Biblical foretelling?

[hspotman]

I have read posts in here of some biblical references to some ofc what has or is happening with the GOI seating over there. I am wondering, in Revelations was there ever a scripture that tells about many in the world becoming very wealthy before the end? I only ask because I know many of you here are of a religious nature, and quote the Bible alot.

[Pat]

Don't know about that, .....but it does refer to Iraq(Babalon) being a great power of wealth,.......one reason we invested.

[hspotman]

I can't remember who said it or what thread/post it was in, but this person made biblical references that sounded like they would be happening "if" one of these people were to take office there.

Edited October 12, 2010 by hspotman

[saturday night]

I can't remember who said it or what thread/post it was in, but this person made biblical references that sounded like they would be happening "if" one of these people were to take office there.

Yesterday a Sister Mary posted about that

[C_BOLT]

This was posted previously but since you asked ...........

I would give credit where credit is due but do not know the original poster plus this was put out there in the forum some time ago.

Iraq / Babylon in Bible prophecy:

The main reason I get so excited about Iraq and Babylon is Bible prophecy. I have studied Bible prophecy and I understand the connection between end times and the need for a new Babylon in coming world history. The Bible has great detail about Iraq and the city called Babylon located inside of Iraq. In the Bible it is NOT some vague topic but Babylon is mentioned 280 times - more than any city except Jerusalem. The Bible clearly indicates Babylon was to be rebuilt in these END TIMES.

Rebuilding Babylon to the level the Bible reveals means that Iraq would in short be another Dubai using its massive oil wealth to rebuild not only Babylon but also other areas to fulfill the biblical scale surpassing even Dubai in building scope and magnificence. It’s rather easy to see Dubai as testing ground and example of what large scale mass building can achieve and what Iraq and Babylon could become in a short time. Look at what can happen in just a short time span of less than 20 years. Here is a link of Dubai with before and after pictures. If you think this could not happen in Iraq the Bible says you’re wrong. http://www.condohotelsdubai.com/articles/dubai-incredible.html

For me investing in Iraq currency was really no risk at all - in fact it was like insider trading... LOL - I already knew too well what was going to happen to that region due to Bible prophecy. If we study what God says about that area we can clearly understand drastic changes are coming to Iraq in the coming future?

Babylon is called “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 14:8, 16:19, 18:2, 10), “Great Babylon, that mighty [strong] city” (Revelation 18:10), and “the great city” (Revelation 17:18, 18:16, 18–19).

Anyone who has made a detailed open minded study of the Bible’s prophecies knows that God has fulfilled hundreds of detailed prophecies - hundreds are about Christ http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/messiah.htm

There are other prophecies about the Jews and nation of Israel. For those who doubt God’s reality one only needs to investigate Israel’s history to clearly see God is real and does what he says….. • Destruction of Israel • Exile of Israel • Dispersion of Israel • Persecution of Israel • Re-gathering of Israel • Nationhood (Israel) • Preservation of Israel • Restoration of Israel • Worldwide impact….. http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/default.htm

The Biblical God warns of the importance of his prophetic word….

I [ God ] foretold the former things [ Past prophecy ] long ago, my mouth announced them [ through prophets ] and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.[ personal involvement ] For I knew how stubborn you were; the sinews of your neck were iron, your forehead was bronze.[ hard headed ] Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you [ predictive prophecy ] so that you could not say, `My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ [False religions] You have heard these things; look at them all. [Past prophecy fulfilled] Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. [Future prophecy] [isa 48:3-6]

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things (past prophecies) have taken place, and new things I declare; (future predictions) before they spring into being I announce them to you.”[isa 42:8, 9] …

Remember the former things, those of long ago; [past prophecies] I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. [Through predictive prophecy] I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. [isa 46:9-11]

Please note the importance Jesus placed on prophecy as noted in the passages below….

Jesus appeals to the Scriptures as validity and proof…

Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures [Old Test prophecies] concerning himself. [Luke 24:25-27]

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”(Luke 18:31-33)

“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. (Jesus) And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.[ through prophecy Old Test prophecies ] You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures [Old Text] because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures [Old Testament prophecies] that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. [John 5: 36-40]

Luke 24:44 -46 And He ( Jesus ) said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms about Me. And He opened their mind to understand the Scriptures. And He said to them, so it is written, and so it beloved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

Now Paul’s importance placed on prophecy as noted in the passages below….

But I (Paul) have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen– that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” [Acts 26:22-23]

Paul said, “I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen” The life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was in great and exact detail predicted by the prophets as revealed to them by and Omniscient –possesses all knowledge, Omni present-not limited by time and space, Omnipotent-all powerful God. Paul’s case for Christ was based as was Jesus’ on O.T. Scriptures, prophecies regarding the events surrounding the first Advent of Christ

For what I [ Paul ] received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the [ Old Testament ] Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the [ Old Testament ] Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve..[1 Cor 15:3-6]

As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the [Old Testament] Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said [Acts 17:2-3]

Paul clearly and simply pointed the listeners backwards in time to prophecy foretold, Paul’s tools were sound REASON from the OLD TESTAMENT which both EXPLAINED and PROVED Jesus is the Christ. The very same method Jesus himself used.

Biblical faith is not a blind faith Biblical faith is attained only after an examination of the evidence, coupled with correct reasoning about the evidence. Sound reason and logic using the Old Testament alone points one directly to Jesus.

Before I move on to the post about Babylon let me post one more verse that drives home the importance of understanding the full weight of the prophetic warnings as found in the bible.

God’s Testimony about Jesus comes through prophecy…” Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a (The unbeliever a) liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son [through Prophecy]”. [1 John 5:9-10]

The end result or the prophetic conclusion of the first advent of Christ was Jesus being raised from the dead God by raising Jesus fulfills and confirms the OT prophet’s words and validates Jesus claims and actions

In Acts 17:31, Paul told the Athenians, “‘for he [God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man (Jesus) he has appointed. HE HAS GIVEN PROOF OF THIS TO ALL MEN BY RAISING HIM (JESUS) FROM THE DEAD.

What does this mean you ask? In short is means the constant warnings of the prophetic word related to Jesus and the prophecies about him and his death for the sins of mankind have been proven to be true in the eyes of a Holy God it means mankind as a whole is without excuse It means you and me personally are without excuse. And like it or not we are accountable to that evidence. Because God authenticated and proved Him to be His own divine Son by the resurrection (cf. Acts 2:22-36; 4:8-12; 17:30-31; Rom. 1:4).

I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.’” [Ezekiel 12:25]

It's no wonder Jesus Christ in John 10:35 declared the scriptures cannot be broken.

God’s Sovereignty allows human choice God uses mans choices both good and evil to his own means and man out of his sometimes complete ignorance of biblical prophecy he fulfills what God has already planned.

“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. [Acts 2:22-24]

The Point…Peter addressing the Jews, says they acted in ignorance; God used their freedom of choice and free will to fulfill prophecy. Their ignorance did not understand what the prophets had foretold, and the result they fulfilled prophecy.

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [Acts 4:27-29]

Today this same ignorance of prophecy exits. Herod and Pontius Pilate were no doubt educated and powerful men. Yet blinded to the truth of the Scriptures and there prophetic content they themselves were unknowingly aiding in fulfilling these prophecies. This same blindness and ignorance of today’s world’s leaders will take the world to Armageddon for this too is prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

Just a few more examples ……..

