It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.
The opening lines from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities
These words penned by Charles Dickens accurately reflects a modern-day comparison between the frustrations of an increasingly Godless world and the hope of God’s people in the face of what many are calling the End Times!
There are so many news events that seem to point to the inevitable conclusion that we are indeed in the last days. This is why, for instance, News2morrow has come into existence. The news is rife with comparisons to Biblical prophecies, as we’ve outlined in various articles in News2morrow.
While we can easily see the harsh realities of these days, we don’t often speak about the benefits of living in these last days. And there are many. Here are seven.
EXPLOITS – Those who know Jesus will do exploits, miraculous things
Referring to the end times: “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).
In a world that grows increasingly dark and hostile towards Christians, God’s people will be granted an ability to carry out supernatural activities that we only thought were possible in the first century church. (See related link on “Our Finest Hour!“)
Think of Jesus’ miracle of the feeding of thousands from a few loaves of bread and few fishes. Can you ever imagine that there might ever be a need for such a miracle again, what with the growing potentiality of natural disasters and nuclear war? Jesus says that “greater things” than He has done will be done by His people. And Daniel pinpoints the time to the days we are living in now.
The key ingredient to moving in the miraculous is to know the Lord! It is not just a religion that they follow, but a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus, where they commune in intimate fellowship.
POWER – God’s Spirit will be poured out upon many people in the last days
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit (Joel 2:28-29).
God’s main focus is preparing a people that will be harvested in these last days. The joy He has in appropriating that which is His comes forth in this loving expression of spreading forth His Spirit abundantly, to those how know Jesus, that they may have access to all that is awaiting them before and after His return.
Prophecies, dreams and visions will be given prolifically to average, simple people from all walks of life. Servants and handmaids signifies that one doesn’t have to be a popular TV evangelist to be filled with His Spirit to do great things in His name. God will even empower the least of us to fulfill great purposes.
Yet, News2morrow is sure that God’s mercy is such that when He says all flesh, He means all flesh!
How many of you know that preaching to Muslims today is not only difficult, because one has to break through their deep-rooted religious mindset, but it’s often dangerous, as Muslim-on-Christian persecution has increased exponentially worldwide. But God has a way of breaking through the hardness of people’s hearts (link).
We now hear of reports of Muslims coming to know the Lord Jesus through dreams and visions. God is able to pierce through to the heart of people in cultures that prohibit Christian evangelism.
PROTECTION – Supernatural grace and protection will be afforded the elect amid great tribulation
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10)
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee (Psalms 91:7)
It’s important to note that the Great Tribulation is a time of great persecution of the saints. Many Christians will give glory to God by giving up their lives in martyrdom. But there will be a remnant of His people that will be secure and protected. It is the elect of God that will remain (Matthew 24:22) and rise up in glory at the return of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
It is imperative that those who know the Lord hear from the Lord for His direction and guidance for these days — that means a daily, ongoing fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
ILLUMINATION – God’s word will be opened up for the end times
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased… And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end… none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:4, 9, 10).
Greater clarity of God’s word, specifically regarding end-time events (eschatology), will be opened up to His people with an ever increasing understanding the closer we get to the end. Many will be shocked and surprised when their understanding of a pre-tribulation rapture fails to occur. With greater understanding of God’s end-time events, there will be a greater dependency on hearing the Lord for oneself and how to fulfill one’s destiny and prepare for His return.
BLESSING – There is a blessing given to those read and keep the prophecies of the book of Revelation
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand (Revelation 1:3).
As an act of kindness, we are generally offering blessings to others in the form of some type of God bless you, but, here, God offers His personal blessing to those who read the book of Revelation. Now is the time to dig into this eschatological word. Now is the time to trim your lamp and absorb His word for this day.
People have a hesitancy to read Revelation, but we are rejecting the blessing the Lord wants to give us. Couple point 5 with point 4, and we can surmise that the blessing of point 5 can include a greater understanding of the book of Revelation and of the times we’re living in. So, go into it.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear (Matthew 13:16).
But that’s not all, the full blessing is for those who read the book, and receive the book and then follow through on what it says!
GLORY – God’s glory and presence within His people will become stronger
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts (Haggai 2:9)
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee (Isaiah 60:2).
The end times will find two factions growing in direct opposition to one another: darkness and light — the greater the darkness in the world, the greater the light in God’s people. And, with it, the greater glory, anointing, power and presence in His people.
Generally, wherever the Lord is, His glory radiates from within Him — whether it was His temple on earth, His abode in heaven, or His abode in His people, there is glory radiating! That glory is His presence within His people, bringing His people into a greater communion within Himself.
RAPTURE – The return of Jesus Christ is imminent
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1Thessalonians 4:16-18).
After thousands of years of humanity waiting, as God patiently fulfilled His purposes on the earth, we are the privileged generation that will probably be alive for the return of Jesus Christ.
There is no more welcome news than that, for a darkened, sin-ladened world! We are born for such a time as this, living to see the return of Jesus! Consider that good news, that there is hope beyond the present shaking we see in the world!
Imagine the Messiah returning with healing for the nations, hope for humanity, salvation for all, truth and justice in our cities, and the removal of satanic elements that have caused this world so much sorrow, death and suffering.
The news events outlined in News2morrow point to this grand event in our day!
Yes, Come, Lord Jesus.
