2 Cor 5:11, ESV).
“Then I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the
earth...He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour [time] of His judgment has come;
and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water’ ” (Rev 14:6,7).
1) That the answer lies with Him and not us.
2) That He never said that things would get better before His return, but rather, that things would get worse (Matt 24:6-8).
3) That though plans will be laid and efforts made by man, things still won’t work out in the end despite how good they may first appear (1 Thess 5:3).
4) That human plans always come with human costs.
5) That lies, falsehood, deception and a falling away from truth will be the hallmark of Earth's last days (2 Tim 4:3,4; 2 Thess 2:9,10).
6) That deception often masquerades as truth, and makes promises that it doesn't keep (Matt 24:24).
7) That Satan has a global deception planned that’s in the making (Rev 13:14; 16:13,14).
8) That Satan is even capable of transforming himself into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14).
9) That Satan, one way or another, will always be in control of this planet and most people’s hearts and minds, until Christ returns.
10) That this planet is beyond human repair.
11) That we’re living in history’s last moments.
12) That when we die, or Christ returns, there’s no second chances.
THE BIBLICAL SIGNS OF THE TIMES AND FORETOLD COMING EVENTS
THAT PRECEDE CHRIST'S RETURN.
Part One:
The SIGNS.
Also includes the how of Christ's return.
Part Two:
A break down of those SIGNS
Part One:
But firstly and quickly,
Did Christ ever say that things would get better on Earth?
"All these [signs]
are the BEGINNING of sorrows" (Matt 24:8, NKJV).
Is there a secret rapture
of His followers beforehand in order to spare them from such?
"This
calls for PATIENT
ENDURANCE on
the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful
to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from Heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the
dead who DIE IN THE LORD FROM NOW ON" (Rev 14:12,13 NIV).
"Anyone
who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to
die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God's holy
people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful" (Rev
13:10, NLT).
So no, there isn't.
The only thing that true
followers of Christ will be spared from is the coming last plagues
(Rev chapter 16) which are a seperate thing again, and which
effectively mirror the plagues that occurred in ancient Egypt (Ex
chapter 7 to chapter 11).
The coming plagues will occur just prior to Christ's second coming and
are connected to the global "beast" power that won't give God's true followers
their freedom (Rev 13:11-18) just like that Pharoah in ancient Egypt
who wouldn't give God's people of that day their freedom, and hence the plagues that followed.
(Rev 18:4, NIV).
Okay,
So did Christ actually speak of SIGNS of His imminent return?
“He [Christ]
replied, ‘When evening comes, you [Pharisees
and Sadducees] say, ‘It
will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today
it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to
interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the SIGNS OF
THE TIMES’ ” (Matt 16:2,3, NIV).
“As
He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him
privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what
will be the SIGN
OF YOUR COMING and of the END OF THE
AGE?’ ” (Matt 24:3, NASB).
So ask yourself now, "Are the following SIGNS coming
true, and lest you say that these things aren't new, has there been an
upsurge and greater intensity in these predicted things?"
The SIGNS
1)
“Know
this first of all, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS MOCKERS WILL COME with their
mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘WHERE IS THE
PROMISE OF HIS COMING? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all
continues just as it was from the beginning of creation’ ” (2 Peter
3:3,4, NASB).
2)
“You
must understand this, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS DISTRESSING TIMES WILL
COME. FOR PEOPLE WILL BE LOVERS OF THEMSELVES, LOVERS OF MONEY,
BOASTERS, ARROGANT, ABUSIVE, DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS, UNGRATEFUL,
UNHOLY, INHUMAN, IMPLACABLE, SLANDERERS, PROFLIGATES, BRUTES, HATERS OF
GOOD, TREACHEROUS, RECKLESS, SWOLLEN WITH CONCEIT, LOVERS OF PLEASURE
RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD, HOLDING TO THE OUTWARD FORM OF GODLINESS
[the external
characteristics of religion] but denying its power. Avoid
them!” (2 Tim 3:1-5).
Here's an interesting text that seems to fit in with all this:
"Come now, you rich, weep and
howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!...You have heaped up
treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of laborers who mowed your
fields, which
you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the
reapers have reached the ears of the Lord...You have lived on the earth
in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of
slaughter." (James 5:1-5, NKJV).
They should read Paul's words here:
"Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put
their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in
God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command
them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves
as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of
the life that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV).
