Tribulation Showdown Signs
First, Jesus was talking about the signs of His coming when He said, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-29).
Among other things, Jesus was pointing out that the people of Noah’s day and Lot’s day were going about their ordinary pursuits (eating, drinking, marrying, etc.) with no thought that God would soon judge them for their sin.
Because of sin in Noah’s day, the Flood would deluge the world. And in Lot’s day, fire and brimstone would soon destroy Sodom and Gomorrah; but the people were not concerned that the judgment of God would fall on them.
In their eyes, everything was normal. They continued their godless pursuits with no thoughts of a showdown with God.
A recent Gallup Poll reminded me of this. The pollsters found that pornography is morally acceptable to 27% of all Republicans, 43% of all Americans, and 53% of all Democrats. Multitudes are simply ignoring how God might respond.
Second, Jesus also said there will be “earthquakes in divers places” (Matt. 24:7).
The Church Age has always had earthquakes, but some Bible verses indicate that they will increase in frequency and intensity (like birth pains) at the end of the age.
Third, it was recently reported that there were more than 500 earthquakes near the summit of Kilauea in one 24-hour period (the most ever in 24 hours at that place) and more than 12,000 earthquakes there in the last 30 days.
This was not an increase in intensity, but it was definitely an increase in frequency.
Fourth, God said on earth there will be “fire and vapour of smoke” (Acts 2:19).
Two volcanoes (Kilauea and Fuego) have been spitting fire, smoke and hot toxic gases for several days. Kilauea has burned hundreds of houses and structures.
Fuego has caused burns on thousands of people.
The Steamboat geyser in Yellowstone National Park has erupted 8 times since March. This is unprecedented in such a short period of time. Some explosions have been very strong.
The combined activity of Kilauea, Fuego and Steamboat is causing concern for some scientists.
Fifth, wars and rumors of wars are also a sign (Matt. 24:6), and more and more it looks like a showdown with Iran is on the horizon.
Pres. Trump and Prime Min. Netanyahu have made it clear that the U.S. and Israel will not let Iran develop nuclear weapons.
Pres. Trump plainly said there will be “devastating consequences” for Iran if the nation restarts its nuclear development program.
On June 6, 2018, Iran announced that it will resume construction on a factory that will produce centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons. Their military expects the construction to be complete in about one month.
Also, on June 6, 2018, Pres. Trump approved a strengthening of America’s military forces in Israel in preparation for a military showdown with Iran.
He has also approved an increase in Israel’s military capabilities by sending a large number of tankers to refuel Israel’s Jets in the air during attacks on Iran.
Sixth, at the June 2018 G-7 meeting in Canada, Pres. Trump was scorned; Prime Min. Trudeau stabbed the U.S. in the back; there was talk of isolating the U.S. from the remainder of the G-7; and Angela Merkel called for the EU to take a stronger role in global affairs.
This corresponds to the opinion of many prophecy teachers that the U.S. will decline and the EU will dominate a New World Order during the Tribulation Period.
Seventh, a group of nations called the Kings of the East will invade the Middle East during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 16:12).
The Bible does not identify the Kings of the East, but some prophecy teachers suggest that they are China, North Korea, and perhaps India, Japan and others.
A few months ago, it looked like Pres. Trump was close to destroying the North Korean military, and that would have brought this prophetic scenario into question.
Pres. Trump’s historic agreement with Kim Jong Un allows the North Korean military to hang around for its Tribulation Period showdown with God.
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com