Dear Family and Friends,

 Greetings, although I have not spoken with many of you for some time . . . even years in some cases, still you are on my heart and in my prayers.  I hope this finds each of you doing well and staying healthy.  For some time now, I have wanted to write to my family and friends, to encourage (and exhort if necessary) your walk with the Lord, and to remind you of his soon return.   

I realize that some of you might think me a raving mad man, a zealot who is caught up in a web of ancient tales, perhaps even thinking to yourself, “Where is the promise of his coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were.”  Be that as it may; yet, if for no other reason than entertainment, I truly hope you read the entire letter that you might come to know just how crazy I am.  I take no offense.  How could I?  For as we read in Scripture, the gospel, the preaching of the cross “is foolishness” to the unbeliever.  The Greek term for foolishness is moria (μωρία) from which we derive the word, moron.  Thus, to the unbeliever, those who adhere to the gospel of Christ are morons.  Yet, in the eyes of God, just the opposite is true, in that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” and “he takes the wise in their own craftiness”.  Thus, I would much rather be a fool in the eyes of the world than in the eyes of God.  I’ve never been one to give much consideration to, or be overly influenced by, peer pressure or groupthink.  

With that being said, as an educated biblical scholar, I’m writing this letter that you might have a better understanding, from the biblical perspective, of what’s happening in the world today.  Some of you are fellow believers, while others are not; yet I write to both: To believers, to encourage you to keep the faith—that you keep your attention on Jesus and his promised return; To non-believers, because (as we shall see) terrifying times are soon expected, and if you should find yourself in the midst of them I pray you might recall this warning and place your trust in Christ, even if it should cost your life. 

The Old Testament has some 351 prophecies (all of which were fulfilled) concerning Christ’s first appearance as the lowly Lamb of God who offered himself as a sacrifice for the propitiation of man’s sin.  Similarly, between the Old and the New Testament, there are hundreds of prophecies concerning Christ’s second appearance, when he shall return to rule as King of the world. 

Some of these prophecies are painted with broad strokes, providing general information regarding the condition of the world stage before Christ’s return.  Other prophecies are painted with fine strokes, describing various signs of the time in considerable detail.  Some address the political climate; some describe the moral and ethical climate of society; some speak of religion; others speak to the state of the Christian Church; others depict various diseases and natural disasters, while some expose the evils perpetrated by both the population and the world leaders.  Yet, even as long as this letter is, due to the volume of biblical passages concerning the last days, it is merely a truncated presentation rather than a detailed apologetic.    

As the world stage is being set for Christ’s return to earth, we have already begun to experience various signs of the time.  Some are fully developed, while others are yet in their early stages and certain to intensify as the end draws ever closer; still others will not happen until the seven-year tribulation—a time of great trouble and punishment that occurs immediately preceding his coming.  As much as possible I will address these various signs in chronological order.

The Earliest Signs

I suspect the first signs to have appeared on the horizon are found in a small, and seemingly insignificant, passage in the book of Daniel, written in the 6^th Century BC during the Jewish captivity in Babylon.  Having predicted the world empires that would follow the Babylonian Empire (all of which came to pass in the following centuries) Daniel then spoke of the final empire that would rule during the end times when Messiah would come to rule for himself.  The angel told Daniel that unbelievers would not understand these prophecies concerning the world empires, but the wise would understand.  Then we read the seemingly insignificant yet extremely important prediction: “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”  

This short phrase speaks of mass travel and increased information, both of which will characterize the last days.  If we were to graph the progress of each over the last 6,000 odd years of recorded history, the last part of the graph would look like a black diamond ski slope.  The graph remains fairly level for millenniums, and then a short and gentle slope starts to rise, when suddenly, within the span of a couple centuries, the slope starts to jet sharply upward until it is nearly vertical.  It began during the Renaissance (especially in the later years) as knowledge slowly started to grow, and continued to do so even as the growth began to pick up speed.  Today, knowledge is so vast and growing so rapidly that it’s difficult for us even to comprehend, as it grows at near exponential degrees.