3)
“ ‘Because of the increase of wickedness [lawlessness], THE LOVE OF MOST WILL GROW
COLD’ ” (Matt 24:12, NIV).
4)
“
‘And you will hear of WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS...FOR NATION WILL RISE
AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. And there will be FAMINES,
PESTILENCES, AND EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES.
All these are the begining of sorrows’ ” (Matt 24:6-8, NKJV).
5)
“
‘There will be SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS. On the earth, NATIONS
WILL BE IN ANGUISH AND PERPLEXITY AT THE ROARING AND TOSSING OF THE SEA
[the destructive forces
of nature]. MEN WILL FAINT FROM TERROR,
APPREHENSIVE OF WHAT IS COMING ON THE WORLD, for the heavenly bodies
will be shaken. At THAT TIME they will see the Son of Man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory’ ” (Luke 21:25-27, NIV).
6)
“
‘JUST AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, SO ALSO WILL IT BE IN THE DAYS OF
THE SON OF MAN [the
state of the world at the time of Christ’s
appearing]…’ ” (Luke 17:26, NIV)
The following text fills in the text above:
“Then
the LORD saw that the
wickedness of man was great on the earth [pre–Flood], and
that every
intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil contiually. Now the
earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with
violence [hence the
worldwide flood that God sent]” (Gen 6:5,11, NASB)
7)
“
‘For FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS WILL ARISE and will show GREAT
SIGNS and WONDERS, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect’ ”
(Matt 24:24, NASB).
8)
Let
no one deceive you in any way; for THAT DAY [the Second Coming]
will
not come unless THE REBELLION [apostasy]
COMES FIRST and THE LAWLESS
ONE [God usurping power]
IS REVEALED, the one destined for destruction.
He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of
worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring
himself to be God” (2 Thess 2:3,4).
"The
coming of the LAWLESS one will be in accordance with the work of SATAN
displayed in all kinds of COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS, and
in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They
perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thess
2:9,10, NIV).
This
text is referring to something-someone that acts in opposition to God's
Word and will (and possibly whilst proclaiming otherwise).
Now with all this in mind,
Could there possibly come
a time when people will think that they've sorted Earth's problems?
“FOR
WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE AND SECURITY; THEN SHALL SUDDEN DESTRUCTION
COME UPON THEM, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they
shall not escape.” (1Thess 5:3, Douay-Rheims Version).
No,
I don't see anything in these signs of the times that suggest the world
will get better before Christ's return, though even if their was some
improvement in things, it would obviously be very short lived going by
the text above.
When will Christ return?
“But
concerning that day or that hour, NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels in
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13: 32, ESV).
How will Christ return?
“
‘So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go
out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
For as the LIGHTNING COMES FROM THE EAST AND FLASHES AS FAR AS THE
WEST, so will be the coming of the Son of Man’ ” (Matt 24:26,27).
“
‘Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all
the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with POWER and GREAT GLORY’ ” (Matt
24:30).
“Look!
He is coming with the clouds [angels]; EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, even
those who pierced Him; and on His account all the tribes of the earth
will wail [the remorse
of the wicked]. So it is to be. Amen” (Rev 1:7).
“For the Lord Himself will DESCEND FROM HEAVEN with
a CRY OF COMMAND, with the VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL, and with the SOUND OF
THE TRUMPET OF GOD. And the dead in Christ will RISE [upwards to
heaven] first [out
of fairness]. Then we who are alive [the righteous
living at the time of Christ’s second coming], who are
left [because
the dead at that time are already rising upward], will be
CAUGHT UP
TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord IN THE AIR [the holy Christ does not touch
the defiled earth], and so we will
always be with the Lord [will
never be parted from Him again]” (1 Thess 4:16,17, ESV).
Will Christ be coming on His own?
“
‘For the Son of Man is to come WITH HIS ANGELS in the glory of His
Father, and then He will repay everyone for what has been done’ ” (Matt
16:27).
Will most people be
caught by surprise?
"Therefore be ye also ready; for in SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK
NOT the Son of Man cometh" (Matt 24:44, KJV).
What will our planet be
subjected to, and the unrepentant?
"
'But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and sulfur
from heaven and destroyed them all [the
living wicked]. It will
be JUST THE SAME on the day that the Son of man is revealed [returns to
Earth]" (Luke 17:29,30, NASB)
"Our God comes and does not keep silence, before Him is a DEVOURING
FIRE, and a mighty tempest all around Him" (Ps 50:3, NRSV).
