HOW CLOSE ARE WE? | SermonIndex

sermonindex May 23, 2006

The following are just some of the prophecies of the last days, before Messiah comes again. These can be found in Chuck Smiths booklet "101 Last Days Prophecies":.

How close are we to the rapture?

Some of the prophecies of the Last days

False Bible teachers would bring in heresies, have many followers, and cause others to reject God’s Word (2 Peter 2:1-2). It is very common to find people who REJECT THE BIBLE OUT OF HAND BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEARD IT MISREPESENTED BY A FALSE TEACHER.

Literal Babylon (formerly called Babel-Genesis 10:10) would reemerge in the land of Shinar-known today as Iraq (Zechariah 5:11; Isaiah 13). Saddam Hussein spent over 20 years rebuilding the city of Babylon. Today, with Saddam’s regime overthrown, the international community is rebuilding Iraq. Also, the United State is secretly building an “Embassy”, the largest in the world consisting of 21 buildings on 104 acres. This is a veritable city, with it’s own defense, and fully contained. It will be completed in 2007. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12319798/

In the last days, the WICKED WOMAN would go out over the face of the whole earth. She would be associated with a global curse. Her final destination would be Babylon-in the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5). Interestingly, the APPARATION OF MARY claims she will soon travel through the entire world saving those who look to her.

Mankind would be capable of destroying all life (Matthew 24:21-22). Consider that when Jesus made this prophecy the armaments of His day were swords and spears. But today, with nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, it is possible to wipe out all flesh on planet earth.

The use of nuclear weapons anticipated (Zechariah 14:12). The neutron bomb melts (dissolves) it’s victims-just as God warned 2,500 years ago—“Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolves in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths”. This was unimaginable in Zechariah’s day.

There would be a move toward global government (Daniel 2:40-44; 7:23; Revelation 13:7-8). The former Roman Empire- which encompassed present day Europe would revive and eventually dominate the world. The European Union has steadily moved forward in its attempt to unite Europe politically and economically. It has succeeded in creating a European parliament, a court, and a common currency, and contemplates creating its own military.

Marriage would be forbidden by many (1 Thes 4:3)
The Bible states that marriage is honorable among all and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Despite this, the Roman Catholic Church forbids their 400,000 priests and 800,000 nuns and numerous bishops, cardinals, and monks from marrying. The Orthodox Church, as well as Hindus, Buddhists, and other religious groups also impose mandatory celibacy for certain orders.

Deceptive signs and wonders would abound (Matthew 7:22-23; 24:24; 2 Thess 2:9). The signs and wonders movement has swept the globe in recent years replacing the Word of God, the Bible. Experiences that feed the senses in the name of Christ are drawing away millions.

Men would be lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3:1-2). This generation, like no other, regards self above all else. Self-love, self-esteem, self-gratification, are encouraged by the media, schools, psychologists, etc. In contrast, Jesus taught self-denial. Even many churches today preach a “feel good about yourself” message.

Youth would become increasingly rebellious (2 Timothy 3:2-3; Mark 13:12).

Humanity would become increasingly materialistic and lovers of pleasure (2 Timothy 3:1-5). No generation in history has had so many means t entertain and arouse the senses. Every imaginable hedonistic pleasure is available and has become big business.

Jesus said Christians would be hated for His name’s sake (Luke 2`:17; Revelation 6:9-11; 20-4). The banning of the Bible, prayer, the Ten Commandments, nativity scenes, Christian songs, etc., reflects this trend. Also consider that more Christians were martyred during the past century than during all of history.

Homosexuality would be flaunted at the end of the age. Jesus warned that the last days would be like the days of Lot- who lived in wicked Sodom (Luke 17:28-30). We know that the root of Sodom’s sin was pride and complacency (Ezekiel 16:49)- as it is today. However, Sodom’s lasting infamy stemmed from their aggressive homosexual sin (Genesis 19; Jude 1:7). Today, the homosexual agenda is flaunted and forced upon our entire society.

Substantial wealth and luxuries forseen (James 5:1-3); Revelation 3:17; Revelation 18). It is interesting that 40 years ago some authorities predicted that the growing mass of humanity was so quickly depleting the earth’s resources, that they would be exhausted in a few decades. Yet today, vast material wealth and luxuries are in abundant supply-just as the Bible anticipated 2000 years ago.

Apsotasy would occur just before the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thess 2:3). Increasingly, experience-based Christianity is replacing the Bible as the standard for saving faith. The ecumenical movement is striving for unity at the expense of truth. Christ’s exclusive claims are negated in the name of tolerance.

There would be a move towards a one-world religion (Revelation 13:8, 12; Revelation 17). Today, as never before, we are witnessing religions joining hands in the name of peace and tolerance.

Some would say that Christ is in the “secret chambers’ or “inner rooms” in the last days (Matthew 24:26). According to the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Christ is in the inner rooms of hundreds of thousand of ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES- either in Eucharistic tabernacles or Monstrances.

Jesus also warned that deception would be accompanied by great signs and wonders (Matthew 24:23-27). Currently Eucharistic miracles are reported around the globe.

A WOMAN, an imposter, would call herself “queen” and head the global counterfeit church in the last days (Revelation 17:9, 18). The QUEEN OF HEAVEN is considered the MOTHER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH which has it’s headquarters in the Vatican, situated on seven hills. The Catholic Encyclopedia states: “It is within the city of Rome, called the city of seven hills, that the entire area of Vatican State proper is now confined.

In the last days, the WICKED WOMAN would go out over the face of the whole earth. She would be associated with a global curse. Her final destination would be Babylon-in the land of Shinar (Zechariah 5). Interestingly, the APPARATION OF MARY claims she will soon travel through the entire world saving those who look to her.

