Another Gospel (A. W. Pink)

"Another Gospel"

A W PINK (1886-1952) 

Satan is not an initiator but an imitator. God has an only begotten Son-the Lord Jesus, so has Satan-”the son of Perdition” (2 Thess.2:3). There is a Holy Trinity, and there is likewise a Trinity of Evil (Rev. 20:10). Do we read of the “children of God,” so also we read of “the children of the wicked one” ( Matthew 13:38). Does God work in the former both to will and to do of His good pleasure, then we are told that Satan is “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2:2). Is there a “mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16), so also is there a “mystery of iniquity” (2 Thess 2:7). Are we told that God by His angels “seals” His servants in their foreheads (Rev 7:3), so also we learn that Satan by his agents sets a mark in the foreheads of his devotees (Rev. 13:16). Are we told that “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10), then Satan also provides his “deep things” (Greek-Rev. 2:24). Did Christ perform miracles, so also can Satan (2 Thess. 2:9). Is Christ seated upon a throne, so is Satan (Greek-Rev. 2:13). Has Christ a Church, then Satan has his “synagogue” (Rev 2:9). Is Christ the Light of the world, then so is Satan himself “transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). Did Christ appoint “apostles,” then Satan has his apostles, too (2 Cor. 11:13). And this leads us to consider: “The Gospel of Satan.”

Satan is the arch-counterfeiter. The Devil is now busy at work in the same field in which the Lord sowed the good seed. He is seeking to prevent the growth of the wheat by another plant, the tares, which closely resembles the wheat in appearance. In a word, by a process of imitation he is aiming to neutralize the Work of Christ. Therefore, as Christ has a Gospel, Satan has a gospel too; the latter being a clever counterfeit of the former. So closely does the gospel of Satan resemble that which it parodies, multitudes of the unsaved are deceived by it.

It is to this gospel of Satan the apostle refers when he says to the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6,7). This false gospel was being heralded even in the days of the apostle, and a most awful curse was called down upon those who preached it. The apostle continues, “But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” By the help of God we shall now endeavor to expound, or rather, expose this false gospel.

The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great “brotherhood.” It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to “the best that is within – It aims to make this world such a comfortable and congenial habitat that Christ’s absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again.

In contradistinction to the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of Satan teaches salvation by works. It inculcates justification before God on the ground of human merits. Its sacramental phrase is “Be good and do good”; but it fails to recognize that in the flesh there dwelleth no good thing. It announces salvation by character, which reverses the order of God’s Word—character by, as the fruit of, salvation. Its various ramifications and organizations are manifold. Temperance, Reform Movements, “Christian Socialist Leagues,” Ethical Culture Societies, “Peace Congresses” are all employed (perhaps unconsciously) in proclaiming this gospel of Satan—salvation by works. The pledge card is substituted for Christ; social purity for individual regeneration, and politics and philosophy, for doctrine and godliness. The cultivation of the old man is considered more practical than the creation of a new man in Christ Jesus; whilst universal peace is looked for apart from the interposition and return of the Prince of Peace.

The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white-slave traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian Faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead of warning their hearers to “flee from the wrath to come” they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. Instead of declaring that “without shedding of blood is no remission,” they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their hearers to “follow in His steps.” Of them it must be said, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3). Their message may sound very plausible and their aim appear very praiseworthy, yet we read of them—”for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (imitating) into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing [not to be wondered at] if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

In addition to the fact that today hundreds of churches are without a leader who faithfully declares the whole counsel of God and presents His way of salvation, we also have to face the additional fact that the majority of people in these churches are very unlikely to learn the Truth themselves. The family altar, where a portion of God’s Word was wont to be read daily is now, even in the homes of nominal Christians, largely a thing of the past. The Bible is not expounded in the pulpit and it is not read in the pew. The demands of this rushing age are so numerous, that multitudes have little time and still less inclination to make preparation for the meeting with God. Hence the majority who are too indolent to search for themselves, are left at the mercy of those whom they pay to search for them; many of whom betray their trust by studying and expounding economic and social problems rather than the Oracles of God.

In Proverbs 14:12 we read, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” This “way” which ends in” death” is the Devil’s Delusion—the gospel of Satan—a way of salvation by human attainment. It is a way which “seemeth right,” that is to say, it is presented in such a plausible way that it appeals to the natural man: it is set forth in such a subtle and attractive manner, that it commends itself to the intelligence of its hearers. By virtue of the fact that it appropriates to itself religious terminology, sometimes appeals to the Bible for its support (whenever this suits its purpose), holds up before men lofty ideals, and is proclaimed by those who have graduated from our theological institutions, countless multitudes are decoyed and deceived by it.

The success of an illegitimate coiner depends largely upon how closely the counterfeit resembles the genuine article. Heresy is not so much the total denial of the truth as a perversion of it. That is why half a lie is always more dangerous than a complete repudiation. Hence when the Father of Lies enters the pulpit it is not his custom to flatly deny the fundamental truths of Christianity, rather does he tacitly acknowledge them, and then proceed to give an erroneous interpretation and a false application. For example: he would not be so foolish as to boldly announce his disbelief in a personal God; he takes His existence for granted and then gives a false description of His character. He announces that God is the spiritual Father of all men, when the Scriptures plainly tell us that we are “the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26), and that “as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). Further, he declares that God is far too merciful to ever send any member of the human race to Hell, when God Himself has said, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the Lake of Fire” (Rev. 20:15). Again; Satan would not be so foolish as to ignore the central figure of human history—the Lord Jesus Christ; on the contrary, his gospel acknowledges Him to be the best man that ever lived. Attention is drawn to His deeds of compassion and works of mercy, the beauty of His character and the sublimity of His teaching. His life is eulogized, but His vicarious Death is ignored, the all-important atoning work of the cross is never mentioned, whilst His triumphant and bodily resurrection from the grave is regarded as one of the credulities of a superstitious age. It is a bloodless gospel, and presents a crossless Christ, who is received not as God manifest in the flesh, but merely as the Ideal Man.