The history of travel creates a similar graph.  For most of known history, man has traveled by foot, or on top of or pulled behind a beast of burden.  Then in the mid 19^th Century the steam engine and mass travel by railroad appeared.  By the early 20^th Century the combustion engine made it possible for individuals to enjoy their own motorized vehicles and countless roads began appearing all over the world.  Travel by airplane became commonplace.  Again with near exponential growth, by the late-mid 20^th Century, the world’s population was not only routinely traversing the planet in cars and airplanes, for business and pleasure, but was routinely flying into outer space. 

Just a few hundred years ago, no one could have imagined the degree of knowledge and the ability for mass travel that everyone alive today has been raised with and merely takes for granted.  Yet, by stepping back to view the progress of each in the light of history, we gain a new vantage from which we realize the significance of Daniel’s seemingly insignificant prophecy.

The Jews in the Promise Land

The next significant sign is the return of the Jews to the Promised Land, from which they were expelled in 70 AD.  God said, in the last days he would draw them back to their homeland from all over the world where he had driven them due to their disobedience.  This return began in 1948, after Israel was declared a sovereign state.  We are told the land would blossom and prosper, but at the same time, Israel would be hated by, and be a stumbling block to the surrounding nations.  Of course, this is exactly what we have witnessed for the last 60 plus years.  As Jews continue to return and the population grows, the neighboring, Islamic nations grow increasingly upset.  God has not forsaken Israel; he has remained true to the covenant he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  They are his chosen people and this is the reason the world hates them so.  Israel plays a significant role in the last days, more of which will be mentioned later.

Preparing for the Final World Empire

Daniel and John both spoke in great detail of the final World Empire, which basically rises from the ashes of the ancient Roman Empire when ten nations band together and give all their power to a charismatic leader . . . more of this later.  But something of this magnitude does not happen overnight, the world has to be prepped; global economic, political, and social conditions must be just right for such a coup to take place. 

Beyond the potential significance of the European Economic Community and other European trade agreements, as they might relate to the early stages and preparation for a World Government, of tangible significance is the global push for a New World Order, or what many are now calling the Great Reset.  For several decades, many of the Western world’s elite, the movers and shakers, the aristocracies, financers, politicians, journalists, and political leaders are openly pushing for this New World Order.  Four of our recent presidents (Bush Sr, Clinton, Bush Jr, and Obama) were all proponents of this New World Order, so too are Biden and Harris.  No doubt, given man’s propensity for self-destruction, many who fail to place their trust in God’s Word view a World Government as the only way to save us from ourselves.    

As we near the end, there will be growing distress among the nations with rebellion against authorities being commonplace.  Racial conflict will be a worldwide phenomenon.  Wars and rumors of wars will be on the rise and no doubt the population’s desire for a World Government will intensify.  In our myopic view of the world, we might not realize the significance of the prophecies concerning “wars and rumors of wars”.  The Greek term for war (πόλεμος, pólemos) speaks of conflicts or battles.  Globally, there were 182 such significant wars throughout the 18^th Century; 590 in the 19^th Century; 974 in the 20^th Century; and already 110 wars in the early part of the 21^st Century.  And of course, many of us remember the Cold War in which we suffered the continual rumors of global war and the threat of imminent nuclear annihilation for nearly half a century.  Yet, even as the nuclear threat between the East and West subsided, a new threat began as Iran and other Muslim nations have vowed to destroy Israel. 

The Rapture of the Church and the Tribulation

Eventually, armies from many nations will band together to make a very credible threat against Israel.  At some point during this time, Christ will appear in the clouds to call his believers home; both dead and alive will be taken away into heaven that we might escape the terrible time that is about to befall the entire world.  We often call this the rapture.  Thus, to the Church, Jesus promised, “Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” And elsewhere we read, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”

The Rise of the Antichrist and the Tribulation

Immediately after the rapture of the Church, the united ten nations (which are remnant states from the sleeping ancient Roman Empire) will give all their power to a very charismatic personality who destroys three of the ten nations and orchestrates a 7-year peace treaty with Israel.  When the aforementioned armies that have been threatening Israel suddenly attack (likely in defiance to the new leader’s peace treaty) God intervenes and swiftly destroys them with earthquake and fire and brimstone.  Suddenly (as if scales fall off their eyes) the Jews see the truth of Scripture and realize that Jesus is Messiah, and are converted.  We are told the Jews will burn the weapons of the destroyed armies’ as fuel for fires for seven-years. 