Herod tried to kill Jesus - It failed... In his ignorance he fulfilled prophecy...Mt 2:13-15

Mt 2:13-15, Jesus own brothers rejected him in there ignorance they fulfilled prophecy... Ps 69:8

the religious Jews hated Jesus and plotted to kill him…..In their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy... Ps 69:4

Herod and Pilate combine against Him …In their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy…Acts 4:26-28

Judas betrayed Christ…In his ignorance he fulfilled prophecy…Ps 55:12-14

Jesus disciples forsaking him in a moment of weakness in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy…Zech 13:7

Jesus was Accused by false witnesses …in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy….Psalms 35:11

Those whom beat Jesus in their ignorance fulfilled prophecy….Mic 5:1,Isa 52:14

Those who spit of Christ in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy… Isa 50:6

those who nailed Jesus to the cross in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy… Ps 22:16

those who offered Gall and vinegar being given him to drink…in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy… Ps 69:21

Those who placed Jesus next to two thieves on the cross in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy…Isa 53:12

Those who didn’t break Jesus legs while on the cross in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy…Ex 12:46

The Jews and the inhabitants of Jerusalem who seen Jesus on the cross in their ignorance they fulfilled prophecy…Zec 12:10

Please notice that all the nations such a Rome, the Jews in the land of Israel, their leaders and politicians, etc., or just the average person who were personally involved in some fashion in the fulfillment of prophecy were completely clueless that their daily life, actions, and decisions were somehow small pieces of the plan of God. Like then there is even now a divine plan in motion, progressing even now. There is nothing anyone can do to stop it. Part of that plan is directly about Iraq and the city called Babylon.

From the Invasion of Kuwait to the Sanctions to the Persian Gulf War, to the September 11 attacks, the 2003 invasion of Iraq to New Government of Iraq they all had purpose. The Nations of the world its governments its peoples plans and choices both right and wrong good and evil those with good and noble intentions and men with evil intent have all been foreseen and planed for in bible prophecy. The history and future of this nation is being shaped and molded into exactly what it must be in order to fulfill the prophecies about Babylon. Prophecy can’t be stopped or altered anymore than the prophecies about Jesus could have been stopped or altered men will unknowing fulfill them. Does the nations of the world understand there fulfilling prophecy no their clueless.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1826338/posts

Babylon was to be rebuilt in these END TIMES

Will Babylon be rebuilt? http://www.askelm.com/prophecy/p021002.htm

Babylon is mentioned 280 times in the Bible—more than any city except Jerusalem. It is easily the most important pagan city that ever existed, for there is hardly any city in the world that it has not in some way influenced—whether religiously, governmentally, or commercially. Her influence spread not only west to Rome, where it shaped all the developing nation states and most cities during the next two and a half millennia, but also to the east and south. Long before the word for it had been coined, socialism had been a Babylonian philosophy for the conduct of government, commerce, and religion. Most of the governments that followed it adopted many of its policies—a form of organized living independent of God.

Babylon is where Satan located his headquarters and began his centuries-old battle against God for the conquest of the souls of men. It was there that the seeds were planted for all the major religions of the world. There, government had its earliest beginnings, eventually producing Nebuchadnezzar, considered by some to have been the most autocratic dictator in history. According to both Daniel the prophet and secular history, all world governments from that time on have been inferior to Babylon. [Qx: I wonder, in terms of what—efficiency? Not the best measure of the quality of life under a government, I’d say]

Since the demise of Rome fifteen hundred years ago, no other world government has arisen—just as the prophet foretold (Daniel 2: 7). Not that many haven’t tried! But they all failed, for God revealed that there would be only four world governments. Then at the “time of the end,” the world would unite once more under ten kings who would loan their authority to one man—a Nebuchadnezzar –type, if you will—who would do as he pleased, even “changing the times and seasons” . . . for a very short time.

And in the days of these kinds the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44)

These great events will occur when God puts an end to the conflict that has been raging for millennia between Him and Satan for the allegiance of human hearts. God woos us through His Word and His Spirit to walk by faith; Satan woos us through government, commerce, and religious idolatry to walk by sight.

When Christ comes to set up His kingdom, He will destroy the city of Babylon, as well as Babylonian religion, commerce, and government. Then He will rule the world forever (Revelation 17-18). But first . . .

THE CITY OF BABYLON MUST BE REBUILT!

Once Satan moved his religious, commercial, and governmental capital to the city of Rome (in the first century before Christ), he lost interest in the original site of Babylon, located in the present country of Iraq. The city was abandoned many years later and was gradually covered by the winds and sands of time.

Around the turn of the twentieth century, some Bible teachers began to popularize the idea that the abandoned ruins of the city fulfilled prophecy. To support their position they quoted some of the prophecies relating to the eventual destruction of the city, particularly those that predict that it will never again be built. It made for colorful preaching. But as we shall see, Babylon was never destroyed as the Bible says it would be, in a single day as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

The failure to take literally these prophecies about Babylon has led otherwise good men to make some fanciful attempts to identify the Babylonian cities of Revelation 17 and 18. I well recall hearing a noted prophecy teacher expound on those texts, predicting that New York City was the new Babylon of the twentieth century [Ox once believed that] and would soon be destroyed. Again, it made for colorful preaching . . . but it was wrong.

Many of us who take a literal approach to Bible prophecy have felt for years that the city of Babylon must be restored before the Second Coming. In fact, when I wrote my commentary on the book of Revelation thirty years ago, I predicted that Babylon would be rebuilt. Little did I realize that Saddam Hussein, one of the cruelest dictators of our time, was launching such an undertaking as a monument to himself!

WHY MUST BABYLON BE REBUILT?

The main reason for believing that Babylon must be rebuilt depends on some unfulfilled prophecies concerning the city’s destruction. Let’s briefly consider five sets of these prophecies.

1. Isaiah 13 and 14 and Jeremiah 50 and 51 describe the destruction of Babylon at “the day of the Lord.”

A careful reading of these four chapters will reveal that the prophecies concerning the destruction of Babylon use the law of double reference; that is, they refer to two overthrows of Babylon. The first occurred in the seventieth year of Israel’s captivity. The second will occur on the day of Yahweh, that is, the seven-year Tribulation. At that time Babylon will be the headquarters of the world’s governmental, commercial, and religious systems—in opposition to the will of God. And at that time it will be utterly destroyed, never to rise again.

2. The ruins of Babylon have been used to build other cities, contrary to Jeremiah 51:26.

Jeremiah predicted of Babylon, “They shall not take from you a stone for a corner nor a stone for a foundation, but you shall be desolate forever.” It is reliably reported that at least six cities bear the marks of ancient Babylon in their buildings: Seleucia, Kufa, by the Caliphs; Hillah, just a twenty-minute walk from ancient Babylon, built almost entirely from Babylon’s ruins; and Baghdad, fifty miles north of Babylon, also used materials from the ancient city.

These facts alone demand the rebuilding of Babylon, because when God destroys it as recorded in Revelation 18, no part of it will ever be used to build another city.”

3. The prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah indicate that Babylon will be suddenly and totally obliterated.

“Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed” says the prophet in Jeremiah 51:8 (KJV). And Isaiah 13:19 states, “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ excellence, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (KJV).

A look at history reveals the city was never destroyed in the way these Hebrew prophets predicted it would be which guarantees it must be rebuilt. Babylon declined gradually, over hundreds of years, and never was devastated in anything like the sudden conflagration that consumed Sodom and Gomorrah. . . .

An interesting aspect to Isaiah’s prophecy is that, like the city of Sodom, Babylon is built over vast supplies of bituminous asphalt and pitch. When my friend, prophecy preacher Dr. Charles Pa, led a tour of Babylon in 1975, he was told that the asphalt is only ten feet below the surface of the earth throughout the whole city. And while that may indicate there is oil underground, it is also an ideal condition to produce its ultimate destruction by fire and brimstone. A volcanic eruption could easily fulfill the destruction of the city as described in Revelation 18. . . .

4. Isaiah 13:20 states that the ruins of Babylon are never to be inhabited.

The prophet declared of the devastated Babylon, “It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.”

