Posted on 04/06/2009 4:48:19 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
I recall a conservative political commentator saying that the Democratic Party was the "A" team, while the Republicans were the "B" team on the road to socialism. Boy, oh boy was that a truism. Things are moving so fast in the last six months that stage-setting events are happening so fast that no one person can keep up with events. Prophecy is on fast-forward!
Stage Setting
Virtually all future prophecy will start to be fulfilled when the rapture occurs ending the church age. Then the world will enter the time when the birth pangs that Jesus spoke of begin to be fulfilled (Matt. 24:8). This post-rapture period known in the Old Testament as the "latter days" (Deut. 4:30; Jer. 30:24; 48:47; Dan. 2:28; 10:14), the "last days" (Jer. 23:20; 49:39; Ezek. 38:16), and the "latter years" (Ezek. 38:8) will last for seven years (Dan. 9:24–27; compare with Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6; 13:5). None of what is happening today indicates that the rapture is near since that event is a signless event that could happen at any moment. Are you ready for the rapture?
The signs of the times that are occurring today relate to Israel as God is preparing the world for the time when He will resume His plan for Israel and that will then involve the fulfillment of times and seasons. One major indicator that we are likely near the beginning of the tribulation is the clear fact that national Israel has been reconstituted after almost 2,000 years. The signs also relate to what is happening in the Gentile world as we move toward a global government centered in the Revived Roman Empire, which is mainly Europe. Dr. John Walvoord explains the significance of signs occurring in our own day as follows:
But if there are no signs for the Rapture itself, what are the legitimate grounds for believing that the Rapture could be especially near of this generation? The answer is not found in any prophetic events predicted before the Rapture but in understanding the events that will follow the Rapture. Just as history was prepared for Christ's first coming, in a similar way history is preparing for the events leading up to His Second Coming. . . . If this is the case, it leads to the inevitable conclusion that the Rapture may be excitingly near.[1]
Signs For Our Day
In every generation since Christ's ascension there have been Christians who thought that there was reason for His return in their lifetime. However, almost all of these past expectations were derived from the belief that they were experiencing events of the tribulation in their own day. Only in the last 200 years have some interpreters begun to return to a literal, futurist understanding of the impending events of the tribulation, as generally held by most in the early Church. Thus, while so many have believed that Christ's return was near, the basis for such an understanding has not always been the same down through the history of the church—that the church was in the tribulation. The fact that Israel became a nation in 1948 is an undeniable fact of history that indicates that God is up to something in history in our day that could not be said in previous times.
God's plan for history always moves forward in relation to what He is doing with Israel. Thus, the fact that Israel has been and continues to be reconstituted as a nation is prophetically significant, so significant that it makes Israel God's "super-sign" of the end times. Were Israel not a nation again it would be impossible for events of the end time to occur since so many of them take place in that tiny country or in reference to her. But she has returned and so it is that all other aspects of Bible prophecy are also being prepared for the grand finale of history.
Recently we have seen that the European Union threatened and warned Israel about not being open to the so-called "two-state solution" of the Arab-Israeli conflict in their effort to impose a human solution to the conflict.
The prospect of a new hawkish government, with Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman as a possible foreign minister, will be seen in Europe as a setback to the Middle East peace process.
"Let me say very clearly that the way the European Union will relate to an [Israeli] government that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different," said Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief.[2]
New Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, is opposed to the two-state solution, which is the EU's framework for dealing with the problem. Whatever the supposed human solution affixed to this crisis will bring, the situation will not be genuinely solved until our Lord returns and imposes His will as the ultimate solution to the situation.
Since the election of Obama to the White House, we also see the United States changing from a sympathetic supporter of Israel to one who will be pressing for an imposed solution. New Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton is said by observers of the Mid-East Conflict to have shifted her pro Israel position she displayed as a U. S. Senator from New York.