The tribulation is a time of punishment that comes upon the whole world.  The last 3 ½-years are called the Great Tribulation, for it will be most terrifying (more about this later) and it is also referred to as the time of Jacob’s trouble.   Israel will suffer greatly during this time for having rejected Messiah and most of the Jews will suffer martyrdom.  But they are God’s chosen people and a remnant will survive to enter the new kingdom upon Christ’s return. 

The USA

The United States is not mentioned in prophecy; however, I have long suspected that for the New World Order to be established, America must somehow relinquish its role as the world’s superpower.  As such, I have long expected a financial collapse, but given recent events, it now seems apparent that we may very well collapse from within on a socio-political level.   Due to widespread corruption within our government, and the widespread rebellion of both the people and the government against God, our republic is in grave danger; a collapse from which we may never recover could be imminent. 

Before being carried away in captivity to Babylon, ancient Israel found itself in a similar condition.  Thus God warned: “Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption!  They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. . . .  Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts.  They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.  Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.  I will turn my hand against you; . . . People will oppress each other—man against man, neighbor against neighbor.  The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored. . . . Their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.  The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.  Woe to them!  They have brought disaster upon themselves.”

God has a covenant with Israel so that, even should he punish their disobedience, he would not forsake them and would restore them.  But God has no such covenant with America and without a national repentance I suspect we are headed for punishment without restoration.  Whatever our fate as a nation, one thing is certain, the New World Order, the One World Government, is on the horizon, and many very influential people are doing their best to make it happen. 

World Religions

Religion is also a sign of the times.  In the last days, the majority of the world’s population will follow false religions, or simply reject the concept of God altogether, choosing to worship the creation rather than the Creator.  The idea of worshiping creation rather than the Creator is very suggestive of modern secular humanism and its ramifications, in which the earth and various creatures are held in greater regard than the Creator; and absolute morality is rejected. 

We are told there will be many false teachers and false Christs as we near the end.  “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths.”  There are more than 70 world religions and nearly as many subsets.  Without exception (other than Christianity), every world religion rejects the gospel: i.e., the deity of Jesus, salvation via faith in his sacrificial death, his glorious resurrection, and the total depravity of mankind.  Although Jesus said he is man’s only hope; each of these world religions have devised some alternative scheme in which man is supposedly able to enjoy fellowship with God or some sort of nirvana. 

Few people realize the increasing number of individuals who have claimed to be Christ over the last few centuries, and many of them have gained quite a following.  In the 18^th Century, there were only two: Kondratiy Selivanov, the founder of the Skoptsy’s, and Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers.  The 19th Century saw five impostors; including Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of Baha'i.  There were twenty-three fraudulent Messiahs in the 20^th Century, including such leaders as Sun Myung Moon, Jim Jones, and David Koresh.  So far, in the 21^st Century, we have seen six new impostors, including a former parliament member of the Republic of Turkey, and a former MI5 agent.  At this pace, we might expect as many as 60 new false Christ personalities by the close of the century. 

There is a spiritual void in the hearts of people; however, being unwilling to submit to the veracity of the gospel and to humble themselves before the Creator, they chose rather to follow leaders who tell them what they want to hear; teachers who placate their conscience and reject the authenticity of Scripture.  Earlier, I mentioned that I’m not offended at being considered a fool in the eyes of the World.  Now, I truly hope that any reader who is not a follower of the gospel of Christ might return this sentiment and yourself refrain from being offended; for the gospel can be very offensive.  Indeed, Jesus warned, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.”  The cause of this division is Jesus’ teaching, i.e. the gospel itself.  It is ridged and unwavering, rejecting all religious teachings that contradict it.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes unto the Father but by me.”  If there were any other paths to salvation, any other belief systems to gain favor with God, then Jesus’ sacrifice was meaningless.  This necessarily puts Christianity at odds with every world religion and with secular humanism, which has grown enormously in modern culture. 