Why is Christ returning?
“
‘In My Father's house [in
Heaven] are many rooms; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU
[referring to when
Christ ascended to Heaven after the cross]. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will COME BACK [the Second Coming]
and [then]
take you to be with Me THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM ’ ”
(John 14:2,3, NIV).
What has seemingly taken
Christ so long to return?
"The
Lord is not slow about His promise [to
return] as some count slowness,
BUT IS FORBEARING TOWARD YOU, not wishing that any should perish, but
that all should reach repentance [has
been giving more time for people to awaken]" (2 Peter 2:9,
RSV).
Is there a possibility
that the devil might try to impersonate Christ before His return?
"But
I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
So it is no wonder that his servants [false ministers] also disguise
themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the
punishment their wicked deeds deserve." (2 Cor 11:14,15, NLT).
Therefore, why wouldn't he soon disguise himself as Christ on
Earth and support the lawless one mentioned above?
"So
if they say to you, 'Behold, He [Christ]
is in the wilderness,' do not
go out, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them.
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the
west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt 24:26,27, NASB).
Regardless of whether
Satan trys to impersonate Christ or not, will he try to fool us all?
"The
coming of the lawless one [God
usurping power] will be in accordance
with the work of SATAN displayed in all kinds of COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES,
SIGNS AND WONDERS, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who
are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and
so be saved" (2 Thess 2:9,10, NIV)
"And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon [Satan], the beast [past power], and the false prophet [image of the beast]. They are demonic
spirits who work miracles [via
human agencies] and go out to all the
rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that
great judgment day of God the Almighty" (Rev 16:13,14, NLT).
The
two texts above clearly show just how important truth is to God, and
how it is critical to us, because unless we know the Bible back to
front, we will be deceived by what simply appears to be
genuine.
And it's clear that this last deception will be the biggest and
cleverest deception. All why it fools the whole world.
Does the Bible enlarge
upon this soon to be global power?
“Then
I saw another beast [power]
coming up out of the earth, and he had two
horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon [changes character].
And he
exercises all the authority of the first beast [past power] in
his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to WORSHIP
the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed [revives from its
historic fall]. He performs great SIGNS [wonders], so that
he even makes fire
come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
And he deceives
those who dwell on the earth by those SIGNS which he was granted to do
in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make
an IMAGE to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was
granted power to give breath to the IMAGE of the beast, that the IMAGE
of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not WORSHIP
the image of the beast to be killed” (Rev 13:11-15, NKJV).
“Then
another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, “Those
who worship the beast [the previous persecuting power (Dan 7:8,25)] and
its image [the false religious-political power controlling the whole of earth], and receive a mark on their foreheads [symbolic of consent] or on their hands [symbolic of expediency (Rev 13:16,17)],
they will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the
cup of His anger...Here is a call for the endurance of the saints,
those who keep [are loyal to] the commandments of God [the full Ten Commandments (Rom 13:8-10; Matt 22:36-40)] and hold fast to the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:9-12).
By the way, who is Christ
returning for exactly?
"Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven will
enter." (Matt 7:21, NASB).
“Here is a call for the endurance [faithfulness]
of the saints, those who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD…”
(Rev 14:12, ESV).
“Do
we then overthrow [make
void] the law by this faith? By no means! On
the contrary, we uphold the law [the
standard of Christian conduct]”
(Rom 3:31, ESV).
We can't earn our way to Heaven but we can sure sin our way to Hell [eternal death].
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning
also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness [breaking God’s law]”
(1
John 3:4, ESV).
“For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will
put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I
will be their God and they shall be My people” (Heb 8:10, ESV).
“Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that THEY may have the right to the
tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [Heaven]” (Rev
22:14, NKJV).
Will all Christians be
saved then?
“Many
[Christians]
will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in Thy
name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I
never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity’ ” (Matt 7:22,23,
KJV).
“For
if we willingly persist in sin after having received the knowledge of
the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins [God’s grace is
made void], but a fearful prospect of judgment…” (Heb
10:26,27).
“For
it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once
been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in
the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and
the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away [totally
rejected Christ, or never returned to Him], since on their
own they are
crucifying again the Son of God and are holding Him up to contempt”
(Heb 6:4-6, NRSV).
So no, not all Christians will be saved.
