(By Gary Curtis) In Matthew 24, Jesus was with his closest disciples on the Mount of Olives, across the small Kidron Valley, to the east of the temple and the old city of Jerusalem. The disciples took advantage of this private “face time” with their Teacher to ask some important questions about prophetic signs of the times, His messianic rule and the end of this age (v. 3). The prophets had written about these future seasons and events,
but the topics were often interwoven and the timing of the events was not easily discerned. This was compounded by the fact that most predictive prophecy can have a near picture as well as a future fulfillment potential. Jesus warned them that, in the last days, deception will run rampant, and imposters will claim to be the Messiah. In addition to this religious deception, social and political upheaval, natural calamities, disloyalty, and religious and ethnic persecution will rise and fall as precursors of the actual end times. FULL STORY
There have been many occasions in the last 2000 years when believers were certain they were living in the end times; the destruction of the temple, the fall of Rome, The Dark Ages, WWI and WWII. In addition there have been numerous pandemics, natural disasters, mass genocides, great famines, and countless false messiahs. I dare say that even the disciples were certain Yeshua was going to return in their time. I know, there were many prophesies that remained unfulfilled until just recently (the last 75 years). News flash brothers….there are still many yet unfulfilled. I think as believers we have missed something. Read Daniel 7:25. In fact, read everything before and after pertaining to this prophecy/vision regarding The End Tmes and then focus on this chapter and verse. It is clear that “for a time” the saints are given unto his hand. We have been duped brothers/sisters. I was brought up, as most of you were/are, being taught that Satan wants The End Times/Tribulation to begin. That it is our duty as Christians to pray against this and fight it. I believe in doing so we have given our enemy an untold number of temporary reprieves. Satan does not want The Tribulation to begin. For when it does he is as a condemned man. Once the cell is opened he has no where to go but to the gallows. There is no turning back once these cataclysmic events are set in motion. We should be praying earnestly for The Messiahs second coming and the calamity that precedes it. So why aren’t we. Because nearly 300 years ago a Baptist leader introduced the theory of a pre-Tribulation “rapture”. We witnessed a resurgence of this false doctrine here in America during the revivals of the 1920’s and 30’s when charlatans used the term “rapture” to give false hope to the poor and desperate masses. This one word has done more damage to Christianity than any other. For when the end does come and believers find that they haven’t been “swept away” they will “fall away”. Open your eyes people. Prepare your hearts and souls for what is sure to come so that by your faith and trust in Him you may endure and win the victory.