Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Birth Pains (Page 3 of 3)

North Korea, Microchips and the Solar Eclipse

August 18, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #31 ~

In recent weeks, you may have heard about North Korea, microchips, and a solar eclipse. But what amazes and saddens me, is when I hear people getting so worried about these things, wondering if the end of the world is right around the corner. It’s reminds me of fearful “Chicken Little” crying out, “The sky is falling!” As Christians, we shouldn’t be afraid or confused, for God has already told us what’s going to happen, and has even given us a 7-year time frame so we can see where these things fit in with His endtime plans.

First, let’s talk about North Korea. Matthew 24:6-7 tells us, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Jesus goes on to say, “these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.” Let me explain: these birth pains are wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues taking place before the end of this age and Christ’s coming, and this includes this North Korean conflict. But it’s just the “beginning of birth pains”, meaning a lot more things, and yes, more wars, need to take place before the rapture of the church.

Second, we read about small rice-sized microchips that for years have been implanted in animals as identification and tracking devices. And now they’re putting them in people – but why is this potentially such a big deal? Because Revelation 13:16-17 tells us that “he (another beast) causes all… to be given a mark on their right hand or forehead.” Now we don’t know exactly what this “mark” is, but I believe it relates to these microchips that are presently being developed and increasingly being perfected. This beast, together with the devilish Antichrist, will be using this kind of technology, and “no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark…” This “mark” will be one of the main ways the Antichrist will control people, run the economy, and rule the world during his short dictatorship.

When will this take place? I’ve previously taught about a 7-year time period called Daniel’s 70th week, and right after the midpoint of this week, this mark will be implemented by the Antichrist and this other beast. Now Daniel’s 70th week hasn’t even started yet, for we’re still at the beginning of birth pains. But this mark, this chip, will be ready to use on a global scale, and accepted by society at large when the Antichrist steps out on the world stage. Now Christians will still be on earth at this time, what Matthew 24:21 calls the great tribulation. But be assured, that if you’re a true, born again Christian, then you will not and cannot take this mark of the beast. Only unbelievers can take the mark.

Third, there’s this coming solar eclipse. Some well-known Christians have actually said this is a sign that judgment is coming on America. And yes, the Bible tells us about “wonders in the sky” (Joel 2:31), and that the “the sun will be darkened… ” (Matthew 24:29) before the Day of the Lord, but this particular solar eclipse is not part of these end of the age cosmic disturbances. Why do we know that? Because the Bible tells us that these heavenly signs will not take place until after the Antichrist has been revealed, after the mark of the beast is implemented, immediately after the great tribulation, and right before the rapture of the church. Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:12-7:14

Let me sum it up: As a world, we’re now experiencing beginning birth pains, and part of that are these wars and rumors of wars. Then in the near future there’ll be a peace treaty between the coming Antichrist and Israel, and this begins Daniel’s 70th week. At the 3½ year point of that week, the Antichrist will be revealed, and he’ll make non-Christians take the mark of the beast, and also begin great tribulation against both Jews and Christians. Immediately after this great tribulation is cut short, there’ll be these warning signs in the heavens, marking the end of this age, the return of Christ, and the rapture of the church. Then God’s wrath will be poured out on all the unbelievers living on this earth.

God has told us ahead of time what’s going to take place before the return of His Son. Why? Because He wants us to know He’s in control, that He’s doing exactly what He has planned to do; and He doesn’t want us to worry – He wants us to have peace in our hearts. We need to know that Jesus Christ is coming soon, but I say “soon” in terms of all of human history. The truth is, the Bible tells us a number of things that need to take place before Christ’s coming. In the weeks ahead we will be looking closely at many of these things. Hebrews 10:23-25

P.S.  Please feel free to check out the many articles and charts here on this blog.  They are here to help ones understand more fully what the Bible teaches about the return of Christ the King.  Also, here is a post about the Good News ~ how a person can know Jesus Christ now and forever!

The Seals of Revelation 6 – The Storm Before the Son

March 31, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #11 ~

Picture an ancient scroll, one that has seven seals on it. It is in Revelation 5 that we first read about this most valuable scroll, and there we learn that only Jesus Christ can break these seven seals. He must break them, for they set in motion conditions that must be met, and events that need to take place before the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church. Revelation 6 describes the breaking of the first six seals, and you realize that the content of this chapter corresponds to Matthew 24. But why would God give us two chapters so similar to one another? Because He wants to stress that what Christ is saying is true, and that it is vitally important information that all Christians living in the end times need to know.

Revelation 6:1-8 tells us about the breaking of the first four seals, resulting in false christs, wars, famines and death. Now these famines are related to financial hardship – that is, there will be major economic problems, which should not surprise us. We see too that these first four seals are very similar to the beginning birth pains described in Matthew 24:4-8. This will be a most difficult and troubling time in the world, for many people will be hurting and dying. But remember, these events won’t affect everyone in the world, for “you will be hearing of wars,” and “in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” Matthew 24:6-7

Revelation 6:9-13 tells us about the breaking of the 5th seal and it speaks of more death, and specifically the martyrdom of Christians. These verses correspond to Matthew 24:9, 21, which speak of great tribulation, of Christians being killed all over the world. Matthew 24:15 informs us that it is the evil Antichrist who is promoting this persecution. Revelation 6 does not specifically talk about this Antichrist, but we need only to go to Revelation 12-13 for more details about this man’s devilish work in the end times. These are sobering passages, and you need to read them so you can learn what will be taking place, and what may be affecting you, your family and your friends. “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

But notice three things about the Christians: first, they love God’s Word and are proclaiming it. Second, they want to know when God will judge their enemies. Third, they learn that God is sovereign over each believer’s death, and has ordained who is yet to be killed, and then Christ will return to rapture the Christians who have endured, and who remain on the earth.

