Understanding the Times

Matthew 24:4-8, "And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."

In case you have not noticed, I am a close follower of biblical prophecy. Since 27% of the bible was predictive prophecy when written I believe if it's that important to God, it needs to be important to us. The bible is full of clues which point us to the greatest moment in earth's history, the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the establishment of His millennial kingdom here on earth. But we must be careful not to overstep God's prophetic word and simply impose our own opinions as doctrine. As Jesus said, no one knows the exact moment that He will begin the final countdown to establishing His kingdom, but we can look at and discern the times in which we live. In Matthew 24, in what is called the Olivet discourse, Jesus warns us of the conditions that would be present just before His imminent return.

False Christs(v 5)

Friends, what I'm about to say is not popular, and is certainly not politically correct, but it does reflect Jesus's words here. We live in a world full of false Christ's. Mohammad and Allah are false Christ's. Buddah is a false Christ. The god claimed by Mormon's and Jehovah's Witnesses is a false Christ. Why do I say this: because they deny Jesus as the only way to the Father, that He is God, yet claim to be a path to God. Any religion, even atheism, that denies that the way to God is through Jesus alone, by grace though faith, depends upon a false Christ. Why? Because they contradict the clear teachings of the bible. Every belief system, apart from biblical Christianity, teaches that you and I can eventually make ourselves good enough and presentable to God through good works. That we can by following rules and obedience somehow please God enough that we can earn our ticket to heaven.

The bible tells us that "there is none righteous, no, not one(Rom 3:10)." The bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God(Rom 3:23)." The bible declares that "all our righteousness's are like filthy rags(Is 64:6)." Any belief system that is teaching us that we can be good enough is a false religion, and is represented by a false Christ. Only through belief in Jesus, and his atoning blood and bodily resurrection, can we be good enough. Other belief systems espouse the spirit of Antichrist, not Jesus Christ.

Wars and Rumors of Wars(v 6)

We the United States are currently involved in 2 separate campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran is ever closer to nuclear capability. Israel is a target of every nation around it. Pakistan and India walk a nuclear tightrope. Russia is becoming aggressive again. China currently fields the largest army in human history, and could deploy far more. Islam wants to conquer by the sword. Nuclear proliferation is everywhere. Terrorism occurs daily. Jesus says these things must occur, and they currently are.

Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom(v 7a)

Islam against Judaism and Christianity. Islam against every belief system that opposes it's beliefs. Rampant anti-semitism. Genocide based on race or religion. Communism and socialism against capitalism. Government control against freedom. All of these conflicts and many others are the result of the "spiritual warfare" that is raging between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes(v 7b)

Estimates tell us that at least 100,000 people die every day across the globe due to malnourishment and starvation. Aids, swine flu, bird flu, Ebola, and countless other viruses and infections. Not to even mention the destruction capability of germ or chemical warfare. Just in the last month killer earthquakes in Haiti and Chile with the death tolls still rising. Over 3000 registered earthquakes occur on a yearly basis.

Just the Beginning(v 8)

How close is the return of Jesus Christ? Only He knows, but if we look at the world and conditions around us, we can safely say it could happen anytime. Their is not one prophecy that need be fulfilled for Jesus to return for His church in the rapture and His countdown to His kingdom to begin. The fig tree(Israel) has sprung it's leaves. Israel exists as a nation, the Jews are returning to their land and Jerusalem is their capital.

Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 16:2-4, "...when it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red, 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." So I'll ask you to consider these things, and ask yourself some questions. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Can you discern the signs of the times?

The return of Jesus is imminent. That means it will happen. Jesus says He'll come as a "thief in the night." When no one expects Him. Is our world, and you, vigilantly and expectantly looking for the return of the King?