IN SUCH AN HOUR AS THIS

Last~Day Prophecies

GOSPEL PREACHED ~ END TIMES ~ HIS COMING

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Today´s World

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So also when you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors. Truly I tell you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at the same time, in a definite, given period) will not pass away until all these things taken together take place. But of that (exact) day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matt: 24:34-34;36)

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What does the Bible state about the future?

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Without question, the vast majority of people in this world have pondered at one time or another about the far distant future (or is it really distant?). When thinking about the future, many Christians and non-Christians alike go to the Bible for clues about prophecy. There are many things to debate about, and there are discussions, and opinions as we study God's Word. There are also a wide variety of belief systems and so invariably, finding unity in the body of Christ is sometimes difficult. We wonder what's really going to happen in the future. Often, people are so engrossed with the study of the end-times that they despair of finding the truth of Bible Prophecy. The facts of Bible Prophecy are very clear. Jesus said, If I go back to Heaven, I will come again. And He meant it! But unfortunately, some people begin to speculate about the details, and often, interpretation of those details can cause confusion and they find themselves derailed. Sometimes, we get so carried away with speculating just how Jesus might return, and what might happen even before he returns. This endless speculation about things we are not privy of can create many problems.

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We are living in the most amazing times that we have ever known. With the advancement of technology we are allowed, in the first time in human history, to actually watch developments of great significance unfold in seconds. We are able to watch happenings live around the world. The changes in our world are happening so rapidly, that it is difficult for most of us, to be able to comprehend what is really coming about on this Earth. Most of us are curious about what the future lays in store for us, and then there are others who fear a doomsday scenario. There is one thing we must be mindful of and that is that the future is in God's hands. There is a day coming not far in the future that will radically change our perception of the earth we live on now. It will change ~ and the change will not be a positive one, it will be a world steeped in evil ~ a hell on earth! For those of you who cannot believe this, the Bible has much to say about this time in the future.

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The Times of the Gentiles

Those "Times of the Gentiles" really began back in the days of the Old Testament, when the Babylonians marched in and crushed the city of Jerusalem. They also destroyed the temple of Solomon, and they took the Jewish people into captivity. And the Gentiles have ruled over Israel, from that time until the middle of the 20th, century. The Babylonians were followed by the Persians, and the Persians were followed by the Greeks, and the Greeks were followed by the Romans in biblical times. The Romans destroyed the second temple and dispersed the Jewish people again. And for all practical purposes, Israel has been under the "Times of the Gentiles" ever since.

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The First Prophecy

Jesus presented a list of signs and said: When you see all of these things come to pass ~ not some of them, not most of them, but all of them, then "Know that My coming is near." I want to share with you ten prophecies that are already occurring in our lifetime. This will show that we are moving closer to the time of the end. The First Prophecy is found in Matthew's Gospel. It tells of the spread of the Gospel worldwide.

"And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end." (Matt: 24:14)

The Gospel is spreading around the world in our time like no other time in our history. Without question, the message of the Gospel of Christ will continue to transform and change the whole world. And the reason is because it is a message of salvation and freedom. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Lord Jesus who said:

"And I tell you, you are Peter (Greek, Petros ~ a large piece of rock), and on this rock (Greek, petra ~ a huge rock like Gibraltar) I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it (or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it." (Matt: 16:18)

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The Second Prophecy

Jesus predicted that there would be an increase of wickedness and evil. He said The hearts of men will grow colder and colder, as the time of the end grows closer.

"And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity." (Matt: 24:12)

"So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." (Rev. 3: 16)

Evil will abound and increase day by day. Evidence clearly shows the wickedness of the day. Our society is riddled with sinfulness. There isn't a day that goes by without us reading in the News about murder, kidnapping, and deplorable lust that abounds on every hand. In spite of the crisis we go through nationally, and those temporary moments when people seem to be convicted and actually turn to God, most of the society (goes on down the road) as though God were not present and did not know. The expression of evil and immorality in our culture is at a record high. Someone has said, that if God does not judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Immorality rules our days, and truth and love is no longer present in the lives of millions. The days of Noah are now upon the vast majority of people on Planet Earth. Unless the inhabitants of this world repents, than chances are they will be lost for all of eternity. DON'T let that be your fate!

