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Are You Prepared for
This?
The prophecies written in
the books of Daniel and Revelation describe a
sequence of events spanning a period of 3,500
years. Since the prophecies began during the
fifth century, B. C., we have been able to
observe prophetic fulfillments unfold over the
past 2,600 years. More than two-thirds of this
prophetic time line has expired. In fact, it is
precise fulfillment of apocalyptic prophecy
during the past 2,600 years that provides a high
level of certainty that future elements will come
to pass as specified. Because the prophecies of
Daniel and Revelation observe a well-defined
architecture, we can determine our location
within the chronological order of events they
predict. In other words, we can verify what has
happened in the past and we can determine the
next prophetic event.
The world stands on the
doorstep of a great transition. Earth’s
civilizations as we currently know them, are
about to undergo a radical rebirth. I am not
describing another world order based on the
political realignment of the kingdoms of men.
That type of realignment has been going on ever
since nations came to be. Instead, I am
describing A New-World order, which God will soon
establish. The Bible is the only source of
truth on this subject. The Bible is the only book
that contains a comprehensive road map of soon
coming events and the Bible is the only authority
that speaks for God on this matter. For these
reasons, people should carefully consider the
contents of the Bible. The people of Earth need
to fully prepare for what God is about to
do.
If life continues on its
present path, planet Earth faces a cataclysmic
destiny. We can already see the birth pains.
Tensions between nations continue to mount.
However, consider the impact God is going to
abruptly startle the six billion inhabitants of
the world with a great show of divine authority.
In the coming confusion, mayhem and suffering
that is just around the bend, a trustworthy road
map on the forthcoming actions of God will be of
enormous value. Even though the road map of Bible
prophecy does not reveal a pretty picture, it
does offer a ray of hope shining from the end of
a short, but very dark tunnel. For this reason
alone, the Bible should receive a much higher
level of respect and consideration. After
investigating the subject of Bible prophecy for
many years, I am convinced that whether we
believe or disbelieve, agree or disagree with
Bible prophecy, man’s opinions about God do
not change Him or His actions. Whether we believe
Bible prophecy or not, all that God has promised,
He will do. All that He has predicted will come
to pass.
What do we Face?
This section provides a
summary of coming events that will affect the
entire planet. Details that are more specific
will be provided in the second section of this
study. The book of Revelation predicts four global
earthquakes. These earthquakes will increase in
severity as they occur. They will sever bridges,
break up hydroelectric dams, tear train tracks
apart, collapse metropolitan freeway overpasses
and kill many people. Obviously, many tall
buildings will collapse. The world’s
economy, communication and manufacturing
infrastructures will come to a screeching halt.
Before 1994, scientists have claimed that a
“global” earthquake was physically
impossible. However, last year an earthquake in
South America, with an epicenter 400 miles below
the surface, proved that tectonic plates exist
much deeper than ever thought possible. This
earthquake not only shook the western hemisphere,
it also proved that a global earthquake is a
distinct possibility.
In addition to four
global earthquakes, Revelation also predicts a
meteoric shower of burning hail that will ignite
unquenchable forest fires all over the world.
This cataclysmic event will burn millions of
acres of trees and more importantly, food crops.
Until the 1980’s,
scientists scoffed at the notion that a
civilization-threatening asteroid had ever
impacted this planet. However, in the past
decade, new technology has helped scientists to
identify more than 120 impact craters on Earth. A
few of the craters are more than 150 miles in
diameter. Now that powerful telescopes have
vividly recorded Shoemaker-Levy 9’s impact
with Jupiter, no one is laughing at the
possibility that a massive asteroid could hit
Earth again. In fact, the book of
Revelation predicts two asteroid impacts. One
asteroid will impact the ocean and the resulting
tsunami will wash away coastal cities with the
same ease that high tide removes footprints from
the sand of a beach. Then, a second asteroid
impact will obliterate much of the continent.
Many, perhaps millions of people who survive the
initial impact will eventually perish from
drinking contaminated water. (Ground waves from
the massive asteroid impact will sheer both
man-made and natural geological structures
allowing deadly bacteria to enter underground
aquifers.) The Bible does not say which ocean or
which continent will be impacted, but we can be
sure that when it happens, it will not come as a
random event, for God maintains a deliberate and
specific purpose in all that He does.
Adding to this coming
global misery, Revelation also predicts that
darkness will cover the Earth for a number of
months. This darkness could be caused by a series
of volcanic eruptions that occur shortly after
the asteroid impacts. Consider the scenario: No
sun, no crops. No crops, no more food. A
worldwide famine is coming. As bad as this
description seems, the most frightening part of
Revelation’s story is not the global
disasters, but the response of desperate men and
women trying to survive the judgments of God. The
Bible predicts that political and religious
leaders will hastily create a worldwide
organization to appease the wrath of an angry
God. In addition, the Bible predicts this
organization will have global authority and power
almost instantly!