When are the saved ones
rewarded with eternal life, immortality?
“These
[faithful heroes of the
Bible] were all commended for their faith, yet
none of them received what had been promised [they didn’t go to
Heaven-cum-receive eternal life at death]. God had planned
something
better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect
[they will have to wait
until Christ's return to receive eternal life,
immortality]” (Heb 11:39,40, NIV).
“ ‘So mortals lie down
and do not rise again; until the heavens are no more [until the Second
Coming], they will not awake or be roused out of their
sleep [“Sleep”
(metaphoric usage) refers to that passage of time between one’s death
and Christ’s second coming. It’s at Christ’s coming that the “saved”
dead will be raised]’ ” (Job 14:12).
“For the Lord
Himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the
sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven [at His Second
Coming], and [then]
the dead in Christ will rise [upwards
to heaven]
first [out of fairness].
Then we who are alive [the
righteous living at
the time of Christ’s second coming], who are left [because the dead at
that time are already rising upward], will be caught up in
the clouds
together with them [the
righteous dead] to meet the Lord in the air
[the Holy Christ does
not touch the defiled earth]; and so we will be
with the Lord [are then
taken to heaven (Rev 20:6)] forever” (1 Thess 4:16,17).
Part Two:
A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE
SIGNS
OF THE TIMES
AND
FORETOLD
COMING
EVENTS
THAT PRECEDE CHRIST'S RETURN
with questions underneath the various texts (for you to think about
your self) and referring
to those texts.
The break down of those SIGNS
1)
“Know this first of all, THAT IN THE LAST
DAYS MOCKERS WILL COME with their mocking, following after their own
lusts, and saying, ‘WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING? For ever since
the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the
beginning of creation’ ” (2 Peter 3:3,4, NASB).
Break down:
Is this text
referring to people who're foolishly losing faith, people who never
believed anyway, people who believe in evolution and not creation?
2)
“You
must understand this, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS DISTRESSING TIMES WILL
COME. FOR PEOPLE WILL BE LOVERS OF THEMSELVES, LOVERS OF MONEY,
BOASTERS, ARROGANT, ABUSIVE, DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS, UNGRATEFUL,
UNHOLY, INHUMAN, IMPLACABLE, SLANDERERS, PROFLIGATES, BRUTES, HATERS OF
GOOD, TREACHEROUS, RECKLESS, SWOLLEN WITH CONCEIT, LOVERS OF PLEASURE
RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD, HOLDING TO THE OUTWARD FORM OF GODLINESS but
denying its power. Avoid them!” (2 Tim 3:1-5).
Break down:
Is
DISTRESSING TIMES referring to the likes of Covid 19, Aids,
pestilences in general, higher unemployment, greater poverty,
starvation,
pollution (toxic waste), the depletion of natural resources, more
crime, terrorism, the refugee catastrophe, the nuclear threat, the arms
race, the intensification of warfare, the threat of a third world war,
civil unrest, the drug carnage?
Is LOVERS OF THEMSELVES referring
to the likes of that rampant narcissism seen via the likes of Facebook?
Braggers? That in vogue thing about loving ourselves that simply hides
our true condition, our need of Divine surgery, and that has us
focusing even more on ourselves? That fixation with posing naked these
days?
Is LOVERS OF MONEY referring to
those who're wanting more treasures on top of what they already
have, those who're prepared to sacrifice relationships and family for
the pursuit of wealth (and ambition), those who hoard while others
starve?
Is BOASTERS referring to those who boast of their crimes, general
wrongdoings, or successes?
Is
ARROGANT referring to those who're rude, self-opinionated, can't be
told, and who pridefully look down on others with contempt?
Is
DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS referring to children, who, due to less
discipline and correctiveness (and not being allowed to smack anymore),
bad role models, bad influences in general, and broken marriages, are
indulging in crime, becoming less obedient and respectful to authority
in
general (rioters), and less knowledgeable regarding right behaviour?
Is
UNGRATEFUL referring to those who're not content with the blessings
that they have in their life and are still complaining, aren't happy
with
enough but are wanting more, those who don't appreciate how lucky they
are, those who don't appreciate just how much others have done for
them, don't show any gratitude?
Could
UNHOLY be referring to people who're not interested in a
righteous
life, people who're less respectful towards things that others hold
sacred?
