Are
We Nearing The End Times?
Are
we nearing the end of the age? What does the Bible
say? What does increase of knowledge have to do
with this? These are my thoughts and opinions
based on Scripture.
"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words
and seal up the book until the end of time; many
will go back and forth, and knowledge will
increase." (Daniel 12:4) KJV.
The Bible tells us of many signs which will occur
in the end times. We can see by the "computer
era" how knowledge has increased and covers
the Nations as never before. People are on a never
ending search for knowledge on this information
highway.
When the people became as one in the beginning of
the Bible, (Gen. 11), they were building a tower
and city whose top reached into the heavens. The
completion of the "Tower of Babel" was
their goal. "They were all of one language,
and there was nothing they could not do",
according to the Bible. God came down, scattered
the people and confounded their language. Babel
means "confusion" and as a result, we
have the many different languages of the world
today.
In this age, the world wide web joins people and
Nations together. Men have built an invisible
network towering through the heavens across the
world. Once again, people are becoming as
"one" in knowledge, as language
translations are available for expressions of
thoughts from one country to another. The language
barriers once known, are no obstacle today. It
makes one wonder how God looks upon this age of
knowledge, as compared to the days in the Genesis
account.
The time of the end is nearing according to the
many signs we see in the Bible. Daniel 12:4 is a
Scripture where Daniel is told to preserve the
knowledge given him, by inspiration from God, and
it will be sought out by the Jews in the last
days. In the time of the Tribulation, the Book of
Daniel will be studied by the Jews and seen as the
revelation of what is occurring in their homeland
of Israel. Many seeking knowledge and signs of the
end-times are studying the Books of Daniel and
Revelation, even today, as never before. Our daily
news also reveals the fulfillment of prophesy. We
are living in the days of the "beginning of
the end-times" since the death and
resurrection of the Lord and this fulfillment of
Scripture.
Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel; and other Prophets of old,
foretold events which would take place upon this
earth at the time of the end of the age.
The speed of travel has increased in the twentieth
century which is also a sign of the increase of
knowledge.
We read and hear about the formation of a One
World Religion or Church. This is leading down the
path to Armageddon as prophesied, and the final
battle. "Mystery Babylon" is a gathering
of all the false religious systems of the world.
This system will dominate the 10 Kings of the
Revised Roman Empire or "zones" until
the Anti-Christ comes into full power.
Those who join in this false one world merging of
religious minds, may well be the ones present on
earth to see prophesied events unfolding before
their very eyes. This will be the darkest hour
this world has ever known, for those left on
earth.
There are no signs which have to be fulfilled
before the "gathering" or "catching
away" of the Christians by our Lord. This is
prophesied and is called by many "The
Rapture". It is believed by some Christians
to be the next event on the prophetic time-table.
The word Rapture is not in the Bible, but in Greek
is "harpazo". This is defined as
"to carry off or grasp hastily, to snatch up
or seize and take away". From this Greek
word, we get our word "Rapture", which
means "the act of "transporting" or
carrying away. This is used in Matt. 13, 1 Th.
4-17; Rev. 12: 5; as well as other Scriptures. The
dead in Christ shall rise first in the Rapture,
then true Christians alive on earth shall be
"caught up" together with these in the
clouds. This is our "blessed hope". It
will not come as a surprise to Christians, as they
are to be watching for the Lord with great
expectancy.
Luke 21:36 tells us "watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted 'worthy' to
escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man." Escape
is another word for being "caught away"
or delivered from the wrath to come.
When Biblical signs occur, we may look up and know
that the time of redemption is drawing nigh. It is
not just a "fairy tale" as some may
believe.
Even though no man will know the exact day or hour
of the end, there are signs prophesied to God's
people of his imminent return.
There are definite signs which must be fulfilled
before the coming of the Lord to the earth with
the Saints seven years after the Rapture. This
event is referred to as "the Day of the
Lord". This is a separate event. One sign is
the rebuilding of the Temple. This will be the
Temple Antichrist will desecrate. Only this year a
group planned to lay the foundation stone for the
temple, but was unable to do so on their chosen
date. This will take place in the future.
There are no signs which must be fulfilled before
the Rapture or "catching away", can take
place. This will be the "beginning" of
the Day of the Lord. Even today, the prophetic
time clock is ticking away, nearing the end. We
are close to the midnight hour which will usher in
a new day. This will be an eternal "day of
rest".
The Bible tells us Jesus will come as "a
thief in the night". How does a thief in the
night come? A thief comes when one least expects
him. He always leaves behind more than he takes
away. He takes only the very best things. Think
about these statements. Jesus will come when the
unsaved World least expects Him. He will leave
behind more than he takes away. He will
"translate" (change), and take only the
very best people. Jesus will gather his
"jewels" or his people to take them away
from the time of "Great Tribulation".
This means those who are saved by faith and have
accepted his plan of salvation and obeyed his
commands. The best of the spiritual
"harvest" are those who are of the
spiritual "seed of the Lord". He will
separate the wheat from the chaff according to the
Bible.
If we look around, we can see wars and rumors of
wars as never before, earthquakes in divers
places, and the love of many has certainly waxed
cold. Daniel tells us "they that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
forever". Soul winning is to be the most
important goal of a Christian. A soul winner is
said to be wise according to Proverbs 11:30.
As we see the end approaching, let us be about the
Father's business as never before. Yes, increase
in knowledge is a sign of end-times prophesied
which cannot be ignored. Biblical knowledge is
also increasing today as many seek God for His
Word to become a revelation to them
personally.
Seek the Father today. He promises when one seeks
Him with their whole heart, they will find Him.
Let him fill your heart with not only wisdom and
knowledge, but with his love. His love covers a
multitude of sins. Remember, we are only one heart
beat away from eternity.
J. P.'s Inspirational Thoughts 2001
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