Let me begin with a Tarzan story! Well, this is as real as it is surreal. Johnny Weissmuller,
the Champion Olympic swimmer who donned the role of Tarzan the ape man in the Silver screen with as much aplomb
in 1930s & 40s’ as he dominated the Olympic swimming lanes in 1920s’, had “a close encounter of a different kind”
with the Pro-Fidel Castro’s soldiers in late 1950s’. When the Cuban uprising was reaching its peak, he and his golf mates
(on a recreational tour to Cuba…what a time to tour Cuba!) on Havana’s suburbs were surrounded by gun-toting
Cuban revolutionaries, who on mistaking them for Pro-regime supporters were intent on kidnapping them.
When all his pleadings to convince them that he was the harmless movie Tarzan on a normal tour (with no political links)
failed to convince them, he came-up with a spectacular ‘Tarzan act’ immaculately. Thumping his chest in a typical
Tarzan style, he gave out a blood curdling yell “KREEGAH TARZAN BUNDALO”, so much so that the highly impressed
Pro-Castro’s men immediately curtsied with the words “Welcome Tarzan, welcome to Cuba" and escorted him and his friends to
a safer area.
Let me cut this story short here but doesn’t this story in a small way mirror the anguish of our own Lord?
People are failing to identify the times we are living in, even though He is “screaming to us all”
through Prophetical Scriptures. Each one of them (Prophecies) is getting fulfilled in
FULL PUBLIC GLARE however residents of this World do not seem to be noticing!!!
The purpose of this essay is not to hurt anyone’s sentiment but to proclaim truthfully what the good ole’
Book says vis-à-vis several contemporary global events.
Somebody said that Prophecy “is nothing but history written in advance”. Have Biblical Prophecies been
fulfilled in the past? YES! It is said that THE WORD (another Name for Jesus-
John 1:1) keeps the word always
(Isa 46:9-10)!
Be it in blessing the obedient
(Joshua 21:45)
or judging the disobedient
(II Chronicles 36:21).
Do you know that the Laws of probability (mathematical science very much in vogue in the modern-day Insurance sector)
can also be utilized for “scientifically assessing” some of the Biblical prophecies? We shall use the same all
for the purpose of being further awe-struck by His nature of forever keeping HIS Word!
Whilst applying the “Probability principles” let’s consider “both sides of the coin” so to speak…prophecies
of curse and those of universal blessing respectively. Firstly the 6th century B.C. prediction of the
overthrow of the city of Tyre
(Ezek. 26:1-21).
Seven specific things were predicted, and each was later fulfilled to the letter during the 4th century B.C.
The mathematical probability of this happening by mere chance has been calculated to be 1 in astounding 75,000,000.
Now coming to those of universal blessing…perhaps the most amazing series of prophetic fulfillments involves the
numerous Messianic predictions concerning Christ. The Old Testament contains 332 specific prophecies which
were fulfilled by Christ. These not only bear proof of His divine authenticity, but they also help substantiate
the divine authorship of the Bible.
In the book, Science Speaks, Professor Peter Stoner used "the Law of Compound Probability," to assess some of
the prophecies relating to Christ. Simply stated, this law is used to calculate the odds against a "chance"
fulfillment of such predictions when compounded by a specific set of conditions, requirements, or qualifications.
His findings were carefully evaluated by the American Scientific Affiliation, and were found to be sound and convincing.
By this method, he was able to show evidence that would rule out coincidence, chance or human manipulation in the
fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.
Stoner started by calculating the probability of one individual who could precisely fulfill only eight
prophecies relating to Christ. He computed the odds at 1 in 10 (17th power), the same as 1 followed by 17 zeros.
This is the equivalent of covering the entire state of Texas 2 feet deep in silver dollars, specially marking one of them,
and instructing a blindfolded man to pick the right silver dollar on the first try!
Dr. Stoner then computed the odds of one individual that could fulfill just 48 prophecies relating to Christ.
He calculated the odds at 1 X 10 (to the 157th power) — or 1 followed by 157 zeros. This figure is astronomical
and beyond human comprehension, but Christ fulfilled over 300 distinct prophecies, written by different men of
different professions (from a shepherd to a King) living at different times, over a time period of 1400 years,
in three different languages from 2 continents! Oh Boy, the harmony of the Scriptures when it comes to pointing to
the COMING SAVIOR and its eventual fulfillment (I Coming) is jaw-dropping!
Even those not deeply acquainted with Christianity would not deny some of the miraculous events in Jesus’
life in consonance with Prophecies in the Old Testament section of the Bible…
If all the Prophecies regarding the “FIRST ADVENT” of the Saviour have been fulfilled,
what about other Prophecies concerning Him ... relating to His II Coming? Do these Biblical prophecies
need to be taken seriously? Yes, just as any diagnosis about our own health on which “our future depends”
needs to be taken earnestly. Before zeroing in on those Prophecies, let’s get a clear idea about the differences’
between two landmark events’ of future –RAPTURE AND II COMING- which sadly are spoken of interchangeably as
though they are one and the same.
