A Warning for the End-Times

Posted: 2010-12-15 07:48:22 by: David Nelson

A Warning for the End-Times       by David Nelson         12-14-10

Have you noticed some strange weather patterns in the last few years? (Storms, high winds, large waves at sea, heavy rain and snow, etc.) There seem to be more earthquakes too. The book of Revelation speaks of meteors hitting the earth, wild beasts killing more people, one third of the trees and grass dying, all the creatures of the oceans dying, ships being destroyed, volcanoes, the sun scorching people, heavy hail falling on people, etc. Also, the Scriptures say that the end-times will be like a woman in travail where the birth pangs come suddenly, without warning, they come more often (closer together), and with greater intensity (stronger) as the Lord's return nears.

When I was in seminary there were three views taught and carefully supported by the Scriptures as to the Church being raptured out of this world by Jesus before or in the middle or at the end of the great 7 year tribulation. What I am about to say may run contrary to what you've been taught (and we can talk about this more) but please hear me out till I have presented completely this warning. I believe there will come a time when Christians will have to leave their homes and must walk away from everything. Again, please hear me out. There will be Christians alive during the 7 year tribulation. For at least 3 1/2 years the anti-christ will make war on the saints and prevail over them (see Rev. 12:13-17 (especially vs. 17 where it says that believers will carry the testimony of Jesus Christ, also see Dan. 7:21, 25, Dan. 11:32, 33, and Matt. 24:9). Is it possible that these believers in Rev. 12:17 are not just converted Jews but that some of us will be there too? What if we are here for part or all of the 7 year tribulation? And why are you saying that we will have to leave our homes?

In II Thess. 2:1-12 Paul makes it crystal clear that Jesus will not return (as we are to gather to meet Him (vs. 1)), do not be deceived, He will not return till the falling away comes 1st and the anti-christ is revealed. (Some say the rapture and His 2nd coming are two different events, and that may be true, but are we absolutely sure of that? Please read II Thess 2:1-12 again). (I would be glad to talk more about the rapture and the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ for those who would like to do so, but remember, I have heard many verses supporting all views, but I want you to think about what I am sharing here). Do not be deceived (Paul says repeatedly), some Christians will see the anti-christ. In Matt 24:15-22 Jesus says, when the anti-christ offers the "abomination of desolation" in the holy place flee to the mountains, if you are on top of your house (which was a common extra room for relaxing in the open air (flat roofs) in those days), don't go down into your home to pack a suitcase (but flee). If you are in the field working don't go back home. If you are nursing a baby, or pregnant, or it is winter it will be harder to flee but you must. Even in Rev. 6:15 it says that the great (rich and famous) and the small (the average or poorer person) will hide in caves of the earth. God will prepare a place for us in the wilderness where He will take us and nourish us for 3 1/2 years. (But some will still be persecuted who are Christians (Rev. 12:17)).

All this may happen suddenly. But God is warning us, the birth pangs are now coming closer together and getting stronger and we must be ready to walk away from everything.

Creation is groaning. The angels, the animals, the plants, the earth and sky are all created and are all groaning (Rom. 8:18-23) and are earnestly waiting to see the revealing of the sons of God (you and I). The creation was subjected to futility, a lion kills an innocent new born gazelle, snakes bite animals and people and they die, weeds ruin our gardens, lawns and farm fields. In the 1,000 year millennium when Jesus rules over new heavens and a new earth lions will lay down with lambs, babies will play by snake holes, no more weeds (a curse on Adam and Eve's descendants). Creation will soon be free and we will soon be all we were meant to be. Creation groans and labors in birth pangs. Even we ourselves groan till we become all God has planned for us to be (Rom. 8:22, 23)

What God is going to do will come like a thief in the night, suddenly, when we do not expect, when worldly people will say, sure some crazy things have been happening but we say it is a time of "Peace and safety!" Then sudden destruction will come upon the world as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman. And they will not escape. (I Thess. 5:1-3)

And the world says, everything has been the same since the beginning of the world, He is not coming. But they forget that God was once before so angry with sin that He destroyed the whole world (all people) with a flood (except for the 8 people on Noah's ark). And He surely will destroy all people again with fire and fervent heat and the elements and all will be burned up and destroyed by the wrath of God. Therefore, since all will be destroyed, what manner of persons ought we to be in holiness and godliness? (II Pet. 3:1-13)

Here is what the Lord has spoken to my heart. Lot lived in Sodom and Gomorrah and these cities were condemned by God and burned to ashes as an example to those who afterward would live ungodly lives. But Lot was oppressed (felt a heavy weight) over the filthy conduct of the wicked. That righteous man (Lot) who dwelt in their midst was vexed and troubled in his righteous soul day after day as he saw and heard their lawless deeds. (II Pet. 2:6-9) But hear also what the great prophet Ezekiel says. He saw 6 men, one dressed in linen with an inkhorn at his side (probably an angel). God said to the one dressed in linen, "Go through the midst of the city (Jerusalem) and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." (Ezek. 9:1-6) To the other 5 God said, "Go after him through the city and kill, do not let your eye spare nor have pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women, but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary ( and they began with the elders who were before the Temple). This is very important! Do you realize that in the book of Revelation that it speaks not just of the mark of the Beast on people but that God puts His mark on people's foreheads too? In Rev. 7:3 and 9:4 the mark of God on people's foreheads is mentioned and locusts (like scorpions) tormented the people of the earth but were not to hurt those with the seal of God on their foreheads. What is this seal? We may not actually see it with our eyes but God knows people's hearts whether they are troubled and vexed by sin all around them and who long to live holy lives. We must be this type of people! But it is only by His grace that we have come this far and God's grace will carry us through all future trials as we hold on to Him.

I would like to end with a great word of encouragement. You and I have gone through a lot already, but all this was to prepare us for Him and for heaven. He will not leave us in the future days but He will help us! Hear what Corrie Ten Boom's father said to her. Yes, Corrie has faced real danger, prison, she saw the death of her sister and many others in a Nazi Germany concentration camp. Corrie knew how to face hard things and even death (though she was spared by God to have a great ministry for God after World War II). So you and I may not relish the idea of being persecuted, going to prison, or facing martyrdom. Some of us will not be tortured, not go to prison, and not die. But some will. So, do you feel ready to face such hard things if that is what the Lord has for you?

Corrie's father said to her, when you were a little girl Corrie, and you were to get on a train, would I give you the money a week ahead of time? "No father." Would I give you the money for the train 2 days ahead of time? "No father." I would give you the money just before you were to leave for the train (so you wouldn't lose it or be tempted to spend it on something , like candy). So too, God may not give you courage and strength to face something hard days or weeks ahead of time, but at the moment when you stand before your accusers He will give you strength then to stand strong and be true to the Lord, and if you should have to be led to your execution I (the Lord) will give you strength at that moment to stand strong for Me.

Please accept this urgent and heartfelt warning and also this ending encouragement, and know that each of us should strive to be servants after His own heart, and that He will never leave us or forsake us in all that He leads us through in the days ahead.