Signs of the Coming of the Lord

Lately we've been experiencing several earthquakes in our world. Back on January 12, Haiti just experienced a massive 7.0 earthquake which devasted that tropical country. On Friday February 26, Japan experienced an 8.5 earthquake off its coast. Early Saturday morning February 27, Chile experienced a massive 8.8 earthquake, one of the largest recorded earthquakes in Chile. I was watching Fox news Saturday about the earthquake in Chile and they said the largest known earthquake was in May 1960 in Chile and it registered 9.5. The earthquake took place in Concepcion, Chile. The powerful earthquake triggered off a tsunami warning off the West Coast. Hawaii was on alert for a tsunami but thankfully that tsunami was called off for Hawaii. However, Japan is on the lookout for a tsunami. It's becoming a frequent occurence for our world to experience the earthquakes we've been having recently. Anyone that knows anything about the Bible knows that this is all part of the signs of the last days (Matthew 24:7). I believe the Lord's trying to send a message to us. I believe it's part of the judgment of God on this world.

In Matthew 24 Jesus' disciples asked him what are the signs of the last days. Jesus told his disciples that in the last days nations will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, which is what we're presently seeing. He said there would be wars and rumors of wars and there would be earthquakes in divers places. These are things that we aren't to be disturbed of. Then Jesus mentions of false christs coming claiming to be the Christ. Jesus mentions that all these things are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8). Jesus also mentions about the Great Tribulation that will take place. This period of history will be after the rapture of the Church. For seven years there will be great tribulation upon this earth. Jesus says in Matthew 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:" The Great Tribulation will be a time of Jacob's trouble. Israel will be chastised and Israel will finally recognize Jesus as the Messiah. All of God's children that were saved prior to the rapture will be part of that great, glorious morning when Jesus is coming back for his people. Then for seven years great tribulation will hit this world and then after the seven year period Jesus will sound forth the trumpet and he will establish his kingdom in this world. This will be the establishment of a thousand year reign called the Millennial Reign. What a day that will be!

What are the signs of the coming of the rapture? I believe in a pretribulational rapture. I believe that those who are saved will not take part in the Great Tribulation. I believe now more than ever the return of Jesus for his bride is nigh upon hand. II Timothy discusses what things will be like prior to the Lord's return. II Timothy 3:1-7 says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Any Christian that pays attention to the news on a daily basis knows that we're living in II Timothy 3. We have children that are disobedient to parents, we have blasphemers, unthankfulness in our society, evil lurking in our society, to name a few. We have those nations such as Iran that want to wipe out Israel. All the eyes of the world are turned toward Israel. They want to blame Israel for the problems of the world. The U.N. wants to restrict Israel and force a Palestinian state to be created alongside with Israel. There's no way that Israel and Palestine could coexist with one another peacefully. We live in a world that's consumed with the spirit of the antichrist. We have had people in America for the last few decades that have brought lawsuits in America's courts to rule out God in the schools, our government, and even in the workplace. Our judges and politicians have been trying to create a secular society where the rule of God no longer holds sway. As a result, I consider America a post-Christian nation. Our country as a whole no longer upholds or respects the laws of God in our country. We are ripe for the return of Christ.

Another sign of the coming of the Lord is in Mark 13:28 which says, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:" This passage of scripture is referring to the rebirth of Israel. In May 1948, Israel was rebirthed once again. It became a nation once again; just like the Bible predicted. There has never been a time when a nation was wiped out like Israel had been and several hundred years later was reborn. Israel's rebirth is another sign of the Lord's coming. There have been countries that have been critical of Israel over the years since her rebirth. America thankfully has stood by Israel so far. But woe unto America whenever that day may be when she turns her back upon Israel. The United Nations, the European Union, and the United States have tried to push for a Palestinian State alongside Israel. I don't believe that could ever work. The Jews have built settlements over the years and Israel has been forced to make concessions and stop building settlements. Israel has had to give back some of the land they captured during the Six Day War in 1967. Israel gave back Gaza to the Palestinians in 2005 and in spite of doing so, they still experience terrorism in their country. Israel figures in to Christ's soon return.

Finally, I believe one of the signs that Christ's return is pre-eminent is the technological wave. Daniel 12:4 says, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Never before has our world received an explosion in the field of knowledge as the 20th century has. From the beginning of time until the beginning of the 1900's, the world was fairly primitive. The automobile was just invented. Families traveled in horse and buggy. Many homes didn't have electricity. However, all that changed since 1900. Just stop and consider all the inventions since that time. We've had the invention of the airplane, the computer, the internet, cell phones, all kinds of technological gadgets, scanners, CD's, rockets, satellite, and the list continues. There's been all kinds of innovations in the realm of technology and science. The wonders of man have come to pass. We also have the means technologically to usher in the antichrist. With today's technology, we can eliminate all forms of cash and use credit cards. We are approaching a cashless society. Today they've invented chips that could be placed on your hand in which they could identify you. If there's ever been a time when we're on the threshold of Christ's coming it's today. We have all the means necessary to bring about the coming of the antichrist and the New World Order.

We are on the threshold of the Lord's return. It's true that ever since the days Jesus ascended into Heaven our forefathers were anxiously awaiting the return of the Lord. Just think how much closer we are today to the coming of the Son of Man than ever before. Everything's in place for the soon return of Jesus. People are eating, drinking, and being merry. We are living like life will never end. That's a great sign of the Lord's return. Jesus said he will return like a thief in the night. This year there's a general election taking place in November and many conservatives and Tea party members are gearing up for the mid-term Congressional elections. However, Jesus may come before then. Any plans that we may have may never come to pass. It won't matter if Jesus comes today. As much as I would like to see most of the incumbents voted out of office in November, it won't make any difference when Jesus returns. When he returns for his bride, all the cares and concerns we have in this life will be irrelevant. We'll be in the presence of the Lord. What a day that will be!