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The Third Prophecy

There will be a rise of false prophets and false religions. Jesus cautioned us to beware of false prophets. He talked to us about false religions and false beliefs. At the core of every religion is a belief system of some type or another that says: "This is the truth," or this is a lie." Virtually every single false religion contradicts the Truth; even insomuch that they corrupt the message of the Gospel of the grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ.

In essence, the false religions (who know not biblical sound doctrine) and false prophets (who calls themselves the messiah) are saying this to us: "We must work our way to Heaven, because what Jesus Christ did on the cross is just not enough!" Now this is clearly Falsehood, and the cults and false religions are exploiting people today at an alarming rate. Unless they change, their destiny is the Lake of Fire!

"For many will come in (on the strength of) My name appropiating the name which belongs to Me), saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray." (Matt: 24:5)

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The Fourth Prophecy

Jesus predicted the continuation of the times of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles have come to an end. Only then will Israel finally experience the great fulfillment of all the prophecies that the prophets of God made to Her over the centuries.

"They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed)." (Luke 21:24).

"Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one that spoke, For how long is the vision concerning the continual offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of both the sanctuary and the host (of the people) to be trampled underfoot?" (Daniel 8:13)

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The Fifth Prophecy

There is a promise of the return of Israel to their land. The Bible makes it very clear in the Old Testament that in the last days, the nation of Israel will be back in her own land again, and that a nation would be born in 'one day', that the desert would blossom like a rose.

"The wilderness and he dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the Excellency of Mount Carmel and (the plain) of Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God." (Isaiah 35:1-2)

All of that came true in 1948 and continues to this day. From the last 50 or 60 years, we have seen the fulfillment of that prophecy coming to pass before our own eyes.

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The Sixth Prophecy

Without question, there are numerous conflicts and uprising in the Middle East. There are terrorists and tensions on all sides. Israel and the Palestinians are at odds. Muslims are rioting in the streets (in various countries) because their 'god' has been slandered. Iran, Syria, and other nations are on the verge of war against the West and Israel.

There is a day coming in the future when those nations will surround Israel, for they are determined to destroy her, and to drive her into the sea. Satan will put into their hearts, to turn their hand against the apple of His eye ~ against His earthly people Israel, even to their own destruction. The Middle East is a powder keg ready to explode. The nightly news on any given night is filled with violence and death and there seems no answer to the dilemma.

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." (Matt: 24:6)

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The Seventh Prophecy

The Bible predicts that in the end times, there will be a global economy. And in a sense, we already have a global economy. At sometime in the not so far future, the ultimate global economy will be the one governed by the mark of the beast. This will be a world where no one can buy or sell unless they have the mark, name, insignia or the number of the beast. This is a future time (although it might be just around the corner). We are not there yet, and we will not be until after the Rapture (or the catching away) and the time of the Tribulation.

We must consider that the very fact that we have an existing global economy, that the Euro is now the dollar of Europe and Europe is uniting economically, tells us that we are already moving in that direction. The stage is gradually being set. Europe possesses some of the most brilliant leadership on the face of Planet Earth. Europe seems to be the place where it begins.

"Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first (unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come), and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition). Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and insolently against and over all that is called God or that is worshiped, (even to his actually) taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God." (2 Thess: 2: 3-4)

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The Eighth Prophecy

The Scriptures tell us that in the time of the end, there will be a World government. The Antichrist (as many have called him), will rule the entire world. All of the people of the world (the word for "all" here is a generic term in the Greek, "pantas" which means not every single individual, but all in general) will come under the authority and under 'his' government. There is not a world government yet, but as the signs of the signs increase in intensity, we are moving steadily in that direction. Every call to strengthen the U.N., every call for a world military force, and every call to judgment of leaders of other nations, is really a clamor for a world government. And in the near future it will be accomplished.

"And now you know what is restraining him (from being revealed at this time); it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own (appointed) time. For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, (but it is) restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way." (2 Thess: 2: 6-7)

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The Ninth Prophecy

Soon there will be a false sense of peace ~ a peace that will not last. Scriptures very clearly say, that when people begin to say to themselves, "Peace and safety", then will come sudden destruction.

"When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape." (1 Thess: 5:3)

Promises of peace abound around the world. But peace seems to be an elusive dream. Many peace treaties have been signed by nations, groups, peace accords, or an agreement with one another. Unfortunately, these treaties never seem to last very long. Peace is elusive and it will be, until Jesus splits the skies and brings perfect peace to His own. Chaos prevails, but why? The problem exists, but there is a reason. It is because until there is peace in the hearts of men, they will never be at peace with one another. Signing a piece of paper does not signify that peace will reign.

