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[dtr98]

Question: "What signs indicate that the end times are approaching?"

Answer: Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues so we can discern the approach of the end times, “For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters—these are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come.

Some interpreters point to every earthquake, every political upheaval, and every attack on Israel as a sure sign that the end times are rapidly approaching. While the events may signal the approach of the last days, they are not necessarily indicators that the end times have arrived. The apostle Paul warned that the last days would bring a marked increase in false teaching. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The last days are described as “perilous times” because of the increasingly evil character of man and people who actively “resist the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Other possible signs would include a rebuilding of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, increased hostility towards Israel, and advances toward a one-world government. The most prominent sign of the end times, however, is the nation of Israel. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state, essentially for the first time since A.D. 70. God promised Abraham that his posterity would have Canaan as “an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8), and Ezekiel prophesied a physical and spiritual resuscitation of Israel (Ezekiel chapter 37). Having Israel as a nation in its own land is important in light of end times prophecy because of Israel’s prominence in eschatology (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).

With these signs in mind, we can be wise and discerning in regard to the expectation of the end times. We should not, however, interpret any of these singular events as a clear indication of the soon arrival of the end times. God has given us enough information that we can be prepared, and that is what we are called to be.

[dtr98]

2010--A deadly year.
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that "Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people in 2010--the deadliest year in more than a generation. More people were killed worldwide by natural disasters this year than have been killed in terrorism attacks in the past 40 years combined."
FEMA head Craig Fugate said, "It just seemed like it was back-to-back and it came in waves" (www.apnews.myway.com, December 19, 2010). This year FEMA handled a record number of disasters. Many of the disasters of 2010 were natural, while others occurred because of poor construction and building homes in flood plains.

Experts anticipate the scale of disasters in 2010 may continue in the years ahead. What many today do not realize is that Jesus Christ prophesied that increasing worldwide catastrophes would precede His second coming and are referred to as "the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:3-8).

In the years just ahead, we will see more deadly disasters. However, the Bible also indicates that when Christ returns, He will bring peace to the earth and end the suffering caused by such catastrophes (Isaiah 35:1-6; Amos 9:13-15).


Scientist not hired because of religious beliefs?
Dr. Martin Gaskell has claimed that religious discrimination prevented him from being hired for a university position in 2007 for which he was uniquely qualified. Gaskell was considered by the University of Kentucky search committee as the top candidate for a director of a new student observatory. Court records note that one university search committee member commented that Gaskell was "breathtakingly above the other applicants."
Court records further disclose the internal debate that university faculty members had about the potential impact of Dr. Gaskell's Christian leanings and his belief that evolution is a theory with "significant scientific problems"--a decision-making discussion that was against university and federal hiring policy. Last month a U.S. district judge rejected the University of Kentucky's motion and moved the case to trial, noting, "There is no dispute that based on his application, Gaskell was a leading candidate for the position" (Associated Press, December 17, 2010).

Jesus prophesied that at the end of the age, Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs (Matthew 24:9). However, the Bible also warns there will be serious consequences for those who "take away justice from the righteous man" (Isaiah 5:23).
Will Canada legalize polygamy?
The Supreme Court in British Columbia is considering a landmark case that seeks to overturn Canada's century-old anti-polygamy law. Proponents cite religious discrimination as the primary reason for overturning the current law against polygamy. The current law is said to discriminate against Mormons and immigrants whose religions and cultures allow polygamy.
Those against the overturn cite the risk of poor treatment of women and increased risk of incest as reasons for maintaining the current law. A judgment on the case is expected sometime in early 2011 (Edmontonsun.com, November 22, 2010). As the end of this age approaches, Canada, in line with many other Israelite-descended nations, is rejecting long-standing moral laws in favor of "religious freedom" and human rights.

The Bible clearly teaches that husbands are to have one wife (1 Timothy 3:2), a practice that God put into place at the very beginning (Genesis 2:22)! This true understanding of the definition of marriage is consistent with the spiritual analogy that Jesus Christ has one wife or bride--the Church--not many wives or brides (Revelation 19:7; Ephesians 5:21-33).

Today we are witnessing nations that God has blessed, arrogantly turning the laws of God upside down, in spite of the prophetic warning, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). The God of the Bible promises difficult times ahead for these Israelite nations "Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel" (v. 24).

[minster]

yes these times are very scary with the mudslides killing 100s,floods killing 100's(1/3 australia under h20 now with rain season on the way,constant hurricanes,tornadoes,oil spills(notice how aerial views look red in color)birds falling dead from the sky across the world,fish dying by hoards along oceans,lakes,etc.isreal threatened now from many a nation,rise of china & north korea & iran & pakistan & afghanistan & look how that popular rebel(el sadar or something like that)who loves iran moved back into iraq right after obama withdrew our major forces,the 24 countries wishing to adopt uniform/glabal currancy,and i'll never forget the pick 3 lottery on 11/05/08(obamas official victory as president in chicag:6-6-6!!!! coincidence?? i dont think so-i made copies & have opened the eyes of many & he surely fits the anti-christ description now into his 3rd year & becoming quite unpopular except for recent forced extension of bush tax cuts & the tragic shooting/killings in arizona by an apolitical nut concerned about global currancy,etc. any president capitalizes on by default. however he has shown himself in these years ramming bills thru that break the human spirit w/just sign now & "read as you go" later. my parents always taught me to READ BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING especially when written by unknown characters & almost 3000 pages speedreaders couldnt even read!! it contains terrible things in it besides "free healthcare" as does his 'stimulus bill" all the while complaining of partisanship(actually caused by him & his people-these czars he has surrounded himself with are pretty scary & proven communists/socialists!!)when he actually had the doors locking out all republicans!! the bible speaks of the coming of the 24 "elders" when coincidently 24 countries want this "new world order" & glabal currency!! add the EXACTNESS of the mayan callender,the ancient communications w/ufo's & aerial views in peru of perfect designs/landing areas/carbon-dated nyroglyphics on cave walls showing these things & little men as described today illustrated coming down from saucers in the sky & all the other mysteries of the world. end of times i believe are before us & i was especially freaked oiut when the pope announce just a few years ago that "the anti-christ is among us today"!! end of days i sure do believe are before us but the truly good should not worry as it is said "they shall be saved" while there is temporary HELL ON EARTH!! these are my observations that simply have weigt & can not be over-looked!!

[dtr98]

well said. i thought obama was the anti-christ but he's supposed to come from the eu. maybe a jew/muslim, so he can covince the muslims to let them start the sacifces at the temple again.

i read somewhere that the 24 elders were 12 from the lost tribes and 12 from the apostles.