All posts tagged: end times

100 | Will the Spirit of Jezebel rear its head in the end times?

FOLLOW OUR PODCAST ON (search opentheword): PODCAST NOTES: Hi, my name is Dean Smith and in this podcast, I want to talk about the appearance of the Spirit of Jezebel in the end times. There is a theory circulating among those who study end-times theology, that as we near Christ’s second return we are going to see a revival of the ancient gods who once plagued Israel. This is the premise of Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Return of the Gods, where Cahn argues that we may not necessarily see Baal idols popping up around the world, but rather the spirits behind these idols will try to reassert themselves. Though these idols were typically manufactured out of wood, clay or stone to represent various gods, the Hebrews understood that there was more going on than just idol worship as there were demonic and evil spirits behind these gods. We read in Deuteronomy: “They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to …

Franklin Graham warns that every demon from hell has been unleashed on society

In a keynote presentation to the National Religious Broadcasters on Monday, May 22, 2023, Franklin Graham warned that every demon from hell has been launched against society and Christians need to be prepared, Fox News reports. Graham, who is the son of evangelist Billy Graham and CEO of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Society added: “The world has deteriorated so quickly. We cannot be deceived and we can’t be fooled. We need to get ready and be prepared.“ “There’s a storm coming, and we’ve all got to be prepared.” Graham warned Christian organizations that there may soon be a concerted effort to shut them down both financially and technologically, with Banks and digital cloud companies looking to cancel services to Christian organizations that they don’t agree with. “We’re living in a cancel culture, and [big corporations] want to destroy Christian organizations,” Graham added. “They want us to shut our mouths. They don’t want to hear from us.” READ: Franklin Graham at Christian media convention: Every ‘demon from hell’ has been ‘turned loose’ in …

The Daily Mail’s ten most likely world-ending events

There has been talk in recent months about apocalyptic events that could lead to the end of the world. Some of it has undoubtedly been sparked by COVID and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In an article for the Daily Mail, Sam Tonkin recently discussed the ten most likely scenarios that could result in the end of humanity, from a secular and scientific point of view. Of course, the Bible also warns of a series of horrific apocalyptic events that would devastate the world leading to the second coming of Christ. With that as the theme, I want to provide a Biblical perspective on Tonkin’s ten world-ending events. Giant Asteroid Hits Earth The first world-ending devastation that Tonkin had on his list was a giant asteroid hitting the Earth. Of course, many believe it was an asteroid that selectively killed off every dinosaur, but somehow spared the life of other creatures. This idea has become such a serious concern that NASA and other space agencies are now monitoring our solar system for potential asteroids and recently …

One of the largest volcanos in the Western Hemisphere showing signs of activity

Scientists are warning that one of the largest volcanos in the Western Hemisphere, Nevado del Ruiz, located just west of Bogotá, Columbia is showing signs of activity, the NY Post reports. A large swarm of earthquake activity (11,600 on March 30) at the site has prompted Colombia’s Geological Survey to issue the second-highest, orange warning, about potential volcanic activity at the site. This has resulted in a call to evacuate 57,000 people living within the shadow of the volcano. The last time Nevado del Ruiz erupted was on Nov 13, 1985, killing an estimated 23,000 people in the town of Armero in a matter of a couple of hours. At the time, people were unaware of what was happening on the mountain as it was obscured by dark storm clouds. Most were killed by the massive mud and lava flows, referred to as lahars, that covered the town located near the base of the volcano. READ: Deadliest volcano in Western Hemisphere shows signs of increased activity Speaking about the coming Day of the Lord, the …

Another ‘birth pang’: Massive earthquake hits Turkey and Syria

A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday morning destroying countless buildings in both countries and killing at least 1,900 people, with that number expected to rise dramatically. It is estimated that there were over 5,000 people injured most of who were asleep in their homes when the quake hit. Rescue teams are searching for the hundreds of people still trapped beneath the rubble. It was followed a few hours later, by a slightly less powerful, 7.5 magnitude earthquake that demolished buildings damaged by the first. The second earthquake’s epicenter was 60 miles (ca. 97 km) north of the first, which was located north of the Turkish city of Gaziantep (population 2 million), near the Syrian border. According to reports the two earthquakes were unrelated, but the first quake may have triggered the second. There have been reports of smaller quakes in other areas of the world including a 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Buffalo, New York, leading some to suggest the Turkey earthquakes may have destabilized other faults. The Danish Geological survey …

Is Putin’s ‘Satan,’ the Apostle John’s ‘Wormwood’?

