Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
This passage of scripture points forward to a time when God's Spirit being removed from the earth, the devil and satanic agencies will be left to run riot in our world, and thus the worst passions of evil men will become manifest in crimes and deeds to horrible to mention, as a daily occurrence. To this time we are now hastening as can be seen in the escalation of mass murders, shooting rampages, and the callousness with which human life is regarded by an increasing number of people.
Indeed there was a time when we could walk our streets and attend our universities without having to worry about whether some lone gunman might spray people randomly with bullets, but now we are living in a completely different era, in which many people are armed to the tooth, and violence can erupt without warning. These occurrences were actually prophesied in the Bible, even though many theologians, politicians, and psychiatrists are searching in vain elsewhere for answers. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
And that's why Daniel gives us the assurance that Christ will stand up at this very time for the protection and vindication of His people. Those who are looking forward to brighter days in the world as we know it are sadly deluded, for what we are now witnessing on a daily basis is the winding down of earth's history, and therefore, even though we are to occupy until the time of Christ's coming, yet we are to be watchful and cognizant of what is passing on the earth, so that we do not become complacent in our preparations for God's soon coming kingdom.
The doctrine of one thousand years of peace on this earth is without scriptural foundation, and those who espouse this teaching are in grave danger of being taken unawares by the return of Christ. We are not to become involved in any physical or military preparations for what is coming on the earth, instead we are to look up and hasten the coming of Jesus by telling our friends, neighbors and coworkers that the day of God hastens greatly. Let's read:
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
We sincerely hope that as Christians we will rise to the occasion by fulfilling the great commission that we've been given, and so we end with a passage of scripture which reminds us of this duty, in lieu of the troublous times that lie ahead. Let's read:
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
May we so live and do as those who are living in expectancy of the great day of God. God bless!