(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 67, Boones Mill, VA 24065
The Rise of the Antichrist
Part 1 of 7
By Mike Wingfield
As believers in Jesus Christ, we often forget that our view of time should greatly differ from non-believers. Most of the world celebrated the New Year with no thought of the future that has been revealed to us in the Bible.
I love Psalm 90, written by Moses after he experienced his generation dying in the wilderness because of their disobedience at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13-14). He wrote about God teaching him to develop an eternal perspective while experiencing everyday events. Clearly, God desires that we “number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Traveling the globe and interviewing people would give great insight into the diversity among the world’s cultures. What makes people so different? According to the Bible, how a person lives is determined by how he thinks (Proverbs 23:7). The most vital question that directs all our thoughts is, who is God? What a person believes about God will formulate that person’s total view of life.
The Bible is clear there is only one true God and no other. God said to His people who were worshipping other gods and idols, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isaiah 45:5). Our faith is firmly built upon that single truth. What you believe about God is vital to your faith. If your understanding of God is shallow, your faith will be weak. If your heart is passionately fixed upon discovering and knowing God, your life will be filledwith wisdom, meaning, and purpose. You will be known as a person of great faith!
At the heart of all our problems in this world and even our churches is this one defining question, who is God? If you were to ask people around the world who God is, you would be shocked at some of their answers. The reason there are so many different views of God is that sinful man always tends to create his view of God based upon his experiences and reasoning. Man likes to have a god that fits his culture and makes him feel good about himself.
Man likes to create a god or idol that will be like him, and in some ways can be controlled by him. These people change “the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, andfour-footedbeasts, andcreeping things” (Romans 1:23). Obviously, they have deceived themselves and are wrong. Their reasoning seems good to them, but they are living in spiritual darkness. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
The Bible is the primary source of revelation we must turn to if we want to know God. The Bible is God’s only source of written truth. It is a self-revelation given to man by God. Therefore, what we believe about God must be grounded in a clear understanding of what God has said about Himself.
The Holy Spirit of God has given us this written revelation about Himself – God! He is also the One who guides us in our interpretation and understanding of all that He has said about God. The unsaved man cannot receive “the things of the Spirit of God: for the are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only God can fathom His eternal greatness. Therefore, man himself cannot explore “the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
There are many mysteries that man cannot fathom. However, the greatest of all infinite matters to comprehend are the things of God. God is a holy God! That means He is infinitely set apart from all His creation. There is an intellectual chasm between God and His creation that cannot and will never be breached. God will always be infinite, and man will always, even in his eternal spiritual state in heaven, be finite. Our understanding of God will continue to expand for all eternity!
The godly men whom the Spirit of God chose to give us this written revelation continually testified as to how difficult it is for man to understand God. In Psalm 139, godly King David of Israel wrote about how God knows all things and is everywhere present at the same time. In verse 6 of this Psalm, he wrote, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” In Romans 9-11, the apostle Paul wrote about the great mysteries of God’s faithfulness to Israel, despite their rebellion against Him. In Romans 11:33, Paul exclaimed, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
Pursuing the knowledge of God is far more than a deep, intellectual quest. Getting to know God is a profound, rich experience that is very rewarding to the souls of godly men and women. It brings comfort, peace, and joy. It is rich food for the hungry heart. The psalmist said, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).
God has invited us to seek Him! “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Also, read Psalm 27:4; and Isaiah 55:6-7. God has promised, “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Dear friend, please focus on this promise. Do you want to be spiritually rewarded by God? Are you willing to pay the price to continually seek His face? This means you must be willing to sacrifice other things to put God first. This means you will study the Word of God and seek His face in worship and prayer in the quietness of your heart. This will happen when He becomes the focus of the meditation of your heart throughout each day.
If someone were to ask you to tell them about God, what would you say? How would you describe God? The Bible says that when we walk with God, He is our “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Abba is the affectionate Hebrew word for “daddy” or “papa.” It is the word used by Jewish children to intimately address their father when they call out to him. I will never forget that on one of my tours in Israel, our group was in the Old City of Jerusalem. We were in the Jewish quarter. As usual, it was very congested. Suddenly, out of the crowd came the voice of a little boy, crying, “Abba, Abba!” As I turned to look, I saw the Jewish father lift his little son into his arms. The little boy threw his arms around his dad’s neck, and they affectionately embraced each other. Immediately, this word picture of God the Father as our Abba came into clear focus. It was precious! A tear came to my eyes. A smile was on my face.
