This week’s posting hinges on what some believe are signs of the End Times in Revelation. Can we conclude that God is warning us of what’s to come? Nevertheless, just look at the world around us and the changes in the United States in just two years. It’s apparent that something is seriously wrong. We are truly a Nation that needs to turn back to God.

 

Which takes us here. If God didn’t want us to be aware of it, why is the End Times in the Book of Revelation, especially if He didn’t want us to study or even ponder it? Just how far into the future is yet to be determined. The question I am asking is: Are the signs starting to come together? Only time will tell. 

I’ll let the slide speak for itself, with Jesus’ message in Matt. 24:21, referring to the Great Tribulation in the Book of Revelation. Will it be upon the world suddenly or will the world, as it turns away from God, gradually build up to it? Only God knows. But, nevertheless, there are sufficient warning for today’s world. 

The first four seals on the scroll in Revelation chapters 6, brings the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. All of whom represent the consequence of war and introduces the appearance of the Antichrist. War is very much a part of the End Times. Some thought WWII was the End Times, but of course it wasn’t. But we can’t overlook the fact that WWII shaped the world we live in today and set the stage for today, including buildup of a militant Communist Soviet Union replaced by a militant Russia, and Communist China. 

The chart gives an overview of the End Times in Revelation. It shows the outpouring of God’s wrath on a sinful, unrepentant world. If you haven’t given a lot of thought to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, now is a good time to do so. After born-again Christians are raptured, the consequences are very real for those left behind. Just being a church member can’t save us. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 

There are different views of the End Times. After a year of in-depth study of Revelation and searching the web and O.T. prophecies, viewing sermons on Youtube, and other material, plus a couple of books in my library that seem more relevant today than when I purchased them. After reviewing the different views, I’m very comfortable with the view that the born-again Christians will be raptured before the Tribulation OR perhaps mid-tribulation. Join us Sunday mornings in Heritage Lounge as we study Revelation. It’s not too late to join us. 

All of which raises the question, how do we interpret what Revelation is telling us? I’ll let this chart speak for itself. Certain opinions were embraced by the early Church Fathers. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. They concluded that since the Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, that they were punished and rejected as God’s Chosen People, and that the Church was the new Israel in regard to yet unfulfilled Bible prophesies. 

Different people hold different views for different reasons, including church scholars. A great part of the Revelation is future prophesy in the form of images. Interpreting those images is the key to understanding Revelation. The End Times are also noted in certain O.T. & N.T. verses. 

Was Revelation written to reflect 1st century persecution under Emperor Nero or does it prophesy future persecution under the Antichrist? The 1st century Church did go through persecution under Nero and others. If that is the message of Revelation, would it have any relevance for today? I believe it is future prophecy with a message for every church in every age because we do not know when it will occur. But nevertheless, we need to be ready, especially in today’s world. 

The date Revelation was written is like a fork in the road. The early view takes you in one direction. The late view takes you in another direction. There are Bible scholars on both sides. So, who is right? It makes all the difference in how one interprets Revelation: Is it past history or future prophecy or a mix of both?

All interpretations tell us that Christ will return via His second coming. Some believe that He will then reign for 1,000 years on earth—the Millennium. Yet some do not believe in a literal Millennium; that it is symbolic and not literal. After all my research of both views, I concluded that it’s a literal 1,000-years.

 

Those of the second and third century Church interpreted Revelation as John prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 as punishment for the Jews crucifying Christ. We can conclude that Nero was an antichrist, just as Hitler was an antichrist (1 John 2:18 tells us that there are many antichrist), but not The Antichrist prophesied in Revelation. There are no historical records of the catastrophic events noted in Revelation, especially chapters 6 and 8. In other words, John recorded a future prophecy, not a 1st century event.

Why is Revelation written with images, if it was a record of a first century prophesy? Surely John would have presented it in everyday language. Yet it is in images. Images are the only way John could possibly describe 21st or 22nd events in first century Greek, especially vehicles of war such as tanks or aircraft. 

Throughout its history Israel turned away from God on many occasions, and were punished, even sent into exile, but God never totally abandoned them as His Chosen People. The early Church made an assumption, but history shows otherwise as we see on the next slides. 

For over 2,000 years the Jews have not yet embraced their awaited Messiah. Working through Hitler (an antichrist), the Devil intended the Holocaust for evil—to destroy God’s Chosen People—but God used it to bring them back to the land He promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

The N.Y. Times, May 14, 1948 headlines, announcing the rebirth of Israel in their promised homeland. 

