Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
This passage of scripture tells us that the days of earth's history are drawing to a close, because the signs that are given by Christ are now being fulfilled before our eyes, in rapid succession. The enmity of man against man, and the relentless brutality and violence being manifested on a daily basis speaks volumes to us of an impending cataclysmic conflict between the forces of good and evil, which will inevitably end with Christ's second coming. America in its infancy is described in the Bible as having lamb-like characteristics, loving peace and prosperity and freedom for all. But a very ominous situation has developed across the world which threatens our national and individual security, and so we are being dragged into wars to defend our freedoms, even though it is with great reluctance that we are now embarking upon these necessary evils.
These events were prophesied many years ago, and now that they are being fulfilled, the hearts and minds of people everywhere should be astir as to what is taking place, and how shelter can be found in Christ alone. The prophet Daniel saw in holy vision a time of trouble that would come upon the world, which would make all previous conflicts and disturbances, pale into insignificance, due to the unprecedented nature of the worldwide turmoil that will be enveloping the entire globe. Let's read:
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. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
It is not now even necessary for a person to be a Christian for us to see that the times here spoken of are right upon us, for even in secular minds, the idea is dawning that something is going very wrong on the planet, and even though many people cannot put their finger on what exactly is taking place, yet the word of God gives us both the answer and the remedy, so that all may find shelter in Christ while probation lingers. The words "New world order" are being mentioned more and more by the news media, whereas before, it was restricted to religious circles or conspiracy theorists. But now, as the evening of earth's history is drawing to a close, many are becoming more receptive to the idea that a new order of things has become necessary, and as the scriptures have plainly predicted in numerous passages, we will certainly enter that phase of our earthly experience, which will culminate in the soon return of Christ. Let's read:
2nd Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, ..... 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
In lieu of these prophecies being fulfilled, we can either bury our heads in the sand and pretend that life is business as usual, or we can believe the prophetic words of scripture and align ourselves with the kingdom of God and the principles of righteousness upon which it is founded. These choices are actually being made from day to day, and thus our actions will be in reference to what we believe. There are those of us who are consumed with making a living and planning for retirement, and because of what some of us believe, all of our energies and aspirations are centered in the present, while things of eternal interest, are not given even a momentary consideration.
Then there are others who take the scriptures seriously, and consequently make decisions that are in harmony with the prophetic word, not by building doomsday bunkers for survival, but by surrendering to the Lord Jesus, so that the necessary work of preparing to meet Him can begin, and be completed before He returns. This latter reaction is what the current signs of the times are meant to accomplish, for the Bible tells us that we should look up when we see these things taking place, knowing that our redemption draws near. 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. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
It therefore behooves very rational thinking person to awake out of slumber, and make the important decisions that will determine our eternal destiny, for the time here spoken of is at hand. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which cautions us not to put the second coming of Christ way into the future, for the events that are unfolding across the globe do portend Christ's soon return. Let's read:
2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of "....
May God enable us to live in readiness each day, for the time is at hand. God bless!