Tag Archives: Revelation

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Globalism on the Rise

I hope you are enjoying our mini-series on “Signs of the Times.”  We began by looking at Israel’s re-birth, and yesterday we discussed the rise of the revised Roman Empire.  That flows right into the discussion of today: increasing globalism.

Yesterday we talked about a beast (the antichrist) that will rise and unite the world with his promise of peace.  Indeed, he will seemingly bring the entire world together…for a short while.  How will he do it?  By creating One World Government and One World Religion.  You have heard these terms, but let’s make careful assessment of them, in light of what we see in our world today, and in light of what the Bible, particularly Revelation 17-18, tells us.  Revelation 17 describes a harlot sitting on a scarlet beast (verse 3), which refers to the antichrist who will come to establish a new religious system that the whole world will buy into.  (Read Revelation 17: The Woman on the Beast for details.)  Religion will become “global” and it will ultimately lead to the worship of one person: the antichrist.

In today’s world, we are seeing the stage being set.  The pope and other religious figures are promoting the idea that we all worship the same god, so let’s all just get along.  In addition, there are rallying cries around issues, such as global warming, that are meant to draw everyone together “for a common cause” and for the “common good” of all mankind.  Nations are being deceived…churches are being deceived…Christians are being deceived.  Many are drawn into the idea of One World Religion.

Revelation 18 follows with the fall of Babylon, representing the One World Government established by the antichrist.  Scholars differ as to whether Babylon is an actual place or a political system.  Regardless, it is Satan’s domain, ruled by the antichrist, and will it fall.  (Read Revelation 18: Babylon is Fallen for details.)

But again, let’s consider what we see today.  Not only do we see organizations such as the United Nations directing global affairs, but we also see groups of nations (such as the European Union) joining together to form one common government between them.  They wish to have one set of laws, one currency, one leader, etc.  In other words, they wish to “globalize.”  We have recently discussed Emmanuel Macron, the young leader of France who is positioning himself to become the leader of the European Union (and beyond).

Given the setting, his ambition of becoming the “savior” of Europe, and the following he is gathering, we certainly see markings of an antichrist-like figure.  Just last weekend he spoke appeasingly to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, likening anti-Zionism to anti-Semitism (which it is!)  Macron is not necessarily “the” antichrist, but is a prototype which models the real antichrist.

Globalization is a sign of the times.  It is happening before our eyes and reminds us to be ready, as the One True Savior, Jesus Christ, could return at any time!

PS: Amir Tsarfati has two great teachings on One World Religion and One World Government.  I highly recommend those resources for any serious Bible student interested in Bible prophecy.

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Rise of the Revived Roman Empire

Welcome back, fellow Bible students!  We’ve just begun a mini-series on “Signs of the Times,” where we’re taking a look at a few world events that not only validate end time prophecies, but are also occurring in our lifetimes.  Yesterday’s thoughts focused on the first sign of the times:  the re-birth and re-gathering of the Jewish people to their homeland.  It is a very clear sign of the end times.

Another clear sign is the rise of the revived Roman Empire.  Now, what in the world does that mean?  Well, pull up a chair and join our circle as we discuss today’s world through a Scriptural lens.

Let’s begin with the prophet Daniel.  In Daniel 2 and 7 (as well as in Revelation 13 and 17), we are told that the Roman Empire will be revived, and that a leader will rise to rule with an iron fist (Daniel 7:7, 24-25).  We won’t take the time today to fully discuss Daniel’s dream that culminated with the vision of the revised Roman Empire, but you will find a study of it in God’s Plan for the Gentiles.

For now, though, suffice it to say that today’s European Union is taking on characteristics of the 10-nation confederation that will become the revised Roman Empire.  True, there are currently 28 nations in the European Union, but this group could very well consolidate to produce the group of ten referred to in Daniel’s vision.  We’re not “there” yet, but the signs are pointing in that direction!

From that revised Roman Empire will rise the antichrist…or as Revelation 17 puts it: the beast.  He will unite the world with his promises of peace, and will even strike a peace deal with Israel to allow them to build their Temple once again on Temple Mount.

Consolidating those nations and leaders will not be an easy task.  It will be like mixing iron and clay (as Daniel 2:42-43 describes it), representing the various strengths and weaknesses of the EU.  While possessing strong political clout, differences in economic theory, culture and language will present challenges.

Through Daniel the prophet, God provided yet another clear sign of end times!  My friends, God’s Word has never been proven wrong!  We can trust it.  And if we are seeking His wisdom and insight, we can know and understand the signs He makes known to us!

Blessings to all!  Come back tomorrow when we gaze upon another sign: globalization.

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Longing for Zion

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Oh, the Lord’s timing is incredible!  I want to extend our brief study on the City of David one more day because, literally, just yesterday I received an email from ICEJ containing a recent article regarding the longing for Zion.

If you have followed the past two days, you know that Zion is another name for the City of David.  You also know that ancient Jerusalem was not within today’s Old City, but was actually down the hill to the south.  Ancient Jerusalem was the City of David and the people longed to be in the courts of the Lord!