Friends, God wants us to seek Him and to know Him because we love Him and have a real relationship with Him. Just like the bond of a small child to their father, so should there be a bond that unites the heart of the believer to his heavenly Father.
People cannot have a personal relationship with a false god or idol. These gods and idols do not exist. Our faith must be more than just a religious feeling or ritualistic action. Christianity is more than a religion; it is an intimate relationship with God!
God delights in showing mankind that He is real and there are no other gods. Throughout the Bible, we are told about God’s visible manifestation that proves He is there and that He is God. This visible manifestation of the infinite, supernatural attributes of God is called “the glory of God.”
The word “glory” is repeated many times in the Bible. This word is infinite in its meaning because it is a word that attempts to depict God’s infinite power, presence, and the very essence of Who God is. When I say the word “God,” what comes to your mind? If we are all honest, when we try to imagine who God is, we intellectually draw a blank. He is nothing like anyone we have ever seen or imagined! In part, it is also because no man has ever seen God at any time (John 1:18). God, in His essence, is a Spirit. Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit.” This simply means that God is not a physical being like all the rest of His visible and tangible creation.
All of creation is finite and is limited to time, space, and matter. That is not true of God. He is infinite and dwells in a context of limitless space. He is omnipresent. God is infinite in the context of matter. He is not limited to a physical, tangible body. He is a Spirit. God is infinite in His power. Within the context of His holy character, and His perfect, revealed eternal plans, nothing is impossible with Him! In other words, God’s power is self-limited. He can only do those things that would allow Him to act in by His holy character and that which He said He would do. God is not at liberty to do anything contrary to His declared purposes and plans. If He did anything that would declare His Word to be null and void, He would become a liar. This is impossible because He is the God of truth. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
God chose a people to display His glory. Speaking about Israel in Isaiah 43:7, He said, “I have created him for my glory.” By His sovereign choice, God chose an undeserving, rebellious, small ethnic group of people through whom He desired to display His glory. History demonstrates that the Jewish people have the unenviable position of being the world’s most hated group of people. Why would God call this kind of people to demonstrate to the world who He is?
God chose Israel as the instrument of His praise. He did this because when He would do impossible and unexplainable things to them, through them, and for them, the world would know that it was God, not the Jewish people that did these things.
There is a very significant lesson to learn in all of this. God’s glory is from Him, about Him, and for His praise alone! God told Israel in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another.” Mankind is acting foolishly and dangerously when he takes credit for what God has done. God is to receive all the glory.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he warned them of this problem. The believers in this church were immature (1 Corinthians 3:1). Their core problem was their pride. They wanted to take the credit for what only God could do. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-28, he informed them that God delights in using people and things that are weak, insignificant, foolish, and that which is despised. He reminded them that God does this so that He is the only One who should receive the glory (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31).
No people group in all of history has witnessed the glory of God like the Jewish people. More miracles happened to them, for them, and because of them than anyone else. The people of Israel and the land of Israel continue to be, instruments that display the glory of God.
The glory of God has been manifested in many ways throughout Israel’s history. The invisible God supernaturally displayed His glory to His people. During the wilderness wanderings, He daily made His presence known through the Shekinah Glory. This was a visible cloud during the day and a fiery cloud during the night. There were supernatural occurrences connected with the Tabernacle and later at the temple in Jerusalem. God demonstrated His glory through the presence of the holy Ark of the Covenant, located inside of the Holy of Holies.
When Israel came to Mount Sinai, where God gave them the Law, His presence and power were uniquely manifested. Exodus 19reports that the mountain was covered in a mysterious cloud, accompanied by lightning and thunder. The mountain quaked, as God descended upon the mountain in fire. All of this was a manifestation of the glory of God.
