By Michael Lewis Parsons
Even as this crazy old world right now feels like it's slipping into an apocalyptic slurry pond, I just the other day read a study that not-so-surprisingly found only 2% of churches are currently preaching Biblical prophecy...you know, that wild and wacky 27% of the Bible where God miraculously announces His future plans before they happen. Thus, you can see, we are faced with an obvious dilemma. Namely, that if no one in the Church is preaching and teaching this stuff, then how are we to know if all the bad things now happening in the world (e.g. COVID19, locust plagues, increase in earthquakes) are truly prophetic predictors of the End of Days – as the Bible speaks of – or just another in a long history of false alarms?
To that end – and to better assess where we currently stand on God's prophetic calendar – I've put together what I believe are the SEVEN most important questions to ask ourselves (or maybe use as the basis for an individual End Times Bible study), as a way to help determine if we are, in fact, in (or approaching) the actual Biblical End Times:
Q. Has Israel finally been reborn as a nation?
A. Yes. On May 14, 1948, Israel was finally and miraculously reborn as a nation. Since then, this small nation (the size of New Jersey) has won four wars, become bosom-buddies to Trump and the US, and are now the world’s #7 nuclear powerhouse. So, on the prophetic calendar, why is it so important for Israel to first become a nation? Because Jesus said (in Matthew 24:32-34) that the rebirth of Israel is THE "trigger" event to the End Times; and when we see that event take place, that IS the SIGN that Jesus is returning sometime within the next (and current) 70-80 year Jewish generation. (Read and study Ezekiel 37)
Q. Has the third Jewish Temple been rebuilt?
A. No, but they’re close. In fact, just a month ago, the Jewish Sanhedrin announced that cedar trees from Israel will be used to construct the new Temple, when it is finally rebuilt. More importantly, in December 2018, the Jews dedicated a rebuilt Temple altar; and since then, have even conducted actual animal sacrifices, not atop the Temple Mount, but inside of it. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus described a future Jewish Temple (“holy place”), saying, after it’s finally rebuilt, the Antichrist will desecrate it, halfway through the final 7-year Tribulation, right before a mass persecution of Jews and Christians. Unconfirmed reports say Temple construction plans are part of Trump’s Deal of the Century. (Read and study Matthew 24 & 25)
Q. Has Russia, Iran and Turkey (AKA Magog, Persia and Togarmah) become strategic military allies yet?
A. Yes. Prophesied by Ezekiel over 2,500 years ago, this historic event finally happened in August 2016; and thus, set in motion the soon-to-be fulfilled Gog and Magog Prophecy (Ezekiel 38 and 39). Why is this such an important prophecy? Because, in all of history, these three nations have NEVER allied with one another, not until this very moment in time. Ignoring subtleties, Iran and Turkey have already called for the total annihilation of Israel; even as Israel continues to bomb Iranian assets in Syria and Iraq. How long before Russia, Iran and others attack Israel, exactly as the prophet Ezekiel said? BTW, many theologians not only believe this is the NEXT event on God’s prophetic calendar, but that it's closely related to the imminent Rapture of the Church. Either way, we learn in Ezekiel 38:23 that the fallout from this war is so magnificent, so shocking, that much of an unbelieving world is driven to faith in Jesus Christ. (Read and study Ezekiel 38 & 39)
Q. In the wake of COVID19 and the global economic fallout, has one man (AKA the future Antichrist) suddenly stepped onto the stage and asserted himself as the Saviour of the world yet?
