 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Search Our Website:
With the world in a state of constant uncertainty, our web site is often asked the question: "Where are we in the stream of prophetic history?"
The disciples of Jesus asked a similar question over 2,000 years ago: “What shall be the sign of thy presence and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)
Jesus answered his disciples' question with many "signs" — evidences which would enable all who would be watching to recognize the time period of his presence at the end of this Christian age. Just what are these "signs"?
"Great Tribulation"
Jesus warned of “...great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21) The prophet Daniel also described this sign which would mark the time of the end of this age: “...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation...” Daniel 12:1
There has always been trouble somewhere in the world, so why is this time period described as one of great tribulation? The answer hinges on the unique time in which we live — the world is globally connected as never before in the history of mankind. What is more, man has never had the capability to totally destroy every living thing at the push of a button. It is estimated that there are currently 14,570 nuclear warheads owned by nine countries. Four of these countries are considered unstable. The combined explosive yield of these weapons is approximately 200,000 times greater than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Although trouble is an unavoidable reality of the end of the age, Jesus’ prophecy assures us that the trouble will be shortened. (Matthew 24:22) Note also what Daniel describes as coming immediately after the trouble: “at that time thy people shall be delivered... them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake...” (Daniel 12:1, 2) It is most reassuring to know that the purpose of the trouble is to prepare the earth for the incoming righteous government of God’s Kingdom.
Travel and Knowledge Shall Be Increased
Daniel 12 goes on to describe two additional signs of the end of the age: “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (verse 4) Think of the countless inventions that have taken place in little more than 145 years: the telephone, electric light, sound recording, radio, television, modern appliances, computers, cell phones, wireless, satellites, all manner of modern appliances, the global Internet, and amazing advancements in medicine. Mankind around the globe has gained access to information regarding virtually any subject or product within seconds.
The accumulated knowledge throughout history up to the year AD 1750 had doubled by the year 1900, a period of just 150 years. It doubled again in just 50 years by 1950, again in ten years by 1960, and again in eight years by 1968. Knowledge is increasing so rapidly that today the amount of information and statistics in the world is doubling every 18 months. IBM predicts that in the next few years, information will double every eleven hours!
The increase of knowledge has made possible the other sign given in Daniel 12:4: “many shall run to and fro.” For thousands of years man’s most common form of transportation was by foot or by horse. How dramatically that has changed in recent history. Sir Isaac Newton was scorned by his intellectual peers when he predicted that man would someday travel at speeds of 50 miles per hour. Little did Newton realize that man would fly across the ocean at supersonic speeds, exceeding 1,300 mph. NASA is about to lauch a space craft which will speed along at 430,000 mph! According to space.com, "On Earth, that would be the equivalent of traveling from Washington, D.C., to Tokyo in less than a minute — or from D.C. to Philadelphia in less than a second."
Yes, Daniel’s prophecy is certainly abounding in our day. These two signs alone are what generated the global connection of every nation on the planet, bringing about both blessings to those who use them wisely, and increased trouble from those who abuse them. All of these are indications that we are on the very brink of the establishment of God’s Kingdom!
“Learn the Parable of the Fig Tree”
In Matthew 24:32-34, Jesus gave another very important sign. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh.” Throughout the Bible we learn that the fig tree represents the Nation of Israel (Jeremiah 24:1-10; 29:17-23; Luke 13:6-9). Leaves sprouting on a tree are an evidence that the tree has sprung to life after a dormant winter. Jesus was actually telling us that when we see Israel come alive as a Nation — after being dormant nearly 2,000 years — then we will know that God’s Kingdom is right at the door.
Has Israel put forth leaves? After the Roman conquest in the First Century B.C., Israelites as a people were dispersed among all nations, often persecuted bitterly, having to live in Ghettos, then hunted and exterminated as undesirables. Yet, Jewish hopes remained strong in God’s promises of a return to their homeland. “Next year in Jerusalem!” was their cry. This hope was fulfilled in one of the great miracles of our day. The fig tree began to put forth leaves in 1878 when the first Jewish community, Peta Tikva was established in Israel. The leaves formed fully in 1948 when Israel became a Nation!
Luke adds something in his account of this prophecy that makes our faith even stronger: “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees... when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:29-31) Notice “and all the trees,” referring to other nations. Together with Israel springing to life, many other nations have put forth leaves — sprouting into existence. Up to 1945, the number of independent nations in the world had remained relatively constant at around 70. Since 1945 the number of independent nations has grown dramatically to 196! More than 126 new independent nations have sprung into being that were previously held as colonies. Thus Israel, simultaneously with 126 other nations, has put forth leaves, illustrating that we are on the very brink of the greatest event in all human history — the establishment of God’s Kingdom!
Other Momentous "Signs"
These are just three "signs" of the "new heavens and new earth" about to take full control under the new King, Jesus Christ. But there are many other signs in our day. Just prior to the establishment of the Peaceable Kingdom will be a great struggle between the forces of good and evil. Controversy will continue to afflict the earth as the kingdoms of this world are about to pass from Satan’s control to Christ. (Revelation 16:15, 16) Prophetic signs such as these dominate world news headlines:
• Infidelity from presidency to pulpit is rampant (Luke 18:8; 2 Timothy 4:1-4)
• Evils have been exposed as never before (Luke 12:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5)
• Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods increase (Mark 13:8)
• Men seek pleasures rather than godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13)
• The weak, such as ISIS, say that they are strong (Joel 3:10)
• Spiritism and the occult have increased (Matthew 24:26)
• Wars and war preparations continue to intensify (Joel 3:9-11; Matthew 24:6)
• False prophets and false Christs appear everywhere (Matthew 24:5)
• Strife continues between the rich and the poor (James 5:1-4)
• The rights of the oppressed of every nation causes unrest (Psalm 12:5)
• Juvenile delinquency and lack of respect plagues families (2 Timothy 3:2)
• Cries for liberty are heard worldwide - Leviticus 25:10; Isaiah 61:1
• Faith is replaced by philosophies—Luke 18:8; 1 Timothy 1:4-7
• Mankind cries fearfully for peace - 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Luke 21:26
All of this shaking and turmoil is because the new King is tearing down the corrupt civil, social, financial and religious institutions. “I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come.” (Haggai 2:7) As a result of his blessed reign, Christ “shall judge the afflicted of the people, he shall give help to the children of the needy; but he shall crush the oppressor . . . In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace shall be so long as the moon endureth . . . He will deliver the needy when he crieth; the afflicted also who hath no helper . . ." Psalm 72:4-14
Click these links to read more details about these momentous works Jesus is
performing throughout the earth in preparation for his Messianic Reign:
"After Armageddon — God's Kingdom"