Is
INHUMAN referring to those who commit gruesome crimes, those who
indulge in torture, those who show no compassion or mercy, those who
show no remorse, those who indulge in incest or paedophilia?
Is
IMPLACABLE referring to those who one can never seem to please because
they're never happy (or happy enough) with anything, and are always
demanding more?
Is SLANDERERS referring to those who're into
malicious gossip, those who frame people, wrongly accuse, those who
destroy reputations, or who're judgmental?
Is PROFLIGATES referring to those who're
without self-control, those who're into debauchery, those who use their
wealth to excess, and given that so much of both is going down today,
the latter while others starve?
Is BRUTES referring to the
callousness that pervades Earth today, that more violent nature that's
seen in cruelty to animals, women and children (be it via rapes,
murders,
domestic abuse or trafficking)?
Is HATERS OF GOOD referring to
those who're into all the vices (all that's immoral and lawless),
gangsters, corrupt politicians, drug barons, and so on, those who don't
love good men?
Is TREACHEROUS referring to tyrants, dictators,
oppressors, con men, those who're betrayers, those who're unfaithful,
those who indulge in incest or paedophilia, those who tread on others
in order to get to the top of some ladder, or the fact that one can't
seem to trust people in general these days?
Is RECKLESS referring
to extreme sports, unhealthy living, carelessness and irresponsibility
when it comes to others and the environment?
Is LOVERS OF PLEASURE
RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD referring to those who're obsessed with food
and sex (into that sexual revolution), that explosion of riotous
living-cum-partying, that overindulgence in the senses, and without
concern for the God who created us, and His will for us?
Is
HOLDING TO THE OUTWARD FORM OF GODLINESS referring to those who simply
display the external characteristics of religion — in other words, fake
Christians, those who're not truly converted, hardly true
followers?
3)
“ ‘Because of the increase of wickedness [lawlessness], THE LOVE OF MOST WILL GROW
COLD’ ” (Matt 24:12, NIV).
Break down:
Is
this referring to the likes of porn and how men are becoming less
sensitive to both women and children as a result, given how porn
degrades women and sexually misuses and abuses them (and which includes
child porn)?
Is this referring to much violence via computer games
and TV, which is once again creating less sensitivity and loving
feelings toward others?
Is this referring to the corruption that
has taken place in the hearts and minds of those indulging in that
which is unwholesome or criminal? Could lawlessness also be referring
to the likes of America and Israel ignoring the International Court of
Justice midst committing war crimes; their hearts coldly insensitive?
Is
this referring to the fact that it has now become an every man for
himself kind of world, fear driving a selfish self preservation. Hence
the likes of that rush that empties supermarkets come some warned of
lockdown, and even fights that ensue as a result.
4)
“ ‘And you will hear of WARS AND
RUMORS OF WARS...FOR NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM
AGAINST KINGDOM. And there will be FAMINES, PESTILENCES, AND
EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES.
All these are the begining of sorrows’ ” (Matt 24:6-8, NKJV).
Break down:
First, has there been an upsurge and greater intensity in these
predicted things? Clusters now, unlike before?
Is WARS referring to the many conflicts going on in the world today
(and terrorism included)? What about Russia's attack on Ukraine?
Is RUMORS referring to international spats that look concerning, like
those threats from Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and so on?
Is FAMINES referring to what we've been seeing in Nigeria, South Sudan,
Somalia, Yemen and so on?
Is
PESTILENCES referring to the likes of widespread viruses that strike
people down like Covid 19 (and that can cause economic disaster)? And yes, Covid having started at number one.
Is EARTHQUAKES also referring to more, stronger and in unexpected
places?
5)
“
‘There will be SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS. On the earth, NATIONS
WILL BE IN ANGUISH AND PERPLEXITY AT THE ROARING AND TOSSING OF THE
SEA. MEN WILL FAINT FROM TERROR, APPREHENSIVE OF WHAT IS COMING ON THE
WORLD, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At THAT TIME they will
see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory’ ”
(Luke 21:25-27, NIV).
Break down:
Is the ROARING AND TOSSING OF THE SEA
referring to the destructive forces of nature caused by global warming,
those tsunamis, earthquakes, rising sea levels, floods, forest fires
and so on?
Is MEN WILL FAINT FROM TERROR not only referring to the
fear that will overtake many, but suicides that will occur as a result
given that many have no idea of what it's all about?