The War against Christianity

Jesus spoke of righteousness and warned against immorality and sexual perversion.  But this is a message the modern world (having adopted secular humanism and thus rejecting absolute morality) does not want to hear.  So it is, the last days will be like the days before the flood, and like Sodom and Gomorrah, in which immorality and sexual perversion were widespread and even encouraged by those who did not necessarily participate in it themselves.  As a person or a society grows farther away from the gospel message, Scripture becomes more offensive; “For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God.”  Jesus said, “I am the light.”      

In these last days, much of society not only rejects God but grow to be haters of God and of those who believe in him and the traditional morality of Scripture.  Rebellion against the gospel, against Christianity, and against traditional biblical morality will be especially prevalent, even such that (as we just read) it will tear families apart.  The rebellion will be widespread, so as to empower a turning-of-the-table, making the traditional concept of absolute morality deemed to be foolish and hateful, and replacing it with situational ethics in which rebellion and immorality become the norm.  But God has warned “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! . . . Therefore as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts.”

Jesus said, believers will be taken before judges and courts for their beliefs.  While this has been happening for some time in at least thirteen countries where it is illegal to be a Christian, where Christians are killed if they refuse to recant their faith; now, even in America, we see a growing opposition to Christianity.  Although it has not reached the level of martyrdom, Christians are being taken to court for adhering to biblical beliefs that conflict with the prevailing immorality of secular humanism.  A minority of cases have concerned birth control and abortion, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor who refused to follow the President’s birth control mandate, and the journalist who exposed the selling of aborted fetus organs.  But most of the court cases revolve around a denial to provide services for same-sex weddings: Bed & Breakfast owners in Illinois and Vermont; various wedding venue owners in Idaho, New York, New Jersey and Iowa; cake bakers in California, Colorado and Oregon; photographers in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Minnesota; a Colorado website designer; a Christian dating website; a florist in Washington; the artists in Arizona, and others.  

For three reasons, it’s not surprising that these attacks focus on same-sex relationships.  First, it’s a direct attack on Scripture and its doctrine of absolute morality, something that is anathema to the religion of secular humanism.  Second, it’s an attack on Christianity, for this is an issue about which Christians will not budge.  Scripture is very clear about this matter, equating it with bestiality: “You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman: it is an abomination.  Neither shall you lie with any animal to defile yourself with it: neither shall any woman stand before an animal to lie down with it: it is perversion.”  Third, witnessed time and again throughout history, sexual immorality seems always to lead the way as a society turns its back on God to pursue a downward spiral into the dark desires of our sinful nature.  Because secular humanism has killed God, and thus, absolute morality, hedonism and wicked behavior are on the rise: narcissism, covetousness, envy, murder, deceit, pride, inventions of evil things, disobedience to parents, willful ignorance, the breaking vows, a lack of natural affection, a lack of mercy, a lack of conscience, immorality, sexual perversion, as well as several other malevolent behaviors were all predicted for the last days.  As society grows farther from God and his Word, we should expect even more legal challenges to the faith. 

Immorality within the Church

What is especially telling are the prophecies that narcissism, immorality, sexual perversion, false teachers, and rebellion against traditional biblical doctrines will flourish within the Church.  The large scale attack against Christianity from within nominal Christendom itself, that began well over a century ago has grown and spread to several mainstream denominations.  Many modern churches are filled with those who talk about Jesus and quote his sayings—at least those sayings that make them feel good.  They tell others about their religion, yet they happily stand in direct disobedience to much of Scripture and teach things absolutely contrary to sound doctrine.  Today, entire mainstream nominal Christian denominations have departed from the faith.  They reject the inerrancy of Scripture and the doctrine that Jesus is the only savior.  They reject the absolute morality of Scripture and celebrate sexual perversion.  They have passed bylaws that not only accept sexual deviants as church members but ordain them to the ministry.  “For surely,” they argue, “those ancient words were spoken in ignorance, before the enlightenment we have experienced in our new and progressive age.”  It is curious how these once Christian denominations have decided Scripture is wrong about homosexuality, but adultery and bestiality (which are condemned in the same passage) are still forbidden.  Not surprisingly, paganism and world religions are also something these “enlightened Christians” generally accept as alternative paths; for they would not want to offend other religions, even though the doctrines of every world religion necessarily make Jesus and Scripture out to be liars.  Perhaps as their “enlightenment” grows, so too will their “progressiveness” so that eventually we might expect adultery and bestiality to be considered acceptable life choices as well.