This is no fairy tale.
This is not a reality check. These events are
imminent and you need to know what is in our
path. Why is God going to send these disastrous
signs? He is going to get the full attention of
everyone living on Earth – all six billion
of us. He is about to disrupt the affairs of man
suddenly and during a short period of 1,335 days.
He will sort through the people of Earth. He will
separate the good from the bad, the sheep from
the goats. During this time, God will present the
terms and conditions of salvation to every member
of the human race, and He will see to it that every
person hears His offer of salvation. God has
predetermined that every human being will
seriously consider His coming kingdom. The good
news is that everyone will be invited to be part
of God’s New-World order, even the
most vile person on Earth can be part of the new
kingdom (if he repents and turns from sin and
rebellion). The other side of the coin is that
God intends to destroy the kingdoms of men. This
includes everyone opposed to His government and
authority, even “self-righteous church going
saints” unless they also repent and turn
from their sins. Keep in mind God is impartial.
He loves everyone equally. However, the human
race has gone too far. Corporately speaking, the
actions and attitudes of Earth’s inhabitants
are too violent, decadent and beyond repair. Sin
brings decadence and decadence has filled the
world’s cup of iniquity. As a result, time
has almost come for God to visit Earth.
How Soon is the End?
The Bible speaks of
Earth’s final events as “The End of the
Age” or “The Time of the End.”
Several Bible authors write about this period of
time because the end of the age is marked by a
complete spiritual and physical reconfiguration
of planet Earth. In a small way, signs of this
coming planetary transformation are visible
today. For example, geophysical events include
weather systems that are producing more droughts
and a higher frequency of violent storms. This
past fall, the number of tropical storms and
hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean affecting North
America set a new record. Seismic activity is
also increasing on a logarithmic scale. It is
astounding to realize that more earthquakes
measuring 6.0 and above on the Richter scale have
been recorded this decade (and this is
only 2004) than have been recorded during the
past 90 years! Volcano activity is also on the
increase. Our planet now has more than 400 active
volcanoes. Are these physical changes an omen or
sign of what is to come? Yes. Consider the
financial impact from nature’s violence on
the financial institutions of the world. Many
insurance companies are in deep trouble as a
result of previous natural disasters. The repair
bill for Hurricane Andrew alone depleted
insurance companies of more than 13 billion
dollars. How many storms will occur before the
giants of the world’s economy are blown
away?
What about the spiritual
condition of man? Have you noticed the fracturing
(breakup) of society? Have you observed the
rising concerns about the war in Iraq? Will these
Moslem countries ever find a lasting peace? What
about the former Soviet Union? Will the leaders
of Moscow be able to gain control over the ethnic
diversities that spans eight time zones? What
about the United States of America? Can peace and
good faith be established between Afro-Americans,
Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans,
Native-Americans and White-Americans? Looking at
the future of our planet in general, everything
seems to indicate increased tension over ethnic
origins. On a global scale, what will be the
state of race relations in ten years? What will
the current increases in ethnic allegiance bring
to those nations that are composed of many ethnic
groups? As the global population continues to
increase (a net gain of 9 million per month),
another world war seems inevitable. Since many
nations now have nuclear capability, what will
the planet look like after World War III? It is
time to wake up! Planetary resources are too few
for so many people and this will bring, in due
time, a global revolution. The world’s
political leaders can see the problem and they
wrestle with their complexity. However, men
cannot solve the developing crisis. World leaders
are groping for answers and in this setting of
uncertainty, fear rises and anger builds.
Consequently, people are studying ways to protect
themselves from each other. Is this the next
wave? Can we really save ourselves?
Although the Bible does
not precisely state when the end of the age will
occur, it does offer enough data to determine a
“window of time” during which the end
of the age happens. For example, if a person
totals all the prophetic time-periods in Daniel
and Revelation, the genealogical records of
Genesis and Exodus, and the years from the Exodus
to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the Bible
only refers to 7,000 years (plus or minus 70
years). We know that the 1,000 years of
Revelation 20 occurs after the Great
Tribulation. This suggests that on or about the
6,000-year mark, life, as we know it will end.
According to my calculations, The Great
Tribulation could begin any time. Maybe
the end of the age will occur sometime between
2004 and 2008 – but the passage of time will
have to reveal the actual date. This much is
certain; the entire world will notice the
commencement of the Great Tribulation for it is
marked with one of four global earthquakes and
other celestial signs. (See Revelation 8:5.)