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The Tenth Prophecy

The Bible tells us that in the last days, there will be weapons of mass destruction. These great ecological disasters occur in the Book of Revelation. In these passages there are weapons of mass destruction being used, armies are marching, men are fighting. The world is at war.

"So the first angel went and emptied his bowl on the earth, and foul and painful ulcers (sores) came upon the people who were marked with the stamp of the beast and who did homage to his image." (Rev. 16:2)

"The second angel emptied his bowl into the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a corpse (thick, corrupt, ill-smelling, and every living thing that was in the sea perished." (Rev. 16:3)

"Then the third angel emptied out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water and they turned into blood." (Rev. 16:4)

"Then the fourth angel emptied out his bowl upon the sun, and it was permitted to burn (scorch) humanity with (fierce, glowing) heat (fire)." (Rev. 16:8)

"Then the fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast and his kingdom was (plunged) in darkness; and people gnawed their tongues for the torment (of their excruciating distress and severe pain)." (Rev. 16:10)

"Then the sixth angel emptied his bowl on the mighty Eurphrates, and its water was dried up to make ready a road for (the coming of) the kings of the east (from the rising of the sun.)" (Rev. 16:12)

"Then the seventh angel emptied his bowl into the air, and a mighty voice came out of the sanctuary of heaven from the throne (of God), saying, It is done! (It is all over, it is all accomplished). It has come!" (Rev. 16:17)

God whispers to us and says: You do not have any reason to be afraid of the future. Jesus says, I am your future, and I alone control the future!

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"Jesus Departed from the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call attention to the buildings of the temple and point them out to Him. But He (Jesus) answered them. Do you see all of these? Truly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." (Matt: 24:1-2)

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Curious Disciples

The Last Day Prophecies begin and end with Jesus. When the disciples questioned Jesus about the temple, which was the largest temple of the ancient world, Jesus stunned the disciples.

He said to them, "Do you see all of these? Truly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."

The disciples were extremely curious about what Jesus had said, and so, they began to ask questions of Jesus. The first question asked was, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the completion, the consummation) of the age? The disciples apparently knew there was coming a day in the future, when Jesus would come came back to take His saints to heaven with them.

Jesus looked at the disciples and then he spoke. "Be careful that no one leads you astray, by deceiving you and leading you into error. For many will come in on the strength of My name, even appropriating the name that belongs to Me. They are deceivers and liars, for they say, I am Christ the Messiah, and they will instill in those people to go astray."

Jesus said, you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; so take heed and do not be troubled or even frightened, because this must come to be ~ but the end is not yet ready. In those days, nations will rise against over nations, and so will kingdom against kingdoms. During that time, there will be great famines and earthquakes in place after place. Understand that this is merely the beginning (the early birth pangs) of the intolerable anguish. Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and even will put you to death. In that time, you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

And then many will be offended and even repelled and will begin to distrust and desert Him Whom they ought to trust and obey. They will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with vicious hatred. And during that time, many false prophets will rise up and lead thousands into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. But by mercy, those who endure to the end shall be saved.

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And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. (Matt: 24:14)

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The Mount Olivet discourse is Jesus' most prophetic and apocalyptic message of the coming of the end of the world (for the present age). Although the message includes a prediction of the imminent fall of Jerusalem, it goes beyond to point us to the distant future during which the 'times of the Gentiles' will continue until the end of the Great Tribulation.

This prophecy of the very stones of the Temple being cast down was fulfilled in the time of the Emperor Julian who, in a futile attempt to rebuild the Temple, removed even the stones that had been left at the time of its destruction by Titus in A.D.

Therefore, the "signs" of the end are general characteristics of the present age, which shall be intensified as the age moves on to its conclusion. These are followed by more specific signs, of the Tribulation Period and the final return of Christ in judgment.

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Stunned by the Lord's remarks about the temple, the disciples followed Jesus onto the slope of the Mount of Olives to inquire of Him about the future. The questions they addressed were "Tell us when shall these things be? When will this happen and when will the temple be destroyed? All three questions must be answered. There are varying interpretations of the Olive Discourse among Theologians from liberal to conservative, so the key to interpreting this section rests in one's view of the "gospel of the kingdom".