A. No. To date, the person who will soon step forward and assume the duties of the Biblical Antichrist has definitely NOT made himself known. But soon, watch for a SUPERMAN-type figure to show up, riding on a “white horse”; coming to save the world, as the Antichrist is portrayed in Revelation 6:2. Since he is the second-most talked about person in the Bible (after Jesus), don't be surprised if we recognize him sooner. As someone once said, “He’ll be as subtle as a tsunami". Fortunately, in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-9, we learn the Antichrist is currently powerless, and CANNOT be transformed (by Satan) and revealed until AFTER the Rapture of the Church. So, Biblically, what will be our first hint to his identity? The prophet Daniel said in 9:27 that the Antichrist will be the one who “confirms a covenant with many for one week (7 years)”. Could Trump’s Deal of the Century that is being considered by Israel, the Palestinians, and Middle-eastern Arabs be this "covenant"? Maybe. Maybe not. As of now, they are still negotiating, with many of the details still sketchy. (Read and study 1 and 2 Thessalonians)
Q. Is there a global 666/tracking/cataloguing system currently in place?
A. No, not yet, but they’re working on it. Bill Gates for one is leading the charge with his EVENT201 proposal – involving a non-invasive vaccination and tracking code that is inserted through the skin – as a way to control the world through chipping and surveillance. Marketed under the guise of PEACE and SECURITY, Gates’ chip would include an inoculation record and GPS, thus allowing a central government system to monitor who's been inoculated from a disease and who hasn’t. My guess is that a frightened populace will gladly accept any system that increases their chances of survival. So, is this the advent of the MARK OF THE BEAST, that Revelation 13 speaks of? My guess is that it's an early prototype. This week, Bill Gates announced he is conducting trials on his COVID19 vaccination. (Read and study Revelation 13)
Q. Over the past few months and years, has there been a gradual but disturbing uptick in global upheaval, wars, pandemics, plagues (e.g. locusts), violent storms, volcanoes, earthquakes, heat?
A. Yes. Most people would be surprised to know that although the study of Christian eschatology is a daily passion for me, I didn’t actually begin to take notice of End Times SIGNS until May of 2013. Before that, and even for several months after, I found hardly anything was happening concerning SIGNS of the Biblical End Times. Now, however, compare that to today, when there are multiple SIGNS happening…EVERY DAY! Christ likened these SIGNS of the End Times to a pregnant woman in the throes of birth pangs, explaining how future SIGNS of the End Times will begin to happen more frequently, and in greater intensity. As well, Jesus said, "When you see ALL these things begin to happen – no longer piecemeal, but AT THE SAME TIME – look up" (Luke 21:28). Of course, the world doesn’t argue with this phenomenon, but instead sees the culprit as man-made Global Warming. Just remember...God controls all of this, and as usual, He is not subtle. (Read and study Luke 21 and Mark 13)
Q. Has there been a gradual “falling away” within the Church?
A. Yes. In fact, after I was saved in ’04 – and keep in mind, I was away from the Church for like 20 years – I was surprised, appalled and thoroughly disgusted by what the Church had become. Clearly, the Church of my youth was dead. Instead, the true Gospel had been replaced by a “social” agenda, with entertainment and politically-correct programming now the key focus. Fast forward 16 years and most of the Church has become so disgusting that we now understand exactly why Christ in Revelation 3:16 vomits this Church age out of His system. So, is this the FALLING AWAY that Jesus talked about? ABSOLUTELY. (Read and study Revelation 3:14-22)
And yet, I'm ecstatic to report that a revival of hearts is now sweeping the globe, even as COVID19 has forced people inside their homes, to seek God one-on-one through his HOLY WORD, maybe for the first time ever. How interesting, and sad, though, that God finally had to shutter the doors of the apostate Church, for the Holy Spirit to finally get through to people. But I say, hey...WHATEVER WORKS! To that end, Paul in Ephesians 1:11 says God has ALWAYS had we Believers in His mind – since before this universe was created – so I take great comfort in knowing that, when it comes to saving the Elect, God will always find a way. (Read and study Ephesians 1)
Still – even for someone like me who's really followed this stuff for years – it's crazy to see so many MAJOR prophetic storylines so close to being fulfilled, not in part, but EXACTLY as the Bible prophesied. Looming ahead on the horizon is the final 7 years of Tribulation, but fortunately, we are not there, at least, not yet. To the non-Believer, this is fantastic news, since, to date, there is still time for a non-Saved person to repent of their original sin and be regenerated as a new, eternal creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
But beware. That window of opportunity will soon close; so please don't delay. Choose Jesus Christ now for your Salvation.
Before it's too late.