Posted on 12/30/2009 1:51:07 PM PST by TaraP
It is mind-boggling to think that our generation alone is uniquely standing on the precipice of time and where no generation has ever stood. We are living in the days spoken of by the ancient prophets.
These prophets spoke of the Israelites being gathered back into their own land, in passages such as Ezekiel 37:21:
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.
This began in 1948. The “dry bones” of Ezekiel 37 have come alive.
As also prophesied, we are seeing the world turn against Israel.
On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations” (Zechariah 12:3).
The catalyst for this is oil, or petro-dollars, causing the world to sell out tiny, democratic Israel to despotic Muslim nations for purposes of greed.
These signs are historically unprecedented. Only this generation has seen them. But there are many other biblical signs, such as: increased violence worldwide (as in the days of Noah), increased apostasy, increased cults and false religions and false prophets, increased natural disasters such as frequency of earthquakes, and more.
For these and many other reasons, is it any wonder that millions believe the return of Christ is so near? Polls show that even non-believers think the world is at such a point. This is the most exciting time in all history to be alive!
But When is He Coming?
Just the question -- when? -- causes some Christians to cringe, protest, or even scoff! They quickly point out that Jesus said: But of that day and hour knoweth no man (Matthew 24:36 KJV).
Some believers criticize other believers who are seeking God’s clues, either from the Scriptures or by personal revelation. It is interesting that it was apparently by personal revelation, not Scripture, that many people knew the exact day of Elijah's rapture (2 Kings 2)! Are there types in the Old Testament? Do God’s principles repeat themselves?
Some claim we should focus only on the Great Commission and evangelism and not be concerned when the Lord will return. However, the Bible repeatedly tells us to “watch” for the signs, so not doing so would be disobedient. Also, those who are watching and expecting Jesus’ soon return are probably the most zealous group of witnesses for the gospel among all Christians.
The doubters may mention Paul's words that the day of the Lord will come like "a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But many believers have so misunderstood these verses that they are oblivious to the times, not watching for the Lord as He commanded, and are often absorbed by the cares of this world and their own agendas.
As to Matthew 24:36, some scholars point out that Jesus' words here are in the present tense, addressed to His hearers at the time, and not to those alive at the end of the age when Daniel's vision would be unsealed (Daniel 12:9). This would be similar to Matthew 16:20:
Then he warned His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.
As evidence, many other Scriptures reveal to us that God will reveal at least the approximate time. (Even if the "day and hour" restriction is literally valid today, it may be because the Earth is in 24 time zones and always in two different days.)
Jesus also said, “but my Father only” knows, which pins the statement to His hearers at the time, when Jesus was still on the earth, because surely there are now no secrets in the Trinity between the Father and the glorified Son, who are truly One.
Also, in context, He seems to be speaking of heaven and earth passing away (v. 35), not other end-time events. In addition, Jesus said,
If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee (Revelation 3:3).
He is obviously saying that to the one who watches, He will not come as a thief and that person will know the hour! (Hour -- Greek hora -- Strong’s 5610; various meanings, including, “any definite time, point of time, moment.”
God’s Promises of Revelation
It is clear that Jesus will not come as a "thief in the night" for watchful believers, because in the very same passage, verse 4, Paul tells us,
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
If we are trusting in Christ and looking for His coming, Paul said that even the very day does not have to surprise us!
Also, Jesus exhorted, "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief" (Revelation 3:3, KJV), obviously saying He will come as a thief only to those not watching! It is obvious that for those watching, He will NOT come as a thief.
Jesus rebuked those who did not understand the signs of the times in His day:
O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3).
Of the end of the age, Jesus said,
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).
He said we would know when it is near!
God said, "Surely the sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing it to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7, NIV). God said "nothing," and He did not exclude Christ's return. I take Him at His word.
God not only knows the end from the beginning, He tells us that He makes it known!
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. (Isaiah 46:10).
He has already made it known! I personally believe it has been hidden in His Word all along, to be unlocked in His timing. There is nothing wrong with seeking! No doubt, it pleases God.
God said,
I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee (Isaiah 48:5, KJV).
Jesus said the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things" (John 14:26). He said "all things." Did Jesus make a mistake, forgetting to exclude when He will return? I don't think so.
Friends confide in one another. Abraham was called God’s “friend” (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23).
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do (Genesis 18:17).
Now, because of Jesus’ atonement, we are called friends of God:
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends (Jesus, John 15:15).
The Bible also says that Jesus was crucified so that the blessing of Abraham, part of which was friendship with God, would come upon the Gentiles -- us (Galatians 3:14).
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says:
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun (NIV).
Many Bible students believe that ancient events and dating in the Bible are shadows and clues that foretell the coming of the Lord, even the timing. An example is the six days of creation, seen as 6,000 years of man’s dominion over the earth, before the return of the Lord and the seventh, or Sabbath Millennium of peace, with Christ ruling in Jerusalem. According to scholars, we are now at the end of 6,000 years since Adam.
