Sound The Trumpet : Warning Signs

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“Warning Signs”
by Art Sadlier
March 1st, 2011

All throughout scripture we read about a great day of judgment that is to come upon the world at the end of this present age. It is referred to as the tribulation period, the Day of the Lord and the day of vengeance of God. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain” (Isaiah 26:21).

In Matthew 24 Jesus gives warnings as to what that day will be like. We have similar descriptions in other scriptures.

As we read the news lines of the present times we see the shadows of these coming cataclysmic events. They are many and varied. In this article we will catch a glimpse of these foreshadows of the soon coming tribulation period. These things ought to cause men and women to tremble with fear. Only those who are in Christ will escape this terrible hour. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

I will give you excerpts of some news items which foreshadow the coming tribulation period.

From the New York Times we have some excerpts.

“Major disasters like terrorist attacks and mass epidemics raise confounding issues for rescuers, doctors and government officials. They also pose bewildering legal questions, including some that may be painful to consider, like how the courts would decide who gets life-saving medicine if there are more victims than supplies.

But courts, like fire departments and homicide detectives, exist in part for gruesome what-ifs. So this month, an official state legal manual was published in New York to serve as a guide for judges and lawyers who could face grim questions in another terrorist attack, a major radiological or chemical contamination or a widespread epidemic.

Quarantines. The closing of businesses. Mass evacuations. Warrantless searches of homes. The slaughter of infected animals and the seizing of property. When laws can be suspended and whether infectious people can be isolated against their will or subjected to mandatory treatment. It is all there, in dry legalese, in the manual, published by the state court system and the state bar association. But the guide also presents a sober rendition of what the realities might be in dire times.”

In the above New York Times article we see that the people of the world are aware of the coming cataclysmic scenario which is the tribulation period, even though they do not recognize it as such.

In another revealing article we can discern the coming collapse of the U.S. economy, which I believe is deliberately being destroyed.

“President Obama‘s budget, released Monday, was conceived as a blueprint for future spending, but it also paints the bleakest picture yet of the current fiscal year, which is on track for a record federal deficit and will see the government’s overall debt surpass the size of the total U.S. economy.”

We are told that for every point in the rise interest rates, America will pay an extra 140 billion on its debt. We are now being told the threat of the loss of oil production because of the troubles in the Mid-east and the resulting spike of oil prices will bring down the US and the world’s economies.

The warning bells are sounding and yet the message does not seem to penetrate. America is declining in political influence and economic power. The American withdrawal from the Mideast will be complete when she withdraws her troops from Iraq. The American fall from the role of superpower has been swift and is about to be completed. This sudden change is an indication of the times, as American power has stood in the way of the fulfilment of end time prophecy.

Jesus said, “And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Matthew 16:3). Today God is speaking and many are not listening.

In the Sydney Morning Herald we read the following item.

“A severe drought is threatening the wheat crop in China, the world's largest wheat producer, resulting in shortages of drinking water for people and livestock.

China has been essentially self-sufficient in grain for decades, for national security reasons. Any move by China to import large quantities of food in response to the drought could drive international prices even higher than the record levels recently reached.

''China's grain situation is critical to the rest of the world - if they are forced to go out on the market to procure adequate supplies for their population, it could send huge shockwaves through the world's grain markets,'' said Robert Zeigler, the director-general of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines.”

For some time now numerous warnings have been sounded of a coming world-wide famine. In the third world a total of 1 billion people are spending 2/3 of their income on food. Large price rises now being forecast would put the price of food out of their reach and indicates a disastrous famine is imminent.

We read in Revelation 6:5-6 about the black horse of famine early in the tribulation period, “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” In the setting of the times a penny was equal to a day’s wage, which indicates the famine of that coming time. A days wage spent on food would leave nothing for the other necessities of life, their daily bread would be lacking.

This is but another warning that seems to be going unheard.

In another news report we read, “Thus far in 2011, there’s been more UFO sightings worldwide in just these first 44 days of the new year than at any time in previous years,” say a host of well-known optical physicists and prominent UFO investigators in the United States, in the European Union, in China, in Russia, in Australia and in the Middle East.”

I believe, along with many others, that UFO’s are the work of demon spirits sent to deceive men and women. We know that the tribulation period will be marked by great deception perpetuated by demons. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). We know that Satan works his wonders and deception through demons. This is another warning that the time is at hand.

The move toward a world currency is move toward world government. In a recent article we see the continuing push to bring about this world currency.

“France, as current head of the Group of 20 countries, will help the transition to a global financial system based on 'several international currencies', French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said today.” The IMF and the UN are also calling for a new world currency.

The crisis of the US dollar has brought the nations to the point of demanding a new world currency. This is another warning to us of the soon coming kingdom of Antichrist. We see him in Revelation 13:17 controlling the currency of the world, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

How many warnings do we need to get the message, Christ is soon to come.

The signs continue to multiply as we read about the preparations for the building of third temple. The Temple Institute revealed the blue prints for the building of the third Temple in recent news report.

“In his recent USA speaking engagement tour, (January 2011), Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute revealed to the public for the very first time detailed construction plans for the Chamber of Hewn Stone: the seat of the Great Sanhedrin which is a central component of the Holy Temple complex on the Temple Mount.

These complete and highly intricate plans constitute the first stage of an historical undertaking of the Temple Institute: the drafting of blueprints for the entire Holy Temple complex. These plans, drawn up by a top Israeli architectural firm hired by the Temple Institute, take into account the specific requirements of the Sanhedrin assembly hall, known historically as the Chamber of Hewn Stone.”

The scripture tells us clearly that the third Temple will be standing when Antichrist comes to Israel.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Another sign of the times is the push to revive the ancient Sanhedrin. An unofficial Sanhedrin was formed last year but now there is a move to restore its power and influence.

“According to a joint proposal penned by Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, academics Tommy Steiner, Maaike van der Brugghen and Lea Landman; a new Jewish council based on the Sanhedrin – a council of Jewish jurists that met in Judea until it was dissolved by the Roman emperor in 358 CE – could provide a better ‘framework’ for discourse between Jews in Israel and those around the world. In its proposed reincarnation, the Sanhedrin consisting of Diaspora and Israelis leaders would advise Israeli politicians – although it would not have a direct part in the decision-making process.”

“A new Sanhedrin could be recognized as a consultative body to Israeli decision-makers, to the prime minister, the president, and the Knesset,” they wrote. We see a stirring in the hearts of Israeli’s toward a revival of, and a return to Judaism.

We are approaching the restoration of the situation that existed when the Lord left off dealing with Israel. The situation as God resumes His dealing with Israel will be; the people restored to the land, the temple rebuilt, the whole sacrificial system restored and a Roman dictator, the Antichrist, ruling over Israel during the last half of the tribulation period. The stage is being set for the Lord to consummate His dealings with His people Israel.

In the meantime the world faces the awful prospect of imminent tribulation period. Now is the time to proclaim the gospel to all around us. Now is the time to live pure and productive lives. Now is the time to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. We do not want to be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13