Kari Lee Fournier
Bible prophecy 101: What to watch for
By Kari Lee Fournier
The Holy Bible is the only book that foretells the future. Many expert theologians who study the Bible and the ancient Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek languages agree on certain points involving the upcoming 'winding down of events' on Earth. Though some ridicule prophecy (behavior also foretold), Biblical scholars caution that Jesus commanded us to be watchful of the times/seasons so we are not caught unaware.
Scholars also tell us the difference between past 'watchful waiting' and that of the present involves the 'fig tree,' meaning Israel (God's chosen people, through whom the Messiah Jesus Christ and God's Law would be delivered) being fully regathered – as of May 14, 1948. Though scattered to the nations in 70 A.D., Israel never ceased to exist as a people – as did all other ancient groups. Ezekiel 36 foretells God bringing Israel back from all lands in His 'vision of the dry bones,' which miraculously took place within the prophesied 24-hour period. The Bible adds that all end times events will occur during the generation of the fig tree. Psalms 90:10 refers to a generation as 70 to 80 years. Following is a brief outline of the last generation prophesies:
1) The Rapture occurs. An event whereby, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, believers in Jesus Christ are "caught up...in the air" to meet the Lord. Some believe this will occur later; yet the fact that Jesus describes in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: "For when they say, "Peace and safety!"...." indicates to others the Rapture precedes the horribly destructive times of the Tribulation.
2) The Anti-Christ, a political/religious leader, appears on the world scene – promising peace to Israel and the world, and ushering in a worldwide economic/political system.
3) The Anti-Christ proffers a peace treaty with Israel, which Israel accepts.
4) This treaty signals the beginning of The Tribulation, a seven-year period of judgment, whereby all are offered a last chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior – One Who was God in the flesh, and also died for our sins and was resurrected.
5) During the middle of The Tribulation, the Anti-Christ will break the treaty with Israel, stand in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and demand to be worshipped as God – known as 'The Abomination of Desolation.'
6) At the end of The Tribulation, world armies gather at Armageddon to fight, whereupon Jesus Christ returns to Jerusalem, His feet on the Mount of Olives. The armies then decide to, rather than fighting each other, attack Jesus – whereupon, according to Revelation 19:15, Jesus appears, and "...out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations."
7) There is 1,000 years of peace on Earth when Jesus rules with the Saints, the believers in Him.
In Matthew 36, Jesus said: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Yet He cautioned us to be aware of the times/seasons. Indeed, He wept bitterly entering Jerusalem on a donkey during Passover (the only time He allowed Himself to be worshipped) because they did not know He was The Messiah. He knew that ultimately, Israel would reject Him. And yet they should have known, according to prophecy in The Book of Daniel. As our beloved evangelist Billy Graham once put it: "I preach with the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other."
(Originally published September 1, 2012, in the Green Bay Press-Gazette)
© Kari Lee Fournier
June 20, 2019
The Holy Bible is the only book that foretells the future. Many expert theologians who study the Bible and the ancient Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek languages agree on certain points involving the upcoming 'winding down of events' on Earth. Though some ridicule prophecy (behavior also foretold), Biblical scholars caution that Jesus commanded us to be watchful of the times/seasons so we are not caught unaware.
Scholars also tell us the difference between past 'watchful waiting' and that of the present involves the 'fig tree,' meaning Israel (God's chosen people, through whom the Messiah Jesus Christ and God's Law would be delivered) being fully regathered – as of May 14, 1948. Though scattered to the nations in 70 A.D., Israel never ceased to exist as a people – as did all other ancient groups. Ezekiel 36 foretells God bringing Israel back from all lands in His 'vision of the dry bones,' which miraculously took place within the prophesied 24-hour period. The Bible adds that all end times events will occur during the generation of the fig tree. Psalms 90:10 refers to a generation as 70 to 80 years. Following is a brief outline of the last generation prophesies:
1) The Rapture occurs. An event whereby, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, believers in Jesus Christ are "caught up...in the air" to meet the Lord. Some believe this will occur later; yet the fact that Jesus describes in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: "For when they say, "Peace and safety!"...." indicates to others the Rapture precedes the horribly destructive times of the Tribulation.
2) The Anti-Christ, a political/religious leader, appears on the world scene – promising peace to Israel and the world, and ushering in a worldwide economic/political system.
3) The Anti-Christ proffers a peace treaty with Israel, which Israel accepts.
4) This treaty signals the beginning of The Tribulation, a seven-year period of judgment, whereby all are offered a last chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior – One Who was God in the flesh, and also died for our sins and was resurrected.
5) During the middle of The Tribulation, the Anti-Christ will break the treaty with Israel, stand in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and demand to be worshipped as God – known as 'The Abomination of Desolation.'
6) At the end of The Tribulation, world armies gather at Armageddon to fight, whereupon Jesus Christ returns to Jerusalem, His feet on the Mount of Olives. The armies then decide to, rather than fighting each other, attack Jesus – whereupon, according to Revelation 19:15, Jesus appears, and "...out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations."
7) There is 1,000 years of peace on Earth when Jesus rules with the Saints, the believers in Him.
In Matthew 36, Jesus said: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Yet He cautioned us to be aware of the times/seasons. Indeed, He wept bitterly entering Jerusalem on a donkey during Passover (the only time He allowed Himself to be worshipped) because they did not know He was The Messiah. He knew that ultimately, Israel would reject Him. And yet they should have known, according to prophecy in The Book of Daniel. As our beloved evangelist Billy Graham once put it: "I preach with the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other."
(Originally published September 1, 2012, in the Green Bay Press-Gazette)
© Kari Lee Fournier
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