Are we in the “Last Days?” That is a question that has been around for a long, long time. Typically, this question receives a plethora of responses, many laced with ridicule or flat out mockery. (See 2 Peter 3:4). If you talk to some of the older generation they will tell you people believed that WW1, and then WW2, were bringing about the end, which is understandable. Over the centuries there have been many different signs that led people to believe that “The End” was upon them, but in fact, it wasn’t. Yet, with over 2400 Bible verses speaking of Christ’s return, we can know that it will happen.
Scripture urges us to be prepared and to watch for the signs of His coming. For me to say that Christ is coming soon may seem an invitation for criticism, but in our day the circumstances are different and here is why: There has been a major fulfillment of an extremely significant Bible prophecy! After nearly two centuries of dispersion, the Jews are back in their land and are recognized as the nation of Israel. It is a true miracle. Isaiah 66:8 declares, "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day?” When God declares it will be the answer is, “Yes it can!” It happened on May 15, 1948. This is a very important sign of the Last Days, or more accurately the Final Days.
Another prophecy, found in Zechariah 12:3, states that Israel will become the center of global contention. "It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” A century ago it was a wasteland but today we certainly see this happening.
There are many, many other signs of the Final Days. The Apostle Paul gives this warning in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “But mark this; there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” Lately we are seeing this behavior manifested on the streets, in airports and on campuses across America. In Berkley, mobs are “exercising” their right to “free speech” by marching in the streets, burning and destroying private property, and physically attacking people who don’t agree with their views. Their reason for all of this - to stop a speaker scheduled to come to their university because he has a different view than they do! Free speech?
If you have a Biblical World View you will recognize that these various misguided people are only the puppets of a master puppeteer - satan and his earthly pawns. Anarchy, rebellion, destruction, hate, slander, libel, perversion, vulgarity, and such are the signs of his handiwork.
Again, I quote the Prophet Isaiah: “Truth has fallen in the streets”, Is. 59:14. This also describes much of the news media who justify the actions of these mob behaviors by claiming their cause is noble. We are hearing the words, “Start the rebellion!” often, yet many of them don’t seem to have a clear explanation of what the cause is that they are rebelling about.
Certainly there are worthy causes and we have a right to peaceful protests, but what we are seeing is not peaceful. Instead it is filled with vulgarity, violence, and a destructive spirit of rebellion and anarchy that is foretold will characterize the Final Days.
Are these the Final Days? We shall see if we are in those days…perhaps sooner than most will ever think!
Just my thoughts.
-Pastor Gary A. Smith
(Repost from 2.23.17)
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