Watch, watch for the ONE who comes to the rescue of the world and brings pseudopeace to the middle east. the ONE will have a partner and behind them will be satan himself.
WATCH.
I have become increasingly convinced we are not nearly as close to the “end times” as many would have us believe, for two simple reasons:
1. There have been countless such predictions since the current state of Israel was created in 1947. The best shot for such predictions were ones Hal Lindsey et al made for the 70’s and 80’s. These didn’t happen so really, if anything is convincing of a less than literal interpretation of eschatological prophecies it should be that.
2. It’s far too convenient/easy on oneself to believe one is in the “end times”. It takes a lot of pressure off considerations like planning for the future and working towards a better society (at least locally) now. If one becomes convinced Jesus is returning within 10-20 years, there’s very little motivation to do such things. Which, I would argue, is actually a trick of the devil. To destroy lives looking towards a false hope, rather than doing the hard work of charity towards others and oneself.
Just my two cents.