Authored by: Todd, from
Rapture ReadyJuly 17
Praying for World War III?
Once again the nation of Israel has become the center of world attention. The unrest started two weeks ago in the Gaza Strip area when Palestinian forces tunneled into Israel, killing two soldiers and abducting Corporal Gilad Shalit in a raid. A few days later, the situation was made worse when Hezbollah forces opened up a northern front, killing eight soldiers and taking two more captive. Hezbollah has also been firing rockets into northern Israel.
The Israeli military has responded to the unprovoked attack with a series of bombings. It has bombed several transportation hubs and a command center used by the terrorists. There are some reports that Israel has sent strong warnings to Iran and Syria that could lead to a wider conflict.
Whenever there is a blow-up in the Middle East, I often get emails from people who think I’m sitting at my computer and salivating all over myself with glee over the prospect of war. Here is one good example:
“A friend and I from work were watching CNN today on our lunch break. We saw breaking news from the Mideast where Israel was bombing Beirut. He turned to me and said, 'You know, Christian fundamentals are salivating right now; they believe this is the beginning of the "rapture."' I laughed a little and thought to myself, 'Are there really people out there so incensed with their faith that they actually believe this is the end?' So I decided to research it on the net. Sure as God made little green apples, here you are!”
I don’t get excited every time there is conflict in the Middle East. The Lord Jesus commanded His followers to watch patiently for His return. Because God is totally in control of the timeline, there is no need for cheerleading. As far as World War III goes, man's wickedness will eventfully ensure its arrival. The whole Rapture Ready crew shares this view. Consider the following message that one of our admin posted on the message board:
“Some of our guests may have the impression that Christians are rooting for the apocalypse and are rejoicing at seeing blood spilled. The media sometimes portrays Christians that way, but it simply isn't true. While we long to see God's will done here on earth, just as it is in heaven, we know that this will not happen until some terrible things come to pass. But we don't rejoice in the suffering that occurs as it happens, nor do we find the death that both the military and civilians incur in the process cause for celebration.”
My nearly 20 years of experience with the site has taught me to have a long view. Every time a prophecy-related event is in the news, thousands of people flock to Rapture Ready. When activity wanes, the majority of these people lose all interest in the end times. Last month, the 06/06/06 date generated a mini media frenzy, setting a two-year record for traffic to the site. A week after the beast date, the traffic flow had returned to normal. My expectation is to see the same thing happen with this current traffic surge.
I’m not urging everyone just to ignore what is going on in the Holy Land. I see the turbulence as a clear warning of our proximity to the last days. If the situation continues to steadily worsen, events could quickly lead us to the tribulation hour. The fact that Israel keeps coming back to the brink is one indication that it has a prophetic destiny.
The critics of Bible prophecy can moan and groan all they want, but they cannot stop world events from going down the path predestined by God himself. Even Israel is powerless to stop the progression of prophecy. In the past decade, the Jewish state has taken several measure to avert conflict. It signed several peace pacts with its Arab neighbors, it gave up land as a goodwill gesture, and it's built a wall around much of its territory. In the end, the so-called peace process has only helped make matters more ripe for prophecy.
The same Bible that predicts that Israel will be a “burdensome stone for all people” (Zec. 12:3) also forewarns of a great calamity that will lead to the death of over two-thirds of the human population. It is very sad to read emails from people who are smart enough to understand that the unrest has a connection to prophecy, and yet they mock the implications it has for them.
There is coming a day when there will be no doubt that the end times have arrived. When the rapture takes place, the skeptics will have all the evidence they need to make the correct decision about eternity. Unfortunately, the new stakes will then require a willingness to suffer martyrdom for one's faith. Anyone who is currently on the fence would be very wise make the right choice now.
"When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).
--- Todd
Permission to reprint/republish this article has been granted by the author , as indicated on the Rapture Ready website.
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