Last time we ended with a brief look at the arrival of false Christs on the world scene. The Apostle John wrote about such sometime between AD 90-95 when he said: "...and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come..." (1 John 2:18) Remembering Jesus' references to birth pangs and the budding of a fig tree in Matthew 24, we understand that as the time of Jesus' return grows short, these signs will increase in intensity and frequency, and that is exactly what is happening. We also noted how these signs parallel the removal of the seals from the great scroll in Revelation 6.
Now we investigate what we might call the second bud on the fig tree or the removal of seal #2. Jesus says in Matthew 24:6, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." The parallel consistency continues as we read "When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, 'Come!' Then another horse came out, a fiery red one, Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth, and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword."
We live in a day when conflict between nations, the potential for conflict or the rumor of conflict dominate the news. In the last century there were two world wars and several other major conflicts. In the recent decades there have been more localized wars in Bosnia, Somalia, Darfur, Rwanda, and Israel. Nuclear sabres have been rattled by India, Pakistan, North Korea and Iran. In all of these our attention is continually drawn to the Middle-east, with Jerusalem as the epicenter.
Without the assurance that God is in charge, and without the knowledge that His plan of the ages is unfolding on the world stage, such things are cause for alarm. During this holiday time, who wants to think about such things. Maybe they will all just go away and there will be peace n earth, good will among men. There will be peace on earth, but not until the Prince of Peace returns and establishes it. And before that happens, times of stress and hardship will come like never before on planet earth. But Jesus said, "See to it that you are not alarmed."
So while you and I were digesting our turkey and pumpkin pie, the rumors of war were intensifying. Hamas continues to fire rockets into southern Israel from Gaza and Israel retaliates with air strikes. Almost slipping in under the radar, on November 27, 2009, Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. General Ido Nehushtan told a Tel Aviv University audience: "The time for hard decisions is fast approaching," adding, "The scope of security threats to Israel is very complex and we must prepare for all exigencies."
These "hard decisions" are viewed by experts as having to choose between striking Iran's ballistic missile bases or the missiles pointing at Israel from Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, as well as dealing with hostile ships facing Israel from a fifth direction, the Mediterranean. A two week joint exercise between Israel and the US in the beginning of November revealed that Israel would be incapable of extending total security to its missile bases, airfields, strategic sites and its civilian population if facing a coordinated strike from all five directions.
There is much speculation about whether Israel would make a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and whether the US would support her. Strangely enough, the Bible seems to suggest that a coordinated attack from the north of Israel and from Iran (Persia) will occur first. Ezekiel 38 - 39 describe a cataclysmic attack against Israel. God intervenes in this battle, destroying Israel's enemies with confusion, natural and supernatural disaster. As you read these chapters, much of the language sounds like an ancient attempt to describe a limited nuclear war.
As we close this installment, I should point out that the means with which God brings this war to a shortened conclusion, are some of the same signs we shall explore in the next edition. So the birth pangs will continue, and the fig tree will continue to bud. Ultimately there will be two types of responses to such events: 1) Those joyously awaiting the return of Christ will stand, looking up as their redemption draws near, 2) Others' hearts will fail them for fear of things to come. It's time to take inventory - to which group do you belong?
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