L
Laurel
Guest
**1) Arafat’s death causes upheaval in Middle East peace process. **
A fully restored Israel with the return of the Jewish people is the “super-sign” of prophecy. The Bible predicts over and over again that Israel must be restored to its biblical borders and the Jews must be back in their homeland – for the events of the end times to unfold… (Jeremiah 30:1-3; Ezekiel 34:11-24; Zechariah 10:6-10).
The death of Yasser Arafat has important bearing on the peace process in the Middle East and the restoration of Israel. Some believe that his removal from the process will make peace more achievable and potentially allow the prophecy of Israel to be fulfilled. Others fear that his demise will throw the region into chaos if a struggle for Palestinian power ensues. Palestinian infighting could deadlock progress of the Middle East peace talks. Regardless of the impact, his death has refocused the world’s attention on Israel and peace in the Middle East. And as the Bible predicts that Israel will be the battleground for all great end-time conflicts and wars – this is exactly what we should expect if the end is drawing near. **2) Islamic rebellion terrorizes “Ancient Babylon.” **
The city of Babylon, located on the Euphrates River in modern Iraq, is mentioned almost 300 times in the Bible. It is consistently portrayed as a place of rebellion and pride. Scripture informs us that in the end times, Babylon will be rebuilt into a great city that will serve as a commercial and religious capital for the Antichrist.
In November U.S. troops pounded Fallujah. The intent for this assault on the Sunni terrorist hotbed was clear. Bring peace to Iraq so the elections can proceed in January. The U.S. and its coalition are trying to bring peace and stability to Iraq. This seems to be setting the stage for the rebuilding of Babylon – another sign that the coming of Christ may be very soon. 3) Europe unites as a powerful empire.
The prophet Daniel predicted a reunited Roman Empire in the End Times. According to the Bible, at the middle of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist will take over and rule the world for the final three and a half years of this age. To do this, he will need an army and advanced weaponry.
What we have seen developing in Europe the last 45 years – and particularly in the last year – looks strikingly similar to what the Bible predicts for the End Times. In May, the European Union added 10 more nations to its empire – bringing the total to 25. In October the EU’s constitution was signed on Capitoline Hill in Rome – the ancient center of religious life in the Roman Empire. And in November, Great Britain announced that it had committed 2,000 troops to a new 18,000 strong EU army. The Roman Empire is reuniting right before eyes just as the prophet Daniel predicted over 2,500 years ago.
The basic governmental and economic components are in place for one man to come on the scene in the EU and ascend to tremendous power. That man will be the Antichrist – he will rule over the final form of the Roman Empire and ultimately the whole world. **4) Strong Islamic presence emerges from Russia. **
The prophet Ezekiel predicted that the Great Russian Bear will rise in the last days to mount a furious invasion of Israel (37-38). Ezekiel also predicted that in the latter times, Israel would be invaded by a people “from remote parts of the north” (38:6, 15). The nation that is most distantly north from Israel is Russia.
In August and September, Islamic Chechen rebels were behind three catastrophic terrorist attacks: two Russian plane crashes, an attack against a Moscow metro station, and a siege over a school in Beslan, Russia. The terror, catastrophic events, and frightening Islamic presence now in Russia foreshadows a future time of trouble that is coming on the whole world. The fulfillment of God’s prophecies seems closer than ever before. **5) Indonesian earthquake foreshadows the devastation of the End Times. **
Two days before He died on the cross, Jesus said that one of the signs of His Second Coming to earth would be “great earthquakes,” (Luke 21:11). The prophet Ezekiel also predicted a great earthquake in the end times ( Ezekiel 38:19-20). And the apostle John was transported in a kind of spiritual time machine to the end times where he witnessed great disasters by deadly earthquakes. What we have just witnessed in Asia is frightening. The Indonesian earthquake was the most powerful recorded in 40 years. And the deadly tsunamis it produced have taken over 100,000 lives. The tsunamis traveled at speeds up to 500 miles per hour and towered to heights of 30 feet. This catastrophic natural disaster could foreshadow the devastation that will wrack the earth when it begins to shake during the tribulation.
