“All these are but the beginning of the birth pains,” (Matthew 24:8 ESV).
Birth pangs display a cyclical character. Although the pangs intensify as the actual birth approaches, interspersed throughout the process are periods of relative rest when the contractions ease.
Nineteen years ago today on 9/11, God fired a warning shot across the bow of America to wake up her people and the world. The day had begun in beauty & peace. But, then sudden destruction fell. Televised images of boats in New York harbor were pictured among a backdrop of smoke, fire, and destruction. It was an ominous preview of Revelation 18:17-19:
“For in one hour such great riches came to nothing. Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’”
Since the time of the 9/11 birth pangs, America has enjoyed relative peace & prosperity. But now, birth pangs have returned to our country!
Bible prophecy is not a suggestion of how things may turn out. It is a REVELATION of how things will turn out. The omniscient God— who sits outside of time in an eternal state— sees the end from the beginning. In His Word, God delivered to His people a blueprint of history, laid out in the prophetic writings of both the Old & New Testaments.
The Bible declares that the end of this age begins with a strong treaty of peace among Israel and many nations of the world. The rebuilding of the Jewish temple will be associated with this treaty.
What are we seeing playing out in our world right now? There is an unprecedented air of peace negotiations going on between Israel and many Arab nations. The major peace treaty (the Trump peace deal)— sits quietly, awaiting final confirmation. The likelihood of its success is being strengthened in no small measure by the historic Abrahamic Accord which will be signed next week by Israel, the U.A.E., and Bahrain. “Many” other nations have also signaled their willingness to enter into full diplomatic relationship with Israel in the near future.
The dike holding back peace in the Middle East is beginning to break as more nations are choosing to move their embassies to Jerusalem. In no small thanks to President Trump, Jerusalem is becoming the peace capital of the world!
The Trump deal also recognizes that the Temple Mount has great significance to the three major monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And so, it declares that the Temple Mount should be open to all the faiths, in order that they can worship there as their religions dictate. For the Jews, that will be the building of their long-awaited Third Temple!
The atmosphere on the Temple Mount itself is also changing. Formerly hostile to Jews, the governing authorities of the Mount are now softening. Jews are now allowed to ascend, pray, & blow a shofar there. This was unheard of just a few years ago. And the Jewish practice of animal sacrifice is also inching closer. Until recently, these sacrifices had to be performed outside the walls of the city. Now, they are being done within a stone’s throw of the Temple Mount platform.
WHAT’S THE POINT OF ALL THIS? God loves His people. He doesn’t want us to be caught off guard. The very signs spoken of in the Bible regarding end times are starting to emerge out of the mists and into reality here in our world.
Donald Trump seems to be the one chosen to drive the process of peace in the Middle East and the world. So, how does that fit in with the upcoming elections? Will he be removed from office, or will he be allowed to stay and complete his stated goal of bringing a Mideast peace deal to fruition?
Personally, I expect him to stay in office. Things are lining up so close to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy that I would expect them to finish out, rather than be upended by the election of a Democratic regime, hostile both to Israel & Trump’s peace progress. Moreover, the cup of man’s iniquities has been full for some time and cries out for Divine intervention.
How are we as Christians to handle all that is happening around us? First, seek the Lord in both prayer & meditation in His revealed Word. Then, go vote. Just remember this: in the Bible there is something called the “fullness of time.” God puts men in power to accomplish His purposes. This can include a time of tribulation. Tribulation purifies the saints.
If Trump wins, we may experience a time of easing of our present birth pangs. A time where people and prophets exalt in “peace and safety.” But, stay sober. If it is time for the unfolding of end times— for the birth of Christ’s return— nothing can stop it. Not prayer rallies, fastings; neither prophet nor apostle.
Somewhere along the way, Jesus’ own church has fallen so in love with this present world that she’s become all about saving it. And so she prays for a Trump win, in order to ensure peace, safety, and continued prosperity.
However, God works all things together for His end, for His purposes. It may be that the peace & safety we are hoping to usher in, is just the calm before the storm.
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