THE LAST DAYS
Anita Clark
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s heart’s failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" Luke 21:25-26.
We are beginning to see more and more phenomena in the sky and earth showing us that time is very short until the coming of the Lord. While the greatest manifestation of these prophesied signs will take place during the tribulation, we see the "beginning of sorrows" at this present time (Mt. 234:8).
THE NEXT BLOOD MOON – In the January 2014 edition of The Glorious Gospel I wrote about NASA‘s announcement that there will be four blood moons (a "tetrad") manifested in 2014 and 2015. These blood moons will take place on the Jewish Passover, April 15th, and the Feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) October 8th of 2014, and then again on Passover, April 4, 2015 and Feast of Trumpets September 13, 2015. Not all blood moons appear on Jewish feast days, but when they did in the past, significant happenings sometime happened in connection with Israel.
The Jewish Press, a political and religious publication in the United States founded by Rabbi Sholom Klass, printed an article called "Messianic Blood Moon: Rising on Passover" Seder Night." It quotes Joel 2:30-31, which Peter quoted on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:19-20, which we more often teach is speaking of the last seventy-five days of Tribulation. However there may be truth to be had concerning these blood moons manifesting at this time also.
What is a blood moon? It takes place when there is a partial lunar eclipse, happening when the earth’s shadow covers the moon only partially. The earth’s atmosphere bends light around its edge and scatters out short wavelength light (green through violet), leaving longer-wavelength light (red, orange and yellow) in earth’s shadow.
There have been blood moons "tetrad" that occurred on Jewish feast days with events happening in connection to Israel which we have written about before. Since these happening there has been other "tetrads" of blood moons, but none on Jewish Feast Days. Now, in 2014 & 2015 on Passover and Feast of Tabernacles they are appearing again. The Jewish Talmud (Text of Rabbinic Judaism, expands on the Hebrew Bible, book of tradition/interpretation) says, "When the moon is in eclipse, it’s a bad omen for Israel. If the face is as red as blood, (it is a sign that) the sword is coming to the world."
In recent issues of Glorious Gospel, there has been an in-depth study of the Feasts of Israel and their significance to God’s time table of events. Jesus Christ died on the Passover, and fifty days later on the Feast of Pentecost, the church was baptized into one body, and the Holy Spirit began to fill believers. For many long years we have waited for Christ to come back in what is called the Rapture, when He will translate His overcoming Bride to Himself, and then the remaining ranks of the church in their respective times. The Feast of Trumpets corresponds to that time when Christ will blow the trumpet, and the saints will rise up to meet Him. Then will follow the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a time when Israel would make booths out of tree branches and camp outside and have wonderful feasts and worship. This feast speaks to us of the Millennial Reign, or Kingdom Age. Oh, how happy Israel will be, who have accepted the Lord Jesus as He returns in the clouds at the end of the tribulation. They will dwell on the renovated earth in an agricultural society, as the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed. The other feast of the Fall season which I haven’t mentioned is the Great Day of Atonement, when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holy Place to make the sin offering for himself and then again for the people. Those who endure through the tribulation will see Christ whom they rejected long ago coming in the clouds of glory and will repent and be born again as a nation born in a day (Isa. 66; Mt. 24:27-31; Rev. 1:7; & 19:11-20; Zech. 14). As a nation they will receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their King and Savior.
As far as these Blood Moons are concerned, we saw the first one on Passover this year - April 15, 2014. Since that time Hamas continued to send rockets into Israel, tunnels were created by Hamas into Israel in order to kidnap and injure Israelis in terrorist attacks, which brought about the retaliation of Israel in July 2014, sending troops into Gaza to destroy the tunnels. The international results has been a barrage of criticism and blame pointed at Israel. There is a cease fire right now negotiated by Egypt. However, many nations have condemned Israel for its actions, although trying to defend themselves against this aggression. It remains to be seen if this is the situation that the Blood Moons of 2014 is signaling, or if something greater is in the offing.