Jesus’ feet will touch the ground -The Mount of
Olives to be more precise (Zech 14:4)
It will happen in the twinkling of
an eye (I Cor 15:51-53)
Jesus will descend slowly in the
clouds (Acts 1:9-11)
Will take place 7 years BEFORE II
Coming
Will take place 7 years AFTER
Rapture
It is followed by Marriage
It is followed by
War at Armageddon
(Rev 19:11-21)
Incidentally the alphabet M, when reversed becomes W.
Now for the Prophecies of Rapture and II Coming which would all hit the bulls eye…
In response to His Disciples’ query on what would be the “Signs of II Coming”, the Master launches into an extensive
reply speaking about different signs
(Matt 24/
Mark 13/
Luke 21:7-36),
which for better understanding can be classified under the following headings
1. Natural 2. "Battle Royal" 3. Social 4.Historical 5. International 6.Political 7. Pseudo-Spiritual and 8. Commercial.
Friends, be prepared for an Extensive journey now. Rest assured the “journey” would mostly involve interesting
“visuals which would do all the talking”. Of the Signs, firstly
I. NATURAL
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;-
Luke 21:11
Many on reading this Scripture verse usually tend to respond on these lines...”oh
these natural calamities… have they not been happening all along in human history”
without looking even once at yet another phenomenon...the increased frequency in the
occurrence of these calamities. When a woman is pregnant, yes some birth pangs are
experienced even in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy but the intensity of birth
pangs shoots up once the time for child-birth draws near...
Consider these “earth-shaking facts” about the increase in natural calamities like
A) EARTHQUAKES
Have we forgotten these, even in this days of short memory…
B) FAMINES…
These bare facts seem to be screaming for attention…
Over 70 million died of starvation in the 20th century.
(Source: Famine in the 20th Century, Stephen Devereux)
North Korea has witnessed 1.5 million people starve to death under the reign of communist leaders.
There are currently 6 million people threatened by famine with UN food aid as the only means avoiding
a catastrophe. (Source:
Reuters )
C) PESTILENCES…
Oh the spread of diseases/epidemics due to increase in travel facilities which is yet another fulfillment
of Biblical prophecy
(Daniel 12:4)…
so a disease which originates in a remote place like the African jungles’
starts spreading like a forest-fire throughout the World.
Says a WHO website
“Current epidemiological models project that a pandemic could result in two to 7.4 million deaths globally.
If an influenza pandemic were to occur today, we could expect the virus to spread rapidly due to the interconnected nature of
the world and the high level of global travel.”
Wouldn’t it stun even a lay onlooker, when the above WHO statement is compared with a Biblical Prophecy which reads thus:
“But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be
understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased”. –
Daniel 12:4
D) TSUNAMIS’
…AND HERE ON EARTH THE NATIONS WILL BE IN TURMOIL, PERPLEXED BY THE ROARING SEAS AND STRANGE TIDES-
LUKE 21:25 B
Ponder on the wording in the Scripture “STRANGE TIDES”. Is not Tsunami, the very definition
of the phrase “Strange tide”, for it is not caused by a cyclonic storm like the usual tidal
waves are but it is an offshoot of an Earthquake in the Sea surface.
Stunning visuals (all over the media) of devastating Tsunami waves (tossing cars and even ships
like weightless empty paper cups) which left Japan reeling in March 2011 would have removed
doubts (in some skeptical souls) about the veracity of the Noah’s Flood account in the Scriptures.
Even as our hearts go out to the suffering lot of all the natural calamities in different places’
and we do everything possible to alleviate their suffering, should we not consider Divine
Sovereign will of God at this poignant moment?
It makes me also shudder that the intensity of all these horrific natural calamities would
further increase in the 7-year Tribulation period following the Church Rapture what with Seals,
Trumpet and Bowl judgments bound to come. Raise your hands those who want to “face the music”
in the 7-year Tribulation…good no hand has gone up!!!
The Chart of different events Pre-Post Tribulation is given below for easier understanding of
the subject…
II) "BATTLE ROYAL"
Then he told them, “Peoples will fight each other, nations will fight each other,-
Luke 21:10 (CJB)
…they will seize you and persecute you.-
Luke 21:12
Some tell-tale pictures above…
Civilized society? Enlightened age? Religious tolerance? Do not these words seem like misnomers in the
context of persecution of Christians in different places’ in this World? If this is the state of affairs
in Pre-tribulation times,
what would be the pathetic condition of those who accept Christ during the 7-year
Tribulation period when Anti-Christ would be ruling? Accept Christ now and “escape the Tribulation woes”!!!
What ought to be the Christian response then and now to persecution…
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
(Matt 5:44).
Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else!!!
b) Insert
“The secret power of lawlessness is already at work;…”
(II Thess 2:7).