But as we just saw, Babylon was inhabited for much of ancient history even after the Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire. In fact, one writer records that about A.D. 1100, under the name of Hillah, Babylon was enlarged and fortified; in 1898 Hillah boasted ten thousand inhabitants.

And certainly it has never been true that ‘Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.” Both still occur to this day. Neither can it be said of Babylon, “Her cities are a desolation, a dry land and a wilderness, a land where no one dwells, through which no son of man passes” (Jeremiah 51:43) . . .

No, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, Babylon must be rebuilt, and then destroyed in a mighty display of God’s righteous power.

5. An ancient rabbinic rule of interpretation says that when the Bible mentions an event twice, it means the event will happen twice.

If this rabbinic guideline is correct, then we can be assured that Babylon will be rebuilt, for both Isaiah and the apostle John use the same double verbs to describe its destruction:

Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground! (Isaiah 21:9)

Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8)

Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! (Revelation 18:2)

Since the word “fallen” is used twice in each of these passages, the rabbinic rule demands that the city fall twice. But if it is to fall again, it must first be rebuilt.

BABYLON ALREADY LIVES

During the early eighties I began hearing stories of rebuilding in Babylon. Several times I tried to inquire how to make a visit there so I could see for myself. My friend Dr Joe Chambers was invited in 1989 to make an official visit to the rebuilt city as a guest of the Iraqi government. When he returned, he wrote a book titled A Palace for the Antichrist, complete with pictures of the walls, the magnificent gate of Ishtar (the female goddess whose history dates to the mother of Nimrod, the worship of whom is growing in the Western world), the palace of Nebuchadnezzar and three pagan temples.

On June 28, 1990, Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson took the nation to this incredible city of Babylon via their television program Prime Time Live. They pointed out that Saddam Hussein had spent over a billion dollars of his oil wealth rebuilding the city as a monument to himself.

Now, Saddam Hussein dreams of rebuilding the grandeur, reclaiming the vision . . . In fact, right over here there are bricks that bear an ancient stamp. It says, “I am King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, king of everything from sea to far sea.” But there are new bricks here too; this one says . . . “I am Saddam Hussein, president of the Republic of Iraq.”1

. . .

SADDAM, THE SERVANT OF SATAN

It is difficult to explain the bizarre behavior of Saddam Hussein without thinking him quite possibly demon possessed. Before he ever declared the eight-year-long war on his closest neighbor, Iran—a conflict that cost both countries over a million men and crippled countless thousands of others for life—he already had earned the title of “butcher of Baghdad” for killing his own people. Even today [1999], if it were not for the United Nations and U.S. presence in northern Iraq, he would exterminate the Kurds living in his country.

Many Westerners still don’t understand what Hussein was doing when he invaded Kuwait and triggered the Gulf War. He had his eyes set not on little Kuwait alone but on the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Jordan—all the enemies of Israel and the very countries who own 70 percent of the world’s oil. . . .

Religiously, Saddam may give lip service to Muhammad and act like a devoted Muslim, but there is strong indication that he is actually a Satanist. A key is found in Dr. Charles Pak’s report of his 1975 visit to Babylon to witness firsthand the rebuilding of that ancient city. There, for the first time in his life, Dr. Pak witnessed the worship of the devil at a reconstructed temple to the sun. When you recall that Hussein is known to micromanage everything in his country, including that entire rebuilding project, you can be sure that a temple to Satan would not be there without his approval.

Certainly Hussein is not reported to be “normal.” What normal man would take his revolver and blow the brains out of one of his own generals merely for asking to be excused from a staff meeting (where Hussein was rambling on and on) because his wife had just called to say she had to go to the hospital to deliver their child? . . .

P143

you can be sure that any city mentioned seven times in two chapters as is Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18 will be a literal city. And since it is seen there as an enormously influential city, perhaps even the capital of government, commerce, and religion, it must yet be rebuilt. . . .

Add to the above, various reports I’ve read in the last year or three about the globalist’s plans to build their world government headquarters in rebuilt Babylon . . . and it definitely begins to be more than a little interesting.

I believe that LaHaye and Jenkins’ research is accurate and conclusive. I no longer believe that Biblically predicted Babylon of the END TIMES is New York or London or Hong Kong or Tokyo. Babylon is the only one that fits the prophecies so accurately. And that’s without considering the global government’s plans to place their headquarters there.

I also believe that the above facts demonstrate the validity of taking prophecies mostly—certainly overwhelmingly—literally where at all workable. We are seeing END TIMES prophecies come alive right before our eyes on CNN month after month.

The book has many other examples of literal fulfillment of END TIMES prophecies either in the last 60 years or on the brink of being fulfilled. I consider it one of the better prophecy focused books that I’ve read in the last 35 years.

I think that the above paragraphs are indicative of the writing style and flow of the writing. It is very readable and fast paced, imho.

There are ample footnotes for each chapter but put annoyingly at the end instead of the bottom of each page. Cost considerations, I guess—or editorial stupidity.

I realize that many believers love to mock and dismiss LaHaye and Jenkins because of their fiction series. I was not a great fan of the series though I enjoyed the concluding one where Christ returned. However, this is a pleasure to read and is full of meaty information, well documented. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the END TIMES—including those who have decided on their own wisdom that we are not in the END TIMES because all such prophecies happened long ago. This book proves otherwise in abundance.

[MrRich]

Rev. 18:3 ... "the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." It's referring to Babylon here, which is a city in Iraq. Whether this is referring to the literal city of Babylon, or a future kingdom, or whether it is meant to be taken figuratively .... who knows? That's the problem with bible prophecy. There are too many ways to interpret it to be dogmatic about it. That's why I prefer to leave religion out of this and stick with facts and analysis.

[hspotman]

Rev. 18:3 ... "the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." It's referring to Babylon here, which is a city in Iraq. Whether this is referring to the literal city of Babylon, or a future kingdom, or whether it is meant to be taken figuratively .... who knows? That's the problem with bible prophecy. There are too many ways to interpret it to be dogmatic about it. That's why I prefer to leave religion out of this and stick with facts and analysis.

Yea, me too Rich. I just thought it was interesting. I am not religious at all, although I do believe there is a God. But again, I'm not gonna get into a theoretical discussion on a IQD board

[tampagirl]

Here is a very interesting article and it makes sense but is kind of scary as well!!!!!!

What are the signs of the end times?

It's important to know so we can explain to others why Christians believe what we believe.

As Peter says:

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Unfortunately, too many Christians are unable to explain why they believe we're in the last days when the opportunity presents itself.

One argument in particular seems to catch today's Christians off guard.

Peter forewarned us of this argument:

"Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

The particular version I hear most often is, "Sure, you think Jesus is coming, but so have previous generations."

The implication is that our generation will pass without the Second Coming just as those previous generations passed without His Coming.

Aside from being illogical, this assertion flies in the face of plain observation as well as mountains of irrefutable evidence.

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A Sign of the End?

Is the prevalence of Peter's end time skeptic argument in-and-of itself a sign of the end times?

No.

But let's take a second look at what he said:

"They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

Sound familiar?

How many times have you heard someone say, "It's the same now as it's always been" or at least something along those lines?

Probably a lot.

But is it?

Is it really the same?

When non-believers tell you there are no signs of the end times which are unique to our time, you need to be prepared to set the record straight.

Below are at least seven signs of the end times.

Commit them to memory, and as Peter says, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

Clear Signs of the End Times

Below is a list of seven clear signs of the end times, which highlight the nearness of Christ's return. In fact, He's so close He's knocking on the door:

1) The Holocaust and the Re-Emergence of Israel

One of the preeminent signs of the end times is the Jewish survival of the Holocaust and the re-emergence of the nation of Israel as a Jewish state.

Over 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel foretold these events:

"Then he said to me, 'Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones - all hope is gone.' Now give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 37:11-13 (NLT)

As God says, the bones in Ezekiel 37 represent the people of Israel - otherwise known as the Jews.

