Watching bombs that come from far away and go through buildings or destroy a tank with precision in Iraq and Syria is rather fascinating to watch on television. After several years of getting the heck beat out of us, we finally struck back and many breathed a big sigh of relief and said, “Finally – It’s about time!”
I remember the “Shock and Awe” campaign and seeing wave after wave of similar bombings and I felt that it would soon be over. Over a decade later we are still fighting and the end is nowhere in sight. We have entered World War Three and nearly every country in the world is affected. A plot was uncovered in faraway Norway and Australia and you can bet your bippy that there are big plans for America with its porous border and accommodating immigration policy.
The pentagon said this war will last for many years to come. I believe that it won’t be over until Christ returns.
Since early childhood fanatical Islamists have been brainwashed and have had drilled into their heads that the west is evil and the United States is the Great Satan. They’ve been taught by their religious leaders that if they die in battle they will immediately go to heaven and be rewarded with almost 100 virgins ready to do their bidding. Remarkably they’ve also been taught that their God wants them to behead the children, and rape the wives of what they perceive to be their opponents who themselves are horribly crucified and otherwise tortured prior to being murdered.
What kind of religion is this?
What we are seeing is the beginning of what is referred to as the “End Times” or “Last Days” in the Bible. The Bible predicts that there will be a new world order and a one world government ruled by someone called the Antichrist who has supernatural satanic power. You will not be able to obtain a job, buy food, or be seen in public unless and until you swear allegiance to this beast. The sign 666 will identify those who have taken an oath of allegiance to the Antichrist. Those who aren’t willing to renounce their faith and convert will be ostracized and slaughtered.
Sound familiar? It should, because that is what is happening to Christians who refuse to convert to Islam now all over the Mideast, and parts of Asia and Africa. The Bible predicts that the antichrist will rule the world from the temple in Jerusalem where he will occupy his throne.
So when will this happen? No one knows but the Father, but Jesus gave us some clues in Mark 13:7: Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.
So has it come to this? Are we all doomed?
Hmmm . . . It depends upon us.
The world mocks our Lord and His church during this era of grace. However Jesus shows compassion and does not want anyone to perish as evidenced by sending His only Son to die a horrible death in order that we might be saved from our sins. John 3:16 – “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
But this period of grace is not everlasting and as a Holy Judge He must faithfully execute the law and no one is above the law. According to my interpretation and a host of others the period of grace is rapidly expiring. When it does we are given an example of what will happen:
2 Chron. 36:13 – He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy . . .
So the messengers of God are working night and day to offer messages of hope through Jesus to a lost world, but many hate that message and scoff at the messengers. It is a dangerous time. The solution is for the church to humble ourselves before almighty God and pray for forgiveness and repentance. I’m praying for a Great Awakening and revival that will delay God’s judgment. Please join me in prayer this morning if only for a moment.
2 Chron. 7:14
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
September 24, 2014 – Click here to listen