Tag Archives: END OF THE WORLD

Finding the End of the World

When the Lights Go Out . . .

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In the 9th century BC, before the Assyrian conflicts with Israel began, the prophet Joel foretold of a future end-times removal of religious sacrifice and the destruction of the world by God. This will come at a complete darkening of our sun, moon, and stars and just before a kingdom of eternal peace. Israel heard good news of the future at a time of division between the 12 tribes.

The 8th century BC brought similar apocalyptic oracles in the middle of near-term warnings about impending punishment from the Assyrians. God spoke these oracles through prophets Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah. Seventh and sixth-century prophets Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel issued identical near/far prophecies about impending punishment from the Babylonians and future retribution by God and then perpetual peace.

Four centuries of prophets foretold a last-days destruction of the nations and most of the earth by God in what they called the “Day of the Lord” wrath. The recurring theme: total darkness, then the Day of the Lord destruction, then God’s eternal kingdom. This theme was reiterated by Zechariah at the end of the 6th century and by Malachi in the 5th century.

Fast forward roughly 600 years, and you can read about the same future epoch from Jesus, Paul, and John ‘the Revelator’. Jesus revealed to His disciples and then later to John that His followers would be gathered at that complete darkness foretold by the prophets of old. He also reiterated that a terrible destruction by God of the remaining earth and its inhabitants would occur immediately afterward as prophesied by the likes of Isaiah, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and Malachi. Paul and John had a lot to say on the subject and gave incredible insight into the future and how to navigate it.

So, when the lights go out, Jesus followers will be gathered and the destructive Day of the Lord wrath will ensue. Darkness, then rescue for some and destruction for others . . .

Where will you be when the lights go out?

Finding the End of the World

Mystery of Inequity

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I inspired those who destroyed the temple in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  I was here 1,000 years before that, and will come again as the “man of lawlessness”. I’ve had many names throughout history.

Known as Nimrod just after the great flood, I was hell-bent on overthrowing the Ancient of Days. I wore the garments made by him for Adam and wielded immense power as the anointed cherub of God. Being torn limb from limb didn’t dissuade me. I knew I’d return to challenge my creator again. I always come back.

One of you foresaw me first as the “little horn” of Greece who became Antiochus Epiphanies to the Jews. I flattered, confused, and deceived until they gave up their ways – the Law of their Yahweh. The temple altar ran red with the blood of swine and I ended the life of thousands of the people of my enemy. Fatal disease set me back just a little. Finding a new host in this world is incredibly easy and I can be very persuasive!

I influenced the Arabs and Syrians and Romans, driving them to destroy the temple of the Jews and scatter them like sheep. Total annihilation is my goal. The people followed me then and they will again as the days of the gentiles draws to a close. A covenant of death is coming, Jew and Muslim to be willing participants. I’m sure I’ll be raised high above Yahweh this time and will become god of all!

I won’t be some fair-haired, blue-eyed European. Nor will I be your Pope or the World Bank. Silly people! Want to know who I am? Ask Ezekiel and Daniel. Ask your Christ. Ask your Paul. Or, stay asleep. What do I care! I am coming and the world will acknowledge me – not your Christ. I am nothing like him. I am . . . the Antichrist.

My hope is that this paints a clear picture of what the coming Antichrist will look like. Who do you believe the Antichrist will be?  Why?

Finding the End of the World

What do Christmas and the End of the World Have in Common?

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It’s hard to imagine a connection between Christmas and the end of our world as we know it, but a relationship exists. Strip away all the festivities, lights, and mountains of credit card slips and the association may become clearer.

 Birth. Death. Resurrection. Forgiveness. Judgment. These are the clues important to understanding how Christmas is linked to the last of our days on earth. Let’s examine each of these keywords as we paint a picture of the “Yuletide Apocalypse”.

The original intent of Christmas was to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ. Jesus, the enabler of salvation, had to come to earth, take human form, and then physically die as a sacrifice for humanity. (His birth and life were foretold hundreds of years beforehand by prophets such as Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Micah, and Daniel.)  If Jesus hadn’t been born, we’d have no hope of salvation or anticipation of His return to rescue followers of Jesus the Christ (Messiah or Savior) from God’s judgment. We shouldn’t be surprised that early Christians wanted to celebrate the event.

After a brief life of about 30 years, Jesus had to die in order to be resurrected, which in turn provided hope for His return and our salvation. (This too was prophesied between the 8th and 6th centuries BC.) Suffering and death led to a promised resurrection that freed Jesus’ spirit from His earthly body and allowed his return to heaven. There’d be no salvation without His birth, life, death, or resurrection.

Now, because of the Christ’s birth and subsequent sacrifice, we can be forgiven when we behave contrary to God’s ways if we truly turn from rebellion and follow Jesus. We’re also compelled to forgive others who treat us inappropriately (again, based on God’s standards). However, those of us who don’t forgive others won’t receive forgiveness from God. No forgiveness, no salvation.

So, without Jesus’ birth, life, subsequent death, resurrection, and God’s forgiveness, we’d have no choice but to experience end-days judgment and potential punishment. The birth we celebrate at Christmas paved the way for forgiveness for everyone and the freedom to choose spiritual life and a stay from end-times judgment. So, celebrate the birth that gives life this season, and forgive to be forgiven!