Following the first century Roman conquest of the Holy Land, the Jews were banished from the land of Israel. The Romans renamed the area Palestine, and exiled its people to farthest corners of the Roman Empire.

Yet, in Ezekiel 37, God promised to bring the Jews out of exile. He promised to bring them back into the land of Israel.

Not only did He promise to restore their nation, but God promised to do so by opening their "graves" at a time when the Jews feel that "all hope is gone."

The aftermath of Hitler's Holocaust of the Jewish people created these very conditions, nearly destroying an entire race of people and draining the hope of countless survivors.

But out of the Holocaust, God brought the Jewish people back into the land of Israel, just as He had promised.

On May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel reappeared in fulfillment of not just Ezekiel 37:11-13, but countless Old Testament prophecies.

Of all the signs of the end times, the re-establishment of Israel as an independent nation is the clearest and most unmistakable sign that we are in the last of the last days.

2) Jerusalem is a Burden to the World

Another visible sign of the end times is the world diplomatic struggle over Jerusalem.

The prophet Zechariah foresaw this event centuries ago:

"I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world. None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed." Zechariah 12:2-3 (NLT)

Since 1967 when the Israelis retook Jerusalem in the Six Day War, the division of Jerusalem and ownership of the Temple Mount in particular, have been a source of countless U.N. resolutions, diplomatic crises, and calls for war.

The struggle over the "Peace Process" in the Middle East is the stated number one priority of world diplomats, and Jerusalem resides at the center of discussions about "land for peace."

With the threat of World War III casting a shadow over every decision to rebuild Jewish settlements or expand Israeli society, the City of Jerusalem is no doubt "a burden for the world."

Is this "the way it's always been?"

No.

Until this generation, Jerusalem was not "a burden for the world." In fact, prior to 1948, world diplomatic leaders rarely mentioned it.

3) The Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge

One of the signs of the end times that anyone can easily recognize is the recent explosive increase in travel and knowledge.

In a vision, God revealed to Daniel that in "the time of the end," travel and knowledge will increase:

"But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase." Daniel 12:4 (NLT)

According to the book of Daniel, two things will increase in "the time of the end" - travel and knowledge.

Is this the case now?

Yes.

At the time the Book of Daniel was written, horses were the world's the fastest mode of transportation.

In fact, horses remained the world's fastest mode of transportation for over 2,000 years until the Industrial Revolution spawned such innovations as the steam boat, the locomotive, and the horseless carriage.

Prior to the 20th Century, most people rarely traveled more than 30 miles from where they were born. Today, people routinely travel from one continent to another within the same day.

Today's world is definitely not "the way it's always been."

Frequency and speed of travel have markedly increased!

What about knowledge?

In Daniel's time, few people received a formal education. In fact, basic literacy was a foreign concept to all but an elite minority of the world until the past 100 to 150 years.

Yet, in the past century alone, human knowledge of science, biology, technology, and countless fields of endeavor has exploded. And the advent of the Internet has created a worldwide archive of human knowledge that far exceeds even the wildest dreams of the great ancient civilizations.

Is humanity's knowledge base today "the same as previous generations?"

Absolutely not. Human knowledge has also markedly increased.

Given that all this can be ascertained from mere observation, how can anyone say with a straight face that "things today are the same as they've always been?"

4) Exponential Growth Marks the Times

If a marked increase in travel and knowledge constitute one of the most clearly observable signs of the end times, then the two are merely components of a much larger sign of the end times - exponential growth.

Jesus pointed to exponential growth as a sign of His Coming:

"Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, 'When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?' Jesus told them, 'Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.'" Matthew 24:3-8 (NLT)

This translation fails to communicate an important revelation from Jesus - that the end times will be analogous to the birthing process.

According to Strong's Concordance, the word "horrors" as translated above comes from the word "odin" which is best translated as "the pain of childbirth" or "birth pangs."

This means that, much like birth pangs, signs of the end times will appear with greater frequency and intensity as Christ's return draws near. This is why Jesus mentioned this sign first when answering his disciples' questions "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?"

According to Jesus, three things in particular will increase in frequency and intensity as the world draws closer to His return:

1) Wars

2) Famines

and

3) Earthquakes

Have we seen these three things increase in frequency and intensity in the recent past?

Yes.

Let's take a brief look at wars, famines, and earthquakes over the past 500 years.

Wars - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of wars, the past 500 years have witnessed an increase in the frequency of wars:

15th Century - 29 wars

16th Century - 59 wars

17th Century - 75 wars

18th Century - 69 wars

19th Century - 294 wars

20th Century - 278 wars

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 55 wars, putting humanity on course for 550 wars over the next one hundred year period.

Have these wars increased in intensity?

Yes.

For most of human history, wars were fought through individual hand-to-hand combat. But the past few hundred years have witnessed the ascension of more accurate guns, machine guns, and aerial bombing. Today, a single weapon of mass destruction can kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Famines - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of famines, the past 500 years have also witnessed an increase in the frequency of famines:

15th Century - 6 famines

16th Century - 10 famines

17th Century - 24 famines

18th Century - 28 famines

19th Century - 30 famines

20th Century - 44 famines

The first decade of the 21st Century alone has already witnessed 12 famines, putting humanity on course for 120 famines over the next one hundred year period.

Have these famines increased in intensity and severity?

Yes.

As the population of the world has grown, famines have caused more and more death and destruction in their wake.

In fact, while the Roman Empire's entire population at the time of Jesus is estimated to have been approximately 55 million people, the first half of the 20th Century alone witnessed these famines:

The 1921 famine in Russia (5 million+ dead)

The 1928-1929 famine in China (3 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Ukraine (2.6 and 10 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Kazakhstan (1.2 and 1.5 million+ dead)

The 1936 famine in China (5 million+ dead)

The 1942-1943 famine in China (1 million+ dead)

The 1946-1947 famine in the Soviet Union (1 million+ dead)

That's an estimated 18.8 to 26.5 million who perished from famine just from these seven famines alone!

And from 1959 to 1961, the Great Chinese Famine is estimated to have killed more than 36 million people.

Famines have dramatically increased in both frequency and intensity since Jesus first answered His disciples' questions.

Earthquakes - Another Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of earthquakes, the past 500 years have witnessed the following number of earthquakes described as a magnitude 7.0 or greater:

15th Century - 2 earthquakes

16th Century - 3 earthquakes

17th Century - 7 earthquakes

18th Century - 13 earthquakes

19th Century - 29 earthquakes

20th Century - 123 earthquakes

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 144 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater, putting humanity on course for 1,440 such earthquakes over the next one hundred year period!

The dramatic increase in devastating wars, famines, and earthquakes from the time of Jesus until today is one of clearest signs of the end times.

5) Rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance

Yet another sign of the end times is the current rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance.

The details of this future military alliance against Israel are found in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39:

"This is another message that came to me from the Lord: 'Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. Gomer and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.'" Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NLT)

The nations cited in the verses above are associated with their Old Testament predecessors, but they all represent nations that exist today.

Below is a list of those nations, each followed by its modern day equivalent:

Magog, Meshech, and Tubal = Russia

Persia = Iran

Cush = Ethiopia

Put = Libya

Gomer = Turkey

Beth-togarmah = Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkish-speaking people of Asia Minor

According to God, Russia will mobilize a coalition that includes these nations in the last days.

Throughout human history, there's never been a cooperative military alliance between the nations of Russia and Iran - at least until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Since then, a cooperative diplomatic and military alliance between Iran and Russia has formed and slowly expanded, ultimately leading to Russia's assistance in providing Iran with the necessary support to make the Bushehr nuclear power plant operational in 2010.

So when does the Bible tell us this alliance will form?