6)
“ ‘JUST
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, SO ALSO WILL IT BE IN THE DAYS OF THE
SON OF MAN [the state of
the world at the time of Christ’s appearing]…’
” (Luke 17:26, NIV)
The following text fills in the text above:
“Then
the LORD saw that the
wickedness of man was great on the earth [pre–Flood], and
that every
intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil contiually. Now the
earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with
violence [hence the
worldwide flood that God previously sent]” (Gen 6:5,11,
NASB)
Break down:
Therefore, have
things got worse on Earth as the years have gone by? What about all
the crime we're seeing now, those random shootings? What about
all that violence going down in
movies, on TV and in computer games? That corruptive porn, that obsession with sex and the sexy that the Bible calls immorality?
7)
“ ‘For FALSE CHRISTS
AND FALSE PROPHETS WILL ARISE and will show GREAT SIGNS and WONDERS, so
as to mislead, if possible, even the elect’ ” (Matt 24:24, NASB).
Breakdown:
Haven't
we heard of or seen people proclaiming that they're Christ, or certain
evangelists stating things that don't gel with Scripture whilst
swindling people out of money and indulging in immorality or fake
healings?
Could
such be referring to imposters within the Church, those who hide behind
good things, those who're actually enemies of Christ and His followers
and are working from the inside out to destroy?
And
might Satan try to impersonate Christ. There are very sincere
Christians who have lost a loved one who some time later appeared at
the end of their bed one night. In one case that I heard of, and they
knowing it couldn't really be their departed loved one, they called out
to God and the supposed loved one quickly disappeared. Yes, Satan and
his angels seem to have certain abilities way beyound ours. It was
Satan who no doubt impersonated Samuel when Saul went to see the witch
of Endor. Funny how Samuel came up rather than came down. We've been
warned that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Cor
11:14,15). And we're also warned that the End-time will be all about
deception.
8)
Let
no one deceive you in any way; for THAT DAY [the Second Coming]
will
not come unless THE REBELLION [apostasy]
COMES FIRST and THE LAWLESS
ONE IS REVEALED, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and
exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that
he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God” (2
Thess 2:3,4).
Break down:
Is this REBELLION referring to an apostasy that
takes place within Christendom, a departure from the apostolic
teachings, a repudiation of truth on many levels (both within and
outside the Church), and a reinterpreting of the Bible by many (or
parts of it)? After all, Christendom is in doctrinal disarray today.
Is
the LAWLESS ONE someone of note within
Christendom (given we're talking WORSHIP here) who has the clout and
power (via a power) to achieve a global goal that will anger God,
and given some wrongful claim and deception going down here too? After
all, the Bible not only speaks of a coming errant, persecuting world
power, but in conjunction with that power, a number
(666)
pertaining to a man.
Is the LAWLESS ONE actually anti-God though proclaiming otherwise? A
usurper?
"The
coming of the LAWLESS one will be in accordance with the work of SATAN
displayed in all kinds of COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS, and
in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They
perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thess
2:9,10, NIV).
"And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon [Satan], the beast [past power], and the false prophet [image of the beast]. They are demonic spirits who work miracles [via human agencies]
and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle
against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty" (Rev
16:13,14, NLT).
Breakdown:
Could these two texts be referring to amazing supernatural things that the LAWLESS ONE is
granted to do by the devil who's really the one at work here?
“Then
I saw another beast [power]
coming up out of the earth, and he had two
horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon [changes character].
And he
exercises all the authority of the first beast [a past power] in
his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to WORSHIP
the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed [it revives from its
historic fall]. He performs great SIGNS, so that he even
makes fire
come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives
those who dwell on the earth by those SIGNS which he was granted to do
in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make
an IMAGE [copy]
to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was
granted power to give breath to the IMAGE of the beast, that the IMAGE
of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not WORSHIP
the image of the beast to be killed” (Rev 13:11-15, NKJV).
Breakdown:
Could this be referring to the likes of the following?
"...the United Nations Charter has to be supplemented by a charter of spiritual laws..."
Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.
If so, could the IMAGE be such a political-religious
global power (with someone in particular at the helm)? A power thats
behaviour emulates
that of a past
persecuting political-religious power (of note)? And could a
Reformation reversal (given Church unity and those
reunification talks taking place) aid such a global Church and State
power?
“Then a third angel
followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast
and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he
himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God…’ ” (Rev
14:9,10, NKJV).
"Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues" (Rev 18:4, NIV).
