Nov 12

Total Collapse of Prophetic Discernment

Several years back, I wrote an article that detailed how the field of apologetics has collapsed. This type of ministry defends the faith against error. Right now, there are very few apologists left. They have been forced off of Christian radio and TV, and have been replaced by people who promote a feel-good message.

I am now seeing a much larger collapse that goes far beyond apologetics. Prophetic discernment is a crucial factor in knowing where we are on God’s time line, and it has gone into a stunning free fall. We live in an age when even the most dire warning signs fail to draw people’s attention.

I’m amazed at how oil has skyrocketed to historic levels, and we hear very little concern about the future availability of this dwindling resource. The lack of reaction makes me wonder if everyone in America is a multi-millionaire, and the only part of the pump Americans look at is where they insert their credit card.

Economists have been stunned over how consumers have largely ignored the rising price of oil-based products. They been predicted a recession would happen once oil hit $80 per barrel.

Potential sources of calamity cannot be ignored forever. What will make the coming year interesting for Bible prophecy is the sheer number of potential sources for trouble. So many land mines are hidden under the road ahead of us that, unless they are defused, we will eventually hit one of them. Here are just a few from this week:

Russian Cold War Action – The Russian parliament voted unanimously to suspend a key arms treaty limiting conventional forces in Europe, saying the United States and NATO were using the pact to undermine Russia's defenses. The suspension is part of a wave of increasingly aggressive Russian moves against the West.

China Bubble –The stock exchanges in Shanghai and Hong Kong have surged to dizzying heights. The mainland market is looking much like the tech bubble of 2000. PetroChina's is a probably the best example of one of these bubble stocks. Even though it only has growth at 1.4 percent, it trades at 57 time earnings. The Chinese are new to a capitalistic economy, so they’ve poured their life savings into a market that they’ve only known to go straight up.

The Dollar – French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a joint session of the U.S. Congress the Bush administration must stem the dollar's plunge or risk triggering a trade war. A senior Chinese political figure caused the dollar to plunge in value when he said China should diversify its $1.43 trillion foreign exchange reserves into the euro and other strong currencies.

Target Israel – Hezbollah militants in Lebanon now have long-range rockets capable of hitting Tel Aviv and have tripled their arsenal of land-to-sea missiles since last summer's war. To have rockets raining down on Israel ’s largest city would trigger a massive response by its military.

American Debt - The U.S. national debt has hit $9 trillion for the first time. When President George W. Bush took office in January 2001, the national debt stood at $5 trillion.

Pakistan in Political Crisis -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule, prompting protests and arrests. The West is very worried about Pakistan because it is has dozens of nuclear weapons and Islamic terrorists are trying to take over that nation.

Iran’s Nuclear Program – Iran has said it now has 3,000 working uranium-enriching centrifuges. Military sources in Washington said that the existence of such a large number could be a “tipping point" triggering an Israeli air strike. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad added to the concern by saying the country is more than ever in need of the culture of martyrdom, self-sacrifice and appreciation of martyrs.

The Iranian nuclear land mine is one we are guaranteed to hit at some point. I have total confidence that Israel will stay true to its vow of never allowing Iran to gain nuclear weapons. Within the next year, I expect to wake up to news that Israel has launched an attack against Iran ’s nuclear facilities. Of course, that won’t be the only possible news of that day. Oil would be soaring, the dollar would plunge, and Iran’s buddies Hezbollah and Syria would likely join in a counter attack against the Jewish state.

I am not surprised at all by the lack of awareness that is so pervasive in the Church and the world today. Jesus repeatedly warned that apathy would be the calling card of His return.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Mat. 24:44).

There is a natural conflict with having all the signs of the tribulation coming together while awareness is waning. The rapture is only real reason there is apathy. Because the two are linked, they need to be resolved before we can move forward. This is why I believe the rapture is very near.

-- Todd

.........................................................benny

I like this quote especially...


I agree heartily with everything you said, up until the very end! One could just as easy argue that the teaching of a pre-tribulational rapture is what has put people to sleep because they are not worried about trouble touching them, but will escape it.

Personally, I am not sure when the rapture will be, but I am just saying that I don't think that the sleeping problem stems from when one views the rapture as occurring. It is because of why Jesus himself said it would happen...

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Don't forget WHY the emerging church emerged. Because stuffy legalism was driving the world away. I agree..It got way off track. A sign of the times. It began with good intentions like so many movements.

Bible slamming didn't work either. Nor clucking like a chicken....Look how Solomon began...or Saul...Or all the other people God called according to his purposes. God is using the good of this still. But there is a warning as well. It can't be denied. His Spirit will depart if we don't eat a balanced meal. I've seen the touch of God as people come weeping before the altar because they can finally understand what you all are talking about.

God will use what ever means he wants to rescue the last few. Then he'll take the same instrument to judge the lying hordes.

Hi people, am new here-

If I may, the majority of people who are apathetic to God's warnings are those who don't care about such things.

We live in such a technologically advanced fast paced world, most don't take time for God if much to any time at all. They are enjoying this temporal life too much to make time for God.

But, one day, when people disappear, this world will be thrown into caos when the Rapture happens.

Tho we be increased with goods, knowledge and more, the lack of understanding such a simple Concept of God will set the world on its ear.

In Matt and Luke, Christ gave s signs to "know the times" of the end. Thus, while we may think alot of people are not paying attention, the signs clearly show this will be the case, so its no supprise the world is like this. For Christ even declares times will reach as bad as it was in Noah's Day before He returns.

"Potential sources of trouble" were given in the general outlook Christ gave how things will go. We can warn people all we want, but God will see all things work out as He has Prophecied or Christ had, they will.

No, God's Spirit will not depart if we don't stay balanced, He had declared in Noah's Day, that at some point, His Spirit will no longer strive with man.

This relates to when the Rapture happens and all existing Saints of that time leave the earth. Why? The physical bodies of God's Saints right now are the "Temple of God". But once we are called up to meet Christ, that "Temple" will be gone.

People ask then, what about the Saints living during the Trib. Period? They will not have the Holy Spirit to guide them as we had. Instead, with God providing the two witnesses that will appear and preach God, Christ and thier Word to the world, this will be God's strength to the new converts of the Trib. Period.

These two witnesses- Elisha and Elijha, will be allowed by God to Minister to the world for a time, then be killed. After 3 days, raised from the dead and raised up in a cloud to Heaven.

But, I also believe, God will, as had in Old Test times, have His Holy Spirit come upon people to speak His Word and preach It. He won't be "indwelling" them as He does us right now, but will "come upon" them.

Be assured, God will have all things work out as according to what He Prophecied about these times.

God Bless!!