by Pat Franklin. It's 'End of the World Week'* on TV and there are some fascinating programs, but none have the whole picture. Lots of experts have been airing their fears and the probabilities of disaster, but none that I've seen has a real handle on what is coming. Jesus has already told us!
Watching one expert after another describe the various awful scenarios which could happen, I was struck by how close to the truth some of them are. One program looked at the ten most likely dangers to the world and it is remarkable that many of them are in fact predicted in the Bible. For example:
Famine - Predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24
Pandemics - Predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24, probably called 'pestilences' or 'diseases' in your Bible
Earthquakes - Predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24
Nuclear war - Jesus obviously did not use this term, but He predicted 'wars and rumors of wars' and said that 'unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved' - Matthew 24
Cosmic events - Matthew 24 'the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.'
Comets or meteorites hitting earth - Book of Revelation chapter 8:10-11 'something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea...and a third of the living creatures in the sea died...'
Hostile aliens - Book of Revelation chapter 12:7-9...'war in heaven...the dragon and his angels fought...the great dragon called the Devil and Satan...cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.'
So...great events are casting their shadows before them! Alan talks about these things when he goes out speaking, and I used to worry that it would scare some of the people, particularly the elderly. Once I asked two elderly women if they were frightened by the prophecies of the end times, but they both smiled. 'No, it's fascinating because we know Jesus is coming back!' That was their response, and that is mine too!
If anyone reading this is not feeling the same, they need to get acquainted with the Lord Jesus, who prophesied these things 2000 years ago. He is in control. He told us in advance. He is going to save His own from the worst time the world has ever known. Don't you want to be one of those privileged to belong to Him?
The world hates Him, and He is seldom if ever mentioned on the programs. Personally I love Him and want Him to come back. He will judge the earth; so much evil has been done and God has said that vengeance is His. It is His wrath that is going to fall on this earth, and how we deserve the things that are coming.
But in His great mercy, He has made a way of escape for us, by trusting in His Son Jesus. Won't you do that today?
Here is a good prayer: 'Lord Jesus, You predicted a lot of terrible things which look like they might be coming on the world soon. You knew! Please forgive my sins and make me one of Your people. I put my trust in You. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins; You were buried and rose on the third day, witnessed alive by many people who were martyred rather than deny the truth. I believe in You. Please save me!'
End times prophecies are also found in Luke chapter 21 and Mark 13. My favorite is Luke 21:36 - 'Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'
Today is the day and now is the time to ask the Lord of heaven and earth to count YOU worthy. If you acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, He will acknowledge you before His angels. He promises that too.
Won't you open your heart to Jesus today? He said: 'Behold! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.'
You can overcome your doubts and fears about trusting in Jesus, and if you are reading this, and do not know Jesus, this call is for YOU, and it is urgent. Why flounder around any more? Why risk your future when time is short? Get your feet on the rock, the solid, true foundation that is Jesus Christ. You will get certainty, assurance that you are indeed in His great family. And you will gain eternal life! Jesus said: 'If you believe in Me, you HAVE eternal life (John 6:47).' Like a deposit in a good bank, five star, solid gold security, backed up by the word of Almighty God Himself.
Who could possibly reject this stupendous offer? And yet most people do! Jesus said there is a broad way that leads to destruction and a narrow way that leads to life, and that only a few would take that narrow way. The tragedy of this will only be fully known once an unbeliever dies, at which stage it is too late. Our eternity is decided now, while we are still alive.
If any reader of this does not know for sure where he or she is headed, please make sure today, now. The offer's on the table. Jesus is knocking at your door.
*As for the 'end of the world', the TV producers obviously do not know the Bible. Horrible things are coming, yes, but good things are coming too, and it will not be the end of the world. The Rapture of the church is coming, followed by the seven year Great Tribulation. Then comes: the conversion of Israel to Christ; the Second Coming of Jesus; the binding of Satan and the 1,000 year Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, on this earth; the release of Satan and the rebellion against Jesus; the defeat of every one of Jesus' foes; and finally, the destruction of the heavens and the earth by fire, and the creation of new heavens and earth - the eternal ages. Hallelujah! Come, Lord Jesus!
