To my way of thinking, the next events of end-times importance outlined in God’s Word are front and center at this very moment. Two things are about to be fulfilled that Bible prophecy specifically details for those who “watch,” as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first on the cusp of fulfillment is encapsulated within a book my friend Pete Garcia and I wrote a few years ago: The DISAPPEARING: Future Events That Will Rock the World is described by the following pulled from its back cover.
Each hour brings troubling headlines from the many news sources now available. Every report seems more intrusive upon our daily lives than the previous, and all accounts appear to be setting the end-time stage for soon fulfillment of God’s prophetic Word…
A dramatic presentation of the Rapture…
Vivid depiction of unfolding events immediately following the Rapture and beyond—through planet earth’s judgment and its ultimate restoration…
My presentation titled, “Rapture Ready,” delivered at the Prophecy Watchers’ conference at Branson, Missouri, on December 7, was meant to cover the reasons believers should be ready for that great event–and why.
That session was devoted to the proposition–the exciting and, yes, the comforting certainty—that all the signals around us today indicate all is in “Rapture readiness.” We who are believers and in God’s eternal family should be “Rapture ready.”
Based on all we sense in our spirits–that something profound is about to happen—I am convinced the disappearing is now at the very prophetic moment Paul the apostle foretold:
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:2–6)
As we now watch soberly, with great anticipation of Christ’s call, the signals we are commanded to look for by Jesus are profound.
There is a growing cry for peace in various places where wars and rumors of war are threatening nuclear holocaust. And now the one city on earth–the longest-inhabited in human history, according to historians—is front and center in an unmistakable signal of the lateness of the prophetic hour.
The second matter covered under our article’s title, Damascus, Syria, as we all know from news accounts that proliferate daily with reports of tremendous turmoil in that ancient city, is a powder keg unlike no other possible ignition point for nuclear war outbreak. This city is known to be the headquarters for most every Islamic terrorist organization, to one degree or another.
Russia, in effect, having been evicted from influence by Assad’s removal, means tensions will ratchet up in days to come, with Russia’s Putin suffering yet another embarrassment under the scrutiny of the Russian government underlings hungry for power. His position becomes more and more tenuous.
The great prophet Isaiah’s words seem on the verge of fulfillment:
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17: 1)
A recent statement issued by terrorists who are now taking over that ancient city makes understandable why it is destined to be obliterated, never to rise again. Again, most every terrorist organization headquarters is there, and now they have seized almost total power. Their statement shows why God will allow the destruction that is so complete, I believe: “This is the land of Islam, this is Damascus, the Muslim stronghold. From here to Jerusalem. We’re coming for Jerusalem” (Israel 365 News).
The forcible abdication of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad and the powerful geopolitical turbulence created in its wake should alert every believer to just how near we are to the instant of disappearing. The Apostle Paul fervently told the generation of his day–and we who are now seeing all these things begin to come to pass—about that disappearance, the great rescue Jesus commanded us to look for when His coming for us is at the very door of eternity (Luke 21:28).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)
2 comments:
I do not understand why everybody is soooo anti Russia and why the west is soooo obsessed with destroying it. This article, as usual, has the required negative Russian comment without any proof. Yes, Russia entered Ukraine after Ukraine shelled (murdered) 14,000 of it's own Russian speaking Ukrainians. Yes, Russia entered Ukraine after NATO broke the MINSK agreement and filled Ukraine with armies and weapons. Yes, Russia has restricted the fighting to the break away states as much as possible (where they were asked for help), while Ukraine has attacked Russia itself. Russia has no, yes no military in any countries where they were not asked. Most Russians are moving towards Christianity, but the truth only seems only to get in the way of a good story.
While I agree with your premise that the west has unjustifiably demonized Russia, I don’t believe that this article has done so. The paragraph addressing Russia is mostly stating facts. Knowing that Russia will eventually lead a coalition of nations to attack Israel (Ezekiel 38,39), the author is simply pointing out the geopolitical quagmire that will result in the “hook in the mouth” that God will use to draw Russia against Israel.
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