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has just revealed his latest intercontinental ballistic nuclear weapon (ICBM), which could be in active service as soon as January 2023. The missile that actually leaves the earth’s atmosphere before reentering and unleashing its payload, can carry 15 nuclear warheads which can individually target other sites. The missiles that can reportedly travel 16,000 miles (ca. 25,750 km) an hour could reach Britain in a matter of minutes. Of course, Putin did this in an effort to terrorize and intimidate the rest of the world because of the failure of his invasion of Ukraine. But what struck me is its name. Though it is officially called RS-28 Sarmat, the Russians have nicknamed it Satan-2. In other words, if he doesn’t get his way, Putin is threatening to unleash Satan on the world. And sometimes I have wondered if in his vision of the apocalypse, recorded in the Book of Revelation, if the Apostle John saw Satan-2 in action. John had a different name for it though, he called it wormwood. But in …

Nearly 40% of Americans believe the world has entered the end times

A recent poll by Pew Research reports that 39% of Americans believe that we have now entered the end times, Lifeway Research reports. But the survey also revealed the theological divide in Christianity regarding the last days Pew pointed out that there were essentially two basic views represented in the group who believe we are in the end times. This included 14% who believed that Jesus’ return is imminent, and that the world will worsen until the Lord’s second coming. The remaining 25% are described as all other end times believers. There are basically three views of the end times among Christians, and they all center on the Millennium or the 1,000-year reign of Christ recorded in Revelation 20:2-7, when Christ will rule the earth. During this 1,000-year reign, governments will submit to Christ’s rule. And this combined with Satan being bound will result in an unparalleled time of peace and economic prosperity. At the end of this age, Satan will be released and dealt with once and for all by God and the angels. …

World’s largest active volcano awakens

After being dormant for nearly 40 years, the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, located on the Big Island in Hawaii, has apparently come to life sending a stream of ash into the atmosphere and darkening the skies. According to the US Geological Survey, it erupted late Sunday night, Nov 28, 2022, bringing with it dozens of earthquakes. Though there have been no reports of lava flows from the eruption, the skies turned amber-red because of the ash. Mauna Loa, which last erupted in 1984, is part of a group of five volcanos, located on the largely rural Big Island of Hawaii. The last time it erupted, its lava flows reached within five miles of the city of Hilo. The mention of the sky turning red is reminiscent of the Prophet Joel’s warning of columns of smoke, the iconic symbol of volcanos, that would bring with them fire, blood (death), a red moon and darkened sun. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. …

The Euphrates River: Can we believe the predictions?

Are huge rivers disappearing? Are we moving to Armageddon? Is there any reason to believe Bible prophecy? The Bible makes many predictions about the times that we are living in. In general, things will get worse, even terrible, and then God will intervene. Intervention is also known as the second coming of Jesus. I am a Christian, but imagine taking the point-of-view of a doubter, a skeptic. If we don’t believe, why should we start now? There are different ideas about where our world is going. One of my best answers is, see the possibilities. Recently, scientists have become worried about the Euphrates river, and its twin, the Tigris. The cradle of ancient civilization formed near them, and they are important in many Bible stories. They form a huge fresh-water system that millions of people depend on, in the heart of the Middle East. The Bible predicted, thousands of years ago, that the Euphrates will dry up, and this will be important for events at the end of this age. Huge armies, from the east, …

The confluence of Technology and COVID restrictions

A confluence is defined as several flowing streams meeting or gathering together at one point and merging together. It can refer to actual rivers joining or as I will use it in this article, ideas converging at the same moment in time. Over the last couple of years, there has been a convergence of several ideas that may be paving the way for what the Apostle John saw emerging in the end times the mark of the Beast that would be used to control people’s ability to buy or sell. The first stream, the chip Most recently, CBN had an article about a popular TikTok star, known as ‘The Chip Girl,’ with over three million followers, who has been showing the world the benefits of having a chip inserted in your hand. Burgundy Waller, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, is married to a man she describes as a ‘tech genius.’ Two years ago Burgundy had a chip her husband developed, inserted into her hand. In her TikTok videos, Burgundy shows the benefit that the …

Iran? Russia? and maybe China? What is happening to our world?

