ISRAEL, JERUSALEM AND JUDEA (AKA THE WEST-BANK)

The most significant Biblical indicator of end-times events is the nation of Israel. Israelis, having suffered persecution around the world for many centuries, and having been returned to their ancient homeland in fulfillment of prophecy, are being increasingly backed into a corner. Anti-Semitism is increasing again world-wide. Very nearly all nations are in opposition to a Jewish Jerusalem and want Israel to hand over at least half of it to its enemies. This is the fuse to Armageddon (Zechariah 14:2-5). The world’s determination to wrest Jerusalem from its ancient possessors is inevitably leading us to the events of Revelation.

RUSSIA AND WAR PREPARATIONS

Russia, the most likely candidate to fulfill the prophecy of leading an invasion of Israel from the “uttermost north” (Ezekiel chapters 38-39), has a defense pact with Iran, named “Persia” in the Bible and known as Persia until the 1930s. Persia is named as the invader’s main ally in the same chapters. Iran is already waging its proxy war against Israel through Hezbollah and other groups, and having made statements through many of its leaders to the effect that Israel must and will be wiped off the map, it has been working to become a nuclear power.

Around the world, nations continue to build their military capabilities. A war prophesied to begin in the area of the Euphrates -Iraq, Syria and the Middle East in general and affecting the world, may have already started (Revelation 9:13-16). Armageddon will involve all nations, and will be centered in Israel: Armageddon is an actual place in Israel.

“RANDOM” VIOLENCE?

Radical Islam’s most beloved method of execution is that used by the antichrist of Revelation (Revelation 20:4). Its primary targets are Jews and Christians, the same targets as those of the antichrist (Revelation 12). Its ultimate goals of standing upon the temple mount in Jerusalem and ruling the world are the same ultimate goals as those of antichrist (Matthew 24:15-21). Its abhorrence of the Christian conviction that God has a Son, is antichrist (1 John 2:22-23).

The West is trying to appease the growing radical threat. Leaders refuse to name the threat for what it is, attempting to placate their own growing Muslim populations. This is de-facto submission- the very meaning of the word “Islam”. Certain leaders of the “free world” have been working to help the cause of Islam in its ascendency, while the media covers for them.

PERSECUTION

Christians are being persecuted around the world while the once-Christian West turns a blind eye (Matthew 24:9; Revelation 11:15-17) http://www.persecution.com/

The world grows increasingly angry with the Biblical God who, it claims, doesn’t exist (Revelation 11:18; 19:19; Psalm 2).

THE DECLINE OF THE ONCE-CHRISTIAN WORLD

The West is in intentional moral free-fall: the last sign of a culture heading for collapse and judgment. Extreme immorality without conscience is itself a judgment (Romans 1:18-32). The world will be judged partially for its intentional preference for immorality over God (Revelation 9:21). It will also be judged for widespread violence.

Having thrown aside moral compasses, Western society believes that truth is what an individual or the political party and leaders of choice and its crony judges decide it is, and what they pass into law, with a complete disregard for the will of our Creator. Politicians can be dishonest and still claim to be telling the truth, because “you have your truth and I have mine”. Political correctness produces doublespeak, thought-crime and confusion. Mainstream media bends, filters and selects its stories and its view of truth to suit its own agenda and that of its favorite politicians. Any dissenters are labeled as “haters” in order to shut them up. The phrase “truth will be thrown to the ground” (Daniel 8:12), seems to be more relevant all the time.

The West is also heading for collapse economically, with the US-once (and not long ago) a wealthy nation-now in debt to the tune of eighteen trillion dollars, and some say the underlying figure is much higher. The continuing governmental and individual borrowing of money makes the majority of people think that all is well when it most certainly isn’t.

THE MARK IS CLEARER NOW

The Big-Brother state continues to grow, giving as its justification the claim that it’s for our own good. The ability for a tyrant such as antichrist to impose a monetary system upon the world, so that no-one will be able to buy, sell (or work) without keeping to the rules is more possible by the day (Revelation 13:16-17). A related fact is that modern surveillance technology has made possible the prophecy that all people of the world will be able to see events in Jerusalem as they happen, something that was impossible when Revelation was written (Revelation 11:9-10).

GLOOMY GLOBALISM

Nations and entire cultures are attempting to mingle and merge without achieving real unity, as prophesied in Daniel 2:43. This phenomenon was said to be manifest just before God would set up his kingdom on the earth (verse 44).

FALSIES

Spiritual deception is running rampant, with so many conflicting beliefs that this fact alone is a common excuse to not seek truth (1 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 24:11, 24). Even in many churches, where quite apart from the old problems of unbelief such as a rejection of the resurrection (which is bad enough), ministers are teaching their flocks evolution, pluralism, a materialistic and worldly quest for wealth in the “name it and claim it” gospel, and the acceptance of immoral practices clearly forbidden in the Bible as being a perversion of nature and an abomination to God.

THE COLLAPSE OF CHARACTER

The fading of unity in society and culture, and of integrity of character is apparent to almost everyone (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Love between people, even within families, is growing cold (verse 3, and Matthew 24:12). “The love of most is growing cold”, as Jesus predicted, “because of the increase in wickedness”. Once you throw aside that God-designed moral compass, you are destroying everything which holds together God’s design for humanity: the only design that works.

• BIBLE PROPHECY