End Times Update - 2005

Reading the signs of the times

Read…

Matt. 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.

Matt. 16:2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’;

Matt. 16:3 “and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.

Matt. 16:4 “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

Pray

Intro

√ Are we living in the End Times?

The Bible is filled with communication from God Himself concerning the signs that would indicated whether we are, or are not…

…living in the End Times.

√ Signs of the times – 1^st Advent

In our opening text we find Jesus rebuking the religious leaders of the day for failing to read the…

Signs of the times

…that signaled His 1^st Advent.

Their sin was not that they didn’t know what to look for…

..rather, that they chose to ignore the signs that were all around them!

Ex. Signs of His 1^st Advent

The Lord gave His people hundreds of signs in the Old Testament to point to, and to identify the time in which Messiah would come…

…and to know Who He was when He came.

A parade of healed lepers making their way to the Temple.

People raised from the dead including Lazarus who’s home was in view from the Temple!

7 signs recorded in John’s Gospel

Jesus’ own resurrection.

Yet, for all the signs that God gave, His people chose to ignore or reject them – thus Jesus condemns them!

√ The signs of times – 2^nd Advent

Just as God gave hundreds of signs to watch for that heralded Jesus’ 1^st Advent…

…so He has given us many signs that signal Jesus’ 2^nd Advent.

In fact, the disciples asked Jesus what signs they should look for that would precede His Return.

Matt. 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Jesus responded by giving the disciples a wide range of signs that would indicate that His return was near.

For the sake of clarity I would suggest that the signs preceding Jesus’ 2^nd Advent fit nicely into 6 categories…

Religious

Social

Political

Military

Natural Disasters

Economic

We’ll look at some of the signs in each category that have transpired in the last year that indicate that the Lord’s Return is nearer than most believe!

Ap. Be wise – watch and be ready!

A recent George Barna survey found that 70% of American’s believe…

That Jesus is coming back

And are familiar with the Biblical terms…

Tribulation

666

Antichrist

But, most do not believe that Jesus will return in their life time (or they don’t live like they believe it!).

So, let’s heed the warnings that Jesus gave us and let’s look at the signs and do our best to be ready for Him.

Religious

√ Religious

A. False Christs

Jesus told us to look for false Christs…

Mt 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2005 didn’t register many new pretend Messiahs. We still have the Rev. Sun Yung Moon and the Dali Llama hanging about but neither really capture the attention of the general population.

However, there is a general climate in the world today (much like post WW1 Germany) that is ever more looking for a “savior” to resolve the many conflicts on the earth today.

Ex. Europe looking for leadership

The French and Dutch overwhelmingly rejected the ratification of the EU constitution leaving Jacques Chirac of France, and Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands as lame-duck leaders.

Furthermore, Gerhard Schröder the chancellor of Germany (also a strong supporter of the EU constitution) lost his seat to Angela Merkel after 16 years in power!

Italy is also without a strong leader in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who is currently under investigation for bribery.

The last time that Germany, France and Italy lacked strong leadership was during the years between the 1^st and 2^nd World Wars.

Sets up the EU and the world for the arrival of the Antichrist who will bring unification to a Revived Roman Empire.

Ex. Israel looking for Messiah

In the last month of 2005 the Temple Institute put the “blue robe” on display at it’s museum in Jerusalem.

“Expecting the return of their long awaited Messiah upon the completion of the building of the Third Temple, the Temple Institute in Jerusalem is one step closer to the realization of their dream. With a majority of the implements and furniture for the Third Temple already completed, the Blue Robe to be worn by the next High Priest of Israel is a welcome addition.”

They are set up to worship the Antichrist who will be intimately involved in the construction of the new Jewish Temple.

B. False Religion

Paul tells us that there will be a general falling away from the Truth in the Last Days…

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

(Could be rapture vs. apostasy)

Paul gives Timothy a description of false religion in the Last Days…

2Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

2005 has seen the trend continue in American “Christianity” toward a feel-good Gospel that appeals to the flesh…

…but is soft on the Truth.

Ex. TBN restricts negative comments about Islam

Paul and Jan Crouch issued a new policy for those broadcasting on the TBN network that restricts broadcasters from saying anything negative about Muslims…

…of any kind!