Many other miraculous events that displayed the glory of God in the history of ancient Israel are too numerous to mention. On many occasions, God manifested His glory to His people with the supernatural defeat of their enemies. Even the enemies of Israel were filled with fear at the sight of the displays of God’s glory. Listen to what Rahab said to the spies when they entered Jericho. “And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11).
The greatest displays of the glory of God are a vital part of the first and second comings of Christ and during the millennial reign of Christ. In the face of a world filled with disbelief and in rebellion against God, God has and will display His glory for all of mankind to see.
When God’s Son was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, the glory of God burst forth upon the hillside of this little village. Nine months before that night, God had informed a virgin Jewish girl and a godly young Jewish man in Nazareth that the baby she would deliver would be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. God caused a godless emperor in Rome to make an edict for everyone in Israel to report to the city of their family ancestry to register for taxation. The timing of this edict caused Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem just in time for Jesus to be born.
It was significant that Jesus, the Messiah, be born in Bethlehem. The ancient prophet of Israel, Micah, had prophesied 700 years earlier that the “ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” would be born in the little village of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
The journey for Joseph and Mary from Nazareth, where they lived, to Bethlehem was very difficult. It was a journey of 80 miles. Most of their trip included very difficult terrain, especially for a woman who was ready to deliver a baby. It probably took them at least four days to walk this winding foot path, averaging about 20 miles per day.
The first leg of their trip from Nazareth, located in the hill country of Galilee, was about 15 miles to the Sea of Galilee. This part of their journey forced them to travel up and down a winding path around mountainous terrain. The elevation dropped by about 1,800 feet. Traveling on this kind of path required great physical strength and mental caution.
The last part of their trek, from Jericho to Bethlehem, took them a full day. This would be the most physically challenging part of their entire trip. Each step took them up a steep winding narrow path from 1,300 feet below sea level up 20 miles to Bethlehem, 2,543 feet above sea level. There is no doubt that the difficulties of this challenging trip produced the physical conditions that helped Mary to go into labor and give birth to Jesus.
Asignificant part of the eternal plan of God had now come to fruition. The Messiah, both God and man, had just been born. This required a heavenly celebration. The Father dispatched a group of angels to announce the arrival of His Messiah. This announcement was given to a small number of shepherds who were caring for their sheep on a hillside, just a short distance from where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were in a lowly stable where animals were sheltered for the night.
As designed by the Father, the glory of God was manifested through Jesus with everything He said and did. Jesus displayed the awesome attributes of God in His miracles and messages.
In the stillness of the night, God displayed His glory. An angel of the Lord appeared and “the glory of the Lord shone round about [the shepherds]” (Luke 2:9). This glory of the Lord was a mysterious, brilliant supernatural light. This light was almost blinding to the shepherds, something they had never experienced before. They were surprised, stunned, and visibly shaken.
After the announcement of the angel, probably Gabriel, about the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10-12), there was an additional stunning visit from heaven. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13-14).
We do not know all that was done or said by these angels from heaven. For thousands of years, they knew about God’s plans to send His Son into this world. As servants of God, it was their pleasure to display the joy of all of heaven to see the fulfillment of that which their Lord had promised would happen. They understood that the birth of Jesus was a glorious display of the power and mercy of their faithful Master in heaven.
These angels had been there in the beginning and rejoiced when they saw the Son of God speak the creation into existence out of nothing. Job 38:7 says these angels “sang together” and “shouted for joy.” We cannot imagine what these shepherds must have seen and heard as the angelic singing and shouting must have reverberated across the hills of Bethlehem. And then, suddenly the angels went away from the shepherds “into heaven” (Luke 2:15).
As at times past in Israel, this was a stunning, tangible display of the glory of God. In His grace and power, the invisible God has chosen to prove Himself to mankind, so that we might be in awe of Him, worship Him, and serve Him. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
The patience of God is incredible. After this sudden burst of the glory of God at Jesus’ birth, the Lord did not display the fullness of the glory of God until Jesus entered His earthly ministry at 30 years of age. As designed by the Father, the glory of God was manifested through Jesus with everything He said and did. Jesus displayed the awesome attributes of God in His miracles and messages. People were stunned when they heard Him teach. His numerous miracles surpassed anything Israel had ever witnessed in the past. It is no wonder that His presence attracted massive crowds. They knew what He did was supernatural.