It definitely says, "in the last days":

"Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be lying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands. You and all your allies - a vast and awesome horde - will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud." Ezekiel 38:7-9 (NLT)

According to Strong's Concordance, "in the distant future" is better translated as "achariyth shaneh" which means "end years."

6) The Rise of Global Government

Another sign of the end times is the current trend toward globalization.

According to the Book of Revelation, globalization involves more than just multinational corporations and global commerce. One day, a single man will rule all the people and nations on the earth:

"And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation." Revelation 13:7 (NLT)

With each passing day more and more nations are ceding their sovereignty to larger institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Court.

Given the current global financial crisis and the potential catastrophe of a global war, more and more diplomatic leaders and world politicians are calling for global government.

And as human technology continues to advance and mature, we're quickly reaching a point where global totalitarian rule will be possible.

7) The Good News Preached Throughout the World

Jesus revealed the following sign of the end times to His disciples in response to their questions about the end of the age and the sign of His coming:

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

According to Christ, His Coming is preceded by the preaching of the Gospel "throughout the whole world."

This idea is reiterated in the Book of Revelation.

"And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world - to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 'Fear God,' he shouted. 'Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.'" Revelation 14:6-7 (NLT)

In the time of Jesus, the Gospel was confined to a relatively small number of people in and around Israel. And much of the earth's land mass was completely unknown to the disciples of Jesus, so the odds of the disciples preaching the Gospel of Christ "throughout the whole world" in their own time was quite remote.

Yet, 2,000 years later, the Gospel is preached in every nation, the Bible is translated in hundreds of languages, and the Gospel of Christ is delivered through thousands of ministries via radio, cable TV, satellite, and the Internet.

Is this "the way it's always been?"

Nope.

The truth is our generation is closer to preaching the Gospel "throughout the whole world" than any preceding generation.

Signs of the End Times

These are just seven signs of the end times, but they aren't the only signs.

The Bible has much to say about the last days and the time of the end, and as followers of Christ, we are warned to recognize the signs of the times.

"Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near." Matthew 24:28 (NLT)

Why?

Because if we acknowledge the signs of the end times as well as our Lord's command to stay awake and alert, we will be driven to live Godly lives. Paul emphasized this in his letter to the Romans:

"Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (NLT)

Remember, all prophecy exists to give a clear witness for Christ:

"For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

And prophecy is telling us that Christ is coming.

"In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door." Matthew 24:33 (NLT)

This is the link http://www.end-times-bible-prophecy.com/signs-of-the-end-times.html

[MrRich]

Yea, me too Rich. I just thought it was interesting. I am not religious at all, although I do believe there is a God. But again, I'm not gonna get into a theoretical discussion on a IQD board

Now look what you've done!

[Perryl99]

Revelation (no "s") is a book of symbolism written to the first century Christians to encourage them. It has lessons for us too, but somehow I don't think the first century Christians would take a lot of encouragement from reading that people thousands of years beyond them would profit on money speculation.

[hspotman]

Here is a very interesting article and it makes sense but is kind of scary as well!!!!!!

What are the signs of the end times?

It's important to know so we can explain to others why Christians believe what we believe.

As Peter says:

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Unfortunately, too many Christians are unable to explain why they believe we're in the last days when the opportunity presents itself.

One argument in particular seems to catch today's Christians off guard.

Peter forewarned us of this argument:

"Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

The particular version I hear most often is, "Sure, you think Jesus is coming, but so have previous generations."

The implication is that our generation will pass without the Second Coming just as those previous generations passed without His Coming.

Aside from being illogical, this assertion flies in the face of plain observation as well as mountains of irrefutable evidence.

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A Sign of the End?

Is the prevalence of Peter's end time skeptic argument in-and-of itself a sign of the end times?

No.

But let's take a second look at what he said:

"They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

Sound familiar?

How many times have you heard someone say, "It's the same now as it's always been" or at least something along those lines?

Probably a lot.

But is it?

Is it really the same?

When non-believers tell you there are no signs of the end times which are unique to our time, you need to be prepared to set the record straight.

Below are at least seven signs of the end times.

Commit them to memory, and as Peter says, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

Clear Signs of the End Times

Below is a list of seven clear signs of the end times, which highlight the nearness of Christ's return. In fact, He's so close He's knocking on the door:

1) The Holocaust and the Re-Emergence of Israel

One of the preeminent signs of the end times is the Jewish survival of the Holocaust and the re-emergence of the nation of Israel as a Jewish state.

Over 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel foretold these events:

"Then he said to me, 'Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones - all hope is gone.' Now give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 37:11-13 (NLT)

As God says, the bones in Ezekiel 37 represent the people of Israel - otherwise known as the Jews.

Following the first century Roman conquest of the Holy Land, the Jews were banished from the land of Israel. The Romans renamed the area Palestine, and exiled its people to farthest corners of the Roman Empire.

Yet, in Ezekiel 37, God promised to bring the Jews out of exile. He promised to bring them back into the land of Israel.

Not only did He promise to restore their nation, but God promised to do so by opening their "graves" at a time when the Jews feel that "all hope is gone."

The aftermath of Hitler's Holocaust of the Jewish people created these very conditions, nearly destroying an entire race of people and draining the hope of countless survivors.

But out of the Holocaust, God brought the Jewish people back into the land of Israel, just as He had promised.

On May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel reappeared in fulfillment of not just Ezekiel 37:11-13, but countless Old Testament prophecies.

Of all the signs of the end times, the re-establishment of Israel as an independent nation is the clearest and most unmistakable sign that we are in the last of the last days.

2) Jerusalem is a Burden to the World

Another visible sign of the end times is the world diplomatic struggle over Jerusalem.

The prophet Zechariah foresaw this event centuries ago:

"I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world. None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed." Zechariah 12:2-3 (NLT)

Since 1967 when the Israelis retook Jerusalem in the Six Day War, the division of Jerusalem and ownership of the Temple Mount in particular, have been a source of countless U.N. resolutions, diplomatic crises, and calls for war.

The struggle over the "Peace Process" in the Middle East is the stated number one priority of world diplomats, and Jerusalem resides at the center of discussions about "land for peace."

With the threat of World War III casting a shadow over every decision to rebuild Jewish settlements or expand Israeli society, the City of Jerusalem is no doubt "a burden for the world."

Is this "the way it's always been?"

No.

Until this generation, Jerusalem was not "a burden for the world." In fact, prior to 1948, world diplomatic leaders rarely mentioned it.

3) The Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge

One of the signs of the end times that anyone can easily recognize is the recent explosive increase in travel and knowledge.

In a vision, God revealed to Daniel that in "the time of the end," travel and knowledge will increase:

"But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase." Daniel 12:4 (NLT)

According to the book of Daniel, two things will increase in "the time of the end" - travel and knowledge.

Is this the case now?

Yes.

At the time the Book of Daniel was written, horses were the world's the fastest mode of transportation.

In fact, horses remained the world's fastest mode of transportation for over 2,000 years until the Industrial Revolution spawned such innovations as the steam boat, the locomotive, and the horseless carriage.

Prior to the 20th Century, most people rarely traveled more than 30 miles from where they were born. Today, people routinely travel from one continent to another within the same day.

Today's world is definitely not "the way it's always been."

Frequency and speed of travel have markedly increased!

What about knowledge?

In Daniel's time, few people received a formal education. In fact, basic literacy was a foreign concept to all but an elite minority of the world until the past 100 to 150 years.

Yet, in the past century alone, human knowledge of science, biology, technology, and countless fields of endeavor has exploded. And the advent of the Internet has created a worldwide archive of human knowledge that far exceeds even the wildest dreams of the great ancient civilizations.

Is humanity's knowledge base today "the same as previous generations?"

Absolutely not. Human knowledge has also markedly increased.

