Archive for the ‘Armageddon’ Category

World ending in 2012 according to ancient Mayans and others?

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

2012(October 13, 2009)  Between the History Channel, Jack Van Impe, Hollywood, and the Media one could get the idea that something cataclysmic is going to occur in December of 2012. Two days ago the Drudge Report linked to an article titled “2012 isn’t the end of the world, Mayans insist”. The article states,

 “Apolinario Chile Pixtun is tired of being bombarded with frantic questions about the Mayan calendar supposedly “running out” on Dec. 21, 2012. After all, it’s not the end of the world.

Or is it?

Definitely not, the Mayan Indian elder insists. “I came back from England last year and, man, they had me fed up with this stuff.”

It can only get worse for him. Next month Hollywood’s “2012″ opens in cinemas, featuring earthquakes, meteor showers and a tsunami dumping an aircraft carrier on the White House.

At Cornell University, Ann Martin, who runs the “Curious? Ask an Astronomer” Web site, says people are scared.

“It’s too bad that we’re getting e-mails from fourth-graders who are saying that they’re too young to die,” Martin said. “We had a mother of two young children who was afraid she wouldn’t live to see them grow up.”

Chile Pixtun, a Guatemalan, says the doomsday theories spring from Western, not Mayan ideas.

A significant time period for the Mayas does end on the date, and enthusiasts have found a series of astronomical alignments they say coincide in 2012, including one that happens roughly only once every 25,800 years.

But most archaeologists, astronomers and Maya say the only thing likely to hit Earth is a meteor shower of New Age philosophy, pop astronomy, Internet doomsday rumors and TV specials such as one on the History Channel which mixes “predictions” from Nostradamus and the Mayas and asks: “Is 2012 the year the cosmic clock finally winds down to zero days, zero hope?”

Hollywood has a movie coming out in November of this year called 2012. The trailer reveals all types of catastrophes that might take place in that year:

YouTube Preview Image

The God who created the world has revealed His plans for the End-Times in His word, the Bible. He states, “9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)  Only God can say when future events will take place. Jesus said concerning His return, “36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)  Jesus said this after giving signs to His followers to watch for so that they would “know that [the end] is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33)  But of the day and hour (and therefore the year) no one knows. Not the Mayans nor Nostradamus nor astrologers nor cult leaders nor any human being or angel knows the exact time of Jesus’ return.

Even End-Times evangelist Jack Van Impe seems to be caught up in the hype surrounding this Mayan “prophecy”:

YouTube Preview Image

One of the points of contention I have with Dr. Van Impe is that he declares the Bible says the world is never going to end. To support this he references Isaiah 45:17, “17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end” and Ephesians 3:21, “21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”  These two passages are from the King James Version of the Bible. However, the other major translations render the phrase “world without end” as “to ages everlasting” (NIV), “to all eternity” (NASB), “to all eternity” (ESV), “forever and ever” (New King James) etc. The Bible makes it clear that there is going to be a new earth and that the old earth is going to pass away, “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (II Peter 3:10-11)  In the Book of Revelation John says, “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)

The world is going to end one day but that is at least seven years away because of the biblical prophecies which  declare seven years of trouble are coming upon the earth in the form of God’s judgments. In describing this future time of apocalyptic events Jesus said, “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22) 

The world will not end in 2012 but the time of tribulation could start at any time from here on out.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Archives 2009, Armageddon, Biblical prophecies | No Comments »

Is the way being prepared for the “kings of the east”?

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
China's army

China's army

(March 26, 2009)  China disputed a new U.S. report that assessed its increasing military power “as a ‘gross distortion’ and interference in its affairs.” (China criticizes new U.S. report on its military)  The most revealing statement the report made was “that China is developing longer-range capabilities that could have an effect beyond the Asia-Pacific region.”  In the Book of Revelation there are three sets of seven judgments that occur during the seven-year Tribulation Period that is coming upon the whole world. Concerning this time Jesus declared, “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22). The first set is the opening of the seven seals, the second is the sounding of the seven trumpets, and the third set is the pouring out of the seven bowls (vials in the King James English). In the second set of judgments, John the servant of God to whom God revealed the future, describes the sounding of the sixth trumpet, “13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.” (Revelation 9:13-19)  John hears the command for the four angels who are apparently guarding the Euphrates River to prepare to  release an army of 200 million soldiers so that they can cross the river and slay a third of the humans still living on the earth at that time. Some scholars believe this means that the Euphrates River will dry up so that a large army can pass through it. John describes what seems to be an army of 200 million supernatural beings on horses. However, he was using his First Century experiences to describe something that happens in at least the 21st Century so the language he uses could be referring to a modern mechanized army. The actual crossing of the river doesn’t take place until the sixth bowl judgment (which is the second to the last judgment of the earth during the Tribulation Period) as John states, “12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:12-14,16) Who are these “kings of the east” (literally in the original Greek: “kings of the rising [sun]“)? Among some prophecy students the belief is that these kings are leaders of an Asian confederation. It is obvious that China alone could field a 200 million soldier army. This army will cross the Euphrates River on its way to Israel where it will fight against the armies of the Antichrist on the plains of Israel in a final battle known as Armageddon. This war will be interrupted by the second coming of Jesus Christ who will destroy the armies of the world and set up His kingdom on earth (Revelation ch.19). As I said at the beginning, the U.S. report on the strength of the Chinese military made a revealing statement when it said that “China is developing longer-range capabilities that could have an effect beyond the Asia-Pacific region.” 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Archives 2009, Armageddon, Revelation, Tribulation Period | 4 Comments »

