This is a hotly debated topic on the worldwide web, including chat rooms on Facebook, where almost everyone has an opinion. Why has it drawn so much attention? Many believe, if we judge by current events, that the Last Days are just around the corner. Are they? How will we know?
The Book of Revelation contains End Times Prophecy. How relevant is it to our own life and times? Is it near or too far away to even concern ourselves with it? As Christians, our faith and hope rest solely in and on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. For we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We also believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God—inspired by the Holy Spirit as stated on the next slide.
As we are told in 2 Timothy 3, “all Scripture” is God-breathed, in that it was inspired by the Holy Spirit, for our edification and that we may be thoroughly equipped to serve the Lord God as He leads us.
America was once proclaimed to be a Christian nation, but anyone paying attention to the News, will readily see, that times have changed, and not for the better. Is that an indication that we are approaching the Last Days? Maybe yes, maybe no. Nevertheless, it certainly puts us on a path away from God as both a Nation and as a people.
If you put any credibility in statistics, it shows that religious affiliation—i.e., focus on the worship of God—is on a decline. The decline in religious affiliation is shown on the slide. It is one aspect of a changing America, and with it, a decline in previously held Christian values
Statistics also show a corresponding increase in crime, which reflects a corresponding decline in civility and safety. Are these signs of an approaching End Times? Some believe they are, others are uncertain, some ignore it altogether.
All of which raises the question noted on the slide. Search the web and you will find many people asking this same question. We have no way of knowing when it will occur, as Jesus explains in Matthew 24 on the following slides. Franklin Graham’s comments, as noted, speaks volumes regarding a changing culture and national values. He identifies specific areas where America has turned away from God.
During Jesus time with His apostles, He tells us that only the Father knows the day or hour of His return, which still remains a mystery.
Jesus’ statement also comes with a warning (v.38-39). Just as in the time of Noah, the world will follow its sinful ways, and the End will come. In the days preceding the “flood”, people delighted in their sinful ways, with no regard for God or the yet to come consequences of their sins.
Jesus’ warning of the End, also comes with assurance (Matt. 24:40-41), that He will first call out (rapture) His church—those who profess faith in Him as Lord and Savior—during the Great Tribulation. He will come triumphant as a conquering King (Rev. 19:11-16) to destroy the Antichrist and his followers. Then Satan will be bound for 1,000 years, and Christ will reign on earth as King (Rev. 20:4), before He establishes the new heaven and new earth.
Some believe recent severe weather conditions, as noted on the following slides, are signs that the End is near. Are they? Let’s check it out.
Recent severe weather conditions across much of the Country, have drawn a lot of attention. Weather map shows the extend of heavy rainstorms accompanied by strong winds experienced across the entire East Coast.
Likewise, flooding occurred across the entire length of California from top to bottom.
Slide shows the extent of “flooding” that occurred across parts of California. Again, some see this as signs of the approaching End Times.
There have been record tornado warnings across Alabama and other regions of the South. Revelation does describe severe earthquakes. Collectively, are these warning signs of the approaching End Times?
One thing we can be certain of, the End Times will not be ushered in by a flood, since we have God’s word in the Book of Genesis.
We have God’s assurance that the world will not end with another flood as it had in Genesis 9. He even gave us a sign that the End will not come by flooding.
The rainbow is a sign of His covenant—His Word and Promise (Gen 9:15-16)….
It isn’t a short term or contingency promise, but an everlasting covenant between God and every living creature.
Again, God’s covenant wasn’t just for Noah or his generation, but for all life on the earth, then and now. Nevertheless, His wrath against sinful rebellion and an unrepentant people will come as we are told in Revelation. His warnings have come many times in the books between Genesis and Revelation. There will be one final warning that will usher in the End Times and Tribulation. The question being, will there be signs? If yes, what are they?
God, in His infinite love, mercy and kindness, assures us that He will uphold us regardless of the circumstances. Something we can rest assured in.
Which takes us here, to an image of a declining America and loss of unity as One Nation Under God. What does the state of the Union tell us—both past and present?
Let’s go back to the beginning. Our first president, George Washington, took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at then city hall in NYC. He established a precedent that was followed by every president since—taking his oath on the Bible.
The words, “Under God”, are familiar for most Americans. But they weren’t always in the Pledge of Allegiance. How did they get there?
As noted on the slide, they were added in 1954, 69 years ago. But those words did not change America to a God-fearing Nation; they reaffirmed how most Americans saw America. President Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, from 1953 to 1961, had served as a five-star general and Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during WWII, and the Normandy invasion that marked the turning point against Nazi Germany and the beginning of the end for the Nazi regime. He recognized God's providence for American and its place in the world.
A common poster at the time. Photo shows President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing into law the words “Under God” as part of the Pledge of Allegiance.
We have long, not only proclaimed, but believed America to be “One Nation Under God!” Do recent events substantiate that belief? The slide image shows presidents down through history who professed that belief.
Nevertheless, we have a word of warning (noted on the slide) from President Ronald Reagan, as stated at an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast in Dallas, Texas, on August 23, 1984. A warning that we need to take heed to as a people and as a Nation, both in deed and in prayer.
Our faith should be in our God. The Bible offers words of encouragement from God for His children—those who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Once upon a time, the Pledge of Allegiance, and professing “Under God”, was a common start of the school day. Yet, something has happened to our Country. A transition that has taken place slowly, but surely.
Look at the headline just below the “Big Lottery”. In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court censured “Under God”, by declaring prayer in public school unconstitutional. Hillsdale College tells us how it came about, in their free online course addressing the question: “What Happened to My Country?”
It’s a question that many have asked themselves. This slide and the following three, contain information downloaded from the Hillsdale College website, addressing that very question.
Anyone paying attention to the news, especially FOX or Newsmax, will be aware of how traditional America is being dismantled one institution at a time, as noted on the slide.
Radical ideologies are becoming common, even in our nation’s classrooms from K-12 to the most prestigious universities.
For those interested in this topic related to the transformation of America, you can go online to Hillsdale College via the following link to register. It will be well worth your time.
https://lp.hillsdale.edu/american-left-preregister-oc/
The culture and nation may have shifted, but God’s Word is true both when it was written and when we read it. Regardless of the culture around us, Paul encourages us in 1st Timothy, to stay true to our biblical faith. Words that draw us to a Holy and loving God in and through any and all circumstances. Invite a friend to know Christ. It could very well be a turning point for them.
If your faith is in Jesus Christ, take comfort in that knowledge. If not, you truly need to reflect on the time and hour that will surely come. The same is true for everyone, because our time on this earth is limited and how we use it is up to us.
Join us each Sunday in CPC's Heritage Lounge at 9:00 A.M., as we explore the Book of Revelation, and other studies including church history and doctrine, as well as select books of the Bible.