Given that all this can be ascertained from mere observation, how can anyone say with a straight face that "things today are the same as they've always been?"

4) Exponential Growth Marks the Times

If a marked increase in travel and knowledge constitute one of the most clearly observable signs of the end times, then the two are merely components of a much larger sign of the end times - exponential growth.

Jesus pointed to exponential growth as a sign of His Coming:

"Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, 'When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?' Jesus told them, 'Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.'" Matthew 24:3-8 (NLT)

This translation fails to communicate an important revelation from Jesus - that the end times will be analogous to the birthing process.

According to Strong's Concordance, the word "horrors" as translated above comes from the word "odin" which is best translated as "the pain of childbirth" or "birth pangs."

This means that, much like birth pangs, signs of the end times will appear with greater frequency and intensity as Christ's return draws near. This is why Jesus mentioned this sign first when answering his disciples' questions "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?"

According to Jesus, three things in particular will increase in frequency and intensity as the world draws closer to His return:

1) Wars

2) Famines

and

3) Earthquakes

Have we seen these three things increase in frequency and intensity in the recent past?

Yes.

Let's take a brief look at wars, famines, and earthquakes over the past 500 years.

Wars - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of wars, the past 500 years have witnessed an increase in the frequency of wars:

15th Century - 29 wars

16th Century - 59 wars

17th Century - 75 wars

18th Century - 69 wars

19th Century - 294 wars

20th Century - 278 wars

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 55 wars, putting humanity on course for 550 wars over the next one hundred year period.

Have these wars increased in intensity?

Yes.

For most of human history, wars were fought through individual hand-to-hand combat. But the past few hundred years have witnessed the ascension of more accurate guns, machine guns, and aerial bombing. Today, a single weapon of mass destruction can kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Famines - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of famines, the past 500 years have also witnessed an increase in the frequency of famines:

15th Century - 6 famines

16th Century - 10 famines

17th Century - 24 famines

18th Century - 28 famines

19th Century - 30 famines

20th Century - 44 famines

The first decade of the 21st Century alone has already witnessed 12 famines, putting humanity on course for 120 famines over the next one hundred year period.

Have these famines increased in intensity and severity?

Yes.

As the population of the world has grown, famines have caused more and more death and destruction in their wake.

In fact, while the Roman Empire's entire population at the time of Jesus is estimated to have been approximately 55 million people, the first half of the 20th Century alone witnessed these famines:

The 1921 famine in Russia (5 million+ dead)

The 1928-1929 famine in China (3 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Ukraine (2.6 and 10 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Kazakhstan (1.2 and 1.5 million+ dead)

The 1936 famine in China (5 million+ dead)

The 1942-1943 famine in China (1 million+ dead)

The 1946-1947 famine in the Soviet Union (1 million+ dead)

That's an estimated 18.8 to 26.5 million who perished from famine just from these seven famines alone!

And from 1959 to 1961, the Great Chinese Famine is estimated to have killed more than 36 million people.

Famines have dramatically increased in both frequency and intensity since Jesus first answered His disciples' questions.

Earthquakes - Another Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of earthquakes, the past 500 years have witnessed the following number of earthquakes described as a magnitude 7.0 or greater:

15th Century - 2 earthquakes

16th Century - 3 earthquakes

17th Century - 7 earthquakes

18th Century - 13 earthquakes

19th Century - 29 earthquakes

20th Century - 123 earthquakes

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 144 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater, putting humanity on course for 1,440 such earthquakes over the next one hundred year period!

The dramatic increase in devastating wars, famines, and earthquakes from the time of Jesus until today is one of clearest signs of the end times.

5) Rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance

Yet another sign of the end times is the current rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance.

The details of this future military alliance against Israel are found in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39:

"This is another message that came to me from the Lord: 'Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. Gomer and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.'" Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NLT)

The nations cited in the verses above are associated with their Old Testament predecessors, but they all represent nations that exist today.

Below is a list of those nations, each followed by its modern day equivalent:

Magog, Meshech, and Tubal = Russia

Persia = Iran

Cush = Ethiopia

Put = Libya

Gomer = Turkey

Beth-togarmah = Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkish-speaking people of Asia Minor

According to God, Russia will mobilize a coalition that includes these nations in the last days.

Throughout human history, there's never been a cooperative military alliance between the nations of Russia and Iran - at least until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Since then, a cooperative diplomatic and military alliance between Iran and Russia has formed and slowly expanded, ultimately leading to Russia's assistance in providing Iran with the necessary support to make the Bushehr nuclear power plant operational in 2010.

So when does the Bible tell us this alliance will form?

It definitely says, "in the last days":

"Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be lying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands. You and all your allies - a vast and awesome horde - will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud." Ezekiel 38:7-9 (NLT)

According to Strong's Concordance, "in the distant future" is better translated as "achariyth shaneh" which means "end years."

6) The Rise of Global Government

Another sign of the end times is the current trend toward globalization.

According to the Book of Revelation, globalization involves more than just multinational corporations and global commerce. One day, a single man will rule all the people and nations on the earth:

"And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation." Revelation 13:7 (NLT)

With each passing day more and more nations are ceding their sovereignty to larger institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Court.

Given the current global financial crisis and the potential catastrophe of a global war, more and more diplomatic leaders and world politicians are calling for global government.

And as human technology continues to advance and mature, we're quickly reaching a point where global totalitarian rule will be possible.

7) The Good News Preached Throughout the World

Jesus revealed the following sign of the end times to His disciples in response to their questions about the end of the age and the sign of His coming:

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

According to Christ, His Coming is preceded by the preaching of the Gospel "throughout the whole world."

This idea is reiterated in the Book of Revelation.

"And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world - to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 'Fear God,' he shouted. 'Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.'" Revelation 14:6-7 (NLT)

In the time of Jesus, the Gospel was confined to a relatively small number of people in and around Israel. And much of the earth's land mass was completely unknown to the disciples of Jesus, so the odds of the disciples preaching the Gospel of Christ "throughout the whole world" in their own time was quite remote.

Yet, 2,000 years later, the Gospel is preached in every nation, the Bible is translated in hundreds of languages, and the Gospel of Christ is delivered through thousands of ministries via radio, cable TV, satellite, and the Internet.

Is this "the way it's always been?"

Nope.

The truth is our generation is closer to preaching the Gospel "throughout the whole world" than any preceding generation.

Signs of the End Times

These are just seven signs of the end times, but they aren't the only signs.

The Bible has much to say about the last days and the time of the end, and as followers of Christ, we are warned to recognize the signs of the times.

"Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near." Matthew 24:28 (NLT)

Why?

Because if we acknowledge the signs of the end times as well as our Lord's command to stay awake and alert, we will be driven to live Godly lives. Paul emphasized this in his letter to the Romans:

"Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (NLT)

Remember, all prophecy exists to give a clear witness for Christ:

"For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

And prophecy is telling us that Christ is coming.

"In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door." Matthew 24:33 (NLT)

This is the link http://www.end-times-bible-prophecy.com/signs-of-the-end-times.html

Ok, so you got that from a link,lol, or did you actually think that out and type it all out? Copy/Paste? Very informative though, I "did" ask for an answer, Scooby Doo, but wasn't prepared to get such an in-depth one

[mrparrot]

Do people really need to include the ENTIRE message in a reply?

It's not bad when the original message is only a few lines,

but when the original message is longer than War And Peace,

having to scroll all the way through a lengthy original post

puts excess stress on my mouse...

[hspotman]

Do people really need to include the ENTIRE message in a reply?

It's not bad when the original message is only a few lines,

but when the original message is longer than War And Peace,

having to scroll all the way through a lengthy original post

puts excess stress on my mouse...

Lol, sorry parrot, but that was the point of doing that. A hellovalotta info....

[mrparrot]

Lol, sorry parrot, but that was the point of doing that. A hellovalotta info....