In 2 Corinthians 4:3 we have a scripture which sheds much light upon our present theme. There we are told, “if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them.” He blinds the minds of unbelievers through hiding the light of the Gospel of Christ, and he does this by substituting his own gospel. Appropriately is he designated “The Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). In merely appealing to “the best that is within man,” and in simply exhorting him to “lead a nobler life” there is afforded a general platform upon which those of every shade of opinion can unite and proclaim this common message.

Again we quote Proverbs 14:12—”There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” It has been said with considerable truth that the way to Hell is paved with good intentions. There will be many in the Lake of Fire who commended life with good intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals—those who were just in their dealings, fair in their transactions and charitable in all their ways; men who prided themselves in their integrity but who sought to justify themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral, merciful and magnanimous, but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners needing a Saviour. Such is the way which “seemeth right.” Such is the way that commends itself to the carnal mind and recommends itself to multitudes of deluded ones today. The Devil’s Delusion is that we can be saved by our own works, and justified by our own deeds; whereas, God tells us in His Word : “By grace are ye saved through faith. ..not of works lest any man should boast.” And again, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”

A few years ago the writer became acquainted with one who was a lay preacher and an enthusiastic “Christian worker.” For over seven years this friend had been engaged in public preaching and religious activities, but from certain expressions and phrases he used, the writer doubted whether this friend was a “born again” man. When we began to question him, it was found that he was very imperfectly acquainted with the Scriptures and had only the vaguest conception of Christ’s Work for sinners. For a time we sought to present the way of salvation in a simple and impersonal manner and to encourage our friend to study the Word for himself, in the hope that if he were still unsaved God would be pleased to reveal the Saviour he needed.

One night to our joy, the one who had been preaching the Gospel (?) for several years, confessed that he had found Christ only the previous night. He acknowledged (to use his own words) that he had been presenting “the Christ ideal” but not the Christ of the Cross. The writer believes there are thousands like this preacher who, perhaps, have been brought up in Sunday School, taught about the birth, life, and teachings of Jesus Christ, who believe in the historicity of His person, who spasmodically endeavor to practice His precepts, and who think that that is all that is necessary for their salvation. Frequently, this class when they reach manhood go out into the world, encounter the attacks of atheists and infidels and are told that such a person as Jesus of Nazareth never lived. But the impressions of early days cannot be easily erased, and they remain steadfast in their declaration that they “believe in Jesus Christ.” Yet, when their faith is examined, only too often it is found that though they believe many things about Jesus Christ they do not really believe in him. They believe with the head that such a person lived (and, because they believe this imagine that therefore they are saved), but they have never thrown down the weapons of their warfare against Him, yielded themselves to Him, nor truly believed with their heart in Him.

The bare acceptance of an orthodox doctrine about the person of Christ without the heart being won by Him and the life devoted to Him, is another phase of that way “which seemeth right unto a man” but the end thereof are “the ways of death.” A mere intellectual assent to the reality of Christ’s person, and which goes no further, is another phase of the way which “seemeth right unto a man” but of which the end thereof “are the ways of death,” or, in other words, is another aspect of the gospel of Satan.

And now, where do you stand? Are you in the way which “seemeth right,” but which ends in death; or, are you in the Narrow Way which leadeth unto life? Have you truly forsaken the Broad Road which leadeth to death? Has the love of Christ created in your heart a hatred and horror of all that is displeasing to Him? Are you desirous that he should “reign over” you? (Luke 19:14). Are you relying wholly on His righteousness and blood for your acceptance with God?

Those who are trusting to an outward form of godliness, such as baptism or “confirmation!” those who are religious because it is considered a mark of respectability; those who attend some Church or Chapel because it is the fashion to do so; and, those who unite with some Denomination because they suppose that such a step will enable them to become Christians, are in the way which “ends in death”—death spiritual and eternal. However pure our motives, however noble our intentions, however well-meaning our purposes, however sincere our endeavors, God will not acknowledge us as His sons, until we accept His Son.

A yet more specious form of Satan’s gospel is to move preachers to present the atoning sacrifice of Christ and then tell their hearers that all God requires from them is to “believe” in His Son. Thereby thousands of impenitent souls are deluded into thinking they have been saved. But Christ said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). To “repent” is to hate sin, to sorrow over it, to turn from it. It is the result of the Spirits making the heart contrite before God. None except a broken heart can savingly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, thousands are deceived into supposing that they have “accepted Christ” as their “personal Saviour,” who have not first received Him as their LORD. The Son of God did not come here to save His people in their sin, but “from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). To be saved from sins, is to be saved from ignoring and despising the authority of God, it is to abandon the course of self-will and self-pleasing, it is to “forsake our way” (Isa. 55:7). It is to surrender to God’s authority, to yield to His dominion, to give ourselves over to be ruled by Him. The one who has never taken Christ’s “yoke” upon him, who is not truly and diligently seeking to please Him in all the details of life, and yet supposes that he is “resting on the Finished Work of Christ” is deluded by the Devil.

