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We all have a deep concern for what is transpiring in the various regions of the world. I asked Dr. John Hoole, a student & teacher of prophecy, to share his insight that would be valuable for all of us to read and understand. I know this will be a blessing for you even tho' somewhat lengthy.   Feel free to share.        Dwaine E. Lee

Knowing the Signs

By John Hoole 

What in the world is going on? For most of my life, ever since I used to gather military intelligence aboard a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane more than four decade ago, I have tried to keep abreast of what is happening around the world. And I have never before observed and read such jarring headlines and distressing news analyses as I see around the world today.

 

A few days ago, I listened to a U.S. Senator who had just left a US National Intelligence Briefing. Without disclosing classified information, the Senator said "It seems the whole world is coming apart, with crises occurring at an unprecedented pace around the globe.

 

As I write this assessment on July 24, 2014, upheaval is tearing at the core of many nations in the world - like Ukraine versus Russia, and the shooting down of a commercial airline, killing 298 people; Syrian civil war that has gone on for 2� years with nearly 200,000 fatalities; Iran and her possibly becoming a nuclear nation; ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) setting up a Caliphate in northern Iraq and eastern Syria, who just yesterday, commanded all Christians in Mosul (largest city in northern Iraq, and known in biblical times as Nineveh) to convert to Islam or be killed, causing many to head for Christian cities or to Kurdistan; and now, for the past two weeks, Israel and Gaza have been at war.

 

There are certainly many more places on the globe that could erupt in conflict, but most of those I have mentioned are in the Middle East. God has allowed me to travel extensively in the countries near the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. I have talked with both Arab and Israeli Christians, hearing their heart for God. On one trip, I was in a group meeting behind locked doors in Istanbul, Turkey, to hear what was happening in Eurasia. On another trip, several of us met with two Christian women in Amman, Jordan, and heard how God was using them, miraculously, as they traveled throughout nations like Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria.

 

Many people believe we are living in the end times. They are convinced that the world is a powder keg waiting to explode at any minute. Dr. David Jeremiah, in one of his books, wrote:

"The events unfolding in today's world are ominously threatening to unsettle institutions, reorder national political alignment, change the balance of world power, and destabilize the distribution of resources." I believe he is exactly correct, and people the world over are beginning to live in a state of fear and anxiety. Serious people are asking, "If these things are happening today, what will the future be like for my children and grandchildren?" 

 

There is currently so much happening in the Middle East it staggers the mind. For the serious student of the Bible, this should not come as a total surprise. 2 Timothy 3:1 tells us,

"In the last days perilous times will come."  Do current headlines give us any signs about what is coming next? 

 

There is one reliable source of information about the future - one that has an astounding record of accuracy. The Bible! One of the most convincing evidences of biblical inspiration is the staggering number of prophecies that have been fulfilled with pinpoint accuracy. It would be a serious mistake to look at events and trends in the world only through the lenses of economics and politics. Joel Rosenberg wrote in his book, 'Implosion,' " We must also analyze events through the lens of Scripture. Only when we have a biblical worldview can the full picture become clearer."
  

Jesus said: "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On earth, nations will be in anguish ... for the heavenly bodies will be shaken"  (Luke 21:25-26). Christ also tells us of some of the conditions at that time:

            * Revolutions (Luke 21:9).

            * Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6).

            * Nations rising against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms (Matthew 24:7).

            * "Terrors" that lead to "men fainting from fear" (Luke 21:11, 26).

            * Persecution of believers (Matthew 24:9).

            * Increasing lawlessness (Matthew 24:12).

            * The good news (the gospel) of Christ's love and forgiveness preached everywhere (Matt. 24:14).

 

Then Christ adds: "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28). Our Lord clearly indicated that certain "signs" would precede His return. Therefore, He urged us "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen" (Luke 21:34-36). The amazing thing about these "signs" is that most of them are in place today. Additionally, I believe the current alignment of nations are mirroring how the Bible indicates they would be just before His coming back to earth.

 

The nation of Israel is certainly at the heart of much of what the Bible tells us concerning the end of times.Hosea 3:4 informs us that the Jews would be without a king for an extended period of time. Israel's resurrection after being dead for nearly 2,000 years is a definite fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8, which speaks of Israel being born "in a day." The extinction of the Hebrew language has been revived - something that has never happened with any other language of ancient times. Psalm 83 tells us that, in the end times, Israel will be surrounded by neighbors that want to destroy her. Although Israel's enemy neighbors outnumber her population 40 to 1, they have been unable to destroy her. This is a fulfillment of Genesis 16:12, where it is prophesied that Ishmael's descendants (the Arabs) would constantly be at war with each other. They don't trust each other, which keeps them in disagreement as to what to do with Israel.

 

For the Christian, we have a hope that transcends all the commotion happening in the world. We have the faithful promises of our Savior:

            * I will never leave you or forsake you

            * Look up for your redemption draws nigh

            * The Trumpet will sound and we will be caught up

            * The Gospel will be preached in all the earth

            * I am coming to earth a second time

 

There are three different attitudes one can take toward the future. The first is indifference, the second is fear, and the third is hope.  No intelligent person would take the first, no one needs to be trapped in the second, and all can possess the third. There is comfort and hope for all believers who love and study the prophecies of the Bible.

 

Although Christians are most familiar with the first coming of Christ, it is the second coming that gets mentioned most in the Scriptures. References to the Second Coming outnumbers references to the first by a factor of eight to one. Scholars count 1,845 biblical references to the Second Coming, including 318 in the New Testament. Our Lord referred to His return twenty-one times.

 

The timing of events of the last days is in God's hands. From a human standpoint it appears that we are standing on its very threshold. The pieces of the puzzle are all in place. The only question is, How much time is left?

 

The tension between living for today and looking for tomorrow is one of the realities of the Christian life. On the one hand, we need to be ready for Jesus to come at any moment. On the other hand, we have God-given responsibilities to fulfill in this world in the meantime.

 

We are living in a time of Great crisis, but it is also a time of great opportunities. Jesus urges us to do three things in view of His second coming:

            * Keep watching (Matthew 24:42)

            * Be ready (Matthew 24:44)

            * Keep serving (Matthew 24:46)

 

As we labor in the work to which we have been called, we need to keep before us some unshakable pillars.

            * God still reigns.

            * The church is still precious to Him.

            * Our mission is still clear.

            * Our focus is still heaven.

            * He still answers prayers.

            * Our victory is still certain.

            * His coming is soon.