When searching on-line, it's readily apparent that many, including well respected pastors, believe we are at the threshold of the End Times. 

[Message: This posting got corrupted when posting and took a lot of time--hours actually--to finalize it. So, it may not flow as well as I had intended, nor did I want to delete it and start over.] 

Our Sunday morning study of Revelation in Heritage Lounge involves a great deal of research, which prompted this blog topic. Since it's in the Bible, wouldn't God want us to be aware of the End Times and of signs that seem readily apparent? As we are told in Ephesians 6:12, we are engaged in a spiritual battle with satanic forces and powers of this dark world, that intensify in the End Times.

How do we respond? We are told in Eph. 6:13 to put on the full armor of God, including studying His Word, yes, even the Book of Revelation, which provides a window into how Satan intends to rule the world. For a short time (7 years) he will rule through the Antichrist, who he gives satanic powers, and with the dark forces of this world, all of which lead to his rise to power.  

Everything I studied, including reading and listening to the different views, has convinced me that God will rescue His people before the Tribulation, via the rapture. Jesus tells us in Matt 24:40-42 — 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

The chart gives an overview of the End Times. It shows the outpouring of God’s wrath--called the Tribulation--on a sinful, unrepentant and evil 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. Since all 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. Take comfort in those words. There are other views of the End Times beside this one, but I believe this one aligns best with what I concluded while studying the various views. 

From the 1st until the 20th century, the Church grew worldwide. As shown in subsequent slides, church attendance has been in steady decline for several decades in America, with church attendance hitting historic lows. Throughout the United States' history and very founding, American had turned to God. Will today's America turn back to God?

These words are familiar to most Americans. They constitute the very fabric of America's Christian heritage. It has also upheld us through two world wars, and even civil unrest in our cities. But efforts are mounting to destroy that very fabric that holds us together as one Nation and one people. Pray for America and pray for the people in Florida as they recover from Ian’s devastation. God is our hope in every situation.

The very foundation of these United States rested on prayer, with the resolve of its founders and its people, at a great price. Those benefits were passed on to us, which we should not take for granted or we can lose them—it constituted the very basis of our freedom for over 240 years. 

The Constitution created three branches of government to preserve our Republic and protect the American people from an overpowering and repressive central government. The Supreme Court was empowered to ensure that all federal laws were within the limits set by the Constitution. But they didn’t always get it right.  

One such Supreme Court ruling fundamentally changed the United States, the consequences of which are still with us. In 1963, the Supreme Court declared “unconstitutional” religious practices in the public schools such as readings from the Bible and recitation of the “Lord’s Prayer.” The Court’s decision was by an 8 to 1 vote, with only Justice Stewart dissenting. We are still seeing the negative effects of that decision. 

Which brings us here…. When you eliminate God, the Bible and Ten Commandments from the schools, anything goes as noted on the slide, except God. 

The Bible tells us God created man and women; nothing in between or in transition. When you neglect the Bible, you neglect the truth. And sadly, this is happening in our schools and with our Nation’s children. One lesson for every city and school district, pay attention to whom you elect, even for the School Board. It can make all the difference. 

All of which brings us here. What is the role of the Church in today’s America?

It wasn’t just Paul and the other apostles that brought Christ to the Roman world; it was also individual Christians sharing their faith. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity. Ten years later, Emperor Theodosius made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. 

Mainline denominations are diminishing in attendance and influence. Nondenominational churches have sprung up—but as such, how biblical are their teachings? 

Crime statistics provide evidence of the decline in church attendance and its influence on the culture. An example is that the national murder rate is up 4% since last year; and major cities have seen a significant rise in crime. Covid-19 shut the churches for a while. Church attendance is gradually picking up. Maybe it’s time for everyone to return to church and fellowship. Pray about it. 

This chart covers a 50-year period from 1994 to 2014 showing the decline in church attendance. The next chart is more current and divided into age groups. 

Chart shows church attendance by individual generations, with a declining attendance in every age group. Clearly, the culture is winning versus evangelism. What is our role as Christians? 

Each day, I ask myself: What am I doing? What should I be doing? Which brings us to the next slide….

Statistics were downloaded from the on-line New York Post. 

Do the trends indicate that we are on the cusp of the End Times? Since the end of WWII, a strong America served as a deterrent against yet another world war. Are today’s events taking us closer to the End Times? Is it time to ponder such things? If God didn’t want us to be aware of and even ponder the End Times, why would it be in the Bible? All of which raises the question, “Are you ready?” Search the web and you'll see an abundance of information and sermons on the End Times by respected pastors (Adrian Rogers, John MacArthur, David Jeremiah, and many others). Just how close are we? Is it something we should even be concerned about? There are different views of Revelation. Some believe it’s what the 1st century church went through, with Nero as the Antichrist. Others that it is future prophecy with the Antichrist yet to come. The events in chapters 6 and 8 of Revelation are so catastrophic that the history books would have recorded them if they had already occurred. They are of such magnitude that they are definitely future prophecies. Just how far into the future, only God knows. The question for us is, are the signs starting to come together?  

The first four seals on the scroll in Revelation chapter 6 brings the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. All of whom represent the consequences of war and introduces the Antichrist riding on the white horse. War is very much a part of the End Times, with man against man. 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 the following events, just as WWI set the stage for WWII.

Some of the signs noted in Revelation. 

A clue that Revelation is a future prophecy, and not focused on 1st century Rome. Just one of the reasons I believe in a future Tribulation and do not see it as Rome’s persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, which did happen. We can readily understand why 1st century Christians would see it in regard to themselves, but the numbers just don’t add up. The entire population of the Roman Empire at its height was about 65 million. 

Chairman Mao, boasted that China is capable of a 200 Million Man Army. (Rev. 9:16). When that day comes, and according to Revelation it will, but Jesus Christ will rescue His church before it happens. 

President Biden, speaking of Vladimir Putin by name at the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in N.Y.C., stated that the Russian president has made "overt nuclear threats against Europe and a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the nonproliferation regime." He went on to say, "Now, Russia is calling more soldiers to join the fight and the Kremlin is organizing a sham referendum to try to annex parts of Ukraine—an extremely significant violation of the U.N. charter.” Urging the world to "see these outrageous acts for what they are". Some disagree, but truthfully, I give Biden credit for his speech as an accurate assessment of the situation. 

Nevertheless, some officials are very concerned in regard to the President’s statements regarding Russia, as stated here on the slide. They see it as provoking Putin instead of calming tensions. Of course, opinions will and do differ. 

As noted on the slide, Russian bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons have been observed lining up within striking distance of the Ukraine, seen as a potential threat to adjacent NATO countries. American military strength, combined with its political and diplomatic resolve had previously served as a deterrent to such aggression, which has eroded over the last two years. With political discord in Congress and high crime rates in major cities, is the U.S. still being taken seriously on the global stage? Perhaps November 2022 and 2024 will decide. 

Retired General David Petraeus, who served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, predicts the US would destroy Russia's military in Ukraine and sink its naval fleet if it used nuclear weapons. The question it raises is, who would make that decision in today’s White House? Would it trigger WWIII? If yes, what would be the consequences? 

I’ll let the slide speak for itself. Nevertheless, God is in control. Nothing can happen without His permission. And whatever does happen, He will ultimately achieve good vs. evil. 

 

Vladimir Putin’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, sent a clear message to the Russian people that their country is at war not just with Ukraine, but with the entirety of the West. 

Not to overwhelm you, we will pick up on this theme in our next posting. Pray for America and pray for the Church. 

The End of this week's posting

(Our next posting will continue with this theme)

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