THE END IS NEAR

Introduction

The fact that the final days of this current evil dispensation are here cannot be put to doubt. From terrifying natural cataclysms to increasingly freak weather manifestations, to terrible diseases and pestilences, to ever deepening moral decadence, crime and drug abuse, to social and political upheavals – the signs that the end is nigh are all too apparent for anyone who cares to examine the subject.

In his Olivet discourse some two thousand years ago, our Lord Yahshua the Messiah dwelt at length on the subject (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21). First forward to the year 2017 and we can see that most of the signs of the end times are already been fulfilled or are being rapidly fulfilled right before our very eyes. These are truly momentous times. We shall endeavour to briefly look at each broad segment of the said prophecies.

Natural Signs

Yahshua talked of great natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis (though not mentioned directly) – we may include here – tsunamis, volcanoes, heart-waves, wild fires, tornadoes, hurricanes etc. Though too numerous to entirely catalogue – we may mention a few earthquakes here: the Great Kauto earthquake (Japan,1923), the Daichi-Fukushima earthquake (and subsequent tsunamis), the Lisbon earthquake, the Great San Francisco earthquake etc. In fact we have had earthquakes in India, China, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bukoba (in Tanzania), Iran and numerous other places. Just like Yahshua said that they would occur like a woman's labour pains so it has been and continues to be. A woman in labour experiences birth pangs in increasing frequency and intensity as the time of birth nears. Human history has so far demonstrated that while earthquakes were in the past few and far between, they have been increasing in both frequency and intensity as we approach Yahshua’s Second Coming.

Closely associated with earthquake phenomena are tsunamis (Japanese name for monstrous waves emanating from earthquakes occurring in the sea) and volcanoes. Tsunamis are probably part of what Yahshua meant when he said that “…nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea" (Luke 21:25, NIV). On 26th Dec 2004 one such deadly tsunami struck the Band Aceh region of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Over 280,000 people were killed, thousands more injured and property worth billions destroyed. The effects of this monstrous catastrophe were felt throughout the Indian Ocean region – India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Madagascar, Maldives, Seychelles and the Indian Ocean seaboard of East Africa. More recently (2011) the Daiki-Fukshima nuclear disaster, though caused by an earthquake was exacerbated by attendant tsunamis.

Also associated with earthquakes are volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. As the end draws closer, the world is witnessing ever increasing volcanic activity. From the eruptions of Etna and Vesuvius in the first century AD to the eruptions of Paracutin (Mexico), Pinatubo (the Philippines, Eyfjallajokul (Iceland), Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania), the Virungas (Democratic Republic of Congo), Mauna Loa (Hawaii) and Mt. Agung in Indonesia (erupting as we speak) among others, it is clear that earth’s geological grumbling is testament to a soon coming end.

Still on natural signs, the world has experienced a recent upsurge in the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes (Katrina, Rita, Sandy, Harvey, Maria etc.) all visiting death and much destruction in the Caribbean and the coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana in the USA. Add to these super-storms the tornadoes of the US Great Plains, the wild fires of California, the floods of the Indian sub-continent, the heat waves of Europe and other similar natural disasters and one begins to appreciate the prophetic accuracy of Yahshua’s words (Luke 21:11).

Diseases

It is also true that since 1981 the world has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS a pestilence for which there remains no cure to date. Millions have died and millions more are undergoing a harrowing agonizing irrepressible slow march to the grave. Other terrible diseases such as Cancer, small pox, bubonic plague, the Spanish Influenza, Ebola, Mad Cow Disease, Marburg, SARS, Anthrax and Swine Flu have equally brought much fear, despondency and death to the human family. It does not look like we have seen the worst of this yet.

War

Mankind has also been constantly at war. However, recent world history indicates a sharp escalation of conflict in human affairs. Beginning with the First World War (1914-1918) followed by the Second World War about twenty years later (1939-1945) many theatres of war have played out on this blood-drenched planet. Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Iran, Somalia, Angola, Sudan, Israel, South Sudan, the Gulf War, Chechnya, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and numerous other places have experienced war. At the moment North Korea is sabre-rattling with its belligerent testing of nuclear war heads and missiles. Indeed, Yahshua’s statement that “…you will hear of wars and rumours of wars” (Matthew 24: 6) is one that we can all agree is part of the human experience.

Celestial Signs

Some of the most poignant signs of the soon-coming King have to do with the heavenly bodies. Fearful portents have been seen in the sky – the meteor shower of 1833, many solar eclipses, the comets Shoemaker – Levy 9, Comet Haley (1986), Comet Hykutake (March 1996) among others. More recently, the blood moons of Joel 2:30-31 were observed during the Jewish festivals of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles. The obvious religious significance of these facts cannot be gain-said. The first of these blood moons was observed on 15th April 2014 (during Feast of Unleavened Bread), the second was on 8th October 2014 (during the Feast of Tabernacles), the third observation was on 4th April, 2015 (during Feast of Unleavened Bread) and lastly on 27th September 2015 (again during the Feast of Tabernacles).