God also used the United States to achieve His purpose. Here, President Harry S. Truman recognizing the new State of Israel. Because of the Holocaust, the Jews as a people, left Europe and immigrated to Israel, which resulted in the rebirth of Israel. The U.S.' decision, being respected as a world power at the time, was accepted by the United Nations. Shown is the official White House ceremony of Truman’s recognition of Israel as a legitimate State. Israel’s very existence is divine providence. No, God did not discard His Chosen People. Like the Parodical Son (Luke 15:11-32), He brought them home. But they have yet to embrace their Messiah, but that day will come during the Tribulation. 

Photo shows the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Against much opposition, President Donald Trump authorized the moving of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He did it in record time and at a fraction of the expected cost. It formally opened on May 14, 2018; exactly 70 years after Israel was declared a nation. In doing so, the United States acknowledged Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Are the pieces coming together? I think so. 

All of which raises the question, is the United States a Christian Nation? In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower (who served as commander of the Allied forces in Europe during WWII) urged Congress to add the words “One Nation Under God” to the pledge of allegiance, which was formally done by Congress. For decades, following long-held beliefs and traditions, it defined the United States.  A single evening of TV news tells us how times have changed, as do the statistics on the following slide…

Gallup poll published an even lower percentage of 47% verses 64%, noting that for the first time in American history, less than half the population identified as Christian. So, what is the state of today’s church in America? These statistics are a clear indication that Christianity is being increasingly ignored or rejected, with far fewer people identifying as Christian; with more churches closing than new churches opening.

Decline of Christianity began in 1945 following WWII, as the Nation became more urban, versus farms and small towns. As shown on the chart, there has been a steady decline of Christianity from 1945 to 1996, with a corresponding rise of unaffiliated. 

What’s the message? Not one of those states exceed 50% attendance of church, except Utah. I presume they’re including the Mormon religion. These are somewhat surprising statistics especially in what has been known as the Southern "Bible Belt".

Let’s pause for a moment. For the most part, Revelation is not Church doctrine, although, some parts of Revelation include Church doctrine, such as Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21); casting of Satan into lake of fire (Rev. 20:10); Great White Throne Judgment of all unbelievers (Rev. 20:11-15). Other parts are images of future prophesy that have not yet occurred and need to be interpreted. But at just the right time those parts will become increasingly clear. 

The heading is the title of a book. But it certainly provides food for thought. Where will the path we are currently on as a Nation, lead us? Will it be as though America never existed?  

We can only wonder his future intent. The world is changing right before our eyes. 

How is the world changing?  This is a report from Bloomberg news – Turkey (a member of NATO) is seeking membership to the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attempts to forge alliances with friendly countries in the East. Are we moving closer to a one world system of governance? Or perhaps one divided between East and West? If so, it would reflect the world described in the Book of Revelation. 

1st century warning or future prophecy? The sheer scope of the judgments are clearly future prophecies yet to come. Only God knows when. 

Chap. 8 in Revelation opens with a half hour of silence. There are different interpretations regarding the significance of the half hour of silence. I believe we can call it “the calm before the storm”.

The 7th seal is a period of silence before God’s wrath is poured out with the 8th seal, introducing seven angels with trumpets. 

Climate change or God’s wakeup call? When there’s a natural disaster or a war, many people turn to God in prayer, who otherwise, rarely give Him a thought. Nevertheless, pray for the people in Florida devastated by Ian. 

We may not be there yet, but the day will come; only God knows when. But it’s worth thinking about. I believe born-again Christians will be raptured before that day arrives. If you’re still here, this is what you will have to contend with from which there is no escape. But there is an escape now: To repent of sin and turn to Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sins. 

Revelation tells us that during the Tribulation, the world will turn to an Antichrist, a counterfeit Christ. We have the opportunity to turn to the real Jesus Christ now, but after the Tribulation starts it would be too late to escape the Antichrist’s persecution and tyrannical behavior. 

The following Q & A, by respected pastors, as noted, is a message for today’s Church. 

Insight into the Christian faith by respected pastors and theologians. Nichols, Busenitz, Lawson, MacArthur, and Sproul: Questions and Answers that are well worth your time. (56 minutes). Copy the following link and paste it into your web browser. 

https://youtu.be/fjul5GM9HZ0

Our next posting will depend on current events. Hopefully nothing dramatic will occur. Your vote in November can help make a difference. 

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