Along with this disbelief numerous and various false teachers have arisen who give “heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, without conscience, speaking lies in hypocrisy”, they not only tolerate but even promote immoral behavior.  They are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” to wit we are warned, “from such turn away.”  Yet, as Jude predicted, these false teachers creep into the Church: “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after unnatural lust.”  While sexual immorality is a common theme to mankind in general and is to be expected within the unbelieving community, it is not to be allowed in the Church.  As carnal beings, we enjoy carnal pleasure, and within the confines of God’s law such pleasures are natural and perfectly acceptable; however, seeking these pleasures in their bastardized form is a problem; it is sin and is not to be permitted within the Church.  “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, . . .  For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”  Yet, we read that in the last days such behavior will not only be allowed but celebrated in many churches.   

Troubled Times

During the tribulation, various cataclysmic events will increase: pestilence, plagues, earthquakes, famine, fires, floods, toxins, etc.  While some strike suddenly without warning, others likely grow in intensity.  These are also signs of the times; like the props for a theatrical play, many of these conditions are in place and the curtain is about to open.

Currently, critical hunger is occurring throughout Central Africa, India, and Indonesia.  Some experts estimate that one out of nine people in the world go to bed with an empty stomach—this, despite massive food production, on a global scale.  Although corrupt governments are largely the cause of the current famines, during the tribulation there will be several natural disasters that create terrible famine as well as a lack of freshwater.

Pestilences (from the Greek λοιμός, loimós) speaks of plague or disease.  While there have been numerous deadly pandemics through history, some claiming large portions of the world’s population (e.g. Cholera, Yellow Fever, Black Plague, Smallpox, etc.), in recent decades, though on a smaller scale, there seems to be a worldwide increase in such diseases: HIV, Hong Kong Flu, Ebola, Sars, Mers, Swine Flu, and now the Coronavirus (Covid19).  During the tribulation, such diseases and plagues will be of even greater intensity so as to claim an untold number of lives.

Since the Richter scale was invented in 1930 seismologists have recorded about 20,000 minor earthquakes per year, with a long-term average of sixteen earthquakes each year that register 7.0 or greater.  This average of major quakes has only been exceeded eleven times; ten of the eleven were within the last thirty years, and six of the eleven within a recent eight-year time span.  Of course, depending on how you look at statistics you can arrive at different conclusions; however, without doubt, as we grow closer to the end, and especially during the tribulation itself, seismic activity will increase both in frequency and intensity. 

The Rise of the New World Order

In short order—once the Church and the restraining force of the Holy Spirit are out of the way—the ten remnant nations of the sleeping, ancient Roman Empire will give their authority to a very charismatic leader who quickly rises to power, taking the world by storm with his intellect and charm.  And because they have rejected Jesus, God will cause the world to follow him.  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be condemned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Even before the tribulation, we should expect a time of confusion and distress among the nations.  Increased diseases and natural disasters alone will create anxiety, but I strongly suspect it will be the growing Middle East tension and the sudden disappearance of several millions of people in the rapture, which will be the catalyst that empowers the New World Order and launches the antichrist’s new career. 

At first, this charismatic leader will be very appealing and persuasive, even performing miracles.  He will offer hope with convincing answers to their questions and provide plausible solutions for the worldwide distress.  But soon, he turns into a tyrant, for he is the Antichrist.  His first order of business is to make a seven-year peace treaty with Israel, even as the troubles persist, especially in the form of diseases and natural disasters.  But he becomes more and more tyrannical till at last (3 ½ years into his reign) he enters the Jewish temple and claims to be Messiah.  Having realized that Jesus is Messiah, they reject him.  He breaks the treaty and begins an onslaught against the Jews that will far surpass that of Hitler. 