In the seventh chapter of Matthew there are two scriptures which give us approximate results of Christ’s Gospel and Satan s counterfeit. First, in verses 13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Second; in verses 22-23, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied [preached] in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out demons, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Yes, my reader, it is possible to work in the name of Christ, and even to preach in his name, and though the world knows us, the Church knows us, yet to be unknown to the Lord! How necessary is it then to find out where we really are; to examine ourselves and see whether we be in the faith; to measure ourselves by the Word of God and see if we are being deceived by our subtle Enemy; to find out whether we are building our house upon the sand, or whether it is erected on the Rock which is Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit search our hearts, break our wills, slay our enmity against God, work in us a deep and true repentance, and direct our gaze to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

McGee on the End Times: Spiritual Condition of America

What is the spiritual condition of America today?

Dr. David Reagan and I recently had the pleasure of asking this question of our old friend Evangelist Don McGee on the show Christ in Prophecy. Don is the founder and director of Crown & Sickle Ministries (Rev. 14:14) based in Amite, Louisiana. Don travels all over the Unites States preaching about the soon return of Jesus Christ and speaking at Bible prophecy conferences.

Dr. Reagan: Judge Robert Bork was a man who was nominated to be on the Supreme Court. It's a tragedy he didn't make it because he was just personally crucified. Judge Bork wrote a powerful analysis of American society in 2003 called, "Slouching Towards Gomorrah," in which he indicated that our nation like the Old Roman Empire was being destroyed by internal moral rot. Would you agree, and what would be your assessment of the spiritual condition of America today?

Don McGee: I think Judge Bork hit it just dead on. If that analysis was written today, it wouldn't be "Slouching Toward Gomorrah," I think it would be "A Headlong Fall Into the Morass of Evil." I believe that things have gotten much worse since he wrote that. We can see today that there are so many things which are contrary to God's nature and what He said about morality that are being put out there for acceptance by the public. We are not longer a God fearing nation.

I'm reminded of something that President Lincoln called for in the dark days of the Civil War. He called for a National Day of Prayer and Repentance. He said a lot of things in that call which you can pull up on the Internet and read what he said. One of the important points he made was that we have allowed our prosperity and our independence to propel us into a position where we think we've got everything. It's like we believe we've got a tiger by the tail on a downhill drag, meaning that we don't need to worry about God anymore. But, that is just not true.

Lincoln made that remarkable statement of his, and it basically attributed the whole Civil War as being due to our rebellion against God. He believed we needed to go to our churches and our synagogues and spend a whole day repenting and praying. I think if a President were to issue such a declaration like that today there would probably be an immediate move to impeach him. That's how far we've moved away. And, in a presidential election, I believe that if a candidate would stand up and say, "A National Day of Prayer and Repentance is what I will institute once I am inaugurated," I think that person would feel heat like no president ever has. I believe that he is going to see heat from different directions, too. He's going to see it from the Hollywood elite. He's going to see it from Wall Street. He's going to see it from Madison Avenue. He's going to see it from the Halls of Congress. But, more importantly, he's going to see it from a lot of so-called Christians.

Dr. Reagan: What are some of the indicators of moral rot in America today?

Don McGee: For one, the perversion of homosexuality being accepted as a normal lifestyle and as something that is genetically normal. Supporters of homosexuality even go as far as saying they're born that way, and that it is genetic and they can't do anything about it.

Dr. Reagan: Did you think you would ever live to see churches endorsing same-sex marriage?

Don McGee: When I was a young man I thought that would never happen. Not only are they endorsing same-sex marriages, but many of their leaders who are also practicing homosexuals and lesbians are being ordained as bishops and priests and preachers in direct opposition to God's Word. They pick a pig-path through the Scripture. They take scissors and they cut out what doesn't agree with them.

Nathan Jones: In cutting out the words of God that they don't agree with, they're acting as if Jesus isn't God and doesn't have anything to say about this sin?

Don McGee: Yes, how can you argue with the plain Word of God? In fact, these people don't even argue with it anymore because their hearts are so calloused. They just flat out reject it.

Then, there's the murdering of babies. No country can escape the wrath of God when they kill millions of little babies every year before they are even born. That is sin like other things are a sin, but to harm the innocent is from what I see in the Old Testament and in the New Testament when Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me," indicates to me that there is a special place in the great heart of God for the innocent.

Dr. Reagan: What about national debt? I consider that to be an immorality.

Don McGee: Stewardship is something that is taught throughout the Bible. Anytime you spend more then you take in, at least in my house, debt arises.

Dr. Reagan: What we are doing right now with out debt would be the equivalent to me going out and buying a fifty million dollar mansion and signing an agreement to pay for it over the next 200 years, putting that debt on my children, my grandchildren, and even my great-grandchildren. That would not be a moral action.

Nathan Jones: Years ago Japan passed something like an inheritance tax where their people could actually sign a contract like for a loan on a house and then pass that expense onto their grandchildren to pay for it. I remember we as a nation all got up in arms about the injustice of that tax when hearing of it, but now even ten years later we are doing the exact same thing to our children, we just don't point it out this time.

Don McGee: You can't make such debts yourselves at your house because you can't print money, but if you are the government then they can print as much money as they want, though it incurs debt and inflation.

Dr. Reagan: There are just so many signs of moral rot in America today. One of them certainly is vocabulary. I remember that in 1939 the first movie ever to have a curse word in it was Gone with the Wind. It was held up by the censors for several months because it had just one curse word in it right at the end. Today, you go to the average movie put out by Hollywood and the language is just absolutely overwhelming in terms of every horrible word you could possibly think of. We've become desensitized to cursing.

