Ministerial Message

NEW YEAR PREDICTIONS
by Rob Bruce
So the Mayans missed the mark. We’re still here. What does 2013 and the future hold for us? Really?  Is all of this prophetic stuff just more comedic fodder for Stephen Colbert? The final word on the subject comes from THE “WORD,” Jesus Christ (Jn.1:1,14). He can speak for himself today and I’ll briefly comment. As you read, notice that many of Jesus’ very specific predictions have already come true. All of them eventually will.
Jesus’ disciples asked him about the end of the world right after he prophesied the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (which happened in 70 AD). They said,
“What sign will signal Your return and the end of the world?”
Jesus told them in Matthew 24:4,5 “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.
WARS And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. v.6-8
FALSE PROPHETS And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the good news about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. v.11 -14
APOCALYPSE For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones. “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. v.21- 24
COSMIC CHAOS “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. v.29, 30
GET READY Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear. “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” Matt 24:35- 39 NLV
There you have it. The people of Noah’s day did not “realize what was going to happen.” How tragic. They should have known. Noah warned them for decades “a flood is coming people. Get right with God” (2 Pet. 2:5). They mocked him as a religious nut and stuck their fingers in their ears. “We’ve heard your garbage for years and look – where’s your big bad flood?” It swept them all away. Today’s party- hardy people are no different. Many people in and outside of the church do not believe it. What they really want to hear will deceive them. “That is the way it will be” just before he returns, Jesus flatly warned. Will all the above happen? Or are we on our own to figure this apocalyptic stuff out? He said, “My words will never disappear.” It’s a done deal.
God’s not angry. He alerts us out of love. His red emergency beacon is blazing brighter than ever before in history. Things are beyond crazy. Yet it’s not all doom and gloom. Those who are ready need not panic. This will be a year of peace for those who love him and focus on the good news. God has an eternal party waiting people! Begin this New Year by beginning a new life. Welcome it by welcoming him into your heart. Scary times are coming, but we don’t have to fear. Don’t miss the boat. (For the full version- read Matthew 24) (above paragraph titles are mine)

Rob Bruce
Pentecostal Hiway Tabernacle

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