There
is a Plan
God is sovereign. God has
a plan for Earth. He has a purpose for each
individual. To understand God’s purpose and
plan takes some effort and personal desire. The
Bible reveals everything we need to know, and we
need to know all that we can know. The end-time
story in Revelation is not based on a continual
decline into global, moral bankruptcy. No, the
end time story, like an ellipse, focuses on two
points. The first point is time the second is
degeneration. In other words, if degeneration is
given enough time, it overcomes man. If history
reveals anything, it clearly shows that
civilizations come and go. The length of time a
civilization enjoys prosperity is directly
proportional to God’s favor. Notice this
response to the prophet Daniel to King
Nebuchadnezzar: “He [the God of Heaven]
changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and
deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and
knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel
2:21) Each time we have a political election in
the United States, I reflect on this text. How
does God set up kings (or leaders) and depose of
them when they are elected too office by popular
vote (or lack thereof)? I have found a rather
simple answer: God is able to bring about
circumstances that propel people in various
directions. One clear example of this is found in
the story about the Tower of Babel. God altered
the common language of man by creating many
languages and this simple event brought about the
dispersion of nations. (See Genesis 11:1-9.)
Back to Daniel for one more point. Notice
Daniel’s statement to Nebuchadnezzar about
the quality of men God places in leadership:
“The decision [to punish you for unbridled
vanity, oh king] is announced by messengers, the
holy ones [angels] declare the verdict, so that
the living may know that the Most High is
sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them
to anyone he wishes and sets over them the
lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)
Here is a profound point:
When a nation turns its back on principles of
righteousness, when individuals turn away from
right doing, God deals with that nation and its
citizens accordingly. Prophet Daniel understood
why he was in Babylon as a captive. Notice his
confession: “All Israel has transgressed
your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
“Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments
written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God,
have been poured out on us, because we have
sinned against you. “ (See Daniel 9:11
and Ezekiel 12-22)
These principles are
timeless because God is eternal. However, few
people step back and study the larger picture.
The big picture reveals a global civilization
that has reached its end. The world is too small
and its resources too few. The cancer of sin has
become pandemic. Selfish ambitions and the love
of money have brought out every enterprise.
Affections for each other are too cold and
ethnicity too important. All of these things
serve to alienate us from one another. So, what
must God do with this wayward planet? He must
act. He will act.
Remember any serious
attempt to save ourselves from the coming
tribulation is a lot like arranging deck chairs
on the Titanic. What difference does it
ultimately make where the chairs are placed on a
ship headed for the bottom of the ocean? This is
why the next global drama is in God’s court.
He sees the enormous mess we are in because of
our sins. Just like Humpty Dumpty (world
civilizations), all the king’s horses and
all the king’s men (the efforts of man),
cannot put it together again. In the language of
Monday night football, we have reached fourth and
goal; five seconds remain on the clock, and its
God’s turn to make the last call. His game
plan can be found in the prophecies of Daniel and
Revelation.
God
is at Work
The Bible indicates that
God will accomplish a number of important matters
during the Great Tribulation. First, he will
awaken every person on Earth to the fact that
Jesus, the Judge of all mankind, is about to
appear and require an account of each
person’s behavior. Second, God is about to
expose the contents of every human heart by
placing a comprehensive test of faith before each
of us. Finally, God will silence the blasphemous
claims of the world’s religious systems. He
will demonstrate that we cannot obtain salvation
through membership in any religious
system. God is about to inform the world that
salvation only comes through total commitment and
submission to Jesus Christ.
Most
of the prophetic interpretations we hear on radio
and TV are misleading. Do not misunderstand.
People can believe anything they choose to
believe about the future, but what effect does
belief or denial have on coming events? Almost
everyone in Noah’s day refused to believe a
flood was coming. What effect did their denial
have on the promised event? My point is that
millions of people have been led to anticipate
things that will never happen and when the
predicted events of Revelation begin, everything
that can be shaken will be shaken. On that day,
many people will abandon their faith in God
because they placed their faith in religious
leaders instead of studying God’s word for
themselves. Even worse, many religious leaders
have not spiritually prepared their flocks (their
parishioners) for the trying circumstances they
are about to face. What is bitterer than the
experience of misplaced trust? I mention this
matter because either most religious leaders, do
not know about the coming events or they deny the
seriousness of the 14 events that are just before
us. Therefore, a very serious problem exists. Few
people have been spiritually prepared for the
trying experiences ahead. What many people have
been led to believe about God is not true.
In the coming hour of tribulation, many
unprepared people will become bitter. In their
anger, frustration and fear, many people will
grow to hate God. Of course, such hatred will be
misdirected. However, since most Christians have
a Bible, whom should God hold responsible for
having faulty knowledge?
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Continue to page :: 2 ::
Five Essential Bible Truths Part 1
Second Coming of Jesus
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