Signs of Jesus’ Return

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it (Zechariah 12:2-3).

We need to be very careful as a nation to be a friend and not an enemy to Israel. Though in unbelief, they still are heir of the promises of God through Abraham. In 1948 they became a nation again as prophecied and have been gathered by God back to their land.

With our nation pushing the creation of a Palestinian state, we are coming very close to siding against Israel. If we do this as a nation, we will receive a curse and not a blessing. Those who harm Israel will be harmed. Things will not go well for those nations that trouble her.

This is a time to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Their choices with respect to Israel will determine what happens to our nation. The elections of 2008 will be defining for America and our standing in the world. Let’s believe God now for wisdom as we vote next year.

We’re living in the season of the rapture and Second Coming of Christ. The signs are everywhere. God’s word is being fulfilled. Notice the following:

Israel has been regathered to their land; Israel occupies Jerusalem for the first time in 2000 years; Iran and Russia are working closely together now as Ezekiel foretold (Ezekiel 38-39), and one day will seek to destroy Israel; Ethnic conflicts abound worldwide (Matthew 24:7); weather patterns have become extreme and difficult worldwide creating floods, huge storms, drought, and fires (Luke 21:11); epidemic diseases are on the rise worldwide (Luke 21:11); seismic activity has become a regular pattern (Luke 21:11, Matthew 24:7); mankind has become self-centered, sexually loose, greedy for money, cold and resistant to Christianity and true godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Conditions are ripe on earth for the Anti-Christ to introduce a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. That will signal the beginning of the tribulation, which I believe will occur either just before or right after the rapture of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Daniel 9:27).

We are living in a time of tremendous change. Now is the time to seek first the kingdom of God, to wear our spiritual armor daily, and to fight the good fight of faith. God has promised that His glory would be poured out on us when things get really dark on earth (Isaiah 60:1-3). Let’s spend extra time in prayer and in the Word and position ourselves to be used by the Father to bring hope, blessing, and deliverance to those bound by sin all around us. Let’s keep ourselves clean spiritually and be the salt and light that Jesus’ has destined us to be in this hour!

As Andrea Crouch sang years ago, soon and very soon, we are going to see the King! Stay ready!