There are other such passages. God clearly promised that we would know at least approximately when Christ will return, and even "the day" will not surprise us, as the Holy Spirit reveals through Paul!
In addition, there is ample precedent for God revealing specific times in advance.
■He gave Noah advance notice of when the flood would be (Genesis 6,7).
■He told Abraham how long the Israelites would be in Egypt (Genesis 15:13).
■As mentioned, He revealed to many the very day of Elijah's rapture (2 Kings 2).
■He told Jeremiah how long the Babylonian exile would be (Jeremiah 29:10).
■He told Daniel exactly when Messiah would come the first time (Daniel 9:25-26).
Some, including the brilliant Sir Isaac Newton, believe this same passage holds the key to the timing of His return.
There is evidence that the Bible reveals the exact number of years of "the times of the Gentiles" and the exact span of time to Israel's rebirth in 1948 and the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967.
Obviously, leaving us clueless now would violate God's own established pattern as revealed in His Word!
Also obviously, we are not left clueless. There are many signs. Let us remain watchful and ready, and be found doing the Master’s work.
Do you need hope for the future? Find peace with God
It's not too late for you ... .
What we have is a modern day Ahab and Jezebel running the country into the ground. Ahab was the most evil King of Israel. Look up Jezebel on and see the parallel with Michele.
Many say if the last week in the Book of Daniel started in 1948 then Jesus would come back to earth in 2018,(70 years) what time, what day, what month is an unknown, however the rapture of the church would have to happen before the end of 2011 with the 7 yr tribulation....2011 to 2018..makes sense IMO...
It is a fools errand to try to understand the day / hour of Christs return .... because for most of humanity since the Resurrection, that day / hour is the time of our own death. For once we leave this earth, we can no longer change what is written in the Book of Life.
Far better to focus one’s attention and efforts as if this day will be their last and now is all they have to live according to God’s plan.
Great post thank you.
Just curious, how did whoever say that come up with those numbers?
you mean Michelle Obama and Jezebel?
I think many people see prophecy un-folding, the rest are in denial or deep deception and other’s refuse to believe even though they do see GOD’s time peace coming to a close...
Zech.12:2
[2] Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Yes, party on. Endorse homosexuality, abortion, lying, stealing, chacanery ... it’s all part of what must happen before He returns and collects His own. Then the degenrates will be left with what they created - hell on earth.
I think most ture Christians do live that way, however I know for me every night before I go to bed, I look up at the sky and hear the words Jesus said:
Look up! for your redemption draws near....
I disagree with this point. Are we not intelligent enough to do both? I know I am, and I'm not the brightest star in the sky, not the dimmest either.
I’m guessing sometime around Dec 2012...
Great post, thanks.
After "them bones" come alive, Gog (Russia), Persia, and a host of others come storming into Israel and are soundly defeated (again with the "fire and brimstone" already).
We sure are living in interesting times.
"Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly".
9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
9:27 And he shall CONFIRM the covenant with many for one week: (7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The Book of Daniel was to remian closed until the Last Days and the Generation was alive to see the Messiah Jesus Christ return to this earth...
We are that Generation to be a witness...
Yes..Excellent Point....
We are a witness to GOD’s prophetic time clock...
Baptist ping
In His Ministry Jesus first quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 (in Luke 4:18-19), but suddenly stopped quoting Isaiah where it would not be fulfilled until the second coming (verse 2): “the day of vengeance of our God.”
One can see that the day of wrath is almost at hand.
What a Biblically historical time we are living in. It boggles my mind just to think of what we may soon witness unfolding with our own eyes, Lord willing.
So could this be the "Mark of the Beast" the Bible talks about?
Hmm?
Man did! Not God.
Here is what HE HATES:
Proverbs 6:16-19
[16] These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Obama and Michele - their USUAL look
It's above Obama’s “pay grade” to know if abortion is wrong. It is the shedding of innocent blood in the most cowardly way.
[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
The House and the Senate CONSTATNLY LIE. TRUTH is their enemy. Their legislation is like a shell game. When one lie is uncovered, they cover it up somewhere else in their legislation - that is if they are bribed enough to go along with it. Rush the rest through so the sheeple don't catch it. Obama’s hellcare is EVIL.
[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Yes, our media helps too! They print lies to spread them around and create confusion.
It goes on and on but you should be getting the picture.
Oh, let's not forget this. This is to be exalted. Not just “tolerated”. In fact if you speak up AGAINST this, nonviolently, it is a “hate crime”.
Romans 1:24-32
24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Homosexuality, pedophilia, beastiality
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Homosexuals and other perverts believing they are “Christians”. Narcissism is the rage with LIBERALS.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Yes, lesbianism ...
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
yes, homosexuality ...
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Sometimes, God gives up on these people because He knows they won't change or turn away from this. You label the rest of these verses.
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
In summary, we are seeing below happen:
2Tim.3:1-5
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Amen to that!
I think the world will fall to there knees just like the Bible states, some will fall in Glorious Awe and some will fall with tremble and fear....
Every knee will bow and every tounge confess that..
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
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