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SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Matthew 24:42-44; Ezekiel 38-39
Some will be ready when Jesus returns and some
will not But let it be known, Jesus “is” coming again as stated in
John 14:3.
Neither believers nor un-believers will have any
advance warning of the day and the hour of Christ’s coming to snatch
away the Church.
Believers are warned to be watchful every day,
alert and vigilant. The very uncertainty of His coming is good for
us and helps keep us vigilant in the service of the Lord. We are to
be prepared at all times and the way to do this is to maintain a
state of readiness. There will be no excuse for those who are
caught unprepared.
Jesus will come at a time when we don’t think He
will. (Matthew 24:44)
As of this time in our life, the signs of the
time are everywhere. What are the signs? (“All of these
things”. Mathew 24:6-11)
Chapter 37 of Ezekiel relates that God has a
definite purpose for Israel in the future. Chapters 38 and 39 deal
with that subject; they tell about the final enemy that will come
against Israel in the last days. The enemy mentioned is Russia.
Ezekiel 38 –
Gog is a word for ruler or dictator
Magog and Rosh means head – Rosh should be
Russia.
Then we have mentioned nations, which will be
with Russia in the last days.
Russia is directly North, Northeast of Israel.
Russia covers Israel like an umbrella. Directions in the Bible are
in relation t the land of Israel. Israel is the geographical center
of the earth as far as the Word of God is concerned.
Here is a nation that is to arise in the last
days; a nation which is against God and God against it. Russia is a
nation whose basic philosophy is atheistic, a nation that is against
God.
In verse 4 God says, “And I will turn you about,
and put hooks in your jaws….” God makes it clear that He is going to
judge them in the land of Israel and that they will not come out
alive. (Ezekiel 39:11)
Three of those hooks that can already be seen,
that God can use to bring them (Russia) down:
1.
Warm Water Entrance – Russia needs a “warm
water entrance” in the waterways of the world. Israel offers that
and Russia is moving in that direction.
2.
Oil – The oil deposits of the Near East
are essential for the survival of modern nations. Russia needs oil.
3.
Concerns the Dead Sea – The mineral
deposits in the Dead Sea are so great that they cannot be evaluated
in today’s market. Untold wealth…. Russia wants wealth.
When will Russia invade Israel? How close are we
while war is raging in the Middle East even now?
A Viewpoint: Russia will come in the
latter days (“these Latter Days”), is a technical term that
specifically refers to the Tribulation Period. These will be the
days when the Anti-Christ comes to power on a “Peace Platform”; then
in the midst of the seven years, Russia will come down from the
North into the land of Israel and trigger the Great Tribulation by
breaking the “false peace”.
The whole earth will be a holocaust at the time
Russia comes down. God Himself will take over.
There is a lesson for us here:
When God was ready to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah,
He sent His angels to get Lot out of the city, saying that He could
not destroy the city until Lot was out of it.
God will not destroy the rest of the earth until
He has sent Jesus Christ to take the Church out of it!
What’s that? Can you hear it?
Is that wedding music I hear?
The Bride’s adorned and ready to appear….
There’s heavenly preparation
For His wedding celebration,
Is that wedding music that I hear??? |