Any doubt that the USA (and the entire world) is being prepared for divine judgment can be removed by considering the various evils that have conspired to create the perfect storm of impending disaster for the nations. We are on the edge of the Great Tribulation…
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Shalom friends. Our Lord foretold that in the “end of days” there would be perilous times — moral, political, ethnic, and spiritual chaos throughout the world, “as it was in the days of Noah.” Of Noah’s generation the Torah says: “The LORD saw that the wickedness of humanity was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, so that it grieved the LORD to his heart” (Gen. 6:5-6). Indeed, Paul’s description of the character of people before the time of the end is chillingly accurate of our present generation (see 2 Tim. 3:1-7).
With the increasing rise of anarchy and godless tyranny throughout the nations, the Scriptures further foretell the rise of a governmental system that would oppress and subjugate the entire world, using surveillance systems and devices to control every aspect of life, so that no one would be able to buy or sell without being tagged as an compliant member of the system. Once a global (cashless) currency system has been established, the prophesied “man of sin” would then arise to embody the presence of Satan on the earth, in mimicry of the advent of the true Messiah.
At first this “man of sin” (איש החטא) will seem to be a man of peace but after his reign is secured, his malice will be revealed by openly persecuting those who still believe in the one true God, causing great tribulation, particularly for the Jewish people. The rise of this “Messiah of Evil” or the “anti-Christ” will be in accordance with the great vision of the prophet Daniel, wherein the final “week” of “seventy weeks of years” is fulfilled…
Presently we are living in the “gap” between the 69th week and the 70th week of years, but we see signs that the gap is now closing, and soon the world will enter into the “tribulation” period… As things get closer to the time of great judgment (יום יהוה), followers of Messiah will be forcefully removed by God’s hand (i.e., raptured) either before the tribulation proper begins (“pre-trib”), or perhaps just before the Great Tribulation period (“mid-trib”), the later view being argued because followers of Yeshua will see the rise of the man of sin (2 Thess. 2:3-4). Either way, however, God has not appointed his followers to undergo the unleashing of his wrath upon the world system during the last half of the seventieth week (1 Thess. 5:9), so “post-trib is not a sound eschatological option. The rapture will occur as we are gathered together with the LORD to meet him in the air (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
The 70th week of the vision will begin when the “man of sin” appears to make a “covenant” with the people of the world, though he will later set up an “abomination” and force all world citizens to bow down to its image (perhaps similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity to force people to bow down before the golden image of himself; at this time the rapture of followers of Messiah may occur). Like Daniel’s three friends who refused to bow down before the image, many will refuse to comply and outright worldwide persecution of the Jewish people will take place. This is called the “time of Jacob’s trouble” and the “Great Tribulation.” Satan will rule only “until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” and then the great Day of LORD will seal his doom with the second coming of Yeshua (as described in Rev. 19:11-21).
So, in light of this (very brief) sketch of what is coming — and as the world system becomes more and more tyrannical as it prepares for the arrival of the “messiah of evil” — how are you walking out your faith? Spiritual warfare is not “optional” for the follower of Yeshua. How are you keeping free of fear or anger? How are you preparing for the days ahead?
Remember that the evil one “lives” to devour souls, as it is written: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The apostle Paul lists the panoply of armor required for our struggle: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:11-18). In another place Paul refers to this as the “armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). James the Righteous (יעקב הצדיק) gives us remedy by saying: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
We are to walk “in truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left” (2 Cor. 6:7). Let us wear the armor of light (ὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός), being sober (i.e., νήφω, “calm and of sound mind”) putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8). “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah” (1 Pet. 1:13).
Hebrew Lesson:
- Zeph. 1:14a Hebrew page (pdf)