Revelation 6:12-17 speaks of the 6th seal. And the breaking of this seal is one thing Christians should be looking for, for this is the sign of the end of the age, which is also described in Matthew 24:29. At this time the entire world goes dark, which means great tribulation is over, is done. For the Christian this is “Hallelujah” time! For non-Christians, this is their worst nightmare, but sad to say, it is not a nightmare. These unrighteous, ungodly unbelievers now know that God’s wrath is coming, and so they try to hide from God, but they cannot hide, and they will not escape. God is most holy and these unholy worshipers of the Antichrist deserve what is coming. “It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31

What about the 7th seal? When will it be broken? It is Revelation 8:1 that tells us that this seal is broken, and it is at this time that the scroll is unrolled. Chapters 8-9 go on to describe the contents of this scroll, which is God’s righteous wrath being poured out upon an evil world. But what happens to the Christians? Revelation 7 answers this question, telling us that a great multitude of believers is delivered out of great tribulation. And so, the rapture of the Christians is in Revelation 7, and this is after the tribulation in Revelation 6, but before the wrath of God in Revelation 8.

By God’s Word and Spirit, a great number of Christians will be overcomers, and will persevere to the end of this age. They will be looking for Jesus Christ, and then suddenly be raptured into heaven, and then they will see Him, and then they will know that it was all worth it. Just think, you and I might be part of this great multitude of believers who will be lovingly, powerfully and safely taken up to be with Jesus Christ. Amen!

P.S. We recently started a new tab, Español, that takes you to blog posts that are translated into Spanish. Please tell your Hispanic friends about this. I thank my friend Mario for doing the translation work.

Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times

March 24, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #10 ~

I know I am old school, but I love road maps. When I travel, I like to know where I am at and where I am going. I like to know what cities I will pass through before I get to my destination. A map gives me clear directions. It also gives me confidence about my journey, for when I pass through those cities, I can say, “I’m right on target.” With respect to prophecy, God has given us many road maps, but Matthew 24 is one of the best road maps there is for Christians living in the end times. The following is a succinct summary and analysis of this important chapter. (I encourage you to read Matthew 24:3-36 before you read this post.)

Matthew 24:3. The disciples knew Jesus was leaving, and so they ask Him to give them some signs that would let them know when He was coming back. Jesus answers their questions but He goes on to tell them, and now He’s telling us, many more things that will be taking place before His coming, and before the rapture and resurrection of the believers.

Matthew 24:4-8. We learn: 1) There will be “birth pains”, and these are false christs, wars, famines and earthquakes. 2) As times goes on, these “birth pains” will increase in frequency and intensity. 3) They don’t affect all the people in the world, for they occur in various places. 4) They are not God’s wrath but are events leading up to the end of the age. 5) They are only beginning birth pains, and the end of the age, Christ’s return and God’s wrath is still to come.

Matthew 24:9-14. We learn: 1) These events occur after the beginning birth pains. 2) Whereas the beginning birth pains affect all kinds of people, these events focus primarily on the Christians. 3) The Christians are being hated, persecuted and martyred all over the world. 4) The gospel is being preached to the end of this age, and many Christians endure to the end of the age and then they are saved, are raptured into heaven.

Matthew 24:15-27. We learn: 1) This focuses on the Jews. 2) The Antichrist desolates the Jewish temple in Jerusalem at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. 3) He begins great tribulation against Jews in Jerusalem which then spreads to Jews and Christians all over the world. This tribulation is cut short by Christ at the end of this age. 4) These events take place in the same time frame as verses 9-14, which means God’s work with the Jews in the end times is in conjunction with and coinciding with His work with the church. 5) The final event listed is Christ’s coming, which corresponds with the end of the age that is spoken of in verses 3, 13 and 14.

Matthew 24:28. Many people are dying all over the world because of these events.

Matthew 24:29-31. We learn: 1) The sign of the end of the age is cosmic disturbances which occur after the tribulation, the persecution of the Christians. 2) The sign of Christ’s coming is the heavens being lit up by the Shekinah glory of Christ. 3) Verse 31 is a resurrection and rapture verse, for believers will be gathered together from the heavens (those who have died in the past), and from the earth (those who survive the tribulation). 4) God’s wrath will occur after these two signs and the rapture of the church on earth. Isaiah 13:9-10, Joel 2:31

Matthew 24:32-34, 36. No one knows the day and hour of Christ’s return, that is, the specific time of Christ’s coming. But Christians can know the general time, for the events given in this chapter are to inform and encourage us that Christ’s coming is getting closer and closer.

Matthew 24:35. This chapter is God’s Word, and the events discussed here will absolutely, unquestionably, undoubtedly and undeniably take place, and maybe in our lifetime.

In conclusion let me say: 1) It is 2017, and we are now in verses 4-8, in the beginning birth pains. 2) People will say all kinds of things about the end times in the years to come, and so don’t be naïve or deceived, but rather examine Matthew 24 so you can be discerning, so you can not only know what events are going to occur, but the order of these events. 3) Twenty different events listed in Matthew 24 need to happen before Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. 4) As Christ’s coming gets closer, the believers living on earth will be seeing these events taking place. Therefore, encourage one another as you see the day of Christ drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

P.S. I’ve just added an important new article on trials, which I hope and trust will encourage you!

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