Many of us have seen a number of wars in our lifetime. Going further back, WWI and the 1929 Great Depression laid the groundwork that gave rise to Adolf Hitler. WWII’s Holocaust survivors, having few options, returned to their ancient homeland, with Israel being reestablished in 1948, something that would not otherwise have happened or have even been possible if Nazi Germany had not been defeated, but only possible with America’s industrial and military might. Consequently, America emerged as the leader of the free world.

All Christians believe there will be an End Times, we just don’t know when. Some believe we are living in them now. Others believe they are too far off to even concern ourselves with. Since God put Revelation in the Bible, we should be aware of what constitutes the End Times and even ask, what are the signs of its coming? The question I would ask is, how many have read the Book of Revelation as a starting place to form an opinion? 

How can we tell? The Book of Revelation is in the Bible for a reason, and especially relevant for that generation. How can we tell if or when the End times are approaching, and what can we, should we, do about it? How would we even know if we don’t remain alert for potential signs of the End Times? The intent of these postings, is not for fear, but for awareness. 

What about America? Where does America fit into the End Times? In reading the End Times’ prophesies, one becomes aware of the apparent lack of presence of America. The span of time stretching from March 2020 into 2022, we have seen a very different America emerge, far different from the one we grew up in, or the one that won WWII, which, for me, is very much both a sign and a wake-up call.

No single event will or can tell us that the End Times are about to arrive. But, like a master chess game laid out by God, each event serves as a piece and a move toward the end game as prophesied in the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel. We can’t assume that the Book of Revelation will never happen in our lifetime, nor should we assume that it will. But what we can do is stay alert as events unfold. All of which will bring us that much closer to the Rapture. 

As Christians should we fear the End times? Not all Christians believe in the Rapture (image on slide). If the Rapture wasn’t true, it would mean that Christians go though the Great Tribulation. Oh my! After a lot of research and study, I do believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and as such, I have no anxiety regarding the End Times, only to share it as best I can—the reason for posting this topic. See Adrian Rogers message at the end of this blog-post for a biblical explanation of the Rapture. 

At some point, leading up to the End Times, will get down to the End Game with the rise of the Antichrist, Revelation chapter 13. When is that point? We don’t know, but we can stay aware of the signs as they unfold. What is the role of the Church as we approach the End Times? Its principal role is to share the Gospel. What exactly are the signs pointing to the End Times? The following slides are indications of a world that continues to drift farther away from God, on a path toward the End Times and the Tribulation. How fast and how far is TBD.

God put the Book of Revelation in the Bible for a reason. Not to scare us but to awaken us as the Church—the Body of Christ. Christians aren’t individual pebbles on the beach, but part of the Body of Christ, each with a spiritual gift, and with that gift comes a particular responsibility; something we should pray about.

During and after WWII, America emerged as a superpower, stepping up as leader and defender of the free world, even helping to rebuild Europe and a defeated Germany. Not only was America instrumental in defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, it also stood in opposition to the spread of Soviet Communism, and America’s resolve resulting in the demise of what was once the Soviet Union (USSR) that had spanned Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. Without a strong and determined America, this would be a very different world. Have we lost that resolve?

History is not a bunch of random events. Each event lays the groundwork for future events, with both its benefits and/or its consequences going back through history. The same is true of today’s events. Some are the building blocks of the End Times presented in Revelation. Some will draw the world closer to God or push it further away into a time of darkness. 

We see the same truth in the Old Testament, including Isaiah 43 and 53. God is indeed our strength and our protector. As Christians we can’t believe we should always be in a happy place. We need to see the world as it is and ask, what is our role in God’s kingdom work? He didn’t save us to put us on a shelf. We are in the world, not to be part of the world, but as the Body of Christ, living by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Certain prophecies in the Book of Daniel are intertwined with the Book of Revelation. It clearly tells us that God is in control during all times and seasons. And the wisdom and knowledge for His people to deal with those times comes directly from Him. Daniel faced the lions but never lost his faith or hope in God and God’s protective hand. Nor should we. 

There are no surprises to God regarding the End Times and rise of the Antichrist. As we are told in Daniel, we are to thank and praise God in all circumstances, even if we were at the threshold of the End Times—something we do not know nor will we know until He reveals it at just the right time to this generation or the next, or the next after them. 