Warning letters were sent to John Hagee, Perry Stone, and Jack VamImpe.

Hal Lindsay chose not to renew his contract.

So, if you want to teach false doctrine about getting rich that’s okay…

…but don’t teach the truth about Islam and her followers!

Ap. Watch for the “Church” to become more concerned with how the world perceives them than with speaking the Truth in love.

C. Persecution

Persecution of Christians remains high around the world, especially in Muslim and communist countries.

Ex. Blasphemy laws in Muslim countries

Islamic Republic of Pakistan, sec. 295-C

“Whoever by words, either spoken, or written, or visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet (peace by upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment, and shall also be liable to fine.”

In this last year…

Pakistan - Christians have been arrested, murdered and church buildings destroyed.

China - increased the level of persecution against Christians.

USA - in a less subtle way Christians are being persecuted in the USA also.

Here in the US, military chaplains have been told that they can no longer pray in “Jesus’ Name” and if they do they will face disciplinary action.

NBC is introducing a new series, “The book of Daniel” which it touts as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.

ACLU filed suit against the State of Florida for using the “Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe” as part of elementary education because it is too Christian.

Ap. The political climate in the US is currently favorable toward Christians. However, there may be a serious back lash in the next national election that will bring about new restrictions on our religious freedom.

Social

√ Social

Jesus warns us that the Last Days would be characterized by a godless society, not unlike the people in Noah’s day before the Flood.

Matt. 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

And…

Gen. 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

A. Morality

2005 saw the homosexual agenda take a political beating here in the USA with every state rejecting same-sex marriage where it was on the ballot.

However, the media that fashions the thinking of many Americans continued full steam ahead to present homosexuality as a viable alternative life style.

Ex. Time Magazine’s cover story Oct. 10^th issue

“The battle over gay teens” ~ blatant propaganda, filled with misinformation, mocks Christians who present a Bible-based argument against homosexuality, and discredits the testimony of ex-homosexuals.

Ex. Book, “Same-sex Desire & Greco-Roman Antiquity…”

Being promoted in our universities and colleges declares that child molestation has positive benefits to nurturing the intellectual and physical development of children!

Supporters of this view are pushing for the removal of age restrictions for sexual consent.

Not that far away!

Ex. Canada’s new sex club legislation

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that group sex in publicly accessible venues is legal (12/21/05).

“In a ruling handed down this morning, Canada's Supreme Court has declared it is legal for clubs to provide opportunities for group sex. As long as consent is given, the area is somewhat private, and no payment is directly involved, partner exchanging or "swinging" and group participation in sexual acts is not considered illegal.

With sex clubs now protected by Canada's supreme court, the potential social repercussions are staggering. The age of sexual consent in Canada is 14. Canadian teenagers can now legally participate in group sex offered by clubs (so long as alcohol is not sold on the premises).”

Ap. Last year I said that we would see legislation worldwide move more rapidly away from a traditional Judeo-Christian standard.

Specifically I think we’ll see laws in Western nations remove “adult” in mutual consent laws opening the door for child-adult “consensual” sex…

…didn’t take long!

Watch for TV and movies to begin introducing child-adult sex in a positive light as they have already done with homosexual relationships.

Political

√ Political

A. World Government

Daniel chapters 2-11 and Rev. 6-19 make it clear that there will exist one last world ruling Empire before the Lord returns. Specifically, Rev. 17:12-13 tell us that this nation will be the power-base of the future world ruler – the Antichrist.

Dan. 9:26 “And after the sixty-two weeks

Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;

And the people of the prince who is to come

Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

The end of it shall be with a flood,

And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

What “people” destroyed the Temple? The Romans! The “prince who is to come” must then rise from a neo-Roman Empire.

Rev. 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.

Rev. 17:13 “These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.

In 2005 the European Union…

As we already mentioned the EU took some serious political hits this year.

Could be interpreted that we aren’t as close to the realization of a neo-Roman Empire…

…or put us closer as the EU looks desperately for strong leadership.

Remember, Hitler came into power in Germany in a very short period of time.

