No. There are still many events that have been described in the Bible which must occur prior to Jesus’ return. However, the series of events that mark the very last days could begin this year.
I want to begin by saying that I might be wrong. However, if these events do take place as I describe them here, I want us to be alerted to their significance and what they portend.
My ideas are not based on some personal revelation, but on an interpretation of Biblical prophecies, typology, and end time parallels. I have read a number of papers on the subject and have talked to many other people. My conclusions include a number of ideas from these other people, even though I have not referenced them directly. In some cases the details of this interpretation are based on some fairly circumstantial evidence. However, I believe that the overall concept is well founded in scripture.
I will begin by providing a short summary and then I will go into a greater amount of detail in following sections. Time and space do not permit me to present all of the evidence that exists in the Bible to support this concept. Overall, the description of events may appear very fantastic or sensational, yet this is not surprising or surreal. The power of God will be manifest in these last days in a way that is more extensive than that displayed during creation week. Greater things will happen than the parting of the Red Sea, the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, or the destruction of Jericho. If the events seem very fantastic, first remember the incredible ways that God has acted throughout Biblical history. Also read the detail sections to see where I have taken these descriptions out of the Bible itself.
It is most important for Christians to remember the words of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:25-26, 28. (KJV)
I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian. Seventh Day Adventists have a well defined set of 27 fundamental doctrines, but freely acknowledge that there is room for more light to be given about the details of end time events. This study is fully consistent with the fundamental doctrines of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Almost all Christians look at the world around us and recognize the Biblical signs that indicate that Christ’s return is imminent. Unfortunately, there is one significant problem. The most definitive sign that Jesus will return is when the Gospel has first gone to all the earth. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all, and then the end shall come." Matt 24:14. Actually, it is more specific than that. "And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people" Rev 14:6.
The organizations that track the progress of world evangelism show huge population centers throughout the world that are categorized as "World A Populations". World ‘A’ Populations are those that have virtually no significant Christian presence. These studies show that there are literally billions of people throughout the world that have not heard the Gospel message. Based on our progress so far, it would take Christians several more centuries to carry the Gospel to every nation, language, people and tongue. Even in our time of travel and communication technology, many of the barriers are cultural rather than technological. We might be able to go or to talk to everyone in the world, but not everyone will be willing to listen.
We are left with one of two conclusions. 1) Christ’s return is not imminent, or 2) God will intervene in a very significant way to complete the spread of the Gospel message in a short period of time.
I believe the second conclusion based on the Biblical signs of Christ’s return and because of the specific end time prophecies that have already been fulfilled. I also believe that the way in which God will act is described through the imagery of the 7 Seals and the 7 Trumpets of Revelation.
Amid a growing number of catastrophic environmental and economic disasters, the world will be plunged into a rapidly escalating world war. Shortly after the war reaches its peak, God will intervene in a dramatic way. In the autumn of a year very soon (possibly even this year), a shower of small meteors will strike the earth. These meteors will cause global catastrophe, and will destroy a great deal of the forests, vegetation, and crops. Shortly thereafter, a larger meteor will fall into the ocean, causing massive tidal waves, and destroying ships and sea life. Once again, a large meteor will strike the earth. The dust and debris kicked up by this meteor will darken the atmosphere and cause a prolonged period of darkness. All of these events will occur in a period of approximately 150 days or less.
People will soon realize that these catastrophes are acts of God, especially because they are described in detail in the book of Revelation in the Bible. The masses of people will look to the world religious leaders for an explanation of these events and for guidance as to how they can appease the wrath of God. The pope and the evangelical Christian leaders who have allied themselves together (beginning with the document entitled Evangelicals & Christians Together signed in 1994) will capitalize on the opportunity to unite the world under one system of religious worship. Support will not come instantaneously, but will begin to grow from the countries that are already nominally Christian, particularly the USA. However, another small group will arise with a powerful voice to speak out against the one world church.
In the USA, the new worldwide religious movement will unite upon points of doctrine that they hold in common. One of the first actions they will take is to institutionalize religious worship of God, and among other things, will ordain Sunday as a universal day of mandatory worship. In the USA, laws will be quickly passed to support this and other religious ordinances put forth by the religious leaders.
In the midst of this turmoil, Satan will appear on the earth in an attempt to impersonate Jesus at His Second Coming. Satan will appear in the likeness of Christ as the Bible describes Him, and he will be accompanied by his legions of fallen angels. Christ’s true followers will heed their Savior’s warning in Matt 24:23-27. "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go forth, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." (NAS)
Christ’s followers will not be deceived by the imposter, but the masses will be convinced that he is Jesus. He and his demons will perform many miracles of apparent healing. Satan will add legitimacy to the false religious institutions established by the world religious leaders. The people will believe that this is the Millennium of Peace that they had been expecting. Eventually, all of the governments that had resisted the religious movement will fall in step. There will begin worldwide persecution of those who resist the false religious movement. Economic sanctions will be imposed on those who fail to obey and they will not be able to buy or sell. Initially people will only be imprisoned and tortured, but eventually many will be killed. The scenes will parallel those of the Catholic Inquisition of the Dark Ages. Satan and his minions will lead out in this devastation, and will blame the calamities on those who do not faithfully obey.
Eventually, everyone on the earth will make a personal decision to stand with or against the world religious movement. There will become two distinct groups. The larger one will capitulate to the pressures of the false Christ and the world religious movement. The other smaller group will retreat to the countryside and the mountains and will deny the false Christ.
Calamities will begin to fall on the earth. The people will break out with malignant sores. The fish in the sea will die, and the oceans will turn to blood. Satan will tell the masses that these are punishments from God the Father because of the sin of the small band of disbelievers. Yet, unknown to the masses, the smaller group of people will not be affected by these plagues. The masses will take action against the dissenters. They will proclaim a death decree against anyone who will not repent by a certain time (about 11 months). The catastrophes will continue. The rivers will be turned to blood. The atmosphere will be in a tumult. First it will thin and the sun will scorch men with its fierce heat. Then it will thicken again with dust and debris and darkness will overtake the earth.
Finally the execution day of the death decree will approach. The masses of the earth will gather into great military forces to round up and execute the dissenters in order to appease the wrath of their god. As they press forward into the wilderness and come upon the small clusters of rebels, suddenly the earth will quake, the heavens will shake and huge hailstones will rain down upon the attacking armies.
Shortly thereafter, a cloud will appear in the eastern sky. At first it will appear small, but it will grow in size and brilliance. The small group of holdouts will raise their voices in praise as they recognize their Redeemer and King coming in glory with all of His heavenly angels. The living wicked will be slain by the brightness of His righteousness. He will call out and the dead in Christ will rise from their graves. The living righteous will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye and they will all be caught up together in the air to be with Jesus.
From beginning to end these things occ ime span of just under four years.
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