The End is Near

The End is near

Or at least nearer then it was before.

People have been saying that the end is near for thousands of years. Doomsday cults and false prophets have existed before Jesus and He said that there would be many after Him. Jesus did however tell us to know the signs of the times. See Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.  When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13: 5-8 NKJV

There have been wars for generations since He spoke these words. Earthquakes and natural disasters too. Starvation, sickness and disease aren’t new to humanity either. So, what are we to take away from our Lords warning?

Trusting that Jesus was showing us what the birth pains (the beginning) of the end would look like it is safe to say that it is/was only a matter of time before these things would come about. So, it never was a matter of “IF” these things would happen but rather “WHEN” they would.

So, what sets past events apart from present events? What makes myself and others (believers and non-believers alike) state that the end is near? After all wars have come and gone for centuries. Natural disasters and diseases too. So have economic instabilities accrued and yet we are still here.

The thing which makes me believe more strongly than ever that we are nearing the end of this age is the frequency and intensity of these events. Please research the facts for yourself. I am putting forth the proposition that natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. have become more frequent and intense over the years. Likewise sickness, disease, famine, pestilence have all grown in occurrences globally. I would say that the only exception to this theory would be armed conflicts. With World Wars One and Two behind us the conflicts that followed paled in comparison. But hatred and anger and man’s inhumanity to man on the everyday scale is out of control.

Mankind’s anger level and boiling point is set so low now that we kill each other over parking spaces and misunderstandings that should be resolved in a civil manner. Goggle gun violence, road rage, domestic violence and you will be shocked. Add to this the growing number of abortions, child abductions, drug abuse, sexual abuse, homelessness and the decay of the nuclear family in America and it’s not hard to see that as a society, we have fallen into a deep pit.

Recent events have caused a trifecta of problems. The Covid-19 virus and all that it brought with it, the economic crisis that followed the virus and the protests/riots born out of injustice and violence against the black community. As a nation we have dealt with each one of these types of problems before but never all three at the same time. Add to that the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, the concerns surrounding illegal immigration, political division, trade wars, violence and the threat of violence around the world and we have a lot on our plate.

For some, these set of events at this point in world history may be enough to say the end is near. Or maybe hope for the end of all this?! For me this alone is not enough because I see that there’s some more underlying events which add fuel to the fire.

For years I have been keeping my eyes open for a few things such as; The heralding in of a cashless society; a bio-chip identification system; nations rallying against Israel; lastly, the introduction of a charismatic figure who seems to have all the answers to mankind problems. A peacemaker at first glance who will rule with an iron fist of war. to me, it seems that all these things are in place and ready.

Recently I came across a great deal of information on the web. Depending on your view this information is either the ramblings of a hysterical conspiracy theory group or a revelation of hidden facts concerning those that control the media, banking and the world as a whole.

The information, which is hard to fathom at best, speaks of satanic cults that sacrifice children and babies and it’s members are from the elite of the world and from every corner of the world. These people have a plan to dominate and control the masses and bring about a new world order. Step in President Donald Trump. These same people that warn of a satanic cult wishing to impose their ideals on humanity say that Pres. Trump will reveal their plan and prevent them from succeeding as he locks them up and in his own way bring about a change. Pres. Trump will apprehend the evil doers, revamp the money system in America. Institute a new free electric grid. Bring an end to the perverse abuse of children. He will restructure the healthcare system. He will bring about a true and lasting peace on this earth by riding the world of these evil people that have held us all captive all these generations.

Please note. I neither endorse or refute these claims about the President.

What I do find interesting is that President Trump is being heralded by these proponents as a type of savior of the world. Very interesting indeed.

I am not saying that the illuminati exists or that the cabal or any elite stanic children killing cult exists. I am not saying that the President of the USA is the antichrist (bible scholars agree that it’s likely a middle-eastern or European person) or that the President even endorses these people known as Q-anon.

What I am saying is that we are living in some very interesting times and that unless I am ignorant, these are new waters we are swimming in.

the Bible tells us

to be vigilant because our enemy – the devil – roams about seeking who he may devour

my people perish for lack of knowledge

you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free

be careful that no-one deceives you

and

above all else

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

As always, I encourage you to be skeptical about every thing you read hear and search for the truth. I also welcome feedback and criticism about everything we have here. Just as iron sharpens iron so can we learn from each other whenever we discuss the Word of God, Jesus and Eternal Life.

Be Blessed A&B

The End Is Near!!

The end is near! 

Haven’t we all heard that before? Maybe even seen a street evangelist touting a sign and shouting “Repent! The end is near.” Jesus Himself told His disciples that although He was leaving “in a little while He would be back.” John 16:16-20 NKJV 

The End Is Near!

But just how near? Will Jesus return in our lifetime? This decade perhaps? Maybe this year? How about this month? Could He come back tomorrow?  Or will He wait much longer before bringing this age to a close? 

The End Is Near!

Look around. Look at your community. How does it compare with the recent past? Compare the world around you today to the world your parents grew up in. Has the overall condition of the neighborhood improved or deteriorated over time? 

