(Author’s note: I apologize for the length of this document, but the question is important, and the answer is extensive.)
I believe we are living in the last days prior to Jesus’ return and that events prophesied in the Bible will start very soon. First, let’s look at what Jesus said about His return. In Matthew 24:3 His disciples asked Him a question: “…what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the Age?” Jesus gave a direct answer: “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. … Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached … as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:6-14) In Luke 21:11 He adds plagues to this list.
I believe in these verses Jesus is describing conditions just prior to the Rapture (when He returns in the clouds to snatch His church out of the world prior to the Tribulation). In Matthew 24:15-31 and Luke 21:25-28, Jesus describes the severe conditions of the seven-year Tribulation just prior to His second coming to earth as the King of Kings. For now, let’s consider the signs mentioned above. He likens them to “birth pangs” which indicates they will increase in frequency and severity as His return gets closer.
Wars – The 20th Century was the bloodiest century in human history, and this is continuing. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in 200,000 military and 40,000 civilian casualties. Putin is now threatening to use nuclear weapons. Also, Iran now has the resources and technology to produce four nuclear weapons.
Famines – Severe food shortages occurred in 2022 because of the war in Ukraine, extreme weather conditions and fertilizer shortages all over the world, green policies and legislation, mysterious explosions and bacteria outbreaks which closed numerous food processing plants, along with diesel fuel shortages. A global famine is very likely in 2023.
Persecution of Christians – All over the world, religious persecutions (increasingly Christian) are intensifying. In the US there is a concerted effort by many powerful organizations and individuals to intimidate and silence Christian churches and individuals in order to drive their voices and values out of the national arena of ideas and the political process. Once this is accomplished the persecution of Christians may increase significantly.
Lawlessness – The unchecked riots in 2020, district attorneys who do not prosecute criminals, and “Defund the Police” initiatives have contributed to increasing lawlessness. With the open border policy of the last two years, millions of illegal immigrants (including hardened criminals) along with tons of illegal and often fatal drugs are flooding into our country. If the anticipated global food shortage occurs in 2023, chaos and lawlessness will greatly increase as people are desperate for food.
Plagues – Covid has been a global pandemic, and others are anticipated. In addition to the tragedy of millions dying all over the world, government leaders learned they could usurp a great deal of power and authority by declaring (and continuing) a state of emergency. They also learned that by censuring and controlling the information available to the public, they could maintain fear and control.
Gospel Preached – The gospel has been preached to almost every tribe on the planet today and is available to every tribe via broadcasts.
So, the “signs” that Jesus enumerated are indeed present today and are increasing in frequency and intensity like birth pangs. Of course, there have been times in the past when the world was in crisis and people thought they were living in the End Times. Then the crisis was resolved, and times of renewal and even prosperity followed. However, there are other things happening today, which have never existed before.
The major prophecy, that was believed to be impossible for two thousand years, was the reestablishment of the nation of Israel on the land God promised to Abraham. Mark Twain visited the land in the 1800’s and declared it to be a worthless desert that no one would want to live on. Then in 1948 the nation of Israel was reestablished in that exact location, and since then millions of Jews have returned to Israel from all over the world. They have built irrigation systems and industries there. Today Israel is a leader of nations, very prosperous and supplying natural gas and food to surrounding nations. They are technologically and militarily very advanced.
It is also apparent that the stage is being set today for the seven-year Tribulation that occurs just prior to Jesus’ return to earth. In my book I discuss this time of divine judgments, which the Bible describes in great detail. It prophecies a global government ruled by a wicked man empowered by Satan. There will also be a global economy, utilizing digital currency, and a global religious organization. This government will maintain control using a very advanced surveillance system for monitoring the activities of all global citizens and perpetrating mass deception by censuring and controlling all information flow, public and private.
What’s happening today to set the stage?
For decades the World Economic Forum has been developing strategies and technologies to establish a global government. The WEF includes many of the world’s wealthiest and most influential leaders in government, industry, telecommunications, media, and many other arenas. The WEF is promoting the development of artificial intelligence, implant microchips, communication systems, supercomputers, and other technologies required to sustain a global government. They are successfully promoting the idea that the world needs a central government to ensure peace, deal with global pandemics, climate control, and other crises, and redistribute wealth and resources to underdeveloped nations.
A major hindrance to the globalist movement has been the United States with its strong military, Christian heritage and values, and a population committed to individual freedom and rights, and law and order. Consider how this has changed in just the last two years: Our military has been severely demoralized by focusing on critical race theory and other woke ideologies rather than combat readiness. This, along with the vaccine mandate, has caused many career military personnel to retire or be forced out of the military. We also do not know how many military personnel have been injured by the vaccine and are not fit for combat.
I’ve already discussed the increase in crime, disease, drugs, and people dependent on government and charities for basic living needs caused by the invasion of millions of illegal immigrants. Also, the influence of climate change initiatives has hampered the production of fossil fuel resources, converted many power plants and automobiles to unreliable and expensive alternative sources of energy. Our national energy grid is very vulnerable and not as reliable as it was five years ago. At the same time our Strategic Petroleum Reserve has been reduced to the lowest level since 1984. In two short years the US has gone from being a superpower and a force for good in the world to being a leaderless and weak nation.
Never before in history has there been the will or the technological capability to establish a global government with the ability to surveil and control individual activities of people all over the world. That is what is prophesied to exist during the seven years prior to Jesus’ return, and very powerful people with tremendous resources are developing those technologies and promoting a global government today.
Based on the above arguments, and others that I have not presented, I am compelled to conclude: We are indeed living in the End Times today, and Jesus will return soon.
Next blog: Assuming we are living in the End Times today – So What?
Following blog: Which prophetic event will likely come next?
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