Morton A. Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America, is just one of many supporters of Israel who say that Hillary Clinton, an outspoken supporter of a Palestinian state, has made an anti-Israel switch of late. Klein writes that the U.S. Secretary of State, once a "reliable and vocal supporter of Israel," has now taken many positions that are not in Israel's interest.[3]
Globalism
When George W. Bush was president he was ostracized and viciously attacked for acting upon the national interests of the United States within the now dominate global environment. As a pronounced citizen of the world, Obama instead insists that we must all shoulder "the burdens of global citizenship."[4] Thus, the United States of America, the last major holdout against global governance, has under President Obama joined efforts to deal with most matters within the framework of globalism. Whatever reluctance was shown in the past, America has now officially under the Obama administration joined the global community lock, stock, and barrel.
Scripture teaches that the Antichrist will rise to power out of a federation of nations that correlate in some way with the Roman Empire of two thousand years ago. Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost explains:
Now, when we turn to the prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7 and to Revelation 13 and 17 and other parallel passages, we find that at the end time, during the Tribulation period, the final form of Gentile world power is a federation of ten separate nations, the ten toes or ten horns. It seems as though Europe's leaders are advocating that which Daniel prophesied hundreds of years before Christ, when he said that the final form of Roman world power would be a federation of independent states who elect one man to take authority over them while maintaining their own sovereign authority. The more movement we see in Europe for a common market and a federation of nations, the closer the coming of our Lord must be.[5]
One would have to be totally ignorant of developments within the world of our day to not admit that through the efforts of the European Union, Humpty Dumpty is finally being put back together again. This is occurring, like all of the other needed developments of prophecy, at just the right time to be in place for the coming tribulation period. Prophecy popularizer, Hal Lindsey tells us:
"A generation ago, no one could have dreamed that an empire formed of the nations that were part of old Rome could possibly be revived. But today, as Europe is on the advent of real unity, we see the potential fulfillment of another vital prophecy leading to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ."[6]
Conclusion
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has recently said concerning the global economic downturn that we all should seek global solutions. He further said that the world has never been more willing to see globalism as the answer to our problems, to which he also promised a bright future if we join arms and march in this direction. Henry Kissinger has recently said on multiple occasions that President Obama has a tremendous opportunity to steer America toward globalism in an effort to deal with our problems. Kissinger has further opined that only globalists can solve these problems in the area of economics, environment, agriculture, religion, political, and so on.
It may be true that mankind without God and His word cannot figure out how to solve the pressing problems of humanity without some kind of global governance. However, the realities concerning these matters are always and only found in the Bible and in our Lord's plan for the future as outlined through biblical prophecy. Some critics say that we become fatalists because we trust the veracity of Bible prophecy and thereby contribute to the decline of culture and society. Yet, how can we expect people to find biblical solutions to their problems when they are clearly and vocally in rebellion against God? What Bible-believing Christian would want the unbelieving world to succeed in solving the world's problems apart from God and His word? The Bible predicts this kind of direction and outcome because man is sinful and God is righteous. However, for any individual who will listen to God's word, He has provided a way of salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to Him. Maranatha!
There is a big difference between the wrath of Satan, who, we are told by God, is the "god" of this present age, and the wrath of God, Who, we are told and Who has a history of, taking those Who know Him and live their lives in obedience to Him, off the scene before He sends judgment.
God never promises to always protect anyone, believer or non-believer, from the horrible things which happen in this fallen, Satanic world. Bad things happen to Christians, bad things have happened to Christians in the past, and bad things will continue to happen to Christians until Christ raptures us off the earth before He sends His judgment. Don't confuse Satanically-inspired evil with God's judgment, which is reserved for those who reject His Son and Who hate Him.
And the thing that makes us "special"; the only thing that differentiates us from those who will be left behind, is our response to God's offer of salvation, His offer of a personal relationship with Him, and His offer of an eternal life spent with Him. That offer, by the way, is open to every man, woman, and child on the planet. What a person does with that offer is his or her decision and he or she is responsible for the consequences of that decision.