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), as such, is no more, but Vladimir Putin has taken steps to reclaim portions that had declared their independence after the breakup of the USSR. What about America as a deterrent?  Since 2020, America has changed dramatically from the inside, losing its standing on the world stage, and no longer looked to as leader of the free world. Many believe it is the reason Russia invaded the Ukraine, with little to no fear of reprisal. And even a pending invasion of Taiwan by China. Jesus told us there would be wars and rumors of wars, yet in Mark 13:6-7 Jesus also tells us, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”  He also tells us that they will be the beginning of birth pains—as with birth pains, they will increase in intensity and frequency paving the way to the End Times. 

There’s a lot more happening besides the invasion of the Ukraine by Russian troops. Where it will lead is still TBD—for better or for worse? 

The United States has sufficient oil and natural gas reserves to provide Europe for 100 years, but has not taken steps to do so, which leaves Russia with a source of income from European buyers, to continue its aggression. 

The Biden Administration’s “Green New Deal” cut off all such supplies, even for our own use, leading to rapidly rising energy costs and gasoline prices. Where will it lead for both Europe and the United States? It can’t be good if government policies don’t change. 

What can we learn from history? The impact of post WWI Germany, included war reparations and at the same time, struggles with the 1929 Great Depression, leading to rapidly rising inflation, all of which opened the door for a strong leader to emerge in Germany, who proposed solutions that would lead them out of their downtrodden times, thus giving rise, as previously stated, to Adolf Hitler. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Will a One World Leader emerge who will offer global solutions for Covid, war in the Ukraine, run away inflation, and potential threat of a Communist China invasion of Taiwan? No single event will lead to the End Times, but a series of collective events could very well pave the way. 

All of which takes us here in our hunt for signs. Covid-19 was the turning point for the United States and most of the developed world. The economic impact from mandated government shutdowns, rapidly increasing government debt, gave us a corresponding rise in inflation with a current rate of 7.9%.

How important is inflation in regard to cost of living? Chart reflects buying power from 1910 to 2020. Based on a one-to-one comparison, what would have cost a $1.00 in 1910 would now cost $23.26. Let’s put it another way: if something cost $100.00 in 1910 it would now cost $2,326.00. Another statistic noted the cost of a $1.00 item in 1910 would be $29.86 today. Nevertheless, inflation increases the cost of living, while reducing earnings and savings, especially for those living on a fixed income such as social security.  

Covid-19 government mandates/lockdowns changed everything, with long-lasting consequences on everyday life in America and across much of the world. Looking back on history, there have been other pandemics, but none of which incurred forced government closures of almost everything including churches. Many medical professionals even saw it as not only government overstepping its authority, but lacking in scientific necessity. The affects of which have transformed American schools at all levels with a rise in teenage depression and suicides. We can only wonder, where will it lead?

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Churches that didn’t comply with the mandated-shutdown, faced fines and even the threat of jail. In Canada, some pastors who did not comply were arrested. Did this make us stronger in the faith, or further weaken the church? How many still have not returned to church? The End Times isn’t just about America. One Canadian pastor was arrested at his home after holding a series of underground services at outdoor locations in violation of provincial COVID-19 health restrictions.

Is this the new state of being in America and the Western world, noted on the slide? Be afraid, be very afraid. With the use of technology, Christian were able to participate in worship services that were streamed to their home computers; enabling people to worship collectively, but not together as the Body of Christ. 

This is Daniel’s prophetic timeline in regard to the End Times. So where does the United States of America fit in the scenario? We will explore that further next week. But, don’t leave just yet. 

Adrian Rogers 32-minute message: In the Twinkling of an Eye, speaks about the Rapture. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU3xrYZNE30 

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The End Times! How close are we? To answer that question, we need to pay attention to the signs of the times, based on events taking place, or have taken place, or are about to take place. What are those signs? There are numerous examples of End Times signs, as shown on the slide, even the war in the Ukraine is a potential sign. No individual sign in and of itself points to the End Times, but the frequency and intensity of signs, collectively, do. 

The End Times, how will we know? By prayerfully reading the Word, staying alert, and looking for signs. 

What about the Ukraine? Is that a sign? Russia is continuing its unprovoked attacks on the Ukraine, indiscriminately bombing civilian areas including hospitals and schools, with little regard for casualties—even with children being killed. Pure Evil! Where will it lead? If, or how, will it affect America and the rest of Europe? Based on the Book of Daniel in the Bible, the Antichrist will rise out of the remnant of the onetime Roman Empire, today’s Western Europe. In and of itself, it is not a conclusive sign, but where it leads may very well be. 

Images on the slide reflect what is taking place in the Ukraine. What does it have to do with Revelation? As we study Revelation, I am looking at the world around us for signs that could point to the End Times. As evil intensities it will move us closer to the End Times and Tribulation when God’s wrath is poured out on an evil and unrepentant world. 