Don McGee: Absolutely! I just concur whole-heartedly. Recently I was in a family restaurant and there was a family of four: mom, dad, two kids. The language that was coming out of that father's mouth in front of his little children was absolutely atrocious, but he felt no problem using it.

Nathan Jones: Just go to the playgrounds. My kids play with other kids who swear like sailors. It sad that they are so young and you know they learned those words from their parents.

Don McGee: When I was a teenager, I didn't think girls burped. That was something they just didn't do, but I certainly knew that girls did not use that kind of language. Today, their mouths are as filthy as any sailor that I have ever heard. So, the weaker sex as it used to be called is no longer immune from that kind of degradation and foul language.

Dr. Reagan: We see a lot of moral decay has come from greed. Greed seems to be the motivating force in America today. No matter how much I've got, I've got to have more. This is certainly an indication of the moral rot of the nation. There are just so many signs of this decay. It's rather like the Old Roman Empire all over again in terms of its internal moral rot.

Don McGee: Another aspect of the decay is gambling. When you talk about gambling, you talk about a god. What you are doing is practical atheism. You are believing that you are in control of your life and that you are going to insure your future. You believe that what God has given you is not sufficient and so you've got to go out and get it some other way. For every one person that wins, a thousand people have to lose.

Dr. Reagan: One of the problems is that professing Christians are involved in all of this sin, too. If professing Christians would stop getting abortions, the abortion mills would have to close. If professing Christians would stop buying lottery tickets, they wouldn't have them. Because 85% of the people in America profess to be Christians, it could be argued that we are part of the problem.

Don McGee: Yes, I think that one of the reasons for this is because people really don't understand what "Christian" means anymore. It's become a cultural thing. They believe that since they were raised in a Christian home and went to church maybe once a year that they are a Christian. Cultural Christians claim that since their dad was a preacher or a deacon and their mom was a Sunday School teacher, then automatically they are a Christian.

Nathan Jones: What's sad about all this immorality, this not having the foundation of the Bible anymore, and I remember seeing it a lot especially during the 90's in songs by Alanis Morissette and others, is that after all this pleasure does not fulfill then apathy sets in. People have filled their lives with so much pleasure that never ever satisfies them that they end up becoming hopeless.

Dr. Reagan: That's a good point, Nathan, because most of our children today don't even know basic Bible stories like Adam and Eve and Moses. They don't even know the basic biblical concepts. They are quite biblically illiterate and so they have no moral basis upon which to make moral decisions. They have to turn to television which teaches you to solve all of your problems with violence.

In the next part of our discussion with Don McGee concerning the end times, we'll ask him why there are so many different end time viewpoints.

Consistent Biblical Futurism (Part 4)

By Dr. Thomas Ice
Pre-Trib Research Center

When one looks at the New Testament Epistles for specific prophecy relating to the current church age, there is virtually nothing to be found. The church age is not a time of specific prophetic fulfillment and does not have a specific prophetic countdown or timetable, as does Israel and her 70 weeks of years prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27). The only specific future event prophesied for the church age is its end found in the rapture of the church event (John 14:1–3; 1 Thess. 4:13–18). There are general descriptions that give us an idea of the trends of the church age, but there is not specific prophecy like that which is found in abundance to describe the tribulation period. The church age mainly has specific prophecy about its beginning (Acts 1 and 2) and its ending (1 Thess. 4:13–18). The general admonition that "evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 4:13) is characteristic of the Lord's revelation relating to the church age.

The Course of the Church Age

The current church age, in which believers live today, does have a general course or direction in which this dispensation is moving. First, James says in Acts 15:14:

"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name."

The purpose of the present church age is to be a time of great Gentile salvation. This does not mean that there will not be Jewish believers during this age, because there is a remnant of Jacob throughout the church age which is added to Gentile ingathering in order to form the body of Christ. Ephesians chapter two teaches us that the Lord is taking the Jewish remnant and joining them with Gentile converts into one new man in which Jewish and Gentile believers are one, thus, coequal with Christ during the church age. However, when the last elect Gentile is saved whom the Father has chosen to be part of the body of Christ, then, as Paul says, "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Rom. 11:25). Fullness in this context has the connotation of "full number of Gentiles." This means that when that last Gentile is converted to Christ, His body will be complete and the rapture will occur, ending the current church age.

The course of this age is given to Christians primarily by Christ's parables in Matthew 13 providing insight into the course of this dispensation. Since Matthew 13 surveys this present age in its relation to the postponement of the kingdom, the parables cover the period of time between Christ's two advents — His first and second comings. This includes the tribulation, second coming, and final judgment, after the rapture, but nevertheless includes an important overview of our present era. Therefore, the items that relate to the end of the age in Matthew 13 do not apply to the church age, since our dispensation will end via the rapture, while the broader inter-advent age continues with the tribulation and Christ's physical return to planet earth at the end of that seven-year period. How does Matthew 13 depict this age?