The news is getting scary. You have probably heard that people in Iran are demonstrating against their government, and things are getting violent. The news, where I live, is that an army base has been attacked. In Russia, there are other problems. We know about the Russian army attacking Ukraine, a close neighbor. It’s now a complicated story, and the Government of Russia is bringing compulsory military service, to keep their effort going. Apparently, people in Russia are not happy about this, and they are demonstrating in the streets. Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of landmass. In China, things seem to be more peaceful, and there doesn’t seem to be a violent crisis. COVID lock-downs are still happening, but young adults are not getting married and having babies, and the population is declining. A younger generation of new adults is distracted by the stress of living, in their country. This may seem trivial, but over time, a smaller population will mean a smaller economy, and that will be a smaller …

When Gorbachev was the Antichrist

By Dr. Michael L. Brown

Are you old enough to remember when Christians thought that Mikhail Gorbachev was the antichrist? After all, he was the whiz kid who came out of nowhere and was shaking the Soviet Union. Perhaps he also aspired to take over the world? And then he had that mark on his forehead. Some said it looked like a dragon! Could he be the man?

Massive 7.6 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea

In his vision of the end-times, the Apostle John saw several massive earthquakes striking the earth, but John described one in Revelation 16 that would be the greatest earthquake to ever hit the world. And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. (Revelation 16:18 NASV) In fact, of the 16 earthquakes mentioned in the Bible, seven of them are found in the Book of Revelation, so it seems they will become a theme of the end times. On Sunday, Sept 11, 2022, a large earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, hit the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea. There has been substantial damage reported from the quake and five deaths, which is expected to climb. Major buildings and homes suffered extensive damage, and roads now have cracks running down them. People felt the shocks 480 kms away, including those living in Australia. …

Camels on the Horizon? The Eve of Destruction?

You might have heard about the camels on the horizon. Lots of people are talking about it. The story is; that a Sheik in Dubai in the Persian Gulf region gave his opinion, in an interview, and his words of wisdom have caught the attention of people around the world. In summary: Hard times make resilient people, and those people fix social problems and make a better society. That easier life produces soft and whiny people, and they make things worse. It’s a cycle of repair and decay. Prosperity and good times, lead us to decay and destruction. People who like this message generally think we are in the soft and whiny stage, and destruction is near. Apparently, many Christian preachers are interested in the message. The Sheik of Dubai is like a wise prophet, to some people. Social cycles are normal, and predictable. And if that is true, we may be at the end of a prosperity peak. We may be on the eve of destruction. What do you think? I’m a Christian, and …

Did Baal show up at the Commonwealth Games?

In his vision of the end times, the Apostle John saw a time coming when the people would openly worship the beast, which of course is none other than Satan, the god of this world. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. (Revelation 13:8-9 NIV) It is difficult to imagine how the world could be so deceived, that humanity would be enticed into worshiping this false god. But a bizarre thing happened at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England in August 2022. As part of the opening ceremonies, a massive (six-story high) bull with flashing red eyes and smoke pouring out of its nostrils was dragged into the main arena. As strange as that was, this wasn’t even the bizarre part. When the mechanical bull entered the arena, a woman walked in front of it, to calm it down. After this happened, dancers …

Uncivilized

By Rick Renner

The material I am about to present concerns a subject that I normally wouldn’t write about. However, it provides a powerful illustration of the depravity Paul prophesied would occur during the last days (see 2 Timothy 3:2,3), and I believe it serves as a wakeup call to the Church. Sometimes we need a stark reminder of the rapid degeneration of society’s moral fabric that is occurring all around us at an ever-increasing rate so we don’t grow complacent and just “go with the flow” of society’s downward moral spiral. As the Church, we have a vital role to play in these perilous times as standard bearers of truth. So bear with me as I take on that role to share some disturbing but important information, and you will understand my point.