October 8, 2014 is the Feast of Tabernacles. We watch for significant events to be taking place involving Israel. The Feast of Trumpets is September 25, 2014, which speaks of the possible trumpet sound of Christ calling His beloved ones to Himself from the Church Age. Apostle Paul wrote of the trumpet that will sound in I Thess 4:13-18. We are not setting dates, but we do have a great hope that He will come very soon. This will take place before the tribulation of seven years.
EU/ISRAEL SIGN 2020 SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT – An article from Haaretz.com Israeli website reports that the EU has signed an agreement with Israel, giving Israel the same access to EU research and innovation as that enjoyed by EU members. The article states, "For Israel to have this prestigious recognition is amazing." President Barroso, head of the EU rightly declared, "Israel is a strong player in research and innovation." He was expressing the fact that Europe needs Israeli intelligence and innovation more than Israel needs Europe. Although Israel is not a member of the EU, Israel participates in virtually all major European events, even sports. News From Israel magazine states, "This shows that the Roman Empire is well and alive; just as Israel was part of the Roman Empire during the birth of Christ, we believe that Israel will be part of Europe when Christ returns." From study of the Scripture, we see that in the endtime the Beast (Antichrist), from the revived Roman empire, who will rule the earth. This continued recognition of Israel by the EU, as a non-member state, shows the nearest of the endtime scenario of Antichrist ruling and bringing Israel to believe that there is peace and safety for them by sheltering under the wings of the EU. Already, as a non-member state they can and do attend all the EU meetings on world affairs, but do not have the right to vote. Daniel 9:27 tells of the "covenant" that will be made in the endtime with the Antichrist. This covenant will herald in the seven years of tribulation. Events like the one mentioned here cause us to wonder what is next in this cooperation between Israel and the EU.
US SENATORS QUESTION MILITARY AIDE TO ISRAEL – The debate over the size of military aide given to Israel is on in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. has been giving Israel $3.1 billion a year, not including money for special purposes like iron dome (the electronic defence system to prevent missiles striking Israel). In June senators raised the question for the first time as to whether U.S.A. should continue granting such large amounts to Israel. Israel uses this money to purchase military equipment from the U.S.A. At the present time Israel claims that it is running out of money and has ordered a halt to all air force training flights and cut backs on training for ground forces.
We are reminded again of what God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Beware to those who fight against Israel. For even though they are in unbelief, they are still God’s chosen people. People of Israel can believe in the Lord Jesus today and become God’s children, but one day soon He will draw them back to Himself.
MORE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND EARTH – Events in the heaven and earth are signs speaking to us of the coming judgment of God on this world. The world has had several axis shifts since 12-26-2004. You might recognize that date as being the date of the terrible earthquake of 9.3 and tsunami off the coast of Indonesia. The earth shifted on its axis 1 inch with that quake. On 2-27-2010 a earthquake off Chili, the fifth largest ever recorded, measuring 8.8 caused the earth axis to shift 3 inches, and shortened the length of a day by speeding up planetary rotation. On 3-11-2011 the terrible 9.0 earthquake in Japan took place and shifted the earth’s axis 4-10 inches, and also, literally moved Japan eight feet to the east. On August 24,2014 San Francisco, CA experienced a 6.0 quake and the same day Peru experienced a 5.7 and a 6.4, and Chile had two quakes of 5.7 and 6.4. The California quake was the strongest in 25 years. The governor of the state declared a state of emergency, damage could top $1 billion. Scientists say they are expecting three times more mega quakes in the 21st century. They define a "mega quake" as one by which 50,000 or more people are killed.
Jesus predicted that pestilence or disease would be a great concern in the last days. Right now there are several that are considered "mega" around the globe. These are HIV/AIDS, SARS, A(H1N1), Swine Flu, Ebola, West Nile Virus, Mideast Coronavirus. The United States is sending troops to Africa to help set up emergency hospital camps to try to combat the spread of Ebola. This is a very serious time to be alive. Many different ills are showing the time of the seven years of tribulation is at hand. Take heed! We are living in the time of the end. Jesus Christ is coming so very soon. Yield to God now. Be warned that the time is hand. Jesus will soon sound the trumpet to call His beloved ones to His side. Are you ready?