The parable of the sower (Matt. 13:1–23) teaches that this age will be characterized by the sowing of the gospel seed onto different kinds of soil. The sowing of the seed will receive opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil, resulting in various responses to the gospel message. The parable of the tares (Matt. 13:24–30) teaches that the true sowing will be imitated by a false counter-sowing, which will result in a side-by-side development as a result of the two sowings. Judgment at the end of the tribulation, at least seven-years after the conclusion of the church age will separate the two with the wheat entering the Messianic Kingdom and the tares being excluded. The parable of the mustard seed (Matt. 13:31–32) teaches that there will be an abnormal external growth of Christendom [1] until it becomes a monstrosity, which will become a resting place for birds, who are pictured as agents of Satan. Christendom has been for many years and remains the largest religion in the world today. The parable of the leaven (Matt. 13:33–43) teaches that false teaching, represented by leaven, will be introduced into this age resulting in corruption of doctrine. False teaching will grow until it permeates all branches of Christendom. The parable of the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44) teaches that the treasure hidden is the field representing Israel. It teaches that there will be a remnant that will be saved out of Israel who is scattered around the world during the church age. Yet, there will be Jews coming to Jesus the Messiah during the current dispensation. Finally, the parable of the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45) teaches that since the pearl originates in the sea and when the sea is used symbolically it represents Gentiles. Thus, the main point of this parable is that Gentiles will also come to a saving knowledge of Jesus as their Messiah. The last two parables in Matthew 13 do not relate to the church age, thus, they will not be dealt with.

The Last Days for the Church

The New Testament clearly speaks about the last days for the church. Note the use of the following terms that speak of the end of the current church age: "latter days" (1 Tim. 4:1); "last days" (2 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:2; Jam. 5:3; 2 Pet. 3:3); "last times" (1 Pet. 1:20; Jude 18); "last time" (1 Pet.1:5; 1 John 2:18). A number of New Testament Epistles clearly speak of the condition within Christendom near the end of the church age. Interestingly, virtually all of these comments come from the Epistles written shortly before the death of each Apostle writing (i.e., during the last days of the various Apostles), as if to emphasize the dangers latent during the church's last days. The following is a list of the seven major passages that deal with the last days for the church:

• 1 Timothy 4:1-3
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4
• James 5:1-8
• 2 Peter 2:1-22
• 2 Peter 3:3-6
• Jude 1-25

Every one of these passages emphasizes over and over again that the great characteristic of the end of the church age will be that of apostasy. Pentecost concludes:

"This condition at the close of the age is seen to coincide with the state within the Laodicean Church, before which Christ must stand to seek admission. In view of its close it is not surprising that the age is called an "evil age" in Scripture." [2]

The New Testament pictures the condition within the professing church at the end of the age by a system of denials.

• Denial of God — Luke 17:26; 2 Timothy 3:4-5
• Denial of Christ — 1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:6
• Denial of Christ's return — 2 Peter 3:3-4
• Denial of the faith — 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 3
• Denial of sound doctrine — 2 Timothy 4:3-4
• Denial of the separated life — 2 Timothy 3:1-7
• Denial of Christian liberty — 1 Timothy 4:3-4
• Denial of morals — 2 Timothy 3:1-8,13; Jude 18
• Denial of authority — 2 Timothy 3:4 [3]

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder and first president of Dallas Theological Seminary, characterized the last days for the church in the following way:

A very extensive body of Scripture bears on the last days for the Church. Reference is to a restricted time at the very end of, and yet wholly within, the present age. Though this brief period immediately precedes the great tribulation and in some measure is a preparation for it, these two times of apostasy and confusion — though incomparable in history — are wholly separate the one from the other. Those Scriptures which set forth the last days for the Church give no consideration to political or world conditions but are confined to the Church itself. These Scriptures picture men as departing from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-2). There will be a manifestation of characteristics which belong to unregenerate men, though it is under the profession of "a form of godliness" (cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-5). The indication is that, having denied the power of the blood of Christ (cf. 2 Tim. 3:5 with Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:23-24; 2 Tim. 4:2-4), the leaders in these forms of righteousness will be unregenerate men from whom nothing more spiritual than this could proceed (cf. 1 Cor. 2 :14). [4]

The clear course of the last days for the church consists of constant warnings to the believer to be on guard against doctrinal defection, otherwise known as apostasy. Apostasy means "the abandonment or renunciation of a belief or principle." [5] When one scans the New Testament for how apostasy or departure from the faith is used, we see that it relates to departure from sound doctrine and godly behavior. Such a characteristic provides for the Christian today a clear sign that the end of this present age is near.

Conclusion

Even though specific prophecy is not given concerning the present church age, we have seen that the New Testament does paint a general picture of the course of this age. We learn that the purpose of this age is to preach the gospel throughout the world, knowing that there will be various responses to the message. As the church starts out small, like a mustard seed, it will nevertheless grow into a large tree where birds will come and dwell in its branches. Thus, the larger that Christendom grows the more apostate it will become. So we see that these general trends will continue until that last person is saved and then the rapture will end the church age, preparing the way for Antichrist and the tribulation. Maranatha!

The Sequence of Pretribulation Events

The Sequence of Pretribulation Events (Biblical and Sound)...based on teach of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum (Ariel Ministries):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAhNvA3QlY&feature=player_detailpage

The Sequence of Pretribulation Events

The Sequence of Pretribulation Events is based on the writings of Dr. A. G. Fruchtenbaum (Ariel.org).

Admitting Israel into E.U.

Daniel 9:26-27:

the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

"And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."

Rome Leader Makes "Historic Visit" to Israel: Says His "Greatest Dream" Is for Israel to Join the European Union

By Joel Rosenberg

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Italian cabinet for a series of joint meetings with the Israeli cabinet. He also hosted a gala dinner for the Italian delegation at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. Netanyahu described the leader from Rome as “one of Israel’s greatest friends, a courageous leader who is a great champion of freedom and a great supporter of peace.” Netanyahu said this despite the fact that the Associated Press reports Italy is the leading trading partner with Iran in the E.U.

Berlusconi was one of only three leaders in Western Europe who voted against the anti-Israel U.N. resolution last fall regarding the Goldstone Commission Report (the other two were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende).

