Is the World Coming to an End?

There’s something in the air. Everyone seems to sense it in one way or another. It feels like a dark cloud covering the earth, overshadowing it with increasing darkness.

Fear is reaching epidemic proportions as people listen daily to the constant barrage of bad news. Climate patterns have become erratic, resulting in earthquakes and tornadoes in places that rarely, if ever, witness them. Diseases once thought extinct are resurging, as are new strains of viruses and plagues.

People are becoming more rude, more selfish, and more defiant. Traditional values are being superseded by blatant rebellion against the laws of decency and self-respect. In short, the world seems to be falling apart.

Granted, we live in an age of instant communication when the air waves transmit wars in all of their ugly immediacy.  But the truth is that things are coming to a head in the earth.  And that head will be none too pretty.

So, what is really happening? Is the world really coming to an end, and, if so, what should we do about it?

What is really happening is a battle as old as time.  It is a spiritual battle, and the main players are Satan vs. God.  Scripture tells us that Satan, originally named Lucifer, was the Angel of Worship in Heaven.  He became proud and attempted to overthrow God Himself.  But, of course, no one can overthrow God.  So God cast Satan out of Heaven.

Enraged at his fall, Satan vented his anger on God's creation, Adam and Eve.  He tempted them by maligning God's character. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve fell for his temptation and, as a result, they forfeited their dominion over the earth and handed it over to Satan. Since then, Satan has been the god of this world.  All evil comes from him.

When Jesus Christ came to earth to die on the Cross, He broke Satan's hold on man. From that moment forward, any person who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord regains dominion over Satan.

And Satan doesn't like that one bit.

The Bible speaks of many events that will take place before the return of Jesus Christ.  Yes, Jesus is returning to earth.  His return will be in two stages:  1) He will appear in the skies and draw to Himself all those who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord;  2) After seven years of tribulation, He will return with the armies of Heaven to destroy the enemies of Israel and set up His millennial reign as King of the Earth.

These prophecies are recorded throughout the Bible, particularly in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Ezekiel, the Book of Matthew, and the Book of Revelation.  Just as Satan could not stand against God, so Israel's enemies will not be able to stand against God. It is a dangerous and futile fight to oppose Israel, because in opposing Israel, one is actually opposing Israel's God.

You will be affected by Christ’s return to earth. How you will be affected is entirely up to you.  If you choose to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be taken up with all those who trust and obey Him.  If you refuse to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be left behind to endure the horror of the Great Tribulation and, worst of all, the horror of eternal damnation and eternal separation from God.

God created you because He wanted a personal relationship with you. That relationship is possible only through Jesus Christ.  When you accept Jesus, you accept a personal relationship with God the Father.

Don’t delay any longer.  Although we do not know exactly when the end of the world as we know it will come, we also do not know when our own personal end on this earth will come.  Why take a chance with the salvation of your soul?  Why risk losing Heaven for a momentary pleasure?

If you are reading this, God is calling you to Him because He loves you.  He does not want you to die in your sins.  He has provided a way of escape for you, and that way is Jesus Christ.

Accept your Savior today.  Make Him the Lord of your life.  You will then understand the meaning of true peace, true joy, and true love.

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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.  All Rights Reserved.
Photo Source: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1887. Painting by Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.

Are We in the End Times?

There is something in the air, and most of us can sense it.  Earthquakes seem to be increasing. Weather patterns seem to be altering in dramatic ways. The threat of yet another war seems to be looming on the horizon, and with the nuclear weapons we have available today, if a war should erupt, it will be far different from previous wars.

People seem to be more anxious and fearful than ever. When I was a child of eight years of age, I would take the bus by myself to go downtown. There was no danger.  We slept with our doors unlocked. During the summer, we even slept on the porch with no concern whatsoever.

Today, we live behind alarm systems and barred windows. We look over our shoulders as we walk city streets.  We drive through traffic lights and know that we are being monitored.

People seem more rude than ever. Hostilities abound between nations and between spouses. Sin is no longer hidden for fear of punishment; instead, sin is openly and shamelessly exalted.

What does all this mean?

Scripture has much to say about all of the above. What I have described are the signs that will occur before the return of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus Christ is coming back. Acts 1:11 tells us that "Jesus, whom you saw taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go.”  Are you ready for His return?

The eyes of the world are focused on the Middle East, particularly Israel.  Have you ever wondered why?  Why does a nation about the size of the state of New Jersey hold the rapt attention of the entire world? Why does a tiny nation with a small population compared to the rest of the world play such a critical role in current events?

The reason is that Israel is God's nation. He established it and He will preserve it. Despite all attempts to annihilate Israel, it will never happen. Jesus Christ Himself will return to earth to rescue His people. And all those who oppose Him will be destroyed.

It is a dangerous thing to stand against Israel. He who stands against Israel stands against Almighty God. The prophecies of Scripture have never failed to be fulfilled just as they were prophesied.  While all of the prophecies have not yet been fulfilled, those that have come to pass have been fulfilled exactly as prophesied.

What does all of this mean for you? It means that you must make yourself ready for the return of the Lord.  How? By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.  He alone can save you from sin. He alone can redeem you from destruction. He alone can satisfy your heart with good things.

To accept Christ is to accept eternal life.  To reject Christ is to accept eternal damnation. Yes, there is a hell, despite what many say.  But you do not have to go there when you die. The choice is yours. Accept Jesus Christ now. Then write to me to tell me you have.

Here is a simple prayer you can pray:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I ask You to forgive me of my sin. I turn to You to save me. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. Make of me what You created me to be. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a child of God. Scripture says "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

Please let me know if you have prayed this prayer. I will send you information on how to begin your new life in Jesus Christ.

May our Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He grant you His favor and give you His peace. Amen and Amen!