All posts tagged: end times

Looming famine and food shortages?

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In Jesus’ description of the end times, Christ said there will be several signs indicating that the countdown to His second coming has started: 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8 NKJV) And when you look at this list, we can add checkmarks to what is happening today. Jesus talked about: Wars and rumors of wars [✔]; Plagues (Covid, MonkeyPox) [✔]; Earthquakes [✔]; and also famines. This has left some wondering if we have entered this phase of the end times. And with the recent events, several experts have issued warnings of the potential for famine and food shortages. Famine warning A recent report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization warned there is a risk of 49 million people living in …

Is civilization collapsing?

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When Jesus described the events leading to His Second return, the Lord said that they would start off as birth pangs, preparing the way for the main event. Some wonder with COVID, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, warnings of nuclear war, asteroids, Communist China’s emerging threat, and concerns about looming famines and food shortages, that we have entered the birth-pang stage (Matthew 24:6-8). And as these events slowly unfold, we are also witnessing a breakdown in society. Breakpoint recently had a column about the social upheaval taking place in the U.S.: According to the FBI, there’s been a 50% uptick in “active shooting incidents” since last year, and that’s not counting the shooting that left 21 dead in Uvalde, Texas. “The two attacks (in Buffalo and Uvalde) are not outliers,” announced National Public Radio. “Mass shootings happen in the U.S. with depressing regularity.” According to their count, 213 so far this year. A variety of things and people are being blamed: access to guns, social isolation, politicians, talk show hosts, authorities, harmful ideas, and more. Behind …

Has Israel started the construction of the Third Temple?

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Many Christians believe that a third temple will be built in Jerusalem as part of the end times prophecy leading to the second coming of Christ. And because of this, there was recent excitement on several end-times websites, when Israel365, an Orthodox Jewish website in Israel, reported that Orthodox Jews have started building the third temple. For the most part, a group of Orthodox Jews has manufactured all the utensils and furniture necessary for a functioning temple, including the sacrificial altar. They have also set up a school to train the priests on how to perform sacrificial offerings. All that is missing is the temple itself. Though at the moment there is no political will in Israel to build a temple, that would undoubtedly face violent resistance from the Muslims, there is sufficient room on the Temple Mount for a Jewish Temple. The Jordanian Waqf currently administers the site. Israel365 reports that several Orthodox Jews have started preparing the stones that would eventually be used for the construction of the temple. According to the Jewish …

We are living in violent times

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Not only are we witnessing Russia’s violent invasion of Ukraine, but on Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10 people were killed and three injured in what was allegedly a despicable racially motivated attack at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY. READ: Buffalo shooter, 18, planned attack for MONTHS before driving three hours to gun down 10 in supermarket ambush motivated by his hatred of black people: Cops interview his parents as four victims named RELATED: Buffalo Suspect’s Manifesto Revealed: 5 Statements Proving He Wasn’t a Christian Conservative RELATED: Authorities Missed Clues on Buffalo Killer; Strong Believers Among the Dead – She Was ‘the Apple of God’s Eye’ That same day, Saturday, May 14, 2022, 21 people were shot and injured in three separate incidents in Milwaukee, WI, near celebrations involving an NBA playoff game. READ: Milwaukee shootings injure 21 near NBA playoff game gatherings, prompting curfew Jesus warned of increasing lawlessness and violence in the end times, and said because of this, people’s love for others will grow cold. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love …

82 | What do the prophets Zechariah and John have to say about nuclear war in the end-times?

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FOLLOW OUR PODCAST ON (search opentheword): Apple Podcasts Stitcher Spotify Google Play IHeartRadio TuneIn Podchaser PODCAST NOTES: In this podcast, I discuss the several times that Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened nuclear war since his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. These threats even included two Russian fighter jets that briefly flew into Swedish airspace armed with nuclear warheads on March 2, 2022. But this leads to a bigger question: Do any of the Bible’s prophets predict nuclear war will be part of the end-times apocalypse? I believe there are several prophecies that suggest this may happen, and I will look at two of them. One of them comes from a vision given to the Prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 14:12), and the second from the Apostle John, found in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 8:10-11), John’s written record of a vision he received describing the events that will lead up to the second coming of Christ. Click here for a more complete transcript. READ: Putin implies nuclear attack if West interferes in Ukraine. Why …

Don’t be ‘alarmed’

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As the world was emerging from the COVID pandemic and lockdowns, it was suddenly hit with another crisis, as Russian President, Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine. And on top of this, people are now taking financial hits by an unprecedented rise in prices for food and gas (see Revelation 6:6). In many ways, this sudden series of events fits the metaphor that Jesus used to describe the initial stages of the end times, which Jesus likened to the birth pangs that a woman experiences prior to giving birth (Matthew 24:8). The birth pangs are deliberate, unstoppable, one after another, gradually increasing in speed and intensity. One of those birth pangs that Christ warned about was war, and curiously it was on par with ‘rumours of war,’ related, but in its own separate category: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6 NIV) Could we classify Vladimir Putin’s threat of using nuclear weapons during …

COVID passport microchips being embedded in people’s hands?

