If you happen to be a Baby Boomer you probably have watched a succession of popular books and films on eschatology themes ("End of Era" events and corresponding prophecies) such as those of Hal Lindsey (Author of the bestselling 1970 book, "The Late Great Planet Earth") come and go. A look back through these makes it very clear that nailing down the "End Times" is an iffy enterprise. However, today events are unfolding that line up with ancient prophecies in ways that are both starling and difficult to dismiss or gloss over.
And it isn't believers in the mainstream religions that are blogging and tweeting on "End Times" prophecy. The Web abounds with fearful speculation on the part of people who are more secular in their thinking than religious or spiritual.
Many people are turning to prophecy teachers for help in piecing together and understanding what is unfolding. They are not so much asking "Is this stuff true?" but, rather, are saying things like "The books of Daniel and Revelation (among others) are being fulfilled right before our eyes. But are we yet in the End Times?"
There is no lack of books and videos by prophecy experts who have tackled this question. One of most cogent recent books (which I recommend) is Sid Roth's book* "Sooner Than You Think: A Prophetic Guide to the End Times".
I have read Roth's book and probably one hundred other recent tomes on the subject, distilled down what I deem on target, and come up with the following tentative conclusions:
First off, I do, yes, believe we are on the cusp of what is so oft called "The End Times". However, with this said I do not believe we are not as close as some writers and believers think, although things could come together quickly to herald in the "final chapter".
We are, I believe, at a crossroads in history in which the timing of prophetic events rests with what people (especially believers) do or don't do. If for instance, believers intercede and begin behaving themselves and eschewing sin, then I believe the Almighty will give humankind more time before the seven year "Great Tribulation" kicks off. But if believers do not make teshuvah (i.e., repent& then do what is pure, right & holy) and get their ducks in a row in every respect, the Great Tribulation could commence in no time at all.
Here is what I am certain must happen that will signal we are entering the seven year Great Tribulation:
Before I get into the meat of the matter, let me share some thoughts on the very popular line of speculation that states a future Mahdi will be the Anti-Messiah, i.e., a phony messiah who gives lip service to keeping the rules governing Jewish conduct laid out in Torah but whose actions will encourage lawlessness. This is illogical as the prophesied Anti-Messiah is a false messiah, and the only way this man could qualify as messiah Jews will accept is to be Jewish. However, with this said it is possible the anticipated Mahdi could fulfill the prophesized role of "False Prophet".
Now for a rundown of "what's coming down the pike" including those specific events that precede and declare that "The Great Tribulation Lies Immediately Ahead":
(1) There will be a war in the Middle East in which Iran, Syria and other Arab countries will try to attack & conquer Israel. This is prophesied in Psalms 83. This invasion will fail. However, I believe that during the attack an Arab or other missile will veer off its prescribed path and strike and destroy the Dome of the Rock (The one major physical impediment to the rebuilding of the Temple). Damascus will also be utterly destroyed. As a result of Israel's victory, she will also acquire vast new territory and think herself safe. Walls will come down and a false sense of invulnerability will take hold.
(2) With the Dome of the Rock gone and the Islamic world paralyzed by widespread destruction, Israel will be commence building the Third Temple unopposed and, following its completion, resume animal sacrifices for sin (Check out The Temple Institute's website at https://www.templeinstitute.org/ and http://www.jewishroots.net/library/end-times/rebuilding_the_temple.html).
(3) During this period of time the world will be in economic and social chaos, most likely due to the Psalms 83 Arab-Israeli war and the destruction of many oil refineries and other industrial complexes across the region (Not to mention nuclear contamination unleashed by the military destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities and any others in existence in the area at the time). Things will get so bad that it will seem as though the 1930s in Germany have come roaring back (As in it will take a wheelbarrow of money to buy a loaf of bread). Stocks and such will likely become worthless or nearly so. And, as you might expect, It is during this dire time -- when the world is desperate for leadership that will set things right -- that the Anti-Messiah will rise to power rapidly and forge a peace treaty that will formally end Arab-Israeli hostilities (A prophesied 7 year peace covenant)..
