Just as canaries warned of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas in coal mines, antisemitism on American college campuses in support of Hamas and condemning Israel in the wake of the 2023 attacks against Israel from Gaza predict a future hatred for Christianity. Jews were initially targeted in Nazi Germany, but next Christians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer were silenced, too. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV).
Prophecy
Fragile, Vulnerable, Yet Durable
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22 KJV). Dennis Quaid’s documentary, Grid Down, Power Up (2022), explains the “risk and consequences of the US power grid going down, leaving the nation without electricity for an extended period of time. It is explained how we became this vulnerable, and how we can resolve it going forward.” “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28 KJV). Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Another Nation Invaded
On the morning of October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel, killing more than 1,300, injuring thousands, and kidnapping more than 100. Hamas’ 1987 founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel (Psalm 83:4). Even as the LORD had discontinued Israel’s political identity (70 AD) and brought it back into existence (1948), may we all remember His warning, “He that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8 KJV). “We’re Going to Die Here” tells us what it was like for some in the early hours of this conflict.
FYI: We Don’t Know
NASA’s concluding report for 2023 on UAPs (unidentified anamolous phenomena) or UFOs (unidentified flying objects): “We are the American government and we are open, but we don’t know what these UAPs are.” Nothing to make front page news. Better that than ET phone home. Explanation for most UAPs was “planes, drones, weather phenomena, and instrument features” with the recommendation of using scientific instruments for UAP detection. Editorial opinion: UFOs are lying wonders. “Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9 KJV).
Why the Christian Worldview Isn’t Working
Church membership is quite noticeably declining because the Christian worldview isn’t working. The faith of the Scriptures doesn’t seem to explain what’s going on in the lives of church members to make the weekly pilgrimage to church worth it. Not enough Christian service? Too little outreach? Some churches preach and teach Bible prophecy, while others simply acknowledge the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with allusions to the New Heavens and New Earth. For instance, Hebrews 10:25 is often quoted as why disciples should assemble as a church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV). Notice the compelling nature of church attendance was “as ye see the day approaching” (10:25). What day? The soon or imminent return of the One who said, “I come quickly” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20 KJV). Who has a good explanation for why Jesus hasn’t yet returned? This is only one example of a Christian worldview that doesn’t seem to be working. And, I do not think this was simply anticipating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple worship in 70 AD by the Romans. If we were to introduce the concept of delay in spiritual warfare, as seen in the Book of Daniel (10:13), we could see how Christ’s Return would be just as imminent today, at any moment, as for the original recipients of the Book of Hebrews. But, we would have to reorganize our worldview. A little drastic change, now and then, is a healthy thing, don’t you think?
All Prophecy Has Already Been Fulfilled?
If I said, ‘All prophecy has already been fulfilled, as of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70,’ then you would probably correct me. ‘No, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the New Heavens and New Earth are still yet to be fulfilled.’ Then, the Book of Revelation is not just figurative and allegorical — teaching only principles and not predictive prophecy. You can see the difficulty of attempting to take away the stated purpose of the Book of Revelation. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 KJV). When the Children of God become embarrassed about how long it has been taking the LORD for it to “shortly come to pass,” then we attempt to allegorize the Book of Revelation to ‘protect’ His image. But, if the any moment, imminent, “shortly come to pass” return of the Lord Jesus Christ can be accounted for by the delaying aspects of Spiritual Warfare, as seen in the Book of Daniel (10:13), then we can begin to appreciate why Jesus cautioned us, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32 KJV). May the LORD give us wisdom concerning His Return.
Why Study Bible Prophecy?
Why study Bible prophecy, if it causes division and breeds cults? “Then the LORD said, Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” (Genesis 18:17 NET). J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy asserts that 27% of Scripture — one in every four verses — is predictive prophecy. Hard to ignore. We need to pay attention when God speaks this much about the future. “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7 KJV). It is the LORD’s wish to share His plans with His friends. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15 KJV). Paul extensively shared about the nature of our Lord’s Second Coming in both of his epistles to the Thessalonians. “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” (2Thessalonians 2:5 KJV). Peter and Jude spoke at length about the nature of our Lord’s Second Coming. And, John shared the most significant capstone to the NT, when he recorded, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 KJV). Let us not neglect what our Lord sees as significant! Maranatha!
Battle Plan for Victory
If the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD was the consummation of biblical prophecies, and we are evolving towards the New Heavens and New Earth with a gospel to address societal ills, how are we doing? On the other hand, if we are waiting for the Rapture, and the world’s “going-to-hell-in-a-hand-cart,” again, how are we doing? Either way, not so good. What’s the battle plan? “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16 KJV). The Gospel is a supernatural offering of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Son of God for the world, as an atonement for the sins of all those who believe and are baptized (a loyalty oath). Societal ills will be affected by the holy living of disciples; otherwise, disciples have not experienced a supernatural gospel transformation. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Finally, Christ will not return to rapture His Church until the Father has decided that the Gospel has been fully preached in all the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14 KJV). Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen and amen.
The End of All Things
Brief Comments on Isaiah 54:1-17
Especially Addressing “Why Are We Still Here?”
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray” (1Peter 4:7 NIV).
1- Why are we still here?
The world is still here ONLY because God still continues to hold all things together.
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17 NIV).
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We Need A Miracle 