But know this, that in the last
days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such
people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into
households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins,
led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to
the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV
Something I am often asked about, and speak regularly on, are what I
call the “less obvious” signs of the end. Many believers and
even some non-believers are familiar with what you could call the
“major” signs that many are looking for, but if you study your
Bible you will find that there are many passages which speak of the
conditions that will exist on this earth immediately preceding the
return of Christ which many tend to overlook.
The next few weeks I want to explore some of those passages beginning
with the one above from Timothy. I'm sure it will come as no
surprise that lately many of the questions I get concern what is
going on around us right now in our country and the decisions that
are being made by our elected officials. With that in mind, I
thought I would share a commentary from a brother who is extremely
well versed in prophecies of the end times, and how they might relate
to the situation we find ourselves in today. His name is Ron Graham
and if you would, please keep him in your prayers as he is dealing
with many physical problems which I am sure affect his ability to
serve.
Ultimate
Monarchy
By
Ron Graham
“For
nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and
there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers
places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:7-8.
There’s a war brewing – it’s coming upon the last generation of
mankind. Just before this mighty war there will be much fear and
speculation about current and coming events. There will be signs in
the heavens and signs on earth. From what we are currently witnessing
around this globe there should be no doubt in the minds of the
Ekklesia of Christ that this, the current generation, is the last
generation prophesied to be remaining on earth at Christ’s Second
Advent.
“Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14. Because of looming global upheavals, it seems people
everywhere are beginning to cry out for someone to bring peace on
earth; a man with all the answers, a leader who can finally take
humanity into the utopian existence so many long for. But it is not
the Prince of peace, our future King, who is being sought after.
If
you pay any attention at all to the global economies you know that it
isn’t only America that is struggling to stay afloat. To state that
the world’s economies are in turmoil would be a gross
understatement. Greece is in a depression and has been for about
three years now. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, among others, are
in a recession and swiftly moving towards full depression. The U.S.
of A. is not far behind.
Economically
speaking, the unsustainable debt that the world has engrossed itself
in is nothing short of a worldwide tsunami consuming everything and
every nation in its path. Our current government leadership, along
with our government run news agencies, is saying that everything is
looking rosy and cozy, but that is a lie. This world is in dire
straits and it needs fixing, and by-and-large the world intends to
call on Mr. Fixit for relief.
For
those who study their Bible and take it seriously there is nothing
surprising about what’s going on around the world. Since we are in
the last days we would expect to see the global state of affairs
coming into perfect union with Biblical prophecy – one world
government, one world monetary system, one world ecumenical system
all aligning themselves like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. But what few
people are talking about is the upheaval that must occur prior to all
the puzzle pieces coming together. That’s when Mr. Fixit will jump
in and avail himself as that one extraordinary world leader to bring
peace and harmony to a broken world.
Right
now what we see happening seems as though it’s straight out of a
Hollywood created, edge of your seat thriller. The problem is most
people think they can just get up and leave the theater or turn off
the TV, but that’s not going to help. The same outcome facing
Greece is now encroaching on America. Life is going to get ugly and
it’s going to be painful. This is real life, not a movie. In
today’s world we can be assured that with the implosion of the US
economy, which is on the brink of collapse, the results for much of
mankind will be devastating.
With
no positive outlook on the horizon the world is confronted with a
decision of major consequences: 1) Seek and follow a man who claims
to have the answers to the ills that currently plague mankind – a
Mr. fixit kind of guy, or 2) follow the One who has never lied
to us and who created us in His image. I suggest number 2, and haste
would be prudent.
Our
Lord Jesus is a well established player on the field of humankind,
yet almost completely ignored by the majority of human kind. Even
many of those on His very own team ignore Him or relegate Him to
second string. Jesus is the wide open receiver ready to receive, but
He’s rejected as being out of step, using outdated disciplines and
procedures, no longer an asset to the rest of the team – He just
isn’t the performer His team had in mind. These days, people want
someone new and exciting, a man for all seasons. They want someone
who will relieve the pressure on the rest of the team so no one will
be at all inclined to toe the line. Even many professing Christians
would rather have a mere man enter the scene in lieu of their coming
King.
