What Will Happen Before Apocalypse? - Part 2
Why are things overall constantly improving? The answer is rather simple: deception accompanied by luxury galore, fullness of food and merchandise, is the way. Satan’s total deception of mankind will be finalized in the end.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
Ukraine—Russia
While Europe has claimed to be the continent of peace for the last few decades, the Russian invasion of Ukraine changed this picture somewhat. It is not our intention to give opinions on, reasons for, or predictions about this war. Our concern is exclusively the Church of Jesus Christ. That Church is located in both Ukraine and Russia, as well as the rest of the 200 plus nations of the world. One thing is becoming apparent: open warfare is losing its effectiveness. It will and must give place to merchandise (trade) wars. We believe that communist China will sooner or later become the preeminent nation globally.
Prophecy Misused
Most of the Christian material coming to my desk has one thing in common: strongly emphasizing, “It’s getting worse … We are living in the most unstable time in history … Catastrophe is just around the corner … Shadows of the Great Tribulation approaching … The world is near collapse … America’s last days … The world in turmoil” … etc.
Some quote Matthew 24:6-7: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” That indeed is frightfully negative.
Jesus actually states: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (verse 21). It simply means the greatest ever tribulation.
However, when doing just a little research, we find that this does not mean more wars or rumors of wars: no increase in the rise of nation against nation. Nor have there been more famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. History confirms that we’ve always had wars. Actually, today there are less wars than ever before. We have always had famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, but the truth is, today they occur less frequently.
EarthSky.org answers the question, “Are large earthquakes increasing in frequency?”
Scientists analyzed the historical record of earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude and concluded that the global frequency of large earthquakes is no higher today than it has been in the past. Results of the study were published on January 17, 2012 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
OneEarthFuture.org asks the question, “Is there really evidence for a decline of war?” and responds:
I think we can conclude several things. First, the last two decades have indeed been more peaceful than average. There have been a number of periods where wars were more frequent and deadlier than in recent years. Popular perceptions that the world has gone “to hell in a handbasket” are simply incorrect, at least in terms of war.
Hunger caused by famine has been halved during the last few decades. Macrotrends.net published the World Hunger Statistics, noting that in 2001, 13.3% of the world’s population experienced hunger. In 2018, hunger had fallen to 9.3%.
Pestilences have always been with us, but they are no longer as deadly as they were in the past. One simple comparison should suffice: average life expectancy in the US in 1900 was 43 years; for 2019, it was 78.8 years, and 80.6 years in 2022.
These facts clearly document that mankind is living longer, is experiencing more peace than ever before, and can purchase food at substantially lower cost compared to a hundred years ago. Not to mention, the quality of the food is strictly regulated by health authorities worldwide. In plain words, we never had it so good.
Good Old Days?
Older people can recall the so-called mom-and-pop stores, where you were asked to close the screen door quickly despite the many flies already inside. The smell was often unbearable. Today, the local health authorities would close such a place immediately.
The Great Deception
Now the big question: why does this writer believe that things overall are constantly improving, with highly regulated food and quality merchandise unprecedented in history? The answer is rather simple: you can’t deceive someone with a gun to the head. Deception accompanied by luxury galore, fullness of food and merchandise, is the way. Satan’s total deception of mankind will be finalized in the end.
Revelation 13:3-4 reveals: “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” The sentence, “All the world wondered after the beast,” can also be translated, “The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.”
“Who is able to make war with him?” indicates total firearm control—an imitation of the real thing. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).
Antichrist’s Revelation
Finally, a benevolent leader will appear on the world stage, whom the world loves, praises, even worships.
Who is this person? The apostle Paul explains in 2 Thessalonians 2:4: “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, showing himself that he is God.”
An attentive follower of Jesus takes note of what is going on in the world. Slowly but surely, God’s principles are being ignored and replaced with man’s ideas. Therefore, we can expect that prosperity, peace, and security will increase globally; even crime will be drastically reduced.
Remember, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, which He gives in abundance. Thus, the great imitator—Antichrist—must mimic the acts of Jesus. He must establish a world society equivalent to the Church, which we may call the real global nation. Galatians 3:28 declares: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” That is true, perfect, genuine unity.
Nationalism’s Deception
When we analyze this truth from Biblical perspectives, we immediately realize how childish and even foolish it is to get involved in the politics of the world. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. It makes no difference where you live, whether it’s in Canada or Mozambique, Argentina or Australia, the UK or the US; the spirit of Antichrist is preparing a prosperous, peace-loving, and secure planet earth for all of humanity. That is what happens before Apocalypse.
