Back in 1969, the Classic Rock band, Credence Clearwater Revival, came out with a song called “Bad Moon Rising.” The song was from an old film, “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” that had spooky, terrible scenes in it according to the writer and seemed to fit the tumultuous times back in the 60’s. The group CCR was very popular then and still is today. I sense they were onto something then, and it’s coming to light now some fifty years later it seems. I was a fan of them then and listen to some of their songs now occasionally.
The writer, John Fogerty, stated “the song was a metaphor and, given the times, it was apocalyptic.” Given the current times now, I think many of us would say that it’s really true and forthcoming today. This will be evident more and more as we see the Rapture about to happen any time. The coming seven- year Tribulation mentioned in the Bible shows the moon will rise, but will not give its light. The sun will go dark also; and we don’t know how long this will last because it’s at the end, right before the return of Christ.
Here are a few of the song’s lyrics:
I see the bad moon arisin’.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin’.
I see bad times today…
I hear hurricanes a’blowin’.
I know the end is comin’ soon.
I fear rivers overflowin’.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.
Look at some of the lyrics.
If you think it’s starting to get bad now with all the world conditions and weather (fires, floods, storms, volcanoes, etc.), things will definitely intensify much more. The Tribulation period is also called “The Day of the Lord.” The book of Joel in the Old Testament, with others, gives us a few scriptures showing this.
Joel 2:1-2 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound and alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord, cometh, for it is nigh at hand. A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains.”
Here are four explicit mentions of “The Day of the Lord” in the New Testament:
-Acts 2:20
-1 Thessalonians 5:2
-2 Thessalonians 2:2
-2 Peter 3:10
Having said that, let me explain:
I would like to make a distinction between the “end of the world” and the “end times.”
Some of us know that this world is coming to an end sometime, but it’s actually quite far off. Many of us true Bible believers acknowledge we are in the “end times.” God’s word tells us that Christ is coming back soon to get his church and remove it from the world before the coming wrath, which is the “Day of the Lord” that I just mentioned.
Preceding that perilous time period, there are certain events and conditions that take place. The most theological prophesied event according to scripture that has taken place is the birth of the nation of Israel, being born in one day (Isaiah 66:8). Other world events and conditions are found in the books of primarily Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are now being labeled and described as “Convergence” – coming together rapidly and in succession at one period of time.
The end of the world can’t take place until at least 1,007 years from now. If Jesus came today for His Church, the Tribulation period would start soon afterward. At the end of that time period, Jesus comes back as prophesied in Revelation chapter 19 to establish His reign from Jerusalem, Israel, for a thousand years over the “whole earth” (Zechariah 13:9). He is not only the King now in Heaven, but will be the King of kings and Lord of lords over all when he reigns from his Throne in Jerusalem. After that, He creates a new Heaven and new earth, and all the true believers go into Glory to be with him forever.
This is what the Holy Word of God states, and his Word will remain forever. No one can or will ever change or delete it no matter what. Jesus himself said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
Note: There are many beliefs among scholars and Bible believers as to how and when this will all occur.
There are so much more scriptural truths and facts on these topics that are relevant, but I just wanted to categorize a few for you to look into. Hopefully, you know Christ; and if you don’t, you need to immediately. People die every day without Christ and go to hell, which is a literal place with no exit, ever. There is also no second chance or purgatory; they are not in the Scriptures. You don’t want to go through this “terrible time” of what’s coming on the earth in the near future; therefore, escape it. Read the book of Revelation and the corresponding scriptures I noted.
There will not be many people left after this compared to what the earth’s current population is now. All you have to do is accept God’s free gift of salvation by placing your trust and faith in Jesus his Son, and repenting of your sins like the rest of us who have. There’s no cost or works involved. You can live eternally with Christ and us. That’s a promise that Jesus made in the Gospel of John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
So, there you have it. Take the time and read the last two chapters in the book of Revelation and see what God is preparing for us. How can anyone want to miss that? Bliss and Eden aren’t sufficient words that can even come close to seeing that in reality one day. All you gotta do is believe in the Risen One. Jesus Christ died for you on that cross. Think on the implications of that.
IN HIS NAME
Clay Smith
All Scripture is from the King James Bible.