The first question the disciples asked was: "Tell us when shall these things be?" The answer to that question is found in Matthew 24:15-26.

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The answer to the second question that the disciples asked, "What is the sign of His Coming, Jesus tells us that there will be a time of great Tribulation and suffering worse than anything the world has ever seen before. It will be a time so horrific, that unless those days are shortened, no one ~ not even animals would survive. So it is after that time of unparalleled Tribulation, that He said the world will see the sign of the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

"Immediately after the Tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and beat their breasts and lament in anguish, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (in brilliancy and splendor.)"

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"But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end." (Vss. 13-14)

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In Christ's answer to the third question, "When will we know that we have come to the end of the age?" Jesus gave them this verse: "And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end."

The word "nations" in the Greek New Testament, in the original New Testament, is the word "ethnos", from which we get the word "ethnic".

Jesus is coming again to take His Bride home to Heaven. But He is not coming to take the Bride home, until her task on Earth is finished. Just prior to the time that Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gathered the disciples together and said to them, I am going back to My Father's house. And if I go I will come again and receive you unto Myself. And then the disciples asked � Lord, will You at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)

We assumed that you were our King. We were certain that You were going to bring in the Kingdom." But, Jesus said, "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons that are in the Father's Hands. Yes, I am going back to Heaven. And one day, I will return and then I will establish My Kingdom on Earth! But in the meantime, I want you to go into the all the world. I want you to proclaim the message of the Gospel. I implore you to go and seek a Bride for the Master's Son. By all means, you must proclaim the truth of the grace of God to people of all origins, and so you can bring them into the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. When the time is ready, the Father will send Me from the Father's house, to snatch away the Bride, and to take Her home to Heaven to live with Me forever."

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Watch, therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord will come. (Matt: 24:42)

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Matthew has already shown in his selection of parables that the present form of the kingdom of heaven is the church, it does seem more proper to view the events in these as relating to the entire Church Age and culminating especially at the end of it (thus John could say in general that he was a "companion in tribulation and in the kingdom," though he was still in the Church Age, of Rev. 1:9).

"I, John, your brother and companion (sharer and participator) with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance (which are) in Jesus Christ, was on the isle called Patmos, (banished) on account of (my witnessing to) the Word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) for Jesus Christ."

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This is the first of three warnings that Jesus gave to the disciples. In verse four, Jesus says this: "Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you (deceiving you and leading you into error)."

Many shall come refers to the parade of false messiahs who have now spanned the centuries of church history and had led many astray into false religious cults.

"So when you see the appalling sacrilege (abomination that astonishes and makes desolate), spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place ~ let the reader take notice and ponder and consider and heed (this). Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not come down and go into the house to take anything; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his overcoat. And alas for the women who are pregnant and for those who have nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now ~ no, and never will again. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive, but for the sake of the elect (God's chosen ones) those day will be shortened. If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah) or, There He is! ~ Do not believe it. For false Christ's and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God's chosen ones). See, I have warned you before hand. So if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness (desert) ~ do not go out there; if they tell you, Behold, He is in the secret places or inner rooms ~ do not believe it." (Matt: 24: 15-26)

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Wars and rumors of wars is the second warning. Wars and rumors refer to Peace being taken from the earth and the constant wars that have continually marked the 'age of the Gentiles." Famines and pestilences mark the events of the beginning of sorrows (Gr.odin) "birthpang". This is followed by martyrdom and the rise of false prophets and the abounding iniquity.

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." (Matt: 24:6)

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And the Third Warning from Jesus is that we should not set dates for the Second Coming. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said of that day and that hour of His coming, no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, "but my Father only." Jesus reminded the disciples, "You may sense that the end is near, you may sense that time is running out. But you will never know for sure when I am coming back. Therefore, you have to be prepared for Me to come at any time. One day Christ will come with a shout, with a trumpet, and the dead in Christ shall rise, and we who are alive and remain will be caught up to be with them in the air, and we are out if here! But exactly when that will happen, only God knows ~ no matter what they may tell you. Don't set any dates for the Second Coming, because Jesus could come at any time.

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"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet 1:19-21)

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"Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God) we shall not all fall asleep (in death), but we shall all be changed (transformed). In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the (sound of the) last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead (in Christ) will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable (part of us) must put on the imperishable (nature), and this mortal (part of us, this nature that is capable of dying) must put on immortality (freedom from death). And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corth: 15:51-55)

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