The
world will soon be focusing on one man (Mr. Fixit), and he will be
more than willing to take the helm. He’ll be a consummate leader
and he will take charge of world affairs. He’ll be that one
individual who will promise mankind an unequaled pie in the sky
greatness and prosperity – but his motives will be pure evil.
“And
because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Matthew 24:12. Standing against the Laws of God has caused great
immorality in this world. Because of iniquity (lawlessness and
wickedness) now abound. We’ve now witnessed the condoning of the
murder of millions upon millions of innocent unborn babies. Pervasive
God abandoned lifestyles are now deemed acceptable worldwide. There
is currently a cold heartedness spreading like wildfire such as
murdering school children while they sit in their classes or the
indiscriminate murder of people enjoying a movie in a theater. All of
these evils are orchestrated by none other than the “god of this
world” (Satan).
The
demonic is now coming to fruition. We are very close to the time that
Satan will send in his Mr. Fixit. This ungodly creature is ready to
take charge of the situation and bring about what so many are hoping
for – peace on earth, unbridled wealth, untold pleasure, and the
fulfillment of all dreams – utopia. The world hasn’t much longer
to wait.
“…that
man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
The Apostle Paul refers to this “Mr. Fixit” quite differently
than the world; Paul calls him the “son of perdition.” The
world’s Mr. Fixit is in reality the antichrist – the fellow who
will be indwelt by Satan himself. Few will realize the mistake
they’ve made in seeking this particular individual, and before they
know what’s happening Mr. Fixit will be transformed into evil
personified. He will be established as a great leader with phenomenal
capabilities. People will be enamored with his intelligence and
charisma, his polished demeanor, his knowledge of world affairs, and
his god-like powers. The world will hale him as their messiah.
Greed
has created our current atmosphere of false prosperity and failed
economics, which as lead the world into a precarious and painful
position. People will turn to just about anyone who even suggests
they might have a solution to the mess. If you think I’m off my
rocker a simple look into the recent affairs of the US of A might
change your mind. American’s have recently and overwhelmingly
re-confirmed their love for a man who has systematically done
everything possible to turn this nation into a totalitarian state. As
we watch our rights being dismantled for all time, many of us see the
satanic side of this man quite clearly.
No
one with any real wisdom can miss what’s being thrown at us by our
Federal Government. What is being promoted by this current
administration as steps to secure the protection of every American is
in all actuality moving all Americans into gross bondage while
striping away all semblances of our inalienable rights.
With
all of the new restrictions currently in place and with the massive
amounts of restricting legislation being advanced by Congress, our
rights and freedoms will soon be gone. All this so the populous can
feel a sense of peace and safety. The world’s Mr. Fixit is waiting
for the opportune moment to launch the enemy’s agenda of a false
hope to this deceived world. Basically he’ll provide a short window
of hope to the hopeless. But there will never be utopia of any kind
until the Real Hope (Jesus Christ) returns and takes His rightful
place on His earthly Throne.
What
is currently destabilizing Greece is the fact that the Government can
no longer afford to pay out all the government subsidies they’ve
been providing for their citizenry, which has brought that nation to
its knees. Bailout after bailout has done nothing to alleviate the
problem. Now the U.S., as well as many other nations, is facing the
same future. Thus, people will soon be begging for Mr. Fixit to get
with the program. He will then step out and comfort them with words
that will sound so delectable that people will feed on them as though
they were some kind of delicious morsel. Sadly, it will all be lies.
It won’t be long until people will be starving to death because
they sought after the lies of Satan.
