Someone actually
said this to me the other day: 'Every
generation has thought they were living in the
End Times.' That's a true statement, and
most of the time it's said by mockers criticizing
the idea that the Rapture is imminent or that the
Lord's returning at all.
First, these poor folks don't
realize it but with their words they not only
fulfill prophecy in what they've said but are
also providing proof that we are indeed in the
Last Days:
"Knowing
this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And
saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)
Even the late,
great Johnny Cash, a brother in Christ saw the
signs of the nearing trumpet call to glory and
was so strong in that belief that in 1990 he made
a music video about it:
And second, if one
does as Johnny sang about and follows the news
you'll see that everything the Bible speaks of as
occurring in the days just prior to the Rapture
is quickly falling into place. There is an
article offered by GotQuestions.org which I have permission to
reprint that covers this subject in excellent
detail:
The Bible
prophesies of many events that will occur in the
end times. These events can be categorized as
natural signs, spiritual signs, sociological
signs, technological signs, and political signs.
We can look to what the Bible says about these
things, and if the signs are present in
abundance, we can be certain that we are, in
fact, living in the end times.
Luke
21:11
lists some of the natural signs that will occur
before Jesus Second Coming: There
will be great earthquakes, famines and
pestilences in various places, and fearful events
and great signs from heaven. In 13 years, between 1991
and 2004, the United States alone has experienced
5 of its costliest hurricanes in history, 3 of
its 4 largest tornado swarms in history, and 9 of
the 10 greatest disasters as determined by FEMA.
We have recently seen Hurricane Sandy, which some
have called the perfect storm.
There is a huge upswing in the prevalence of
sinkholes. As for great signs from heaven,
weve seen the Chelyabinsk meteor, which
exploded over Russia, emitting a powerful shock
wave. All of these events seem to be a warm up to
what is coming nextbirth
pangs, as Jesus called them (Matthew
24:8).
The Bible lists
both positive and negative spiritual signs. In 2
Timothy 4:3-4 we discover that many people will
follow false teachers. We see now an increase in
cultic groups, heresy, deception and occultism,
with many choosing to follow new age or pagan
religions. On the positive side, Joel
2:28-29
prophesies that there will be a great outpouring
of the Holy Spirit. Joels prophecy was
fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2:16),
and we are still seeing the effects of that
outpouring in revivals and Spirit-led Christian
movements, worldwide preaching of the gospel
message, and the emergence of Messianic Judaism.
Along with the
signs in the natural and spiritual realms, there
are signs in society. The immorality rampant in
society today is a symptom of mankinds
rebellion against God. Abortion, homosexuality,
drug abuse and child molestation are proof that evildoers
and impostors will go from bad to worse (2
Timothy 3:13). We are now living in a hedonistic
and materialistic society. People are lovers of
themselves looking out for
number one and doing what is
right in their own eyes. All these things, and
many more, can be seen around us every day (see 2
Timothy 3:1-4).
The fulfillment of
some end-times prophecies seemed impossible until
the advent of modern technology. Daniel
12:4
foretold an increase in knowledge. Some of the
judgments in Revelation are more easily imagined
in a nuclear age. In Revelation 13, the Antichrist will
control commerce by forcing people to take the
mark of the beast, and, given todays
advances in computer chip technology, the tools
he will use may very well be here already. And
through the internet, radio and television, the
gospel can now be proclaimed to the entire world
(Mark 13:10).
And there are
political signs. The restoration of Israel to her
land in 1948 is the single most impressive
fulfilled prophecy proving that we live in the
end times. At the turn of the 20th century, no
one would have dreamed that Israel would be back
in her land, let alone occupying Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is definitely at the center of
geopolitics and stands alone against many
enemies; Zechariah 12:3 confirms this: On
that day, when all the nations of the earth are
gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an
immovable rock for all the nations. All who try
to move it will injure themselves. Matthew
24:6-7
predicted that nation will rise
against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. Wars and rumors of
wars
are definitely characteristic of this present
age.
These are just a
few of the signs that we are living in the end of
the age. There are many more. God gave us these
prophecies because He does not want anyone to
perish, and He always gives ample warning before
pouring out His wrath (2 Peter
3:9).
Are we living in
the end times? The rapture could occur at any
moment. God will deal with sin either by grace or
by wrath. John 3:36 says, Whoever
believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever
rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods
wrath remains on them. Those who do not accept
Jesus Christ as their savior will remain under
the Lords wrath.
The good news is
that its not too late to choose eternal
life. All that is required is acceptance, by
faith, of Gods free gift of grace. There is
nothing you can do to earn grace; Jesus has paid
the price for you (Romans 3:24). Are you ready for the
Lords return? Or will you experience His
wrath?