Rome was Netanyahu’s first stop on his first trip to Europe upon becoming Prime Minister in 2009, specifically to see Berlusconi. Likewise, Avigdor Lieberman headed straight to Rome to see Berlusconi as his first trip as Israeli Foreign Minister.

“I can think of very few nations who have made such a contribution to Western culture as our two nations. In Rome and Jerusalem, the foundations for Western culture were laid,” Netanyahu said Monday night.

Berlusconi, who brought eight senior members of his government, returned the compliment saying that Rome considers Jerusalem one of its closest allies and considers Israel a part of Europe. “As long as I am one of the shapers of politics,” the Roman leader stated, “my greatest dream is to include Israel among the European Union countries.” He invited Netanyahu to come to Italy for another round of meetings.

The meetings were described by some in the media as “historic.” They also had echoes of Bible prophecy. The Hebrew Prophet Daniel indicates that in the “last days” Israel will sign a peace treaty with her many neighbors that appears to be brokered or negotiated or confirmed in some way by a leader from Rome (see Daniel chapter nine). It’s too soon to say definitively that yesterday’s events were in any way part of those prophecies, but they were certainly intriguing to those tracking geopolitical events in light of End Times prophecies.

Related Links

---

FM to Berlusconi: Pressure Russia against Iran - Ynetnews
Epicenter 2.0: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future - Joel C. Rosenberg (Book)
European Union In Prophecy - Rapture Ready (Terry James and Todd Strandberg)
Berlusconi charms Israel with EU talk - Reuters
Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach - Paul N. Benware (Book)

Obama: America is 'no longer Christian'

Last week President Obama said in addressing a press conference in Turkey last week: "Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers,". View on Youtube.

The naïveté of His words (which merely echo what most of the world believes) speak for themselves. Bending over backwards to appease the enemy isn't going to get him any points, in fact it only proves to them we are weak. Which we are! Watching last weekend several presentations commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day only helped me see that even more clearly! This nation isn't what it used to be BECAUSE it forgot God. God brings wrath on those who reject Him, and this country is guilty of doing that big time.

If you are not a Christian, know and accept that Jesus was the Son of God who came and died for your sins.

As a Christian, don't be disgusted, this didn't start with the current administration, it started long ago. Most importantly, remember God's plans cannot be thwarted, and the Scriptures tell us that every ruler is put there by God ("the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes" Daniel 5:21). Rejoice at the signs of the times, as it shows us our redemption IS very, VERY close.

These futile attempts on the part of politicians and diplomats to achieve Middle East peace have been searching for peace for Israel for decades. Why? Why is this small and insignificant country (in the eyes of the world) such a concern? America has ignored many other skirmishes throughout the world, why is this one so important? It's all leading to the end of time. Zechariah 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Referring to the siege of Jerusalem before the battle of Armageddon. Thankfully those of us who have put our trust in Jesus Christ before then will be watching, as one of my favorite Bible teachers puts it......"from the mezzanine".

While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:13

Where Is the U.S. in The Bible's End-Time Prophecies?

Many prophecy/Bible students look for clues to the U.S. in Bible End-Time prophecies. Man had not discovered the continent and hemisphere back 4000, 2000 or even 1000 years ago; however, God knew of its existance, and He may have left us clues.

There can only be 3 possibilities for the U.S. in the End-Times when Israel is invaded from the North:

1. It is an ally of Israel
2. It is unwilling to help Israel
3. It is unable to help Israel (due to destruction or crippling by Israel's and the U.S.'s enemies)

No one commentary I've read or heard can say for sure. One commentary speculated that perhaps Tarshish refers to England and as the U.S. is a "descendant of sorts" of the English, having been initially discovered and inhabitted by them, an extention of Tarshish. However, there is no definitive proof that Tarshish IS indeed England in the Bible. Should you wish to study up on that, the Biblical passages mentioning Tarshish are: Gen_10:4; 1Ki_10:22; 1Ki_22:48; 1Ch_1:7; 1Ch_7:10; 2Ch_9:21; 2Ch_20:36; 2Ch_20:37; Est_1:14; Psa_48:7; Psa_72:10; Isa_2:16; Isa_23:1; Isa_23:6; Isa_23:10; Isa_23:14; Isa_60:9; Isa_66:19; Jer_10:9; Eze_10:9; Eze_27:12; Eze_27:25; Eze_38:13; Jon_1:3; Jon_4:2;

In Isaiah 29:8 we get what may be a glimpse that the U.S. will be in the 2nd category (unwilling to help Israel) as it says: It will be as when a hungry man dreams-- And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty man dreams-- And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations will be Who wage war against Mount Zion. [emphasis mine].

Additionally The Scriptures tell us:

Isa 34:2 For the anger of Jehovah is on all nations, and His fury on all their armies. He has completely destroyed them, He has delivered them to the slaughter.

Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will fight with them there for My people and for My inheritance Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided My land.

Zec 12:3 And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples. All who lift it shall be slashed, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem; and the city shall be taken, and the houses plundered, and the women raped. And half of the city shall go into exile, and the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Rev 14:8 And another angel followed, saying, The great city, Babylon, has fallen, has fallen; because of the wine of the anger of her fornication; she has made all nations to drink.

Rev 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that day, the great day of God Almighty.

I don't assume this is THE final answer to the question of U.S. in End-Times prophecy in the Bible. Though in this passage Isaiah IS speaking of the attack by the Assyrians, this can be seen as a "type" of future things to come, as often we see in Scripture.