The Word of God tells us that in the end days it will be perilous times. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Tim 3:1-5 KNJV

Does this paint a picture of the world we live in or must society move further away from God and civility to fit this description? 

The End Is Near!

Look around. Broaden your vision and look at the world as it is today. Consider world history both recent and past. Compare the world today to the world your parents grew up in. Has the overall condition of the society, or for that matter our planet itself, improved or deteriorated over time? Are you witnessing the continuing evolution of mankind as the world would have you believe? Or are you clearly seeing what I like to call the de-evolution of this world.  

Paul puts it this way in discussing the state of the world – I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hopethat the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.                  Romans 8:18-21 NIV

The bondage of decay – This world is in bondage (helpless to stop or prevent) to a condition of decay. This is not a description of something evolving into a better condition than its previous state but rather a slow downward descent into a state of destruction.

Paul goes one to say that “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” and “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:22 &23 KNJV

Jesus told us what the world would look like before His return. He said these things would be the beginnings f sorrows.

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4-14 NKJV

He told us that when we see things to look up because our redemption draws near.

Yes!! That’s right even Jesus said the end is near some 2000 years ago. Sooner or later it will be here! 

The End Is Near!!

Covid-19 has and will continue to change the world around us into a new norm. Social distancing, telecommuting, food shortages, schools closed, city streets turned into ghost towns. The world as we knew it just a short time ago may never be again. If you use any of your quarantine time searching the Internet you’ll find theories about this pandemic,  how it came to be what does it mean and when will it end. You’ll find conspiracy theories about the heralding in of a cashless society or the Mark of The Beast,  New World Order and the implementation of an authoritarian government. 

It’s a rabbit hole that’s not easy to get out of so avoid it and concentrate on a real and personnel relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is all you need. He is all anyone needs. 

The End Is Near! 

Frankly, whether Jesus returns to take His children home today, tomorrow or some distant day we need to be ready. Whether this pandemic or some other event, large scale or personally, takes our health away and brings the end we need to be ready.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV

 

Personal note – not that it matters but for the sake of full disclosure we do believe that the Lord’s return, as evident by the Rapture of the Church is closer than most may believe. Clearly our opinion isn’t of importance here. The only thing that’s important is establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ or strengthening that relationship  if you already know Him.

Blood Moon Rising

Tonight, or early morning tomorrow, depending on where you are on the planet, there will be a lunar eclipse which will produce a “Blood Moon”. While some have used this phenomenon as an occasion for speculation regarding the end of days I am reminded of the Y2K worries that captivated our thoughts not so long ago. The turning of time from 1999 to 2000 was heralded as a cataclysmic moment. It was feared that the computers that we all have become so dependent on would shut down causing business collapse and hysteria. Thankfully these things did not happen. Life went on without a hick up.

Now, with much less fanfare, there are whispers on the news and internet that this Blood Moon is a sign from God signalling the beginning of the end!! Well, like Y2K, time will tell if these fears are founded or not. But the bigger question is – So What? So, if it is the beginning of the end what can we, or more importantly – YOU, do about it?! If we all hold our breath at the same time can we hold back the hand of God? If we stay up tonight fearfully clinging to the people and things we love will God have compassion on us and change His mind? Obviously the answer to these questions is NO! There is nothing that we as mere mortals can do to put off what God has determined to be. That is, if this is the beginning of the end. If it’s not we will wake up tomorrow and face the day ahead just as we did this morning and yesterday and the day before that. This Blood Moon will disappear in our rear view mirror as we forge on ahead unaffected by its passing.

Unless, of course, we use this natural cosmic event as a reminder of our helplessness to defend ourselves from things so massively bigger then us. We could also use this event as a cause for reflection and soul searching. What if the end were coming? Are we ready? Are you ready? Am I ready? There are more prophecies concerning the end of days ahead than the birth of Christ (which all were fulfilled to the T). Christ told us Himself that a day is coming when the world as we know it will be changed. So, if the evening news dedicates a 90 second spot to the Red Moon tonight, listen and ask yourself – “What if?” or “Am I ready?” I hope and pray that we all are ready when that day comes no matter when that should be. Be Blessed – Al

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Ps. 19:1 NIV

After the Event! – Ready or Not part 2

Oh Dear Betty I miss you so much. I talk to you constantly because I hope you can hear me and because the thought of talking to myself this much is frightening. It’s been a week since you left and I am dieing here without you. A week since the mass abduction – the “official” title given to the event, but what they are saying just doesn’t make any sense. They said the visitors wanted to move the narrow-minded religious people who were holding us back and yet all the children are gone too. It seems anyone under the age of 21 can not be found. When pressed about this they refused to comment. Their story doesn’t add up and I don’t think I am the only one questioning it.  Why take the innocent ones? Surely the little children weren’t holding humanity back from the next big step in evolution. I just don’t get it.