Brotherly
love will be gone, happiness will disappear, and all commonsense will
be abandoned. People will begin to turn on one another with derision
and us brute force to kill anyone in their way. They will even snatch
the smallest scrap of food from the fingers of a starving child. “And
the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the
child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and
cause them to be put to death.” Matthew 10:21.
Satan
will revel at the total abandon which will consume every society on
earth. Satan is the god of this world because he stole the deed from
Adam way back in the beginning. For a while longer he’ll be allowed
to play out his agenda, but then he and his agenda will come to an
abrupt end. You say you don’t believe in Satan? You will.
Through
all the approaching misery there is hope. We must turn to the One who
has given us life, and much more abundantly than any government on
earth, instead of ignoring Him. Believing Jesus Christ was simply a
nice guy and nothing else, or worse yet a myth, will only result in
more pain and heartache for the unbeliever. Jesus Christ is the way,
He is the truth, and He is the life to everyone who believes.
Governments promise what they don’t have – Jesus promises what
He’s already procured and delivered for all who will believe. There
is incredible evil coming. How do we avoid the circumstances of that
evil? Jesus Christ is the answer – He is our blessed hope. “But
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. The God of all creation
died for His creation even though we were yet sinners. This is love.
What do you call love?
The
truth of the matter is this world is in turmoil and has been for a
long time, long before it slid into the current economic chaos we see
today. God established His love toward us desiring that perfect love
to stand forever, to be a constant proof of how He sees us (His
creation). God wants to help us walk through this world without fear
from the enemy. He wants to guide our steps. Our faith and trust in
God’s only begotten Son makes this possible.
Sick,
insane, and oftentimes disheartening things happen all around us, but
God is always with us. Satan is a liar and through his “man of
perdition” will make many wonderful claims, which he won’t
deliver on because he is a liar not a deliverer. The word of God
gives us incredible insight into the realm of the supernatural. There
is a raging battle being fought on the behalf of all humanity. Good
against evil. Evil will be dealt a death blow but not before it
consumes the lives of much of earth’s population (Christ
rejecters).
Jesus
came from a place that is perfect; He being perfect was the only one
who could accomplish the Father’s will. He alone was able to
reverse the curse that entered this universe when Satan convinced Eve
to partake of the fruit of that forbidden tree. Jesus Christ is our
Creator and only He could die for His creation. For those who
believe, He promises eternal life. For those who believe not, He
makes it plain, eternal damnation is your lot.
Jesus
will clean up the mess we humans have made of this earth. He’s
coming back – soon. His Raptured saints will return with Him at the
second coming when Jesus will defeat the enemy and his horde. Then He
will set up His Monarchy. The mess will be gone and we will have
peace under the perfect rule of the King of kings. To be a part of
that awesome promise all that is required of you is “…that ye
believe on him (Jesus Christ) whom he (God) hath sent” John 6:29.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. We, the
followers of Jesus Christ, should all be looking forward to this
earth’s Ultimate Monarchy and our King who is as loving as He is
perfect.
God
bless you all,
Ron
Graham
All
original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed
Please
continue your prayers for my health. The diabetes has taken a
detrimental effect on my eyesight, the Myasthenia is still affecting
my strength and between the MG and the diabetes my fatigued is being
exasperated. The prostate cancer for now seems to be in remission.
But God is good, and hears the prayers of His faithful children. I’m
convinced that my faithfulness to my God and your prayers are the
binding tie that keeps these health problems from overwhelming me.
I’m
very grateful to those of you who have been led by God to send gifts
of support. God is the giver of all good gifts. I’ve placed this
little acknowledgement here at the bottom of my commentary because
some of you ask if you can send a gift. My response as always is; If
God is leading you to send a gift of support then yes. Please send
your gift to Ron Graham – 96 County Road 5480, Salem, MO, 65560.
For those of you who have suggested it, I have set up a PayPal
account using my email address twotug@embarqmail.com
as
my account access number. Thank you my brethren, God bless you all.
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