From Matthew Henry's commentary: "This woe to Ariel [Jerusalem], which we have in this chapter, is the same with the “burden of the valley of vision” (Isa_22:1), and (it is very probable) points at the same event - the besieging of Jerusalem by the Assyrian army, which was cut off there by an angel; yet it is applicable to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and its last desolations by the Romans. Here is, I. The event itself foretold, that Jerusalem should be greatly distressed (Isa_29:1-4, Isa_29:6), but that their enemies, who distressed them, should be baffled and defeated (Isa_29:5, Isa_29:7, Isa_29:8).


God is not ambiguous, when He says "all", He means "all"! I think for Israel to stand alone at that time would also follow the pattern we see all throughout the Scriptures - namely that God wants Israel and the entire world to come to reliance on Him rather than nations and peace treaties.

WHY Study Prophecy?

Many Christians think it's useless to study prophecy. If they believe God's will is sovereign they figure His perfect will is working itself out, so what's the point of studying it?!?

Since the Bible is sufficient for all, we go to it (as always) to see what is true:

1. Thankfully God answers this in no uncertain terms right at the beginning of the ultimate book of prophecy (and of the Bible itself) - Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. " A BLESSING is given to those who pay attention to prophecy - why? Because "the time is near.", the end-time, time of judgment and thankfully to those who are saved, the time of rapture before the judgment!
2. If you know anything about end-times prophecy at all, you can see the signs working themselves out exactly as Jesus told us in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 (undeniable "birth pangs" such as earthquakes, plagues, famines, etc. All of which even non-Christian sources admit to having increased in the last few years.
   
3. As we see "future" prophecy coming to fruition in OUR OWN time we become like the sons of Isaachar (1Chronicles 12:32) as "men who understood the times"! In Matthew 16:3 Jesus Himself pointed to the foolishness of those who did not know God's word, and thus did not recognize Him as the promissed Messiah - they were UNLIKE the sons of Issachar - they could figure out the signs in the skies but could not see the coming of the Savior. This He said when the Pharisees and Saducees requested a sign from heaven that He was indeed the Messiah: "And in the morning [you say], 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? "
4. We know not to fear and indeed to be glad when we see these things as they are signs to us that our redemption is close, that we will be raptured from the Great Tribulation and Jesus is soon to come! Luke 21:9 "When you hear of wars and disturbances [rumors of wars], do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately."
   

Rapture Passages (just a few):

• 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
• Matthew 24:31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. "
• Mark 13:26-27 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven."

Maranatha!

Seven Major Prophetic Signs Of The Second Coming

This Bible study by Jack Kelley (Click here to read entire study. I've only copied the key points to peak your interest. I hope you will read it and be informed). [Emphases in italics bold and blue are from the text, but emphasized by myself]:

Seven Major Prophetic Signs Of The Second Coming
There are seven major prophetic signs of the Second Coming, and for the first time in history all seven are in some stage of fulfillment. As in years past, I'll list the seven with their primary biblical references and offer commentary from current events.

1. Israel Will Be In The Land... Ezekiel 38:8
After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.
In 1948, when Israel took its place among the nations of the world again for the first time in nearly 2000 years, students of prophecy recognized the fulfillment of the primary sign that the end of the age was upon us. Jesus had said that the generation being born when that happened would still be alive when He returned (Matt. 24:34)...

2. Jerusalem Will Be In Jewish Hands... Luke 21:24
They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Lord prophesied that the reunification of Jerusalem as a Jewish City would be a sign that foreign (gentile) influence over His land, and indeed the world, was about to end. When this happened in 1967, prophecy experts saw it as another major sign fulfilled...

...And remember, the culmination of End Times prophecies is the Second Coming, not the Rapture of the Church, which precedes it by at least 7 years...

...As the time draws nearer, the timing of the 2nd Coming will become more and more obvious. Those people around when a treaty is enforced permitting the Jews to build their Temple in Israel will know that it's seven years away. Those who witness the anti Christ standing in that Temple proclaiming himself to be God will know there are only 1260 days left until the end of the Great Tribulation, and the 2nd Coming happens right after that. As Paul so clearly put it, only those in darkness will be taken by surprise...

3. A Moslem Coalition Armed And Led By Russia Will Attack The Holy Land... Ezek. 38:2-6
"Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army--your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with you."...
...Over 130 historical references make it plain that Magog stands for modern Russia, and the other countries named here form a coalition based on their common religion, Islam. (Today Russia is 30% Moslem and growing.) Among them are Iran, several North African countries, Eastern European countries along the Danube, and the Turkic nations of Asia Minor. A quick look at a world map will reveal that these areas are home to some of the most violent Islamic terrorist groups...

...The Russians are already a major supplier of arms for the Moslem coalition, just as Ezekiel prophesied...

...When the time is right, having recently taken His church to Heaven, the Lord will use this battle to orchestrate His reconciliation with Israel, and on its heels the anti Christ will emerge with a peace plan that includes a Jewish Temple. So once this battle takes place, end times prophecy will go on fast forward.

4. The Ancient Roman Empire Will Re-Emerge As A Political Force... Rev 17:9-10

"This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while." (This one is a little obscure if you don't know your history. When John was writing this, about 95AD, there had been five great world powers; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. All were conquered and absorbed. The current power was Rome, which was never really conquered and will re-emerge at the end of the age, according to Daniel 9:26.)...

...In the mean time the Western European Union (WEU) a 10 nation confederacy of the only permanent and fully vested members of the EU has assumed responsibility for creating its military arm, based on its Recommendation 666, passed earlier. And in January 2007 the EU's European Neighborhood Plan (ENP) takes effect. It's a seven-year treaty that brings 12 Middle Eastern countries including Israel and the Palestinian Authority into economic cooperation with the EU. The EU's Javier Solana has been fighting to get this program off the ground for years, and its coming implementation has made him the current favorite among those looking for the anti-Christ.

