Every day, there are indicators in the news that the end of the age is near.
Consider these examples.
First, Jerusalem will be a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for the whole world at the end of the age (Zech. 12:3).
On Apr. 7, 2019, Pope Francis and the King of Morocco issued a joint statement that said Jerusalem is “common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions.”
As I understand it, the pope and the king said Jerusalem is the world’s inheritance and it is especially the inheritance of Christians, Jews and Muslims because those religions trace their roots back to Abraham.
This “joint statement” fulfills Bible prophecy by challenging the ownership of Jerusalem and by documenting another step by Pope Francis toward a one-world religion.
On Apr. 16, 2019, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the PA, said, “As long as Jerusalem is not on the table, Trump’s [Middle East peace] plan will not be on the table.”
Notice in both of these examples that Jerusalem is the burdensome stone.
Second, many Bible prophecy teachers believe that Ezekiel chapters 36-39 pertain to events that are taking place or shaping up in modern times.
Notice these words from Ezekiel chapter 36:
- “Prophesy unto the mountains of Israel” (Ezek. 36:1a).
- “Ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel” (Ezek. 36:8a).
- “I will cause men to walk upon you [the mountains of Israel], even my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them of men” (Ezek. 36:12).
On Apr. 16, 2019, Pres. Trump’s Mideast advisor released a new map that shows the Golan Heights are now part of Israel.
On Apr. 18, 2019, the U.S. State Dept. announced that it is changing the U.S. Foreign Affairs Manual so that U.S. citizens born on the Golan Heights will have their place of birth listed in passports as “Israel,” not “Syria.”
The Golan Heights are a possession of Israel.
Third, many Bible prophecy teachers believe Russia, Iran, Turkey and others will attack Israel on the mountains (Golan Heights, etc.) in the latter days and latter years to seize Israel’s territory and wealth.
Notice these words from Ezekiel chapter 38:
- “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them” (Ezek. 38:8).
- “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” (Ezek. 38:13).
On April 15, 2019, it was reported that another new gas field has been discovered off the coast of Israel, and this solidifies Israel’s position as a global energy superpower.
In 71 years of existence (since May 14, 1948), Israel has been transformed from being a poverty-stricken wasteland to being a global energy superpower with great wealth.
Fourth, the Bible teaches that there will be a departure from the faith in the church when the return of Jesus is approaching (I Tim. 4:1).
On Apr. 13, 2019, it was reported that Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI has written an article for a German periodical called Klerusblatt. In the article, Pope Benedict wrote that if the Catholic Church really wants to be credible, it needs to return to God. He blamed immorality in the Catholic Church on the “absence of God.”
As I write this article, it is the day before Easter Sunday, and I am thinking that many people will go to Church tomorrow (Easter), but God won’t be there.
It never occurred to me that a pope (or Pope Emeritus) would say there is an absence of God in the Catholic Church, but I agree with him; and sadly, it is a problem in the mainline denominations too.
Without provocation, the gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, recently publicly criticized V.P. Pence’s stance on same-sex marriage.
According to Mr. Buttigieg, the Mike Pence’s of the world have a problem with the Creator, not with him.
Rev. Franklin Graham spoke out on this. He said, “We don’t define sin—God does in His Word, the Bible.”
He said, “To set the record straight, Mr. Mayor, the issue isn’t whether somebody has a problem with who you are – the issue is that we all have a problem with God because of our sin, and it applies to every single human being.”
He added that God doesn’t change.
One reason why there will be an absence of God in the Catholic Church and some of the mainline denominations on Resurrection Day (Easter) is because the pastor and many of those that attend have abandoned both God and His Word.
They will be like whited sepulchers, beautiful on the outside in their new Easter clothes, but full of dead men’s bones and uncleanness on the inside because they are writing their own Bible, redefining sin, condemning the faithful, etc. (Matt. 23:27).
Pray that God will raise up more preachers like Rev. Franklin Graham with the courage to tell this lost and dying world the truth.
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com