END-TIMES PROPHECIES: THE IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST (Pt. II)

END-TIMES PROPHECIES: THE IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST (Pt. II)

THE HOLY SPIRIT is emphasizing (more than ever) the indisputable fact that JESUS CHRIST will return very soon.  Crystal-clear signs are clarion calls to the world and to the Church.  All people of God must rediscover and reinvigorate our commission to mobilize a global evangelism initiative that will usher lost souls into the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Peter highlighted a key sign of the times, one that is now evident within and without the institutional church.  He predicted that people would mock and ignore concerns about Christ’s coming due to our desire to maintain the status quo of individual and collective morality.  It is an alarming and apt description.

II Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

³ knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

The scriptures declare that, in the end-times, “knowledge shall increase” exponentially. (Daniel 12:4)  The advent of the Internet has revolutionized our knowledge base, that is, we have garnered more knowledge in the past twenty years than humankind has collectively achieved since the dawn of creation.  It is now estimated that the sum total of human knowledge doubles every four to five years!  Wow!

This same scripture (Daniel 12:4) also implies unprecedented transportation mobility in the last days.  When my father was born in Georgia (1904), most people traveled via horse, foot or boat. The past 100 years have witnessed an awesome proliferation of transportation modalities: cars, buses, subways, trains, cruise ships, jet planes, spacecraft, etc.    These technology advances are foreshadowed by Daniel’s prediction, “Many shall run to and fro,” written over 2,500 years ago.

Additionally, the 20^th century development of satellites, television and the Internet dramatically assists the fulfillment of The Great Commission, i.e. Christ’s prophetic requirement that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20)  Christian television networks such as Trinity Broadcasting Company and Daystar reach every continent and nation of the world.  Also, the Holy Bible has been translated into more than 2,400 languages and dialects in order to saturate the globe with the printed message of the gospel.  During the Tribulation Period, even the angelic host of Heaven will participate in this gospel process. (Revelation 14:6)  Without the advent of global telecommunications, it would be utterly impossible for the whole world to simultaneously witness certain key events that will unfold during the Tribulation, e.g. the 42-month ministry of two special witnesses, along with their murder by the antichrist, followed by their resurrection and ascension into Heaven.  Because of modern technology, end-times events will be heralded globally, at the speed of light!

Revelation 11:3-12 (NKJV)

³ And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

⁴ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. ⁵ And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. ⁶ These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

⁷ When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. ⁸ And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. ⁹ Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.¹⁰ And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

¹¹ Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

In closing, the scriptures foretell the spread of deadly plagues and diseases during this final generation.  During the past 30 years, the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control (USA) have documented the emergence of dreaded diseases, such as AIDS, Ebola virus, Hanta virus, Dengue fever, West Nile virus, SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome], bird flu, etc.  Although modern medicine continues to advance at astounding speeds, we cannot eradicate certain viruses and there is strong concern that the overuse of antibiotics will produce super viruses that will be virtually impossible to treat.  In connection with this, the opening of the 4^th Seal Judgment during the Tribulation Period will cause unprecedented death due to violence, hunger and dreaded diseases. (Matthew 24:7 and Revelation 6:8)  Question: Are YOU ready for the imminent return of Jesus Christ?  There is nothing – absolutely nothing – of greater importance.

Sisters and brothers, stay prayerfully attentive as our end-times series progresses, and be continually blessed!