Looking at world events through the lens of the Word of God, let’s look at some headlines from today’s news that point to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMORS OF WARS — According to The Associated Press, a North Korean missile exploded during launch on Sunday, a high-profile failure that comes as a powerful U.S. aircraft supercarrier approaches the Korean Peninsula in a show of force. It wasn’t immediately clear what kind of missile was test-fired, but the failure will sting in Pyong-yang because it comes a day after one of the biggest North Korean propaganda events of the year. Numerous reports suggest the U.S. carried out “digital interference” to sabotage the launch.
Second, today, under the Sign category of DISTRESS AMONG NATIONS — According to CNN, the US Air Force’s newest stealth fighters arrived in the UK over the weekend as part of the Pentagon’s effort to reassure European allies in the face of Russian aggression on the continent. The jets landed on Saturday for what the Air Force said was several weeks of training with other US aircraft and crews and those from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. General Tod D. Wolters, commander of US Air Forces in Europe, said, “As we and our joint F-35 partners bring this aircraft into our inventories, it’s important that we train together to integrate into a seamless team capable of defending the sovereignty of allied nations.” The Air Force said the F-35s were deploying to support the European Reassurance Initiative, a multibillion dollar program started under President Obama in 2014 to show support for US allies after Russia annexed the Crimea from Ukraine.
Third, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMORS OF WARS — According to The Associated Press, in a trip full of Cold War symbolism, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to the tense zone dividing North and South Korea and warned Pyongyang that after years of testing the U.S. and South Korea with its nuclear ambitions, “the era of strategic patience is over.” The unannounced visit at the start of his 10-day trip to Asia was a U.S. show of force that allowed the vice president to gaze at North Korean soldiers from afar and stare directly across a border marked by razor wire. As the vice president was briefed near the military demarcation line, two North Korean soldiers watched from a short distance away, one taking multiple photographs of the American visitor. Pence told reporters near the Demilitarized Zone that President Trump was hopeful China would use its “extraordinary levers” to pressure the North to abandon its weapons program, a day after the North’s failed missile test launch. But Pence expressed impatience with the unwillingness of the regime to move toward ridding itself of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
You can read these stories in more detail and get more Second Coming-related news on our website at Second Coming Herald.com
Now, it’s time for Prophecy Bootcamp.
Prophecy Bootcamp is where we deal with the basics of prophecy, the Second Coming of Christ, and what will happen in the future according to the Bible. Our aim here is not to make predictions but to help you get prepared by understanding how things will unfold in the end times.
Our topic for today is titled “Battle of Armageddon (Part 2)” from Dr. Ed Hindson’s book “Revelation: Unlocking the Future.” And, I want to remind you to take advantage of our special offer. If you enjoy this podcast, please feel free to purchase a copy of this book — “Revelation: Unlocking the Future” by Dr. Ed Hindson. Dr. Hindson simplifies the message of the Revelation so that you can easily understand it for yourself. You need this book in your library. It is available on our website for just $30. You can make your purchase today at SecondComingHerald.com.
— The Coming Day of Wrath
The Old Testament prophets called it the “day of the Lord” or the “day of vengeance of our God.” They described it as a day of darkness and of fire, burning as hot as a furnace. Zephaniah wrote, “A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom… because they have sinned against the Lord.” This day of divine judgment against unbelievers will consume the whole world.
The Great Tribulation is the period of divine judgment that immediately precedes the coming of Christ in power and great glory. The prophet Ezekiel called it “the day of the Lord… a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations [Gentiles].” He even named many of those nations: Egypt, Ethiopia, Put, Lud, Arabia, and Libya.
In recent years, it has been customary for pretribulationists to see two great battles coming in the future: Magog and her Arab allies against Israel, and the Antichrist and his kingdom against Israel.
Older pretribulationists, such as Rene Pache, believe there is only one great end-time battle, noting that many of the same nations are named as falling on “the day of the Lord” (Armageddon) in Ezekiel 30:1-8. No matter how a person interprets these end-times conflicts, the Bible clearly teaches that Israel, not the Church, is the target of these attacks and that in the final battle Christ will return with His Church saints, His bride, to deliver Israel and complete the unity of God’s people.
In closing, let’s consider what God wants you and me to do in light of His Second Coming.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 19:13 to “Occupy till I come.” In light of that, we are continuing our journey through the book, “Coming Events and Present Duties,” by J.C. Ryle. It is a collection of what he called “prophetical tracts” that focus on the believer’s duty in light of the signs which point to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
This section is titled, “Occupy Until I Come!” (Part 19) based on the parable of the nobleman who went away and left talents for his servants to use in his absence. J.C. Ryle writes:
You are not to neglect any social duty or relation of life, because of the uncertainty of the Lord’s return. You are to fill the station to which God has called you, in a godly and Christian way; and you are to be ready to go from the place of business to meet Christ in the air, if the Lord shall think fit. You are to be like a man who never knows what a day might bring forth and, therefore, to put off nothing until a “convenient season.” You are to rise and go forth in the morning, ready, if need be, to meet Christ at noon. You are to lie down in bed at night, ready, if need be, to be awakened by the midnight cry, “Behold the Bridegroom comes!” You are to keep your spiritual accounts in a state of constant preparation, like one who never knows how soon they may be called for. You are to measure all your ways by the measure of Christ’s appearing, and to do nothing in which you would not like Jesus to find you engaged. This is to “occupy” until Jesus comes.
Think how condemning are these words to thousands of professing Christians! What an utter absence of preparation appears in their daily walk and conversation! How thoroughly unfit they are to meet Christ! They know nothing of occupying the gifts of God as loans for which they must give account. They show not the slightest desire to glorify Him with “body and spirit which are His.” They give no sign of readiness for the second advent. Well says old Gurnall, “It may be written on the grave of every unconverted man: Here lies one who never did for God an hour’s work!” Who can wonder in a world like this, if a minister often cries to his congregation, “You must be born again!” “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven!”
If the Lord tarries His coming and we live, we will continue looking at this topic in our next broadcast/podcast.
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CLOSING PRAYER
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Remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 24:42: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how:
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.
He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.
BCNN1 WP 