Part one covered how a world wide catastrophe could happen. In Part 2 The question is what does the Bible say about the end times. It definitely gives those willing to read it a lot of insight about what is going to happen. Many Christians I know say, "I am not interested in that end time stuff, I am all about Jesus." Really then you might want to reconsider your position, because it is Jesus that gives us a lot of insight into what is suppose to happen. Also he gives signs so we are able to tell what is to come in the future. Look at it from this perspective. Did Jesus spend his last night on earth reminiscing about the good times he and his disciples had shared. He knew he was going to die the next day. His focus that last evening was warning his disciples what would come to pass at the end time.
His views totally conflict with the popular end time series called Left Behind. The series focused on and stressed that all the "True Christians" would be raptured and out of harms way when the end time tribulations started. That goes totally against what Jesus said. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of books that pontificate on how "they" think the end time will happen and their view of what the scriptures say. My view is that is if it is in Red supposedly Jesus said it. If Jesus said it then it is the final word on the matter and all the other peoples views and opinions do not matter cause that is exactly what they are views and opinions. The Bible says in Matthew 24: 29-31 a little different version.
29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31“And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Notice that the above statement is in red. That means Jesus said it If he said it and you are a Christian and believe in Him and His Word you can take what it says to the bank. It will happen. Notice it starts off, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days" What days was he talking of. He was talking of the end of days when he would return in power and glory and redeem his believers and followers to himself. Notice in verse 31 he states, "He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds," Are there two raptures. I do not read anywhere that is the case.
During my years as a truck driver when I would share what I knew of the Bible it was my habit to say, "I am a toter, not a quoter." Meaning I would show you from the Bible and you could read it for yourself. I did not and do not quote things without giving the Bible book, chapter and verse where you can find it. Which brings me to my next point. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Notice that Paul links the rapture of the dead and the living. He also with "The trumpet of God." My view these two sections of verse are describing the same things.
Here is one another scene to ponder. It occurs in the 11th chapter of Revelation. This chapter deals with the two witnesses to the end time. Which so far is one of the few prophecies that have not been fulfilled as far as I can tell. One reason it had not been fulfilled was in verses 9-11 it makes clear they shall be killed and all the people's of the earth shall see them laying dead in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days. Well that prophecy could not have been fulfilled till the advent of the global communications systems the world has now. So now that prophecy can come to pass and it will. Well verse 13 says at that time a "Great Earthquake shall destroy a tenth part of the city at that moment." Which I believe is the event I describe in Part One of this blog. The thing that should be noted is that it is only one of several descriptions that if you piece them together describe the same event that shall happen.
Another point made by Jesus picks up where the previous one left off. In Matthew 24: 32-39 the Bible makes the statement, 32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Jesus often spoke in parables and told stories so that his followers. They knew the Word of God and could under stand what he was talking about. Yes they were marrying in the days of Noe, or Noah as we know him, but what else was going on in the days of Noah. Look at Genesis 6: 5-12 and it makes the issue pretty clear.
"5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth."
We could go back through history to the horror of World War II and the concentration camps, clear up to 9/11. The most recent events, which are still in the news as I type this even say it better. The massacre in the movie theater, the senseless shootings at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin. The list could go on and on. Verse eleven above makes clear that God hates the violence. When you add in the fact that the leadership of our nation recently endorsed same sex marriages. That abortion is a daily event. The hatred in a "Christian Nation" that has been poured out on a business owner simply for stating his views on an issue and you can see how sick and degenerate this nation has become. The Bible says clearly, Woe to them that put good for evil, and evil for good. Things that are right are condemned by society at large.
The Bible says at some point such conduct will be judged and God will pour his wrath our on those who do not follow Him and His Word. The question I hear most is, how do we know it is the time of the end? Two things were prophesied to happen which would be signs of the end. Well here are a couple of examples. Daniel 12:1-4 says this.
"1And 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. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4But 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."
We live in a time when people routinely travel to and fro all over the earth, also knowledge has increased to a level previously unimaginable. If this is not enough though here are a couple more that confirm these signs. There is predicted to be a great falling away. It is described in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12 and it says evil shall abound in the last days.
"1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3Let 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; 4Who 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. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And 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: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Finally in closing this part let it be clear there comes a point where God will turn his back on mankind and let his wrath be poured out in punishment of evil. Romans 1:16-32 make clear that mankind makes the choice to walk the path it follows. Either into his kingdom or into destruction, but is mans own choices that decide the matter.
"16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
If in reading this you do not feel you are reading about the world we live in today, then maybe I am wrong. When I look at the world around me I see everything that the Bible describes. Jesus said it clearly that the only sign that would be given is that which was given to Jonah. If you can read it, then you better heed it, cause it is all the warning we get.
"1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3“and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4“A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
Jonah believed God's Word and was delivered from the belly of the beast after three days. Noah was delivered at the last moment because he listened to God. It is not to late to turn around and follow God, but there will come a time when the door will be closed. When it is the following scene shall unfold from the Book of Isaiah 2:10-22
"10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. 11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: 13And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, 14And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 15And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, 16And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. 17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 18And the idols he shall utterly abolish. 19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
Read that last quote and you will see you do not want to be here for it. The only way to escape it is to come into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Notice though he will arise to shake the earth terribly. In fact he mentions it twice to make his point. So part one is not extreme, weird or out of line if you believe God will do what he says he is going to do. Which is no problem for those that believe him and follow him, however, for those who do not it is a major problem. If you believe share it with others.
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