The pinnacle of Jesus’ display of the glory of God was experienced by only three of His disciples at the time of His Transfiguration. On top of a high mountain in Israel, Jesus “was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
The last of the living apostles, John, wrote in His gospel near the end of the first century about the impact of the glory of God displayed by Jesus. He wrote, “And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). A few verses later John wrote, “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). The Greek word translated “declared” in this verse means to unfold, reveal, or to manifest. An online resource, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains, states that this word means “to provide detailed information.” This simply means that a vital part of Jesus’ life and ministry while on earth was to put God on display in greater detail. God had given His people a detailed written revelation about Himself. However, when Jesus came, He took this revelation about God to the next level. His mission was to display God and His glory.
However, soon, the Lord will give an even greater revelation of His Son and the glory of God. During Jesus’ first visit to earth, the glory of God was somewhat limited in its scope and nature. Only a remnant of the world’s population witnessed the glory of God at Jesus’ birth and during His earthly ministry.
When He comes again, the glory of God will be on display on earth for seven years as God supernaturally intervenes in the affairs of all nations. God has promised Israel, “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come” (Joel 2:30-31).
At Mount Sinai, when God gave the Law to Israel, He displayed His glory with supernatural signs. The mountain was enveloped in a great cloud, with thunder, lightning, and a mysterious fire. The mountain also quaked. See Hebrews 12:25-29.
At the heart of God’s revelation of His glory during the Tribulation Period, there will be the global shaking of the earth (Isaiah 24:1-23). God will gradually and systematically destroy man’s modern way of life. Only a small remnant of the global population will be alive to witness the return of Christ to this earth. Why will God decimate planet earth during the Tribulation? Read Isaiah 2:10-22. This passage reveals that the Lord will rise in the last days to “shake terribly the earth” (verses 19, 21). Isaiah wrote that the Lord will do this “for the glory of His majesty” (verses 10, 19, 21). He will remove all the power and glory of the nations. In that day, “the LORD alone shall be exalted” (Isaiah 2:11, 17).
When Jesus returns to this earth, every living person on the planet will witness the glory of God (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). He will return to Jerusalem. Long ago King David wrote about this moment, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).
For 1,000 years all the inhabitants of earth will see the Lord of glory in His temple in Jerusalem. Habakkuk 2:14states that during this millennial reign of Christ all “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Finally, after the Millennial Kingdom, the saints of God from all the ages will be gathered onto the new earth and into our home in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-3). This city will be immersed into “the glory of God” (Revelation 21:11). This city will be completely unique. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).
Someday, we will live with the Lord and rejoice in the glory of His presence. “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:1-2).
Get ready for the shout that will take us out!
Helping Israel in Crisis
Israel has been at war for 14 months. These wars are not over. Israel is in a time of crisis. Almost 900 Israeli soldiers have been killed. There is much destruction and the Israeli economy is devastated. This ministry has sent $151,145.00 since October 2023 to help Israel in their time of need. Every dollar you give we send to Israel. See page 8 to make a donation. Thanks to many of you who have given.
A Christmas Message from Mike Wingfield Ministries
As many of you know, I am recovering from knee surgery on November 12. Joyce and I are deeply grateful to so many of you who have prayed, sent cards, and called to express your concern. My wife, Joyce, developed a blood clot in one of her legs on November 21. She is recovering. Keep praying. We are deeply grateful to our Lord for His watch and care over us.
I continue to heal and am already walking without assistance. Due to my recovery conditions, this newsletter was written and published later than usual. Currently, I plan to conduct my area monthly Bible studies in January.
Joyce and I have entered a different season of life and ministry. At 75 years of age, it is time for me to slow down and spend more time with Joyce at home. I have been announcing that I will not be traveling long distances for future speaking engagements. Lord willing, I will continue to publish the PTNews and will speak in churches in southwestern Virginia close to our home.