Yeah, I got the info the first time it was posted in this thread.

Does it really need to be repeated when someone replies?

[MrRich]

Here is a very interesting article and it makes sense but is kind of scary as well!!!!!!

What are the signs of the end times?

It's important to know so we can explain to others why Christians believe what we believe.

As Peter says:

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Unfortunately, too many Christians are unable to explain why they believe we're in the last days when the opportunity presents itself.

One argument in particular seems to catch today's Christians off guard.

Peter forewarned us of this argument:

"Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

The particular version I hear most often is, "Sure, you think Jesus is coming, but so have previous generations."

The implication is that our generation will pass without the Second Coming just as those previous generations passed without His Coming.

Aside from being illogical, this assertion flies in the face of plain observation as well as mountains of irrefutable evidence.

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A Sign of the End?

Is the prevalence of Peter's end time skeptic argument in-and-of itself a sign of the end times?

No.

But let's take a second look at what he said:

"They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" 2 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

Sound familiar?

How many times have you heard someone say, "It's the same now as it's always been" or at least something along those lines?

Probably a lot.

But is it?

Is it really the same?

When non-believers tell you there are no signs of the end times which are unique to our time, you need to be prepared to set the record straight.

Below are at least seven signs of the end times.

Commit them to memory, and as Peter says, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

Clear Signs of the End Times

Below is a list of seven clear signs of the end times, which highlight the nearness of Christ's return. In fact, He's so close He's knocking on the door:

1) The Holocaust and the Re-Emergence of Israel

One of the preeminent signs of the end times is the Jewish survival of the Holocaust and the re-emergence of the nation of Israel as a Jewish state.

Over 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel foretold these events:

"Then he said to me, 'Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones - all hope is gone.' Now give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 37:11-13 (NLT)

As God says, the bones in Ezekiel 37 represent the people of Israel - otherwise known as the Jews.

Following the first century Roman conquest of the Holy Land, the Jews were banished from the land of Israel. The Romans renamed the area Palestine, and exiled its people to farthest corners of the Roman Empire.

Yet, in Ezekiel 37, God promised to bring the Jews out of exile. He promised to bring them back into the land of Israel.

Not only did He promise to restore their nation, but God promised to do so by opening their "graves" at a time when the Jews feel that "all hope is gone."

The aftermath of Hitler's Holocaust of the Jewish people created these very conditions, nearly destroying an entire race of people and draining the hope of countless survivors.

But out of the Holocaust, God brought the Jewish people back into the land of Israel, just as He had promised.

On May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel reappeared in fulfillment of not just Ezekiel 37:11-13, but countless Old Testament prophecies.

Of all the signs of the end times, the re-establishment of Israel as an independent nation is the clearest and most unmistakable sign that we are in the last of the last days.

2) Jerusalem is a Burden to the World

Another visible sign of the end times is the world diplomatic struggle over Jerusalem.

The prophet Zechariah foresaw this event centuries ago:

"I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world. None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed." Zechariah 12:2-3 (NLT)

Since 1967 when the Israelis retook Jerusalem in the Six Day War, the division of Jerusalem and ownership of the Temple Mount in particular, have been a source of countless U.N. resolutions, diplomatic crises, and calls for war.

The struggle over the "Peace Process" in the Middle East is the stated number one priority of world diplomats, and Jerusalem resides at the center of discussions about "land for peace."

With the threat of World War III casting a shadow over every decision to rebuild Jewish settlements or expand Israeli society, the City of Jerusalem is no doubt "a burden for the world."

Is this "the way it's always been?"

No.

Until this generation, Jerusalem was not "a burden for the world." In fact, prior to 1948, world diplomatic leaders rarely mentioned it.

3) The Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge

One of the signs of the end times that anyone can easily recognize is the recent explosive increase in travel and knowledge.

In a vision, God revealed to Daniel that in "the time of the end," travel and knowledge will increase:

"But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase." Daniel 12:4 (NLT)

According to the book of Daniel, two things will increase in "the time of the end" - travel and knowledge.

Is this the case now?

Yes.

At the time the Book of Daniel was written, horses were the world's the fastest mode of transportation.

In fact, horses remained the world's fastest mode of transportation for over 2,000 years until the Industrial Revolution spawned such innovations as the steam boat, the locomotive, and the horseless carriage.

Prior to the 20th Century, most people rarely traveled more than 30 miles from where they were born. Today, people routinely travel from one continent to another within the same day.

Today's world is definitely not "the way it's always been."

Frequency and speed of travel have markedly increased!

What about knowledge?

In Daniel's time, few people received a formal education. In fact, basic literacy was a foreign concept to all but an elite minority of the world until the past 100 to 150 years.

Yet, in the past century alone, human knowledge of science, biology, technology, and countless fields of endeavor has exploded. And the advent of the Internet has created a worldwide archive of human knowledge that far exceeds even the wildest dreams of the great ancient civilizations.

Is humanity's knowledge base today "the same as previous generations?"

Absolutely not. Human knowledge has also markedly increased.

Given that all this can be ascertained from mere observation, how can anyone say with a straight face that "things today are the same as they've always been?"

4) Exponential Growth Marks the Times

If a marked increase in travel and knowledge constitute one of the most clearly observable signs of the end times, then the two are merely components of a much larger sign of the end times - exponential growth.

Jesus pointed to exponential growth as a sign of His Coming:

"Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, 'When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?' Jesus told them, 'Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.'" Matthew 24:3-8 (NLT)

This translation fails to communicate an important revelation from Jesus - that the end times will be analogous to the birthing process.

According to Strong's Concordance, the word "horrors" as translated above comes from the word "odin" which is best translated as "the pain of childbirth" or "birth pangs."

This means that, much like birth pangs, signs of the end times will appear with greater frequency and intensity as Christ's return draws near. This is why Jesus mentioned this sign first when answering his disciples' questions "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?"

According to Jesus, three things in particular will increase in frequency and intensity as the world draws closer to His return:

1) Wars

2) Famines

and

3) Earthquakes

Have we seen these three things increase in frequency and intensity in the recent past?

Yes.

Let's take a brief look at wars, famines, and earthquakes over the past 500 years.

Wars - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of wars, the past 500 years have witnessed an increase in the frequency of wars:

15th Century - 29 wars

16th Century - 59 wars

17th Century - 75 wars

18th Century - 69 wars

19th Century - 294 wars

20th Century - 278 wars

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 55 wars, putting humanity on course for 550 wars over the next one hundred year period.

Have these wars increased in intensity?

Yes.

For most of human history, wars were fought through individual hand-to-hand combat. But the past few hundred years have witnessed the ascension of more accurate guns, machine guns, and aerial bombing. Today, a single weapon of mass destruction can kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Famines - A Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of famines, the past 500 years have also witnessed an increase in the frequency of famines:

15th Century - 6 famines

16th Century - 10 famines

17th Century - 24 famines

18th Century - 28 famines

19th Century - 30 famines

20th Century - 44 famines

The first decade of the 21st Century alone has already witnessed 12 famines, putting humanity on course for 120 famines over the next one hundred year period.

Have these famines increased in intensity and severity?

Yes.

As the population of the world has grown, famines have caused more and more death and destruction in their wake.

In fact, while the Roman Empire's entire population at the time of Jesus is estimated to have been approximately 55 million people, the first half of the 20th Century alone witnessed these famines:

The 1921 famine in Russia (5 million+ dead)

The 1928-1929 famine in China (3 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Ukraine (2.6 and 10 million+ dead)

The 1932-1933 famine in Kazakhstan (1.2 and 1.5 million+ dead)

The 1936 famine in China (5 million+ dead)

The 1942-1943 famine in China (1 million+ dead)

The 1946-1947 famine in the Soviet Union (1 million+ dead)

That's an estimated 18.8 to 26.5 million who perished from famine just from these seven famines alone!

