The chart above represents the major beliefs held by dispensationalists concerning the events that will transpire on Earth during the last 7 years of human history which is called the Tribulation. Keep in mind that dispensationalists adhere to a consistent, literal interpretation of the Bible. You will notice that the "rapture" of the church is the event that triggers the last 7 years. The rapture is the great snatching away of all believers into Heaven to be with the Lord and His angels. After the rapture a series of 21 judgments unfold which will intensify as the the 7 years unfolds. So great is the fury of these judgments that nearly 66% of the world population will perish. You will notice that in the very middle of this period of time the Antichrist sits in the Temple and the image of the beast is set up.The Antichrist will seat himself in a rebuilt third temple and declare openly that he is God. This event is also referred to as the abomination of desolation. The reason that I bring this up is that the Islamic Endowments Minister of Jordan has just accused Israel of making final preparations to erect this third temple on the existing temple mount in Jerusalem. This is extremely significant because if there is any truth to this story then we must be approaching the beginning of the Tribulation! Read about it here.
I have repeatedly warned you that numerous signs happening simultaneously indicate that we are indeed at this pivotal moment in history. This particular sign is another strong indication that we are living in the last of the last days. Sadly, most Christians who read this post are so cold and untaught concerning eschatology that they mock and scoff at the notion that Christ's coming could be very close. I hope you are not one of these faithless readers. If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior do it right now. I have included a short video in the right sidebar of this site. It is entitled "How To Be Forgiven In 3 Minutes". I encourage you to watch it and obey God's instructions concerning your part in receiving eternal life. These are exciting times, keep your eyes open and stay abreast of all events that are happening in the city of Jerusalem.
Most of us are aware of how the economy is doing in our own local home towns. The anecdodal evidence that we see everyday tells us that things are bad and really aren't turning around at all despite what the main stream media would have us believe. We see the long term layoffs, lack of job openings and business closings and there is no mistaking the obvious signs of a slow collapse of the American way of life. The real indication of where we are going as a nation can be measured by what the "big money" is doing. Here is a snippet from an article I discovered yesterday on www.moneynews.com.
Despite the 6.5% stock market rally over the last three months, a handful of billionaires are quietly dumping their American stocks . . . and fast.
Warren Buffett, who has been a cheerleader for U.S. stocks for quite some time, is dumping shares at an alarming rate. He recently complained of “disappointing performance” in dyed-in-the-wool American companies like Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Kraft Foods.
In the latest filing for Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has been drastically reducing his exposure to stocks that depend on consumer purchasing habits. Berkshire sold roughly 19 million shares of Johnson & Johnson, and reduced his overall stake in “consumer product stocks” by 21%. Berkshire Hathaway also sold its entire stake in California-based computer parts supplier Intel.
With 70% of the U.S. economy dependent on consumer spending, Buffett’s apparent lack of faith in these companies’ future prospects is worrisome.
Unfortunately Buffett isn’t alone.
Fellow billionaire John Paulson, who made a fortune betting on the subprime mortgage meltdown, is clearing out of U.S. stocks too. During the second quarter of the year, Paulson’s hedge fund, Paulson & Co., dumped 14 million shares of JPMorgan Chase. The fund also dumped its entire position in discount retailer Family Dollar and consumer-goods maker Sara Lee.
Finally, billionaire George Soros recently sold nearly all of his bank stocks, including shares of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs. Between the three banks, Soros sold more than a million shares.
If you want to read the entire article you can do so by clicking here.
The big money is running from stocks and are investing in commodities. In fact, the big money believes we are headed to a drastic decline in the stock market which would have devastating effects on our entire economy.
Not only are investors doubtful about the U.S. economy they are extremely worried about the Euro. Watch the following video and take heed.
I continue to stress that if you are alert and paying attention to all the signs then you should be convinced that we are living in the last days and the economic earthquake unfolding is leading us to a one world economy. The Scriptures speak of a one world ruler in Revelation 13 and a one world economy and it appears we are heading that direction. These realities can be a comfort or a great concern depending on your position in Christ Jesus. If you are a believer in Christ then you should be cheered by the fact that the King's arrival is getting much closer. If you are an unbeliever then there is great reason for alarm. I suggest that you watch the short video in the right sidebar of this site and browse some of the pages and articles and come to Christ.
Today I listened to the pastor of the church I attend. He preached a magnificent sermon from Romans 8: 28-30.
28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. His three sermon points were...
God does what He wants.
What He wants is always good.
His good is always our greatest delight.
This world is tilting to default, the cheese is sliding off the cracker! Come to Jesus this Christmas season!
Today has been a particularly sad day because of the killings of at least 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It is not known exactly how many children were victims but this report says the number may be as high as 18.
There will be the usual political responses to this tragedy and it will be the old tired argument about gun control. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess what the President and other officials will say in the wake of such carnage. But make no mistake about it, this sad episode in human behavior is not about guns but about our hearts. The Bible makes a very intuitive observation about the real personality inside all of us.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperatelywicked: who can know it?
Jeremiah 17:9 New English Translation (NET) 9 The human mind is more deceitful than anything else.It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?
There you have it, the most intelligent comment about today's tragedy made by an Old Testament prophet centuries ago. The problem was not the availability of guns. Adam Lanza would have committed his crime with a knife, poison or a club if he didn't have a gun. Adam Lanza's problem was not about his relationship with his Mom, or his Dad, or his counselor or any other potential scapegoat. Lanza's problem was his heart. His heart was desperately wicked and the NET Bible says that his heart was "incurably bad". Of course, there will be the many in our culture who say that all of us are basically good but I would have to disagree with that statement. Most of us are not as bad as we could be but the seed of destruction is in all of us and all of us have the potential to do the most heinous crimes. That's right, "all of us".
So if we are incurably bad and desperately wicked what is the remedy? If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know the answer...Jesus. On this sad day I urge you to trust Christ as your Savior. He will erase your sinful slate and give you a new heart and a new future.