I desire to serve the Lord until I am unable or until the Lord calls me home. Psalm 71:18 expresses the prayer of my heart, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
During this time of reflection, I am deeply grateful to my Lord for His provision and protection in this ministry for 34 years. In this ministry, I have travelled more than 1 million miles by air and car. In the last 34 years I have spoken in 25 states in more than 200 churches and preached 720 conferences (about 5 messages per conference). Plus, I was invited to speak in churches in Canada, New Zealand, and Poland. Also, I have hosted tours to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and the Island of Patmos. I continue to thank God for the impact of this newsletter in so many churches and lives. The website edition continues to reach around the world.
I count it a great joy and privilege to have served the Lord in this prophetic ministry. It has been a pleasure to see the impact that the prophetic Word of God has made in so many lives. I still treasure many letters and cards from those who have been saved and are impacted by my teaching, preaching, and writing. To God be the glory. Great things He has done.
With great pleasure, I am thankful for the many precious friends I have all over the world. What a treasure I have in having so many dear brothers and sisters in Christ. While I have been on my back recovering from knee surgery in the last few weeks, I have had many hours of sleeplessness in my recliner. During those hours I have had to time to reflect upon so many precious memories of the years gone by.
My Lord has given me one of the greatest privileges in the world to fulfill His mission to proclaim the prophetic Word of God in these last days. I am glad He called and equipped me for such a time as this!
Please continue to be listening for the shout that will take us out! I love all of you!!
(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 67, Boones Mill, VA 24065 The Time of the End
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
By Mike Wingfield
My soul is filled with a level of excitement like never before in my life. I have known the Lord since I was nine years old. I have attempted to faithfully serve Him most of my life. For more than 50 years, I have been pouring over the prophetic Word of God. I have given much attention to understanding the true nature of the Tribulation Period and what it means for the glory of God and our troubled world.
In recent weeks, the Holy Spirit has flooded my mind with the reality that the end of this age is in sight. We are not there yet, but I can see it coming. We are perhaps only a few months away from the Rapture of the church and the beginning of the Tribulation Period.
I have been prayerfully reflecting upon a multitude of prophetic passages that paint a picture of what the beginning of the end will look like when. I have concluded, with deep conviction, we are there!
As I have been admonishing those who follow this ministry, I am very busy preparing my soul for that glorious moment when I shall see Jesus. I have been longing, waiting, and looking for that moment. I believe it is near. How can I be so sure about this? There are four biblical passages that speak about the timing of the Messiah’s Second Coming. I will examine these passages and their context of how they apply today. This newsletter and the following issue in September will detail these four biblical passages.
First, let us set the biblical context for these passages. When the Bible student examines the prophetic Word of God, it becomes obvious that it revolves around Jesus and the Jewish people. At the center of the global conflict with God are the Jewish people, their land, their city, and their Temple Mount!
T he focus of God’s vision and His purposes for His creation are upon the Jewish people. The ancient prophet of Israel declared, “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of [God’s] eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
The greater light of God’s Word is riveted upon Jesus the Messiah. Remember that one of God’s angels reminded the Apostle John, “Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
The hope for our world is intertwined with the Jewish Messiah and His people, Israel. God told the father of the Jewish people, Abraham, that the world would be blessed through the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3).
According to the Bible, in eternity past, before the foundation of the world, God decreed His complete divine purposes for His finite creation. Locked in this eternal plan, was an exact timetable of events, from the beginning to the end. It is all based upon earth time. “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Genesis 1:14).
God’s eternal plan is all inclusive. It covers all people, places, events, and circumstances. It includes the meticulous details of the ongoing war in the spiritual realm between the good and evil angels. Long ago, one of the wisest kings on earth declared, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
God has an exact appointed time for everything from the beginning to the end. These times are rooted and grounded in the history of the Jewish people. The events and timing of the first coming of Messiah were connected to the Jewish people. The events and timing of the Second Coming of Messiah are connected to the Jewish people.
With this biblical context in mind, let us briefly examine the four biblical passages that speak about the time of the end.