And from 1959 to 1961, the Great Chinese Famine is estimated to have killed more than 36 million people.

Famines have dramatically increased in both frequency and intensity since Jesus first answered His disciples' questions.

Earthquakes - Another Sign of the End Times

According to a Wikipedia list of earthquakes, the past 500 years have witnessed the following number of earthquakes described as a magnitude 7.0 or greater:

15th Century - 2 earthquakes

16th Century - 3 earthquakes

17th Century - 7 earthquakes

18th Century - 13 earthquakes

19th Century - 29 earthquakes

20th Century - 123 earthquakes

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 144 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater, putting humanity on course for 1,440 such earthquakes over the next one hundred year period!

The dramatic increase in devastating wars, famines, and earthquakes from the time of Jesus until today is one of clearest signs of the end times.

5) Rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance

Yet another sign of the end times is the current rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance.

The details of this future military alliance against Israel are found in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39:

"This is another message that came to me from the Lord: 'Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. Gomer and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.'" Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NLT)

The nations cited in the verses above are associated with their Old Testament predecessors, but they all represent nations that exist today.

Below is a list of those nations, each followed by its modern day equivalent:

Magog, Meshech, and Tubal = Russia

Persia = Iran

Cush = Ethiopia

Put = Libya

Gomer = Turkey

Beth-togarmah = Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkish-speaking people of Asia Minor

According to God, Russia will mobilize a coalition that includes these nations in the last days.

Throughout human history, there's never been a cooperative military alliance between the nations of Russia and Iran - at least until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Since then, a cooperative diplomatic and military alliance between Iran and Russia has formed and slowly expanded, ultimately leading to Russia's assistance in providing Iran with the necessary support to make the Bushehr nuclear power plant operational in 2010.

So when does the Bible tell us this alliance will form?

It definitely says, "in the last days":

"Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be lying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands. You and all your allies - a vast and awesome horde - will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud." Ezekiel 38:7-9 (NLT)

According to Strong's Concordance, "in the distant future" is better translated as "achariyth shaneh" which means "end years."

6) The Rise of Global Government

Another sign of the end times is the current trend toward globalization.

According to the Book of Revelation, globalization involves more than just multinational corporations and global commerce. One day, a single man will rule all the people and nations on the earth:

"And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation." Revelation 13:7 (NLT)

With each passing day more and more nations are ceding their sovereignty to larger institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Court.

Given the current global financial crisis and the potential catastrophe of a global war, more and more diplomatic leaders and world politicians are calling for global government.

And as human technology continues to advance and mature, we're quickly reaching a point where global totalitarian rule will be possible.

7) The Good News Preached Throughout the World

Jesus revealed the following sign of the end times to His disciples in response to their questions about the end of the age and the sign of His coming:

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

According to Christ, His Coming is preceded by the preaching of the Gospel "throughout the whole world."

This idea is reiterated in the Book of Revelation.

"And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world - to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 'Fear God,' he shouted. 'Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.'" Revelation 14:6-7 (NLT)

In the time of Jesus, the Gospel was confined to a relatively small number of people in and around Israel. And much of the earth's land mass was completely unknown to the disciples of Jesus, so the odds of the disciples preaching the Gospel of Christ "throughout the whole world" in their own time was quite remote.

Yet, 2,000 years later, the Gospel is preached in every nation, the Bible is translated in hundreds of languages, and the Gospel of Christ is delivered through thousands of ministries via radio, cable TV, satellite, and the Internet.

Is this "the way it's always been?"

Nope.

The truth is our generation is closer to preaching the Gospel "throughout the whole world" than any preceding generation.

Signs of the End Times

These are just seven signs of the end times, but they aren't the only signs.

The Bible has much to say about the last days and the time of the end, and as followers of Christ, we are warned to recognize the signs of the times.

"Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near." Matthew 24:28 (NLT)

Why?

Because if we acknowledge the signs of the end times as well as our Lord's command to stay awake and alert, we will be driven to live Godly lives. Paul emphasized this in his letter to the Romans:

"Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (NLT)

Remember, all prophecy exists to give a clear witness for Christ:

"For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

And prophecy is telling us that Christ is coming.

"In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door." Matthew 24:33 (NLT)

This is the link http://www.end-times-bible-prophecy.com/signs-of-the-end-times.html

I agree with Mr. Parrot. Very annoying.

[rroadrunner]

I personally like Proverbs 13:22. I think this is talking about the nation of Iraq and the Dinar. My opinion only.

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the wicked or sinner finds it's way into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid upon." I truely believe this scripture it meant for us as Christians.

[daniel c]

Rev. 18:3 ... "the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." It's referring to Babylon here, which is a city in Iraq. Whether this is referring to the literal city of Babylon, or a future kingdom, or whether it is meant to be taken figuratively .... who knows? That's the problem with bible prophecy. There are too many ways to interpret it to be dogmatic about it. That's why I prefer to leave religion out of this and stick with facts and analysis.

have any one consider this : for the last 30-50 years which is the that fits the description of " her " where the merchants of the earth get rich through her? USA

not forgetting the verse preceding this verse " For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,"

which country have the most powerful and influential culture and media influence on "sexual liberty" - USA and Hollywood comes to mind

i believe babylon is not to be taken literally as IRAQ

[abridge]

I have read posts in here of some biblical references to some ofc what has or is happening with the GOI seating over there. I am wondering, in Revelations was there ever a scripture that tells about many in the world becoming very wealthy before the end? I only ask because I know many of you here are of a religious nature, and quote the Bible alot.

Whenever the scriptures speak of the end...it is speaking of the end of the Old Covenant ... those days were called the last days... so no, it has no reference in Rev. to the wealth of many....

This world is "without end"....

[marcuscurtis]

I have read posts in here of some biblical references to some ofc what has or is happening with the GOI seating over there. I am wondering, in Revelations was there ever a scripture that tells about many in the world becoming very wealthy before the end? I only ask because I know many of you here are of a religious nature, and quote the Bible alot.

There is so much information on this. There are last days prophecies concerning Babylon. The bible goes into much detail. Most people think of revelations chapters 17 and 18. There are numerous scriptures in the old testament as well. Isaiah chapters 13 and 14. Also Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. Babylon is located In Iraq 62 miles south of bagdad. According to prophecy the city will be rebuilt and there will be a final battle there. Scriptures say at that time Babylon is some sort of world capital. Some speculate that it may be the capital of the one world government.

The interesting part to all of this is that there is nothing there right now. Download google earth and look at Babylon. You should also know Babylon never fell in battle. What I mean is it was never destroyed in battle. So everything in scripture is a future reference. I could outline the whole thing but it would be a very long post. I would need to explain how and why biblical prophecy works. This would be long winded. If you are looking for just one scripture then I would say read Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

In addition to this there are numerous scriptures in the chapters I just recommended that talk about Babylon ruling over Kings.

Some people believe this stuff and some people do not. After devoting major time to study this I can tell you that I can be counted among the believers.

Marcus

Edited October 14, 2010 by marcuscurtis

[hspotman]

...........I could outline the whole thing but it would be a very long post. I would need to explain how and why biblical prophecy works. This would be long winded. If you are looking for just.............

Marcus

We don't want to annoy some people here with long posts that will most likely be copied in replies, so NO....DON"T OUTLINE THE WHOLE THING!!!! Lol.

[marcuscurtis]

We don't want to annoy some people here with long posts that will most likely be copied in replies, so NO....DON"T OUTLINE THE WHOLE THING!!!! Lol.

Exactly....This is why I cut it short. maybe the best thing to do is supply links for those who are interested. One cool thing to do is to download google earth and take a little time to explore Iraq. I would recommend this to anyone weather or not they are looking for bible facts or just looking at Iraq. This was a lot of fun to do.