A fully restored Israel with the return of the Jewish people is the “super-sign” of prophecy. The Bible predicts over and over again that Israel must be restored to its biblical borders and the Jews must be back in their homeland – for the events of the end times to unfold… (Jeremiah 30:1-3; Ezekiel 34:11-24; Zechariah 10:6-10).
The death of Yasser Arafat has important bearing on the peace process in the Middle East and the restoration of Israel. Some believe that his removal from the process will make peace more achievable and potentially allow the prophecy of Israel to be fulfilled. Others fear that his demise will throw the region into chaos if a struggle for Palestinian power ensues. Palestinian infighting could deadlock progress of the Middle East peace talks. Regardless of the impact, his death has refocused the world’s attention on Israel and peace in the Middle East. And as the Bible predicts that Israel will be the battleground for all great end-time conflicts and wars – this is exactly what we should expect if the end is drawing near. **2) Islamic rebellion terrorizes “Ancient Babylon.” **
The city of Babylon, located on the Euphrates River in modern Iraq, is mentioned almost 300 times in the Bible. It is consistently portrayed as a place of rebellion and pride. Scripture informs us that in the end times, Babylon will be rebuilt into a great city that will serve as a commercial and religious capital for the Antichrist.
In November U.S. troops pounded Fallujah. The intent for this assault on the Sunni terrorist hotbed was clear. Bring peace to Iraq so the elections can proceed in January. The U.S. and its coalition are trying to bring peace and stability to Iraq. This seems to be setting the stage for the rebuilding of Babylon – another sign that the coming of Christ may be very soon. 3) Europe unites as a powerful empire.
The prophet Daniel predicted a reunited Roman Empire in the End Times. According to the Bible, at the middle of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist will take over and rule the world for the final three and a half years of this age. To do this, he will need an army and advanced weaponry.
What we have seen developing in Europe the last 45 years – and particularly in the last year – looks strikingly similar to what the Bible predicts for the End Times. In May, the European Union added 10 more nations to its empire – bringing the total to 25. In October the EU’s constitution was signed on Capitoline Hill in Rome – the ancient center of religious life in the Roman Empire. And in November, Great Britain announced that it had committed 2,000 troops to a new 18,000 strong EU army. The Roman Empire is reuniting right before eyes just as the prophet Daniel predicted over 2,500 years ago.
The basic governmental and economic components are in place for one man to come on the scene in the EU and ascend to tremendous power. That man will be the Antichrist – he will rule over the final form of the Roman Empire and ultimately the whole world. **4) Strong Islamic presence emerges from Russia. **
The prophet Ezekiel predicted that the Great Russian Bear will rise in the last days to mount a furious invasion of Israel (37-38). Ezekiel also predicted that in the latter times, Israel would be invaded by a people “from remote parts of the north” (38:6, 15). The nation that is most distantly north from Israel is Russia.
In August and September, Islamic Chechen rebels were behind three catastrophic terrorist attacks: two Russian plane crashes, an attack against a Moscow metro station, and a siege over a school in Beslan, Russia. The terror, catastrophic events, and frightening Islamic presence now in Russia foreshadows a future time of trouble that is coming on the whole world. The fulfillment of God’s prophecies seems closer than ever before. **5) Indonesian earthquake foreshadows the devastation of the End Times. **
Two days before He died on the cross, Jesus said that one of the signs of His Second Coming to earth would be “great earthquakes,” (Luke 21:11). The prophet Ezekiel also predicted a great earthquake in the end times ( Ezekiel 38:19-20). And the apostle John was transported in a kind of spiritual time machine to the end times where he witnessed great disasters by deadly earthquakes. What we have just witnessed in Asia is frightening. The Indonesian earthquake was the most powerful recorded in 40 years. And the deadly tsunamis it produced have taken over 100,000 lives. The tsunamis traveled at speeds up to 500 miles per hour and towered to heights of 30 feet. This catastrophic natural disaster could foreshadow the devastation that will wrack the earth when it begins to shake during the tribulation.
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