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We are living in times that are, to say the least, confusing and troubling! As I write this article, the United States is engaged in a war against terror around the war because of the tragic events of 911, and is threatening an invasion of Iraq who represents an imminent and deadly threat to the Middle East, and the worlds major oil reserves. Israel and the Palestinians are engaging in daily bloodshed that can be traced back to Cain and Able, with no apparent resolution possible. Our country is in the middle of a dangerous drought, and weather patterns are erratic and strange, while earthquakes are occurring in unusual places.
The European Confederacy gains economic and military strength every day, and all the nations of the world, with the current exception of the U.S., have turned against tiny Israel, and God’s Chosen People. The worldwide pandemic of AIDS is increasing, despite man’s best efforts to thwart it, and we worry about anthrax in the mail. Our enemies plan the use of chemical and biological against us, and the government is stockpiling small pox vaccine in dread anticipation.
For those of us who study escatology, it seems like the pages of Matthew 24, the Book of Daniel, and the Book of Revelations are being dramatically acted out on the world stage. The voices of the prophets of old ring loud and clear . . . the time is at hand! Be ready and watching!
After the 911 attack, there was a sudden rise in attendance at churches and other houses of worship, all across the country. People were confused, afraid, and didn’t who what to do or where to turn, so they did what they had been taught. They sort God. But did they really? Unfortunately, statistics tell us that this sudden return to “spirituality” was little more that “empty religion”, because worship attendance quickly fell to pre-911 levels not long thereafter.. This speaks volumes about our generation!
There is a contrast to be drawn here between this generation, and the generation that saw the first coming of the Messiah. Scripture tells us that vast crowds of people heard His preaching, listened to His teaching, exulted Him as Messiah, but when all the emotionalism and religious fervor wore off, they were eager to demand His death in a cruel and horrible fashion, rejecting his messianic claims. Their memory was short-lived! They forgot about the miracles they witnessed, and the dead raised back to life. They no longer remembered the sick healed, and the lepers cleansed! Only a small, steadfast handful of true Believers remained to bring the Good News to 2000 years of new generations. Starting with John the Baptist, the true apostles and disciples of Jesus stood faithful, even to the point of horrible persecution and martyrdom.
The church today is in a state of denial. This is the “Terminal Generation! The generation that will witness the very soon return of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who will come as the conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah to establish His kingdom on Earth. The church reacts to this reality with guarded acceptance, and ho-hum indifference. We are sleep walking toward the brink of eternity, as if it were the World Series or Super Bowl. The reality has not sunk in!
As in the days of His first advent, there are many who claim the name of Christ, but where will they be when the persecution escalates, and Christians are being put to death for their faith? How
many will refuse the “Mark of the Beast”, when it comes to making a choice to give up life’s material things and financial security? How many will stand fast and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord, when a gun is pointed to their heads?
In the days ahead, a man will arise out of the “revised Roman Empire”, which by the way, is the same geographical area that comprises the new European Confederacy, and seem to have the solution to all the worlds woes! While he may seem to bring peace and prosperity, God calls him Antichrist, and he will be the incarnate essence of evil who will declare himself to be God. Already we hear political talk show hosts speculating that a solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will likely come from within this united block of nations.
As these prophetic events occur, will the world be aware of what these events mean? Will the church recognize their prophetic implications? Listen to the words of Jesus as He answers that question, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39
The generation that witnessed the flood was indifferent, scoffers, loved their sin, and did not heed the prophetic warnings given to them. This pretty much describes the unbelieving world around us today. Those that did believe, however, heeded God’s warning and instruction and proceeded to make preparation for the terrible time to come. Noah and his family built the ark, loaded on the animals, food, water and other needs, as God instructed, which was instrumental in the divine salvation from the judgement that came on the world.
I am convinced that the church will be here during much of the horrible tribulation that will occur during the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” . . . the Great tribulation, which is almost upon us. We need to react with a strong sense of urgency. We need to be about our Fathers business, and prepare for what’s soon to come. We need to be strong beacons of light to the multitude of the lost in this world, before the final judgement comes upon the Earth, and they are swept away. We need to shout with loud voices to a sleeping church, AWAKE! Recognize the times and the seasons!
And, we need to be preparing ourselves spiritually so that God can use us, and give us the grace to endure to the end. By forming strong bonds with other true Believers, we can help, share and minister to one another in coming times of need, as did the early Church describes in Acts 2. We also need to prepare materially by getting out of debt, and filling tour storehouse with essentials, as did Noah and his family.
God gave us the truths of prophecy, not for entertainment or the subject of sensational films and books, but rather so His Bride could recognize the coming of her Bridegroom! The apostle Paul said this, “Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6 After all, we are the blessed “Terminal Generation”, and I, for one, can’t wait to attend the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb”! Will you be attending?
Ron Cusano,
Shiloh Ministries
October, 2002 Edition
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