Following the outline in the January article, we now come this month to start on an outline in Biblical prophecy of things to come.
The Signs Part 1: One day Jesus remarked that every stone of the Temple would be thrown down and the Temple destroyed [Matt 24:1-2]. The Disciples of Jesus, were curious and asked three questions (1) When will be the destruction of the Temple? (2) What will be the sign of your coming, and (3) the end of the world [Matt 24:3]? Jesus did not answer the questions, as three answers, but as a discourse. We can find within these words the prophecies of the Lords coming and of the end of the world.
The Temple was destroyed when after a rebellion by the Jews against the Roman occupation, Jerusalem was sacked by Titus, a Roman General. During the attack on Jerusalem the city was on fire and the gold in the Temple melted and was between the giant stone slabs, used in the Temple building. The soldiers eager to collect the gold tore the giant slabs apart, used in the building, from off the top of each other. By this action Christ’s prophecy was fulfilled exactly as He said; with every stone being thrown down [Matt 24:2]. In the light of this fulfilled prophecy exactly as stated no doubt the rest will happen exactly as Jesus said.
In fact much is already happening in this current age fulfilling prophecies told us through the words of Christ and also of the prophets. The first items mentioned by Christ, are false prophets and rumours of war. [Matt 24:4-5]. Anyone who reads the newspapers or listens to the news has no doubt that rumours of war are happening with unrest, uprisings and all-out war occurring all over the world. Mainly in the Middle East and Africa but do not forget the last European and Japanese war of the 40’s, the Crimean war, the conquests of Napoleon and so on. It is interesting to note that the Bible says “Nation against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom; Nation in Greek is “ethnos” or people, race etc. It is where we get the ethnic from, many of the wars in recent times have been civil unrest and fighting between races, religions and simple rebellion. It tells us that internal rebellion will be rife in days to come. At the moment this is happening in many places. The rebellion has spawned organisations such as ISIS and Al Qaeda and other offshoot organizations. We are told that it will be as in the days of Noah [Luke 17:26-27] the world was filled with violence “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”[Gen 6:11-12NKJV
Also we ae told that false Christs would appear. We have seen in recent years many leaders who distorted Gods word into a new religion or a warped Christianity. Charles Manson, Rev. Sun Myung Moon are typical. The founder of Mormonism Joseph Smith, while it holds facets of Christianity has distorted the true Word of God in a number of ways. Similarly the Jehovah’s Witnesses started by Charles Russel again whilst retaining some truth do not have the assurance of a Saviour who will one day take us home to Heaven. We are told in the last days we will have false teachers. [2 Pet 2:1].
We are also told that in the Last Days there will be famines and pestilences becoming more widespread [Matt 24:7]. The combination of war, rebellion, famine and illness have become even more prevalent in recent years. Much of the drought created by global warming has caused widespread famine in some areas. In other areas where there should be food production, there is conflict. War and destruction has ravaged populated areas and caused an increase in pestilences and illness. These are increasing in intensity many of these germs and illnesses are morphing into ones that will resist many of the treatments and anti-biopic at present being used. The needs of deprived populations is increasing so much, that welfare agencies are having problems to find finance and personnel to help these people.
If you think that earthquakes and natural disasters are not becoming more widespread and increasing in violence, and are just better reported nowadays. We need to look at the records of “Killer” earthquakes. Since 1900 good records have been kept of earthquakes and not only have there been an increase in the earthquakes but also in their intensity. Of killer earthquakes, over 6.5 or higher on the Richter scale. Of earthquakes recorded from 1900 to 1970 they totalled only 37. From 1930 to 1940 there were 56. By the 1980’s there were a total of 74. From 1990 to 1995 there were 125. Now they are barely recorded in the papers because there are so many. Today we are being beset by floods, storms, tidal waves and natural disasters never been thought possible. Jesus said: “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 21:25]. Leaders of the nations are trying to find ways to stop global warming. We are told “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. [Isa 51:6]. This statement really shows what is happening to the world in our day and age, and we are not too far from the end of the world. The changes in climate, increase in earthquakes and weather patterns going haywire are certainly indications that the world is wearing out and we are getting near to the end in the scheme of things. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [2 Peter 3:11-12].
Brian D. Papworth
P.W.M.I. Representative for the South Pacific.