Circular Letter Spring 2005
/ Ewald Frank
Langue: anglais
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2. Point 1
Point 1
In Matthew 24, in Mark 13, and in Luke 21 we find the predictions about the events and the natural disasters which must take place before the return of Jesus Christ.
What happened on December 26th, 2004, when the sea waves reached a speed of 800 km/h, reminded us of the Word in Lk. 21:25, “... and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” The unprecedented destruction the tsunamis left behind brought great distress to countless people. Among the victims were not only the inhabitants of those countries, but also vacationers from all over the world. Oddly enough, the animals were warned in a most wonderful way and escaped the devastating flood by retreating to safe grounds. Neither a monkey nor a rabbit was found dead. At the time of Noah, the animals came in pairs into the ark (Gen. 7) and thus escaped the flood. Of human beings it is written, “... and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away” (Mt. 24:39). They continued walking in their ways, scorning the message of the prophet, not heeding to the warning. They did not believe that God would make good on what He had announced through Noah and subsequently perished in the flood. Following last year’s tragedy, many newspaper headlines read, “Where was God?” God is always found in the warning voice within His Word.
In recent times we are increasingly hearing about catastrophes, wars, and unrests of every kind. Countries and continents now seem to suffer ever more and ever worse tragedies. The events of December 2004 force us to reflect, and surely this generation shall not forget what happened.
The impact of this earthquake has shocked all of humanity, regardless of race and religion. We furthermore hear daily reports about the victims of terror attacks in Iraq, but also especially in Israel. Now more or less all people realise that peace has been taken from the earth. There is perplexity among the nations and the fearful expectation of those things which are still to come. September 11th, 2001, went down in history and will always be remembered. Since December 26th, 2004, the fear seems to have intensified. Not even a world-wide early warning system can prevent what is yet to come. The end-time is here, the coming of the LORD is near. Scriptural prophecies are being fulfilled everywhere.
The Almighty gives the warning to all of humanity in an understandable way. The signs of the time point to the end of the time of grace. Our LORD Himself told us in Lk. 21 that we should watch and pray to receive the power to escape all things which will come upon the face of the earth (vv. 34-36). Many can see the signs of the time, but only those who believe as the Scripture says can place them according to the end-time developments. To those applies the utterance of our LORD, “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (v. 31).
Also being fulfilled at this time is what our LORD said back then, “... how often would I have gathered thy children together, ... and ye would not!” (Mt. 23:37). All well-meant charismatic meetings, all religious services are in vain, if the audience is not directly acquainted with the divine message for this time. Even all worship is in vain, where commandments of men and their doctrines are being taught (Mk. 7). The LORD wishes to gather His own unto Himself, to speak to them in a direct way, so they are prepared to partake in the last visitation and receive their completion for the glorious day of His return. Only after that the apocalyptic judgements of wrath, as they are shown in the seven trumpets and seven vials in the Book of Revelation, will come upon humanity. The current events are only a fraction of what will happen then, but they are supposed to direct our attention to the promises God made to the Church for this last time, which are now coming to fulfilment. When the predicted earthquake in California happens and the whole area along the San Andreas Fault breaks off and slides into the ocean, then it could already be too late. The flood waves that will be caused will surpass in magnitude anything that has happened so far.