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CBN is reporting that effective Dec 1, 2021, the Swedish government required a vaccine passport for anyone attending events exceeding 100 people. The Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, writes that this requirement has led to several hundred Swedes choosing to have a microchip embedded in their hand that contains a vaccine passport that can be read by an NFC reader. So far, about 6,000 Swedes have had a microchip embedded in their hands since it was introduced in 2014. Since these are memory chips, all sorts of data can be downloaded onto them. These chips can not only hold a COVID passport, but as well, a person’s ID. They can also be used to open doors requiring a card, and even make purchases. CBN writes that the conveniences these chips offer would be the driving force behind their growing acceptance: “It’s a so-called ‘health tool’ The Atlantic predicted would become more popular. “ “‘As with most technologies, the tipping point for implantable chips will come when they become so useful they’re hard to refuse. It could happen sooner than you …

Volcano erupts in Indonesia

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I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. (Joel 2:30-31 NASV) In his prophecy about the coming of the Day of the Lord, the prophet Joel saw columns of smoke pouring into the sky. This is the trademark sign of volcanic activity. And attached to these columns of ash would be blood (people dying) and fire (molten lava). And Indonesians were caught off guard, when Mt Semeru, located on the island of Java, erupted on Saturday, Dec 4, 2021, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The eruption resulted in a massive column of smoke extending 40,000 feet high into the sky. The Daily Mail reports that there has been 14 deaths, and more are expected, as ash covered villages and cars and smothered animals. Images have emerged of vehicles covered in ash up to their roofs. There have also been 56 injuries, mostly burns, and several people are still reported missing. At times, rivers of lava stretched nearly seven miles. Mt Semeru had previously erupted in …

Why was ‘sorcery,’ Biblegateway’s top searched term in 2021?

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Biblegateway.com, a website used by tens of millions of people each year to search and study the Bible, just released its most popular searches over the past 12 months. It was a shocking to discover that the most searched Biblical words were terms related to sorcery, that registered a 193% increase over 2020. The remaining top three searches included: ‘Slow to anger’ that had a 169% increase, and ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms’ that saw a 140% increase over last year. Sorcery knocked out last year’s number one search, plagues and pestilence, which obviously spiked because of COVID. Searches for those terms actually saw a 71% decrease in 2021. But it is strange why sorcery would see such a dramatic increase this year. Biblegateway suggests that it may be due to sorcery being derived from the Greek word, pharmakeia, from which we get the English word pharmacy or drugs. In his article on Biblegateway, Johnathan Peters explains: The increase in sorceries is related to heightened interest in the Greek word pharmakeia which, according …

Is a burnt car, a sign of the times?

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A recent story in a Canadian newspaper, the National Post, reveals the subtle changes taking place in our culture that Jesus said would be one of the indicators that we are entering the end times. Ironically, it involved a car crash that took place on a Sunday, Oct 31, 2021, when two teens crashed into a tree near Springwater, Ontario, Canada. The resulting crash caused the vehicle to catch fire and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that instead of helping the two teens, who were struggling to get out of the burning vehicle, those passing by were more interested in videoing the event. According to OPP spokesperson, Liz Newton, videos of the crash, that ended up on several social media sites, showed several cars slowly driving by instead of stopping and helping the two escape. Fortunately, the two teens survived, when a police officer stumbled upon the scene and was able to pull them out. The two remain in hospital with serious injuries. The OPP added that no charges have been laid against those …

Did the Apostle John see programmable currency?

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With digital currency such as Bitcoin emerging, there are several reports of governments stating their intention to introduce digital currencies at a national level, replacing cash. However, many have raised privacy concerns about such a currency, as it will be programmable and could easily be associated with your identity through such things as a social security number. As a result: Governments will be able to track every purchase you make. Governments will know automatically know how much money you have in your accounts without having to go through courts and a bank But there are other concerns about the programming aspect of this digital currency, because not only will governments be able to monitor your spending, they will also have the ability to control it, if they so choose. For example, it could be set to restrict a person’s purchase of a weapon if they haven’t completed the proper application forms, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But it could also be used to limit a person’s ability to purchase other items if the …

Nostradamus: Did he know something about us?