At the cost of sounding repetitive, I want to reiterate that Anti-Christ’s advent
is at hand. What does it mean? Church rapture is more imminent.
Ponder on this modern-day phenomenon also. Swipe cards related frauds are increasing by
the day. Now consider this Newspaper report of June 13th, 2008…
What is the way out ask the worried lot? How can one eliminate totally the recurrence of these
kind of fraudulent operations ask the Bankers with worry- lines creasing their foreheads? If it has not already,
an idea would dawn upon the global banking sector; why not request our valued customers to carry all the
requisite data (name, address, account no…etc) in a microchip safely implanted under their skin? Since it is meant,
for the safety of their account, there wouldn’t be many objections to this procedure, right? YES!
Not only in Banking transactions in every other sphere of activity also (registering one’s attendance in
office at the entry door itself for example), an inserted multi-purpose micro-chip (only the size of a
rice grain…have a look at the picture below of a microchip used in pets already) in one’s hand instead of a
swipe card would be more handy.
Is this not a clear sign of “secret power of lawlessness being already at work…” for during Tribulation period,
it has been clearly been foretold that the False Prophet on behalf of Anti-Christ (Unholy Trinity comprises’
of Satan, Anti-Christ and the False Prophet –
Rev 13)
would require everyone to be “tattooed” (read chipped) with his special number, failing which they would not be
able to buy even groceries in a market
(Rev 13:16-17-The Living Bible).
Talking of groceries, was the groceries market in India ever in the hands of major companies even 5 years back?
Only now big business houses apparently in keeping with the global trend of super malls and hypermarkets,
and most importantly as though suddenly “propelled by an unseen power” are making a beeline into this
lucrative business (have a look at pictures below), hitherto controlled by roadside vegetable grocers and
pushcart vegetable vendors.
Why are the decoding or the reader instruments placed at the billing counter (of the super malls)
which the poor roadside vegetable grocers or the pushcart vegetable vendors can never afford nor
plug to an unavailable electric source (as such could not have used in the tribulation period also)?
To merely at once scan the labels and the billing rate? Is it not to scan the “mark of the Anti-christ”
also very soon in the bodies of his followers? Oh boy…oh boy…“it alls happening” to borrow the patented
phrase of my favorite cricket TV commentator Bill Lawry. Honestly, it cannot get clearer than this!
Let those with eyes SEE and let those with ears LISTEN. Is the secret of lawlessness already at work?
YES! To be fair to the ultra-modern vegetable retailers, even they do not know at this moment,
what direction their business would take in the near future, but they have entered this field by
providence as Anti-Christ can use them better in “food management area” during tribulation
rather than their less resourceful roadside counterparts, especially in the Indian context.
Continuing on the Food subject, many in my Readership would be acquainted with “Biometrics based”
Unique Identity number scheme introduced in India, whereby a Unique Identity number is given to each individual.
You may need Aadhaar for your LPG
K.VENKATASUBRAMANIAN
The Government intends to link gas cylinder delivery to the UID.
Is this not a case of “The secret power of lawlessness is (being) already at work;…”
(II Thess 2:7)”
especially when we consider this Tribulation related Biblical Prophecy…
“He (False Prophet at the behest of Anti-Christ) required everyone—small and great, rich and poor,
free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell
anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.
Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.”-
Rev 13:16-18
Again, I reiterate I am all for technology-based better governance (I love my country)
The purpose of my essay-adopting a Biblical Worldview- is to show in what direction the World-affairs are headed.
Now coming to the “Historical” signs…
IV. Historical
When the son of man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day.-
Luke 17:26
Now what were the distinctive features’ of the World during Noah’s time…
a) Growth in population
Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them.-
Genesis 6:1
Babies …opps sorry…Biblical Prophecies crying for attention…
The Chart above shows the sequence of “End-time” Events
What does this News of population in Planet Earth touching an ALL-TIME HIGH mean to a Bible student,
especially to one with an Eschatological mindset?
Not many are in doubt as to the sequence of events after the end of “Grace dispensation”
(once the Church is raptured, the Grace period would end). The subsequent Seven year tribulation period
would culminate with the II Coming of the Messiah, Armageddon war and establishment of the Millennial
reign of Christ, during which all the righteous ones’ of history from Abel onwards along with Christians
of pre-rapture period, raptured Christians and martyed Christians of the Tribulation would come back to
Earth and rule the World under Christ the God-ordained King
(Rev 20:4/
Psalm 2).
Quite a huge number, these rulers would constitute!!! While on the subject of “ruling”, mind you these
“Rulers” would all “serve” and “minister” in love and the Christ-like spirit embellished in the Scripture
“Have come to serve than be served”
(Matt 20:28).
Some questions here please. Who would enter the Millennium period as subjects to be ruled? Those who accepted
Christ as Saviour during the Tribulation period including one-third of Israeli population which was there at the
beginning of the Tribulation period
(Zech 13:8-9).
