The prophecies of the Bible tell us that history is neither accidental nor incidental but rather history has a divine purpose. There are no accidents with God, nor is anything incidental with Him. History is intentional.
The writer in Acts 15:18 says that "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."
History is something more than a recording of unrelated events. History is a connected narrative with a definite goal. It is on the move, going somewhere.
The terminals of history are predetermined by almighty God who is sovereign, knowing the end from the beginning. Oliver B. Green The Second Coming of Jesus
Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are Biblical accounts of The Olivet Discourse of Jesus Christ.
In Joel C. Rosenberg's book Implosion: Can America Recover From It's Economic and Spiritual Challenges in Time? was written in 2012 and in it he indicated there are 20 signs in Bible prophecy of what will be seen from these text in the last days:
1 Wars and rumors of war
2 Uprisings and revolutions and kingdoms being shaken
3 Famines
4 Earthquakes
5 Pestilence and plaques
6 Terrors and growing fears
7 Great signs in the heavens and bloodred moons
8 The roaring of the sea and waves
9 Persecution of the church
10 Apostasy of the church
11 Betrayal
12 Lawlessness
13 False prophets and false teachers
14 False messiahs
15 Increase in knowledge and travel
16 The State of Israel being reborn and increasingly becoming the epicenter of international attention
17 The gospel being preached to every nation
18 A spiritual awakening in Israel and among Jewish people
19 A spiritual awakening in Iran
20 An increase in mockery of Bible prophecy
Recently I commented when asked the question; do I believe we are in the last days; I responded that I believe we are and are certainly closer now than we were 100 years ago.
In Matthew's account in chapter 24 verse 14 He says: “And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end come.”
The church is all about kingdom work and the gospel of the kingdom and the message of Jesus Christ. What we are doing and what we will do in the future is meant to accomplish the command given in Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We need to be like the Sons of Issachar who it says in 1 Chronicles 12:32 were men “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”
Issachar was a son of Jacob and his sons become one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were known for their observance and insight into the dangerous and treacherous times in which Israel was living and how they should handle the situations around them.
We can all agree that there is probably not a lot of time left on the clock for this world, as we know it.
Look at what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 24:33
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!
Then in Matthew 24:44
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
How much time is left on the clock? Well, not much as we see in Luke 21:28
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
A thought to ponder
Elbert Nasworthy
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