From Here
History is our teacher. Though we look through a lens into the past, we are still able to glean valuable lessons for the present and future. The Bible, referred to as "A Book of Remembrances," emphasizes that the record of what God has done is a basis of faith for our future.
History gives insights. What we know is that the League of Nations was established after WWI to prevent another world war. The League of Nations failed. The United Nations was established after WWII to prevent another world war. The United Nations has failed.
Consider that the United Nations headquarters in on U.S. soil. The largest contributor is the United States. There are currently more than fifty wars in the world. China is threatening military takeover of Taiwan. Russia seems to be drifting back to a more hard-line policy.
The restoration of the Old Roman Empire was part of the prophecy from the book of Daniel. Many prophecy students accept that the European Common Union (also referred to as the European Common Market, United States of Europe, and European Union) is the rumblings of the Old Roman Empire. The EU, when fully operational, will be the breadbasket of the world and will have the largest and most powerful military force in the world.
It is my considered opinion that the European Common Union does care about many of the just wars in which the United States is involved. However, if the United States is willing to spend its money to fight the wars, the expense will weaken the U.S. economy and give impetus to the rise of the EU.
What we have witnessed in the past few days is a watershed moment of history. It is reasonable to assume that the foundation for the rise of the Antichrist has been greatly expedited.
Revelation chapter eleven notes, the beast will kill the two prophets sent from heaven to witness against the falseness of the Antichrist. The dead bodies of the prophets will lay in the streets for three days with the whole world looking on and rejoicing. On the third day, the dead bodies will come to life and rise into the sky as the world watches.
This prophecy, of Revelation eleven, has been a critical point of protagonists who have insisted that it was technologically impossible for the world to see a common event in a given moment. However, the media coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II arrested the attention of people on seven continents in "real time."
Media, including God-hating media, seized the moment to promote ratings focused on John Paul II as if he were superhuman: no criticism -- no mention of his failure to chastise and correct the river of molestation by priests. Indeed, the purported humility of his life was swept away by media in virtual deification.
Precisely this last point is pivotal in understanding the prophetic sudden rise of the Antichrist. We have experienced that in less than one week, the world can be captured with the charisma of a leader. The principle is that it becomes obvious that it would take only days for the media to sell the world on the "deity" of the Antichrist.
One final point remains for emphasis: the EU has witnessed first-hand the power of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) to move masses of people. It is reasonable to assume that leaders of EU recognize their need to employ the RCC in the game-plan for the EU to become the dominant political and military force in the world, which, of course, means the United States of America will no longer be the most powerful nation on Earth.
It is a watershed moment. Prophecy is being fulfilled. The stage is being set for the Antichrist. However, the Good News of The Coming of Jesus is redemptive with hope. The Antichrist cannot set up his kingdom until the Church has been raptured (taken out of this world).
Millions will, no doubt, be saved after the Rapture. However, the persecution, torture, and death of those who refuse the mark of the beast (Revelation 13) will be more dreadful than any persecution in history.
The hour is late. The harvest is ripe. Jesus is sending us forth to do his Father's will. We must hasten. We must not tarry nor procrastinate. All around us precious souls are crying out for someone to bring them the message of hope.
May you be driven with purpose and zeal to communicate the love of Jesus to people around you. Pray about a method of evangelism that works for you -- that is effective, brings results, and produces a harvest. Remember that Jesus said doing the Father's will and work is heavenly food. Where to "From Here?" to the harvest fields!
Prayerfully in hope of the Resurrection,
Pastor Bare
John 4