Are we seeing the biblical signs, described by Jesus' disciple Matthew?
"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."
Matthew chapter 24, verses 7-13
This is not airy fairy bible talk is it? "And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew chapter 24, verses 32-33)
I previously wrote about the flood of Noah. People laughed when Noah was building the ark. They ignored the warnings and they perished.
The New King James Bible translation of Isaiah chapter 59 verses 19-20 says this...... "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come to Zion...."
Bible believers know a day of reckoning is at hand. We often moan and decry the brutality that seems to strike despite the best intentions of governments and security services.
How big a bomb do we need to contain the onslaught? How great an army?
Some reading this may say I am beginning to preach. So what? Noah did too. He was ignored and the outcome was tragic.
The Prophet Isaiah announced – The Sovereign Lord will come with power (Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10). The Teachers Commentary points out from Isaiah "The Holy One of Israel will bring judgment on the earth. (Isaiah chapter 41 verses 14-15)
The English Standard Version Bible translation of Isaiah chapter 59 verses 19-20 says: "So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun;for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion."
A redeemer is one who buys back property. A redeemer is one who buys back a family member who has fallen away. The word go'al translated 'redeemer' means avenge, revenge, do the part of a kinsman.
David says in Psalm chapter 71, verse 1, "In you O Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be ashamed." That word has been steadfast proven time and time again in the survival of the Jewish people".
How is it they continue to be successful? Even prosper? Over 300 years ago, King Louis XIV of France asked Blaise Pascal, the great Christian philosopher, to give him proof of God. Pascal answered, "Why the Jews, your Majesty, the Jews!"
Mark Twain, an agnostic and self-acknowledged skeptic, penned this in 1899 in Harper's Magazine:
"Other peoples have sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out and they sit in twilight now or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal, but the Jew. All other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
Winston Churchill – Prime Minister of Great Britain "Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world."
I researched the amazing contributions by Jewish men and women and found them in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Economics, Computer – Hardware and software, Agriculture, Energy – of course defense and even in water conservation.The evidence comes as no surprise to believers.
God spoke to Israel saying:"And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, And so you shall be a blessing." (Genesis chapter 12 verse 2)
Jews and Christians are children of Abraham. Today more than ever we share together in persecution. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, was once 90% Christian. Today it has a 65% Moslem majority.
The only place in the Mideast where Christian communities continue to grow is in the Jewish State of Israel.
Non-believers may deny and ignore the Bible but that does not give them immunity.
David summed it up at the very beginning of Psalms. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm chapter 1, verse 1)
Think about the many who ignored Noah. They missed the boat. God continues to reach out in troubled times and He always offers a new beginning.
Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)
Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html