But this new holocaust is not limited to Israel.  He will demand everyone’s allegiance to himself and to the fascist state.  Without this allegiance (which one must prove by accepting his mark on the forehead or the hand), one will not be able to buy, or sell, or basically participate in society.  Today, we see how easily this could be implemented with a cashless society in which all financial transactions are computer-generated.  With a few strokes of the keys, anyone who fails to comply with any edict of the empire will simply be locked out of their bank account, thereby effectively being broke and unable to generate further income.  For decades now we have witnessed the political push to usher in a New World Order, and in recent years we have witnessed great enthusiasm by very influential leaders for a cashless society.  Some economists are predicting most of the world will be cashless by 2022. 

The new government and the new economy may seem logical to the world but in the end, it will backfire.  The last 3 ½ years of the 7-year tribulation is called the Great Tribulation; for as bad as things will be in the first 3 ½ years they are going to get far worse.  We are told that if the time were not shortened no one on earth would survive, but for the elect’s sake (those who have rejected the antichrist, placed their trust in Jesus, and somehow managed to survive in a society in which they cannot participate) the time will be shortened.

God’s Witnesses

Even during this tribulation, God will not be without witness, for he will rise up 144,000 Jewish men to preach the gospel.  And, similar to certain periods in ancient Israel, there will be two prophets in the streets of Jerusalem preaching of the coming kingdom, performing miracles and (in like fashion to Moses) sending plagues, causing droughts, and generally creating grief for the unbelievers.  Like the Jews, many gentiles will be converted; they too will realize that Jesus is Messiah and their only true hope.  Thus, despite being locked out of financial transactions and facing the very likely threat of martyrdom, many will refuse to pledge their allegiance to the new fascist emperor.  Although many, if not most, will be executed, some will survive to enter and populate the kingdom with the surviving Jews. 

Armageddon

By the end of the seven-year period, much of the world has grown weary of the tyrant.  Likely, this is especially true of China and its allies.  An innumerable army is said to cross the River Euphrates for war.  Several armies meet the antichrist and his army in the valley of Jehoshaphat for the battle of Armageddon.  It is at this time that Jesus Christ returns to earth as warrior and king.  He destroys the antichrist, his army, and the various armies that have gathered to battle against him; then he binds Satan as he prepares to establish his own kingdom.  He separates the surviving population: those who accepted the mark of the antichrist and are eternally doomed, from those who refused the mark, escaped martyrdom, and somehow managed to survive.  These, both Jew and gentile enter and populate God’s new kingdom on earth.

Christ’s Kingdom on Earth

For the next 1,000 years, Jesus reigns and rules the world.  There are no wars, no starvation; the wolf lies with the lamb and the lion eats grass like cattle.  It is virtually paradise.  Yet, man is still a sinner and some will be dissatisfied even in paradise.  At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is loosed for a short time and once again deceives the gullible, so that a quarter of the population joins him to rebel against Jesus.  They meet a swift end, as they, as well as the unbelievers from all ages are brought before the Great White Throne to face judgment; the books opened and eternal doom awaits.  God destroys the universe and creates a new one in which sin and rebellion will never happen again.    

Epilogue

So it is; a glimpse into the near future.  I wish each of you Godspeed and, being the fool that I am, I truly hope you take these things to heart.  Via the mercy of God, the forgiveness of sin, and salvation of our eternal souls is granted to all who accept and place their trust in Christ’s vicarious death and glorious resurrection.  I pray that should the rapture of the Church happen in our lifetime that you are prepared, that you have placed your trust in Jesus, and that you will not find yourself suddenly thrust into the midst of the tribulation.  But should you find yourself in the tribulation, please recall this warning; call upon the Lord, reject the mark of the antichrist, even though it will likely lead to your death.  But it is better to lose your mortal life and save your soul than to save your mortal life and lose your eternal soul; for all who accept the mark of the antichrist are doomed for eternity.  As the prophet Isaiah pleaded: “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” 

I’m happy to communicate via phone or email with anyone who wishes to discuss this further, or even if you just want to talk about what you’ve been up to since last we spoke.    

To God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be glory forever, Amen!

Your friend, Desmond Allen