Welcome to The Prophet Daniel’s Report. This is report #667.
My name is Daniel Whyte III here to remind you that Jesus Christ is coming back soon and that you need to be prepared. This broadcast is not about predictions, nor is it about setting dates as some foolishly have done, however it is all about preparation.
First, today, let’s look at some Signs of His Coming in the news.
The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus Christ gave them (and us) clear signs that show us when we can begin to expect to see the Coming of the Lord and the end of the world. Looking at world events through the lens of the Word of God, let’s look at some headlines from today’s news that point to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Jerusalem Post, Three rockets struck the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. At least one made a direct hit on a dining facility or cafeteria at the site. Sirens that sounded in the embassy compound warned people to seek shelter. According to Iraqi sources, at least one person was wounded in the attack. It is the latest attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad, following weeks of rocket attacks near the embassy and a mass protest in late December. Iraqi politicians led by Muqtada al-Sadr [MOK-TADA AL-SA-DEER] and Hadi al-Amiri [HAH-DEE AL-AH-MI-RI] have called for US forces to leave the country. Sadr [SA-DEER] encouraged a “million person” protest Friday to evict the US. Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have been targeting US forces for months with rocket attacks. The five Katyusha [KAH-TOO-SHAH]-style rockets are the latest attack on the US Embassy and the Green Zone around it. Three rockets hit near the same compound area on January 20. One attack ended with a rocket landing near the deputy ambassador’s residence. The US has evacuated most diplomatic personnel from the embassy since tensions with Iran rose in May.
Second, today, under the Sign category of EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES — According to BBC News, At least 31 people have been killed and more than 1,600 injured in a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey. The magnitude-6.8 quake centred on the town of Sivrice [SIV-RIS] in Elazig [EH-LAH-ZIG] province caused buildings to collapse and sent residents rushing into the street. Earthquakes are common in Turkey – about 17,000 people died in a quake in the western city of Izmit [IZ-MIT] in 1999. Tremors were also felt in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Iran. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said more than 400 aftershocks were recorded. According to the latest count, some 1,607 people were injured by the earthquake.
Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to BBC News, Chinese officials say a new coronavirus that has spread to more than 20,000 people is infectious in its incubation period – before symptoms show – making it harder to contain. Over 450 people have died from the virus. Health minister Ma Xiaowei [JI-AH-WEY] told reporters the ability of the virus to spread appeared to be strengthening. Several Chinese cities have imposed significant travel restrictions. Wuhan [WOO-HAHN] in Hubei [HOO-BAY], the source of the outbreak, is in effective lockdown. Officials announced that the sale of all wildlife in China would be banned. The virus is thought to have originated in animals, but no cause has been officially identified. In humans, the incubation period – during which a person has the disease, but no symptoms yet – ranges from between one and 14 days, officials believe. Without symptoms, a person may not know they have the infection, but still be able to spread it.
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Now, it’s time for Prophecy Bootcamp.
Prophecy Bootcamp is where we deal with the basics of prophecy, the Second Coming of Christ, and what will happen in the future according to the Bible. Our aim here is not to make predictions but to help you get prepared by understanding how things will unfold in the end times.
Our topic for today is titled “A Variety of Views, Part 2” from Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson’s book “The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy.”
Amillennial. This approach sees no Millennium of any kind on the earth. Rather, amillennialists tend to view so-called millennial prophecies as being fulfilled in eternity. Biblical references to the thousand years are interpreted symbolically. In this scheme, the church age ends with the return of Christ to judge the world and usher in eternity. God’s promises to Israel are viewed as having been fulfilled in the church (the New Israel of the new covenant); therefore, amillennialists see no specific future for national Israel. They view the church age as an era of conflict between the forces of good and evil that culminates with the return of Christ.
Amillennialists do not believe in a literal kingdom on the earth following the second coming of Christ. They tend to spiritualize and allegorize the prophecies concerning the Millennium and attribute yet-unfulfilled prophecies relating to Israel to the church instead. Those who hold to amillennialism also believe Satan was bound at Christ’s first appearance on earth 2000 years ago. Furthermore, its adherents differ as to whether the Millennium is being spiritually fulfilled currently on earth or whether it’s being fulfilled by the saints in heaven. However, they tend to agree that our current state of affairs is probably as good as it’s going to get and that the eternal state (heaven), not the millennial kingdom, will immediately follow the second coming of Christ. Those who hold to this view do not adhere to a simple and plain literal interpretation of Scripture.
Lord willing, we will continue looking at this topic in our next podcast.
In closing, let’s consider what God wants you and I to do in light of His Second Coming.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 19:13 to “Occupy till I come.” In light of that, we are continuing our journey through the book, “Coming Events and Present Duties,” by J.C. Ryle. It is a collection of what he called “prophetic tracts” that focus on the believer’s duty in light of the signs which point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
This section is titled, “What Time Is It?” (Part 27). J.C. Ryle writes:
But perhaps this address has fallen into the hands of some true believer. Are you that man? Then remember these words. “The night is far spent, and the day is at hand.”
I ask you to live as if you believed the words we have been considering, and to show the world you think them true. The nearer you draw to home, the more wakeful you ought to be. The more you realize the second personal coming of the Lord Jesus, the more lively ought your Christianity to be.
Ah! it is but too true, as Legh Richmond said on his death-bed, “We are but half awake! We are but half awake!” The best of us need to have our hearts stirred up by way of remembrance. Let us rub the sleepy eyes of our mind, and look the speedy coming of our Master full in the face. Let the time past suffice us to have been drowsy and lazy servants. For the tme to come let us work like those who feel, “The Master will soon be here.”
I remember, when I was a schoolboy, I could wake up, however tired with a long journey, when I began to draw near home. Soon as I saw the old hills, and trees, and chimnies, the sense of weariness was gone, and I was all alive. The prospect of soon seeing much-loved faces,–the joy of thinking of a family gathering, all this was able to drive sleep away. Surely it ought to be the same with us in the matter of our souls. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come and will not tarry. Then let us cast off every work of darkness. Let us put on the whole armour of light. Let us be ashamed of our past drowsiness. Let us awake, and sleep no more.
If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at this topic in our next broadcast/podcast.
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CLOSING PRAYER
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Remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 24:42: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
If you are not ready for the Return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how:
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.
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