It’s daunting to figure out what is truly important in the news and how it all fits together. Bible prophecy can help you understand what it all means for you.
Consider these July 2012 news headlines from the Associated Press and Yahoo! News:
Violence Rages Across Syria.
Clinton Warns Iran During Israel Visit.
Iran Adds France, Germany to Culprits List.
Saudi Warns Non-Muslims: Respect Ramadan or Else.
Egypt’s New Leader Vows Support for Palestinians.
Europe Debt Concerns Push Markets, Euro Lower.
Hamas PM to Meet Islamist President of Egypt.
Egypt’s Morsi to Rethink Israel Peace Pact.
Do you see the connections?
Is it clear how these headlines fit together? These, when put in the right framework, tell an amazing story that has already been told in the pages of your Bible. What does that mean for you?
Watching all that is going on around this globe, do you get the sense that we are at the very brink of something big? Our Bibles tell us what is coming, and there is much revealed that exposes the headlines above. Take a brief journey with us and connect the dots to see the big picture.
Jesus gives us a few dots to connect…
Jesus Christ said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).
Our Savior tells us the big picture includes a time of distress in the world so great that if the time were to last too long, all life would be destroyed. Is it a coincidence that we now live in the only time ever upon this earth when enough weapons of mass destruction exist to fulfill His words? That is an important dot!
Christ added another special piece of information. Jerusalem is at the heart of it all. A parallel chapter in Luke adds: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:20-22).
Is the puzzle now making sense?
Connect the dot that we do indeed live in the time when the world can be destroyed and the dot that Jerusalem and war are at the heart of Christ’s prophetic words.
What dot would you add next? Let’s see what the prophet Daniel tells us.
“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape” (Daniel 11:40-42).
What do you see?
Historically, the king of the South referred to the Ptolemaic line of kings who ruled in Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. It is probable that Egypt will be an integral part of any confederation of Muslim states that will be led by the “king of the South” in the future. He will attack a group of nations led by a strong leader Daniel identifies as “the king of the North.”
Daniel was inspired to tell us this would happen at the very end time! The time of man’s rule over himself will soon end. Daniel also tells us that the Glorious Land—with Jerusalem at its heart—will be overwhelmed.
Christ spoke of the end. Daniel spoke of the end. Both prophecies put Jerusalem at the center of it all. Daniel clearly paints the picture of the armies of two regions coming against each other from both sides of the tiny nation of Israel.
You have now connected the dots. Did you reach the same conclusion as we do? We are literally living in the last days. A time of trouble that will devastate almost all life on this planet is soon approaching. Your Bible predicted the very time we now are living in.
Do you know the Bible indicates where the king of the North has his power base? It reveals details about what will unfold next. You need to understand what is coming! Explore our section on “Prophecy” and you will find scriptures that address these issues.
So what should I do now?
Do we sit idly by and just wait? Or do the words of your Bible tell you how to react? Our loving Father would never give the ominous warnings of a severe punishment to come without first offering us the guidelines of how to stay within His protection. Do you know what God wants for you? Do you understand the reason and purpose for your life? To know this, you must also come to see what God wants from you.
Many will connect the dots. Many will begin to see what you are seeing. Many will get caught in the midst of what lies ahead having sensed what you sense. But how many will ask themselves the two most important questions in life?
What does God want for me?
What does God want from me?
You have found a site where these answers can be found! Search the pages of this site and find answers from your own Bible. Feel free to contact us with your questions. Your future and the future of everyone you love may well rest in your desire to understand.
Ask these two questions and get the answers!
This is the first of a two part series on understanding the Prophetic Puzzle. For part 2 in this series, see the article “Prophetic Puzzle: What's in It for Me?”
Date Posted: August 1, 2012
About the Author
Barry Richey
Barry Richey is an elder serving in the Fort Worth, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He owns a financial planning practice in Lewisville, Texas.