Putin of Russia and Xi of China reinforcing each other, even their territorial ambitions. Where will it lead? 

If Russia is successful in taking over the Ukraine, without any serious U.S. efforts to prevent it, will that be a signal to China to attempt to take over Taiwan? If so, it definitely will be a sign that we are heading head long to the threshold of the End Times in Revelation. No single event is a conclusive sign, but collective signs can and will tell the tail. Only time will tell.

Let’s look at one more sign. James Phillips is the senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He has written extensively on Middle Eastern issues and international terrorism since 1978. Reading his research, this is his latest assessment, “After being derailed in early March by Russia’s demand for protection against U.S. sanctions, the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program are set to resume soon in Vienna.” He also predicted that if the deal is approved, Iran will have a nuclear bomb capability in five years, 2027. A sign? It would seem like it, especially with radical Islam’s hatred for the West in general, and Israel and America in particular. 

As Putin gets increasingly concerned at not having conquered the Ukraine, and NATO support for the Ukraine, Russia has threatened to use nuclear weapons. Some believe the possible use of chemical weapons from bio labs in the Ukraine from the days of the former Soviet Union still exists, and are another potential threat, which could lead to another worldwide pandemic similar to Covid-19. It may be there that the world crosses the threshold into the Tribulation. Then what?

Many Bible scholars believe born-again Christians will be raptured before the Tribulation, which is my opinion for several reasons. As I study Revelation, I can’t believe God will abandon His children to suffer His wrath as laid out in Revelation. Two years ago, a study of Revelation would have been the last study I would have picked for out Sunday morning Foundations class. But, as events unfold, it seems more than appropriate. We are in the Church Age, but the prophesy clock is ticking. 

What are some other signs? Unprecedented mandates/lockdowns of almost everything, including churches, piqued my interest toward a study of Revelation. Just two years ago, no one would have deemed it possible that every aspect of American life would be under government lockdown. Our Nation stood on a foundation of religious liberty, yet pastors were threatened with jail and fines. Is that a sign? I think so, even a step toward tolerationism. In Canada, churches were forcibly closed, and pastors were arrested. The same is true in other countries like Australia. It is exactly how the Antichrist will gain unlimited power over a one world government. What did Jesus say? …. 

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us there will be wars and rumors of wars Yes, there has always been wars and rumors of war. We had WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War and Afghanistan, none of which say, we’re there. But there are also signs associated with wars that do not just happen without cause leading up to them. The invasion of the Ukraine and China’s threat against Taiwan seem to fit right in. What Jesus is telling us is, like birth pains, wars will increase in intensity and frequency as we move closer to the final days “leading up to” the time of Tribulation. 

History isn’t just bits and pieces of unrelated events. Overall, it’s a part of God’s Providence. The spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6:12 took place yesterday, it’s taking place today, and will take place tomorrow. It began in the Garden of Eden, throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, and continues today. The End Times and Tribulation will come. It’s just a matter of when. The Book of Revelation wouldn’t be in the Bible if God didn’t want us to read it, and even study it, which is exactly what we’re doing each Sunday morning. We are told in Rev 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” The question for each generation is “How near is it?” 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul is clear that we, as the Church, are engaged in a spiritual battle with the forces of evil in the heavenly realms, and their allies here on earth. So what do we do about it? ….

First and foremost, we pray. And then equip ourselves for the battle as Paul continues to tell us. …  

As we pray, we put on the full armor of God as Paul, under influence of the Holy Spirit, tells us in these verses. 

But, we’re not finished. We are also to take up the shield of faith, knowing that God is our loving Father, and Satan and his cohorts will ultimately be defeated. We are told to stay alert and always keep on praying for all the saints, even those in the Ukraine, and yes, even those in Russia. And wisdom for America and the other NATO countries. 

Pastor Adrian Rogers’ 37-minute message – A sign of the times and the beginning of the end. Pastor Rogers died in 2005 but his message resonates in today’s America. Click on, or copy and paste the following link into your web browser, to hear his message based on Matthew 24.

https://youtu.be/cZVGyNA9QSs 

We will pick up our theme against next week, by staying alert and looking for signs of the times. God bless each and every one reading this. Always remember, Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and He overcomes fear. 

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If you're reading this for the first time, the blog was started in March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 lockdown of churches. Rather than abandon adult Sunday school, I decided to post this blog each week. Topics vary. They can be accessed via the Blog Archive in the upper right-hand corner. 