Ap. We may not see the final transformation of the EU into what will become the last world ruling empire because the Antichrist won’t be revealed until after the Church is raptured.

Ap. What about the USA?

Strangely missing from Bible prophecy! Many have wondered what event(s) might be responsible for taking the USA out of the limelight of world events.

Isolationism – a new president might pull the US out of Iraq before Iraq is able to govern herself. That would leave Iran a clear path to attempt to invade Israel (i.e. Ez. 38)

Depression – 2005 saw the USA national debt climb to $8 trillion (~$27,000 per American)! The American economy cannot support that kind of debt forever, may implode on itself.

Rapture – could leave our military, government, and key areas of business and communication is such disarray that the USA simply can’t operate and compete with the rest of the world.

B. Israeli – Arab conflict

Israel figures prominently into all of the Last Days signs in both the Old and New Testaments.

Zech. 12:3 “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

In this last year we’ve seen a LOT of movement by Israel to try and to bring a workable peace with the Palestinian Authority.

Gave up the Gaza

Prepared to give up much of the West Bank

Additionally, Israel has gained a wider base of support internationally as a result of the hostile comments of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The statesmen of Europe

Kofi Annan of the UN

Have all publicly stated that the world needs to help the Jewish people find security and peace. While that is all good, it does set the Israeli people up to trust a world leader to bring about the peace they so desperately want.

C. Terrorism

Islamic terrorists are the wild card that might play significantly into Bible prophecy.

Successfully obtaining and using a WMD against the USA removing us from the World stage.

Inciting a retaliatory or preemptive strike by Israel that draws Iran and Russia to invade Israel.

Ap. Terrorists will continue to receive a lot of attention as they seek new means to destabilize governments they deem hostile toward Islam. Specifically, watch Iran which is now under the control of radical Muslims.

Military

√ Military

A number of scriptures in Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation provide us the main participants in the major conflicts in the Last Days.

A. Kings of the East

Rev. 16:12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

And…

Rev. 9:16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

China…

Already have an army of 200 million

Spending vast sums of money on their military buildup and modernization and her cooperation with Russia!

China has publicly declared that they seek to become a superpower like the USA – both an economic and military giant.

How far has China come in the last year?

Japan’s foreign minister Taro Aso sounded the alarm last month…

"A neighboring country with 1 billion people and nuclear bombs whose military spending has been growing by two digits every year for 17 consecutive years. And the content of that is extremely unclear. If I say what this means, I recognize that it is becoming a considerable threat."

Watch for China to become increasingly hostile toward her neighbors, especially Taiwan and Japan.

B. Gog to the North

Ez. 38:1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ez. 38:2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

Ez. 38:3 “and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

Ez. 38:4 “I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.

Translation (see handout)…

Gog, prince of Rosh = Russia

Persia = Iran

Cush = Sudan & N. Ethiopia

Put = Libya

Meshech, Tubal = Turkey (or So. Parts of

Russia)

These prophecies seem tailor made for the old Soviet Union.

However, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the rise of capitalism in Russia many thought that Bible prophecy was on “hold”.

That is, how would the democratically elected leadership of Russia get pulled into a conflict with Israel?

They supplied the nuclear equipment and know-how to Iran.

Have a mutual assistance treaty with Iran.

Accused of supplying the rockets used by Hezbollah to attack Israel.

Ap. God tells us that they’ll be “hooked” into a conflict with Israel, keep your eyes on the Iran connection.

C. Middle East

A new arms build up and a war of words in 2005 has put fresh tension into an already tense part of the world.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly called for the annihilation of Israel, and called the Holocaust a myth.

Iran acquired 12 cruise missiles from the Ukraine with a range of 3,000 kilometers (1500 miles) and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

World wide intelligence estimates that Iran will be able to produce a nuclear bomb by March of this year!

Israel and the USA have plans and resources in place to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Syria just signed a pledge to store Iranian nuclear weapons and missiles. (Jane’s Defense Weekly)

Egypt has been quietly building up it’s military in preparation for a future conflict with Israel.

