Maranatha Bible Church

The rapidly developing mass uprisings of this past week in Egypt and several of the other nations reminds us of how quickly the geopolitical world can change. Apparently, millions of people were organized and motivated to action using the popular Internet social networking sites "Facebook" and "Twitter". The Egyptian government, recognizing the dangers of these mass anti government communications, quickly shut down their Internet services, as well as, most of the cell phone networks. However, the government's attempt to disrupt their citizen's communications, came too late.

One of the many signs that we are nearing the end of time may be found in the Old Testament book of Daniel in the twelfth chapter; "...many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." There have been many different interpretations of this Scripture, but my understanding is that as we approach the end of time, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the rapture of His Church, there will be an exponential increase in travel and knowledge. If that is the correct interpretation of Daniel's prophecy, then the exponential increases in both travel and knowledge in this generation are another sign warning us that the end is near.

Now I'm not into predicting exact dates for the rapture and second coming; "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:36). However, remember that Jesus also said that we can know the season; "Now learn from the parable of the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you to, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door." (Matthew 24:32).

God created this world probably less than 6,000 to 12,000 years ago. I'll let others who are certainly more qualified than me explain why the earth is not billions and billions of years old. However, just 150 years ago the fastest means of transportation was by horseback at a top speed of about 40 miles per hour (Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby at an average speed of 37.5 mph). Today, the space shuttle travels at a speed of about 18,000 mph! And people can fly at about 600 mph to destinations all over the world. Each day there are about 180,000 airplane flights and billions more travel billions of miles each day in trains, automobiles and ships; "...many will go back and forth".

We are said to be living in the "Information Age" making the fulfillment of this prophecy, "...and knowledge will increase", seem even more obvious. Even the most skeptical mind must admit that knowledge is exploding in all directions. It is said that 80% percent of the world's total knowledge has been brought forth in just the last decade. The first Internet users logged on in 1969. Today there are over 2 billion users who log on to the Internet each day. While truth and godly wisdom will not necessarily increase... "Knowledge will increase".
 

So if Daniel's prophecies are telling us that; "Summer is near", what are we to do? Put on our white robes, go to the mountain top and wait for the Lord to return? No... In the verses just proceeding Daniel's final prophecy, the Lord told Daniel and us what we should be doing with the truth of God's word as the time draws near; "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars  forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3). We need to proclaim the Gospel (good news) of our Lord Jesus Christ and tell everyone who will listen that; "the Lord is near, right at the door." Maranatha!