Portland, Police, Protest, Riot, Demonstration

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, IT WAS CORRUPT (capitals mine); for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is FILLED WITH VIOLENCE (capitals mine) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Genesis 6:11-13

We know the story all too well. God created the entire universe, the earth, the sun and moon, plants, animals, man and woman in just six days. He created them all sin free. He saw and proclaimed it was good! Unfortunately, sin entered into this world with Satan deceiving Eve, then Adam, and sin then became rampant throughout the world. Even Adam and Eve’s first born son Cain brutally killed his brother Abel. But, from there it got even worse until God finally looked upon the entire world and saw it “…was filled with violence.” He even said He was sorry He had ever created it all to begin with! Fortunately for us, Noah and his family were viewed as being righteous in God’s eyes thereby saving them from the wrath of God on the entire world. What did God do? Because of the violence of man filling the entire earth, God said “…I will destroy them with the earth.” He then had Noah and his sons build the Ark, load it up with their families and two of every kind of animals and birds in the world. Amazingly, once the Ark was completed and mankind still had not repented, God told Noah and his family to enter the Ark SEVEN DAYS BEFORE IT EVEN STARTED RAINING! Not only did God take them out of harm’s way, He removed them BEFORE His Wrath was unleashed. I am one of those who believe this clearly symbolizes the soon Rapture of Believers in Jesus BEFORE the coming 7 year Tribulation. He did it for Noah! He will do it for us as Believers!

So, what does this have to do with those of us living today on this earth? Jesus also clearly tells us that in the Last Days, it will be exactly as it was in the days of Noah. Remember, in the Scripture above God told us the world was filled with violence. Now Jesus is telling us before His Second Coming the world will again be exactly like it was before God unleashed the Flood. Just like it was then, people did not pay attention to what they had been told but kept living their lives without repentance. I am sure they were all very surprised when the flood waters came and washed them away.

“But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them away; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE (capitals mine).”

Matthew 24:37-39

I am sure we can all agree the recent, horrible murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has now set up many weeks of protests, rioting and looting. I am not condoning this horrible crime and I pray fervently the Officer who kneeled on his neck until he died is found guilty of his murder. I also believe everyone has the right to protest in solidarity with the family to ensure justice is served. But, by watching the evening news on many channels, we also know these protests, although mostly peaceful, have also been used by certain violent groups to coalesce to make points for their own separate political and socialist agenda. One man horribly died at the hands of a corrupt police officer but in the reaction to this terrible crime, over nine hundred police officers have been injured, with  a number of them killed. Many buildings were looted and then burned, statues were destroyed, and even parts of some cities have been taken hostage in an illegal manner. Amazingly, this is also happening in other parts of the world as well, not just in the U.S. This tells me there is something far more sinister in these protests. Some might call it anarchy. I would say it is Bible prophecy being accurately fulfilled today!

When Jesus famously said in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:7-8, after being asked by a few of His disciples when the End would come, He said “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” I find it fascinating the original Greek word “ethnos” here was translated as “nation” where many other places in the Bible it has been translated as “race”. So if the prophecy by Jesus instead said “For race shall rise against race” would that give us a clearer picture of some of the things we might expect to see happening in the world today? Again, the murder of George Floyd was a horrible crime and I hope and pray justice will be served. But, in watching the news on different channels, I am amazed that primarily young people, both white and black, took to looting, rioting, burning down businesses (some of which actually were owned and operated by black people) and attacking others resulting in hundreds of injuries and some deaths. This is more than anger at this horrible crime! This points to a mind set prevalent in the world today of a world “corrupt” and “…filled with violence.” And, we know how that turned out for people in the days of Noah and how it will also turn out for people shortly before Jesus Returns:

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant (law) breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have the pleasure in them that do them.”

Romans 1:28-32

As a Baby Boomer whose parents were raised during the Great Depression and who both served as Officers in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in World War II, I am candidly amazed at the hatred and vitriol espoused towards Christ loving Americans by so many today who only wish for anarchy and change. Not change to something better but change towards a global, one world socialist society which downplays religion and instead focuses only on governmental control over our lives. This was tried by Lenin, Hitler, Castro, Mao Zedong, Chavez and many others. It has never, ever worked! But, we have been told what it will be like in the Last Days.

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Matthew 24:10-12

Lest anyone thinks I am proclaiming to be sin free, I am not! “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We are all sinners. The difference is whether we know or not that we are actually sinners and what are we doing to correct it. Do we believe in Jesus? Do we believe He died for our sins and offers us eternal salvation if we only ask Him for forgiveness? Are we consciously aware of committing sins and doing all we can to not sin? Or, are we complacent and fall into the group below?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5

I am sure we pretty much agree on what is happening with many people today all over the world. As bad as these past few weeks have been for common civility, guess what? It’s going to get far worse!

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

2 Timothy 3:13

From personal experience I know many will claim there is no God and articles like mine are only meant to divide us. Because I am a Christian, I am now the bad guy. Because I am a white guy, I am a racist. Because I am a male, I am against women’s “rights”. It goes on and on. We hear about it daily in social media and the news. But, the Bible warns us:

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

1 Corinthians15:33

Fortunately for us, the Bible (the opposite of evil communications) also tells us how to persevere during these chaotic times.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:10-12

Candidly, I cannot imagine what life must be like for those who do not believe in Jesus today but are still hopeful for more peaceful times in the near future. In many places in the Bible we are clearly told it will not get more peaceful! The world is soon facing the seven year Tribulation period (the worst time in the history of the world), the rise of the anti-christ and his one world government. A one world religion led by the false prophet who does not teach the Word of God but only the “holiness” of the anti-christ (Satan). One half of the entire world’s population will die during the coming “wars and rumors of wars”, but we have a God who is filled with Love and Grace who does not want even one person to perish but to have everlasting life. Just as He did for Noah BEFORE the flood, He has given us the Promise of the Rapture BEFORE His Wrath is unleashed, taking us out of harm’s way:

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (Tribulation), which shall come upon all the world, to try (punish) them that dwell upon the earth.”

Revelation 3:10

Just as much, don’t be afraid! Look up!

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Luke 21:28

It is a choice we all have been given. We can choose Satan/anti-christ/false prophet OR we can choose Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That is the choice and comfort given to us in the Bible! And it is up to each and every one of us to not only accept His Gift but to share with as many people as possible His Promise. As He told us to do, “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” Not my words but His Word, the Holy Bible.

May God Bless you as we await a great, eternal future with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

 

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