They said that there will have to be a restructuring of the monetary system worldwide. So many people are gone and the resulting panic has caused a crisis. The rumor is that we will all pool our resources and hand over our cash, plastic and anything else worth value and in return be given a corresponding virtual account. They say we will do business electronically wherever we go to buy something a debit will be made using a scanner and our ID. Someone said that the best way to avoid identity theft and robbery is to put the ID “in” us. Like a chip in our hand or something. They must be moving quickly on this because we have been told to report to our nearest firehouse, police station or post office to surrender our money and credit cards and accept the new system. Why not do this at the banks? So many questions and very little answers.

The whole town is so busy. Homes, now empty, are being cleaned of all personal objects of those gone and designated as “available” but I haven’t found out what that means. Jimmy, next door, says they are going to be given to homeless people but I don’t believe that. The government cant just take a home and give it away – can they? The DPW has been busy putting up towers but not cell phone towers. These are different, kinda like the old radio towers with a tall singular antenna on the top. Like everything else around here its all very hush-hush.

The news, which is broadcasting constantly, tells us that there has been a rise in suicide attempts but none too successful. It almost seems as if you can’t die even if you want to. The looting that took place immediately after the event was quickly put to an end by the Supreme. I still can’t get over that title. The Supreme – supreme what? He shows up outta nowhere and everyone calls him the guy with the answers. He starts barking orders and the world jumps. He promises a new era of peace and prosperity but will threaten to go to war with anyone who even opens their mouth against him or his plan. He had the police and military kill the looters and put their bodies on display – on TV and the internet – as an example to all. Yeah, the looting stopped alright. In fact crime is down to nearly zero since he showed up.

Some people are calling him god-like. But the priest that he calls The Instructor hasn’t said that….yet. What the Instructor has said is that the diversity of faiths must stop and we all must get under the united banner of Singularity – a new concept where many become One. Churches, synagogues and all other houses of faith are being stripped of any symbols and the flag of Singularity is being raised high over each doorway. Singularity. If the TV isn’t showing the news of the Supreme’s plan being put into action,  its telling us all about the peace and serenity that awaits us when we “become One” with each other through this new religion.

I still can’t help but think that this guy and his plan were just waiting in the wings for something to bring him out. His plan seems too complex to be thrown together in this short of a time. The pieces of the puzzle called his plan require a lot of planing, building, people and money. You get all this done in one week. It’d take a week to get a committee appointed to look into how to address a crisis of this size. It smells fishy……and frightening.

Dear God. Betty why didn’t I listen to you? Is it really too late for me? Will someone please tell us the truth?

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name Rev 13:16-17 KJV

Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16 HCSB

Ready or Not……

No wait! What just happened?!

We were just talking to each other

You were in the bedroom getting dressed and I was making coffee in the kitchen.

You were HERE. Where did you go? You were here. I know it. Even the dogs are looking for you. What is going on?

TV announcement – we interrupt our regular schedule for this breaking story. The news coming in from all over the world, as unbelievable as it sounds, just moments ago, thousands perhaps millions of people apparently just disappeared. We will go to our man in the street were chaos has broken out as cars have been abandoned and hysteria is………………..

What! What? Wait a minute this is a prank. This can’t be really happening. It sure looks real. The city is a mess and that reporter looks more upset then the day the Towers fell. No, this can’t be happening. Sirens are sounding in the distance. People are screaming and running in the streets….

Betty where are you? Come on Babe. Come on. Come out. Come back. Please dear God, please!

What are they saying now? What! UFO’s?! Alien abductions! REALLY?!?! How do they know that already? This is defiantly a prank. This can not be real. How could they possible know what caused this already? Did they see it coming?

No, no. This is not happening, I have to call…..my phone doesn’t work. Lines must be jammed, too many people trying to make calls. I feel sick.

Who’s this guy? They put him in charge? Who? How? The President announced him and he sure seems confident. Looks sharp and calm but I don’t get how he is in charge. What does he know? What? He met with them (the aliens??) and they told him that if the world was going to make its next step evolutionarily there were some who would have to be relocated to a safe but remote place. Those whose old-fashioned mind-set and self-righteous moral superiority were inhibiting the rest of us from moving forward in our growth……….

No No! I’m not buying it. This seems so staged. There’s no way that they gathered this much info this quickly – it’s been 30 minutes, not even that long. Betty was getting dressed and she usually leaves at………

Wait. She told me about this. I think. Betty used to say that there was a day coming when Jesus was going to take His people home. But, who believes that. I always listened and laughed inside, knowing it would never happen. I used to kid her when we got separated at a store or street fair – Oh I thought God took you! She would always say – some day.

This can’t be that day. No, it can’t be. It can’t be because there’s a priest on the TV now with this guy and he’s here. If God took all His people home then that priest wouldn’t be here, right. Betty! Where are you!?!?……………….

Watch this and consider where we are and where you are…..ready or not?

 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. So, because of him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died. What we tell you now is the Lord’s own message. We who are living when the Lord comes again will not go before those who have already died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thess 4:13-18 NCV

PS – Larry Norman is considered to be the first “Contemporary Christian Musician” and a man after Gods own heart. During a time in America when others were singing about rebellion and drugs he paved the way for many others to openly sing the praises of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ using any and all types of music. His message is timeless and his music inspirational. Check him out at http://www.larrynorman.com/