The best place to start is with Holy Bible. The words of Jesus to His disciples, from Mathew 24, offer an idea of the conditions present in the world at the time of His Return. Compare them with the condition of the world now. Are there any similarities?
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Here are some crucial verses from the book of Mathew chapter 24.
3 "Now as He (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him “Tell us, when will these things be?" And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8" All these are the beginning of sorrows." Sound familiar?
The disciples asked Jesus about these things while He was still on earth with them. Many New Testament writers spoke of the time they were in as the last days, or last hours. The real question is...When are we now?
The recent triple disaster in Japan, the Earthquakes in Haiti, New Zealand, the gulf oil spill, 911, SARS, the threat of bird flue, worsening drought, and famine, dwindling food supplies....the war on terror... the global economic crises: Are these the beginning of sorrows? Are we living in the last days? I think we are. Not only do I think we are, but I believe we have been in the last days for some time.
Jesus said there would be deception in this time of history, particularly, religious deception. So it is crucial that each one of us fight to find the truth. We need connection with God through His Son Jesus Christ and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Without this important relationship, and without prayer, we are completely vulnerable to misleading religion.
The tribulations of the last days are described again by Jesus in the book of Mark, chapter 13, verse 8 as "birth pains" which come slowly and rhythmically at first, and then increase in severity and intensity as the child gets closer to being born. It seems logical to view the development of the tribulation time period in this way, just as Jesus states has stated..
8 "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." (NIV)
Why???
What good could possibly come from all this destruction? Why would a God of love use such terrible calamities as part of His plan? This is a question that many have struggled with. One answer is that sometimes God uses hardship to move people closer to Him, to encourage humanity to cling to Him in these difficult times. Conditions during the tribulatoin will be so harsh that many people will be moved to make a decision about their faith and about Jesus. It has always been God's desire that none should perish and beome stranded away from Him forever. The reason for the tribulation is for God to gain souls for His Kingdom, because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. (John 3:16)
Will there be a "rapture"? Rapture means to be "snatched away". This is to be the Christian's hope during this times of suffering. Bible Scholars can argue successfully for all three positions regarding the rapture: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, or Post-Tribluation. It is worth considering that God did not spare His own Son from the cross. Why then would he spare His children, who are to be like His Son? As It says in Hebrews 12, beginning with verse 5.
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Jesus said the days of tribulation are to be shortened because of the elect (Christians). But, it is also clear that Christians will go through a part of tribulation. How much is impossible to say. At some point the rapture will occur and those in whose heart Christ resides will be called home. Here again from Mathew 24 beginning in verse 36 are the Words of Christ:
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Jesus said the days of tribulation are to be shortened because of the elect (Christians). But, it is also clear that Christians will go through a part of tribulation. How much is impossible to say. At some point the rapture will occur and those in whose heart Christ resides will be called home. Here again from Mathew 24 beginning in verse 36 are the Words of Christ:
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (NIV)
This may all seem complicated, especially, if you are not a Christian. It is a frightening thought that these events so well describled in Mathew 24, may have already begun, or will begin soon.
This may all seem complicated, especially, if you are not a Christian. It is a frightening thought that these events so well describled in Mathew 24, may have already begun, or will begin soon.
There is a very informative website called "Prophecy Newswatch", which can be found at: http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/. There you will find some very helpful guidance information about Bible phrophecy as it relates to current events.
The most important thing as it relates to Bible prophecy is your decision regarding Jesus Christ. He is waiting to hear from you.
Click on the tab entitled entitled "Connecting with God" to begin a relationship with Jesus.
