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."
Oliver B. Green in his book "The Second Coming of Jesus" said-
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.
Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are the 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? written in 2012 he indicated there are 20 signs and if you are a student of the Bible and have studied the end times you know that these are right out of Scripture.
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
I have heard these mentioned all of my life. As a child growing up at Palm Avenue Baptist Church in Tampa, FL. I heard Dr. Warner mention them on more than one occasion. I heard and read about it from men like Oliver Green and others then and throughout my life. I have studied and taught on the end times and preached about it over the years.
As we watch what is going on around us it is hard for the believer not to see how close Christ's return is for the church.
The church, that is all that are believers in Jesus Christ having accepted His free gift of eternal life, must be spreading the gospel, the message of Jesus Christ. What we do now and what we do in the future is meant to accomplish the Great Commission given by Jesus 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. (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)
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 the 9th son of Jacob and his sons become one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The sons of Issachar 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.
The word understanding is the Hebrew word binah, which means “to have insight or to act with prudence.” According to Strong’s Concordance, it comes from a root verb that means to separate something mentally, and distinguish its parts. The word reflects the presence of intelligence and wisdom, even cunning and skill, in the process. In other words, this is not just an understanding of the facts, but a skillful analysis of what something truly means.
There is probably not a lot of time left on the clock for this world, as we know it. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 24:33-
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!
Matthew 24:44
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 21:28
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Jesus is coming back and it will be sooner than later by all indications. He is coming to receive His church, the bride of Christ.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
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