RECOGNIZING 'END TIMES'

Recognizing ‘End Times’

      Jesus gave us so many warnings about the ‘end of days’ and most of them come in the book of Matthew. However, all through the Old Testament many prophecies concerning this subject were written.  We are going to see things we have never seen before and experience events that we can’t even imagine in our own country; in our cities, in our churches and in our homes.  What are some of the things we can expect?

      Weather Changes:  In the last very few years, we have seen such devastation in our country.  We’ve had everything from horrible hurricanes to record droughts and floods.  There have been raging forest fires and more tornadoes in a short time span then have ever been.  The forecast is for more severe weather changes to come.  The following article appeared in the Washington Post,

      Future Forecast-Extreme Weather: It's going to be a wild ride, especially for specific regions," said the study's lead author, Claudia Tebaldi, a scientist at the federally funded academic research center. She pointed to the Western United States, Mediterranean nations and Brazil as "hot spots" that will get extremes at their worst, according to the computer models. Some places, such as the Pacific Northwest, are predicted to get a strange double whammy of longer dry spells punctuated by heavier rainfall.  The changes are very significant and it’s enough to say we're in for a bad future.” Matt. 24:7 “And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
      What about earthquakes?  Those in China, Indonesia and other places have been so devastating.  China alone claims 70,000 or more died in their last great earthquake.  Let’s look to science predictions for an answer for our future.  The Earthquake Hazard program says they expect about 17 major earthquakes (7.0 - 7.9) and one great earthquake (8.0 or above) in any given year.
      Meteorites:  What can we expect?  Mat.24:29  "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Isn’t it interesting that the government won’t let you know if one is coming near to earth?  This happened a short time ago and was not disclosed until it had passed.  So, it’s nothing to worry about because we probably won’t know until it actually hits.
      Perilous Times - What other things should we be watching for?  2 Timothy 3: 3:1-7 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  It is obvious that all these characteristics in today’s world are on the rise. 
      There is another thing that Jesus strongly warned us to be aware of and that is False Prophets.  "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” Matt 24:11 How will we know them and how can we keep ourselves from falling into their clutches? “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”    I John 4:1  How do we test the ‘spirit’ or the ‘prophet’?  The only answer lies in the Bible.  Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”You will know them by their fruits.
       Let’s think carefully on this, because with all the television and internet connections, you may hear people promote these men or women, but don’t believe everything you hear.  Go to God for answers!  I always go back to the scriptures in Matthew 24: 23-26 “Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. "For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. "See, I have told you beforehand.”Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.”  Perhaps some of these people really believe what they are teaching and preaching, but beware – they are not always getting their information from the right ‘spirit’. 
      Angels:  Col. 2: 18 “Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud.”  TLB  
      There are people today who claim to have almost constant visits from angels who direct them in how they should minister and what they should do and who they should heal.  Be aware if they preach this.  I have read of one prominent evangelist who claims his angel, named Emma, is who he relies on in his ministry.  He also brings in lots of money through following directions of his ‘Financial Angels’.  I can only tell you that many follow this man, but I would ask you to pray about it if you happen to listen people like him.
      Ephes. 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We must be on guard at every turn and so as Ephesians explains, “Put on the armor of God.”  When?  Every day!  If you think we aren’t in a spiritual war, don’t kid yourself.  The enemy is at work in frenzy because he knows his time is short.  Come, Lord Jesus!
       Another thing we need to be aware of is DECEIT.  2 Tim. 4: 2-4 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” Today there are those who change the scriptures to benefit their agenda.  It is through deceit they will show you more than one way to salvation; acceptance of another life-style, ways to cheat by using the scriptures to justify the means.  Listen to what Paul says in Col. 2:8. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
      In this instance what does it mean, ‘according to Christ’?  I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” Jesus is the Word made flesh.  John tells us Jesus was the word.  Rev 19 tells us he is ‘The Word of God’.  People sometimes think they need to adjust the Word of God; update it for modern times and give it new meanings.  God help those who do this.  Some people will argue that there are ‘new waves’ of God.  Yet God says he is the same yesterday, today and forever.  God never changes; Mal 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change”. 
      So, how do we know we are really in the ‘last days’?  Take a look around you; watch the news, read the paper and don’t bury your head in the sand.  Prepare your heart for whatever is ahead and then go on about your business.  Share Jesus with others wherever you go; that’s what we are commanded to do.  “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16