This parable was given by Jesus to help His disciples understand His answer to their question about the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). In verses4-14, Jesus highlighted some of the major developments that would introduce “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). This time of sorrows speaks about the birth pangs of the Tribulation that will give birth to the glorious Kingdom of God. Then, in verses 16-26, Jesus spoke of the sign of the Antichrist, an evil global dictator who will lead the world in its political, religious, and militant rebellion against God during the Tribulation. Finally, Jesus answered the disciples’ direct question about the sign of His coming at the end of the Tribulation. In verses 27-31, He spoke of the unique supernatural sign of His glorious appearing from heaven to earth.
Next, He illustrated His teaching in verses 4-31 with the parable of the fig tree (verses 32-35). In essence, He told His disciples that the time of His coming at the end of this age would be marked by a convergence of all the signs or events He mentioned in verses 4-26. The simultaneous appearance of these signs will be like the leaves on a tree. Leaves never tell us what month or day it is. However, they do show us what season it is. So, He declared, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). Furthermore, He declared that the generation that sees all these things “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matthew 24:34).
Friends, we are the generation that is witnessing the convergence of all the signs of the Tribulation Period. We are in the season of the end of this age. This simply means that our world does not have much time left in this current time period. Our world does not have hundreds of years, or even 50 years left!
The stage for the Tribulation is now set! The Rapture could happen at any moment, and it is ready to unfold. In Matthew 24:4-14, Jesus gave many conditions that would be prevalent on earth at the beginning of the Tribulation. Let’s briefly look at only a few of them.
In verse 7, Jesus mentioned that there would be wars among the greater Gentile nations at the end. However, in verse 6, He addressed the dangerous times of wars and rumors of wars for His people living in their land at the end of this age. Currently, Israel is facing the looming threat of war as never before in its modern history. Many radical Islamic nations have sophisticated deadly missiles aimed at Israel. Israel has been at war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon since October 2023. According to Joel 3:4, this war with the inhabitants of Gaza and Lebanon has set the stage for the battle at the end of the Tribulation Period – Armageddon.
Israel is fighting a war on seven fronts with Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and terrorists in Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. All of these groups are funded and controlled by Iran. Iran itself attacked Israel on April 14 with more than 300 attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Thankfully, most of these were shot down by Israel and some of its allies.
This did not end Israel’s war with Iran. We are being told that Iran now has the nuclear material to make several nuclear bombs. It is only a matter of time before Iran will attempt to launch one or several nuclear bombs or missiles to destroy Israel. We are led to believe that Israel and the world only have a few months to stop this Iranian threat. The clock is ticking.
In the last few weeks Iran, Russia, and Turkey have issued threats to invade Israel. All three nations have stated that if Israel invades Lebanon and attacks Hezbollah (an Islamic terrorist group sponsored, trained, and funded by Iran) they will go to war with Israel to defend Hezbollah, Gaza, and the Palestinian cause.
On Saturday, July 27th, Hezbollah fired a missile from Lebanon that struck a Druze village (an important ally of Israel) on the Golan Heights. More than a dozen children were instantly killed as they ran for cover. This missile is only one of hundreds of missiles that Hezbollah has fired into Israeli territories in the last month.
The world is calling for Israel to restrain itself. However, the day following this tragic attack on the Golan Heights, Iran’s proxy agent CONTINUED to fire missiles into northern Israel. News is coming out of Israel that Israel is preparing for a massive retaliatory strike deep into Lebanese territory. Like Hamas, Hezbollah is using the Lebanese civilians as shields to protect themselves against Israel’s attacks. The IDF attack will be aimed at Hezbollah’s missile stockpiles and its militant leadership. If Israel does not destroy Hezbollah’s ability to launch its deadly arsenal of precision missiles and attack drones, then tens of thousands of Israelis will be killed. Israel has no choice but to defend itself! Its attack must be swift and lethal!
If Iran, Russia, and Turkey are not bluffing, we could be looking at a massive ground invasion of Israel that will dwarf anything Israel has seen in its 76 years of modern existence. It will be the same war that Ezekiel wrote about in Ezekiel 38-39. For years, I have been teaching that my understanding of the chronology of the timing of this war is that it will take place immediately AFTER the Rapture takes place.
Friends, these wars and rumors of wars signal that we are very near the beginning of the end.