Despite many deaths due to different reasons during the Tribulation period of
b) the righteous ones whose spirits would go to be with the Lord to return in glorified bodies to rule
(Rev 6:9/
Rev 7:9-15)
a colossal number out of the billions (at the beginning of tribulation) would survive the tribulation and
a massive number of them amongst the survivors would be “believers”, who would eventually be ushered into
the Millennial era in their human bodies (for more on the Book of Revelation, you may click the following link… http://www.jandsmministries.com/rev_pre.asp)
Time to hit the nail on its head! Why there is rapid population growth, AT THIS POINT OF TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY?
The answer is simple. The Millennial reign is around the corner. THE RULED (IN HUMAN BODIES)
HAVE TO BE MORE THAN THEIR NUMEROUS RULERS/MINISTERS (IN THEIR GLORIFIED BODIES). The fundamental, age-old
principle in any Kingdom is that at any time the Rulers are fewer than the ruled. “Half a minute, Preacher”,
I can hear a question coming my way. “Do you mean in 6000 years of Creation from Adam onwards, the number
of righteous in Heaven are lesser than the “Believers” population which would come out refined at the end of
Tribulation?” ABSOLUTELY YES! For from the beginning, the righteous preferring to walk in the “straight and narrow”
have always been in minority
(Matt 7:13-14).
For instance before the Flood (Genesis 5-8) barring Noah and his nucleus family, how many bothered to have a right
relationship with the Creator? NONE!!! No, not even Noah’s own sisters and brothers!!! Or for that matter in whole
of Sodom and Gomorrah, save Lot and his nucleus family, how many were found worthy of being saved from a fiery catastrophe
(Genesis 19:1-21)?
The answer is obvious, isn’t it?
While on the subject of Rulers and the ruled, one ought not to forget that Christians would also have a
fulfilling responsibility of judging the angels
(I Cor 6:3).
Millennium would represent one big, near-utopian community of Rulers and the ruled living with mutual trust
and love for one another for a long time (not eternally but for a long, long time). If Millennium is imminent,
more imminent is the Church Rapture. Now if that is not Good News with capital “G”, then what is it! Hallelujah! MARANATHA
(Rev 22:20)!
b) Growth in Violence
“…the earth was filled with violence.” –
Genesis 6:11 (During Noah’s days)
Do I need to furnish proof to substantiate these plain facts? Does not media overflow with accounts of mafia
killings, terror strikes (now there are female suicide bombers also), feudal , communal killings in real
and reel life (minus a smoking gun or a bloody knife the macho-image of any cine hero in a movie poster is
said to be incomplete).
Is Jesus RIGHT only when it comes to his sayings such as “Those who live by the Sword, die by it” –
Matt 26:52.
Why shouldn’t we take His other Prophecies as regards His II Coming seriously, just as we take earnestly
his time-tested ones’ such as the one quoted above? No cherry-picking please…
c) Growth in Corruption
(During Noah’s time) The earth also was corrupt before God…
Genesis 6:11
As News reporting takes place by exception and not by rule, considering unfailing
regularity in the emergence of scams it can be said that it is “NEWS” nowadays only, if there is no scam in 24 hours!!!
It stumps me, how can my media mates (oh how I love them!!!) be reporting the Scams “Tarzan style” thumping their
chest and still be unaware of the spiritual dimension behind them all?
V. INTERNATIONAL
Welcome to the ever-simmering West Asia and what do we see- Arabs and Jews locked in a grim battle over the “Promised Land”.
and sadly the ramifications of this conflict is felt in other countries too. If Bible is the constitution on
whose basis all disputes should be resolved, then what does it say on this issue on the “Promised Land”
lying within the following range…
latitude and longitude is 31° 30' N and 34° 45' E .
Below is the map of Israel showing major towns, roads, airports with latitudes and longitudes plotted on it.
Description:Find Israel latitude and longitude map showing
comprehensive details including cities, roads, towns, airports and much more.
According to the Bible, the great Patriarch Saint Abraham (revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike the world over)
was brought by God from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan
(Genesis 12:1-4).
This is thought to have occurred around 1800 BC.
To his descendents who would be oppressed in Canaan and Egypt for 400 years, the same God promised to give the Land of
Canaan-the modern day Land of Palestine
(Genesis 15:13-16).
Note here that this Canaan, was promised to only those descendants, who would be oppressed in Canaan and Egypt for 400
years, which clearly means that this Land was not guaranteed by Divine will to other descendants of Abraham most notably Ishmael.
Yes, God promised to bless Ishmael descendants too because of Abraham
(Genesis 17:20 /21:18)
but the Land of Canaan was reserved for Abraham’s descendents, who would come through his promised son Issac
(Genesis 17:1-21).
At this point, it would serve us well to reflect on the material blessings showered upon Ishmael descendents too,
as per the Divine promise. Their access to rich oil reserves, cannot be matched by anybody. Yet another fulfillment
of Biblical prophecy? Absolutely!
