How Close are the End Times?
by Rich Deem

Introduction

Before I begin, let me issue a disclaimer. This page is not a complete or even thorough, examination of the issues involved. It is also somewhat speculative, so understand that maybe only some, or even none, of these things might occur in the future.

Do the events of 9-11 signal the beginning of the end?

The short answer, based upon my interpretations of the end times, is "no." The reason I say this is because I believe in a literal interpretation of the end times, as presented in the Old and New Testaments. Nearly all of the events of the end times descriptions in the Bible take place in the Middle East. However, just because the Bible only describes events in the Middle East does not mean that similar events will not take place in other parts of the world. Since our world is now a global community, it is likely that events similar to those described in the Bible will occur throughout the earth during the time of the end.

You think things are bad now!

Why Christians Will Suffer "Great Tribulation"As the saying goes, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" The events of September 11, 2001 seem awful and extremely evil, but my guess is that they will pale in comparison to what is coming up in the near future. Soon after the September 11 attack, as I was watching the cleanup operations, I saw a vision in my mind of the city in nearly complete ruins. Skeletons of buildings were all that was left for dozens of blocks. On December 31, 2001 I was watching the news as they were talking about the security preparations for New Year's Eve in Times Square (New York City). The news anchor mentioned that they were using detectors for metal and radioactivity. He said it so calmly, I'm not sure he even understood the implications of what they were doing. They were checking for atomic weapons! Within a couple days, there was a news report that said that the U.S. government was going to stock up on Potassium Iodide pills. By taking these pills, the non-radioactive iodine in the pills prevents radioactive iodine from fallout from damaging the thyroid. It is coming soon - nuclear terrorism in the big cities of the United States.

The "fallout" from nuclear attack

How does a nuclear attack fit in with the end times events? This is the highly speculative part of this page, so I would not take this scenario as absolutely going to happen. When hundreds of thousands of people are killed in a nuclear attack, people are going to be outraged. One would think that the outrage would be directed only at the terrorists. However, I think it is likely that "religion" will be blamed for the events. Therefore, I believe that anybody with deeply-held religious beliefs will be suspect. It is possible that such a scenario could lead to the widespread persecution and tribulation of Christians1 and Jews2 described in the Bible.

Your response

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (Matthew 24:12)

If you are a Christian, you should be prepared to suffer tribulation because of your faith in Jesus Christ.3 Resolving beforehand what you will do will help strengthen you for the time when you are confronted with your belief in Christ. If you are not prepared, you will do the expedient thing - deny Christ to "save" your life.4 Denying Christ may seem like the best thing to do when you are threatened with death. However, although such a denial may save your mortal life temporarily,5 it will ultimately result in the loss of your eternal life through Christ.6

If you are not a Christian, you should try to make a choice as soon as possible. The times are going to become more and more evil. If you have not already chosen righteousness over evil, you will naturally fall into evil, since it will become "acceptable." If you have not chosen to follow Jesus Christ, you can do it now!7

"And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Addendum:

Since the original writing, more information has become available on the possibility of nuclear attack by terrorists. It appears that "An undetermined amount of weapons-grade nuclear material has been stolen in post-Communist Russia." For more information, click the links below:

¿Cuán Cerca están los Tiempos del Fin?

References Top of page

  1. "for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short." (Matthew 24:21-22)
  2. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)
  3. "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name." (Matthew 24:9)
  4. "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another." (Matthew 24:10)
  5. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)
  6. "But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)
    If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; (2 Timothy 2:12)
  7. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Reflections
We are what we think.

Science News Flash
Science News Flash

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/endtimes.html
Last Modified December 24, 2005

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