Sign of the Times

photo: dilsadakcaoglu (pixabay)

by Leonard V Johnson

It’s been nearly seven months since the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the “Doomsday Clock” to “89 seconds to Midnight”! I’ve mentioned this “clock” several times since 2019. This world is in trouble, as it never has been before. And, as I spoke about in our last article, this world is saturated with appalling evil the likes of which I have not seen in my nearly 5½ decades! Where is this world now? Where is this world headed? What is going to happen to this world in the coming years? 

Truly, it’s only within God’s living word, through His prophecies, that you can know WHERE WE ARE and WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. It’s not through the likes of the famous Nostradamus ── of whom my wife is enthralled with ── or any of his kind. God’s living word is nearly 1/3 prophecy, another 1/3 being history ── providing for us the history of this world. Its civilizations and kingdoms. In our online booklet “Who or What Is the BEAST That Rises Up Out of the Sea?” I go over the four great prophesied empires. Of Babylon, the Medo/Persian Empire, the Greco/Macedonian Empire, and the Roman Empire. What was called the “Holy” Roman Empire, which continued even to 554 AD, that had six separate dynasties. And the fact that there will come a 7th revival of a final “Holy” Roman Empire within a “United States of Europe.” 

As many of our readers are aware, God’s living word provides for us a chronology of history, and of what is leading up to the end of this present evil age. And you do need to understand it ── so as not to be caught unaware. But, where are we right now in world events, as depicted by the LORD God in biblical prophecy?

Are We In 'the Beginning of Sorrows'?

As I had mentioned, many are arguing amongst themselves and others that we are in our Lord Jesus’ time of “’ the beginning of sorrows.’” What do you think? Has ‘nation rose against nation, and kingdom against kingdom’ to the degree that we believe our Lord Jesus was speaking about? ── cf. Daniel 11:40-43. Have ‘famines, pestilences, and earthquakes’ occurred to the degree that our Lord Jesus was speaking about? Do you think our Lord Jesus was just talking about some of the worst famines throughout our history ── like the Great Chinese Famine that occurred between 1959 and 1961, which killed 15–55 million people? Or, the Chalisa Famine? Or, the Bengal Famine of 1770? Or, the Great Famine of Ireland?

What about ‘earthquakes in various places’? Was our Lord Jesus speaking about earthquakes with a magnitude of less than 3.0 on the Richter scale? Or, was He speaking of massive earthquakes occurring towards the end of this present evil age in various places around the globe? Because, logically, we have had earthquakes in various places throughout Earth’s existence for millions of years. Many will argue that there has been an increase in earthquakes, and earthquakes larger than 8.0 are increasing. Peter Shearer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Philip Stark at the University of California, Berkeley ── two people who surely know what they’re talking about ── say, no. They discovered that while the frequency of magnitude 8.0 and higher earthquakes has been slightly elevated since 2004, at a rate of about 1.2 to 1.4 earthquakes per year, the increased rate was not statistically different from what one might expect to see from random chance. 1 What we believe and teach is something akin to what our Lord Jesus said, “ …’ and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26) men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, …’” – Luke 21:25, 26. So, He is talking about MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES THE LIKES OF WHICH THIS EARTH HAS NOT EXPERIENCED BEFORE OCCURRING IN VARIOUS PLACES!

Are we at the time right now, explained to us by our Lord Jesus in chapter 24 of the Book of Matthew, the 9th verse─The arrival of His witnesses? They will come on the scene preaching and announcing the soon-coming kingdom of God to the captured and subjugated modern-day nations of Israel! They will be given power by the LORD God “to shut heaven [the atmosphere], so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy [of which they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days]; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” – Revelation 11:6; see also Revelation 8:7 12.

For they will be proclaiming and warning of the soon-coming kingdom of God throughout “’ the world, as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’” – Matthew 24:14.

It's About the Kingdom of God!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came preaching “the gospel of the kingdom of God” – Mark 1:14. The exact same kingdom that the end-time prophets will be preaching about! And, it’s not any gospel that you might hear being preached on one of these Sunday morning “gospel” channels. It’s the kingdom of God! 

What is meant by, kingdom of God? We read in God’s living word of the ancient kingdom of Israel, also called the House of Israel. The kingdom is divided into two kingdoms. So, there was also the kingdom of Judah. In fact, the Jews were of the kingdom of Judah. Many people are unaware of this fact. The kingdom of Israel was not Jews – they never were. Ancient Israel was at war against the Jews for the first time, and this is mentioned in 2 Kings chapter 16 ── “At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.” – 2 Kings 16:6, KJV. Then there is also what was called the kingdom of Babylon and the Persian kingdom. Then there was the kingdom of Germany. So, then, what is meant by, kingdom of God?