How close are we? You don’t need to read this blog to find out. Just pay attention to the evening news on FOX, Newsmax or One America News (OAN). Are we beginning to see the signs of the End Times? Is Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and its fallout, such a sign? Revelation is full of signs, much of which have piqued the interest of many Christian radio and TV show hosts and guests. This blog posting isn’t intended as study of Revelation, but portions of it that seem to be especially relevant, such as the invasion of the Ukraine, which in and of itself isn’t a sign, but when we look at everything taking place in the world, including the Covid-19 pandemic, unprecedented government lockdowns, empty supermarket shelves, rising energy costs and gas prices, one can’t help but see a pattern. 

Russia is continuing its unprovoked attack on the Ukraine, savagely destroying a wide range of civilian areas, and killing civilians—even the elderly, women and children. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish. Does that have significance? I believe so, especially in him asking Israel to step into the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which we will look at. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:8, what we are seeing is only the beginning of the birth pains leading to the End Times. The key sign is an increase in intensity and frequency. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. It’s said that talks are taking place between Ukraine and Russia officials, yet Russian troops continue their aggression again civilian targets, even hospitals, as intense bombing of Ukraine cities continue. We can be certain that Satan is heavily involved in this degree of evil, as we are told in Ephesians 6:12. Is Putin one of the antichrists in 1 John 2:18? I can’t help but believe so. 

The seals in Revelation 6, could only be opened by the Lamb—Jesus Christ—to release God’s wrath carried out by the four horsemen of the apocalypse. As shown on the slide, the four Horsemen’s destruction ends with these martyrs calling out from under the altar, referred to as the martyrs’ prayer. The 7 trumpets of further wrath are still to come. 

Jerusalem and the Jewish homeland were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. For well over 1,800 years there was no Israel. Since there were yet unfulfilled Old Testament prophecies, Christians believed that the Church was the new Israel, because God’s Word will never be discarded and will ultimately be fulfilled. No one for all of that time, anticipated the following event…

In 1948 everything changed. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, head of what was known as the Jewish agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on that same day. It showed the importance of America on the world stage. But, sadly, in just a year, America has relinquished its leadership position, even its prestige and influence in world events, becoming nothing more than a paper tiger in the eyes of its enemies. Which means, anything goes, with little fear of consequences. Is that significant? Absolutely!

Almost immediately after the state of Israel was proclaimed, it was attacked by the armies of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Transjordan, and Egypt (map), yet Israel prevailed and drove the invaders back. Was it their might? Absolutely not, because they lacked might. It was by the hand and providence of God. Even that there was an Israel was by the hand of God. Satan, through Hitler and others, tried to destroy all Jews via the Holocaust and other atrocities, yet it was the Holocaust that drove successful Jews, from a comfortable lifestyle in Europe, to create a new state in a barren Middle East land. 

At many times and in many places, Satan tried to destroy the Jews.   1 John 2:18 tells us there would be many antichrist in the world. We can be certain that Adolf Hitler was one of them, with satanic influence and intense hatred of the Jews as God’s Chosen people. When destroyed by Rome, the Jews were scattered across the Roman Empire and beyond. As successful merchants, lawyers, doctors and scholars, throughout Europe, without the Holocaust there would be no compelling reason for them to return to the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s promise to the Jews was not short lived or hollow. It was and is very real. 

Chapter 5 of Revelation opens with this verse (slide)… No one was worthy to open the scroll. One of the elders told John, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." The scroll was given to a Lamb “looking as if it had been slain”. We know that Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ. The significance being, He was from the Tribe of Judah, and the Root of David. Sometimes we forget that Jesus was a Jew. No, God is not finished with the Jewish people, which He will fulfill during the Great Tribulation. 

The seven seals were fixed to the scroll. The significance of the seven seals, are outlined on the chart. Briefly ponder each one in regard to these last two years and now the attack on the Ukraine, and where it could lead. The U.S. government continues its efforts to take control of the American people, something unheard of or even imagined, just a year ago. What is its significance? It is exactly the type of situation in which the Antichrist will rise to power. 

Will God rescue His people, the Body of Christ? Many believe so. But, Christians interpret Revelation from different perspectives. If the Church is the new Israel, than the Church will go through the Tribulation. Christians following history from the 2nd to the 19th century could very well come to that conclusion, since there was no Israel. No one during that time would ever have expected that there would, against all odds, be a restored Israel. Satan tried to kill the Jews via the Holocaust and Russian pogroms, but God used it to bring the Jews home to the land He promised Abraham. Jews are even returning from China—yes China—and now the Ukraine. There will be 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the Tribulation, who will accept Jesus Christ as their promised Messiah, and evangelize with a passion. God isn’t finished with His Chosen People. 

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