A multitude of prophetic passages indicate that the Tribulation Period will be a time of severe global drought (Revelation 11:3-6), and intense heat (Malachi 4:1; Revelation 16:8-9), that will produce global famine. Politicians and scientists pretend to know what is happening and think they can control the radical change in the climate. However, this is the hand of God in His wrathful judgment. He controls the sun, rain, and wind for His purposes (Psalm 147:15-18; 148:8). The intense heat sweeping across the earth, along with all the other signs, tells us the hour is late!
Jesus said that the beginning of the end would be signaled by intense hatred toward Israel. He said, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). The word “afflicted” is the same Greek word that is translated as “tribulation.” It means the Jewish people will be crushed, distressed, and feel pressure from evil forces. The Greek word for “hate” in this verse speaks of “active ill will in words and conduct, [with a] persecuting spirit” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament). Jewish agencies in around the world tell us that the level of hatred being directed toward the Jewish people is eerily reminiscent of what happened in the 1930s to produce the Holocaust. According to the Bible, Israel and the Jewish people will face a climate of trouble like no nation has faced in all human history (Daniel 12:1).
One of the most shocking signs of the end of this age is the massive display of wickedness and division in Israel. Like America, Israel is experiencing great internal division. Hateful demonstrations and threats continue to be expressed toward the conservative right wing government leaders in Israel. Some fear for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s life. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has caused many pundits to warn that this could materialize in Israel.
The Israeli public is divided between the religious right and the youthful, liberal secular groups. The older, religious right sees Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, culminating with the restoration of a Jewish state in its ancient homeland. The more youthful secular groups want no moral commandments. They want to be free to live their immoral lifestyles. They want Israel to be like all of the other nations.
The dark side is clearly at work in Israel. One former prime minister, Ehud Barak, is calling for a military coup, even suggesting the elimination of Netanyahu. This development in Israel is a fulfillment concerning the evil, godless leadership in Israel that will sign the covenant with the Antichrist, beginning the Tribulation Period (Isaiah 28:14-22).
The writer of this psalm was directed by the Holy Spirit to give a prophecy that is “written for the generation to come” (verse 18). Literally, this is written for the final generation. He speaks of “the set time” to favor Jerusalem that will come (verse 13). This time will come “when the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory” (verse 16).
This passage proclaims that the coming of the Messiah will be preceded by the restoration of Jerusalem at the end of this age (Amos 9:11). The capital of Israel, Jerusalem, is in the news every day around the world. One out of every 15 Jews in the world lives in Jerusalem and calls it home.
According to the Bible, when the end of time comes, all nations will oppose the recognition of Jerusalem as being a Jewish city. Currently, the entire world is united in saying that Jerusalem is a Muslim city that belongs to the Palestinians. Since 693 A.D., two prominent Muslim places of worship have stood upon the holy ground of the Temple Mount. The Muslims proclaim that there is no historical record of the Jews living in Jerusalem prior to modern times. This is a lie. Their lies ignore that Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible by name more than 800 times. In contrast, the Koran never mentions it one time by name!
The Tribulation Period will be a time when the world will be locked in a war with God and Israel over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Speaking of the Tribulation Period, Isaiah wrote, “For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion” (Isaiah 34:8).
W hen the last days of the Tribulation come, the world will gather its forces in the great battle of Armageddon against the city of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-9; 14:1-4).God will destroy all the military might of the world gathered against Jerusalem. God has warned, “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. … And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:3, 9).
Today, all nations stand against God and Israel concerning the Jewish ownership and occupation of Jerusalem. Only one man and his former administration have dared to stand against the global rebellion against God – former President Trump. Love him or not, it is apparent that God raised him up for such a time as this. Is God done with Donald Trump? The entire world, except for his political party, and many Americans and Israelis, hate this man with a passion. Considering all of this, these next few months will be interesting to watch.
In the year 538 B.C., the nation of Israel was about to complete a 70-year divine sentence of judgment while it lived in exile far away from its ancient homeland. According to Daniel 9:2, the godly prophet Daniel was made aware of the appointed time of the end of the Babylonian captivity. As Daniel was reading from the scroll of another contemporary prophet, Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:12), he began to wonder if this return of his people to Israel would also be related to the promises by other previous prophets of the coming of Messiah. So, Daniel began to pray and confess his sins and the sins of his people (Daniel 9:3-19). God heard Daniel’s prayer about the coming of Messiah and the Kingdom of God. Amazingly, God communicated to Daniel a wondrous prophetic calendar about future events that would lead up to the end of time and the coming of Messiah and His Kingdom. That calendar is explained in Daniel 9:24-27.
