Second Coming: An Early Warning System
When I first read the moving story above, I could not help but recall the words of Jesus:
“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:31, 32).
In the event of an approaching tsunami, Japan probably has the best early warning system in the world. No doubt this alarm system saved many lives following the earthquake.
But still there were thousands who did not sense the urgency, lingering … or some just did not hear the sirens and were swept away in the deluge.
Well, have you ever wondered what the world would look like just before Jesus comes? I suspect it might look very much like today: “There will be … distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25).
Calloused to Catastrophe
There is a real danger living in this age of global media and instant news. The world has experienced so many major disasters in recent years that we’re at risk of becoming so calloused to catastrophe that we no longer hear the sirens of prophecy.
Indeed, if scary headlines alone could arrest a person’s attention and turn them to God, I think we would have had a revival by now. It takes more. People must be taught what it all means.
In the Bible prophecies, God has given us an “early warning system” to help us prepare for His Son’s return. Consider with me a few of the current signs Jesus has given.
Great Earthquakes
“There will be great earthquakes in various places” (Luke 21:11).
We know there have always been earthquakes. But notice here that Jesus includes the word “great.” In recent years Indonesia, Haiti, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan have been shaken to their core by terrifying seismic activity.
Unprecedented Turmoil in the Middle East
“The nations were angry” (Revelation 11:18).
The political and social transition in North Africa and the Middle East seem to have reached a fever pitch. This mounting instability in these major oil-producing countries, together with Japan’s nuclear problems, is compounding global energy concerns in an already fragile international economy. This political transition is more than the typical tension we always see in the Middle East. These countries are going through a major metamorphosis.
False Prophets
“Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).
“But of that day and hour no one knows” (Mark 13:32).
When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming, among the first things our Lord emphasized was an increase of false prophets. In recent years, a new crop of false prophets has sprung up setting dates for the end of the world. These predictions range from the Mayan calendar that speculates December 21, 2012, will be the end, to the founder of Family Radio, Harold Camping, who is placing billboards around the country announcing that May 21 of this year will be Judgment Day.
Winds of Strife
The book of Revelation pictures four angels holding back winds of devastation while God’s servants give the final warning message to the world (v. 7:1). When that time is up, those angels will release their grip and the final tribulation will come.
In a sense, God has raised up Amazing Facts to be an early warning system to the world—to reach and save as many as possible before probation closes. Through our TV and radio programs, publications, evangelists, AFCOE graduates, and Internet sites, we are boldly proclaiming the gospel and imminent return of Jesus.
And it’s working! These brief testimonies below are just a tiny, tiny sample of the incredible reports we receive each week telling us of saved lives:
“Hi. I am a soldier in Afghanistan. I greatly admire Pastor Doug and hope he knows that before I left for overseas, his sermons brought a backsliding sinner back to Christ. May God bless him and his ministry.” —Eduardo
“I have been in the dark most of my life. One night I turned on the TV and saw Amazing Facts. It was about midnight. I couldn’t sleep; I was tossing and turning. I had been praying for months for God to give me wisdom. Well, I went to the website and checked it out. It was full of wisdom. I couldn’t turn it off . … I couldn’t get enough! … God is using you to bring souls into His kingdom.” —Linda
But in these last days, the world is still full of frightened souls searching and hungering for the truth. That’s why the work of Amazing Facts is so important.
Only Together
Every day Amazing Facts spends thousands broadcasting, printing, and preaching the message of Jesus. For more than 45 years, this work has gone on by faith. From week to week, we never know what finances will come—but we believe this is God’s work and trust He will supply.
Jesus tells us to ask, so I am asking from my heart as I see so many people perishing who need to know Him. You know we can only continue this work of proclamation and warning together with God’s blessing. So will you please send a gift while so many hearts are still open and seeking?
We have seen through this terrible tsunami and earthquake how all a person has can be swept away in mere seconds. Likewise, someday soon the economy of the world will implode and money will be worthless. Now is the time to convert our earthly resources into heavenly treasure, before it’s all washed away! You will be happy that you did.
Finally, even as we see these catastrophic natural disasters unfolding around us, we do not need to live in fear:
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalms 46:1–3).
Your friend,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
THE LORD IS COMING, SOON, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!
* Amazing Facts Newsletter - Pastor Doug Batchelor
* Support this ministry
* Amazing Facts
* www.facebook.com/Secondcomingheaven
No comments:
Post a Comment