Be Watching

What should we be watching for? First, Jesus told His disciples the End Times would be marked by a variety of signposts affecting the natural order:

• Earthquakes (v. 7)…as we’ve seen in Japan, Haiti, and Chile
• Famines (v. 7)…as much of Africa is experiencing
• Diseases and plagues (Luke 21:11)…such as the HIV virus and new forms of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
• Turmoil of the sea and waves (Luke 21:25)…as we’ve seen in the Japanese and Asian tsunamis

Today the earth is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. Devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, and famines are clear prophetic shockwaves in the balance of nature. Paul said “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs” (Romans 8:22)—and the birth pangs are growing more intense each year.

In addition to these signposts in nature, today’s news headlines display a stunning list of political events that are fulfilling Bible prophecies:

• Creation of the modern state of Israel. This incredible event in prophetic history occurred on May 14, 1948, when the modern state of Israel was born. This fulfilled God’s promise to restore a remnant of Jews to their homeland: “I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land” (Ezekiel 37:21).

Against all odds from a human standpoint, the nation of Israel was reborn, and millions of people from all over the world have returned to stake their claim to their prophetic destiny. Isaiah 66:8 asks, “Can a nation be born in a day?” Well, Israel was!

• Liberation of Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, from Gentile control. This amazing fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures is foretold in Luke 21:24: “Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” After thousands of years of Gentile control, Jerusalem was captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967. Despite pressure to “give back” this strategic land that God promised to His people, it remains in Israel’s hands today.

• Jerusalem becoming the focal point of world attention. Although Jerusalem has always been a focal point of God’s prophetic plan, in recent decades it also has become the epicenter of contention among the nations of the world. From a human standpoint, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is unsolvable, and it increasingly has drawn the world’s attention.

Jesus predicted a time when Jerusalem would be “surrounded by armies” (Luke 21:20), a fulfillment of Zechariah 12:2-3:

I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

• Alignment of specific nations against Israel. We need to realize that the events we read about in the Middle East today are not a matter of chance or happenstance. Hundreds of years before the time of Jesus, the prophet Ezekiel foretold how specific nations would align themselves against Israel in the End Times (Ezekiel 38-39). Russia will join Arab nations such as Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan in an ill-fated invasion against the nation of Israel.

These alliances are forming at a rapid pace, and Iran, in particular, has stepped up its hostility toward Israel. Elected in 2005, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” Since his call for Israel’s annihilation, he also has called for the elimination of the United States and the United Kingdom!

Be Ready

We can’t keep the prophetic storms from coming, but we CAN prepare ourselves spiritually for the days ahead. Jesus said we can prepare for the storms by obeying His Word so our house is built on a foundation of rock instead of sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

A few years ago, God gave me a message about the shaking process now taking place across the earth (Hebrews 12:25-29). He’s giving us—His people—an opportunity to shake ourselves with repentance and obedience, so He doesn’t have to shake us with judgment. This means ridding ourselves of secret sins and “unfruitful branches” in our lives (John 15:2).

According to 1 Peter 2:9, God calls us to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” He has set us apart to fulfill His purposes in our generation (Acts 13:36).

But often we are shaken along with the world, because we’ve adopted its values instead of obeying the teachings of Scripture. Instead of shining as a light in the midst of darkness, we’ve blended in with the surrounding culture—a culture that is increasingly hostile to God.

There’s still time for the Body of Christ to regain its identity and spiritual authority. We must heed God’s instruction in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to humble ourselves…pray…seek His face…and turn from our wicked ways. If we do this, He has promised to forgive our sins and heal our land!

Be Doing

I’m reminded of an old song that says, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” What a great reminder that we should devote ourselves, as Jesus did, to our “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). This should be our diligent pursuit as we await our Lord’s return: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when He comes, will find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).

But sadly, many Believers have become so wrapped up with the cares of this life that they’ve lost sight of the prophetic signposts of Jesus’ soon return. Many of us have failed to realize this life is not even a blink of an eye compared to eternity.

What is our Father’s business? Above all, it’s to win SOULS! Our life on this earth should reflect the mission statement of Jesus: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). That’s why we’re here: to win the Lost at any cost!

Jesus specifically tied His Second Coming to our faithfulness in fulfilling the Great Commission: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). By faithfully preaching the Gospel around the world, we’re preparing the way for our Lord’s return!

Taking the Light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth is no easy task. It takes commitment…prayer…work…tenacity…and money. Just as the enemies of the Gospel always seem willing to spend “a large sum of money” to spread their lies (Matthew 28:12-13), much money will be required for God’s people to lift up the name of Jesus throughout the earth!

The Clock Is Ticking

It’s impossible to read the Bible and today’s news headlines without reaching a sobering conclusion: The birth pains of the End Times are well under way, and God’s prophetic clock is ticking down to the final hour.

But the good news is that God offers to give us overwhelming victory, even in the most difficult of times. Instead of victims, we can be victors! We are called to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

God also has given Inspiration Ministries a vital mandate in these perilous times:

We are called to create prophetic shockwaves for God’s Kingdom

as we impact people for Christ worldwide through media!

Although the Lord could come back at any time, He’s patiently giving the Lost time to repent (2 Peter 3:9). He’s giving us more time to preach the Gospel to the nations, and we’re going to do everything we can…for as long as we can…in every way that we can…to see the knowledge of the glory of the Lord cover the earth like the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

Thanks to your prayers and financial Seeds, Inspiration Network International is evangelizing Lost Souls in the very epicenter of God’s prophetic shockwaves: Middle Eastern nations such as Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. Please join Barbara and me in praying that millions in this troubled region will find the Prince of Peace before it’s too late.

I’d rather be alive today than in any other time in history. It’s incredibly exciting to see the words of Revelation 14:15 being fulfilled through this ministry that we share together: “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe!”

The Good News

Thankfully, we can be people who understand the times but don’t give in to fear or worry. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Through Jesus, you can be an overcomer, my friend. Your troubles are only temporary. Your heartaches, disappointments, and miseries will pass away like “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Remember: This world is not your home! The Bible says “our sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

So, take heart. And as you see God’s prophetic signposts unfold in today’s headlines…

BE WATCHING…paying close attention to events affecting Israel, God’s prophetic timepiece.

BE READY…studying and obeying God’s Word so your spiritual foundation is strong and you’re prepared to meet the Lord.

BE DOING…Sowing regular Seeds for Souls.

Together, let’s be about the Father’s business, impacting people for Christ worldwide through media.

Your friend and partners to reach the Lost,