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Do you want to know the future? Are you concerned about the way things are going? Who isn’t? You may have noticed Internet talk about a man named Nostradamus. His full name was Michele de Nostredame, and he lived in France from 1503 to 1566. In his lifetime, he published books that seemed to predict the future. Our problem with those books, in modern times, is that his writing was poetic and cryptic, never easy to understand. Today, the writings of Nostradamus are very popular, and many people believe that he predicted the future; and they believe we are now living in those future times. Nostradamus worked as an apothecary or pharmacist, before he became famous for predicting the future. His sideline business has been described as ‘occult fortune teller’ and that is probably why Christians don’t talk about him, very much. His family was Jewish, but they converted to the Roman Catholic religion, apparently before he was born. That might be important because many Jewish people believe in the tradition of “Kabbalah” a type …

Does a court case in Michigan help us understand the Mark of the Beast?

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An interesting court case in Michigan slightly pries open a door for a brief discussion on the Mark of Beast, mentioned in the Book of Revelation, that I will take advantage of in this article. In his vision of the end times, the Apostle John said that people would be required to take the Mark of the Beast and if they didn’t, they would be prevented from buying or selling (Revelation 13:17). Though no actual mark is involved, a court case taking place in Michigan has a similar ring to it. According to Charisma News, Country Mill Farms has been participating in an annual farmers’ market in East Lansing for several years. In 2016, the farm, owned by Steve and Bridget Tennes, a Christian family, were banned from setting up a booth at the market because after checking out the farm’s Facebook page, an East Lansing official discovered the family believed in the Biblical definition of marriage. In 2017, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, the Tennes were able to overturn the ban with the judge …

No Time for Cowardice

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By Dr. Michael L. Brown According to the book of Revelation, “the cowardly,” along with a host of other sinners, like murderers and the sexually immoral, will one day be cast into the lake of fire (see Revelation 21:8). But what is so bad about being cowardly? Why is it such a serious sin? The Greek word used for “cowardly” also means “fearful,” and it is found two other times in the New Testament.  As explained by the Greek scholar Celsas Spicq, “Jesus reproaches the apostles for this psychological fear when they are terrified by the storm (Matt 8:26; Mark 4:40), because it involves a moral deficiency: they no longer have faith, or they have but little faith in the presence of the Savior, who has to reassure them.” In contrast, “when one relies on God, there is nothing to fear.” (From his Theological Lexicon of the New Testament.) So, there is something morally deficient in being fearful when Jesus Himself is with you. And in the situation described in the Gospels, when the disciples …

Is Communist China’s new digital currency a sign of the times?

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According to a former executive director with the World Bank, Erik Bethel, Communist China is on the verge of creating a digital version of its currency (official called renminbi but popularly referred to as the yuan) that could result in the regime going cashless in the near future. It will be the world’s first government-backed digital currency. In an interview with CBN, Bethel states the regime’s digital currency, similar to the Bitcoin, will be controlled by the country’s national bank, the People’s Bank of China. As part of its testing phase, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will soon release $6 million dollars to its citizens that can use one of two apps approved by the CCP to make purchases. It is believed that the communist regime is preparing for a full launch of its digital coin in time for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Once this process starts, the CCP will have full access to people’s spending 24/7. Many believe the move is just another step in the Communist regime’s attempt to regulate and moderate the …

‘The Red dragon ain’t no evil’: I am not sure the Apostle John agrees

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According to Hong Kong’s Apple Daily, in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1, 2021, it is flooding the few churches allowed to be open with Communist propaganda and ordering them to celebrate the CCP during services. The CCP has set up two organizations that churches must join in order to be approved. This includes Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) for protestants and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association for Roman Catholic churches. These churches are heavily regulated and monitored by the CCP that has set up video cameras in the churches to identify who is attending and what is being spoken during the services. According to the Apple Daily (AD) several Catholic churches are actually holding masses singing the praises of communism. AD added that in May, Liu Yuanlong, the vice president of the Catholic association, released a public statement endorsing the CCP: “God has chosen the Chinese Communist Party… We have to firmly support the Chinese Communist Party with Xi Jinping at its core. We listen to …

Israel and Gaza: Is this Armageddon?

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Do you remember life two years ago? It’s blurry in my memory. If someone said COVID or words like Astra Zeneca, we might have guessed they were speaking another language. Then, a pandemic came on us, and life has not been the same. We are told that change will come on us: “The day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 2 and 3) That just happened. Everything seemed normal; I remember making decisions and plans for the next few years. I went to a work site one day, and I remember sheets of plastic hung from the ceilings to keep customers, people off the street, away from the workers at the counters. I had a bad feeling about that, and then someone noticed me. The workers looked at me like I was a strange alien creature, and they explained that I …