Last Days

Anita Clark

“I will pour upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace...and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn..as one who mourneth for his only son. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem.” Zech. 12:10-14.

Israel is so often in the news these days. They are looking for peace with a guarantee, and they will finally enter into a covenant that will seemingly assure their safety. A nation or group of nations will be the guarantors. Peace will be as a dove caught in the hand. Sad to say, it will fly away. There is no guarantee outside of trust in God. We can certainly see that the end of all things is at hand. The following are just a few of the issues we see in the news. They act as warnings to us. Jesus Christ is just about to make His appearance. We long for that day.

POPE VISITS ISRAEL - This is a very significant and historical event. Pope John Paul’s visit has caused many in Israel to speculate on what this visit means to them. The Pope has been penitent about the Catholic Church’s attitude concerning the Jews in the past, no longer blaming the Jews for killing Christ. This attitude of God’s rejection of the Jew is said to have given them the feeling that excused the termination of the Jews during WW II.

A headline in the Jerusalem Post reads, “THE SECOND COMING.” They are not talking of Christ’s second coming but the coming of the Pope. In an earlier edition of this paper, I had stated that this visit of Pope John Paul was the first such visit to Israel by a Pope of the Catholic Church, but I was wrong. There was an earlier visit by Paul VI, but it was not an official visit, but rather one of 12 hour duration. Pope Paul VI slipped in through Jordan and then went back that same way. So, the headlines declare this to be the “SECOND COMING.” If only they could realize what the real second coming means and what it will bring them.

The Catholic church is now saying that the Jews have a right to their own ancient beliefs, and declared that the Catholic Church will not try to convert any Jews to Christianity any more. Pope John Paul calls the Jews, “Our elder brother” in the faith, and He states that God’s covenant with the Jews remains valid. This attitude of acceptance is just a trick.

Some Israeli’s have said that they hope since Europe has a majority of Catholic believers, that the Pope’s visit and good reception by Israel will cause Israel to be brought into even a more favorable light with the European Union. Israel is an honorary member of the EC at present, but not a voting member. Remember that the EC, as the Revived Roman Empire represented by the toes of the great dream image of Daniel 2:31-35, seems to be the entity in the end time where the Antichrist will come forth. In Daniel 2:34, a stone cut not with hands will hit the revived Roman empire and will brake it in pieces. Truly these events are very significant. The one world government is being heralded constantly by political leaders, especially Pres. Clinton. Recently, on his trip to India, he spoke of our Global responsibility and bringing about a new world order.

According to Revelation 17 & 18 the False Church will go hand & hand with the Antichrist. She is seen riding the beast (Antichrist), which speaks of controlling him and the nations supporting him. Church and State will once more be united. Just as this situation caused trouble for true believers in Christ and Jews during the historical time of uniting of Church and State, so it will be bad news in the end time.

Today’s headline rang out that the Pope has visited not only with Jewish Rabbi’s, but is also making conciliatory visits to Moslem leaders. He met with those leaders today. It is coming! This time of unification into one World religion will be in effect during the tribulation of seven years, soon coming on the earth. Along this same line Catholic Reverend Desmond Tutu from South Africa said to a group of religious leaders of all “faiths,” that, “We should all be in acceptance and respect of our various religions.” In other words, any belief is all right. These incidence are definite signs of the end time in which we live, and of the compromise of Christianity to gain world unity.

SYRIAN - ISRAELI PEACE TALKS ON HOLD - A full page ad in the Jerusalem POST SAYS “Peace Yes Suckers No!” Some of the hindrances to a peace deal with Syria are listed: 1.Syria has claimed in the past that “Israel’s Crimes are worse than the Nazi atrocities.” 2. Syria is encouraging Hizbullah to continue fighting. 3. Syria agreed in 1982 that it would withdraw from Labanon, and of course it has not so cannot be trusted. 4. Syria is arming itself with lethal biological weapons. For these reasons many in Israel are very dubious about peace with Syria.

It is amazing that the USA continues to push Israel to give up land that acts as a buffer line to prevent Syria from shelling Israeli villages. However, in spite of all these drawbacks to the success of the peace treaty, it will happen. Peace will finally come, no doubt being guaranteed by the EC and the USA.

Israel will be blessed after the tribulation, when they greet Christ as He returns in power and great glory. God will call them and they will be converted as a nation - Truly believing in the Son of God. Some in Israel believe today. Others believe nothing, yet others believe only in a formal religion of the Orthodox Faith.

OIL CRISIS BRINGS HIGHER PRICES - Recently the OPEC nations decided to produce less oil in order to drive the prices up on all oil products. We are now experiencing gasoline prices going up,up up. Isn’t it amazing that the Arab countries can do this, and cause so much trouble for a super power like the U.S. and other industrialized nations. Some in the U.S. have begged the President to tap into the nations oil reserves. Also, there is talk that the President may ask Alaska to curtail sending oil to Asian countries until this crisis is over. The same article which reported that, mentioned that there might be far reaching disastrous results if we did that. The U.S. has tapped off thousands of oil wells in this country, but allows Alaskan oil to be sent to Asia, and buys oil from Arabian countries. Isn’t that odd! Nations can be held hostage by the shortage of oil.

I’m reminded of the scripture in Rev.6:6, speaking of the time of judgment to come. First came a symbolic white horse, representing that the world will finally have achieved peace. Then will come a red horse, speaking of how that war will break out dissolving peace. After that is a black horse signifying famine and scarcity. It says, “...a measure of wheat for a penny, three measures of barley for a penny; and see that thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” The people of the tribulation will strain to produce enough bread (the staff of life) during the great famine time. The cry of “... hurt not the oil...,” may be a cry to be careful not to destroy the oil supply. A few years ago we might have thought that the “oil” was speaking of olive oil. But, it seems that the prophecy may be speaking about the dependence on oil as a fuel, heat, and source of many other products that we need to live. Remember that the shortage of our time, and the resulting high prices of oil is a manipulation of greedy ungodly men who don’t care if they are creating hardship on westerners who depend on the oil. During the tribulation things will be many times harder than they are now.

Look up, believers! Jesus’ coming draws near. Nothing in life is worth missing the rapture. Let us be ready and watching. Praise the Lord!