That feeds right into the article I want to share today!  Take two minutes to discover the Jubilee Years God has used to cause Jerusalem to rise, and why Jewish people throughout history have longed for Jerusalem!

Longing for Zion

One final note:  “Jerusalem” in English is “Yerushalayim” in Hebrew.  When you see a Hebrew word ending in “-im,” you know it is plural.  So, what can we draw from that?  Are there two Jerusalems…one in the City of David and one in the current Old City?  Yes…and no!  Indeed, there are two Jerusalems, but I don’t believe the plurality refers to ancient Jerusalem and modern-day Jerusalem.

I believe it refers to the earthly Jerusalem and the heavenly Jerusalem!  Revelation 21:1-2 describes a new heaven and a new earth, and the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  That city is being prepared for those of us who will spend eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

A new Jerusalem…a new Zion!  I long for Zion, too.  Don’t you?

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

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Will President Trump Achieve Peace in the Middle East?

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President Trump left his mark in Saudi Arabia and in Israel, setting what seems to be a friendly, but straight-forward tone.  Praise God for that.

Hopes are high in some camps that President Trump will accomplish what no other US President has been able to do: strike a workable, lasting peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians.

While I believe the Bible is true when it says, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), and that God’s Word is clear that we are to strive for peace with all (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14), and that God commands (not suggests) that we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122), neither the world, nor the Middle East, will know peace until the Prince of Peace comes to rule and reign here on the earth!  Yes, we should be peacemakers, we should strive for peace and we should pray for peace…all of which invites the Prince of Peace to return!

Thus, my faith in what the best negotiators in the world are able to do is very limited without entering our Lord Jesus Christ into the equation!  I do not believe there will be man-made peace in the Middle East.

First, don’t think for a moment that any Jew will willingly give up the most holy city in the Jewish faith.  Yet, that is a condition of the Palestinians in order to have peace.  Secondly, don’t think for a moment that President Trump will strike the ultimate deal.  The Bible says that “peace” will come when a leader rises up out of the revived Roman empire to sign a peace treaty with Israel.  That will not be Donald Trump…it will be the antichrist.  The revived Roman empire, I believe, will be Europe, and we’re seeing Europe “ripen” for the rise of the antichrist.

 

However, if you are looking for the antichrist, you are a bit early!  Several things must happen before he is revealed.  First, believers must be taken out of here!  Raptured!  In 2 Thessalonians 2, we are taught that the “man of lawlessness” (antichrist) will be revealed once the “one who restrains” (Holy Spirit living in believers) is taken out of here.  As believers, we should not waste our time looking for the antichrist because we won’t be here!

But, that is all tribulational talk.  Still other things must happen before that.  For example, a czar will rise out of Russia to lead the great coalition described in Ezekiel 38-39.  Israel must be in her land in order for them to have a Jewish target to attack!  Thus, just as prophesied in Ezekiel 36-37, Israel was re-born in 1948 and reunified in 1967!  For the Jews to give up Jerusalem would render those prophesies untrue.  No prophecy in the Bible has ever been rendered untrue!  (Some may not yet be fulfilled, but all that have been are rendered absolutely true!)  So, don’t look for a miraculous peace deal to be struck until the antichrist is revealed.

Frankly, I believe there is yet something more that will happen prior to the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion and prior to the rise of the antichrist, and that is the fall of Damascus.  Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011.  Rebels are fighting the Assad regime, the Kurds are desperately trying to retain their land, Russia has entered the picture and is working hand-in-glove with Iran (their partner in the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion) to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (a ruthless tyrant who has killed hundreds of thousands of his own people).

Damascus is known to have one of the largest (if not the largest) stockpiles of WMD’s on planet earth.  Radicals such as ISIS and Hezbollah (backed by Iran) are salivating to get their hands on them.  The destruction of Damascus, as prophesied in Isaiah 17:1, could happen at any time.  Might we wake up one morning to the news that chemical and/or nuclear weapons were detonated in the struggle over Damascus, and that the city no longer stands?  Might Israel have to take action in Damascus because WMD’s are being transferred to Hezbollah to be used against Israel, or to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard which is set up right on Israel’s border?

Indeed, the fall of Damascus will open up clear “lanes” for the Russian-Iranian coalition to come out of the north, just as predicted in Ezekiel 38-39, to attack Israel…who will STILL be in the land and in control of the land.  (ie – there will be no Israeli-Palestinian “peace plan.”)

Once the invaders are defeated , the antichrist, itching to be the hero, will be revealed and will initiate a “peace plan” that will fool them all!  The tribulation will swing into full action, but we (Christ followers) will be out of here!

So, will Trump negotiate the mother of all peace deals?  Heavens no!  He is not the antichrist…and no peace deal (including that one) will stand.  Only when the Prince of Peace Himself STANDS (literally and in bodily form) on the Mount of Olives at His Second Coming will there be true, lasting peace!

So, pray for our President and other world leaders.  Should they strive for peace?  Yes, the Bible teaches that.  But let’s send up “laser-pointed” prayers by joining the Holy Spirit in asking the Prince of Peace to come!

 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
~Revelation 22:17