Ap. Look for a preemptive strike by Israel, and or, the USA against Iran to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program before it can produce a warhead which could trigger the attempted invasion of Israel prophesied in Ez. 38.

D. EU

We’ve already looked at the EU. Suffice it to say that the Antichrist will need an army to conduct the wars he wages as described in Daniel, Ezekiel, and the Revelation.

E. USA

As we’ve already mentioned the USA doesn’t play any significant role in Bible prophecy.

Ap. Watch for a change in US policy in regards to international involvement. Could be a simple as a change in the White House.

Famine & Pestilence

√ Famine & Pestilence

Jesus told us that famine and pestilence would be a sign of the nearness of His Return.

Matt. 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

While we may not see famine and pestilence here in the US, none the less it is a very real and large issue in other parts of the world.

A. Africa

Of the 40 million people in the world estimated to have aids, 25 million are in the Sub-Sahara.

2005 saw locust swarms that moved from the Atlantic all the way to Israel! Described as “Biblical” in proportions and devastation.

20 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.

B. Asia

852 million people, 1 in 6, do not have enough to eat. Most of those live in the developing countries of Asia and Africa.

Ap. As long as we’re in Iraq and fighting a war it’s not likely that we’ll see much about this on TV. However, the sign of famine and pestilence is real and growing!

Environmental

√ Natural

The Bible tells us that so-called “natural disasters” will become common occurrences in the time leading to Jesus’ return.

Matt. 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

And…

Luke 21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26 “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

While this section of Luke probably speaks of the Tribulation proper, there is some room to see it as speaking of the general signs leading up to the Tribulation.

A. Earthquakes

28,548 earthquakes were recorded in 2005, down from 31,194 in 2004.

159 were “large”, over 6.0

Largest in Pakistan were 87,000 people were killed

B. Hurricanes

The most ever recorded “named” storms (27) in any hurricane season! Katrina and Rita were responsible for…

2000 dead

500,000 homes destroyed or made uninhabitable

126 miles of US coastline wiped out

$45 billion dollars insured loss

$225 billon insured loss worldwide ~ a record!

Ap. Accumulative damage

Looking at 2005 vs. 2004 can be misleading as it would seem that we didn’t have as “bad” a year. But, the part that the charts don’t display is that the world isn’t recovering from these disasters!

When Katrina hit the world was still recovering from last year’s Tsunami. Then Pakistan was hit by a monster quake.

The point is that the world’s emergency resources are not able to keep up with the pace of these disasters. We’re faced with some very difficult problems that no one seems to be able to address.

Sets the stage for the Antichrist, a man with solutions!

Economic

√ Economic

The Bible tells us that one day the whole world will be united under the monetary system of the Antichrist.

Re 13:16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,

Re 13:17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

2005 moved us rapidly closer to this becoming a reality in our life time!

A. World wide monetary system

Credit cards have made any barriers of exchange non-existent.

B. The Mark

While we can’t say for sure that an implanted microchip will be the technology of the Mark of the Beast, it has made huge steps toward becoming the technology of choice.

Ex. Your hand – Digital Angel

Today Verichip boasts that they have the only human implantable, FDA approved, microchip!

• Infant protection - offering hospital a means to

prevent infant abductions and accidental mother-

baby switching (“halo” & “hug” ~ currently not

implanted).

• Patient protection - providing rapid, secure patient

identification in emergency situations, especially

important for patients with chronic illnesses

• Wander prevention - installed in over 3,000 long-

term facilities and helping provide residents with

mobility in specified areas while preventing them

from wandering off

C. Your car – RFID

Legislation floated this year to place RFID tags on car license plates!

Read by roadside readers could make freedom of movement a thing of the past!

Give the government the capability of tracking terrorists – and the Antichrist of tracking anyone!

Ex. Texas introduced legislation to require RFID tags on all cars. Recalled, but a subsequent bill leaves the option open.

D. Your shopping - RFID

Wal-mart leads the pack and would like to have every pallet tagged in the near future.

IBM is already pushing for product level tagging.

The next logical step is to tag people!

Close

√ Signs to look for

Religious

Social

Political

Military

Famine & Pestilence

Natural

Economic

When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption is near!