“And in their mouth was found no guile [are free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty]: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Rev 14:5, KJV).
Time To Awaken
There’s a very good reason why God is allowing things to get worse,
And they certainly have been (now more so) ever since the Fall, the curse.
In a nutshell, He is trying to get mankind’s attention, and fast,
Why? Because He’s coming very soon, knowing that this sin sick world won’t last.
Yes, we’re great ones for putting things off, dragging our feet, messing around,
And if we’re not careful, we’ll be caught unawares via His trumpet sound.
And then there’s those scoffers, unbelievers, who need a wakeup call too,
For the coming of Jesus in great glory with His angels is due.
God’s love is so great that He doesn’t want any lost, nor to miss out,
He’s trying to warn us, prepare us, before His coming triumphant shout.
We’re intoxicated with earth’s attractions, caught up in our affairs,
And unless we respond to His promptings, we’ll encounter our worst fears.
We’ve become too comfortable, complacent, lost our sense of urgency,
It seems we’ve developed a dangerous false sense of security.
It seems we’ve grabbed a hold of grace, forgetting that God’s Law has its place,
And are behaving just like the worldlings, who earthly desires chase.
Thus how else can God reach us (and the unbeliever too) but via woes,
Given we’re not heeding His instructions, which, let’s be honest, clearly shows.
We’re lukewarm, Laodicean — yes, far more earthly than heavenly,
And we’re risking it all for what, foolishly, pointlessly, thoughtlessly?
If God didn’t allow the consequences of sin to come to pass,
And those woes besetting us, we wouldn’t take notice of the hourglass.
However, we should always live prepared, willingly and righteously,
For death could strike at anytime, and so too, accountability.
Yes, love must do what love knows is best, and God certainly knows what’s best,
And if we heed His cry, we’ll be spared, and with eternity will be blessed.
Yes, He wants us to be ready, living as if He’s coming today,
And to remember that His love for us is the reason for His delay.
By Lance Landall
“Since every thing will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and Godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11, NIV).
Repent! Prepare!
Even if I wasn’t a Christian, I would be alarmed at Earth’s shocking state,
The wars, the mass shootings, the corruption, the immorality and the hate.
But as a Christian I know these things are but the signs of the times, prophecy,
Things God’s Word has warned of, Christ’s return near, and so too Earth’s end, and why we see
What should have us preparing to meet our Maker, and yet, unbelievably,
Many Christians are part of the problem, or discarding Christianity.
Yes, corrupting and diluting it, or turning their back on it, and why they
(Going by God’s Word), won’t receive eternity come that Earth shattering day.
And non-believers not giving enough thought to that Bible warning, and how
They too will miss out on eternity, unless before God they humbly bow.
“Repent!” He’s shouting, “Prepare! I’m coming soon!” but it’s eat, drink and be merry,
And scoffers abounding who soon will be gnashing their teeth and very teary.
By Lance Landall
Like A Thief In The Night
I quietly listened at the door of the world, my shoulder against its frame,
I observing all the things going on with a deep sense of horror and shame.
And I heard a voice say, “Okay, time to wrap things up,” and I understood why,
The globe vibrating as if out of sync, and someone in the shadows nearby.
Oh, the cruelty, the wickedness, the unfairness, the selfishness, the darkness,
It obvious where it would all end given the recklessness and lawlessness.
Oh yes, what a devilish mess, and I glancing at that someone in the shadows,
Because there just had to be an evil force responsible for all those woes.
But midst it all, amazingly, little pockets of light, fingers in the dyke,
Though only for a short duration now, a disastrous end about to strike.
The restraining hand of goodness and grace slowly letting go, Earth’s end in sight,
Few heeding the warning signs, Christ’s return surprising like a thief in the night.
By Lance Landall
"Therefore be ye also ready; for in SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT the Son of Man cometh"
(Matt 24:44, KJV).
Just One More!
Is there something necessary that you’ve had to do but hated the thought of, and,
Dreaded the time; which reminds me of Christ’s return and that lessening hourglass sand.
He knowing that He’ll have to deal with the unrepentant, it a strange and sad act,
Because Jesus died to save and not destroy, but that He must destroy, is a fact.
Yes, sin and the wicked cannot be allowed to blight the universe anymore,
And why at His second coming (after going through the books) He will close the door.
It too late then. No second chances. All His warnings having been ignored, sadly,
And thus Christ having to do what He hates the thought of, but such a necessity.
