Signs of the End of the Age
Signs Part 1: The World In The Light Of Prophecy January 1, 2000
Is It 11:59:59 On The Prophetical Clock?
By Greg DesVoignes
Is it just me, or is there something in the air, or should I say, in my spirit that senses that some immanent major biblical prophetical event is going to happen? Perhaps you also feel the inner sense of urgency. A minute before Mount Saint Helens blew it's top off, the surrounding forest went silent. It was as if the life within it sensed that within seconds a catastrophic event was going to happen; some unseen thing, un-sensed by man.
Could it be that we are in the last second of the prophetical time line of this age, and some event or series of events are about to occur in view of this; perhaps the appearance of our Lord and the beginning of the Tribulation? Some are happening now.
Unlike the animals of the forest, we have two indications to tell us if we are in the last second: The Word of God, and the Spirit of God to discern the times. This and the newsletter on Signs In The Church look at the prophecies & times to see if we are in the last second of the end of the age, and the meaning for believers.
When the topic of the "end times" comes up, many times the word "judgment" becomes synonymous with it. In one respect this is true; but not for the children of God. We are not waiting for the top of Mount Saint Helens to blow us away in judgment. No, the signs indicating the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the end of the age should awaken us to Christ's return.
When looking at the indications that we are in the last second of the prophetical time line, we need to consider four main biblical topics. They are; the Church Age, the Apostasy, the Rapture, and the Tribulation Period. In view of these, this newsletter looks at prophecy as it concerns the World. Part 2 will cover the Church.
Prophesy of the end times for the World does speak of judgment. But there has to be a reason for this judgment. The Word of God tells us the reason is apostasy. A departure from faith in God. This also includes the realm of Christendom [Part 2]. Paul lays out the prophetical time line like this:
"Let no man deceive you by any means. For that day [Day of the Lord] shall not come, except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped so that he sitteth in the temple of God showing himself that he is God...
And you know what witholdeth that he might be revealed in his time...only he who now letteth [withholds, restrains] will be let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed...Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 3-4, 7-12
So, the Day of the Lord cannot come until the following events take place: [1] the apostasy (a falling away from the faith in God), [2] something is removed that is now restraining the revealing of the anti Christ, and [3] the anti Christ is revealed. Many believe this restrainer is the Holy Spirit or the work of the Holy Spirit through believers in the World today. The belief is that when the people of God are taken out of the world, there will be nothing through the Spirit to hold back the works of Satan. How close is that time? What are some of the signs?
Signs in Society
Paul described this apostate time in detail to Timothy.
"This know
also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men will become
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false
accusers, incontent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady,
high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The root of apostasy and its effects are that man would love himself. How much of this do we see today? It is preached by the World constantly. People are told they have poor self-esteem and need more self esteem more self-love. It is interesting to note that a study in California showed that those who were taught this actually became arrogant! Psychology preaches the self, as do the false religions of the World. One of the Old Testament prophecies also said, "Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; For you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me'." Isaiah 48:10
Self-focus, Self-love, Self-esteem is Self-Centered and contrary to the Word of God. It is also a subtle deception that can lead the heart away from God to being a self-reliant god, a god who puts all others secondary to self. I recently spoke with a criminal who traveled around the United States defrauding people and businesses [until he got caught]. His excuse was he could do what he wanted to do because he thought he was cheated in life and it was all right to cheat others. Self-focus, a sin, leads to more sin.
Let's just take a few of Paul's descriptions of last days signs of apostasy and look at them, [as several newsletters would be needed to cover them all.]
Blasphemers abound, even within Christendom. There are many that deny the truth of the scriptures, the virgin birth and deity of Jesus, and even the existence of God, except the "god within". God is not "politically correct."
Covetousness, especially the love of money, is a cause of many of our woes today. People will do anything for money. Sell out their friends, family, country, run drugs no matter what the risk or hurt; and even kill, for the sake of monetary gain, or what money can buy them. Coveting brings compromise.
Without natural affection is a condition that is demonically epidemic today in many ways. Parental abuse and murder of children is disgustingly rampant. And on the other side, so is the incest problem. Both show a lack of natural affection. The same applies to children abusing parents, siblings, and spouses abusing each other. Homosexuality and other sexual deviations also show a rapid rise in the lack of natural affection.
Fierceness can be seen throughout the world today. This word means "savage". We can see this in the acts of carnage in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Sudan, and in the terrorist act of the Oklahoma City bombing. Acts of savageness are increasing in numbers, and in their ferocity in many ways. Even the non-believer must sit back and say, "What is going on?". In fact they do; I've heard it. Truly these are perilous times.
NEXT (to be continued tomorrow): "The Days of Noah"
Source: (I will link after completing this commentary.)