Epidemic drug use forseen (Revelation 9:21). The Greek word translated sorceries is pharmakeia which can also refer to drug use and mind altering drugs. The use of illegal drugs and the dispensing of mind altering drugs has risen sharply during our current generation.

Sorceries- referring to witchcraft, magic, or occult practices used to enchant and deceive- are also anticipated in the last days (Revelation 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; Isaiah 47:9-15; Micah 5:10-15). Today, interest in the occult is flourishing.

Preparations for a global war anticipated (Joel 3:9-14; Matthew 24:22; Revelation 16:14). Never in history have so many Nations stockpiled weapons of mass destruction.

Many would call themselves the Christ (Matthew 24:5). Jesus was an itinerate preacher who never traveled outside the tiny nation of Israel and He had the audacity to say that many would come in His name, claiming to be the Christ. Today, multitudes within the New Age Movement, Eastern Religions, and the cults call themselves the Christ. This is another incredible prophecy!

Despite the Bible’s numerous warnings and last days prophecies, many people would be taken off guard when these events culminate (Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess 5:2-6)

Let us all take heed, because the time is near!

God bless,

Stever :-)

B

boomatt May 23, 2006

That was a great post Stever.

Let us look up because our redemption draws near.

L

leaf May 23, 2006

Obviously we have to be cautious when predicting the end times. But, since the end of the second world war and the formation of the nation state of Israel there has been an increase in fulfilled prophecy, especially the kind of situation that is unique to the end times. Rebellion against parents is now the norm but, was once unheard of regardless of culture or time. The move toward global government is also something new despite the claims of past empires. How long it will be I don't know but, I do believe that we are in what the old poets used to call the 'first blush of morning' that period of tinted light just before the sun rises above the horizon. Perhaps though, it is well to remember that the hour before sunrise is the coldest of the day. There will need to be fortitude before all is through!

G

Graftedbranc May 26, 2006

False Bible teachers would bring in heresies, have many followers, and cause others to reject God’s Word (2 Peter 2:1-2). It is very common to find people who REJECT THE BIBLE OUT OF HAND BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEARD IT MISREPESENTED BY A FALSE TEACHER.

1 Peter 2:1-2 But there arose false prophets among the people, as also among you there will be false teachers, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift distruction. And many will follow their licentiousness, because of whom the way of the truth will be reviled".

Just a a point of faithful Bible exposition, where is this contained in 2 peter 2:1-2? There is no mention of the Bible in this passage.

In Verses 1-3 there is no mention of the bible at all. Perhaps it may be infered by extrapolation, but I just wonder why we read into the bible what is not there and impose our own concepts upon the text.

It mentions those who deny the "Master who bought them" and those who cause "the way of truth to be maligned" but where does it say that the "Bible will be rejected out of hand...?" It does not even mention the bible at all.

Surely it is true that false teachers set aside the scriptures but can we not be more careful in our use of the scriptures to elicite what it actually says rather than reading into it our own concepts?

Surely the "way of truth" is found in the scriptures and to deny the Master who bought them would be a result of setting aside the scriptures. But these things are not in the text but must be drawn from other texts.

In other words, this person says this passage says what it does not say at all. What this person says it says is not in the text at all.

How much of our own religious concepts do we read into the text of the bible and how much of the revelation of the Bible do we forfit by not actually reading it and taking in what it actually says?

We need to come to the Bible in a differeint way as one Servant of Christ has stated:

"One of our biggest hinderances is that when we come to the bible we read in the bible only what is already in our concept. We see in it what we already hold. Rather than recieving from the Lord His revealtion in the bible, we just read into the text what we alreay have in our head. Our concept is a veil to us and keeps us from recieving any light or any truth from the Word."

This may seem like a small point or "straining out a knat" but in reality if we come to the Bible in a right way and study the episles, expeciall the epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Timothy, we see that he regarded those who rose up and began to speak scriptural things from the bible but who denied "the economy of God which is in faith" to be false teachers. These preached the Bible and preached scriptural things but did not preach Christ but the law and sought to bring the believers into the bondage of the law and some of the harshest words in the New Testament are directed at these.

So if we relegate false teachers to those who merely set aside the Bible and don't see the main point is that they deny the Master who bought them, we fail to gain the proper import of this scripture and fail to grasp what is at the heart of the New testament.

1 Tim 1:3,4 Even as I exorted you, when I was going into Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus in order that you might charge certain ones not to teach diferent things nor to give head to myths and genealogies, when produce questionings rather than God's economy which is in faith"

Footnote RcV" To teach different things was to teach myths, unending genealogies, and the law. All such teaching was vain talking, differing from the apostles teaching, when was centered on Christ and the church, that is, on the economy of God. Paul's Epistles are the completion of the divine revelation concerning God's eternal purpose and economy. His ministry completes the revelation concerning the all inclusive Christ and His universal Body, the church as His fullness to express Him. Concerning the church as the body of christ there ar two sides: life and practice. From Romans thrugh 2 Thessalonians a full revelation is given concerning the life of the church, including the nature, responsibility, and function of the church. Now, from 1 Timoththy through Philemon a detailed revelation concerning the practice of the church is presented. This pertains to the administration and sheherding of a local church.

For this, the first thing needed is to terminate the different teachings of the dissenters, which distract the saints from the central line and ultimate goal of God's New Testament economy. The differeint teachings in vv 3-4, 6-7; 6:3-5,20-21 and the heresies in 4:1-3 are the seed, the source, of the churche's decline, degradation, and deterioration dealt with in 2 Timothy."

Graftedbranch

H

hmmhmm May 26, 2006

i know one thing. we are close enough to go out and warn people whats coming. and what they should do about it.

the signs are there... then know what time it is

gods peace