Why do you think yourself above laying your life on the line for your beliefs or that for some reason God has deemed some group of people more special than anyone in history? What earned you that privilage, in a time when the last days church is called the lukewarm church. Because the Church is lukewarm, steeped in pagan rituals and think themselves in need of nothing, oh so special.
Who said I "think myself above laying my life on the line"? How on earth did you come up with that?? I'm going by and believing and clinging to the Word of God which unequivocally states that those who have accepted His Son as Savior and who have had their sins forgiven as a result will be taken off this earth before He judges those who reject His Son and reject His offer of salvation. It sounds like your problem is with God and how He will carry out His plans, not me.
Gonna be ALOT of people who think God has lied to them when they don’t escape what they think they will escape. When it has been man who has done the lieing and the twisting of scripture to make himself feel safer, and an elite group unto themselves. It happened in Hitlers camp...they died believing God had lied to them and it will happen again. WHAT arrogant destructive Religious Pride.
My goodness, what rage you have. Like I said before, it looks as though you have a serious problem with God, have decided to deny what He clearly said about how He will wrap up this present Church age, and feel some need to accuse those who take God at His word and who believe what he says as having "arrogant destructive religious pride".
If you get something out of hurling accusations and engaging in name-calling, by all means, be my guest. It won't change what I know to be true, it won't change what is happening in the world that is the literal fulfillment of Bible prophecy, it won't change God's promise to those who know Him that we will not be here to suffer His judgments, and it won't change the eternal destiny of the one who hates enough to post such rage, postings which reveal something about you and the state of your heart.
One thing for sure is Satan believes that it is going to happen.That is why he always has someone who can step in.
That explains the various monsters down through the centuries that have surfaced to enslave and slaughter millions.
Satan knows it's going to happen but he doesn't know when. He'll always have a tool on standby to serve as Antichrist when the actual time arrives.
The book that I read, when it first came out was by Marvin Rosenthal — The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church, published by Thomas Nelson in 1990.
It was suggested by a Christian friend that I read it. He was sold on it, when he read it. But, I wasn’t even after reading it. I’m still pre-trib...
Amen
The Church fathers would have been wise to omit Revelation from the Bible. It is a tiresome dream-screed open to a million interpretations.
IT’S SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
IMPRESSIVE.
when pontificating mortals presume to
KNOW ABSOLUTELY PROOF POSITIVE BETTER
than Holy Spirit about Scripture.
/s
Thankfully, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus was wise enough to have revealed to John on Patmos the things recorded in His book.
It is not only for us, but also for those who will have to persevere the Great Tribulation and the Remnant.
There is a big difference between the wrath of Satan, who, we are told by God, is the “god” of this present age, and the wrath of God, Who, we are told and Who has a history of, taking those Who know Him and live their lives in obedience to Him, off the scene before He sends judgment.
******
Scripture says “All God’s ways are judgment.” Even the sunshine you enjoy or the blessings. God’s people have been living their lives for centuries being obedient to Him.
So your point is? He has been judging since the beginning of time...and Satan does NOTHING without God’s permission.
******
before He sends His judgment. Don’t confuse Satanically-inspired evil with God’s judgment, which is reserved for those who reject His Son and Who hate Him.
****
Mankind has been rejecting His Son from the beginning...a generation at a time. What makes this generation any different?
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And the thing that makes us “special”; the only thing that differentiates us from those who will be left behind, is our response to God’s offer of salvation, His offer of a personal relationship with Him, and His offer of an eternal life spent with Him. That offer, by the way, is open to every man, woman, and child on the planet. What a person does with that offer is his or her decision and he or she is responsible for the consequences of that decision.
*********
This has all been since the Crucifixtion...what makes this generation of lukewarm believers whom he said he would spew from his mouth so special?? The plan of salvation didn’t start with this generation.
*******
I’m going by and believing and clinging to the Word of God which unequivocally states that those who have accepted His Son as Savior and who have had their sins forgiven as a result will be taken off this earth before He judges those who reject His Son and reject His offer of salvation. It sounds like your problem is with God and how He will carry out His plans, not me.