God told Daniel that the calendar He was giving him was a 490-year calendar that would precede the beginning of the Kingdom. Keep in mind that the word translated as “weeks” in this passage is the Hebrew word for “sevens.” These “sevens” were not about seven days, but a prophetic group of seven-years. According to this text, the calendar would begin with the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. According to Nehemiah 2, this date was March 14, 445 B.C. The period of the seven groups of seven years [49 years] mentioned in verse 25 would be followed by an additional 62 groups of seven years [an additional 434 years]. According to verse 26, this period [a total of 483 years] would bring the world to the time of the first coming of the Messiah. Amazingly, this 483-year period coincides with the exact time of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry when He died and arose again.
When Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God’s prophetic calendar in heaven stopped with only the final seven-year period remaining on the calendar. Remember that this calendar was counting down to the time of the coming of the Messiah and the inauguration of His kingdom on earth.
This final seven-year period on this prophetic calendar is the seven-year Tribulation Period. This interpretation is confirmed by Jesus with His comments recorded in Matthew 24:15-26 about the approaching Antichrist, who will rule the world during the Tribulation Period. According to Daniel 9:27, God’s prophetic calendar in heaven will be activated when the Antichrist confirms a false peace covenant with Israel, beginning the Tribulation Period.
Are we witnessing the beginning of a false peace covenant with someone who has the desire to rule the world? Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24, that the false messiah would claim to be “in the desert,” which is east of Israel (Matthew 24:26). Notice that In Matthew 24:27, Jesus said that His coming would be “as the lightening [that] cometh outof the east.” Jesus’ return to the Mount of Olives at the end of the Tribulation Period will be an approach from the east. Therefore, it makes sense that the great counterfeiter of God would mimic the way the true Messiah will return to Jerusalem – from the east.
The desert area east of Israel is all Arab, Islamic lands. For several years now, we have been following the Abraham Accords. Several Arab leaders have established a peace agreement with Israel. The Bible tells us there will be 10 contemporary kings that will join the Antichrist in his alliance during the Tribulation Period (Revelation 17:12). It is apparent that those who are in the Abraham Accords will expand to eventually include a prominent leader among them.
It is my opinion that the Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman, is that leader the entire Middle East is looking for. He has repeatedly stated that he is on the verge of making peace with Israel. He has expressed to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that he wants Saudi Arabia to be in control of the Temple Mount (apparently as a part of his peace deal with Israel). The crown prince has set a goal to make Saudi Arabia a global financial center (Revelation 13:16-18). At the same time, he is determined to lead the world in the application of Artificial Intelligence. This would set the stage for the fulfillment of the image of the Antichrist as mentioned in Revelation 13:14-15. Amazingly, he is building a city called Neom, which he says will become the spiritual, financial, and commercial hub of the world. This is the exact language of Revelation 17-18.
Friends, the stage is set for the Tribulation Period as never before!
Friends, in the next issue of this publication, I will present the evidence that according to God’s appointed feasts with Israel, the Rapture of the church and the beginning of the Tribulation Period is connected with the first fall feast of Israel – The Feast of Trumpets.
Friends, this is not some rare emotional claim. This understanding of the connection of the Rapture to the Feast of Trumpets is also the view and conviction of many Messianic Jewish scholars, like Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum. In His latest book, The Feast and Fasts of Israel, Dr. Fruchtenbaum gives overwhelming evidence to point to the Feast of Trumpets as the exact time of the Rapture of the church (pages 135- 174).
This year, the Feast of Trumpets will begin on October 2 and conclude on October 4. Could this year’s celebration of the Feast of Trumpets be the year that Messiah will come for His church? Only time will tell. In the next issue of this publication, I will consider this possibility. With all the things that are coming together, as I have presented in this newsletter, it seems very likely that this could be the year.