Indeed, this is a clear divine indication that there is a God who not only rules over the seasons and brings everything to pass according to his calendar (Isaiah 49:8), but also that He commands us to strictly follow this calendar in our earthly undertakings (Leviticus 23, Psalms 90:12).

Political Signs

In Matthew 24:32 and Luke 21:29-30 Yahshua bade us to consider the sprouting of the fig-tree and other trees. He indicated that such sprouting was a sure sign that summer is near. Figuratively he was referring to the rebirth of Israel as a modern state and the independence of many other countries. This rebirth of the Jewish state happened on 15th May 1948 along with other countries (India in 1947, the Philippines in 1946, Ghana in 1960, Kenya in 1963, Uganda in 1962, as well as most other countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean). The wave is still continuing today with recent additions like Zimbabwe (1980), South Africa (1990), Eritrea (1991), the Balkans (early 1990s) and countries in the former Soviet Union.

However, it is the events in Israel that most significantly point to a rapidly coming end. In the book of Joel the Bible says: “In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.” (Joel 3:1, NIV) The first part of this prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes as Jerusalem is being rebuilt and the Jews are rapidly returning home from the Diaspora of their centuries old dispersion.

Since the Balfour Declaration on 2nd November, 1917, the Jews have been returning home in trickles and in massive waves. Between June 1949 and September 1950, Operation Magic Carpet began. In total over 50,000 Yemeni and Djiboutan Jews were airlifted to Israel.

In May 1950, Operation Ali Baba commenced in which more than 120,000 Iraqi Jews were airlifted from Baghdad to Israel. On 24th May 1991 Operation Solomon began in which 14,325 Falasha Jews (also referred to as Beta Israel) were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel. Other similar operations dubbed "Joshua", "Moses" etc. have seen large numbers of Jews going back home. Most recently (November 2017), the Bnei Menashe tribe of Jews were airlifted from India and Myanmar to Israel. Despite great odds, Israel miraculously continues to prosper and thrive in a heavily hostile environment as the "summer" of Yahshua's Second Coming draws even closer.

Speed and Technology

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4 KJV).

The apocalyptic Book of Daniel remained shut up to human understanding until very recently. Now, as we speak, most of the prophecies in that book have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled. It was indicated to the ancient prophet that the time of the end would be a time of much speed (athletic, transportation, communications etc.) and a time of stupendous technological advancement. No one can deny the fact that this is that prophecy's age. Indeed since the onset of the “dot.com” era, the digital or information age has witnessed tremendous growth. Huge amounts of data are zooming from one end of the globe to the other at impossible speeds via satellite, fibre optic cables, and other telecommunication media.

Sports and athletic events today are too numerous to document with almost all major cities on earth boasting a "Marathon". Athletics is now a multi-million dollar industry.

It is also true that today one cannot even keep pace with advances in technology in various fields of human endeavour – computerized irrigation, stem-cell research, genetic engineering, a proliferation of labour saving devices, architecture, advanced warfare (nuclear, EMP, laser guided, missiles etc.). This is indeed Daniel’s era. Social Signs

While writing to Timothy, in the first century AD, the Apostle Paul had a hard hitting terrifying message describing the last days: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, wholly, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV). How true the above is today!

The entertainment industry is another multibillion dollar business. The players on the global entertainment stage whether we look at ball games (soccer, rugby, basketball, tennis), film (Hollywood, Bollywood etc.) or musicians are all paid staggering amounts of money – more than what politicians or other professionals (in law, media, teaching etc.) get. In some places in Europe, church buildings are being converted to cinema halls or discotheques for lack of congregations. The abuse of drugs and alcohol is also on the increase with an attendant spike in criminal behaviour such as violent robbery, rape, murder, pedophilia, gender violence and a myriad other atrocities. The family unit, the basic unit of society is under siege – it is no longer a sacred territory. Divorce and serial marriage is on the rise, adultery and fornication are glorified on television, internet and in human social interactions. Ours is a generation that has completely lost the moral compass. Homosexuality and lesbianism are openly being peddled by world leaders such former US President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. It is now condoned in some churches with some of them boasting homosexual clergy. It is a sick world that’s reeling from guilt. Very soon, it will fall (Isaiah 24:1-6). Just as the Messiah pointed out, people are busy buying and selling, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. Such was the situation in Noah’s day (Matthew 24:36-38) very few were aware of the impending disaster.

