Saturday, May 2, 2009

The End Time Prophecies Part 1

While this series were written about 4 years ago, I am updating them- so there is new content added to each part. Even over the past few years, so many things have been happening, which make it important to update these.

The Chinese is said to have a curse- 'May you live in interesting times'. I would definitely say these are interesting times we live in- but it's all in the way you see things if you think this is a curse or not. We are coming to the end of an age. It's not only Bible believing Christians that believe this. If you pay attention to world happenings, you will know that some sects of Islam believe this, some Jewish people believe this, and even non religious people believe something is going to happen in the near future- anything from global warming disasters to an over populated earth and mass starvation putting this human race in deep troubles. Does anyone remember the song Age of Aquarius from the hit play (and movie) Hair? It's actually playing again on Broadway this summer. "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius" according to those who practice such things as the New Age - another group that believes we are coming to a new age.
One of the prophecies outlined in the Christian Bible is not only a one world government, but also a one world church- an apostate church, one that will be ushered in at the time of the Antichrist.
Now, whether you are a Christian believer or not, or even a 'moderate' Christian who thinks the Bible is maybe a moral book, one full of good stories, likened to Aesop's Fables or one that is not relevant to our times and is full of symbolism, not to be taken literally, I would like you to sit and read for just a little while.
So many religions in this world- how can it be possible that someday they might all join to be one. There are the major world religions of Christianity- from Baptists to Catholics, Islam- from Sunni to Shi'ah and Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, not to mention all the rest- Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientist, Baha'i, Unification Church.....the list goes on and on, and it seems that new cults are popping up every few years. What would it take for all these religions to be called together- when they are of such different, and often polar beliefs? It would seem to take a miracle. Well- the Bible does speak of a time when all religion will be a world wide same belief.
When the Bible talks about the Antichrist, it mentions also the false prophet and the beast. Now, I realize that for some who aren't totally religious, or not Christian, these terms might sound a little far fetched. I can understand that, but please bear with me. When the man called the Antichrist comes, he will be caused to become a world leader, but I'll get into that at some later post. He will however, institute a world religion- under a guise of peace, that will bring all the world together in agreement, and this religion will be considered the only legal religion. The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament talks about this time- "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard of things about the God of gods.....He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all." Daniel 11:36-38 In Mark, Jesus talks about it in the New Testament-"When you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it does not belong (In the Israeli Temple).... At that time if anyone says to you,'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!', do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect- if that were possible." Mark 13:14, 21-23. In the Book of Revelation, he is described this way, "One of the heads of the beast seemed to have a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast and they also worshiped the beast and asked, 'Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?'" Revelation 13:3-5 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and made the earth and it's inhabitants worship the first beast whose fatal wound had healed... He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast so it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. Revelation 13:11,12, 14b, 15
There are other references to the unholy trinity, but I won't go into those right now either. Now I realize again, for those who haven't read the Bible, or who might disregard the above verses as nothing but symbolic- this all might seem like foolishness. It is really necessary to read the full chapters to grasp what message this was telling us. From these few quotes though, it is clear that there will be, some day in the near future, a man who is given supernatural powers to endear himself to the population of the world, who is also seen as god- one who is able to bring world wide peace, solve all the problems and bring all religions into one through his being worshipped. This really doesn't seem so far fetched when you can see how the election of Barack Obama was so popular all around the world. Now, I'm not saying Obama is the Antichrist. All I am trying to point out is the fact that with our global information, people all around the world are more aware (maybe not so informed) but definitely more aware of things going on all over the world. It was this awareness and the workings behind the scenes of things which brought a relatively unknown Senator from the State of Illinois to the world stage- even before he was elected to be President of the United States.
It will happen again with another smooth, intelligent, articulate and seemingly compassionate man. One man who will appear out of nowhere, when the world is in worse messes than it is now. Someone who will seem to be the answer to all problems. Just as many Americans are looking to Obama to solve all of their problems- the world will turn and look to another false "messiah" to solve the world's problems.
In the next part, I'll go into more detail of what is happening in the religious world today- things that show that certain religions are being diluted so they will be more acceptable to each other. Until that time- think about how acceptable the world is now to have a global community- one that is accountable to each other- all trying to achieve peace through diplomatic means- through the UN, EU, and other worldwide agencies that have direct involvement in each continent. It isn't that much of a stretch to believe that one person could be that which the Bible talks about- to unite the world.

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Reason for this Blog

A few years ago when I was blogging on AOL, I did a series on the Biblical Prophecies of the end times. The purpose was not only to tell people who had never known of them about the Biblical prophecies, but also for Christians who have never quite been able to understand the prophecies.

I have been studying the prophecies for over 10 years now, and have, over the years seen people who have tried to set dates for the return of Christ, have read and heard many other people's thoughts and interpretations of the prophecies, and have studied the prophetic verses in the Bible.

While I don't claim to be an expert or even a scholar, my purpose for writing the series was and always is to share everything I have learned, and am continuing to learn from the Bible.

It is amazing to me, that watching the news daily, seeing the changes over the past decade- I am seeing the pages of the Word of God being made reality in the world. His word is coming to pass, and I know I am only one of millions who are more and more looking to the soon second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am not intending to go through apologetics here on this blog- arguing for the Inerrant Truth of the Bible. You can go to the side bar for other websites for more information on how to know if the Bible is True. For anyone who disagrees with what I am writing on this blog- whether you are not a Christian, or whether you don't have any real religious beliefs, I welcome you. All I ask is that if you leave a comment, please be polite and courteous. I have no problem discussing anything and answering questions, but I will not bother answering to mean spirited people.

I do welcome any constructive feedback, and any questions.

For all who come to read, it is my hope that you may recognise the reality of Biblical prophecies coming to pass right now. I pray that anyone searching for more meaning of this life, anyone who is curious or contemplating Christianity- that God will let His Holy Spirit direct you in your search.

It is always my greatest prayer that anyone who visits any of my blogs would come to know Jesus Christ- His absolute perfect love for you, and recognize your need for Him as your Lord and Savior.

God Bless and Maranatha (Come, O Lord) !