Coming back to Israel and Canaan, just as it was prophesied the twelve tribes of Israel under the leadership of that
great leader Joshua completed the Conquest of Canaan round about 1400-1450 BC (reading of the Book of Joshua would certainly help).
Even before the Conquest, the good Lord through Moses had clearly spelt out His conditions of obedience to His Chosen nation
(Deuteronmy 7:7-8).
To comprehend the nuances of the Mosaic Law (Ten Commandments was an integral part of it –
Exodus 20:1-17),
reading the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy in the Bible would defintely make matters easier for any
genuine truth-seeker.
Did the people of Israel obey the Law whole-heartedly? Their obedience if plotted in a graph would reveal wild swings.
A study of the Book of Judges for instance would reveal that
‘boom’ times of great manifestations of faith were
invariably followed by times of ‘doom’ marked by trips down into ungodliness. Yes in latter times the reigns of King David
(II Samuel)
and to some extent that of King Solomon
(I Kings 1-10)
would constitute the “Golden age” of Israel’s history (approx 1000-900 BC), as the devotion of Jews to their redeemer
God touched its peak, at that point of time in their mercurial history. However after that “Golden age” came the “Dark age”
(around 900 BC-600BC) beginning with the splitting of the Nation of Israel into 2 Kingdoms
(10 tribes banded together to form the Northern kingdom of Israel and 2 tribes cohered to form the Southern Kingdom of Judah).
This age witnessed the coming to power of Regents “whose hearts were not like their ancestor David”.
While the Judean Kingdom, had at least in its ranks some God-fearing Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat,
Hezekiah and Josiah, the Kingdom of Israel could not boast of a single King with a heart like David. Like Father, like Son?
Well this phraseology can be stretched to… “Like King, like people”…with the people also rejecting their Faithful God,
much like their wicked Kings did during the Dark Age. Talk of an adulterous wife turning her back to a loving husband
(Hosea 1:2)
causing him unimaginable anguish.
Here I would like to state that I am deeply touched by the Book of Hosea in Old
Testament section of the Bible for it pictures God as a deeply emotional person, suffering immeasurably on
His people rejecting Him, in the same way a faithful husband would, when his wife deserts him for other lesser men.
Also I am compelled to add
that the Bible is no sugarcoated Book hiding the stark unpleasant truths
rather it presents history as it is, so that the present generation can be forewarned about the dangers that lie in making
wrong choices
(I Cor 10:11).
With sin rampant, warnings of imminent exile from the “Land of Milk and honey” trumpeted by diligent
Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Ezekiel and Joel followed but sadly they fell on deaf ears.
The chosen people chose their own sinful pathway of worshipping the created things, instead of
their glorious Creator God
(Ezekiel 8:8-18).
Through Prophet
(Joel 1:4)
for instance, the Almighty graphically (using the imagery of locusts invasion with each locust
being symbolic of a ravaging army stripping the pleasant land bare) announced the coming judgement
on His disobedient, stubborn people. This warning, which went unheeded, can be better understood by
having a look at this picture below…
The Picture above depicts the veracity of fulfillment of prophecy (with historical proofs, may I add) recorded in
Joel 1:4.
While their punishment from 588 BC (resulting in exile to Babylon and subsequent return back to Palestine in 539 BC
in batches) till 70 AD, can be termed as MILD (despite paying stifling taxes to their human conquerors, nevertheless
by being in the Land of Palestine, they continued to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land) that of dispersion from
Jerusalem after the destruction of Temple in 70 AD, can be described as SEVERE (as they roamed around as landless,
homeless people for nearly two thousand years). Before the devastating punishment arrived, did they not also
brazenly call upon the fair God to judge them for spilling the innocent blood of Jesus
(Matt 27:1-25),
thus adding one more hideous sin to all of their other sins? Divine comeuppance was going to catch-up with them,
sooner or later and it did in 70 AD, decimating them in the process. Need any further proof that God can be
loving as well as be a consuming fire in His judgment
(Heb 10:31/ 12:29)?
Now, after 2000 years of Divine indictment, if the Sovereign God in His Sovereign plan “FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE”
(I would focus upon it soon) forgives them and eventually brings them back to the Promised Land (in accordance
with His promise to their ancestors) in perfect fulfillment of
Isaiah 11:11,
“In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people—those who remain
in Assyria and northern Egypt; in southern Egypt, Ethiopia,and Elam; in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands.” -
should we not all be excited? The basic point that one more prophecy of the Bible has been fulfilled with pin-point precision should excite us, for it simply means,
other unfulfilled prophecies are also soon going to be fulfilled.
I reiterate that when I ponder on this prophecy especially on the light of what all happened just before UN approved
“Mandate of Palestine” in 1947, I cannot but cry like a little child holding my Bible in my hands. How true is this Grand ole’ Book!