Thus, we understand that Jesus’ prophecy does not identify a certain period of time in the future only, but rather applies from the time He spoke even to our days.
A Voice from 1839
“There is no peace here on earth; no peace even among God’s children, no peace in the homes, little peace in individual hearts. That is the sign of the ‘last’ days. Oh, do pay attention, and strive for the holy peace of God in this last, sad time. For it won’t get any better: more and more the enemy will expand his power on earth, until the hour of the Lord’s return with His saints, to establish a kingdom of peace on earth. He will then be King on earth, and no one will rule but Him alone. Don’t you see the enemy’s cunning, how he approaches God’s children quietly and unnoticed, to rob them of peace and darken their hearts, so that they no longer recognize the light or have clear discernment? Don’t you see how he creeps into hearts and homes? Oh, that none would be tempted, but turn immediately to Jesus, the King of Peace. He overcame that prince of darkness, whom one day He will bind so that he no longer can have any power on this earth.”
– Johannes Gommel (16 October 1811—21 December 1841), from Lebendiges Wasser (“Living Water”)
When reading his book, it becomes abundantly clear that one’s concern should not be our life here on earth, but our aim should be focused on heaven. Thus, his urging, “Turn immediately to Jesus, the King of Peace.”
The End-Time Church
While the apostle Paul writes to Timothy, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13), he is not concerned with this world but is speaking about the Church.
In 1 Timothy 4:1, he writes: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” The apostle Peter confirms: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3). Jude warns: “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 18). One does not need a theological degree to understand this speaks of the Church, not the world.
During the many decades of ministry, one of the great tragedies this writer has observed is the mixing of geopolitical realities with the Church. It matters not who rules which country; all, without exception, are diabolical entities under the authority of the god of this world.
Who is the god of this world? “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Real Citizenship
Yet, the small flock, the little group, the born-again believers, constitute His body, the living Church of Jesus Christ. That’s the real nation. We are in the world, but not of the world. Our citizenship is the real one; it’s eternal. We are a totally different nation. Born-again believers have placed their trust in the great Savior, their High Priest who rules the Church. Yes, we are citizens of a country; we have an address. We work, we pay our taxes, and we obey the laws of the land. But that’s only temporary, for we are on our pilgrimage to eternity. Thus, all of our achievements and self-esteem will be exposed as pride and arrogance—foolishness.
18 Un-Christian Characteristics
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
According to dictionary.com, the words “perilous time” mean, “involving or full of grave risk or peril, hazardous, dangerous.” We must note however, this is addressed to the Church, not the world.
Listen to what the apostle Paul writes in Acts 20:29-30: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Note the words, “enter in among you … of your own selves shall men arise.” This has nothing to do with the world; it is happening in the Church.
Just briefly look at some of these characteristics: “lovers of their own selves … boasters … proud … despisers of those that are good … heady [rash] … highminded … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
Self-Esteem
Now we come to a sore point, because new theological teaching does not quite correspond to these definitions. For example, self-esteem and pride are considered virtuous in our day. “You must recognize your self-worth to be a good Christian,” some declare. That, however, contradicts simple Scriptures such as, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Note, Jesus does not say, “Love your neighbor more than yourself,” because it is a given that a person loves himself beyond measure.
Jesus was not esteemed, and there was no self-esteem in Him. He was humble and “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” First John 2:16 declares: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Charles H. Spurgeon said: “Anything which leads to self-esteem leads to the utmost jeopardy. If you have a lowly opinion of yourself, I congratulate you; for this is a main element of safety.” Likewise, Oswald Chambers once stated, “Shyness is often unmitigated conceit, an unconscious overestimate of your own worth.”
In summary, based on Holy Scripture, we can with absolute assurance determine that pride originates with the father of lies, the devil. Therefore, the word “proud” should not be part of the Christian’s vocabulary.
A Better World?
In conclusion, the world at large is “getting better.” There will be more luxuries and more freedom; hunger will decrease, and so will crime. Keep in mind that Satan’s masterpiece, his superman Antichrist, is to mimic Christ; he becomes the man of peace to mimic the Prince of Peace. He will produce supernatural miracles, because Christ did so. However, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 states: “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.”
Finally, good times are ahead for the world, albeit temporarily. For the Church, “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” However, for us the best is yet to come eternally.
Midnight Call - 09/2022
