Thoughts on the Last Days

The world is spinning into chaos. 
The fabric of society is unraveling. 
The news is discouraging on so many levels & in so many ways.
Some days we feel like tuning out and giving up.

The Bible has been warning us for 2,000 years of what the future holds for this world & this world system, called in Scripture "the latter times" (1 Timothy 4:1-3) or "the last days" (2 Timothy 3:1-5), spoken of by the prophet Daniel, by our Lord Jesus, and by the Apostle John in the last book of the Bible, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

But rather than getting discouraged, maybe we should understand the times we are living in, and redeem the time the Lord has given us. As we see Biblical prophecy aligning and casting a shadow of imminent future fulfillment:

• rather than being discouraged, let it energize & motivate us to really live for Jesus
• let's be the light & salt we are called to be despite the temptations, trials, pressure or persecution
• Instead of trying to fit in or impress this world, let's identify fully with our Lord Jesus: bear the world's reproach for His sake as a badge of honor (Hebrews 13:13)

Like some have said, "When the outlook is not that good, try the up-look." Live for eternity!

I believe the Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is restraining the ultimate evil that will come upon this world, the time described as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble." (2 Thessalonians 2:7, Jeremiah 30:7) When He is taken out of the way, at the catching up of the Church, then all the prophesies of the end-times will come to fulfillment. For us then that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles Peter and Paul's words should fill our minds:

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 

2 Peter 3:11-14

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Colossians 3:1-4 

In light of all this, let's encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24), and look for and love the appearing of our Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8). 

Live for your King.

Maranatha! 

 

Falling In Place: Paul Harvey's "If I Were The Devil"

I heard this radio message from 1965 on Jan Markell's "Understanding the Times" podcast today. I've heard it before, but it was a good reminder of the days we're living in, where we were all those years ago, and where we're heading. Like Jan states, "...things aren't falling apart, they are falling in place." The Bible tells us of perilous times in the last days: days of great spiritual deception and of a growing darkness & a loss of love in the souls of men. 
All the more reason Christians need to be living the truth of God's word and sharing the hope of the gospel with those all around us.

Here is Paul Harvey's message, and just a couple of my comments at the end.

PAUL HARVEY’S ‘IF I WERE THE DEVIL’ 

 

 
 Here is the transcript:
"If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. 

I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’
“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’

“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

“If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

“If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I could get whole states to promote gambling as thee way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. 

In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.”
  
Friend, if you are without Jesus Christ, please open your ears and your heart to hear the message of God's grace for you, in what Jesus Christ did for you, before it is everlasting too late.

Brother or sister in Christ: let revival begin with you, and pursue God and His purpose for you in this brief, earthly life. Live for Jesus your King, and let your life and your words shine forth for Him as you reach out to the lost. Tell someone what great things God has done for you, while you can (Luke 8:39)