It leaves absolutely no room for speculation! Now this prophecy recorded eons back, is certainly not about the return of
Jewish exiles from Babylon or for that matter from Assyria (Jews of Northern Kingdom of Israel were exiled to Assyria in 742 BC
approx-
II Kings 17:18).
Kindly underscore the point that the above-captioned Scripture portion, while listing the names of
Nations from which the Jews would return does not limit itself to merely mentioning Assyria or Babylon, but rather it even goes
on mention somberly “DISTANT COAST LANDS”, as though to reserve the best for the last. Dear readers, do you know the process of
formation of Modern-day Israel was triggered amongst others by initial settling of 4000 Jews brought by the Ship Knesset Israel
from Yugoslavia (a country with a with a huge coast line) in November 1946? Then what about that Ship “EXODUS” captained by
its legendary Captain Harel that captured International imagination in its epochal attempt to bring 4500 Jewish families in 1947
from the coastal city of Marseilles, France? In fact, Captain Harel in toto commanded four expeditions that took thousands of
refugees to the shores of Palestine. Many of the Ship Exodus who were originally refused entry into Palestine,
latter arrived there…from…you guessed it… yet another Island country…CYPRUS! As the import of these historical events register,
oh Boy…oh Boy…I cannot help falling in love one more time with my oh-so-sweet, oh-so-perfectly prophetic Bible!!!
Have a look at some of the relevant pictures comprising of a Newspaper clipping and Ship Exodus in 1947,
along with the Map depicting Yugoslavia, Marseilles, Cyprus and Israel
The Historic Ship Exodus berthed at Haifa port in 1947
(You may enlarge the map above suitably- Marseilles is in the south-east coast of France touching the Mediterranean Sea,
Yugoslavia has Adriatic Sea abutting it on its Western coastline and Cyprus is an Island off the Southern coast of Turkey)
Now coming back to my Essay…
Amazing thing about the Bible is that most of its prophecies get fulfilled with no accompaniment of “resplendent laser show”
or for that matter any glitz or chirpy cheerleaders, jumping up and down. Remember that prophecy that God’s Son will be born
in Bethlehem
(Micah 5:2)?
None in that sleepy little village, realised that SOMETHING AWESOME was happening, right in their midst on the first
Christmas night, when an exhausted Joseph brought his pregnant wife riding a mule amongst them. Worse! No one gave them a
place to stay overnight! AMAZING IS OUR GOD, OH HIS HUMILITY IS STUNNING (his Son was not born in a magnificent palace but a
lowly manger), to say the least but mind you…HE takes great pride in ALWAYS KEEPING UP HIS WORD!
Besides constant altercation between the Jews and Arabs over the subject of Land in the “Promised Land, there is yet
another serious issue which has been gathering storm slowly but steadily. Jews desire to construct a Temple in the same
place where King Solomon’s temple stood and this is sending shock-waves across the Islamic World. No wonder when we consider
the historical background!!! The native Arabs’ too had dwelt in the same land for many centuries following the
Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 637 CE. The Arabs had in due course even constructed their mosque in the same Holy
Site and had consolidated their position in the Holy Land especially during the reign of Great Suleiman the magnificent of
Ottoman Empire (for more on Jerusalem timeline click the following URL…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Jerusalem).
At this stage, I want to make it clear that that the purpose of this essay is not to pass a judgment on the actual
ownership or rights of the disputing parties vis-à-vis Temple Mount but only to reflect on the sentiments involved
in this face-off, which are a pointer to future events.
Now for Jews’ given all their Temple-associated pageantry (read
Leviticus 16/ 23)
which goes with Judaism, a Temple IS A PLACE to celebrate with all their heart, body and soul. In its absence, worse with a
Mosque proving to be a deterrent, ARE THEY NOT BOUND TO FEEL DEPRIVED? How would anyone with no prejudice view this situation?
Would anyone blame the stubborn (?) Jews, if they want to reconstruct their temple at its original site?
With patience of the Jews wearing thin, now how long can the World with US playing the dutiful Globo- cop delay the
reconstruction of Jewish temple? Will it be at the cost of the Mosque or will it be constructed beside the Mosque are the tough,
prickly questions facing the World leaders? Will they be able to solve amicably this thorny issue with its potential to trigger
a World-wide conflagration? ENTER ANTI-CHRIST! In the not-so distant future, he is going to come into the picture as World’s
problem-solver and forge a peace pact between the perpetual enemies- Arabs and the Jews
(Daniel 9:27).
