Signs
of the End Times
Eve of Destruction
There
are many preaching about the signs of the end times, but what does
the bible say about that?
1 Timothy 4:1-5
New International Version (NIV)4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
There
are a lot of hypocritical liars around, especially on the Internet.
They teach that Atheism is the only logical choice and that
Christians shouldn't be posting things about Jesus in public;
however, many of them constantly post things that are pro-athiest and
anti-Christian. Hypocrisy. Texas, in an attempt to outlaw gay
marriage, accidentally outlawed all marriage.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oops-did-texas-ban-marriage/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oops-did-texas-ban-marriage/
I don't know if this is what this passage is referring to considering forbidding people to marry. It could just as easily be referring to Catholicism forbidding priests from marrying, which has probably led to the publicized molestations of young boys. Perhaps it means both?
What
else does the bible teach us about the end times?
2 Timothy 3:1-5
King James Version (KJV)3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
How
much have we seen these things in current times... in the government,
on the Internet, and in people in general? People have become lovers
of themselves and care not about the poor or disenfranchised. They
want everything for themselves and perhaps their families, but to
heck with everyone else. They got theirs, that's all that concerns
them. They boast, they're prideful, they'll happily blaspheme even
the Holy Spirit which is the unforgivable sin. They are not only
disobedient to their parents or to anyone older than themselves.
They have no respect for their elders. Of course, this was true as
far back as the 60s at least. They are unthankful because they think
they are owed a living. They feel that all they should have to do is
play video games and be provided for. In short, they haven't grown
up. They are unholy because they think it's cool to be unholy. That
is in part to the Zeitgeist movement peddling its anti-christian
views. In fact, Ron Paul made them remove the anti-christian parts
of Zeitgeist before he would allow it into his campaign
presentations.
People
are without affection because unnatural affections are being pushed
everywhere we turn. I do have to blame the pro-gay movement in part
for that. There are those in the movement, though, who wish everyone
to turn gay or freely accept the gay lifestyle. I'm sure that they
wouldn't want us to push our straight lifestyles on them anymore than
we like them pushing their gay lifestyles on us and on our children.
There are also others pushing for other unnatural types of affections
such as the North American Man/Boy Love Association or NAMbLA as they
call themselves.
There was even a group that promoted sex with young girls and animals.
Now,
these kinds of things have been recorded throughout biblical history
but they seem to be particularly prevalent in these times. In Old
Testament recordings, these things happened just before God opened a
proverbial can of “whoop ass” on them. Be it 40 years in the
wilderness, a great flood, or fire from the sky, these and other
perverse things were occurring just before God basically said “enough
is enough” and did something to stop them.
We
have seen trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God in this day and age as
well. People don't keep their word, they falsely accuse others, many
lack self-restraint or even try to push lack of self-restraint on
others. They have become fierce and despise anything... or anyone...
that happens to be good. We have certainly seen traitors, especially
in the government in the last decade or so. They've abandoned all
that was good in the Constitution of the United States and have
sought to increase their own power to satisfy both their power lust
and their greed. After all, “bling is the thing” these days.
Heady, high minded lovers of pleasure. We have seen a lot of that as
well. People despise others because they haven't attained a certain
level of education and feel that their education gives them a right
to belittle those with less education than they have. In fact, they
even belittle those who have the education who choose to continue to
associate and communicate with those of lesser education. They think
that the world revolves around them and that what they say is
supreme. I suppose they think of themselves as gods. Unfortunately,
they forget that there is one over them and who will always be their
master whether or not they choose to believe it. God is king of
kings and lord of lords but in their high minded, self-loving,
self-worshiping ways have abandoned Jesus and His teachings.
They have taught that evil is good and good is evil. It's similar
to some of our Christian brethren who teach and preach in favor of
war when there is not mention of Jesus making war or teaching in
favor of war. In fact, Jesus taught just the opposite. He taught of
loving they neighbor... even the “evil” Samaritans and Gentiles.
Jesus always taught that HIS war was a spiritual war and that his
kingdom was a spiritual kingdom. His Apostles thought it would be a
kingdom on earth and one even cut off the ear of a Roman servant with
a sword which Jesus had to heal.
John 18:10-11
King James Version (KJV)10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Matthew 26:51-53
King James Version (KJV)51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
What
other signs will be present at the end times?
Matthew 24:7
King James Version (KJV)7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Aren't
nations aready rising against nations? We have America and Russia at
each others' throats now. America has been causing wars in countries
all across the Middle East. We've seen droughts that have led to
famines in some countries and to almost unaffordable food in the U.S.
We have seen rises in incurable diseases, though they have been
brought under control for the most part... so far. We have
definitely seen earthquakes in diverse places. In fact, we have seen
earthquakes all over the world recently even in places where
earthquakes have rarely occurred. Luke adds a couple things.
Luke 21:11
King James Version (KJV)11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
I'm
not sure that the fearful sights and great signs have occurred from
the heavens as of yet, so this might not quite be the end times. It
certainly seems to be getting here though. If any man tries to tell
you that he knows the time of the coming of Christ or that you can
know the time of the return of Christ, just remember this verse in
Jesus' own words.
Matthew 24:36
King James Version (KJV)36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
What
are some other signs?
2 Peter 3:3-4
King James Version (KJV)3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Part
of this is covered in earlier verses but this is addressing those who
would scoff at Christians and try to convince they were wrong because
Christ had not yet come. With recent false prophecies of Christ's
return, there have been many to scoff at Christians because Christ
has not yet return. They reject Christ because they want to follow
the lusts of their hearts, not considering what God would have them
do. Is there something more?
1 John 2:18
King James Version (KJV)18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Ah
yes. Antichrists. MANY antichrists. False teachers, false
prophets, and others who would sway Christians from the way of Jesus.
It would do us all well to read of Jesus' words and actions and
learn for ourselves what he said and did. How will we finally know
then?
Matthew 24:14
King James Version (KJV)14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Yes,
THIS gospel. Not false gospels but the gospel of Christ. Television
has made it possile to broadcast teachings all over the world already
but until the true, loving gospel of Christ is taught to all nations,
the end shall not come.
We
shall see all of these things, even the mark of the Beast, but how
are we to respond to all of these signs?
Matthew 24:6
King James Version (KJV)6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
“be
not troubled: for all these things must come to pass.” If you've
been guilty of some of the things mentioned above, it's not too late.
You can still pray to God and accept Jesus as your savior and be
baptized. If you're fearful of the things coming to pass and you
have already accepted Jesus, you can have...
