January 11, 2016 - A. V. Rauf
Buckle Your Seat Belts! 2016 Is Poised To Be A Year To Remember!!!!
We are just 10 days into the new year and already the following has occurred:
- The first few days of the year 2016 saw a major crisis between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Muslim power Iran. It is being reported that officials met at an emergency Arab League session to discuss escalating tensions in the region. This occurred days after the Saudi kingdom’s execution of a dissident Shiite cleric.
- In addition to a major uptick in earth quakes over the last few years, scientists are now preparing for extreme volcanic activity, which could further complicate matters on this planet.
- As North Korea just launched a successful Nuclear test, the United States has responded that this highly provocative act poses a grave threat to international peace and security and blatantly violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
- Television programs titled “Lucifer,” & “Angel From Hell,” & “Damien” let alone several other apocalyptic themed programs as well as standard viewing which openly recognized the occult and immorality are poised to be viewed by millions.
- An agreement signed last year making the Vatican’s de facto recognition of a Palestinian state in 2012 official has now officially come into effect.This means the Vatican has openly endorsed full support for the two-state solution of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Zechariah 12:1-3—The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Biblically speaking, the entire seven year tribulation period which unfolds at the very end of time involves the salvation of the very nation of Israel as she finally receives her Messiah. Very shortly, Israel will be pressured even more by the international community and the Vatican to divide Israel. Prophetic events began to unravel beginning in 1948 and in 1967, with the birth of the nation of Israel and the recognition of the city of Jerusalem. Now things are really speeding up.
Joel 3:1-2—For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Once again, it bears mentioning that God deal with the nation of Israel exclusively and in greater detail after the Rapture of the Church. I will not argue the timing of the Rapture (“Pre-“, “Mid-“, or “Post”) in this post but I will say for a surety that it is clearly evident that the Church Age is about to come to an end.
Does this mean we hide and wait for the Rapture? No. If anything, it means we need to be focused on sharing the goodness of the Gospel and prayerfully seeking opportunities to win the lost now more then ever.
Romans 13:11-14—-And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We may witness huge wars and conflicts this year. This may be the year of the fulfillment of the War of Gog & Magog as prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39. This may be the year Damascus is actually destroyed as spoken of in Isaiah 17. This may finally be the year of the UFO Disclosure.
As far as the body of Christ is concerned, this may sound a bit strong but here it is nonetheless:
Luke 7:21-28—Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
We are uncertain regarding who will be saved and who will not in 2016 although our prayers and witnessing have a role in determining that. We also don’t know which churches will stay on the righteous path and which ones won’t.
Many churches may grow weak and fall while many may grow strong and stand securely in these days. We also don’t know which churches will turn around completely in repentance before the rapture. (Although I advise you to read Revelation Chapter 1-3 for further insight!)
I am of the conviction that as the world continues to unravel and a great shaking ensues many may come to our Lord in repentance and surrender and obtain the free gift of salvation. After all, the Age of Grace has not ended….yet.
The truth of the matter is that the devil has deceived the world and Israel and is now after the Church. People have been put to sleep spiritually and as a result have grown complacent and satisfied to useless Sunday entertainment as too many ears have been itched.
2 Timothy 4:1-4-–I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
So how does one respond to all of this? What is a Christian to do???
We must understand that despite all this, God is still seated on the throne and oversees everything. As I mentioned the Church age is still in motion howbeit we are rapidly coming to its end. Just as the truth is always opposed, the truth is ultimately upheld. The Lord is raising up leaders to preach and teach His Word. What role will you play in the grand scheme of things?
The key to the Christian life revolves around consistently moving forward, getting to know our Lord deeply, personally and intimately. This wonderful knowledge comes only by revelation and it comes by surrendering every aspect of our lives to Him.
As a result, it produces in you safety, security, stability, hope, strength, purpose, meaning, endurance, steadfastness, victory, courage, restraint and self control.
Find a good church. Get grounded in the Word of God. Trust in Him completely. Seek Him now more then ever. Fellowship with likeminded believers. Pray for one another. Things are about to get very interesting.