While on the subject, if at all publishers of Guinness Book of World records (to put it in a lighter vein) are planning to
introduce an entry on “Longest standing enmity”, they do not have to look beyond the one of Arabs and Jews…boy, they have
been fighting since David versus Goliath days! By the way, they both also have the spirit of Anti-Christ
(I John 2:22),
in that they deny that Christ is the Son of God. Coming back to Anti-Christ, by accomplishing MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE (make Jews and Arabs arrive at a compromise formula regarding the temple), undoubtedly this man of deceit
(with a secret agenda-
Daniel 8:25)
would capture the heart of the World initially without any bloodshed. No wonder,
he is picturized in the Bible as a “Leader carrying a bow but no arrows”
(Rev 6:1-3),
…(Note again, he is carrying only a bow but no arrows to underscore the point that initially without any bloodshed,
he would CONQUER)
That subsequently Anti-Christ would go on to rule the World, pose as God Himself and even dare to take on the Creator
(Daniel 8:25/
Rev 13:4-6)
before being eventually destroyed at Christ’s II Coming has been prophesied
(Rev 19:19-20).
NO, NO, the purpose of my essay is to not issue a clarion call for coming of the ANTI-CHRIST but to herald the truth
about the imminent rapture of the Church (oh, the indestructible bride of Christ-
Rev 19:7-8)
which would precede the coming of the Anti-Christ. Consider these verses’…
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work*; BUT THE ONE WHO NOW HOLDS IT BACK WILL CONTINUE TO
DO SO TILL "HE" IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. And then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord Jesus will
overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” –
2 Thess 2:7-9
The “HE” is the indwelling Holy Spirit in every Christian. As Christians leave the World transfigured at
Rapture the Holy Spirit would also inevitably leave signaling the end of Grace Age and the onset of seven years of horrible
tribulation. This tribulation period would end only with the Second Advent of Christ, when He would destroy the
Anti-Christ and establish a Millennial reign
(Rev 20:4).
Jews too would accept Christ as the Messiah towards the
fag end of Tribulation period
(Romans 11:26).
The purpose of this article would be achieved if the ones’ reading it can see very clearly for themselves,
how the events in this World are taking place exactly in accordance with the Biblical prophecies.
If the Jews had not returned to “their Promised land”, there would be no friction at all now in West
Asia and hence no scope for Anti-Christ for solving a knotty issue of Jewish Temple re- construction
(if Ayodhya issue became a cause for Global focus, would not this issue also corner World attention?
Boy…Temple Mount would soon become Ground zero of all Global tension) and emerge as a hero in the sight of the World.
So if Anti-Christ coming appears imminent, more imminent is the Church rapture, for that villain can come only when
the Church leaves the scene. Hey, would you be in Rapture party?
VI) POLITICAL
To understand better the emerging World political scenario which is moving towards the climax of
fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies, we need to need to have a closer look at one dream of Babylonian
Nebuchadnezzar
(Daniel 2:31-45)
and 2 visions of Prophet Daniel
(Daniel 7:1-7/21)
and Apostle John respectively
(Rev 13:7).
Firstly, a look at the similarity of King Nebuchadnezar’s dream and Daniel’s vision,
which can be better understood with the help of a table given below…
For a subject within a subject…I am hitting the loop line…
Why Nebuchadnezzar saw the future kingdoms’ as part of a man’s (image) body, whereas Daniel
saw them as beasts?
Nebuchadnezzar was an ordinary man, hence with no spiritual discernment, unlike a prophet
(1 Cor 2:15)
he saw them as parts of a harmless human body, whereas a prophet of God with spiritual insight
saw these unregenerate Kingdoms, as what they really are in God’s sight…cruel beasts.
When a man commits a murder or a rape, is he not acting like a beast? Yes, all
unregenerate souls appear as beasts in the eyes of an omniscient God. Closer to times,
can anybody deny that dictators such as Hitler and Stalin had qualities of a beast?
Oh for a born-again experience
(John 3:3)!!!
Now I am back onto the main track…
Let us look at yet another picture which would provide us with all the clues’…
1. One would observe that the little horn representing the last World power before the
Millennial Kingdom is growing from the fourth non-descript beast and NOT from the bodies of the other 3
beasts (also see
Dan 7:8 and 21)
2. That little horn representing the Anti-Christ has to have its political roots in the “Roman Kingdom”.
3. That Roman Kingdom is the European Union. In exact fulfillment of the prophecies in March 1957,
AT ROME (it could not have happened in any other city…no not even Athens which is part of Europe and
the fifth World power), a seed was sown for the birth of European union by what is now popularly known as the
“Treaty of Rome”.
4. Anti-Christ’s political and military power would emanate from the European Union.
Is it any wonder that EU is fast emerging as a super world power, with the Euro dollar
(financial events are a harbinger for the political ones’) already stealing a march over the US dollar.
5. The Stone crushing the World Powers
(Daniel 2:34)
which is signifying Christ, one would observe is not hitting the head, torso, thing or leg
of the statue but its FEET which is symbolic of Anti-Christ, the Prophecy of the Armageddon war
(Rev 19:19-21).