5. The World Will Embrace A Single Religion... Rev 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

The one world religion idea has been around for most of our generation, often under the guise of ecumenism. As the liberal denominations continue watering down their theology there are fewer things keeping them apart. Now some Evangelical leaders are questioning whether Jesus is really the only way to salvation. The flirtation between certain Evangelical groups and the Catholic Church is interesting, as is the dialog between the Pope and Leaders of Islam, and their common devotion to Mary. The Catholic Church is one of the richest organizations on the planet with over 1 billion members on 6 continents, and clearly thinks of itself as the world's dominant religious group. It's no secret that the Catholic church is posturing itself to be a major player in End times events.

But make no mistake about it. The rise of radical Islam is the chief threat to world peace today and their goal is nothing less than world domination. Their god is not the God of the Bible, and their fight with Jews and Christians actually began in the 7th Century AD when the Jews rejected Mohammed's offer of consolidation. Prior to that time he had counseled his followers to respect and befriend the Jewish people, but when they refused to join his religion, he declared jihad (holy war) against them. Christians were included 400 years later as a result of the Crusades...

...Much has been written this year about al Mahdi, a manifestation of Moslem prophecy that is strikingly similar to Christian prophecies of the anti-Christ. Both come on the scene during a time of great turmoil on Earth, both come claiming a desire to restore peace, both have a seven year reign, both head a one world religion and one world government, both claim supernatural origins, and both reigns end in a battle between good and evil that brings about Earth's final judgment. Some students of prophecy remind us that the Roman Empire had an Eastern component composed of the very countries whose people are the most militant advocates of Islam today, and that the anti-Christ could easily come from there...

6. The World Will Accept A Single Government... Rev 13:3
The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.
Earlier, I stated my view that a decline in US strength would be necessary to permit the Battle of Ezekiel to take place. This is also a necessary precursor to the emergence of a one world government....................

7. Babylon Will Re-Emerge As A Prominent City In World Affairs... Rev 18:2-3
With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Babylon is still a ways away from accepting its destiny as a city of power in the end times. It's just a ceremonial city right now, but 15 years ago nobody even knew it existed at all. One of the shocks of Gulf War 1 was the discovery of Babylon standing there on the banks of the Euphrates again..................

Other Signs
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:6-14)

Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:10-11)
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS ... Depending upon whose intelligence reports you read somewhere between 30 and 50 wars are currently being fought around the world, with a substantial number of additional disputes threatening to erupt into war at any time.
THE INCREASE OF NATURAL DISASTERS ... More frequent and more severe hurricanes, more frequent and more intense earthquakes. Killer storms and quakes continue to dot the news, although 2006 didn't achieve the record levels of devastation caused in 2005
SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS ... The magnetic polar reversal, predicted by computer model for 2012 is gaining more attention since its likelihood was first announced. Having moved several hundred miles across Canada the Magnetic North Pole is currently headed for Siberia. While the effects of a Magnetic Polar Reversal have never been observed by mankind, it has apparently happened in the distant past. What's unique this time is that the Sun is due for a polar reversal at the same time. I've speculated that the effects of the polar reversal could fulfill Revelation 6 and if the projected time of 2012 is correct, it fits nicely into the End Times prophecy window we opened above.
PESTILENCE... Not only new diseases like HIV and SARS but also the return of old ones like Whooping cough. But the big news again this year is the likely spread of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). A few cases among humans have lead to fears that the virus has mutated to thrive in a human host. Dire predictions are placing possible deaths from this pandemic in the millions
THE LOVE OF MOST WILL GROW COLD ... 3500 people die every day in defense of the Christian faith. Run away crime, children being abused and murdered by their parents, children killing children. Murder trials as public entertainment soon to be followed by televised executions. Ethnic cleansing, rape and forced pregnancy, pedophilia, random shootings, the incidence of disrespect is enough to make you sick.
THIS GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED IN ALL NATIONS ... Looking at the state of the world, it's hard to be encouraged. But as world news gets worse and worse, more people are turning to the Lord for solace. According to some reports as many as 175,000 new believers are born again every day, mostly in Africa, China, and India. Reports of these conversions are accompanied by accounts of miracles, people receiving supernatural healings and even being raised from the dead. Just as He did at the beginning of the church Age the Holy Spirit is moving mightily at its End. I believe the Lord is issuing a giant "last call" before He suddenly takes the church out of here to begin the End Times judgments.
The above are given as indicators in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) and we'll continue to bring you periodic information on these as well.
As you know most of the signs in the Olivet Discourse are progressive and all are described as happening well before the end. Their main interest to us is found in the phrase "beginning of birth pangs." Natural disasters, the tendency toward war as a tool of diplomacy, famine amidst plenty (35,000 children die each day of starvation and related diseases) and pestilence are described as being common to the era but increasing in frequency and intensity as the end approaches. This was certainly the case in 2005 and is an indicator of how close we are to the end.
It's true that for over 100 years folks have been saying, "how much worse can it get?" Sadly, the answer now as it was then is, "Much!" It seems man's depravity knows no limits. But take heart. Though we are in the world, we are not of the world. We don't belong here, being citizens of heaven. And one day soon our long awaited King will return to take us there. Maranatha!

Excerpt from Gracethrufaith.com. Please click here to read entire study by Jack Kelley. It is very thorough and throughly interesting.