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. 

The End Times does have a start date. Exactly when, we don’t know. But, since the Book of Revelation is in the Bible, as such, it is the inspired Word of God and warrants our time to read and even understand it as best we can. Yes, the images are complex and difficult to understand unless one delves into the various studies, interpretations and related commentaries. Something we are doing in our Sunday morning Foundations class in Heritage Lounge. It’s not too late to join us. 

The End Times will come with “signs” indicating the unfolding of events in Revelation. Even if the Tribulation is way out there in the future, the path is being laid right now, taking us that much closer. Even if it’s out in the future, there are lessons to be learned as God’s people.

When watching the even news, one can’t help but notice the changes taking place in America. Our wide-open southern border with an estimated ½ a million illegals per month, added to the 2.4 million that entered in 2022. Illegal drugs pouring in killing 100,000 per year, mostly youth. Gender fluidity taught in schools down to the lowest grade levels, even teaching children that they can change their gender (without parental permission). That’s just a couple of the many changes, most of which occurred during these last two years.

The post WWII America we grew up in is rapidly disappearing. We are divided politically, culturally and even racially, like never before. 

Some may believe Jesus’ words were intended for that generation. Or is it also a prophecy of what is yet to come? The message very well applies to today, as well as yesterday. America can continue on a destructive path, or the Church can prayerfully seek its role in turning America back to One Nation Under God, as it once had been. 

A prayerful word of caution is warranted in today’s politics, for our school agendas, our universities, and our changing culture. It certainly is a time for “caution”. For 2,000 years the Church has been called to turn society to God, through His Son Jesus Christ. The same is equally true for today’s generation. 

The church is called to be eagles when facing challenges and not ostriches hiding from them. 

Even in a fallen world, the Lord watches over His people. He lifts them up and guides them according to His plan. Never lose hope, even in a fallen world, which began in the Garden of Eden. God’s people have always made a difference. 

Be ever mindful that our strength is in the Lord. He gives strength to the weary! Keep that thought in mind as we explore Revelation and the End Times, as a time of prayer and not a time of fear. 

Revelation introduces the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, beginning the Tribulation, including the Red horse signifying war and the Black horse signifying famine. I believe God will give His Church ample warning with signs, as a time to share the Gospel with those around us. How would you respond if you saw signs that the Tribulation was close at hand? Who would your first thoughts be for? Most likely, your loved ones and friends. 

The Antichrist is described in Revelation 6:2. As noted in the previous slide, his bow doesn’t have arrows, serving as a symbol of strength, not as a symbol of war. Nevertheless, he comes to conquer and not as a peacemaker as first implied. 

Rise of the Antichrist is described in the Book of Daniel’s 70th week prophecy, where he describes the different kingdoms, all of which have passed including the Roman Empire, but there will be a remnant of the Roman Empire from which he will rise to power.

For those not familiar with Daniel’s 70th week prophesy. 69 of those weeks occurred in the Old Testament ending at the time of Christ, with one week yet unfulfilled. Each day signified a year, the last week signifies the 7-year Tribulation. A time when God’s wrath is poured out on a sinful, unrepentant world, that does not repent at His wrath but curse Him for it. 

Which part of the Roman Empire is Daniel prophesying about? Most believe it's the European Union. Others believe it could very well be within the Middle East which had also been part of the Roman Empire. Thus comes one of the difficulties in interpreting Revelation. At just the right time in history, he will be recognized. 

We can be at the threshold of what is to come, or just seeing clues of what lies ahead. 

War and famine are the opening events of the seven-year Tribulation. This is not intended to scare anyone but only—as the Church—to make us aware of such signs, and to respond as the Holy Spirit leads us, otherwise it would not be in the Bible as the inspired Word of God. It’s in the Bible for a reason.  

The Red Horse signifies war and taking away of peace. Many believe this occurs after the Rapture of Christians. Others believe it will take place midway through the Tribulation to inspire the Church to evangelism. Nevertheless, we can’t lose sight that there will be 144,000 Israelite evangelists—12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Again, the Book of Daniel prophecies that the Antichrist will rise from within a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire, perhaps today’s European Union or elsewhere within the former Roman Empire, perhaps Iraq, home of ancient Babylon. One thing certain is that he will not be an American. An obvious, and significant, sign of the End Times is a greatly weakened United States on the world stage, no longer looked to as leader of the free world, and no longer a deterrent to aggression on the world stage. We see an example of that in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.   

Are there pending consequences of the Russian-Ukraine war? Can NATO get dragged into the conflict by a Russian miscalculation? It’s a possibility that only time will tell. How can a war so far away effect food supplies in the United States?

In Matthew 24:6-8 Jesus tells of “war and rumors of war”, described as “birth pains”—the beginning of what it yet to come. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has threatened a large part of the world’s food supply, by halting Ukraine Black Sea grain exports, thus blocking attempts to ease a global food crisis in third world countries. Not only grain, but also export of fertilizer to Europe and the U.S. Without fertilizer, there is no planting by farms. 

Which leads us here. The third of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a Black horse. The rider holds a scale, signifying sparse supplies, leading to famine. We recognize this as a reality of the Tribulation period yet to come. Are such signs beginning to unfold today? 

There have been warnings of pending food shortages associated with the Russian-Ukraine war. We are becoming quite familiar with empty supermarket shelves. Something not previously seen in America. Again, the Black Horse symbolizing famine, which follows the Red Horse symbolizing war, just as we are seeing in Ukraine. Do those events serve as hints of what is yet to come? 

American farms have always been self-sufficient in producing enough food for the Nation, even sufficient for export. 

We take for granted the decades of productivity of American farms. Anyone traveling through northern California would readily recognize its acres of rich farmland, equally true across much of the interior United States. But such productivity has limits. It’s called fertilizer and diesel fuel. 

Sufficient energy is vital for almost everything. Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil along with gasoline, kerosene, and other household products. It’s used to power trucks, trains, ships and planes, all of which transport nearly all the products people consume. Diesel powers farm equipment. Farmers cannot plant and trains and trucks cannot deliver products to local supermarkets, without diesel— leading to empty shelves. 

What’s stated above is true of Europe, especially Germany dependent on Russian energy resources. Their supply has been interrupted. The prediction, as stated, appeared on a “web-news” site. If American farmers can’t get their supply of fertilizes or diesel fuel, it will mean less planting and fewer crops. As to what degree, we don’t yet know. 

Both food and energy are affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. I’ll let this slide speak for itself. And yet, on the flip side, a recent Kremlin report stated that Putin is open to talks with Biden to end Ukraine war. We need to be ever mindful that God is sovereign over the affairs of man and will only allow what fits His plan to occur. In all circumstances, we need to take refuge and comfort in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and not fret over events or signs, as we are told in Ephesians. 

In Ephesians, Paul reminds us in v.12, that our struggle isn’t a physical one. As we are told in v.13, our defense is to put on the full armor of God, and to stand our ground.

V.14-16 describe our weapons, including putting on the full armor of God so that we can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

Along with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, we are “to pray in the Spirit” on all occasions, praying for all the saints. In other words, God equips us for the battle. 

We will continue to explore “signs” of the End Times in future posts along with other topics. But this is the last posting for 2022.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the reason for the season. And a blessed New Year for you and yours. 

End of this year's postings.