VII) PSEUDO-SPIRITUAL
This Subject is better dealt under the two sub-headings…
a) Outside the Church
b) Within the Church
Firstly
a) Outside the Church
Consider this Scripture portion
Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the
voice of a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its
people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. He did astounding miracles, even making
fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to
perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world…-
Rev 13:11-14
Vis-à-vis
“The secret power of lawlessness is already at work;…”
(II Thess 2:7)”
Is there a shortage of fake babas’ and Godmen in this World already…
b) Inside the “Church”
WATCH OUT FOR FALSE PROPHETS. THEY COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING,
BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE FEROCIOUS WOLVES-
MATT 7:15.
THE BIBLE HERALDS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS’
CAMPING INSIDE THE CHURCH LIKE THIS “FALSE PROPHET” HAROLD CAMPING!!!
NO EARTHLING CAN KNOW THE DATE OF CHURCH RAPTURE
(MATT 24:26),
SO THOSE WORTHIES WHO CLAIM TO KNOW IT ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
Before we go any further, even though the political capital of India is New Delhi tell me what is the commercial
capital of India? MUMBAI. Ditto the same with USA and New York. During the seven year tribulation too, the
Anti-Christ would have both a Political capital (Rome) as well as a Commercial capital. This commercial
capital is referred to as BABYLON
(Rev 16:19/18-KJV)
in the Book of Revelation. Now has this Babylon already arrived?
Going by its detailed description in Chapter 18 of the Book of Revelation can we hazard a guess?
No harm in trying to figure out. I want to reiterate that I am not nursing any animosity vis-à-vis any City but through this Essay
I intend to point out how things are panning out as per the Biblical Prophecies
a) At its destruction during Tribulation it is said that
"Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors,
and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of
her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?'
They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: " 'Woe! Woe,
O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
(Rev 18:17-19)
This passage is a dead giveaway that it would be a Port city.
b) The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any
more— cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth;
every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze,
iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil,
of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men-
(Rev 18:11-13)
This passage would indicate that trade of “luxuries” (note very few of the above items are basic necessities)
flourishes in that city especially of precious metals like gold. Obviously, there are no cumbersome trade regulations.
No wonder, this city would be the commercial capital of Anti-Christ’s Empire.
Also from the list of items heavily consumed, especially those such as cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh and frankincense,
it would seem that it is surely an Asian city, as there is no great demand for these kinds of items in other continents!
c) When the 7th bowl is poured, on the subject of effects following the most massive Earthquake in human history,
Babylon is spoken of immediately after the description of what happens to Jerusalem
(Rev 16:19),
as though to suggest, it is not very far away from Jerusalem. Then obviously, this city ought to be one of the cities of
Gulf countries, which apparently means it belongs to an Islamic state.
d) Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues; -
Rev 18:4
Now this would suggest that this city though Islamic and though heavily under the Anti-Christ’s influence has not been
averse to efficient and professional secret believers (secret Christians) settling and pursuing a profession or business there.
So it is not your typical “Talibanised” Islamic city.
e) In the beginning of the Tribulation, with Anti-Christ feigning as the well-wisher of the Jews, this city from where he
travels throughout the World (though belonging to an Islamic state), has to be a one wearing a very futuristic cosmopolitan
look (not the typical Islamic look), otherwise Jews would start viewing the Anti-Christ with suspicion.
Though an Islamic city, it should not be so orthodox to rebel against him, when he declares himself as God destroying
the False Religious system, he had established
As a representative of the first organized rebellion against God (construction of high Babel Tower) would this City at
the time of yet another Great Rebellion against God also boast of a “tower reaching to the skies” –
Genesis 11:4?
YES, IT HAS THE TALLEST TOWER IN THE WORLD AND ALSO ALL OF THE FEATURES FITTING THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN IN THE POINTS ABOVE AND
THAT CITY IS PRIMA FACIE… HOLD YOUR BREATH…DUBAI, of a booming economy fame refer- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Dubai
Man’s rebellious nature – Times have not changed?
Ancient Babel Tower –
Gen 11:4
Babel Tower’s modern –
day counterpart – Dubai Burj
THE TRUTH SEEMS CLEAR AS DAYLIGHT! YES, THAT CITY HAS ARRIVED. IT IS WAITING FOR ITS PRINICIPAL OCCUPANT.
JUST A MATTER OF TIME? BUT BEFORE THAT, PRAISE GOD, ALL OF US BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS WOULD BE RAPTURED.
Thumbing my chest, Tarzan-style…I want to proclaim “RAPTURE IS AT HAND”!!! ARE YOU ALERT AND ALERTING OTHERS?
If you not yet received Jesus into your life , as yet as personal Lord and Saviour, how about saying this prayer sincerely
“Father in heaven, I confess I am a sinner who has lived all my life selfishly on my own terms without ever
acknowledging you as my Creator and Sustainer of my life. Today, I welcome Jesus into my life,
whom you have fore-ordained as the Saviour of the World. Please forgive all my sins and grant me a new life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen”. Amen and Amen
By the way, they both also have the spirit of Anti-Christ
(
