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"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
(Matthew 24:6)
Like many of you, I am watching closely the events surrounding the war between Israel and Iran. My heart breaks for all those who are suffering in every country. I have been clear in my support of Israel and Ukraine, but that does not mean I am against the people of other countries. I do pray for new leadership in countries like Palestine, Iran, and Russia. But there is a coming a day when Jesus returns and all wars will cease! No more suffering, invasions, genocides, hunger, etc. Praise God! Please join me in prayer for the following:
- Salvation of the Jewish and Iranian people
- The peace of Jerusalem, and peace in Ukraine
- A quick end to all wars
- For protection for all, especially the poor, vulnerable, and all noncombatants
- That revival would sweep across the Middle East
I love the doctrine of eschatology, which means a study of last things. My great grandfather, Samuel Isaacs, was an evangelist who lived to be 99 years old. His passion in ministry was the return of Christ and the study of the last days. I visited him when I was 17 years old while he was in a nursing home in Oklahoma. He was so passionate about Jesus, and when he began to speak about the Lord's return, I was thinking the Lord might come back right now and get him!
For years I have studied end times prophecy, especially as it is revealed in the Book of Revelation. I have preached twice through this entire book, verse by verse. There is still much mystery regarding the Lord's return. But there is no mystery in the fact that He will come back! He promised to do so in John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Scripture teaches repeatedly that Jesus will indeed come back. For example, Acts 1:11 states, "Who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." And we are not to be afraid but comforted in the fact that Jesus will come back. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
There is much debate over important doctrines like the Rapture of the Church, the Great Tribulation, and the Millennial Kingdom. There is an interesting biblical text in Ezekiel 38-39 that I believe has not been fulfilled, and we might be close to seeing this biblical prophecy unfold in our days. Ezekiel records the vision of the dry bones. He also describes how the nations of this world will come and fight against Israel in a climactic battle, but God will supernaturally intervene and save them.
There will be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus comes. The best things we can do as followers of Jesus is pray, stay ready, and help as many people as possible to come to know Jesus Christ before it is too late.
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