What Does the Bible Say About the End of the Age?

By Dr. Michael L. Brown Let’s be brutally honest here. It would be arrogant and foolish to imagine that, in one short article, any of us could make a definitive statement about the Bible and the end times. After all, these issues have been debated for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and the debate continues to rage until this day. Plus, what Bible are we talking about? And what do we mean by the end of the age? Let’s answer those questions first. When talking about “the Bible,” I’ll be referring to the version of the Bible shared by the largest number of people, namely, the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. Judaism accepts only the Hebrew Scriptures (called the Old Testament by Christians) as the Bible. And Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians accept the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha as sacred Scripture. But all Christians agree on the Old and New Testament as being Scripture, so for simplicity’s sake, when we speak …

Jesus predicted increased lawlessness

When Jesus warned that people’s hearts will grow cold because of increased lawlessness in the end times (Matthew 24:12), I never once thought it would be due to politics. I was wrong. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) is running to be governor of the state of New York. He was campaigning in Perinton, New York on Thursday night (July 21, 2022) when a 43-year-old man, David G. Jakubonis, allegedly jumped on the stage and tried to thrust a sharp weapon at Zeldon’s neck. Fortunately, Jakubonis was immediately tackled and arrested. But here is the lawlessness kicker. According to reports, the accused, who the police charged with second-degree attempted assault, was released the next morning on his own recognizance, The Blaze reports. Some have alleged that the accused may have mental health issues. Politics is producing lawlessness. Guard your heart. READ: Man who tackled Lee Zeldin attacker ‘enraged’ that suspect was immediately released under NY bail laws AND Lee Zeldin predicts his attacker would benefit from New York’s laws — and it comes true within just hours …

Why is Ezekiel 38 trending on Twitter?

Twitter exploded after photos emerged of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Iran’s Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. It was Putin’s first international visit since his invasion of Ukraine, and it was unmistakable that Putin was showing the world that he still has allies. Also in attendance was Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is trying to broker a deal that would end Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s ports, allowing needed grain shipments to leave. But it left Turkey looking like a Putin ally as well. However, the meeting also caught the attention of those studying Biblical end times events because it could be a precursor to fulfilling an infamous end times war, also called Armageddon, where several nations attacking Israel. This included Gog and Magog, Persia, Cush and Gomer, described in Ezekiel 38. Persia, of course, fits modern Iran, but there have been a few questions on who Gog and Magog described since it seems to be the major player in this war. Gog is the leader of this …

A couple characteristics of the end times

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul talks about the changes that will take place in people as we enter the difficult last days. He says that, among other things, they will become “ungrateful” or unthankful. Connecticut police state that they have arrested a man who allegedly pulled a gun on two women when they failed to say thank you after he opened the door for them at a store, the New York Post reports. The man immediately fled after pulling out the gun but was later picked up by police. It is uncertain why the two women failed to express what would be considered a small courtesy, but the man certainly overreacted to the situation. The Apostle Paul also added that people in the end times would be “without love,” “unforgiving”, and “without self-control.” READ: Connecticut man pulls gun on women who didn’t thank him for holding door, cops say

Hints of the digital age in end times prophecy

As we read of the Biblical end times, we see hints scattered through the prophecies of the modern digital age we are living in today. When the angel of the Lord delivered a prophetic message to Daniel about the end times, God’s messenger said these prophecies would be sealed until the end of the age that would be marked by a rapid increase in knowledge: 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4 ESV) Even Sir Isaac Newton, a 17th century scientist who studied the end times prophecies, suggested that there would need to be an increase in technology to fulfill the events he saw taking place in the end times. One example include the death of the two prophets of God, who had tormented the world, in the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John’s vision of end-times events. John saw that when the beast killed the two prophets, people from every tribe and …

Looming famine and food shortages?

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?

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?

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

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?

FOLLOW OUR PODCAST ON (search opentheword): 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 it’s not just an empty threat AND ON THE …

Don’t be ‘alarmed’

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 …