ABC News: Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

apocalypse(June 12, 2008)  ABC is promoting a September television special in which experts will discuss the survival of humanity. (Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts) In times of severe trouble most people look to God for the answers to what they are experiencing. Is what the world going through currently of biblical significance or just a cyclical experience that humanity has endured throughout the ages? This article quotes both skeptics and believers. However, there is more to the biblical apocalypse than just ecological upheaval. Humanity itself is going to be judged. Along with cataclysmic disasters, evil world leaders will strive for ascendancy on the political and economic systems of the world. One in particular will succeed for a time. Eventually the other leaders will come against him in a final war. The difference between the disasters and human rulers of the past 1800 years and now is that Israel has become a nation again. Prophecies that could not have been fulfilled (e.g. such as the whole world being able to witness the same event or the Third Temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem) are now in play.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Archives 2008, Armageddon, Biblical prophecies, Revelation, Tribulation Period | No Comments »

Nuclear arms race in the Middle East?

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

(April 2, 2008)  U.S. diplomats in Saudi Arabia declare that if Iran obtains nuclear weapons a lot of the other Middle East countries will try to keep with up them by building their own nuclear arsenals. (U.S. Diplomats Forecast Nuclear Arms Race in Middle East if Iran Gets the Bomb) The report on this issue states, “the future Middle East landscape may include a number of nuclear-armed or nuclear weapons-capable states vying for influence in a notoriously unstable region.” Though this scenario could be several years away it once again lends itself to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. God declares in His word:

“1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zechariah 12:1-3)

And what appears to be a description of a nuclear war:

“12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. “ (Zechariah 14:12-16)

Tags: ,
Posted in Archives 2008, Armageddon | No Comments »

China speeds pace of military buildup. The 200 million man army?

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

(March 3, 2008)  According to the Washington Times China is increasing its military capabilities at a high rate of speed in order to wage wars beyond its perennial enemy Taiwan. (China speeds pace of military buildup) The article states, “The report also warned that China’s expanding military forces “are changing East Asian military balances; improvements in China’s strategic capabilities have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region.” “The new weapons include road-mobile long-range nuclear missiles.”

China for centuries if not millennia kept to itself in the area of world events. That all changed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries when China became an economic and military power in the world. It appears that they have become equals with the United States in both of these domains. Now it seems that they are following an aggressive military policy which will one day lead them to involve themselves in a devastating worldwide war.

God showed to His servant John what would take place at the end of the current age. He told him to write down the things he saw and heard. In Revelation 9 John saw the judgments of God falling on the earth. Each of these judgments were preceded by an angel blowing a trumpet. When he heard the sixth angel blowing his trumpet he saw and heard the event that was unleashed by this angel:

“14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.” (Revelation 9:14-19)

Later on John saw the final series of God’s judgments on the world. These were initiated by angels pouring out vials or bowls of judgment upon the earth:

“12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16:12-14)

John heard the command for the angels in charge of the Euphrates River to go into action. As we see this action involves the drying up of this river. It would appear the reason for this is to allow a large army to pass through it uninhibited. John heard the number of soldiers in this army to be 200 million “horsemen”. The description of the devastating capabilities of these horsemen can lead one to believe that what John saw was unfamiliar to his “First Century” eyes. It may very well be that he was seeing a modern mechanized army. This army will be led by the “kings of the east”, those that live east of the Euphrates River. These kings could consist of China, India, Japan, and the other Asian countries. The combined population of these countries consists of billions of people which would be more than enough to field a military force of 200 million soldiers. It is interesting that at this time the Euphrates River is under the control of the United States military in Iraq. However I cannot say what, if any, role the U.S. would play in this area leading up to the “battle of that great day of God Almighty” or Armageddon as it is more popularly known.

The point is that for the first time in history this prophecy could come to pass because the numbers and capabilities are in play.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Archives 2008, Armageddon, Revelation | No Comments »


Video & Audio Comments are proudly powered by Riffly