Are we seeing all the signs of the Second Coming of Christ?
Jesus Christ said that the generation that saw the fig tree budding would see all the signs of His return. Every generation has thought they were seeing some, but the generation that sees the rebirth and flourishing of the fig tree--Israel--possibly those born in 1948--will see the Second Coming of Christ.
After 2000 years in the dispersion, the Jewish people returned to Israel in 1948 when the land was restored as their nation. Since that time, the desert has blossomed like the rose. Agriculturally, militarily and otherwise, Israel flourishes.
And if Russia is Gog of Magog, and Cush and Put are Libya and Ethiopia, and Iraq is Persia, it's important to note that all these nations in the news today--in this generation--are in last days' prophecy. Click here to see Ezekiel 37 and 38 for starters.
Some people believe all those prophecies were fulfilled long ago. If so, consider how Tyre and Sidon's destruction was accomplished as prophesied, but in stages--Nebuchadnezzar tore down the city, and generations later, Alexander the Great swept the foundations into the sea and that great metropolis is just a fishing village now.
Also, consider a NY Times story of how a Russian atheist read aloud from Revelation 8 about a star falling into the waters and poisoning them and men dying. The name of the star is Wormwood. The Russian pointed out that in the Ukraine, the word is translated Chernobyl. You'll recall that is the nuclear reactor that had a meltdown and leaked radioactivity into the USSR and Europe. And even now, radioactive waters are washing over from Japan to the California coast. The article claims by then the radioactivity will be harmless. We can hope.
So, it is not far-fetched to read prophecy about Israel as future, since Israel is back on the world's stage. And in the world's eyes, Jerusalem is a stumbling-block to peace. "I will make JERUSALEM a cup of trembling unto all the people round about ... And in that day will I make JERUSALEM a burdensome stone for all people ..." Zechariah 12:2-3
A joke says that when Jesus returns, the Jewish people will send a delegation to Him and they will say, "So. Nu. Is this your first trip to Israel?"
But prophecy says, "they will look upon me (the Messiah) whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as one mourns for his only Son." Zechariah 12:10
My friends do not have to agree with me, a huge number of Christians subscribe to the school of thought that we are seeing Last Days events unfold before our eyes. "Shocking Number of Americans Believe We are Now Living in the End Times as Described in the Bible"
I sat on the grass above that field and ate lunch with a tour and marveled at the thought of the battle that will happen there. Hopefully, I won't be here for that. One way or another, though, I know I will go to heaven. I hope to see all my friends there. So, please, just humor me, precious friends and neighbors, and scroll down to the big red button that asks, "Ready?" Thanks!