********
You twist the word of God. “Christ prayed that those who were his not be taken from this world but protected from the evil one.” Mankind has been rejecting Christ from the beginning. I have no problem with God’s plan, I do have a problem with those who add to or take away from scripture and Rapture is an added word...and an added twist of scripture.
********
My goodness, what rage you have. Like I said before, it looks as though you have a serious problem with God, have decided to deny what He clearly said about how He will wrap up this present Church age, and feel some need to accuse those who take God at His word and who believe what he says as having “arrogant destructive religious pride”.
******
You mean the same rage that Christ had when he whipped the money changers from the temple? And the same rage he had when he called the Pharisees white-washed tombstones full of dead mens works. My goodness the Pharisees were the big thing of his time...the religious elite. “The Rapture” doctrine has made alot of religious elite ALOT of money...not sure God is all that impressed, as a matter of fact I know He isn’t and I don’t blame Him.
****
It won’t change what I know to be true, it won’t change what is happening in the world that is the literal fulfillment of Bible prophecy, it won’t change God’s promise to those who know Him that we will not be here to suffer His judgments, and it won’t change the eternal destiny of the one who hates enough to post such rage, postings which reveal something about you and the state of your heart.
*****
And it won’t change the fact that you will still be here...trying to figure out HOW you were so deceived, as it said it would be in the end days. AND yes I do feel rage when the wolves steal and deceive the sheep for their own agendas..for THEIR kingdoms...you know, the ones Satan offered Christ in the wilderness and He didn’t want them......neither do I.
My heart is for those who innocently follow the deception of men and not their sheppard who is Christ.
False prophets cry peace and safety and THAT is exactly what you are crying with your twisted version of scripture.
Peace and safety...people of God, you will not suffer, you will not stand and watch God’s judgement or be held accountable for those you said nothing to!! You are special...”God may be the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow but NOT when it comes to you. “YOU have PEACE AND SAFETY”
You’ll not hear me cry that...I’ll not be held accountable for that.
Great analogy!
You said — The Church fathers would have been wise to omit Revelation from the Bible.
—
Well, although this is a bit of “tongue in cheek” commentary..., it’s *also* typical of how some people *think* about God’s Word, in that it was something that the “church” put together, instead of it being “God’s inerrant, infallible, complete and total Word”.
If the “church” was in the position of creating it, then “yes” — perhaps they should have chosen something a bit more “clean” and understandable so they could control their parishioners a bit easier... LOL...
But, since it’s actually “God’s Word”, we don’t get to “pick and choose” what we want to put in there and take out of there...
ping for later
You would have it such.
Why not eliminate the Book of Acts while you are at it?
You are clueless to the meaning and value of Scripture.
You’ll have your day in Court. Meanwhile, enjoy your reveling in ignorance.
Well stated GN, that also was my first thought.
God doesn’t chastise His flock when they are faithful to Him. Unlike times of tribulation in the past cast upon believers by those both out of fellowship and unbelievers, but the demonically influenced and demonically possessed, this Great Tribulation is described as directly caused by God Himself.
Fruchtenbaum lists 3 reasons for the Great Tribulation in his study of Scripture.
1) To make an end of wickedness and wicked ones. (Is 13:9 & Is 24:19-20)
2) To bring about worldwide revival. (Rev 7:1-17
3) To break the Power of the Holy People. (Dan 12:5-7 & Ez 20:33-38)
a bit differently:
While we are in fellowship with God through faith in Christ, we seek His Word as He provides it. A wealth of wisdom is available through what God has provided in the revelation of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus to John, while he was on Patmos as recorded in the book of Revelation, which contains His Word.
BTW, there is an admonishment in the last verses of that Book, which provide even greater emphasis on its veracity and importance, worthy for any person who doubts it, to consider before commenting upon it.
It’s only excellent if you have been lauded into the non biblical pre tribulation rapture.
Thanks for the ping!
later
INDEED.
I thought it was a great analogy, too.
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