Yes, Christ not enjoying it one little bit, He no doubt loathing it, to be frank,
And why when Adam and Eve foolishly rebelled in the garden, our Lord’s heart sank.
He knowing that aside from Calvary there’d be something else He would have to do,
And that being, destroying the wicked who the devil have chosen to bow to.
Oh, how it must have torn at His heart, and oh, how it must still torture Him today,
He wanting it over and done with, and yet, His compassion seeing Him delay.
“Just one more!” He's crying, “Just one more!” but fewer turning from their rebellious ways,
And every lost soul being the Serpent’s gain, which the loving heart of God, dismays.
The number growing.
By Lance Landall
An Angel Of Light
“...Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his
ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness [hypocrites,
imposters, deceivers]. Their end will match their deeds” (2 Cor 11:14,15).
You know, I got to thinking that regarding Jesus Christ's return,
Satan might try to get in first, pretending he’s Christ — a real concern!
After all, if Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light,
Then pretending he’s Christ who's come back to Earth, is something that he might.
Well, wouldn’t you if you were Satan? I certainly would, believe me,
'Cause such a scandalous plan would undoubtedly deceive so many.
Yes, such skullduggery and blasphemy would suit Satan perfectly,
And hence why I’m putting this scenario to you via poetry.
You see, forewarned is forearmed, 'cause I don’t think that this is a maybe,
But rather, a wickedly devilish likelihood, reality.
After all, what has he got to lose given that he’s going down soon,
And why I’m sure he’ll give it his best shot before he meets his high noon.
Hence why we need to note the manner of Christ’s return, and study deeply,
Lest we be fooled by the devil in disguise acting deceitfully.
Imagine it, Satan appearing on Earth pretending that he’s Christ,
When in actual fact he’s the enemy, and clearly anti Christ.
Yes, I’m sure he’ll try it, and what really concerns me, and greatly so,
Is that he’ll be very successful, most convincing, it quite a show.
And also, that those in power who believe he’s Christ, will do his bidding,
And thus those who Satan hates most on Earth, legislatively ridding;
That is, they’ll attempt to liquidate them, which has been Satan's desire,
'Cause he absolutely hates upholders of truth given he’s a liar.
Yes, he’s cunning and clever, and wants to slay those who’re truly faithful,
'Cause they’re on to him, and keep God’s Law — in Satan’s eyes, contemptible.
Can’t you just see it? Such would be a masterstroke, his last ditch attempt,
One that Christ’s return to planet Earth, he would be hoping would pre-empt.
And should he be successful for a while, there's plenty he would do,
So let’s keep watch, Bible in hand, and over this scenario chew.
Yes, it quite a show, signs and wonders all part of it, and healings too,
Folk well and truly taken in, despite the appearing being askew;
And I mean, not in sync with Scripture, and Satan not endorsing what’s right,
But rather, that “beast" power warned of, which he uses to snuff truth and light.
And in its place, his heresy, his End-time agenda, genocide,
The removal of all who won’t accept such wrong, whom Christ calls His bride.
Yes, those who truly keep all God’s Commandments (though saved by grace alone),
Thus faithful to the end, even though sometimes feeling they’re on their own.
By Lance Landall
"Then I [the apostle John] saw another beast [power] coming out of the earth [a new land]. He had two horns [civil-religious liberty] like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon [changes character]. He exercised all the authority of the first beast [a past persecuting power] on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast [fulfills the past power's historic evil intentions], whose wound had been healed [it reviving from its previous historic fall]" (Rev 13:11,12, NIV). Also note Rev 13:3.
"He [the coming global government] was granted power to give breath to the image [copy] of the beast [the first beast], that the image [copy] of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image [copy] of the beast to be killed [here it's referring to dissenters, those who won't bow to certain demands. Another type of Final Solution?]" (Rev 13:15, NKJV).
"...And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast [the End-time global power]; they worshiped the dragon [Satan] because he gave his authority to the beast [it effectively acting on Satan's behalf]; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him [combat it]?" (Rev 13:3,4, NASB).
“Then another [apocalyptic] angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast [the previous persecuting power (Dan 7:8,25)] and its image [the new religious/political power controlling the whole of earth at the time of Christ’s return]...they will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of His anger…” Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep [are loyal to] the commandments of God [the whole ten] and hold fast to the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:9-12, NRSV).