Well… we see in Isaiah chapter 9 of One that was to be born of the kingdom of Israel ── “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And THE GOVERNMENT will be upon His shoulder. … 7) … Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, …” – Isaiah 9:6-7. This Child that was to be born was our Lord Jesus Christ! – see: John 1:14. The government – the kingdom – would be upon His shoulder.

In the Book of Luke, the archangel Gabriel appeared before His mother-to-be, Mary. Before He was conceived. And told her that she would ‘conceive in her womb and would bring forth a Son, and that she should call His name JESUS.’ Mary was a virgin who had not known a man, but was impregnated by God’s Spirit, and the Child that would be born of her would be the Son of God ── the coming Messiah of all mankind! And, as He was asked, “Are You a king then?’” Answering within the praetorium to the Roman governor of Judea, “’ You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I have come into the world, …’” – John 118:37. The soon-coming kingdom of God from heaven would be upon His shoulder. He came preaching this kingdom. But, this kingdom is not upon the Earth today – except within the Body of Christ.

Our Master and Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus, gave parables ── as an example, the 19th chapter of the Book of Luke, called the parable of the pounds. Also, the parable in the 25th chapter of the Book of Matthew – called the parable of the talents. They both speak in parables of what our Lord Jesus did and will do; as a young nobleman who had traveled to a far country, to receive for Himself a kingdom, and to return and to be a King.

Many believe that God’s living word says, “You shall observe Sunday.” What do you believe? Does it? How do you know? Have you ever seen it in God’s living word? “Surely,” you reason amongst yourself, “all the churches observe Sunday because they get this out of God’s word, right?” Well… over 43 years ago, I found that they don’t. 

When I began studying God’s living word ── which is the Holy Bible ── in depth for the first time some 44 years ago, I began with a most profound question that was given to me, “Stop and think! Would a Creator, having supreme intelligence, wisdom, and love, to think out, plan, design, and bring about all creation - this earth and all life upon it - have left human beings in ignorance of His purpose?” I began to have my eyes and ears opened. I learned that our Lord Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God, and about Him coming again as King of kings and Lord of lords! That was His glorious message. That is the gospel. Have You Heard the True Gospel?          

Our Lord and Savior was sent to Earth about 2,029 years ago by God the Father as a Messenger to bring the glorious message of the gospel. Why is it that this message isn’t preached in Protestant and Catholic churches? Why don’t they? 

Also, our Lord Jesus said that He would build His Church. And He did, having called 12 disciples. He came as a Savior and as a future King. He was crucified, and He died. And that by shedding His precious blood, He paid the death penalty in your stead and my stead. IF you REPENT and are properly baptized, having hands laid upon you, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit ── turning to the LORD God and the Way of God, keeping and obeying the Law of God (summed up with the spiritual Ten Commandments). 

It was the glorious kingdom of God that our Lord Jesus was announcing! Indeed, the apostles journeyed far and wide, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. Now, listen ── why was it that they crucified our Lord and Savior? And He did come knowing that He would have to die. God knows all things (cf. Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20). Of course, those who did this most horrible thing didn’t know that. But why was it that they crucified Him? It was because of His Message! They didn’t like the Message of the soon-coming government of God. It threatened them ── it threatened their power. They crucified Him because of what He was preaching. Truly, if He came with His head shaved, prancing around and handing out flowers, spouting off the mantra, “Hare Krishna … Krishna, Krishna!” ── they would have just thought He was another fringe cult and would have left Him alone. But, it was His Message they hated and were threatened by! It was His Message, and let me tell you, there are plenty of people in my life ── even within my own family ── who don’t like me because I preach and announce the very same gospel that our Lord and Savior preached when He was here on Earth in the first century AD. I tell you this with the authority of Jesus Christ Himself. His Message is not wholly accepted today. Because this world as a whole has turned to a different gospel, which is not another.  

His Church – the Body of Christ – began immediately after our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into the upper heavenly realms. And He gave His life for you and for me. That if we REPENT and are properly baptized, having hands laid upon us, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit ── turning to the LORD God and the Way of God, keeping and obeying the Law of God. And God’s spiritual Law is merely the Way to live. And if we live the Way of God’s Law, the Way of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Way of Unity in faith. A concern for the welfare of other people, more than yourself. Why can’t humanity as a whole WAKE UP? Why can’t the scales of blindness melt from our eyes and begin to rightly understand God’s living truth? If only mankind as a whole would understand. And we could rightly understand it if one is willing. And, let us thank God Most High that most of you reading this right now are willing and do rightly understand!