The liquor industry remains one of the most lucrative today with many liquor selling outlets in almost every village, shopping centers and on the streets. The cosmetics and fashion industries are not to be outdone. Ours is a generation overly concerned with outward looks with little concern for the spiritual. For this reason, it’s easy to find young women walking half naked and with heavy make up all in the name of fashion and beauty. The provocative fashion trends have led to increased fornication, adultery and the break-up of many marriages. The divine admonition and advice carried in 1Peter 3:1-6 and 1Timothy 2:9 on modest apparel remain largely ignored even in the so-called “churches” of today.

Religious Signs

Perhaps one of the most profound indicators of the imminent end of the age is the great rise of religious deceptions, fads and worldly churches. Paul’s words that “unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.” (2 Corinthians 2:17, NIV) find even greater fulfillment today. We live in a world of mega churches, with multimillionaire mind-set ministers. The simplicity of the apostolic church (“silver and gold have we none...” Acts 3:6) seems almost wholly lost. The Apostle Paul spoke of a time when men “…will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead they will gather around them teachers to teach what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Corinthians 4: 3) That time is here with us. Churches are now not houses of prayer and worship but rather places of entertainment and the display of the latest in fashion trends. The emphasis is no longer on repentance, holiness and the pursuit of life eternal. It is, rather, on prosperity and instant gratification of insatiable human desires and ego.

There is also the rise of religious deception via false doctrines and the utter disregard for the word of God. The pagan origin and character of holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Sunday is now common knowledge among the inhabitants of earth. Yet these heathen rituals have never been more popular than they are now.

The spirit of anti-Christ is now abroad and in daylight too! It is the spirit that denies that the Messiah (who is the Word of God) came in the flesh (1John 4:2). Therefore life giving God-ordained statutes are trashed in the blatant lie that “God is not concerned with outward forms but only looks at the heart”. This has led to the trashing of the divine dietary code (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14), the dress code of Deuteronomy 22:5, 1Corinthians 11, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:1-5 etc. Now we have ordained women ministers against the express instructions of 1Corinthinas 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

Then there is the increasing dosage of spirituality as espoused by the New Age Movement and the popularization of oriental mysticism throughout the world. The words of the prophet Isaiah that “darkness covers the earth, deep darkness shall cover the peoples…” (Isaiah 60:2, NIV) come to mind. This world is in that sorry state at the moment. Alien and ancient demonic concepts are being recycled and given new scientific-sounding names. Yoga, holistic healing, Extra Sensory Perception (ESP), Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Transcendental Meditation (TM), channeling, god-consciousness etc, are all taking the world into ever deepening idolatry. Evil men and impostors are going from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13) and many are turning away from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-2). False prophets and false Messiahs are very active, from Indian gurus setting up ashrams in many parts of the Western World, to Benjamin Crème’s “Lord” Maitreya, to Mary Akatsa’s “Jesus”, to “Jehovah” William Wanyonyi and hundreds others. The words of Yahshua in Matthew 24:23-24 have completely been vindicated.

A universal Sunday law, first initiated at Babylon by Nimrod and given impetus by Roman Emperor Constantine in 321 AD, is about to be re-enacted worldwide in the fast approaching New World Order. Already the structures to bring about such a one world government (the UN system, regional blocs such as EU, EAC, ECOWAS, SADC, NAFTA, ASEAN etc.) are in place. Only a few adjustments may be necessary so as to fit the club of Rome’s blueprint of a One World Government comprising ten super states. It is incredible to note that such an eventuality will bring about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel chapter two (the dazzling statue of various metals representing the succession of Gentile kingdoms down through the ages right up to the Second Coming of Yahshua).

The technology that may allow for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Revelation 13 is already available. The Bible ominously predicts that the beast “forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no-one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:15 to 17,NIV). The Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID), already available can easily be used to enforce such an eventuality. These RFID chips are already being used on pets (in case a dog or cat is lost to allow for quick identification and recovery). In fact, the US health care bill recently passed by the Obama Administration (popularly known as “Obamacare”) calls for precisely such identification chips on the hands and foreheads of American citizens! So we are coming to full circle. Nimrod enforced Luciferian sun-worship in Babylon. God intervened by scattering the rebellious ancients by confusing their language (Genesis 11:1-9). However, Satan has not given up his ambitions and is craving for human worship (Isaiah 14:12-14). He has therefore, down through the ages been coalescing his troops (through the mystery religions, secret societies and orders) to make a final stab at abrogating the worship of all human beings for himself. This is the MAIN reason for the grand march towards a one-world-government and religion. As happened earlier in Nimrod’s day, God intervened, as he will intervene again through Yahshua’s Second Coming. So we can see that the pieces of the jig-saw puzzle leading up to the end of the current age are falling into place. The end cannot be too far away. The question, dear reader is: Are you ready for the glorious appearance of our Lord and Saviour? Do you have a personal relationship with the Son of God, the Redeemer of Mankind? If not, make haste and do not allow yourself to be caught off-guard like the people of Noah’s day. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart as you did in the rebellion”. (Hebrews 3:15, NIV).