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Recently I have heard more than one person make this remark, “the next two years will tell the tale.” They, of course, were referring to the present economic and financial state of affairs, of the U.S. and the World. Many are expressing the opinion that there will be either a return to prosperity within the next year or two or a world-wide revolution.
Most will admit that the political situation all over the world is anything but satisfactory and the immediate future does not look any too bright. Heads of State, at home, and abroad are warning the public of the present chaos and the approaching crisis, asking men and women to take an inventory of world conditions and to admit that universal, political, economical and social unrest and uncertainty prevail, and that anything more serious and disastrous is liable to happen on short notice.
Among the nations of Europe there exists not only an undercurrent of suspicion and distrust, but the acknowledgment on the part of some of them that war is inevitable, and so they are rushing on to further financial ruin in their preparation for the inevitable. No European ruler or politician is sincere if and when he declares that there are prospects for world peace.
And when we consider our own United States, there are daily reports of utter financial ruin and distressful times ahead. The world cry is for able leaders, because the current bunch can’t do the job.
In all of the discussions of depression and political unrest, and rumors of wars, comparatively few, amazingly, seem worried about the ungodliness and immorality of the present generation; and a still smaller minority are deeply concerned about what is truly the most serious sign of the times; namely, the departure on the part of thousands of so-called “Christians”, with their preachers and leaders, from the great fundamentals of the Christian faith.
This falling away from the Faith is prophesied in the Bible as one of the signs of the end time. The worldwide political and social upheavals are very significant. So also is the present activity on the part of the Jews IN the LAND. So also is the present worldwide disregard for law. So also are the rationalism and materialism and atheism of this present time, especially propagated in the name of Christianity.
Yes all of these signs combined are indicative of the approaching end. What do we mean by the approaching end: the end of what? Now, remember, if you are thinking about the end of the world that is not what I have in mind.
There have been so many wild speculations and so many fanatical religious end-of-the-world movements, so many false prophets who have tried to set dates as to when the end of the world would be, that it is next to impossible to get very many people to seriously consider the more sure word of Prophecy from the Mind of the Infallible God.
Unto Him are known all His works from the beginning of the world. Surely the God who designed this universe, who governs and sustains it, the God, to whom it belongs, knows His present and future purposes for the earth and its inhabitants. This omnipotent and omniscient God knows how and when and why this present age will end, the climax of this present political and social order. If this God is sovereign and does purpose all things after the counsel of His own will, as He Himself declares, who can hinder or delay His movements when the appointed time for His action is at hand? And if He has been so considerate and gracious as to indicate unto His children, by certain signs, the nearness of the appointed time, certainly His children should, with eagerness and thanksgiving, study world conditions in the light of His inspired and inerrant Word.
In Matthew 13:39-49, we find three times the expression, “the end of the world.” The proper translation is, “the consummation, of the age.” “So shall it be in the consummation of the age.” We find the same thought again expressed in Matthew 28:20, wherein the Lord said to His apostles, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, or unto the consummation of the age.” He did not mean as long as they lived, but as long as the age endured. Man’s history, in God’s plans, is divided into ages. The age in which we now live is designated as “this present evil age,” Galatians 1:4. This is the Day of Grace, the Age of the Body of Christ, the Dispensation of The Mystery. Ephesians 3:1-9.
There have been other ages. They have come to an end. Certainly the antediluvian age came to an end with the flood. And, let’s not forget, there will be other ages after this present evil age, mentioned as “the ages to come”. Ephesians 2:7.
This age will have a consummation. Other ages will follow. In Ephesians 3:21 we find the expression, “world without end,” properly translated, “ages of the ages.” In connection with the coming of Christ, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:23, we read in the very next verse: “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God.” Certainly this language tells us that Christ is coming and the end is coming.
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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