A Different Gospel - Which Is Not Another

So, our Lord Jesus ascended to the upper heavenly realms. And then, almost immediately, grave persecution set in on the Church of God. Within about two years, persecution set in and grew rapidly. Again, because people DON'T LIKE the Message of the soon-coming kingdom of God. They want a kingdom run by men, influenced heavily by Satan the Devil. And so, there was a magician that rose up in the first century, and created his own church ── some 1,992 years ago.

Now, should the gospel be a message about Christ the Messenger? Or, should it be the Message that He brought? Because, truthfully, people want to get rid of that Message. They want to merely preach ── and this, too, I had mentioned in an earlier article ── they want to merely preach that, “Jesus loves you!” And so you hear a lot about “the Gospel of Christ.” But that is not the gospel of Christ. It’s a misnomer. It’s not the gospel of Christ, it is but a gospel about Christ. So, beginning around 50 AD, we have a church calling itself Christian, but it is not the Church that our Lord Jesus Christ started. It’s an entirely different church that has continued down through the centuries, even unto today. And they are still preaching a gospel about Christ! “’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” – Matthew 24:4, 5. O’ yes. They proclaim that He is the Christ. And they preach – just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Well… notice what our Lord Jesus said to those Jews in the Book of John, the 8th chapter, who just believed in Him. “’ If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” – John 8:31, 32. They believed in Jesus Christ, but they wouldn’t accept His Message. And, even today, most Jews believe Jesus was a good prophet, who didn’t abandon the Jewish law, but they continue to reject His Message. Our Lord Jesus went on to say to those Jews, “’ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.’” – vs. 42. They claimed they were the children of Abraham. He said, “I say, Nay Nay.” “’ You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.’” – vs. 44.

So, quickly returning again to Matthew 24. In verses 21 & 22, we find a time of untold chaos and ‘tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’ And it is going to be especially troubling for JUDAH – modern-day Israel. Along with the United States of America and her Anglo-Saxon allies. And surely, we can see the sign of the times. The time is ripe for all these things to take place. And, ‘Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; …’” ── certainly an indication that the atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers or even radioactive dust and ash! “ … ‘the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’” - Satan and his demons will be expunged from the atmosphere of the earth. Remember one time Jesus said, “’ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”? There will be a great spiritual war, we’re told in the Book of Revelation – Michael, the great archangel, and all of his subordinate angels will directly engage in spiritual warfare with Satan and his demons. And Michael and all the holy angels will be victorious! And Satan will be vanquished to the earth. And I think that’s what this passage here is talking about.

It's time to awaken! And then… “ …’ the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven [in outer space], … and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven [the atmosphere] with power and great glory.’” – Matthew 24:29-30. Coming as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule all nations with a rod of iron. 

Now, there is a free, no-obligation online booklet I would like to tell you about today. Why is the world in the condition it is today? How did this world get this way? I’d like you to read our booklet, “Satan’s World.” It explains how this world came to be in the utterly sinful condition in which we find ourselves today. I pray that it will help open your eyes and ears to what the Spirit has to say. “Satan’s World.”    

And let us always praise the Almighty God! Nearly 330,000 have read 0ur articles published on our website so far – www.churchofjesuschristonlineministries.org. Yes, people are hearing and people are listening! Nearly 2,000 people are listening to our Soundcloud Radio channel – so far! Be sure to read, “A ‘Secret Rapture’?” Will there be a “rapture” – a snatching away of the saints before, what the Bible calls an end-time ‘tribulation’? Also, here’s one, “Wars and Rumors of Wars.” Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has prophesied that all throughout this present evil age there would be ‘wars and rumors of wars’ before the coming dreadful and terrible Day of the Lord – the ‘great tribulation.’ The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries goes into world news and helps explain it according to Biblical prophecy, so that you can better understand what is truly happening in the world. Here’s one from Minister Guy LaMar, “Saturday Sabbath with Jews and Sunday with Gentiles?” Why do the churches observe Sunday? Do you know why? You'd better read that. And an article that takes you step-by-step through the coming terrible events, “The Prince of Peace Is Coming!” □  

1) Conners, D., Are large earthquakes increasing in frequency?, EarthSky, 4 March 2012