Where are we in God's Realm of final events?

Where are we in God’s Realm of final events?

In reading the Scriptures and absorbing the many warnings that the Lord handed to his prophets we must take as truth these were not just for those who were the present inhabitants on earth.  More than one of these proclamations have rebirthed themselves in our present century.  The Eschatology indicated in Matthew’s Gospel is just one of several that Jesus talked about and we need to look with an open mind on how these future signs are now presenting themselves in a very fashionable manner.  “You see all these things, do you not?”  Amen, I say to you, there will not be one stone  left upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”  (Mt 24: 2).  Of course, he was predicting the destruction of the temple which occurred around 70 AD.  However, there will be more events coming in our future indicating that, without prayer, intense prayer, we shall all become a part of a future onslaught of violence none of us should have to witness.  

The disciples asked Jesus, “when will this happen, and what sign will there be of your coming?”  Jesus said to them in reply, “See that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah and they will deceive many.”  “You will hear of wars and reports of wars;  see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not be the end.”  “Many false prophets will arise and deceive many, and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.”  (Mt 24: 3 - 6, 11 - 12).

For years every major disaster that appears on the planet there are prophets of doom that will tell us the world is coming to an end.  Well the world is going to end in some fashion but not as we might assume.  However, with all of the latest global events that do not seem to let-up makes us wonder.  Take the major fire in Hawaii on the island of  Maui in August 2023.  And the recent fires in California from January 7 - 31, 2025, devastating the areas of Pallasades,Eaton, Sunset, Hurst, and Kenneth.  None of us have ever seen a disaster such as these.  

How do we account for the increased outbreak of Volcanic eruptions across the globe and the other global eruptions of nature’s fury?  It isn’t the intention of this article to put fear into the reader, but to pick up on the signs that were predicted for centuries.  Could these be signs from the Lord that an increase of global eruptions just might be enough to bring us to prayer, and a lot of it?

There will be such fear arising on the earth that anyone still here (after the rapture) will wish they were not.  According to different passages in Sacred Scripture we learn that:  we can expect 10 signs that the Tribulation is drawing near:  false teachers, dissention between nations, devastation to the food supply, disease in various places, world-wide disasters, death for the sake of Christ, disloyalty among friends, delusion associated with false religions and drug use, defection from the faithful, and a declaration of the Gospel.  (Mt 24: 5 - 14).  This last sign is when the kingdom will be preached throughout the world.   Some believe that with the modern technology we have with instant communications that will not pose an improbable situation.  

According to the Book of Daniel it says;  “He (the fourth beast) shall speak against the Most High, thinking to change the feast days and the law.  They shall be handed over to him for a year, two years, and a half year.”   This becomes the 3.5 years of the Tribulation’s time table.

The AntiChrist will in fact take over the world and anyone who is left on earth, not necessarily lost souls, will be around to try and bring people to God before the Tribulation goes full force and devours any innocent people still here.  

Much of what is spoken of through Daniel, Revelation, and Matthew, we can already see how quickly these events may take place during the lives of most of us still here.  As mentioned above what is needed are prayers, and a lot of them.  Not to curtail the disaster to come, but that our faith is not challenged if we are still present when all hell breaks loose.  

Ralph B. Hathaway