(4) At the mid-point of his reign, the Anti-Messiah will enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare that he is not only the Jewish messiah, but divine or semi-divine to boot (A malignant narcissist whose self-serving evil will dwarf that of his "spiritual predecessor and twin", Adolf Hitler). This will result in the Jewish people (among others including genuine Christian believers) turning against the evil one's regime.
(5) Following the Anti-Messiah's sacrilegious announcement, the "Wrath of Satan" laid out in the book of Revelation will then begin. This includes almost 3.5 full years of persecution (Jews and believers) and the inauguration of a cashless economic system in which only those who embrace the Anti-Messiah as their source and take his "mark" (radio frequency identification biochip most likely) will have access to goods & services. The church will see the "Great Apostasy" unfold quickly, as many believers will be expecting to be spared the Great Tribulation and will be unable to deal with living in the midst of it (A great many will willingly receive the implant and even turn against believers who do not). Apparently, though, there will be "cities of refuge" in which genuine believers who have God's favor will be able to escape the reach of the Anti-Messiah.
(6) Towards the end of the 3.5 year Great Tribulation period, perhaps about 45 days before the final curtain goes down, God's Wrath will be loosed on the inhabitants of this planet. As believers will not be subject to this, they will be transported to Heaven (Parousia or Rapture). They and all the saints in Glory will return with Messiah at the end of this period of God's Wrath to restore & inaugurate the Almighty's reign over men.
So, bottom-line -- once people see the Psalm 83 war, the construction of the Third Temple, the stage, and the enactment of a 7 year peace treaty between Israel and her Arab neighbors (and possibly others), the Great Tribulation will be at-hand. I am hoping and praying this will not happen for many decades yet. However, if believers (and it is they and not unbelievers who stay God's anger with sin) continue to "play church", chase women, drink heavily, and pretty much do whatever the world offers in the way of pleasure & narcissistic self-indulgence, the Great Tribulation could be realized within a few year's time.
The good news is that many, many ministers, priests and others - men and women who have been given the gift of prophecy by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), - are saying a Great Awakening (like those in past history such as the one spearheaded by John Wesley) is coming to America and to other lands as well. Many of these spiritual turnaround periods lasted for decades. If this one does, then the Great Tribulation will (I posit) come to pass in the 2060s.
* Readers interested in hearing what Sid Roth has to share from his book and other sources, should click this link (Video)
RECOMMENDED READING
Robert Van Kampen’s “The Sign” (1992) and his “The Rapture Question Answered: Plain and Simple” (1997)
2015-2070: Red moons, ancient prophecies, and more
Church Is Facing a Dietrich Bonheoffer Moment
Biblical prophecy is primarily about Israel & the Jewish people, not America!
A world gone mad and what lies ahead
YOUR “GET SPIRITUALLY EMPOWERED CRASH COURSE”:
- Go and Sin No More: A Call to Holiness by Dr. Michael L. Brown
- Good or God? by John Bevere
- Breakthrough Faith: Living a Life Where Anything is Possible by Larry Sparks
But let me add this caveat: A lot of Christian theology and beliefs (including portions of the books above) draw on the very flawed letters (epistles) of Paul (Saul of Tarsus). It is therefore important that you also acquire the knowledge and insight to identify what is edifying and true from what is not. These two free, online resources will help you mightily in this regard:
http://www.judaismvschristianity.com/
Jesus’ Words Only (Second Edition 2007) (Free online in its entirety) by Douglas J. Del Tondo, Esq.
ARE YOU IN AN ADULTEROUS MARRIAGE?
If you are in a 2nd (or..etc.) marriage you need to dig into these websites:
http://www.cadz.net/remarriage.html
http://www.marriagedivorce.com/index.php
http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/divorceandremarriage.php#scripturalevidence
© 2015 by Dr. Anthony G. Payne. All rights reserved.