It is becoming quite common to see TV broadcasts on the numerous methods of the future destruction of this earth and mankind, usually based on the works of Nostradamus (1503-1566 A.D.), the assumed name of Michel De Notredame, a French astrologer, or some other obscure so-called prophet. For those that are truly concerned about the future of the earth and mankind, their time would much better be served to study the Word of God.
Christ taught the signs of the end time in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 before teaching us the parable of the fig tree which is of major importance for setting the end of this earth age.
In Jeremiah 24, God promised He would bring Israel again into the land He had given them, plant them and not pluck them up. For the first time since the tribes went into captivity; the northern tribes being taken by the Babylonians, and Judah by the Assyrians; this occurred when Israel became a nation in May, 1948. We are told in Mark 13: 29 that when we see this come to pass know that “it” (the beginning of the end) is near, “even at the door.” “Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.” The generation of 1948 are our senior citizens of today.
Christ warned us that those on earth should take heed that they not be deceived by the many false prophets (teachers) that would come in His name to lead the gullible away from the true Word. In Amos 8:11 we read that God promised to send a famine in the land, not a famine for bread, but for hearing the truth. If you look around at the various church traditions and false teachings, it is easy to see what Christ was warning us about.
Christ also warns that in the last generation, the generation of the fig tree, “lawlessness shall abound and the love of many will wax cold.” We are also told that there will be wars, rumors of wars, and Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies, but even then the end is not immediate. Today, the Middle East is engulfed in religious wars, China is posturing for military advantage, Russia is attempting to regain their “lost” territory and power, and Israel is fighting for its very survival against terrorists funded and armed by Iran.
The beginning of the end (sorrows) occurs only when Satan and his fallen angels are kicked out of heaven to assume Satan’s role on earth as the anti-Christ. Mark 13:25 reports this as “the stars of heaven” and the “powers that are in heaven” shall fall before we see the true Christ return. Matthew 24:15 reports that when we see the Abomination of Desolation (Satan in his role as the anti-Christ), spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, (Jerusalem) let them which be in Judea flee. . .and “woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck” because they have been impregnated with the deception and are nursing along Satan’s lies.
A mother with child is hardly an abomination to God. Matthew 24:22 warns us that the deception is so strong that even the very elect would be deceived if the time of the tribulation were not shortened which we read in Revelation 9:5 is now five months. Why would God shorten the tribulation for the elect’s sake if His children will be raptured from the earth as some denominations teach?
What really gets my dander up is the many predictions of a third world war and the destruction of this earth by nuclear fallout. In Revelation 9:4 we read that when Satan and his army are cast out of heaven it was commanded that they could not hurt the grass of the field , neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which had not the seal of God, in their foreheads.
Do you really believe that Satan could convince anyone he was the true Christ if he came to this earth to commit violence, murder and mayhem? We read in Daniel 11:23-25 that the anti-Christ will come in peacefully, pretending to be the true Christ, the leader of all religions. He will offer you all your hearts desires if you will only worship him. Those that know the truth and refuse to worship him will be persecuted and hated by his followers.
God’s elect – those that know the anti-Christ is not the true Christ – those that refuse to fall for Satan’s fake posturing and refuse to worship him will be delivered up to death by their family members and friends who have fallen for the deception. However, the death this refers to is but another name assigned to Satan. In Ezekiel 28o:12-19, Isaiah 14:11-19, and Revelation 20:14, we read that God has already judged Satan to death. People who love you are not going to turn you over to someone they believe will murder you. they turn you over to what they believe is Christ because they love you.
God’s elect are cautioned by Christ that once delivered up they are not to premeditate what they will say as the Holy Spirit will speak through them. “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to refute or resist. . .But there shall not a hair on your head perish.”
The Holy Spirit speaking through those on trial is the true Pentecostal tongue spoken of in Acts 2:4-8 whereby everyone heard the Word in their own language. You can read that Pentecostal message in the Book of Joel, Chapter 2. Those elect who refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them will have committed the only unpardonable sin, a sin unto death of their soul.
After the end of the five month tribulation, only then will the true Christ return. We read of the Second Advent and of the vengeance Christ will reap upon Satan and his followers in Revelation 19:11-21. For a millennium (1,000 years), Christ will reign and then God’s judgment will come to pass, as revealed in Revelation 20.
After the Great White Throne of Judgment, (Revelation 21) this earth age will finally pass and a new earth age come into being with God as the supreme ruler and Christ as the temple thereof. “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” The three earth ages are taught in 2 Peter 3:5-14.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 3:4
